#sarcastic-wolf

RPG WEEK STORY: Part one

Rocking side to side, the carriage bumbled down the open highway. Heavy spruces lined either side of the road, stretching off as far as the eye can see. Within the coach, two women wearing strange garbs sat between merchant wares, swaying along with the movement, resting their hooded heads together, soundly asleep despite the turbulence. At their feet, an unusually large black wolf curled up, blue markings stretching over its jagged fur.

From the wagon seat, a withered, round, well-dressed man urged the horses, snapping the reigns repeatedly, cursing at the steeds for not going faster while bouncing wildly in his spot. The sun reigned high, its strong rays pressing down on his head, beads of sweat rolling down his chubby face, the only relief coming from the wind brushing him from the break neck pace of his carriage.

“Blasting sun,” he huffed, wiping his brow with a fancy handkerchief. “This place better have a decent pub.”

Finally, as the carriage triumphed over a rather steep hill, the town’s outline came within view. Large, still, multicolored windmills towered over the red tiled roofs of the many pale buildings that clustered together, making up the large town. Vast fields of golden grain and wheat lined the outskirts, vibrant green pastures following after, stretching in all directions. Flocks of birds glided across the clear sky.

“About damn time,” he simply grumbled.

Noting the populated road ahead, he set the pace to a dull gallop. Passing by, all manner of citizens greeted with smiles and friendly gestures in which he replied in kind, mentally rolling his eyes at the niceties. Going under the high archway that led into the metropolis, the dirt road became a cobblestone street that snaked forward, branching off into many side streets of houses and shops. The air buzzed with common talk of the locals that bustled about, living their day-to-day lives.

A rather unsightly grin slid across the merchants face as he imagined his pockets lined with the gold of the inhabitants. After such a long trek, he was worried he had made a blunder by choosing to open up shop in a town he had never even heard of until recently, but now, he was assured of his decision.

‘First, to drop off the ladies and their strange pet,’ he thought to himself.

Figuring all streets would lead to the town square, he picked one and followed it along, noting the various shops along the way, counting them off in his head as competitors no matter what they sold. In the end, they would become second rate in the wake of his inevitable success.

Absorbed in his fantasies, he almost failed to notice he had indeed made it to the town square if not for the sudden stop of the horses that jerked him out of his thoughts. About to yell at the beasts, he looked around and finally noticed where he was.

“Ah, well then, we are here. Better wake them up.”

Stepping down from his seat, he nearly tumbled over as he weighted down on his stiff legs, luckily catching himself before straightening up, pretending nothing happened. Shambling over to the back of his wagon, he brushed the wagon drape open, greeted by the wolf’s face, inches from his own, staring at him with deep blue eyes, matching its markings.

The merchant jumped, falling back onto his bum with a thud, the wolf poking his head out of the wagon to look down at him with a dull expression, then turning back inside.

Shifting his eyes this way and that, it looked as if no one had noticed, luckily. “Bloody mongrel,” the merchant wheezed, hastily rolling back onto his feet, brushing off his clothes.

A graceful hand parted the wagon cover and the two, cloaked women stepped down, one rubbing their eyes under the hood and the other yawning lightly, holding a hand over her mouth. From behind them, the wolf plodded down and immediately, everything stopped around them, all eyes turned to them, silence ensuing.

Noticing, the merchant, waved at them all trying to sound as convincing as possible. “Don’t worry, it’s a tame beast. Go about your business, nothing to see here!”

As the people dispersed, the merchant sighed heavily. “You ladies are not going to blend in well here.”

“We never blend in anywhere really,” one said, brushing the hood off, revealing long flowing brown hair, falling below her shoulders, outlining a beautiful, scholarly face. She pushed her circular glasses up, readjusting her clear blue eyes to look at the merchant. “Considering the talents we possess.”

He cleared his throat, avoiding her gaze. “I was more referring to the beast you have following you, Lady Tina.”

“No need to worry about him, he doesn’t care enough to attack people randomly,” she replied dully.

“That’s reassuring,” he replied under his breath. “Hope my driving was not too crazy for you two,” he said trying to change the subject.

“It was fine. I slept most of the way, as did Gabbi.”

The other, pulled a large patchwork sack out from the wagon and let it plop to the ground with a loud thud, bringing up a dirt cloud around them. “We’ve been on much crazier rides, believe me,” Gabbi said, throwing off her hood and brushing her hand through her tied up brown and pink highlighted hair, pushing her long bangs from her just as lovely face, gleaming with a bright, sparkling smile.

“Thank you again for letting us tag along with you to Vellema.”

Straightening up, he shook his head. “It was no problem what so ever. I was headed this way anyway,” he chuckled. It may seem a bit low of him, but he could not deny he did what he did for them because they were so lovely, and it had been years since he shared the company of such beautiful women. Of course, he would never admit this but it seemed the one with glasses could see right through him for she always looked at him with cold wary eyes. However, who could blame her?

Gabbi pulled out the last of their things from the wagon, a long, human sized, brown and gold brush and an equally long ornate staff topped with a very bizarre bust of a barely open flower bulb, a magical stone set into the bloom that gave off a faint green glow. Tina took the staff from her and leaned it against her shoulder.

“Let me give you a few coins as payment,” Gabbi chimed, bending down, rummaging through the large bag for her coin purse.

“No need, Lady Gabbi! It was…”

“Psh,” Gabbi interrupted, elbows deep in the bag, her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth as she searched.

Leaning on his haunches, the wolf yawned, scratched at his ear with his left leg and huffed at the sight. Tina tapped her foot, arms crossed over the staff. Finally, after a couple of minutes of searching, Gabbi jerked her hands out of the bag then thrust them into the air as if she held a rare treasure, announcing her victory with a cheer as the pink velvet purse sat in her palms.

With a flick, she opened it and looked inside. As she counted the currency in her head, her expression immediately fell, her shoulders slumping.

“Aha…haha….It seems we are a bit low on money at the moment…We only have enough for our stay at the inn for one night,” Gabbi nearly whispered, ashamed. “I thought for sure we had more.”

Tina and the wolf’s head fell low as they let out a combined dramatic sigh.

“It’s fine! Fine,” the merchant assured, with a great big smile, beads of sweat forming again on his naked head. “You were not any bother along the way so it’s as if you weren’t even back there.”

“Thank you kindly,” Gabbi piped, her lips twitching.

“Now, I must get going to my new shop and unpack everything. I wish you all luck in whatever venture you are pursuing. It was a pleasure meeting you all.”

He shook both Gabbi and Tina’s hand and proceeded to hold out a hand to the wolf, as if he expected him to put a paw there. However, the wolf just raised his eyes and stared at him, unfazed and unmoving. Taking the hint, he coughed and nodded.

“Well, I guess that’s it,” he said, hefting himself back onto the wagon and snapping the reigns. “Take good care of yourselves. It was indeed a pleasure.” He waved at them one last time before his wagon disappeared around a corner street.

“That worked out nicely,” Tina stated. “He was a nice man for a salesman.”

“Indeed he was,” Gabbi replied, standing up. “I really hope his shop is a huge success. Maybe we can come back by when he is up and running and support his business.”

“That is assuming we get some money coming in by then,” Tina said. “Anyway, we should find our way to the inn so we can get our lodging sorted.”

“Good idea,” Gabbi replied.

Tina then, slapped her forehead. “We should have had him drop us off at the inn!”

Collectively, they sighed.

Together, they asked random passerby for directions who then proceeded to give them a complicated list of turns to the only inn close by. They tried their best to remember each turn and strode along, the wolf dragging the sack behind them in his mouth. Though it looked silly, it posed no problem for him, as his expression remained the same. Along the way, people pointed and murmured amongst themselves at the sight of the three.

After getting lost a few times and having to ask for directions again, they finally made it to the Three windmills Inn. Exasperated, they hurried into the oval entrance, a tiny bell dinging as they opened the door. The reception area was rather quaint, a short desk sat at the far end next to a staircase that led up to the rooms no doubt. To the left of the desk was a long hallway that looked to lead to the kitchens and maybe the staff rooms.

Stepping across the glossy wooden floors, Gabbi and the others stood at the unmanned desk and looked around. From down the hall, a pair of doors burst open and a very short old woman shuffled towards them, her feet gliding across the floor until she was behind the reception desk.

“Welcome to the Three windmills inn,” she drawled, focusing on them behind bottle cap glasses, moving them up and down with wrinkled fingers. “Will you be staying the night?”

“Yes mam,” Gabbi said. “One room, please. Two beds if possible.”

“That will be forty-five silver pieces.”

Gabbi nodded and dumped out her purse onto the counter and counted it up. With relief she realized her estimate was right and she had just enough. Exchanging the money for the room key, Gabbi motioned her friends to follow her up. Taking the first step, the old woman suddenly hummed, moving around the counter and stood before the wolf, blocking his way up the stairs before he could follow.

“I see you have a great familiar in tow,” she said knowingly. Bending down, with a hand on her back, she stared at him, inches away from his muzzle. The wolf’s ears swayed slightly.

At her words, the two froze, turning their heads to her. “You know of great familiars,” Gabbi asked in a hushed tone.

“Of course,” she replied simply. “That must mean you are in town because you have heard there is supposedly a great familiar hiding somewhere in the area. Which means you are looking to make a pact with it?”

“Not to be rude,” Tina butt in. “But it’s really none of your business.”

“You are right,” she said. “Forgive my prying. Do enjoy your stay.”

Without another word, the old woman skit off back down the hallway, leaving them alone in silence. Trading glances, they shrugged and ascended the stairs. Walking down the warm hallway, they approached the door before the last on the right. Turning the lock, they entered their abode for the evening.

It was a very cozy, nice sized room, with two rather large fluffy beds sitting on both sides of an arched window. Thin linen drapes hung over the window, filtering the descending suns light, casting a soft glow throughout the room. Gabbi plopped face first onto the bed to the left and sighed happily, as her face sunk deep into the cloud soft pillow. It took all of her will not to fall asleep immediately, rolling onto her back, content.

Tina sat at the edge of her bed, removed her knee high boots and sat them off to the side, leaning on her arms as she took in the yellow color scheme of the room. Expertly painted sunflowers spanned all sides of the room, giving the sense of being in a wide field and strangely, the room even smelled of sunflowers. Even though it was a bit tacky, she could not deny its charm.

With a loud huff, the wolf dropped the bag by the wall and readjusted his jaw. “You’re welcome,” he suddenly said, a slight edge to his usually indifferent voice.

“Oh, oh,” Gabbi shot up. “Thank you very much, Felix!”

“Yes, thank you,” Tina added with a smile. “

With a nod, Felix then dug his muzzle into the bag and retracted, two wrapped up pieces of bread in his jaws. Jerking his head, he tossed the bread onto both of their laps. “You two haven’t eaten for quite a while,” he said.

As if on cue, both of their stomachs growled, Felix shaking his head.

Thanking him again, they enjoyed their snack, talking about the town and its beauty until only crumbs were left of the bread.

“What about you,” Gabbi asked.

Felix looked to the door and back at them, the two understanding him immediately. He walked to the door.

“Wait,” Tina said. “You might want to take a more inconspicuous form. It may save you some trouble.”

A sudden blue sigil blazed underneath the wolf, filling the room with blue light until it subsided, the sigil dissipating underneath a now tiny, fluffy wolf pup. As the two caught glimpse of his new form, they both made a loud shrill, Tina immediately covering her mouth in shock at the noise she made. Felix ignored them and suddenly noticed his mistake.

From his vantage point, the doorknob now towered above his small form and he had used a lot of his energy up transforming so he did the only thing he could think of. Hopping onto the door, he clattered the wood with his small paws, turning his round head to Gabbi and Tina for help with big eyes.

Stifling her squeals, Tina hurried and opened the door for him, watching him pad his way down the hall and then, step by step, down the stairs before following him to open the front door of the inn. Returning back to the room, Gabbi was already asleep, snuggled up on the bed.

“Guess we will discuss how we plan to find this familiar tomorrow,” Tina said to herself. “I might as well wait for Felix to get back.”

Lying on her bed, she leaned her back to the backboard in silence. After a while, she failed to notice her eyes growing heavy, her body slowly slumping down before drifting off as well. Everything was still as the two rested in comfort for the first time in days.

Outside, an unnatural fog ascended over the town, veiling everything beyond the window. From the prickling of her skin, Gabbi jolted upright, rubbing her arms briskly to escape the rising goosebumps. Peering outside at the heavy, swirling fog, she knew. Hoping to her feet silently, she grasped her brush and with fleet feet, ran outside, not waking Tina.

Taking her first step into the night, a heavy weight pressed on her shoulders and she hurriedly roamed the blanketed streets, feeling around with the bottom end of her brush as to not run into anything hidden by the fog. Not a single sound punctuated the dead silence but her breathing and clacking of her brush as if all life had ceased around her. Blindly pushing forward, guided by the invisible pressure Gabbi unknowingly moved towards the windmills until that pressure made her knees buckle under its immensity.

“Good evening, summoner,” an extremely deep voice suddenly grumbled high above her, vibrating the very air around them.

With great difficulty, Gabbi raised her head to look up, seeing nothing but white. “So you are here! Then, there must be a familiar around,” she mumbled.

A low chuckle resonated above. “Rest up,” the voice said. “Have some work to do.”

The pressure suddenly lifted as very heavy wing beats lifted into the sky, the grey blasting down on her, racking her with chills. Once, the sound was gone, the pressure fled completely. Straightening up, she shivered uncontrollably. Never would she get used to their meetings, she thought to herself. Affirmed, she walked back, the fog dissipating around her. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes followed her as she walked back.

The next time Gabbi woke, it was to the sound of fluttery wings. Opening her eyes, she was back on the bed and a tiny black bat flapped furiously above her face, scrutinizing her with sharp green eyes. “Time to wake the hell up princess snooze a lot,” he said with acid in his screechy voice.

“Raz,” Gabbi yawned, looking at him through half opened eyes. “When did you get here?”

“The little demon showed up early in the morning,” Tina responded, brow twitching. “He was clattering against the window, incessantly until I allowed him in…against my better judgment.”

Gabbi smiled and tried to tap the bats head, Raz shifting out of reach at each attempt. “Good to see you again.” She then thought for a moment. “Oh, did Felix ever get back?”

“He did not. I unfortunately fell asleep while waiting,” Tina admitted.

“Just draw a fuckin summon circle,” Raz hissed.

“Oh yeah,” Gabbi chirped.

Moving to the center of the floor, Gabbi lifted her brush above her head and reciting a chant, twirled her brush around in large circles. With each intricate movement, a light blue glow flowed out from the bristled of the brush, flowing out in tendrils about the room. Spinning round, she drew a circle on the floor with the light, leaving a ring before them.

“Felix, I summon you,” her voice echoed.

From the outside of the ring inwards, lines etched themselves into the wood, forming an elaborate sigil where all lines met in the center. Once complete, the light burst into a flash and as it waned, there the wolf pup was staring back at them all.

“Take a less conspicuous form you said, less trouble it would bring you said,” Felix, yapped irritably.

“Sorry,” Gabbi said, looking down. “We kind of fell asleep while you were out.”

“No, no, it’s fine. I just had to sleep in some alleyway. Also, some child chased me around, trying to adopt me. ”

“We are very sorry,” Tina replied.

“Enough melodrama,” Raz groaned. “Let’s get to work on finding this familiar.”

“We could start by asking around town about anyone suspicious,” Gabbi said, pressing a finger to her chin. “The lady of the inn knew Felix was a great familiar and our purpose here right away. Maybe we ask her if she has any information.”

“After my response to her last night,” Tina hesitated. “She probably won’t help us…Sorry. I was just taken aback that she knew so much.”

“I’m sure if we apologize,” Gabbi said. “She will help us. She seems like a nice old lady.”

All together, they made their way down to the welcome desk and rang the bell. After a while, the old woman came out from down the hall and took up her place behind the counter.

“Good morning, dearies,” she cooed. “What can I do for you this fine morning? Are you looking to rent out a room for the day?”

Gabbi looked to Tina with a raised eyebrow. “Well we already stayed the night last night.”

Raising her eyes, she looked at the two women and leaned forward. “That can’t be. I have never seen you before and I never forget the faces of any who stay at my inn.”

“But it’s true,” Gabbi stated.

“Did you sign the registry?”

“Registry,” Gabbi responded, confused.

“Yes. Everyone who stays signs the registry before I give them a key.”

Reaching below the counter, she pulled out a hefty leather bound book and laid it open on the counter top to the day prior, pointing to the last name on the list, which of course was not theirs. Gabbi fidgeted in her spot.

“Believe us, Mam,” Tina butt in. “We paid you for our room. Maybe you just forgot being so,” Tina trailed off realizing how rude she sounded. “Sorry. It’s just I don’t take kindly to being called a liar.”

“We really, really did,” Gabbi, added, voice cracking as her cheeks flushed.

After a moment of staring at them, she nodded. “Your eyes are very sincere. Fine, I believe you.”

“Thank you,” Gabbi said, with small tears in her eyes.

Tina nudged Gabbi lightly, reminding her why they came to bother the old woman again in the first place. “Great familiar.”

“Oh yes,” Gabbi let out. “We wanted to apologize for our reaction to your knowing of great familiars yesterday. You said you knew why we came, that there are rumors of a great familiar hiding out somewhere in this area. We would be so grateful for any information you may have.”

The woman suddenly looked as if she’d been hit over the head with a pan, her expression completely dull, eyes glassed over. “A great what now,” she muttered.

Each head dropped low, followed by a combined sigh. Raz rose above them, “This is so fuckin pointless,” he complained. “Let’s just ask someone else.”

When the old woman’s eyes met the bat, pupils magnified behind her thick lenses, her mouth drooped open. “A talking bat,” she shrilled in alarm.

With speed, none thought possible, she was gone and back in the blink of an eye, a tall broom in hand, screaming wildly.

“Time to go,” Raz said.

She swatted at him, missing and hitting Tina in the head, then Gabbi, flailing her arms while Raz flown above her reach. The woman chased them out of the inn, each dodging her swipes until hopping over the steps where the woman did not follow.

“Don’t ever bring a beast like that into my inn ever again,” she cried.

“What about our stuff,” Gabbi asked. “We left it in our room!”

“Go get your things, but leave your filthy rodents outside.”

Raz rolled his eyes, Felix mimicking him. Gabbi ran inside and back out in less than a minute, dragging the sack behind her. “Thank you for your hospitality,” Gabbi said sincerely. “Sorry for all the trouble.”

With that, the group left the old woman and the inn. First thing, they needed a place to hide their bag so they would not have to lug it around. Felix led the way to an alley hidden off in the east end of town where he had slept the night prior. Luckily it was a very well hidden spot and Gabbi shoved the over bloated sack against the wall, Tina placing her staff on the bag and reciting an enchantment, the bag fading from sight, until invisible just in case.

“Best place to start asking around would be the square of course,” Tina said duly. “Raz, why don’t you keep watch over our stuff while we are gone, as an added precaution? You draw way too much attention, anyway.”

“It’s not like you guys are any flippin different. This is a damn trade town, with no magic users in sight.”

“It’s fine,” Gabbi said. You can just hide under my hood.”

Gabbi reached out, grabbed Raz by the stomach and placed him on her head, raising her hood over him, his eyes peeking out from underneath as little green emeralds.

“Ergh,” Tina replied. “I guess that works.”

Agreed, they took to the square and asked around about any strange individuals. Many looked at them as if to say look in a mirror though they veiled it through smiles. However, once over the initial reaction to the two, they all answered politely. The locals always mentioned either the foreigners that had come from all over, setting up shops on the street now dubbed “All around the world,” the warriors of the Tivanen chapter, a guild that serves as protection and order, or their relatives.

“I guess the best thing would be to check that market street next,” Tina said, Gabbi waving and thanking one of the locals.

Following the instruction of the locals, they found their way to the entrance to ‘All around the world.’ Beyond the archway, separating the foreign trade street from the rest of the town was a colorful and otherworldly clutter of buildings of all different architectures. Walking along the storefronts, they peeked into each window in passing, each shop vastly different from the other, selling all things from spices to clothing. Myriads of smells wafted from the open shops, people of all nationalities chattering in languages they had never heard, entering and exiting the stores.

Gabbi suddenly froze as a scent of sweet spice filled her nose. Sniffing the aroma, her eyes locked ahead and she jolted forward, speeding down the street. Tina, taken aback, chased after her, nearly knocking into her as Gabbi halted on a dime before a café, breathing deep the sweet nirvana.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have any money, Gabbi. We can’t afford a cup of tea.”

“I could steal you some money again,” Raz said from his hiding spot.

“No more stealing,” Tina hissed behind closed teeth.

“Suit yourself.”

“Good afternoon,” a bubbly, heavily accented voice rang from inside the café.

Right after, a plump young woman popped out from under the doorway, motioning for them to take a seat at the charming little patio out front. After their busy morning, the thought of having a moment’s reprieve was too much and they obliged, plopping down in their chairs.

“Can I get you anything,” the server asked, kindly, holding up a pad and pen.

“Would it be too much trouble if we just sat her for a few minutes,” Gabbi questioned.

“By all means,” she replied, sweetly. “Don’t hesitate to call for me if you want something,” she added before disappearing back inside.

Tina examined the area while relaxing, taking note of each person passing by and the shop owners in their shops. Gabbi, however, fidgeted in her spot, imagining drinking the tea, eyes plastered on the inside where kettles spewed out steam. Felix looked on, worriedly, knowing Gabbi’s obsession with the stuff. She looked about to lose it when a woman dressed in a full body red wool jacket sauntered by, her fragrance overpowering that of the tea, her form blocking the sight, breaking the spell over Gabbi for only a moment.

The woman glanced at the pup and the brush resting against Gabbi’s side and raised a hand over her bright red lips. “Are you the summoner,” she gasped through her thin fingers.

Gabbi raised her eyes to the pretty, young woman. “That I am,” Gabbi said. “My name is Gabbi and this is my friend, Tina,” she pointed to her. “And this is our pup, Felix. What is your name?”

“Argali Exmoor,” she replied, rather excitedly. “Please, wait one moment. Let me get you two some tea. I would like to discuss something with you, if that would be alright.”

Once Gabbi heard the word tea, she was already nodding her head, Tina chuckling lightly. Argali entered the café and ordered a pot of Jazmonian tea, a sweetly spiced drink that originated from her homeland off to the east. Handing over three silver coins to the server, she returned to the two and motioning to the third chair, asked if she could sit in which they readily agreed.

Seconds later, the server returned with a decorated teapot and cups and placed them gently before each of them. With care, the woman poured the piping hot liquid into each of the cups before setting down the pot in the center of the table and taking her leave.

Gabbi graciously took her cup and raising it to her lips, savored the drink in sips, reveling in the perfect blend. While Gabbi was lost in the nirvana, swaying side to side, Tina drank her tea more reserved, ready to find out what exactly Argali wanted.

“So,” Tina began. “How may we help you?”

“Well,” Argali said, sipping the last of her tea. “I know why you are here. You are looking for the hidden familiar. I think I can help you with that.”