The Magician's Assistant

7

 "What do you mean you're both busy all week?" Rachael asked.

"Sorry, but we've already signed a contract with the local mine. We'll be out scouting until at least next Monday," Jacob said.

Rachael was speaking to Jacob and Sarah Wilson, a husband and wife team of hunters who'd both worked in the forests around Woodridge since they were children.

"This is the third time today I've been turned down. There has to be at least one guide available around here," Rachael said.

"If you already asked David and Jason, then I don't know who's left," Sarah said.

"Nobody. It leaves nobody," Rachael said.

"You could go. You've lived here all your life. You've got some qualification," Sarah suggested.

"I guess, but this sounds a bit dangerous," Rachael replied.

"You said he blasted that zombie thing without any trouble. All you'd have to do is point him at them," Jacob said.

"It's not that I'm afraid of running into any of those dead things," Rachael said.

"Worried you'll get lost or in trouble out there?" Jacob asked.

"Yeah, I've only ever been on a few camping trips around here," Rachael answered.

"Just stay close to the trail, and you should be fine," Jacob said.

"As long as you can find a trail, you can find your way back home," Sarah added.

"That's the thing, the way Gramps talked about it, I got the feeling he'd want to go deep into the forest. Far away from any trails," Rachael said.

"Well, why don't you just take him on a sort of limited scouting expedition? Just lead him on the roads around here, let him pick up a few leads, then bring him back here once someone more experienced is available," Sarah suggest.

"So what, you just want me to poke my head in and come home?" Rachael asked.

"Exactly," Sarah answered.

"Nobody's born knowing how to navigate the forest. This could be a good way for you to get a start," Jacob said.

"You told us awhile back you wanted a new job. You could end up being the best guide in town some day," Sarah added.

"I guess I could, but I never liked hiking around much," Rachael said.

"Maybe you'll get a taste for it if you try," Jacob said.

Rachael doubted that, but she didn't say anything. It had been a very long time since her father had taken her out camping, and she'd despised every second of it. The only other real outdoor experience she'd ever had was a few trips out to wherever her father's logging operation was at the time.

Still, she had been a little girl back then, maybe now she'd have more of an appreciation for the great outdoors.

"I'd have to get a few days off from my job, but that should be easy," Rachael said.

"The way I see it, all you've got to lose is a bit of time, and you could end up with a good paycheck at the end," Jacob said.

Rachael thought back to the bushranger. Even after Gramps had managed to destroy it with such ease, she still felt like she had a lot more to lose than some time.

"If you don't want to do it then he can just wait a few days, can't he?" Sarah asked.

"I don't know. He hasn't told me if he's on a tight schedule," Rachel answered.

As Rachael spoke, she wasn't thinking about schedules. If there were more things like that bushranger out in the forest, she didn't want to wait a few days to do something. She wanted to act now.

"You should talk to him, then make your decision," Sarah said.

"I will, thanks," Rachael said.

After talking for a few more minutes, Rachael said her goodbyes and left. She headed back to the tavern where she'd left Gramps the previous night. They'd agreed to meet there once Rachael had found a guide.

The tavern was a small, but well maintained building close to the main road through Woodridge. It was built from the same locally collected dark wood as nearly every building in town.

Rachael walked inside, greeted the woman behind the bar counter, then continued down a hall near the front door. There were only a handful of rooms set aside for visitors, and only one of them had light coming through the crack under it's door.

Rachael knocked on the door.

"Gramps, it's me, Rachael,"

"Just a moment," Gramps said from the other side.

The door unlocked and opened.

The small room in front of Rachael was surprisingly messy. Dozens of papers and documents were covering just about every flat surface in the room, along with several candy wrappers and other trash.

Aside from the garbage, the room was unremarkable. A simple bed, a nightstand, a table, and a dresser. There wasn't much else.

"So, have you found a guide?" Gramps asked.

"No, everyone I know is busy, but I might be able to fill in,"

Gramps moved around a few papers and jotted something down in a notebook.

"Do you have any experience with this sort of work?"

"Just a little bit of outdoors experience I guess. Camping mostly,"

"That is still more experience than I have,"

"I guess, but we won't be able to do anything risky. I want to stay close to the trails and roads,"

"That's fine by me. If I need to break off from you I will,"

"I was more thinking just leaving and coming back with someone else. I don't like the idea of you wandering around alone out there,"

"Or we could do that, it depends on the situation we find ourselves in,"

Gramps opened up a drawer on the nightstand and produced some money. He offered it to Rachael.

"This will hopefully cover the cost of supplies,"

Rachael took the money and examined it. It was far more than she expected to need.

"What time will we be leaving?" Gramps asked.

"Whenever you want,"

"Is tomorrow morning alright?"

Rachael nodded.

"Excellent,"

"How long are we supposed to be gone?" Rachael asked.

"Three days should be more than enough,"

"Alright, anything specific I should get?"

"More candy, please,"

Rachael left the tavern and headed back to John's store. She needed to get three days of leave, and a lot of food.