Alphonse held a hand out to Sylvester to take the key back, "As it happens, I know the way."  

He looked at the two impromptu heroes who had joined him in his usual monster slayer duties.  "So, do you two actually want to join me on this quest?  We have to trek to the Wizard's Tower, no small feat on its own, confront a former court wizard, and possibly his hell-spawn.  We'll face dangers even [i]I[/i] have never seen.  So, answer, will you two be my squires?"

((Rolled a nine, power number once more.))

Not only did the two unlikely heroes decide quite gladly to join his cause, but the man that Alphonse had saved earlier approached sheepishly, having overheard Al's speech of danger.  

"I may be no fighter," he said, holding his hat and wringing it in his hands nervously, "But I can carry your things, or help in any way.  I'd do anything to keep me family safe from them monsters."  

"What do you do?" Al asked the man.  

"I'm a wood cutter, a carpenter.  Gerald the Carpenter, I'm called."

"Excellent," Al replied, apparently not fully understanding what a carpenter actually does, "Get your largest axe," he pulled his sword off of his belt and handed it to the man, "And you can carry this for me as well."  The man took it and walked off quickly.  He returned in a moment still clutching the sword, and now also carrying a five pound wood cutting axe.  

"Come now, squires, we should move while we still have daylight."  He checked the sun to get his bearings, and determined the right way to go.

((Rolled a seven))

"The desert would be quicker, but I think the forest is less perilous, and as I have novice adventurers in my midst, we shall take that way.  Onward!"  He started marching, Gerald the Carpenter behind him, toward the woods on the edge of town.