by David Ekrut
“That might work where you’re from, kid, but around here, people don’t talk to you without good reason. We need to know what they’ve heard. I’ll only play long enough to get what we need.”
Daren opened his mouth as if to speak, but Jax shot him a glare and he grew quiet.
“What if they have bounty postings, like in Wiltshire?” Elwin asked. “One mob on our trail is bad enough.”
Jax rubbed at his chin. His beard was gone. They would need to reapply. All of his gear was dry. That had been a big surprise. He still wanted to know how Daki’s sorcery worked, but amongst other things, the man could heal without calling down the dragons. The how didn’t matter. At least for now.
“We need to fix our disguises. They won’t have sketches of us with the beards, but if they do, we’ll deal with that as it comes.”
“That worked so well last time, didn’t it?” Elwin said, pushing at the side of his face. “And even a half-wit would recognize Daren. Look at him.”
“The glue didn’t have time to seal,” Jax said. “It will work. Just don’t fidget with it.”
Daren offered, “I will wait in the forest.”
“I will as well.” Daki glanced behind at the bear. “I don’t trust Taego alone with anyone yet.”
“He is still angry?” Elwin asked.
“Aye. He will not speak with me.”
“Give him some time.”
Jax snorted. They needed to cut the thumping bear loose. Even if the thing had a pleasant disposition—and it didn’t—the gormless beast would only call attention to them. But he didn’t feel like another argument at the moment, so he let the somber mood kill the discussion.
He fell into the rhythm of travel and pushed the others at a steady pace, glad to see the kid falling into line. Jax had taken on the ruthless saizor suprema of Kalicodon and won. Getting into a ruined city and swiping a few trinkets would be nothing. This would go much faster if the thumping kid didn’t get in his way. Probably couldn’t even use that sword at his hip, a matter he would need to bring up at some point. And what else could he do with those incantations? He would need to know how he could use the kid when the trouble finally caught up with them. When they stopped for the night, Jax resolved to find out just what sort of cards the magus-in-training brought to the table.
Jax marched a little faster. He scanned the trees and road ahead, glad to see no signs of scouts. If the guardians were still hunting them, at least they had not organized well enough to cover this far southeast of Wiltshire.
Still, he tried to remain alert as he pushed on.
The trees cast long shadows across the road as the sun continued to wane. When darkness fully enveloped the path, Jax could make out the soft glow of the ever-torches far ahead.
“What city is this?” Elwin asked.
“Not a city,” Jax replied. “Just a hamlet. It’s called Wishing Well. Dumb name. There’s a fountain in the roadway at the town’s center. It isn’t even a well. Presumably, it outdates the kingsway. But people throw their coppers in and ask the Lifebringer to grant them requests. It’s asinine, if you ask me.”
Daren said, “Forgive him. Jax has difficulty appreciating the customs and traditions of others.”
“I appreciate Kalicodian wine as much as the next. I’d never turn down a fine Anchari. But throwing coin away, even a copper, is foolhardy at best. Better to use that copper to earn a profit than to hope the useless gesture curries the favor of the maker. It’s a ridiculous superstition.”
“Perhaps,” Daren said, “but such actions make people feel at ease. Even if it grants the believer no powers, a copper is worth that much, at least.”
“Bah.” Jax waved a dismissive hand. “Just let me know when you throw your coins in. I’ll dig them out.”
“I imagine people won’t like that very much,” Elwin said.
“They don’t. And technically, it is illegal. But, I’ve never heard of anyone losing a hand over the offense.”
“We should go into the forest,” Daki said. “Before Taego is seen.”
“I will go with you,” Daren offered.
“Aye,” Jax said, before Elwin could respond. “You two go north of the city. We’ll meet you there as soon as we are able.”
“Agreed,” Elwin said.
Jax met the bear’s gaze. Looking closer, he saw an eerie intelligence in the animal’s eyes. It appeared as though it had understood every word, which was preposterous. It grunted at him as it turned and lumbered into the forest.
When Daren disappeared into the foliage, Jax returned to his march up the road. Blessedly, Elwin followed without complaint.
Jax slowed as they approached the first of the wooden buildings. A sign with a bow and arrow hung above the door. The lights were off on the first floor of the bowyer’s shop, but smoke streamed from the chimney. The windows of the second floor emitted a dim glow. It was common practice in the hamlets for the owner or keeper of the store to live above it.
The rest of the shops along the route to the town’s center were similarly closed. The only establishment still opened was the inn across from the fountain. A sign named it, Wishing Well’s Inn.
“Where are all the coins?” Elwin asked, looking into the shallow water.
Normally, light from the lamps glittered off of the coins at the bottom of the fountain, but all of the coins had been pilfered.
Jax shrugged. “I didn’t take them, I swear!”
“The town has clearly fallen on difficult times,” Elwin said.
He nodded. “Prices are becoming outrageous. Speaking of, do you have any coins?”
“I have some. You?”
“I’m short about a hundred thousand, but I have enough for a couple horses if they have any.”
Elwin rolled his eyes. “You’ll never convince me I’m to blame for the loss of your stolen property.” Jax started to interject, but the kid pressed on before he could get a word out. “But, I have offered to share in the earnings from Aba—”
“Don’t thumping say it. Dragons take me. Do you want others getting it in their heads to follow us?”
Elwin laughed. “Are you serious? A day ago, you thought the treasure was a child’s fancy. What makes you think others will believe differently?”
“A monotooth with its eyes covered can still lead you to water,” Jax said, proud to remember the Kalicodian proverb.
As Jax opened his mouth to elaborate, Elwin nodded with understanding in his expression. “I suppose you’re right. They do not need to know the treasure is real to believe the stories, and they already looted their own well. What else can they do?”
Jax frowned. “Not exactly how I would put it, but yeah. I’ve heard talk in taverns. People will go anywhere they think they might find artifacts. Likely, we’ll have competition.”
“The magi will be more alert.”
He grunted his agreement.
“The faster we get there, the better. Let’s get this business in the town over with.”
“As to that,” Jax said, pointing to Elwin. “We need to finish our conversation from before. You do not give me orders. Understood?”
“So … what? I should take orders from you?”
“Aye. You should. That’s the first sensible suggestion you’ve had since we met.”
“I’m not forcing you to be here at crossbow point,” Elwin said. “You volunteered to follow me. In exchange, I will pay you with artifacts. That makes you my mercenary. And as my—”
“Wyvern dung. Mercenaries get paid a retainer fee up front. And they get paid again once the job’s done. If that’s what you want …,” Jax held out a hand.
To his surprise, Elwin dug out a large coin purse from the bottom of his pack and plopped it into Jax’s palm. “Fine. Consider this your retainer.”
Jax hated losing a hand to a well-pl
aced bluff. And this was no game to lose. He shoved the coins back at Elwin. “Not a chance. I’d need twice this in platinum to even consider letting you call the shots. Besides, what experience do you have at leading expeditions? Have you ever even been in a real fight? And running away with those incantations and firing a crossbow at a road doesn’t count. I would wager you’ve never lifted a blade for more than show.”
“As a matter of fact, I fought a mountain giant in the Carotid forest and faced down a black savant in Goldspire. I’ve survived two dragon attacks.”
“I’ve done all that and then some,” Jax said. “I toppled a tyrant and saved slavas. And—”
“For the love of Life. This is pointless. We can—”
“It isn’t pointless to know who’s fighting beside you. So far, I’ve only seen you carry that sword. I need to know if you can use it.”
“So we are gauging each other only on what we’ve seen? Well, what have you done besides fail at burgling artifacts?”
“Listen, kid. You’ve got a lot of thumpi—”
“Excuse me, young men. A word, if you please.”
Jax turned to see a man with a long, gray beard standing in the doorway of the inn. He looked calm, but his voice left no room for argument. He wore coveralls beneath a white apron, stained with ale and food. He also held a loaded crossbow in his left hand, aimed downward.
Seeing he had their attention, the man said, “It might not feel late to you youngsters, but some of my patrons have retired for the evening. There’s been a few complaints. If you wish to make a ruckus, the tavern is just down the street, there. The Granted Wish. Move along, if you please.”
“My deepest apologies,” Jax said. He took a step forward as the man moved to close the door. When the innkeeper paused, Jax rushed to say, “But I noticed you have a stable. Do you have any horses to sell?”
“We have horses, but they aren’t for sale at this hour. Come back in the morning. I can deal then. Are you looking for a room for the night?”
As much as he wanted to sleep in a bed, Daren would be waiting for him, and he couldn’t weather the night in comfort while his friend slept in the dirt.
Elwin spoke before Jax could. “We will pay the extra room fees, but we do not wish to stay the night. We need to press on. Is there any way you can trade now?”
“That’s foolery. Horse could break its leg in this dark, and then it’d be no use to anyone. We’ll deal in the morning.”
Jax hated himself for saying the words, but they couldn’t wait. “I’ll give five hundred per horse. You won’t get a deal like—”
“Five hundred?” The innkeeper laughed, moving as if to go back inside.
“Wait,” Jax stepped onto the first step to the porch. “You don’t want the coin?”
“Young man,” he said, voice growing serious. “Clearly, you boys don’t understand the worth of gold these days. I wouldn’t sell you my mule for five hundred.”
“How much then?” Jax said, glad to be dickering.
“Ten thousand per. I have two that I’ll part with.”
Jax choked. He’d expected to dole out a thousand at most and would have been happy with eight hundred. After all, times were hard.
“That’s ridiculous,” he finally sputtered.
Beside him, Elwin had a similar look of disbelief on his face. He said, “Aye. A good horse will go for three hundred. You couldn’t hope to sell it for that.”
The innkeeper shrugged. “Don’t need to sell ‘em. Anyway, that’s the price. If you buy them both, I’ll throw in the tack and feed. And you can have a room for the night.”
It was Jax’s turn to laugh. “So generous of you. How about a meal too?”
“Aye,” he said without breaking his serious tone. “What’s left in the dinner pot is yours. And I’ll give you a nice breakfast.”
Jax pivoted and stalked down the road.
“Sorry,” he heard Elwin say. “We do not have that kind of coin. Thank you for your time.”
As Elwin caught up, Jax turned and said, “You thanked him? For what?”
Elwin shrugged. “Good manners cost nothing to either party.”
“Bah. Thumping old man. He’d only ever wanted our coins for a night’s stay and never had any intentions of trading. You thanked him for trying to swindle you.”
“I figured as much. Still, manners should be maintained.”
Jax stopped in front of the tavern. The front door was propped open. Smoke and laughter flowed freely into the street. Inside, men and women danced to a lyre of sorts, the strumming deep with a fast rhythm. Two minstrels sat at the edge of a short stage, singing in harmony.
As he stepped to the call of the dice, he felt a hand on his arm. Elwin regarded him with a look of deep skepticism.
“You forgot I was even here. I saw it in your eyes.”
“What?” he said, pulling his arm free. “Preposterous. I’m just about my business. That’s all. Stay close. If we need to make a run for it, I don’t want to have to search for you.”
Before Elwin could object, Jax leapt up the steps and into the tavern. As he crossed the threshold, it felt like coming home.
The nearest barmaid looked at him and smiled. Behind her was a man nearly as thick as Daren. A cudgel hung at his belt. He looked at Jax and did not smile. As the thug studied Jax, his scowl deepened. Upon seeing Elwin, the bruiser loosened up slightly, proving the man to be a terrible judge in character.
“How can I help you?” the barmaid asked.
“I’d give a fortune for an ale.”
She giggled. “I’m not so sure you’d want to pay more than a copper for Vinsint’s brew, but he charges a silver.” Glancing at Elwin, she asked. “Just one?”
“Aye, my employer there can settle his own bills.” Seeing Elwin still holding his purse, Jax snorted. But he also didn’t need the trouble a cutpurse could bring, so he leaned in to the kid and said, “You might want to put that away. This may not be the back streets of Dockside in Alcoa, but plenty of people around here would be eager to lift the purse from your corpse.”
Elwin blinked, only now realizing he still held his thick bag of coins for all the world to see. He shoved it back into the bottom of his rucksack and slung the pack over his shoulder. Shaking his head, Jax walked toward the sounds of games, leaving the kid to sort his own drink.
He walked through the tables, studying the players. Most played for coppers. Jax settled on one of the two tables playing for silver.
“Mind if I join?”
One man made a non-committal grunt. Another shrugged. This was the closest to an invitation he was likely to receive, so Jax pulled up a chair and watched the men finish their hand. He reached for his ale, realizing the barmaid had brought it without his awareness. Then he noticed Elwin standing over his shoulder.
“Curse it all,” he muttered. “I said close, not in my lap. Find your own game or wait at the bar.”
Elwin didn’t move. His face was more pallid than usual, and his eyes were wide. He nodded toward five men in the corner. Between them, they carried more weapons than a contingent of guards, and each wore a pair of touched manacles on their belts.
One, with a scar running through his dark beard, met Jax’s gaze. His eyes moved to the sketches posted to a board near the wall then back to Elwin. Curse it all, he’d forgotten to give the kid a thumping beard.
He knew he was thumped, long before the man leaned over to speak to his nearest companion. The man stopped mid-laugh. His eyes met Jax’s, and the man smiled.
“Dragons take me,” Jax said, looking at his untouched ale. “I just wanted one thumping game.”
As the bounty hunters stood and stalked toward him, Jax took a long pull on his tankard.
Chapter 37
Bounty Hunters
Partial Spending, Day 437 of experimentation
.
I have successfully brought Abaddon back to our realm. His new life lasted a total of 11 seconds before the body dematerialized and turned to dust. I used a corpse for the experiment. After all, how could I possibly use a living subject for this? Yet, I fear this is precisely what I must do to achieve our goals. On the morrow, I will use Subject 1 as a potential vessel. After spending all of his essence, Subject 1 sits in his cell, morose and for the most part, unresponsive. His body will be better served as a means to bid the dragonkin rise.
This test cost a total of 1657 Berats and an artifact of power to heighten the essence of Subject 12. The Orb of Inra was burned to cinders in the process. Though I have begun to produce my own, I have sent a query to Galivant, requesting more such artifacts and additional elementalists. He grows suspicious of my experiments. I still have not told my superiors about Abaddon. My false reports will not appease them for much longer. I will need to resume my other experiments. Abaddon will not be pleased if he discovers I have an idea of how to sever his link to the dragonkin.
Note: after conferring with Eleandarinius, I have concluded, Abaddon’s brief rise had minimal effect on the slumbering dragons. She felt a jolt of energy, but it was not enough to shed her stone and wake.
~Ricaria Beratum, 2996 A.S.
~
Elwin saw the man staring at him and pretended not to have noticed. He walked over to Jax’s table, holding the two ales as if nothing was out of sorts. He sipped from his tankard and placed Jax’s on the table next to him.
Not sure what to do to blend in, Elwin scanned the room and froze when he saw the accurate sketch of himself on the wall. The man in the corner was staring at him, a wolfish smile on his face.
“Curse it all,” Jax muttered in a low voice. “I said close, not in my lap. Find your own game or wait at the bar.”
When Jax met his gaze, Elwin nodded nonchalantly toward the man. Seconds later, every man at the other table stood.
“Dragons take me,” Jax cursed. “I just wanted one thumping game.” He guzzled his ale and placed it beside the cards he’d just been dealt.
“Are they bounty hunters?” Elwin asked.