Chapter 16: Talentless - Chapter 16

They didn’t make it to the mayor’s office until late afternoon the next day. That was partially on account of saying goodbye to Jim and Ivy, who left in the early morning, and largely due to Quill and Boh’s terrible hangovers.

Both the noble and the dwarf, once diametrically opposed, were leaning against the office’s austere walls in shared misery, facing opposite the sunlight that trickled in from the door. Boh had mumbled something about his first task being to build some more chairs, while Quill eschewed words in favor of groaning and clutching her forehead.

Both the mayor and chamberlain were doing their best to hide their smiles, but their amusement was obvious. Rayden felt bad for his companions, but he was glad their suffering was working to humanize them.

Within the confines of the makeshift office, the two Talented warriors–who had brutally slain a score of bandits yesterday–suddenly seemed like everyday louts.

“So, what brings my three favorite people in this excuse for a kingdom to my office?” Rhubarb asked.

Seeing that Boh and Quill were out of commission, Rayden took the lead.

“If you recall, Mayor, sir, you previously offered us a reward. We do not want money, but we do have something in mind today.”

The mayor nodded, looking nervously at Lauryn as he shifted his weight in one of the two chairs the room offered.

“Of course. Go on.”

“Boh, Quill, and I would like to stay in Penrith for the foreseeable future,” Rayden declared. “We are hoping to arrange for lodging with you, and also get a sense of how we can best help build up the town.”

“Stay?” The mayor blinked. “As in, live here? By choice?”

The chamberlain gave her husband a reproachful look, but seemed equally surprised.

“Yes. Boh wants to work as a smith and help the boy we spoke to previously, Rick, I believe his name was. He looked like an apprentice. Is there a smith he’s currently serving under?”

Rhubarb shook his head.

“No, he skipped town not long ago, leaving Rick, the poor boy, in quite a shit position. The lad tries hard, but he just doesn’t have the requisite knowledge. I’m sure he’d jump at the chance to serve under a dwarven master. Hell, that might be just what he needs to forgive himself!”

“I’m not sure I can help with the last part,” Boh muttered, still squinting from his headache. “But I can make the boy a decent smith.”

“That would be a blessing in itself, for all of Penrith,” Rhubarb smiled.

“Fantastic,” Rayden nodded. “Quill would like to work with you and Lauryn directly, as an administrator of sorts. She has...quite the background when it comes to managing money. With the three of us here, the town’s fortunes are going to change quickly, and you’ll need someone experienced to help manage it.”

The hungover mage lowered her hand from her bleary eyes, acknowledging the mayor with the best smile she could manage at the moment.

“...You’re really serious?” Mayor Rhubarb blinked.

“Yes, I am. As for me, I’m going to hunt along the frontier of the Feral Lands, get stronger, and start making us some real coin. If there are any other ways I can help, just ask.”

Rhubarb and Lauryn exchanged a look, wide-eyed and frazzled, as if they’d seen something out of place–or encountered a gesture of goodwill in a place they weren’t expected.

The former lightly shook his head while rubbing his eyes.

“...Really?

“Yes,” Rayden laughed. “It’s not just out of the kindness of our hearts. The three of us have Talents the kingdom did not authorize, and this is a good place to safely take advantage of our new power without drawing attention. Furthermore, there’s the matter of why a gate formed out here in the first place, Rhubarb. We would at least like to stay and investigate for a while. I don’t want something to happen to Penrith the moment we leave.”

“Truly?” The mayor said, looking to his wife for support again. “This isn’t just an elaborate ruse to make the wretched town of Penrith’s beloved mayor succumb to a bout of false hope?”

“Rhubarb!” Lauryn chided. “Yes, they’re serious. Quit being obnoxious, you oaf.”

“What did you call me, you accursed wench!”

Rayden smiled, letting their spat of bickering continue while trying not to laugh at Quill dramatically clutching her head in pain. Eventually, the mayor got up from his seat, sauntered over, and excitedly shook Rayden’s hand.

“Let’s make it happen. Rayden, if this is truly what you want.”

“It is. I’m excited to work with you.”

“Excellent,” the mayor beamed. “Then, for as long as you see fit, I officially appoint you as Warden of Penrith.”

Before he could balk at the title, the mayor turned to his two hungover companions and bowed.

“Our new Chief Artisan, and our lovely new Lady Regent. It’s a pleasure to welcome all three of you; your service is a gift from the heavens I am now slightly more confident exist!”

The chamberlain looked at her husband, slowly shaking her head.

“Works for me,” Boh waved, sounding a little more chipper despite his dour mood.

“More than acceptable,” Quill nodded.

“Uh, I don’t really need a title,” Rayden protested.

“Yes, you do,” Quill said before the mayor could answer. “You’re a force of nature to these people, Rayden. I watched you kill men with lightning and call upon the wind; you’re not a face in the crowd anymore. The title of Warden is a good choice; it's a testament to your power, but paints you as a protector.”

He clicked his tongue, but ultimately held it. If he was going to settle down here for a while, he supposed she was right. At the very least, it was a lot more enticing when she told him what to do in comparison with the mayor.

“OK,” Rayden said, bowing his head in acceptance.

“That’s our humble Warden,” the mayor winked, slapping him on the back. “However, there is the matter of lodging. Currently, there is none, really, aha!”

“Oh?” Rayden said.

“However, we’d hole you up in the tavern for now, free of charge until we can arrange some new accommodations. Sounds reasonable?”

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“That will suffice,” Quill decided. “Boh, you previously mentioned some experience with masonry. I imagine you can help with our new homes as well?”

“Aye, just not today,” the dwarf grumbled.

“Understandable,” she replied with bloodshot eyes. “Rhubarb, I’m sure the town is in need of better materials, so please make a report of what our priorities should be.”

“Yes, we aim to hit the Feral Lands in a week or so,” Rayden added. “That should help us procure what we need fast.”

Rhubarb smiled at first, eyes aglow with thoughts of gold, but eventually grew suspicious when he saw the urgency with which his new cash cows were speaking.

“The two of you sound like we’re in a rush, uh…is that the case?”

“Sort of,” Rayden admitted, looking at Quill for guidance.

She nodded firmly, and he decided to bring the mayor into the fold. It was tempting to keep Rhubarb and Lauryn in the dark about the area’s mana density, but he didn’t want to play god like the Mother did, justifying secrecy in the name of keeping people safe. There was a time and place for that kind of thing, but these two people were meant to be his partners.

Quill had agreed they should treat the town’s leaders no differently than they did each other, at least when it came to information.

Gradually, he explained as much as he felt comfortable about the increasing mana density in the area, and the implications it held for the town. Rhubarb might be a blowhard, but he wasn’t an idiot. He appeared to register exactly how important it was to strengthen the town–and fast.

“I think I understand now,” he said eventually, a little more downcast than before. “The way you’re talking, though it sounds like we’re preparing for treason…”

Rayden met the mayor’s cautious gaze with a blunt nod.

“It’s possible. The first step is making it hard for the baron to push us around, which means putting money into the town's coffers and making it more defensible. If they leave Penrith alone, then we leave them alone. But yes, if it comes to it, which honestly I think it will–I’m willing to fight the baron.”

“Fuck ‘em,” Boh agreed.

“I hope it doesn’t come to it, but I am willing as well,” Quill said.

The mayor’s face fell, and his gaze flickered from his wife to Rayden and back.

“Even if we won that battle, somehow…then what comes next? Where does it end? Do we go to war against the whole kingdom?”

“Maybe. Honestly, I have no idea how things will go. But let me ask you a question…” Rayden said, his face hardening with resolve. “Aren’t you tired of this shit?”

“Hmmm?”

He took a step towards Rhubarb, remembering the haunted look on the man’s face when the bandits had tried to extort him yesterday.

“You had some choice words for the baron the day we met, remember? Gustav seems like a real fucking prick. Did you know those bandits were working with him? Ivy and Jim found out he was getting a kickback from their looting,” Rayden revealed. “The dirty fuck.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

“That fucking rat bastard,” Rhubarb sneered, running a nervous hand through his slicked back hair. “The fucking nerve.”

Rayden smiled, watching flames come alive in the brown eyes of his partner-to-be in crime. He wanted to fan those flames and watch them sweep across the kingdom.

“Rhubarb, my mother was the mayor of a town much better off than Penrith, but it still ended up in ruins. Do you know why? Because of greed, because of nobles and merchants who aren’t afraid to kill anyone who dares stand in the way of their voracious appetites. For people like Gustav, it's never enough, is it?” He said with a clenched fist. “I bet he’s a smug motherfucker, right?”

Rhubarb nodded, sweat brimming across his brow.

“Indeed.”

Rayden paced around the room, slowly nodding. He didn’t fully understand what character he was becoming at the moment, but it felt good to let out a little sliver of the anger he’d kept hidden for so long. Eventually, he stopped in place, turned, and stared directly in Rhubarb’s eyes.

“Imagine how good it will feel when Gustav realizes there’s nothing he can do to stop Penrith—fucking Penrith—of all gods forsaken places, from kicking his ass. Think about that, and think about it seriously, because you have a Talented adventurer bowing in front of you right now, pledging to die fighting for that cause. I mean it.”

Rayden snuck a glance at Quill, who looked somewhere between amused and worried by his impromptu pep talk. He was scared that she’d be fearful of his intentions, given her status, but he supposed she might know the implications of what they were attempting even better than he did. Still, he’d ask her more about it tonight.

Rhubarb looked convinced, but he once again turned to his wife for assurance.

“I believe him,” Chamberlain Lauryn said. “I think he means it, Rhubarb.”

“You do?” Rhubarb said, inclining his head.

“Yes. I do. They’ve already helped us more than anyone ever has, Rhubarb. We’re barely scraping by anyway; it’s just a matter of time before we’re wiped out by famine or the next batch of bandits that pig-fucker hires.”

“Good one, lass,” Boh said without turning around.

Rayden continued staring at the mayor, letting his unflinching determination show on his face. He didn’t plan on dying anytime soon, but after thinking it through in his Refuge, he was willing to transform this town, galvanize its people, and stand shoulder to shoulder with them in every fight.

“You know what, fuck it,” Rhubarb snorted. “Fuck Gustav and the poor excuse for a barony he claims to run. The man is a cunt amongst cunts, a cocksucker who could make an entire fleet of whores blush. My loyalty has bought me nothing. The people in this town slave away their entire lives just to pay his beloved taxes. And what has that gotten them: bandits at their fucking doorstep!”

His voice strengthened as he clenched his fists.

“Hell, I’ve dedicated my entire life serving under this wretched man, trying to better his backwater shithole and advocate for its people. And yet, I have nothing to show for it. I’m not being humble, that’s just the truth. We. Have. Nothing.”

He glanced at his wife again, who vigorously bobbed her head.

“It can’t get any fucking worse than this squalor, so fine, treason it is. What loyalty should I have to a kingdom that hires bandits to loot its own people? I’m sick of groveling. I’m sick of pretending. I’m sick of waking up livid every gods damned day, wondering what will kill or piss me off next. No more begging for scraps. I’d rather die shoveling a big bulging rod of comeuppance right up Gustav’s fat ass,” Rhubarb shouted.

Quill and Boh both looked like they were going to throw up, dizzied by the mayor’s sudden volume, but did their best to hold up a fist in support. Rayden gave a quick clap, thoroughly impressed by the man’s prodigious aptitude for swearing.

Funnily enough, the chamberlain was looking at her husband as if she’d suddenly fallen in love again, which didn’t escape Rayden’s note.

“Well said, Rhubarb,” Rayden said with a laugh. “We have much to do before that day can come, but I’ll do my best to make it happen.”

“Thank you, Warden. You mentioned your mother ran a town herself…well, she raised a good son.”

“Agreed,” Quill joined in, giving him a smile. “Maybe a bit hot-headed at the moment, but she really did.”

He looked at the mage in surprise. He felt a pressure in his chest and a welling in his eyes, but reacted to neither. Rayden didn’t want to get emotional, but it had been a nice thing to hear.

“Thank you,” he said, bowing his head. “Together, let’s try and give Penrith a new future.”

Boh left his perch and came forward a few steps, looking green in the face. Rayden wasn’t sure if it was the sentimental moment making him sick or terrible alcohol poisoning, but he looked ready to leave either way.

“Normally I love this rah-rah stuff,” Boh said, stifling a burp. “But if we’re done here, I’m going to hurl, then find little Rick.”

The mayor looked at the dwarf with pity before clearing his throat and giving the man a wave.

“I think we’re good for now. Thanks for your help, Chief Boh.”

“Aye, mayor.”

When the dwarf left, Quill tapped Rayden on the shoulder and rested her other hand lightly on his hip.

“I’m going to stay for a bit and do some preliminary work with the mayor, but...I’m excited to see you tonight.”

Rayden caught the chamberlain raising her eyebrows at them and tried to keep from blushing, but it wasn’t easy.

“I am as well. I’m going to go do some…warden stuff, I think, but I’ll meet you at the tavern in a few hours.”

“Got it, good luck with that…and hey…take it easy with world domination for now, ‘kay?”

He felt a flush of embarrassment, then nodded.

“Will do.”

He shook hands with the mayor and chamberlain, trying to avoid the cat-like gaze of his soon-to-be date, then headed out into town. Before heading back to the tavern to get ready, he had a couple of pit stops to make.

First, he planned to investigate the area around Penrith and see if there was any more evidence of the increasing mana density. Then, he was going to buy a vase.