Hounds Rising

The rain came in the afternoon, and Rhokhishi found herself mainly in the quiet atmosphere of the main hall of the Archmage Tower. She sat in one of the chairs near the fireplace and faced it to where the heat was in front of her on her left, and a window had appeared to its right. She watched the droplets fall from the sky in her dried space and let the warmth ease her with fire and wine. People moved back and forth from their homes, businesses, and trades, and she watched them, studying their movements and actions, as the clouds poured onto the cobblestone paths of the Iredale District. Carriages would pass by with mud covering their wheels, and she would wonder what kind of people would be in them.

Though so much had happened in the few weeks they had arrived in Moonbright, she found herself comfortable in her space. There was no show to practice for. There were no worries of a lack of food or drink. While she spent some mornings training to keep her discipline, she was content. There was a slight guilt in her chest and stomach as she remembered where she had come from and what she left behind.

Rhokhishi watched as two cloaked figures walked from Haron’s Castle and made their way closer and closer to the Archmage Tower. They moved with purpose, and after a minute or so, they made their way to the front door. The closest one to the door let down their cloak, and she recognized the man. Darion opened the door and carefully moved to gesture his acquaintance into the tower.

The second person walked slowly, using a gnarled, wooden staff to keep composure. They stepped in, placed the staff against the wall next to the door, and removed their cloak. He was a more petite, older man, a genasi with a frail frame and cerulean skin. He wore a white tunic and black pants, and Rhokhishi noticed that the laces on his boots were intentionally taken off, and three small belt buckles kept them tight on his feet. The man held the cloak out, which Darion took and placed on a hook on the wall, then took his hand and was carefully brought over to the circular table. The genasi took a satchel off and put it on the table, and Darion helped him to his seat.

Rhokhishi watched quietly, but it seemed that the man could still sense her presence as his completely whitened eyes looked over in her direction. She realized that the man was blind. She stood and walked over to the table, taking a seat for herself, and he nodded with a slight smile as she made herself comfortable. Darion walked away and reached for the bell situated next to the staircase. He rang it twice, echoing up through the tower, making notice to those there that the company had arrived.

“Hello, elder. May I offer you some food or drink?” She offered him.

“Yes, please. I can smell that you are partaking in wine. If it’s not too much of a bother, I would quite like to warm these old bones of mine,” He smiled politely as he answered.

“Of course. Red or white?”

“Ah… Surprise me. I care less about color and more about taste. I’m sure you can understand why,” He pointed to his face, gesturing at his blindness.

Rhokhishi sensed that he was likable, and the gesture was most likely to move any awkwardness away from the apparent thoughts she already had about his sight. She stood and walked over to the drink cart, made him a glass of red wine, poured just a little more than what would be considered polite, and brought it to him.

She moved back to her seat, and the man slowly walked his fingers across the table until they made contact with the glass. He lifted it to his nose, inhaling the aroma, before sipping. He smiled again, pleased with her choice, then sat it back on the table.

It didn’t take long for others to arrive. Leaf made his way down the stairs and found his seat across from their guest, and soon after, the twins came out from their room, taking seats across from Rhokhishi. Darion sat beside the man, coffee already in his hand, and watched. Leaf was the first to speak once everyone was settled.

“Hello, Runesmith.”

“Good afternoon, Master Leaf. I’m sorry for your recent loss, but congratulations are also needed here. From student to Archmage in such short years. I remember well the days in which you would arrive at my shop in Berkton, picking out various materials and components needed for your studies at the academy.”

“Yes, sir. Not many years have passed, but I have been blessed with the ones I have.”

The Runesmith raised his glass carefully, making a slight toast across the table to Leaf, then took another sip.

“Where are my manners, though? Must have gone with my age. Hello to the rest of you sitting here,” The Runesmith gestured outwardly.

“Hello.”

“Hi.”

“Hiya.”

“Though many call me The Runesmith due to my job and store in Berkton, my name is Sky. I have been running my shop for the last sixty years, buying and selling various goods that can be used for arcane purposes for any mage or wizard who is looking. I heard you all had come into possession of a dragon’s heart from Dean Walker, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to make an offer for it.”

“My compatriots and I harvested it from a young sapphire dragon. It is preserved to what level is possible for its size but has been away from its body for almost a week, giving plenty of time for it to be of use,” Leaf explained.

“I agree. Though the decomposition of a dragon’s heart is quick, there should be more than enough time for others to find it of use, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve in case I need just a little more time,” Sky replied.

The room grew silent for a moment. Rhokhishi wasn’t sure if she should speak up either or if it made more sense for them to keep talking. They knew each other, so that should go well, and others getting involved in the conversation could ruin the chance of making more coin than expected. She waited, and then Leaf spoke again.

“What do you have to bargain with?”

Sky opened his satchel and reached in. He pulled out a large and heavy pouch, which made a loud thunking noise as it made contact with the table. Then, he reached in and grabbed another item.

The container he brought out was no bigger than Rhokhishi’s hand. It was a glass jar with a black lid containing some black slime or goo. Her curiosity peaked, causing her to sit forward as Sky continued.

“I have two offers for you today, Master Leaf. The first is one thousand platinum pieces.

“One thousand?” Lyla choked as she spoke. “That’s-”

“Ten thousand gold,” Myla finished her sister’s sentence.

“Yes, but I also have this,” He said as he patted the lid of the container.

“And, what is that?” Leaf asked him.

“Well…”

Sky unscrewed the lid from the container and reached in. The goo shook slightly as his fingers touched the contents, then rose and covered his hand, moving up to his elbow before stopping. As he pulled the item out, Rhokhishi watched as it shifted, returning up his hand and turning into a dagger with a blue handle and black blade. Sky moved it from his hand to the other, tossing the knife over, and the dagger shifted into a small bird, which landed on his finger. Rhokhishi’s eyes opened wide in shock, watching the thing change without any verbal command.

“It can essentially be whatever you want it to be. This creature must bond with its wielder, but in time, it will understand and replicate what you need it to be. Well, at least a facsimile of what you need.”

“That’s spectacular!” Darion clapped his hands as if seeing some childish magic trick.

“You do have to feed it, just like a pet, and I only keep it in a container when traveling to ensure it’s safe.”

“What is it exactly?” Leaf questioned further.

“To be completely honest, I’m not entirely sure. I bought it a few months ago from one of my various sellers, and he claims it’s the first of its kind. A creature known for transmutation already, enhanced by magic. It couldn’t take its original form anymore, but it seems more than content to shift and change as needed. I bought this for two thousand platinum, but I believe it would also be a fair trade for the dragon heart.”

Rhokhishi watched silently as Sky placed the bird inside the container and closed the lid, which then shifted back into the black goo she had seen previously. The rest of the party sat back in silence as well. She looked over at Leaf, who stood up.

“I think I would like to talk to my partners here before deciding. Would you excuse us for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Rhokhishi stood up, along with the twins, and they followed Leaf over to the fireplace. He waved his hand, and she noticed immediately that the sounds around them disappeared. She reached out her hand and could feel an invisible barrier surrounding them.

“I just wanted a quiet moment to talk,” Leaf answered her unspoken question. “What do you all think?”

“Both options are good. Coin is always useful, but the other could also prove useful,” Rhokhishi stated.

“Maybe we should double-check with the others, though?” Myla pondered.

“Good idea,” Lyla nodded to her sister.

Rhokhishi waited with Leaf momentarily as the twins walked out of the barrier and approached Mr. Muffins and Ana’s rooms. Lyla knocked on Mr. Muffins’ door, to no response. Myla knocked, then stepped into Ana’s room for a moment before coming back out. They walked back over and made their way into the barrier again.

“No answer,” Lyla shrugged.

“Ana seems okay with us making the decision,” Myla finished.

“Well, let’s weigh the options,” Leaf thought aloud.

“I know Myla usually needs coin,” Lyla looked over to her sister.

“Well, the coin is infinitely needed, but I think I have enough for my dues for now,” Myla looked down at her pant line.

She pulled her waistband away from her skin, and Rhokhishi could see a small coin pouch just inside, hidden from view. While unsure why she felt the need to hide it that way, she saw Myla immediately close her coin pouch and hide it away. Myla blinked a few times as if checking something internally, then spoke again.

“I think the more important thing is to decide which makes more sense?” She looked over at her sister.

“What do you think, Archmage?” Lyla asked Leaf.

“I mean… Coin is always useful. Components for spells can get expensive, but a creature?”

“Coin is the easier guarantee. The creature has unseen potential. My purse is never enough, but either way is fine by me.”

“Do we want to ask Darion? Get his opinion?” Lyla asked the group.

Leaf nodded. Lyla turned toward Darion, and a moment later, he rose from his chair and walked over.

“Can I be of assistance?”

“Well, with your knowledge and expertise, what do you think of this deal?” She asked him.

“Coin is nice, but I’ve never been one to be out of it. I am not trying to boast, but I am paid well. On the other hand, this creature is odd but might be useful. I think the part that matters most here is connections. If you took the creature and later came by Berkton and saw The Runesmith, he would know the care you took. An ally is an ally. Also, in the worst-case scenario that you all need coin, I’m sure he would repurchase it for a hefty price, making coin the answer later.”

“You’re right,” Leaf stated. “Let’s vote?”

“I’m in.”

“Yeah.”

“I agree with my sister.”

“Well, that settles it! Let’s shake hands and make a deal!” Darion clapped his hands, and Rhokhishi watched as the almost imperceptible barrier shimmered and faded away.

Rhokhishi walked back over to the table with everyone. They sat back down, and she saw The Runesmith smiling, patiently waiting for someone to speak up.

“I believe we are all in agreement that while coin would be the easier answer, we would like the creature,” Leaf declared.

“Very well then! It seems like a deal has been made. Darion told me he could send the dragon heart to me today, and I trust him to do so,” Sky replied.

The Runesmith stood shakily, and Darion helped him place his coin pouch back into his satchel. Slowly, he went to the door, put his cloak back on, and grabbed his staff from the wall. He turned around toward the party as Darion opened the door.

“It has been a pleasure meeting you all, and it was wonderful getting to see you again, Archmage. Stop by and say hello if you are ever in the city.”

With a smile and a wave, Darion escorted him back into the cloudy afternoon. Rhokhishi could see that the rain had finally stopped. Next to her, on the table, the creature sat in the jar, motionless.

“I have more work to do today, so I will see you all at dinner,” Leaf uttered, turning and making his way up the stairs.

“That seems like all the fun we’re gonna have today,” Lyla mentioned, grabbing a pastry from a plate at the center of the table.

“I have some work to do as well. Would you mind looking after this creature, for now, Rhokhishi?” Myla requested her.

“Of course.”

She stared down at it, curious as to what it was, how it ate, and what to do with it. She stood up and grabbed the wine again, pouring herself another glass. The room went silent again. She walked up to the container, picked it up carefully, and brought it to her face.

“Do you want to watch the people with me?”