- Joined
- Jan 9, 2019
- Messages
- 918
- Points
- 133
Evaluation
"A Bear? Thank you for finding Victor, it would have been disastrous other wise, here is your reward."
Reward
UNAPPRAISED
Having two sons myself, I can't help but take this quest. I will not have children suffer when I am around, be they my own or someone else's. And if I can prevent children from going missing, that's even better! My poor little ones! Daddy will protect you! ...ahem.
It seems that someone's son, named Victor, went missing in the swamps to the south. That's problematic, as it seems like access to that area is rather new - with a bridge having been constructed recently - so there is no one I can ask to lead the way. No matter, I will find Victor. This might be a long day, but there's nothing to regret. I will save Victor.
After leaving the city to the south I continue on and cross the bridge, trying to discover anything that might help me find Victor. But there are no traces I can find on the way to the swamp. Which means the next part of the search. I raise my hands to my mouth, take a deep breath, and shout: "VICTOR! ARE YOU THERE!?"
I wait for a few seconds and listen, but receive no response. I was afraid that might happen. Now, what do I know about Victor? A rather young boy that wore common shoes, ran off into the swamp alone and was wearing a... black shirt last he was seen. Not a lot, but everything I have. I start to search for small footprints, slowly circling outwards from the bridge while keeping a close eye on the ground. Come on, there has to be something somewhere...
Then I spot a track of small feet. That... could be it. Or someone else. But it's worth a try. With my sword, I cut off a branch from a nearby tree and shorten it so that its length is about the distance between the footprints, and then proceed to follow the tracks, using the stick as an indicator where tracks might be whenever I have trouble finding some. Then, I spot a small patch of black cloth on some thorns along the track. Meaning that I most likely am following the right tracks. I once again shout for Victor but receive no reply. Dammit.
So I keep following the tracks. Here he passed through some tall grass. Here he broke through the thin ground but managed to pull himself free. More torn cloth. I shout again. Is that a whimpering back there? The tracks seem to point in that direction. I might be close. Could he be hurt? Find the tracks, find the tracks... come on, they have to be here somewhere. One more shout. This time, I clearly hear the whimpering.
Sprinting through the undergrowth, I suddenly discover a small pile lying beneath a tree. It's Victor! Breath? Still there. Heartbeat? Good. No large injury. I carefully lift him up into a princess carry, not caring about the mud his body is almost caked in, then turn to leave - only to see a bear walk through the undergrowth nearby. I halt. The bear spots me and halts as well. Ever so slowly, I move backward.
"Don't worry bearie, we're about to leave. We don't want to fight, or hurt you, just let us leave..."
Step by step I move away from the bear that keeps eyeing us before it finally turns away and disappears into the undergrowth. Okay. Good. We survived that. Not to get back to the city while not startling the bear...
A very large detour later, I finally arrive at the bridge again. Thank god - or whatever being is responsible for getting us out of there safely. Maybe I should thank myself? Heh, if only. Now, let's return Victor to his home.
The way back to the city is without any complications and I hand the still unconscious Victor over to his family and describe the circumstances I found him in, but they simply are happy he is back. So am I. I also am exhausted, my heart is still pounding, and I have a stench to wash off before I return to my family. I hand over my report to the guild and start walking back to the inn to take a thorough bath and to clean my clothes with mud-caked boots. Finally, I retire for the day.
"A Bear? Thank you for finding Victor, it would have been disastrous other wise, here is your reward."
Reward
- Points: 100 EXP
- Money: 15 G