“You know that big one too then?” Iridia slurped a spoonful of stew as they sat at the table, the clothed sword balancing on her lap.

Kaleb didn’t answer until he finished his portion while Morgan sat with them, a little bewildered but happy for the stew. “Brondius, he was nearly the Paladin of Zale, but a little too thick in the head for it, I was chosen instead.”

“He doesn’t like you much, he was looking at you intently.”

“I don’t much care.” Kaleb pushed the empty bowl aside and stood. “Innkeeper!”

The innkeeper looked up from cleaning a glass. “Yes, sir?”

“Where might I hand in a bounty?”

“Mayor, he’s in the big cabin at the end of the road here.” The innkeeper licked his lips and Kaleb was sure he saw his eyes blacken with a horizontal shutter-like motion. Perhaps it was just the way the light caught him.

“You two wait in here.”

“Can’t we explore?”

Kaleb grunted. “Meet me back here in ten minutes, no dallying, and hand me the sword.”

Iridia agreed and handed over the clothed blade and Kaleb stuffed it under his shoulder. She could see this was a serious matter and had no clue what a conduit blade was but Kaleb seemed privy, she thought it best to keep quiet until they were in the wagon.

***

The mayor's office was a little more lavish than the inn but it still showed age. Behind the red desk sat a slender man with a hawk-like beak for a nose and a jutting chin. “Yes?” He looked up from some documents. “More Paladins, what’s going on?” He gave Kaleb a cursory glance, clothed item under one armpit, hammer in one hand and burlap sack in the other.

“I have a bounty to claim.” He held up the sack containing Langry’s head, removed skillfully by Flencer that night.

“There aint no bounty’s open”

Kaleb approached the desk before he was stunned in place by an awful smell, he waved his hand in front of his nose. “What’s that stench?”

“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.” The mayor's eyes flicked black once more and Kaleb caught it for sure this time.

“What has happened to this place?”

“Why it’s a rotten hole? Torina and her Steelmen cancelled their orders of Iron from us, prefers Elven heretic metal it seems.” He sat back in his rosewood chair, it had a blue velvet backing and hand-carved lions running up the sides.

“Singing steel.” Kaleb didn’t know why he corrected him.

“I’m a busy man.”

Kaleb looked around. “Looks like it.”

“Well with miners leaving–”

“Spare me the details if you’re so busy, I’m here to collect a bounty.”

The Mayor grimaced. “As I said, Mr Paladin, ain’t no bounties open.”

Kaleb wasn’t going to enquire as to how he was so certain he was a Paladin, nor was he going to probe him about those black eyes, discretion is the better part of valour and perhaps the best way of staying out of trouble. Kaleb wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Flencer had a point when they spoke, uncovering something malicious may bring it upon his party.

He placed the wanted poster on the Mayor’s desk and nodded. “Either way, I found them in your territory and by Imperial decree you are to pay, if you have problems write to the tax office.”

The mayor muttered something untoward under his breath. “I have no coin to give.” his eyes flashed black but Kaleb ignored it, pretending not to see it. “You can have some tokens.” He pulled a sheet of paper toward him. “These’ll be good for trading.”

Kaleb raised his eyebrows, but the stink of the office and the oddity of the evil in those eyes told him to get the promises and get out. He took up the papers and left hurriedly, leaving the sack on the chair. He came out of the main doors to find Flencer waiting for him. “Divine heart, what do you want?”

“This place is bloody weird, Kaleb, you gotta take me with you.”

“No chance, half-pint.”

“I tried ta recruit a few lads at the tavern, one licked me.”

Kaleb did a double-take at Flencer and huffed as he marched toward the inn, he could see Iridia and Morgan standing by the wagon. “Sorry, Dwarf, you’re on your own.”

“Hi, Flencer.” Morgan waved as they came close.

Flencer walked by Morgan, keeping up with Kaleb. “Look, just take me through to the cradle, I promise I’ll be quiet as a mouse all like.”

Kaleb jumped into the back of the wagon and stored the blade in the trunk, Flencer was standing outside, still jabbering at him incessantly, he found not answering to be the most efficient way to deal with him.

“Look, I’ll clean, cook, I’ll rub your feet.”

“I’ve heard enough, Flencer!”

“So you’ll bring me?”

“I shall not, you are a scoundrel and a thief.” Kaleb’s decision had been boldened by the fact he was now transporting a priceless sword that might determine the outcome of Angelspree and the kingdom of man. “You will shoo, like a good birdy, fly away Dwarf.”

Flencer kicked the dirt and ran his hands through his sweaty ginger hair, crestfallen, he waded past Iridia and Morgan to find a quiet corner in the Forger’s arms to drink to his sorrow.

Iridia blocked Kaleb’s path much to his annoyance. “Don’t you think we could bring him, just a little way?”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Iridia,” he took her by the shoulders and spoke in hushed tones. “We hold something too important, you see that we cannot risk it yes?”

Iridia nodded solemnly.

“Good, Morgan, wait by the wagon, call me by the stone if anything happens, do not let Flencer or anyone else near. Iridia, with me.”

Iridia followed along. “What are we doing?”

“We have some writs to spend, we’ll stock up and get the hell out of here.” Kaleb looked visibly shaken and this brought grave concern to Iridia, She had always seen him at the height of confidence as if nothing could defeat him, it made her feel safe in a way, even if she wasn’t particularly fond of him.

They trotted over to “Drakes emporium”, the bay window was dusty and the building itself leaned slightly, threatening to topple over at any moment. A bell rang as they entered and an Elf popped out from under the counter. “Greetings and good morning travellers.” The Elf was sprightly in demeanour but Kaleb sensed it wasn’t all sunshine for this particular Elf, judging by the fact he had had both his ears rounded off, clumsily by the looks of the scarring.

Iridia looked around the shop, armour, weapons, trinkets, bows you name it he had one of them, and their quality was anybody's guess. She slid behind Kaleb and opened a small cabinet to unveil several racks of pots, potions and lotions.

“I have some writs to spend, I need bonding glues, scroll paper, bandages and eh, do you have any magic lock boxes?” Kaleb bit his bottom lip, he hated magical boxes.

“I have everything you ask for but the glue, the bandage and the scroll paper.”

Kaleb focused intently on the Elf’s eyes, looking for a sign of that weird blackness. “Right, the box, how’s it work?” The Elf ducked down and popped up again, placing a small box on the counter. “Bit small.”

“Of course, but it’d fit that hammer of yours.” He opened the box and nodded. “Try.”

“Best not be a thief trick, this hammer talks so I’ll know if it’s a copy box.”

“Of course.”

Kaleb mimicked the of course and let the hammer drop in.

“Perfect, close the box like so,” he pushed down the clasp and waved his hand. “Only opens with this ring see.” He waved his finger which was adorned with a simple gold ring that had a blue stone embedded, the box popped open with a sparkle.

Kaleb reached in and blinked. “Where is it?”

“Say the item you desire.”

“My hammer.” Just like that, Kaleb's hammer was in his hand and he lifted it out cleanly. “We’ll take it.”

“It’s expensive.”

“I have writs from the Mayor.”

“I don’t accept–”

“You do now.” Kaleb leaned over the counter and slammed the writs on his desk. “The box please.”

The Elf looked uneasy and shuddered, he took the writs tentatively and read them over. “I can’t afford this anymore.” He sighed and looked down. Kaleb was in no position to take pity, more important things hung in the balance and he wanted to get as far away as he could.

“Look, if the mayor doesn’t pay, I’ll sort it out when I return, for now, we need it.”

“Very well.” The Elf looked down solemn then his head snapped up. “I have another item you might like, if you take it off my hands I’ll throw in some potions, maybe a grenade.”

Iridia peeked round to look at the Elf. “Grenade?”

“I won’t drink any of that crap,” Kaleb grunted. “Let’s see this item.”

The Elf went into the back and must have been about five minutes before returning with a shield. It was perfect for Iridia, it had a cutting on the edge for a spear to sit, and it looked great quality too.

“Oh, that’s a nice shield.” Iridia smiled up at Kaleb.

“What’s the catch, is it cursed or something?”

“Not quite,” The Elf sighed. “It doesn’t shut up.”

“What?”

“It was soul-infused.”

“I can hear you!” The shield shuddered, it had a high twangy voice, like a dog's whine.

The Elf smiled. “The last three men to buy returned it within two weeks or so, it kept saying “ow” when struck.”

“Eh, we’ll leave it”

“But I could use that!” Iridia stamped her foot. “It’s free, we should take it.”

“There’s a reason no one wants it, Iridia.”

“Look if we don’t like it we can toss it right?” Iridia raised her palms.

The Elf gasped and even Kaleb was taken aback. “You should never toss a soul-linked item, never.” The Elf said gravely. “That is cruel, even if it’s annoying.”

“Well, he isn’t speaking much now.”

“He wants to be sold,” Kaleb noted.

“I do not!” The shield practically wobbled on the counter. “You’re a wretched bunch you travellers, no class, I was a bard you know, I sang for the last Empress of the Zecretion Empire, I bet you don’t even know what that is do you?”

The Elf banged his fist on the shield.

“Ow!”

“Please can we get it, I can train with it!”

“Fine, fine, keep it quiet though or I’ll flog it next chance we get.”

“Oh thank you, good sir, and as promised how about one of these?” He lifted out a small tin can with a strange mechanism on the top. He waved his hands around it like some street magician. “Behold, the mighty grenade.”

“Is it magic?” Kaleb raised an eyebrow.

“Nay! Dragons fire and exploding mage grain,” he pushed his hands out. “Boom! Perfect for multiple foes, building destruction and visits from the fabled mother-in-law!”

Kaleb shook his head. “Fine.” He grabbed the canister and left quickly with Iridia. “I was going to get food stocks, but I’d not want to touch a scrap from here, already regretting that stew.”

Iridia nodded as they walked back to the wagon with their new items, Brondius was riding out of the village and Zeth was chatting casually with Flencer and Morgan.

“We are going.” Kaleb pointed at Morgan. “Get everything in the back.”

“Please.” Flencer moved in front of Kaleb. “Let me come, it’s my last chance, she will wither in my pocket.”

Kaleb rubbed his forehead. “Sorry, I honestly am, but you’re on your own.”

Zeth interjected. “Going so soon? Don’t you have more questions?”

“No.” Kaleb loaded everything onto the wagon.

“But–”

“I said no, go back to the city, or do whatever it is you are to do.”

Zeth looked worried, he could see Kaleb was not happy with his new quest and he wasn’t certain he was taking it well, he had put a lot on his head, but this running away quickly was a concern.

***

They had made for the river where they’d need to cross the bridge going into the first wilderness after the forest. Iridia sat in the back, she was showing off the new magic box to Morgan who was very keen on it. “And you need a ring–” Iridia was interrupted by a sudden halt of the wagon. She scrambled to the front and poked her head out. “Everything ok?”

Kaleb pointed at the bridge which was aflame, the smoke danced up in the sky and standing in front of it was the giant Brondius. “Seems we have hit a snag. Take the rider's seat, if I give you the signal, get away, back to town.”

“He’s a Paladin, You’ll be okay right?”

“I don’t know.” Kaleb moved into the back of the wagon, threw his armour on and grabbed his hammer. “What happened to the bridge, Brondius?” Kaleb marched toward him, hammer in hand, shoulders shrugging the armour. “Did the little voice in your head tell you to burn it?”

Brondius picked his hammer up and heaved it over his shoulder, standing before the blaze, a low chuckle resonating from his helmet. “That’s my hammer, and I want it back.”

Kaleb looked at his hammer and then back to the wagon, he gave a call into his whisper stone, expecting Morgan to reply. “Get back to the town.”

“I should help.” Iridia’s voice chimed through.

“You must get back, if I do not return, hand the blade to Zeth and get out of here.” Kaleb watched as the wagon turned and made the twenty-minute journey back to Brimshire.

“I’ll catch up to them later, have a good time with that cute little lass you recruited.”

“We’ll see about that.”