Fetch Quest

Collectibles Found (1/3)

"Right, so I have no idea where this circle of stones is," Lang said as he held up his entirely filled in map. The day was coming to an end after the duo had ventured once more into the woods in order to procure five rabbit hides for the local tanner. The hero had also taken the time to harvest some mushrooms, moss, and insects which he could later make into invisibility potions. The beautiful map was entirely filled in with detailed contour and extensive labelling. Azazel would almost regard it as a work of art, but saying as much would only make Lang more full of himself.

"So where is it then?" the woman asked, "Did we miss it?"

"Possibly," Lang shrugged, "What's more likely is that it can't be found until the questline progresses to a certain point."

"What point will that be? Isn't it already urgent that we stop Nethes?"

"Perhaps it is not urgent enough though," Lang folded his map and slid it into his bag once more, "Have patience, my dear. The undead will not sleep forever. When Helga calls upon us once more, I predict we shall see some positive developments."

"Do you think she's alright?" Azazel wondered, "She kind of had to take charge of things after the incident at the temple."

"I'm sure she's fine. Named NPC's are usually very capable," Lang smiled.

"What's an NPC?"

The man flinched, "Oh, uh, I misspoke. I meant person."

"I feel like you didn't, actually," Azazel narrowed her eyes. The man placed his hands on her shoulders, "I did. Please trust me on this one."

His companion looked at him searchingly before pulling away, "Fine, I'll drop it. Are we heading home then? I'm tired."

"I want to check something first, but after that we will," the man turned around, "Will you accompany me on a moonlit jaunt?"

"Where will we be going?" Azazel asked suspiciously.

"To the fountain in the center of town," Lang replied. Without waiting for the woman's response, he began walking down the street towards the town hall. Azazel stood still, watching him draw further away. What if she didn't go with him? She hated being alone, but surely she could survive going home instead of running after her companion. That being said, did she have any reason to do so? She pursed her lips before jogging up to reach Lang.

"I'm glad you're coming with me," he glanced back with a warm smile.

"Why do you want to see the fountain?" Azazel asked as they passed the temple.

"You'll see... hopefully."

"Thanks. That really clears things up."

The two turned right and arrived in the plaza. On the left was the town hall where the mayor worked and to their right was the temple but also the road to the market district. In the center of the cobbled space was a tall marble fountain, bubbling peacefully in the evening air. The light of the newly lit torches and the emerging moon shimmered in the water. There were very few people out at this hour; most having already gone home or to the tavern.

"Oh, that's pretty," Azazel breathed.

"Indeed, but I didn't come here for screenshots," Lang approached the plaza's centerpiece, "I came here for what's in the fountain."

"...The water?" Azazel furrowed her brow as the man jumped up onto the fountain's rim. He gave no reply as he looked up to the top of the pillar from where the water spouted. The hero then leapt onto the middle of the fountain, using the different tiers as a makeshift stepladder. Water splashed over his legs, but he didn't seem to mind as he made his ascent. He reached up to the very top and felt around with his hand.

"What in the gods' names are you doing?" Azazel asked as the man became more and more drenched.

"Got it!" the hero yelled in triumph, holding up his fist. He jumped backwards and did a flip before landing on the edge of the fountain once again. Unfortunately the weight of the water in his clothes offset his balance and he teetered on the edge, about to fall into the pool at the bottom. Azazel grabbed him by the collar and yanked him backwards.

"Ah, thank you Azazel," Lang said, regaining his footing, "How about a hug?"

"If you try I'm going to push you in," she replied, backing away from the dripping man.

"Understandable," he sighed. Lang tried to shake some of the moisture off of his body before sitting down on the rim of the fountain, "So, you're probably wondering what I was doing."

"You could say that."

"Do you remember what I said was necessary for clearing the area?"

Azazel nibbled her lip, "It was questing, exploring, and... collecting?"

"Right on the nose!" Lang grinned. He held out his clenched hand and opened it, revealing a small blue orb. It gleamed in the white light of the moon. Azazel plucked it from his palm and inspected it. The object looked to be made of glass but the interior swirled with a miniscule blue storm. The best description she could think of for it would be: mildly interesting.

"These are what we need to collect, right? What does it do?"

Lang laughed, "Absolutely nothing!"

"What's the point of finding it then?"

"Completion?" the hero shrugged, "I can show my friends how I wasted my life finding all the pointless collectibles in the world."

"You don't have friends," Azazel snickered, passing the orb back to him.

"Ha! I've got plenty of friends!" Lang snorted, "You just haven't met them."

"Uh huh, sure."

"You doubt me?" he stood up and faced his companion, "I've got friends for days!"

"Friends for days?" Azazel raised an amused eyebrow.

"Friends for days," Lang nodded sagely, "All of whom would be very impressed that I found a bunch of tiny balls in random places."

"I know I would be impressed," she rolled her eyes, "How many more do we have to find?"

"Around here? Two."

"Where are they?"

"I haven't the slightest idea."

"How did you know there would be one in the fountain?"

"I figured if there was a collectible to be found in the town, this would be a good hiding place," Lang explained, "These spheres are hidden, but not so much that no one would ever find them. If you had to search every basement and under every log there would be no incentive to find these things."

"Is there any incentive to begin with?" Azazel asked.

"Fair point," Lang sat down next to her again, "but I will admit that when you find a lot of them they look nice on display. I have a case of twenty at my house in Werset."

"Can we go home now?"

"Certainly. I don't want to get hypothermia," Lang agreed, unsuccessfully trying to wring out his sleeves. The two left the plaza and made their way to their house.

"You know, if you had just told me about the thing in the fountain I could have used levitation magic to get it out," Azazel commented as they reached the door.

Lang looked at her and then down at his wet clothes, "Azazel, that is an excellent idea and I wish I had thought of it."

"It's alright to ask me for help," she gave him an affectionate nudge with her shoulder, "The hero doesn't have to do everything." He smiled and nodded but didn't meet her gaze.