Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

"It is time we start obtaining answers," Holli announced.

By her definitive tone, Ryson understood her intentions.

"Prilgrat?"

"Yes. It is late and we shall seek him at his home." Holli then reached to remove the sheath of the Sword of Decree from her shoulder. "Here, you should have this back. I am not looking to cause a conflict with this regional steward, but I am at the end of my patience. I plan to demand certain explanations and this might not be pleasant."

Ryson hesitated, and his eyes revealed something beyond uncertainty. A delver can be led to confusion if enough opposing enticements attract his curious nature, but hesitancy born from dread is not a common trait. A delver's natural ability and bounding inquisitiveness often lead him to taking risks that even a stubborn dwarf would avoid, yet Ryson looked to Holli with clear reluctance.

"I… uh, could you just keep it for now?"

"It would be of better use in your hands, not mine."

"I can appreciate that, but I want you to hold on to it for a bit longer."

Holli eyed the delver suspiciously. She attributed Ryson's concern to his passive nature. She was aware of the delver's reluctance to enter conflict, but their investigation had reached a tipping point. She was determined to get answers and Ryson's reservations against hostility would only serve to deter them from their objective. She could not allow that, and if he planned to remain passive, she would go alone.

"You won't take your sword?"

"Not just yet."

"Why?"

Ryson grimaced at the question. He took a moment as he dug for a reasonable answer. Eventually, he spoke as if trying to rationalize the decision as a point of minor consequence.

"Like I said before, the inferns didn't know who I was. That means I didn't match their description. No sense making it easy for them to figure out who we are. I think you should continue holding on to it for a while."

"That will be irrelevant when we meet with Prilgrat. I intend to reveal our identity to him as I want to know why he put out the order to have us held."

"I guess that's true, but there's something else." Ryson remained hesitant to speak, even reluctant to face the facts himself, but after seeing Holli's expression, he offered a glimpse of the truth. "It's the inferns. I'm a bit worried about how they were able to latch onto the beacon stones when one was in my pocket. If they have some kind of demonic link to me personally, they may know when I come in contact with an enchanted item."

"I think you are overreacting. The stones were meant to find you, the sword does not utilize the same enchantment."

"Maybe, but I'd feel better… just for now."

Holli refocused on her own concerns and decided to allow the request. Ryson still maintained the war blades at his hips. That would be enough for the encounter she expected.

"Very well."

Holli left the Sword of Decree across her back and turned to the center of town.

"Let us speak with Regional Steward Prilgrat."

Though Holli could not perceive any dark creature's magical vibration due to the surging magical flow that inundated Ashlan, Ryson sensed the goblin before they even entered the grand house near the center square. The delver could smell the vicious little monster despite the billowing traces of goblin scent throughout the city. The trail into Prilgrat's home was strong and fresh.

It was no real surprise to either of them that one of the dark creatures was at Prilgrat's residence, even at such a late hour. The regional steward seemed behind every order that allowed the goblins to run rampant across the Great Valleys. It simply seemed odd that the path of stench led directly through the front door. Ryson would have guessed the creature would have been a bit more discreet.

Holli didn't bother to knock, nor did she attempt to conceal their presence with a covert entrance. Throwing open the front door, the two visitors barged into the house with brusque determination, disregarding a handful of sleepy servants that attempted to stop them. They moved through a magnificent foyer decorated with long tapestries and striking paintings of imposing dignitaries.

Utilizing his delver senses and sniffing out the goblin, Ryson quickly directed the way. He led Holli down a long hall and to a closed door at the back of the house. He heard a most boisterous conversation-the rough and raspy voice of a goblin snickering at the jovial narrations of a very energetic human. The near rowdy dialogue seemed out of place for such a late hour.

After Ryson nodded, confirming the location of the goblin, Holli burst through the door into a back study. She immediately scanned the room for any threats, but found nothing but two occupants with expressions of good natured humor.

Prilgrat looked up at his new guests and offered a broad smile. His teeth glistened like white pearls. He sat comfortably in a cushioned chair behind his desk with a goblin at his side. He didn't stand, but he welcomed both the elf and the delver. His face lit up with apparent joy, as if greeting a long lost brother, but he couldn't hide his condescending tone as he revealed his expectations.

"I was wondering when you two were going to show up."

Holli said nothing in response. She reviewed her surroundings quickly and sized up the man before him by his physical appearance and the condition of his study. By the disarray of papers and objects on his desk, she knew he didn't require order. Quite the contrary, she immediately sensed the man thrived on turmoil. Not only the desktop, but the entire room lacked organization. Prilgrat didn't depend on impressing visitors with any display of deliberate control. Instead, he relied more an outward show of self-indulgence and extravagance.

The walls were filled with awards and ribbons, framed pictures and letters of achievement. Trophies and engraved plates of every size littered tabletops in every corner. Nothing fit together. It appeared more like a jumbled collection of old mementoes than a tastefully displayed tribute to a man's accomplishments. Still, the assortment of glistening objects served to disorient anyone who might be even slightly impressed by an array of grandiose recognition.

Prilgrat held himself in the same manner of presentation. His attire and jewelry was almost garish. It reeked of wealth and success, but lacked any taste. His suit looked almost like that of a ring master waiting to announce the grand finale of some elaborate circus. His hair was long and flowing over his shoulders, but it distracted from his handsome face. His entire appearance seemed like nothing more than a haphazard combination of striking features seasoned with brash garments and accessories.

Holli took notice of Prilgrat's every subtle move. Just like everything else, even his movements revealed inconsistency. He lacked grace, but he exuded charm. Every turn of his head appeared forced, yet he seemed at ease with himself. It was as if he knew he moved somewhat clumsily, but it didn't distract from his self-appreciation.

Within the contradictions that made up the steward's appearance and attributes, Holli found a connection to the very problems she sought to solve. She found clues and clear facts, and yet the puzzle didn't fit together. It seemed as if all the pieces were in front of her, but for some reason they had taken on an incompatible form. Prilgrat's physical presentation was as much an aberration as the mysteries that plagued the Great Valleys.

As for the goblin, the smug monster wore an elaborate tunic and stood with greater confidence than most other goblins. It showed no malice toward either Ryson or Holli. It didn't snarl or cower. In fact, it smiled right along with Prilgrat, but this was no usual goblin grin. It was more of a quirky smirk, as if the creature just heard some inappropriate remark that it found somewhat humorous. The creature appeared equally interested in both Ryson and Holli as it shifted its focus back and forth from delver to elf. It almost seemed to be taking mental notes of everything it could observe.