Finally Calin reached the village, after checking down the Quibs holes and making sure there was nothing else in or around the tent he had headed back to claim his reward. He had found a bit of treasure in the chest of the rainbow-mage though the chest had been booby-trapped. However, he had guessed it might be and when he did open the lid he used his spear which he had collected from the dead Quib that he’d slain earlier.
It was only a simple gas trap, but that said if he had opened it normally the gas would have been such that he'd have been knocked unconscious for several hours.
Inside the chest he had found old scrolls and a small bit of money. The money was mainly in copper and silver. This he left and instead took the twenty five gold pieces.
After all his current injuries he felt weaker than normal and had lost a pint or two of blood. Hugging around large metal coins for several long miles in this kind of condition was not wise. Besides once he got back he would have his reward money making him a rich man. "Who needs loose change", he thought to himself, grinning hungrily at the prospect as he thought of the many wonderful pleasures his new found wealth would bring. He also took the scrolls, guessing these to be magic as he did not understand or comprehend at all the writing on them and if he could find a market he could sell them at a reasonable price.
He headed straight to Cedric's were Dermatease said he would meet them if any survived. On entering the pub, he found Dermatease was the only customer in the building, the only other person in the place was Cedric who toiled away constantly behind the bar, cleaning this or scrubbing that.
"No doubt he has chased every one else out again", thought Calin looking at the wizard.
Dermatease looked up as he walked in. His body language as he slouched in a chair and the expression on his face suggested he was miserable. As he saw Calin his expression changed to one of surprise.
"Calin your back, but, but, what about the rainbow-mage did you run off?” Then added in an angry voice: "You, you coward, you've left the rest of them haven’t you". Calin was shocked at the tone from Dermatease, he had expected being welcomed back and later congratulated as he recounted the events of the slaying of the rainbow-mage. Anger too filled his voice as he said: The wizard is dead wizard. I slayed him myself and if you call me a coward after what I've just been through, there'll be another dead wizard upon these shores".
Dermatease looked confused. He thought Calin may be lying but from the rage in his voice, plus when the staff by his side with the stone of truth did not flash, this suggested otherwise. He was also an excellent judge of character and knew Calin was a man of his word. A brave man who had been hurt by his accusation.
"Perhaps Calin you should take a seat and tell me everything that happened. Please", he said pulling a chair out for Calin to sit on.
Calin did this and Dermatease shouted over to Cedric to fetch over two large flagons of his finest ale, and keep it coming whenever one of their cups ran dry. Calin began to recount what had happened giving as much detail as possible. On hearing of the deaths of the rest of the warriors Dermatease looked genuinely sad, especially when he told him of the two blood brothers. He left out however the part were Stan had turned chicken and tried to run away like a girly scrag. It was obvious that Dermatease knew these two men well, both being members of the village guard and telling him of Stan's cowardness was not going to change things. Besides he was dead.
After three pints of ale Calin reached the part of the story were he had seen the creature hanging from the ceiling of the tent. At this Dermatease looked shocked and the color drained away from his face. Under his breath Calin heard Dermatease mutter the words "Of course", as he finished off his recounting of the story.
For several seconds Dermatease sat in silence, Calin knew that the news of the strange creature that had flown off had upset him somewhat. Calin was not bothered, all he was interested in now was the money and wished Dermatease would mention something of it. He was about to ask Dermatease about it when Dermatease said: "This is bad. This is not yet over. In fact I think we've made it worse.
You see Calin I know of these creatures, there what you yourself call demons, made from the purest magic. The magic stored in peoples hearts. Nasty, evil pieces of work they are. The killings that we have witnessed in the village so far will be nothing if I'm right and the creature decides to stay upon the island".
He stopped talking and again sat for a time in thought. Then he nodded to himself and said to Calin: "We will have to hunt it. Once we find it, then, then we'll kill the damned thing".
"Whoa", said Calin. "Steady on there. All I came for was to collect my reward money. I've done my part, I killed the rainbow-mage and his minions as you instructed. My works done here. I'm off back to Galiamank."
"The creature what if it returns, who will kill it. I beg thee Calin, help if needs be. Innocent lives…women and children have died and if it returns, more will follow".
"The money Dermatease. We had our deal, I expect you to stick to it. Listen why not ask the Kingdom to send some soldiers over to get it".
"The Kingdom", cried Dermatease. "It's not interested in this little island. There more worried about the mainland and keeping there cities clean and safe. There not worried about a few fishermen and foresters or a place they will probably never visit.
Listen Calin, this creature it's got to be stopped before it's to late. What of the men you knew who died fighting to stop this evil".
"They had there price", interrupted Calin. Then an image of his dead comrades flashed into his minds eye. He gave a sigh before continuing: "That said they were good men and the people in this village although a little slow and behind with the times are good people".
"So you'll help", asked Dermatease hopefully. "The moneys yours, believe me you've earned it. Besides with a bit of luck the demon might scrag off into the Kingdom or trouble someone who deserves the fowl thing".
"All right, get me my money now though and I'll stay a bit. Hang around for one more week. If that beast of a bastard comes back, I'll get it you mark my words. I suppose those men deserve some kind of revenge".
In the end though it was mainly the thought of how the creature had slain Mulk while he'd lain helpless and unconscious that had made him decide to stay and help if the need arose. Although he had not known Mulk long he had been a good friend and had welcomed him on there first meeting with a joke, a good drink and a story or two. He had admired Mulk. He was the kind of warrior that he himself wanted to end up like, adventuring in foreign lands, never settling to long to claim a home or wife. The life of adventure was the one dream that really meant something to him, something he could never explain to another. That said, if nothing did happen then he would spend a considerable time wasting his large new fortune gambling and drinking before thinking once more to trek some unknown path fraught with danger.
The next morning in the village two people died. In one house a young girl, and in another, one of the village fisherman. They were found dead in bed, their hearts missing, torn from out of there bodies.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends