1.30

“Do we have a plan?” asked Bodwyn. They had been travelling for a few hours now and hadn’t really spoken at all since leaving Cobbleson.

“We go in, gather the information we need. We take Hank back to Cobbleson,” said Fenrick.

“Surely its not that simple though,” rebutted Bodwyn.

“That simple.”

“No, but actually being able to achieve those things. Getting information, getting to Hank, dealing with anyone in the way, and bringing him back. Glayda said there were four that came for him, and said they were pretty scary. Doesn’t any of that bother you?”

“A little. But we’ll deal with that when we come to it. Finding the information shouldn’t be that hard. Most people talk, for a price. The fight might be troublesome though,” said Fenrick.

“Surely there’s a way out of this without fighting,” said Sharampf. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against it. But do things always need to end that way? The group that came and got him sounded pretty formidable.”

“Can we hire extra help, just in case it comes to a fight?” asked Bodwyn.

“They’d probably want to get paid. And if it doesn’t come to a fight?” asked Fenrick.

“We could offer them an amount, then say there’s two outcomes. Depending on what happens would determine how much they got paid,” said Sharampf.

“Yeah, but with that knowledge, they’d probably just want to make a fight happen, just to get more pay.” Bodwyn stopped walking and put one elbow in the palm of his hand. He put that hand over his face and rubbed his face and thought as hard as he could.

“Would someone really start a fight on purpose, if it meant more pay?” Sharampf massaged the bridge of her nose in contemplation. Fenrick looked down at his trusty companion and smiled at the two.

“Yeah, someone would. Some people can be real jerks when it comes to possibly getting more money,” said Bodwyn. “And besides, I probably wouldn’t trust them with my life. Don’t know them.” Bodwyn and Sharampf stopped their deep thoughtful actions at the same time and turned back to Fenrick.

“So what do we do?” asked Sharampf.

“The way I see it, we’ve got two options, if a fight does break out.” Fenrick stuck up his index finger with his right hand and wrapped his left hand around it. “We deal with it, just the four of us. I’m sure we can manage.”

“What’s the second option?” Sharampf and Bodwyn asked together.

“We hedge our bets on finding a new adventuring buddy, hope we can trust them, and they become a part of this mission.” Fenrick now held two fingers in his hand.

“The chances of that happening are pretty slim to none,” said Bodwyn.

“Hey, we all met because we were in the same town. And during a fight. So it’s possible,” said Sharampf.

“Stranger things have happened in this world,” said Fenrick.

The party continued on the road in silence for a while longer when Fenrick noticed a horse and cart was coming toward them. They stepped to the side but waited when the person at the front of the cart called out to them and waved.

“What ho, how goes it travellers?” The cart came to a stop. The driver was an elderly looking gentleman, wearing a black top-hat and sporting a wiry, silver goatee. His eyebrows had grown bushy and long with age, and his half moon glasses sat on the tip of his nose. We wore a long coat over his striped shirt and red tie. Sitting on the seat next to him was a long, intricate rifle.

“Hello, and what’s your name?” Bodwyn asked. Bodwyn gave a slight bow, drawn into the man’s presentation.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“My name is Keelan May, enchanter extraordinaire. I make magical items and sell them from my various shops around Gamerrah, as well as right here from my cart, my travelling shop. And what are your names?” The spindly man leaned in and peered over the rim of his glasses.

“I’m Bodwyn, this is Sharampf and Fenrick and Tad. I’m interested in having a look at what you’re selling.”

“Well, I was hoping you’d say that.” Keelan’s voice took on a melodious tune as he responded. He jumped down from his cart and pushed a button and pulled a lever.

The cart whirred to life. The group could hear the gears turning and the springs pulling. Mechanical clacks they didn’t understand pounded from within the cart and they watched in stunned amazement as the cart began to unfold and expand. Its two halves were now open like a book and shelves all unfolded, each filled with an assortment of things the party had no hope of recognising. Coloured rugs laid under the tiered shelves and a faint; trill tune could be heard.

“What are those?” Bodwyn asked. He pointed to the two upper corners of the cart. Each one had what appeared to be a metal tube on a swivel.

“Ah, arcane cannons. I need to be able to keep my customers, and myself, safe at all times. Gamerrah can be a dangerous place, as I’m sure you’re well aware.” The whole time the man spoke, he wore a large grin that spread from ear to ear, revealing the wrinkles brought by smiling too much.

“Yeah, don’t we know it,” Bodwyn looked to the others and they nodded. “I don’t think I know what most of these are, can you explain some of them to us?”

“Why certainly. First off, let me show you this.” Keelan grabbed a small orb off the shelf. “This little thing can be used to pick most simple locks. Some of the more modern, intricate locks probably won’t be open and magical locks are simply out of the question.” Keelan pressed a well-hidden button on its back, being sure to show his captivated audience.

The little metallic black and golden orb clicked open and the orb shifted into a tiny spider. Keelan pressed the button again and it resumed the shape of the orb.

“That seems pretty awesome, how much?” Bodwyn asked.

“Fifteen hundred gold.” Keelan read the party’s subtle facial and body language and immediately knew it was out of their price. He sat it back on its peach-coloured cushion and grabbed another item. This time it was a rectangular glass bottle filled with a light-blue liquid.

“What’s this one?” Sharampf asked.

“This is one of my many bubble wands. This one in particular will release large electrifying bubbles that will float, with some speed might I add, in the direction you send it. Upon impact, it will explode in a burst of electricity. Good for fifty bubbles. Ninety gold and fifteen silver.”

“I just don’t know if it would be something we’d use,” said Fenrick. He looked to the others and knew the agreed.

“Not a problem at all. Adventuring can be a pretty tough gig, especially if you aren’t staying in a town somewhere. I’ve got just the thing for you.” Keelan put the bottle back and this time grabbed something that looked like a small leather bag. “With this handy thing, camping will never be an effort ever again.”

Keelan stepped a little away from the cart and placed the bag down on the ground. He pulled on the rope that cinched the bag shut and the group watched on as the bag bloomed open and three single tents were already assembled in a line. And as if that wasn’t enough, a small fireplace had been set up and it roared to life.

“Now, this is a little on the expensive side, but maybe you could pool your money together and grab it?” Keelan rubbed his hands together, hoping for a sale.

“We’re still strapped for money at the moment,” said Bodwyn. Keelan pulled on the rope again and the bag closed up once more.

“I do say, that cloak looks interesting. Would you be willing to do a trade?” Keelan took a few steps toward Bodwyn and leaned in, his smile somehow wider than ever before.

“Do you happen to have any torches that don’t run out or could even work underwater?” Sharampf asked. She could tell Bodwyn felt a little uneasy and so had stepped in to save her friend.

“I have something better than that. The problem with torches is you have to worry about fire. Even ones that are enchanted, fire can still be a danger. I’ve got the thing just for you.” Keelan put the bag back on one of the shelves and reached in behind the fantastic display and pulled out a stick.

“It’s a stick,” said Bodwyn, unimpressed.

“Ah, but it isn’t just any stick. Illuminate.” The group watched as the stick began to glow with a light strong enough that could be seen in the daylight. “Extinguish.” The glow went away. “This thing will never run out. Short of some kind of strong magic used to darken something, it will light up anything you need.”

“That sounds perfect, how much?” asked Sharampf.

“Is a simple enchantment, but very useful. Thirty-two gold and its yours.”

“Done.” Sharampf handed Keelan the money, who quickly pocketed it. “I think that’ll probably do it for us for now. Sorry about the money thing, we’re still new to making some.”

“Not a problem at all. Make sure when you’ve got some more you visit one of my shops all around. Simple name really, May’s Magnificent Enchanted Wares. You’ll always know when you’ve found one, quite obvious. Now I best be on my way, see if I can’t sell a few more things before the day is out.” Keelan pushed the lever back in place and the cart folded back up.

He waved them farewell as he jumped back on the seat and continued to travel in the direction they had just come from.

“Seemed like a nice enough guy,” said Sharampf. She handed Bodwyn the stick, who put it in his bag and they set off again toward Deer’s Point.