Guardians Of The Round Table 7: Treasure Seeker

Chapter One

Mallory shifted on the stone bench seat, trying to get comfortable. It was impossible. Her gaze was once again drawn around the demonic bank and she frowned as it stopped on her brother who paced back and forth in front of her, Ryan, Callum and Danae. His demonic armour slid across his body as his hand closed around his sheathed dagger, encasing it in red leather rogue armour, receding as he let it go. Fang followed at his heels, her tail wagging.

Ryan chuckled, leaning in closer to Mallory. Better hope it doesn’t have a limited use with the amount of times he’s done that since we arrived.

Callum, who was sitting on one of the chests of treasure they’d stacked along the wall near the seat, flatpack furniture behind it, laughed. He patted Smudge when the river otter raised his head above the edge of the makeshift sling to look around. I don’t think that’d stop him.

Danae smiled, her gaze remaining on Brodie, who once again activated the armour. It’s impossible to wear it out like that. Only constant use in battle and damage from attacks will eventually wear it out.

Pity, Ryan said. That is going to get old pretty quick. He nodded towards Brodie.

Callum glanced at Brodie before turning to Danae. I thought rogues can’t wear enchanted leather armour until they’re level five. How can Brodie wear his?

Danae laughed softly. Demons like to try and figure out ways around rules. Brodie’s armour is actually considered a mask, not armour, so it can even be worn by level one rogues.

While Callum asked Danae more questions, Mallory leaned against Ryan, smiling up at him when he slipped an arm around her shoulders. We should have gone home when we arrived. It’s been ages since we’ve been home. Not that she wanted to go home. She much preferred Inadon.

There’s no rush. It was good to have a break for a bit, Ryan said.

Mallory nodded in agreement. They’d reached Longmeadow two evenings ago, dropping Deneg, along with his chest and coffin, at the local tavern, promising to stick around until something could be done about selling the treasure from the demonic dungeon. At Emica’s suggestion, they’d travelled a bit over half a kilometre north to set up camp on the banks of Lake Shadhurst. It was partway along the Shadhurst River, which eventually reached the ocean beside Shadhurst, the capital of Ruby Isle. Smudge had been happy with staying at the lake while they waited to hear what Deneg could organise for the sale of the treasure. And Mallory supposed it had been good to have an entire day to rest after all they’d done and to do some hunting and gather vegetables to replenish their food supplies. As well as sell vegetables to traders along with some of their other gear.

They’d sold all the herbs they’d gathered before reaching Longmeadow, most of the ones they’d gathered since arriving, the sixteen shrivelled hearts, two goblin boots, a chisel, six large spider fangs, fourteen large spider eyes, six large demonic dog canines, a clay pot, a cure disease potion, two of the canvas tents, two mage robes, two short bows, four slings, a wooden shield, a short sword and two wandering soul branches. Brodie had argued against selling the knotwood, wanting them to keep it for a golem. Although he had been tempted to sell it when told they’d make four thousand gold pieces for it. If it hadn’t been for a group of traders going through Longmeadow on their way to the capital, they wouldn’t have been able to sell all of their more expensive items, as the shops in Longmeadow couldn’t have afforded everything.

They’d used some of the money to buy crafting ability books on alchemy and glassblowing, which had been read by those who’d needed to read them, and also bought the spells slow target, nightfall and spellbound shield from the mage they’d rescued from bandits. Brodie had complained the entire time that the mage was ripping them off. Mallory had put them in her belt pouch and hadn’t yet learnt them. After their purchases, they’d made eight thousand and fifteen gold, one silver and six copper pieces, which they’d immediately put into their bank account rather than keep it on them when the rest of their party declined a share of the money, saying they’d be happy with a share of the treasure. Their bank account now contained nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-two gold, nine silver and six copper pieces and Brodie was already making plans as to what they’d spend it on when they reached the mainland.

They’d also managed to gain experience points between the location experience for Shadhurst Lake, fishing, cooking, gathering resources and trading. Much to Brodie’s disappointment, nothing had attacked them and they’d spent a peaceful day at the lake. He’d been disappointed that he’d gained very few experience points. When Fang had discovered someone’s hiding place in a hollow log by the lake, and it had ended up being a vial of experience points, he’d been thrilled. They’d all agreed it should be given to Fang since she’d found it and after drinking it she’d gained a hundred and seventy-nine experience points. Brodie had scoured the edge of the lake for hours, with Fang, in the hope he’d find another vial of experience points. He’d been sadly disappointed when they hadn’t found another one.

Mallory, Emica and Esben had gained a CAS point while Brodie and Jorgen had been the only ones who hadn’t gained one. The rest had gained two CAS points each. Even Smudge had gained a level due to how many experience points Callum had earned and now had an increased ability to forage or hunt for food. Mallory smiled at the memory of how annoyed her brother had been that Fang hadn’t levelled up, even with the extra experience points. That was until Callum had pointed out that Fang now had more experience points than Smudge even though Smudge had been added to their party first.

Ninette, Emica, Jorgen and Esben waited for them back at the lake where they’d returned with the wagon and livestock once they’d dropped the treasure at the bank. Ninette had offered to make lunch with some of the fish they’d caught and vegetables they’d gathered, but Brodie had said they’d be back before then and he’d make lunch since she’d burnt breakfast. Callum had pointed out that they’d planned to ask around to see if anyone knew who Remora was before they returned to their camp, but Brodie had been adamant he was cooking.

Spike, the wandering soul travelling with them, had remained at their camp while they’d taken the treasure to the bank, asking them once again when they wished to be shown to the treasure on the path between places. Brodie had wanted to go after lunch, while Ryan had said they’d wait and see how long it took them to sell the treasure.

Mallory’s gaze was again drawn to the treasure chests. She didn’t regret freeing Jenet Grayrock from being a statue, but she did hope that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be enough money to rescue Deneg’s brother from the dark forces. Or give everyone else a share since they were expecting one.

Ryan’s arm momentarily tightened around Mallory. Stop worrying.

I can’t help it. What if- She broke off when six demons appeared behind the bank counter, all of them wearing sheathed swords at their sides. They ranged in colour from red to black, one of them the rusty colour of dried blood. She automatically rested her hand on her wand.

The demon behind the counter talked softly to the newcomers, glancing in Mallory’s direction several times before nodding and returning to his spot at the counter. The six demons came around the counter, a section at the far end lifting to allow them to exit, and stopped in front of Mallory.

The rusty coloured one stepped forward. No weapons are allowed in the vaults. You will need to leave them with the clerk. He’ll ensure their safety while you’re gone.

Brodie had stopped pacing the moment the demons had appeared. He came over to stand beside his sister. Where are we going?

To the vault of the Inadon International Bank, the same demon said.

How do we get there? Brodie asked.

We’ll use a demonic portal gateway to reach it, Danae said.

Callum rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the point where the six demons had appeared. We’ll get to see how a gateway portal works?

Danae nodded.

Hell yeah. Brodie victory punched the air, his exclamation causing Fang to bark twice in excitement.

Mallory remained seated. Is it safe?

The demon inclined his head. Our portal system is completely safe. None have ever come to harm.

Not unless the portal at the other end is destroyed during the portalling process, one of the other demons said.

Chapter Two

Mallory’s gaze was drawn to the spot where they’d appeared and she swallowed hard. Does that happen often?

The first demon glared at the one that had spoken before returning his attention to Mallory. The Inadon International Bank has never experienced that problem. Our banks and vaults are the safest locations on Inadon.

Can’t guarantee the portal you’ll return to will be safe though, the other demon spoke again. Only that the bank vault portals will always remain standing. He shrugged when the first demon sent a look in his direction.

Ryan rose from the seat, drawing Mallory up with him. Where do we leave our weapons?

On the counter. The demon glanced at the clerk as he spoke.

It didn’t take them long to leave their weapons behind and the six demons brushed them aside when they would have approached the treasure, collecting it and heading behind the counter with it.

Reaching the other side of the counter, Mallory stared at the floor. There was a compass rose in the middle of a circle with tiles of demonic runes curving around the outside. How does it work?

Each portal has an address on it. Danae pointed to the runes at the top of the circle and the word that the north of the compass rose pointed to. And the address you wish to travel to is put there. It has to match the destination address exactly. She pointed to the rune tiles around the bottom of the circle. The rune tiles are carved on demonic stone and the portal gate is enchanted by a demon with the power and knowledge to create portals.

Everyone stand on the portal. The demon placed the chest he’d carried on the floor beside the portal. We’ll follow you through with the goods you wish to trade.

Mallory stepped onto the middle of the compass, her gaze on the space as it was filled with her party. It was just large enough for all of them to fit when they crowded in close. Before she could ask what they needed to do next, the world went black, all sound, smells and sensations vanishing, only herself and her party visible. The familiarity of it was reassuring. It was the same sensation of travelling between their world and Inadon.

The portal took them to a large room filled with people, a mixture of races with everyone seeming to be focused on their own tasks. Some of those who arrived were led from the large room by demons who escorted them down one of the numerous corridors leading away from the room. The walls were made of stone blocks, the floor of large, worn marble tiles and glass orbs hung from chains attached to the ceiling. They gave off enough light that even the far corners of the room were well-lit.

Move off the portal, a demon snapped. You’re not the only one who needs to use it.

Sorry. Mallory shifted across so she was no longer standing on the compass rose. The moment all of them had moved off it, the demons and their treasure began appearing, more arriving as the portal was cleared.

In amongst the arrival of their treasure, another group arrived. They were heavily armed and headed down one of the corridors. Brodie watched them leave. Where is everyone going? And why do they get to have weapons and we don’t?

To a vault, Danae said. And they would have special permission and a high reputation.

What vault? Brodie asked.

Danae shrugged. Theirs or someone else’s.

Callum did a slow turn. Each of these corridors leads to bank vaults?

Danae nodded.

How many are there?

Only those demons who run the demonic bank would know, Danae said.

How big are the vaults? Callum asked.

From small locked boxes in a wall to spacious rooms, Danae said.

Ryan studied the portal. How does anyone ever leave here when there are so many people using the portal to arrive?

One of the demons, who carried their treasure, stepped forward. There is more than one portal. He glanced at a corridor across from them. If you will follow me.

Mallory hurried after the demon, her gaze drawn in every direction as she crossed the room. Some of the arrivals brought all types of companion animals with them, from the ordinary to the bizarre. It wasn’t until they were walking down the corridor that Mallory realised there was a journal notification in the corner of her vision. Not surprised she’d missed it with all there’d been to see in the main room, she opened her journal and saw it was a notification that they’d gained experience points from visiting a rare location.

The demon in the lead stopped in front of a closed door and placed the chest he carried on the floor before knocking on the solid timber door. The door swung open and another demon ushered them into the spacious vault. Like the rest of the place, it was lit by glowing glass globes. They hung from the twelve foot high ceiling by decorative chains.

A man sat behind a desk on the right as they entered, making notes in a large leather-bound book. His head was bald, making his pointed ears more noticeable. He wore numerous rings on his fingers and had several jewelled armbands on both the lower and upper parts of his arms. His well-made tunic was sleeveless to show them off. The rest of the vault was separated from the entrance and the section on the right by bars and a locked door. Behind the bars, the area was filled with shelves and chests, every space looking like it was packed. Behind the man the wall was covered by bookcases, most of the shelves lined with books similar to the one the man wrote in. A nephilim shelved an armful of books, reaching the highest shelves with the help of his wings.

It reminds me of a warehouse, not a bank vault, Callum said.

The man looked up from his desk, his lips curving into a friendly smile. Welcome. I’m Goswin. His gaze went to Callum. I had a shop many years ago in Fairiron, but by working out of my vault, I can be a treasure broker to all of Inadon rather than one single country. I still have the original shop as I’m only allowed to sell items of significance here. All common items must be sold elsewhere. The bank vault isn’t a place for ordinary shops otherwise it’d be overrun by traders. They have given me special permission to sell spells as well since our main trade is in rare items.

Brodie gestured towards the area behind the bars. That’s treasures from all over Inadon?

Indeed, it is. Goswin rose to his feet, glancing at the treasure the demons had brought in and piled up in the empty area past the desk. Now if you would like to look at one of my catalogues, ask my assistant while I calculate how much I can offer you for what you’ve brought in. He gestured towards the nephilim who’d shelved the last of the books he’d carried.

Brodie turned to the assistant who’d glided over to them when Goswin had gestured towards him. What’s in the catalogues?

That would depend on which ones you wished to peruse. Shall I fetch you the ones with rogue armour and weapons? Or perhaps general merchandise that contains many enchanted items useful to adventurers.

Are there enchanted stilettos in the rogue weapon catalogue? Brodie asked.

Most certainly, the assistant said.

Maybe we should wait until we find out how much we’ll earn from the treasure, Mallory suggested.

The assistant turned to Mallory. Surely it can’t hurt to see what you might like to buy while you wait. How about I fetch you one of the spell catalogues? We have a fine selection including battle, healing and utility. What level mage are you?

She’s level two, Brodie said. You should get her the healing catalogue. And what are utility spells?

Ones such as light, shrink and mend, the assistant explained before glancing at all of them. And what catalogues would the rest of you like to peruse? Ones suited to your classes? Or maybe ones suited to your crafting abilities.

Brodie glanced at Mallory. What about surgical instruments?

Certainly. There is a fine selection of surgical instruments, all with beneficial enchantments. We have a range of individual instruments as well as complete sets. The assistant made his way to the bookcase as he spoke, needing to fly up to the second highest shelf.

Brodie- Mallory started to protest, her brother interrupting her before she could say more than his name.

You need them. You said so yourself.

Ryan chuckled. I believe she said she could have healed another if she’d had them.

There you go. See, Brodie said.

Chapter Three

Mallory slowly shook her head rather than waste her breath arguing with her brother. Just because she glanced through the catalogue, that didn’t mean she had to buy anything from it. She smiled in thanks when the assistant held a leather-bound book out to her. Propping it on the edge of the desk, she looked through the pages, her mouth dropping open at some of the prices. None of the items in the catalogue were in their price range. Not even the individual instruments. She closed the book. I think we need to do our shopping somewhere else.

Ryan looked up from the leather-bound book he held. From the prices of these warrior weapons, I’d have to agree. Goswin wasn’t kidding when he said he traded in rare items. Going by these prices, some of these items must be extremely rare.

Brodie took the book from Mallory, opening up to a random page. We need to find more demonic dungeons to raid.

Did you wish to look at our catalogue of maps? the assistant asked.

Before any of them could reply, Goswin opened another one of the chests and the cat jumped out, causing him to stumble out of the way. There was a cat in the dungeon?

Ryan put the book he held on the desk and scooped up the cat. This is Kitty. I don’t know how he managed to get in there.

Goswin strode over to Ryan, slipping on a pair of glasses before he examined the cat. It’s enchanted or under a spell. He glanced at his assistant before taking the cat from Ryan. Bring me the amulet of animal speak.

The assistant waited for one of the demons guarding the barred door to unlock it before entering the area behind the bars and heading along the narrow space between two of the shelves running the length of the area.

Goswin placed Kitty on the desk, still examining him. Let’s see if there’s anything of interest about you. None of the queries I’ve received have been about cats. There’ve been requests for various horses, drakes and even a unicorn. But none for cats.

Someone wants a unicorn? Mallory blurted out.

Yes. Terribly difficult to find them, let alone catch them. The interested party has a menagerie and it’s a creature he’s wanted for it for well over a year now. Goswin took the amulet his assistant brought him, slipping it over his head. Now what do you have to tell me, Kitty?

Kitty miaowed, a long drawn out sound that seemed to be a lengthy complaint. When Goswin nodded and murmured in agreement, the cat miaowed again.

What’s he saying? Brodie asked.

Goswin again nodded, his gaze on Kitty. At least it’s only an enchantment. Could have been worse. Might have been a curse instead.

Once again Kitty miaowed, once again sounding like he was complaining.

Well, yes, I can help you. I have a potion that breaks spells and enchantments. It’s a bargain at only six thousand five hundred gold pieces. Goswin shook his head when Kitty replied. I’m afraid I can’t go lower than that. You’ll have to come up with that other fifteen hundred. Or maybe you have items worth trading.

Kitty miaowed.

I’m sorry to hear that, Goswin said. But you must understand I have a business to run. I can’t go giving extremely large discounts to everyone who comes along with a story of misfortune. I’d be bankrupt within the week.

What is he saying? Brodie asked again.

Mallory didn’t blame him for being impatient. She wanted to know what was going on too.

Goswin turned to them. Maybe you might be interested in helping your friend here. He nodded towards the cat. "It seems he was in the habit of using an amulet with a transformation enchantment on it so he could get in and out of areas unnoticed when visiting some of his patients who lived well outside his village. There was an attack and the amulet