The three arrived at the Lizzarburg Inn, soaked by the unrelenting downpour of rain. Victus loudly banged on the door with his fist, until a small slit opened. A pair of eyes peeked through the rectangular hole, followed by a gravelly voice, “What’s the password?”
“Uhh..”
“Ensta Locus,” Wolfe replied.
“..Hm. A moment,” the man closed the slit.
Victus turned to him, frightened that he knew such information, but not necessarily surprised. He then turned to the woman that was now a self-proclaimed member of their party. There was a snarkiness to his voice, “So, tell me, why couldn’t we just stay at your lab?”
“One, I’ve always wanted to come here, two, I’ve only one bedroom, and three..The both of you are rather filthy,” Alyza gave a polite smile. She was no longer wearing her apron, so her dress stood out more. She had also let her hair down, and since it had been tied up all day it was rather wavy.
“..Can’t argue with that I guess,” Victus scoffed.
The door slowly opened, and a large orc stood at the entrance, donning furry bandit armor. He let out a grunt from between the tusks of his mouth, gesturing for them to come in. Wearily, the party entered, looking around. For a criminally run establishment, the inn was nicely large and well-kept, aside from all the skull decor. There were many tables for groups of bandits to discuss their malicious plans. Victus looked around, his hand placed on his chin, “Wow, is that mahogany?” He turned back to the orc innkeeper, “Also, I must say, I’m really loving what you’ve got going on with the ol’ cow skulls-”
“Don’t kid yourself.”
“Noted. So, how much for a room?”
“How many beds?”
“Two-”
“Three!” Alyza added with a single, irritated stomp.
“-Three.”
“All I have are bedrooms of two and four. Four gold a night for a two-bed bedroom, eight gold for a four-bed bedroom,” the orc crossed his arms. There was no point in negotiating with such an intimidating person like this, Vick thought.
“Guess we’ll have a bed to spare..” He reached into his pouch of coins, but a loud, spiffy man interrupted them, “Hold it right there, my dear fellow! Say, are you about to purchase a bedroom for four?”
“..Yeah?”
The man, dressed in a sophisticated red vest and, beneath, a white lace jabot, made his presence known with a deep bow. “Sir Jearicko Clyme, at your service,” He placed his hand on his chest, making a deep bow. Victus noticed that the peculiar man had ears identical to that of a cat’s atop his blond head, with a tail to match. He deduced that the man must be a descendant of the Nekomata, a race of cat-like people It wasn’t until fairly recently that they made themselves known to the rest of the world, hailing from a country consisting of several islands that were in desperate need of resources. Their culture was exceptionally artistic, and fortunately enough for them, that quickly became their largest commodity. Still, this was his first time encountering a Nekomata, and he was genuinely surprised.
“...”
“Ahem..”
“......”
How awkward.
* * *
The four of them settled into the bedroom. Victus took off his coat and hung it onto a nearby rack, thinking to himself: First, I meet a creepy, mysterious old guy, then, a pompous alchemist that I’m too afraid to tell no, and now a Nekomata with an eccentric personality. Not to mention, I’m eight gold short with nothing but a piece of paper to show for it! He plopped his rear down onto the edge of the bed, taking off his dirty leather boots. The mud had dried into a lightly-colored crust, and he made a face while he carefully scraped it off with his fingernails, “Stupid rainy weather..”
“Can’t you do that somewhere else?” Alyza scowled.
“Can’tchu doodat thumwarelze..” He mimicked her, dropping his boot onto the floor. Beyond her, he saw Wolfe finally take off his cloak. Beneath it he wore sleeveless plated armor, rusted and attached together by old ropes. His arms were buff, scarred, with bandages at his wrists. He looked at his hands, unable to keep them from trembling ever so slightly. Victus decided it was better to not ask about whatever troubled him.
Alyza rolled her eyes in response to Vick’s childishness, crossing her arms, “So what’re we doing tomorrow?”
Victus stretched and yawned, lying down on his back, “Well first, we gotta get back to town. Turn in the quest. Then, after that, I dunno..” He still had to find Fang, but decided that he would keep such business to himself.
“I say we go on a kill quest,” Alyza grinned.
“Ah, the blood of a beast will make for quite the inspiration..”
She turned to see Clyme lying in bed on his side, supporting his head with his elbow, and he had his knee raised somewhat. “I shall make the most wonderful song after our battle. I will title it, ‘At Death’s Door’!”
“You all are insufferable,” Victus turned onto his side to face them. “Get distracted during a fight, and you’ll end up on the other side of death’s door.”
“..As in dead-”
“Yeah, I understood that part, genius!” Alyza shouted at him.
“Ah, death,” Clyme started, “To die is to truly live. For what is life, if not for dea-”
“You, go to sleep,” Alyza cut him off. He nodded and turned onto his back, closing his eyes and snoring immediately.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“Wow, out like a light, they say..”
“You too,” Alyza turned back to Vick.
“You don’t tell me what to do.”
“The less you sleep, the less you’re getting what you paid for, and you seem to be the frugal type.”
“..Damn you,” Victus turned away and pulled his blanket over himself, getting comfortable. He drifted off into a restful sleep. By the next morning, they had left the tavern and headed back to town. Victus collected the money and split it with Wolfe, giving him the share that they agreed to.
“Wonderful, let us celebrate!” Clyme flamboyantly threw his hands in the air, “The prices at the tavern down the road are quite fair, believe me-”
“Excuse me, Jack-”
“Jack?”
“-Yeah, why are you still here?”
“...”
“Celebrate? You weren’t there when we fought those creepy crawlers and their giant, slimy fangs! And you still owe me for last night too, don’t you forget,” Victus was tearing into him. Clyme’s ears drooped, and he tilted his head downward. “Cut it out with the buddy, buddy act, like we’re in a party together, we’re not. I hardly even know you.”
“..My..Apologies, I wasn’t aware you felt that way..”
Clyme turned and walked away, leaving the guild hall. Alyza glared, smacking Vick’s shoulder, “Victus! Could you stop being a bloody downer for two and half seconds? Go apologize to him.”
“Ow,” he rubbed his shoulder, “What? I didn’t even do-”
She didn’t utter another word, her glare sharp enough to give the young man some clarity. He thought back to Clyme’s saddened face, and how his bright yellow hair reminded him so much of Duncan. He started feeling terrible. He gave a heavy sigh, then headed for the door, but it opened before he opened it. On the other side, a familiar face. The face that belonged to a treacherous woman who double-crossed him: Fang. He took a few steps back as she entered, wearing a smirk on her face, “What’s the matter, Vick?”
“You..”
“Aw, c’mon, you don’t wanna cause a scene now, d’ya?”
“..Maybe I do.”
“Never been the wise type, I suppose,” three large, muscular bandits entered from behind her. They stood menacingly, towering above him. Alyza watched from a distance, looking worried.
“We should go and help,” she told Wolfe, but he remained silent, watching.
“Wow, that artifact musta really been worth something if you could afford three more assholes to keep you company. And here I was startin’ to think we had something special,” Victus glowered. “Oh well. Just give me my cut and I’ll be on my merry way.”
She put a hand on her hip and laughed, “Your cut? You’ve been cut, honey.” Fang furrowed her eyebrows, wearing that same sadistic face she wore the moment she betrayed him, “No rewards for suckers. Now move.”
He glared, standing in place. A couple of the bandits drew their weapons, and Victus clenched his fists. The room fell silent as the tension between them grew. Fang slowly held her hand up to her face, “Perhaps you would like me to make you, then?” Electricity sparked from her fingertips.
“That’s enough!” Alyza stepped in between them, scowling at Fang. Victus looked surprised. It had been years since someone defended him, especially from one as intimidating as Fang. This girl had balls, he thought.
“And you are?” Fang looked displeased.
“Alyza. Alyza Sylvain. Heard of the name?”
“Sylvain, eh?”
Fang looked past Alyza at Victus, “Wow. diving with rich girls now, are we? I never took you for the type to care so much about status..Makes sense for a poor man, like you.”
“Rich?” He sounded confused.
“So you’re aware that an attack on me and my party would be considered an attack on my family, yes?” Alyza used her status to defend him. “Fortunately, I’m willing to forgive this endeavor if you let us go. We were about to leave, anyhow.”
“What?” Victus disagreed.
“I said we were just leaving,” she gave him a look. He decided not to press further.
Fang gestured for her bandits to disperse, and they left further into the guild hall. She sighed, “There. Don’t think I’ll be so merciful next time. After all, mommy and daddy won’t be there to save you when there aren't any witnesses.”
“Is that a threat?” Alyza crossed her arms, but Fang ignored her, walking away. She rejoined her party of bandits at a table, and just like that, everyone resumed what they were previously doing. Wolfe finally walked over to the two, and Victus looked back at him, “Oh, now he shows up. You really just some big chicken under all that armor?” Wolfe grunted, then walked past them out the door.
The others followed, “Jack is probably over at Gunther’s tavern. That guy has some pretty good prices, and it’s honestly the best food you can get in town. Which isn’t saying much..”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been there,” Alyza walked next to him.
“He’s a nice guy, don’t let the long blue snout and big sharp teeth scare ya. Oh, and don’t order the cream of mushroom soup. He changes that pot like, once a week.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“So..You’re rich?”
“Nope. Not anymore, anyways. I ran away from home.”
“Oh.”
“What? Were you expecting some charity?” She stopped and put her fists on her hips, quick to get upset. Victus put his hands up and waved in a defusing manner, “No, that’s not what I..I just never really met a rich person before, I guess I thought it’d be different. Usually they’re all jerks, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, they are,” Alyza relaxed her posture. “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. Whatever money I had, I blew it on that failure of a shop you saw yesterday.” She averted her gaze from him, “Mother was right, I couldn’t run a business on my own, and now I’m off traveling with some hotheaded half-elf and his half-wit colleague.”
“Hey, come on, it’s not that bad,” Victus tried to cheer her up, despite her harshness. His words echoed shallow and empty, filled with selfishness. “You’re not necessarily in the party yet, so you can just go back and-”
“I’m joining,” she cut him off. There was an assurance in her voice. “I’m sick of being on the sidelines. I’m tired of being cooped up in some safe little box, like I’m a porcelain doll! I wanna get out there, and live a little.”
He sighed, “Yeah, well..Just don’t get in the way. Can you even fight?” Victus continued, walking past her. At this point, Wolfe had gotten far ahead of them.
“Of course I can fight,” she followed him. “I’ve trained in fencing my whole life, and I’ve won an abundance of professional archery tournaments.” She placed her hand on her chest, puffing her head upward in a conceited fashion.
“Difference between a tournament and a real fight is that anything goes. Choke up just once and you’re dead. You can’t afford to hesitate.”
“Sounds to me like you’ve never shot a bow.”
“What’s that s’posed to mean?”
“When you take aim with a bow, there’s no room for hesitation. If you take too long to let go of the arrow, the tension in your body builds up and you’ll miss what it was you were aiming for.”
“Well, thanks for the free lesson, but I don’t see a bow on your back there, nor a rapier.”
“I left them at my old home, in case I ever return. I didn’t think I would need them to run a shop, but here we are. For now, I’ll just have to support the party with my alchemy skills. You can consider me your professional potion brewer.”
“Eh, good enough,” Victus opened the door to Gunther’s tavern. To their surprise, Clyme was already in mortal danger.
He was on his knees, the tip of a rapier inches from his neck. The man holding the rapier had long, curly silver hair. He looked at them, a remorseless gaze in his crystal blue eyes. Victus could see Gunther on the ground near them, unconscious. “Hmph,” the man turned back to Clyme and reeled his elbow back, ready to thrust his blade into the Nekomata’s neck.
“Clyme!” Alyza shouted.