“You sure it’s the right place? I thought we were supposed to look for a cozy home. Someone would have to dump a ton of money into that dump before it even came close to looking cozy,” Bonnie said from behind. “There’s no decoration, the roof looks like it’s plain wood, the thatch has all fallen off, the door is as boring as the wheat fields, and I’m pretty sure there isn’t even a rocking chair out front. Whoever had this house needs to get a job.”

“You’re asking me if it’s the right place?” Nick grumbled. “It’s your info that led us here, so if it’s wrong, whose fault do you think it is? Stop saying stupid things and get moving.”

“Careful, little boy. You don’t pay me,” Bonnie warned. “Mouth off too much before flipping me a coin, and I’ll be brushing your bits off my tail.”

“Well, I don’t think we need to wonder who succeeded or not. This definitely seems like the right place,” Lucas commented as he sped ahead of the two and approached the house. “If there is a back way into Kegan’s manor where we don’t have to go through all the guards in front, it’s gotta be here.”

“What makes you say that?” Nick asked as he caught up to Lucas and looked at the house.

“Easy,” Lucas replied. He pointed to the wall, where a small piece of paper was tacked on to the door. “Whatever player came here first tacked on a note.”

“Free of charge?” Bonnie asked incredulously. She lifted it away from its tack without removing it completely. “And helpful. It’s even got a warning about what we’re going to encounter. You don’t run into this generosity in the later zones, not without getting it from a guildy.”

“Psh. Could just as easily be someone trolling us, a trap set by a player with a bad sense of humor as much as a helpful hint left by a nice guy,” Nick warned as he looked at the note. “Not that it’d matter. What is this even supposed to say? What the heck does ‘Follow the silk road to victory, but don’t burn down the house’ mean?”

“Could be talking about the loot we need to focus on,” Bonnie suggested. “Maybe the silk items in here have a high price. That’d be awesome. I could buy me a fancier dagger if we find something good!”