The missing piece

[Wave]

Ray finally got some rest at the local inn. His last job wasn't anything special, if it weren't for the woman he was escorting here. She was far too paranoid, not wanting to stop anywhere, for seemingly no reason. 2 days without reason are a draining task, but the pay was good, especially because the other mercenary dropped out after the first day, doubling Rays payment.

He didn't get enough rest in the inn however. A man came in, saying something about the disappearance of a local noble and that those interested should gather at the
marketplace.
Ray didn't go immediately, contemplating if he should go take another job or get some rest first.
Since the village didn't seem too big, another job would probably not turn up so easily, and he wasn't interested in getting stuck here for a longer time.

Rest would need to wait, he decided, heading out to the marketplace to find out more.

[FYIMyPawn]

Ray wouldn't get much in the way for information from the locals, but he would know some sort of individual is also searching for this girl too, you can assume this as the cloaked individual who is searching for info on that noble last night at the inn. Given the locals wouldn't be much help you could try asking him if he's still around in town.

Grynth would be currently walking around with a small note of an address to the noble's estate, So far he has discovered the noble who went missing is the daughter of the noble in the town, and is seeking the father of the noble daughter for more information. Lucky for Ray, he is walking past him after his multiple failed attempts at getting more information about the father of this noblewoman.

His body is well covered with clothing, and his face is hidden behind a painted clay mask, if you spot him it would be impossible to discern what race, age, and skin color he is. As far as you know, he appears male and is 6' roughly in size. The only notable feature about him is that he wields a greatsword with engravings on the blade itself in an elaborate design, clearly showing forms of a primal ritual magic design, as for what it uses, unless you are familiar with primal magic, you wont know that blood seems to be the material component required to activate the blade.

[Wave]

Ray was unable to find anything useful. The only thing keeping him going, despite his lack of sleep, was that the payment look too promising to give up.
The only thing he had heard was that someone else also took the job. Finding them looked like it would be just as hard as finding the missing noble, with his only lead proven useless. He was blind after all, and situations like these always showed him that.

He was about to call it a day and finally get some sleep as someone passed him who definitely stood out from everyone else. He was far too tired to try anything taxing, but since this was his first lead to anything, Ray decided to follow him. He could still call it a day if this was another dead end. 

[FYIMyPawn]

Grynth would spend a long time walking, eventually going outside of the city, assuming you're trailing him from a distance, he wouldn't stop and would reach the outside of a gate to a mansion. However if you're making it clear your following him, he would stop and look to you and speak up.

"And why may I ask are you trailing me?" He would say, his voice sounding soft and smooth. "It doesn't leave a good impression when you trail someone without them knowing." He has his hand ready to draw his blade, but waits for your response if there is one, and moving at this current time doesn't seem wise, otherwise he might take a defensive stance.

If you didn't clearly follow him, he would approach the gate, mention the note and have himself go inside. The mansion has one or two guards, but otherwise seems like a simple house with not that much land, but enough to show your status as a noble, and go inside the building itself.

[Wave]

Ray had to follow him quite closely, almost loosing him once.
It did not appear that whoever he was following knew more than Ray already did, if he was even involved in this at all.
After following him outside the city, Ray was starting to think that this could be an ambush.

Just as he was about to gain some distance, Ray finally got a response.
"Sorry. Did not mean to bother you. Just thought you may know more than me."
He was about to turn around and leave, only to stop and realize that he had no idea how to get back.

[FYIMyPawn]

Grynth would look at the man, and remain steadfast and resolute, but he lowers his hand from his weapon, clearly taking notice he isn't there for hostile action. "If you're talking about the noble, I'm still trying to hunt information. I'm going to the estate to gather more on the girl, get an idea who might take her, where she might be and so on."

He would look around, and take notice of the building still far off, but close. "Well, now that your here you might as well come along if you want in on the job. If not, just follow the path down the road and you can get back to town without problem. There isn't any turns after all." Grynth would then turn, and give Ray some time to respond, but if he agrees or disagrees, he plans to head out once the response is given.

[Wave]

Ray turned around while trying to hide his surprise.
Why would he willingly share the pay if he knew more than Ray? But more importantly, why did he outright respond with the way back. Ray was sure he didn't gave that much away.
'Please don't let this be another mind-reader', he though while catching up with him.
"I might as well come with you, if you don't mind."

[FYIMyPawn]

Grynth would turn, and proceed forward to the mansion. It appears to be a large estate for any normal person, but its no mansion either. Any typical village mayor's house you could tell at the peak of a hill overlooking the town. He would walk to one of the guards, show the note and explain himself. "I'm here to see the mayor, to find his daughter. I'm hoping to get more information from the man himself if that's okay." The guard would nod and open the gates, and its a short walk up to the door.

When they both reach the door, he would knock on the door, glancing over to Ray but he seems to be holding back in saying something. It may be very hard to notice this change due to him wearing a mask but otherwise he would return attention to the door waiting for a response.

[Wave]

Ray followed the man up to the door and waited until someone opened it. He was still bothered by the mans unusual energy. By now, Ray was sure that he never met anyone that he could compare it too, but outright asking did not seem like a smart idea. Yet it was still nice to have someone who seemed to have an idea on how to continue with this search.

"My name's Ray. Nice to meet you", he said, leaving his other questions for later. It was the best you could come up with to start any sort of conversation.

[FYIMyPawn]

"For now, call me Grynth... I'm a mercenary by trade. Normally id be doing a job involving a much more brutal setting, but I was requested to do this by someone I know." He would watch the door, and it opens showing a butler with a towel on his left arm, and saying the following. "Greetings, what are you here for..?" The butler would say in a noble and stalwart way. "We're here to see the mayor, its about the missing person. We would like some questions answered." The butler would nod and say "Follow me."

The butler would lead both of them to a room, and a man would be sitting at the end of the room near a window, light shining on him as it looks like he seems to be writing into what might be a diary, sheet or paper or anything really. "Master, there are two men who are looking for your daughter. They seem to have questions about the job itself." the butler would say. "Very well, take a seat you two, there's a couch and coffee table, take a seat on the couch. Marley, get some tea for our guests. Depending how much they ask we might be here for a while."

The man would take a seat, and Grynth would follow suit. "Now." the nobleman would say. "Please, ask me anything in regards to the job. I will answer them to the best of my ability. Just promise me you will find my daughter if you can."

[Wave]

Ray followed Grynth inside. At least the question why he let him in on the job was answered.

Without Grynth sitting down, Ray would not have found the couch. His vision was starting to seriously blur. Just a little longer and everything would look the same.
"Of course, we'll do our best.", Ray replied to the noble. He left the questions to Grynth, while trying to stay concentrated.

[FYIMyPawn]

Grynth would start to speak "Let's start with a review. Your daughter is missing and my employer told me to help out. Start out by telling us when she went missing from your knowledge, and any ideas where she might be."

The noble would nod. "Firstly I should introduce myself. My name is Aaron, and my daughter's name is Sophie. She went missing a week ago, and given she comes back every day at sundown, its of much concern she was either abducted, or..." He would close his eyes, clenching his hands together not to tear up thinking of that scenario. "...For where she might be... I have no idea. She leaves at high noon, sun at the highest point in the sky, and then she comes back home when the sun sets. Its been going on for a month, and I've asked where she keeps going but all she says is meeting her knight in shining armor."

[Wave]

Ray listened, so far not actually knowing more than before.
He just sat there, not having a question worth asking, hoping Grynth had more ideas that could get them any further.
The butler came back and placed the tea on the coffee table. Ray didn't bother trying to pick up a cup. He wasn't going to try to pick something up he couldn't even see at the moment.

[FYIMyPawn]

Grynth would take his time to think of more to ask, and after a good minute he finally speaks. "Has this happened before? Or perhaps there may be a motive behind this abduction? I really cant think of anything besides either money or the town's safety."

The noble would think "I really don't know why someone would abduct my daughter... we've been kind individuals to the community and there hasn't been that much trouble that I could recall... besides the occasional thievery I've heard about, but nothing much besides that."

(OOC: Apologies for the late response, IRL stuff.)

[Wave]

Finally, a lead that might get us somewhere. The idea of just leaving and getting some sleep was farly convincing up to this point.

"Please tell us more, of you don't mind. We need every piece we can."

[Kalak8538]

( OOC: I was going to wait until later but... Screw it, I'll hop in now. :) )

Just then, as if on cue, there was a loud sound at the door. A THUNK, indicating that something small had hit it with great force. It was a bolt, fired at great speed and from a long distance from a crossbow. The bewildered guards scanned the surrounding distance for the shooter, but found none. They stood there, staring dumbly at the bolt that was embedded in the noble's front door. What they did not notice was the bit of parchment tied around its shaft. It was a note, and upon inspection, it would read:

"Aaron, I will make this simple.

We have your Sophie. She is alive and unharmed, at least for now. She will stay that way as long as you follow these instructions to the letter:

- You will gather up 300 gold coins. I am sure you have that much laying around somewhere.

- Leave any weapons, guards, or would-be heroes at home. You must come alone and unarmed.

- Walk 100 paces up the north road, then head west into the forest. Keep walking, you will know when you reach the destination.

- Further instructions will be given upon arrival.

Follow these instructions, and you will see your precious Sophie again. If you are accompanied in any way, you will all be killed on the spot. If you send anyone in your place, they will be killed on the spot.
Is that simple enough?"