Stepping back, he turned a look full of surprise toward Jaikus. “Did you see that?”
“Yeah. What do you suppose it is?”
A gravely voice replied, “It is a Fly Catcher.”
They turned to find an odd little man standing in the now open doorway of the shop. Five foot six and dressed in dark red leathers, the man’s grey hair was combed over in an attempt to cover an all-too-obvious bald spot that began at the forehead and extended all the way to the rear of the scalp. In his left hand the man gripped a two-foot branch from an old oak; a single leaf of dark green extended from a small twig at the top.
“A Fly Catcher?”
The man nodded. “Hate the little buggers.” He then gestured toward the plant with the stick. “It eats them, you know.”
Reneeke returned his gaze to the plant and about that time, another of the stalks snapped upward. The larger of the two leaves deftly caught a flying insect. The leaf curled tightly around its captive as the stalk settled back to its former, limp position.
Turning back to the man, Reneeke began to say, “That’s pretty…” but the door was once again closed and the man, gone.
“Where’d he go?”
Jaikus shrugged. “Probably back inside.”
Eyeing his friend, Reneeke nodded then made for the door. He kept a good distance between himself and the plant. Though probably not fatal, it still might be wise to avoid coming into contact with that leaf.
Pushing open the door, his entrance was announced by a chorus of protesting hinges that sounded like cats being stripped of their skins. He paused only momentarily to wonder why the door hadn’t made such a noise when it had opened and closed for the man, before dismissing it as irrelevant and entering the shop.
The room proved to be little more than a hallway only slightly larger than the doorway itself. Six windows covered in grime allowed barely enough light through to illuminate the interior. Two candle holders, one at either end bore burning candle nubs.
A two-tiered shelf of cracked and splintered wood ran the length of the wall to their right. Less than a score of bottles of varying size and color were spaced haphazardly along the two shelves; no two were the same. Reneeke nearly had to walk sideways to keep from brushing against the lower shelf.
An unidentifiable odor filled the air. It held traces of earth and plants, but there was much more to it than that. Reneeke couldn’t decide if he liked it. Passing through the narrow hall-like room, he made for the far side. At the end sat a counter that affectively barred access to the rear of the establishment.
“Kind of a weird place, isn’t it?”
Reneeke glanced back to Jaikus and nodded. “You could say that.”
“Wonder where that man is?”
“Probably in the back.”
The counter was of average height and shorter than the span of Reneeke’s outstretched arms. A single black pot, similar to the one hanging by the front door sat upon the wooden surface beneath the lit candle. Glancing within revealed it to be empty.
Beyond the counter, the room faded into dark shadows, within which nothing appeared to move. The two lads reached the counter and came to a stop. Jaikus leaned over the counter but failed to discern anything beyond. The room could have extended another ten feet or fifty, there was no way to tell. Not even the candle burning overhead was able to pierce the darkness beyond.
“Hello.”
Jaikus jumped at Reneeke’s call.
Reneeke grinned at his friend. “Sorry.”
It was his turn to jump when a voice behind them replied, “No reason to be sorry.”
The same man as had been at the doorway stood before them now; oak branch and all.
“Where did you…?”
Reneeke held up his hand to forestall the rest Jaikus’ question. “Are you Master Xyr, of Xyr’s Potent Elixirs?”
“That I am, young sir. How may this humble potion maker be of service?”
“Do you have healing potions?” Jaikus blurted out.
“My friend and I are members of the Guild and are planning to tackle an Adventure up near Kittikin,” Reneeke explained. “We thought to procure a few potions as a precaution.”
“Very wise, young sir.” His gaze went from Reneeke, to Jaikus, then back to Reneeke and waited expectantly.
“How much are your healing potions?”
“Would you be interested in ones that heal minor wounds, or those that will repair more grievous injuries?”
“The grievous ones.” Jaikus replied.
“Three golds each.”
Reneeke glanced to Jaikus, they had less than seven golds. Two of those would leave them with very little in the way of coins.
“How about the lesser one?”
“My minor healing potions are but one gold piece.”
“That sounds better,” Reneeke said. “Do you have anything to cure poisons?”
“What kind of potion master would I be if I did not have something so basic?” He gave them a grin. “My basic cure-all covers most toxic animals as well as the lesser versions of those crafted by poisoners. Adventurers rarely have need of anything more potent.”
Jaikus nodded. “And how much are those?”
“A single gold piece, young master.”
“Could you give us a moment to decide?” Reneeke asked.
“Certainly. Let me know when you have made up your mind.”
Turning to Jaikus, Reneeke thought of something else to ask and turned back to Master Xyr only to find him no longer there.
“Where’d he go?” Glancing about the small room, he failed to locate the potion master.
“He sure gets around.”
Shaking his head, Reneeke chuckled. “Sure does. So, what should we get? We only have six golds and a few of the lesser.”
“I think one that cures poisons would be good to have.”
“Agreed. We could get one that heals grievous injuries, two of the lesser healings, and one that cures poison.”
“But that would take nearly all we have!”
“Not everything, Jaik. We’d still have eight silvers and ten coppers, and that should be sufficient until we depart with Master Tuppin.”
“What if he doesn’t take us on?”
“Then we’ll think of something else. But right now, we need to plan for the trip to Kith. Either with Master Tuppin or on our own, we may have need of these potions before we arrive.”
Jaikus liked the thought of possessing potions, he just didn’t care to spend all their coins to do it.
Reneeke looked at him questioningly. “Well? Shall we get them?”
Jaikus sighed and nodded.
“That will be six golds.”
Master Xyr’s voice, coming unexpectedly as it did startled the pair. They found him standing behind the counter, upon which were arrayed four small vials. Two held a bright red liquid, one a dark red, and the last a darkish brown.
Indicating the bright ones, he said, “These are the minor healing potions,” then moved his finger to the dark red, “major healing,” and finally the darkish brown, “a curative.”
Jaikus eyed them skeptically. “How do we know they do what he says they do?”
“Relax, Jaik. More than one person told us to get our potions here. If his elixirs weren’t good, they’d have known.”
Master Xyr favored them with a smile. “That is true, young sir. My elixirs are known far and wide for their potent quality. You’ll not find their equal,” he paused a moment before adding, “at such a cost.”
Jaikus didn’t look convinced.
Taking six golds from his coin purse, Reneeke laid them upon the table. “They will be fine, Master Xyr.”
“Excellent. Do come back when you are in further need.” Snatching up the coins, the potion master turned and took but a single step toward the back of the shop when the shadows appeared to deepen, and he was lost from sight.
“Gone again.”
Reneeke glanced to Jaik and shrugged.
“You take the curative and a minor. I’ll hang onto the other minor and the major healing.” He picked up one of the two bright red potions, then the dark red major healing and set them within his pack. Jaikus followed suit with his two.
Leaving Xyr’s shop, the pair made their way to the inn where Master Tuppin’s guards had indicated he would be. The common room was empty so they took seats at a table off to one side. A serving girl soon came and took their order for a couple ales.
Reneeke passed her two coppers. Once the ales arrived, he took a long drink and settled back to wait for the arrival of the caravan master.
Chapter 3
Several hours passed before the afternoon crowd began filtering in. At first there were only a few lone individuals looking for a quick meal, but then others arrived, filled the seats, and the common room grew bustling. By the time the boys had drained a sliver’s worth of ale and had their evening meal, the sun was low on the horizon and Master Tuppin had yet to put in an appearance.
“What if he doesn’t show, Rene?”
As the hours passed, so too did Jaikus’ mood deteriorate.
Reneeke merely shrugged. “We’ll give him until we finish off this round. If he hasn’t made an appearance by then, we will return to his wagons.”
“Good.”
Downing the last of his, Jaikus burped, wiped his mouth and then said, “We can go now.”
Reneeke just gave his friend a grin as he sipped from a mug still over half full. “Never rush the pleasures of life, Jaik. They are far too few to be wasted.”
“Sipping ale is a pleasure?”
“It’s all how you look at it. By the time we reach Kith, the ability to relax while sipping ale will most definitely be a pleasure; don’t you think?”
Jaikus merely grimaced.
Reneeke didn’t protract his friend’s irritation any more than he had to. The rest he downed in three quick gulps. Rising, he grabbed his pack and said, “Let’s go.”
“About time.”
Right then, two men walked through the door and made for the common room. One was Ponytail, the guard they had met earlier at Master Tuppin’s wagons. The second was a dark haired, nondescript man of average height. The only thing about him that drew one’s attention was the manner in which he was dressed.
A garish red coat with silver buttons and a matching pair of pants contrasted with the somber browns and earth tones worn by the other patrons. A brown hat rested atop his head with a long peacock feather extended backward from the left side. With Ponytail for company, this had to be Master Tuppin.
“About time,” Jaikus mumbled.
Reneeke nodded and made his way toward the table where the pair had sat.
Ponytail noticed them coming. Leaning close to Master Tuppin, he whispered in the trader’s ear.
Master Tuppin glanced up just as the two lads drew near.
“These are the boys?”
“Yes,” Ponytail replied. “They claim they’re from the Guild.”
Jaikus stepped forward. “That is correct. I am Jaikus, and this here is my partner, Reneeke. We understand that you are in need of a couple extra guards on your trip north.”
The trader eyed them up and down, his face failed to give any indication as to how he found them.
“Hmmmm. I could always use another pair of blades. It’s dangerous country up north. I haven’t yet made it through unmolested. Are you sure you boys are up to it?”
“Up to it?” Jaikus asked as if such a question need not be spoken. “Why, we are veteran adventurers. Just last week my friend and I entered the Swamp, fought trolls, and retrieved items from an enraged mossback.”
“Anyone could make that boast,” Ponytail argued.
Master Tuppin nodded. “True. But we leave in the morning and it will be unlikely that anyone else will offer to accompany us.”
“We would be most grateful,” Reneeke added. “We have business in Kith and were hoping to accompany you until then?”
“We’re not going to Kith, son,” Master Tuppin said. When Reneeke’s face pursed in a frown, he quickly added, “However, the road to Kith is along our way and north of the mountains. It is through the mountains where we need guards the most.” He glanced to Ponytail who nodded. “We can take you that far.”
“But I thought Raynwar said…,” Jaikus began.
“Thank you,” Reneeke replied quickly, cutting Jaikus off. “We won’t let you down.”
“Hmmmm,” murmured the caravan master. He eyed the pair as one would a cow offered for sale. His gaze settled upon their swords.
“You know how to use those?”
“Yes, sir!”
Drawing his with a flourish, Jaikus nearly skewered the barmaid as she made to pass, which caused her to dart backwards and dump her load of mugs upon a rather large man boasting a wide variety of scars and a sour-disposition.
Coming out of his seat with a roar, the man used the back of his hand to wipe away an errant track of ale froth that now coated his face. “Idiot!”
Unaware that his action precipitated the outburst, Jaikus glanced over his shoulder, wondering who the idiot was.
Reneeke on the other hand, realized a situation was in the offing and moved to interpose himself between the ale-soaked man and his friend.
“Our apologies,” he said. “We did not mean…”
The rest of his statement was cut short when a right cross connected with his jaw. Stumbling backward, he crashed into and through Master Tuppin’s table.
Jaikus immediately sheathed his sword and took a swing at the man’s middle. Expecting to encounter soft flesh, his blow instead met a washboard stomach of iron-hardness; pain erupted from knuckles to elbow. He had but a moment to register the ineffectiveness of his attack before a fist of steel scored a solid strike into his gut. As he doubled over, a second blow landed against the side of his head, sending him reeling into a nearby table.
Those seated at the table merely took charge of their mugs, leaned back in their seats, and watched as he crashed through the wooden tabletop and hit the floor.
“Need help, Ranthor?”
The big man snickered. “Naw. This won’t take but a moment.” Other calls and laughter erupted from several points throughout the common room.
A pain shrouded fog filled Jaikus’ vision. He could barely make out the big man as he stepped toward him. His breathing came in gasps and all he could do was lay there and moan. Waiting for the next blow, he was relieved when Reneeke launched into action.
Reneeke, not small by any means, was still dwarfed by this giant of a man. Hitting him full force, Reneeke grasped Ranthor in a bear hug and the two went sailing into yet a third table.
“Rene,” Jaikus groaned.
He attempted to stand and come to his friend’s aid, but his knees gave way. Tilting to the side, he fell into the lap of a rather gorgeous, brown haired girl. On the other side of the table’s splintered remains, a man of medium size sporting a large ill-tempered disposition, leapt to his feet.
“Get off my woman!”
Grabbing Jaikus by the back of the shirt, he yanked him to his feet, spun him around and sent him flying backwards yet again with a well placed blow to the jaw.
Barely conscious, Jaikus was unable to avoid slamming into a man who had up until that moment been enjoying a bowl of stew. He hit the man’s back, who in turn was pushed into the table which upended the bowl causing the hot contents to soak his shirt front. Roaring with rage, the man turned on Jaikus who had already slumped to the floor in a semi-conscious stupor.
“I’ll kill you!”
A six inch knife materialized in the man’s hand. Raising the weapon, he plunged it downward. The blow never fell. Before it could connect with Jaikus’ chest, Reneeke bowled the man over. Twice he pummeled the man before they even hit the floor.
Other fights had broken out throughout the common room. Reneeke gave one final knee to the man’s midriff before getting to his feet.
He saw Rant
hor moving toward the comatose Jaikus and surged forward.
A voice from across the room shouted, “Ranthor!”
The call alerted the big man. Turning, he met Reneeke’s assault and the two grappled, each seeking to unbalance the other. As Reneeke began tilting off-balance, he heard a man clear his throat. Both he and Ranthor looked to see Master Tuppin standing next to them.
The caravan master held up a finger to Ranthor and said, “Just one moment, please.”
“What?”
“Just one moment. “ Then turning to Reneeke, Master Tuppin said, “If you and your friend survive this, be at my wagons in the morning.”
“We’ll be there,” Reneeke assured him.
Ranthor laughed. “There won’t be much of them left.”
Master Tuppin took in the precarious position in which Ranthor held Reneeke and then glanced to where Jaikus lay unconscious on the floor. “You may be correct. In any event, we leave at sunrise.” He then turned upon his heels and walked from the common room with Ponytail in tow.
“Now,” Ranthor said as the struggle resumed, “shall we finish this?”
Reneeke didn’t answer; his attention was focused entirely on working to reverse his current situation. Despite his best effort, Ranthor continued moving him off-balance. About to be maneuvered into a position where maintaining equilibrium would prove impossible, a third individual crashed backward into them.
The impact knocked Reneeke and Ranthor apart. Ranthor and the third man went one direction and Reneeke in another. Two steps and the steadying surface of a table brought Reneeke to a halt. A quick glance back revealed Ranthor was extricating himself from where he lay beneath the body of the third man who appeared unconscious. In that instant, Reneeke realized the third man hadn’t attacked but had either been hit or thrown into them.
Chaos ruled the common room. Fights raged from one end to the other. Women screamed as they tried extricating themselves from the fray; men yelled as fists found targets; chairs smashed; tables broke; and in the midst of it all, Jaikus began to stir.
Having only moments before Ranthor would be after them, Reneeke raced to his groggy friend. En route he ducked beneath a hurled chair, avoided a blow meant for another, and bodily thrust a man out of his way. Reaching his friend’s side, he grabbed Jaikus by the arm and hauled him to his feet.
Caravan to Kittikin Page 3