Den of Beasts 9


    Master Avorlus reached down and picked thergest stone up with two fingers. It was slightly smaller than his closed fist. He stared at it for a second and it pulsed with light.


    These are all light crystals, the older mage observed impassively.


    Yes well, since I see that youre using candles to light your home, I think these will be quite useful to you, Mahedium replied.


    The older man grunted and eyed Mahedium with new interest.


    Yes, these would be quite useful, but worth Elixirs? I dont believe so. You cantpare the ability to uplift mere men into Vessels to something thats a small improvement over a candle, he remarked scornfully.


    Perhaps, but light crystals dont kill most the people who try and use them either, and I have other stones, Mahedium countered.


    So what if you do? I make more than enough money to buy as many crystals as I want by selling Elixirs. Why do I need you? the older mage replied.


    Mahedium didnt seem concerned by Avorlus argument. He leaned back in his chair and appeared to rx.


    You cant use your potions yourself though. Youre a mage not a Vessel. Are you really satisfied with granting other people power, and not finding ways to make and use magic for yourself? he asked.


    Youre assuming I dont know how to make my own spell stones, Avorlus responded coldly.


    cknail wasnt fooled though. The older man was looking lessposed and sure of himself now. Mahedium leaned forward and stared hard into the other mages eyes.


    I know you cant, for the same reasons I know you cant actually buy all the crystals you want. This home is lit by candles instead of magic. Where are all the crystals youre supposedly buying? Ill tell you where. Theyre tucked away somewhere safe, or hidden about your person in case of an emergency. Youre never going to use them though; theylly there forever. You wont risk wasting them when you can never be sure youll be able to rece them, and thus youll never be truly free to use the power that is yours by right, Mahedium exined with calm intensity.


    The younger mage kept up eye contact with the older mage, as he reached down and picked up one of the spell stones on the table. He concealed it in his closed fist, before it burst to life. The light from the crystal was so strong the shadows of the bones in his hand were visible as light zed out from between his fingers. Then the light died, and Mahedium dropped the used up spell stone onto the table.


    Power that cant be used as one wishes, is not truly power at all, hemented dryly.


    Avorlus looked away. His teeth were clenched hard together, and he looked unsettled now.


    Very well, Im listening. What do you propose? he replied few secondster in a defeated tone.


    Let us start by being forthright with each other. We could sit here all day making crypticments and never aplish anything. Instead though, lets put our cards on the table, and see what we have to trade, Mahedium suggested.


    Avorlus coolly eyed the younger mage for a few seconds, but then nodded. Seeing this, Mahedium continued talking.


    I have next to no information on the process of creating Elixirs, and you do. I can show you the basic techniques for creating spell stones however. What would you be willing to trade for it? he asked.


    Trade? Youre here in my home begging favors from me. Im an experienced mage and youre nothing but a young upstart. I might teach you something in exchange for the scraps of knowledge you possess, but that doesnt make us equals, Avorlus responded coldly.


    The old bald bearded mage then raised a gloved hand to reveal he held a crystal against his palm. ck smoke began to curl and rise menacingly upward from the spell stone. cknail really didnt like the look of that, or the smell. It reminded him of rotten eggs.


    Mahedium tensed at the other mages actions. His own hand inched towards one of the spell stones concealed up his sleeve.


    I should warn you that I have a ratherrge force stone tucked up against my skin right now. If you do anything too sudden I might ignite it, and reduce everything in this room to smithereens, Mahedium told the older mage, as he reached up his sleeve and pulled out a small wand. The end of the rod held a small crystal, and it began to thrum and vibrate.


    He didnt point it at anyone, but he didnt have to, the message was clear. He wasnt intimidated by the other mages disy. cknail got ready to draw his own weapon and fight as well. He would have preferred to flee, but the door was guarded and all the windows were too small to squeeze through.


    The two mages eyes met, and they stared defiantly at each other. Then Avorlus chuckled, and smiled humorlessly.


    Youre very determined, I see. Good, maybe youre worth dealing with after all, he remarked.


    Mahediums posture rxed at the other mans words, but he didnt put his wand back away. cknail continued to stare at the mages bodyguard, who was staring right back at him. The hobgoblin wasnt exactly sure what he was going to do if he actually had to fight this massive human, but that didnt stop him ring menacingly.


    Avorlus noticed his guests hostility and sighed dramatically. He then carefully ced his spell stone on the table in front of him.


    Your turn, he remarked confidently.


    Mahedium gave the older mage a hard stare, but relented a secondter. He tucked his wand back into his sleeve, and out of sight.


    I think youll find that Im willing to do practically anything to increase my knowledge of magic. Now, what are you willing to trade for the basic techniques for creating spell stones, Mahedium asked the other mage.


    As am I, young mage. Over the years I have collected quite a bit of information on the crystal growing process. Ive never had any luck making it work though; the information is iplete. There are however a few forms for spells in there that Im sure would be of great value to you, though. I will exchange this knowledge for the basic techniques youve acquired, Avorlus offered carefully.


    I would have to look it over before agreeing to anything, was Mahediums answer.


    I will allow you to read a sample of the writings beforehand, Avorlus told him.


    eptable, but there are other areas Im interested in as well, the younger mage replied.


    Avorlus tensed slightly and leaned backwards. The hostile look from earlier returned to his eyes. Mahedium didnt seem surprised or concerned though.


    You have nothing valuable enough to trade for my knowledge of Elixirs, the older man replied coldly.


    So I understand, but Im not asking for anything like all your knowledge. I simply need to be able to create one specific form, that which my leader Herad uses. She requires a new source of the Ressertein Elixir, and has tasked me with procuring it for her. Your business would remain undisturbed, Mahedium exined.


    Do you have anything to offer me for this? If not, then shell just have to purchase it from me like everyone else. Im not afraid of the bandit chiefs, Avorlus told him coldly.


    Mahedium rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and looked off to one side for a second.


    I have some unique Vessel samples you might be interested it. Theye from a rather interesting source, he told the other man.


    They would have to be very interesting indeed. Avorlus remarked doubtfully.


    Oh, they are. cknail would you please remove your hood, Mahedium asked.


    From where he was standing behind his chair the hobgoblin gave the mage a curious look. He didnt really want to reveal himself in such a in manner. It wasnt fun enough. Everyone was now looking his way, and Avorlus looked caught between curiosity and confusion.


    Now, please, Mahedium requested impatiently, but with a trace of humor.


    cknail sighed, but then did as he was told. He flipped his hood down, and then gave the guard across from him a broad toothy smile. The reaction was immediate. Avorlus flinched away from him, and his guard went for his sword.


    Fuck me, the guard whispered to himself.


    This caused cknails smile to widen. He had won the game, and made the stupid human say something aloud! Mahedium calmly reached into his sleeve and withdrew the small wand again, which he pointed at the guard.


    Theres no need for violence; hes friendly as long as you are. However, if you attempt to raise your de against him then hell be the least of your worries, because Ill st you across the room so fast you wont know what hit you, Mahedium told them.


    What is this thing that youve brought into my home? Avorlus asked in shock. His eyes were wide with rm, and his wrinkled face and grown paler.


    cknail hissed in annoyance at the mans tone and words. It was more than a little insulting. The older mages hand had also slipped into one of his pockets where it was clenching something. cknail was sure it was a weapon or spell stone of some sort.


    Its a hobgoblin, and also a Vessel. Hes the sample I was talking about before. Introduce yourself cknail, Mahedium said.


    Hello. I promise not to kill you, or other bad things, cknail told them cheerfully.


    Avorlus continued to stare in shock at cknail; he didnt seem reassured.


    See? Hes actually a rather nice fellow when you get to know him, Mahedium added with a smile of his own.


    Avorlus turned his attention to the younger mage, and then seemed to rx and regain hisposure. He made a waving motion at the guard behind him, and the other man rxed as well.


    Its a Vessel you say? Any idea which Elixir? the older mage asked with obvious interest.


    Im a he, not an it, cknail told the man with forced smile.


    I have no idea, but the blood work I did was conclusive. I was hoping you could tell us more, Mahedium answered.


    I must admit to never seeing a non-human vessel before. Ive heard of them of course, though. Some of the guilds create hunting dogs or warhorses, but theyre the y toys of the high nobility. How did he be a Vessel, and why do you think I will be interested in studying him? Avorlus asked.


    Thats an interesting question. cknail was originally picked up by one of Herads men when they liberated him from a caravan, which just happened to have been guarded by a mage.


    From which guild? Avorlus asked curiously.


    Im getting to that. It was before I joined, but Herad actually keeps records of everything she procures and sells. She also had some papers from the merchants themselves. From descriptions of the mage and the records I was able to determine that he was attached to that caravan in order to guard a shipment of materials for his guild; the Purple Hearts, Mahedium exined.


    I see; the goblin was part of the cargo, Avorlus whispered to himself, as an excited grin broke out on his wrinkled face.


    cknail didnt see, or understand either. What were these mages talking about?


    Indeed, the Purple Heart guild is known for its work on non-human vessels, Mahedium remarked.


    Why would they experiment in order to create a goblin Vessel, though? Avorlus mused.


    Why do the guilds do anything? Ive heard the Purple Hearts have an elixir for house cats! Goblin Vessels seem sanepared to that, Mahedium replied with a roll of his eyes.


    True, it was probably just some students thesis project, which turned out to be an unexpected sess. Was the goblin the only thing of interest from the caravan? the older mage asked.


    No, when she raided the caravan Herad captured some other wares that I believe were also their work. She didnt think much of them and neither did any of her buyers, so they were still sitting around her base camp when I joined, Mahedium remarked.


    You have them, here? the older gentleman asked with eyes that shone with hunger.


    Of course, naturally I collected everything that even hinted at magic when I joined. At the time though, couldnt figure out what any of it was, so I dismissed it as useless. With your help though, and knowing that one of the samples is probably an Elixir for cknail the younger mage exined.


    Reverse engineering an Elixir is not an easy task. The Elixir itself is far more than the sum of its parts; once the mage blood is added it bes active, and ispletely transformed, Avorlus exined.


    In the same way a crystal is grown from a mineral base and mages blood, Mahediummented.


    cknail frowned in frustration as he realized what the mages had just said. You needed mage blood to make Elixirs. That ruined his n to find out how to make it for himself, and not be reliant on Mahedium for his magic.


    Youre asking for time tested knowledge, in exchange for nothing but possibilities, their bearded host said.


    True, but Im only asking for very basic knowledge that costs you nothing. If youre nearly as good an alchemist as you seem to be you, then you should be able to reverse engineer the Purple Hearts work. Think about what you would get from that, cutting edge guild research. A brand new unknown Elixir, Mahedium countered.


    cknail grinned as an idea urred to him. Scamp was a mage right? He could just use his blood! The little troublemaker undoubtedly had more blood than he was using anyway.


    Youre ying me like a flute, Avorlus told the other mage with a dramatic sigh.


    Were simply engaging in an exchange. Youre losing nothing, the other mage replied with a smile.


    Well see. I agree to both of the deals. Id like to start as soon as possible. Come back tomorrow morning, and Ill have ab set up, their host told Mahedium.


    The other mage nodded, stood up, and then extended a hand. The two men shook, and then after a few brief words one of the guards escorted them out.


    They had no more trouble from their hosts on the way out. That was good because Avorlus smoke crystal had apparently ended up in cknails pocket. cknail wasnt sure how; it wasnt like he wanted the smelly thing.


    As cknail and Mahedium walked back down the pathway that led to the iron gate and off the property, the hobgoblin considered what had just happened.


    cknail led the way towards the house where Herad was waiting. Just in case things had gone badly she had brought some men and they were waiting nearby. As they moved onto a deserted street, the hobgoblin heard several people step out of an alley onto the road behind them.


    He turned around to get a look at them and saw that they were thugs, like those that could be found all over Daggerpoint. This was the Central District though, and groups of a dozen men such as them were very rare here. cknail was too paranoid to think they presence was just a coincidence.


    Then one of the men raised a crossbow, and cknails eyes went wide in rm. He tackled Mahedium and threw both the mage and himself to the ground, just as a crossbow bolt zoomed past them. They hit the cobblestones hard, and Mahedium grunted in surprise in pain.


    Whats going on? the mage wheezed.


    Enemies, and a crossbow! cknail hissed angrily, as he scrambled back to his feet. He didnt like being ambushed. That was his thing; he did the ambushing, not the other way around!


    The man with the crossbow began to load it again, and hispanions drew their own weapons and rushed towards cknail and Mahedium. The hobgoblin immediately began looking for somewhere to run. There was no way he could fight so many humans. He would also probably have to leave Mahedium behind


    As cknail was nning his escape, Mahedium pushed himself up onto his knees. Then the mage leveled his staff at the armed thugs racing towards him. The crystal at the end glowed orange, and its power exploded out.


    The thugs between Mahedium and the crossbowman were knocked backwards and caught fire. The crossbowman himself was instantly set aze. Several of the attackers died instantly, but they were the lucky ones. Screams of pain filled the air as some of the other ming thugs began iling around in pain and panic. The smell of roasting meat filled the corpse littered street.


    The remaining unharmed attackers stopped and looked stunned, before deciding to make a run for it. They all quickly dashed out of sight. They didnt want to risk meeting the same fate as theirpanions. Mahedium was looking at the destruction he had wrought with a satisfied look on his face.


    The question is whether these were Wericks men, or if Avorlus sent them, the mage mused aloud.


    Thinkter! We need to go, now! cknail hissed.


    He heard yelling off in the distance. He was pretty sure it was the Governors mening to investigate the disturbance. Quickly, the hobgoblin grabbed Mahedium and began dragging the mage towards Herad and the rest of the band.


    Mahedium had surprised him. He was far more clever and dangerous than he usually pretended to be. He acted so clueless sometimes that it was easy to forget all the power he had at his fingertips.


    cknail wondered if the man was hiding his real self, or if he had simply risen to the asion. Regardless, the hobgoblin nned to keep an eye on him. If only to make sure they never became enemies, and so he could find out the mans weaknesses if they ever did.


    :ALLO:Please rate this story! Just followthis link, click the stars, and thenhitsubmit. You don''t need to type at all!