Chapter 320: Who stole my kobold?

Chapter 320: Who stole my kobold?

Ozzy raced out the door, trailing smoke and fire in his wake. Several people got large flagons of beer and followed behind his clearly marked trail. Something interesting was going to happen, and they were curious.

"Did you get a good look at those axes? I've seen Orc Warlords with smaller cleavers."

"I was more interested in the sudden expulsion of exotic mana into the room. I can detect stray bits of both Heat and Smoke. How many mages do we have in the order with two complex aspects? Any? And was that from a spell or simply part of his nature. I don't believe that man is completly human."

"That wasn't his only one. I used my orb's ability to detect his aspects. It drained my mana dry while doing the analysis. Besides those two, he also has Radiant, Fire, and Wood. Quite unheard of at Tier 3."

"Put the clues together, people. He's from Gadobhra, sells smoked meats, and is a Butcher. And not the kind that only cuts up chickens and pork chops. Only one Baron has a trade agreement with trading ships from the Plane of Smoke."

"Ah, now that does make sense. So either he learned to apply elemental forces from a tutor from the Smoke, or he is from that plane himself."

"No wonder he drank that shot of Pyromancer's Whiskey without batting an eye. I wonder what sort of alcohol they brew in the planes?"

The conversation continued as a dozen adventurers hurried through the streets, drinking down their flagons. Wisps of smoke, charred footsteps, and panicked people made it clear which way the Butcher had gone.

The culprits behind the theft were also becoming away that someone was chasing them, giving new meaning to the old term 'in hot pursuit.' "Dammit, Stavros. You didn't mention that guy we're stealing a wagon from had spells! You said this was an easy way to teach the country bumpkin a lesson."

"We just have to get to the Guild Hall. My warehouse is right next to it. We can stash the wagon there, and then there's not a damn thing he can do about it. He's not a guild member, so he shouldn't be selling in the city! And I told you he's already in trouble with the Legion. They took him and his wagon into custody late last night. They let him loose this morning with an empty wagon. It's obvious to anyone with a brain that they checked on his fake dispensation and fined him his entire cargo. We're just helping the wheels of justice turn quicker by confiscating his illegal wagon."

Anyone listening revised their opinion of the old Guild Master. He was heavy in the waist, and what little hair he had left was pure white, but his mustache was still impressive, and there was no fear in him as he faced off against the giant.

Ozzy pointed a cleaver at the warehouse. "Someone stole my wagon. I want it back. I'm a registered Butcher from the Butcher's Guild in Gadobhra, and the Duchess personally gave me a dispensation to sell my wares in her town. You can take that up with her. But I'm getting my wagon back today, and I suggest you open that door before something bad happens.

Abelard looked at the nervous apprentices behind him and the square filling with people. Lots of witnesses made this a very public confrontation. "You have my word that I will personally look into this affair. But as you have not paid your affiliate guild fees, you have no standing with me, and I will side with my butchers against you today." Sweat poured down his face, partly from the heat rolling off the angry giant. He truly believed this monster was from Gadobhra. The ancient City of Butchers was a story you used to scare the apprentices. He'd scoffed at the rumors that anything still lived in ruins only recently discovered. He was going to have to revise that belief and do some investigations.

Surprisingly, the giant put his cleavers in his belt and crossed his arms. "Fine, what's the 'affiliate guild fee' then? I'll pay it now." That caused more confusion, but Abelard pulled out his book of Guild Regulations and found the sum.

"Firstly, there are the back dues from Gadobhra, unpaid for many years. I will do this fairly and use the minimum amount due since, while no dues were paid, no meat was being hacked. Then there is your personal fee. For this, I will use the maximum fee as it is obvious that you are of a high Tier. Finally, there are additional fees for immediate service, threatening another butcher, and threatening a Guild Master. It comes to quite a sum."

Ozzy stared at him. "And what's total?"

"453 gold, seven silver, and 19 copper." Abelard knew the man wouldn't pay, but he was doing this legally while buying time for the City Guard to arrive.

"Fine. I'm assuming you have an account with the Gnomish Bank. I just sent 454 gold to the Wolfsburg Butcher's Guild. Now give me my wagon!" The cleavers were back in his hands.

Master Abelard saw the notice from the bank and was astounded. Still, gold was gold. "Welcome to the Wolfsburg Butcher's Guild, visiting Butcher Ozzy." He turned to the apprentices and butchers behind him, noticing only eight were left, and at least one of those had soiled himself. "Get Stavros to open that door, and let's settle this." He turned to Ozzy. "Promise me that you will refrain from violence until I make my decision?"

What Ozzy would have said is unknown. There was a large explosion from inside the Warehouse. Windows on the third floor were blown out, and the wooden beams and shingles on the roof burst into flames. From inside came a human scream and the hunting cry of an angry kobold.