Chapter 1: With interest

The warm summer rays shined down onto the city of Hayak. A quaint city whose streets were busy with commerce: Merchants called for customers to observe and sample their wears, a carpenter's saw could be heard down the laneway ripping freshly hewn logs, the warm and soothing smell of freshly baked breads, and the giggle of children running by playing their youthful games.

This serenity couldn't help but make a soft smile crack from underneath a mage's hood. The hooded figure looked on at the sights and sounds around her. She sat atop a stack of wooden crates and leaned her back against the wall to a red brickwork clock tower. The sunbaked wall sent a warmth through her body, aiding in the soothing environment around her. Above her the clock tower sprang to life and the massive bell clang twice before the cityscape returned its usual lull of hardworking citizens.

The mage ran her slender fingers along the silver runic trim of her faded yellow cloak. She tilted her head up to the sky and let out a long annoyed sigh.

"What in the hells am I doing with my life?" she said before hunching over and staring at her the blemishes on here well-worn boots. "I'm a cleric. I should be off on some battlefield saving the lives of injured soldiers and healing brave warriors who can do some real, good to help this world. Not be stuck here-"

The mage's concentration was broken by harsh squeak of a wrought iron gate being flung open and a man being dragged by his arms by three guards. Once away from the gateway, they tossed the man into the dirt. The pungent odor of cheap ale permeated from the criminal.

"With…him." She said hopping off her seat and approaching the guards. The cleric tugged at her cowl and made sure it was well secure on her head before reaching for a leather purse on her belt. She proffered the guard leader a small handful of silver coins to pay for the drunkard's bail from the city prison.

The two had a jagged friendship. The two were polar opposites. One a mage of high standards, and the other a reprobate. But, the two had common goals and proved to be reliable allies. She raised her head high enough for the guards to clearly see her face and know she was here for him.

"Make sure this never happens again." Warned the guard taking the coins and returning to his comrades. Before they made their way back inside the prison, the guard leader gave the drunkard a swift kick in the rear. "And let that be a reminder!"

Once they iron gate clanked shut, the man rolled onto his back and squinted at the illuminated sky above him. He let out a pain-filled groan as he gingerly held his head. "I don't know what hurts worse. My head? My stomach? Or my ass?" The man shut his eyes tight for a second, slowly opened them, and found a finely crafted copper pendant with a green cabochon hanging over head. Its owner glared down in disgust at the man.

"Considering I had to pay off your jail bond with ALL of our money, I would say that your bruised ass is the least of our worries."

"Some friend you are, Hastur." The man scoffed crawling to his knees. He then staggered to find his balance, still not fully recovered from last night's bacchanalian exploits that lead to his arrest.

"You better have gotten the information." Sighed the mage helping her companion to his feet. The smell coming from him was as foul as a dozen pig pens. The mage stood a great fewer inches shorter than her companion and just shy a year younger.

"Yup. My contact in the dungeon cells told me that our target has a hiding spot here in the Cloud district."

"Wouldn't it have been easier to just speak with you contact like any other person visiting a felon?"

"I wouldn't have been able to do that without raising suspicion, and besides, this was way more fun." He said with a slight grin while dusting off his leather doublet.

"Not when you spent all of my money. Which you had better repay me every sent, plus compensation." Demanded the mage, fuming in agitation.

"Compensation? For what?"

"Shall I begin with the most recent reasons, or the most notable?"

"Yeah, yeah." Shrugged the man "Fine I'll pay you back."

"Lead the way. The sooner we get paid, the sooner we can eat."

"I'm going to need to get my gear first." He said wiggling his spine into place, making it pop and crack "As fun as it would be to go fight some dudes with my bare hands, I'm gonna need my swords." The man was gruff, not just in speech but in appearance as well. He had a short crop of dark brown hair. He had a constant shadow of beard hair on his face that matched his demeanor. By occupation he was a ranger. But he was almost always seen in civilized areas. Whether stalking the streets of a metropolis or patrolling the numerous hamlets that speckled the countryside.

The two made their way to a small boarding house that sat between the Forge District and the Cloud District. Between the two districts were rows of boarding houses that housed the laborers of each district. The Forge was aptly named for the many smith shops that hammered away crafting the many smithing needs of the city. The smoke plumed from all the shops and made a slight haze over the entire city. The Cloud District was named that for the fact it was the highest part of the city. Many traders would set up a stall there and sell their wares. While intellectuals from the monastery, college, and book dealers would come around and exchange knowledge.

Their boarding complex was a large brick building like many others in the city, it stood two stories tall and featured many fireplaces that resembled spikes coming up from the roof. But unfortunate for the duo, their particular room sat on the second level. The two crept their way inside and walked soft footed up the stairwell to their room. The only sounds made were the slight click of their key turning the lock's tumblers and a nearby door creaking eerily open.

"Mr. Fridulf! Mrs. Prynn!" came a sharp pitched voice that beckoned them to come near back down the stairwell.

The man and woman lowered their head in regret that they were caught. The man swore under his breath in a mix of every language he knew.

"Madam Glassgate, how are you doing on this fine afternoon? You are looking as lovely as ever." the man said with a forced smile at the small shrew of a Halfling standing before them. Her flaxen hair, with streaks of silver mixed in, guessed her age somewhere at about her early 200s, a common feat for her people. Standing on the shorter side of three feet tall, the landlady of their boarding house was a stern woman who ran her bunkhouse with an iron fist.

"Don't try to sweet talk me, you damn drunk! I can smell the booze on your breath. And you, Mrs. Prynn, I would have expected a respectful mage like yourself would not be cavorting with the likes of him. And what's more, you two are late on your rent, again!" the Halfling roared tapping her foot in anger "This is the third time in a row. If you don't gimmie my money this instant your arses will hit the street.

The man scrunched his face in anger at the shrew, but before he could cast a mouthful of insults, his partner stepped forward to try and defuse the situation. "Madam Glassgate. It is true that we are behind quite a bit in our payments, and truly you have the right to be furious at Thaelin and myself." Hastur said with a kind and gentle notion

"You aren't helping." Whispered the man. His taunt was met with a swift elbow to the sides as the mage began to continue her plea.

"BUT, we are currently on a job at this very moment. And I swear to you, by Ohgma, that we shall pay you in full and for the next few months." She declared, placing a hand over the symbol of an unwritten scroll being unfurled embroidered on her satchel.

"What?!" gasped the man who was again jabbed harshly in the ribs.

"Just swear it!" the mage whispered, cocking her arm back for another strike

"Fine, I swear." He grumbled as he reached for a gold coin medallion around his neck

Seeing the feeble attempt at begging for a second chance, the Halfling let out a chuckle. "Aye, you two sure are a sorry sight. Very well. You have until nightfall, but if your late, your arses will be meeting that door!" she proclaimed pointing to the door behind her with a clenched fist and an extended thumb.

"Thank you Madam." The mage said with a warm grin and a modest bow. The mage's necklace wiggled free and exposed itself from being tucked underneath the cloak clasp. The two returned to their door, but the mage was called back by the shrew's voice.

"Mrs. Prynn! Is that an Elven necklace I see around your neck?!"

The mage's heart sank at the mention of the jewelry. "Yes?" she admitted with trepidation "I saw this in the market a few days ago and I admired the beauty of the stone, I had no idea it was Elven, Madam Glassgate"

"Get rid of it! You know how I feel about those pointy eared bastards! Those pompous fools always feel like they are superior all to others. Their pride and their arrogance are equal to that gobshite of a friend of yours. It will be the doom of them all!" Madam Glassgate growled, her face becoming flustered.

"Yes ma'am." The mage said with a bow as she reached into her hood and removed the necklace carefully not to disturb the cowl from her head.

Satisfied with the removal of the offensive jewelry, the landlady gave a snide look as the two entering their room. Once inside, Hastur bolted the door shut, rested her forehead against its old wood planks and let out a long dramatic sigh. "I fucking hate that bitch so much!"

"You're telling me!" Answered her roommate who had collapsed face first onto his straw mattress bed. His voice partially muffled "I thought that hate wasn't something you were supposed to stay attached to?"

"I'm a Cleric, but I'm still a person. I'm inclined to show hatred, especially toward fat nosed wenches like Madam Glassgate." Hastur declared removing her cowl to reveal a pair of round, yet tapered ears that marked her partial ancestry. She looked down at the necklace pendant and sighed before returning it around her neck, but this time tucking it under the collar of her shirt.

Their boarding room was a modest sized like many in Hayak. It featured two beds on opposite corners of the room. It was well furnished with a central dining table that was constantly covered with books and documents belonging to either of the roommates and a modest sized fireplace where a majority of their meals where prepared.

On Hastur's side of the room it was neatly kept. On her side of the dining table she kept books on healing methods from far reaches of the world. Close to her bed was a small desk that had a make shift laboratory where she could brew a few small potions. Vials of colorful potions, salves, and unfinished brews dotted the desktop. Next to that stood a wooden changing shade that allowed the only source of privacy to be obtained within the cramped living space. At the foot of her bed sat a wooden chest where she kept all of her personal belongings. Among those was a red leather bound case that had floral vine works and leaves carved into the case. Inside were a collection of the few elven relics she could amass in this city: an ivory handle dagger with a twisted carved pattern, a finely weaved silk shift, and various copper rings.

Whereas on Thaelin's side was a jumbled mess. A few of his shirts and weapons were strewn about on the floor. Tacked against the walls were some trophies from his more memorable bounty missions and excursions out in the wilds. Bear claws, a garland of goblin ears, and a large wooden club belonging to a mountain giant were among his favorites to tell their story behind, but his favorite, was a melted stone he kept on his side of the dining table. It was a grapefruit sized grey stone. The edges had puddled outward like a melting snow pile. On top the stone was smooth where it was kissed by an intense flame and underneath it retained its rough and course texture. It was a souvenir from his first encounter with the most-fierce creatures he had seen, an Elder Red Dragon.

Thaelin rolled over onto his back, trying to get comfortable. The straw mattress was far more comfortable than that of the cold stone floor of the jail cell he slept on the night before. He glanced up at Hastur who was still brooding over the harsh words of their landlady. "Why do you wear that damn hood all the time?"

"I'm a cleric. Many clerics across the land wear a hood as a sign of modesty." She answered turning her attention to the fireplace. After the previous night's escapade, the coals had gone out and both of their stomachs began to rumble.

"And it just so happens to hide the main trait of you being an elf?" He sighed finally finding a comfortable spot where he could rest a bit before going back on the hunt.

"I'm a half elf. I have all the physical appearances of being human, save for my ears. Besides, you know how elves are seen in this city. They are despised and always seen as criminals." Feeling the melancholy beginning to arise in her, Hastur changed the subject to the job at hand.

"So what's this bounty anyway?" she asked looking through the pile of wanted posters all throughout Thaelin's side of the dining table.

"Two hundred gold."

She could hear the man smile at the mention of the prize. Underneath a wooden trencher bowl, she found the poster in question. There was no precise portrait of the individual, just a list of charges and warning to any after their pursuit.

"Wanted for smuggling contraband into the city, assaulting city guards, and theft."

"Yup. Bunch of thugs. Not as great as a bounty towards an assassin or a mage, but its gonna pay our bills." Without catching any sleep the man sat up on the edge of his bed, unbelted his doublet, removed the foul and dirty shirt. He replaced it with another one laying on the floor. Only the newer shirt didn't have as much of a pungent odor.

"Alright. Enough wasting time!" commanded Hastur pulling her hood back up over her head "Its time we go get paid." The mage grabbed an ornate hilted sword with a long needle-like blade that was hanging from a wooden peg next to the door.

"Already ahead of ya." Sighed the bounty hunter belting on a hardened leather cuirass with matching vambraces and shin guards. The man preferred this armor because it gave him the option to be light on his feet. A skill much desired in his line of work. Before leaving their room, he tucked his short swords under his cloak.

Fully resupplied for their task the two exited their boarding house and made their way into the Cloud District. Towards a storehouse close to the city walls. At their destination, the two stood contemplating their next course of action. After a brief discussion and a swift game of rock, paper, scissors; the two agreed to have the bounty hunter go in first and let the mage stay back to prevent any from escaping.

"Okay. Let's get this over with." The bounty hunter said before sauntering into the warehouse when he closed the door behind him he made sure that it latched shut with a clank, to announce his arrival. The only light inside was produced by a few candle stands in strategic corners. Stacks of wooden crates and barrels created a labyrinth for those inside. From the looks of it, these smugglers were sitting on a fortune in illegal goods.

"Hello? Anyone here?" Thaelin asked with arrogance as he paced back and forth waiting for opposition to meet him.

From the back came the thunderous sound of feet rushing to find who the intruder was that found their hideout. The first was a mountain of a man with a bright red beard and a war axe that rested against his shoulder. Behind him was an orc wielding a short sword, and two other men armed with two handed crossbows

"Who the hell are you?" spoke the mountain, brandishing his axe

"Thaelin Fridulf, at your service." The bounty hunter said with a dramatic bow. "I'm here to speak to your boss."

"Is that so?" grumbled the orc

"What do you want with our boss? She's a busy woman you know!" said the red bearded giant of a man

"All I want is to ask her if she would be interested in sucking me off when I'm done killing her bitches." Chuckled the man as he drew out a short sword and a hand crossbow.

The mountain of a man lifted his war axe high into the air and slammed the axe blade down. At the last second Thaelin jumped to the side to parry an incoming sword strike from the orc. With the sword in his right hand and his hand crossbow in the left, he shot a small bolt at one of the archers attempting to line up a shot at him. The small bolt struck the first archer in the chest. The sharp pain made his body retract and before he fell he accidently fire his bolt into the stomach of the second archer. In turn the second archer's crossbow fired. The second bolt struck the mountain of a man in the leg.

Thaelin reloaded his crossbow and began to jump and climb atop the stacks of nearby crates. With a second shot from his hand crossbow, the bolt struck the mountain in the injured leg, but to no avail. The bearded man began to hack and slash at the bounty hunter splintering the crates and barrels. The Orc then started to give chase towards the intruder equally jumping from tops of crates. Once he was within striking distance, the Orc lunged his sword at the human but embedded it into the plug of a cask. When the orc drew back his blade, the contents of the barrel spilled out. The rose colored liquid spewed forth onto the orc who lost his footing and fell down to the ground.

Tempted by the refreshing liquid, Thaelin opened his lips and savored a mouthful of exquisite tasting wine. "Such a shame to waste good wine." He said looking down at the final enemy

The massive opponent let out an enraged growl before picking up smaller barrels and launching them at him. The bounty hunter climbed to the very top of the pile of crates and looked around at his environment to guess a best course of action. The nearest pile of crates was too far for him to jump and there was no way he could out run or maneuver his

"Fuck it!" he yelled jumping off the stack with his blade poised for an impaling strike at the mountain. In return the axe wielder cocked his arm back and readied for a strong swipe at the bounty hunter.

Outside the mage could hear the sounds of an ensuing battle take place. Her mind didn't worry about her partner much. As long as she knew him, she knew that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. She knew the main reason that he brought her along was solely for the fact that he often would get injured on his jobs and needed a healer to rejuvenate him. She was actually contempt with this. It got her a chance to travel, expand her knowledge, and most importantly increase her skills in the mystic arts. The planked door to the warehouse opened up and a familiar face stepped out into the evening light grinning looting bag swollen full and a rope leading back into the warehouse

"Lady Luck is on my side!" laughed Thaelin flicking the coin medallion around his neck

"Tell me you didn't kill the target again." Sighed Hastur

Without a word, the bounty hunter tossed a bound dark skinned elf at her feet, bruised, but still very much alive. The mastermind of the smugglers and thieves was a dark ashen skinned Drow squinting to shield her sensitive eyes from the blinding daylight. She wore her stark white hair into a tight ponytail, violet hued eyes, and a voluminous purple and black robes that were torn from a small fight.

"Looks like this was a good payday!" he laughed picking up the Drow and carrying her over his shoulder. Not long after he left the doorway, a green skinned mass came charging towards the bounty hunter with sword aiming for his throat.

"Look out!" Screamed the mage as she raised her left palm and created a light blue barrier that repelled the incoming strike. When the sword made contact with the magic shield, it made a sharp ping as though it had struck a normal metal shield. In her right hand, Hastur spun her arm to unsheathed her rapier and lunged it through the Orc's chest, making sure to pierce the beast's heart. The orc's body went numb. The longsword fell from its hand with a clang. It fell to its knees kicking up a small poof of dust.

Hastur's green eyes were fixed onto her foe, satisfied with the kill, the mage lunged the thin blade from its mark. A trickle of blood streamed down the Orc's chest and splashed onto the cobblestones bellow. The half elf wiped the thick blood from her sword. She brushed her hair from her eyes and looked back to her partner. Petrified in fear. The bounty hunter's eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Holy shit! I thought that I forgot about one." He said trying to mask his lapse in judgement with a laugh

The mage rolled her eyes "Thank me after we pay Madame Glassgate, and I have my cut. With-"

"Yeah, yeah, with interest."

The rest of their night was spent at their neighborhood tavern, the Weathered Wheel and over a shared pitcher of ale, the two counted out the loot obtained from their bounty mission. The payment was split it into thirds. One for extra share for their rent. Most of the loot pilfered from their foes consisted of gold and silver coins, three cut amethyst gems and a healing potion.

"There… All even." Thaelin said pausing for a swig from his tankard. "We have the 150 gold for rent, plus a gem for next month's pay. Now that heartless Halfling can get off our ass for a while."

Hastur's hand slammed down on the table clapping the bounty hunter's wrist. "Not so fast!" Declared Hastur. "Forgetting something?"

The man furled his brow as he picked up his gem and slid it towards the healer "I didn't forget. There's your precious interest." The mage reached across the table and plucked the red glass vialed potion from small trove the ranger was desperate to horde.

"Oh come on! I need that!" protested Thaelin, slamming his palm onto the table.

"Interest." She said scooping her cut and the vial into her satchel. Bbesides others need that potion more than you do."

"Whatever." growled the man watching the potion be tucked away into her satchel. Sickened by his hard earned treasure be taken from him, the man grabbed his tankard and walking to the bar.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your damn business!" answered the man, flipping-off his companion. The ranger left the healer to access her share in private. He turned his attention to the main bar area where he could get new leads on his next job as a bounty hunter. Thaelin pulled back a stool and took a seat. He waved for the barkeep. The screech of a foot stool sliding across the floor announced the arrival of a young dark haired Halfling his hands greasy from serving a fresh dish of food to a previous customer. The barkeep wiped his small hands on his apron before leaning in to speak with the customer.

"Aye! Thaelin, how have ya been, mate?" asked the stout barkeep, "Care for a refill?"

"Been better." Sighed the man swirling the rest of the ale in the bottom of his tankard "What do ya got for me, Fink?"

"In job wise, there's a bear cave next to this hamlet that could use clearing out not. And then there's a prick that owes me for an unpaid tab."

"Anything else?" Thaelin said gesturing for that offered refill

"I think I heard tale of a troll a few days west of here that-"

"You know what work I'm looking for, Fink ." Interrupted the man with a serious look

The Halfling looked down the bar for any wandering ears. The rest of their conversation was switched to a more-high pitched and fast-paced language.

"There have been two sightings. In the north, one was spotted next to the Anvils. And by the sea, a fisherman claimed he spotted a small one coming out of a cave next by the Ale Cliffs."

"Thanks Fink," The man said sliding a gold coin across the counter.