Hounds Rising

Leaf watched as Myla walked back inside and looked around the room. He could see the look of worry on her face as she walked up to the table and looked around.

“What’s going on?” Myla asked.

“A lot of things,” Leaf replied. “Let’s get everyone.”

Mr. Muffins and Lyla exited their rooms, and the party sat around the table. Leaf wasn’t the leader of these people by any means, but he felt that he should be the one to speak up about the morning’s events.

“The Queen has asked that I spend some time furthering my knowledge and research. In the interim, we have decided that Darion, Dean of Rahmnivar at Berkton Academy, should take over my new position until I can prove my abilities. While she didn’t state it directly, she did mention the idea of you all joining me on this task due to the current state of the Arcana Emporium and everything that has happened. It is your decision, and it’s not one that I’m ready to make today. I’m not even sure what we will do just yet.”

Leaf looked around at the carnival troupe, watching them look at each other with their many years of insight. He could feel them judging the moment, trying to figure out what was best for themselves, each other, and the carnival. Gisela spoke up first.

“I will be staying with the carnival. Elysium will need labor, and if you’re all leaving, someone will need to stay behind and make sure everyone is safe.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Rhokhishi asked her.

“I… I let my anger get to me the last week or so. I’ve had to make choices that I’m not comfortable with… I know we were all involved, but I don’t think I should go with this quest.”

They nodded, acknowledging her decision. Leaf saw their minds turning while trying to make their own decisions.

“It’s not something we have to decide today, but I do have to send a letter to the Queen by tomorrow. The carnival is leaving tomorrow, no? We can decide then.”

He walked to his chair near the fireplace and picked up a longbow and potion bottle.

“This longbow was used by the elf that we fought. This potion is rare, but I don’t think we’ll have much use for it. I’m thinking of going to see Nes and selling these. Does anyone else need wares?”

Mr. Muffins opened the door to his room and disappeared inside. His voice echoed back out a moment later.

“Has anyone seen my bottle of wolf’s bile?”

“No, why would you have that?” Lyla asked, disgusted.

“Not important. No one knows where it is?” He asked again.

“I may have drunk it…” Rhokhishi answered. Leaf watched as she shuddered in her seat, like a cold chill running up her back.

“You… You drank wolf’s bile?” Myla asked.

“The last time we all drank together, I remember there being a small bottle. I thought it was a shot, but I was wrong. I just remember that it was not good.”

Mr. Muffins closed the door behind him, attaching a small sack of coins to his belt, then threw his coat on.

“I need to get more wolf’s bile, then. I’ll accompany you.”

“That’s settled, then. You have access to the tower while I’m gone. It shouldn’t be more than an hour or so. If you all leave, there will be no way back in until I return.”

Leaf pulled a pearl from one of the unlocked cabinets, placed it in his pocket, and then grabbed the potion and bow. Leaf walked out into the afternoon sun and looked around as people moved about their day. He could see white clouds in the sky lazily moving across the blue expanse, and it took him a moment to get his bearings. So much had happened in such a few days, and it was hard to see much evidence of any of it. Citizens were walking to and from homes, businesses, and jobs. Most casually went about their day-to-day tasks as if they weren’t all enchanted just two days ago.

It’s unbelievable what people will let pass to maintain functionality.

Leaf heard the door to the tower open behind him, and he looked back. Gisela flew up ten or fifteen feet into the air and moved southwest. He assumed she had said her goodbyes and would return to the carnival.

Goodbye, Gisela. He thought to himself before turning and heading to the Ghostway district with Mr. Muffins.

Twenty or so minutes later, they made their way to the front of a large two-story building, yet again, with the red door and symmetrical windows on each side. Inside Moonbright’s Magic Mixtures, they let their eyes adjust from the bright exterior to their darker space.

Inside, Leaf saw Nes towering over an elderly halfling man, gingerly placing a potion in his hand and receiving some coin into the other. He knelt, coming face to face with the man, whispered something in his ear, then stood back up. The halfling nodded.

“Thank you so very much, sir,” The halfling exclaimed.

“It is my pleasure to help those in need. Please return before the eighth of Redfall to take your next dosage. It will be a challenging month for you, I imagine.”

The halfling shook the dragonborn’s hand, smiled, and then walked past Leaf and Mr. Muffins, where he opened the door and left the shop. Nes placed the coins into a small pouch behind a counter, then turned towards them.

“Apprentice… I mean, Archmage Leaf! I must give my condolences and congratulations on the situation you have found yourself in. While the goal was always there, the unfortunate way things happen is rarely how we want them to be.”

“Thank you, Nes. I’ve come today for a few things to sell, but I need to check over some of the items first. Can I use your table in the corner, like last time, to identify these things?” Leaf asked, holding up the bow.

“Of course, Leaf. Whatever the Archmage asks for, he receives here at my humble shop. You, sir. Do you have any needs today, or are you just accompanying?”

“Actually, I need a bottle of wolf’s bile if you have it.” Mr. Muffins answered.

Nes’ long snout crinkled at the words but quickly released the tension and nodded.

“It does seem that some of the most vile things have the strangest properties. I should have some in the back still. It’s a month or so old, but that is still more than useful for any arcane needs. It’ll be five copper pieces. Let me go and get it for you.” Nes replied, then went to the back of the room, where he opened a door and passed through.

Leaf sat at the table, pulled out his pearl and spellbook, then began the ritual. His concentration took hold, and he moved through the motions like he had done many times. After eleven minutes passed, the pearl turned clear. The light around him faded as if it focused into the pearl, casting light down onto the longbow. Leaf could see the detailed work more clearly and saw that someone had made this bow proficiently. The bowyer that made this must have had some level of arcane ability as well, as runes were laid just under the placement of the bowstring, giving it a renewed strength so that someone could pull it back further without causing possible structural damage to its construction. As the pearl dimmed in light and the clear aspect returned to its usual opaque, Leaf set the item down and closed his spellbook.

Nes had already returned, made a deal with Mr. Muffins over the strange request, and had been writing in a ledger book on the counter. Leaf stood and walked over to Nes, placing the longbow and a potion before him.

“I’d like to sell these items to you, Nes. I know the bow has had some use previously, but I believe these will do well in your shop and sell for a decent price.”

Nes looked over the bow, taking a moment to see the runic markings for himself.

“It does seem to be in excellent condition. I would be able to buy this off of you for six hundred gold because I could easily sell this for more. What about this?” Nes said, gesturing towards the potion.

“I found this potion in the Archmage Tower. I assume it was made by one of the Archmages, but I’m unsure which it would have been. It is a potion designed to shrink a creature.”

“Ah, yes. I call this a Potion of Diminution. I have some similar to these here in my shop. They don’t sell often, but they do have a decent price. I can give you seventy-five gold for this.”

“That would be perfect, Nes. Thank you, as always, for your honesty and advice.”

“It was an honor to serve you as the apprentice of the Archmage, and it will be an honor to serve you as the Archmage now. If there is ever a need for my services, please do not hesitate to visit my shop and ask for wares.”

Leaf nodded, then turned to Mr. Muffins.

“Is there anything else that we need while out? Or should we head back?”

“Let’s head back. Who knows what they’ve gotten into while we’ve been gone,” He answered.