Others around the table began to voice their desire to join the quest, but Lucas stopped them. “No,” he said. “Two. That’s the most that I can take with me.”

“But that place is a fortress. You’re going to need our help,” Fiddle argued. “Even if we all go, it will be tough to win.”

“That’s because you all attack from the front,” Lucas countered. “I know a secret route—one that will bypass the guards and allow me to enter his manor undetected—but I can’t bring many people with me. Too many people, and we’ll be discovered before we can reach Kegan.”

They all nodded in unison, and there were several murmurs of approval.

“Well, if you bring anyone, I’m coming,” Gunter demanded.

Lucas looked over at Jason. “That’s fine. You and he can both come, but no more. It’s going to be horribly dangerous, and I can’t guarantee your safety.”

NPCs Gunter and Jason have been added to your party.
Reminder: Their respawn ability has been turned off for the duration of The Noble Hand. If you try to bring them to areas not related to the quest, they may return to the tavern, and you will incur a reputation penalty with their associates.

“Works for me,” Gunter said.

“I can’t wait to be rid of that noble’s oppressive regime. When are we doing this?” Jason asked, taking a slow, meaningful chug of his drink.

Lucas leaned back in his chair as Hermann came over and handed him a bottle. “When my friends come,” he answered.

“Maybe pay your tab before you go,” Hermann joked. “You know, just in case you don’t make it back.”

Lucas laughed, flipping Hermann a coin. He couldn’t hate the tavern owner for making sure he didn’t get stiffed on a bill. “Fine, fine.”

“Speak of the tin-cans . . .” Jason said, just as Nick popped his head through the door.

“FINALLY!” Nick shouted, looking enthused as he saw Lucas. “We can finish the big quest!” He stepped through the doorway, and Bonnie followed after.

“And how much you paying for the level?” she asked expectantly.

“I gave you a gold coin already for it, right?” Lucas asked, noting that they had gained fewer levels than he had.

“Yeah, boss, that was the rate,” she said, smirking. “But we did earn a ton of experience for ya, right? Maybe a silver coin for a bonus?”

“Right,” Lucas agreed. He wasn’t lacking cash to the point he needed to risk upsetting a party member. “And I’ll give you another five after we finish the next mission.”

“We getting five too?” Jason asked. “I could use some coin.”

Lucas didn’t have to fake a smile as he looked over at Jason. “We’ll talk after I see how good you are with a blade.”

“I don’t use a blade. I use this.” Jason pulled a Paladin’s mace and shield from a backpack on the floor next to his chair. “Our family has been using it for generations. Was a pain getting it back from those tin-cans at the jail. I think they were hoping to keep it forever, the greedy rats.”