Chapter 13: Ambush
Captain Whitewood followed Captain Garret through the corridors of the guard station, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit halls. They passed by holding cells where disheveled individuals cast suspicious glances their way.
"Here we are," Captain Garret said, unlocking a heavy iron door and leading Captain Whitewood into an interrogation room. The room was sparsely furnished, with a wooden table and two chairs. The air was heavy with tension.
Garret motioned for Whitewood to take a seat, and he sat across from her. "I'll gather a few individuals who might have some information. They're low-level criminals, so don't expect them to cooperate willingly."
Whitewood nodded, her eyes scanning the room as the first suspect was brought in. The man was scruffy, with a gaunt face and shifty eyes. He sat down reluctantly, his hands fidgeting.
"Start talking," Whitewood said, her voice firm but composed. "We're looking for a group of individuals with cracked rock tattoos. What do you know?"
The man's eyes darted around the room, gauging his options. After a moment of silence, he let out a sigh, realizing he had little choice but to cooperate.
"I've heard whispers," he began hesitantly. "There's a hidden entrance to an underground hideout in the outskirts of town. Rumor has it that's where the rock bandits operate from."
Whitewood leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Where exactly is this hidden entrance? And how do we get there?"
The man hesitated, clearly weighing the risks of providing further information. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's a rundown building near the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts. Look for a loose brick in the left corner of the entrance. It'll reveal a secret passage."
Satisfied with the information, Whitewood leaned back in her chair. "Good. Now, tell me everything you know about their activities. Names, affiliations, anything that can help us bring them down."
As the interrogation continued, Whitewood gleaned valuable insights from the criminals, piecing together a clearer picture of the rock bandits' operations. She jotted down notes, committing every detail to memory.
Meanwhile, in the Adventurer's Guild, Marcus, Elena, and Selene mingled with fellow adventurers, exchanging stories and gathering information. They listened attentively as seasoned adventurers shared tales of encounters with suspicious individuals and strange occurrences in and around Rivenbrook.
One adventurer, a grizzled veteran with a scar across his cheek, leaned in closer to the trio. "hey, I've seen some folks with that cracked rock tattoos you were talking about, they were lurking around the back alleys near the abandoned warehouse. They seemed to be up to no good, like they were planning something big."
Elena's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Do you know where exactly we can find them?"
The veteran adventurer hesitated before answering. "I can't say for certain, but I heard rumors of an underground hideout. If you're brave enough, you might find what you're looking for there."
Thanking the adventurer for the tip, Marcus, Elena, and Selene exchanged determined glances. They knew their next destination—the abandoned warehouse and the hidden entrance to the underground hideout.
…..
Captain Whitewood and her team gathered the valuable information they needed. With the location of the rock bandits' hideout in mind, they regrouped outside the guard station. Kael and Ava shared their findings from the pubs and alleys, confirming that the abandoned warehouse was indeed a focal point for the criminals' activities.
"We have our leads," Whitewood said, her voice determined. "The warehouse and the hidden entrance are where we'll find the rock bandits. Let's move quickly."
As they made their way through the dimly lit streets of Rivenbrook, Marcus, Elena, and Selene couldn't help but feel the weight of the impending confrontation. Despite their initial skepticism towards Kael and Ava, they will now have no choice but to acknowledge the mercenary duo's skills as they walked confidently ahead, axes glinting in the moonlight.
The adventurers followed the mercenaries, their footsteps muffled by the shadows. They reached the outskirts of town, where the abandoned warehouse stood like a relic of the past, its crumbling walls telling tales of forgotten times.
"There it is," Ava whispered, her eyes narrowed with determination.
Kael pointed towards the left corner of the warehouse entrance. "The loose brick should be somewhere around there."
The team approached cautiously, Selene's keen eyes spotting the out-of-place brick. She gently pressed it, and a section of the wall slid away to reveal a narrow passage leading underground.
Without hesitation, they descended into the darkness, their footsteps echoing in the cramped space. The air was thick with tension as they ventured deeper into the heart of the hidden lair.
…..
Captain Whitewood and her team carefully made their way through the secret passage and descended into the underground chamber. The air was damp, and the torchlight cast eerie shadows on the walls. As they navigated the dark maze, they could sense that danger lurked around every corner.
Suddenly, as they rounded a bend, the sound of shuffling feet echoed in the chamber. Before they could react, the group of rock bandits emerged from the shadows, blocking their path forward. The bandits outnumbered them, surrounding the adventurers and mercenaries with wicked grins.
Kael and Ava took a step forward, their axes at the ready, while Marcus, Elena, and Selene huddled together, their backs facing each other to defend properly since they were outnumbered and ambushed.
The bandits' leader, a hulking figure with the crack tattoo across his left eye, stepped forward with a wicked grin. "Heard you've been looking for me and my comrades? Well, here we are."
"Your crimes have caused harm and suffering to innocent people," Whitewood declared, her eyes locked onto the bandits' leader. "Surrender yourselves and face justice for your actions.""
The bandits laughed mockingly, clearly underestimating the strength and determination of their adversaries. The tension in the room was palpable, each side waiting for someone to make the first move.
Captain Whitewood and her team found themselves surrounded by the rock bandits in the dimly lit underground chamber. The bandits were ruthless and outnumbered them, but the adventurers and mercenaries stood their ground, determined to apprehend the criminals and put an end to their illegal activities.
Kael and Ava, with their axes drawn, glared at the bandits, ready to fight if necessary. Marcus, Elena, and Selene kept their composure, prepared to defend themselves and each other in the face of danger. Captain Whitewood stepped forward, her voice unwavering.
"Your crimes have caused harm and suffering to innocent people," Whitewood declared, her eyes locked onto the bandits' leader, Vice Shamrock. "Surrender yourselves and face justice for your actions."
The bandit's leader chuckled, his arrogance on full display. "You're outnumbered, little captain. You and your merry band of misfits stand no chance against us."
Whitewood's expression remained stern. "You underestimate us. We may be outnumbered, but we are skilled and determined. Surrender now, and you'll have a chance at a fair trial."
The bandits exchanged glances, some of them seeming uncertain, while others remained defiant.the bandit's leader, however, appeared amused by the proposition.
"Fair trial? In this town? You're naive," he sneered. "We've been running this place for years, and no one can stop us."
As the tension in the chamber escalated, Whitewood's team stayed on high alert. They knew that negotiation might not work with these hardened criminals, and they might have to fight their way out.
"Kill them all"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone