Menacing Misfits: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Darkthorn Academy Book 1)

by Robyn Wideman

  “If it was profitable for him, he might consider it,” Tolliver said.

  Jack thought about it for a moment. Blacksmith didn’t sound like the worst job in the world. It was something to consider, but he didn’t know enough to say if it was something he’d want to do or not. “Is there a timeline on Sean’s offer?”

  “He’d prefer an answer sooner than later. He has plans that he’d like to move on. He’s been stuck in a bit of limbo the last few years waiting on me to make a decision. I kept putting him off because I wasn’t ready to bring you here yet. If my health wasn’t an issue I probably would have kept doing so.”

  “That’s not like you,” Jack said.

  Ramy sighed. “No. I have an emotional attachment to the shop and to wanting to have a hand in your future that has led to questionable decisions.”

  “I think Sean deserves a decision soon. Could we visit the blacksmith shop today? I’d like to look around. I have an idea, but I don’t want to discuss it until I’ve met the man and seen the shop,” Jack said.

  “Yes, I already had plans to visit Sean today. Once we’re done with breakfast, we’ll head into the city proper. We have a few errands to run today.”

  “Good,” Tolliver said. “That is one topic of discussion we can circle around to later today. The other topic is that I’ve been investing the profits from the blacksmith shop into other businesses around town. I’ve been managing your grandfather’s accounts here for some time. I’ve been telling Ramy he needs to make a decision on how he wants to proceed.”

  “And I told him that I’m leaving everything to you. What you choose to do with it will be up to you.”

  Jack frowned. “We have to talk about you dying again?”

  “I’m afraid all of these decisions are based on the fact that my death is coming. Not having to worry about the details of your future would make my last days much more enjoyable. Whether we sell my shares in those businesses or keep them is a decision I want to make with you.”

  I see,” Jack said. He was uncomfortable talking about inheriting Ramy’s wealth and businesses like he was already dead, but if Ramy wanted to deal with everything now, he would do as his grandfather asked. “What would be the benefit of selling now?”

  “You would have a lump sum with which you could do anything you wanted,” Tolliver said.

  “I’ve no need for money and don’t have any business that I want to start. Can’t we leave things as they are with Tolliver handling that stuff?”

  Ramy smiled. “I think that would be prudent. There are a few things like the blacksmith shop and a few others that should be dealt with now, but leaving Tolliver in charge of the money is smart.”

  “Are you OK with that, Tolliver? You’re friends with my grandfather but hardly know me.”

  Tolliver sat back in his chair. “I’ve known your family a long time. I would be honored to continue our association… even if the old goat is gone.”

  Ramy cackled. “There. It’s settled. I told you the boy would see the wisdom in it.”

  “You did, but I wanted him to know his options. He may choose to change his mind in the future, but at least he now knows his choices.”

  Jack didn’t say anything. Tolliver’s last comment seemed more a rebuke of Ramy’s secrets and waiting so long to tell the truth about his health than a comment about his own decisions.

  “Ya, ya,” Ramy retorted. “Jack, I still want you to apply to Darkthorn Academy, even if you decide you want to be a blacksmith, or go back to being a tinker. Either way, you need to learn magic.”

  Jack nodded. He wasn’t going to fight his grandfather about the decision to apply for school. There was no way he was leaving Ramy. They could leave that fight for another day. Eventually, Ramy would realize he needed him with him and stop talking about the Academy.

  “What other financial annoyances do we have to deal with today?” Ramy asked Tolliver.

  “The blacksmith shop is the primary concern. The other was how you want to go forward with investments. Jack, part of what I do is look to the future and try to decide what the best ways to invest the profits of your current businesses are. The dividends from the current investments plus those of the blacksmith shop have been reinvested, but I think it is time more of those funds are put into more secure places like the Royal Empire Bank. The returns aren’t as good but the security is higher.”

  “Tolliver, I really have zero idea how to manage money. If Grandfather has trusted you with making the decisions then I will as well. We’ll make a decision on the blacksmith shop together, but other than that I trust you to do what is best.”

  “Very well, then. In that case, I will set up a small account for you with the Royal Empire Bank. That way you’ll always have access to money anywhere in the Empire. The rest I will continue to invest with long-term goals.”

  “OK. Now that we’ve yammered on about money and death and all that nonsense, let’s get back to normal. Jack, go get the wagon ready for a trip to the city,” Ramy said.

  Jack nodded. That was something he knew how to do. “Right away.”

  As Jack walked out of the kitchen, Tolliver turned to Ramy. “Smart lad.”

  Ramy nodded. “Yes. But I don’t think he realizes how fast all this is going to happen.”

  “You didn’t give him much warning. You’ve kept a lot from him.”

  Ramy sighed. “I wasn’t going to have him live his life worrying that I was going to die at any minute.”

  “I don’t mean just that. I mean his mother, the Academy. There’s a lot you didn’t tell him.”

  Ramy slumped back in his chair. “I always feared telling him. He loves hearing about her so much. If I’d told him what a powerful warrior she was and that she was a darling of the Academy, that is what he would’ve wanted to do.”

  “A little ironic now that you are pushing him towards the Academy.”

  Ramy shook his head. “The Academy is a last resort. If I live long enough to properly train him in magic, it won’t be a necessity. However, I’m afraid I might not have that sort of time. My health has deteriorated fast the last few months. I should’ve dealt with this years ago. Then I wouldn’t be in such a dilemma.”

  Tolliver frowned. “Yes, you’ve been a stubborn fool. Do you think he could actually get through the Academy? No school, no formal training. You’ve put him at a disadvantage.”

  “If he puts his mind to it. But if he gets a semester of training, learns about magic and then returns here I wouldn’t be unhappy.”

  “Ah,” Tolliver said. “You want him to fail.”

  Ramy shook his head. “No. I just want him to have to work harder than anyone else if he’s going to want it. The Academy and the life they live after is dangerous. If he attends, I want him to struggle. If he overcomes the disadvantages that I’ve created then he belongs there. If not, you’ll guide him into a better future.”

  Tolliver sighed. “A dangerous game you play, Ramy. A dangerous game. Are you sure he’ll even attend?”

  “I think he’ll probably choose to stay here. You’ll find him a tutor to give him a proper magical education and then he can live whatever life he chooses.”

  Tolliver shook his head. “A dangerous game.”

  7

  The sound of a hammer striking hot metal filled the air.

  Jack entered the blacksmith shop behind Ramy and Tolliver.

  A large bald-headed man with arms the size of Jack’s legs was standing in the middle of the shop watching two younger men work. He turned to see who was coming in. “Ramy Vance. I thought you were dead.”

  Ramy smiled. “Hello, Sean. I’m close enough but not there yet.”

  “It is good to see you, old friend,” Sean said as he hugged Ramy. “Tolliver said you might show up one day, but I had my doubts.”

  “Someone had to come check on you, can’t have you ruining my good name, now can I?”

  Sean laughed; his booming voice filled the room. “In some circles, your name wa
s mud the moment you left Sunder.”

  “True,” Ramy said as he inspected a wagon wheel one of the younger men was working on. “At least the quality of your work is as good as ever.”

  “I had a good teacher,” Sean said with a wink at Jack. “Is this your grandson? I haven’t seen him since he was a chubby little baby the size of a grapefruit.”

  “Yes, it is, and he’s still just as soft.”

  Jack ignored Ramy’s rude comment. “Jack Vance.”

  “Sean Harcus.”

  “A pleasure, sir.”

  “A polite young man. Are you sure he’s related to you, Ramy?” Sean said.

  “His tongue is sharp enough once he’s riled,” Ramy said. “Speaking of sharp tongues, how’s that wife of yours?”

  Sean sighed. “She was good, but now that you’re in town, she’ll be in my ear. I’d avoid her if I were you.”

  Ramy laughed. “She’s angry I haven’t sold you the business yet.”

  “Yes. But I’ve told her that we had an agreement. She tends to forget that part.”

  “You’ve done well, Sean.”

  Sean shrugged. “I’ve done my best. The industry has changed since you left. You’re partly to blame for that, but also the availability of ancient weapons changed. I’ve had to adapt. This isn’t the specialty shop that you ran anymore.”

  Ramy nodded. “No. No it isn’t. But that is fine. Tell me what you are working on beside wagon wheels these days.”

  As Ramy and Sean reminisced, Jack wandered around the shop. It was hot and the air smelled of sweat and metal, but it wasn’t an altogether unpleasant smell. He examined a sword that had recently been sharpened. It wasn’t as sharp as what Ramy could do, but it was still fine work and Jack would’ve been hard-pressed to match it. Everything around him indicated that Sean was a skilled blacksmith and didn’t cut any corners. Jack was impressed by the big man.

  A group of men barged into the shop. “So it is true, you’ve returned,” said the man at the front of the pack. He pointed his finger at Ramy. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”

  “Hello, McGovern,” Ramy said coolly.

  Jack knew that tone. Whoever McGovern was, he wasn’t a friend of Ramy’s. The look on Sean’s face also seemed to indicate this wasn’t a friendly social call.

  “I’m surprised you’re showing your face in this part of the world, you slimy bastard,” McGovern hissed.

  “Slimy? Why, you rotten scoundrel, Ramy Vance was never anything but honest with you,” Sean said as he made a move towards McGovern, but Ramy put his hand out, pushing Sean back.

  Jack stayed where he was. Ramy would be angry if he overreacted to an insult.

  “Why wouldn’t I come here? This is my home,” Ramy said.

  “Because you ruined my business. Without you, the market for ancient weapons dried up. You cost me thousands of gold pieces, and hundreds of thousands in lost revenue.”

  “I warned you before I left. I didn’t do anything dishonest.”

  “Bah. To hell with your honesty and righteousness, Ramy Vance. It’s time to pay what you owe me. If I can’t get it in gold, I’ll get it in flesh.” McGovern stepped forward and a glowing ball of fire shot from his hand and smashed into Ramy’s chest.

  Jack stood there in shock for a moment. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He blinked as he watched Ramy slump to the ground.

  Sean roared in anger and lunged towards McGovern. His henchmen jumped in and tackled the big blacksmith. As they fought, McGovern turned and walked away. “I told you, Ramy. One way or another I always get paid.”

  When Ramy hit the ground, Jack ran to his grandfather.

  Ramy was coughing up blood when Jack got to him. Jack turned to Tolliver. “Get a healer quick.”

  Ramy grabbed Jack by the shirt and pulled him down. “Don’t bother with the healer. I’m done, I can feel it.” He then laughed. “All this time I thought I’d die in a bed like some weak milk sop. Who knew bloody McGovern would be the end of me. Well, joke’s on him. His payback was only worth a few days of my life and keeping me from suffering in pain.”

  “Don’t talk like that, Grandfather. Tolliver is getting a healer. You’ll live far longer. You’re too stubborn to die.”

  Ramy coughed up more blood. “Ramy. I had so many plans for you. I’ve failed you.”

  “We’ll talk about those later. Save your breath.”

  Ramy clutched Jack closer. “Promise me one thing.”

  “Anything,” Jack said with tears in his eyes.

  “You’ll go to the Academy. You’ll learn to be like your mother. I was wrong to keep you in the dark about her.”

  Jack nodded rapidly. “Anything you say. Just don’t die.”

  “Say it.”

  “I’ll go to the Academy. I will make you proud. I’ll be a warrior just like my mother.”

  Ramy smiled. “I love you, Jack.” His eyes started to close.

  “I love you too, Grandpa,” Jack said, as he watched the life leave his eyes. Ramy was gone.

  Jack cried as he held his grandfather.

  When Tolliver returned with a healer, Jack was still holding Ramy.

  They gave him space, but a few moments later Tolliver grabbed Jack by the shoulder. “Come, Jack. We need to go now.”

  “But what about his body?” Jack said as he wiped away the tears.

  “Sean and his sons will help the healer take him to the local temple. They’ll purify the body and he’ll be buried in his family graveyard.”

  Jack stood up and followed Tolliver. He was still in shock and just did as he was told.

  Tolliver loaded Jack into the wagon and took him back to the house.

  When they arrived, Jack went into the house and went to his room. He crawled into bed and cried, hoping that when he woke it would all have been a bad dream.

  8

  The next morning, Tolliver knocked at Jack’s bedroom door.

  Jack stumbled out of bed and opened the door.

  “Sorry, boy. But you need to get moving.”

  “It really happened, he’s really dead.”

  Tolliver nodded. “Yes. I’m afraid so.”

  “Why did that man attack Ramy?” Jack had heard the conversation, but it had only been from McGovern’s perspective. Which Jack had a hard time taking as the truth.

  “McGovern is a low-life mage. He’s a thief and a liar. He used to be able to peddle himself off as an honest businessman, but too many of his victims came forward to your grandfather claiming they had been the ones to retrieve the items in question. Before he left, Ramy broke off trade with McGovern and made Sean promise not to do business with the man. McGovern never went to jail, and he managed to gain a degree of power within the city, but he never regained the momentum he lost when Ramy cut him off. I guess he held that resentment in a long time.”

  “What will happen to him?”

  Tolliver paused for a moment. “You have to understand how politics in Sunder work, Jack.”

  Jack frowned. “What does that have to do with anything? He attacked my grandfather.”

  “Yes, but his thugs are claiming Ramy provoked him. It is a lie, of course, but that and a few coins in the constable’s pockets have made it so that McGovern won’t be charged.”

  Jack slammed his hand on the table. “That isn’t right.”

  “It isn’t but that is just the way things are done in Sunder. If you choose to stay here, you’ll have to adapt to that reality.”

  Jack sat down. “How can I do that? I promised Ramy I’d attend the Academy.”

  “Your grandfather really didn’t want you going to the Academy.”

  “How can you say that? The very last thing he said to me was that I needed to go. He made me promise.”

  Tolliver sighed. “I won’t speak ill of the dead, but your grandfather was a secretive man and wasn’t always straightforward with you. I won’t say that he was lying to you, but I will say that he had mixed thoughts on the subject, even in his last day
s.”

  Jack frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that Ramy didn’t tell you how much your mother loved being a warrior. How proud she was to have gone to Darkthorn Academy. He was trying to protect you, but he was also protecting himself. He lost a lot of friends during his time in the wars. He saw a lot of pain and suffering. Then he lost your mother to battle. I think he was afraid of losing you too.”

  “But I thought the academies weren’t just for warriors?”

  “They are not. However, the allure of being a dragon rider is strong, and the Empire has a long history of conflict, which means academy graduates tend to be involved one way or another.”

  “You don’t think I should apply for an academy?”

  “No, I didn’t say that at all. I think you should consider it. I just think you need to know your grandfather would’ve been just as happy to see you here working as a blacksmith as he would be having you attend an academy. Although his last words seem to favor the Academy, I know only two days ago he saw it more as a last resort.”

  “I see,” Jack said. It made sense that Ramy would’ve been reluctant for him to go to an academy if he was worried about him choosing to be a warrior like his mother. “Do I have to make a decision right away?”

  “No. Today, we bury Ramy. You can worry about the future later. You have plenty of time to decide what you want to do.”

  Jack nodded. He wasn’t really interested in attending an academy, but he’d given Ramy his word. It was something he had to take into consideration. The next question was, would he even be able to get into an academy? He was only days away from his sixteenth birthday and he hadn’t applied to any. He didn’t even know how to apply. It was something he’d have to discuss with Tolliver, but not today. Today was for grieving and saying goodbye to Ramy.

  “We should get going. Sean and his family are meeting us at the cemetery.”

  Jack followed Tolliver out to the wagon. They rode in silence as Jack thought about Ramy. It wasn’t fair. First, he’d learned his grandfather was dying, then his life had been snatched away. They’d just arrived in Sunder, Ramy had only been home for a day.