The party gathered just outside the shop, the noise of the marketplace a stark contrast to the quiet, focused atmosphere they had just left behind. Thane was the first to speak, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. “I still don’t like it. She’s never processed a grathok, and we’re supposed to trust her?”
Elora, her voice quieter but steady, spoke up. “We don’t have many choices. And she didn’t push her beliefs on us, which tells me she’s focused on the work. That’s what we need—someone with skill, not dogma.”
Thane grumbled, rubbing his beard. “Still feels like we’re being led along. Saren this, magical that—who knows if we’ll get back the creature intact.”
Lira placed a hand on Thane’s shoulder. “It’s a risk. But it’s a calculated one. Let’s wait for Saren to see what he has to say. If it doesn’t feel right, we’ll figure something else out.”
Tako, who had been standing quietly, finally spoke. “Tako not sure. Too much talk, not enough action. But Tako wait.”
The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their decision heavy. After a moment, Zerai sighed, throwing up her hands. “Alright, let’s give it a chance. We’ve got some time to kill anyway.”
The market was alive with the colors and sounds of Kaethar. Sunlight dappled through the canopies stretched above the stalls, casting soft shadows on the cobblestone streets. The scents of roasting meats, fresh herbs, and exotic spices filled the air. Lira and Elora walked side by side, weaving through the bustling crowd. Elora, as always, was captivated by the array of curiosities on display while Lira kept her eyes sharp, scanning for anything suspicious.
They paused at a stall overflowing with potted plants—herbs and flowering vines arranged in a tangled yet deliberate display. Elora crouched down, inspecting one of the plants closely, her fingers gently brushing over the delicate leaves. “Look at this,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “What do you think this one does?”
Lira raised an eyebrow, glancing at the plant. “Looks like a weed to me.”
Elora chuckled. “No, no, I’ve seen this one in a book before. It’s supposed to be some sort of… spiceweed, I think?”
Lira looked at Elora inquisitively. “A spiceweed?”
Elora blushed a little. “A spiceweed. You know, like an aphrodisiac?”
Lira’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she playfully swatted Elora on the arm. “A lustleaf! You want to give that to Tako?”
Elora grinned mischievously. “Tako’s all bear. I doubt he’d need it.”
Lira shook her head, unable to hide her amusement. “Elora, he’s literally a bear. I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“Oh, you never know,” Elora teased, plucking a small leaf from the plant and holding it up for inspection. “He might appreciate it. After all, he’s all about natural things, right? Might help him find a ‘special someone’ in the woods.”
Lira crossed her arms, her tone still light but with an edge of warning. “You start giving Tako weird plants, and I’ll make sure Zerai knows it was your idea.”
Elora laughed, tossing the leaf back into the plant’s pot. “Fine, fine. I wouldn’t want to confuse the poor guy. Besides, I’m not sure we want to deal with a more… excitable bear version of Tako.”
Lira chuckled, but her gaze shifted back to the crowd. “Speaking of being excitable, we should keep moving. I don’t trust how crowded it’s getting. Feels like someone’s keeping an eye on us.”
Elora stood, brushing her hands on her cloak. “You’re always so cautious. Maybe you’re the one who needs the spiceweed.”
Lira smirked, nudging her companion as they moved away from the stall. “No need for that, thanks. I’ll settle for keeping us alive instead.”
They walked together, the tension between them easing with each step. But Lira’s eyes remained sharp, catching flickers of movement at the edges of her vision. She had noticed the same shadow more than once now—a figure slipping between stalls, just out of sight, always one step behind them.
Elora seemed oblivious to it, her curiosity still piqued by the market’s strange and wonderful offerings. She continued to comment on the oddities they passed, from glittering stones to peculiar jars filled with unknown substances. But Lira’s attention was divided, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she kept an eye on their surroundings.
“I think we’ve picked up a tail,” Lira muttered under her breath, her tone casual, as if she were commenting on one of the trinkets they passed.
Elora blinked, finally tearing her gaze away from the market to glance at Lira. “What? Really?”
Lira nodded subtly. “Don’t turn around. Just keep walking. We’ll lose them in the crowd if we don’t make it obvious.”
Elora’s fingers twitched toward another nearby plant, her movements slower now, more deliberate. “Do you think it’s someone from the thieves’ guild? Could it be about that signet ring?”
“Maybe,” Lira replied, her voice steady. “Just stay calm. Let’s find a good place to slip away.”
They continued moving through the market, their conversation flowing as if nothing was amiss, but the light-heartedness from earlier had faded. Lira’s eyes scanned for an escape route while Elora played along, chatting idly about the plants and potions she pretended to be interested in.
Zerai and Thane entered the armory with a sense of purpose. The air inside was heavy with the scent of steel and leather. The clang of a hammer striking metal rang out from the back, where the blacksmith worked tirelessly on a new creation. Weapons of all shapes and sizes lined the walls, and the light from the forge bathed everything in a warm, flickering glow.
Thane immediately made his way to the larger weapons, his eyes gleaming as he picked up a massive warhammer. “Now this… this is a proper weapon,” he said, swinging it experimentally. “Feel the balance on this thing!”
Zerai crossed her arms, smirking as she watched him. “You’ve already got a hammer, Thane. What do you need another one for?”
“A dwarf can never have too many hammers,” Thane replied, setting the hammer down with a grunt. “Besides, this one’s got better weight. Could crush a gnoll’s skull in one swing.”
Zerai raised an eyebrow. “You planning to collect hammers the way Elora collects weird trinkets?”
Thane shrugged, moving on to a rack of axes. “Better to be prepared. You never know when you’ll need a spare.”
Zerai snickered and turned her attention to a display of daggers, her fingers lightly brushing over the hilts. “Personally, I prefer something a little more… subtle.”
Thane glanced over, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Subtle, eh? Like the way you got us into that mess with the highwaymen?”
Zerai shot him a mock glare. “Hey, that was all part of the plan.”
“Plan to get us killed, maybe.”
“I got us out, didn’t I?”
“After Tako turned into a bear and tore the leader apart, sure.”
Zerai grinned. “Well, you’ve got to admit, that was a pretty impressive save.”
Thane chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up a throwing axe. “Aye, it was. Though I’m not sure we should be counting on Tako to save our hides every time.”
Zerai looked thoughtful as she twirled a dagger in her hand. “True. But then again, with a guy like that around, maybe we should just sit back and let him handle the heavy lifting.”
While his companions explored the shops, Tako wandered through the winding streets of Kaethar with his usual slow, deliberate pace. The city was alive with sounds and sights he had never seen. His massive frame moved through the crowd like a boulder through a stream, the people parting around him, though many threw curious glances his way.
Tako didn’t mind the attention. He was used to being stared at—whether in a village, a city, or the wilds. His size and appearance often drew looks, but he had long since stopped worrying about it. He had something else on his mind today.
He paused in front of a small stall where a merchant was roasting nuts over an open flame, the scent of warm chestnuts filling the air. The vendor, a wiry man with a patchy beard, glanced up at him nervously. “Care for some, sir? Freshly roasted.”
Tako sniffed the air and nodded slowly. “Tako like,” he said in his usual deep, rumbling voice.
The vendor hesitated, unsure of how much to offer someone of Tako’s size. “Uh… how many would you like?”
Tako held up two fingers, mimicking the number he had seen his companions use when buying food. The vendor quickly scooped a small handful of nuts into a bag and handed it over. Tako gave him a nod of thanks, tossed a couple of coins on the counter, and moved on.
As he walked, he chewed thoughtfully on the chestnuts, his gaze wandering over the rooftops and tall buildings of Kaethar. This city was different from the wilds he was used to—louder, more crowded—but it felt like a forest in some ways. The people moved in currents, like streams, and the buildings rose like trees. Tako liked it here. There was order in the chaos.
His wandering eventually led him to a wide plaza with a fountain in the center, its water sparkling in the sunlight. Tako knelt by the edge of the fountain, dipping his large hand into the cool water. He watched the ripples spread, his expression calm.
“Tako like,” he murmured to himself, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Nearby, a group of children were playing with a small wooden ball, their laughter ringing through the air. Tako watched them for a moment, his gaze softening. The sight of them reminded him of the cubs he used to watch over in the forests. Life here wasn’t so different from the wilds, after all.
Suddenly, something caught his attention—a flicker of movement at the edge of his vision. He turned his head slightly, but whatever it was had already disappeared into the crowd. Tako frowned, his brow furrowing. He wasn’t sure what he had seen, but his instincts told him it wasn’t nothing.
He debated whether to follow the movement for a moment, but then he shook his head. “Tako walk,” he muttered, deciding to continue his exploration.
As he moved deeper into the city, he passed by tall buildings with carved facades, open market stalls filled with strange wares, and people of all sorts hurrying about their business. It was a world unfamiliar to him, but he was curious to learn more.
Unbeknownst to Tako, a shadow followed him from a distance, slipping through the crowd like a predator stalking its prey.
Everyone gathered back at Varna’s Mystic Meats, the unease from earlier lingering in the air. When they entered, the shop was just as pristine as before, but there was an air of anticipation this time. Varna stood behind the counter, her hands folded, and beside her was a man who could only be her brother, Saren.
Saren was tall, with sharp, eager eyes and a grin that stretched almost too wide. His hair was streaked with the same silver as his sister’s, though his attire was more casual—stained from years of working with magical creatures. His excitement was palpable as he introduced himself.
“So, you’re the ones bringing me a grathok! I’ve been looking forward to this all morning,” Saren said, his voice buzzing with energy. “You’ve got no idea how rare this is!”
Thane, always direct, cut through the pleasantries. “And what’s it going to cost us?”
Saren’s grin didn’t falter as he shrugged. “Best I can do is five thousand gold pieces. And it’ll take one, maybe two months. Half up front, of course, and the rest upon delivery.”
Thane’s face twisted in outrage. “Five thousand? Two months? We’d have gotten better treatment from those highwaymen on the road!”
Saren, still smiling, nodded as if Thane’s outburst was completely expected. “I understand it’s a hefty price. But this isn’t a regular animal, is it? A creature like this requires specialized care.”
Lira, always the voice of reason, stepped in. “Thane, this is a creature of unknown qualities. It’s going to require more than just the usual techniques. A bear the size of Tako would take a couple of weeks alone, and this beast… well, we don’t even know what it’s made of.”
Tako let out a small, uncertain whimper at the mention of his name. Zerai quickly hugged his leg and patted him. “Don’t worry, Tako, we’d never do that to you.”
Saren nodded, his grin fading slightly as he moved into a more serious explanation. “Just the basics: we’re talking about processing the meat, skinning the hide—carefully because it’s infused with stone—and tanning and preparation for magical treatment. Then there’s the heart extraction, which is tricky because we don’t know what its internal organs might do.”
Thane snorted. “It’s dead. What danger could its organs possibly present?”
Saren’s grin returned, broader than ever. “Have you ever tried removing the stinger from a giant wasp? Or a dragon’s iturra?”
Elora, caught off guard, blinked. “What’s iturra?”
Saren leaned in with 3a wicked grin. “Nothing, what’s iturra you?”
Varna groaned from behind the counter, visibly cringing at her brother’s joke. “Please, excuse my brother. There’s a reason he works with dead things.”
Despite the tension, a few of them chuckled, though Thane was still fuming. “We don’t have that kind of time or money. What we really need is the heart of the beast. Can you do just that?”
Saren’s grin faded into a more thoughtful expression. “The heart, huh? Well, we could try. If it even has a heart.”
Zerai nearly shouted. “What do you mean ‘if it even has a heart?’ Of course, it has a heart! Everything does!”
Lira shook her head. “Not everything.”
Varna and Saren exchanged a glance, and for a moment, they spoke in rapid, harsh tones in a language unknown to the party. The syllables were guttural, almost aggressive, though their body language remained calm.
Finally, Saren turned back to the group. “Since we don’t know what’s inside this thing, we’re going to take it slowly. I’m confident I can extract the heart by the end of the day. After that, we’ll take our time to process the rest. It’s not often you get a grathok in the shop—this is an opportunity we can’t pass up. In exchange for the heart, we’ll process the rest and keep 20% of the parts for ourselves. That’s fair, isn’t it?”
Zerai, still fuming from earlier, poked one of the grathok’s massive eyes. “What about the eyes? I want one. It’s still warm. I think it would make a neat nightlight.”
Varna, unfazed, nodded. “Alright. You get one, we get the other.”
The party huddled together for a brief discussion. After a few quiet moments, they nodded in agreement.
Lira, ever practical, asked, “How will we know when it’s ready?”
Varna pulled out a small, round stone, flat and smooth, with a glowing center. “This will let you know. When the heart is ready, the stone will pulse.”
Zerai’s hand shot out. “Dibs!” she said, palming the stone with a grin.
Before anyone could react, she produced the artifact that had brought them to Kaethar in the first place. “And what about this?” she asked. “Do you know anyone who could tell us more about it?”
Saren, still smiling, nodded. “There’s a wizard in the city. Name’s Malakar Revaine. He’s got a tower near the city center. If anyone knows about strange artifacts, it’s him.”
The group exchanged glances once more, ready to move on to the next leg of their journey.
The streets of Kaethar bustled with life as the party made their way towards the tower. The warm sun bathed the cobbled streets, casting long shadows as the market hummed with activity. Merchants called out from their stalls, selling everything from exotic spices to handcrafted jewelry. A vendor with colorful scarves fluttering in the breeze nearly collided with a group of children running through the streets, their laughter mingling with the clang of a blacksmith hammering nearby.
The air was filled with a mix of scents—freshly baked bread, sizzling meat on skewers, and the sharp tang of herbal tonics sold by old apothecaries hunched over their stalls. Elora’s eyes darted from one shop to the next, her fingers lightly brushing over objects as they passed. She found herself fascinated by the sheer variety of things she’d never seen before—curious instruments, odd trinkets, and brightly colored glass vials filled with bubbling liquids of unknown origin. Meanwhile, Lira kept a careful watch, her sharp gaze scanning the crowd, noting the subtle movements of street performers and potential pickpockets alike.
They passed through a section of town where the shops grew quieter, more refined. The buildings became taller, more ornate, and the hustle of the market softened into murmured conversations. Zerai pointed out a tailor’s shop, its window display showing off finely embroidered robes with shimmering threads. Ever the pragmatist, Thane scoffed at the price tags clearly designed for wealthier clientele.
Finally, the tower of Malakar Revaine loomed before them. It rose tall and imposing, its stone walls etched with ancient symbols that shimmered faintly in the daylight. The tower’s ground floor was unique—large sections of the walls were missing, creating a wide, open thoroughfare beneath the structure. Yet, strangely, no one passed through. The area surrounding the base was devoid of the usual foot traffic as if an invisible boundary kept the citizens of Kaethar at a respectful distance.
The tower’s architecture was both imposing and elegant, its stonework impossibly smooth, as though it had been carved by magic rather than by hand. Thick and twisted vines clung to the sides, but instead of being wild, they seemed deliberately placed, almost ornamental. The open ground level had arches where walls should have been, allowing for a view into the dim interior, yet the space beyond those arches was strangely quiet.
As they approached, the silence deepened, with only the distant sound of the marketplace behind them. Lira stepped forward, calling out into the empty space. “Malakar Revaine? We were sent to speak with you!”
No answer came.
The party stepped cautiously into the open ground floor, peering into the cool, dim interior. Inside, the tower was a round room, lined from floor to ceiling with towering bookshelves that groaned under the weight of ancient tomes and scrolls. The books were arranged haphazardly, some leaning precariously, while others seemed untouched for decades. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and old leather.
In the center of the room lay a circular rug, about ten feet in diameter, with intricate concentric circles woven into it. The pattern seemed to shift under their gaze, the design pulling them inward as though the rug held some hidden meaning. Elora bent down slightly, her fingers brushing over the fabric, only to notice that the exact same pattern was etched into the ceiling above them, giving the room an eerie sense of symmetry.
Tako wandered to a large, ornate mirror leaning against one of the shelves. As he peered into it, he let out a low chuckle. The reflection that stared back at him was that of a massive bear standing on two legs, its dark fur blending seamlessly with Tako’s form.
“Tako Bear,” he said, amused, running a hand through his hair as he chuckled again.
Elora walked around him, taking in the reflection with a smirk. “Yeah, Tako Bear, alright,” she said, half distracted by the strange room and half fascinated by the mirror’s enchantment.
At the far end of the room, there were two sets of stairs, one spiraling upward, the other leading downward. At the end of each set of stairs stood a heavy wooden door, each fitted with iron locks. Thane approached one of the doors and knocked hard, the sound echoing through the chamber.
No answer.
Zerai joined him, knocking on the other door. “Anyone home?” she called, but again, silence was her only reply.
“Maybe we should wait,” Lira suggested, glancing around the room. “He might be out and could return at any moment.”
“Wait?” Thane grumbled. “We didn’t come here to sit around like invited guests. If he’s not here, we should move on.”
Zerai raised an eyebrow. “And just walk out after coming all this way? That seems rude. Besides, wizards are always up to something weird. He’s probably listening to us right now.”
As they debated their next move, a faint voice interrupted them. “Hello?”
The party froze, exchanging looks of confusion.
“Shh!” Lira hissed, her hand raised for silence.
“What?!” Zerai whispered harshly, eyes darting around.
“I mean it. Be quiet,” Lira whispered again.
The voice echoed once more. “Helloooo?”
Thane cleared his throat. “Hello, stranger.”
“Hello!” the voice rang out, this time with more enthusiasm.
Thane furrowed his brow. “Who are you?”
“WHERE are you?!” Zerai interrupted, spinning in place, her eyes scanning the room.
“Over here,” the disembodied voice called out, followed by three sharp knocks.
The group turned in unison, trying to pinpoint the sound. It echoed through the room again, another set of knocks.
“Sounds like it’s coming from that chest,” Thane said, pointing to a medium-sized wooden chest near one of the bookshelves. It was about two feet wide, with brass fittings and a lock that didn’t have a keyhole.
Thane approached cautiously and gave it a light kick. “Is that you in there?”
“Oh, yes. Please don’t do that,” the voice whined from inside the chest.
Elora’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I,” the voice replied. “Can you please let me out?”
Lira scratched her head, then quipped, “We’ve got a talking box. That’s… new.”
If this pulled you in, a rating or review on Royal Road helps the story get in front of more readers:
Read Chapter 10:
Nothing Stays Simple
Once you’re caught up, head over to Patreon
to vote for the direction of the next installment.
Always free to read. Always free to vote
Discover more from Harvey Moreno
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
