1.35

The journey back to Cobbleson had been uneventful. Once, around the campfire, Clovae had made some amazing food with pepper, some insects and fruit and the group were happy to have someone who knew how to cook well.

Small talk was minimal, and Hank hadn’t uttered a single word since they left Deer’s Point, though Fenrick found himself eyeing the man frequently.

When they had made is back to Cobbleson, they headed straight for The Cracked Cauldron. They were met with Glayda and Ellie preparing the breakfast for the guests. As they sat, Glayda sent Ellie to go and get Bob.

“Two more have joined your group hey?” Glayda asked as she served them the first helping of breakfast. A steaming pea, corn and ham soup mixed with some ginger. Clovae immediately devoured the meal and asked for more.

“Oh yeah. This is Havenlocke and Clovae.” Fenrick made the introductions.

“Oh-ho, I’ve never met a dryad before.” Glayda wore a warm smile and shook their hands.

“This is Heracles.” Clovae talked to a bundle in her hair and the little bird poked his head out and looked straight at Glayda. After seeing another bowl in front of Clovae, he hopped down her arm and picked at her food.

“Hello Heracles. I’d never had any animals in here until this one brought his friend,” Glayda pointed at Fenrick. “I’m thinking I should make it welcome for all pets, so long as they’re trained of course, it may help with business. Maybe have somewhere for pets to stay too. What do you reckon?”

“I think you’re onto something there,” said Sharampf.

“Definitely something I’ll look into. So, what are you lot up to after you sort things out with Hank here?”

“Dunno. We haven’t really figured anything out just yet. I imagine nobody here is adverse to making some more money?” Bodwyn asked.

“No, of course not,” replied Havenlocke. “Is there much money to be made here?”

“’Fraid not. Cobbleson is too small a town to have too much to do or going on to really pay well. I mean, you never know, but I doubt you’d get much here.” With that, Glayda excused herself from the table and set to serving the few other guests with their breakfast.

“Well, what are we gonna do then?” Bodwyn asked.

“We can either go back to Deer’s Point, or move on to another town,” said Havenlocke.

“I’m not too keen to go back. I reckon we push forward,” suggested Clovae. Heracles had hopped back up on her shoulder and hidden among her hair.

“The next biggest town then would be Goldrest. Larger than Deer’s Point and Cobbleson put together. There’ll be money to make there for sure.” Fenrick had unfurled a map and pointed to Goldrest for everyone else to see.

“Do we take the main road?” Clovae asked.

“Whatever gets us to the money the quickest,” said Bodwyn.

“Well look here, there’s a second path that’s a little less direct. There looks to be a small village on the way. We aren’t on a time limit, are we?” said Sharampf. “Never know, could be interesting things to see there.”

“Yeah okay, you’re right. There could be something interesting to see.” Bodwyn and Sharampf locked eyes for a moment before he looked away.

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“What do you two think?” Sharampf asked.

“I’m more than happy for a little sidetrack. Heracles doesn’t mind either.” Clovae gave the bird’s chest a little scratch. The rest of the group looked to Havenlocke.

“I guess I don’t mind. Suppose never know what could be found in a little place. When do we head out?” Havenlocke raised an eyebrow.

“Once we’ve sorted this one out.” Fenrick pointed at Hank with his thumb.

“You’ve brought him back!” Bob’s voice cracked through the room. The group turned to see the weathered man with a giant grin on his face.

“Dad?” for the first time in days, Hank had spoken. His voice was cracked and taut. He lifted his head, but refused to look his father in the face.

Bob almost flew toward his son and embraced him wholeheartedly. He then smacked his son on the back of the head and then hugged him again.

“Is he?” Bob mouthed to the group. They nodded. He pulled his son back and looked him in the face. “There’s a lot of work to be done here. You have a lot of things you need to fix. A lot of people you need to apologise to. You’ll be my age before your work is done.” Hank nodded an even hugged his father back.

“I have a suggestion.” Fenrick watched the unfolding scene closely. The group now looked at him, curiosity obvious on both Bob and Hank’s faces.

“What are you thinking, my friend?” Bob asked.

“You need a new start, away from all of this. The Order of the Shell, the Tortoise Knights, need to rebuild.” Fenrick’s face had grown taut.

“Go on,” said Hank.

“There are only ten of us left. If you head to Dawn’s Ledge and I gave you a letter, you’d be let in without a hassle. Are you interested?”

“What makes you think I’ve got what it takes to be a knight? I’m an asshole.” Hank looked away.

“You don’t have what it takes. But, if you’re willing, you will. You could achieve something with yourself.”

“I don’t know.” Hank looked between Fenrick and Bob.

“You can wallow here in regret and pity, or work toward something that could be rewarding.” Fenrick narrowed his eyes.

“But the townsfolk?”

“No matter your future intentions, I think they’d all feel more at ease if you weren’t around.” Glayda had walked over and been listening for a while. Hank looked up at her for a split second, before looking at the floor once more.

“What do you say?” Fenrick extended a hand to the young man.

“Yeah, okay.” Hank shook the gnome’s hand.

“Go home and gather whatever you may need. I’ll write you the letter, meet me back here in an hour.” Hank nodded and he and Bob left the tavern.

“You’re being way too nice to him,” said Glayda.

“Why not?” Fenrick pulled out a piece of parchment and immediately began writing a letter of recommendation.

“You two just leave me alone now, you hear?” It was a cold, wet night at Deer’s Point, and Shun, and elderly orc man, who needed a walking stick to move, had been hurrying home.

It was down one of the many twists and turns, when he was confronted by a pair of rough looking thugs. One an ursidae who loved to flick a knife between his paws, and the other, a scrawny looking elf with a bat, had followed him down the street and cornered him.

“We most certainly will, old man. After you give us what we want.” A grating snicker escaped the elf’s mouth.

“I don’t have anything. Honest.” He waved his walking stick at the thugs.

“Hmm. Looks like we’ll have to teach you a lesson about not having anything valuable.” The elf approached Shun and ducked and landed a quick hit to the elderly man’s gut.

The orc dropped his walking stick and doubled over. The elf struck him in the side of the face with a tremendous slap, knocking the man over.

The ursidae and the elf then proceeded to kick the orc, laughing.

Suddenly, something wet splashed across the elf’s back and he screamed in pain as it started to burn. He threw off his jacket and the ursidae was horrified at the sight of the bubbling, smoking flesh.

The pair whirled and saw a trio in brown hooded cloaks. The ursidae threw his knife at one of the figures. The figure waved a hand and the knife melted and drooled to the ground.

“Who the fuck are you?” The elf closed the gap with a mighty leap and swung the bat only to be stopped by a hand grasping his wrist. The burning sensation returned and he screamed as he watched the flesh on his wrist bubble and slough off.

In a flash of magic, the ursidae and elf were killed and the three hooded figures approached the elderly orc. He was still laying on the ground, curled up with his arms over his head.

“The Armoured Calamity will keep you safe,” said one of the voices.

“Please, whatever to keep me safe.”

The hooded figures lead the orc down into the sewers. They came to a large chamber where many cloaked figures and townsfolk were gathered. Horrendous chanting rocked the air from the cloaked figures.

“The Armoured Calamity has a plan. I hear his voice, and he has told me many great things. It starts with us!” A figure with a shining suit of armour and a hood that only covered their face stepped forward. “First, we take this town, and then all of Gamerrah.” Cheers erupted from the cloaked figures and the deafening chanting rose again.