16

The Odd Job

Galinndan hitched Tyrone outside of the Stone Ox, a tavern he had been directed to for both work and good ale, and entered the establishment for a drink. Inside was rather quiet, only regular locals or rough adventuring types hanging about, but Galinndan attributed this to the time of day.

He made his way to the bar, and just as he expect, he found it to be the perfect height for the gnome inhabitants and current barkeep tending the building.

“You’re a strange looking gnome,” the dark haired barkeep said in a squeaky voice. “Where you hail from?”

Galinndan’s eyebrow twitch. “I’m not a gnome. I am an elf.”

“Sure you are.” The gnome shrugged. “What will you have?”

“Your most popular ale,” Galinndan said.

The barkeep nodded and went to pouring a pint. He placed it down on the bar. “Four copper.”

Galinndan exchanged the coin for his drink. “Where can someone find honest work here?”

Galinndan may be from a holy order, but a man needed to eat. And he needed the extra coin for the finer establishments when female company was desired. The good ones cost a pretty coin.

The barkeep pointed to a board on the far side of the room. “Many are posted there and some live ones come in from time to time. They’re usually of the emergency type so keep an eye out if the other offers don’t catch your fancy.”

Galinndan thanked the man and strolled over to the board. There wasn’t any order to the pinned parchments, and some looked rather old based on the faded ink. He wasn’t sure what to make of those ones. The ones in better condition had requests ranging from creature hunts to caravan protection to full time help in the mines. Most paid well, but Galinndan had to be sure he chose the right one. He had orders to help others, but he didn’t want to do a lot of hard manual labor, so the task had to fulfill the requirement while also not causing him too much trouble.

One caught his eye, but not because of the pay. A dwarf by the name of Gimor Bluefoot needed hired help to keep some precious goods safe during a trip up north to a town by the name of Ashbourne. Ashbourne? Where in Akorith’s name is that? As a military man, knew all established towns in Alaria, and even some on the other continents, but none had been called Ashbourne.

Galinndan shrugged and went to look over another job offer having to do with a creature hunt, but stopped when he noticed his holy symbol glowing. Brow arched, he reached out for the new job and the symbol’s glow dimmed. Galinndan retracted his hand and reached for the job for Ashbourne. His holy symbol glowed brighter the closer his gauntlets came to the parchment. Interesting.

He looked at the pay for the job and found it satisfactory for the described hostile creatures they may possible encounter on the road. Well, if Akorith commands this job, then I suppose it’s the one for me.

Galinndan guzzled his ale and ripped the job offer off the board. Heading to the barkeep, he held the parchment up. “Where will I find this Gimor fellow?”

The barkeep squinted as he cleaned a mug. “Hmm, let’s see… at this time of day, in the merchant district doing some trading. Where exactly, I wouldn’t know.”

Galinndan nodded. “That’ll be a good enough start. Thank you. And thanks for the drink.”

He placed the empty mug on the bar, as well as two silver coins for the man’s help, and left for the merchant district. Tyrone plodded behind him as Galinndan made his way through the busy district. He kept an eye out for anyone who would look like a dwarf named Gimor, but so far he only spotted humans and gnomes.

After searching for an hour he reluctantly asked those around him for hints on where to find his employer. The average citizens were no help, but the shopkeepers were another story. Each one he asked pointed him in the direction they’d last seen him that day, which lead him to the next shopkeeper.

After the fifth new clue, Galinndan started to think he was getting hustled, until he spied a dwarf speaking with a gnome man at a shop. A human man with slightly curly hair and a sultry half-elf woman with long golden hair accompanied him. The dwarf looked like any other, short and stocky. He had no armor to protect him, though a dagger strapped to his hip. Galinndan assumed he relied on hired guards to keep him safe. Like the armored human.

Standing at what looked to be two or three inches taller than average height, he had a build that allowed him to move quick, but hold his own in strength, which was evident with the plate armor he wore, as well as the longsword and shield he carried.

The alluring half-elf woman on the other hand… he wasn’t sure how to take her presence. She had a body he wouldn’t mind getting his hands on. And she carried a sheathed curved blade on her hip, an empty scabbard on the opposite side as if she’d lost the partner sword, and a basic staff slung across her back.

Galinndan knew better than to underestimate a woman with a blade. Last time he had, it had been Corra, and he nearly lost his head. Though, at the same time, her clothing… Well Galinndan enjoyed the view. Maybe that’s on purpose. If she was a mercenary with battle skills, she could use that body of her to her advantage. Akorith knew it’d make Galinndan second guess his ability to fight. That settles it. This has to be Gimor.

Galinndan approached. “Excuse me.”

The dwarf and gnome’s conversation ended and looked at him, as did the two warriors. This allowed Galinndan to get a good look at the woman’s face. Her hair braided back on one side of her head, and her blue eyes added to her beauty. But the feature that stuck out to him, was the mark on her forehead. Corra has that same mark! The only difference were the gem colors.

The dwarf looked Galinndan up and down before smirking. “What can we dae ye for, lad?”

“Would you happen to be Gimor Bluefoot?” Galinndan asked.

“Aye, tha one an’ only.”

Galinndan held up the job parchment. “I found your job request. You still hiring?”

Gimor chuckled. “Sure are. Stand by Asher an’ Aviana an’ we’ll talk after I be done here.”

The paladin nodded and made an attempt to stand by the tall human warrior, though Tyrone decided he didn’t want to move anywhere. Galinndan tugged on the reigns, but still the large miniature donkey refused to move. Asher chuckled as he watched and Galinndan became more determined to get his mount to listen. But, he failed to do. Stubborn ass!

“You don’t win with brute force against an ass,” Aviana said. She walked over and knelt down, blessing Galinndan the perfect angle of her bountiful cleavage. He grinned, aware of his trousers tightening. Your contribution, miss, is duly appreciated!

The smirk promptly went away when strange braying-like sounds came from the half-elf’s mouth. Tyrone’s long ears twitched and then he responded back with similar sounds. Is she talking to him?

Aviana smiled at his steed and gave him an affectionate scratch before looking at Galinndan. “He doesn’t feel appreciated. You should be kinder to him.”

Galinndan looked at her, then Tyrone, and then her again, dumbfounded. The golden-haired woman took the reins from him and Tyrone followed her without fuss. The betrayal of his steed hit Galinndan deep.

“Impressive, Aviana,” Asher said. “The first time I’ve seen a natural magic user speak with an animal. Strange to hear such sounds come from a person, but fascinating too.”

Aviana bowed in a way Galinndan had seen Corra do on occasions. “Thank you.”

She used natural magic? “Ma’am, are you a druid?” He figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. Would help him understand who he was working with.

She glanced back at him and smirked. “Yes and no.”

Yes and no? What was that supposed to mean? You were either a druid or you weren’t, right? He decided to drop it and took up position next to Tyrone, keeping an eye on the golden-haired druid as she pat the ass affectionately. Tyrone ate up the attention, and Galinndan couldn’t help but be proud of his steed. Picking up tips from me, eh?

“Don’t look at me like that,” Aviana said, her eyes darting to Galinndan for a moment.

He chose to play innocent. “Look at you how, fair lady?”

The woman grunted. “And don’t try to flower your words. You’re old enough to be my grandfather and have the same look as he did when looking for young maidens.” Her eyes darted to him again and then Asher. “I’m not going to oblige lecherous old men. I have a reputation to keep and tastes to uphold.”

Galinndan’s pride took a major hit from that. Especially when Asher chuckled at his expense. “Well, when you decide to see the error of your ways, and wish to spend time with a man with more experience, come see me.”

Aviana scoffed and focused on Tyrone again.

Gimor concluded his dealings with the gnome merchant and slapped Galinndan on the back. “Alright, lad, let’s talk, an’ put yer… steed tae work. Help Asher lift this chest ontae yer mount’s back. I be leadin’ ye tae our wagon.”

Galinndan nodded and gave Asher a hand with the merchandise the dwarf acquired. Tyrone wasn’t thrilled with being treated like a lowly pack-mule, per Aviana’s translation, but she managed to get him to accept the treatment by bribing him with carrots. She had pulled three seeds from a pouch and used her magic to grow them into large carrots. The action impressed the three men.

“Sae, ye found me job request,” Gimor said as he led the small group through the merchant district. “‘Tis an easy job. Keep me an’ ma wears safe while we head tae Ashbourne. Lately thare be nasty wee buggers crossin’ tha main road, o’ which took oot ma last hired help… I think.”

Galinndan’s brow rose. “You think? That’s reassuring.”

“They went out to scout ahead,” Asher informed. “Never came back.”

“Well, I’m not an easy target to take down,” Galinndan said. “You’ll be safe with me, sir.”

“Aye, that be what I like tae hear.” Gimor said.

“But can you tell me about this Ashbourne place?” Galinndan asked. “I’ve never heard of it.”

Gimor frowned and glanced at Aviana. “Ye be tha millionth person tae tell me that. I know we be a small town, but we dae trade.”

“To be fair, Gimor, we’re new to this city,” Asher said. “The usual town we frequent that is closer, up and disappeared from our path.”

Galinndan looked at the human man incredulously. “Disappeared? Unless there was mage spell that went awry, a town can’t just disappear. Destroyed, looted, and abandoned, sure, but not disappear in a poof of smoke.”

“The old man has a point,” Aviana said.

Old man? Really?

Asher shrugged. “Then maybe that happened. There’s no sign this town ever existed on the road.”

Galinndan found this quite unbelievable. He could tell Aviana struggled with the same. But he didn’t care enough to press more. “So, who else picked up this job?”

“Aviana here signed on yesterday,” Gimor said. “Watchin’ our main cargo, is ‘er sister an’ a cleric friend o’ mine, as well as another warrior we picked up before arrivin’ here in… uh…”

“Kirdarim,” Aviana said, her words strained as if she had already answered this before for the dwarf. “This place is called Kirdarim.”

Gimor nodded. “Aye, that be right. Strange place this be. Ne’er seen sae many gnomes in one spot.”

Galinndan’s brow knitted. What is with these two? Everyone knows of this place. Galinndan was starting to think these two men had a few nails loose and wasn’t sure if this job was the right one for him. But the call… He touched his amulet. Why had his patron called him to take this job? He supposed he’d find out once he got on the road with these two. He just hoped it’d be worth his time.

♦ ♦ ♦

Temperance huffed and kicked her feet over the edge of the wagon she guarded with Orsik and the dracarthian, Draeon. He had black scales, neat spiraling and curling horns and an impressive frill on the back of his neck, and a few on the back of his arms around his elbows. The dracarthian wore chainmaille armor and carried a polearm weapon with a large sharp blade at the end. Aviana called it a glaive.

Temperance didn’t like him. He wasn’t friendly. He didn’t want to talk to her and told her to shut up twice since Aviana left, one of those times she wasn’t even talking to him! Rude! And when Aviana tried to get to know him, just on a professional level, he wasn’t nice. She barely got his name. But Aviana hadn’t been fazed by the reaction in the least. Orsik tried to explain some people were guarded and needed the time to warm up to others, but Temperance didn’t understand that. It’s not like we’re a threat to him or nothing.

One of the horses next to the wagon nickered softly and she climbed out to give him attention. His partner nudged Temperance so she’d give attention to her as well. She did her best to be kind and learn all she could about these creatures. She wanted to be like Aviana one day, a caretaker to animals in need. Especially baby animals!

The horse Temperance pet nickered more and she smiled. Even though these horses weren’t raised in the way Aviana would have, their employer took really good care of them. She liked that. She just liked Mister Gimor and Mister Asher. They were nice, though she didn’t like that Mister Asher and Aviana flirted with each other. It doesn’t matter Aviana explained she could have multiple lovers.

They were subtle cues, but Temperance knew her sister’s ways. It’s how Aviana got good prices on travel, food, procured items, and… well everything. I need to learn how to work money like her.

Temperance wasn’t good when it came to spending money. She always thought the prices were fair for the things she was willing to buy. But boy could she save money. Even Aviana had praised her saving habits. Now I just need more jobs like this so I can keep saving for neat things.

The sound of people approaching, pulled her attention away from the horses. She smiled wide at the sight of Aviana and their employer and… “An ass!”

She ran over to the donkey Aviana lead while those around her laughed. Aviana glanced down at someone and spoke, “She caught onto you quick.”

“I mean, she’s not wrong,” came the reply.

Temperance eagerly pet the beast of burden, oblivious to the newcomer in the group. He had a lot of features of a miniature donkey she’d seen before in a book on animal husbandry, but looked a little larger than she expected. Maybe he’s one of those anomaly animals Avi tells me about. “What’s his name, Avi?”

“This is Tyrone,” Aviana replied. “He belongs to Galinndan.”

Temperance looked at her sister and cocked her head. “Who?”

Aviana chuckled and pointed to a short man clad in armor with elven features, a bald head and long gray beard.

Temperance tilted her head more. “Who are you?”

The man gave a deep bow. “My name is Galinndan Venfiel, little lady. I—”

Temperance’s fists curled and she held them tight at her sides, she shoulders tensing. “I’m not little you… you… stupid short old man!”

Galinndan blinked, struggling to process her “insult,” but the others around them found it amusing. “I apologize. I did not mean to offend. I—how old are you?”

Aviana’s eyes glittered, catching Temperance’s interest but she answered the strange man anyway. “Nineteen.”

His eyebrow rose. “Are you sure?”

Temperance crossed her arms and huffed, puffing out her cheeks. “Why does everyone question me on this. Yes, I’m sure!”

“It’s because you don’t act it,” Draeon said. Temperance turned and stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled. “Point proven.”

Aviana tugged on the donkey’s reigns. “I’m guessing she talked your ear off.”

“If I had any.”

Aviana laughed but Temperance didn’t get it. “How can you hear if you don’t have ears?”

“They have ear holes, Temperance,” Aviana said without looking back at her. “Same with dragons and lizards.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Draeon, give us a hand with this cargo, would you?” Aviana asked. She glanced back at Galinndan. “Oh, and, Lecher, keep your ogling eyes off my sister. Or you’ll be wishing they were the only things you lost when I’m through with you.”

Temperance cocked her head to the side when she noticed Galinndan swallow hard. Lecher? She skipped over to her sister. “Avi, what’s a lecher?

“A man who preys on young woman for lady favors,” she said before working with Draeon to load a chest into the wagon.

Before she could ask what a “lady favor” was, Orsik poked his head out of the wagon. “Who ye be callin’ a lecher, lass?”

Temperance pointed at Galinndan. “This short old man.”

“Hey,” Galinndan said, offended. “I’m not that short.”

“You’re like… a half a foot shorter than me!” Temperance placed her hands on her hips. “And I’m not that tall.”

“Galinndan, is that ye, lad?” Orsik said.

Galinndan looked at the cleric. “Orsik?”

A wide grin spread across his face and he attempted to jump out of the wagon. Temperance watched as his foot caught on the wood edging and he crashed to the ground, face first. She, and the others, cringed.

“Orsik, you all right?” Aviana asked as she peered around the back of the wagon.

He lifted up a hand with an extended thumb towards the air and spoke, his voice muffled by the ground. “Ne’er better.” He then picked himself up off the ground and dusted his armor before approaching Galinndan. “Been some time, lad.”

Galinndan nodded. “Yeah, it has. A month at least.”

Temperance’s brow furrowed. “If you really know Orsik, Mister, it has to be longer than a moon because we’ve been traveling with him for three.”

Galinndan shrugged. “Then maybe it has been longer. I’ve lost count of the days on my journey.”

“Too busy counting the number of women who’ve laughed you out of taverns?” Aviana called out.

Galinndan crossed his arms. “Counting how many I’ve been sharing a bed with.” He flexed an arm. “I can show you why the ladies can’t get enough of Gal—”

Aviana snorted. “I told you, I have standards. Old men with shriveled appendages aren’t one of them.”

Asher, Gimor, and Draeon burst with laughter. Temperance stood there, confused. What did I miss? What does she mean by shriveled appendage?

Orsik shook his head. “I dinnae understand how ye be a holy man, Galinndan.”

Aviana sputtered a laugh. “Did you smoke some of Gimor’s spices while we were gone? Holy man my ass.” She looked at the oversized miniature donkey. “No offence.”

He brayed in response.

Aviana pointed at Galinndan. “This… man, is far from holy. I’m no chaste priestess, but the vulgar things I heard come from his mouth on our walk back here, made me think I was.”

Galinndan held his chin high. “I am a paladin of the holy order of Akorith.”

Temperance gasped, her eyes going wide. “You worship the dragon king?”

Aviana’s brow rose. “A paladin of Akorith? In what backwater village?”

The old paladin glowered and shoved his hand down his chainmaille shirt. Seconds later he pulled it back out, an amulet in hand. On it, Akorith’s symbol. “I am a paladin, woman, hailing from the Platinum Temple itself.”

Platinum Temple? Temperance thought and thought, but couldn’t think of a place from her books with a Platinum Temple. She looked to Aviana for clues, only to find her standing taller and more attentive to the strange paladin man.

“Give me your insignia,” Aviana ordered.

“Excuse you?” Galinndan said.

She held out her hand. “I said let me see your insignia.”

Draeon leaned on the wagon. “I’m also interested in seeing it. Everyone knows of the Platinum Temple and the claims of the power of their paladins and clerics. If you’re one of them, I’m far less than impressed.”

Galinndan narrowed his eyes. Temperance knew that look. This paladin didn’t like the challenge Draeon presented. An honor challenge! There was no way he could back down from that. Unless he was a coward.

The old man dropped his pack from his shoulders and rummaged. After a minute or two of doing this, he pulled out a small metal object the size of his thumb. It went flying over to Aviana and to Temperance’s surprise her sister reacted fast enough to catch it. Based on the look on her sister’s face, Temperance guessed it also surprised Aviana.

Aviana stared at the insignia, turning it over every now and then. “Well, paint me gold and call me a dragon.”

Temperance looked at her sister, impressed. It had been a long time since she said a phrase like that. Usually she just says bad words. Then, her sister started laughing uncontrollably, taking everyone off guard.

“Ye okay, lass?” Orsik asked.

The golden-haired woman held up her hand as she tried to get herself under control. A wicked grin spread across her lips when she did. “Siverath is going to enjoy this story of our meeting, Galinndan. Especially the number of times you requested I be your next bedmate on our walk over here.”

“Y–you know Commander Siverath?” Galinndan stammered, shocked.

Aviana chuckled. “He’s a longtime family friend.”

Temperance found this interesting. She’d never been introduced to anyone by that name, though she remembered the name coming up a lot in Windshire. “Avi, who is that?”

“Xalanath’s father. The man we’re going to be visiting after this job,” her sister replied, not taking her eyes off Galinndan. Aviana’s eyes danced with mischievous danger and Temperance could see it unsettled Galinndan.

“Oh, okay. So we’re going to see him to tell him about your relationship with Mister Xalanath?” Temperance said.

Aviana rested her face in one of her hands and Orsik laughed. “She won’t give that up, lass.”

“I’m aware,” Aviana muttered. “No, Temperance, there is nothing between Xalanath and me.” She tossed the insignia back to Galinndan. “Now hop in the wagon. We’re going to leave soon.”

“But… but I wanna stay another day and explore this place!”

Her sister gave her a sympathetic glance. “We took a job, Temp. That means we need to see it through. We can always come back.”

Temperance sighed dejectedly, kicking a pebble on the ground, and she shuffled her way over to the wagon. She didn’t want to come back later. She was already here.

With a sigh, Temperance plopped down in the wagon, keeping a body between the cargo and anyone who thought to try and climb into the back without permission.

Outside the wagon everyone else got themselves ready the journey to Ashbourne. Galinndan was introduced to Draeon, though the dracarthian wasn’t too interested in knowing about the short man. I wonder what the old man is. She had to remember to ask him some time. He looked like an elf, but was far too short, barely a few inches taller than Orsik. It perplexed her and that meant she needed to find out.

Orsik climbed into the wagon with her and Gimor took his place in the driving seat while Aviana and Asher worked to tack up the horses. Once done, Asher mounted his horse and Aviana took a standing watch next to Gimor. The wagon lurched forward and Draeon and Galinndan took up position in the rear, the dracarthian walking without protest and the paladin riding proud atop his donkey.

Excitement flooded over Temperance, making her forget about the disappointment of leaving too soon. Her first real job was getting underway. She’d prove she could do this. No matter what dangers got in their way.