by Demetri Grim
“Yea, very funny.” She crossed her arms, not wanting to admit she was in fact feeling much better. Brown had been right— Red did come back and took care of her. Not in the way she expected, but now she had no reason not to work. Even if the monsters all seemed out to get her for no other reason than because they were bored and needed a good laugh. Beka huffed and shot Brown her best glare. He put up his hands defensively before snorting at her with a lopsided toothy grin on his long muzzle. He set his face back down on the stone.“You all are horrible.” She grumbled.
“So you going to work today or what?” He winked at her again. She sighed, the tension draining at last from her body. Despite the very rough, and painful start, this may actually not be so bad. This definitely was going to be one hell of a story to tell Lizzy if she survived the job to the end. She tapped her chisel on her chin, regarding her work and planning her next few strikes. Hopefully today was a fluke and her luck was not as bad as she feared.
Chapter 18: Golden Horns
Beka once again found herself standing in front of the sealed gate to the Menagerie. For nearly a week she had managed to avoid complications by showing up early each day before Kindredstar arrived, and leaving just before lunch. Red would meet her in the office and escort her to the oversized room witch held Brown and her forge. The grand holding pit as it turned out was not built to hold Brown alone. It was built to hold any of the Menagerie’s truly dangerous monsters up to the size of a dragon if need be. The walls were apparently created to defend against any type of monster attack. The rune-inscribed manacles in the pit were designed to disrupt even Primal magics. However the shackle had no effect on the brute. His only natural ability was simply that he was a walking mass of muscle. That same muscle-bound oaf was likely responsible for her current situation. Stuck standing outside a magic gate with two morons, all because her rune stone went missing.
“No rune, no entry. Piss off little girl,” said the exact same arrogant guard as always. He poked in her direction with his halberd.
“Perhaps you misplaced it somewhere. It might be a good idea to find it,” said the other polite but entirely unhelpful guard. Nodding his head slowly next to the spear-brandishing prick.
“Just go get Red damn it! You two have seen me here every morning for the past week! You know I have a job to finish. It’s for your boss, need I remind you.” She stomped her foot angrly. That furball was going to get an earful when she got in there. Over the past week she had actually started to relax, was even taking a liking to the oversized prankster. She had to admit it was partly because he was intensely interested in what she was doing. Every day asking her countless questions on her technique or what else she had made over the years. As well as offering up his own surprisingly well-traveled information on nearly anything she thought to ask. Granted, most of what she asked about ended up having to do with the monsters in the Menagerie. She was surprised to hear another side of the stories told by adventurers. Many of them were true but clearly biased. To Beka’s delight and Red’s everpresent annoyance, the jabbering ball of fur rarely shut up. Many of his stories were about the hundreds of battles the Kathani warrior claimed to have fought during his life. Others about the many tournaments he claimed to have participate in over the years. He always ended his stories right before the grand finale. Usually by changing the subject back to her filigree work. It was an easy distraction apparently, because it worked every time.
That was until the previous day, when he’d asked her to show him how the forge worked. That was when she’d caught him rummaging through her tool belt. Now she was missing her entry rune. It was going to be the first day of actually getting gold into his horns and marked the point where she could claim the job was almost done. She only had another six days before the tournament’s grand opening and had no intention of crossing Kindredstar by not finishing before the deadline. Instead she was standing outside the complex dealing with a useless pair of armored door stoppers. For a week the guards would sit at their table and watch her walk through without a care. One would always make a rude or irritating remark and the other would be passive and slightly helpful, but only just enough to not actually be useful.
“Ha, go get Red she says. Like we’re the servants here. Red doesn’t leave the Menagerie!” The halberd’s tip jabbed dangerously close to her and she backed away, shooting the rude bastard a glare.
“We would be leaving our post if we went to get Red. That would make us rather poor guards, now wouldn't it,” the less-than-helpful one commented, still nodding his head. Beka sighed and took another step back, resigned to find another way in. Her daily routine already ruined.
“Perhaps the armory door then.” She scowled at the pair and quickly sauntered off. If she could find her way through the barracks and into the pit from that side, she would be set. “That place was a labyrinth.” Beka sighed as she made her way back out and around the outside of the Colosseum. “Probably designed that way to keep people like me from doing exactly what I'm planning on.” Beka quickened her pace as she entered the barracks training yard. Heading for Little Bit’s heavy armor door.
“Hey girl! You’re not allowed in here!” An off-duty guard shouted as she reached the door. His armored boots stomping up to her as she rounded on him. He was tall, of average build and equally average features, as plainly human as one could get. So average in fact she recognized him as a regular at the shop. Most of the local guards had work done from time to time with her family and this one was no exception.
“Sorry sir, were you not informed?” She lied using her most innocent voice. “I’m here to start working as Master Grot’Alms apprentice, I was here last week, remember?” She did not recall if he was actually one of the guards that saw her leave the armory her first day but she had no doubt there had been rumors. Enough of them knew her and her uncle to believe her story was likely. Or so she hoped. “See all I have are my tools.” She swayed her hips and caused her laden skirt to swish against her knees. His eyes dropped down her body and a hint of red colored his cheeks.
“Fine, whatever.” He recovered and coughed, looking away. Beka grinned at him as she was quickly allowed into the armory.
“I’ll make it up to you Little Bit. After this is over. Perhaps I can actually work for a season as your apprentice. It would be nice to get out of the smithy for a while.” Once inside the armory itself Beka glanced around for the dwarf. The room was silent save for the faint echoes and murmurs coming from the open door to the living quarters beyond as the guards roused themselves for the daily drills.
Moving into the labyrinthine halls she managed to only get lost a half dozen times before finding her way to the pits. It was well over an hour before she spotted the heavy barred door and strip of dull green carpet under it that marked the way into the Menagerie. The two tired-looking guards at the door just shrugged at her when she tried to explain her reasons for entry and pulled the door aside, letting her pass with little to no fuss.
“Where have you been?” A deep and familiar voice echoed through the long hallway of the Menagerie pitt. She squeaked and clutched her chest. Red storming down the hall in front of her.
“Gods! Red you scared me!” Beka pouted a little at him but he only growled low and the sense of being very small washed over her.
“Why are you entering from this side. You are behind schedule.” The growling stopped and he crossed his arms, waiting for her to answer.
“Brown stole my entry rune. The bloody guards refused to let me through. They wouldn't even go find you. I had to lie and sneak my way through the armory and barracks labyrinth to get here. So excuse me if I'm running a little late! Besides I'm ahead of schedule, I can afford to be a little late just this once.” She crossed her arms and glowered at him. The hairs on her arms and neck were standing on end as he rumbled at her. Beka stifled a shiver of fear and pursed her lips, jutting out her chin defiantly. Holding his unblinking gaze.
“You adapt quickly. Do I not frighten you?”
Red tilted his head to the side before shaking it. A small smirk crossing his face for just a moment before it was schooled once again. “Never mind that. It was Grey. Not Brown. They are missing. A plot to prank you is my assessment.”
“So far they are off to a great start.” Beka sighed and followed after Red as he turned down the long hallway towards the holding pit.
“Grey will be punished.” Red grumbled and pushed open the new door to the holding pit.
“It's not that bad, just a little prank is all, no reason for them to…” Her voice fell silent as she saw the man standing in the room with Brown. It was Lord Kindredstar. He must have finally gotten tired of her avoiding him. “Good morning My lord. Sorry I'm running a little later than normal. Usually such an early bird, haha, and all that...” She fidgeted and gave the elf a timid smile.
Red turned to look at her with an odd expression she had not seen on his face before. An eyebrow twitching over an ever accusatory golden eye. How much trouble was she in?
“You are an idiot. I was mistaken about you.” The look, as it turns out, was actually disappointment. Beka blinked, turned her gaze back to the Elf before dropping her head in shame.
“That’s Grey, isn't it.” She was an idiot. Grey was a changeling, a true monster that had to touch someone to assume their shape. That had been why they poked her nose the first day she arrived. Grey had picked her to be their next form for some reason. This was Grey’s prank, like the first day when they used the mage’s voice to get her to approach the bars of their cell. Obviously one of their forms was that of Lord Kindredstar. “It's not my fault I fell for it! Your boss really scares me you know. I just reacted.” She didn't want to admit it but she really was terrified of upsetting the noble. The trio of monsters in the room should understand. They were all held captive by the elf after all.
“Fool! You have spoiled this one's fun! You should be lashed, then taken out back to be eaten by a mongrel.” The non Kindredstar complained in his voice. Red only sighed before he turned back to her.
“You will not have as much time today. Work hard. Do not let Grey distract you. I will return for them when it is closer to lunch.” The big Reptilian eyes shined with light as she shot a glare at the pair of monsters standing in the center of the room. Brown was sliding the chains free with a bemused expression as Kindredstar pouted. It was a look that she was sure would never, ever, cross the real elf Lord’s face. “Behave.” He said, as he turned and left. Slamming the door behind him.
“Heh, what got him in a mood?” Brown kicked at his chains before slapping the non-elf on the back hard enough to drive them into the floor. “Was good try. Told you not to take her stone, but no, Pest never listen.” He chuckled and took a seat on the bench. It creaked under his weight and he turned a toothy grin her way.
“Worthless beast, how dare you man handle this one in such a way! You will be eaten by mongrels you wretched cow!” Grey in the elf-body stood and dusted at his rather elegant robes. Beka blinked. She actually recognized the cloth as the set Kindredstar had worn when he first visited the smithy.
“Nice clothes Grey, did you steal Takagi’s laundry as well before you took my stone? Twerp.” She smacked the much larger non elf in the head as she came to the middle of the room. Grey sputtered and puffed out their cheeks indignantly. The pale skin and golden hair of Kindredstar vanished into the sickly grey of their base form, and then regressed farther as the wrinkled old man appeared in his place.
“Have you no respect, young lady? These are fine silks, of a most noble cut. You should not dirty them. So quell your jealous beast.” The last bit was said not to her but with a wrinkled and toothless snarl at Brown.
“Heh, heh, he he. Why? I get in no trouble for wearing dirty cloth. I barely have clothing to start with. Bah! I jealous of Pest? HA HA HA!” Brown laughed and clomped his feet on the ground.
“Alright you two, I really do need to get started.” Beka turned to the forge, scrunching her nose as she noticed the shovel was missing. “Really guys? the shovel as well?
“Heh, that was me. Sorry, broke it on accident.” Brown shrugged, “It over by waste pit. You want me get?”
“Ugh! No, gross! You’re just going to have to do the scooping, you overgrown battering ram. Since you broke it, you’re my new shovel.” She shook her head and moved to the overgeared contraption. Working the levers on the forge to the setting she needed.
“AH! I can do this...” He nodded and took a spot near the end of the forge, right where the loading hopper was situated for feeding coal. “We are going to start the gold inlay yes?”
“That's right. I had my uncle turn a few of the bars into gold wire a few days ago, all I need to do is heat the forge enough to make it soft. That way it will bend and mold rather than break, but not hot enough that it starts to melt.” She tilted her head to the side trying to read the setting marks that were scratched into the metal. “That's if I have this thing set proper.”
“Is this one to be ignored then?” The raspy old man's voice echoed from behind them. “After this one went to all that trouble to steal your stone. After risking dirtying this one's garments at the hands of that beast?” The old man's voice trailed off and Grey sniffled, the wrinkles on their face pulled tight and a blossom of golden curls fell from their head as their body shrank into the little girls. Their eyes grew larger and pools of tears formed in the corners.
“That, so over dramatic. And cliche. Pest. You think that really going to work on us?” Brown snorted a huff of hot air over the back of Beka’s head. But she could not turn her eyes away. The little girl still reminded her of Lizzy, the now oversized clothing hanging from her tiny frame and over her hands as she sniffled and wiped at her eyes. The soft whimpers and sobs tugged at her heart and she broke down, giving in to the monster’s ploy.
“Aww shhh, shhh... Grey don't cry. I won't ignore you. I promise, You had a wonderful prank planned, it would have gotten me if not for that mean old Red. I'll make it up to you. Come here.” She held out her arms and offering the sobbing little changeling a hug.
“You can't be serious,” Brown grumbled as Grey ran into her arms. “Gah! Why?! That is oldest trick in book!” He raised his voice and clomped a heavy hoof on the stones behind her, causing her and Grey to both shoot him a dirty look.
“They are only a child Brown. You said so yourself.” She stood and let Grey take her hand, ignoring the fact the little changeling was suddenly quite alright and sticking their tongue out at the Kathani. His only reaction was to cross his arms and shake his head in disbelief.
“Fine. Have it your way. We work now. Yes?” He scooped a handful of coal into the hopper of the forge and stepped back. “You know. I have been thinking.”
“Oh no, that's not a good thing his head might explode.” Beka teased, turning a mischievous grin down to Grey, who giggled up at her. The past few days getting to know the monsters had freed her of more than just worries about the danger. It apparently freed her of her common sense as well. A chunk of coal thwapped into her forehead with enough force to send her toppling onto her butt with a yelp.
“Ouch! Bloody hell! Hey!” She groaned and clutched her forehead and then checking her hand for blood. Thankfully she saw none. Standing back up, a single pellet of coal no larger than the tip of her pinky rolled away from her.
Grey screamed a painfully loud screech and charged Brown, uselessly beating her tiny fists against his legs and chest. “Brown, Grey! Gahh! You can't start fighting. Please not again! I don't have time today.” She groaned, trying to blink away the throbbing headache as her fingers ran over the new goose egg forming between her eyes.
“Pest, Stop. Was not going to fight Kid. I looking forward to this. Pest ! I say stop, so stop!” The changeling still worked at battering the larger beast’s chest with tiny fists as he tried to gently push them away. “I looking forward to working with gold, that part of my thinking.” Grey continued to pound and screech at Brown, the noise sending waves of pai
n into her throbbing head.
“Please, Grey stop. Your screaming, it’s also hurting me you know. “ Beka winced again but thankfully Grey took one last kick at Brown’s rear before retreating away. Scampering away from Brown’s lashing tail and hunkering behind her. “Thank you Grey. Okay Brown, what was it. I promise I will not tease you about it, I learned my lesson.” She cringed, pointed to her head and smiled at him. He only huffed a cloud of steam and stood up to his full height.
“I have decided. You will do horns in gold filigree. I think that is fantastic name. Like name of Great house. Well of great elvish house that is. Because elves are always adding two things together to make another thing. Like wind and mud or flower and fire and then call it name. In Kathani we have honorific of station and then family name. Simple. This time however I make exception to name rule. You can call me a name.” Beka snickered as she immediately thought of several insults she could use with that comment. But relented, letting him continue as she had promised. “You are elf, well sort of, close enough. So Golden Horns is what you make me. That is why instead of Brown...” He drifted off topic, scratching his chin in thought. “ I have more red in my coat than just brown, but no one cares. Why? Because Red is all red. Now new girl is redhead? Hmm, I wonder why so many red hair people on cross. Most Kathani are black. I oddball on Septa.” He took a deep breath and let it out as he focused again on what he was first saying, shooting her a sidelong glare. Beka was trying to hide a snicker behind her palm. It must have not gone unnoticed. “Goldenhorn,” he grumbled. “That is what you will call me. As you are elf, and you will give ‘golden horns’. Makes for fitting name, yes?” He turned a toothy grin to her. Beka snickered again and nodded her head.
“Alright Goldenhorn, I will do just that. Despite the fact the lot of you never call me by my name, just new girl, or kid, or kiddo. My name is-” Beka was cut off as Goldenhorn snorted loudly and Grey shrieked.
