The vendor shot a worried look over his shoulder. “Kindly keep your fire away from the merchandise.” As the fire disappeared, the vendor nodded to himself. “I think I have something for you. Let’s see…”
A few minutes later, Vexx White stepped out, smiling broadly as he felt the smooth silk of one long sleeve. The black fabric shimmered with a dark green hue that the vendor assured him was poison that would latch on to anyone foolish enough to attack him up close.
“But it only works…” the vendor shifted his hand back and forth vaguely. “Ehh, sometimes. But you see how the red trim complements your fire magic? And your eyes as well, sir, if you pardon me saying so. How does the gentleman like it?”
Vexx whistled appreciatively, popping his collar like he’d seen the cool kids at the Magical Academy do. How do you like me now? He glanced at his reflection and wordlessly set his coins on the counter.
“I feel like half pimp, half warlock in this.”
“Very good, sir,” the vendor said, collecting his coins. “Mind how you go.”
Lost in thought, Vexx took a few steps outside the building and into the crowd before he recognized the voice hailing him.
“Hey Vexx, nice robes!”
Vexx turned around and blinked. “Whoa. Ah…whoa.”
Kaylin tilted her head and looked a little bashful. The light reflected off the studded leather that covered her breasts and little else. Beneath her exposed midriff was a dark brown leather skirt, and her feet were encased in gladiator sandals of the same material going midway up her tanned calves.
“It’s not elven style,” she said after a moment, “but it’s an upgrade at least. What do you think?”
Vexx swallowed. “I think it looks good.”
“Yeah…I preferred full coverage, but the seller said that less armor means better protection.” She shrugged. “He even gave me a discount to try it on. Why should I pass that up?”
Leather crinkled and strained as she raised her shoulders in a shrug.
“Good point,” Vexx said. “Are you done picking up supplies? I’m ready now.”
“Sure! It was just this and a few arrows, anyway. That goblin money didn’t last very long.”
Vexx nodded, already leading the way to the building the barkeep had indicated. “Let’s hope rats are more profitable.”
16
Old Man
The door creaked open and Vexx stood in the doorway, his hand in the air, mid-knock. Standing in the gloom was a wizened old man who blinked rheumy eyes at them. He clutched a wooden staff, either for protection or support, Vexx couldn’t tell. The old man tilted his head at Vexx.
“Are you Death?”
Vexx grinned, smoothing out his shimmering black robe. “No, but I like the compliment. We’re here because the barkeep said you had a rat problem.”
“We?” the old man asked, and Vexx shifted aside. The old man’s eyes boggled as he took in Kaylin, who waved shyly at him.
“Hi there, sir! What can I do for you?”
“Easy, Kaylin,” Vexx said in a low voice, taking in the old man’s lecherous gaze. “We don’t want to give him a heart attack.”
“Ooh, I like you,” the old man said after a moment, sucking on his few remaining teeth. “You’ll do just nicely! Come on in,” he said, stepping back. “I meant her,” he muttered as Vexx stepped in first, ducking through the door and entering the main room.
It was a drab interior, cobwebs coating the edges, and the walls had a faintly yellowish sheen to them. Motes of dust drifted down from a nearby bookshelf, a couple wooden chairs, a table, and a rickety ladder were the only other objects of note in the interior. Vexx cleared the way as the old man gestured for Kaylin to enter.
“Pardon the mess. My wife passed away, you see, and certain things have gone…untended to,” the old man said.
“Just show me what needs doing,” Kaylin replied with a smile.
“Ooh…”
“And Vexx and I will get right on it!”
“Oh…” The old man sounded decidedly less excited and blinked over at Vexx. “You know what, young man? I have something else for you to do. Some rats have gotten into my cellar and I’d like them cleared out. It’s very cramped, so it’s best if you handle it alone.”
Vexx raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, don’t be like that, sonny,” the old man replied after a long moment. “There’s a great treasure in my cellar. You’re welcome to it once you clear them out. Your friend here can help me with something else.”
“Fine. I’ll get your rats.”
The things I do for a few coppers. Still, a job’s a job.
He gave a brief nod, then went down the staircase. There was a solid wooden door leading to the cellar with a wrought iron handle on it. Vexx paused, crouching down and listening beside it. He heard Kaylin titter at something the old man must have said, but he put them out of his mind.
She’s a grown woman, she can handle herself.
Vexx thought he could faintly hear skittering down below along with what sounded like broken glass. He clasped a hand around the handle and hauled it up. In a flash, a ball of circling flame emerged around his fist, casting a dim light on the cellar below. Something rustled as it darted back, pausing a moment to look up at Vexx, dim red eyes shining in reflection. Then it scurried away.
“Come back, little rat,” Vexx called out, already stepping down the staircase into the cellar, waving away cobwebs that threatened to get entangled in his hair. “I just want to say hi.”
The light reflected off a dusty mirror, and Vexx could make out a few ancient pieces of furniture, along with a shelf that held quite a lot of glassware. Below it was a puddle that sparked even as he squinted; a multicolored hue that almost seemed to move as he looked. That could only mean one thing.
Potions. Damn, the rats must have gotten into them.
Vexx stepped forward cautiously, expelling more energy into the circling ball of fire, further illuminating the dusty cellar. He saw another reflection of red eyes and grinned even as he readied his fireball. Then, he realized the eyes were much higher than before. And others emerged…four, six, a dozen…
Vexx let loose with a fireball, hitting what appeared to be a giant rat full in the face, and in a flash, he saw the other snarling creatures massed together.
What in all the hells is this!? Those aren’t normal rats!
Before he could stop and think, the giant rats charged forward in a snarling stampede, and Vexx let loose with frantic fireballs from both hands. The wounded rats shrieked as they reeled to the sides, their flesh burned and blackened. The other ones simply ran over their smoldering corpses, their beady eyes trained on Vexx. Vexx braced both hands together, releasing his fan of flames, a wave of burning fire that swept outward in a V shape. The giant rats squealed even as they staggered forward, one of them somehow evading the flames as it leaped over another dying rat.
Vexx stumbled back, exhausted as his flames fell away. A few seconds was all it took for the last rat to hit him full in the chest and sink its teeth into his shoulder. His robes emitted a dull green glow and he cried out just as the rat recoiled and staggered back in shock. The giant rat shook its head as if in disbelief, coughing and sputtering, and Vexx poured the last of his energy into a swirling fireball.