Fact Finding

Sasha approached the Hunter Guild Hall, walking up to a man who was seated outside guarding the door. As the man stood Sasha produced a pocket watch from one of the pockets of her coat, flipping it open and showing him a symbol that was etched on the inner lid. The man studied the symbol for a moment and then raised an eyebrow looking Sasha up and down. His accent was thick but he spoke in English. “Bit small for a True Hunter.” he said, seeing if he got a rise out of Sasha but when she didn’t respond he let her in.

Despite everyone dressed in their own way, some things remained the same. Everyone was dressed in some form or another of an approximation of a suit of some kind, accessorised in their own ways. Despite the size of the hall it was more empty then Sasha had expected. She looked around for the leader of the guild hall. Seeing a man close to Sung’s age. His hair tied back in a messy top-knot, one side shaved into an undercut showing off three vertical scars that raked from just above the ear to the back of the head.

The man leaned forward on the counter. Staring Sasha down as she approached. “God dag, hva kan jeg gjøre for deg?” he said when Sasha got to the counter.

“English?” she asked.

The man nodded. “Not everyday we see a new face.” he said, “You here to join?” he asked looking at her gear. “Not many jobs for someone like you around here.” he said.

“No, I’m just passing through working another job and was hoping you could help answer a few questions about the area for me.” Sasha said.

“Introductions first,” he said. “I am Bjørn.” he said. “Bjørn Johansen” he said.

“Sasha LaGrave.” she answered.

“Wonderful name.” he said, “What’s your type?” he asked. “I’m a Venator sanguinis.”

“Vera Venator.” Sasha said, Bjørn gave her the same look as the door man.

“Bit smaller than the other Vera Venator, I know but if you’ve survived this long you must be doing something right.” he said switch a shrug of his shoulders. “Now, you said you have questions, we’ll have answers. If I don’t someone here will.”

“My employer has been asked to investigate a rash of disappearances in the area namely a town close to here that’s occupants just seem to have evaporated.” she said, pulling out a map, much cheaper and defined than the ones on the ship or with Elizabeth. But she could still point out a point near by the actual location. “Around here.” she said.

Bjørn looked at the map. “Don’t know anything about vanishings. But werewolf activity is fairly high in that area.” he scratched the sacred side of his head.

“Full pack or small group?” Sasha asked as she took notes in a small book.

“By all accounts it’s likely a pack. But we don’t have enough hunters to just send them up that way to wipe them out.” Bjørn said, “We handled it when we get the jobs but not worth the risk for an unknown.”

Sasha nodded scribbling something down. “Anything else up that way? Bandits or the like?”

Bjørn thought a moment. “Not that I’ve heard. Though they might be smart enough to not attack when they see a group of hunters.” he said. “Especially Venator Animae.” he said. “That’s not to say you couldn’t run into something. Crime comes and goes in these parts. They work when the weather is good.”

Sasha looked at the map again. “Anything else I should know, Hunter reports?”

Pausing for a moment Bjørn thought hard. “Hmm…” he leaned forward a bit more. “Only rumours but could be worth knowing. A few of the younger hunters think they saw Troll tracks.” he said. “At least one, no more than four.” he said. “But those are just rumours. Haven’t seen a troll in these parts for years.”

Sasha nodded and wrote it down same page but separate from the other info. While she wrote another woman passed, more matronly than hunters she’d seen. Bjørn stopped her and whispered something in her ear and cocked his head at Sasha, the woman nodded and smiled, leaving the room again. She came back shortly with a bowl of stew.

“You must eat.” she said, “I would not let you leave without a home cooked meal.” she said. “Do you drink Ms…”

“Lagrave, depends on you you have.” Sasha said.

“It would be easier if you named it, and we can tell you if we have it.” the woman said.

“Grey Fox Gin?” Sasha said.

“Oh!” Bjørn said. Pulling a slightly dusty bottle out from under the counter.

He poured Sasha a glass and Sasha took a seat. Bjørn joined Sasha and they talked about what’s it like being a French Hunter. Shared stories about their most dangerous hunts. Sasha took her mask off, being round hunters was different from other people. After a long talk and several drinks she stood to part. Pulling one of the coins from the waxy wrapper and giving it to Bjørn.

Pulling her mask back into place and rising to leave as she reached the door Bjørn stopped her. “I remembered something,” he said. “If you’re following the roads north, there is a wisewoman, she hears and sees almost more than the most active hunters do. She might have better answers, be able to tell you if the troll rumours are credible and how many werewolves might be roaming and where their borders are.”

Sasha wrote that down as well. “If I have time when we return I will bring you the information I learned.” she said.
“We’d appreciate that.” Bjørn said, nodding.

Sasha left the guild hall, nodding at the door man. Making her way to meet with Lady Elizabeth about what she found. Weather it was is good or bad news if for her to decide.