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Divine Quest
Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Alchemist Apprentice Two stared down at the sleeping mutt...human. She looked at the strange man that aided her and her master. He appeared from nowhere, barely allowing Princess to warn her before she dashed off to check. It gave her enough time to get her master and Pothos off the main road. By the time she had wrapped the gash on her master's chest, Princess had returned with a blood goblin riding her.

If that was the only thing Princess returned with then that would have been enough to celebrate. Blood goblins were nearly unheard of, only the most advanced shamans and wizards of the clans could summon one. It required a connection to magic beyond what most would ever achieve, but each blood goblin helped the clans immensely. One being with a deviant was unique, though not as unique as when the mutt healed her master and Pothos with some plants and spit. Or when it protected her from others of his kind.

Alchemist Apprentice Two's gaze passed over the room. It was largely empty, the human taking up a majority of the shed they decided to place him in. The only remaining people inside besides her was the blood goblin and Princess. The rest left as they began to argue. Even now she could hear the yells that a shed was too good for him and they should toss him out. She knew Spear Apprentice Five and Spear Apprentice Six would be guarding the door, at least until Lance and Filch arrived. And once they did, the elders would have made their decision.

“Why are they arguing?” The blood goblin asked her. He sat next to the deviant, at peace. His eyes kept constant vigilance on his companion, as if something crazy might happen.

“It's a human.” Alchemist Apprentice Two replied. Her tone made her confusion as to why she would ever be asked such a ridiculous question.

“Yes, Dai is a human. Why are they arguing they should toss him out?” The blood goblin spoke slowly, as if she couldn't understand him.

“Because its a human.” She repeated.

“His name is Dai.” The little one began. “And its a he. If you can't be civil I am going to have to ask you to leave.”

Alchemist Apprentice Two dipped her head at the admonishment. Keeping her eyes low, she apologized.

“What would it take to stop their argument, at least until Dai wakes up.” There was something in his tone that she didn't like. A weariness mixed with sadness, as if something great had been lost.

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“A simple word from you.”

The blood goblin nodded at that before standing. He gently placed his palm against the mutt's...Dai's cheek before walking towards the door. Alchemist Apprentice Two bowed as he passed before quickly following him. The blood goblin waited for her to open the door. He stood inside at the squabbling crowd, looking at the two guards standing with their spears brandished to him. It was long until everyone stopped and knelt.

“Dai is resting after helping two of your own. We will leave as soon as he can walk without help.” After his proclamation, he returned next to the deviant.

Alchemist Apprentice Two stood there with the rest of the clan. A blood goblin, a summon from the greatest of their clans, would rather be with a human than them? Anger and shame warred within her breast as the words filtered through the crowd. Already dark mutters were making themselves known. Before anything exploded, a yell came from behind her.

“And if you're going to yell, do it far from here. You'll make us staying here longer than it needs to be.”

With those words, Alchemist Apprentice Two closed the door and collapsed against it. This, this would not be good. If anything, there would be a new argument about moving the mutt to something better than this hovel. Looking up, she saw the blood goblin glaring at her.

“You're not needed.”

“What's wrong with him?” She meekly asked.

“He carried a goblin dog.” He spoke as it it was obvious, and in a way it was. Goblin dogs carried a disease that everyone except goblins called goblin-pox. It did little but make the other great races and the deviants itch. It was one of the reasons why she went everywhere with Princess.

“But all the disease does is cause itching.”

“Yes, initially.” The blood goblin's eyes softened as he continued. “But prolonged exposure can create hallucinations or worse. Its just most don't get it because of the itching.”

“Can we help?”

“What's your name.” He demanded of her.

“I have not earned a name.” She replied, keeping her eyes low. “I am still called Alchemist Apprentice Two.”

“That's too much of a mouthful.” He sat there, thinking. “How about Mist?”

Mist's mouth dropped open as her eyes began to water. She was named but one of the greatest of the clans. She tried to hold back but soon she was crying against the door. A knock against the door told her that the guards remained.

“Alchemist Apprentice Two, what's the matter?” A voice asked.

“I've been named by the blood goblin. I'm now Mist.” Mist's voice cracked at the last word. It was almost too much.

Silence was the only reply. At least until the summon made its way over and caught her attention.

“Hey, my name is Buffalo Bill Cody, but you can call me Bill.”

“There is no way...” Mist began.

“You will call me Bill and I will call you Mist. Together we will fix Dai and then the two of us can continue our quest.”

Footsteps from one of the guards running away could be heard as the implication finally made its way into Mist's skull. This, this was too much for her. The attack, the deviant, the second attack, Bill, the name, and now a quest? Mist's eyes rolled back as she collapsed, barely missing Bill.