The cottage was finely made even if it did look a little out of place on the lakeside, with its urban styling of tall rectangular sides of brick and a squared rooftop with polished metal railings. The windows on the second and third floors were large bay windows but on the first floor were rectangular windows with white shutters. The front door was open wide, greeting the giant stone patio. On the patio sat two rocking chairs; the first was tall and angular, made of smooth dark wood with handles that widened at the ends to form places to hold a book and drink; the other was shorter but wider, made of gray stone with pillows plopped on the seat and hanging from the back.
It was the second chair that was occupied at the moment. A dwarf with a thick, straight beard and mustache of golden yellows shining in the daylight after having just been groomed. The face of this dwarf had smooth, fine features not typical of his kind. His bright blue eyes shimmered with mirth and his lips seemed to be on the verge of a smile. Atop his head was short-cropped hair in the style of a soldier, as blonde as his beard.
In his hands the dwarf was holding a wooden goblet with wide wings of an eagle for handles and a brim of ivy leaves. His mustache raised slightly as he smiled while tracing the patterns of the eagle on the goblet. He suddenly looked up and into the distance, then after a few moments sighed as his heavy mustache sank into a frown. Returning to admire the goblet, he rocked slowly.
Edwin looked on and quickened his pace. He could be there in moments to greet Verkin, who was surely expecting him. As he neared he began to call out with a grin, "I'm here, Stumpicus the Magnificent!" He waited for the traditional "bean pole" or "sounds like a wee girl is crying out" reply. None came. Figuring he was still too far away, he picked up his pace.
As he neared, he saw a large shadow looming over the cottage. As the shadow crept over and around the building it now dwarfed, it began to take a shape. Edwin felt his throat thicken and his groin tighten in fear. It was the beast, come to take its revenge on them. Verkin didn't seem to notice the danger he was in!
Edwin yelled to warn his friend while channeling his energy into any spell he could think of to distract or hold the beast. His words went unheeded and he couldn't feel any power to channel. Panicked, he began to run to his companion. He didn't know what he could or would do, but he would not sit by.
The beast, now a mix of shadow and luminescent green scales, was nearly on top of the dwarf. Verkin, only just now noticing the beast, looked up without any sign of fear or worry; he held onto the goblet with a sad look in his eyes. The beast reared back to lunge, maw open wide displaying hundreds of tiny sharp teeth oozing saliva in anticipation of a tasty morsel as it dripped large puddles on the ground. Only a blur of grey shadow and bright green could be seen as it came crashing down on the dwarf.
Verkin looked on unconcerned for his fate. Edwin ran so hard and fast his breath was raspy, his chest ached, his legs burned. He felt he was running forever and still no closer. His vision became blurred as tears filled his eyes and rained down his taut cheeks. He stumbled, fell to the ground rolling down the hillside. He looked up in time to see the beast's mighty jaws open to snap the dwarf in two.
The jaws never came together. Holding the mighty beast's maw apart was the fierce blond woman. Standing almost as tall as the cottage, she equaled the size of the beast. She pushed the beast back and laughed, a deep laugh that echoed across the lake and hills. As if out of thin air, her hands wielded a mighty sword crackling with lightning. She plunged it into the exposed belly of the beast, twisted the blade, then kicked the beast into the lake as she withdrew her sword.
The next moment, with her empty hands, she took the face of the dwarf and kissed him passionately. Verkin grinned back at her as she lifted him up, then walked a rainbow bridge away from the cottage.
Edwin, standing up, found himself on the patio. The sound of the dropped goblet spinning on the stone seemed much louder than it should have. He picked up the goblet, now cracked from brim to center. He held it to his chest as he looked to where Verkin had disappeared. Darkness covered him. He looked up in time to see rows of sharp curved teeth as the jaws of the beast closed over him. He refused to drop the goblet as he felt his body being mauled and chewed into sweet oblivion.
* * * * *
Edwin opened his eyes, or rather felt he opened his eyes. All he could see was blackness. The fragrant smell of herbal mixes, poultices, and a familiar scent of musky soap. He smiled as the scent filled him. His attempt to lift his arm found it bound or wrapped against his chest.
"Verkin? Have we reached oblivion together at last?" he asked the darkness.
"Ai near nuff, me ale be 'bout empty," came Verkin's smooth, strong voice full of mirth in reply. Then with a softer tone, "Happy ta have ye return ta me bean pole." The strong hands found Edwin's hand and gripped it tightly.
"If you maidens are done, there is work to be done before nightfall," the strong, sultry feminine voice declared. There was movement as someone moved away, leaving a strange mix of musk and coconut oil. Edwin's face reflexively scowled.
"Is that her? The woman that almost got us killed? How is she alive, why is she here?" Edwin demanded with thinly veiled anger and disappointment. He tried to sit up before moving a scant few inches and immediately hit a wall of pain, collapsing him back down.
"Easy wee eagle, easy. Ye still 'ave healin' to be dun," the dwarf replied, gently stroking Edwin's dark hair. "Tho we canna remove your eye blinders." Edwin felt the wrapping start to be unwound. "Hehe, tho we only put 'em on ye due to ye staring wide open like but not lookin' at nuffin'. Twas jus' a tad unervin'."
Edwin blinked as the last bit was unwound, allowing the light in. At first it seemed harsh, but he adjusted. He looked for Verkin and saw his friend's concerned face change into a big grin as he saw Edwin's eyes focus. Edwin looked for any scars or marks and realized Verkin had no evidence of the battle with the beast. He reached out to touch his face but saw his arm in a sling. With a raised eyebrow he looked from Verkin to the sling.
"Oh, that. Eh, ye be pretty far damaged." He patted Edwin's hand reassuringly. "Rest, Ai be fillin' ye in later. Thar be some bits to eat, that dainty forest cheese ye crave. I'll be back soon." Verkin stood and headed toward the tent flap, then paused, walked back, and took Edwin's head into his hands gently. "Ai be glad ye is here wit' meh." He pressed his forehead against Edwin's gently then left the tent without looking back.
Edwin looked about and realized this was his tent. Though things were not quite in the places he preferred them to be, it was close enough to make him feel it was Verkin who unpacked his things, not the horse-faced barbarian woman who smelled like wild oxen. He enjoyed that thought as he nibbled on the rich cheese sitting on the stool next to his cot. He decided to nap. As he closed his eyes, he saw his wooden goblet, carved in the form of an eagle, next to the cheese. He smiled and drifted off to sleep.
* * * * * *
After a short nap, Edwin was visited by a healer who cleaned his dressings and infused the poultices with that strange faith magic he had seen Verkin perform. It did increase healing, but the pious dwarf had always warned him that lack of belief and trust in the gods weakened the power. Edwin had no time for religious politics and beliefs in the uncontrollable. It wasn't that he didn't believe; he just believed in his own power, the power to understand, to control, to direct, much more than anything else.
He did find he could move without sharp pain. His being awake and responsive helped the healer diagnose and target heal. He still had to wear the sling for a few days more. Small price to pay for being alive. He still didn't know what happened. He'd find out tonight around the campfire.
They had been sharing a camp with another hunting party, The Bengalo Company. By reputation a by-the-book company run by one Argen Bengalo, no known siblings. Saying they shared the camp was an exaggeration. They really were guests at the camp. The Bengalo Company was large, having two wagons, trains of pack mules and horses, a dozen armed adventurers, and twice as many support crew. Edwin both admired the logistics and hated that he and Verkin hadn't grown their own company yet. They had plans though, and the sooner they got back to business the better.
Following the scent of some roasted beast with spices led him to the communal cooking pot. He doubted anything edible would be available. Wishing he had grabbed his own bowl and spoon, he grabbed as clean a bowl as he could find, wiped it with his sleeve, and looked for the least chewed-on spoon. After seeing the spoon lift out of the smoking stew with bits of . . . well, unidentifiable bits, he put his bowl and spoon back.
"Hah, you see the way the dwarf looks at her? Like she's floating around," said one of the folks around the fire in between gulps.
"Well she did save both of them. Killed the beast single-handedly she did. I saw it when we came up on them. Hell, I look at her like she walks on air," replied the neighbor.
"Hey! You there. You know the dwarf and woman, what's the story with them?" asked a hulking bundle of muscles with a long twirled mustache as he noticed Edwin.
"Story? There's no story. Ver- the dwarf is a pious follower of his god. She is a temporary travel companion." Edwin looked around, surprised at his own anger.
"Hmm, is that so? Might be temporary has different meanings where you are from. He spends as much time with her as he did by your bedside. Hehe, he does dote on her while fending off her advances though! She's not a shy one, that lioness," the mustache shook when the large man laughed. Edwin decided he did not like him at all.
Edwin didn't respond but made his way back to his tent. His mind became lost in questions. Her advances? What did that mean? Verkin doting on that giant of a woman? It was all laughable. By the time he reached his tent, Edwin knew what must be done.
As he entered his tent, he ran into Verkin standing there. He looked nervous, and was fidgeting with the eagle-carved wooden goblet. His pensive face split into a smile as he looked on Edwin. Edwin felt himself smile instinctively as his cheeks warmed.
"Verkin. I'm glad to see you, friend. Be careful with that, you hold the embodiment of our friendship in your hands," Edwin said with a grin. He looked into his friend's eyes and knew there was something bothering him. He hated to see anything trouble such a noble brow and weigh heavy on a heart so pure. In all the time they had traveled together, he had never met a more honest, pure, or good person.
"Aye me wee eagle. Tho, neither of we be wee any longer. I can do much better work nao, ye should be lettin' me craft another," Verkin said as he eyed the finely carved wings, the intricate feather patterns, the spout that formed the head of a majestic eagle, ending with a stem and feet of eagle claws extended to balance the wooden goblet. He held it up to Edwin, who reached for it.
For a moment, just a brief moment, Edwin clasped his hands over his friend's thick, strong hands as he looked into his eyes, and took the goblet gently.
"Hmpfh. Better I keep this ole thing instead. You're liable to carve a chicken instead of an eagle. And I don't believe your work has improved. Clearly, this was the peak of your crafting. When you die, I will sell it as an original artifact I discovered on an adventure then retire."
"Bah! If Ai be dead, most likely ye be the cause and wit' me, yakin' away as a spirit to torment me so."
Edwin saw some light and joy ease away whatever was causing his friend distress. He loved to see his always-groomed beard and mustache quiver as he laughed. He breathed deep. It was time. He should have said something a long time ago.
"Share a drink with me Verkin, we have things to discuss." He moved to ruffle through his chest of belongings, bringing out an old green bottle wrapped in protective yellow grass with an aged wax seal picturing a shark with a crown. He had been saving this bottle of Belgordian Wine, probably the last in all the kingdoms, as their entire shipment was lost to a storm during the last major war. The war which destroyed the Belgordian winery and made the land barren. As the story goes, it was this tragedy that ended the war and brought peace to all the kingdoms. Now, throughout the lands, whenever there was a dispute, the resolution would always end with a toast "To Belgordia!" signaling the mutual acceptance.
"Ai lad, ye be wise to bring out the best! We be havin' big things to speak of. You. Me. The future." The dwarf looked pleased, excited even.
Edwin filled a plain wooden cup, then his own goblet, passing the plain one onward. He sat on the stool as Verkin eased onto the cot. As they knocked their cups together, they looked on each other with fondness. Edwin couldn't think of a time when they weren't together since childhood. They complemented each other well, his faith and warrior prowess with Edwin's knowledge and magic. There was nothing they couldn't handle together. That's how he would start to tell the dwarf.
"We be'n a duo for long time. There's nun a single person I'd walk into the depths of hell with and have no fear," Verkin stated with a smile.
"I feel the same, my friend," he replied with a small playful tug on his beard. This was going to be easier than he thought. Was Verkin finally going to admit what Edwin had guessed this whole time?
"It's because of t'is, the love I have for ye, that I must purge myself of this secret in me heart." Verkin finished his cup and set it off to the side, then clasped his thick hand around Edwin's.
"I love ye, bean pole. I'd die to protect, slay to keep you from harm. Nuthin' can break our bond." The dwarf's blue eyes were glossy with moisture as he spoke.
"I love you too, my stumpy protector," Edwin replied with growing excitement, his own eyes almost tearing up. Why was he worried about telling his friend how he felt? He felt the same way. He became exhilarated and grinned. This was fantastic! Oh the future was set and everything was going to get better from here on out! Verkin is in love and so am I! Wait . . . what did he say?
" . . . and since that time Avena has quickly proved herself. I intend to court her and win her precious little heart. I want to marry her. I love her. You are important to me and I wanted to share the news with you first. I know she'll be an excellent addition to our team. Then we can build a company like you've talked about!" Verkin was smiling with such hope, joy, and innocence that he looked childlike. But Edwin didn't notice.
The room was spinning, motes of light in his vision, his stomach seeming to hollow yet filling with emptiness. His goblet fell slowly to the ground, spilling its rich, rare vintage to be soaked by the rug and hard-packed earth. He must be sick or poisoned; clearly, he didn't hear right. He felt strong hands hold him up then help him to lie down. Verkin eyed him with concern.
"Ai be sorry lad. This is too much excitement for ye. Rest yourself, I'll bring some food for you. This is a new start for us all wee eagle, exciting times." He gently kissed Edwin's forehead before leaving the tent.
The world crashed in on Edwin, suffocating him until he burst. His body, curled into a ball, shook violently while his sobbing mixed with silent moans as tears flowed from his eyes. His world was ending, and after several bottles were imbibed, so ended Edwin's consciousness.