The Dreadful Hunt

by J. E. Thompson

Taking his own rucksack, Vexx struggled to reach the fishing boat, rushing up to the side. Shyola materialized, reaching downward and hauling him up. They collapsed onto the deck as a naked Kaylin heaved the ship’s wheel, taking them away from the beach, which was rapidly filling up with angry Lizardfolk.

  “Vexx, did you lose my rucksack?” Kaylin demanded, prodding him with her foot as he panted on the deck of the fishing boat.

  “Yeah…” He struggled to his feet just as an arrow zipped past overhead to splash into the sea. He took his place at the ship’s wheel, but the fishing boat had caught the wind and was soon out of range.

  “I had traps in there,” Kaylin muttered darkly. “Well, at least I have something to wear.”

  “Where to, Captain?” Shyola asked as Vexx kept an eye on the waves around them.

  “Oerchenbrach, for now,” Vexx groaned, wiping the sweat off his brow. “And then, when we’re up to it…back to Blackscale Island to claim the dragon egg for ourselves!”

  Madame Turquoise

  The crowd in the Oerchenbrach night market was still as busy as ever when the dungeoneers returned. They shuffled through busy crowds of chattering adventurers and locals just to find a good place to sell their goods.

  “He’s coming tonight!” a young boy at the docks exclaimed. “They say his party is going to be going down this very street!”

  Vexx snapped to attention, his fatigue gone at the mere thought of his renowned hero strutting by.

  Shyola tittered. “Master, really? Are you that much of a fan?”

  “Well, I…oh, I don’t know,” he said. It did feel a bit strange to be idolizing Dred Wyrm, since he wasn’t a child anymore. After running through his share of dungeons and completing his first ten quests—making him an experienced adventurer by most standards—he couldn’t quite justify seeing Dred Wyrm as an unreachable dungeoneer.

  Just very, very far…but, perhaps, if everything goes well…we could be equals.

  “Maybe we could go on adventures with him?”

  Shyola frowned uncertainly, and Kaylin looked equally as skeptical.

  “I have a hard enough time with the elf, Master.”

  “Why do you even want him in our party?” Kaylin asked.

  Vexx licked his lips, uncertain. “Well…uh…”

  “Enchantments, get your enchantments!” a voice called out from a nearby stall. A middle-aged man continued barking at the indifferent crowd as the dungeoneers approached. “Get your buffs and buff out your debuffs. Want magical rings? You want ‘em, we got ‘em. You, sir!” he said, noticing Vexx’s approach. “What can I do for you?”

  “Got a cursed staff,” Vexx said. “And a cursed elf,” he added helpfully, tapping Kaylin on the shoulder with his staff. A fireball burst out of the wolf's head and soared into the night sky, causing a few people to look up in surprise, but in all the chaos, it went relatively unnoticed.

  “Sorry about that,” Vexx muttered. “But, uh, you see the problem, right?”

  “Oh, indeed,” the man said, grimacing and rubbing his chin. He leaned back and sighed. “Cursing is a bad business. Decursing is even worse. Sorry, friend, but that’s not something I get into.”

  “You’re kidding me!” Vexx frowned. “Well, do you know anyone who does?”

  “Ah…you’re asking me to suggest a competitor,” the man grumbled.

  “Hardly. I’m not looking for enchantments; all I want is to get rid of this curse.”

  “Eh.” The man twisted and spat, then pinned Vexx with a long, searching look. “Alright, fine. She probably won’t even see you. Madame Turquoise has a shop over in the burgher district of town.”

  “Burgher district,” Vexx repeated blandly. “I must admit, I am new here. Where exactly…”

  “Farther up the hill, that-a-ways,” the man said, pointing into the heights of Oerchenbrach. “You can ask around once you get close.”

  “You’ve been a lot of help,” Vexx said, backing away.

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  Vexx led the dungeoneers out of the Oerchenbrach market and up the street toward the burgher district as evening faded away to night. As they continued along the bustling streets, a steady cheer echoed in the distance. Merchants in fancy garb turned, excitedly joining the beggars and other shady sorts along the street as chanting continued.

  “What’s that?” Shyola asked.

  “Red urn?” Kaylin said, her ears twitching. “Is this some sort of…human cheer?”

  “It’s Dred Wyrm!” Vexx said in excitement, hurrying over to the elevated porch of a local brewery. He ignored a few muffled protests as he gazed down. Advancing at the front of a column were four white horses hooked up to an ornate cart. Sitting in the driver’s seat was a haggard-looking man with an eye patch and black plate armor, but Vexx barely spared a glance for him. Instead, he cheered along with the rest of the crowd at the man sitting casually in the passenger seat, a lance displaying a long pennant of silver and red resting on his shoulder.

  “Dred Wyrm! Dred Wyrm! Dred Wyrm!”

  Vexx watched in awe as the cart passed them, trailed by several riders in gleaming, magical armor with their own unique weapons. Vexx knew that each of them would be a dungeoneer who had earned a great deal of renown over the years, though they all faded into the background in comparison to Dred Wyrm. He even fancied himself joining the group for some quest or another, though he knew Dred Wyrm tended to cycle through dungeoneers, since all the quests he accepted had a high casualty rate. That wasn’t his fault, of course; Dred Wyrm preferred the riskiest assignments.

  That’s why he is a legend, after all!

  Vexx’s mood soured as he spotted the blue and black outfit of an Archmagus striding along behind the others, not deigning even to ride. He recognized the man from his studies at Fallanden Magical Academy. The Archmagus was no teacher, but he had been a guest lecturer a time or two, and the man had been endlessly full of himself.

  Even if I were to join, everyone would talk about my expulsion from the Academy…

  “Vexx? Vexx!”

  He snapped out of it as Kaylin tugged on his arm.

  “Vexx, come on. We need to get your staff decursed and find an inn for the night.”

  “Oh, uh…right.”

  The dungeoneers left the porch, joining the steady traffic of Oerchenbrach’s roads as everyone resumed their earlier tasks. Vexx finally paid attention to the well-dressed residents of the burghers of Oerchenbrach, more than a few of them openly stopped and whispered about the dungeoneers’ presence. The same citizens who had been so eager to celebrate the arrival of the legendary dungeoneer Dred Wyrm clearly showed their opinions for those of lesser renown. Although a few other dungeoneers were also in the area, it became increasingly obvious that this wasn’t a particularly welcome part of town when it came to travelers.

  “Over here, is it not?” Shyola asked, pointing across the street to a sign bearing the faded black outline of a witch. “Madame Turquoise, it reads. She’s the one, right, Master?”

  “That’s what the man said,” he replied, stepping across the street as a fully-laden wagon rolled by. A mounted caravan guard barely even glanced at them.

  A faint light glowed from within the shop, and Vexx caught a glimpse of several lit candles through the windows. He rapped at the door for a moment.

  “Madame Turquoise?”

  He waited impatiently, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as an old woman appeared from within. She pulled the door open, sucking at her evidently toothless gums as she took him in.

  “Well, come on, then,” she sighed, waving them inside. “No use in yelling outside all night.”

  “Sorry for the late hour,” Vexx said.

  “Oh, not at all,” Madame Turquoise replied as she settled herself in an armchair. Vexx took a seat in a rocking chair while Kaylin and Shyola reluctantly shared a small couch. The faint scent of lavender drifted from a mug beside Madame Turquoise as she studied the new arrivals. “I was just doing s
ome research. I’m a bit of a night owl, you see. Now, what can I do for you?”

  “That suits us very nicely, Madame,” Vexx replied, offering his wolf-head staff. “Because I need this decursed as soon as possible.”

  She made no move to take the staff from him, though Vexx felt a faint hint of magical energy pulse out from her. “It is indeed cursed,” she replied. “How did you know I perform such delicate operations? I know you are not from town.”

  “No, I’m with all the other dungeoneers,” Vexx said. “Questing for the dragon egg. That’s why I need this fixed immediately. I have a lead on where it might be!”

  Madame Turquoise snorted. “You and a thousand others. Yes, well, I could have it ready by dawn, sure enough. But I want my payment up front.”

  “That shouldn’t be an issue, provided your prices are reasonable.”

  “Not that kind of payment,” Madame Turquoise replied levelly. “Not quite. You see, I do need a dungeoneering sort for something…a stranger to town, not known to any locals. Do you all fit the bill?”

  The dungeoneers nodded together, though Vexx was still mystified.

  “You will be perfect. I thought of going down to the docks and asking around but…oh, it’s so undignified.”

  “You could post a bill in a local place,” Vexx said, but the old woman just waved him off.

  “No, no, I prefer discretion. And this works just fine. You see, the thing is…there’s something I want. And I need someone to deliver it for me.” She paused. “Can you make that happen?”

  “Of course,” Vexx said.

  Kaylin tilted her head. “Well, it depends on the details…”

  “Before we get started, do you have any moral qualms about theft?”

  “No, ma’am,” Vexx said, shooting the old woman a smile.

  “Nope!” Shy added agreeably.

  “Qu…qualms?” Kaylin sounded the word out, looking to the others for support.

  The old lady nodded, satisfied.

  “Very well. Lord Craster’s Magical Refinery is located just four blocks away. They have magically enhanced gold and silver ingots which they use to simplify the process of crafting enchanted goods,” she explained.

  Vexx nodded, lost in thought.

  “I want you to bring me four silver ingots. I think that’s a good number that won’t draw too much attention.”

  “Four…silver ones?” Vexx blinked. “Wouldn’t gold ones be more valuable?”

  “I prefer a more cautious approach. I believe I know Lord Craster well enough to say that he would overlook the loss of four silver ingots…he might double the guard, perhaps, but it wouldn’t cause an enormous fuss. And, of course, those ingots would help my business immensely.” She clapped her hands together. “Are we agreed, then?”

  “Ah, certainly. And you’ll fix my staff?”

  “It will be ready by dawn.”

  “Is there a good inn in the area?” Kaylin asked.

  “I tell you what,” Madame Turquoise said with a friendly smile. “Since you’re going to be such good friends of mine, I’ll offer you my spare rooms. I don’t use them anyway. That will help you keep a low profile after you return here with the metal, and you’ll save a few coins as well. How’s that?”

  “That, Madame Turquoise,” Vexx said as he rose from the rocking chair and extended his hand, “is a deal!”

  Fixing the Staff

  Vexx made his way through the back alleys of the burgher district, feeling even more out of place without his staff. He’d gone without one after being expelled from the Magical Academy at Fallanden, but he had soon grown used to his staff ever since his time in Golden Streams Landing.

  It’ll be fixed soon enough, Vexx vowed to himself. And then, it will be better than ever!

  “An open window,” he whispered to the other dungeoneers as they crowded the alley. A patrol of two watchmen had trudged past a minute ago. One of them held a torch, but the flickering flame did nothing but ruin their night vision. Vexx knew there would be more around, but he hoped it wasn’t more than five or six. From what he’d seen of the warehouse exterior, that would be doable as long as they didn’t end up in a fight. Madame Turquoise had made it clear that she didn’t want this operation to draw too much attention.

  “Think you can lift me up, Master?” Shyola asked. “I could slip in.”

  “Hmm…”

  Vexx had to admit that he wasn’t the strongest man around. Not by the typical definition, anyway. He was a pale and scrawny magic user, but he reckoned he was as tough as any other. Still, the succubus didn’t weigh much, and he shouldn’t have to lift her for very long.

  “Yes. Are you ready?”

  Shy nodded.

  “It should be another eight minutes before they circle around. Kaylin, you’ll stand watch?”

  Kaylin nodded.

  “Let’s do it.”

  Vexx and Shyola scurried through the alley before they approached the side of the warehouse. He could barely make out “Craster” and “Magical Refinery” from the faded white lettering on the warehouse. He set both hands together and squatted a bit lower as Shyola stepped onto his interlaced fingers.

  “A bit higher,” she whispered, and Vexx slowly stood. “That’s it…I’m on the window.” She stepped on Vexx’s shoulder and then again on his head, and he couldn’t resist grunting in annoyance. “Easy, Master, I know people who would pay for that!”

  “Just get in,” Vexx muttered, wincing as the succubus pushed off him and wriggled inside the warehouse. He waited impatiently as one minute dragged by, followed by another. A figure emerged in the distance; her two long ears framed by the Oerchenbrach dockside lights in the distance.

  “Patrol coming!”

  “Already?”

  Vexx cursed, dashing away from the warehouse wall and ducking behind cover in the alley beside Kaylin.

  “They shouldn’t be back alr—”

  “Shh!”

  Vexx fell silent as the two guards jogged back, glancing from side to side.

  “Did he say what happened?” one asked in a low voice.

  “Just that one of the silent alarms went off,” the other murmured. “A magical rune was triggered or something. You know I don’t understand this voodoo stuff.”

  Damn…what’s going on in there? Vexx wondered.

  “We’ve got to get her out,” he announced, just as the patrol of guards hurried away. “I can make a hole in the side of the wall.”

  “Don’t you think that would just draw more attention?” Kaylin asked. “After all, the old lady wanted us to be quiet.”

  “But if Shyola gets caught…”

  “You think she’s going to get caught?” Kaylin snorted. “She can handle herself.”

  Vexx raised his eyebrows, surprised at Kaylin’s statement. A chuckle broke the silence, and they whirled to stare at the other end of the alley. Something unseen disturbed a puddle of water, and with a flourish, Shyola revealed herself, four silver ingots cradled in her arms like babies.

  “The elf is right. Come on,” she said, jerking her head back. “Let’s get out of here.”

  The dungeoneers scampered off as the sound of a ringing bell echoed from the warehouse.

  “What was that?” Vexx asked, glancing back.

  “The alarm, I assume,” Shy replied, huffing as she carried the ingots along with her.

  “I mean…did you end up killing anyone?”

  “No, no, I was discreet.” Shy sighed. “Missed out on one tasty soul. Just left him dreaming for a bit. I think I triggered some protection magic, but otherwise, it was easy. I just hope our next quest is as simple as that.”

  “It probably won’t be,” Vexx muttered, and they fell silent as they trotted through the quiet streets of Oerchenbrach; the normally bustling town seemingly all asleep, aside from the occasional rattling wagon or stray pedestrian.

  They weaved their way through the streets before arriving back at Madame Turquoise’s shop. This time, she wa
s ready for them; swiftly rising from her armchair and quietly opening the door before hurriedly ushering them inside.

  “Do you have the goods?” she asked, grinning as the four silver ingots in the crook of Shyola’s arm caught the candlelight. “Oh, I knew I could count on you scoundrels. I made cookies, by the way,” she added casually.

  Vexx and Kaylin grinned as the smell of freshly-baked cookies filled the room. Shy didn’t seem to care, merely settling down in an empty armchair and stretching out like a cat.

  “Be a darling, will you?” Madame Turquoise asked, ushering Vexx in. “Could you take those out of the clay oven?”

  Vexx peered into the oven, then glanced around. “Do you have any mitts?”

  “Do you need them, mage?” the old woman asked with a twinkle in her eye. “I saw the burn marks on the wolf’s head, dear. I know how they got there.”

  “So, that’s how it is,” Vexx said mildly, cracking his knuckles. “Sure.”

  He summoned a low flame around his hands, protecting him from the heat as he quickly scooped them out and slid them onto a platter. He dispelled the flames at once, and the skin on his hands was unmarked.

  “Ah, a skilled mage like you doesn’t even need a staff,” Madame Turquoise said. “Be a dear and carry those into the study, would you?”

  Vexx frowned, even as he obeyed her instructions, following the old lady out into the study where Kaylin and Shyola were currently lounging. “I hope you’re not trying to say something, Madame Turquoise. We did all this to get the curse removed, after all.”

  “Oh, it’s done,” she said idly, even as Kaylin snapped up to attention, eagerly awaiting the cookies.

  “It is?” Vexx asked, the scent of the cookies momentarily losing its influence on him. “Can I see it?”

  “Certainly,” she said, turning toward a work table. She handed the wolf-head staff over to him. Outwardly, it didn’t seem any different, so he showed it to Shyola.

  Shy gave it a cursory glance, and a flash of crimson energy soared into the staff. She nodded idly.

  “Strange to see a demon paying me a visit,” Madame Turquoise mused, staring at Shyola.