by Jo Fontana
“Evidently, and he’s taken credit for that,” Glynn confirmed.
Reyden frowned.
Glynn continued. “But, word is that Rafe has the egg with him.”
“He’d better,” Reyden scowled.
“Dinner’s ready,” Emory announced, lightening the mood somewhat.
“Finally!” Deverick cried with relief.
“You don’t get a whole bird today, Deverick,” Emory joked.
A shout of “Hungry Man!” interrupted Deverick’s reply.
Deverick turned towards the voice and saw that Trouble was hanging from a tree limb above his head.
“Trouble! Where have you been?”
"I got bored and decided to come back here to wait for you.”
“Oh, I see. Are you hungry?” Deverick asked.
“I’m starving!” Trouble stated dramatically and looked pathetically at Deverick.
Deverick handed Trouble an apple and a pear. Trouble took the fruit, curled up next to Deverick, and devoured it.
“That solves the mystery of the missing Trouble,” Illithor noted.
"Will you come with us to Hollow Harbor?" Deverick asked him.
“Sure. This way, if I need food, I can find you," Trouble stated with glee.
“He really is like Deverick,” Omaric laughed.
Reyden took it as a good sign that Trouble had returned and that night was a restful one. The only sounds were the chirps of crickets.
Reyden saw to it that they started their journey soon after dawn the next day. He watched Trouble climb into Deverick’s pack just before he jumped up onto the horse. The day’s ride through the grove was uneventful. When they stopped for the night, Deverick began to act strangely. He climbed up a tree and began muttering to himself when he returned to camp.
“What is it?” Reyden asked.
“This isn’t right. We shouldn’t be this far.”
“What do you mean?”
"It takes about three days to get through the grove, and that’s with good weather. From what I see here, we are half a day’s ride out. I have no idea how that could be possible," Deverick said, looking very confused and a little fearful.
“You didn’t mistake the timing?” Yoshi suggested.
“I’ve lived in the grove for several years. I know it like the back of my hand.”
"It’s impossible to go through a grove faster. Isn't it?" Yoshi asked uncertainly.
“You’re right. We shouldn’t be able to get through the grove this fast.”
"That is strange and I'm betting it’s something you plan on looking into, isn't it Deverick?" Illithor asked his friend.
“Yes, after we deal with Rafe,” Deverick replied.
“I’m getting spooked now,” Omaric uttered softly.
"I wouldn't worry, it’s like the forest is trying to get us through faster, not detain us," Morgan reassured him.
“I’ll be glad to get out of the grove myself; it’s kind of creepy,” Glynn said.
Reyden frowned and exchanged concerned glances with Emory.
“I’m going to get us dinner,” Kerric announced abruptly.
“Good!” Reyden declared, glad for the momentary distraction. He wondered if the grove was magical and if so, if it was aware enough to try aiding them.
Kerric returned later dragging a dead boar into camp. As they ate, the others began engaging Kerric in conversation to get to know him a little better but he did not stick around long after the meal. Reyden thought that one reason might be that Kerric was shy. Another reason was that Omaric appeared drained after his brother’s extended visit and Reyden saw that he was the first to turn in that night. He was concerned about this and wished he could grill Herb Gatherer more about the subject. He contented himself knowing that he would more than likely have to deal with her again and when he did, he would get the whole story out of her.
At dawn, Reyden urged the others to move as fast as possible in anticipation of entering Hollow Harbor before midday. Reyden’s mood lightened considerably when the grove began to thin and he saw the narrow road that led into the town.
"Ah, we're about to go back to the place we first met Reyden, Illithor," Emory announced.
"Makes you feel nostalgic, doesn't it?" Illithor smirked.
Reyden’s lips thinned, but for once, reigned in his sarcasm.
“It started out as just you three?” Yoshi inquired.
“Yes, and then I continued to pick up more strays,” Reyden retorted as he shook his head.
“Sure Reyden, we’re all strays,” Glynn answered in an ironic tone.
“You most of all,” Reyden replied wryly.
"Maybe you were a stray everyone else picked up.”
“Bah! No one in their right mind would stick around me any longer than they had to. I’m sure everyone will go their own ways once Rafe is dealt with,” Reyden replied harshly.
"I thought everyone would be sticking around to see how much we can get done with Hollow Harbor," Emory insisted.
“Maybe turn it into a thriving port city,” Illithor added.
“That’s what I thought we’d be doing,” Morgan agreed.
"Suit yourselves," Reyden said.
Reyden led the group to the Warty Frog Inn, where their journey began. After settling the horses, Deverick peeked into his sack.
“Trouble’s not here; that can’t be a good thing. He seems to disappear shortly before we end up facing a big problem,” Deverick reported ominously.
“He’s good at shying away from danger. It’s helpful to have an idea when it’s coming,” Reyden replied calmly as he led the group into the inn.
Reyden stopped abruptly after he crossed the threshold. The familiar dark-skinned elf was nowhere in sight. Instead, Amanda stood behind the bar, smirking at him. Reyden swore to himself quietly then turned to look at his friends who were crowding behind him.
“Well, this is unexpected,” Illithor mumbled.
Reyden’s frown deepened and he muttered to Illithor, “Trouble does know when to hide.”
Illithor grinned and shook his head.
“What are you doing here?” Reyden asked Amanda curtly after he recovered from his surprise.
“Working. I was asked to look after the inn until the rightful owner returned,” Amanda answered.
“The rightful owner?”
Amanda paused and looked around for a moment. “Duke said that I would know him when I saw him,” she muttered.
Reyden sighed loudly as he approached the bar. He noticed Amanda stare at Omaric.
“Oh!” she uttered with surprise. “I see what he meant.”
“What are you talking about, woman?” Reyden asked.
“Duke instructed me to run the inn until the loud kid came.”
Reyden glanced at Omaric. “How could he have known?”
Emory and Illithor exchanged puzzled glances.
Amanda shrugged. “I don’t know. Duke has always had great intuition.”
“Intuition? More like second sight,” Reyden accused.
“Maybe he has talents like Herb Gatherer?” Illithor wondered.
“He was a strange one,” Emory admitted.
Reyden looked skeptical. “How do we know this isn’t some sort of trick?”
“Here’s the deed. The kid just needs to sign it,” Amanda replied as she thrust the official looking papers towards Reyden.
Reyden looked at them a moment before handing them over to Emory. Emory read them and announced, “It’s legitimate.”
Omaric’s eyes were wide with awe. “This belongs to me? Are you sure that’s right, Emory?”
“I’m certain of it, you’re very fortunate.”
Omaric turned away for a moment. “I can’t believe it. I finally have a place to call my own…wait a minute, why do I have a place of my own?” he asked Emory as he turned back around.
"Duke needed someone to take over and you seemed like a suitable replacement. People seem to like you and that will draw people here," Amanda tol
d him.
“Who exactly is this Duke, anyway?” Reyden needled Amanda.
Amanda shot Reyden a dirty look then answered. "You met him. He’s the owner of the Warty Frog until your friend signs the papers. He’d be the only one with the right to give this bar away."
“I know that! What I am saying is that he seems to be more than what he appears.”
"I see the time you spent traveling hasn't improved your temperament," she responded dryly. "For now, you can just consider him a benefactor to someone who deserves a little good fortune in his life."
Reyden’s felt his face turn red with fury. He took a deep breath as he contemplated what to say to her.
"That’s all I can tell you. Even if I knew more, it's not my place to say," she explained.
"A likely story," Reyden muttered before plopping down into a seat at the bar.
"So now the question is, do you wish to sign and have your own business?" Amanda asked Omaric.
“I think something like this will suit you, Omaric,” Glynn said.
“But I can’t run this place right now! We have to deal with Rafe,” Omaric exclaimed.
“You would have to hire someone,” Illithor suggested.
“Why not have Amanda do it?” Reyden suggested sarcastically. “She’s the one with all the answers.”
"Gee, that was such a heartwarming offer and all, but I don't know,” Amanda replied cautiously. "I have my younger sister to take care of and I can't keep bothering our neighbor to check on her."
“You and your sister could stay here while you run the inn for me,” Omaric proposed.
“That could work,” Amanda said and then called into the kitchen, “Tanz, get out here a second.”
A girl with curly red hair and grey eyes, who looked slightly younger than Omaric, slowly walked out of the kitchen door.
“What Amanda? The cook is showing me how to make bread,” she complained.
"What do you think about staying here so I can look after the place until the owner gets back?"
The girl shrugged and replied unenthusiastically, “Sure.”
“Okay, Tanzanaia doesn’t care so it’s a deal.”
"Great. Now that that’s settled, we need to start searching for Rafe," Omaric stated.
"As soon as you sign this," Emory interrupted him.
Illithor took out a writing instrument and thrust it into Omaric's hand.
“Sign away, kid,” Reyden encouraged him.
Omaric took the paper from Emory's hand. He looked at Reyden with a mix of nerves and excitement and with a flourish, marked an “OL” on the paper. Reyden noticed that and decided that he would have to teach the kid how to read and write when this fiasco was all over.
“Congratulations boss,” Amanda proclaimed.
“Now we can get back to the business of finding Rafe,” Reyden repeated. “Just remember that when we find him, Rafe is mine to deal with. Don’t get in my way.”
“Even if he’s about to kill you?” Morgan questioned him calmly.
"That is a promise we can't make, Reyden,” Emory argued gently. "If he gets the better of you, we’ll have to step in."
“Agreed,” Yoshi replied.
“I’m glad to see you all have so much faith in my magic,” Reyden grumbled.
“It’s not that,” Deverick interrupted. “We all know what a problem Rafe really is. No one should want to deal with him alone. We’ll let you handle it, but we’ll jump in if necessary.”
“He is a dangerous adversary,” Yoshi cautioned.
"Boss? Are you leaving now or are you still making plans? We can get you all something to eat before you go," Amanda offered.
"Yes Amanda, some food would be nice," Omaric said then turned to the others with a grin. "I like being called boss."
Amanda called into the kitchen giving the order to her sister. Then she went behind the bar to retrieve a couple of pitchers of stout and placed them on the table.
Reyden redirected the conversation to Rafe. “He’s a pest,” Reyden hissed. “I wish we had an idea where he is hiding.”
“Where do you think he’s hiding?” Emory queried Glynn.
"With him it's hard to tell. He doesn't seem to act like your average acquirer of goods. He has a more vicious way about him.”
"Maybe we should look for gangs around here?" Omaric asked.
"There's an abandoned building a block over that the local thugs like to hang at," Amanda informed them. "I think some of Rafe's old cronies drop by from time to time."
“We’ll start there,” Reyden declared as if he’d come up with the idea.
After devouring a meal of stew and fresh bread that was brought out to them by Amanda's little sister, they left the inn and began what was to be the first of several days of canvassing the town. It disappointed Reyden that Rafe wasn’t at any of his old hangouts. He figured it was because he knew they were looking for him. He thought Rafe had more connections in town then previously known. Several arguments broke out between them regarding the areas of the search and the manner in which to do so. In the end, Glynn came up with a solution.
"You know, maybe he's down by the docks. There are plenty of places to hide and if he needed to leave quickly he could just hop a ship and sail away,” Glynn said.
“That and it's the only place we haven't searched yet?" Yoshi asked with mild irony.
"Well, that too.”
“What are we waiting for?” Reyden snarked and began walking toward the docks.
The rest of the men followed closely behind him. The air by the docks was thicker than in town and the boats were lined up one next to the other. The tide was low and the stench of decaying seaweed filled Reyden’s nostrils. Gulls circled above the ships, ready to swoop in and steal what they could from the local fishermen as they returned with their catch.
"If you were Rafe, where would you hide?" Reyden asked Glynn.
"In the ooze on the bottom of that canal," Glynn answered with revulsion.
Reyden cackled at Glynn’s response. Emory glared at him sharply, and Reyden quieted. Glynn mouthed “sorry,” to Reyden. Reyden dismissed Glynn’s apology with a slight wave of his hand.
"Well we can't go from ship to ship all day until we stumble upon him," Deverick said with frustration.
Reyden sneered at him. "That’s the only way we have of finding him. I think we should watch for a bit and see which boats are getting ready to leave and then cause a commotion to see who comes out.”
“I say we check the large boats because he’ll probably be smuggling something, if the tales I’ve heard about him have any truth to them at all," Yoshi said.
Reyden heard a rustling behind the group. He turned and saw something skitter in between some barrels and crates that were piled on the dock near them. Reyden walked over and saw Trouble crouching behind a barrel. He waved the others over.
He looked down at Trouble with suspicion. “What are you doing here?”
Trouble looked around as if to make sure no one else was around. “I knew you’d need help. I can find out what ship he’s on.”
Reyden seemed impressed. “How are you going to do that and keep your hide intact?”
“I can smell him. I’ve smelled faint traces of him around you when I was hiding in Nava Asari. I don’t have to get too close to the boat either.”
“Thanks Trouble,” Deverick said as he tossed him a treat.
Even with Trouble’s help, it still took a while. Trouble was halfway down the large docks before pointing them to a large run-down wooden boat that reeked of Tuna.
“Are you sure this is it?" Deverick asked with dismay.
“He has a unique smell, even among your kind. I have to go now, I can’t swim,” Trouble said before scurrying behind the crates and barrels again.
Reyden grinned and took an ointment out of his pouch and smeared some of it underneath his nose. He handed it to Omaric and indicated that Omaric do the same thing. Omaric gratefully dabbed some of it under his nos
e as well.
"Smelly, rotten, rundown hole in the water? This has Rafe written all over it," Illithor sneered.
Yoshi snuck onto the deck and stood to the side of the cabin door. Glynn also snuck aboard placing himself on the other side of the cabin and stood peeking around the side.
"Time to lure him out," Reyden announced as he tossed a rock at the boat.
There was a delayed reaction after the huge rock thudded onto the deck. It took a while until he finally heard footsteps pounding up the stairs.
"It sounds like Rafe has some company," noted Deverick. "Get ready."
Reyden knew it was too much to hope that Rafe would be alone. He took out an egg and aimed it at the cabin door. Illithor held tightly to his crystal and closed his eyes. The door burst open violently; yells and threats were coming from the men who ran onto the deck. Reyden waved his hand at one of the men who fell back into the cabin as the rest of the men kept rushing forward on deck. Emory and Deverick jumped onto the ship to join the melee. Kerric let loose volleys of arrows at anyone who kept advancing.
Reyden hadn’t noticed where Rafe had come from. Yoshi appeared to sense that Rafe was behind him at the last moment and dodged the knife aimed at his throat. Reyden raised a wall of air and drove back the group that was working to get to Rafe and Yoshi. Deverick and Emory were separated from Yoshi and Rafe by the wall so they attacked the others who were near them. Glynn climbed over the cabin and was perched above Yoshi and Rafe, ready to strike when the time was right.
“I’m impressed, sword master,” Rafe taunted.
"You should be,” Yoshi said without humor.
"Oh but I have big plans to visit your city again. Imagine your master’s surprise when he finds out you didn’t die honorably. I’m sure he’d like to rectify that.”
"You won't get that chance," Yoshi said as he advanced, both swords whirling at impossible speeds toward Rafe.
Rafe deftly dodged the blades and laughed. Reyden overheard Rafe's threat and walked unnoticed onto the ship.
"Come now sword master, I know you've been trained better than that," Rafe taunted.
Yoshi lunged for Rafe but stumbled. His swords clattered from his hands.
"Distracted are you, oh great sword master? You shouldn't let people throw you like that," Rafe continued to jeer at Yoshi.
