Find and Capture the Thief in the Lost Town.
Species:
Unknown; reports of a large bird, possibly a crow or raven
Sighing, you look down at your watch. Almost 7am.
I should be getting there soon, you repeat to yourself for the third time this morning and continue to drag your feet forward. Towards what, you were unsure, but you were sent on a mission to discover whatever it may be.
The rest of the investigation team refused, claiming that it was too dangerous. Most of the higher ups agreed that it would be ‘good experience’ for the new recruits, resulting in where you are now. Digging into your pocket, you take out a now crumpled report and glance it over again. "Find and arrest the thief in the Lost Town. Age: Unknown. Gender: Unknown. Species: Unknown; multiple reports of a large bird, some claim to be a crow or a raven. Last seen: Never." The list was neat and organized, however it provided no useful information for your mission.
You clicked your tongue, shoving the paper back into your pocket and running over possible situations once you arrived in the town. Hoping this will be an easy and quick mission; the town finally comes into view. Unconsciously, you begin to walk a bit faster, hoping to grab a bite to eat before you begin another long day of work.
As you get nearer to the town, you realize why everyone was reluctant to take the mission. You walk down the crumbling cobblestone path that you assume is, or was, a road. Even in the pale morning light, you can see the dirty, broken buildings and signs that have seen better days many, many years ago. It reminded you of those old haunted, abandoned ghost towns that you see in mystery shows and spooky video games. Maybe, you thought, it would not be a problem to let the thief continue to wander around this deserted town? Who was it going to steal from anyway?
But as soon as the thought left your mind, you see shuffling movement in the buildings as dim, flickering lights began to switch off, welcoming the morning sun and a new day. But the you couldn’t shake the thought from your head,
what is there to steal in a town like this? Guess you will have to figure that out.
Your first task is food, if you can find any. Glancing around, you spot a shabby looking bakery in the middle of town and quickly make your way over to it. Walking in, you are met with the warm smell of freshly baked bread. Your ears perk up, and can't help but stare at all the delicious looking baked goods displayed around the room. You're stunned! It's as if you walked into a four-star bakery in the middle of a warzone. "Oh, welcome hon. I don't recognize 'ya, from out of town?" Spinning around, you see a short Kalon walk out from a room behind the counter. She looked young, but carried an air of experience and comfort around her. It was comforting and reassuring in a strange way. You shake your head, and she spoke again, "What brings a traveler to a place like this? There isn't much to see in this town, in fact most Kalons stay away from it, especially around this time of the month".
This perked your interest, and you wonder if it has anything to do with the thief. You offer a single question, "Why?" She looked taken aback. "Haven't you heard?", she gasped, "The Silent Crow favors the nights with no moonlight. Easier to stay hidden, 'ya know?" She chuckled, but you were confused. This was a start, definitely something to look further into. But first, you flicked your tail across the floor and turned back to the cases of glorious pastries, which the female Kalon immediately responded with a "Oh, where are my manners! What can I get for you, hon?" You point at a rather heavenly looking piece strudel with a sticky frosting drizzled over the top, and you try to stop your stomach from growling. She laughed, opening the case and handing you the pastry wrapped with a thin sheet of paper. Reaching into your bag, you pull out several pieces of shiny coins and offer them to the bakery owner, who looked obviously stunned.
"Oh! That's very kind of you, but I don't accept money in this bakery. Kalons who can't get food for themselves come here for some food throughout the day, so I bake the best I can for anyone who needs it. If you insist, then who am I to refuse your kind gesture, but your meal requires no payment." She offered a wide, genuine smile in your direction and makes no motion to take the coins from your hand. You can't help but wonder just what kind of town this is? Maybe you thought too low of the Kalons living here from your initial introduction of the town mere minutes before. A sudden rush of sorrow runs through you and you push the coins into her hand, not taking no for an answer. Immediately, her face lights up and she gives you a bigger smile than you ever thought possible. “Thank you very much for your donation, it will go far in purchasing more ingredients. Really, if you need anything else, I’ll happily assist you with anything I can manage” Taking a bite of the strudel, you mull over your options; you could thank her and leave, looking for clues on your own, or you could ask her what she knows about this Crow character. You go for the latter;
“Forgive me, but I think I remember you mentioning something about ‘The Silent Crow’? What is that?” You calmly asked, taking another bite of your breakfast. “Oh,” she started, a little hushed than before, “it’s a myth that holds this town together. On the three darkest days of the month, the day before, the day of the new moon, and the day after, The Crow brings gifts to those who have been less fortunate during the month. Why exactly, we’re unsure, but he’s what keeps us going in this tiny warn down town.” Huh. Not what you were expecting, but you’re intrigued. Any and all information about this Crow character you can get is good information, right? It might not be related the mission, but it might be worth looking into later on.
“Have you ever seen it?” You ask, your strudel almost gone by now. Her smile fades, and her gaze shifts to the wall, then to the floor. After a moment, she responds after deep thought, “No, nobody has. Nobody knows him other than The Silent Crow, so we’re not exactly sure what he is either. I guess nobody has ever been concerned about his appearance with all the good he brings to us.” Another chuckle, and she shakes her head as if in deep thought. The door to the bakery opened, and another Kalon walked in. Immediately, she patted your arm reassuringly and gave you one last smile before walking over and greeting the other Kalon. Swallowing your last bit of strudel, you wave a good bye to the generous shop owner, who called over her shoulder to you as you open the door to leave, “If you ever need anything else, this shop is always open to anyone who needs it!” With an unexpected smile on your face, you step back onto the broken cobblestone road. This mission might not be that bad after all.