What use is a good bow if there are no arrows to string?
- A Quassian Aphorism.
I had received the first reward for a chain quest, making it feel like the holidays had come early. Immediately I felt a childish urge to wield it, to spin it about and test it. To smash it against some innocent object in an explosion of delight.
But such thoughts were short-lived as Elwin and Kidu burst into my room, without even knocking. I jumped in surprise.
“What we got here then, Gil?” Elwin began, giving me a cheeky wink. Kidu’s face mostly remained expressionless, but I could see from the tell-tale tightening around his lips that he was annoyed.
“I warned the little man that to enter another’s tent with no announcement is… rude,” the big Hunter rumbled in disapproval.
To condone such behavior would be problematic, but truth be told there was little need for such privacy between us. Still, a few words of chastisement were in order.
“Kidu is correct,” I stated, though there was little force or real ire in my voice.
“Come now, Gil. Got to keep you on your toes, haven’t I? Now what have we here?” he replied, stepping towards the bundle. “I knew this place was meant to be rich, but if this is what you get for bumbling about in the city’s bum-hole, then count me in next time you go for a job!”
The Rogue ran his hands across the dark shaft of the weapon, whistling in appreciation. Irrationally, I felt a small spike of jealousy.
“Now this ain’t just any sort of whacky stick is it now, Gil?” commented Elwin, looking at me with an inquisitive eye. To this Kidu just snorted.
Sharing a look with Kidu, I decided to share what information I had gleaned. “I believe this to be a magical weapon, though of a lesser caliber than the one that Cordelia wields. Also, I have no idea in what way it is actually magical,” I admitted. “Speaking of Cordelia, have any of you seen her as of late?”
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“Last time I saw her, she was having words with the mistress of this place... and since it’s rude to eavesdrop, I thought it best not to listen in,” Elwin said.
“Being rude has never stopped you before. Tell us what you know, Elwin,” I sighed, exasperated.
“The big man’s rubbed off on you, eh?” Elwin remarked. Kidu cracked his knuckles in warning. “Nothing meant by it, big man. Just that our welcome here is growing thin. Most likely it was made out of politeness, probably didn’t think we’d actually take her up on it. Foreign folks like that, say one thing and mean another. God knows the big man eats enough for three, and I might have been drinking a bit more, and a bit better, than usual. But… that’s the thing with gratitude, is that it wears out right quick. A threat, on the other hand, stays fresh longer.”
“That’s a rather cynical and Machiavellian way of thinking,” I commented.
Elwin looked puzzled for a moment before responding, “Don’t know about that Macky stuff, but cynical? Hardly. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you come to know a thing or two about human nature.”
Though I wanted to, I could find no words to refute him.
“I think you should not do things just to receive thanks. Good deeds are their own reward,” rumbled the Hunter in dissent.
As expected, the noble savage was a font of useless wisdom.
“Well, I doubt they will kick us out for a week or two. It will be easy enough for us to earn some money if we can get a few jobs under our belt.” I paused, taking out a few pieces of loot. “I got these from under the city… Elwin, these might be worth a few coins, yes?”
He nodded, his eyes glinting with avarice as he looked at the jewelry. “I can get rid of these somewhere for a half-decent price where it can’t be traced back to us… Can’t help but feel like a bit of caution is in order.”
Kidu looked troubled by this, so I sought to placate him.
A lie would serve me better here than any awkward truth. “I did not steal them. A group of scoundrels tried to end Larynda and me in the sewers. A greedy bunch of thieves, but I turned the tables on them. Let’s just say they won’t be bothering civilized society any longer! So, yes, they are mine by battle right, but that does not mean that other concerned parties would share the same view. Humans can be, well, emotional, when it comes to these things.”
The large man furrowed his brow in thought, “If these were honorably acquired, then why must Elwin exchange them secretly just for warm lander coin?”
As I was at a loss for a response, it was the Rogue who provided a reasonable answer for me.
Oh Kidu, ever the innocent and noble savage, why did the odious task of educating you in the wiles of civilized man fall upon me? With no small amount of regret, I began my explanation.
“Well, low-life scum usually have a boss, right? Chiefs, like, that they answer to, yes? What would they do if they knew I had gotten a hold of one of their tribe member’s valuables? Would they not take umbrage at that? Misplaced pride if nothing else? Better to be cautious about these things to avoid misunderstandings.”
Acceptance settled in, and the Hunter nodded in slow, reluctant agreement.