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Arien yelped as he hit the ground, and then found himself being scooped up and deposited on the cart. "I can ride just fine," he muttered belligerently through the pain in his shoulder. But he didn't struggle nor did he jump off the cart.

Instead he leaned back against the crates and whatever else might be in the cart with him and listened to the sounds around him. The man starting a speech--or continuing one--seemed quite intent that others hear it. Still, Arien wasn't too sad to pull out of range of those strange words about spells.

He glanced around for Bender unsure if the man would hear him over the rattling of the cart and its goods. "What are these spells that man was going on about?"

As they travelled the square Flavio could not help but have his eyes drawn to the man, and a look of digust came across his face. Even he had heard about this one, an abomination of the human race, kept alive by their demonic technology, something even magic could not achieve easily. The gnoll was as fond of magic as the next man, but nobody of his ilk liked the humans and their advancements, they were slowly gaining the upper hand, which frightened him and others.

But Flavio put it out of his mind, he had business to take care off, best to just let the world go on, he hadn't the power to stop it. "He's a talking corpse, someone should eat his carcass already." The gnoll jested as he dismounted his horse, although in hushed tones as there was no telling what would happen if a guard heard that. "And those boxes, they're already at your manhole Bender, we could slide them closer I suppose." The gnoll was about to burst out cackling, there was still time to slap a hand over his muzzle but not much.

Flavio did not need to keep his laughter in. Bender was laughing heartily at the Gnoll's joke for the first time."Hah, good one, lad. Mind leavin' me personal manhole 'lone 'n stack 'em near the steel one, will'ya?" He said as he took two boxes in his arms."Only take the marked boxes out, lads. The rest is for the market."

The Satyr carried as few boxes as he could, claiming it was his back that hurt, and lifting heavy stuff wasn't good for him.

Meanwhile Bender Of Iron Will used his steel arm to pull the cover off of the manhole and he looked down. For a while, nothing happened, until a voice was heard from the depths."As sure as poison kills..." A slightly raspy voice spoke. Bender completed the sentence."...shall the Sewer King rise again."

The figure crawled up the ladder that connected the sewers to the city and exposed himself. It was a Goblin, standing almost as tall as Arien. This goblin didn't look like the tribal sort. Like any other Goblin he had a long oval shaped head, pointy ears and fangs as well as a green skin and long arms. But this one wore a long purple robe, indicating he is or once was the member of a Magic Academy. He also wore sandals as well as small glasses on top of his big pointy nose."We are glad you've finally arrived, good sir." He spoke to Bender before he turned to the others."I see you've brought along others. Colleauges of yours?" The Goblin asked."Sure, whatever floats yer boat. They're good folk." The Goblin nodded."I trust your judgement. Throws your crates down, sir. My friends will catch 'em all(1). As soon as that is completed, join me downstairs."

Soon when all the crates were thrown down, Bender grinned as he climbed down."Told ya ya should wash up after this." Downstairs it was a true sewer. Filled with rats, but more surprisingly, well dressed Goblins, who all smelled like a toilet.

(1) poster's comment: lol

Arien wrinkled his nose in disgust at the joke. He would never turn cannibal...then again if you weren't human it wasn't cannibalism right? That thought wasn't much better.

But he helped his companions unload the boxes over to the manhole where he was surprised to see a goblin. "We're going down there?" So much for the shower.

With a grunt he followed Bender down to the sewer level. He didn't care for rats, opting to give them space before meeting with the goblins. He was careful to breathe through his mouth rather than his nose--not that it made much difference.

"Pleasure to meet you all," he said with a nod, mistakenly inhaling through his nose and inhaling the ripe scent of sewage.

After his joke the gnoll also set about to unloading the boxes and getting them to the manhole. His ears swiveled around as he did so, basically keeping an ear out for trouble, they weren't exactly doing legal business after all. The sight of a goblin seemed to cheer Flavio up a bit, the monster grinned broadly at the little green men.

"So all the interesting people are down here?" Flavio mockingly asks as he peers down the manhole and into the sewer, as soon as the boxes have all been dropped he descends with gusto. The smell strikes him even more than his companions, but it is certainly not the worst thing he'd ever smelled, and as such he doesn't complain.

Seeing their fancy dress, and taking in mind his own rather well-dressed appearance (for a gnoll) Flavio takes off his hat and gives a polite bow for the goblins. "An honour to meet all of you."

The goblins examined the four people, but they were curious enough to bow. It seemed like the Goblin in purple was the most well mannered one."My name is Shwick, gentlemen." Introduced said polite goblin as he lead the group through the sewers."I am the trusted adviser of the Sewer King. He is glad this deal shall finally happen. My lord has spent too long in the filth."

"As long as the man gives me my due pay." Bender spoke."I won't object to what he's planning." Shwick nodded."Not to worry, you will get your due pay." The Satyr groaned."I've stepped in three turds and I'm down here three minutes! Are we there yet!?" The goblin nodded once more."It's not far anymore, master Satyr."

And it wasn't. Soon the group reached a "plaza". Covered by a grate far above, sunlight came down in this place. In the middle of the area was a large throne, very fancy and out of place here. It was adorned by garbage and various skulls. The goblins who accompanied the group circled all around the throne and the figure sitting in the throne.

It was short man with a neatly trimmed goatee and short brown hair. He was on the chubby side, although his arms were wide of muscle. He wore a large black cape and a sapphire blue doublet, trimmed with white fur. On his head was a crown made of salvaged materials, forming a circle with rectangular bars adorning it, all in a different shade of bronze. Next to his throne was a chained gigantic tiger, sleeping peacefully. The creature seemed to be taller than a bear laying down. On the other side of the throne sat a dwarf in an executioner outfit; black cap, black leather clothing and ringmail. Its brown bushy beard was entirely clotted and stuffed with all sorts of food remains. He wore an axe twice his size as he overlooked the group that had just entered suspiciously.

"My lord. I bring you Bender Of Iron Will and his colleagues." The Sewer King stood up."Welcome! Welcome!" He said joyfully."I am so glad you've made it. I hope you had no trouble on the way here?" Bender shook his head."Only a couple o' loonies slowing the way 'cause o' Axis' speech." The king nodded."We're not yet rid of that one. He held out his hand to everyone as a matter of welcoming.

Arien kept his trap shut for once. He couldn't exactly mutter his opinion about such a stinkhole when he could only focus on breathing through his mouth.

He followed along as best he could, wincing and trying not to care about his cloak as it dragged along behind him in the sewage. He watched Bender carefully as well as the goblin in purple for signs of trouble, but so far all seemed well.

And then they were entering another chamber, a room it seemed fit for a...well, goblin king. He eyed the dwarf executioner warily, glad he'd brought his sword--but made no move to draw it. He glanced back at Flavio, deciding to just wait and see what the others were going to do before saying anything just yet.

Flavio didn't seem to mind walking through the sewers, his eyes got used to the dimness in a yiffy and while the stink and the sloppy ground was less than pleasant, he had been in filthier places in the past.

When they reached the throne room the gnoll could only but stare in awe at his surroundings, especially the skull-decoration seemed to strike his fancy, and seemed awfully familiar as well, even if he could not exactly remember where that familiar feeling came from.

Grinning the gnoll at last turned to the sewer king, and he took off his hat to give another polite bow. "Greetings your majesty." His eyes travelled between the king and his executioner, and the latter did not seem to deter Flavio's excitement although when he saw the giant tiger, he did take a little step backwards.

As the Sewer King greeted everyone, he took a step back."You two seem foreign. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Extos Kurin, twelfth of my name." The two might have heard of him. His older brother, the current king, Marcus Kurin, had banished him for reasons unknown to the public. The king claimed Extos had murdered a chambermaid after bedding her. Marcus stripped him of all his rights and privileges and banished him from his lands.

The man began to tell about life after his banishment."My brother lied. He exiled me because I wished to marry a Drow. Our bloodline was supposed to be purely human, my brother told me, but I was a young fool in love. I married my love in secret, and only got banished after I was caught. He pinned falsehoods onto me, which made me unwelcome in most places. Until I met the Goblin tribes."

"They helped me get back into the city where I started planning on getting back on the throne. Marcus is not the friendly king he seems. He plans on keeping this city purely for humans. The other races await the same fate as me." He sighed."I am forced to slay my own brother in order to keep Kurin's Pride truly a city to be proud of. I take little joy in this."

"I was forced to look for the underground trading services men like Bender offer. Once I rule the throne, I shall ignore the deal we did today. You will go rich, but also as an unsung hero." Bender nodded."I can take pride in that." He grinned.

Whilest the Sewer King was telling his tale, the goblins inspected the boxes to make sure all the goods were there. Sparfish guts for in the King's soup. Deadly plants for the seasoning, and if all else failed, weaponry and armor for a frontal assault.

"Excellent. Most excellent. Everything seems to be in place. Daffza, the coin!" The dwarven executioner got up as he walked past the tiger, which was still peacefully asleep, and took a small chest, which he picked up with his two arms and placed it in front of Bender. Once the pirate opened it, it was filled with gold coins and gemstones."As promised. 300 gold coins and 10 jewels of your choice."

Arien listened, wondering just what he had gotten himself involved in. A war? A civil war amongst goblins? Well, so long as they didn't expect him to fight, he was okay with that.

He glanced at Bender as the chest was carried towards them, and then his eyes went round when it was opened.

He forgot to hold his breath and whistled, impressed by the wealth. "Whoa," he murmured.

Flavio took in the information with a grin, although as the man went on and on, going into high detail concerning his plan, the gnoll's expression slowly turns into a worried one. Taking a few steps back he feels for the rifle strapped on his back, then takes a wary look to his companions and the goblins around them.

Even when the gold was set before them the gnoll remained rather anxious, and unlike what one would have expected, he did certainly not dive right into the wealth. Why did that man tell all this? The gnoll wondered. The sewer king couldn't know that they could be trusted, for all he knew they could go right to the king, reveal his whole plot, and get rewarded for it.

In truth, Flavio wondered if the sewer king intended them to leave the room alive...

Although Bender didn't look too worried, that was just a facade he pulled. Just like Flavio, Extos telling his entire story was odd to say the least. Bender simply nodded whilst Willow kept poking him in his kidney with his shoulder, mumbling "canwegetouttaheeeere?"

"Well, my liege. I thank ye. This 'ere coin will go to a good cause." He grins."Good luck on yer little escapade." With a bow, he beckoned for his companions."Let's get out o' 'ere." He said as he turned around. The Sewer King waved at them."I thank you, unsung heroes of Kurin's Pride."

On the way back Bender looked around the sewers a lot."Keep yer eyes open, lads. I don' like this."

Just as he said that, the rattling of chains could be heard, as well as soft growls. Soon the silhouette of a tiger could be seen. Bender didn't wait around to see whether this was the giant tiger that was lying asleep next to the Sewer King."Run! RUN!"

The rattle of chains was the last thing that Arien wanted to hear. And for a moment he wrestled with himself: Be a coward or a hero?

"Go on ahead!" he yelled at Flavio and Bender, drawing his sword and falling behind. He had experience fending off wild animals; surely he could fend off a tiger! And if not, well, his teleportation would come in very handy.

Flavio didn't have to be told twice to run, he unslung his rifle as he ran, it was loaded although the gnoll didn't have the bravery to turn around and attempt a shot. "THis is so unfortunate!" The gnoll shouted. "I even like his idea."

Willow didn't even take a second glance. He ran once he too heard the rattling of chains. All he uttered was "I'm not going to end on some roast on that beast's platter!" Bender Of Iron Will was not so eager on running, not now that Arien wanted to fend off the beast."Lad, are ya out o' yer mind!? That ain't no regular tiger, this one's from Sabrod! It's a giant, don't be a fool!" After a few moments he heard the beast come closer. There was no doubt, this was the Sewer King's beast. The captain had his money to be worried over."Try 'n make it back in one piece." With that he too ran for the nearest sewer grate.

Sadly this place was like a maze. To find the one where Bender's cart stands was not going to be easy. The captain had somewhat memorized the pathway, but the adrenaline of outrunning a giant tiger as well as a probable mob of angry goblins clouded his memory somewhat."Take the second junction to the left, lads!" He yelled. The man couldn't run very fast due to the weight of his arm. That thing was a curse in situations requiring speed!

Meanwhile back at Arien's spot, the tiger finally revealed itself. It was truly massive, almost reaching the ceiling of the sewers. Each muscle seemed to move with each step this beast made. In its mouth, pierced by its giant teeth, was an unfortunate Goblin that had not ran out of the way of the beast in time. Clearly this animal did not differentiate its pray. Though when it noticed Arien, it dropped the Goblin for this much tastier looking meal. Though the creature didn't seem ready to jump for him just yet. Instead it reached out at him with its gigantic claw, attempting to smash the brave soul into the wall.

Someone had failed to mention the size of this tiger until now, when he found it blocking up the entire sewer in front of him. He blanched as the carcass of the goblin fell from the tiger's jaws. Crap. He'd underestimated this beast big time. No pun intended.

His sword looked like a toothpick in comparison and he reached for his recourse--the vial of Tabasco sauce--the last one. He had to skirt that swipe of the claw, however, backing away several paces to evade the deadly blow.

And then his hand was on the vial and all he needed was a shot at the tiger's eyes. The burn would hopefully distract it enough that he could escape. And so too could his companions--wherever they'd gone at this point. He'd heard something about the second junction, but he wasn't sure if it was this second or the next second...and anyhow, if he was eaten, it wouldn't matter.

"Let's see how you like hot sauce," Arien muttered as he launched some of the noxious liquid at the tiger.

When Flavio became aware they were a man short he whirled around, pointing his rifle forward. One look at the tiger though told him that his shot would only make it angrier, and he did not have the peace of mind to look for a possible weak spot. "Run you blasted fool!" He shouted in a terrified voice at Arien before he turned and ran again. The musketeer was much faster than Bender and thus reached the second junction somewhat before him.

"It's because you are a human, they would've trusted me alone I'm certain." The gnoll said angrily, punching the wall in frustration. "At least we have the gold."

Bender Of Iron Will caught up with the two, his chest of gold clutched closely in his arms and out of breath."It'-It's straight on from 'ere, lads." He said as he pointed in front of them. The manhole was still open, so they could see the light coming down onto it. Bender kept on to his chest of gold as he looked back at Arien before heading for the exit.

Arien's tactic worked. Looks like this tiger did not like his spicy sauce. Most of it landed onto its snout, which made the sauce drip onto its tongue as well as enter its nostrils. The beast roared loudly as it tried to get the sauce off of its face with his paws. If Arien was smart, he'd run now.

Arien hastily caught up with his companions, not wanting to linger with the irate tiger. He peered up at the manhole and then waited anxiously for Bender to climb up.

He waved Flavio to go up next. "You next, Gnoll. I'll take it from here." He had his fingers crossed that if need be his teleportation would work in time.

The gnoll climbed as if his life depended on it, which was not far from the truth. It wasn't even certain if he'd heard Arien in the first place, Flavio wanted to get out as fast as he could.

Once topside Flavio hurried to the grate and threw it on. "Should we run from the city?"