Sorry once again for the lengthy wait between updates. I've got a few more chapters already written and I'll update the story with them weekly to avoid another massive wait. As always please let me know what you think (good and bad) as it helps me improve- though flattery is great motivation =P

I hope you enjoy it =)

PS- let me know if you like the formatting (I changed it again)

Chapter 4

Tel looked over the small gap between the rocky headland Sandpoint sat atop and the forested outcrop of Chopper's Isle. It looked lovely.

"So the place of so much dread is a beautiful islet literally a stone's throw from town?" Tel asked sarcastically.

"Indeed it is," countered Uka levelly, "and the fact it's shunned despite its charm is why I'm sure you understand my concern about the townsfolk's superstitious nature."

"That's a fair point," Tel conceded with a soft snort and a smile.

Uka looked to Tel in pleasant surprise at the relatively cheery mood the man was in, though he didn't notice her gaze and instead peered down the cliff to the churning surf.

"So, how do we get across?" Tel asked.

"There used to be a series of logs driven into both cliffs to form steps, but those were removed after Choppers crimes came to light. As it stands I'll have to climb the cliffs while I expect the pair of you can simply fly."

"Would you like a lift?"

"No thank you, I fear for the dignity of your landing amongst those trees."

Tel wasn't too worried if he was honest as the taller trees seemed not to be too close to one another and the smaller brush would be easily crushed by Hearths bulk. Though he had to admit that some dignity might be lost scrabbling through the bushes. Before he could consider their landing further Uka rose a short distance into the air on tentacles of hair, paused only to scoop up Ula, and then moved off down the cliff. She maintained a stately composure as the animate hair walked her down the cliff, across the treacherously slippery rocks and surf below, and then up the cliff of Chopper's Isle.

Tel looked to Hearth where he saw his unease at Uka's mode of transport mirrored.

"Well, we best not keep her waiting my friend," he said to the dragon, and with that he mounted up.

Hearth took two steps back and Tel hunched low to his head. Then he bounded forward, leapt into the air, snapped open his wings to glide the short distance and then quickly tucked them close to himself for landing. Hearth aimed for the gap between two large oaks and ignored the smaller plants polluting his landing area. With a crash of leaves and the snapping of twigs they touched down on Choppers Isle and Tel found himself with a face full of plants despite his low posture. Spitting out the intruding foliage he gingerly opened his eyes. The place was indeed beautiful with the larger trees providing a dappled shade over their surroundings. Tel was pleased to see that the thicker undergrowth was present only at the edges of the Isle where the sun reached under the eaves of the trees and with a few short steps they were into the relatively clear interior. Hearth gave a brief shake to dislodge a few clinging twigs before turning to check on Tel who was busily investigating the plethora of woodcarvings that decorated seemingly every tree in sight. They were beautiful, and branches all around them terminated in carved birds from wrens to eagles.

"I see you have discovered the works of the hopefully-still-late Jervis Stoot," said Uka as she emerged silently from the shadowed brush.

Hearth didn't seem surprised by her arrival but Tel had to admit he hadn't heard her coming.

"They're beautiful," he said.

"Indeed he was talented with a knife, that's for sure. It's a pity he turned from wood to the flesh of the townsfolk and had to be put down. Now Tel, if you can drag yourself away we might be able to make some actual progress."

"You in a hurry?" Tel asked as he turned away from the carvings.

"As it turns out I have an engagement this afternoon," Uka said as she moved off.

"What, another meeting to attend?" Tel said with a roll of his eyes as he followed.

"Not that it's any of your business but I have been asked to accompany a Mr Foxglove on a boar hunt," Uka replied.

"You've got to be kidding me, what kind of name is that?"

"You'd be surprised, Tel, at the difference it makes if you're polite to people."

"I don't even know who the guy is, much less care about him."

"Well he happens to be be a local noble, and one we saved the night of the raid. Though I've no interest in courting the man he seems to be overly interested in courting me and, frankly, a boar hunt was the least intimate of the offers he made," said Uka in her trademark level, with a hint of disapproval, tone.

Tel just laughed.

"Boar hunting can be dangerous. Just let nature take its course, or give it a prod if it looks like he might survive the outing."

"Tel, as a witch, it would be most unprofessional to have people dying on my watch," Uka replied sternly, she wanted to discourage that line of thinking.

Usually she'd put it down as dark humour but with Tel she wasn't quite sure he wasn't serious.

"It's your afternoon to waste."

"Indeed it is. Now I believe we are here."

Uka pointed to what looked like a charred stump.

"When the villagers discovered the identity of the killer they burnt his house to the ground. But it's the tunnels below I'm more concerned about. They're accessed through an iron trapdoor somewhere in the ruins," Uka explained as they walked into what used to be Choppers house.

Tel kicked at the ground as they went and was soon rewarded with a hollow clang.

"Found it," he said as he set to scraping back the thin layer of charcoal and leaves that covered the trapdoor.

When he was done he was disappointed to see that the hinges were well and truly rusted shut.

"Hearth, my friend, could you open this for me?" Tel asked with a stroke of the snout interestedly sniffing at what he was doing.

Hearth took a second to figure out what was being asked before raking the rusted iron with his claws. His first attempt caused only a horrific shriek but his second snagged a hinge and tore the entire door up out of its setting. Tel thanked Hearth and rubbed his nose then looked down into the darkness of the opening.

"What are we looking for down there exactly?" Asked Tel.

"Any evidence of disturbance. Hopefully we'll find none but given the interest shown in the remains of Tobyn I'm keen to confirm that there's no connection or anything to worry about," replied Uka as she too peered into the dark maw of the basement.

Tel had to admit he didn't like this. It wasn't that he was worried that he'd be set upon by the undead corpse of Chopper, it was more that the basement entrance was too small for Hearth to accompany him. It reminded him of the tunnels and cells below the arenas with the stone seeming to press in around him. He found his breath catching in his throat and his heart rate accelerating. You can do this, he told himself, for Hearth. And for himself. For both of them. His survivors mind hated this seeking out of danger but Hearth liked Sandpoint and he had to admit so did he. For us, he mentally recited as he tried to steady his breathing. Hearth cooed supportively.

"Your courage is giving me grey hairs," Tel said to Hearth with a smile. "First the goblins during the raid, then the unquiet dead, and now this."

Hearth warbled happily at the joke and snorted into Tel's supposedly greying hair.

"If you're happy to proceed we should get going," said Uka with a surprising note of sympathy taking the edge off her usual tone.

Tel nodded to signal his readiness and turned to Hearth.

"I'll be back before you know it," he said and hugged his friends huge face tightly.

He turned back to the hole to see Uka lowering herself down on strands of hair with her hat glowing brightly to light his way. Seeing the floor was only 10 feet down he gripped the edge tightly, lowered himself as far as his arms would allow, and dangled there a moment. He took a moment to give Hearth a reassuring smile and dropped. The rush of panic was almost instantaneous. The stone walls, illuminated by Uka's hat, seemed to hold him prisoner. He was trapped again in a stone hell. Internally he battled for all he was worth to maintain control of his racing thoughts. Memories of horrific experiences flashed across his mind in exacting detail and the emotions he'd felt at those times washed over him like a wave. Instinctively he reached for Hearth but the dragon wasn't there.

Uka examined the room while she waited for Tel to join her. The stonework here was crude, laboriously excavated with pick and bucket and conflicted with the reports of those few who had braved this place the night of Chopper's demise. They'd reported large tunnels, rooms, and even a cathedral like space housing a huge statue. That kind of excavation would certainly have been too much for one man to achieve with the same basic methods as were used on this basement. She quickly spotted the way down where it was partially hidden behind the charred and rotten remains of what must have been the villagers rushed efforts at sealing the tunnel. Indeed as she approached she noted that the stonework of the tunnel was quite unlike that of the basement. The walls were smooth, almost flawlessly so, and must have been near ten feet high. The floor was steps that zigzagged down into the gloom. Uka turned to see what was keeping Tel and was not surprised to see the man standing hunched with his eyes closed and his fists balled. He seemed frozen and Uka was perceptive enough to know that he was struggling with something. It wasn't the fear of spirits or ghouls she knew as she'd seen Tel quite at ease exploring the graveyard last night. Perhaps it was claustrophobia? She decided to let him be unless he became erratic as she reasoned that if he could overcome this on his own it would be important for him to do so.

Tel's mind swam in memories of stone and iron, sand and blood, terror and pain. He was drowning in it. He felt strangely dissociated from his body, as though the memories had become his reality again. But still he fought it. You're free, he told himself, you and Hearth made it out. He forced the memories he'd made since into the stream that flowed across his consciousness. Memories of flying, of sheltering under dark wings in the rain, of swimming in streams and of their play fights. Thoughts of the better times took the edge off his anxiety's assault and gave him the respite he needed to rally himself. For us. He forced open his eyes, straightened his back and unclenched his fists. His mind screamed and railed against him but he forced his body to action by simply putting one foot in front of another. His hands were shaking at his sides when he joined Uka by the mouldering barricade and his voice was shakier still when he spoke.

"So you think we should look down there?" He asked.

"Definitely, I see nothing of interest in here and the accounts of those who built this barricade speak of more beyond," Uka said as though nothing were amiss.

"Ok," was all Tel could muster in response but he was grateful Uka seemed to be making a point of ignoring his lack of composure.

With a crash Uka's hair made short work of the barricade and the pair advanced down the stairs into the waiting gloom.

They descended the back and forth stairs until they came to a large circular antechamber. Uka released a mote of light into the air and it flew to the ceiling to illuminate the room. The room had a domed ceiling and a door to the left and the right with stonework in the same style as the stairs. On the far side, towering above them, was an immense statue of a grotesque anthropomorphic bird. The 40 foot tall monument to the insanity of its creator was posed as if ready to strike the pair and its disfigured visage was as disturbing as it was intimidating. Uka looked over to the already shaken Tel and feared he may be ready to run but he seemed unimpressed by the statue. If anything he seemed strangely enthralled by it. Suspecting foul magic designed to entrap the will of those who gazed upon it she prepared to open her mage sight.

"Those will keep us in cows for years," Tel said, his voice devoid of its earlier shakiness.

Uka followed his gaze up to the statue's face where its eyes glittered in the magical light. Each was a huge gemstone that twinkled with a deep red colour.

"That is a statue to the demon Pazuzu, Tel," Uka said matter-of-factly.

"I don't care who it's a statue of, those gemstones are worth a fortune."

"Usually, Tel, I'd praise your lack of superstition but occasionally it does pay to be cautious with such things."

"What, do you think the demon himself will show up and strike me down for defiling his shrine? I've seen a lot of people invoke the names of gods shortly before they died. I find it hard to believe this Pazuzu is so flush with power that he's able to defend this forgotten shrine."

"While I agree with you that the personal intervention of a demon is unlikely that's not to say there aren't other, lesser, threats present. This place is steeped in suffering and death, I can feel it."

Uka dispassionately noted the feeling then looked over to Tel and couldn't help but wonder where the young man had been or what he had seen to leave him quite so inured to the aura of this place. Being a witch lent her a certain sensitivity to these sorts of things but it also lent an understanding which helped to lessen the unease. The miasma of place was almost palpable and she was confident that even those without a magical sensitivity to such things would be able to feel it. Certainly those who'd been here before had reported as much.

Tel looked up at the gemstones again and considered Uka's words. The place didn't feel creepy to him, but then he wondered if that was more a mental malfunction on his part. His own initial unease in this place was from something he'd brought with him and had little to do with bad vibes or weird statues. If anything the presence of those gemstones alleviated much of his fear as he now had a very real reason to be here. He ran his gaze down the statue and tried to plot a climbable course up to the stones but was interrupted by the sound of a child sobbing.

"Well, there's your bad vibes," he said sarcastically, earning him a stern look from Uka who suddenly froze.

"Tel, don't make any sudden moves," she hissed, looking past him to the left.

Tel immediately stopped and turned his head as slowly as he could while his fingers crawled towards his sword. Not five feet away was a pile of rags draped over a child sized skeleton. The waist high horror turned its hooded face up to Tel, revealing the skull of a small canine. It sobbed as it advanced another step then let out a scream and lunged. Tel whipped his short blade free from its scabbard and slashed in a wide arc across the leaping monsters path. The thing was swift however and his blow only caught its legs while its little bony hands grabbed fistfuls of his collar and its canine skull snapped horizontally at his neck. Reflexively he tucked in his chin to protect his soft throat and was rewarded with stinging pain when small teeth pierced both his cheeks. He could feel dust being puffed onto his face in some demented parody of breath and it made him loathe to inhale. He quickly made a second stab with his blade as he toppled over backwards under the surprising strength of an assailant half his height. His strike went up to the hilt into the ribcage of the creature and he tried to throw it off him. It had a firm grip on his collar however and would not be dislodged. It frenziedly snapped again at his face and in addition to the pain he felt a strange numbness begin to seep into his body from the wounds. It dulled his senses, made heavy his limbs and begged him to just rest. Adrenaline fought hard against the supernatural lethargy and with a heave, assisted by a yanking coil of hair, he threw the monster off himself.

It landed nimbly and immediately dashed back to continue its assault. Tel tried to push himself to his feet but whatever was enervating his limbs was getting worse. He pushed with all his might and managed to get up onto his elbows right as the creature leaped at the pair of them. Tel found the strength to bring his blade up in front of himself but to the amazement of his groggy mind the child had aimed its pounce at Uka and sailed clean over the top of him. He heard the thump as Uka hit the ground and it made him sick to his stomach that he could be rendered so helpless. He fought with all his will against the encroaching magic and its promise of sleep but he feared he was losing that battle. He managed to roll over and noticed that Uka wasn't fairing much better than he had against the nimble creature. She had it bound in her hair but he could see a trickle of blood running down her arm and knew what the bite brought with it. Painfully slowly he reached out for the creatures leg and managed to grab a hold of its ankle. He didn't try to pull it off her, he knew he didn't have the strength, instead he maintained his grip and rolled away from Uka hoping that his added weight would tip the grapple in her favour.

His drowsy mind was only dimly aware of the crashing his ears heard coming from the staircase. As the realisation that the sound was of falling rocks his already battered morale sank further. A cave in might doom them as surely as a fight with this damnable abomination though the death would be an awful lot slower. Tel stared up at Uka's light on the ceiling with the strength only to maintain his grip on the creatures ankle. He clung to the hope his efforts might keep it anchored and allow Uka to come up with something.

"Hearth, I'm so sorry," he whispered to the room.

He couldn't even manage anger, he just felt so tired. And no matter how hard he tried to drive his body on he could manage nothing more. He felt like such a failure. That he couldn't even bring himself to get up for Hearth left him feeling disgusted with himself. He felt a wretched excuse for a friend and utterly undeserving of the loyalty and devotion Hearth had shown him. He was sure that if their positions were reversed that Hearth would be up off this floor in an instant.

Suddenly the load on his arm disappeared. He rolled his head to see what had happened to the leg he'd been holding and was surprised to see that it was no longer attached to anything. Then a hot wind rolled over his face and the scent carried on it was unmistakable.

"Hearth?" He croaked through exhausted lips, "is that you?"

The rumbling coo that answered him brought tears to his eyes. Tears of joy and tears of shame.

"I'm so sorry Hearth, I couldn't push through for you. I failed you," Tel quietly sobbed into the scaled chin that came to rest on his chest.

Hearth huffed dismissively and turned a deeply caring eye on the prone man who reached up to stroke his cheek. Hearth warbled contentedly and nosed Tel's face affectionately.

"Thank you Hearth, for saving me again. For everything. I feel so undeserving of your love," said Tel with a self deprecating smile.

Hearth just lied down next to Tel, wrapped him close with his neck and tail, and snuggled his head into Tel's side. Tel just lay there, cocooned in dragon, with the occasional silent tear running down his cheek until the enervation wore off.

"Well, he's not claustrophobic and I'm guessing he's the source of those cave in sounds," said Uka as she stood and primly adjusted her skirts.

She gave herself a quick brush off and turned to assess Tel. He looked fine physically as the creatures tiny teeth had left only superficial wounds on both of them. Still, had it not been for Hearths timely intervention she had to admit their fate was uncertain at best and succumbing to that thing didn't really bear thinking about. What she was more worried about was the fact that Hearth seemed to be concerned about Tel. She could see clean tracks down his cheeks where he'd obviously been crying but noted that his eyes seemed dry now.

"I think he's incredibly brave," Tel replied from the floor.

"And a powerful digger if my suspicions prove correct," said Uka and she cast an appraising eye over Hearth who still had dirt on his claws. "Now did you see what became of that little... Thing?"

Tel sat up, gave Hearth a rub to let him know he was ok, and pushed himself to his feet. He wiped his face with his hand and looked around. He soon spotted the leg he'd been holding partially buried under Hearths tail. He picked it up and offered it to Uka.

"Well, it's definitely human, and young too by the size of it," said Uka, turning it over in her hands.

"Do children around here usually have canine skulls?" Tel asked with a weak smile.

"Not unless they make inappropriate jokes within my earshot," Uka replied levelly.

Tel couldn't be sure, but he thought that might have been an attempt to return his own weak joke. Although both their attempts at humour were poor at best it helped to take some of the stress out of the situation which could have claimed both their lives. The stress was only compounded for Tel by his insecurities. Rather than deal with the thoughts running through his head Tel decided that pushing on was the best way forward.

"Now that the creepy skeleton is properly dead I think I might have a go at grabbing those," Tel said as he pointed to the statues head.

"Perhaps I might persuade you to retrieve them on our way out of this place? It would do none of those present any good to have danger burst in through one of those doors whilst you were climbing 40 feet in the air," Uka said with a glance towards Hearth.

Tel followed her gaze and then immediately nodded in agreement.

Uka disliked having to manipulate Tel but it was for his own good. Truly he'd be useless in a fight if he were climbing but also she was keen to have him near Hearth in case the dragon decided that she was acceptable collateral damage. She'd seen that breath on the beach and had no desire to be caught in it. Also she had to admit that she was keen to have Hearth's attention on the fight as she worried that if the pair were more than arms reach apart the dragon would prioritise getting to Tel over defending her. She smiled inwardly at the thought that Hearth was both useful in a fight and as leverage on Tel. Looking at the pair now she realised that the more she saw of them the more she worried. Tel's eyes still bore the telltale red of tears and Hearth seemed more concerned with the man than ever. Her pep talk of last night did seem to be starting to unravel the mightily tangled ball of yarn that was the history and associated demons of the two. But the more she saw of that ball the more she realised just how big and tangled it really was. She grit her mental teeth and reminded herself that she could get them both better. She'd see them both right, anything less would be unprofessional, but for now all she needed to do was pick a door. Left or right.

"Tel would you accompany me to the door on the left, if you please," Uka announced more than asked as she walked over to the door in question.

"Sure," Tel replied and he and Hearth followed.

The door was a slab of stone decorated in disturbing carvings of eye balls and tongues with a heavy iron ring set into it for a handle. Fearful that she wouldn't have the strength to pull open the heavy door in her arms she reached for it with a tendril of hair and applied her willpower to it instead. The door swung open under the prodigious might of Uka's will and when it did she immediately wished she'd gone right instead.

Inside the simple, square room the walls were covered in jars containing eyeballs that followed you with their gaze and tongues that wriggled against the nails that held them. Uka looked on with open disgust but didn't advance through the doorway. There was no way a tongue at least 5 years old could still be that fresh, let alone wriggling.

"Well, this certainly fits the unhinged theme that the decor has been running with thus far," said Uka.

"This Chopper guy was a real nut," Tel agreed and he walked into the room.

Uka almost expected him to be struck down by some demonic magic and had to hide a sigh of relief when he wasn't. Tel drew his sword and poked a tongue on the wall with the tip. The pinned muscle began to writhe excitedly and seemed for all the world to be trying to attack the probing blade. Tel, unfazed by the disturbing spectacle, just pushed harder until the blade pierced flesh. Where the steel sank into the tongue a foul blood, black and clotted, flowed out.

"Well, that's strange," he said with mock interest.

"Tel it might be wise in future to not prod at the clearly supernatural phenomena in the demonic temple," said Uka after she watched the spectacle unfold.

She probably could have spoken up sooner but she had to admit to a certain, morbid, curiosity of her own.

"What's it going to do? Lick me to death?"

"I'm sure I wouldn't know the modus operandi of a demonically animated tongue, Tel."

"Huh, fair enough," said Tel with a smile and a soft snort.

Uka was surprised at the attempt at civility from Tel but before she could return the joke she noticed something on the floor that troubled her deeply.

"Tel, look there, by your left boot," she said as she pointed.

Tel looked and saw a black mark which appeared as though it had been made by a fire.

"Someone attempted to burn this place, do you think?" Tel replied.

"I think they did, but to no effect it would seem. This place must be somehow protected from damage," Uka half announced, half mused.

"You know what else is in here," said Tel as he walked towards the far side of the room, "a book. It's leather. One guess what kind."

"That is repugnant," Uka said in condemnation of the books material and Tel's attitude towards it.

Tel flipped a page open and looked at the writing but it was in a script he couldn't read.

"Well, it's in a language I can't read but if had to guess I'd say it's a religious text," he said.

"Tel, if it's all the same to you I think it might be wise to retrieve some holy water from the temple and see if that has any more utility in destroying the contents of this room. If that too fails it might still be prudent to spend some time seeking a way to achieve its destruction," said Uka with a concerned frown.

"There's something I think we should try first. I've never seen anything stand up to dragonfire and Hearth could easily flood the room with the stuff."

"Well, I suppose that's worth a shot," said Uka as she moved out of the room.

Tel followed her and turned to Hearth.

"Fire away my friend," he said and motioned to the room.

Hearth summoned his fire and drew in a short breath. He began radiating heat and a soft orange glow began to show between the scales of his chest before he opened his mouth and, after an electrical crackle, projected a roaring torrent into the room. The heat was almost unbearable, and their cramped location did nothing to help, so Tel quickly put a hand against Hearth's foreleg. The dragon ceased his fiery assault on the room and turned to see what Tel wanted.

"You're going to cook me like bread in an oven if you keep that up," said Tel with a smile and Hearth laughed his croaking laugh in reply.

A moment later the most pungent odour Tel could ever remember smelling invaded his nostrils and he nearly gagged on the stench. With its sulphurous tendrils winding their way through his sinuses Tel pulled his shirt up over his nose but it offered little relief.

"The hell is that?" He asked Uka who was clearly suffering the same olfactory beating as he was.

"If I had to guess I'd say that was the scent of your idea working, Tel," Uka said.

She stepped toward the open door and looked into the room beyond where spots of the thicker component of Hearth's fire still burned on the floor and walls. The vile assembly of body parts was nowhere to be seen with glowing pools of molten glass the only evidence of anything ever having been in the room at all. Satisfied that the tainted works of Chopper had been purged she closed the door with a tendril of hair.

"That's the end of that," Uka stated simply.

"So, maybe you were wrong about the villagers suspicions after all? Perhaps the vengeful spirit of Chopper has returned along with the animated bones of the priest," Tel said.

"Tel everything down here is undisturbed and has been for 5 years. No, if anything this only confirms my suspicions that the happenings at the crypt had nothing to do with Chopper and everything to do with the goblin raid."

"Great, so then we can pinch those jewels and get out of here," said Tel as he cast his eyes back up the statue.

"I'd rather we check the other door too, first, if that's acceptable," said Uka with her subtly commanding undertone.

"Fine, sure," Tel said without much enthusiasm.

Truth be told he was keen to be getting out of here as although the panic had subsided it left in its wake a general feeling of unease, like he couldn't quite get a deep enough breath. He looked over to Hearth and was pleased to see him looking happy enough despite having to keep his wings tucked close in the cramped environment. He briefly smiled at the irony of the situation. Here was he, to whom these tunnels were positively spacious, getting claustrophobic at their similarity to the fighting pits while Hearth, a creature of the wide open skies, was clearly at ease. He moved close to Hearth as the three of them advanced on the remaining door which Uka promptly opened.

Beyond was a simple stone tunnel, much like the one they'd entered through, ending in a spiral staircase. The air that wafted through the opened door smelled of the sea and a faint lapping of water could be heard coming from somewhere ahead.

"The complex must have flooded at some point," Uka said.

"Well we can't be too far above the water level down here," Tel added.

"I agree, let us go and confirm that this is as far as Chopper's old domain extended," said Uka.

Tel moved forwards, confident that Hearth was right at his back, into the tunnel and immediately spotted a hooded figure crouched against the wall. Apparently the detection had been mutual as the figure immediately rose to its feet and charged wielding a whittling knife. As the distance closed Tel could see that his eyes were missing, tears of blood were running down his cheeks and mingling with the blood running from his mouth. Tel had seen enough mutilation to not be bothered by the missing eyes, and what he suspected was a missing tongue, but he was put off by the fact that his assailant was running 6 inches off the ground. He'd heard of spirits before and the tales told that they were immune to the effects of mundane weapons. Briefly another wave of helplessness and worthlessness threatened to capsize his thoughts. Tel's mind was as sharp as any blade though and quickly formulated a plan. He knew that he had no way to harm the spirit but he suspected dragonfire wouldn't suffer the same impotence. He ducked, motioned down the hallway with his arm and yelled.

"Hearth, Fire!"

Uka heard Tel's shout and quickly scanned the corridor for danger or anything else that might have provoked the request. She could see nothing but the tone of Tel's voice told her in no uncertain terms that the man was scared of something. No sooner than Tel's voice had left her ear than she felt the heat in the air that preceded dragonfire. Uka heard the electric buzz and had only enough time to shield her face with her sleeve before the inferno rushed down the corridor. She was amazed at the sheer speed of Hearth's response, and that he hadn't hesitated for an instant as soon as Tel had asked. She couldn't help but admire the devotion they showed, both ready to go all in for the other on a moments notice, but it also worried her. If this was a busy town street and Tel made the same request would Hearth even think twice? What if it was her in the line of fire? She had a sneaking suspicion the answer to both would be a no.

Tel stepped to the side as Hearth shot his head forward and was comforted by his friends swift, powerful response. He ducked beneath Hearths jaw as the flames poured forth to evade the radiant heat and turned to look down the corridor where he was pleased to see the apparition blown away in screaming shreds. He reached a hand up to Hearth's cheek and the flow abated. With the passage of the immediate threat another wave of worthlessness threatened to sweep him out into the sea of his fears. Hearth nuzzled him reassuringly and Tel felt better knowing that even if he were swept into that sea his friend would swim out to retrieve him.

"Tel, what was that about?" Uka demanded sternly. "I might've lost my eyebrows."

She wasn't prepared to admit she was worried about losing more besides.

"There was a spirit charging down the corridor towards us, did you not see it?"

"No, I didn't," Uka said more calmly.

She knew the man had PTSD, and that something aside from the demonic in this place was exacerbating it, but she didn't know it was bad enough to result in hallucinations.

"Tel," she continued softly, "are you sure the spirit was... Real?"

"What? Yes. Of course it was. It was right there."

"Hearth didn't seem to have detected it either," Uka said calmly.

She was well aware that this line of questioning might cause problems in their tenuous relationship but she felt it had to be addressed. Tel's face just went blank at the realisation. He drew a ragged breath and blew it out slowly to calm the suddenly massive surf building in the ocean of his mind. He hugged the snout nosing at his face and felt soothed by Hearth's rolling drone.

"I'll check the staircase," said Uka, "and no more fire, I'll be down there."

Tel didn't reply.

Uka walked a bit more quickly than might have been dignified but she was keen to get out of the range of Hearth's fire in case of a repeat of the phantom assailant incident. She felt her pace was entirely justified as she passed through the section of the corridor that had been filled with the fire. The heat was still coming off the walls and she could feet the hot stones beneath her feet. Her pace quickly brought her to the top step of the vast spiral staircase that descended into the rock below her. It wasn't open in the centre, instead it had a large column, and so she cautiously advanced into the gloom. Her magelight from the central chamber didn't reach this far but if she was honest that suited her just fine. She could see perfectly in the pitch black and the gloom flowed around her and welcomed her into its fold. She was essentially invisible to anything that didn't have senses like those of a dragon, that strange ability to know where everything was around you. She felt bad for dropping her suspicions that was Tel hallucinating on the man but it was the fact that Hearth hadn't shown any interest in the corridor that she felt had confirmed her theory. She rounded another turn in the staircase and was pleased to see water lapping at the stairs and what appeared to be tidal lines on the walls. With confirmation that this was as far as Chopper's lair went she turned back for the other two. Pondering ways to unravel that giant ball of yarn as she went.

Tel was grateful for the time to compose himself. He knew that he had demons and that he was broken inside. He hated himself for the burden it placed on him and even more than that he hated the burden it placed on Hearth. But to be hallucinating was yet another step down the road of unworthy and burdensome. A friend so loyal deserved better. Remembering how unhesitatingly Hearth had come to his call only made it worse. It turned his happy memories of Hearth around on him, each one now a generous gesture he hadn't returned because he was pathetic. Strangely the memory that helped him was one of Uka and the stern talking to she gave him last night. She'd said Hearth was his number one priority and he wouldn't make Hearth happy by burning himself out, nor with self flagellation. Hearth did deserve better, but Hearth's friendship and loyalty was to him, and so it fell to him to be that better person. He blew a sigh but the end of it caught on the lump in his throat.

"Oh Hearth, I'm so sorry. I keep dropping the ball on our Sandpoint project. It's just... Now that I'm... You know, trying to... Fix things. I... I think it's all catching up with me Hearth. I'm trying to salvage of myself what I can... But, now that I'm no longer living like a beast, stuck in survival mode, I think there's not... Not a lot left. Well there's certainly a lot to work through. I'll never stop trying Hearth, for both of us, but I'm not sure how much of this is going to heal."

Hearth cooed sympathetically and hugged Tel close to his chest with his chin.

"Just another bump in this long road we're on..." Tel weakly laughed into Hearths chest while a tear ran down his cheek.

Hearth warbled and relaxed his hug to look Tel in the eye.

"Over the bump and onwards," Tel said and saw his smile reflected in that great draconic eye.

"I was correct. The stair descends only a short way to the waterline," Uka announced upon her return.

Tel sniffed and wiped his nose on his forearm then gave Uka a smile. He hated to admit it but her stern words had helped him and it was nice to see a helpful face.

"That's good to hear," he said, by way of a thank you.

"I too was pleased to find the end of this temple, it doesn't do to linger overlong is such a drab place."

"I hear that," said Tel, his words trailing off as he noticed Uka's brow crease.

"Tel, over there, behind you, I think there's a secret door," Uka said in a calm tone to prevent the words bringing sudden actions.

Her calm tone had the desired effect and instead of drawing blades and baring teeth the pair turned to look at the wall.

"I'll have to take your word on that," said Tel as he looked up and down at the indicated section and saw nothing.

Uka shooed the man out of the way and set about looking for a mechanism to open the door. After a brief search she located a small panel that swung open if pressed to reveal the heavy iron ring that served as a door handle.

"Do be ready Tel, this door might hide anything."

Tel drew his blade and moved close to Hearth then Uka pulled open the secret door.

Much to their relief nothing came flying out of the darkness to assault them.

"Look at that," Uka remarked as she fully opened the door.

She pointed to the inside of the door where, near the bottom, there were scratch marks on the stone.

"Something was trying to get out, I think," Uka said absentmindedly.

"I hate confinement too," Tel said, quietly battling darker memories.

Uka sent a magelight into the room and its glow revealed a book thrown onto the floor, it's pages splayed open, and a mouldering blanket covering something at the back of the room.

Seeing no immediate danger, and disinterested in the book, Tel moved over to investigate the blanket. Secretly hoping for it to be covering some jewelled religious paraphernalia but wary as ever he gingerly prodded it with his boot. When the blanket didn't respond he prodded it with his blade. Satisfied that it wasn't about to spring a surprise attack on him Tel gently lifted it.

"Well, that really, really fucking sucks," he said in a tone devoid of sarcasm.

Uka immediately identified the tone as what passed for distress with Tel and looked up from her examination of the book to see him squatting beside a tangle of bones. She quickly moved to investigate.

"Looks like a child and some sort of small canine," Uka observed.

"Yeah, a boy and his dog. He died hugging his friend..." Tel trailed off and looked over to Hearth.

"This must be the child that went missing during Chopper's killing spree. Everyone suspected Chopper had taken the boy but his body was never found. He had a pet fox he was dearly fond of," Uka said sadly, unable to maintain her usual no nonsense tone. "The poor pair must have starved to death when Chopper was slain and this door went unnoticed."

"Well that's fucked up. Starving to death in the pitch black."

"I'm surprised the child didn't think to eat the fox."

"I'm not."

"Either way it's certainly unfortunate. From the contents of that book I'd say Chopper was trying to craft a protege by forcing the child to write out verses to Pazuzu. It might also explain the creature that was present near the statue. Such things are usually connected to occurrences such as this."

"So, what, the child's spirit is trapped down here haunting the place?"

"It seems likely. There's strong emotion here, clearly, and that's usually the catalyst for spontaneously created undead."

Tel looked at the pitiful remains and couldn't help but empathise. It was rare for him to do so. In fact this might be the first time since his capture, Hearth aside of course. In that pair of skeletons he saw a bond similar to the one he and Hearth shared and was struck by the thought that here was a pair so similar that hadn't managed to escape the way they had. It was a stark reminder of what would have become of them had they not broken free. Somehow leaving them here, still in captivity, just seemed wrong. And if what Uka said was correct, and Tel had to admit he respected her opinion on such matters, their spirits might still be chained to this place by their feelings of loss and despair. They deserved better. This mirror for Hearth and he deserved better. Tel also recognised within himself that these feelings of empathy were the kind of thing he needed to encourage if he was ever going to even partially recover.

"I'll, ah, I might, take them out of here," said Tel, motioning at the corpses.

"That would wise, I should think, but also proper. The boy has family in town who will be grateful to have closure on this too," Uka said.

She was happy to hear Tel voice the idea to remove the child's remains as although it had occurred to her immediately as something that needed doing it was a good sign to see Tel care. She was worried that the obvious parallel to himself and Hearth might provoke his anxieties or, worse, that he would show his usual ambivalence. Tel sheathed his blade and wrapped the bones in the remains of the blanket he found them in and Uka noticed he wrapped both into one jumbled pile. He walked to the door and the waiting form of Hearth investigated the swaddled bones with a sniff. A look of gratitude passed between the pair for the company of the other and their freedom. The look was followed by a moment of reflection on what might have been and the fate of those less fortunate.

"We done?" Tel asked, turning back to Uka who was investigating the copy book cautiously.

"I believe we are," was all Uka said as she abandoned her investigation and with a snap of her fingers set the book ablaze.

"Come on my friend, let's snatch those rubies and get out of here," said Tel looking on at the pages as they disintegrated in the magical fire.

When they made it back up the stairs the shaft of light shining down through Hearth's excavations was a more welcome sight than any of them expected it to be. The light chased away a malaise that none had been aware had settled, yet had been there all the same. As they scrabbled out of the basement and back onto the surface of Chopper's Isle they all breathed a little easier. Tel looked down to the bundle in his arms and then to Hearth and finally Uka and found that now that the boy and the fox were free he didn't really know what to do with them. Movement caught his eye and he looked over to see a young boy with a fox sitting by his side, only semi opaque, waving at him and smiling. Immediately he knew who the pair were and couldn't help a small smile in return. He felt something, somewhere, distant and faint, but he felt something. He noticed Hearth looking in the same direction but by the time he'd glanced at Hearth and glanced to where the boy and fox had been they were gone. He would have dismissed it as merely another hallucination but for the intense stare of Hearth and the meaningful look the dragon gave him when he too seemed to lose sight of the spirits.

"Well, I think that concludes our mornings expedition. Thank you for your assistance Tel, and for yours Hearth. I'm now confident that despite the oddities uncovered here that the place was never haunted by the spirit of Chopper and that he is entirely unrelated to the present troubles," said Uka.

"Great, any time. I'll go and drop the bones off at the temple, I think," Tel said, seeking Uka's reaction to judge the propriety of his plan.

"That sounds fitting. Zantus will be able to make arrangements and contact the family. After that do you have further plans for the day?"

"None so far, though I think I'll find Hearth a feed. He's more than earned it."

"That he has. I dare say he saved both our lives down there. Speaking of quadruped friends, have you seen Ula about? She'll no doubt want a lift off the island," said Uka, looking around.

"I haven't seen her. Come to think of it, I rarely see her at all."

No sooner than the words left his mouth Tel felt something rub up against his boot. Stifling his initial shock he looked down to see Ula giving him a strange look. What worried him the most however was that Hearth seemed surprised to see the cat too.

"Ahh, there you are. Come along Ula and I'll find you some milk," said Uka as she stooped to pick up the now purring cat.

"Then you're off on your date?" Tel asked sarcastically.

"Tel, I'll thank you not to say such things as I'd rather not encourage the man."

"A rose by any other name..." He let the words hang.

"Yes, well, some of us, Tel, happen to be members of a community and sometimes this requires us to do things we might not entirely enjoy in order to keep everyone happy," Uka said a bit huffily.

"You could have just said no."

"The man is nothing if not persistent. Besides he rightfully feels indebted to us for saving his life and this will at least get him to stop pestering me about it," she said and a note of defeat crept into her tone as they made their way back towards the edge of the Isle.

They parted ways at the cliff with Uka and Ula travelling by the disturbing hair tentacles towards the town. Tel cast a look back to the shaded interior of the Isle, covered entirely by the canopy of the mighty oaks, then looked at the bundle in his arms. He had to admit that the place was actually rather beautiful and as good a place as any to be buried. But the surface was a stark contrast to the horror this child had experienced in the tunnels beneath their feet. The pair mounted up and Hearth perched himself on the cliff. With a powerful leap they were airborne and Hearth quickly opened his wings to bring them into a glide running parallel to the beach. With a series of mighty downstrokes they were gaining altitude and rose up above the town before wheeling towards the cathedral. With the morning sun bathing the roofs below they rapidly closed the distance and landed softly in the street before the mighty stone steeple. Tel wasn't a big architecture buff but he had to admit that the building was impressive. He dropped to the ground, taking care not to spill bones from their swaddle, and suddenly felt very self conscious. The townsfolk were waving and wishing them both a good morning and Tel felt very out of place. He ignored the polite gestures and hurried up to the large wooden doors with Hearth close behind. He knocked loudly and was grateful to have Hearth so close by for emotional support. The door swung open and an ageing man in clerical robes stood in the doorway.

"Ahh, you must be Tel, and this must be Hearth," the man said, extending his hand. "What a pleasure it is to finally meet you. My name is Zantus, I'm the cleric of Sandpoint. Are the two of you here for worship?"

Tel drew comfort from Hearths breath on his back and composed a reply, but couldn't bring himself to shake the offered hand.

"No. We have the remains of a child who was taken by Chopper and were hoping you could deal with it," said Tel, offering him the bundle of bones.

Zantus just smiled and used his extended hand to take the bundle.

"Of course, I shall inform the family and make the arrangements."

"You should bury the bones together. There's two sets, one of the boys and the other of his fox," Tel said almost sternly.

He felt it had to be said. Zantus just smiled warmly at the pair.

"I understand this is close to your heart and I shall do just that," the priest said. "Would you like me to pass along how I came by these to the family? They'd likely enjoy the opportunity to thank you, the last few years have not been kind to them I'm afraid."

"I didn't do it for them," Tel said flatly and he turned to leave.

"Thank you all the same," Zantus called to the back of Tel and the swaying tail of Hearth.

"Well, now that's over shall we see about your food?" Tel asked the great head at his side as they walked.

There was an enthusiastic nod and a warble for Hearth.

"Then let's head past the inn to grab some coins. Assuming you want cows again?"

Hearth cooed happily and set off after Tel towards the inn. The walk was downhill and the morning sun was climbing high into the sky which would have made it a pleasant experience if not for the pestering of the townsfolk. Hearth seemed not at all phased by their attentions which Tel was sure only encouraged them. He was considering stopping Hearth and asking for a lift, if only to get himself up a bit higher and out of the crowd. Though they were given a wide berth as they moved everyone seemed to be getting used to Hearths presence and showed little of the fear that had previously kept most of them quietly off to one side.

"Morning Tel, you probably don't know who I am, but you, ah, you saved me the night of the raid," came a woman's voice from his left.

He intended to just keep walking but Hearth stopped to investigate. He took a steadying breath, reminded himself of his commitment to their project and turned to face the speaker. Thankfully when he did Hearth was nosing her inquisitively and it had her on the back foot.

"I'm happy you're ok," he said stiffly.

"I made these just this morning, still warm from the oven, and wanted you to have some," the woman said, handing him half a dozen fruit buns.

"Thank you very much," he managed as he held them against his chest, "they smell excellent."

"My pleasure, and thank you again," she said before moving off back into the crowd.

Hearth watched her go and then turned a pair of overjoyed eyes on Tel who was struggling to hold his buns. When he realised Hearth was looking at him he looked to meet his gaze. He saw the joy in his friend's face and a warm smile crossed his features. Adjusting his burden so that it required only one arm he picked up one of the buns and took a bite. His nose was telling the truth and the bun was indeed delicious.

"All the little wins, hey my friend?" Tel said through his mouthful.

The smile on his face had nothing to do with the woman or the buns but everything to do with that look in Hearths eyes.

#######

An hour later an incredibly fat and full Hearth rolled about in the grass on the hillside overlooking the cattle, trying to flatten his intended sleeping spot. As soon as everything was crushed to the dragons satisfaction Tel took up his usual spot on the waiting foreleg. He pulled his coin purse from his belt and fished out his share of the glittering rubies he'd pried from the demonic statue that morning. His jewellers eye valued them highly. They were well cut, clear, and a deep red in colour making them near perfect stones.

"These are going to buy us more cows than even you'll be able to eat you gluttonous lizard," Tel said with a laugh.

Hearth gave a halfhearted whuffle into the grass, indicating how little he cared in his gorged state.

"Yeah, well they're going to buy me that comfy seat I've always wanted, too. Maybe even some armour. I'm not really sure actually, we've never been this rich before."

Tel couldn't remember seeing a jeweller in town but he decided he'd ask Ameiko about it when he got back. He'd need to change the stones for coins as although they made him wealthy they were difficult to spend. But that was this afternoons problem, for the time being he just closed his eyes and soaked in the sun.

His mind soon wandered to the happenings of the day. It had been an up and down affair he had to admit, and it was only midday. Despite the trying time he'd had under Choppers Isle he had to admit that it felt good to finally have a bit of purchasing power. He still had misgivings about the original motive for their adventure as risking life and limb for the nebulous idea of the greater good just seemed like a good way to end up dead. The dark path his thoughts wandered soon opened the jar he'd stuffed with his feelings about his failure to push through the enervating effects of the creepy skeleton's attacks. He found it easier to diffuse the feelings of inadequacy this time around but it was still a struggle won only by repeating Uka's words like a mantra. He focussed on the contented dragon at his back to change his train of thought and it worked admirably. It heartened him greatly to know Hearth was happy and somehow that made everything up to this point worthwhile. He smiled to himself. Now he just had to deal with the baggage of that worthwhile journey, and project Sandpoint would be the start of that. He could do this.

#######

The pair landed in Sandpoint mid-afternoon and made their way slowly to their hay shed. Their pace was hampered significantly by the fact that people were more inclined to greet them and offer them things than they were to get out of the way. It seemed that the last of the fear and distrust had been eroded and in its place had grown an acceptance and unspoken inclusion into the community. Tel had to admit he much preferred it the way it was before. It did however represent a success in Hearths project and the dragon dealt with the numerous delays with stoic determination and saintly patience. The delays in this case consisting of petting and food. Tel just watched the latest offering disappear into the dragons mouth with a smile. Mounted on Hearth he was far enough away from the crowd that it didn't feel crushing and he could hide, after a fashion, behind his friends horns as a shield from the attention. His joy at Hearths enjoyment beat out his own myriad anxieties and he even managed a couple of short responses to the barrage of salutations and small talk directed his way.

When finally they made it to the inns courtyard and left the crowd behind Tel dropped down from his perch.

"You're the biggest garbage guts I think I've ever encountered, Hearth. You ate three whole cows and then what looked like half the produce in Sandpoint. You even ate the basket those pastries came in," Tel chided.

Hearth just looked smug.

"And I'm pretty sure those were for me anyway."

"There you both are," came Ameiko's voice from the inns back door, "I was beginning to wonder where you'd flown off to."

Tel bit down the reflexive resistance to the idea that he'd need to check in with anyone.

"We neglected Hearths breakfast," he said instead.

Hearth warbled and cooed conversationally to Ameiko.

"Well, he's clearly got some pretty strong thoughts on that," she replied with an easy smile. "Also, Uka came by and told me that you found the bones of that poor kid Chopper claimed. That's the talk of the town at the moment, it's on the lips of nearly everyone. You two and Uka are bonafide heroes now. Saved the town from goblins and braved the evils of Chopper to return a child's remains to their parents."

"I noticed everyone seemed pretty forward."

"To be honest if it was anyone else at all it wouldn't have taken this long for it to get like this. But Uka had a creepy reputation and Hearth is rather intimidating at first sight," she said to the dragon more than to Tel. "I think you're beautiful though."

Hearth understood he was being complimented and straightened his stance. Ameiko turned her focus back to Tel to see him smiling and shaking his head.

"How're you finding it all?" She asked in a gentle tone.

"Finding what?"

"The attention," she clarified with a smile.

"Oh, well it's a bit overwhelming to be honest. But Hearth seems to enjoy it, the edible aspects at least."

"Which edible aspect was his favourite? I'll have to get him some."

"All of them apparently, including whatever they happen to come in."

Ameiko laughed and for the first time Tel realised that there was a real warmth to the sound. For a moment he was envious of her. Here he was a hollow wreck who didn't feel properly comfortable around anyone but Hearth and she was a warm, vibrant person who could grow rapport with anyone. He'd noticed her only in successive layers. The first was her good heart when she probably saved his life that night with a decent feed. The next had been her physical beauty. Tel remembered only a few days ago how her way with words had vexed him, but it now seemed increasingly hospitable. He wondered how much else he'd missed viewing the world, as he had, through an instinctual lens of survival.

"Well if ever you need to hide away from your adoring fans, or put him on a diet," she said jabbing a thumb at Hearth, "you're always welcome to come and hide out here."

"Thank you, we will. We're enjoying our stay."

Ameiko was overjoyed to hear Tel talk like that and if she'd heard it second hand she would've asked if they'd hit their head. For now she just counted the small win and hoped the trend would continue.

"Well, given your previous accommodation I'd hope my inn was an improvement," she joked, fishing for a compliment more to see what Tel would say than to pad her ego.

"It's the first roof I've enjoyed staying under for years to be honest."

"Well, I'm in absolutely zero hurry to have you out so feel free to stay as long as you like. Besides its not everyday you can say you have a dragon staying as a guest."

"Thanks for the offer, we'll definitely consider it."

"If you do decide to stay long term I'll work out a better price for you, stable tenants are always a boon to an inn," Ameiko said smoothly, hiding her anticipation at the response.

Talking to Tel was like playing blackjack in that the higher you push the more you have to gain but you don't want to push too far. That they'd consider her offer was more than enough for her to up the stakes. She wanted to hear that again.

"I wouldn't want to leave you out of pocket. I'd insist on a fair price."

Ameiko wanted to cheer. The lack of an immediate refusal was such a far cry from where they'd been and the implication that he might seriously stay confirming her earlier hope. Time to cash out.

"So, Hearth has had a feed but have you eaten since this morning?" She asked.

"No actually."

"Well then, come in and I'll fix you something to eat," she said as she tossed her head towards the kitchen.

"Sounds good, thanks," said Tel and followed Ameiko towards the door.

A quick raid of the pantry later and Ameiko had Tel seated at the bench eating a meal of bread, cheese, ham and apples. Hearth was, as usual, in the kitchen up to his shoulders and looked almost disappointed when he saw the fire was already lit. What Tel remembered of his manners told him that it was poor form to be sitting here eating while Ameiko made ready the kitchen for the evening but he was too hungry to care. Besides, according to Ameiko, he was here just to keep her company while she worked. He supposed that in the interest of Project Sandpoint he ought to at least attempt to provide company.

"So, ahh," he began, not really sure where to take his attempt at communication but determined to try, "what's for dinner?"

Ameiko turned from her work with her spices.

"Oh, I thought Uka told you," she said, genuinely surprised.

"No, why would Uka tell me what you're cooking for dinner?"

"The boar she's gone hunting for? I was sure she said she told you."

"Oh, that. She told me she was going on a date."

"Wait, she told you she was going on a date? This I have to hear. Tel, spill the beans," Ameiko said with an enthusiasm Tel found intimidating.

He had no idea what to say. He didn't want to be spreading rumours about Uka but he also didn't want to just say nothing. So he settled on saying as little as possible.

"You know she went on the hunt with some guy called Foxglove? I had no idea that it was going to be for the inns dinner."

"Oh she told me about that. Tel if that's your idea of a date I think you need to brush up on your courting skills if you want to woo ladies, or men, if that's more your fancy," she said with a laugh.

"I've got no idea what people around here do," Tel admitted a little bitterly.

The bitterness came not from his ignorance of local customs but from memories of the customs of his old captors. Sensing the change in his tone and this sudden distance in his gaze Ameiko decided to try to lighten the mood.

"Well, when they're looking to stick something on a date it's not usually a spear in a boar," she said with an irreverent grin, letting the innuendo hang in the air.

When the joke didn't have the intended effect she grew worried and it only worsened when she noticed Hearth begin to take a concerned interest in the suddenly quiet man. The dragon cooed and looked at Tel pleadingly and then fixed Ameiko with the same plaintive gaze.

"Tel, I'm sorry if I offended you," she tried, aware that her attempt hadn't been the most amazing joke ever told.

Tel cursed inwardly. His mind had flooded with painful memories of rich men and the beautiful women at their sides cheering as spears stuck men and blood hit the sands. He smiled ruefully at another memory involving those same sort of people being bathed in dragonfire. But now was not the time to be mired in the past.

"It wasn't that, just a bad memory. Maybe this Foxglove guy is compensating for his own spear with the boar one," he said, hoping to recover his attempt at keeping company.

Thankfully Ameiko just laughed and the sound brought its usual, welcome warmth with it. Hearth gave a relieved roo and a happy warble at the breaking of the ice. Tel again wondered at himself when he had to admit he found the voice of Hearth more soothing.

"What's so funny?" came the glacial tone of Uka from the common room doorway.

"We were speculating on the nature of the thrusting taking place in the woods today," said Ameiko with a sly grin.

She knew the witch prided herself on her sense of propriety but she also knew that Uka was very much a woman of the world and brutally practical. Ameiko loved watching the two collide.

"I shall leave it to your virile imagination Ameiko. Suffice it to say that the penetrating that took place was not the first choice of my hunting companion. On that note, we did secure dinner," Uka said in a voice that didn't waiver once.

Ameiko laughed.

"So where is this noble suitor of yours Uka?" Ameiko asked.

"He is getting dressed, which, regrettably, I was also invited to attend."

Ameiko laughed again.

"I'm glad someone is enjoying my predicament. I had hoped the hunting trip would have satisfied his infatuation, but it seems to have only made matters worse," said Uka with a hint of frustration sneaking into her tone.

"Hah, I've been there. Just tell him it's never going to happen and be done with it."

"Ameiko not all of us are prepared to deliver that line down the length of a rapier, and I believe that's where a good deal of its efficacy comes from," said Uka.

"Well in my experience you either draw your sword or he'll draw his, if you know what I'm saying."

"I understood the implication there, yes. It's not that I'm worried about him forcing himself on me I just don't want some lovesick fool dogging my heels. Especially not one quite so useless."

"Well, you don't know if he's completely useless at all aspects of courtship," said Ameiko with a sarcastic wink.

"I've sold enough of my potions to his previous lovers to know not to bother holding my breath. Now, if we might move this conversation out of the gutter I believe the boar should be arriving in a state ready to cook shortly. I have an errand to run and will be back later for dinner."

"Sure thing Uka, I'm almost finished my preparations here. I'll see you for dinner."

With the conversation over Uka gave a smile to Ameiko and a nod to Tel, spun on her heel and walked out through the common room, glaring down any attentions from the people she passed.

"I love that woman," Ameiko pronounced with a chuckle when Uka was safely out of earshot.

"She's very, ah, accomplished," said Tel, grasping at what to say and drawing another laugh from Ameiko.

"She's definitely a woman of many talents. She cracks me up though. She's one of the most well spoken and mannered people in town and yet does probably the dirtiest job in town."

"Dirtiest?" Asked Tel, prompting Ameiko to elaborate.

"If anyone in town has any, let's call it medical, problems that they don't want to go to the temple for, they go to Uka. The number of bodily fluids she's been covered in is probably all of them and I'd bet my inn she's seen more of the anatomy of the town than anyone else. The day you met her at the festival, did you see what she was selling?"

"The pecker perker potions?"

"That pretty much sets the tone. A lot of the people in this town owe their lives to her work and her no nonsense approach to all things organic."

"So she specialises in... Those regions?"

"Hah, no, not by choice. If you've got a broken leg or a cut you just go to Zantus, but if it's something a bit more personal, or really serious, you go see Uka."

"I'll keep that in mind. She certainly did a good job on me after the raid, though I hope I won't need her skills again."

"You certainly don't need her potion skills after what I saw that night," Ameiko said, her wit dancing ahead of her usual caution around Tel.

Tel went bright red and nearly choked on his food and he realised too late he'd walked right into that one. His first reaction was to run and to flee the weakness of his position. Ameiko had one up on him, unlike on the beach that morning, and although it couldn't do material damage, it was still more than he'd like. Survival mode Tel would rouse Hearth, take off, and fly away. But then survival Tel wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place. Drawing strength from the dozing head by his stool he summoned his fortitude and got a second opinion. It was a joke, just a joke. He knew Ameiko possessed a quick wit and a sharper tongue but he also knew she'd proven she had a kind heart. Besides, he could take a little embarrassment for Hearths, no, their, project. It couldn't do actual damage, it cost him nothing really.

"Perhaps I should ask Uka about getting a few interesting facts about yourself," he managed with his cheeks still burning.

Ameiko burst out laughing. Partly in relief as she'd noticed Tel's pause and the turning gears and had been cursing letting her guard down. She was worried she might have pushed too far and almost sent him packing. But his attempt at a comeback was Tel trying to socialise she knew. At this point Hearth cracked open an eye to see what all the fuss was about and seeing nothing interesting tried to eat the unguarded food on Tel's plate. Tel just watched it disappear, unsure where to direct his attention. He decided he didn't really care about his food and so gave the raiding head a pat before turning back to Ameiko.

"Oh shit, I forgot you two hang around each other a lot," Ameiko said through her laughter.

"So you're feedin it at the table now are you?" said Bethana as she walked in from the common room.

"Pretty sure he poaches less of my stock than a certain halfling I know," Ameiko playfully retorted.

"Watch that mouth, pretty girl, lest it be sat on by this poaching halfling," she replied with a smile.

"Good to see you too, Beth," Ameiko said, returning the smile with the one she'd been wearing the whole time.

"Hello Bethana," said Tel, leaving Ameiko a little stunned.

Hearth snarled at the woman and blew a cloud of smoke over her then looked disappointed when she didn't react.

"I've got my eye on you," was all she said to Hearth before turning to Tel, "good to see you again, Tel. Now, Ameiko, I hear we've got a boar coming in for the spit so I figured I'd head over a bit early and help you prepare."

"You're too kind, Beth, thank you," said Ameiko as the halfling wasted no time making herself useful.

"Now, are you going to let me in on this hilarious joke you were sharing before I walked in?" Bethana asked.

"Well, that might be a bit hard to do. You had to be there."

Tel smiled in spite of himself.

"I think I'll leave you both to it, thanks for the meal Ameiko," said Tel as he got up to leave.

"Take the misbehaving snake with you," called Bethana from her work.

"You're welcome Tel, make sure you stop by for dinner," Ameiko said as Tel put his plate in the washtub and shooed Hearth out of the doorway.

He paused and turned back to Ameiko.

"Does Sandpoint have a jeweller in town who would buy precious stones?"

"Yeah, up the other end of town, near the Cathedral. Why do you ask? Planning on burning down the competition?"

"No, I just came across some stones this morning and was hoping to change them for coin," Tel said, overcoming the urge to lie only by great force of will.

"I'm sure you'd get a good price for them with your reputation, look at it as compensation for all the pestering," Ameiko said with a laugh.

"I'll try," said Tel unenthusiastically.

"See you at dinner then."

"See you then," he replied before closing the courtyard door behind him.

Once he was mounted up Tel wasted no time in moving off towards the top end of the town and was surprised to find himself on roads he'd never travelled before. At least not without goblins chasing him. This town had a lot going on he realised as he passed a playhouse and a brothel, both catering as much to the locals as the travelling merchants. Despite his lack of local knowledge he found the jeweller easily enough and dismounted to enter. As he reached for the handle of the sturdy, iron-banded door a hint of nostalgia passed through his mind. His father's shop where he'd worked as an apprentice had had a very similar door. He opened it almost cautiously and a part of him half expected to see his father there behind the counter. No doubt his father would immediately berate him for something, Tel thought bitterly. A small bell ringing above him returned his attention to the present and its call was swiftly answered by a voice somewhere in the rear of the building.

"Coming," called the voice.

Tel said nothing and walked in, leaving the door open behind him so he could still see Hearth. A small man with eyebrows enough for two emerged from a door and smiled in greeting.

"Ahh, you must be Tel," he said, spotting Hearth lazing outside.

"I am."

"Wonderful, what brings you to my shop this afternoon? Are you looking to buy? Or maybe sell?"

"Sell. I've come across some stones that I wish to trade for coin."

"Splendid, splendid. Now, step this way to the counter and let's have a look at them. I'd be happy to pay you full market value after what you did for the town, you know."

"Thanks," said Tel as they made their way over to the indicated counter.

He produced the simple leather pouch he kept the rubies in and pulled a single red stone from within. He placed it carefully in front of the jeweller and waited for an appraisal. Although he knew little enough about the value of cows he happened to know quite a bit about precious stones. To his eye they were worth somewhere in the region of 500 gold each but he expecting to actually get quite a bit less than that.

"My, what a beautiful specimen. I should think that it was worth in the vicinity of 500 gold pieces, and I'd be happy to take it off your hands for as much. I wouldn't be caught dead making a markup on things sold to me by someone who'd saved so many lives."

Tel felt strangely uncomfortable at the implication that he was some kind of hero. The more practical part of him reasoned that if it landed a few extra coins in his pocket it was to be welcomed. But some other part of him reflexively recoiled from the spotlight, preferring the safety afforded by the shroud of anonymity.

"Deal," said Tel, his mind too busy chewing on his supposed hero status to offer much more.

"Excellent, I shall go and fetch your coins. Say, I don't suppose you have any plans to make any more of your jewellery do you? I found it quite sublime, though I admit I own none of it myself."

"Not at the moment."

"Well, if you ever do just know that you've got a waiting buyer," he said as he disappeared into the rear rooms.

Tel couldn't quite place why, but this place was making him increasingly uneasy. It was more than the bars on the windows feeling like a cell. It wasn't even the bitter memories of his father and his apprenticeship. It was the other memories this place conjured: Berry pies baked by his mother, running home cooked lunches to his father, naively daydreaming about his life with his crush. All those normal things were so far away now that they seemed almost alien, fictional even. He couldn't live that life, even if he tried.

"Here's your coin, Master Tel, five hundred exactly," said the jeweller on his return, placing a sack on the counter, "may I?"

Tel nodded and the jeweller scooped the ruby up in a velvet cloth.

"It truly is a beauteous example, isn't it?" he said, rolling it around his palm. "If you want to part with any of the other stones I hear in that pouch, you know where to come. Phillip Gosentine has got you covered."

"Thank you, Phillip," said Tel, taking care to use the mans name.

It felt like a step forward in Hearth and his Project Sandpoint to do so, trivial though it was.

"Ahh, no no, the pleasure was all mine. I hope you'll return soon Tel, and enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thanks, you too," he replied.

He paused momentarily, the end of a social interaction always an occasion for him, before turning to leave and closing the door behind him.

"Well my friend, I'd say we don't need to worry too much about money for a while," Tel said to Hearth as he sniffed at the bag of money.

It was good to be back with Hearth, his warm scales chased away the unease that had crept in. Making a point to wave back to the passing townsfolk he climbed atop Hearth's offered neck and they began the trek back towards the inn.

"I've had enough of people for the time being, Hearth. What do you say we do a little training before dinner?" Tel said a little sheepishly and with a consoling pat to Hearths brow.

He was admitting defeat, even if only temporarily and hot on the heels of a victory, and he felt bad about dropping their project. But he was starting to get emotionally exhausted.

Hearth gave a warble and a concerned coo, then a short drone.

"I'm fine my friend, just a little tired from working a muscle I don't use much."

Hearth gave a warble and quickened his pace. They passed the turn to the lane at the back of the inn and headed to their takeoff zone near the docks. With a bounding leap and a downstroke they were airborne. Hearth climbed into the afternoon sky, up and away from all the people below. Although they no longer held the menace they once did Tel felt much more comfortable up here and as they flew towards the wilds and their training clearing he felt better and better.