Book Two Chapter Twenty Five: Volcano Shop Hub

Book Two Chapter Twenty Five: Volcano Shop Hub

Before they summoned Scaley-waley, Qube insisted that the Chosen One explain that the wyvern was his friend to Squiggles.

I just think it will help her understand why she shouldnt try and eat him, Qube explained.

Scaley-waleys a him now? the Chosen One asked, slightly humorously.

I dont know, Qube confessed. Are they?

Sure, why not, the Chosen One shrugged, and so Scaley-waleys gender was decided.

Thusly, once they reached the gate out of Cobbletown, the Chosen One turned to Squiggles and knelt down, coming face to face with the sharktopus.

No fighting Scaley-waley, he said sternly.

Squiggles looked at him. She yawned.

Excellent, he said, and immediately summoned the wyvern.

Chosen One! Qube exclaimed. Squiggles arched up on all her legs.

No! The Chosen One pointed a finger at her. To Qube's surprise, she subsided. Somewhat grumpily, true, but nevertheless she splorped over to Sewer Bard and Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, and tried to hitch a ride on the pair of them.

Right, lets go! the Chosen One crowed, as Scaley-waley reared back, and then started running towards the volcano full tilt. The Chosen One pulled out his wings, and slapped them on his back where they burst out, full sized. This made Scaley-waley start flapping his own wings in solidarity, and soon they were both airborne, Chosen One still in the saddle, rising ever higher.

Qube and the others ran as hard as they could to try and keep up, Qube continuously glancing at the sky to make sure that they were on the right track. After a minute or two of flying, the Chosen One swooped back down.

Okay, who wants to join me? he called from his vantage point. I think I can get him to pick one of you up.

I have no need to be picked up by a wyvern, my dear, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady managed to sound seductive even when running with Squiggles on her back.

I would not deny someone else the experience, Noble Patron, Sewer Bard said easily.

No, Definitely Bad Guy bluntly replied.

Do you think he can pick me up, even if he cant see me? Qube asked, trying to avoid running into anything as they ran across the rolling hills.

Dunno, the Chosen One said. Lets find out!

Scaley-waleys claws opened, then clamped shut around thin air. The Chosen One, frowning with concentration, nudged the wyvern slightly closer to Qube, until the wind from its massive wings was beating down on her. Given the size of Scaley-waley, the Chosen One couldnt actually see Qube when she was directly underneath him. As she looked up at the underbelly of the beast, and saw how wickedly sharp its claws were, Qube started to have second thoughts.

Um, Chosen One, actually, I dont know if this

Claws closed around one of her arms.

Did I get you? the Chosen One called, starting to rise again.

Chosen One, no! Qube cried, as she started to lift off the ground.

Okay, Ill try again!Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

The claws opened, dropping Qube back onto the ground.

---

The Chosen One graciously indicated that the King Salamander (and the Giant Lava Slime, when they reappeared) were to discuss any political topics with his Bard by pushing Sewer Bard forward and saying:

Hey. No, listen to me. Listen. Talk to him. No. Stop talking to me. Talk to him. He loves this stuff.

After a few repetitions to each ruler, they seemed to understand, and started talking at both the Chosen One and Sewer Bard.

Close enough, the Chosen One said, patting Sewer Bard on the shoulder. Go nuts, buddy.

Sewer Bard, although looking somewhat bewildered by the whole exchange, especially the Chosen Ones cryptic order to go nuts, nevertheless settled in to try and discuss as much lore as possible with the alternating leaders. The Chosen One, meanwhile, went straight to the merchants.

Okay, Im going to pick up this potion to examine it, he told the tiny noble salamanders. They hissed, the tiny flames on their foreheads flaring. Then, with a pop, they were replaced by the monocled lava slime.

Is this yours? the Chosen One asked the slime, holding out the golden potion. The lava slime looked at the potion so hard its eyes crossed.

No, it said eventually in a high pitched voice. Then it disappeared.

Is this yours? the Chosen One asked the salamanders. They swarmed over each other, examining the product. They conferred with each other in hissing undertones.

No, they agreed, and were instantly replaced by their slime side.

The Chosen One chuckled to himself. Definitely Bad Guy, perhaps seeking more understanding, also picked up a potion and looked it over carefully.

It must break the connection somehow! the Chosen One failed to explain to the Mage. How does that work? Hang on, let me try

Seeing as he was absorbed in shopping, (although she was unsure quite why the shopkeepers kept saying the potion wasnt theirs, some kind of negotiation tactic perhaps? It wasnt like he was stealing) and the others were similarly occupied, Qube wandered over to the mysterious wooden door. Something about it looked familiar. She could have sworn that she had seen this door before.

Then she noticed the sign over it. A small, wooden sign, with many wounds inflicted on it over time but, still visible, it had the etchings of a carrot, a heart, and a potion vial. With the tang of magma and gold, it was hard to smell anything else, but there was the faint, all-too-familiar taste of varnish, salt and customers despair.

It was Mr. Igmas shop.

Almost timidly, Qube opened the shop door. She was invisible, right? So it wasnt as if Mr. Igma would even notice her.

He was glaring right at her.

After nearly having a heart attack, Qube realised that the infamously grouchy shopkeeper was, in fact, glaring somewhere slightly beyond her. She shuffled along one of the shops walls. Sure enough, his gaze remained fixed on that one point.

She shivered, but crept up to the counter anyway.

Shed addressed the letter to Alderman from the village via Mr. Clockwork, in the hopes of being able to give it to Cobbletowns Mr. Igma next time they went back. She just hadnt wanted to do it while they were arguing about economics, afraid of another fire situation. Shed also added a few lines as well, asking if the other Potentials were going to join them, and informing them that they could stay at the inn.

She hadnt checked with Zakora that guests could actually stay at the inn, what with it being a smouldering wreck, but she reasoned that Zakora would at least be able to guide them on where they could stay. The Royals had been staying there, so there should be spare bedrooms.

Maybe they would even stay in the same bedrooms that the Exiled Prince and Exiled Princess had used, she thought reverently. Not that they would be worthy! she mentally added.

Just because they were dedicated to saving the world, didnt mean they should expect the Royal treatment.

Having reached Mr. Igmas battered desk, she carefully placed her letter on the counter. Not by so much as a flicker of the eye did he acknowledge her, instead continuing to stare unblinkingly at something beyond the door.

Leaving the letter where she hoped he would eventually notice it (if he ever stopped glaring long enough) she walked out the shop. As she opened the door and stepped out, she realised what Mr. Igma had been glaring at.

He was glowering at the exact space where the Chosen One was still enthusiastically waving potions around at the lava slime and salamanders. She glanced over her shoulder to see that he had yet to blink.

With one final shiver running down her spine, she stepped out of the shadows of Mr. Igmas store, and firmly closed the door behind her.