CHAPTER 20
I thought that you were an idiot for going and that you were lying to try to make yourself look good.
We have had our issues but the next time you head out there, I am going with you.
I want to meet flirty elf girls and blast idiots across the street who need it.
You even ripped off a betting establishment and met some goblins.
Whoever this Glorie girl is, I will stay away from her.
Leif Jelani speaking with his cousin Jason
“Say that again?” Tezen said as Gand held a small mage up by his neck. “I don't think Mr. Richer heard you too clearly. I know I didn't and I doubt the Elf did as well. Did you hear it?”
“No, I don't think that I did,” Raylen said, playing the role of a tough guy.
“I think that you should either leave or wait your turn, Sir,” Ryan said.
The Mage that had come up to start trouble had a crush on Lemara and Gand had sent a runner to the Mikel estate on Ryan’s behalf.
Lemara wasn't expecting anything and was getting ready to go out on a date with the Mage who intercepted the message.
He had heard all about the fun the Salterians had in Glendale and was most likely jealous.
He figured that he could put the hurt on a healer and wasn't expecting Gand who he tried to blast with his magic.
In prior times, he had blasted Tezen and almost killed Raylen when he was prevented from going after Ryan. “Let him go, Gand.”
Gand dropped the surprised Mage who then tried to go into a casting.
The feel of Tezen’s hand on his head made him stop.
Ryan gave him a smile as he looked him over.
Gand knew that Rigo Roberts wouldn't forget being dealt with so thoroughly.
He was a weak Mage as far as Mages went and didn't have much coin.
He was handsome as far as humans went, he hoped to use his handsomeness to win over one of the richest eligible women in Salta.
“Gand?” Rigo said suddenly nervous.
“I see that you must have heard about my friend,” Ryan said. “If you don't mind Sir, a small crowd is starting to form out in the waiting room and I am awfully busy. Raylen, can you show our friend the door?”
Raylen nodded and gestured towards the door. The patient that was currently in the room, an older woman with arthritis in her left hand, sat by amused. Ryan smiled at her and pushed his power into her hand. Ten minutes later she was walking out the door with a smile and a story to tell.
“You are a healer?” said a nervous looking man as he walked through the door. Gand knew his name was Lord Michaels, he was at the head of a group of five that ran Salta.
“I am,” Ryan said. “How can I help you Sir?”
“How much for you to stay and for you to prioritize patients?” Lord Michaels asked. “Already you have healed non-magical while distinguished visitors are waiting.”
“To tell you the truth, I had no plans on staying,” Ryan replied. “I came to see the Mikel Family but I don't want to be rude and just drop in on them.”
“Young Lemara,” Lord Michaels said. “There are plenty of pretty and rich young ladies around here.
Those with more prestige who believe that you should have come to seek them out instead of the other way around.
They are settled here and wouldn't dream of moving to Glendale.
But you don't need them or their Coin. Coin you wouldn't need since you are a healer. You could pay your own way. You could charge a lot more coin if you only made house calls.”
“I have my entire family in Glendale,” Ryan said. “I wouldn't mind staying here for a few months out of a year. How did you know who I was?”
“Because I am one of the Lords here,” Lord Michaels said. “I knew that there were rumors of a seer and a healer in Glendale. We are a city of Mages. We have all come together to make something great. The only mundanes around are simple workers. No one here has hired muscle like you do.”
“These are my friends,” Ryan said. “And I am not a fighter. The two big guys are great at running people who are looking for trouble away.”
“They wouldn't be needed in a place like this,” Lord Michaels said. “But I hear that you have already been attacked. Two Orcs, especially two red ones, would run anyone off.”
“Ryan are you in here?” said a loud voice that Gand knew belonged to Jason Jelani.
“In here,” Ryan said loudly as Jason walked towards the front, eliciting groans from the people waiting.
“This thing is closed,” Tezen said as he went out front. “We will either open back up later on today or tomorrow.”
“What do you mean closed, I have been here for over an hour!” said a shrill feminine voice.
“Closed as in closed, now piss off,” Tezen said as he walked back inside following Jason and closed the door behind them.
“Lord Michaels,” Jason said and gave the older man a smile. “You know Ryan?”
“We just met,” Lord Michaels said.
“Well I came to invite my friend to stay with me and my family until the Mikels figure out that he is here,” Jason said. “Gand, you and the rest are welcome as well. I am actually amazed that you and Tezen haven't caused a scene yet.”
“Then you know us well,” Tezen laughed. “I just had to toss out some bum. Rigo something.”
“Lemara’s suitor,” Jason laughed.
“Well wait a moment,” Lord Michaels said. “I came to invite you to my home and see if there is any way we can work on what I was talking about.”
“How about this,” Jason said. “Ryan, I can see you later on tonight. It would be an insult for you to sleep anywhere else other than my home. In the meantime, I’ll take Raylen, Tezen and Gand with me.”
“Which one of you has the most free alcohol?” Tezen asked.
“I do,” Jason said. “Lord Michaels is a wine connoisseur while I have a barrel of ale being delivered. I bought it as soon as I knew you all were in town.”
“Anyone needs a punching in the mouth, I will not be too far behind,” Tezen said. “I still have all of our stuff in that inn.”
“I’ll have it delivered,” Jason said.
Gand followed an unusually talkative Jason out of the shop. Jason took a good look around and then started laughing. Gand wasn't sure what he was laughing about but his movements made Gand and even Tezen want to laugh as well.
“Nice to have you all here,” Jason said as a carriage door was opened for him. “And thank goodness that you didn't bring any of your elf girls.”
“What is wrong with Elven girls?” Raylen asked. “Humans fall all over them.”
“We do,” Jason admitted. “Did you know how hard it was not to stare with a bunch of them around, all flirty and prancing? I was trying for Lady Glorie and it seemed like they were always around. I plan on going back out to visit.”
“I suppose it would be hard,” Tezen laughed. “I don't get you humans. Find a girl, let her know that you want inside of her and then get to work. Ryan would have had the human he is after if he just would have been bold. Instead she wanted a ride on the red side and I don't turn down anything.”
“Well I find it hard to do that as well and I am one of the richest single men around,” Jason said. “I didn't expect any of you to be here. Now that you are, I am sure that you will become the talk of the town.”
“Why?” Raylen said. “I'm just some Elf.”
“Because by now many people have heard about my trip,” Jason said. “They heard about flirty Elven girls and big rampaging orcs who want a human woman. They heard about Goblins and of course they heard about you, Gand.”
“Me?”
“Of course. I had fun, I have talked to Deven so I know he had plenty of fun and plans on uh, continuing what he started.
We have become popular. We really didn't hang out before we went to Glendale, we do it a lot more now.
I am willing to bet that it will not be long before we have guests wishing to meet you all.
They should have already been here if it wasn't for the Desians.”
“Desians?” Gand asked. “We don't get along.”
“Normally we wouldn't entertain them but they came a long way and have a lot of money,” Jason said. “They are fighting Goblins or something.”
“They attacked Oasis,” Raylen said. “It is one of the only strongholds where humans are not the majority. They picked a fight and I heard that they have Gand there. Gand that want the fight and have been tearing them apart.”
“Really?” Jason said. “From what I heard, the Goblins or whatever have the place mostly surrounded and are threatening to take over.
I knew something with their story wasn't right.
Why wouldn't any of their neighbors help them out?
I thought it was cowardice at first but no, they don't want to be involved in a stupid war.”
“Sebastian Uluru,” Gand said. “That was the name of their leader.”
“Gray hair, older man in decent shape,” Jason said. “I have seen him. He is offering a lot of coin for any Mage that wants to fight on the side of the Desians.”
“You would be an idiot,” Tezen said. “Your magic is tough but once someone gets up on you, you are done. I know muscle work, you do that for small timers and punch out drunks. You don't want anything to do with a war.”
“I'm rich, why would I go out there and put it on the line?” Jason asked. “That is for poor Mages. No one else would even entertain that nonsense. He wants weapons, he wants armor and he wants food.”
“Lugging that back with a blockade is going to be something,” Tezen said.
“We can fly,” Jason said. “That is probably why we are getting outrageous prices. My family is in on it. I think the Desians just want these Goblins gone, they are tired of the war.”
“Anyone getting their faces bashed in is tired of the fight,” Tezen said. “Gand, are those the humans that you threw down with over where Zlex now works?”
“Yes,” Gand replied. “And I think we may throw down with them again. I haven't looked that far yet.”