Lake Merrin

by Samuel Colbran

  Everyone is nodding. I have no idea what he is talking about, but they have been in the game for the last fifteen years, so they should know.

  Laura asks, “So what’s it like being on the Watch? We considered picking up that job but—” Everyone just became very serious. This is getting very uncomfortable. “—other jobs needed our attention.” They all nod in agreement with her statement.

  I reply, “It is not what I thought it would be like. You know, with the Commander being poisoned—”

  Althanis interrupts, almost choking on his drink, “The Commander was poisoned? When did that happen?”

  “I assumed you knew. I thought it was common knowledge by now. It happened yesterday, around lunchtime. It seemed to be something in his food, but I am not too sure about the details. When I was at the Shrine's medical section, he seemed to be recovering. Yesterday afternoon, I happened to go to the mess hall, and some Paladin was investigating.” Pause for dramatic effect. “And this guy turned into goo, right in front of my eyes! Weirdest thing ever!”

  Confused must be the Travellers' face of the day.

  Belgrim asks, “Goo? A full-grown man turned into goo?” Seth is turning a little green, but he is still young. “Laura, why haven't we heard anything about this?”

  “I guess we’re not on the ‘need to know’ list. Either way, from what Solo has said, it is being investigated. Love, should we involve ourselves?” Laura asks Althanis.

  Althanis has a really cool thinking-wrinkle. I wish I had something like that. It would make me look very important.

  It is strange seeing your heroes in a different light. The deeds they have accomplished sounded amazing, but hearing they were all blown out of proportion makes it very wrong for some reason. It is not like they did not really help people, but they lied to further their careers. But is that any worse than being an Adventurer just for the money? I feel like there is a point to all this; some point that I am missing.

  I wonder what Pela is making for dinner. Could be something nice. One sec, I need to ask if there are any job openings here.

  Stupid Gunnar, always giving me a hard time. That is why I am drinking. Well, at least it is one of the reasons. Zlata is a black-hearted fiend too. And wanting to have sex with me—gross. Oh no, I told her my dick was diseased! I will never hear the end of that ...

  Fingers snap in my face. Blink, focus, blink. “Huh?”

  Laura asks, “Are you alright? You’ve been staring off into the distance for the last ten minutes ... Maybe you should go see a doctor or a cleric about that.”

  “Sorry, I have a lot on my mind at the moment. You were saying you are going to get involved in this case? I really do not understand.”

  Laura turns to Althanis and smiles. “Why shouldn’t we get involved? If this other party is not investigating thoroughly, then we will investigate about this mystery in the hope that it will serve the greater good.”

  Althanis nods. “That is what we do. There is always a reason for us to be involved.”

  I cannot believe my ears! These people are just throwing themselves into the fray for no more than my word on these events. They must be crazy! Who thinks like that? Even Stillwater and the Rejects have a reason. They joined the Watch because it is their duty or honour or something.

  Look at them, planning stuff. Plots and reasons. This is making me sick to watch. Bile is rising up my throat. I need to leave.

  Althanis looks at me. “Are you alright?”

  I can see the concern on Laura's and Olive's faces. Belgrim smiles. “Looking a little green in the gills there, matey.”

  Even with these things in the air, they still care about a nobody like me. They really make me feel like a piece of filth.

  “No, no, I am fine. I guess the wine has gone to my head. I think it is time for me to head home. You seem to have Charter business to discuss anyway. Goodnight, it was great to meet you all.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Journal Entry One continued…

  At this point in my life, I'm glad that I had Pela to ground me. I miss her smile and fantastic advice. I will find her again because I care for her ...

  They all bid me a fond fare-thee-well. Listening to that makes me feel worse. Once I am up, they go back to scheming and plotting. It must be the grog that is making me feel this way. Even so, this is just wrong! People should not be like this! Money, I can understand.

  I bump into someone trying to make it to the door. Mumble, “Sorry. Just lost.”

  Once I get through the door, the cold air hits my face like a ton of bricks. A chill goes down my back. I think if I see someone famous again, I will avoid them. Waste of time. They do not even live in the real world. Best place for me to be is back at Pela's. At least she is not crazy—well, as far as I know.

  Hang on a moment, how did I find my way into that cot last night? Last thing I remember was her cracking that bottle of wine. That is it, I am sticking to ales and spirits. No more wine, too much crazy stuff happens!

  Here it is. Oh yes, I have to climb those stairs. Keep my lunch down. Hang on, did I have lunch? Is that why I am feeling so ill because I have not eaten?

  Need to start my running sessions again, like I did during my time in the army. So unfit. Too much wine.

  Now in front of Pela’s door. I have a key, I know it is here somewhere. Can’t find it. Hope she is home, or I will be sleeping outside. Knock, knock. I hear someone moving on the other side. There is that beautiful face I remember.

  Here I am just smiling at her. “Hi, Pela. May I come in?”

  Looks at me, shakes her head. “You’ve been drinking.” She motions for me to come inside. “What is that redness on your face? Did you get a haircut? Oh, did you talk to the owner of the bar in the Hall?”

  Damn, she has so many questions. “Just give me a sec. I am not feeling the best at the moment.”

  I step inside, and she closes the door. “Are you sick? Is that what that rash is? If you are sick, maybe you should go to the hospital tonight!”

  Pela is backing into the corner with her hand over her mouth. Why me? First Stillwater, then Zlata and Malik, and finally the Travellers. Not been my day.

  “This is not sickness. I ran into a little trouble today on patrol.” I can see her about to ask another bloody question. “Look, there was a little girl trapped in a burning apartment, so I went in to get her. That resulted in me looking like this!”

  Is she—? Oh great, she is crying. Now, what do I do? Thought I might be lucky tonight being the big 'hero', but just like that wine, there are weird conditions to it.

  “It is all right. Nothing to get upset about. Just did what had to be done. She is fine, I am fine, everyone is fine!”

  Wipes her nose on her sleeve—I really dislike that. There is a towel right there! I keep a handkerchief in my pocket for wiping off snot and blood—you know, the important bodily fluids.

  “You saved that little girl? I heard about it at the market today. Some brave Watchman saved a young child. It was you?” I nod, what else can I do? This is going to be a long night. Well, I hope so. “You—you’re a hero!”

  Butting in on that. “No, Pela, I am no hero. Please do not call me that. I just did something stupid, and luckily I did not get killed or get anyone else killed. People who think they are 'heroes' have their priorities all screwed up.”

  “What do you mean?” she asks.

  “I don't know … Have you heard of the Travellers of the Road?” She nods. “Okay, I met them down in the Hall tonight. I was hoping to maybe have a few drinks shouted for me, considering I saved someone today and all.”

  “So you have been drinking then?” She giggles. “You say ‘Don't call me a hero’ but then you head down to scam free drinks because you did something heroic? Well, that doesn’t make sense.”

  “Okay, you got me there. I saved that girl, yes, but I just acted on instinct. I did not make the decision to do it. My mind was blank, and my body just moved. Hearing what Althani
s had to say made me wonder if ... I do not know. I have no idea. Just that they ...”

  She gives me a look that seems halfway between pity and boredom. “Have you eaten today? It doesn't look like you have. How about you tell me what happened while I make us some dinner. You know, two minds are better than one.” She turns and starts to gather some ingredients.

  There is Pela, pottering away, not a care in the world. How can I explain when I do not even know why I am acting like this?

  “Best place to start is after I left this morning. Did my usual thing in the morning, headed to the barracks, first day and all. Stillwater yells at me for being late, more grumbles from Gunnar—”

  Chopping away, Pela asks, “Are they part of your party?”

  “Oh, well, no, they are not part of my party. I'm a solo.” Lone Solo. Bloody Royce. “When I went for my job with the Watch, the acting commander assigned me to them. Stillwater is pretty much the boss. She is a bit pushy.”

  “You have a female leader?”

  “Yeah, so anyway—” Can I finish? She is humming to herself now. If you were not so beautiful, I would be pissed. “—there are two others: Gunnar, a poor Dwarf if you ever heard of that before.” I shake my head. “Yeah, he is pretty much an arsehole to me; and WayWocket, some genius Gnome who is hopped-up on some special medicine, if you know what I mean. May I?” Point to a jug of water or wine—at this moment, I really do not care.

  She passes me two cups. I pour. It is an amber colour. Pass one over to Pela. “Now, where was I? Oh yes, Stillwater chewed me out because somehow I was late. Bit more backchat from Gunnar and Way threw some weird device at me.”

  She stops, takes a sip, and looks at me. “Threw what at you?”

  “Not sure, some sort of bomb. I have seen them in the military. But no explosion, just a flash of light, a high-pitched sound, and some sort of sticky substance. Like I said, he is weird.” I take a drink. Nice, it is a chilled ale. “Started walking, really boring being on patrol. Most people knew Stillwater. She was not a hard-arse to them; she was downright polite. Suddenly some people ran our way, and Stillwater started to run off. We followed as we are just minions.”

  “So, was that when you ran into the burning building?”

  “Well, not quite yet. You have to understand, I just followed. I was paid to be there, not to care.” She gave me a critical look. “I do not, not really. Things happen. I am just there for the paycheck. Once I have that I can pay two months’ rent here, just like I promised you.”

  That stew is smelling nice. Pela sure knows how to cook.

  “I smelt the smoke and then saw the building on fire. Then something happened. All of a sudden, I heard a quiet scream coming from one of the top floors. Before I knew it, I was running upstairs, jumping three stairs at a time, and I was in the middle of the building.”

  “What? Why? I mean, you just ran in? One moment you were outside, then the next you were in the building? So, you did decide to run in there.”

  “No, not really. I zoned out a little, and there I was. All I could do was go up and try to help the kid. I could still hear the screaming. Went up another couple flights of stairs and there she was; no more than five or six years old, clutching her stuffed teddy. I went over and picked her up, but I realised we were trapped. The fire was all around us. I had to think fast. Either I could jump out through a window and hope to Trinity my body cushioned her enough that she survived the fall, or we could stay and try to find another way out, and almost definitely die. Choice was simple—I found a window and jumped, being sure to keep my body between the girl and the ground.”

  She whips around, waving a wooden spoon, looking like she is going to hit me. “What? You jumped? You stupid man! How are you alive?”

  “Well, you remember me telling you about WayWocket? He made some sort of foamy substance that cushioned my fall and allowed us both to survive. But damn, it hurt coming off. That is what caused most of this redness and why my hair is shorter. Then I passed out. Woke up in hospital at the local shrine. Looked me over, but I was all good, so they had to let me go. Made it back to the office at the barracks and had another session of being chewed out; this time by Gunnar. He yelled. I yelled back at him. Bloody idiot. I was just in the hospital. Then more balderdash happened. Zlata—”

  “You know Zlata?” she asks.

  “Yes, she is the new acting commander.”

  “She’s what?”

  Mela, Jara, Jenell! It is going to take me all night to tell the story if she does not stop butting in.

  “That corrupt whore is the commander of the Watch?” Pela is dripping with venom.

  Heck, now I am curious. “What is she to you?”

  “She's–she's a criminal! I’ve seen her down talking to the Fellowship guys and Corbin, sometimes rough people from the docks. Always meets them at Corbin's. Insults us bar wenches. It was horrid when she came in there.”

  “Well, you will find this funny then. She demanded that I sleep with her.” Pela gives me a look. “I didn't! I said I was diseased or something. I will not go into it, but you should have seen her face. I have never seen that colour of green!” Pela giggles.

  “Well, after all that, I thought it would be good to head down to the Hall because the squad is checking out something down in the warehouse district. They are risking their jobs on some half-brained theory of mine. Anyway, that is when I met—”

  “Slow down there. What about the warehouse?”

  “Oh, I thought I saw a sort of pattern in some old cold cases of robberies and murders. It was pretty thin, but Gunnar went down there last night and found some more stuff to support it. Like I said, grasping at straws—”

  Again, she interrupts me. Starting to get annoyed. “Why are you here if your squad is down there? Isn't that a part of your job too, even if it’s only for a few days?”

  “Hang on, you think this is part of my job description? It is not. What I did today proves that I go above and beyond while I am on shift. This investigation of theirs is after normal working hours—and also stupid! Why would I risk my life for something that could be nothing at all? I told you, I am no hero! I serve my best interests, and I pay back my debts. That is it!”

  I have done it now. Nowhere to go and now I have yelled at someone who is helping me out.

  “So, you don't think that you owe them anything, and you don’t think you’re a hero?” I nod. “So why did you help the girl? Why did you help me? Why join up with the Watch? If you didn't think it was your job, why did you say anything about the pattern? … I think I know. You do care! You can pretend to have this attitude but listen to yourself. You want an excuse to go down there. Why don't you just go?”

  Deep breaths. Do not say something stupid or insulting. Count to ten like the Father always taught you. One, where does she get off? Two, it is not my job! Three, I owe them nothing! Four, where does she get off! Five, well … Six, they did save my life today. Seven, but that means nothing! Eight … Nine … And one final breath, ten.

  There she is, just standing there smugly, waiting for my response. I cannot believe she is so sure she is right, and I am wrong! Sometimes I just roll over for a pretty face, but not this time.

  Fine, she is right and knows it. Maybe I think she might be right too.

  “Okay, you have a point. I will go down there. But only because I owe them, okay? That is it! I will have dinner first, then check my equipment, and no more ale for me too, just water.” What am I saying! “Once I help, I owe them nothing! Do you feel better now?”

  “Whatever you want.” I thought she would have said something smug. “I have fresh bread from the bakery as well. Would you like some?” Her expression has relaxed now.

  “Sure. Thanks.” I do not understand women!

  Chapter Sixteen

  Journal Entry Two

  Twenty-fourth of Harvest, 1007 FK.

  The difference between instinct and training is what happened to me that night when I headed down to the
grain mill. Lana was instinct, but I will always be glad that I grabbed her from the building. When I was back in the army, I just did things either to save my life or because of orders, never to do something right. Heading down to the warehouse district was my decision, with help from Pela, and if I had not gone my friends would be dead now.

  I have seen too many of my friends die, but if I had lost them back then in those dark alleyways, these last two years would have been meaningless. They are family …

  Time to check my sword, knives, and armour. Do not want to be spotted. Grab some coals from the unlit fireplace and rub them on my sword and armour, and keep some for my face. Pela is watching me prepare as she cleans up after dinner. I strap up, make sure everything is secure, and grab some cloth for later to wrap it around my boots and sword. No shield tonight; too much chance of it banging on something.

  “So, I guess that is it. Thanks for the pouch and cloth. Here.” I hand her my wallet. “This is all I have. If you go into the Hall tomorrow, talk to Bertude. She should have some work for you. I guess I will see you another time.” Before she can speak or react, I leave. I do not want a pity kiss.

  She is right, though. I cannot just stand here and let things happen. If something happened to the Rejects, I could never pay them back for saving my life. No tabard tonight; do not want to risk it. If I am caught, then Stillwater and the gang will be in trouble again.

  At least I know the back way to the warehouse district. Where are the grain mills? Not sure, but I guess, thinking back, they should be round and broad. I used to hide behind them in Wellspring when I was a kid, never inside. I knew one kid who did, and that was it, he was found suffocated days later. Must have happened so quickly; he looked a bit shocked. And here is another reason I love and hate being a half-human: because I can see in the dark, I used to be put on all the midnight to dawn sentry duties while I was in the army. It sucked!