Act 1. I've got your back

Act 1. I've got your back
The noise of Waterdeep faded behind Zyra Emberfang as she stepped through the wrought iron gates of Phaulkonmere. The air was cooler here, touched with the scent of damp earth, flowering ivy, and old stone. The villa grounds stretched before them in quiet defiance of the city’s chaos — a pocket of wilderness carefully cultivated. Vines draped over carved archways, and winding stone paths disappeared into shaded groves and mossy nooks where birdsong echoed softly.

The main house stood at the far end of the garden, its tower just visible above the canopy. Gilded falcons glinted on its stonework, catching the light like watchful eyes. The manor's polished elegance didn’t feel ostentatious — rather, it seemed old, respected, and quietly powerful.

Among the greenery, a tall, lean half-elf stood, his long brown hair adorned with bits of foliage, and his taupe skin blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. His green-black eyes held a distant focus, as if attuned to the whispers of the garden itself.

Zyra pulls back her hood, waves a greeting at the stranger and says: I'm looking for Melannor Fellbranch. Do you know where I might find him?

Taking a step forward, Zyra removes the introduction letter from a belt pouch to proffer it to Melannor. I was told you might be able to help me find a companion for a little job...

Not immediately but Zyra notice elf meditating in the shaded groves when breeze moves branch above his head letting sunbeam touch elf's blonde hair. Despite relaxed pose there is something tense in this young looking elf's expression.

Zyra feels Melannor isn't much on ceremony, so she simply nods her thanks and moves towards Legolas with purpose. Legolas, I am Zyra Emberfang. there is a job at a blacksmith's shop which I need assistance with. I am advised not to got it alone and Melannor says you can be trusted. As it is, the blacksmith can not serve the community because the shop has been left with traps and hazards that require deactivation. There seems to be some sort of guardian lurking in the shadows of the shop as well and it has already delivered mortal violence on other hirelings. I have the skills for the traps and hazards, but I need someone to watch my back and help me overcome the guardian. I haven't been to the shop yet and I haven't introduced myself to the blacksmith looking for the help, so payment/reward is not yet certain. Although befriending a blacksmith is never a bad idea. Would you join me in getting the finer details of the job? we can decide if we want it after we meet the blacksmith. Zyra offers the small job posting note to Legolas for him to read it and waits for a response.

Legolas listen silently and almost motionless.He nodes barelly noticeable few times slowly blinking. He keep silent as Zyra finish the message and ask her questions. About half minute later when Zyra probably thinks Legolas is not going to answer - Elf rises and shortly say I will.

With a smile and sparkle in the eyes he suggests not to waste any more time and meet the blacksmith before anyone else decide to take the job. On the way to blacksmith Legolas explain: It is an outstanding opportunity to have a blacksmith owe you one. elf don't mean to reject reward, he simply explain that there is indirect added value, which is probably even more important for Legolas than the payment itself. He asks you not negotiate the reward too aggressively though.

Legolas, if we go into this, we go as a team. We can hear what Grusk Ironsunder has to say and what he has to offer. That guardian thing already claimed one life, so what ever he is offering should be appropriate for the risk.

As the Elf and Tiefling make their way to the Trade Ward and ultimately to Grusk, Zyra, continues the conversation and narrates a little about the areas they pass through having grown up in the streets of Waterdeep. She shares some details of her life, obfuscating some details about anything that might be considered nefarious. She doesn't want her new companion getting the idea she is still the criminal of her youth.

High Road, South Ward - Late Morning
The High Road bustled with life in the way only Waterdeep could manage — a mosaic of clamor, scent, and shifting motion. As they make their way to the Trade Ward and ultimately to Grusk, Zyra Emberfang strode confidently through the throng. Beside her moved Legolas, silent and smooth as a breeze through tall grass.

The stench hit them before they saw the source — the thick, wet slap of sun-warmed fish. And then the noise.

Just ahead, outside the wide-pillared entrance of the Coach and Wagon Hall, a wagon had upturned, spilling crates of gleaming, silver-scaled fish across the street. One of its wheels lay in splinters beneath it.

A narrow-faced carter stood by, red-faced and furious, gesturing wildly with a fishhook-handled walking stick. Around him, traffic had snarled. Fancy carriages, merchant wagons, and even a pair of city watch patrol horses jostled in an uncoordinated bray of irritation and shouted curses.

But the real spectacle was the Dungsweepers.

Four of them — broad-shouldered, sullen-faced louts in mud-brown sashes — were flinging fish from the cart at the front of the Coach and Wagon Hall with obvious satisfaction. Each slap of fish against the windows left greasy smears and startled the clerks inside, one of whom was screaming incoherently behind the glass.

One Dungsweeper hefted a particularly fat trout, spinning it like a club before hurling it at the ornate sign above the door.

Legolas observes the scene and thinks Humans, when they do stupid things unreasonably are hard to stop. If they stop they would admit their stupidity and that's least they would do. Especially when they do the stupid this in a group - in this case they think they demonstrate weakness admitting
But he knows words have their hidden power and message may reach human mind with a delay, you just need to keep delivering that message.

And so previously silent Legolas steps forward and speak to the Dungsweepers laud and clear: Food do not deserve such behavior. Gods see. Treat fish with contempt and the sea will stop feeding the people of this city.

Zyra, holds her breath, waiting to see what might happen. She gets her short spear un sheathed in anticipation of violence. She is also looking for escape routes...

One of the Dungsweepers — a stocky human with a crooked nose and shoulders like an ox — turned to face the elf, shovel still slung across his back.

"Listen to this one! Some woods-walker lecturin’ us on fishes!" he barked, half-amused, half-indignant.

Another, a wiry tiefling woman with soot-black horns and a fish scale stuck to her cheek, stepped up beside him. She jabbed a thumb at the soiled windows of the Coach and Wagon Hall.

"They think they’re above it, those guildmasters. Fancy coats, silver ink on their ledgers — but when it comes time to pay what every other guild pays? Not a copper to be found."

A third, a half-orc with a Dungsweeper’s sash cinched over a tattered oilskin, snorted and shouldered his shovel.

"We clean this city, every street, every alley. We do the work no one wants. But these gentry types? They skipped out on four months. Four! Ain’t about the fish, elf. It's about what’s owed."

The first man jabbed a finger toward the hall. "If they don’t pay Dungsweeper taxes, they don’t get Dungsweeper service. Simple as that. They want clean windows? Let ‘em wash it with their own tears."

Another dungsweeper cart was approaching. This one with human refuse.

Ain’t about the fish! Exactly my point! Why don't you just shit on their windows. Or else - sea will shit on yours.
And yes, I'm sorry for your financial situation - I didn't mean to question your rights, only methods.

Legolas turns to Zyra and say sorry for digress. We have the business to attend. informing her that he don't plan to get further involved in the action.

Whispering: I was going to say, this isn't our fight, but I respect your point of view. Hopefully they let us move along. Zyra nods down a side alley that would take them further into the trade district without crossing in front of the Coach and Wagon Hall. Then moves along with an eye on the Dungsweepers.

Zyra and Legolas slide back into the crowd and make their way along a side alley. Backward glances see the Dungsweepers pelting the Coach and Wagon Hall getting pelted with manure. Could have been worse Legolas, at least they aren't flinging their own waste at the building.

Another look around to ensure they are not being followed, then two more turns down other alleys and the new companions a just another block from the blacksmith shop.