51: Storm

The next morning, like every morning so far, I did not want to get out of bed.

Part of me wondered if perhaps being an adventurer was the wrong choice. If I became a chef in the city, I’d have access to a bed every day, right?

I shook myself awake. Looking over, I saw Crisplet still in the iron basket sitting on the desk. It had worked out really well so far.

Hari had put a thick piece of leather between the basket and the desk, which seemed to absorb the heat and stop it from burning the desk. Though, I also suspected that Crisplet was more than capable of controlling it.

We had also got some charcoal from the innkeeper downstairs last night to place in the basket. We didn’t need to start or maintain the fire—just having the charcoal in there was enough for Crisplet to ignite and keep it going.

“Morning, Crisplet,” I murmured as I got out of bed. I was surprised to see Milo still asleep, though he had been spending the last couple of nights going over books and notes.

Crisplet responded with a burst of bright sparks before perching on my shoulder. I quickly got dressed, knowing these temple clothes were likely the last I’d wear for a while. I didn’t have the same attachment to them as I did to the academy clothes, but they were pleasant memories—a reminder of friends and new experiences.

As we left the room and went downstairs, I saw Jen and Hari sitting at the table. I assumed Liane was still asleep; she never liked mornings. Since it was just Hari and me today, I knew everyone else was enjoying a proper day off.

Waving to them, I took my seat and was quickly served breakfast, which was becoming a familiar routine at this inn. We had eggs, boar belly strips, and a roll.

Today, however, there was also a jug of fruit juice. Well, it was juice from a fruit I had never heard of, mixed with a small amount of river sugar—a sweet, reed-like plant I had seen a lot of in the market. You could pulp it up and eat it that way, or squeeze out the liquid for a sweet drink. Milo had explained last night that it also made really good booze, but after trying a little the first night, my head had been spinning. I’d skip the alcohol part.

“Ready for our trip up to the temple today?” Hari asked happily, nearly finished with his own breakfast.

“I am, actually. I’d never really thought much about the god of storms before. What does he, uh, do?” I asked.

I was curious, but unsure if that was rude—was it insulting to question what a god did?

But storm? Do they just pray that a storm won’t damage their house and land? I didn’t know.

“We’ll learn all that today,” Hari said, adopting a wise-man tone.

Jen, seeing where my thoughts were headed, chuckled. “I know how that mind of yours works. They’re not praying that a storm won’t kill them—it’s more complex than that.”

I blushed, embarrassed that my imagination had gone exactly there.

It didn’t take long before Hari and I were leaving the inn. Today he didn’t ask me to lead the way, instead taking the front as we wandered off.

“We’re going to pick up your clothes and armour before we head to the temple,” he said, walking alongside me. “I also know a Monster Knacker who’ll be willing to work on the Galvonson for us without letting anything spoil.”

I just nodded, keeping pace with him. I realised I was almost jogging while he strolled casually, but it didn’t take long to reach the tailors. As we entered, the lady first locked eyes with Hari before noticing me.

“Ah yes, boy, your clothes are ready,” she said, handing over a wrapped bundle.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the package.

“There’s a change room just through that door. Try one on and make sure it fits properly. You can also get out of those horrible clothes that look like they’re about to fall off you,” she said, turning to Hari with a sharp look. “Are you even feeding the boy? His clothes don’t fit.”

Hari just chuckled as I headed towards the room she had indicated. I heard him call after me, “He feeds us, actually.”

I quickly got changed, and honestly, the clothes felt amazing. The fit was perfect and so comfortable. When I stepped out, the lady looked me over and nodded.

“Excellent. Now, if you need more, come back—there are three more sets in the package. I also do repairs! Don’t forget this little old lady, you hear?” she said, smirking.

I just waved as we left the store. It wasn’t until that moment I realised—or rather noticed—that Crisplet had been in his elemental form the entire time, and she had said nothing.

Hari took the package from me and stored it in his own storage ring before we set off towards the guild to pick up my armour. Part of me wondered if Hari would make me climb the stairs in it…

He didn’t make me climb in the armour, luckily. I did have to try it on to make sure it all fit. It felt a little stiff at first, but I was told that as the leather got worked in, it would soften and become more comfortable. Hari stored that as well.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Our next stop was someone who apparently dealt with breaking down monsters and separating the valuable parts. The sign outside read Clackers Monster Knackers. Was Clackers the owner? I wasn’t sure.

Inside, the smell hit me immediately. It was hard to describe—not unpleasant, but heavy with iron and the scent of blood. It took only a moment before someone noticed us. A short man with a long beard shuffled into the room.

“Greetings, sirs, and…” He glanced at Crisplet. “Fiery ones,” he added, receiving a burst of sparks from Crisplet, who seemed to enjoy the attention.

“How may I assist you today? Did you have some wee beasties you’d like broken down?” he asked, smiling.

“Yes, just the one, but it’s not small,” Hari said with a laugh. “It’s best we show you in the other room.”

“Oh, now I’m intrigued,” the man said, leading us through the door he had entered from. The room beyond was large and very cold, with several tables scattered around. Channels ran along the floor—probably to direct blood elsewhere.

“Trev, do you mind pulling out the head and the headless one?” Hari asked. I nodded and complied, lifting out the headless Galvonson and the head, which landed on the floor in the middle of the room.

The man’s jaw dropped slightly.

“So little damage… for one this size. How… amazing,” he mumbled, circling the beast.

“Will you just be wanting the valuables from this one?” he asked, curiosity in his voice.

“We’ll want the valuables, but importantly, we also want to save as much meat as possible and keep it fresh,” Hari explained.

The man winced. “I’d need a whole storage ring for that. It’ll cost you, but I can do it. When do you need it by?”