"Yes. I'm no blacksmith so I don't understand it all, but that's the explanation I have," Sir Heward said. "Let's go. It should only be a few hours' travel, now that we have our hounds. We should be able to get a meal and a good night's sleep."

  Sir Heward guided his hound through the forest as the others followed.

  25

  The Warts Inn

  "The Town of Ripplethorn. Ahh, I've had many a glorious night here. The gambling, the food. We must visit the Warts Inn, try the brownies. Delicious, I say," Clarebald said.

  The group entered the small town just as the daylight left the sky. Little huts and houses had lanterns hanging with candles lit. The dirt streets were quiet, as everyone was inside. Even at night, the beauty of the town was clear. The houses were all different colors beyond the regular wood or grass and brick, like houses in other towns. The flickering candles hanging in the doorways added a certain beauty when combined with those different colors.

  "You've been here?" Sir Heward asked.

  "Yes, I've been a great many places. I used to run errands nearby and stop here in Ripplethorn to get a meal and a night's rest."

  "Good, you take lead. Bring us to this Warts Inn."

  Sir Heward slowed down his hound and got in line behind Clarebald as he led the way. They passed twenty or so houses before Clarebald made a left turn at one intersection. Once the turn was made, they saw the lights and colors from a large three-story building. There was a candle in each window, and yellow paint on the all the walls. It lit up the whole street.

  "That must be Warts Inn," Tangie said.

  They guided the hounds and Raanda's war bird to a set of stables at the side of the inn. Raanda whispered something to her bird, and then hopped off.

  "She'll keep an eye on the hounds."

  The four walked around to the front of the inn. Tangie activated her Partegon clothing before they entered. Inside, the place was lively. There was a loud roar of laughter and talking as the patrons were all sitting at tables drinking, eating, playing games, and enjoying themselves. Clarebald motioned for the barkeep to bring a few drinks over while the rest took a seat at an empty table.

  "Things have been so hectic, I forgot to ask. Are any of you hurt? That was a tough battle," Raanda said.

  "I'm fine. A few scrapes, but nothing I can't handle," Sir Heward said.

  "I'm fine too. They barely touched me in that battle," Clarebald added.

  "My armor is pretty protective. It makes me a lot tougher than I actually am," Tangie said. "What about you, Raanda, how are you doing?"

  "I'm doing well. I live alone in the swamps, so I'm no stranger to battles or braving the environment. That battle was exciting, the type of adventure I was looking for, but it worried me."

  "Yeah, that was a rough one," Sir Heward said. The Kobolds worry me. I've fought a single Kobold before, but never an organized group. This Scepter of Truth is a lot more important than I realized. I guess the queen was right to spend the resources looking for it."

  "Did you question the queen's efforts?"

  "I did, but it's my duty to serve Thidora. I do what I must, what I'm asked of by the throne."

  "I don't live within the kingdom walls, but even out in the swamps, I know about the troubles in Thidora. Some love the queen, some think she stole the throne. If what I've seen so far is any indication of what's to come, Kobolds joining with Mardici's men, Thidora will need to be united. We need to all stand together under the queen," Raanda said.

  "You said we. Does that mean you are including yourself?"

  "Of course I'm including myself. I may not live in the main city, but I do still live in Thidora. I need to be protected like everyone else."

  "I have to say, Raanda, you could be precious to Thidora. Maybe you should visit the city more. I'll be honest, I've always known about you, but I never knew you had such skills," Sir Heward said. "And you, Clarebald. I've always known you were sort of the unofficial sheriff of Thaslatten. I knew you were good to the Partegon people in that town, but the extent has really been shown to me on this adventure. I would like to see if I could get you an official title when we return."

  "And you were worried that you would travel with women and children," Tangie said.

  "Shame, shame," Raanda added.

  "I know. I was wrong. What you said earlier, Raanda, is correct. I am a stubborn man. But I have to be in my position. I have to stand strong and not waver. But when I'm wrong, which rarely happens, I have no problem admitting it."

  "I knew men like you where I'm from."

  "And where is that?" Sir Heward said. "I'm still confused about you."

  "There is an entire world above this place. Several lands as large as Hyfold... many larger. Different people, animals, creatures. They don't know about Hyfold. There's no magic. The things I've seen here, my people wouldn't believe me if I told them. Kobolds? What exactly is a Kobold? Your sword shoots fire, and Clarebald's spear returns to him on its own."

  "There's nothing like that in your land? Sounds boring," Sir Heward said.

  "Boring? It's not boring at all. What we lack in magic, we make up for with technology. We have carriages that can fly. If we had that here, we would've finished our journey in a few hours."

  "A few hours? That would be very useful. Could you bring one here?"

  "I don't know. I don't know how I got here. And getting back... I haven't had time to think about how that could be done as of yet."

  "You don't want to go home?"

  "Not yet. I can't. I didn't exactly leave on good terms," Tangie said. "And since I now know my father is alive, and he is here somewhere, I have to find him."

  The loud roar of the inn suddenly got quiet. Sir Heward noticed the silence and scanned the dining hall. The front door of the inn opened, and a short man wearing all black entered. He had long, woolly orange hair and a long matching beard that flowed down to about mid-chest.

  "Sir, you said you would not be here till the end of the week," said the innkeeper as he rushed out from the kitchen.

  By the looks of the patrons in the dining hall and along the bar, it looked as if everyone knew who the man in black was. Even some of the toughest-looking men in the room lowered their heads, trying not to be seen.

  "I know what I said, innkeeper. But I'm here now. You pay when I want to get paid, not when you feel like paying," said the man in black.

  "They are being extorted. We should do something about it," Clarebald said.

  "We aren't in Thidora now. This isn't our problem," said Sir Heward.

  "We can't stand here and watch," Raanda said.

  "We have our mission. We can't stray from that," Sir Heward said. "Lets just keep a low profile for now."

  The man in black walked over to the bar and took a seat. "Let me have an ale while I wait for you to bring my money."

  "Yes sir, Mr. Thorns," said the barkeep. "But we will need some more time. We were expecting you later this week, you understand," said the innkeeper.

  "I understand? You suggesting that I understand is supposed to make it all better? I can't go to Mardici and tell him I understood, and that's why I didn't collect the money," said Mr. Thorns.

  "I don't know what to say. What can we do to give us a little more time?"

  "Mardici?" Tangie whispered.

  Sir Heward also heard it. He looked toward the man in black. Mr. Thorns noticed the extra attention being paid to him from that table, but decided there were no threats and put his focus back on the innkeeper.

  "I'll give you a few more days, but I need some assurance. I need something of yours that will prove to me that when I come back, you will have my money."

  "We have nothing of value. This is the start of the week, we have made little money."

  "I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about something more valuable to you than money. Where's that beautiful daughter of yours? Bring her out here."

  "No. We'll have your money in a few days. We need not bring my daughter into this. We can work together..."

  "She upstairs? Bring her down, or do I need to bring my friend inside to get her? My clumsy friend. You remember what happened the last time he came in here, don't you?"

  Tangie looked to the top of the stairs in the back of the kitchen area and noticed a small girl peeking around the corner. She smiled at the girl and waved for her move back out of sight. Tangie stood up and walked over to the bar. She took a seat beside the man in black.

  "You have ale here? I haven't had a good ale since I've arrived at this place. Get me an ale also," Tangie said.

  Mr. Thorns looked at Tangie. He was shocked that someone dared to interrupt his conversation, and also disgusted that someone took a seat beside him. His face showed exactly what he was feeling. Tangie casually took a sip of her ale, not giving Mr. Thorns a second look.

  "Excuse me, Miss..." Mr. Thorns said.

  "Skylar. Skylar of the Sun."

  "Okay, Skylar of the Sun. We were having a conversation. I'm guessing from your comments about the ale and your interruption of my conversation, you aren't from around here. You obviously don't know who I am. If you did, you'd know a conversation I am having is not one to interrupt."

  "You have guessed right. This is my first time in this town," Tangie said, turning her back to Mr. Thorns. "The ale is great. I really needed that. Thank you, barkeep."

  "I'm talking to you, Skylar of the Sun."

  "I don't know what business you have with this inn, but you will not take a child, that man's daughter. Not while I'm here."

  "Oh, you are some kind of hero? I hate to tell you, but heroes tend to have bad luck around here. How lucky do you think you are today?" Mr. Thorns said as he grabbed Tangie by the collar.

  Tangie quickly stood and grabbed his hand from her collar, twisting it behind his back. The man in black blinked his eyes and spikes shot out from his body, covering his shoulders, head and chest. Spikes also shot out from his wrist, causing Tangie to let go of her grip.

  "See, there's a reason they call me Mr. Thorns."

  Tangie looked at the man covered in spikes. With a thought her Partegon outfit converted to her nano-suit. Now armored, she shoved the man in black with her hand, pushing him back a few steps.

  "Clarebald, protect the girl," Tangie said as she pointed to the stairs where she saw the little girl peeking.

  Clarebald ran up the stairs. Sir Heward rushed over to Tangie's side and drew his sword.

  "I am a Knight of Thidora, man at arms. I have no jurisdiction here, but I can't let you take an innocent girl away in my presence."

  "I see there is a full party of you here. I'd like to introduce you to my friend," Mr. Thorns said with a smirk on his face. "Mr. Horns, could you come in here and introduce yourself to these fine folks?"

  "Mr. Horns?" Sir Heward said. "Are you serious? You two are named Mr. Horns and Mr. Thorns?"

  The patrons of the inn all ran to the back of the dining hall, as did the barkeep and the innkeeper. They heard a loud noise at the front door. Tangie and Sir Heward looked to see the source of the noise.

  BLAM!

  The front wall of the inn exploded, pieces of wood flying in all directions. A large creature came running through. This creature was about eight feet tall, very muscular. It had the head of a bull.

  "A Minotaur?"

  26

  Mr Horns

  "Over here!" Raanda said as she motioned for the inn's patrons to follow her.

  She reached inside her vest and pulled out a small vial containing a green liquid with little brown moving seeds that swam around. She pulled the cork out with her teeth and spat it on the ground. She turned the vial slightly and let the green fluid within drip on the ground, outlining a semicircle, almost drawing a line on the ground in the inn's corner with the liquid. The patrons that hadn't already left the inn were all standing inside that semi-circle.

  Raanda took another vial from her vest and turned it up to her mouth, taking a sip of the bluish liquid within. After putting it back in her vest, she spit the liquid she's sipped onto the semi-circle. Thick black vines grew from the liquid line on the ground. They moved upward, creating a wall that kept the inn's patrons safe and sectioned off.

  Sir Heward ran to face off with Mr. Horns as the half-bull, half-man charged forward. With his head held low, he tried to push his horns into Sir Heward's chest. Sir Heward caught the creature's horns in his hands, trying to wrestle him to the ground. It didn't work. Mr. Horns pushed Sir Heward against the wall.

  Clarebald threw his spear toward the man in black. His attempt missed but pinned him to the bar as the spear went through Mr. Thorns' sleeve. Clarebald ran toward the man, lifting his arm to swing until he noticed the man had once again sprouted his thorns. Instead, he held his hand out to retrieve his spear. He smacked the man on the shoulder with the back end of his spear, knocking him to the ground. Mr. Thorns stood and let out a yell, sending a spray of thorns flying in every direction.

  Clarebald jumped behind an overturned table to shield himself. Raanda ran around a corner into a hall, out of the way. About twenty thorns hit Sir Heward as he was still wrestling with the Minotaur. His armor kept them from piercing his skin; most just bounced off. Tangie's armor also kept her safe from the thorns.

  The man in black reached at his waistband and pulled out two short swords. He swung them wildly as he went in for the attack. Clarebald blocked most of his attempts with his spear as they sparred back and forth in the open area of the inn. Mr. Thorns lunged with a thrusting blow, missing as Clarebald stepped to the side and spun. Thorns shot from Mr. Thorn's sleeve, piercing Clarebald in his shoulder and back.

  "Go help him. I got this guy," Tangie said as she stepped between Mr. Thorns and Clarebald.

  Sir Heward held tight to the Minotaur's horns, trying to control him. The beast lifted his head, slinging Sir Heward in the air and into the side of the room. Clarebald threw his spear as he ran toward him. The Minotaur swatted the spear out of the way with his horns and swung at Clarebald as he approached. Clarebald rolled under the Minotaur's fist and attempted to sweep his leg. It didn't work; the Minotaur stood strong as Clarebald's sweep ended in just a calf kick.

  Sir Heward came from the other direction, charging the Minotaur, pushing him slightly off balance. The Minotaur stumbled a few steps but gathered his balance quickly. He picked up a table and tossed it across the room at the knight, pinning him against the wall.

  Tangie activated her sword, this time in her right hand. She forewent the NIP and instead activated her shield in her left hand. She braced herself for a fight. Raanda moved in from the hall, produced her bow and pulled back on the string three times in quick succession, letting out three arrows. All three hit the man in black, two in the shoulder and one in his throat. He fell to the ground. Raanda threw her bow back on her shoulder and pointed at the Minotaur.

  "I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that," she said.

  Tangie traded her sword for her NIP and let off shots. Each shot hit the Minotaur but didn't seem to do much damage. It angered the beast greatly, as she now had his attention.

  "I do have an answer now," Raanda said as she reached in her vest.

  The Minotaur blew a loud puff of air out of his bull-like nostrils, then charged Tangie. Tangie stood her ground and readied her shield. Raanda opened a vial and tossed it on the ground in front of Tangie. It created a cloud of white smoke.

  The Minotaur charged through the smoke. His skin turned white as the smoke froze on his body. Tangie activated her shield, causing it to grow. She slammed it on the ground just as the Minotaur was lowering his shoulders. He slammed into Tangie's shield and stumbled back a few steps. Tangie switched her NIP to concussion and shot the Minotaur, aiming for his chest. The blast blew through the now-frozen beast, shattering his chest open. Shards of frozen skin hit the ground, and the Minotaur fell backwards.

  Tangie changed her NIP to lethal and let off a few more shots, making sure the beast wouldn't stand again.

  "An old woman once again proves her use," Raanda said.

  "You sure did. You have a lot of little tricks in that vest."

  "I do. But I'm running a little low now."

  Clarebald went to clear the table and broken wood that pinned Sir Heward.

  "Thanks, friend. I hope we don't see another of those beasts any time soon."

  "I agree. It looked like it was all you could handle."

  "What about you? He was almost immune to everything you did. And you used your spear. I never drew my sword."

  "I would normally try to come up with a witty comeback, but you are right. I was useless," Clarebald said with a chuckle. "I'm just having a little fun. That thing was tough. If it weren't for the ladies-"

  "I don't want to think what would've happen if it weren't for the ladies."

  Raanda pulled a small sack out of her vest. She poured glittering dust from the sack onto her palm and blew it on the wall of vines she created earlier. The vines shrank and shriveled up, allowing the patrons that were hiding behind to come out.

  The barkeep walked to the middle of the inn and looked around at all the damaged chairs, tables and walls.

  "What am I supposed to do now? Fixing all this will cost me more than Mr. Thorns was asking," the innkeeper said, lowering his head.

  Raanda walked over.

  "I think I may have something that would help," she said.

  After rummaging through her satchel, she pulled out some items she'd looted from enemies they defeated earlier in the journey. Several gems and a few pieces of silver.

  "This should more than cover the damages," she said as she handed the items to the innkeeper.

  "Thank you!" the innkeeper said as a smile grew on his face.

  "Innkeeper, do you have a few rooms? We will need a place to sleep tonight," Sir Heward said.

  "Yes, sir, right this way."

  The party followed as the innkeeper led them to the back half of the inn and up the stairs. There were several available rooms. Clarebald took one, Sir Heward took another. Across the hall was another room which Raanda and Tangie shared.

 

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