Chapter 2 Part 4

Avery had never felt entirely comfortable in large cities, and Keron was one of the worlds largest. As he made his way through the crowds of people, he was acutely aware of how different people could be. Twice now, he’d had to twist away at the last moment to avoid the sticky fingers of local pickpockets, and he’d lost count of how times he’d been offered the “Finest goods in the city”.
He turned down a small side street hoping to escape some of the crowd, but after two more turns the narrow street dead-ended. Ruefully he shook his head. He was one of the best trackers in the world always able to find his way through even the most desolate terrain and now brick, mortar and timbers confounded him.
He heard a faint noise behind him. He ducked and spun to his left as a club whistled through the air where he’d just been. He kicked backwards at about where a man’s chest would be and was rewarded with a grunt of pain accompanied by the sound of cracking ribs. Turning about he took up a ready posture. Three men faced him with knives out, a fourth lay on the ground holding his chest.
“This be our little piece o’ the city elf-man. An’ we charge a toll fer folks what wants ta visit,” said a large scar-faced man.
“I have no money. ” Avery said levelly.
“Well then, we’ll just take them fancy clothes and boots o’ yers.”
Avery didn’t bother to reply. He took a fast step to his left and spit squarely into the face of the left-most brigand. The man blinked in surprise then his face flushed with rage. He lunged forward with his knife only to have Avery catch his wrist. With a quick twist and jerk Avery dislocated the man’s arm and took his knife. A hard shove, and his assailant stumbled, screaming, into Scarface.
As the screaming man momentarily slowed Scarface, Avery turned his attention to the third knife wielder. A vicious and poorly executed overhand stab came his way. Avery easily sidestepped and let the man come forward. He caught the man’s right wrist with his own left hand and snapped his knee up into the elbow. The unmistakable sound of breaking bone resounded. More screaming ensued.
Scarface had freed himself of his comrade by slashing the injured man across the face and shoving him aside. He now stood ready and enraged.
“You miserable elfish dog! I’m gonna open your guts and use you like a woman while you die!”
Avery let his enchanted vision flow over the scene. Three of these men were redeemable. They were simply men who’d made poor choices in the face of desperate times. Scarface however, was wholly committed to doing evil. Scarface lunged forward. Avery parried, knife against knife. He tried to catch Scarface’s wrist but the man proved quick and experienced. The attempt only gained Avery a cut on his left arm. The two of them spun around each other, each looking for an opening. Avery made a decision and leaped backward. Borrowing from Armegon’s repertoire he cast a force spell.
A fist shaped mass of invisible force slammed Scarface backwards into a wall. Immediately Avery followed up with a holding spell to immobilize him while he was stunned. A moment later Scarface shook off the effects of the stun only to find himself pinned against the wall by invisible bonds.
“You cowardly pig! Release me and die like a man!”
Avery walked up to him and said, “Your own actions and choices in life condemn you to evil. This is your last chance to repent.”
“You half-blooded son of pigs! Yer high and mighty words mean nothing! May the gods piss down yer throat!”
Avery’s only reply was a knife thrust to the heart.
Ignoring the moans of pain from the others, as well as the cut on his arm he went back to the crowded streets. He stopped into the nearest storefront, a Jewelers Shop and looked at his arm. Fortunately the cut wasn’t deep, but a sickly sweet smell and an odd dizziness told him it was poisoned. He calmed himself and reached deep inside his inner being for the power to heal. More than anything else it was difficult to heal his own wounds, and the effects of the poison were not making it any easier. A small hand thrust a reddish colored gemstone into his and a voice said, “Here focus your strength through this.”
Avery complied. It was still difficult, but somehow the stone seemed to draw the poison into itself. He poured more healing energy into it, and was amazed to watch it brighten, then after a moment fade into an ugly gray.
“Well now that was a close thing,” said the voice.
Avery looked up; somehow he’d ended up on the floor, and looked into the concerned face of a gnome.
The gnome offered a hand. Avery took it and climbed to his feet. “Thank you. Your help was very timely.”
“As soon as you staggered through my door, I saw you was in trouble. Then I caught a whiff of that poison,” said the gnome as he guided Avery to a chair. “I thought sure you was a dead man, but you started your priestly like healin’. An’ since you proved a goodly honest person, I thought I’d best help out.”
Avery gratefully took the proffered chair. “Again I thank you. That stone indeed made the difference. What was it?”
“Let me guess, you’re well versed in the healin’ properties of plants, but you don’t know much about stones.” The gnome pulled up a chair of his own. “That was a carnelian. They are useful in dealin’ with poisons and fevers.”
Avery leaned back in the chair. “I’m afraid I have no means to repay you.”
“That’s okay. I saw the kind of person you are. You’ll make it right somehow.” The gnome smiled and held out his hand. “My name’s Gosh.”
“I’m Avery,” he said as returned the handshake. “What makes you so sure I am a person of integrity?”
“Well, it’s kind of a secret, but what the heck… I do a lot of work for the mages guild, fine gems, jewelry and such, and Master Glimfeather pays with work in kind.” Gosh pointed towards the door. The frame was inlayed with a gaudy array of cheap stones. “See those cheap lookin’ gems? They change color to reflect the personality and intentions of anyone that walks through the door, and they said you was a half-elf of sterling character.”
Avery studied the ugly gray stone in his hand. “It has lost its color,” he murmured half to himself, as he let his enchanted vision flow. Indeed the stone showed its potential to heal, although this particular one was now tainted. He looked at Gosh, and saw the gnome for a kindly individual who could be tough as iron when necessary.
“Yeah,” agreed Gosh. “They get used up when you push the power through ‘em.”
Avery smiled and stood. “Well, you are very right Master Gosh, I will find a way to repay you.”
Gosh stood and said, “Take your time. I love a good surprise.”
Without further delay, Avery went straight to the docks. Once there, it took only a couple of minutes to find the Harbor Masters office.
A large older man in an oilcloth coat looked up at him as he came in. “Now if you don’t look outta place, I don’t know what does,” he said in a thick accent.
“I’d like to hire a ship and crew for an extended period,” Avery said.
“Not much on small talk are you?” The man took a long drag on his pipe. “Well then lad, would you want a coaster or a deep water ship?”
“Deep water.”
“What kind of cargo?”
“Three passengers and supplies.”
The man slowly smoked his pipe. “Nope.”
Avery was somewhat taken aback. “No? Why?”
“Ain’t no Cap’n gonna take his ship out to deep water for just three passengers. Who could possibly be rich enough and dumb enough to make that worthwhile.”
Avery grinned. “How about two Master Mages bent on completing a project?”
The man barked out a short laugh. “Fair enough. But that in itself is more than enough reason to refuse. Mages willin’ to go to that kind of expense for a project are probably best avoided.”
Avery thanked him for his time and left. Outside, a young man approached him.
“Pardon me Sir, but I jus’ couldn’t help overhearin’ you an’ the Harbor Master. I think I might be able ta help you.”
“Oh?” said Avery. “How so?”
“Well, I’m on the crew of the Reckless Lady, and we’re lookin’ fer work.”
Avery looked the young man over with his enchanted vision. Although he wasn’t heavily burdened with scruples, he was in earnest at the moment. “Indeed. And why would your captain be interested in a job that no one else would want?”
“Well I’d have to pitch it to Captain Tusk, but if you think those mages would be willin’ ta help out with a bit o’ repair, I think we could strike a deal.”
Avery thought it over. On the surface it sounded good, but he would not decide without asking his friends. After all, it was their money. “I will ask them,” he promised. “You and Captain Tusk meet me at the Blue Griffon Inn by eight O’ clock this evening, and we’ll discuss it. You should ask for Avery.”
“Ok great. I’m Kip and I’ll talk ta the Cap’n straight away. Thanks.”
“We’ll await you. However if you’re not there by eight-thirty, we will assume the answer was 'no'.”
The young man nodded and took off. Wondering if he’d just made a mistake, Avery started back to the city square.