The Lord of Quicksilver Keepby David Barker

written October 2014

Chapter 1

Squish. The bandit's head made a sickening sound as Bloodfast's club flattened it into the side of

a tree.

Is that the last one, then? Asked Donovan. He was already searching through the pockets of a

still bleeding body. He pulled out three golden coins and a locket. He opened the locket. Aw, this one

had a damn pretty wife. He took a look at the face of the man he had just helped kill. Or maybe he

stole this locket, because he's awfully ugly.

Let me see. Bloodfast hurried over. Donovan knelt down so his friend could look, too. Oh,

she's a human. I forgot you like those. Gross.

Well, I am a human, you idiot. You're the weird one. You're entirely made out of wood

Donovan retorted.

Bloodfast WAS odd. Not because he was made from wood, barely three feet tall, and looked

like a child's first carving. No, that's normal for a Pinco. He's strange because, unlike others of his race,

he was entirely opposed to magic. Pincos were the most magical race in all of Merth, but not Bloodfast.

He preferred to rely on his physical strength, of which there was a surprising amount. He carried two

great swords, 4 axes, and a club with him wherever he went.

Donovan, on the other hand, was a rugged young mercenary who looked right at home amongst

the slain bandits littered around his feet. His long, messy hair was a dark shade of brown that

complimented his tanned skin, and hung loose on top of his bare skin. He wore studded leather, a shield

and sword, and several pouches that jingled with gold.

Their third party member was a few feet away, desperately trying to revive a limp man. Her

name was Xerah, and she didn't act much like a mercenary. In fact, she was a paladin, a devout

follower of whatever unpronounceable abyssal god her people followed. Bloodfast wasn't too sure

about that part. All he knew is that her people were called Bracs, and she was an eight foot tall, crab-

like warrior. She was a newer addition to the group, and Bloodfast was more than a little frightened by

her.

Get over here and help me! Xerah cried, frantically pinching at the bandit's exposed chest

with one claw while she cradled him with her other. I think this one is still alive!

Donovan plunged his sword through the bandit's chest, then pulled it out again. Don't worry,

madam. I've taken care of it. He smiled a smile that showed he put no thought into what he just did.

Xerah knocked the sword out of his hands. You idiot! I was trying to save him! There's no

reason he had to die, we got what we came for.

Didn't we come here to kill the bandits? Bloodfast asked, worried he'd made a mistake. I

thought that's why we killed them all.

Donovan shrugged. I thought that's what we were told to do, but then I wasn't really paying

attention until the man offered us gold to do it.

Xerah let the limp body fall. We were told to stop them from stealing from the village, and get

the stolen goods back. We didn't have to kill all of them. I doubt this one bandit would dare raid the

village by himself.

Well, now he definitely can't. Donovan smiled again.

Xerah gave him a sour look and headed to the bandit's storage tent without a word. Bloodfast

followed, hoping to just make it back to the village before they killed each other.

Aw, come on, Donovan begged. Why do you have to be so crabby all the time?

Xerah stopped dead in her tracks. Bloodfast turned to Donovan, mortified. He knew what was

happening next. He much preferred bandits and beasts and monsters to this sort of fighting. Why did

you have to go and say that? He whispered.

Say what? Donovan asked, and then his face dropped. Oh...

Xerah glared at him. Look, I realize you're an idiot, so I'm going to make this simple for you. I

don't kill people for the sport of it. I'd appreciate it if you don't stab people I'm trying to revive. And if

you use that derogatory term one more- and here she said something utterly incomprehensible,

something that made Bloodfast think of a terrible beast gurgling water at the bottom of the sea -damn

time, I'll pinch your ugly head off. Are we clear? She turned without waiting for a response.

Damn, she's hot when she's mad. Donovan said softly to Bloodfast. You ever wonder what

she looks like under that armor? Why do you think she wears it, anyway? Don't you think her shell

would protect her just fine?

Bloodfast squinted at him. He wasn't sure if Donovan was talking about the same tall, bright

red, prickly-shelled woman he thought he was. Dude, what? He asked.

Hey, she's got a great personality. Come on, let's get back to town before the red babe takes

credit for all our hard work.

Chapter 2

They arrived in town mostly empty handed. Once they had seen just how many crates and

goods the bandits had stolen from the townspeople, Donovan had suggested they just bring back a

couple valuables, and let the villagers go get the rest of their stuff. Bloodfast hadn't argued.

When they came to the inn, Donovan shoved open the doors and shouted The bandits have

been slain! Bloodfast squeezed past him and walked into the nearly empty bar. There was only a lone

cloaked figure seated there, who jumped out of his seat when Donovan yelled.

Er, sorry about that. Xerah said as they walked in. The figure turned, and Bloodfast could see

a long snout poking out from under his hood. The stranger rushed over to them, pulling his hood down

to show two big, curious eyes on top of a brown, crocodile-like head. Bloodfast realized this stranger

was exactly as tall as he was.

You killed the bandits? All of them? The stranger asked. He seemed surprised.

Donovan pulled out the locket. Yeah, I think so. Look, I think this was one of them's wife. He

said, opening the locket and showing it to the stranger. Well, widow, now. You recognize her? I'd like

to find her, now that she's single.

The stranger glanced at the picture, but ignored Donovan. He pulled out three small pouches

with a small claw. Well, in that case, here's your reward for that. You must be great adventurers. Are

you up for another task, one that will pay much more than this?

Bloodfast grabbed a pouch and looked inside. It contained 100 gold pieces. That was more than

all the bandits had put together. Xerah and Donovan both seemed equally surprised. Yes! Bloodfast

blurted. No task is too much for the great Bloodfast the Barbarian!

The reptile gave him a look, as if to say Really? but kept his thoughts to himself. He pulled

out a yellowed, unsealed envelope. Read it. He said, and pushed it into Bloodfast's hands. Bloodfast

ripped it open and made out the script as his friends bent over to do the same.

It read There is a keep not far from here, to the northeast. In it lies a man which you must kill.

He is a murderer and a tyrant. In the town south of it you will find others who will help you. Go

swiftly, this is urgent. Bloodfast looked up to see that Xerah had already finished reading, and was

looking around. Donovan was squinting at it with a confused look on his face. Bloodfast looked up, and

noticed the stranger was no longer in front of them. He turned his head from side to side, but the reptile

was nowhere to be seen.

What's that word? Donovan asked, pointing to the middle of the letter. Tear... tear ant? What

the heck is a tear ant? I don't want to fight that.

That's tyrant. It means he's a bad guy. Bloodfast explained. And that man just disappeared.

What? Donovan asked, and looked around too. Huh. When'd he do that?

About an hour ago, when you started reading that letter. Xerah retorted. But I didn't see him

leave, either. Perhaps he's a sorcerer?

He's no sorcerer. Donovan explained. He's a geelo. They usually live south of here.

Are they usually that small? Bloodfast asked. I thought they were bigger, and redder.

They are bigger and redder. Xerah said. That was no geelo. They prefer their desert, where

the sun burns hotter.

How do you know that wasn't a geelo? Donovan demanded. Since when are you a geelo

expert?

Since I actually traveled, unlike you two, and saw a bit of the world. Xerah returned. You

should try it some time.

Oh, so that's why you were so poor when we met you. Donovan laughed. No, thanks. I'll

stick to short travels and full pockets.

Why did you go to the desert? Bloodfast asked. He had never been very far south. In fact, this

was as far south as he had ever been, and that wasn't very south at all.

To see what the war was about, mostly. Xerah told him. Turns out it's just a bunch of

stupidity. Dwarves and geelos both don't trust each other, so they just started killing each other like

idiots. I tried to stop them, but there wasn't much to be done. There's not much of anything to do down

there. I just got a nice dwarf to make me this sword, she tapped at her scabbard, had some of their

famous feasts, and came back up here. But, more importantly, what should we do about this quest?

Leave immediately. Bloodfast said. It sounds urgent, and that guy seemed rich.

Urgent my ass. Donovan said. If it's so urgent, he should have gone and took care of it

himself. I just got a fat sack of gold, so I'm gonna drink myself to sleep and pass out in the finest bed in

this inn. We can leave tomorrow, at the break of noon.

The innkeeper came through a door behind the bar, looking sleepy. Oh my, he said, I thought

it was empty out here. What can I do for you three?

Donovan held up his newly acquired pouch of gold. I'll take your three finest beds, please, and

your finest bottle of scotch.

You needn't pay for my bed. Xerah told him.

Alright, two beds, then. You can sleep with me. Donovan smiled at her, fumbling at the pouch

strings.

Xerah turned to the innkeep. Three beds will do nicely, thank you.

Chapter 3

A few days later, Bloodfast and co. arrived at their destination. The streets were empty and

quiet. A dark tower loomed over the town, in the distance. The party realized they didn't have a clue

what to do from here. Bloodfast looked around, worried. So, uh... what now?

Xerah pointed to a building not far from them. That looks like an inn, we should probably try

there.

As they entered the tavern, Bloodfast was blown back by the sheer number of people in the

tavern. It was almost completely packed. Is today a holiday? he asked Donovan, as they sat down at

the bar.

Heck if I know. Donovan replied. Barkeep, you know where we can find some adventurers?

We're a bit lost.

The fat old man looked at him and smiled. Nope, not a clue. But if you buy that pretty young

lady a drink, she's sure to help you out. He pointed at a beautiful redhead across the bar.

Great! Donovan said, opening a pouch of gold. Give her your finest ale, please. We'd like to

be on our way soon, thank you.

Bloodfast thought the barkeep was about to say something, but when he saw the gold his mouth

closed. He bent down for a moment, then plopped a large glass of ale on the table. Bloodfast snatched it

and ran over to the woman at the bar.

For me? She asked, smiling flirtatiously. Well, aren't you a sweetheart. What's your name?

Bloodfast, ma'am. He stammered. Do you know where we can find some adventurers?

The lady frowned at him. Oh, and here I thought you were trying to bed me. What kind of idiot

buys Merlot the Fortuneteller an ale?

I would be that idiot, Donovan said, coming up behind Bloodfast. And I would love to bed

you.

Merlot snickered as she noticed him. No thanks, big boy. Buy me some wine if you want your

fortune told, I can't see anything in this murky filth. She proceeded to gulp the ale down as Donovan

brought her a glass of wine.

Ah, there we go. She said, and drank the wine just as quickly. She burped, then looked down

at Bloodfast. Sure you don't want to warm my bed tonight?

No, sorry. Bloodfast said. This woman was very pretty, but he didn't think she understood

how Pincos worked. Most of them weren't very sexual. Plus, her hair looked a little too much like fire

for his tastes.

Hey, what about our fortune? Donovan demanded. Weren't you supposed to read our fortune

with that wine?

Normally, yes. She said, looking back at him. Lucky for you, I read my own fortune

yesterday, which told me that today I would be hounded by your ugly mug to read your fortune. So I've

already done that. She cleared her throat, and then her arms shot in front of her and her eyes shone a

ghostly white. In a strange, commanding voice, she spoke Go east, for your companions lie not far

from here. Follow the smoke on the horizon and you will be there before nightfall. You shall meet two

there, one short and gentle, one tall and stupid. They shall lead your way.

As she finished, her eyes went back to normal and she slouched back down, but she had a huge

grin on her face. How was that? Did it sound spooky? I think I'll try something like that from now

on.

Xerah spoke up. We're supposed to go to the keep to the north of here. Can you by any chance

see what will happen to us there?

You mean Quicksilver Keep? I do not. There is a strange magic lying over the place. Hard to

peer into. No one really travels there. I had believed it was abandoned until last night.

Well, thanks for the advice. Xerah said. Come on, you two. Let's get going. There's still

plenty of daylight.

Oh, one more thing Merlot said. I almost forgot. I guess that makes my speech less

impressive. After you meet your new companions, you'll need to go even further east before you go to

the keep. You'll need to visit the alchemist if you want to defeat the Lord of Quicksilver Keep.

Bloodstone turned to leave, but Donovan and Xerah were already halfway to the door. He yelled

his thanks back to Merlot as he ran to keep up with his friends.

Chapter 4

Two days later, there was still no sign of smoke.

Do you think the fortuneteller lied to us? Bloodfast asked his friends. He was worried about

what would happen if they didn't get to the keep in time. The stranger's letter had said it was urgent,

and he didn't want to fail an important mission.

Nah, redheads are never wrong. Donovan answered. He didn't seem too concerned at all.

You mean fortunetellers? Xerah asked him.

What? Nah, that's all a bunch of bullshit. Only an idiot would believe in that. Donovan

replied, smiling at her. Oh, sorry. Do you believe in that stuff?

A fortune has never steered me wrong before, so yes. I'm sure we'll find the people we're

looking for at any- Just then, as if an explosion had gone off, a giant pillar of smoke shot into the sky,

less than a mile in front of them. I told you! She cheered. Come on, that looks bad.

They hurried onto what looked like a farm, only completely on fire. At the end of the flaming

field was a large farmhouse that was also burning. Several exotic creatures were running around, with a

dwarf chasing after them. A few wyverns were in the fire, playing with each other and fanning the

flames. The dwarf tripped over himself, headbutting right into a gryphon. It kicked him into a hydra

that reared and hissed at him. He yelled Woah there, Betty! It's only me! and ran off to a group of

wolves tied to a tree.

In front of the farmhouse, Bloodfast could make out what looked like a man standing in the

doorway, holding the door closed. There was a loud explosion that sounded like it came from the

house. The man yelled That's my two week notice!

What's going on here? Bloodfast yelled to the man.

Do you need any help? Donovan yelled, laughing and glancing at the frantic dwarf.

The man turned around and jumped three feet in the air, which was impressive since he was in a

full set of plate armor. It's the magistrate! Krevauld, we need to get out of here! the man yelled, and

bolted to a cart in front of the house. The dwarf, who Bloodfast deduced was Krevauld, had just freed

the wolves.

The magistrate? They're here to take my friends away! I already told you, I have permits for

the hydra! Krevauld yelled as the wolves ran off. Bloodfast noticed that most of the beasts were

running to the mountains in the distance. No! Bucky! Flappy! Fang! Groggy! Come back to me!

The man jumped into his cart and snapped the reigns. Goodbye, Krevauld! If it's meant to be,

we'll meet again! He yelled, as the horses ran off without him. Krevauld! I forgot to strap the horses

to the cart again!

Abaccus and Maddy? I raised them since they was just little foals!

At this point, Bloodfast was on the ground with Donovan. They were both laughing so hard they

could barely breathe. Xerah just stood there, clearly unsure of what to do. Both horses ran around the

party and towards the town. Bloodfast finally managed to stand up with Donovan still rolling on the

ground.

We're no magistrate, sir. I don't even like magic, either. Bloodfast told the crazy man.

Xerah looked at him oddly. You don't know what a magistrate is, do you?

Krevauld walked up to his friend. Sam, I think those three are adventurers.

Bloodfast addressed the two again, ignoring Xerah for the moment. Yes, we're adventurers. We

were sent here to meet two adventurers like yourselves, he explained. I kind of expected... I don't

know, something other than this.

We're adventurers! Sam exclaimed. I'm a wizard, and Krevauld here is a powerful sorcerer.

Krevauld looked at him, puzzled. What? I'm no sorcerer. Why did you tell them that?

I dunno, Sam shrugged. I thought it was a good idea.

Krevauld shook his head. All I can do is shoot a bow, and I'm real fond of animals. Sam here is

real good at yelling, lying, and using a pitchfork.

No, I'm not. I'm TERRIBLE at lying. Sam winked at Bloodfast and smiled. Everyone just

stared at him.

That's great and all, but why is this whole place on fire? Aren't you gonna try to stop it?

Donovan asked, pointing to all of the fire. I don't think it's supposed to be like that.

Oh, no. That's good. We're doing a controlled burning. Sam explained. Gotta keep that

underbrush back. At this point, even the bare, unplanted dirt in the fields was on fire, somehow. It's

all under control.

Uh, actually, Krevauld started, this isn't our farm, anymore. You see, our old owner recently

sold the farm to a young new upstart troll. He decided to hire a bunch of jerks who've done nothing but

torment us since they were hired. They even ruined Sam's prize pumpkin, which was sure to win this

year's squash competition. Sam held his hands as wide as he could to show how big the pumpkin was,

and nodded his head. So we decided to quit. I've always wanted to see what great beasts roam the

world.

And I've always wanted to hit them with my pitchfork. Sam said, swinging his pitchfork

around wildly. He swung it into the side of the cart.

We're headed to Quicksilver Keep. Xerah told Krevauld. Do you know anything about it?

Yeah, that it's the other way than you were headed. He said. Did you get lost?

We needed to find you two, first. And we're supposed to find an alchemist. Bloodfast looked

at both of them. We were supposed to find you two days ago, but maybe Merlot was mistaken.

Merlot's usually a mistake, I find. Krevauld shook his head. I much prefer a good ale.

That's exactly what I thought. Donovan sympathized. But the lady only wanted her wine.

Wait, alchemist? Krevauld asked. I visited an alchemist just last week when Bucky was sick.

He's just a few hours east of here. I bet he'd see us right away.

Glad to have you join the team! Donovan slapped Sam on the back. Sam nearly stumbled

over.

Chapter 5

The five adventurers entered the shop to find a wide array of herbs, vials, containers and potions

stacked straight up to the ceiling. Blues, reds, purples, greens, and all sorts of colors bubbled, swirled,

and fizzed along the walls. Bloodfast felt like he was inside of a rainbow. The shopkeeper was nowhere

to be seen, however.

Potion seller! Krevauld yelled, louder than seemed necessary, as the room was quite a small

one. There was no answer. We have come to buy your strongest potions! I have become an adventurer,

and I require your potions!

Footsteps sounded from directly below them, and then a trap door that Bloodfast had not

noticed before sprung open. An elf with an obscenely large mouth and comical hair, styled in the shape

of a pointy hat, rose from the trap door. Bloodfast could tell he was ascending stairs.

Oh, hello apprentice. Krevauld said when the elf appeared. Where's the alchemist at?

The elf's face lit up when he saw the dwarf. Ah, Krevauld. How nice to see you. My master

had an errand to run, so I'm in charge of the shop. You're leaving the farm? the elf asked, smiling at

the party. Quite a crew you've gathered here.

Actually, they gathered us. Sam and I were just quitting the farm when they showed up and

said they needed to see you. Krevauld gestured to Bloodfast, Donovan, and Xerah. The apprentice

straightened and examined each of them carefully. He seemed to take an extra long look at Bloodfast

and Donovan, which made Bloodfast uncomfortable. Donovan flexed when the apprentice got to him,

but was visibly struggling to hold his pose by the time the apprentice finished his examination.

What was it you were looking for? He asked, eyes flicking back on Bloodfast.

Well, we're going into battle. Bloodfast explained. We're not sure what we're up against, but

we'd like your strongest potions.

Yeah, that sounds great. Said Donovan. Give us your strongest potions, potion seller.

I have just the thing, if I may direct you to our back shelf. Said the apprentice, turning to a

shelf along the back wall. This shelf holds all of our strongest potions. These potions can cure any

fatigue. They can heal any wound. He pointed to a line of purple bottles that were smoking. These

can even temporarily increase your strength to that of a giant. You could beat anyone in a fight if you

had these.

Yeah, yeah. Great. Give us all of those, then. Donovan told the apprentice.

Oh, but I can't. The apprentice replied. These potions are too strong for you. No offense, but

two of you have only just begun your careers. And I don't really think that the runt could handle half of

these. My master would kill me if I sold these potions to you.

What? We came all this way and you wont even sell us your potions? Sam yelled at the man,

scaring him. What kind of shop is this where we can't even buy anything? Do you even know how to

run a shop? Krevauld tried to calm him, but it was no use.

Sir, I'm sorry, but you can not handle my master's strongest potions. If you'd like, I can direct

you to a weaker potion seller. Bloodfast could tell the apprentice was upset, and he really didn't

understand why Sam was so angry, but he was angry, too. Bloodfast wasn't as strong as Xerah, but he

was probably the second strongest of the group. He didn't like being called a runt. Xerah, however,

wasn't about to deal with two people who could fly into a barbarian rage at the same time.

Sam, calm down. He's just doing his job. She tried, giving a sympathetic look to the

apprentice. He smiled back weakly.

You know what? Sam said, pretending to ponder something. Half of these potions don't even

look legal. What's in them, anyway? Maybe the magistrate should come take a look at this place. As

he said that, he shattered a few bottles with his foot. One of them burned through his shoe and singed

his toe. Krevauld tried to apologize to the elf, but Sam interrupted him with more yelling. Ow! My

foot! Is this what you want to happen to us out there? Do you want us to die? Is that how you get your

kicks?

The elf was on the verge of tears by now. Donovan began pulling gold out of his various

pouches and pockets. Look at all of this gold I have. He said, importantly. This should prove that

we're great adventurers. No one who's bad at fighting could have this much money. He began

throwing coins around randomly to get his point across. Just give us the potions and we'll get out of

your hair.

The apprentice took a deep breath, then swept several potions into a bag and handed them to

Donovan. Here. He said with doubt in his voice. Take these. I hope you are successful. Just please

get that lunatic out of my shop. He pointed at Sam, who was still yelling and hitting things, clearly

unaware that the problem had been solved. Xerah and Krevauld were both trying to calm him down,

but he seemed oblivious to them both. I have to clean this up before my master gets back, and hope he

doesn't condemn me for selling these to you. Please get out!

Donovan patted Sam on the back. You did good, buddy. Good job.

Sam suddenly straightened. He turned to the elf with a neutral expression on his face. Pleasure

doing business with you, sir, he said, but now I have to go. Good day. With that, he walked past

everyone else, right out of the shop.

Donovan smiled at Bloodfast. I like this guy. I hope he stays with us for a while. He followed

Sam outside.

Xerah turned to Krevauld, who was still trying to apologize to the elf. Is he always like this?

She asked the dwarf, folding her claws across her chest. I've dealt with insanity before, I'd rather not

do it again.

He means well. Krevauld told her. He's a great farmer, but not so great dealing with people. I

think it's just the stress of losing his pumpkin. You should have seen it. She was a beauty.

That's no excuse for that kind of behavior. The apprentice said, and retreated back down the

hatch. Before the trapdoor closed, he told the rest of the party That madman is never allowed in this

shop again. If you know what's good for you, you wont drink those potions. They're much too powerful

for you. With that he shut and locked the door, leaving them to see themselves out of the shop.

Oh, what does he know? Bloodfast asked neither of them in particular. I'm a grand warrior. I

could club his tiny elf bones into dust if I wanted to. He stormed out of the shop, leaving Krevauld and

Xerah to look at each other in confusion.

Chapter 6

Walking back to the keep, Donovan rummaged through the bag, pulling out different potions

and voicing important questions. These questions were mostly Hey, does anyone remember what this

one does? and the answers were mostly no., except for Sam, who named a potential effect which

seemed to pop off from the top of his head.

To test him, Bloodfast pulled out the first potion again. It was a swirling green and purple

concoction that looked disgusting to him. Sam, what did you say this one was, again?

I already told you. Sam sighed. It's clearly a potion that cures cancer. The cyan potion lets

you shoot lightning out of your fingertips, the red is good for acne, and the yellow potion is probably

that weird elf's pee.

I guess that last one would help if we have to fight a jellyfish. Donovan said. He seemed to

have taken a liking to Sam. The two were always laughing at or with each other. Bloodfast was worried

Donovan might go off with Sam after this adventure was done, and leave him behind. It was probably

about time, though. They had traveled together for years now, since their old band of mercenaries had

disbanded. It was surprising that Donovan hadn't settled down yet, what with all the years of collecting

gold behind him. He was probably rich by now.

Sam stopped short in the middle of the road. This was troublesome because no one else was

paying much attention to him, and Xerah and Bloodfast were right behind him. They all stumbled over.

What's wrong with you? Xerah asked, lying flat on the ground and unable to stand due to her

armor. Somebody help me up so I can pinch this idiot.

Donovan chuckled, but he helped her stand up. Sam really got you good.

What's wrong, Sam? Krevauld asked him. He looked a little on edge.

Farm's that way. Sam said. His face was stoney. He pointed down the trail, as if to show them

where the farm was. We can't go that way. We gotta go around.

What? Why do you have to do that? I thought you two left your farm on pretty good terms.

Donovan said. When no one laughed, he asked Well, how should we go around it, then?

Krevauld's eyes lit up. We can go through the woods and along the base of the mountains a

couple miles north of the farm. That will lead us right to Quicksilver Keep, anyway, so it's not much

more time. There's a beautiful lake up that way as well.

Lead the way. Bloodfast said. He liked the dwarf a lot. Krevauld was smart, nice, and

friendly. Bloodfast was glad he was with them. Traveling with just Donovan could be a chore when

every other thing they did got them into trouble.

They spent the rest of the day trekking through the woods. By nightfall, they had finally found

the lake Krevauld had mentioned. It didn't look very beautiful, though. Bloodfast thought the water was

murky and unnatural. He chose to drink from his waterskin while the rest drank from the lake. He felt

at home under the trees, and easily fell asleep.

Chapter 7

Bloodfast awoke to screeches, screams, and a deafening roar. His groggy mind saw tentacles

waving madly in the air, and his eyes followed them back to the lake.

Is that a bloody kraken? Donovan yelled, jumped out of his bedroll. Bloodfast could make out

a short figure against the moon's light, waving in the sky, fighting the grip of a tentacle. A hippogryph

flew wildly overhead, biting the tentacle that held the dwarf.

Xerah yelled They've come for me! I've been a bad paladin and they're going to kill me!

Kill it first, then! Donovan yelled as he ran up to the lake, sword in hand. He skidded to a halt

at the water's edge, at least 50 feet from any visible part of the kraken. He looked around frantically,

then at Bloodfast. How the hell do we kill it?

Don't hurt her! Krevauld gasped to the party, as the kraken squeezed him tighter. Her name

is Nessie, and she's my friend!

Where in the hell did you find this one? Sam yelled up to the dwarf. I've never seen her

around the farm before!

Never mind that, how did he get it in this lake? Xerah asked. Bloodfast looked around for, he

didn't know, anything. Anything that would stop this kraken. But he couldn't think of a single thing. All

he could do was stare at Krevauld uselessly. His swords, his axes, his clubs were all useless here.

It's okay, Bucky's got me. Krevauld assured them, as the kraken squeezed him even tighter.

Krevauld yelled in pain. As if on cue, the hippogryph screeched and dug into the tentacle, and a foul

liquid squirted out. The kraken dropped Krevauld into the lake and roared again.

We need to run! Xerah commanded everyone. Run like you've never run before!

They all ran. Bloodfast hated to leave Krevauld behind, but there was nothing to be done about

it. Except as they ran, he heard laughter pass over their heads. He looked up to see Krevauld riding the

hippogryph past them, hollering at the top of his lungs. Woohoo! We did it, Bucky! He shouted.

Bucky carried him out of sight. They caught up with him about a mile away from the lake.

What the hell was that about? Xerah demanded as soon as they reached him. Everyone else

was too out of breath to speak. She pinched the dwarf's arms and held him up off the ground. Why did

we sleep near a lake with a damned kraken in it? We should all be dead right now.

Bucky growled at her. She hissed back even louder, bubbles foaming at her mouth. Bucky

yelped and put her head down. Xerah turned back to Krevauld. Well? Answer me!

I-I-I've never seen her act like that before, Krevauld started. Xerah shook him.

WHAT? Do you know what a kraken is, boy? Those things are evil. They've always been evil,

they'll always be evil. That monster is not your friend. Don't you ever take me near another thing like

that again. In fact, I don't ever want to be near a body of water with you. You're an idiot." Bloodfast

could see tears welling up in Krevauld's eyes, along with a side of terror. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm

going to go sleep over there, assuming there aren't any terrors of the deep living in that tree. You will

not come within a hundred feet of me while I sleep or so help me I will kill you. She dropped

Krevauld to his knees and stormed off to her tree. The hippogryph purred and nestled its head against

Krevauld's.

Boy, someone's acting awfully shellfish tonight. Sam said. Bloodfast and Donovan shushed

him so fiercely that the three almost fell over.

Trust me, don't say things like that to her. Donovan said. He looked over at Xerah nervously,

but she didn't seem to have heard. I'd rather fight that kraken than risk another crustacean pun around

Xerah.

Maybe she has a point, though. Bloodfast said. We should probably avoid most magical

beasts for the time being.

Nessie was never violent. Krevauld protested, with his face still against the hippogryph's hide.

She just didn't want me to leave. I haven't visited her for months because of all the business at the

farm.

Or, maybe, Donovan said, maybe she's a kraken living in a lake, and was trying to eat you.

You aren't taking that hippogryph with us, are you, Krevauld? Sam asked, holding his chin.

Of course I am! Bucky and me are best friends. We need each other. She just saved my life.

Krevauld's grip on Bucky's hide tightened.

Yeah, but she'll eat a lot. Sam said. And she probably won't even fit in the keep. What if she

gets angry, too, and tries to hurt us like Nessie did?

Bucky ain't never hurt nobody! Krevauld protested, squeezing the hippogryph again.

Well that would be a good reason to not bring him, then, isn't it? It would be pretty useless to

us. Donovan asked him. The dwarf seemed to consider this. No one mentioned that it had just fought

off a kraken.

But I don't want to leave her all alone.

She won't be alone. Sam assured him. She'll find her family, and she'll be happier if you let

her go. She belongs in the wild.

I'll think about it. Krevauld said. Right now, I'd just like to go to sleep, if that's alright with

you.

Everyone fell back asleep, except for Bloodfast. He was thinking about the hopeless feeling he

felt watching Krevauld fight the kraken. Bandits and other mundane creatures were easy to fight. But

their entire party was nonmagical, and going to a strange magical keep. The lord of the keep was

probably some wizard or sorcerer. His mind brought up memories of childhood. He spent most of the

night trying to push away those thoughts, and failing.

Chapter 8

Xerah seemed to be in a better mood the next morning, but she refused to even acknowledge

that Krevauld was there. It's about time to head on, isn't it? She asked no one in particular.

Actually, Bloodfast said, I had an idea. I think we should find a few more to come with us to

the keep.

What? Donovan asked. Didn't you want to get there as soon as possible?

Yes, well, I did. Bloodfast admitted. But last night made me realize that, as much as I loathe

to admit it, we probably need some magic. We don't know what to expect at Quicksilver Keep, and it

might not be something we can just beat and stab to death.

If you can't stab it to death then I don't want to fight it. Sam said. Maybe you're right,

though. It would be cool to have a little mage along with us. Why don't you shoot fireballs, anyway,

pinco? I thought you guys loved doing that.

Bloodfast winced. I'd rather not talk about it. But if we can find another one of my kind, I'm

sure we can convince them to help us out.

Alright, we'll stop back at town and see if we can round anyone else up. Donovan allowed.

I'd like to sleep in a bed for one more night before I die to some fancy keep lord, anyway. Sleep with a

lady, preferably.

Why would you want to do that? Sam asked incredulously. Asleep is when you're the most

vulnerable. You have your plate armor off, and your willy is out, and your chest is just exposed for

anyone to stab. Why would you be that careless?

Did you just call it a willy? Xerah asked, her mouth slightly agape.

What? Whose willy? I don't have one, no siree ma'am. I sleep in full armor anyway, so don't

you even try anything funny. Sam waved his arms up and down in front of his face. To Bloodfast, he

looked like some sort of insane monk.

If it's all the same to you, I'll still take that woman in my bed, thank you. Donovan told him.

You're a braver man than I will ever be. Sam replied. He bowed respectfully.

Are we all agreed, then? Bloodfast asked. We go back to town and find a couple mages, or

maybe a cleric?

As long as the dwarf gets rid of that beast, I don't care who comes with us. Xerah said.

Bloodfast realized that Krevauld had been away this entire time. He spotted him a few hundred feet

away, petting Bucky and staring off into space.

Krevauld, it's time to let the hippogryph go! Bloodfast yelled to him. Krevauld looked up as if

from a daze.

I did let her go. She hasn't flown off or anything. She wants to stay with me. As long as she

follows me, I'm not making her leave. Krevauld wore the stubbornest dwarf face he could muster,

which was way more stubborn than any of them could ever deal with.

Fine, it comes with us. Xerah told him. But no more deep ones, and no running off to chase

that thing when it gets bored and flies away.

Alright, that seems fair. Krevauld looked at the hippogryph. I'm an adventurer, now, Bucky. I

have to go do dangerous things. I could get hurt. You could get hurt, too. Are you okay with that? The

hippogryph looked at him, then stood up. You see that? She wants to go with us. Thanks, Bucky. I

knew I could count on you.

They all continued through the forest without impediment, and returned to the trail, and

ultimately, the town, a couple of days later.

Chapter 9

The first thing Bloodfast wanted to do when they got back was to see the fortuneteller again.

Merlot hadn't said anything about them finding more people to go with them, so he wanted to make

sure that was okay.

Absolutely not! Xerah said as soon as he told her. All she's done is pair us up with the

lunatic of a dwarf and a useless farmer. We'd be better off ditching them and those potions and going by

ourselves.

What's wrong with Sam? Donovan asked her. And what's wrong with those potions? I quite

like those potions. What, do the gods frown on drinking things that make you really strong?

You don't have to come if you don't want to. Bloodfast told her. But I'm going.

Oh no, I'm coming. I want to know exactly what that fortuneteller says so I can advise we do

the exact opposite.

What are you guys whispering about? Asked Sam. Xerah jumped.

How do you move around in that armor without making any noise? She asked him.

Sam looked puzzled. What, am I supposed to make noise? That sounds pretty stupid to me. If

you made noise, then people would know you're there, and you couldn't stab them with your pitchfork."

We're going to the tavern again to find Merlot. Bloodfast stated. He didn't want much more

talking to happen. Talking usually led to fighting.

What, merlot? Krevauld sounded disappointed. Why do we have to have merlot?

Merlot's the name of the fortuneteller that led us to you guys. Donovan corrected him. She's

a very pretty lady, but I already called dibs, so don't you try to steal her, or anything.

Inside the tavern, Merlot was sitting in the same spot as she was the last time. Bloodfast was the

first to talk to her, just as before. Hello, Merlot! he greeted her, fumbling over the accidental rhyme.

Er, uh, we found the two you told us to find, but I think we need some more!

Merlot looked at him sluggishly, and he could tell that she had been here a while. Her response

came slowly and with some effort. You what? Oh, the sexy wood man. I'd like to prune you, if you

know what I mean.

No, I don't, really, uhm. Bloodfast wasn't sure what to say. Can you read our fortunes

again?

Krevauld and Sam were behind him. Krevauld was standing back awkwardly, and Sam had his

eyes closed. Krevauld looked at Sam. Why do you have your eyes closed?

If I can't see them, they can't see me. Sam explained. It makes it so I don't have to introduce

myself or explain why I'm here.

Ah. Krevauld said. That makes sense. He closed his eyes, too.

Merlot ignored them completely. Donovan walked up holding a glass of wine. Your favorite,

your grace. he handed the glass to Merlot. Would you do us the honor of reading our fortunes?

Theirs, mostly. I already know mine involves a night with you.

Merlot took the glass of wine. Anger flared in her eyes. Bloodfast took a preemptive step back.

What? Another damn fortune? What, my first wasn't good enough for you? Did you even do

what I told you to do? She flung the wine as she spoke, spilling half of it on the bar. The barkeep

silently wiped it up and moved on. He was clearly used to this behavior. Whatever, you want a

fortune? Here's your stupid fortune. She put the wine down and started murmuring something and

moving her hands in a very soothing pattern. She did this for about 2 minutes. Bloodfast climbed on a

stool and looked into the glass, but he couldn't see anything.

Xerah came up to them. Did she tell us what not to do yet?

Not yet. Donovan informed her. She's just playing hard to get.

Merlot opened her eyes and downed the wine. She stared forward without saying anything.

Well? Bloodfast asked her. She looked at him as if she had just noticed he was there.

Oh! Yeah, a fortune. What did you want to know again? She burped and wiped her mouth

with her hand.

Do we bring anyone else with us to the keep? Bloodfast questioned. He figured he wasn't

going to get an answer from her.

Oh yeah, yeah. You find two people and you go to the keep. She nodded her head violently.

You meet them and you go to the keep and then you leave the keep sometime later. Then you probably

come bother me again. Is that what you wanted?

Who do we meet? Bloodfast asked her. Maybe she had seen something.

You meet, uh, she looked around the room. You meet a... great wizard. And a... religious...

person. They're both very strong.

Well, that's good enough for me. Donovan said. Clear and simple. Thank you.

Xerah looked disappointed. I know I wanted to do the opposite of what she said, but maybe we

should do exactly what she said because it was such a poor reading that it's probably the best advice she

could give us.

I- what? Donovan asked her. Bloodfast was confused, too.

Can I open my eyes yet? Krevauld asked. Everyone turned to him.

What, you still had your eyes closed? Sam asked. I got bored of that a while ago.

Oh. He opened his eyes and blinked a bit. So what happened? What do we do?

Bloodfast shrugged. I guess we stay here for the night and try to find two more to accompany

us tomorrow.

No, we find three. Sam said.

What? She said we find two people. Bloodfast said.

Yes, I heard her. She was lying. We have to find three people, that's a much better idea.

Last call! The barkeep shouted. Merlot groaned and then passed out on the bar.

I'll help her get home. Donovan said. He threw her over his shoulder and made his way

outside. Bloodfast wondered how he knew where her home was.

Sam addressed the barkeep. Excuse me, do you have any rooms available?

Yeah, plenty. Not many people staying here tonight. One gold a piece. He replied while

cleaning a glass.

Perfect. We'll take five. Give one to that guy who left, if he comes back tonight. He turned to

the rest of the party. Well, it's bedtime. Goodnight. He led the way up the stairs, and they all went

into their separate rooms. Bloodfast was restless and ended up pacing around his room for an hour. He

couldn't figure out how much of what Merlot said was fortunetelling, and how much was drunken

rambling. Still, she did advise to find more party members, and there was sure to be a mage or two

looking for work somewhere in the town. It was a small town, but not so small as to be completely

devoid of wizards.

Bloodfast eventually fell asleep after an hour or so of pacing. He dreamt of going to the keep

with an army of pinco mages. They stormed it, setting everything inside on fire. They killed the lord of

the keep with ease, but when they tried to leave, they found the doors locked. The fire kept burning and

burning and there was no way to put it out. Bloodfast watched hundreds of pincos burn, as well as

Donovan, Krevauld, Sam, and Xerah. Finally, he was the only one left, and he too burnt to ash.

Chapter 10

Bloodfast woke up to the sound of someone screaming downstairs. It took him a second to

realize it was Sam screaming. He jumped out of bed and ran downstairs, worried Sam was in trouble.

Sam was standing in the middle of the main tavern room, alone, dressed in his plate armor, yelling at

the top of his lungs. There was absolutely no one else in the room.

ADVENTURERS NEEDED! Sam yelled. WE NEED ADVENTURERS! BIG ONES,

SMALL ONES, SHORT ONES, TALL ONES. MAGIC IS PREFERRED BUT IS NOT NECESSARY.

MUST BE ABLE TO GET ALONG WITH A LARGE GROUP OF ADVENTURERS. APPLICANTS

ARE REQUIRED TO FEED, HYDRATE, AND BATHE THEMSELVES REGULARLY.

APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING TO TRAVEL TO A SPOOKY KEEP. ALL ADVENTURERS

WHO ARE ACCEPTED WILL GET A FREE POTION OF MAGICAL EFFECT. He held up a bottle

with a purple liquid in it and waved it around. LIMITED TIME OFFER, APPLY QUICKLY.

ADVENTURERS NEEDED! MAGICAL TALENT PREFERRED!

What in the world are you doing, Sam? Bloodfast asked him. The rest of the tavern's guests

were slowly coming downstairs to see what was going on, and they looked angry. A couple of them told

Sam to shut up, you goddamned idiot.

I'm recruiting adventurers. Sam replied slowly, like he was talking to a stupid person. Why,

did you change your mind about that? Did you find your latent magical ability during the night, and

decide to start throwing fireballs like a real pinco?

But there's no one here to recruit! Did you see anyone else in this room when you started

yelling? Bloodfast gestured around to all the empty seats and tables.

No, of course not. Sam replied. Obviously that was the best time to start yelling. Anyone

magical would probably have made themselves invisible. You know, with their magic. He drew out

this last word, and wiggled his fingers in the air as he said it.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Bloodfast said to him. Donovan, Xerah, and

Krevauld came down as everyone else left to go back to their rooms.

Did you find anyone? Donovan asked Sam.

No, surprisingly. I figured all the mages would be down here and invisible right about now.

Sam told him.

Oh, that's good thinking. Maybe they are here, but they're just still invisible!

Sam seemed to ponder this. Maybe... maybe you're right. Let's do a thorough search. They

both began walking around with their arms outstretched, feeling the air above every chair and table,

and groping in front of the walls. Bloodfast, Xerah, and Krevauld stared at them.

How did you stand being around that guy for so long? Xerah asked Krevauld.

Krevauld looked up at her. What do you mean? He asked her. Hey guys, I'll check this

corner over here.

Don't bother. Sam told him. You're too short, they could cast a levitation spell and just drift

on up to the ceiling where you wouldn't even be able to feel them.

Oh. Krevauld replied. That makes sense. Sorry.

Xerah looked down at Bloodfast. I'm already getting a headache, and I don't even think the

sun's up, yet. I'm going back to bed. Don't come get me until there's more than half a brain between

those three. She walked back upstairs and left Bloodfast and Krevauld to stare at Donovan and Sam's

continued efforts to find invisible magi.

Hey, Krevauld looked at Bloodfast. You wanna play tic tac toe?

Sure. Bloodfast replied. He didn't really want to go back to sleep. He was still thinking about

the dream he had. It scared him. He didn't want to go through watching everyone he knew burn in a

horrible fire again. They played a few good rounds, and then Sam spoke up.

Wait! I've been a fool. He told them all. We need to close our eyes to heighten the rest of our

senses. He closed his eyes and began stumbling around. He reached forward and found a chair, lifting

it into the air. I've found one! He said. I got a mage right here! This one feels like a pinco! He

opened his eyes to see he was holding a chair in his hands. Aha! You think you can fool me by

disguising yourself as a chair, but I've been around the block a few times. I know a mage when I see

one. You're coming with us.

The chair didn't respond.

Donovan was in hysterics, and Krevauld had forgotten about his game of tic tac toe with

Bloodfast. Bloodfast quickly filled every square with an X. Krevauld looked back down at the paper.

Aw, damn. You win again, Bloodfast. You're pretty good at this. Donovan, although Bloodfast

couldn't tell if he was laughing at the game of tic tac toe or still just laughing at Sam, fell backwards

into a chair. It yelled in pain.

Donovan jumped in fright, landed on his feet, and brandished his sword at the chair. Reveal

yourself, you foul beast! What sorcery is this?

Oh, god damnit. Said the chair. It morphed into the shape of a short lizard-like man, lying on

his back. He stood up, and Bloodfast could see that he was just barely four feet tall. Stop hiding,

Birch. They found us out.

The chair Sam was holding grew a head and arms, and lost two of its legs. Sam was now

holding a pinco up in the air. Why did you have to yell like that, Zus? They had no idea we were

there.

On the contrary, Krevauld said, We knew the whole time.

Here you go, little buddy. Sam said, and put the pinco back on the ground.

Zus sighed. Sorry, Birch. It really hurt when that guy fell on me.

Sorry about that. Maybe you shouldn't look like a chair if you don't want to be sat on.

Donovan shrugged apologetically.

Anyway, I'm Zus, a geelo cleric, at your service. Zus was pretty short for a Geelo, and almost

as red as Xerah was. His clothing looked about like what a poor commoner would wear, if all that poor

commoner could afford was a ragged potato sack. He had a holy symbol hanging around his neck that

Bloodfast didn't recognize, and a mace on his hip.

I'm Birch. Said the small wooden man. I'm a pinco wizard, as you might have guessed by

how I turned us into chairs. Birch was an almost ghostly shade of white, with a few sections of dark

brown scattered about his face. One such section covered most of his left eye and the surrounding area.

He was dressed in finer clothing, and wore it in such a way that made it obvious that was the only piece

of fine clothing he owned. It was a fancy purple robe with golden trim that was a bit dirty at the

bottom. He had a wand on one hip, and another wand on his other hip, and three wands sticking out of

a waist pocket, and another 4 strapped to his back, and then one more stuck in the sash that wrapped

around his waist. What was that I heard before, about you not being able to use magic? He looked

right at Bloodfast. Bloodfast's pulse quickened.

Well, now, you see, he wasn't used to talking to his own kind, it had been so long since he'd

left his home. No, no, I can use magic just fine. I just choose not to.

Why? Birch asked him. Bloodfast could tell he was going to press the matter.

No reason. Bloodfast replied. It's not important. I can, but I don't want to, so I won't. Got it?

Birch laughed. Sure, whatever you say. So what are your names, and why were you looking for

us?

Donovan introduced them all and explained that they were to go to Quicksilver Keep and stop

the lord of the keep.

Zus perked up when Quicksilver Keep was mentioned. Oh, that sounds fun! We should go with

them, Birch. I heard the lord of Quicksilver was some kind of evil. I always wanted to destroy evil.

Birch looked less enthusiastic. I don't really care what he is. But I suppose we can go. There's

nothing else to do in this town, anyway.

Great, because we're already probably several days late. Bloodfast said. The note said to go

there urgently, and we've done anything but that.

We can't go yet. Sam said.

Why not? Bloodfast asked him.

We have to find three, and there are only two here. Sam told him. Someone's still HIDING!

He yelled and kicked the chair next to him. His foot made an awful sound as he broke the leg off of the

chair. Ow! Okay, that was just a chair. Maybe I'm wrong about that one.

No, you're right. Said Birch. Faye, come on, you're coming with us.

A tall elven woman stepped out from the shadows. Her skin was pale white, and she wore a full

set of black leather armor. Bloodfast couldn't see any weapons on her, but he had a feeling there were

plenty hidden somewhere on her.

Wow, did the pinco make you invisible, too? Sam asked her.

Uh, yeah, sure. Faye said. It was plainly obviously she was lying.

Wow, cool. Sam said. Do me next, Birch. There are so many things I want to do while

invisible. Like eat a sandwich. Does the food go invisible, too?

I can't do that, actually. Birch said. I don't know how to do that yet. It's too powerful of a

spell. Maybe soon, though.

Okay, can we go now? Bloodfast asked. Everyone looked at him.

I guess. Sam said.

Then let's go. There's not a moment to waste. Bloodfast led everyone out of the tavern, into a

pitch black town. It's still night time? Bloodfast asked, looking at Sam. What time did you wake us

all up?

I think it was about two in the morning. Sam said. Maybe three.

Yeah, we were trying to sleep when you came down there. Zus said. What's wrong with

you?

I don't know. Sam replied.

Well we can't get anywhere right now. We should go back to our rooms and sleep until

morning. Bloodfast saw their new companions acting hesitant. What's wrong?

We don't... have rooms. Zus said. We ran out of money a couple of days ago, so we've been

sleeping in the dining area of the tavern.

Birch elbowed Zus in the ribs. No we didn't! We're fine. We were just doing it for the fun of

it.

If you need somewhere to sleep, you can stay in our rooms. Donovan said. At least, you can

stay in mine. I don't mind.

You stay the hell out of my room. Sam told them. Sleeping time is when you're the most

vulnerable. I'm not stupid.

Faye can sleep with Donovan, then, and Zus and Birch can sleep in my room. Bloodfast said.

Faye touched Zus on the shoulder. Zus, do you still have that rope in your pack?

Zus rummaged around in his backpack, which looked exactly like the clothes he was wearing,

and pulled out a good fifty feet of rope. Yeah, here you go.

Thanks. Faye said. She held the rope up to Donovan. We're going to have fun tonight, you

and me.

Oh, god. Bloodfast said. Donovan grinned and followed her upstairs. The rest followed, and

Zus and Birch piled into Bloodfast's room. They all made themselves comfortable, and Bloodfast

managed to sleep peacefully for the rest of the night.

Chapter 11

Bloodfast woke up to find that he and Birch were awkwardly cuddling each other on the bed.

He quickly pulled away before Birch woke up, and he sat up. Zus was sleeping on the floor next to the

bed, snoring away. He woke Zus first, then Birch.

What? Who are you? Birch asked him when he opened his eyes. Oh, that barbarian pinco. I

remember, never mind. But you can tell me, no one else has to know. You can't cast magic, can you?

Bloodfast knew he had to be honest or Birch would never quit asking about it. Actually, I've

never tried. Bloodfast said. He watched a look of amazement spread across Birch's face.

What? You never tried? Zus asked incredulously. Why, if I had the innate power to cast

magic, I sure would. Do you know what it's like to have to hope your god's paying attention whenever

you're in dire need of a healing spell?

Birch stared at Bloodfast as if he was trying to figure something out by just looking at him.

Why haven't you tried before?

Do I have to explain this now? Bloodfast groaned.

If I'm going to be in the company of a pinco who doesn't use magic, Birch said, I'd prefer to

know why, exactly. Just the brief version will do.

Alright, fine. When I was little, a freak magical accident killed my older sibling.

Sibling? Zus asked.

Without getting into the details of how we, as a race, form what you know as a family, it means

someone who grew up in the same family as you. Birch explained.

Then why didn't you just say brother or sister? Zus asked him.

What? Bloodfast asked. Doesn't that just mean friend? Donovan had always called

Bloodfast his brother, but Bloodfast never knew what it meant, and never asked.

No, not always. Birch explained. Brother and sister are terms that gendered races use for

their siblings. Zus, pincos don't have genders. We usually just accept whatever gender people call us by,

but the words don't really make sense to us.

Oh. Bloodfast and Zus both said. Bloodfast thought for a moment. Does that mean Donovan

thinks of me as a sibling? This realization made him feel a lot closer to Donovan.

I guess so. Birch said. Anyway, you were telling us about your sibling?

Yeah, sorry. Bloodfast remembered. Tilia was my sibling. When Tilia came of an age to start

learning magic, some mishap in the magic caused Tilia to burst into flames. It was horrible. Tilia died

because of magic, and I never wanted to use it. I don't think it can be trusted. It's wild and

unpredictable.

It can be. Birch allowed. If an untrained sorcerer with too much natural talent to control uses

magic, it could result in something like that. But my magic, a wizard's magic, is much more controlled.

Properly learned and practiced magic can't harm anyone, unless you intend it to.

Maybe, Bloodfast agreed, but it's still not worth it. I vowed that day that I would never try

magic again. That's a promise I'm gonna keep to Tilia.

But why a barbarian's fighting style? Birch made a show of sounding exasperated at the

thought of swinging an axe. Why not something a little more... graceful?

There's nothing wrong with a good heavy weapon. Bloodfast insisted. But I'm done

explaining myself. I'll tell you that story later, right now I want to get on the path to the keep.

They left their room and moved down to the dining area, which was now full of people eating

and talking. They found Xerah, Sam, and Krevauld eating breakfast. The six ate together and finished

their meals, and there was still no sign of Donovan or Faye.

We better check on that idiot. He's probably still asleep. Xerah suggested. They all made their

way back upstairs and found the room Donovan had paid for. When they opened the door, they saw

Donovan naked, gagged, and tied to the bed.

Brother! What happened? Bloodfast questioned as Xerah snipped the ropes off. Donovan tried

to respond, but the gag was still in his mouth. Bloodfast took it off for him.

Thank. You. So. Much. Donovan said, between deep breaths. That elf tied me up as soon as

we got in here, and she stole all my gold. Bloodfast looked around the room. It was completely empty

except for Donovan's clothes piled in a heap in the corner. Bloodfast regretted asking Donovan to carry

all his gold. He only asked because the straps and pouches got in the way of his fighting. It was a lot

more fun to swing heavy things when you didn't have a bunch of gold jingling around.

Donovan rubbed at where the rope had bound him. You! He pointed accusingly at Birch.

And you. He pointed to Zus. You two just wanted to steal all my gold, didn't you?

What? No, we would never. Zus told him. We're not thieves. Only Faye is.

How dare you. Put some clothes on before you accuse us like that. Birch said.

Well, you let her steal from me. Donovan replied, reaching for his pants. I want my money

back. You're responsible.

Oh, yeah? Zus asked. Well then all your friends are responsible for letting you fall on me

yesterday, and they should pay for me to see a doctor. My back is killing me. He pushed on his lower

back and grimaced for effect.

Maybe that's from sleeping on the floor all night. Bloodfast suggested.

Yeah, because sleeping between you two bed frames would have been so much more

comfortable. Zus joked.

I think the point has been made. Birch interjected. We're not responsible for what Faye does,

and either way she's gone, now. If we're lucky we'll come across her and you can fight with her then,

but that's her fight, not ours.

If you want, I can buy you food for a while. Zus offered. I don't have much, but I can share

what I do have. I'm sure Faye will show up at the keep. She was pretty interested in it.

Thanks, buddy. Donovan accepted., pulling on his shirt. I'll take one breakfast now, thanks.

They made their way back downstairs and got Donovan a meal to go, helped Krevauld get his pet

hippogryph Bucky out of the stable, and set off on the road to Quicksilver Keep.

Chapter 12

Bucky started acting up a few hours from the keep. Krevauld tried to calm her, but the

hippogryph kept trying to pull away from him.

It doesn't want to go to the keep. Xerah said. You should let it go where it wants.

It's not right to force it to go against its will. Birch told him. Bloodfast didn't know where he

stood on the Bucky debate, but it didn't seem like anyone else wanted the hippogryph to come.

Bucky, Krevauld addressed his pet. if I leave you here, promise you'll be here when I come

back? The hippogryph looked at the dwarf for a moment, seeming to understand him. I don't like this,

but if you don't want to go then you don't have to. Meet me back in the town in a few days, I promise

I'll be there. Krevauld took off the collar around Bucky's neck. The hippogryph flew off.

There you go, Krevauld. Sam told him. The hippogryph is a majestic creature. It needs clear

skies and green pastures to roam in. She'll be happier this way. There's no way we'll need her at the

keep, anyway. She couldn't fit in the door.

A few hours later they arrived at Quicksilver Keep. It was a scary and foreboding place. Two

spiked columns guarded the entrance. Bloodfast approached cautiously, unsure of what to expect. Sam

walked past him and rapped on the door loudly several times. HELLO? He shouted. IS ANYONE

THERE?

He got no answer. Are you an idiot? Xerah asked him. We were sent here to kill the owner,

not have dinner with him. He's not going to just let us in.

It was worth a try. Sam said. He opened the door and walked in. Everyone followed. They

found themselves in a large foyer. There were two sets of stairs on either side, leading to the second

floor. There were also three doors, one on each wall.

Where should we go? Zus wondered aloud. No one answered him at first.

After a while, Sam spoke up. How about we split up? Two up top, two go right, two go left,

two go forward.

Bloodfast counted the party. There's only seven of us here, though.

Sam counted them as well. Touche, pinco. I will take the right door alone, then. He walked to

the door and opened it. Aha! The bathroom. Mystery solved. He walked back to the party. Well,

that's taken care of, I'll simply go with two others then.

Fine. Xerah said. If we're going to do this, let's do it right. Birch, you and Krevauld

investigate the back room. Zus and I will check the left. Bloodfast, Donovan and Sam can go upstairs

and see what's up there. Yell if anything attacks you.

They all split up accordingly. Bloodfast didn't want to let Birch out of his sight. He was the last

pinco he had really talked to for years. He watched until Birch disappeared through the door, then

followed the humans upstairs. They found a dining area that looked like it was rarely used, a library,

more stairs, and a bunch of hallways. Nothing seemed important, so they went back to the foyer and

waited for everyone to return. Birch and Krevauld were the first back.

We found a kitchen, a dining room, and a bunch of bedrooms. Birch told them.

Krevauld looked sad. I was hoping to find a stable or something. This whole place seems so

lifeless.

Xerah and Zus came back a bit later in a rush. You guys have to come see this, come on! They

both said. Everyone followed them through another library and into a basement. To Bloodfast, it looked

like some sort of laboratory. There were beakers and books and herbs scattered everywhere.

What kind of crazy person could deal with this? Birch asked, gesturing at the mess. He picked

up a book and threw it. This looks like the lab of a madman.

Or mad... men. Sam suggested. Probably six of them. No, wait. Two.

What were they trying to do? Bloodfast asked.

Judging from these books, said Krevauld, picking up a book titled How to Revive your

Loved Ones I think they were trying to bring some kin back from the dead.

That's serious dark magic. Zus said. I don't know if I want to be here.

Shouldn't that be more reason to be here? Donovan asked. You should want to stop him, if

he's matching with the natural order of things.

Oh, no. My god doesn't deal with that. Zus explained. He's more about the sun and the

weather. Necromancy doesn't stop the sun from rising, so I'm good.

What does stop the sun from rising? Sam asked him, a little too curiously. I'd like to learn

about that.

Not much, actually. Zus said thoughtfully. I don't think anyone's ever tried to do it before.

So I could be the first? Sam asked. A whole new frontier.

Well, does any of this actually help us kill the guy? Bloodfast asked.

I don't think so. This is all just stuff to bring back the dead, not kill the living. Xerah said.

Bloodfast looked around. So we should probably keep searching around. He paused and

counted everyone again. Wait, where's Donovan?

Who was that, again? Birch asked. Everyone else looked around. Donovan was nowhere to be

seen.

Chapter 13

Bloodfast was worried. Where could Donovan be? It wasn't like him to wander off without

Bloodfast. Everyone had gone back to the foyer. Xerah and Sam were discussing how best to find

Donovan. Birch and Zus were going over the names of everyone else again. Krevauld tried to comfort

Bloodfast.

It'll be okay, buddy. He said. He's in here somewhere. We're sure to find him.

Sam broke off from Xerah and came over to talk to them. The worst part is, he still has all

those potions we needed.

I don't care about the potions. Bloodfast told him. What I care about is if the lord of this keep

has my brother. He shouted as loud as he could. DONOVAN! WHERE ARE YOU?

From behind a few walls, he could hear Donovan shout back. I'm over here, in the stables!

Stables? Krevauld asked. We couldn't find any stables down here.

They followed Donovan's voice through several rooms that no one could remember having gone

through, and found him in a stable. The ground was covered in hay, but it looked old and moldy. There

was no sign of any animal, dead or alive. There was no sign anything had been in here for a very long

time.

Bucky would have loved it here. Krevauld said mournfully. A big stable all to herself.

Donovan, Xerah asked, how did you find this stable? We didn't find it when we first

searched the ground floor.

Donovan shrugged. I guess you didn't search hard enough.

Why did you leave without saying anything? Bloodfast asked him.

Donovan shrugged again. I don't know anything about books or alchemy, so I explored a little.

I remembered Krevauld say something about a stable, so when I found one I decided to wait until you

came up from the basement.

Too bad it's empty. Krevauld sighed. I guess I shouldn't have expected much, though. I don't

think anyone even lives in this keep. Are you sure this place has an owner?

I'm sure he's not home right now, at least. Donovan told him. We searched everywhere. I

think the best thing to do is ambush him in the foyer when he comes home.

That's actually a good idea. Xerah agreed. They left the stable and tried to go back to the

foyer, but ended up in a completely new room again. Does anyone remember this? Xerah asked as

they all entered a large observatory.

I think I would have remembered an observatory on the ground floor. Birch said. What a

peculiar spot for one. Who would build one here?

It works fine for me. Said Sam, looking through a telescope pointed directly up. Bloodfast

looked up and could see that it looked through a window on the ceiling that gave a clear view of the

sky.

Birch was incredulous. How can that be? The second story should be blocking our view.

Zus and Krevauld were looking out the windows on the other side of the room. They covered

the entire wall, but only gave a good view if you climbed a half flight of stairs to look out of them.

Krevauld asked Are you sure about that, Birch? without taking his eyes off of what he saw outside.

What do you mean? Birch asked, and bustled over to the window with Bloodfast right behind

him. Something about the windows seemed odd, but Bloodfast wasn't sure what it was. Once they

climbed the stairs, he saw what Krevauld was talking about. He could see that they were clearly several

stories higher than they should be. The ground was at least fifty, maybe one hundred feet below them.

Bloodfast was amazed. He had just entered a room several stories above ground without climbing a

single stair. Birch was sputtering nonsense, he was so shocked.

Donovan came up beside Bloodfast. Well, that's a sight you don't see every day. He said.

Wolf! Zus cried. He was the only one looking away from the window now.

Sam laughed. Very funny. The geelo who cried wolf. We've all heard that story a million

times. As he finished talking, Bloodfast heard a snarl from the door they had entered the observatory

from. A huge wolf, taller than any of them, was standing in the doorway. Words screamed in

Bloodfast's mind as the wolf bounded towards them. Intruders must die in Quicksilver Keep. He didn't

know what made him think that, but everyone else looked at each other as the words appeared. It

looked like they all heard it too, whatever it was.

Xerah tried to swing at the wolf, but it dodged her attack and pushed her over with its hind legs.

Birch tried to conjure a fireball, but nothing happened. I can't cast anything! He shouted.

Something's wrong here!

The wolf jumped at Krevauld and grabbed his leg in its mouth. It picked the dwarf up and he

swung upside down from the wolf's mouth, dangling like a doll. The wolf snarled again. The words

Leave or die flashed in Bloodfast's mind. He yelled and swung at the wolf, but it jumped away again

without taking a scratch. Krevauld yelled help me! As the wolf bounded through the door. The last

thing Bloodfast saw of him was Krevauld's terrified face as he was dragged through the doorway.

Chapter 14

Despite his full suit of plate armor, Sam dashed after the wolf faster than Bloodfast could run

naked. Bring back my friend, you filthy dog! He yelled as he ran out the door. Everyone else chased

close behind him. They ran through another library, The dining room from the first floor, two bedrooms

Bloodfast hadn't seen before, and several more hallways before they gave up. Bloodfast figured it was

hopeless, but Sam had another plan. We'll split up again, but each group stays connected through a

length of rope. He said. He pulled out several hundred feet of rope. Donovan, grab one end and keep

it tight. Tug on it if you find Krevauld or need help, and we'll come get you. You do the same if I pull

on it. Sam grabbed one end of the rope and started trailing it behind him. Xerah and Zus followed him

out.

Donovan grabbed the other end and looked at Bloodfast and Birch. Come on, let's go rescue a

dwarf.

They wandered through several rooms, but saw no sign of the wolf or the dwarf. Birch seemed

nervous. I think we should get out of here. He said, quivering. I don't know what's going on, but I'm

useless without my magic. We should cut our losses and leave.

Sure thing. Donovan assured him. Just tell me where the exit is and you can be on your

way. Birch didn't respond to that.

Why don't you try arming yourself, then? Bloodfast suggested. He grabbed a small axe off his

person and handed it to Birch.

Birch shied away. No thanks, I don't trust axes. I've seen what they do to trees.

Bloodfast grinned at him. It's not gonna chop your arm off. If the wolf comes around again,

just hit him or throw it at him. It isn't hard to do.

Birch seemed reluctant, but he took the axe from Bloodfast. He almost dropped it when

Bloodfast let go, but he managed to hold it up. This is heavier than it looks.

Is it? Bloodfast asked.

They entered a new room that looked like some sort of office. Books and knick knacks covered

the walls. There was a crude map of the world spread out across the back wall, yellowed and peeling

with age. Everything looked ancient, but organized and tidy. In the back of the room sat a desk, and at

the desk sat a man. The man was portly, but had a very gaunt face. His cheekbones poked out above

hallowed cheeks that must have once been jovial. A wispy white moustache covered his upper lip. He

wore a tattered old suit. When he noticed the three walk into the room, he moaned Welcome in a

voice that sounded as if it had been spoken centuries ago, and only now echoed into their ears.

Birch yelled when the man spoke, and threw his axe at the man. The axe barely made it halfway

across the room before it fell to the floor. Donovan tugged at the rope so hard he fell flat on his face.

The rope's broken! He said as he tried to pick himself up.

The man rose from his deck and glared at them. What is the meaning of this? He asked in the

same slow, ancient voice.

Bloodfast coughed, then addressed the man. Hello, sir. Are you the lord of this keep?

The man's eyebrows raised. He laughed. Oh, no, not me. I was at one time, but now I am just

an old man. What business do you have with Lord Clay?

If he's the lord here, we have come to kill him. Bloodfast explained.

The man raised one eyebrow. I'm afraid I can't let you do that. We've come too far. We're so

close to reviving my dear Lorelei.

Donovan unsheathed his sword. Try and stop us. He taunted the man.

The man only laughed. A horrible face began to form as the jovial one disappeared. It contorted

in pain. The laughter crescendoed to a banshee's wail that made Bloodfast fall to his knees, clutching

his ears. He felt like he was going insane. All he could feel was the screaming. Donovan yelled to

Bloodfast to get up, to help him get Birch, to help him fight this man. He couldn't focus on Donovan's

voice. He couldn't stop the pain. He couldn't move. He was screaming too.

Chapter 15

Bloodfast woke up to the sound of nervous chatter. We need to focus on killing the monsters in

this keep. He heard Donovan say.

No, we need to find the rest of our party and stick together. Zus argued. And we shouldn't go

anywhere until Bloodfast is awake.

I'm awake. Bloodfast said, startling them all. He realized that only Donovan, Sam and Zus

were with him. What happened? Where's Xerah?

Zus grimaced. Xerah was beaten down by Krevauld.

What? Bloodfast asked. He sat up, which made his head spin. What did- who? Krevauld?"

Easy, brother. Donovan knelt down and put a hand on Bloodfast's back. When we met that

man, you just went crazy. I don't know why, but you just started screaming and passed out. I was so

surprised that I let him knock out Birch before I could even react. He grabbed Birch and threatened to

kill him if I moved. Then he bolted out the door with the little guy in tow, and I couldn't follow him.

For a fat guy, he sure runs fast.

What about Xerah? Bloodfast asked. He didn't want to think about that man. The screaming

had been excruciating.

Well, somehow Krevauld turned. Sam explained. They made him into a vampire or

something. We found him, but he knew we were coming and we fell into his trap. Zus and I were

trapped under a net. He killed Xerah pretty easily and dragged her off. We couldn't chase after her,

either.

Xerah's dead? Bloodfast couldn't believe it. She was the last one he expected to die.

Yeah, she's dead. Sam said. I think we should all drink those potions now, rather than later.

Krevauld was insanely strong when we met him. Whatever they did to him, we'll need a lot of help if

we have to take him down.

Donovan pulled out the bag of potions and placed them on the floor. There were ten. Bloodfast

assumed their original party of five was meant to have two each, but now there were only four in the

party. The thought that almost half of them were already dead or lost made Bloodfast shiver.

So... which ones do what? Zus asked. He put his face up close to the bottles, as if that would

help him figure out what they did.

It's simple. Sam said. Red is for strength, blue is for magic, green is for healing. Purple

means strength and magic, which means the pinco should have them. He pushed two purple potions to

Bloodfast. These pure blue ones... I guess you're the only one here that does magic, huh Zus?

Zus nodded and said Birch couldn't cast anything, but maybe I'll have better luck. I doubt

whatever force stopped Birch can prevent a god from helping me.

Sam nodded and handed the one blue potion to Zus. Red is just strength, so Donovan and I will

need a lot of that. Good thing there's four of those. That just leaves two green potions and a purple and

green mix. You might as well take the mix, Bloodfast. We'll save the green ones for whoever gets hurt.

Do we just drink them all now, then? Donovan asked.

Sam thought for a moment. No, we could waste them before we have to fight. Better for you

and Bloodfast to drink one now to see how strong they are, and we'll go from there.

Donovan shrugged and lifted a red flask to his lips. Cheers! He said as he gulped the potion

down. Bloodfast followed his lead with a purple flask. He didn't feel anything.

How long does this thing take to work? Donovan asked. I don't feel anything.

I have no clue. Sam responded. It'll probably kick in soon, though.

A door creaked open behind them. Bloodfast turned to see Birch in the doorway. His eyes were

completely dark. He hissed and lunged at them.

Zus yelled at him to stop as he knocked Sam over and pounded on his armor. Bloodfast felt the

potion kick in. He pulled out his swords and hacked away at the other pinco. His swings took huge

chunks of wood out of Birch. Birch turned on Bloodfast, but Zus knocked him out with a swing from

his mace. Birch fell to the floor.

Bloodfast stood over the pinco and pulled an axe out, lining it up with Birch's neck. I'm sorry I

have to do this. Bloodfast said. As he was about to swing, he noticed Donovan standing still, breathing

rapidly. Bloodfast realized Donovan hadn't done anything since Birch appeared.

Donovan's breathing grew faster and his eyes grew wider. He clutched at his throat and looked

like he was trying to scream. He opened his mouth and fire shot out of it. A moment later, his whole

body ignited in flame. Bloodfast screamed. Zus yelled That was a fire potion, not a strength potion!

Bloodfast looked around frantically for water to throw on Donovan, but there was none. He

could only watch his friend burn in agony. Donovan fell to the floor. His eyes closed and he stopped

moving. Donovan burned for a few more minutes, and then the fire put itself out.

What did you do? Bloodfast demanded.

Sam seemed horrified. I didn't, I thought it was a strength potion!

Someone cleared their throat. Bloodfast looked to see a slender man standing tall in the

doorway. The man had a pointy face and long white hair that reached his shoulders. The portly man

they had seen earlier was standing behind him. The slender man smiled. I am Lord Clay. Cedric told

me you wished to see me?

Bloodfast charged at Lord Clay. This was the man he had been sent to kill. It was his fault any

of this had happened. He swung at Clay's face, but Clay disappeared. No, more like he morphed into a

mist. That mist immediately morphed into the wolf that had carried Krevauld away. The wolf bit

Bloodfast's leg as he swung at where the man had just stood. Bloodfast felt a strange burning where the

wolf bit him. Zus ran up and swung at the wolf, but it dodged and bit him as well.

The portly man laughed, and the screaming began again in Bloodfast's head. Except this time it

didn't hurt. It only restrained Bloodfast. He couldn't move at all. Bloodfast could see Zus was in pain,

and then Zus passed out. Bloodfast tried to fight the wail, but he couldn't move no matter how hard he

tried.

The wolf turned back into the skinny man that was Lord Clay. He laughed along with his friend,

and then went to examine the potions. What do they have here, Cedric? He asked.

The portly man answered. I don't know, Clay. Looks like potions to me. Do you recognize any

of them?

A few, yes. Clay answered. They're powerful, but none are particularly... He trailed off.

Clay picked up the green and purple potion and his eyes grew wide. Cedric, this may be the answer to

our worries. At long last, you might finally see Lorelei again.

Bloodfast didn't know what the man was talking about.

Really, Clay? Are you sure? Cedric asked. I'll bring the pinco. I want him to see what he's

done for me. Cedric picked up Bloodfast with surprising ease. He cradled Bloodfast like a baby and

waddled after Lord Clay.

Chapter 16

Cedric brought Bloodfast through several rooms and down several flights of stairs. The

constantly changing rooms didn't seem to bother him or Clay. They moved through the keep without a

problem.

Bloodfast eventually found himself in the basement again, with books and bottles scattered

everywhere. Cedric sighed. You really should organize your things better, Clay. He said. It's an

absolute mess down here. Cedric propped Bloodfast against the wall. If this potion works, I'll free

you, pinco. You'll have my undying thanks. You can have anything you want.

Clay uncorked the potion bottle and poured it all into a vial. "I had thought these were all gone.

I never expected to see another in my life." He told Cedric. He picked it up and muttered some words.

Blue flame spun around the vial. Cedric was hopping up and down like a child. The blue flame shot

outwards, and Clay frowned. I'm sorry, Cedric. He said. I was wrong.

It can't bring Lorelei back? Cedric asked him. His shoulders slumped.

I'm afraid not. It's quite a strong potion. It can heal any wound and bring the dead back to life,

but it has a short time to work. You would have had to use it within a week of her death. It's useless to

us. Clay handed the potion to Cedric and put his hand on Cedric's shoulder. I'm sorry, old friend. Our

quest continues.

From the wall, Bloodfast thought how it could save Donovan. If only he could move. If only he

could get that potion back. Now he knew he could revive his friend. His brother. He struggled to stand

up, to move, to do anything.

Cedric threw the potion against the wall. The glass shattered and the green liquid seeped

through the floor and disappeared. Just like that, Bloodfast's chance disappeared. Donovan was gone.

Bloodfast felt a rage that he had never felt before. Something new was stirring inside of him.

Something evil. That man had just broken Bloodfast's only chance at bringing Donovan back. He had

to pay for what he'd done. Bloodfast no longer felt restrained by Cedric's wail. He no longer felt much

of anything. He stood up and pulled out his axes. He threw them at the men.

Their backs were to him, so he caugh