Redros, Tomas, Elene, Isdren, Guthrik, and Bastia crowd by the door near Marcus, ready to head back out into the dangerous city for supplies and equipment. Athena sits at the bar, a half-smile on her face. "I'll stick around here for a bit. Maybe next run," she says.
"Shall we?" Guthrik asks Marcus, going for the handles to open the doors.
"Sure, but who is going with who? Are you kids heading off on your own again?" Marcus asks, looking to Isdren and Elene. I'm sure that boy's mother would faint if she could see those two out there by themselves.
"I was planning on taking your lead, sir," Isdren says deferentially to Marcus. "Unless you think otherwise is best."
"We could cover more ground if we split up," Bastia notes.
"Though there is more strength in numbers," Guthrik counters, unconvinced and pausing at the door.
"It's easier t' stay hidden if we go in smaller groups." Elene says, peering out through one of the windows, curious if any of the wandering dead had made their way closer to their haven. "But if we all go together we c'n bring more stuff back. In th' interest of gettin' lots of food, I'd say stay closer."
"I'm for sticking together," Tomas says, not necessarily because it's the better idea, but simply because he wants to get moving. "If one house has a large amount of supplies, it'll be easier to haul it back. And it might be easier to hide in small numbers, but it's easier to fight with more of us."
"Then let us move on, no use dallying," Marcus says, before motioning to Guthrik to open the doors. "We should continue checking the places nearest the Mare. No use venturing further out until we've gathered everything we can that is close." It shouldn't be necessary to say, but better to get that out there now, before other suggestions are made.
The seven of you step out into the street, not seeing any of the walkers in the plaza. There are many storefronts and residences surrounding this central area of the district, some of which will likely have important supplies. "Might be best to clear out this plaza while it's safe," Guthrik mentions.
Bastia and Isdren nod their heads, not interested in going further out than necessary.
Taking a look around the plaza, there are a handful of market stalls, most of which have been knocked to the side or toppled completely during the prior day's violence. There look to have been some fruit, meat, and trade goods sold at the carts but owners likely took what they could during the heat of the moment.
Lining the perimeter of the plaza are various storefronts, their signs indicating their goods and services. From just outside the Mare, you can tell that there is a butcher, a carpenter, a farrier, a cobbler, two storefronts that sell clothing. A half-dozen buildings lack signs and are most likely residences.
"We should check the carpenter's shop and butcher's shop next," Marcus whispers to the others, as he begins to move towards whichever of the two is closer, motioning for the others to follow.
"Let's hope the butcher's shop isn't full of spoiled meat," Tomas responds to Marcus, sneaking close behind him. Let's hope that butcher had enough salted before this whole mess happened.
The butcher is near the eastern edge of the market, and the group of you head toward it, your feet padding on the damp cobblestone. The door is partway ajar and as you step in, your nose picks up heavy scents of meat. Hot and heavy, the overpowering smell of the butcher shop crowds your mind.
Inside you can immediately see that there was a struggle, as the mat at the door is off-kilter and a small bench is knocked to the side. Ahead, you eye a tangle of two lifeless bodies, signs of a fight apparent around them. Cautiously stepping closer, you find what looks to be the butcher judging by his stained apron. His cleaver is lodged quite deeply into the skull of the second body, a tall man with sickly and sagging skin.
Isdren and Bastia stand to the side, looking on in vivid horror. The orc steps closer, giving a curious grunt. He prods the butcher with his staff, to no effect. "Guess we don't have to worry about these two trying to tear at us."
"The door was open, so there may be more lurking. Stay on your guard," Marcus says as he steps closer to the bodies.
Tomas looks at the corpses with fear and disgust. Gods, what a mess. "Let's just hope the only thing we find is some salted meat," the boy says, cautiously glancing around.
As Tomas and Marcus inspect the bodies, it becomes evident to them and anybody else who join that a struggle between the two men took place. The butcher looks to have suffered a bite wound and a few rakes from the ghastly, likely undead assailant. Looking at the apron-wearing butcher closer, you notice a deep head wound he sustained. Judging by the weight and position of the sagging-skinned man atop him, the butcher must have struck his head forcefully on the ground from a fall.
