Blaekerian: An Epic Fantasy Novel (In Progress)

Deal in the Dark

Captain Kilgore eyed the two of them slowly without speaking for a moment that made Cheruffi feel like his soul was being examined for anything of value that could be taken once eyes were turned. His face suddenly lit up as if he had always intended to do just that. A jagged smile reared up on his scraggly bearded face.

"Hello there, friend." he spoke in a deep and friendly tone. "Jauntice says you three are looking for a ride out of this "nowhere" sort of town." Cheruffi cleared his throat.

"That's right. We're looking to go as far west as you can bring us." The captain chuckled and his crew broke friendly smiles as well. Except for Stren, the man didn't seem to understand humor or at least would never participate in such behaviour.

"On the run then I see." Cheruffi didn't respond to that. No sense in offering up anything he didn't have to."

"Can you make the trip?"

"We're headed as far as Elhurra, from there you can get another ship I'm sure to... wherever you and the little one are heading." His face never lost that hollow smile.

"We'll take it then." They needed to be gone before the guards or anyone looking to collect the bounty could find them. "When can we leave?"

"Oh, come now," the captain said. "I don't make unscheduled trips like this for free. And this running in the dark business is not something I'm used to." From the smiles that his crew exhibited at that comment, Cheruffi knew that he was lying. "The price will be considerable."

"How much?" the ifrit braced for it.

"8,000 drakes. All in advance." Balghrs Breath. That was the first moment in the conversation when Stren offered a smile. His craggy and rough exterior didn't seem to complement this show of humanity, it was like his face rejected the very idea.

Cheruffi felt his pulse quicken. They didn't have nearly that much. And it wasn't like they could just keep waiting around for someone to come along that was also willing to go that far. He also didn't like the way the guy looked at them like he was about to catch a fish. Would he try to collect the bounty himself if they chose to decline his offer?

"That's nearly double what we have. Is there any way..." Cheruffi was at a loss for words. The captain seemed to consider this a second before smiling even more widely.

"Well there is one thing." He glanced down at Reyloriel for a split second at which point Cheruffi felt his clawed hand subconsciously edge closer to his sword. No bargain to be made there mate. His eyes veered away after that small moment, they drifted behind him towards the way they came.

"There is something that I would be willing to trade for passage on the Medora. You won't even need to pay whatever it is you do have."

"And what is that?"

"Just a small favor." Cheruffi sighed.

"I'm guessing the word small is relative." The captain gave a perplexed look.

"I don't know what that means but I'm sure it's something lovely." He continued on. "I need you to get a small something from there." He raised a finger and pointed back behind them into the dark. The whole group turned about to see what he was talking about.

Great. Something from inside there could only bring even more trouble. The building he had pointed to was the great main hall in Erston. It was the place in which the council met and the largest building in town, as well as the most secure.

"I'm guessing this isn't legal either, huh?" The ifrit mumbled. The crew behind them laughed and Cheruffi didn't need to be meeting Captain Kilgore's eyes to know that he was grinning unpleasantly.