Ah, remember when I mentioned the best laid plans? Well, if even a carefully crafted plan can end in disaster then one that is hardly thought out can lead to catastrophe.

It began simply enough. One of the caravanners, a halfling by the name of Tam, joined the watches to help prevent more murders. He and Garchik spied a camp on the rode. It had some Imperial’s who we learned were collecting taxes for the area. We were simply going to pass them by, but one of the guards recognized the wagon for the Rainbow (whatever) mummer’s troupe. I came to find out that my bed warmer, Sara, has a younger brother who worked as a tax collector for the Imperials. However, on his first assignment he either was murdered or fled with a sum of gold from a nearby town.

The fat fool in charge loved to hear how well he ran his operation almost as much as he loved to hear the clink of my coins. It was arranged that Sara was to remain in tax collector’s company while I, and the others, try to find out what happened to the young man and retrieve the taxes.

I tried my best to be straight forward with the rest of the group. The town had not been taxed for several years, and may not have been able to afford the expense. Thus, we may have to shoulder part of the burden. This would ensure the good graces of the Empire and perhaps secure a favor in the process.

The town itself was situated near a marsh. The climate was fair, but the terrain was foul. The bugs and standing water make me question why anyone would start a town in such a horrible land. However, their roots must have led to some prosperity as the sleepy town boasted at least one building with real glass windows. Though the folk themselves were gruff and odd; including a young boy who kept a blood sucking insect as a pet or the ill mannered young man who argued seemingly just for the sake of argument.

The mayor was little help. He stated that the man in question, Taren, collected the taxes 6 months ago and left after buying supplies for a long journey. There were not many documents to indicate that the taxes were collected and I was ready to head further into town to see if Taren had perhaps mentioned where he had been going. However, this is when they poorly thought out plan came to light. For you see while I was attempting, quite kindly in fact, to find out the whereabouts of the young Taren our good friend Garchik had other ideas.