"Um. . . " Brodark said behind Sherlock's back as they were eating at the Inn. "I'm surprised the King let us investigate over all the other competent warriors and magicians. We're all amnesiacs. Except me, and I've lost all of my Paladin powers. I've only managed to retrieve a simple healing spell from slaughtering the surrounding monsters in the countryside to keep the town safe. Drakel said it was a miracle that he even learned his most basic fire spell, and Barioth. . . well, he's as strong as an ox, but even he is out shined by the other mercenary's equipment and experience." Drakel interrupted as Brodark spoke. 

"It's because of the War Of Terror. The King is gathering his warriors together to send the most powerful and competent to Cadan, well to the East of us. We're good for an investigative team. Sherlock is an excellent Huntress, Barioth is back up muscle, and now that Brodark has remembered his healing power, it's clear to me the King sent us out not for our physical intimidation factor, but for the mere fact that that we're ready for a variety of situations. Oh, and I just remembered. Last night at the Inn, I managed to teach Sherlock her first fire spell. It seems she has memory issues as well. Not quite amnesia, she's just very out of practice. She prefers to club animals over the head or shoot them."

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"We still don't have enough equipment, and not enough medicine to travel safely through to Helminsk." Drakel stated. Finally, Sherlock walked over to the room where the four adventurers were sleeping. "I've got a request from a woman to clear her basement of rats." They raised their eyebrows. "Rats? Well, is she paying for it?" They asked. 

"Yes. She says she barely escaped with her life." Moments later, the group entered her house. . . they entered the basement, pulled a switch and investigated the wealthy woman's underground storage. These rats were the size of large dogs. . . Brodark drew his bronze sword, Sherlock drew her club, Borioth readied his brass knuckle, and Drakel readied a fire spell. They must have killed around twenty giant rats in a few minutes. Unfortunately, Sherlock was bitten by one of the beasts. She had to be taken to the Church and cleaned of her poison. 

The payment was good enough that the group were soon equipped with both enough bodily protection and weapons, in addition to medicine, that they could explore the mines to the South, and take the payment from the Merchant they were offered.