So sorry i'm late guys! And that it's so short! But I think i'll lable this short and sweet becuase i really liked writing this chapter! Fingers crossed that I get another done real soon! Looking forward to hearing from you all! Enjoy the Chapter!
Chapter Fourteen: Ballum of the Masked Ones
Ballum of Del
The camp of the Masked Ones was lively to say the least. With scores of acrobats standing on their hands and dozens of jugglers handling torches for their acts it would be easy for a stranger to lose their way in the commotion. The disturbingly realistic animal masks on the performers did not take away from the confusion one might face.
But Oacus was neither a stranger, nor found himself in anyway confused. This was not his first visit to the camp of the Masked Ones, he and the man they followed were what could be referred to as associates…or acquaintances. As such the group tolerated his presence among them. What they did not tolerate was the company he had a tenancy of keeping.
Walking through the camp it did not take long for one of the practicing entertainers to "stumble" while handling the knives required for his performance. The curved knife he dropped was coincidentally aimed directly for Resh's place on his Master's shoulder.
Oacus pulled back swiftly, allowing the knife to fall to the ground at his feet.
"Forgive my clumsiness!" The man exclaimed as he kneeled to pick up his knife, "I suppose I need more practice."
Oacus continued on after Zwei not bothering to respond to the man. Resh clicked his tongue in annoyance and his tail coiled tighter around his Master's neck.
"He could at least put a little effort into his false apology. I mean a child could tell he tried to kill me." He finished his statement with a displeased hiss.
"Get back inside the pack." Oacus ordered flatly.
"While your concern is exponentially appreciated—and vomit inducing—I think you are going to need me when you face Mister 'Cheery'."
As if on cue Zwei stepped aside to reveal the entrance to the large tent that seemed to be centered where the chaos was most intense, "This is Master Ballum's tent. He will be waiting within." She gestured for them to go inside.
"What about you?" Resh asked narrowing his already small eyes, "Aren't you going in with us?"
"Master Ballum has been acting…strangely of late." She looked away, "It is not a good idea for anyone of us to disturb him."
"Oh sure and I am supposed to believe this is not some sort of trap?" Resh protested as Oacus pushed aside the animal skin door and entered the dark tent.
As soon as the skin fall back into its place behind them the ray of light that had moderately illuminated the space before them was cut off and the tent was plunged back into the darkness one sees when they close their eyes. Resh jerked his head back so that it hovered close to his Master's neck—he had never been comfortable around Masked Ones' leader. The man was far too optimistic about life.
"Ballum." The Sorcerer's voice seemed to echo in the mostly empty tent, "You know what I have come for."
For the longest time there was no response and Oacus just stood in silence. He did not seemed bother by that however and continued to wait patiently until something in the shadows shifted.
"Did Zwei not tell you?" A voice rasped from the other end of the tent, "I can no longer do business with you….Now leave me be."
Oacus lifted a hand and a flame appeared above it causing an explosion of light to be cast on inhabitant of the tent, "I care nothing for your petty squabble with Elstred, nor do I care that Agra chases you once again. I require your service and this time I do not come before you as a friend." His voice darkened, "Know that I will end your life and all those within this camp if you refuse."
The man sitting several feet away wore thick red robes and had his hands folded before his face. Unlike the men and women outside he did not wear a mask—not in privet at least—so his burn scared face was clearly visible. On his lap lay an owl mask more detailed than any of the colorful masks the people outside wore.
He did not seem intimidated by the threats dealt him, in fact a mirthless smirk touched his lips when he spoke, "There was a time when I would have believed that threat Oacus, but I am no longer the naïve man I was when we first met." He took hold of the owl mask in his lap and stood up, "These days when you have visited my camp I find your threats hollower than you heart."
"And I find you grow ever more disrespectful Ballum of Del." Oacus sighed.
Ballum picked up an apple from a waiting tray on the table beside his chair, "Ah, Del!" He said taking a bite of the fruit, "Speaking of it have you been there recently? I would welcome any news on how my niece fares."
"I have not come to speak of trivialities Ballum." Oacus said exasperated, "I require you and your...collection of talents to track a dragon."
Ballum froze mid-bite and looked at Oacus.
"I know you have done it before and now I require that you do it once again."
The leader of the Masked Ones placed his half eaten apple back on the tray and cleared his throat, "This….sounds like an intriguing quest….and an extremely difficult one."
Oacus remained firm, "Be that as it may you must accomplish it."
Ballum stared down at the mask in his hand, "One difficult task deserves another my friend, does it not?"
Resh spat his acidic saliva on the tent floor, "It does not!" He snapped, "Quit being so bold! Your brazen attitude irks me."
"Reshian, I hadn't recognized you." Ballum looked at the miniature dragon with a good natured smile, "For a moment I thought Oacus was in the company of a new servant. It is a pleasure to see you once again."
"S-Stop buttering me up!" Resh stammered taken off guard by the nickname he hadn't heard in ages.
"Is it working then?"
"What? No!"
"Ballum." Oacus murmured, "What is it that you would ask of me in return?"
"Master!" Resh cried in shock.
Ballum ran a hand through his black hair and sat down once again with a light groan, "Promise me that if I do this…you will find someone to take my place as leader of the Masked Ones."