by Eden Redd
“Good to see you again, Kavan,” Durzol smiled.
“Kavan, you know my son, Durzol. Please meet my daughter, Dura.”
Dura looked up at Kavan with blank eyes. Kavan bowed to her with a small smile.
“Pleased to meet you, Dura,” Kavan said.
The orc gave the dragonkin a small nod. “Welcome to Moonvale,” Dura said without a bit of emotion.
Kavan stood up, noticing the icy chill coming off the orc.
Kogan continued, “Dura is our High Librarian here in Moonvale. She, with the help of many of our citizens, restored the town’s library to glory and knowledge.”
“The town helped with some of the reconstruction and clearing out of the rotted tomes that used to be there. I did most of the work, having books imported to our town to fill the shelves,” Dura added.
“Of course, my dear, of course,” Kogan said with fatherly affection.
Dura’s brow and gaze sharpened in mild annoyance.
“I haven’t had time recently, but I look forward to visiting the library. I know there is much to learn, especially here in Moonvale,” Kavan smiled.
Dura’s expression softened a touch. “Knowledge is greater than any sharp sword.”
Kavan nodded. “If we used knowledge and stories against our enemies, instead of blades and clubs, we would all be better for it.”
Dura blinked and a tiny smirk formed. “So, Lord Cynder, you’re not just a mercenary or thug trying to grab for glory.”
“Thugs and paid killers only contribute to war and conflict. I would rather be a gardener tending to flowers than a killer watering them in blood,” Kavan said with a slight bow of his head.
Dura’s eyes widened a hair. Durzol grinned. Mayor Sunaxe gave a gruff chuckle.
“A warrior and a scholar,” the mayor smirked.
“Where did you get that from?” Viz asked.
I read it years ago from one of my favorite series of books, The Shadow of Knights. The line always stayed with me. She gave me an unimpressed look when I first came in. I thought a different approach may be needed. Dura seems to be an intellectual and I had a feeling she might like that saying, even if she never heard it before.
“I think it worked. Her whole demeanor changed,” Viz remarked.
Dura glanced away for a moment before looking up to Kavan. “The library is open from sunup to sundown. When you stop by, we can discuss more so I can be sure you’re not just charm and scales.”
“I will make sure to take out some books as well,” Kavan said with a confident tone.
Not far away, voices began to rise. Kavan lifted his gaze from the attractive orc to the bar, where Rujin stood and Onka sat.
The goblin looked up at the troll with unfeeling eyes as Rujin waited for an answer.
“Well? Am I going to get my answer?” Rujin growled.
Onka smoothed her hands down her silky purple dress. She lifted a small green hand and took hold of her mug of ale by the handle. She lifted it to her lips, but did not drink. She looked into Rujin’s eyes and smirked.
“All I have to say is,” Onka began before turning her attention to Kazko behind the bar. “This is the best ale and tavern in the entire town.”
Rujin’s brow hardened as his eyes narrowed to practical slits.
Kazko let out a loud laugh. “Thank you, Master Breeder. That is truly high and truthful praise. When you come back again, have a drink on the tavern.”
Rujin’s hand curled into a meaty fist and he slammed it down on the bar. Everyone in the tavern stopped talking and turned their gazes to the large, heaving troll.
“Your beauty doesn’t match any of the women in town! I wasted my gift and time on you!” Rujin growled loudly.
Kazko looked at the goblin, “Lady Treeclimber, shall I escort my brother from the tavern?”
Onka smiled at Rujin. “No. I think he needs to stay and see how a real establishment is run.”
Rujin lifted his fist and slammed it so hard on the bar top, a small crack formed.
“Vile goblin!” the troll shouted.
In an instant, Kazko leapt over the bar and drove his fist into Rujin’s cheek. The sound of strong meat, muscle, and bone slamming into the troll’s hard features filled the tavern. Rujin stumbled to the side as Kazko landed on the other side of the bar. Tired sighs and eyes filled the area as everyone present took several steps back.
“Out you go, brother!” Kazko laughed before throwing a punch.
Rujin’s hand shot up and caught his brother’s fist in his open hand. The troll grinned as he rammed his other fist into Kazko’s gut. Kazko grunted before the two trolls began pummeling each other.
The front door to the tavern opened, Oaks taking one step in. The goblin saw the two brothers beating the hell out of each other and blinked.
“Not again,” the goblin said before turning and leaving the tavern entrance.
Kavan was stunned as the two, seven-foot-tall trolls fought like titans in the front section of the tavern. Rujin growled while Kazko laughed. Each punch and strike sent tiny shockwaves through the air.
Onka leapt onto the top of her stool and pumped her green fists in the air, cheering the fight on. Kavan glanced to the sides, seeing some of the townsfolk placing gold coins on tables or holding them in their hands.
A table was knocked away, along with a few chairs. Each troll traded punches and grunts, neither side giving in. The punches continued like hammers on hardwood. The exchanges grew frenetic, each brother trying to knock the other one down.
Time slowed as Kavan’s attention moved to Onka again. The goblin had a crazed look in her eyes as the brothers fought. She licked her lips as her irises were like pinpoints. She cheered on the violence as the two trolls changed from punching to grappling. The pair stumbled as they tried to overpower the other. When a boot slid and struck the stool Onka was on, the goblin’s expression changed from lustful violence to pure surprise.
Kavan was already moving. The dragonkin leapt across the short distance with his arms out. Onka teetered and fell. Kavan reached up and caught her as the brothers continued to fight. Onka looked up into Kavan’s dragon features as he turned and faced his back to the fighting trolls. Kavan looked down as she looked up to him, a spark glowing brighter between them.
Rujin grabbed Kazko by the throat and reared back his fist when he glanced to the side and saw Kavan holding Onka. Rage boiled as the troll lifted his fist and brought it down on the back of Kavan’s head, just below his horns.
Onka’s eyes widened as she saw the shift in Kavan’s demeanor. The look of concern vanished as Kavan’s slitted eyes narrowed. Heat glowed from the dragonkin as he put Onka down. The goblin watched as Kavan didn’t seem to be home anymore, his entire body low and whipping around.
Rujin smirked before his brother’s fist connected with his cheek. The troll couldn’t react as Kavan slammed his shoulder into the troll and sent him crashing to the floor.
Rujin turned onto his back and looked up at the heaving dragonkin, scaled fists at his sides. Kazko wiped away a drop of blood from under his nose, looked down at his brother and let out a sardonic laugh.
“Don’t get up,” Kavan growled.
Rujin’s smirk returned. “Or you will…” the troll never finished as Kavan planted his heel into the troll’s stomach
Rujin’s eyes widened as all the air left his lungs.
Kazko laughed louder. “Brother, stop being so stubborn! Admit it! My tavern is better than your inn!”
Kazko’s words reignited Rujin’s rage. He quickly sucked in a breath before slamming his large hands down and propelling him back to his feet. Kavan took a fighting stance when an open hand from the side slammed into Kavan’s shoulder and sent him into the bar. The dragonkin caught the edge and quickly turned, Rujin and Kazko standing before him.
“Rujin is still my brother,” Kazko smiled before turning and taking a swing at his brother.
Rujin’s head bent slightly to the side from his broth
er’s punch, but he continued to move toward Kavan with fire behind his eyes.
“Let’s make this interesting!” Rujin shouted as he grabbed Kavan's shirt.
Kavan slammed his fist into Rujin’s ribs, but it had little effect as he was pulled off his feet. The shirt ripped slightly in the troll’s grasp.
“Not the clothes!” Zellee shouted with wide eyes.
Kavan pulled back his fist and slammed it three times into Rujin’s face. The troll grinned as blood spilled from his nose before whipping his body around and throwing the dragonkin.
Kavan flew a short distance before his back slammed into the tavern door. He landed on his feet, but before he could move, Rujin charged with his brother on his back, punching at his head.
“Shit,” Kavan whispered before crossing his arms.
The front door to the Shouting Troll slammed open and shuddered from the impact as three figures spilled out onto the wet, cobblestone street. Kazko laughed like a mad troll, punching his brother in the head. Rujin reached around and grabbed his brother. With a heave, he spun his upper body and threw his brother to the street. Kazko bounced once before turning his body and landing on his hands and feet. The troll licked the blood from his split lip as he eyed Rujin like a viper ready to strike.
Rujin ignored Kazko, turning his fury on Kavan when the dragonkin was already to him. Kavan threw a chop to the side of the troll's neck and drove his knee into Rujin’s stomach. The troll let out a grunt as he stumbled back. Kavan pressed his attack, slamming a fist and another into Rujin’s stomach. Rujin grunted and took a swing. Kavan ducked low, raised his knee to his chest and slammed his heel into the troll’s knee.
The knee gave out and Rujin crashed onto the ground.
Kavan stood at the ready when large, blue hands grabbed him from behind, lifted him up and threw him. The dragonkin righted his body in midair and landed on his feet about ten feet away.
Kavan’s slitted eyes cooled as he saw Kazko rush to his fallen brother.
“Rujin!” Kazko shouted.
The troll groaned in pain before looking up to his brother. “I’m… I’m fine.”
Rujin then lifted his head and looked at Kavan a small distance away. “You fought well.”
Kavan nodded. “As did you.”
Everyone inside the tavern spilled out into the street. Most looked at the two trolls and dragonkin with wide eyes. The mayor cut through the small crowd, crossing the distance and standing over the brothers.
“These fights have to stop! This is not how we behave in a civilized…” the mayor was cut off.
A terrible shriek filled the night air.
Everyone looked up to the black sky with a few drifting clouds. Kavan stood straighter, looking up and listening to see where the shriek came from.
A cold breeze flowed through town for a small moment. The gathered townsfolk held their collective breaths as everyone waited.
Kavan turned his head and another shriek filled the night. In a blink, the dragonkin caught sight of a large shadow, leaping from the top of one building to another in the distance. Glowing white eyes filled its strange head before its shriek echoed down.
As quickly as it came, the shadow leapt over to another rooftop and was gone.
Mayor Sunaxe looked at the dragonkin. “Lord Cynder, did you see it?”
Kavan shook his head. “I saw a shadow, with white glowing eyes.”
Mayor Sunaxe nodded and turned to everyone gathered. “For your safety, everyone inside!”
The crowd listened, turned and rushed back into the tavern. Kazko helped Rujin up onto his feet. Kavan bolted forward and took Rujin’s other arm over his shoulder.
Onka stood her ground, watching Kavan and Kazko help Rujin toward the tavern. The goblin kept her gaze on the dragonkin, her heart confused and beating like a drum.
Eight
The air inside the Shouting Troll was warm, even if nerves were fried and the mood somber. The moment the door closed, the tension eased a drop. Kavan and Kazko helped Rujin to a comfortable seat and set him down. The troll sat down and flexed his leg, the pain ebbing away from his knee.
Most gazes in the room turned to the older orc. Mayor Sunaxe stood with his back to the door, his small, pointed green ears listening. The moment crawled by in silence. When enough time had passed, the mayor let out a relaxed sigh.
“I don’t hear any screeches anymore. Hopefully it is gone. However, this doesn’t mean the danger has passed.”
Shegga lifted her small snout up toward the mayor, “Something must be done! We are so far on the edge of civilization, it’s only a matter of time before more and more wild monsters come this way! The walls can only protect us so much!”
Tezzi nodded. “Shegga is right. My travels from town to city have had a few close encounters with larger monsters. The wilds around here grow more and more unsafe. The roads are as dangerous as ever, between the ferals, the undead and giant monsters.
“If we want to increase the population of Moonvale, we have to have something that attracts more people here. A museum would be a perfect attraction for others.”
Mayor Sunaxe closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. “Tezzi, now is not the time for that. We have to focus on the town’s safety before we can discuss any other projects.”
Hynrik stood toward the back of the crowd, raised up on his spider legs to see over everyone. His arms were crossed and he closed his eyes.
“You have dragged your feet on hiring anyone to become town magistrate for some time. I can understand why no one here wants such a dangerous job. Fighting monsters can end your life in a moment. Most here are shopkeepers and farmers.
“Mayor, aside from you and I, no one here has any kind of training for such a dangerous position. The longer we go without a protector, the more of us may leave. We don’t know if that monster is simply passing through or actively hunting us. All it will take is for one of us to die for many of us see that as the last straw. Do we really have to put our lives on the line for you to make a real decision?”
Kavan watched the back and forth. He watched the crowd as some nodded and fear colored the edges of their eyes. The weight of needful change filled the tavern. The town needed something to give them hope and a reason to stay.
They are all so afraid and worried. I don’t blame them. It’s hard to feel at home with the constant threat of monsters and ferals.
Kavan looked to the mayor. The older orc rubbed at his temple, exhaustion clearly in his eyes. Kavan looked to the side, seeing Durzol and Dura watching their father with deep, loving concern.
Hynrik opened his eyes and a small smirk formed. “Clearly, our mayor is out of his depth. I believe we should have an emergency election and I nominate myself for Mayor of Moonvale.
“I can contact some of my old war brothers and sisters and entice them to settle here. We can form a defense corps to protect our home. We can channel gold to projects and make Moonvale greater than Loduss or any of the spire cities!”
Heads and bodies turned to the arachnix as he stood tall on his spider legs. The air grew still as the information sank into present minds.
Kavan glanced at Mayor Sunaxe, a small look of defeat filling his eyes.
Hynrik parted his lips, ready to press his advantage when a voice by the bar interrupted him.
“Mayor,” Kavan said with a raised tone.
Everyone turned their attention to the dragonkin as he stood by Rujin and Kazko.
Kavan kept his gaze purely on the mayor as he continued, “I considered your proposal and I accept your offer as Town Magistrate.”
Eyes widened, some jaws dropped and a few smiles bloomed. Hynrik’s gaze sharpened into daggers. Onka grinned, the goblin jumping a foot straight into the air and pumping her fist.
Mayor Sunaxe’s features softened in relief.
Kazko put a large blue hand on Kavan’s shoulder. “I support the mayor’s choice for magistrate. Lord Cynder is strong. I believe he can protect us.”
&nb
sp; “I second it,” Rujin nodded from his seat.
“Third!” Zellee said with her hands clutched together before her chin.
“Fourth!” Onka said and whirled around on her heels, faced the arachnix and stabbed a finger in his direction, “Hynrik, you’ve had a long time to call in friends to defend our town! We shouldn’t have to be held hostage before anything can be done! Besides that, no one here has ever heard you volunteer to protect us or hunt monsters. If you’re such a war veteran, you should have been the first to hunt down those ferals!”
Hynrik’s dark eyes filled with contained rage. “I feed our town! Should I do everything? If so, I should be mayor!”
Mayor Sunaxe lifted his chest, a new confidence in his eyes. “Now is not the time to bicker and argue. Now is the time to take steps towards a brighter future. Lord Cynder, thank you for accepting my offer as Magistrate. Tomorrow, we can make it official.”
Many heads nodded in agreement.
Kavan glanced around to see many relieved eyes. Durzol grinned and nodded in Kavan’s direction. Dura’s eyes were wide with relief. When she caught Kavan looking at her, she blinked and looked away.
Hynrik let out a long, annoyed exhale and marched through the tavern. Bodies parted to his size. The arachnix approached the mayor and towered over him.
“Your choice as magistrate is laughable, as is this town. You would rather take a chance with a stranger than anyone who has worked and bled for this town?”
Kavan spoke up, “I already stopped some undead from reaching the town. You’re welcome by the way.”
Hynrik closed his eyes. “When this folly fails, I will be the one to pick up the pieces.”
The arachnix opened his eyes and stepped closer to the mayor. “Out of my way. I’m leaving.”
Mayor Sunaxe shook his head. “We don’t truly know the danger has passed.”
Hynrik sneered. “Isn’t that a problem for our new magistrate? He can protect all of us. Now, out of my way.”
The mayor stepped to the side. The arachnix stepped to the door, lowered his body and crawled out into the street. He didn’t bother to look back as the door closed behind him.
