Zadori Chapter VI
From Black Country Role Playing Society
“What’s up with you, you miserable bastard.” Asked Ivan the tavern keeper
Zadori raised his head from his hands and looked up into the slit like eyes and yellowed, greasy, rat-like features of his boss.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
“I lost the love of my life today.”
“Oh…well in that case you need something to take your mind off it.”
“I suppose”
“GET OUT THERE SERVE THE CUSTOMERS!” thundered Ivan
Zadori rose and entered the inn proper.
The inn was packed, noisy and very stuffy, all the tables but one were filled to capacity. Despite the reserved sign upon a table, a couple of burly men were about to sit at it; Zadori knowing full well what would happen if he didn’t act now, slipped between the crowd and approached them.
“I’m sorry Gentlemen, this table is reserved.”
“We’ll move when the occupants arrive.” Said one of the men
“That’s not good enough, the table is reserved.”
“What difference will it make?” said the other in a surly tone
“The table needs to be unoccupied and clean when the customers arrive.”
“Are you suggesting…”said one man hostility coming to the fore “that we will make a mess of this table?”
“Maybe.” Replied Zadori, fear eminent in his voice
“Look here you little pipsqueak, bugger off or there will be a beating.”
Zadori closed his eyes for a second
“Be all you can be. Be ALL you can BE. BE ALL YOU CAN BE.”
“Then I guess you better beat the crap the out of me, because you have to move.” Squeaked Zadori fearfully
One of the men rose grabbed a fist full of Zadori’s frayed robe and drew his fist back
“You asked for this you pathetic little runt!” but the blow never came
“Oi! Deadbeat, drop the bar monkey and clear off from our table.” Said a female elf; the handle of a dagger digging painfully into the man’s ribs.
“Sorry miss, didn’t realise you and the runt were lovers…” his face twisted with pain as the dagger handle dug a little deeper.
“I said bugger off from our table or there will be trouble.”
“Okay, bitch…ow! Okay, okay we’re going.”
The man let go of Zadori and the two left to find a quieter spot.
The elven woman and her friends sat at the table and turned to Zadori
“Round of beer, and a wine for me” she said sheaving her dagger
One of elves looked a bit nervous “I can’t afford a round”
“Got any cheese to go with the whine?” replied the Female elf, glaring at the other elf
“Hey! That’s not funny err…Sorice.” answered the elf looking at some ink marks on his wrist.
“So that’s five ales and a wine?” asked Zadori
“Yeah.” Replied Sorice
Zadori turned and started to head back to the bar.
“Look, Illusions are great, but when people don’t fall for them, you need something tangible.” Said Sorice to a Gnome
Zadori turned to another table and slowly collected plates and mugs from it so he could overhear their conversation
“A skilled Illusionist will never get found out.” Replied the Gnome
“What about things with no eyes, they won’t fall for an Illusion.”
“I suppose.” Replied the gnome
“No offence, but we could use some extra magical backup, just for when things get hairy.”
“Yeah right…”replied the Gnome, "where are we going to find another wizard in these parts." “Oi! Maggot.” Zadori nearly jumped out of his skin as Ivan’s hand closed like a vice on his shoulder “There are customers to be served.” “Sorry boss.” Muttered Zadori and hurried to the bar
* * * * *
Under the watchful eye of Ivan, Zadori was unable to approach the table of elves for the rest of the night, save to deliver more drinks, finally Ivan rang the bell for last orders, the party rose and approached the bar.
“Is our room ready?” asked Sorice
Before Zadori could utter more than a few syllables of the words “I can show them to it, boss”, Ivan’s elbow thumped painfully into Zadori’s ribs.
“Of course, I’ll take you there personally.” Said Ivan obsequiously and led them off.
Zadori went around collecting mugs and plates up and gently encouraging people to drink up and clear off, until the inn was finally empty. Zadori took the last of the washing up into the kitchen and stared at it despondently
“I guess it’s just you, me, prestidigitation and mister unseen servant” sighed Zadori
* * * * *
Zadori broke from his trance, a cold sweat upon his brow; there had been no Celebess and no Grindel; just blackness, and a deep hole where joy had been. A tear sprung to Zadori’s eye at the thought of Celebess, but he pushed them to the back of his mind and wiped the tear away, a faint cool draught wafted into the kitchen and Zadori rose to see what was causing it, he noticed that the main door was open a crack and the leaden light of predawn shone through, he wandered over and saw Sorice was staring towards the east waiting for the sun to rise. For a moment Zadori debated whether to approach.
“Be all you can be, Carpe diem.”
“Excuse me.”
Sorice whipped around dagger out and then quickly palmed it, seeing no danger.
“Yes?” She inquired
“I overheard you last night that you were looking for wizard…” Zadori tailed off
“I suppose, know where we can find one?”
“As a matter of fact I’m a mage.”
“You?” asked Sorice, disbelief apparent in her voice
“Yes.”
“How come you have such a crappy job?” She asked, with a puzzled look
“I’m only a few decades out of apprenticeship and jobs are hard to find.”
“I’m not sure I believe you. Cast a spell and prove you’re a mage.”
“Okay brain, don’t fail me now.” Thought Zadori
“See that tree over there?”
“Sure.” answered Sorice
“al-ssharrr-Lek Iktomalar Dun-Idlon.”
Zadori staggered the energy poured out of him, but somehow he managed to stay upright
“Now you don’t.” He gasped
Sorice looked at the scorched remains of the former tree “Maybe we can use you after all.”
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