Friends old and new

I'd heard about a lot of trouble in the south, rumors about several friends in serious trouble, so I hitched a ride down that way. The group I traveled with seemed like they may have been bandits-to-be, but they were nice enough for now. They listened to my stories at least, seemed particularly interested in the ones about battle and riches.
 
Not long after I settled in to the city a striking group blundered into the tavern I was enjoying. Most good stories do start at taverns after all. They looked like a group of religious nobles, but they were armed to the teeth and obviously had a mission. Luckily enough that mission involved the same troublemakers I was after.
 
I invited myself along with them, there wasn't too much grumbling. I'm sure they'll warm up after a bit, people usually do. They've got orders from officials and holy quests; I'm just here to check on my buddy Rolf. I feel a bit crazy, I'm not some altruistic holy knight. I might be getting in over my head, but I've ducked my way out of plenty of barfights in the past.
 
They were grateful--if suspicious--for a lead on Rolf's location, and sure enough he was in serious need of bailing out! Not like him to get into trouble that deep, things may be in a really bad way out here after all.