Vol.2 Ch.63 Baron Zellin Coldforge

Vol.2 Ch.63 Baron Zellin Coldforge

Once the group was in the room, Rya was given a bed and a warm blanket. She smiled happily when she saw them.

"There we go. Now you can sleep comfortably," Quin told Rya.

"Percy... Lady Dalia... I need you both to keep an eye on Rya while Sir George and I catch up with Baron Zellin. I'm counting on you two... Oh?... And no mating!" Quin said with a raised brow while looking at the two love birds. Quin didn't want a repeat of what happened at the Inn this morning.

'Hajdah had to pick on Rya just because she's a Dark Elf. For a century-old mage. He's dumber than he looks!' Quin thought to himself, annoyed by Hajdah's unnecessary and useless test.

"Shall we, dear Prince?" Hajdah asked.

Quin nodded and followed Hajdah out of the room with Sir George.

After a moment, Percy and Dalia found themselves alone with Rya in the large bedroom.

"I think Prince Quinus is angry with the Dwarven Mage," Percy addressed Dalia with an air of concern in his voice.

"Yeah, you're right. I could smell Beta's anger in his body odor... I wonder what he's going to do," Dalia answered.

"We'll find out soon enough. Until then, I'll grab some food from the kitchen. Is there anything that you would like, Lady Dalia," Percy asked.

"Okay. I'll watch Alpha. OH! And grab me some of that wild boar I like so much. I could smell them slow-cooking one!" Dalia said as her tail wagged under her cloak.

Percy smiled and nodded at Dalia before he left the room to get food for everyone.

***

Meanwhile, Quinus, George, and Hajdah were walking the halls of the palace toward the Baron's chamber. The silence was eerie, and Hajdah could hear the creaking of the floorboards under their feet.

"Your Highness. I like to say how relieved we are that you came back from the Labyrinth unharmed. And I couldn't help but notice that you also tamed a Wolfkin... If you don't mind my asking, how did you tame such a creature? I've never heard of a wolfkin not being enslaved before," Hajdah asked casually.

Quinus stopped abruptly, as did Sir George, upon hearing Hajdah's inquiry regarding Dalia. The Prince was trying his best not to scream at the old mage, but he needed to let him know that he was displeased.

'H-He's actually furious! I need to do something to show that I'm loyal to the Prince. I can't lose the trust of the crown!' Hajdah thought as he took a few steps back from Quinus.

"No, I was just curious why a wolfkin seemed to follow you all. Especially Percy, since he is not a wolfkin," Hajdah said with worry in his voice while trying to deflect the conversation.

Quinus turned and walked closer to Hajdah. He glared down upon the nervous dwarf who didn't know if he should defend himself.

"Your Highness executed the Viscount!? I can only imagine what Duke Alaric Revelia will do when he hears about this," Zellin said in shock.

Quinus sighed, "I don't know if I can trust my uncle not to ambush us if we try to go to the capital on our own. I might need a garrison of your men, Zellin."

"I-I can, My Lord... But I thought you and your cousin were so close when you were children. How did it come to this," Zellin said in confusion.

"Marcus was always good at putting up a facade when needed, but his heart is blacker than I ever could've imagined. I wish I didn't have to end him in such a way, but it's too late for that," Quinus said.

"My Lord, should we deal with the mercenaries? I’m sure they are up to something if they left the city before we arrived," Sir George asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I think you're right. We'll need to deal with them before heading to the capital with Zellin's garrison as our escort," Quinus answered.

"Well, I'll send some soldiers to search the mountainside to see if we are lucky enough to find them, Your Highness," Hajdah said.

"Sounds like a plan... And I have one last thing to ask of you," Quinus said while looking over to the Baron.

"When was the last time you or your father smithed Liquid Ether?" Quinus asked Zellin Coldforge.

"Well, my father was lucky enough to get a drop of Liquid Ether about 40 years ago. I believe he smithed it to create your father's sword," Zellin said while scratching his chin.

"He made my father's sword with only one drop?... I wonder what you and your father can make with this," Quinus said while pulling out a glowing vial of Liquid Ether and holding it up.

Zellin's and Hajdah's eyes went wide when they saw the vial of liquid light. The Baron's hands were shaking slightly as he took the vial and examined it. His face was puzzled and stunned as he saw how much Ether, the Prince, had collected.

"That's insane! You've got that much Liquid Ether!? That makes you the richest man in the world!" Zellin said in disbelief while handling the vial carefully.

"And what would you do with this gift, My Lord," Hajdah asked.

"With this Ether, the possibilities are endless... I don't seek wealth, but I desire weaponry and armor for both myself and my companions. I have a feeling that we will need all the help we can get," Quinus said as he watched the Baron stare at the vial of light.

"We can do that, but it will take at least a few weeks or even a few months to forge what you want, My Lord... I'll need to research what types of weapons my father and I can make for you," Zellin said as he handed the vial back to Quinus.

"I would like for you to make a short sword for Rya first, then use the rest for me later... I could use some gauntlets or a shield," Quinus commanded while gesturing to Zellin to hang on to the vial.

"As you wish, Your Highness," Zellin said as he pocketed the vial in his leather pouch.

"Do we have any other business here?" Quinus asked.

"No, Your Highness. We can try to send a message to your father and mother about your success if you like," Zellin asked.

"Yes, I think that would be wise. Let us move on. What else do you have planned for the city?" Quinus asked.

"Well, we are going to hold a Festival of the Goddess starting tomorrow morning. It's an annual event where everyone throws money and offerings to their respective deities. With the goblins dealt with, we thought it would be a good time to hold it again," Zellin explained.

"Sounds like a plan. I'd like to attend if possible, incognito, of course," Quinus said.

"Of course, Your Highness. I'm sure the whole town will be festive, so you can blend in easily if you like," Zellin replied.

"Hm. Well, that should be enough. I'll be retiring to my room. Gentlemen, I look forward to seeing you during dinner," Quinus said.

Zellin and Hajdah bowed to the prince as he walked away with Sir George in tow, and they left the Baron's chamber.