Chapter Three: Big Man with a Big Stick
To his credit, Tor didn't make any noise when he stumbled into the room at the inn at an obscene hour. He did ,however, wake Thol up shortly after the first rays of sunlight could be seen in the sky with his excessively loud snoring. Thol got dressed with a minimum of swearing at his slumbering partner and left to get something to eat at the pub.
It was a lot quieter then it had been the night before as most of the regulars were probably nursing hangovers in whatever gutter they collapsed in last night. Thol walked up to the counter and ordered something for breakfast. He paid the 10 gil in advance and was about to go sit down when he noticed that the people at the nearest table were staring at him.
"What the Hell are you looking at?" he yelled at them, perfectly aware that they were probably wondering why he was wearing a mask. The men looked away quickly as if they were afraid that the man in the mask was going to fry them with some sort of evil magic or something. Not far from the truth really, he thought with in grin.
Done with terrorizing the locals, he went and sat down at an unoccupied table. A few minutes later, his breakfast arrived. I bet she's wondering how I'm going to eat with the mask on, he thought with a mental chuckle, referring to the girl who had brought him his meal. "Thank you," he said, effectively dismissing her. Let her wonder, he thought as she walked away.
With her out of sight, he pulled down the bottom half of his mask and began to eat. The mask he wore was in fact two masks which you wouldn't even notice unless you knew what you were looking for. He was rather proud of that fact.
He consumed his meal quickly and replaced his mask. He pushed the empty dishes away from him and leaned back on the wall to wait for the others. The serving girl came over a minute later to retrieve the dishes. Thol stared at her intensely and almost caused her to drop the dishes in her attempt to get away from him as soon as possible. He chuckled to himself when she was out of earshot.
Just then, Keza had entered the pub and looked around to see if he could spot one of his two partners. It didn't take him too long to spot Thol. He did, after all, tend to stand out in a crowd with his robes and large hat, not to mention the mask he wore for some reason. Keza just shrugged and went over to sit down.
"Morning, thief," Thol said in his usual manner.
"I have a name you know. If we're going to be working together we might as well start getting along," Keza replied.
"We wouldn't have to if I didn't have an idiot for a partner."
"True. Tor isn't exactly all that bright. Say, I was wondering, what's with the mask?"
"That's none of your business, thief. In the future if you want to remain in working condition, I suggest you not ask questions like that!" Thol snapped at him.
Keza held up his hands. "Hey, chill out now. I was just wondering."
"Well keep wondering then, but do it in your head."
"Thol," Keza said then, changing the subject. "Is that short for something? I've never heard that one before."
Thol was going to start yelling at him again but changed his mind, realizing that it was ridiculous to yell at him for every little thing. "Thollatos," he said after a moments pause.
"Thollatos," he said, same as before. "That sounds like it's from the Crescent Lake area, which would explain your vocation."
"Very good. You're not as dumb as a rock after all," Thol said bitterly. It was too early in the morning for him to deal with the likes of a common thief, especially one who just usurped a third of the reward money for rescuing the princess. He was thankfully granted silence until Tor finally dragged himself out of bed.
"Took you long enough," Thol said as his companion slumped into the nearest chair. "How long did you stay out 'til?"
"I don't remember. Must have been late though 'cause I'm really tired."
"I can tell. Just don't complain to me later if you get killed trying to rescue the princess," Thol said. After a few moments of watching Tor with his head down on the table, he stood up. "Well gentlemen, if you're all feeling up to it, shall we go to the castle now?"
Keza shrugged and stood up. Tor on the other hand groaned and tired to stand up. He did manage it after nearly falling over a few times. He more then likely had too much ale last night as well.
As they left, they failed to notice a rather large group of the pubs customers get up and follow them.
They were just passing by the building that was being constructed when the group surrounded them and the apparent leader stepped forward.
"Hey freak! We don't want you or your friends around this town, ya hear? And ya can forget rescuin' Princess Sara 'cause we're gonna do it," the man said with a heavy local accent.
"Look, jack ass, you'll be lucky if you could fight your way out of a shithouse and if you call me that one more time, you'll find out why people cross the street when they see me," Thol said getting angry.
"We can all see that already. It's 'cause yer so ugly, you little freak."
"Well, I warned him," Thol said to himself as he raised his hands and started casting a spell.
"Thol! Don't do it! The guards'll have you executed if you accidentally kill one of them," Keza warned as he pulled his arms down, disrupting the spell.
Thol just looked at his 'friend' for a moment, said "Fine," and suddenly swung his staff at the local man's head. The staff connected solidly and the man hit the ground unconscious. "You got lucky this time," he said as he started to walk away.
Their leader fallen, the others attacked to try and extract revenge.
Oh Hell, Keza thought as he dived into the mix. Tor was a second behind them and they were soon all in the middle of a rather hectic brawl.
The three were doing fine at first, but the locals had an assortment of non-edged weapons that they were using and it was causing quite a bit of damage to Tor and Keza. Thol on the other hand was able to hold his own and avoid most of the blows due to his staff.
Things started to look pretty bleak for the trio when one of them knocked out Tor with a club to the back of the head. Despite Keza's warning, Thol began to ready a spell.
Before he could even decide which one to use however, a large beam flew over top of them and crashed down on a group of locals. The fight stopped for the moment as everyone looked to see where the beam had come from, Thol thought he had a pretty good idea though.
The large man he had seen yesterday working on the building stood a few meters behind them with a look of disapproval on his face. The man that Thol had knocked out to start the fight was just now getting to his feet. The large man in blue clothes stepped up to the man shaking his head.
"Gash. Causing trouble again? Didn't you learn from the last time to leave the tourists alone?" the big man said.
The leader, Gash, looked over at the two standing members of the group and said, "We don't want foreigners here, especially freaks like that one!" He pointed to Thol as he said this. Keza had to hold him back again because of it. "They said they were going to rescue Princess Sara. Think of how embarrassing it would be to Coneria if a group of outsiders rescued her."
"Well who do suggest will do it then?" the big man asked.
"We can. The boys and I have a collection of old weapons and we've been practicing with them," Gash replied.
"Please Gash, you know as well as I do that you wouldn't be able to take care of a pack of imps. Tell you what, if it makes you feel better, I'll go with them."
"You're an outsider too! You don't belo-" Gash started to say.
The big man grabbed him by the front of his tunic and lifted him right off the ground. "I was born here for your information!" he yelled at him.
"Bull! That accent isn't local!" Gash yelled back trying to struggle out of his grip.
The big man shook his head. "Gash, you and your little group of ruffians had this coming to you," he said. With that, he gave Gash a head-butt that left him unconscious for the second time in ten minutes.
"Not your day is it?" Thol quipped to the unconscious man, a grin plastered on his face.
"Get 'em!" one of the other men yelled. The fight started anew with the addition of the large man tossing people about like rag dolls.
Seeing that they had no chance against the man, they eventually broke off into a run leaving their unconscious fellows behind.
"Disgusting," the big man said as they fled.
Thol stepped up beside him and also watched them go. "I'll say. Are all the locals like this?"
"No. Gash and his group have always been trouble makers. The Coneria Guards will be by soon to collect them all. This isn't the first time they've caused trouble. You won't be held accountable."
"I wasn't really worried about that. Thanks for the help, by the way. I'm Thollatos," he said extending his gloved hand.
"I am called Goro," the big man replied shaking Thol's hand with a strong grip. He noticed his mask but said nothing.
Thol and Goro walked over to where Keza was looking over Tor to see if there was any permanent damage. "How is he? Other than missing a few more brain cells that is," Thol asked.
"He's got a nasty lump on the back of his head and he's going to wake up with the worst head ache imaginable, but he'll live," Keza replied.
"Shame," Thol said, referring sarcastically to both the man's head ache and the fact that he'll live.
"You think we should take him to the clinic?" Goro asked.
"That might be a good idea. It wouldn't do to have him stumbling around the throne room when we go to the king," Keza said.
The clinic. That girl might be there, Thol thought absently. He chuckled as he watched Keza try and hoist up Tor despite the fact that he was barely able to walk himself.
"Here. I'll get him. You worry about yourself. You took quite a beating as well," Goro said. He tossed Tor over one shoulder casually as if he weighted nothing at all and started to the clinic.
"Here. Let me help you," Thol said helping him up and letting him use him for support.
"Thanks," Keza replied.
"No problem. If you hadn't stopped me back there, I might be fighting off the remaining half of Coneria's army," Thol said jokingly.
It took them about ten minutes to get to the clinic and by then Thol was regretting helping Keza all the way. He was getting rather tired and on top of that, Keza was heavier than he looked. Probably from all the stolen merchandise he has on him, he thought to himself. He frowned then. I'd better check my pack after I get rid of this burden.
A middle aged woman rushed to them when they entered. "Oh my lord! Bring them over here," she said, motioning to a pair of beds. "What happened to them?"
"Gash and his little group of misfits decided to cause a ruckus again," Goro stated, gently placing Tor on one of the beds. Thol was in the mean time easing Keza on to the other one. He immediately rushed off and began looking through his pack to see if anything was missing.
"You don't trust me!" Keza accused.
"Not even if my life depended on it," Thol stated. He was rather surprised to find the contents of his pack intact and all his gil in place. Still he gave Keza a stern glare just to make sure he never tried it.
The woman was assessing her patients when a girl came into the room.
"Mother, what's happened?" she asked.
Thol froze. It was indeed the same girl he had ran into the day before and she was still as pretty as he remembered.
"They got beat up by Gash's little gang. I'll need your help, dear," the woman said.
"Of course mother," the girl said.
"Why don't you see if the other two need anything while I get these two ready?"
"All right," she said. She went over to Goro first. "Goro. You in a fight? That's unusual."
"Yes well, he had it coming. Besides, they were outnumbered and it was the right thing to do."
The girl smiled slightly. "Of course. Were you hurt at all?"
"No. I managed to come out unharmed."
"All right. Can you help mother? Father is out getting supplies right now," she asked.
"Of course," the big man said walking over.
She turned to Thol now and froze. She hadn't noticed who it was until now. She was angry at him last night but after she had a little time to think about it, she realized that she had been excessively rude to him.
"So, we meet again," Thol said simply, unable to take his eyes off her.
"Indeed we do," she replied. She recovered from her initial shock and asked "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. Having a blunt weapon pays off sometimes," he replied.
They stood there for a moment, both thinking of different things.
"Sorry for yesterday," they said at the same time. They both laughed at the coincidence and Thol noticed that her smile made her even more beautiful.
"No," she said finally. "You don't have to apologize. I was the one being rude. It wasn't your fault. It could have happened to anyone."
"That's alright. I'm usually the one being rude so I guess I kinda deserved that. My names Thollatos."
"Melira," the white mage said. She then for the first time consciously noticed his mask. "Why do you-" she began to say, reaching for the mask.
"No! Don't!" Thol said loudly, pulling away from her. His out burst had caused the others to briefly pause what they were doing to see what the commotion was all about. Melira had recoiled as if struck from the sudden volume. "Don't ever touch my mask," he said in a more quiet voice.
"But I might be able to help you," she said.
"No you can't! If you want to help someone, go over there and help ugly and stupid," he yelled, motioning to his partners.
Her face gave away the fact that he had hurt her with his refusal for help. "Fine. I see what kind of person you are now," she said. "I take back my apology. You were right. You did deserve that!" she said angrily. With that she turned and walked away from him.
Thol watched her go and sighed. Good job Thol. You almost became friends with the most beautiful girl in the world and then you blow her off because of your stupid eyes. All she wanted to do was help you, his mind told him. "Shut up," he muttered to himself. . . .
* * * *
They stayed in the clinic while Tor and Keza recovered from their wounds. Thol had become even more irritable then he usually was and was taking it out on everybody, including Goro whom he had immense respect for because he kept his curiosity about his mask in check. He hadn't spoken directly to Melira since she had stormed away from him after revoking her apology.
The five of them sat around the beds now discussing the issue at hand. Thol was a little more distant then the others, propped against the far wall facing the others.
"You know, the temple isn't a place for amateurs. The undead creatures in there usually end up killing anyone who wanders in there. Are you guys sure you can handle it?" Goro was asking Tor.
Thol wasn't about to let that one go. He took great pride in his abilities and didn't like being called an amateur. "I could wipe that entire building clean with one spell I'll have you know," he said loudly.
The others just looked at him and turned back to each other.
"He could really. I've seen the kinds of spells he can cast. They are quite impressive," Tor said, backing his friend.
"Alright, so you can make it in, but Garland is no slouch. He was both the best fighter and best magician in the army before his treachery. Are you sure the three of you will be able to handle him?" Goro asked again.
"Are you offering us your assistance, good man?" Tor asked.
"If you think you'll need it, I'll be glad to go along. I am a patriot after all."
"All right then. Welcome aboard. The more the merrier," Tor replied.
"Oh, not again! Tor! What did I tell you about acting before you think? I'm starting to think that you can't think at all! That's four ways the reward has to be split now. The whole idea is to actually make some money off this," Thol said.
"Thol's got a point. If this keeps up, we won't even be able to pay for the traveling expenses," Keza said.
"Thank you. For once someone uses their head," said Thol.
"With an attitude like that, I don't see how you're going to be able to function as a team at all," Melira spoke up finally. "You don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?" she said, turning her head to Thol. "You may be able to clear a room of monsters without trouble, but what about your friends? They could get hurt, and then what? I think for you to have any sort of chance at all in saving Princess Sara, you're going to need my help as well."
"Fine then! Why don't we just invite the entire Conerian army to join us as well? Let's make it completely ridiculous!" Thol erupted. With that he abruptly got up and left the clinic.
"Thol! Wait!" Tor said.
"Let him go. He needs to cool off for awhile," Goro said. "From what I can tell about him, something has really upset him and I don't think it has anything to do with money."
"Well from what I can tell about him, it probably is," Melira commented. She really wasn't one to get angry, but for some reason the young black mage grated on her nerves. "I'm going to go for a walk. I think I need to cool down too," she said. She left seconds later.
"Tor," Goro said, getting the fighter's attention.
"Yeah?"
"You've known him longer then the rest of us. What do you suppose is wrong with him?"
"Well, I think you're right about the money thing. He may act like he worries about money, but I've seen him give away a whole months worth of his savings to a poor kid who walked funny. Almost everything about him is cloaked in masks."
"Speaking of masks," Keza said. "Do you happen to know why he wears one?"
Tor shook his head. "No. I've only asked him once and he exploded on me for it. I could tell he was serious that time."
"A man of many mysteries," Goro stated. Everyone in the room agreed with that. . . .
* * * *
Thol was sitting on a park bench watching the children play. He liked children for some reason. Their innocence calmed his spirit. The red fury was building in him in the clinic was gone now. He was ashamed of himself really. He was taking his frustration with himself on the others and they didn't deserve it. If it was in his character to do so, he would go back right that moment and apologize to them.
He sighed and leaned his head back against the bench, relishing the peaceful sounds of the children playing. He wasn't sure how long he had been like that when a voice snapped him out of the trance he was in.
"This was the last place I'd ever expect to see you," said the pleasant voice.
Thol opened his eyes and saw Melira standing before him. "It's the children. Their carefreeness calms me and reminds me of when I was that young," he said. He looked down at the ground then and said, more to himself then to her, "I didn't exactly have a lot of time to enjoy that myself."
Melira was a bit stunned by his words. She had thought that he was a self centered man who cared little for others, but what he had just said proved that assumption to be wrong. She figured that he masked his personality just as he masked his face. Why do you hide your face, Thol. What terrible secret do you hold? she thought, her heart welling up with sympathy.
Thol shook himself. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't bore you with my brooding," he said.
"No, that's all right. If you want to talk about it then do so. I don't mind."
Thol thought for a moment. "No. There's nothing you can do to help. Forget I even said anything."
She stepped up right beside him then. She began to reach out towards his mask again and asked "Why?" in a quiet voice.
Thol stopped her hand with his own and said "Please. I asked you not to touch my mask."
She could clearly hear the pain in his voice and wished he would just let her in so she could easy his pain. She knew that he wasn't ready for that yet, so she sighed and let her hand drop. She looked down at the ground and continued to wonder why.
Thol could see that it was bothering her that he wouldn't let her know. He knew that she wanted to help him, but he didn't understand why.
"The others must be getting worried about you. We should go back now," Melira said after some time.
Thol just nodded and stood up. He took one last look at the happy children and started to head back to the clinic. Melira was soon right beside him. They said nothing as they made their way back. Both had the same question on their minds.
Why? . . . .
* * * *