Part Ten
It felt like a mere blink when I stepped through the portal. I found myself in a small, candlelit room where a human man awaited my arrival.
He introduced himself as Ackyn Selebon, a partner of Frume's. He explained that he runs a shop that outfits caravans with all the supplies they could need, along with wagon repairs if needed. The cultists had already entered the city and were making their preparations, but he let us know they were still in need of guards.
I decided to cast another glamour upon myself, just in case. There are many eyes in this city, and I cannot afford being seen by the cult. I took the form of a raven-haired elf once more.
Selebon hurried us out the door, through the tavern and then quickly down the streets towards his shop to see if we could find work as caravan guards. The streets of the outer city were packed with various merchants and smells. I could hear the shipyard in the distance.
Selebon's shop turned out to be more of a junkyard. Supplies for wagons lay in stacks strewn across a large plot of land, with multiple shoppers picking through the salvage. A group of darkly dressed men carrying a large palanquin stood in the centre of the yard, awaiting Selebon’s return.
We waited at the front gates while Selebon greeted his customers. A woman dressed in long satin robes stepped from the palanquin, seemingly talking to another passenger as she exited.
While we waited for Selebon, another group of potential caravan guards walked up. Apparently this was the place to be to pick up some extra coin and work, and a line of hopefuls quickly appeared. A man wearing a thick coat and wool cap introduced himself as Azbara Jos but seemed pretty introverted, so we did not talk much. The other was a gnome woman named Jamna Gleamsilver, who was heading north to visit family and wanted to work as a guard to earn gold along the way.
Before we could discuss more, Selebon waved us over. The group and the palanquin were leaving as we passed, a smell of sulfur left in their wake. Selebon informed us that he sold the cultists 4 months worth of food and supplies, and they had hired us on as extra help as well. Azbara and Jamna were also hired, so as a group we traveled to the northern part of the city to get ready for our journey.
The plan for this caravan was to travel from Baldur's Gate to Waterdeep, a town 750 miles away. It will take a few months, and I will have to keep my disguise up at all times. The only times I can let my guard down are in my tent, but even then I will be wary.
Only a third of the caravan, as far as I knew, was a part of the cult. Multiple families and merchants are travelling north, and with the recent dragon scares, the more numbers, the better. Wagons full of gold, merchandise, and spices lined the roads north of Baldur's Gate. Guards riding armored horses checked wagons for ride alongs while children ran and played.
The sun began to set as we made our final preparations. My companions were ready, our bags were packed, and all we needed now was the early morning to come. I have a feeling I won't be getting much sleep tonight.
Part One
