In a candle lit pub, miles from the shore; warm drink and laughter filled the venue. Around a table sat four men chatting silently amongst themselves.
"The gauntlets of power, imbued and enchanted, by the gods themselves" sighed the sternly faced man draped in a black cloak with golden seams
"Aye, now that's a treasure worth finding, now isn't it" replied his comrade clothed in what you'd expect of a seafaring man. A shabby striped shirt, a red handkerchief, tan trousers, and well worn boots
The third clad in a priests garb and quite quietly said "Albeit a pipe dream and I being a man with no need for material things. Even yearn to set my hands on those gauntlets. Imagine the change I can make."
The fourth grinning ear to ear, dressed in a prestigious seeming suit, but with an ill mannered aura about him chugged from his mug and slammed it onto the table prior to saying this: "Little do you three know… albeit… just a rumor I think I know where to start the journey to reach these mythical gauntlets."
The man in the cloak looked at the clock with a carved sign labeled The Deep Barrel and chuckled " You're half past crazy if you think we'd follow you anywhere with your air of superiority and lack of wit"
"Well I'll have you know I'm from the house of thorns and have proper intel on where those gauntlets may be hiding. And I'm not saying I fall under any sort of leadership, but rather we work as a team to find them. Then split the sale price equally." He smiled coyly enjoying another swig from his now half empty mug.
The priest a well known healer had this to say in return "I doubt it make any sort of difference, but I would more than happy to follow along to the start of this journey. Though I've heard in passing that those gauntlets have a mind of their own and choose their wielder quite harshly."
The pirate-esque man smugly said "As long as there is some sort of adventure brewing I'm more than glad to go on this little quest with you."
Little did the four men know or recognize, in their altered state of mind, that their conversation had peaked the interest of the shop boy just under the age of 17 and with the heart of lion. Dressed in common clothes of a loose fitting plain white blouse and black trousers that he'd frequently wipe the grime from his hands on. He continued his work of filling the ale of patrons and returning finished plates to the dish pit.
As this was an established pub there was much to do, but his mind kept wavering through to the thought of a grand adventure… one that would make any young man drop their job for a chance to fly against the winds of the fate as a mere shop boy. And seeing as he had no remaining family, he muttered to himself " this may be my only chance to get out of this style of life"
With this thought he slyly recouped himself and his wits and walked over to the men. Holding his heart in his hand, he poured them their last drinks, as the last call had been given. Striking up his courage like a lit match.
He asked the men "I may be of assistance on this journey and I'd like to put my foot forward and join you on you're quest to find the gauntlets of power. To make my point I know the area and the best places for gathering supplies."
The man in the cloak slightly smiling now "Eavesdropping a bit we're we, young lad? State your name as it seems an introduction is in order."
The young man with a daring expression spoke with confidence "I am Fabio of the house of Rosas, the last of my family line, I might add it's polite to give your name prior to asking for anothers!"
All the men chuckled at this statement by the keen and sharp witted boy. He was lean, muscular, with dark curling green eyes and loosely curled auburn hair. With a tall frame and wide build he was not one to be taken lightly.
In due order the men began to introduce themselves, speaking to him one at a time first was the cloaked man. As he downed his cloak to reveal a stern face with five o'clock shadow and blue eyes. Underneath the cloak was a solid leather breast plate and a metal scabbard tied tightly to his hip. Spoke his name quite boisterously contrast to his intital bleak attitude " I am Aurelius from house Atreides."
Second the shabby looking pirate spoke brimming with pride "I young lad am Batholomew, no house as you see, I fare better on the high seas, than I do land."
The priest next to speak named himself briefly and quickly with a strong tone "Although, I'm sure you know or have heard of me. I am a healer and named, god given, is Scott of house Gryphon"
"I have heard of you Sir Scott, and you are more than I could have imagined." Fabio, spoke astonishedly.
The priest standing at a burly 6'4 inches tall and dressed in a long brown cloak with a wooden cross pendant around his neck seemed more than well enough to handle himself in any altercation that may arise to him.
" As you well may have heard I am from the house of Thorns, and my given name is Arthur, though many just call me art. You can speak freely with me as I am no noble and neither are the rest of these misfits you are speaking with. But do tell are you any good with a sword or bow?" The slightly pompous and boisterous man asked keenly.
Him seeming to be the most well off was clad in iron mail, well shined and kept boots, as well as a duel set of short swords. A velvety tone rang every time he spoke and seemed to be more than just another man traveling with his comrades.
" He must be the leader." Fabio had thought quietly to himself
"I am quite skilled with the bow if you enjoyed the venison stew I hunted and cooked it myself. Albeit my sword skills are lackluster but given instruction from you three I'm sure I'd improve rapidly." Fabio simultaneously exclaimed and muddled through that statement while gesturing to Aurelius, Bartholomew, and Art; as the priest wielded an unruly long staff with engraved metal coverings on each end.
"Well boys it seems that we may have an adventure on our hands with the five of us… we needed a good hunter and cook as Bartholomew is quite shite at both." Art though seemingly pompous spoke brusquely
" I'm keen to have you join us, but first we need to gather supplies… what say you young lad? Are you in or are you in? And in this group we have no leader we make the best judgment for each other as a group to get that stated firstly" Aurelius spoke with a cool air about him
Bright and dreamy eyed the young Fabio exclaimed "I am more than excited to join you on this grand expedition. Plus I know where we can get all the supplies we need, but first I need to find the shop a replacement and gather my belongings!"