Page 17 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Yeah, this place gives off big evil villain lair vibes,” I comment quietly. “How do you wannado this?”
“Let us try and look inside first.” Crouching, Sir leads us to one of the warehouse’s windows.
We wait on either side, carefully turning our heads to peer inside the building. It’s dark, the only light coming in through the windows, but I don’t see anything. I look over, silently asking if he sees something I don’t, but he shakes his head then nods at the front door. He tests the knob, finding itunlocked.
“Weapon at the ready,” he whispers to me, and we both draw our swords as he opensthe door.
We walk inside slowly, Khazak in the lead as we carefully eye our surroundings for any movement. It’s easier once my eyes adjust to the dark, but I still don’t see anything. It’s so eerily quiet in here that I can hear my ownheartbeat.
The first part of the building is mostly desks, all covered in dust and old papers. Just beyond that through an open doorway is the rest of the warehouse. Huge ovens line the walls, a smelter and an anvil next to each one, all of them long since rusted over. Along another wall are a series of crafting tables, a pile of old bows lying atop one.They made weapons here.
“David.” Khazak whispering my name snaps my head to attention. He’s standing near one of the desks. “Look.”
He’s pointing down at the desk, and at first, I don’t realize why. It’s just another empty desk. Then I realize this one isn’t dusty like the others.Someone’s been here.I look around quickly to see if our assailantis nearby.
“We need to search the rest of the building, but I think whoever was here is already gone,” Khazak says at a normal volume.
We come across a black robe in one of the building’s side rooms, likely ditched after they learned we were tracking them, but the rest are all empty. We walk around the perimeter outside once before heading back to the station to report our findings. When we enter Deputy Keenguard’s office, we find not just Officer Silentfang and the requested files, but also Khazak’s best friend and other deputy, Ragnar Rockfang, waiting for us.His shift today isn’t untilway later.
“Captain.” Keenguard is the first to notice us, and all three orcs in the room stand and salute. “Were you able to find them?”
“Other than this, afraid not.” Khazak drops the robe on the desk and returns the salute, letting everyone relax. Khazak then turns to Ragnar. “What brings you in, Deputy?”
“I forgot my bag in my office yesterday, and when I came in to grab it, I found Officer Silentfang looking for records. They weren’t actually in our office, but I offered to come and help look back here.” He gestures to some files on the desk. “You won’t believe whatwe found.”
“What is it?” The five of us crowd aroundthe desk.
“The original owner of that warehouse is Thrax Grimrock, father to oneThogGrimrock.” Ragnar points to words on the paper I can’t read.
“No way.” Thog Grimrock is currently sitting in a jail cell, accused of stealing a shipment of supplies meant for the city’s militia. We arrested him three weeks ago after a foot chase through the city’s outdoor market, and he’s been awaiting his trial ever since. Khazak and Ragnar have both tried to get more information out of him, but Thog has stubbornly stuck to his story, claiming he worked alone and destroyed everything.
“That is very...interesting.” Khazak eyes the paper suspiciously.
“Interesting? It’s more than interesting; it’s motive.” Ragnar spread out the other files. “Twenty years ago, Thrax Grimrock ran a weapon-smithing business out of that warehouse with a contract to produce supplies for the militia—until it was discovered he wasalsomaking weapons for the Warhunter Rebellion.”
“Shit.” Khazak is actually taken aback by that info.He almost never curses.
“After that, he was arrested, tried, and put away. The factory was seized, and his family lost everything.” Ragnar’s voice gets a little quieter. “He died in prison two years ago.”
“That is unfortunate,” Khazak says somberly. “I can see how this gives us more motive for Thog’s actions, but I am not sure I see the connection to the robbery at the House of the Three.”
“What do you mean? Obviously, the person hiding in the factory was the same person who helped him steal the militia shipment,” Ragnar scoffs.
“We do not know that for certain. This evidence is purely circumstantial.” Khazak sounds much more levelheaded.
“This istoomuch of a coincidence, sir.”At least he remembered the “sir” that time.“I want to talk to him again. I think we can use this new information to get more out of him.”
Khazak considers this for a moment. “Alright, one more interrogation, but that will be the last. His trial is intwo days.”
“Thank you, sir. I will prepare things back at the station.” With a salute,he’s gone.
“Deputy Keenguard, I want to run a full search of the warehouse as well as get interviews from all the neighboring businesses.” Khazak is back in full Captain-mode. “I want any information on anyone who may have come in or out of thatbuilding.”
“I will get officers started on that immediately, sir.” She salutes.
“Thank you.” Khazak turns to Nikka. “Officer Silentfang, though I doubt anything worthwhile will come of it, please analyze the robe our assailant was wearing.” He sighs before smiling. “And good work today.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you!” she replies with a salute and a smile. “I will have my report and notes submitted by the end of the day.” She turns to me. “It was nice to meet you, David.”
