Heart of Stone: HPHM Year 6

The Cloak

"There he is," said Jae.

Sarah stiffened as they were approached by a pale wizard with long, white hair that contrasted starkly with his black robes. Sarah eyed him carefully. She was certain she'd seen him before. She glanced up and down the dark alley where'd they'd agreed to meet. Ahead, a lone, short figure leaned against a wall, a hood obscuring their face. Glancing behind, she spotted two more figures, one a large man with an eyepatch, the other another tall, cloaked figure. The figure saw her looking and waved. Sarah quickly turned to face the approaching wizard again.

"Kim," he snarled.

"Evening, Alistair," said Jae. "We've got what you asked for, as promised."

Sarah pulled the bottle of shimmering, pearly liquid out of her pocket.

Alistair regarded it suspiciously. "This had better be the real thing this time or you'll not live to see the sun again."

Jae held up his hands. "No need for that. Do you honestly think I'd pull that trick again?"

Alistair continued to stare daggers at him. "Yes."

"I remember you!" Sarah blurted. "You're the bloke who sold Charlie a fake dragon egg."

Alistair merely smirked. "Serves him right. Kid claims he knows everything there is to know about dragons, but can't tell the difference between a dragon egg and an acromantula egg? He paid for the learning experience."

Sarah glared at him.

"Sounds like we've both played a bit unfairly in the past," said Jae, "Let's make an honest deal today and call it even."

"How do I know you aren't swindling me again?" Alistair barked.

"You want proof? Give it a whiff."

Alistair made to snatch at the bottle, but Sarah pulled it back at the last second. The contents swirled around in the bottle.

"I wanna see the cloak first," she said.

Alistair showed his yellowing teeth in a sickly, sweet smile. "But of course."

He twirled his long nailed hand in the air and a silky gray cloak appeared. floating above it. Alistair grabbed the cloak, gave it a flourish, and laid it on top of his left arm, which promptly disappeared.

Sarah's eyed widened as her mind reeled with all the possibilities of this thing. She could almost feel her mouth watering.

"Good," she said, her voice cracking slightly. She unstoppered the bottle and held it up so Alistair could sniff. She watched as he his eyes glazed over and he breathed in deeply the smells of whatever it was that attracted him.

"Excellent. Alright, let's do this. Quickly."

He held out the cloak and reached out for the love potion.

"Hang on a second," said Jae, "seeing as we got you amortentia and not just any old love potion, I think it's a fairer deal if you add something to sweeten the pot."

Alistair snarled again, and Sarah glanced sideways at Jae. This hadn't been part of the plan. She could feel the portkey in her pocket warming up. They needed to leave. Soon.

"How about you take this cloak and get out of my sight, and consider yourself lucky I don't curse off your ears for that stunt you pulled last time."

"Sounds good to us," said Sarah quickly. She shoved the bottle in Alistair's hand and snatched the cloak at the same time.

"But--" Jae tried to say, but Sarah pulled out the glowing bracelet and touched it to his shoulder at the exact moment the portkey activated. With a stomach turning Whoosh! they were whisked away from Knockturn Alley and Alistair.