Unexpected Loot

Chapter 6

At full speed, Kaleidoscope races south along a weather-beaten path that borders the Silver Woods. She passes a herd of cattle lazily grazing in the fields before the dismal shroud of grey that hangs over the land releases the floodgates. Rounding a bend, the trees begin to thin until the woods are long behind her, and the little mining village of Salt Hill comes into view built up at the base of a steep cliff.

The skies open as Kaleidoscope reaches the foot of the wooden bridge that leads into town. The surface of the narrow stream ripples under the downpour. Further down the banks, a human and an elf fish for provisions, heedless of the current weather.

[September 25, 2014: 00:53]

Guild Chat

[Fangmaster] u almst here

[Kaleidoscope] Just reached the bridge.

[Fangmaster] wheres ur bf

Kaleidoscope's boots pound against the aged wood of the short bridge that creaks under her weight. Once she reaches the edge of the village, she slows to a casual stroll while she navigates the winding streets.

The houses are small and the streets narrow. Taking a left at the next crossroad, Kaleidoscope passes the busiest business in the village – the tavern.

[Kaleidoscope] Where's yours?

Private Chat [Noodles]

[Kaleidoscope] Are you online? I haven't heard from you all day.

Guild Chat

[Fangmaster] brushin' his teeth

[Fangmaster] the mint makes it tingle xD

[Kaleidoscope] TMI

[TheArtfulShadow] i leave him alone for three minutes...

[Kaleidoscope] You have my deepest sympathies.

Kaleidoscope enters the craftsman's workshop. In the center of the main room is a large, mottled wood table, and various crafting tools adorn nearly every inch of the back wall that isn't hogged by the massive forge.

The workshop is occupied by two others: a feral warrior and a human ranger. The feral is draped in thick furs with a leather sheath that straps a massive two-handed Azurite blade to his back. The cold steel holds a faint blue hue.

Over the shaggy brunet head of the feral hangs a name in red lettering – Fangmaster.

At the feral's side, a human ranger is dwarfed by his stature. Clothed in simple, loose-fitted black pants, knee-high laced boots, and a deep forest green short-sleeved stitched shirt with a hood, the human sits on a high stool at the craftsman's table. His name – TheArtfulShadow – hangs over his head in white lettering.

Guild Chat

[TheArtfulShadow] how did you acquire a phoenix crystal?

[Fangmaster] bet his bf gave it to him as a present

[Fangmaster] did it have a little bow

[Fangmaster] he hit me! thats abuse ur abusive!

[Mangkeyo] You two really shouldn't live together.

[TheArtfulShadow] you're the one who moved out

Private Chat [Noodles]

[Noodles] Hey. Sorry. I'm here. Didn't have the chat logged in.

Guild Chat

[Fangmaster] yeah i was just being awesome when his roomate bailed

Private Chat [Noodles]