Chapter 1: The First Customer

After rousing from his slumber, Poppy fixes his bed hair and gathers his gear. Smiling with satisfaction he kicks open his bedroom door, saying somewhat loudly "Rise and shine friends, we don't get paid to sleep in!

"Right behind you Poppy!" Desplorn's baritone voice boomed through the door. He had already been up for a while. First, Desplorn said his morning prayers, thanking Selune for a peaceful night and hoping that he can bring some justice to this world today. Then he went through his morning routine of simple stretching exercises, followed by rapier thrust and block routines. He made sure his leather armor, hat and boots still looked spiffy from last night's cleaning -- they did -- so out the door and down the stairs he went.

"Ah, my favorite breakfast," he said. "One someone else cooked."

Ranor struggled out bed, yawning. He hardly slept at all, consumed by worry and nervous excitement. Today he was no longer a charity case from a poor family, he was a legitimate citizen of Cityville. He was really doing it – no, they were really doing it. Without his friends this would never have happened, and he was grateful. But he was worried, too. Worried that no customers would appear, about leaving Calardan to take care of the Old Man by himself.

But when he made his way downstairs, still bleary-eyed, it was the excitement that won out. "Thanks, that smells wonderful!" he calls to the assistant and claps Poppy and Desplorn on the shoulder, smiling and exchanging good mornings.

Talthros grumbled into his pillow as heard the others rouse tbriughout the house.

For the love of Kelemvor! What time is it?

He opened an eye and noted the sun filtering through a crack in his jet black curtains.

Daylight, he thought to himself. There better be more night jobs in this venture.

He closed his bloodshot eye and buried his head under the pillow. He was a night owl, preferring the comfort of darkness. Years of service to Kelemvor had that affect. Truth be told, though, it was his insomnia at night that was the real reason. A by product of hunting the undead.

Eventually he rose, unable to shut out the sounds of his cheery new housemates. Donning his black clerical robes he trudged downstairs.

"Coffee," he muttered eyes still half closed.

He made his way to the stove abd set a pot of water to boil. Soon the promising smell of roast coffee beans filled the air.

"I'm sorry, Monlisa, I didn't mean to interrupt you," Ranor says. "I was just complimenting your cooking, those bacon and eggs smell fantastic. Don't mind me."

Poppy thinks for a minute, then says through bites of breakfast "Monlisa likes music right? I should write a song about here, as thanks for her effort."

I thank Monlisa as we cross paths in the doorway, then join the others at the table to eat. "Poppy, a song for her would be a noteworthy endeavor."

Friends, it sounds like there is already someone who needs our assistance. May the gods smile upon us.

I finish my meal and head to the office.

The Kelemvor Cleric, finishes his brewed coffee and looks about the kitchen, eyes less bloodshot with slightly more focus.

Expertly rolling a tobbaco stick, the cleric lit it am inhaled deeply.

"So," he said through exhaled smoke. "We need to talk about these early starts but for now, lets go see about this work."

Finishing his rolled cigarette, the cleric stubbed it out.

"That's breakfast done," he said as headed to the office.

"You know I heard drinking some water does wonders for the body after excessive drinking." Poppy says as Talthros leaves, following the others.

"Missing children or missing money? The choice is clear to me!"

"I bet I could find us someone in The Lit Dragon who could get us info about those kids." Poppy says, while leaning back in his chair.

Talthros leans back in his chair and out his feet up on the nearby desk.

"Money means little to me," he said gruffly. "If lives are in danger we should put an end to any threat."

Talthros looked to each in the room in turn, his glare intense despite the tired look in his eyes.

"Monlisa, children come first." I then turn to the group. "I think we should first talk to Madame Craigthorpe. We need to get descriptions of who's missing and where they were last seen."

"We could split up in twos and meet back here when we know more."

"That sounds like a good plan to me, Desplorn," Ranor says. "Did Madame Craigthorpe give an address for messages?" he asks Monlisa. "She may have more to tell."