10. Scoundrels in two kingdoms

As Thogan analyzed the villainous Scoundrel’s Tavern from a distance, a feeling of defeat overcame him. His friend was with the witch, and they had not found a single warrior to join them. Now he would have to look in unorthodox places. Thogan disguised himself in order to blend in with the crowd. He braided his beard and wore darkened glasses. He wore a dark steel helmet and leather boots with a black jacket and simple, raggedy pants. If bikers existed in this world, he would look like one right now. Misses Tearbags was supposed to stay outside. Thogan would signal to her in case he was in danger. The safe word was an easily understandable: “Help”. After taking a deep breath to dampen his nervousness, Thogan entered the tavern. The wizards eyes traveled along the crowd. These were though people: bandits, criminals, bounty hunters and occultists, practicing dark magic. This was Aunt Velma’s home and it fit her perfectly. Back in the kingdom, Alfred had barricaded himself and the rest of his loyal subjects in his fortress. He looked out of a high positioned window at the wooden entrance gate and saw Aunt Velma and her gang coming towards him. Many of his guards had betrayed him and the peasantry, fed up with the monarch, was cheering on the invaders. By his side were only Betty and his son Ineptus, still stuck on the stone circle. To reach the front entrance, the invaders had to drive up a good amount of stairs. Only the battering ram in the front and one carriage behind it moved upwards. In it were Velma, the family, Melvin and a few bandits. As soon as they reached the gate, Velma exited her vehicle and took in the cheerful crowd, telling them that they were about to be liberated. Alfred looked on from the window up top. The crowd was very loud, since Velma was actively hyping them up with a charismatic speech. To be heard, one would have to talk very loudly. As Melvin noticed Alfred, he yelled out: “What was that idea with the posters, dingus?!” “They were rioting, and I thought if they knew the architect, they would go after you and not me!”, he replied, unashamed of his betrayal. Aunt Velma looked up at Alfred while grinning: “Hello there Alfred! Isn’t it funny that we all got here just because of a little letter?” “The letter?! I should have known it was you, you witch!”, he answered angrily. “What letter?”, Betty asked. “A few days ago I got a letter, telling me Verzamelaar was alive, and he hid in a cave in Hell’s Chasm. He supposedly held onto a crystal that granted you a wish.” “And you just trusted that?! Why did you need it anyway and how did Ineptus out of all people find it?”, Betty asked him in a baffled manner. “1. The letter was very eloquently written. 2. Our gold reserves were running low because of the statues, so I wanted to wish for more and 3. I honestly don’t know. I wasn’t going to risk my life by climbing down that chasm, so I sent him.” Ineptus turned to Betty and proudly talked: “I just jumped down and the many slopes broke my fall.” She was shocked, the chasm was very deep. Alfred assured her: “No worries, there is no brain to hurt.” As their conversation finished, they were startled by the brunt of the battering ram slamming into the gate. Thogan on the other hand, had a surprisingly much more comfortable time. He was playing cards on a round table, enjoying his winning streak. At the same time as he slammed down his cards on the table to win yet another round, the battering ram finally broke through the thick gate.