Zin entered the abandoned and falling apart guard tower with a casual stride. His hands sat lazily on the hilts of his kukri. He was ready to grip them at a moment’s notice. His eyes darted across the fire lit room taking in the appearance and measure of each individual inside. The room was mostly dominated by humans, though that seemed to be a normal occurrence in these parts. There were a few interesting fellows who’s kind Zin had never met before. However, the wood Elf had been a small surprise as he did not meet many of his cousins this far out.
 
“Greetings,” Zin nodded in greeting but did not take a seat at the table. Instead, he found a section of wall that appeared to be stable and leaned up against it.
 
A few more humans would arrive shortly and take their seats. It was then that the man near the back of the room would stand. He introduced himself as Kayden and possibly this gatherings new Captain. The Dwarf from outside then entered the room and strode up to Kayden.
 
"Before we begin, there are a couple of things. First I'll speak about what is on everyone's mind. Loot." Kayden continued on and several people murmured their approval.  "You get the bounty for what you kill yourself, but if we find loot somewhere, we save it, put it in a pile, and distribute it evenly... ”
 
Though it would shock many here, Zin really had no interest in the getting of loot. Yes, he took bounties and turned them in, but never so much that it would fill his coin purse. More often than not, Zin took the bounties that no one else thought worthy of their time.
 
“Well Met...” Kayden’s Dwarf companion, Morek, said.
 
Zin’s ears twitched moments too late as a large creature landed behind the so-called Captain. In reaction, Zin pushed himself upright off the wall. His hands firmly gripped around the hilts of his kukri. If it were not for the unsurprised Kayden Zin might have launched himself to protect the man. Kayden didn't turn around, but glanced backwards and gave a pleased smile. "Meet fail-safe number two. His name is Jex."
 
Zin relaxed his grip on his weapons and leaned back onto the wall, albeit still slightly agitated. It was then that Kayden actually explained the reason for their rather unusual gathering. He wanted them to take on a band of 50 men, who had wronged Jex. Zin thought it a suicide mission.  Even with their numbers they had little chance of taking out that many opponents, especially if they had the advantage of the Keep.
 
“...However, there is something we must speak of first."
 
Morek turned and strode over to a shadowed corner of the tower only to reveal a giant treasure chest. Morek then set it behind Kayden and bashed the lock apart with his axe. The captain turned around and nodded to Morek. The Dwarf opened up the chest, to reveal not treasure, but a man with tousled hair bound and gagged. Zin raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
 
"This is one of the bandits…." Kayden explained hastily. The information they had gathered said that tomorrow a group of 30 of the bandits would be ambushing a Lord on his travels. "If you're not with me, leave now...”

Up until this last bit of information, Zin was of the mind to do just that. However, with innocent life so clearly in danger, he could not leave them to that fate.
 
“Would we not be better served to attack the keep while their main force is away from their stronghold? Then when the others return, their numbers thinned, laden down with loot, we can mop them up.” The woman who identified herself as Cassilda said.
 
“perhaps myself and a few of the  stealthier of our number could go round up my crew tonight and together we could lie in wait for tomorrow's bandit ambush party and ambush them before they even have a chance to ambush the lord!" the small man named Hobnob added.
 
“If I might suggest another option, the lord will have fifteen good fighting men with him. Another dozen or so surely would not be remiss, and would help even out the numbers against thirty or so bandits quite handily. A keep storming against twenty men very likely to still be unaware if we move quickly after our initial battle, considering how slow thirty gold-laden men are likely to travel- ought to be fairly simple compared to the same battle against fifty men."  The man named Nuva suggested.
 
“I have come to be known as Zin. I am inclined to agree with Doer,” Was all Zin said.
 
Zin had reservations about this entire situation. He was unsure of the group’s capabilities and feared the group could be headed to their slaughter. The young Warrior, Kayden seemed enthusiastically ready to lead. But was he? Why was he so eager to lead people to their possible deaths or worse? Zin had never heard of this man before and thus could not accurately judge his ability or motives.
 
There was only one way to find out.