“Let me see the maps first then we’ll discuss price.” Jasper resisted the bard’s charms thus far and showed no willingness to cooperate. Jacuzzi had no choice but to trust the shadow broker and handed over the scrolls. In the secrecy of this vacant outlet he felt free to unfurl the scrolls to inspect them. Large storefront windows had been clouded with soap but enough daylight shone through for Jasper to ascertain the worth of what he held.
“Well? Do we have a deal?” Asked Jacuzzi. Although it revealed a lack of trust, nervousness in a rabbitfolk was somehow a charming quality. Adorability would not prevent impending betrayal, however. Jasper rolled the maps back into scrolls and handed them to any of his numerous henchmen on his way to the exit. Eight of his hired brutes assembled into a phalanx to ensure the scoundrel’s getaway. Jasper turned before departing and tossed a satchel in the direction of The Mighty Flagons, some of whom were yet to fully understand the double-cross. Decker snatched the small bag out of the air.
“You’ll get the rest after you kill your friends.” Then Jasper left.
Though not impressive in size, the bagged payment was heavy enough to render the lupine bard unconscious when struck by it. The contents of the sack jingled when it hit the back of Jacuzzi’s head. Balspir and Lutch looked at their Dwarven fighter, surprised. X84 was just as astonished but lacked the hardware to emote. Decker loosened the drawstring to gawk at his reward.
“I don’t keep friends that shout or sing,” he said, eyes wide as he pulled out a large, lively ruby and held it high for exhibit. “I keep the ones that shine!” He put the jewel back with the others then packed them under his armor.
“What?” Responding to their shock. “Hard feelings just hikes the price up. Its still cheaper than what you guys were asking for.” By then, the maps had been tethered to a carrier bird that already flew out a momentarily opened window.
“Nothing will ever be the same. I don’t know how I will ever trust anyone ever again.” Balspir pined, but his hammer was raised and ready. Tears zig-zagged down his obsidian scales, he did not want to fight this hero of the apocalypse but he did not question Decker’s love for minerals. Not even death or the end of the world would keep him from more riches. The ensuing battle contrasted Decker’s legend or else would make it; The Mighty Flagons seized the initiative – X84 hit first. Folds of polished metal dropped down from the upper artificial construct that approximated a human chest, layers and layers of carefully crafted armor plates, cascading down his frame past his waist, then ending in a chain mail battle skirt that stopped at concealing his feet. He was a well-plated machine before he finished his lunge toward the nearest bandit, vorpal blade in hand, diving down, sinking deep through the pathetic leather that failed to guard the bandit’s beating vitality. X84 did the calculations and determined that the probability of a diplomatic resolution plummeted once his bard companion hit the ground. He would not be deactivated so soon.
Unassuming Lutch did not need an excuse for violence and had an arrow in the air the second he noticed Balspir raise his hammer. Balspir did not commit flippant or frivolous acts of violence. His hammer swung at the extent of his reason and not his arm.
Lutch’s arrow landed in Decker’s eye, ruining his vision and producing an exaggeration of blood, but did not penetrate his brain. It did not floor him. Balspir jabbed Lightbringer at Decker’s face, crushing his teeth inward. The blow disfigured him but was superficial. Decker’s storied resilience preceded him like a shield and he pushed back with double both their aggression. Screaming, Decker hurled his dwarven thrower into the air, and it spun impossibly in a large circle that glanced the heads of X84, Lutch, and Balspir each, then motivated itself back into the fighter’s hand. He continued screaming.
Two out of the remaining seven bandits fell where they stood and from behind them emerged their cause of death. A mysterious Drow woman and her twin stepped out from behind their victims, both clad in matching light armor, shields and rapiers. The Mighty Flagons were unfamiliar with this unexpected ally and were in no position to challenge her aid. The fight ensued and after less than a minute it was reduced to Decker against his bounties, all of whom remained in peak health thanks to curative magic cast from the sudden allies. After the initial melee, bypassing Decker’s plate mail proved very challenging. The most obvious opening in his defenses was the tiny window of his helmet and it was a trifling effort to keep that vulnerability hidden behind his greatshield. To make matters worse, he was at least a couple feet shorter than the smallest of his combatants; overall, he was a difficult target to hit.
Fortunately, attacking The Mighty Flagons was an equal challenge because of the damage done to Decker’s face. Many of his strikes landed but were meaningless. With his depth perception compromised it was miraculous that Decker could launch his hammer with any degree of accuracy. All his strength powered his every move; so long as his hammer failed to land properly, the damage it dealt was negligible. The skirmish devolved into a matter of who would tire fastest. Decker’s Dwarven stature saved him for a few more minutes before he lost his weapon and shield.
Decker’s deception failed. Neither his legend, gold, or wit would save him. Once he dropped his guard he was dead. X84 and Balspir attacked him from either side; Lightbringer hit the side of Decker’s helmet but the impact was so hard that Balspir heard the cracking of bones. From the opposite direction swung the vorpal blade, sliding under the helmet and through the chainmail that failed to keep Decker’s neck intact. His head rolled and his body fell. The legend ended.
The Mighty Flagons looked at the Drow assistance. Her twin was gone.
Leave a Reply