Week 4: The Crazy Hat - Part 2

Twenty minutes into the four hour trip Lu threw up for the first time. The sailor’s laughed and cheered in mockery. “That must be a new record” some of them said. They took Lu to one of the beds, gave them some hot water and lemon to calm their stomach, asked them to close their eyes to avoid getting sick... Helvia stood by their side for the rest of the journey. It gave her an excuse to not have to socialize. Aregoma on the other hand was on her element talking with the other travellers, expertly wrapping them in conversation. Tessa was following her around her like a lost puppy.

When they were closed enough to the island Helvia took Lu outside to get some fresh air. In front of them the island raised from the ocean almost vertically with its dark red and black stone contrasting with the emerald gleam of its forests. In the centre of their field of view, the city of Ralaport extended from the shore to halfway up the central mountain of the island, buildings spreading around the valley and up the hills nearby like dots of white ink over a painting. The constructions were low, two floors at most, with plenty of space between them and painted in light colours; a far cry from the claustrophobic walled cities of the mainland where it seemed like not a single needle could fit in the labyrinthic alleys between the buildings. There was an air of quiet to the port town, despite the many moving shapes hinting at busy streets. The weather was nice, tropical, and under the midday sun it was making Lu and Helvia sweat despite the ocean breeze. The rest of the island did not seem much bigger and someone could probably walk all the way around it on a day or two. For what they knew there were no more towns, except for that which demanded attention more than anything else on this island. At its centre rose a mountain, easily two kilometres tall, that was cut on a perfectly flat plane. On this artificial plateau was the academy: A collection of spires, huge vaulted buildings and many other exotic shapes that were difficult to make out from a distance. Many of these structures seemed like they would only stay up thanks to some magic. Decidedly exotic in its extravagance and most certainly imperial in its presumptuousness.

The boat landed not ten minutes later, Aregoma and Tessa helped Lu out while Helvia put all their belongings and the chests on a wheelbarrow and took them with her. Once they were on land they parted ways but agreed to meet at ‘The crazy hat’ tavern at sundown. Helvia took her still recovering ward to the town’s barracks and sent them to take a shower and get changed while she went to speak to the Lieutenant of the island. The cold water did good o Lu and once their head was clear enough they dressed back up and went to look for the Dragonkin.

As they wandered through the corridors, they heard Helvia’s voice coming from one of the doors. “...he does not seem to be much for friends anymore.”

“Tragic really.” Another voice said, an man’s. Probably the Lieutenant. “Take everything to the crafters, they will know what to do.” Steps began approaching the door and Lu made the executive decision of hiding past the corner a few metres back, hoping they would not notice them. Four soldiers walked past their hiding spot carrying the chests and either did not noticed the sneaking thief or did not care. They walked back to the door, now ajar, to continue eavesdropping in the conversation. “...mentioning your new deployment here almost a month ago, but it was still unclear to me, what are you supposed to do here?”

“I am ready to serve, sir. My mission was to bring these materials here as well as hand over a prisoner for your care.”

“Ah, the rogue mage. It is uncommon to have such a criminal be given a second chance. Shimuri is merciful.”

“Blessed be his name.” Prayed those present. Lu found themselves whispering the prayer as well.

“Now my mission is complete.” Helvia continued. “So I am here to do as you command.”

They heard the steps of the man walking around Helvia, holding up the silence. “Why were you expelled from the order?”

“Insubordination.” Helvia stated. “My Commander considered that I overstepped and disrespected the cardinal.”

“You? Disrespecting Living Saint Marrak? If I was your father I would have executed you on the spot.”

“He tried. The Saint told him off, said it was a waste of good grain.”

“I see.” He answered, unimpressed. “So let me guess, Commander Pax thought instead to demote you, expel you and send you to the other side of the world to show you humility.”

“You know him well.”

“Hand over your armour and any remaining weapons you have.” The Lieutenant continued. “You have been humbled to the rank of a legionary and you will dress as such. No more paladin armour, no more personal weapons. We will refurbish them and give them to someone worthy.”

Helvia remained silent.

“Maybe one day you will earn them back, when you learn what it takes to do uphold Shimuri’s order.”

“Blessed be his name” Lu whispered from behind the door. Helvia said nothing.

“Understood, sir” Said the ex-paladin after a pause. “What task do you have for me afterwards, if I may ask?”

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“Mmm... To be honest we have no room in our barracks for even one more mouth. So for now I will extend your current mission. Keep guard of the rogue mage, stay with them at all times, if they show any dangerous behaviour execute them on the spot. You will receive minimum wage for your work, such is the life of a low-rank guard.” He said, with what Lu imagined was a grin on his face. “It should be more than enough, I have been told there are plenty of cheap inns and places to eat around. Stay obedient and diligent and you might get your rank back in a few decades.”

“Understood, sir.” Helvia answered in between her teeth.

“You are dismissed now.”

Helvia turned around and walked to the door, but before she reached it, spoke again. “Sir, since this is still my responsibility I would like to request your assistance in arranging an appointment with Archmage Xherez’elbes’kiir.”

“He is out of town. Come back in four days and we will arrange something.”

Lu almost screamed in frustration right there, but managed to contain themselves.

“Thanks, sir. I will do as instructed.” She opened the door to find Lu sitting outside, next to the frame. Her face was serene and stoic. Too serene, like a mask. Without saying a word she went to the changing rooms where she dressed in the standard white and green checker-pattern gambeson of the guards. She picked a spear, her things and left the building. Lu followed suit.

The pair walked past the port to the rocky shore south of the town, away from the noise and buzzing of the people. The Dragonkin sat down and stared at the horizon, observing the sun move across the sky. Lu sat besides her, and despite their best attempts they didn’t manage to get a word out of Helvia for the next few hours.

*****

Once the sun was setting they both left their peaceful retreat and began asking around town for ‘The Crazy Hat’. The tavern was difficult to find, located close to the base of the mountain and a bit out of the way on a street so steep it was carved like a staircase. The entryway was hidden in between two taller buildings that seemed mostly empty and hanging above it was a sign with the picture of a top hat drinking from a bottle labeled “XXX”. The facade of the building looked as ran-down and unkept as the rest of the edifications on that same area, but at least this one definitely had people inside, as indicated by the yellow light escaping through the small windows.

As Helvia and Lu Walked in they were greeted with the smell of cheep ale and hot stew, the noise was not as bad as they had expected and the place itself looked clean and tidy, if a bit dusty. To the right of the main door was the bar and the kitchen, behind it a human of dark skin wearing bandages and a turban was filling up some jars for three of the patrons. Lu recognized them, it was the two wealthy gnomes and one of the other merchants from their trip.

Opposite from the door was a small stage covered with wrinkly red curtains and in front of it ten round tables covered the main area. Only four of them were occupied, three of them by some of the people travelling with them yesterday. In the forth one were sitting the gnome mage, Tessa, the other novice mage and another man whom Lu assumed must be that Jake guy. He looked thirty-something, bald and with a thick and well groomed black beard. His eyes were different colours: one coloured like golden honey, the other one green and both had a subtle glint to them that for a moment made them look like gemstones. He was light on clothes, only short trousers and an open vest with nothing under it exposing his toned muscles, perfect skin and abundant body hair of which he was clearly proud of. His arm was over Aregoma’s shoulders, holding her close as she smiled while he spoke with loud voice over a jar of ale.

A mere few seconds after they had walked trough the door they were startled by a loud deep howl coming from behind them. Under a table in the corner of the room closest to the door, laying over a collection of blankets, was a massive black galgo, missing one of his front legs and with the snoot covered in wait hair. It looked starving, old and tired. Despite all that, it definitely had enough energy to alert the whole tavern of the two new arrivals.

“Shush you hellish beast!” Said the man sitting besides Aregoma. “They are mommy’s friends.”

Aregoma elbowed him on the side, prompting the man to exaggeratedly twist in pain much to the delight of the table. “Helvia! Lu! Come around!” She stood up and fumbled forwards, spilling over some of the wine from her cup. “Have you had any dinner?”

The mages pulled another table next to the one they were using to create enough space for the two newcomers. Lu grabbed a chair to sit next to Tessa and Aregoma. They were all drinking some form of alcohol and were definitely a few cups in already, laughing at nonsense and slurring their words. Helvia sat down on the opposite end of the table, far away from everyone else.

“No we haven’t had anything yet.” Lu said.

“Ah that is great! Today’s pie is delicious.” Exclaimed the bald man. “So you must be Helvia.” He said pointing at the right person almost by chance. “Nice to meet you! Name is Jake, but my friends call me Jake, which I find very convenient.” The table laugh, and Helvia politely indulged him. Lu Shifted their chair slightly closer to Tessa, who seemed like the most sober of the bunch.

“Ah so you are the one friend that likes rocks.” Lu joked.

“My renown precedes me I see.” Jake laughed, way too proud of himself. Aregoma rolled her eyes. He continued “You must be Lu.” He turned to Tessa as he spoke “You are right, they do have some strong racoon energy.”

Helvia laughed, this time genuinely. Tessa hid her face between her hands and profusely apologized to Lu.

“Jake! Don’t be mean, they are just a bit awkward.” Aregoma interrupted.

“No but like I don’t mean it in a bad way.” He made an appeasing gesture with his hands “I just think it is a very accurate description of the general vibe I am getting.”

“Are you this much as an asshole all the time or only when you are drunk?” Lu answered, more tense than what they would like to admit.

There was a moment of silence before Jake and the rest of the table erupted in laughter again. “Feral racoon I see.” He chugged some of his beer. “We are going to get along wonderfully.”

Lu glanced at Aregoma to judge her reaction. She was laughing and gesturing something at Jake. “Don’t dodge the question Baldie.” Lu insisted.

“I am not an asshole.” He drank the rest of his jar. “I prefer to think of myself as aloof and likeable, but brutally honest.”

“If you were actually honest you would not think of yourself as likeable.”

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Well all right let’s calm down.” Interrupted Aregoma. “I am sorry Lu, his sense of humour can be a bit too aggressive.”

“Aw come on it was just a bit of banter.” Jake complained.