“What is the meaning of this?” the older of the two guards demanded.
“I observed this person cutting this woman’s purse from her belt. He then started moving towards me so I waited and subdued him until a guard could come and claim him. I hailed her after I had this man locked up, at which point she and you converged on me.” Alburet said then nudged the purse with his foot, “Your purse I believe, madam.”
She snatched it up, “It is indeed. Monogrammed with my initials, a gift from my late husband. You have my deepest thanks, kind sir. Let me give you a reward for getting my purse back to me.”
Alburet held up a hand, “No need to. I can’t stand by and watch a cut-purse take someone’s things.”
The guard cleared his throat, “If you would come with us, sir. We will need you to swear a statement at the station.”
“Glad to, officer,” Alburet smiled, glad he was able to once again be viewed positively by a police type person. “He’ll wake up shortly,” Alburet began as the thief stirred.
The second guard slapped manacles onto the thief and hauled him to his feet. “Up you come sunshine, we’re taking a walk to the stockades, we are.”
The old lady spoke up again, “Sir, might I at least have your name so when I tell my friends I can properly tell them who my hero was?”
“Alburet is my name, ma’am,” Alburet said, watching as the guards waited for the thief to be able to stand on his own.
“You are in terrible need of a new outfit, Alburet. Let me give you a small token of thanks so you can remedy that issue.” She held out a largish silver coin engraved with an elaborate insignia with a smile.
Alburet gave her a small bow and accepted the coin, “Far be it from me to disagree with a lady. I thank you again, ma’am and I wish you a pleasant day.” He turned with the guards following them as they guided the thief between them. He glanced back to see the old lady smiling as she watched them go.
“Right charmer, you are,” the older guard chuckled. “Old Lady Theron is a bit of a miser. For her to give that coin away is almost unheard of, but she is right. Your clothes are horrible. I have to admit, I’m curious as to how you disabled this here thief so easily.”
“Rear naked choke, simple unarmed maneuver. Easy to do when the opponent isn’t expecting it and you’re behind them.” Alburet shrugged as he explained.
“Might I get you to show me how you managed that when we get to the station?”
Quest: Teach the guard
Reward: Increased reputation with Stormguard’s Guards
Chuckling, Alburet nodded, “Be more than happy to. I know a few different maneuvers you can pick up easily.”
The rest of the walk was in silence as they wound through the city. They passed a small cemetery next to an inn and Alburet made note of it. If he were a Necromancer he would think that inn a prime place to set up. He made plans check there after to see if he could get help finding the Summoner area. Right after the graveyard they passed by a number of temples built in all manner of shapes and sizes. The largest one showed a depiction of a large man in full plate holding a flaming sword above his head. Past that were more temples tapering off again in size until they reached a very large square building.
“The stockades,” the older guard said at Alburet’s questioning look. They went around the corner of it onto another street and in the distance Alburet could see the guards stationed at a gate set into the wall. “We hold the accused and the convicted inside these walls on order of the King.”
“So, a guard station and jail all in one place,” Alburet said as they passed the guards on the gate, who eyed him with scornful eyes. Alburet wondered if looking like a vagrant was the reason, but let it roll off him. He did note that a few other people were coming and going in the courtyard as well.
They entered the main building, passing more guards on duty by the door, to enter a very large room. Desks were scattered through the room, most of them occupied. Various other people bustled around the room. Following the two guards, Alburet ended up in the back of the room before a grey haired matron who looked like she could chew nails. Staying back until asked to comment, Alburet just watched with a sense of nostalgia, thinking back on his old job. When asked he gave his statement about the incident, which the matron wrote down before having him sign at the bottom. She thanked him and two very large men came over and took the accused from the two street guards as she dismissed them all.
“Tough lady,” Alburet said as he followed the guards back into the courtyard.
“Oh, that she is. When she was younger it’s said she broke up a riot by herself. When the other guards got there she was the only one left standing. Granted, she was swaying a bit, but she was still standing.” The younger guard laughed.
“Looks like she could chew iron and spit daggers,” Alburet agreed. “So, about me showing you the choke, where are we going?”
The older guard pointed to a small building inside the walls, “Over there. Inside is the training room.”
Once they reached the building the older guard excused himself for a moment, ducking into an office as the younger guard led Alburet into the big central room. A minute later the older guard came in followed by a middle aged man who had an impressive collection of scars on his face. “Alburet, this here is our chief trainer, Captain Martinez Roberto,” the guard said by way of introduction.
Captain Roberto eyed Alburet before shaking hands, nodding at the firm grip. “My man said you had a way of subduing a thief quickly and easily. If you wouldn’t mind showing it to me?”
“Not a problem,” Alburet said, setting his bag and weapon aside. “Can I get one of you to volunteer?”
The younger guard took off his helm but kept his chain mail on, “I’ll do it.”
“Okay, we’ll do this at full speed first and once you wake up I’ll walk you all through it.” Alburet said, limbering up, “What I need you to do is walk past me.”
The young guard nodded and backed up a few feet before walking by Alburet. The other two watched as Alburet spun behind the guard and caught him in the choke. He saw a debuff appear on the guard, Strangulation that he hadn’t noticed on the thief earlier. Alburet then turned the younger man around to show the other two the hold from the front. “Rear naked choke, it’s very effective as long as the person doesn’t expect you to grab them from behind.” He gently set the young man down once he stopped struggling. “He’ll wake up in a few moments.”
“Hmm interesting, where did you learn this technique?” Roberto asked with real interest in his voice.
“I’m an adventurer, we pick these things up.”
“Ah, that would explain it. You lot are quite peculiar indeed.” Roberto said, nodding just as the young man groaned coming back to his senses.
“Once he’s on his feet I’ll walk you through how to apply the hold. I can also show you another submission take down or two, if you want.”
“Yes, but let me grab another couple of men,” Roberto said, walking out of the room quickly.
The next hour Alburet taught the guards some self-defense tactics just like he used to do back at his old job. “That should give you something to work with besides having to use the clubs,” Alburet said with a grin.
“I thank you very much,” Roberto said, his grim demeanor finally falling away. “I need to invite the royal guard captain down here and spar with him now. If you want to stop by and show us more at any point, I will be sure to make time for you Alburet.”
“Will do, but first I need to go see about some things,” Alburet said as the quest pop-up flashed before his eyes.
Quest Completed: Teach the guard
Receive: Increased reputation with the Guards of Stormguard