Rove

Tinkersong, The Grasping Isle

[https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/492636828311093249/1025904548910485504/The_Grasping_Isle.png]

Art by WaylanderX (The writer)

“What in the blazes do you mean with ‘I’ll travel alone from now on’?”

Rove slammed a gloved hand onto the table where the four of them were partaking of some warm breakfast, almost sending a slice of cooked ham into Sneak’s face.

“As I said, I will be journeying to the Dawn of Life myself. You’ve done your part. You completed the contract and performed admirably, Rove.” Ayuen said in that stubborn tone of hers. “Your admirable reputation will stay intact.”

Damned that woman. Just as he did some introspection the night before too. For a second, the thought of locking her in her room until she changed her mind popped into his head, but he knew it was just his frustration getting the better of him.

“I thought your rep was your pride and joy.” Trïeste chimed in next to her, having prevented any of her food from taking flight by covering her plate with her hands. The Vysari was happily munching away at a large hunk of cheese. “Thought you would be glad to have finished this gig, y’know?”

Rove glared at Trïeste angrily. Damn it, how in the Aral’s name was he supposed to turn this one around? He took the crumpled contract out of his pocket and read it through. Okay, escort her to the Spring, check. A couple of weeks, check. Hold up….

A smile pulled the corners of his mouth upwards. Time to pull a page out of Ayuen's own book. As theatrical as he could manage, he leaned back into his chair and shook his head.

“No, I can’t do it. The terms of the contract aren’t fully fulfilled yet.”

“Oh?” Ayuen tilted her head, frowning at him. He just looked back and smiled while realization finally dawned on his employer. “The payment!”

“Indeed. I haven’t gotten paid fully yet. According to the contract, ten golden hands after the job was done.” He didn’t bother keeping the smug tone out of his voice. If he was lucky, a portion of her money would’ve been lost in Prado’s attack. And if that was the case...

“It would be rather rude of me to not reimburse you in full for your services. A moment, please.”

She started digging through the bags that were neatly packed beside her, throwing a couple of pouches on the table. In his head, he recited a prayer to Legria. May her Chaos be the catalyst that warded Ayuen against her own stubborn nature.

One by one, she opened the pouches and began putting coins onto the dark wooden table, shielding the money from onlookers with her hands. Guess she learned a thing or two about being careful during their time together.

One golden hand, another two hands, followed by yet another one. Then the silver fingers began clinking onto the table. Nine of them. together with nine silver fingers. The pile in front of the woman grew and grew until she had exhausted all her reserves. He kept count, keeping his face straight when he realized she wouldn’t make it. With effort, he played dumb and kept a serious expression on his face.

“So, you’ve got the money, miss Ayuen?” The Herhor asked innocently. The ghost of a smile crept to the corners of his mouth.

Ayuen answered him with a silent look, a sliver of panic plastered on her face. Despite this being for the best and him wanting to help her out of his own accord, he was feeling a bit sorry. He had to admit he was being a rather big pain in the ass at the moment.

“I’m… afraid not. Eight hands and two fingers in total. The rest was probably lost in Prado’s assault…”

Feeling rather happy with the lack of money, he held his tongue, lest his voice gave away his conflicting emotion with Ayuen’s doubt. Being happy about not being paid would be weird. He nodded and took a good swig of ale, sighing while he put the tankard down. Clearing his throat, he looked Ayuen straight in the eyes. Retaking himself, he began talking.

“Ayuen. That won’t do, I’m afraid. That’s quite the amount of coin that’s missing. So much in fact that I do not feel comfortable letting you leave without me. How in the blazes am I getting paid then? I’m going with you, and you’ll pay me my expenses as well while I do so.”

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“You’ve got yourself a new fancy blade, Rove! You can’t expect me to pay you more!”

He wiggled his finger at her while letting out a soft ‘tsk tsk tsk’.

“The sword wasn’t part of the contract. It was merely luck. You still owe me those coins, it’s written right here in ink.”

“But can’t I persuade you oth-…” Ayuen started. Having enough, Rove interrupted her slamming the table again, this time sending a half-eaten slice of ham straight into Sneak’s face. The man didn’t even pay it much mind, frantically consuming everything that was on his plate and even slightly off it.

“No. No, you cannot. My mind is set. As the one who is not able to abide by the rules of the contract, I have the right to demand. My demand is to accompany you and keep an eye on you until you can pay me properly. Simple as that.”

Now, the expression on Ayuen’s face amused him greatly. A mixture of annoyance and… Was that happiness he saw? A smug little smile dancing around her lips?

“I do not have much of a choice then. Very well, I’ll allow you to travel alongside me. All expenses will be covered and you’ll get the money you’re owed as soon as I’m able. Want that on paper?”

“Hmm. No.” He waved the idea away. “The terms are simple enough. Plus it’s not a full-fledged contract, more the completion of an old one. It’s fine.” He shot Ayuen a smug smile, which she returned with a sly glimmer in her eyes. “Just know that I’m waiting and watching.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” The Pyrn poet leaned back into her chair, taking a small bite of what remained of her breakfast. “Rather convenient that we do not need to say our farewells then, getting all teary-eyed.” Rove’s cheeks darkened a tiny bit as Ayuen winked at him.

He scoffed at her teases, raising a playful eyebrow at her. “As if. I’m sure you’ll be glad to be rid of me and my brutish Herhor ways.”

“Anyway.” Trïeste chimed in just as Ayuen opened her mouth to return his quip with a mischievous twinkle in her gaze. “Don’t you forget about me! I’m way too curious to see where Ayuen wants to travel to. Plus, your bickerin’ gives me some needed amusement during my otherwise damned borin’ days.”

“If m’ster Rove is travelling, Sneak will follow.” The ragged man nodded resolutely while wiping some butter out of his beard. Rove let out a loud sigh and rolled his eyes. “Sneak always repays Sneak’s debts.”

Could’ve seen that one coming. He disliked the prospect of Sneak joining more permanently, but it was to be expected. He shrugged, giving Trïeste and Sneak a look over.

“You both helped us in different ways, but it’s not up to me to turn you away. Ayuen is the mistress of this journey, so it’s her call.”

Ayuen gave him a quasi-helpless look, but her eyes twinkled softly with gratitude in the gentle morning light that fell in through the windows.

“It’s not entirely like our dear Herhor said.” She started, tucking a lock of hair behind her large ears. Rove liked that she hadn’t tied her hair up this morning, making it fall past her shoulders like a crimson waterfall. “Evidentally, try as I might, I cannot stop you from joining me on the rest of my venture. Nor do I have any right to. So feel free to join if you feel comfortable with that.”

Sneak nodded sagely, the impact of the gesture ruined by the storm of crumbs in his moustache and beard. Rove smiled and pointed at his cheek, Sneak’s face paling and the man beginning to scrub his face with fanatic fervour.

Trïeste just gave Rove and Ayuen a big smile, after which she followed Sneak’s example and cleaned her face, although with a bit more composure.

“It’s a deal then,” Rove said, rising from his chair and picking up his plate and cutlery. “I’ll be outside waiting for you. And hurry up a bit, we’re in a rush. Oh, and before I forget. Sneak, I want you to take a quick stroll around town, see if there any Yrus or any of Prado’s men about. They always seem to be a step ahead of us, and I don’t like it one bit.” He wanted to feel out Sneak’s intentions a bit. With Prado and the Yrus both seemingly out of the picture, this was a good opportunity to test him.

Sneak nodded vehemently at his request, and the Herhor nodded as he walked to the bar to dump his dishes there. He nodded to the innkeeper, raising a hand in goodbye. The innkeeper, busy hanging bundles of spices from the ceiling, gave him a small nod in return together with a mumbled ‘Come again’. The reason he had to send Sneak out into Tinkersong was simple. He didn’t trust the guy. The way he joined their group, the fact that two Yrus wanted his blood but didn’t kill him outright. Made his hairs stand on end.

With the rest following suit, he made his way outside, hoisting his backpack upon his shoulders. Their horses were already packed for the journey, so the only thing left to do was to get on the road. He stretched his arms and legs while he stood outside on the rough cobbles of Tinkersong’s square, enjoying the feeling of the sun upon his skin. Resting in an actual bed instead of a bedroll had done wonders for both his spirit and his body.

His eyes scanned the sky. Mostly clear, although a couple of clouds were cheekily drifting in their direction. They would probably encounter some rain today, he guessed somewhere in the late afternoon or evening. Not an issue perse, but something to keep in mind nonetheless. The Herhor strolled to the stables, he paid the stableboy a couple of fingers as he gathered up the horses, leading them to the front of the inn. Ayuen was waiting for him, Trïeste and Sneak being nowhere in sight. He quickened his step and approached, raising a hand in greeting as Ayuen looked up from her little booklet.

“Ah, great. Sneak isn’t back yet.” He said. “You’ve got our heading, Ayuen?”

The Pyrn’s eyes darted around the town square, her ears rotating around alertly. Cautious and care, excellent. Rove couldn’t stop himself from smiling approvingly.

“That’s correct.” She said with a small nod. “I’ve laid out our route. We should’ve have an-…. Ssshhh”

Ayuen stopped talking and put a finger to her lips. Rove turned around, seeing the reason for the gesture.

[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/554030201789743105/1028654515798409237/Grasping_Isle_Final_V1.0.png]Art by WaylanderX (The writer)