Chapter 389: Halburn Dealings

Chapter 389: Halburn Dealings

She has a sister? Dallion asked.

He had known the fury for quite a while, he even believed to know her well. Apparently, that wasnt the case. Ever since Dallion had joined the hunter party, he had learned a lot of things about her, and Eury, that he never suspected. However, he never expected to be so out of the loop regarding this.

Nerosal is a place for new beginnings, dear boy.Nil said. Everyone has a history, and it usually is left at the city gates.

That was true. Nerosal was considered one of the cities for second chances, or the places where nobles were sent to be banished. Either way, it used to accept people from all over the empire and beyond, no questions asked. Soon things were about to change, though.

I didnt know you had a sister, Dallion said, taking another sip of his drink. She doesnt look anything like you.

Because of my skin? Diroh frowned. Cant humans learn that"

Di, Jiroh interrupted.

The younger fury pouted, then turned around, pretending to arrange the shelves. She was only a few years older than Dallions own brother, but the difference was immeasurable. Living pretty much in the wilderness had made her grow up a lot faster to the point she could run a hunter tavern. Dallion strongly suspected that the hunters were helping out as well, not to mention providing protection, but it was impressive nonetheless.

Thunder furies are like me. The others arent. Jiroh explained. Di, check the beds. Make sure the floors are clean.

Fine, Ill go so you two can have a talk, the young fury said, then disappeared in the blink of the eye. Using his focus, Dallion caught part of her movements, though not all.

Shes a good kid, just not used to being nice. Too much of a hunter without being one.

Must have been tough, Dallion remained at a loss. Did this belong to a relative?

Might have. I found it a few years ago. By then it was already Dis place.

You didnt know you had a sister?

Theres a lot I dont know. One thing was for certainshe wasnt around when I left. A second glass made its way from the counter to the bar plot. Once there, the fury poured herself a drink and downed it in one gulp. I found out about her through a map. The merchant said he knew about my family and for a few artifacts for the information. When I paid, he gave me a piece of paper and the news that I had a sister.

Dallion felt the sound of anger coming from within Jiroh. Even after all this time, she still resented the merchant. In her place, Dallion probably would have as well. To learn the location of a relative in such a way was unfathomable, but also the perfect way to describe the life of a hunter. There always were deals, some of them good, some not that much, and one never knew what they might find at the end of the map.

Does Hannah know? he asked.

Of course. Jiroh shook her head. Theres little that Hannah doesnt know. She offered to take her in, even help her with the Gremlins Timepiece. I was against it. I didnt want to take a sister I didnt know existed from everything she knew to put her in a place at which shed be unhappy. As the saying goes, we furies make our own families, and she has made hers here.

Furies made their own families Several people had used those words, including the general. The sleazy snob, to whom Dallion was still indebted, had given that as an explanation for the loyalty of his fury servants and bodyguards. From what Dallion had seen, the man had a dozen under his employ, several constantly at his side.

Whats this about a beast sighting? Dallion changed the topic.

Flame tongue lizard, Jiroh said. Very nasty, very rare, and for those who want to pay, very expensive. The Order still hasnt made its mind how to classify the creature, so there are always a few nobles willing to pay a lot for capture. Of course, most just want to kill it.

Know anything about that one, Nil? Dallion asked.

Its more or less as the name suggests: a lizard that can melt anything it eats, the echo replied. Theyre omnivorous, so they can get annoying when they grow too much. Oh, and by omnivorous, I mean they eat absolutely everything. Stone, livestock, soldiers in full plate armor

So, a perfect weapon for war.

A very chaotic and uncontrollable weapon. Think of it more as a status symbol.

But you dont think we can afford it, Euryale finished for her.

No. The hunter refused to tell me. The items he found there were real enough. I had them authenticated twice.

In this day and age, there were several ways of authenticating artifacts. Dallion, however, chose to use a shortcut.

Hey, he said. Metal scrolls, were you created by nymphs?

An empath? a voice asked through dozens of others striving for Dallions attention. And human, at that. There arent a lot of you.

Thanks. There arent. So, were you?

No, a second voice nearly identical to the first replied. We were forged by dwarves.

But we were held by nymphs.

Discreetly, Dallion nodded. That was enough for Eury to get the signal. She still didnt know all the details, but was one of the few to be aware of part of his skills.

Real nymph maps, the merchant said. You dont come across that every day.

That wasnt the arrangement, Jiroh said sharply. The purse for information.

Information that could lead to a deserted cloud castle? The merchant smirked. I told you I had a name, but I wont give it to you just for a pouch. The merchant leaned forward. So, do you want the maps and the name, and what are you willing to offer?

If the maps are so valuable, why sell them to us? Nobles can pay more than hunters.

None of the people she hired were able to read us, one of the scrolls said to Dallion. Several even entered my domain trying, but all they managed was to get hurt.

That explained a few things. There was nothing nefarious in the merchants behavior, she simply couldnt afford to be at a loss. The goods she was offering, while authentic, were bad. If she cheated a hunter, all she might get a few people upset for a few years; cause a noble to save face, however, and there would be serious consequences to pay.

How much are they worth to you? Dallion asked, causing everyone but Eury to turn his direction.

Not a bad question. The gorgon took the lead. You know me well enough, so just tell me what you want.

Emotions burst like flares. This was the second time Dallion had seen the color and shape of emotions outside of the realms. Normally he would feel and hear the sounds that conveyed what people and guardians were feeling, but now for a single instant he saw them all in color: anger, stubbornness, anger, greed The hunters didnt want to be taken advantage of, and the merchant had no intention of backing down. However, it was Liandra who had the most unusual reaction of all. Despite pretending not to want the deal, she was desperate for the information, and ready to pay whatever prince was asked.

The heros harpsisword, the merchant said. Now it was Dallions turn to sound surprised. The weapon had been a source of interest, but no one so far had openly wanted to buy it. There are a few interested parties that"

Its linked, Eury cut the merchant short before Dallion had the chance. Choose something else.

Another weapon. The merchant didnt miss a beat. Something old, something nobles would like to play with.

Ill take care of that. Is that all?

And the pouch.

Several of Eurys snakes moved towards Jiroh, indicating it was her call. A few moments later, a velvet pouch appeared on the table in front of the merchant. Dallion wasnt sure what the contents were, but knew they had to be worth a lot. Apparently, a lot less than his harpsisword, though.

Always a pleasure to close a deal. The merchant took the pouch and stood up. Fevre Dorr, she said, handing a small piece of paper to Eury. He was last hiding in the Glass Mounts off west. I expect hell still be there, until the weather gets better, at least. Good luck.