Chapter 13 - Z
Dagran wanted me to go upgrade the weapons with Horace, the guy we met in the cell. He was released and said that he was a black smith. He offered cheaper upgrades since we were nice to him. We didn't really acknowledge him so I was kind of confused with why he did so, but I still took advantage of it.
I left the tavern before Yurick came down from the bathroom. I was still hurt by what he said. I know he said he didn't mean it, but he had said it and it hurt that he even gave a thought to it. I mean, why in the world would I choose anyone else over him?
I walked down the street to the corner where Horace's shop was and knocked on the door. There was no answer. I figured that he must be out somewhere and I should come back later so I walked around town to ponder things. When I reached the bridge I saw Horace looking over the ledge.
"Horace, I was looking for you." I stood behind him and leaned against the column. He jumped and stared at me with wide eyes. He looked distressed. "God. What happened to you?"
"My wife! Meredith! She's missing!" He was a wreck.
"How?"
"We were walking near the mansion outside of the gates when something grabbed her! I went in to look for her, but was arrested for trespassing." His eyes went from the floor to me. "Will you help me?"
"Um-," I wasn't really sure if I would be able to convince Dagran to do such a 'common task'. We wouldn't get paid so I was sure that Syrenne wouldn't do it. "If I can get some of my friends to help then yes, I will help."
He smiled widely and clapped his hands together. "Oh, thank you, Master Zael!"
I went back to the tavern and was greeted by Dagran looking towards me. He rarely ever looks happy, so that was not really a nice face to come home to. "Zael, you're back early. What's wrong?"
"Horace's wife is missing and I need help to go save her." I leaned in and whispered," He might give us a discount if we do." I hadn't told him about the one we already had. Either way, he would think it was for saving his wife.
"I'll go." Yurick stood next to Dagran and crossed his arms like he did when he was bored. I smirked, thinking that it wasn't very visible, but Yurick noticed and returned it with a shrug. Lord, was he cute.
"I'm in. Any chance to save a damsel in distress is a given for me." Lowell joined Yurick.
I glanced over at Syrenne and Mirania to see if they wanted in.
"We getting paid?" Of course Syrenne would ask that. I shook my head. "Then not a chance. I have better things to do." She held up the mug that she had been refilling.
Mirania smiled politely and said," Sorry, but I have errands to run myself." I shrugged at them and turned to leave and meet up with Horace outside.
He led us to the mansion he had mentioned just outside of the main town. It was a big house. Scary looking, too. This would be fun.
I scanned the stone wall and opened the gate. Horace and I walked in first and headed straight for the front door. Lowell and Dagran were behind us talking about how there would probably be ghosts and shit. I turned around to give them an eye roll and saw Yurick behind them walking incredibly slow. I tried to make eye contact with him and when I finally did he looked so nervous. Was he scared? I smiled slightly. He had an attempt at one, but it wasn't very good. I turned back towards the door when something caught my attention. I looked over at the window to the right of the door. There was someone there. A little boy. I looked closer at him and he disappeared. I jerked back.
"Scared?" Dagran's hand was on my shoulder.
"No. Just confused." I pointed towards the window. "There was a little boy there."
"No-one is there, Zael." Lowell chimed in.
"No. Obviously not. That's why I said was." I shook the thought away and went to open the door.
Horace's hands were shaking. "There's been bad things that happen here. People go missing, cats become demons, and children's screams are heard coming from here. They say this mansion is haunted. They call it the Man Eating Mansion. "