Welcome to Gaia! ::

"We take papers from some other adventurers."

The big guy gave him a lopsided smile with crooked teeth.

"Adventurers come through here all the time, but they rarely travel alone through the gate. So, it's pretty simple. You go and steal us some papers from a pair of foolhardy boys and we sneak through. I take your lack of weaponage to mean you are a hand at magic, and a little magic applied properly will get rid of any trace of what we are. Even if we didn't look undead, we'd still need the papers."

The giant swilled more of the foul grog and belched loudly.

"So that's what we can do. Best to act together and get away with it than to be stupid and get yourself put on a spit."

"Nay, that's where YOU come in. I have to bribe people to make sure the right stupid fools who can be tricked get put on duty. So the papers'll be your responsibility."

The big man let out another belch.

"You yourself aren't getting much done either."

The big zombie sat down his drink and stared with yellowed eyes at Menarus.

"Have the papers by tomorrow and we may be done with this town by the afternoon. Now I'm off."

He shifted his large bulk and left a few silver on the table, which sadly meant a rather large tip considering the quality of the food. Before Menarus could turn around, the big man was out of the door.

"Hurry up shawn! We need to get to the inn!"

"Ah hold your houses. Its damn dificult to walk in this dress."

"Not a dress Shawn, those are the robes of a newly graduated journey mage."

"Oh sure Alfreo. You get to swing a sword, and I have to carry a book and wear a dress. If this wasn't masters wish I would quit this damn thing right now."

"Well too bad. Its important for our training."

Two young boys, barely old enough to be out on their own rushed through the city streets, sometimes bumping into people and making a scene of it all.

The next day saw the big man waiting near the gate tapping his foot impatiently. His swords were strapped to his back and he was wearing make up and goggles to disguise himself in the crowd. All in all, he looked as you might expect an adventurer to. Except for the odd movements he made.

He continually glanced over at the guard. The particular specimen was obviously deficient in some mental process, but he was built like the wall he protected. Bigger even than the zombie warrior, he was an impressive sight. He also seemed to have nothing going on upstairs.

The Giant took his scroll and shoved it through his belt.

"Oh aye, I took care of my part. That great mongol back there can't add three and three. He'll fall for anything."

He laughed and clapped Menarus on his shoulder with unchecked strength.

"A bit of a miracle he can read enough to know what to look for. Shame he doesn't know when the information is wrong."

The big man led Menarus up to the great lump of a man and showed him the paper. It took about five minutes for the brute to piece out what he was looking for, and admittedly the large zombie started to look a little nervous. But then the cretin nodded and waved the undead man through with a goofy smile. Before he walked through the gate, the large corpse turned and smiled at Menarus.

"Glad you won't have to dispose of the bodies eh."
He laughed and winked as he stepped through the wall's port.

"Now, we are both in Barton, and I am going to go find a wench and ale. May your travels prove fortunate, brother."

With a nod and a salute, the Giant wandered off in one direction, leaving Menarus to go in the opposite.

And that is how Menarus managed to find his way to Barton, and most specifically set him within a few weeks travel of Hennesy... and ultimately a journey that would hold a great deal of promise on helping him restore what he lost... one way or another.