Apex 002 (Patreon)

Seriously, to think after all those warnings he had given them, those troublesome brats continued their plan of trying to attack the black dragon.

He trekked up the mountain path and headed into the cave. It was cold, as though ice was seeping into his pours. Then he noted all the ice over the ceiling and presumed that her old friend, the white dragon, had probably come by to say hello to her.

He ducked under the black mote of flame that shot out towards him, and then he sidestepped, revealing both the bag he was holding as well as his free hand.

"Now, now, is that any way to greet me?" he asked.

"I just smelt something awful approach, that's all," she said in return.

There she was, sitting in her black robes and picking at her teeth with a fresh human bone.

"I've brought a goat," he said, "though I can see you've already eaten."

"Just take their stuff and leave already!" she snarled.

"You are rather mean, aren't you?" he chuckled. He hoisted the goat over a large flat rock before making his way to the side where the brats' items were.

He picked up the two tags first, noting the several punches that denoted their rank, and then pocketed them. Then he tied their armour and packs together.

"Did they taste fine?"

"Fine enough."

"Want me to send along William?"

The dragon almost fell to her side. "Why would you send him along?"

"Perhaps he wants to say hi?"

She growled, ready to pounce at him.

"Or, rather, I'm just too shy to admit that I don't want others to bother you."

"You, shy?"

"William is dependable enough."

She remained silent. "Once I'm done bathing and such."

"Alright. I'll have him and a few others post up nearby. I'll tell him he's responsible for keeping you out of trouble. Now I wonder… is there any chance I can have a look at your stash?"

"Fine, fine…"

So he continued to her hoard with her permission.

His eyes glazed over the piles of treasure, the coins, the gems, the priceless artefacts, and of course all the beautiful weapons that she possessed.

To think she'd have both the White Lion Blade and the Abyss Seeker. He wondered whether he could take both of them, but being the cautious fellow he was, he checked out the White Lion Blade, or as it was more commonly known, the Lionar.

What a beautiful blade. It was perhaps an inch longer than it should have been, but it was all the better for it. The handle was white and the end of the hilt had a lion's head with an open maw, as though ready to roar. The two gems within it, the twin gems of Leo, were the source of several of its powers.

"So mind if I take this one? I'll be sure to lose some paperwork in relation to how long William should remain nearby. This may go on for a few weeks. With the Abyss Seeker within my grasp, I may even forget to check back on it for a few months."

"A year," she said in response, her eyes glued to his back.

"A year?"

"A year."

"That is quite thirsty work…" he said as he eyes up the calice, which he could only assume was the Lord's Chalice.

"You'll forget the paperwork for a year?"

"An entire year."

"Also you'll bring me that blue wine from Orogol."

He clicked his tongue against his teeth. She had quite expensive tastes, but so did he. "Alright then. Two blades, the Chalice, and blue wine for a year."

So he returned back to the guild with the gear from the two high ranked adventurers, the three ancient artefacts, and a hole burning in his pocket.

Blue wine from Orogol? Damn. She could have at least asked for pink wine, that would have been easier.

"Did you handle the black dragon then?" the guild master asked. He was a large man, almost like a bear though perhaps a bear that had consumed a little too much honey in his time. His long brown hair fell down the sides of his shoulders and chest.

"As best as I could."

The guild master groaned. "I had hoped you had done so permanently."

"Alone? You can't afford that."

"So what did you bring?"

"The gear. One of them had a decent blade enough, I will be expecting a high cut from the sale."

"I was planning on returning the blade."

"A finder's fee then."

"So what kind of deal did you- is that the Lord's Chalice?"

"Oh? Did you notice? It is indeed," he said as he showed it off. "What do you think? I think the rubies match my eyes."

"I can't afford that!"

"Don't worry, it's not for sale." he chuckled quietly. "Merely part of the deal I made with her."

"Deal? What deal?"

"She's agreed to being watched over by the guards. Though I will be the one to pick the guards. Black Eagle, Silverman, and I'll try to see if I can't convince old one arm too. Plus a few new recruits too."

"How many more guards?"

"We'll say two to support each shift leader?"

"Nine? I don't suppose you'll be supervising them?"

"We can discuss my payment for that later," he said. "I don't want to burn a hole in your pocket."

"I don't have any pockets," the guild master said, "I had to sell them off to pay you!"

"And what mighty fine work I do too." The man laughed and then tossed the gear aside. "Anyway, I'll make a list of who I think will be best to help. Also, I'm thinking about leaving to supervising to William, I think he'll do just fine."

"William? Young blonde boy?"

"That's the one."

"Why?"

"He could use the experience."

"No seriously, why?"

"You can't afford why," he said as he crossed his arms. "He'll be supervising in my stead. I'll teach him a little, and you'll pay me the fee to train him. It'll be cheaper than me supervising all the time."

"I can't just leave it to him, he won't be able to handle the dragon."

"He's the only one who can."

The guild master fell silent. He knew better than to argue, after all, the only man to outrank him in this building was the rather expensive man with the Lord's Chalice at his side.

"Where do I go wrong with you?" the guild master said with a sigh.

"When you told me to charge for everything I do."

"Yes… yes, that was it, wasn't it?" The guild master then took out a few tokens and handed them over. "It was nice seeing you, boy."

"I'll see you around, uncle."