Chapter 87: Kizwat's Silver Hammer

Chapter 87: Kizwat's Silver Hammer

Im not going to kill anyone, Kizwat, I said loud enough for everyone to hear. Lets go.

I shoved him towards the door.

Wait, said the largest of the large men. He wore a leather vest with nothing underneath it and he had a mullet. That should tell you all you need to know. What relation are you to this man?

He positioned himself between us and the exit. He wasnt the type you could easily knock aside. Did I mention his size? Big. Very big.

Whats it got to do with you? I decided to go on the offensive. Are you a gossiping old lady? Stick your nose in other peoples business so you can tell the girls about it later? I looked past him at the men standing behind. I bet hes a terrible nag as well. Do this, do that. Youre not doing it right. Why havent you finished yet. You know what Im talking about, right? I pointed at the short fat one at the back. Thats why youre nodding.

Mullet-man spun around, his glorious mane swishing through the air. Why are you nodding, Dundus?

I wasnt, I wasnt. I was thinking about something else.

I dragged Kizwat outside while the Patrick Swayze fan club bickered among themselves.

We have to do something, wailed Kizwat. We should go back in there, and teach them

We arent doing anything. And in future dont volunteer me to fight your battles for you.

Kizwat quieted down and looked at the ground. Im sorry, but

No. No buts. I dont know how you managed to fuck up, but theres no way youre going to teach them anything. Just go back to Probet.

And do what? Look. He awkwardly placed his crippled hand in front of me. What can I do with this? I cant even hold a hammer, never mind use one. They did this to me.

It looked really bad. But I could probably fix it. I can heal you. I dont know if it will be as good as before, but youll probably be able to do most things.

Heal me? How?

I didnt want to tell him I would use magic; there were too many people who knew about that as it was. Where I come from, we have techniques to help people in this sort of condition. Physical therapy. Look, come with me.

We went across the street to the pub where the others were waiting for us. It was a small, dingy place with only half-a-dozen customers. My lot were squeezed into a booth at the back, nursing drinks and whispering to each other. They looked up guiltily as I approached. Were they talking about me?

You better not be getting drunk again.

It isnt alcohol, said Claire defensively. She swirled the liquid in her cup. Its juice, and it tastes awful.

The others all pulled faces and nodded. I didnt bother introducing Kizwat, I just sat him down on one end while I sat down on the other, pushing everyone into a tighter clump between us.

Go on then, tell us what happened.

Kizwat looked around the group then told us how he had arrived in Dargot full of hope and excitement. He had immediately registered his claim for the silver hammer at the guild and handed over the spike to be tested. While he waited for the results, he had gone for a drink.

It was in this very place that I waited while the guild masters verified my claim. He looked down at the table. I was very happy and when I told people why, they bought me drinks to celebrate. I dont remember very much, but when I woke I was in terrible pain. They told me I had been in an accident. A wagon had run over my arm. But no wagon could do this. It was them. They did this to me. One of their own had recently claimed a silver hammer and they didnt want some lummox stealing his customers away. They said the tests on the spike were inconclusive and it didnt matter anyway because my injuries meant I wouldnt be able to use it. When I asked them to give me the spike back, they said it had been misplaced and theyd let me know when it turned up. That was two weeks ago.

I didnt know how accurate his version of events were, but I found it all very easy to believe. Having the only silver hammer in the city was obviously very lucrative, and there was no advantage to them in handing out another one. And it wasnt like Kizwat had any connections or influence with anyone of note.

But you can change their minds, Col-een. At least make them give back the spike. If you can heal me like you say, I can take it to one of the other cities and start over.

It seemed unnecessarily cruel to not give him the spike back after theyd fucked up his arm. It wasnt like they could do anything with it. But I could also see it as a sensible precaution. Why give it back when you could keep it and make sure it never posed a problem again?

It isnt boring, its very interesting, Maurice mumbled to himself.

A shadow fell over us and I looked up to see the round, jolly face of the man Kizwat had blamed for the drunken stupor that had cost him his arm.

Greetings, friends he boomed. You look new to the city. Allow me to introduce myself. Corporal Ween. Folks around here call me Crunchy, but thats a story for another timeit involves an accident with my underpants when I were a boy, nuff said. Tell me, have you considered joining up with the brave men of the Dargot Armed Forces and protecting this great city from the tyranny of monsterdom?

Yes, I said. We have. Thanks for stopping by.

But have you considered the personal benefits? he continued. Free meals. Smart uniforms. The latest weapons. And all the friendship and camaraderie you can handle. Let me buy you all a drink and I can tell you more about it.

We dont drink, I said. Its against our religion. Were Mormons. Our God, Almighty Oprah, expressly prohibits all beverages stronger than lemon squash. I crossed myself.

In nomine patris et filii, Ellen Degeneres. Amen.

Amen, the others all echoed.

Go in peace, I said with a strong hint of piss off.

He wasnt one to take a hint very easily. He leaned down. And of course, there are the three wagons full of whores that follow the army to every battle. Best looking tarts this side of the border. He waggled his eyebrows.

Claire stood up. Not good.

What about me? she said.

Corporal Crunchy stepped back and looked her over. He didnt seem terribly impressed. Well, I dont know if theyre looking for more whores, but I can put in a good word for you.

Surprisingly, Claire didnt lose her cool. No, I mean as a fighter. I have skills. What I like to do is take a mans cock in my hand like this. She grabbed an imaginary member in her left hand and started moving her hand up and down. Once I get it nice and stiff, I take my dagger she took a dagger from her belt with the other hand and place the tip right in the eye of the penis.

She held the dagger over the invisible penis with the tip of the blade poking the area at the top. There was nothing there, of course, but every man in the room could see it very clearly.

And then I plunge it! Her dagger dived into the encircled fingers of her left hand.

There was a collective flinch and wince.

I could even teach the whores. Theyd be even more useful then, wouldnt they? And I have plenty of daggers. She started to pull out blades and knives, stabbing them into the tabletop one after the other.

No, no, thats fine, said the horrified corporal as he backed away. Ill get back to you.

Claire sat down and began pulling the daggers out of the table. There were eight, and Im not sure she didnt have a few more on her. Once, I had warned her about protecting herself from dodgy men. Message received, it would seem.

Probably best not to ask for a handjob tonight, I said to Maurice out of the side of my mouth.

Wasnt planning to, replied Maurice in the same fashion. Ever again.

There was a distinctly uncomfortable atmosphere in the room after Claires demonstration of her skills. The man behind the bar had a word with one of his staff who ran out with a lute in his hand. He went over to the corner of the room and started plucking away on it while humming along.

This did help soften the mood as some of the men hummed along and clapped a beat. Flossies eyes began to sparkle. She slowly rose to her feet and edged her way out of the booth.

I looked at the others. Wheres she going?

AN: Next two chapters are up at Fiction Grill now