Pirates and Bandits

Halt! You there, step over here a second.

Huh? Us? What's going on?

There's been a lot of home invasions around town lately. We've had to beef up our security. I don't recognize either of you. What's your business here?

I'm Aldo, from the Baruoki Village Guard. I don't mean any harm, just passing through.

I'm Miranda, Pirate Queen of the North! Maybe you've heard of me?

I see. You're under arrest!

What? Why?! We're just regular upstanding citizens!

Citizens that self-identify as pirates?

You got something against pirates, mister? I thought it was bandits you were after.

Is there a difference?

Pirates ain't the type to plunder any town they see! It's freedom that matters most to us. We're no different from regular travelers.

So you say, but I can't sit back and let pirates roam around our city.

How about if we help you catch whoever's behind it all?

Great idea! You let me go free, I save your sorry hides, tit for tat. What do you say?

Hm...I'll think about it, if you can get the job done. Start by interviewing some of the victims. They should still be around town.

Hey there. You had yourself a visit from some housebreakers a while back, right?

Uh, yes, but...who are you?

We're looking into this crime wave. Did they leave behind any clues?

I don't think so... The only thing I found afterwards were these claws.

Ooh, these aren't from any regular animal. Those lubbers must be using monsters to do their dirty work.

I lost all my money, I can't even afford food! Are you going to get it back?

Hey, I feel for you, but I ain't no saint. What's in it for me?

Don't be like that, Miranda. I think we should help her.

You're too nice for your own good, Aldo. Fine. It'll help convince them guards I'm not in on these burglaries.

Ah! Those claws!

Huh? Do you know something about these things?

Hey! Where do you think you're going?

Looks like we got ourselves a suspect. After him! He's heading for the Karek Swampland. Run all you like, fella, you won't escape me!

Hold it right there!

Agh!

Time to pay the piper, lad. Tell us where you stashed your ill-gotten goods!

I don't know nothing! You've got the wrong guy!

Keeping secrets isn't good for ya, you know. Cough up and we might go easy on you.

Isn't that right, Aldo? You're big on honesty and whatnot, ain't you?

Yeah. We're going to take back everything you've stolen!

You've got it all wrong, I'm just another victim! I was attacked by a bandit using those claws.

Really? Why'd you run from us, then?

I thought you must be from the gang behind the attack. Can you blame me? You look a little...y'know...

Why does everyone around here take me for a rapscallion?! Just tell us where you got jumped so we can go investigate.

It was on the Nuaru Uplands. As soon as I recovered I came home, then I saw you guys.

Wait, this was today?! No wonder you were so jumpy.

This is perfect! They won't have gone far. Catching them is gonna be a cinch.

You seem pretty excited, considering how opposed you were to this idea at first. Is clearing your name that important to you?

Don't speak about freedom so lightly! Life's no fun if you've got to look over your shoulder for folks trying to lock you up.

Take a look at those claws. They're the spittin' image of the ones we found in Unigan.

Hey, you! You the one who's been robbing the capital blind lately?

Blast it, I've been rumbled. But what are you going to do about this guy?!

You think a pathetic monster like that is gonna slow us down? Thanks to you, everyone's been treating me like a bandit. I hope you're prepared to take responsibility!

G-Go get 'em, boy! Show these kids they can't mess with us.

That's impossible! These monsters were supposed to be unbeatable!

I think that's enough warming up. You ready to get your hands dirty?

Yaaargh! G-G-Get away from me! I'm sorry, I'll return everything, just spare my life!

Tch. What would I possibly have to gain from sending a landlubber like that overboard? Ooh! Looks like he left some booty behind.

Nice, this gem looks valuable. We're gonna eat well tonight!

Hey, Miranda? All of that is stolen goods, you know.

Nothing wrong with assessing their value. We've earned a reward after all this.

I thought you were a little too enthusiastic. You were planning this from the start!

What did you expect? I'm a pirate, boy. No two ways about it.

Not happening. We promised to get all this back to its owner, remember?

Aw, c'mon Aldo. I've got a reputation of my own to think about...

......

Urgh, fine. Have it your way. Can't believe I did this whole job for free.

You'll have convinced the guards you're no threat. Consider that your reward.

I don't see why I should have to prove myself to the kind of people who'd detain someone without trial just based on how they look.

Maybe they'd have more faith in you if you didn't actually go around stealing stuff.

That bandit won't be bothering you anymore. Will you trust Miranda now?

That's great. You did us a big favor here. You didn't cause any trouble in the end, so I guess we can give you a clean slate.

We managed to recover the stolen items, too. Here you go.

That's going above and beyond the call of duty! I'll see to it they get back to their owner. Thanks again!

Honestly. I can't believe you were planning to pocket that stuff.

Heh heh heh... Now Aldo, you didn't think I'd really let this adventure end without takin' a little swag for myself, did you? Ta-da! What d'you think of this?

What is that? Looks like some kind of stone tablet.

I found it in that bag we picked up. I couldn't believe my luck! This right here is a treasure map, boyo. No doubt about it.

I guess this carving looks a little like a map. Are you sure, though?

Aye, take a look at this relief on the back.

Looks like...a skull wearing a crown, and a bunch of swords?

Wait! You think this is...

"The King of Skulls sits atop a mountain of swords." It's not just a map, it's THE map!

Well...you still can't steal it.

This thing is probably an old piece of junk in that girl's eyes. I'll put it to much better use. Besides, working without pay goes against my most sacred principles. I'm just taking my due.

There's just no reforming you, is there? I'll overlook it this one time...