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Blake felt a jolt of nervousness go through him as the rocket's engines shut off and the hatch opened. He grabbed his pack and, with the bartender, stepped out of the rocket and into the dry heat of Razen.
"Hello again," the dwarf said, eyeing Blake with distaste. Blake recognized him immediately.
"Hey Lentil!" Blake said, trying to sound friendly. The dwarf looked ready to start yelling at Blake, but the bartender stepped forward.
"Lentil! My old friend!" the bartender exclaimed happily. Lentil was caught off guard as the cat hugged him.
"Welcome, Farro! It is good to see you," Lentil said happily. His smile vanished when he looked back at Blake. "Why are you here with him?"
"Why, he has come with a thank you gift, for both the messenger and Lila!" Farro said.
"No one is allowed to see Lila," Lentil said darkly. "At least no outsider."
"But, as I have heard, the accident was not Blake's fault," Farro said.
"Still, he is banned from the planet," Lentil said. "Consider yourself lucky that I was the one here when your rocket touched down. Any other dwarf would have killed you on the spot."
"Why should he be banned from the planet if the accident was not his fault?" Farro asked.
"He brought the girl, Malery, here," Lentil said.
"No, he did not," Farro argued. "It was his brother, Brody, who brought Malery here. Blake was there to be an observer and an advisor to his brother." Lentil looked as if he were struggling with the argument.
"I still can't allow him to see Lila, or return to Macaroon," Lentil said.
"Are you sure you cannot? I will not enter Macaroon without him," Farro said.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Lentil asked suspiciously.
"Well, I have a new type of potion that may be able to help Lila. It only works with the assistance of a light mage," Farro said. Blake couldn't tell if he was serious or not.
"Really?" Lentil asked, sounding hopeful.
"Really. I have not yet tested it on light magic poisoning, but it has worked well on other types," Farro said.
"Then why don't you just get one of the light mages that you used in those cases?" Lentil asked.
"Because they didn't require a light mage," Farro explained. "You need a mage who has control over the same type of magic as the magic poisoning. So, if the potion is being used on a fire mage with water magic poisoning, a water mage needs to be present."
"I see," Lentil said, understanding the method. "So it's just like the last time, but with a different type of mage and a slightly different method."
"Yes, and a little more fine tuning," Farro said.
"Are you sure that you cannot get another mage?" Lentil asked, eyeing Blake with a small amount of suspicion.
"Only if you think Lila is prepared to wait a month," Farro said. "Judging by Blake's description of the attack, Lila is in a lot of pain and won't be happy with waiting that long, especially if she finds out that there was a light mage here, ready to go." Lentil gave Blake a hard look before warming up considerably.
"I suppose I can allow him in," Lentil said. "He seems like a good kid, and Lila didn't seem like she hated him, which is a huge surprise."
"That's a relief," Blake said.
"Yeah. The day after you all left, I had a discussion with Grenadine. He said that he thought you were an "okay kind of guy". Coming from Grenadine, that is a huge complement," Lentil said as he began to lead Farro and Blake towards Macaroon.
"I'm glad that Grenadine thinks of my friend so highly," Farro said.
"He thinks of you highly too, Farro," Lentil said with a grin. "He says that you're the best brewer in the galaxy."
"Grenadine is a great person," Farro said. "When he isn't angry, of course."
"I hear you on that one," Lentil said. "He once destroyed an entire rocket because one of the wings was an inch too short."
"Wow," was all Blake could say.
"Yeah. He can be quite the perfectionist," Lentil said. "We will have to talk to Grenadine before you are allowed to see Lila."
"And what about the messenger? The one who brought the rings to the wedding?" Blake inquired. "Where is he?"
"Oh, that was me," Lentil said dismissively. "I wore a disguise so your brother wouldn't recognize me."
"Here," Blake said, reaching into his pack and pulling out the first of the boxes. "My dad had my brother pick out a thank you gift for you. If you hate it or find it highly offensive, then I apologize. I honestly have no idea what is in there."
"Thank you," Lentil said, cautiously taking the box from Blake's hands. He opened the lid and found a folded up sheet of paper with a red seal on it.
"What is it?" Blake asked, just as curious as Lentil was.
"I'm not sure," Lentil said, breaking open the seal. He unfolded the paper. "Oh my god."
"What is it?" Blake asked again.
"It's instructions on how to infuse magic into weapons," Lentil said in awe. "We lost these many years ago. How is it that your father had it?"
"I have no idea," Blake said. Lentil was still looking at the paper in full blown reverence.
"Is it important?" Farro asked.
"Yes, yes it is," Lentil said. "Come now. I will take you to the city." He turned around and hurried towards Macaroon, running up the steps and into the city. He ignored the surprised guards and went straight into Condimen Tower, gesturing for Farro and Blake to wait outside.
"Why is it that we always have to wait out here?" Blake asked.
"This tower is where the dwarves keep all of their secret inventions and technology," Farro said. "I have been in there one, many years ago. I guarantee you that it looks much different now then it was back then." Farro and Blake stood there for about a minute in comfortable silence before they heard crashes and shouting from inside the tower.
"What do you think is happening?" Blake asked, backing away as the shouting came closer and closer to the door.
"I have no idea," Farro said, following Blake's lead and taking several steps back. The doors flew open, narrowly missing Farro's face.
"Farro, it is wonderful to see you again!" Grenadine exclaimed. He clapped his friend on the shoulder, which was only possible because he was standing on the railing of the stairs. The old dwarf spotted Blake behind the cat and gave him a hard look.
"Hello again," Blake said nervously. Grenadine continued to stare at him, his hand resting on a hammer in his belt. Blake wasn't sure if he was going to get brained or stared to death.
"You're the one who brought the instructions." It wasn't a question, so Blake decided to nod.
"Yes. It was a gift from my dad and brother to Lentil. He helped them out immensely," Blake said. Grenadine continued to stare until a wide smile broke out on his face.
"Come here then! Your name is Blake, correct?" Blake nodded. "Come here then, Blake, so I can hug you!" Blake obeyed and got a rib breaking hug from the tiny old man.
"You're welcome?" Blake said breathlessly.
"Yes! Thank you! You have brought a great secret back to us!" Grenadine said.
"How is it still a secret?" Blake asked.
"It's written in Dwarvish code!" Grenadine said. "Only a dwarf can read it. And, since no dwarf would betray dwarvish secrets, we can assume that the contents of that letter are still a secret!"
"That's good to know," Farro said.
"And it gets even better!" Grenadine said. "You and Blake are going to try and help Lila with her problem!"
"Where is she, by the way?" Blake asked, trying to be subtle.
"She's at her home, resting," Grenadine said. "Lentil, can you go show him where? I would like to have a word with Farro."
"Alright sir," Lentil said, leading Blake away from the tower and back towards the town. Grenadine waited until they were out of sight before turning to Farro.
"Do you really think that boy could help Lila?" Grenadine asked.
"I wouldn't have brought him all the way here unless I did," Farro pointed out.
"That's what you said about the last one, and it didn't help at all," Grenadine said.
"I think that I may know what the problem was with that," Farro said. "The mage I brought last time was just a stranger that Lila didn't know, and it wasn't a light mage. I was thinking that, if they form some sort of friendship, there will be a different result than last time."
"Are you sure?" Grenadine asked.
"No, I'm not, but is there another option?" Farro asked.
"I suppose not," Grenadine said.
"We will not be able to help Lila today," Farro said. "I plan on returning to my home for a day so I can see my family. I'm leaving today, and returning late tomorrow. I hope that doesn't inconvenience you in any way."
"I suppose if it cannot be helped," Grenadine said, sounding slightly unhappy.
"Thank you," Farro said. "I will help make sure that Blake is settled in, and then be on my way."
"Alright," Grenadine said. "I just wonder what Lila will say about this."
...
Blake followed Lentil into the workshop, unsure what to expect. They walked past the main room where the jewelery was, and headed deeper into the workshop. Lentil knocked cautiously at the door before swinging it open.
"Lila? Are you awake?" Lentil asked cautiously.
"Mostly," came her reply. "What is it?"
"You have a visitor," he said, opening the door wider to allow Blake into the room.
"Hi," Blake said awkwardly.
"Hello," Lila replied, probably feeling just as awkward. She was lying in a bed, still covered in bandages. Her curly blonde hair was down and her purple eyes looked Blake over with curiosity.
"My brother sent me here to bring you a thank you gift. For the rings," Blake said, slinging off his pack and rummaging through it for the box.
"You wanna know what he got me?" Lentil asked, hopping up and down on Lila's bed like a little kid.
"What?" Lila inquired.
"He brought the lost instructions!" Lentil exclaimed. "The ones on how to infuse magic into metal!"
"What?" Lila asked. "That's incredible! Why did he have them?"
"I don't know," Lentil said. "Maybe the thief sold it and it eventually ended up in his dad's hands."
"Wow," Lila said, sounding amazed.
"I know! And you know what he did before giving it to me? He apologized in case it was offensive!" Lentil said. Lila glanced at Blake, who had successfully removed the box from his bag.
"This is your gift. I don't know what's in it. I apologize now if it is offensive," Blake said, handing the box to Lila.
"You see? He apologized for you too!" Lentil exclaimed.
"What is this?" Lila asked, having already removed the lid. She looking at what appeared to be a small black egg.
"I honestly have absolutely no idea," Blake said. Lila reached into the box and picked it up.
"Um, what's happening to is?" she asked as cracks began to appear.
"Again, no idea," Blake said. Before anything else could be said, the egg shattered and out came a small creature. It looked like a very small snake with odd flaps on its back.
"It's a snake," she said in surprise.
"Please tell me you don't hate snakes," Blake said, expecting her to start screaming like any other girl would.
"I think they're adorable," Lila said, looking at the snake closely. It observed her with yellow eyes before turning away and settling into her hands comfortably.
"It seems to like you," Lentil said.
"So it does," Lila said. "Thank you. How are you doing, by the way?"
"I'm doing fine," Blake said.
"Then what happened to your face?" Lila inquired bluntly, pointing at the scratches and bruise.
"It's nothing," Blake said, turning his face slightly away.
"Sure it is," Lentil said. Blake glanced at him.
"How are you doing?" Blake asked, wanting to get off of the topic of his face.
"I'm doing pretty well," Lila said. Lentil let out a loud scoff.
"You are not doing well. Don't lie," Lentil said.
"Alright, fine. I'm not okay," Lila said. "But you already know that."
"Yeah. I'm really sorry about what Malery did," Blake said. "And I'm sorry that we brought her here."
"It's fine," Lila said, depositing the snake in her lap and putting her hands behind her head. "Besides, I have already enacted my vengeance against your family."
"What do you mean?" Blake asked, alarmed.
"Lila, what did you do?" Lentil asked, sounding equally troubled.
"Oh, come on guys, chill," Lila said with a snort. "I just gave them the rings."
"Did you curse them?" Lentil asked.
"Well, I've cursed Blake and his family," Lila said. "And especially Brody, in my opinion."
"What did you do to my brother?" Blake asked aggressively.
"I gave them the rings, or sold them at least. That's all," Lila said.
"Then how is that revenge?" Blake asked.
"Don't you realize the horrible thing I've done?" Lila asked in a joking tone. "I helped make sure that your brother married that stupid girl, Malery. And do you know what that means?"
"What?" Blake asked, not quite understanding what was so bad.
"Well, now Malery is part of your family," Lila said. "You are stuck with her. Forever." Blake and Lentil paused, looking at each other.
"That's surprisingly cruel," Blake said. "I see how you can count that as a punishment."
"Yeah, I know," Lila grinned. "Pretty clever of me, eh?"
"It is," Blake said with a laugh. "Interesting job-." A knock at the door interrupted them.
"Come in," Lentil called out. Grenadine and Farro walked in. Lila's eyes lit up when she saw the cat.
"Hey Farro!" she said happily.
"Hello again, Lila," Farro said, walking over to her. "How are you doing?"
"I'm not okay," Lila admitted.
"I know," Farro said. "Blake here told me about the accident. I'm the one who brought him to Razen."
"How do you two know each other?" Lila asked.
"He was the bartender at my brother's wedding," Blake said. "He helped me a lot on that dark day."
"I see," Lila said. "And what brings you to Razen, Farro?"
"Well, I think that I have the solution to your problem," Farro said. "In a few days, you may be rid of your magic poisoning."
"Really?" Lila asked excitedly. "How?"
"Well, it would be the same method as last time, only a little different," Farro said. "And Blake here will be helping me."
"I'm doing what now?" Blake asked.
"It isn't difficult," Farro said. "I have to leave for Gren soon to visit my family. I may have to be away longer to gather the materials needed. I'm just here to tell Lila the news and make sure that you settle in nicely."
"He can stay here," Lentil offered. "I have a bunk bed that he can share. It's human sized, so there won't be any issues."
"That would be perfect," Grenadine said. "Lentil, go show him the room, then return and escort Farro back to his ship."
"Aye sir," Lentil said, leading Blake from the room.
"And make sure Blake goes with you. I think Farro wants a word with him," Grenadine added.
"I will do that," Lentil said as he and Blake disappeared into the room across the hall where Lentil slept.
"Grenadine?" Lila asked suddenly.
"Yes, dear?" Grenadine replied.
"Creme came into my room today," Lila said. "He told me that there was another sighting of the dragon."
"I'm afraid that there was," Grenadine said sadly.
"Was there any conformation for what I saw?" Lila asked.
"No, there still isn't," Grenadine muttered. "It's not that we doubt what you say. It's just that most of us are too afraid to believe it." Lila let out a sigh.
"That's okay, I guess," she said unhappily. Grenadine was going to comfort her when Blake and Lentil returned into the room.
"Are you ready to go, Farro?" Lentil asked. The cat nodded.
"I cannot wait. I will return soon so don't worry," he promised as he exited the room, followed by Lentil and Blake.
"Are you sure that they can help me this time?" Lila asked. "Last time it failed."
"I know, but Farro has a plan for this one," Grenadine said. "I have faith that it will work."
"I hope your faith isn't misplaced," Lila said under her breath as she looked at the tiny snake in her lap.
...
"It was good seeing you again, Farro," Lentil said, hugging the cat again.
"And you, my old friend," Farro replied.
"Thank you for trying to help Lila," Lentil said as he released Farro from the hug.
"Do not thank me until I have been successful in healing her," Farro said.
"Alright. We both know how soon that is!" Lentil said with a smile. Farro returned it and turned to Blake.
"I will be seeing you soon," Farro said, shaking Blake's hand.
"Thank you so much for everything you've done," Blake said.
"It is not a problem," Farro said.
"Can you keep an ear out for Brody?" Blake asked. "See if he has any good news for me."
"Of course," Farro said as he turned to enter the rocket. The engines fired up, which made him have to shout to be heard. "Just remember : try charming her first!"
"You sound like my brother!" Blake shouted back, silently praying that Lentil didn't over hear them. Farro laughed as the door shut. Blake and Lentil backed away as the rocket blasted off into the sky.
"Alright, Blake, let us return to the workshop," Lentil said. Blake fell into step beside the dwarf. Both remained quiet. Blake was taking in the views of Macaroon while Lentil's mind was racing with troubled thoughts.
What did Farro mean, "try charming her first"? Does this boy like Lila?
Chapter done!
Yay!
Thanks,
~CatKkit.