Den of Beasts 8


    cknail and Mahedium were walking through the city alone. It was a cloudy afternoon in Daggerpoint, as the pair made their way down one of the citys main streets.


    Several days had passed since the hobgoblin had rejoined Herads band. Hed spent most that time lying around, healing, and stuffing his face with food.


    It was just after noon and the roads were crowded. Crowds of of bustling people were everywhere, so cknail wore his long dark brown cloak. With the hood up itpletely concealed his form, and prevented him from drawing unwanted attention. The two of them still got the asional second nce though. They made for an odd looking pair.


    Mahedium was dressed up to impress. He wore a set of fine clothes including a red shirt with long loose sleeves. He had also shaved and gotten a haircut, which made him look much different than the disheveled and distracted man he usually seemed to be. Most importantly, he wore several pouches around his waist, and was carrying his staff.


    Even though everyone on the street was armed, and half of them were thieves and killers, no one bothered them. A mage was more than the nearby thugs and pickpockets were willing to tangle with, and they didnt know what to make of cknail.


    The crowds grew thinner as they neared the Central Quarter of the city. The border was obvious in the daytime, but cknail had only been here at night before. Not only were the housesrger and better maintained there, but there were far less people on the street.


    Several men with helmets who were holding long spears and wearing steel breasttes watched everyone who passed. Their choice of equipment made them stand out. Spears and shiny metal werent popr with most the other humans in the city, probably because they made it harder to run away.


    The metal wearing humans didnt stop anyone from passing into the Central Quarter, but only a few people seemed to want to walk past them anyway.


    cknail noticed that the shiny men got a lot of hostile looks from other people on the street. Even though they were badly outnumbered by the nearby crowds no one tried to start anything, though. Obviously, the spearmen werent very popr, but they were respected warriors nheless.


    As they were walking Mahedium turned to cknail, and pointed at the steel d humans.


    Those are the Governors men, and were entering his territory. He allows anyone entry, but they have to obey his rules. Mostly, they involve keeping the streets orderly and clear. Stick by me, and dont draw attention to us, the mage told the hobgoblin.


    cknail gave the mage an annoyed re. That had been his n anyway. He had obviously been doing that the entire way here, so why did Mahedium feel the need to mention it? Humans, other than his master, must just really like to hear themselves talk.


    As they crossed the border Mahedium started to look nervous. He was very obviously staring at the guards out of the corner of his eye, and hed grown twitchy. cknail on the other hand just strolled casually by; he didnt see a reason to be nervous. There were already plenty of humans around, and these were just a few more.


    The mage and the hobgoblin made it past the Governors men unimpeded; the spearmen didnt try to stop them. As they headed deeper into the inner part of the city the houses and buildings began to getrger and fancier.


    There were noticeably less people out and about as well. The humans here were better dressed, but the asional group of thugs and miscreants still could be seen wandering around. The crowds were also quieter, and there was a lot less shouting.


    As cknail observed the surroundings, a patrol of half a dozen of the armored men from before came down the street. These ones had swords instead of spears, but they were obviously from the same tribe as the border guards.


    We should be near the right ce. Keep a look out for any signs that mention our destination, Mahedium told the hobgoblin as they walked.


    I cant do-ss the reading thing, cknail pointed out.


    Ah, of course you cant. I should have realized that; youve obviously never had a chance to learn. Maybe Ill teach you the basics sometime, Mahedium replied as he looked around.


    cknail snorted. Why would he want to learn to read anyway? All his time was spent doing chores and learning useful things, like cooking and sword fighting. There were so many things he had to practice already. Reading seemed useless to him anyway; he would be better off burning books for warmth, or clubbing people over the head with them.


    Ah, there it is, Mahedium eximed as he pointed to a building up ahead of them.


    It was arge mansion surrounded by a wrought iron fence. The inner section of the city was where all therger and better maintained homes were located, which in Daggerpoint just meant they were more than one story and werent in immediate danger of falling down.


    This home however looked to be in good repair. There wasnt a single shingle missing from the roof. The only obvious w was that the grounds were overgrown, but the fact it had grounds at all was impressive. Most the other buildings just had arge patch of mud out front.


    The yard behind the iron fence had severalrge trees scattered across it. A long wild looking row of hedges ran along the path; up from the gate to the front door of the residence. There were also a few overgrown flower beds full of weeds. All the unkempt greenery cast a lot of shadows in the afternoon sun, and gave the building a sinister air.


    cknail barely gave the house and yard a second nce though; his attention was focused on therge rough looking man standing on the other side of the gate. He had a sword at his hip and a mean look in his eyes that reminded cknail of the more dangerous bandits from Herads band. The man was without a doubt an experienced killer, and not one of the Governors men.


    The hobgoblin eyed him carefully as he and the mage approached, and he couldnt help but growl softly. The fact that such a human was being used as a guard made him more than a little uneasy. The owner of the house wasnt messing around when it came to security.


    The guard wasnt looking their way, but cknail wasnt fooled. He could tell by the mans posture and movements that hed noticed the two of them approaching. The man was good not great, but still good. Mahedium didnt seem to notice cknails concern, because he walked right up to the man and announced himself.


    Im Mahedium Loggart and I have an appointment with your master. As per the agreement I havee armed and with one escort, the mage dered confidently.


    The guard gave Mahedium and cknail a brief look over. His stare was intense, but also indifferent at the same time. cknail had to stifle another growl; the mans condescending attitude raised his hackles.


    Without a word the man then stepped over and unlocked the gate, before throwing it open.


    Enter, he told them emotionlessly.


    Mahedium hesitated and an uneasy look shed across his face. He was clearly thrown a little off bnce by the guards attitude. After a few seconds though, he unfroze and walked through the gate. The hobgoblin shadowed him closely while keeping careful watch on the guard. He already didnt like this ce.


    He certainly wasnt a cheery fellow. The master of this abode should really consider getting some friendlier staff. Theres something to be said for basic courtesy after all, the mage muttered as he walked up the path to the house. Why would anyone want such inhuman thugs around?


    cknail met Mahediums gaze. The mage blinked and stared at the hobgoblin for a second before sighing.


    Right, never mind, he then muttered to himself.


    The hedge loomed to their right as they approached the end of the path. When they got to the entrance Mahedium knocked politely. It was a massive wooden double doors. Almost immediately they began to swing open. The mage looked nervously through the entranceway. Another guard simr to the first one stood on the other side, and had opened the doors.


    Please take a seat, he told them before stepping aside.


    The room on the other side was huge and dark. It was two stories tall andrge enough to fit dozens of people. A pair of staircases ran up the walls on either side of the room, and led to the second floor. The windows were few in number however, and had curtains on them that blocked the light. As a result, the corners of the room were dim and shadowy.


    Mahedium threw cknail a nervous nce, but the hobgoblin just shrugged. The mage had been the one that had wanted toe here, and hobgoblins could see in the dark. With another sigh Mahedium stepped into the house.


    A ir for the dramatic is prettymon in mages, but this seems like overkill, even to me, he muttered to himself.


    Plush red furniture lined the room, including several couches and chairs, so Mahedium headed for the nearest set and sat down. cknail sat down beside him, in a chair that was asfy as it was ornate and red.


    Just as he was settling down, a casual breath brought an unexpected scent with it. The building smelled of human blood. Not just one person either, but many different humans. cknail was unsure of what to make of it, so he decided to ask.


    The hobgoblin casually leaned over towards hispanion, and whispered in his ear.


    It smells of human-ss blood here. Many different people-ss, cknail told the mage.


    Mahedium looked rather ufortable and wary of having cknail so close, but after the hobgoblin finished speaking his eyes narrowed and he frowned uneasily. He appeared to be thinking something over.


    Its probably nothing; dont worry about it, the mage replied after a few seconds.


    cknail shrugged and sat back down in his chair. He could tell the mage wasnt being entirely forting, and was somewhat concerned about something, but he didnt really care. It was probably just some pointless human thing anyway.


    After a few minutes of waiting for something to happen Mahedium began to scowl impatiently, and cknail grew bored. The hobgoblin could only amuse himself by examining the contents of the room for so long.


    The guard by the door was particrly boring, as all he did was stare straight ahead. The hobgoblin was tempted to throw something at him, just to see what would happen. He doubted Mahedium would approve though.


    cknail shifted restlessly in his seat. At least the chair he was sitting in was veryfy. As he moved the plush cushions made him spring up into the air slightly. He smiled at the unusual sensation, and did it again on purpose.


    Soon the bored hobgoblin was bouncing up and down on the chair and snickering to himself in amusement. The chair was just so soft and springy! He needed to find a chair like this to borrow when no one was using it, or around to see him.


    cknails antics finally caused the man by the door to turn towards the visitors. He began scowling at the hobgoblin in annoyance, and with more than a little disbelief. Mahedium noticed as well.


    Stop that, its impolite. Just sit still, he whispered to cknail.


    The hobgoblin sighed but did as hed been told; it had been getting old anyway. Once cknail had settled down, they only had to wait a few more minutes for their host to arrive. A set of doors across the room were thrown open and two men stepped out.


    The first was an older man, even older than Saeter. He wore immacte ck clothing with silver lining, was bald, and sported a neatly trimmed short white beard. His face was wrinkled with age, but his eyes were sharp and his movements swift and full of purpose.


    Behind him came another man who looked to be another one of the houses guards. Like the others he was arge man with a cold focused stare. He also wore the same ck and grey uniform. cknail could tell by the warriors bodynguage that he was subordinate to the white haired elder.


    The pair quickly crossed the floor of the room, and drew near their guests. Mahedium politely rose to meet them and cknail followed suit, mostly because it made it easier for him to fight or flee.


    As the mage stepped forward the hobgoblin fell in behind him in mimicry of the old mans guard. By doing so he made his role obvious, and was thus much more likely to be overlooked.


    Wee, you must be Mahedium. Thank you for waiting. I simply had some other business I had to attend to. Im known as Master Avolus, and that is how you may address me, the older man told the mage.


    He then reached out and extended a white gloved hand. After a second of hesitation Mahedium extended his own arm and they shook hands.


    Ah, its a pleasure to meet you Master Avolus. Pardon me, but you must be the mage I corresponded with, then? Mahedium asked respectfully.


    Indeed I am. I must say that Im also d to meet you. Its been a while since Ive had an opportunity to converse with a colleague. Rogue mages with an interest in thaumaturgic research are very rare. The guilds are usually very sessful in weeding us out, and of course theyre not the only ones who benefit from monopolizing magical knowledge, Avolus said with a smile that didnt quite reach his eyes.


    Mahediums eyes narrowed slightly at the other mans words and tone. They were more than a little suspicious, and cknail was sure he detected a hint of threat in them.


    Yes well, Im a skilledbat mage with quite a few powerful crystals at my disposal. I could show them to you if you like. I was also very lucky ining across Mistress Herad, and in being allowed to join her band. In fact she expressed interest in this visit herself, and wanted me to tell her all about it as soon as I got back, Mahedium replied dryly.


    Well then Id better be on my best behavior, Id hate for her to think badly of me, the older man said with a faint smile.


    cknail didnt like the older mans grin. He looked like he knew some secret joke no one else was aware of. The hobgoblin hated not getting a joke.


    He also didnt like what the bodynguage of the old mans guard was telling him. The huge thugs face was calm and unreadable, but his posture betrayed his contempt for his masters guests. Yet, the bodyguard was also looked ready to act at anytime, as if he expected a fight of some sort to break out.


    I feel like sitting, Avorlus then remarked.


    He snapped his fingers and pointed to a small nearby table. Instantly, the guard by the door hurried over and picked the table up. He rushed over at put it down in front of the older man. Avorlus then pointed to a nearby chair, and the guard brought that over as well.


    Mahedium nodded and both mages sat down across from each other at the table. Avorlus guard took up position standing behind his masters chair. cknail copied him again, and stood behind Mahedium.


    Well then, now that weve been properly introduced, feel free to make yourselffortable. We have much to discuss, the older mage told them.


    This is a rather nice home you have here, your business must be quite profitable, Mahedium politelymented.


    It certainly pays the bills and keeps me fed. Theres always a demand for elixir in Daggerpoint, and the city is short on suppliers. What about you, how are you finding the city? Avorlus replied with a smug grin.


    Well enough. Its nice to be out from under the guilds, and take destiny into my own hands. There are no lords or guild masters here to exploit me, and tell me what I can and cant learn, the other mage answered.


    Very true. I myself found them quite stifling as well. Daggerpoint of course is not without its own dangers, Avorlus replied.


    Obviously, youve managed to prosper though, the younger mage remarked.


    You seem to know a fair bit about my own operations, but I know next to nothing about you. May I enquire as to your own knowledge and background? Your note was intriguing, but severelycking in detail, Avorlus asked.


    Now it was Mahediums turn to smile knowingly.


    Im sure theres not much I could tell you that you dont already know. A man so obviously as intelligent and sessful as yourself would have already looked into my history as soon as my note arrived. Its also not like my past is a secret. You, on the other hand, are quite the enigma though, the younger mage replied.


    Straight down to business it is then. When you first contacted me you suggested an exchange of knowledge would be to both our interests. That seems unlikely to me, but Id like to know what you have to offer anyway. As youve already correctly determined Im a maker of Elixirs, Avorlus said.


    And youve amassed yourself a fortune, by secretly selling them to bandit chieftains using intermediaries, Mahedium remarked.


    Avorlus nodded in response, so Mahedium continued speaking.


    My own area of expertise lies in a different area of research. I specialize in creating spell crystals. I have the skills and knowledge to grow them from scratch, Mahedium told the other man as he reached into his coat.


    The old mages guard tensed at Mahediums movement, but didnt act further. Master Avorlus barely reacted. His fake looking smile didnt falter at all.


    The younger mage then pulled out a small pouch and emptied it onto the table. Half a dozen transparent crystals rolled across the table. Avorlus white eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.


    They are a gift, from me to you. A token of my respect and an offer of friendship, the younger mage exined.