Dracon and the Edge of the World

by Michael T Payne

  Grik shook his head amused at the animated character that was Katlin the thief.

  “Sit, join us.” Dracon put his hand out to a log near the fire.

  “Is there wine?” Katlin asked taking a seat.

  “How do you find yourself here, boy, wandering the dark?” Grik asked, he had an ax in hand, whittling a piece of wood to pass the time.

  Talila and Um’Vec cooked, wary of the new arrival in their midst.

  “You are displeased by this creature, when the others sleep, I will put my hand over its mouth until it stops moving, then will you allow me to feast on it?” Um’Vec asked.

  Talila and Grik looked at each other right away. She knew Grik could understand Um’Vec as well as she could.

  “No. Leave it be.” Talila said, trying not to act alarmed by Um’Vec’s offer.

  “What did he say?” Dracon asked, noticing how suddenly Grik looked over at Talila and Um’Vec after the bugbear spoke.

  Talila stared at Grik, waiting to hear how he would answer. He glanced back at her with a smile. Grik forced a chuckle, then looked over at Dracon and Satana.

  “Can ya believe it, he made a joke?” Grik laughed convincingly, “Something about everyone bein’ thieves, but it was a joke to be sure!”

  Talila smiled going along with Grik’s explanation.

  “Remain silent unless we are alone, is that understood?” Talila whispered to Um’Vec when she passed him to get plates and a bottle.

  “Yes, mistress.” Um’Vec answered.

  Talila handed Grik a bottle then took a piece of meat from the fire and put it onto a plate. She was in front of Katlin, and as soon as the first piece of meat hit the plate, he took it from her.

  “Thank you very much, but you don’t have to serve me, my lady.” He smiled, standing up just enough to take the plate, then bowed his head and returned to his seat.

  Talila’s face reflected her shock, she intended that plate for Dracon. She glanced over at Dracon; her face turned from shock to an angry scowl. Dracon shook his head ‘no’ to her, chuckling at the arrogance of Katlin the thief. Talila took another piece of meat from the grilling stand, one not quite as big as the one she intended for Dracon, then walked it over to him. Grik and Satana both stood up at the same time to serve themselves. They locked eyes, then both surveyed the meat that was left, one piece much bigger than the other. They moved at the same time, but Satana was taller, longer of stride, and much, much, faster, than the squat dwarf. She laughed as she covered the short distance to the meat, using one of her daggers to stab the larger piece. She held it up in front of her, smiling at Grik. He nodded at her with a smile, conceding her victory. Satana grabbed a plate, as did Grik. When she turned to walk back to her seat, Grik slapped the bottom of her plate with the head of his ax. The force threw the plate and meat into the air. As Satana looked back, fumbling to regain control of her wayward plate, she saw her meat land on Grik’s plate. He turned swiftly, more protective of his meal than Satana had been of hers. Dracon laughed, seeing her bested was not something he was used to. Satana stood with an open mouth, stunned she lost her meal. She watched Grik as he dug into the meat with a smug smile, looking right back at her. Satana had to settle for the smaller of the two pieces after all.

  “Where is it that you hail from, my large friend?” Katlin asked Dracon.

  “A place called Ganlin.” Dracon leaned forward, ripping a chunk of meat off with his teeth, then asked, “Have you heard of the lands of Sumia? Or a city called Qinkas, perhaps?” Katlin started to shake his head no, “What about an expanse of death?” Katlin’s eyes went wide.

  “That’s a name I would not soon forget, sir.” Katlin chuckled.

  Dracon looked down disappointed, then continued eating.

  “You never said where you hail from, boy?” Grik asked.

  “As I said, I, am a-”

  “How about most recently?” Satana asked, cutting him off before he could go into his spiel again.

  “Ah,” he said wiping his mouth with his sleeve, “Rethland, a small town to the east of us. As I hear it, you are heading that way?”

  “Hmm,” Grik grunted, “Heard that did ya?”

  “I suppose you can take us there?” Satana asked.

  “Where are my manners,” Katlin said suddenly, “It’s not a dwarven blend,” he reached behind the log he was sitting on and produced a rather large bottle, “But it is an elven blend, we might all enjoy together.” he held the bottle up so everyone could see it.

  “Where did ya get that?” Grik asked surprised looking around at the others who also looked surprised the half-elf produced a bottle so large.

  He had nothing when he arrived.

  “I don’t want to eat your food without offering something in return, what kind of guest would I be?” Katlin asked, leaning forward enough to hand the bottle to Dracon.

  “An unwelcomed one.” Talila growled, still angry.

  “Yes, but I hope to change that, my beautiful lady.” Katlin responded, Dracon took the cork out and was about to drink from the bottle, “Wait!” Katlin exclaimed, holding up a finger. He reached behind the log and retrieved one glass after another, passing them one at a time to Dracon, who in turn passed them on to the others, “Since we aren’t barbarians,” he chuckled, “we should drink from glasses, not straight from the bottle. No offense, master dwarf.”

  “You are surprisingly resourceful.” Dracon said, then took a drink of the wine.

  “Now, you’re new to these lands, you’ll need a guide. I can help you fill that role.”

  “You’re offering to be our guide?” Satana asked.

  “It would be my pleasure,” Katlin smiled, “However, I would need something in return. In lieu of a payment, of course.”

  “More than my lord’s food and hospitality?” Talila asked starting to stand, “I should evaporate you!”

  The fire flared, increasing in size and intensity, making everyone cover their faces and fall backwards out of their seats. Wine flew everywhere. Katlin rolled away from Talila as the fire reached out from behind her. He was acrobatic and rolled to his feet, then did a back flip, further away from her, landing crouched with his dagger in hand. Um’Vec lowered his forearm after the heat subsided, only to see Katlin with his dagger, looking at Talila. It enraged him and he charged across the camp at Katlin, both hands over his head, balled into fists, coming to smash the little half-elf to pieces. Katlin glanced at Um’Vec then back at Talila, who snarled at him like an animal.

  “Talila!” Dracon yelled.

  Um’Vec, once unleashed, heard nothing. He brought down his fists at Katlin, who easily dodged Um’Vec’s every swing. Katlin moved like he was dancing. Each blow from Um’Vec was easily avoided or sidestepped. While spinning away from one blow, Katlin slid his dagger back into his belt. Um’Vec started to tire, swinging at nothing but air, over and over again. He roared in anger and frustration, rearing back to begin a new attack. The group watched on, impressed with Katlin’s acrobatics.

  “Enough!” Talila ordered.

  Um’Vec roared again. Katlin stopped bouncing about and squared up to Um’Vec.

  “I assure you, my lady, I can do this until dawn.” Katlin said as a matter of fact.

  “Um’Vec!” Talila yelled, stopping him.

  He glanced at her briefly, then burst toward Katlin again. Katlin crouched readying himself. Talila whipped her hand and Um’Vec was flung backwards, away from Katlin and out of the camp entirely, into the darkness. They could hear him crashing through trees and brush. Katlin slowly stood up eyeing everyone, especially Talila. She stuck her hand out at him like a claw, lifting Katlin from the ground, his arms and legs splayed out. Talila spun her clawed hand toward herself making Katlin fly closer to her, a mere foot away.

  “I could crush you with a thought, you little insect! Don’t you ever forget it!”

  “Talila!” Dracon growled.

  Katlin dropped to the ground, freed from Talila’s magical grip. He loo
ked up from his knees, panting, then slowly returned to his feet.

  “So, what do you want?” Satana asked, returning to her seat, “In lieu of payment?”

  Katlin looked at each of them, one at a time, his mouth still hung open in surprise at Talila’s magic. Um’Vec reappeared from the forest, covered in leaves and small branches, much more docile than when he left. He averted his eyes, looking at no one, wandering slowly over to Talila, like a submissive dog.

  Chapter Two

  The Dizzy Dagger, in the heart of Rethland, was home to many debaucheries, wine, women, and games alike. It was filled with people of every race, each grouped together in one part of the tavern or another. Travelers and traders, mercenaries and bodyguards, some looking for work, others, simply enjoying the offerings of a semi-lawless outskirt town of the empire. The bartender, Lars Oskin, was a hard man, with an angry scowl permanently pasted on his face. Even when he laughed his scowl remained. In one part of the bar, people were throwing daggers at a wall with an outline of a man on it and wagering on the throws. In another area, men were rolling dice. In yet another, larger area of the bar, was a cordoned off section meant for fights and a game they called, ‘Three Punch Drunkards’.

  Katlin led Dracon, Satana, and Grik, into the Dizzy Dagger, he nodded over to an empty table for the group to sit at, while he continued to the bar.

  “This is the first time we’ve walked into a bar and no one paid any attention to us.” Satana said as they were sitting down, “Hey,” she whispered, leaning closer to Dracon, “Look over there, what are those things?” She motioned across the bar at a group of half-orcs playing dice with other creatures Dracon didn’t recognize.

  “Which one?”

  “By the looks of it, they’re half breed orcs, dwarves and goblins.” Grik said.

  “Half-breed goblins? What sick bastard would lay with a goblin?” Satana groaned in disgust.

  “What’s an Orc?” Dracon asked making Grik laugh.

  “The half-breeds are usually born of human mothers, captured in raids, on towns or villages, the orcs probably used them for-”

  “We get it, Grik, you don’t need to paint a picture!” Satana interrupted with a look of disgust on her face.

  “Whaddya want?” Asked a very large woman, with baggy clothes that hardly fit her in some areas, and in others, were way too tight.

  She was dressed like she found her clothes in a pile, discarded in an alley. She struggled to keep her blouse in place, one shoulder was bare. The waitress kept grabbing her skirt and twisting it, like she was trying to fix it, or scratch herself. It was hard to tell which. She looked extremely uncomfortable and watching her made Satana itch.

  “Drink.” Satana said to the carelessly dressed woman.

  “Ha! Are you a dainty whore, or can ya hold your own?” The woman cackled.

  “We can hold our own.” Grik answered.

  “Well then, ya looking to get slobbery, or just a little warmed up?”

  “Warmed up.” Dracon said, Satana nodded her agreement with Dracon’s order.

  “Slobbery.” Grik said looking at Satana with a challenging smile.

  She shook her head at him, fighting back a smile of her own.

  Katlin waited at the bar until Lars noticed him. His face changed when he recognized the half-elf, his already angry demeanor doubled, if a face could reflect such a thing. He stopped what he was doing and walked along the inner bars edge to Katlin.

  “You’ve got stones showin’ your face in here. I ought to have the boys come feed ya to Razor-tooth, let ya try yer luck against him! All up close, and personal, like!”

  “Come now, Lars, I won fair and square. Frankly, you should all together give up dice, you are no good at it.”

  “Next time we use my dice, then we’ll see who should be giving up what!” Lars growled.

  “Are you calling me a cheater?” Katlin feigned offense, putting a hand to his chest, then lowered his voice and leaned in closer, “Speaking of your champion, what are the odds up to?”

  Lars cocked his head curiously.

  “Twenty to one, why?”

  “I have a lady who wishes to try her champion against yours.” Katlin smiled.

  Lars perked up.

  “You don’t say? A lady? A true lady?” He asked, “Here?”

  “A real beauty, too, just the kind of woman you like, dim and young. She doesn’t understand bargaining, or negotiations. So, she came to me, a businessman,” Katlin added, “She’s travelling through these parts and is very partial to games of chance. Of course, I thought of you, and your fine establishment first.”

  “Course ya did, who’s her champion, then?”

  Katlin looked over his shoulder at Dracon’s table, Lars followed his gaze.

  “Is that him? Ol’ scar face over there?” Lars laughed, “He’s just a man? An ugly one for sure, but ugly don’t make ’em tough.” Katlin shrugged in response, “What’s your end, then? You know very well Razor-tooth is gonna chew him up? I’d be surprised if he lasted past the first punch?” Lars looked at Katlin suspiciously.

  “A simple finder’s fee is all I ask, five percent of the purse?” Katlin asked with a hopeful lift in his voice.

  “Five percent?” Lars pushed off the bar and stood back a step, “I’ll do two,” He offered crossing his arms over his chest and looking down his nose at Katlin, “If, we win.”

  “Done.” Katlin stood up from leaning on the bar and stuck out his hand to Lars.

  “Where is this dim, pretty, young lady?” Lars asked, sealing the deal with a handshake.

  “My lady will be here later, to watch the contest,” Katlin smiled, “She’s going to want to see her champion fight.”

  Lars continued eyeing Dracon, Satana and Grik at their table, talking to the serving girl.

  “Your lady, is she now? What’s her wager, then?”

  Katlin leaned closer, putting his hand on the bar top, then slid it across to Lars, glancing around the bar for prying eyes. Lars watched Katlin’s hand with great curiosity. Katlin lifted his hand just enough to reveal a shiny gold coin. Lars’s mouth fell open.

  “Is that the emperors gold?” He asked, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. He reached for the coin slowly. Katlin let him take it, “I haven’t seen one of these in a long while.”

  “There’s ten more she wishes to wager with that.” Katlin whispered.

  “Ten? What kind of lady is she, the emperor’s own whore?” Lars asked whispering back, “I can’t cover a bet of that size, not at the current odds?”

  Katlin snatched the coin back, putting it away, speedily.

  “Who can?” Katlin asked.

  The question made Lars look around the bar.

  “Give us a minute, I’ll ask around, see what I can come up with. I can cover one, that bets secure,” Lars whistled at a man across the bar, getting his attention. “I wanna meet this lady, I wanna be close enough to smell her perfume. She smells good, doesn’t she?”

  Katlin laughed.

  “You wouldn’t believe how good if I told you. Not like your half-washed whores, that’s for sure. Let me just say, she’s the type of lady that bathes every night in a flowery scented perfume, one that would linger in your nose long after her face fades from your memory.” Katlin said making Lars smile. Lars turned to walk away from Katlin, but Katlin grabbed his arm, “The price for an introduction?”

  Lars’s face changed, slowly turning back to Katlin.

  “Whaddya want?” he asked just as his man arrived from across the bar.

  “Drink, food. While we wait, of course.” Katlin said grinning.

  Lars stared at Katlin, his face slowly turning to a glare.

  “If this is an elaborate scheme to get out of paying your bill, I will skin you.” Lars growled, Katlin raised his eyebrows once, still grinning, neither denying nor confirming the bartender’s accusation.

  “She’s a very special sort of lady, Lars, like the Women of Efiga.”
/>   “Efiga? Really? A dim lady with magic? Is that even possible?”

  “To be sure, so mind your manners. She does not suffer fools lightly, my friend,” Katlin said, turning his back to the bar and leaning against it. He scanned the other patrons in the tavern, “and has a bit of a temper.” he finished under his breath.

  Satana got up from her seat and took her drink with her.

  “I’m gonna take a look around, try my hand at that.” She nodded over at the group of men throwing daggers at a target against the wall.

  Dracon nodded and took a drink, looking around the bar, sizing up the different characters around him.

  “Quite a few races…” Dracon started to say but stopped talking when he noticed Grik too, had left the table.

  Satana made her way through the crowd to where the dagger game was being played. Men manhandled, fondled, and flirted, with the serving girls as they passed. Satana, however, was left alone. It was clear by her armor, her sword, and the look in her eye, she was a woman who had seen action. Nothing she wore was for show.

  The group around the game howled as a dagger hit the target, then bounced off. Money and trinkets, beer and food, all exchanged hands from the wagers.

  “What’s the game?” Satana asked the men around her.

  “Hit the target in three tries to win!” A skinny, slimy looking man at her side explained, he bumped into her as he talked, the crowd around them was shoulder to shoulder.

  The man made her think, he is exactly what a half-goblin would look like. There was a pause in the action as another man picked daggers up from the floor near the targets base.

  “Care ta try ya hand, miss?” he asked, spotting the new arrival at the front of the crowd.

  Satana gave him a nod.

  “New tosser!” The man immediately yelled to the delight of the crowd. The man with the daggers walked over to Satana holding them out to her.

  “I wager she bounces them clean off the wall, to someone’s eye!” the slimy man bouncing against her exclaimed.

  “Ya got three tries for the heart or the head, ya miss, ya pay. Understood?” the man with the daggers asked.