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Chapter 6 - The Brass Hand

Aralynn breathed out shakily, lowering her revolver. What had just been a hostage situation was now resolved with the kidnapper dead on the cold stone road and the captive struggling to stand. The party sat in a stunned silence.

Aralynn walked forwards, holstering her revolver and picking up her rapier. Walking over to the half-orc, she stabbed him through the throat before wiping her rapier off on his cloak and sheathing it.

As she started towards the bound hobgoblin, Perona walked up to Aralynn. "What was that?" 

Aralynn pulled off her gloves, and inspected the rope's handiwork before deciding it was too much trouble and pulling her gloves back on. "It's my revolver."

Perona cocked her head to one side. "How does it work? And couldn't you have done that earlier?" Seeing Aralynn ponder over the ropes, Perona offered Aralynn her dagger, which Aralynn accepted gratefully.

"Please turn around," She instructed the hobgoblin woman. "I'll need to cut through these ropes." The hobgoblin woman turned around and Aralynn got to work hacking through the rope as the rest of the party arrived.

Aralynn finished cutting the ropes and slashed through the captive's gag, and the hobgoblin dropped to the ground, panting and gasping for air. "You'll be alright. Take a moment." Aralynn pat the hobgoblin's shoulder reassuringly, before turning back to her party.

"What in the abyss was that?" Amon inquired, staring at the birdfolk. Grango and Hadarai arrived as well. 

Aralynn hesitated. "As I've already told Perona, that was my revolver. It's… complicated to explain what it is and how it works, but just think of it as a miniature cannon. The reason I didn't shoot them earlier was because I need to conserve ammunition… The ammunition for this weapon is incredibly hard to come by, so I only use it as a last resort. Currently, I only have about three shots left."

Grango nodded. "But you're well acquainted with your rapier, I see."

"Yes. I'd like to continue using my rapier over my revolver whenever possible." Aralynn glanced around, then crouched down next to the hobgoblin woman. "Are you alright, miss…"

"Sena," The hobgoblin coughed. "My name is Sena. Many thanks for saving me. Though I don't have much recompense, I'll find some way to pay you all back."

Come to think of it, her name was written on the request flyer, Aralynn thought.

Hadarai moved to Sena's side and helped her on her feet. They were about the same height, with the hobgoblin woman slightly taller. "It's nothing much," Hadarai laughed. "We simply did the right thing. Besides, Irene, the tavernkeep, is paying us. Come," Hadarai offered. "Lean on me if you're injured. We'll escort you back."

- - -

By the time they returned to the tavern, the last rays of sunlight had long since faded from the sky. A dusky twilight hung over the town, and lanterns flickered to life one by one along the cobbled streets. The group moved in weary silence, the adrenaline of battle now replaced by sore muscles and the occasional yawn.

Aralynn still kept alert, her eyes flicking from side to side.

Inside, the tavern was quieter than usual, a low hum of conversation and clinking mugs the only remnants of the earlier bustle. Sena embraced each of them before leaving.

After seeing her off, Aralynn made her way to the bar with her group where Irene was already counting coins and scribbling into her ledger. The tavernkeep slid a small pouch across the counter. "Your payment."

Aralynn offered a tired smile, fingers closing around the pouch. "Thanks."

She was halfway to the stairs when Irene called out, "Wait. Just a moment."

The rest of the group paused as well, exchanging looks. Aralynn turned back, brows raised. "Something wrong?"

"No, no." Irene came out from behind the bar, drying her hands on a cloth. "Quite the opposite, actually. May I extend an offer?"

Perona arched an eyebrow. "An offer? This late at night?"

Irene chuckled softly. "I know you're all likely running on fumes, but I couldn't let you go without saying something. What you did today- it wasn't just brave. It was effective. Clean. You worked very well out there."

Amon tilted his head. "You were watching?"

"Word travels fast in a small town, especially when bandits are involved. And yes- I had my eye on you," Irene admitted. "Now that I've seen how you work, I'd like to formally ask: Would you consider joining the Brass Hand?"

Perona's expression turned thoughtful. "Is that some kind of adventurer's guild?"

"More than that," Irene said, her voice lowering slightly. "The Brass Hand is a network. We operate across regions, often under the watch, as it were. We protect the common folk when no one else will. When the nobles look the other way, we step in."

Amon folded his arms. "So why didn't you handle the bandits yourselves?"

"A fair question," Irene said, not flinching. "Truth is, we're stretched thin. And yes, it was something of a test. Not a trap- hephaestus, no- but a way to see who was still willing to do the right thing without a banner or that high of a bounty."

Interesting, Aralynn thought. Let's try… Comprehension. Comprehension was a skill that allowed the user to understand different languages, read body language, discern lies, and read people and their intentions in general.

[Comprehension Lv. 4 Has been activated!]

[Comprehension has found that the tavernkeep, Irene, is being truthful.]

Aralynn narrowed her hawk eyes and studied Irene closely. "And you think we passed?"

"With flying colors," Irene said. "I won't pressure you. Sleep on it. Your rooms are paid for tonight, consider it our thanks. But if you're curious- come find me in the morning. We always have room for people who give a damn."

With that, Irene returned to the bar, leaving them in a quiet semicircle near the stairwell.

The silence lingered for a moment.

"That was… unexpected," Amon muttered.

"Tempting, though," Perona replied, her voice softer than usual.

As the others drifted off to their rooms, Aralynn started toward the stairs when a voice called her back.

"Aralynn. I can call you that, right?"

She turned to find Perona lingering at the base of the stairs. The half-elf's silver-blond hair shimmered faintly in the warm orange light of the tavern as she tucked a strand behind her ear. Her expression was calm, but Aralynn could feel something more serious, even without Comprehension.

"Oh-yes, of course. Ms. Perona. What is it?"

Perona glanced upward, then back at her. "Can we talk?"

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