Butcher of Gadobhra Chapter 304 (Patreon)

As smoke and flames shot from the tall, dark building, the sounds of battle filled the town. The clang of metal on metal echoed out of the smokehouse. The roars of a great beast shook the houses, coupled with insane screams that hurt the listener's ears and brain. The workers who knew him could tell the difference between the roars from the Butcher and those from the daemon.

Off-duty legionnaires, in town for dinner or a beer, and members of the Red Banner drew weapons and formed a rough circle in front of the building. Jenny came out to sit on a bench in front of her house and listen to the soothing sounds of the fight. Granny Gorpunkle joined her and brought her knitting. Above the smokehouse, the floating ship was glowing as the crew threw their heat into the sails.

Emilio turned to Bernice, "More wine?"

She held out her mug like a sleepwalker and then shook herself. "What the hell is going on." They had come outside when the clamor of battle had first been heard. She'd started to run and mobilize the company, but Roderick held her back.

"Best not to get involved in that fight. That is a very dangerous building. I suggest another bottle of wine and some patience."

"Patience!? How can you just sit and watch?"

Roderick held out his hands and shrugged. "Well, first of all, I am a merchant. What am I going to do in the middle of a battle? Sell healing potions? I am not a...well, not a captain of mercenaries."

His father laughed. "I was running a shop during the burger revolt in Lichtenburg. The burgers were running around shouting "Good Day!" and hitting people in the Baron's colors with their spiked clubs, and the Baron's men were attacking the Burgers. I strolled through town, ignored by both sides. I sold so many healing potions that day!"

Roderick glared at his father and continued. "Secondly, this is Sedgewick. Strange things happen, and when the locals need help, they let us know. Best to just watch."

So, they drank and listened and watched as whatever was happening happened. The stones of the smokehouse glowed brightly and then turned black and shiny. The change worked its way up the building, changing the color of wood, stone, and shingles. Heat started radiating from the stones, making the air around the smokehouse ripple; there was one long, mournful scream and then silence.

A few minutes later, the double doors were kicked open, and the Butcher came out carrying a barrel which he set into a wagon with two others. Spying the people watching, he walked over.

"Hiya folks, nice evening, isn't it? I've got three barrels of bacon ready for the Red Banner. Where should I deliver it?" He offered no explanation of what had happened, and the merchants and mercenary hesitated to ask.

Captain Bernice was looking at the man and trying to appraise him accurately. He appeared to be a simple butcher, running the local butcher shop. Underneath was something else entirely. He was halfway through the third tier, but her Threat Assessment told her he could win in a fight against any of the Duke's bodyguards, all well into the fourth tier. His class was murky, warning her about physical and magical attacks. This was a dangerous man.

But there was no threat at the moment. Just a smiling man making a delivery. A very good-looking, smiling man. Dress him in finer clothes, and he could fit into the court of any duke or even the Emperor. She didn't miss the magical gear that he wore. Earrings, rings, tattoos? A pair of deadly axes hanging from his apron. This had to be the infamous Butcher of Sedgewick that she'd heard stories about tonight. The same man that now had 103,000 gold pieces from her treasury.

The Great Kallvek stepped forward. "Ah, Ozzy, so good to see you again. This is my good friend, Bernice, a captain of mercenaries out of Wolfsburg. She and her men helped the courier and the shepherd rescue some of the farmers a few weeks back. She was kind enough to escort my wagons through the wilds to supply those same people with goods for their homes." I hate to intrude on your business, but we heard some noise..."

Ozzy grinned and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, we got a bit loud. Training my charnel pit got a little out of hand. But we came to a better understanding, and it's all good now." He turned to Bernice, smiled, and shook her hand. "Thanks for helping get our new farmers safely here, and glad to meet you. Those are some good people you helped rescue. We're taking good care of them now. And I appreciate the business. I'm saving up for an expansion to my butcher shop, and every coin I can earn selling bacon gets me a little closer."

She smiled up at him. How tall was he? She was used to looking any man in the eye. "My troops will be thanking you each morning. Good to meet you. Business is good then?" Bernice couldn't help but test his grip when he extended his hand. With a strength of 32, she was careful not to squeeze too hard, despite the muscles she saw on him. She was surprised when he winked and squeezed back with far more strength than she could muster. She was thankful when he released her hand after only a small squeeze.

"Yep. Business is booming. I need to expand the butcher shop and put in a sausage factory. Big orders are coming in, and it's time to get to work." He tipped his head respectfully to the merchants. "And thanks for arranging that deal. I'll make sure that all the barrels are delivered in the next month."

Even Roderick was surprised. "Only a month? Our terms gave you 180 days."

"Just a month should do, and that's only because of the time needed to make the barrels. After we trim the stockyards and feed the dungeon, I'll haul down a couple of wagonloads of meat each night. There's a good crop of lads and lasses over in the Hamlets that are hard workers. I'll train a few of them to carve meat and make sausage. A village can't have too many butchers."

Bernice yelled to some of her troops in the village square to handle the barrels of bacon. The Butcher waved, took his wagon, and started jogging up to the ancient city.

"I hope you have more wine, Emilio, or something stronger. I have some more questions. They went back inside the emporium and upstairs. Back in the town square, the clock in the tower chimed the hour. A burst of flame lit up the grill of the kobold cooking food and throwing it on plates for hungry soldiers. Two workers pushed a wagonload piled with raw meat into the smokehouse, where it was met with a low growl of pleasure and the rattle of chains.

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Franklin house was lively tonight. The family members could smell a party three towns away and started converging on the house bringing with them alcoholic beverages, musical instruments, and appetites. Local eateries strained to fill large orders on a moment's notice, but the payment was in gold upfront, so no one complained more than any chef normally did.

Ben and his new friends found themselves at the center of a large group of people eager to hear their stories. News of the destruction of the Golden Dome of the Gods, and the cleansing of a possessed senior paladin had spread quickly. They found themselves repeating their tale several times during the evening, followed by listening to the other family members' tales. Many people asked about their plans.

Doby declared proudly that he would study at the Academy to become a full-fledged Paladin. "It's what I came here for, and the sword agrees. But when I graduate, I'll be heading back to the North. Someone needs to keep the wolf in check."

Astrid was joining him. "Seems a shame to kill a daemon and a paladin and then not stick around to cause more trouble."

Clarice surprised everyone by saying she was going to continue as a courier. "I proved myself, but now that I have, I don't think it's the correct path. I'm going to finish my training as a Courier and then see where things lead."

"I'm going to the Royal Academy of Mages." Bryce seemed both proud and scared. "Inquisitor Diego is writing me a letter of introduction. He says I need to be someplace where they can handle my gift and help me gain control. He seems to think that burning daemons with Holy Fire is a wonderful thing."

Ben was intrigued by the idea of studying at the Academy and had his invitation in his ring. Maybe in a few years when his contract was up.

As the evening progressed, Harmonia came from upstairs, followed by another of Ben's distant cousins, Fallston. The large man was toting a wooden chest filled with glowing weapons and armor.

Harmonia looked at the five new knights. "Normally, such a feat would be rewarded. I take responsibility for the task since the gods are sulking and forgetting. If these aren't to your liking, let me know, and I'll find something else."

"Sir Doby, you already have a fine cloak and sword; see if this chainmail hauberk fits those broad shoulders. It's dwarven work and very tough." Doby immediately stripped off his old leather chest piece and slid into the shimmering chainmail that covered him from neck to knees with three-quarter sleeves. He choked up but nodded his thanks. Someone brought a mirror from somewhere, and he barely recognized himself.

"Dame Clarice, you have a fighting style like many other Franklins. We like to dodge and weave. I hope this helps." Clarice slid the ring onto her finger, immediately feeling the effects of an extra three agility points."

"Dame Astrid, I've got a choice for you—either a Mace of the Shining Sun or a Hammer of Thunders. Astrid picked up a weapon in each hand, trying them out, obviously having trouble deciding. The man holding the chest laughed. "Take both of them, why don't you? We need to clean out that attic and put these things to good use. You look like you're halfway to being able to wield them both at once already. Astrid nodded, sketched a small salute, and stuck both weapons in her belt.

"And Sir Bryce, these may help you with your feedback problem. The leather is from a Balthanese Salamander, enchanted further with Fire Resistance and Minor Regeneration runes. Bryce wasted no time at all putting them on.

"Oh gods, my hands feel better already. I'd forgotten what it was like not to have constant burns and blisters."

Everyone turned toward Ben. Harmonia paused and smiled at him. "As for you, Sir Benjamin, I think I have an appropriate gift for you. But it comes with some responsibility." She threw Ben a large key. "Someone tossed you into Damien's old bed and pajamas. This might be some plan of Damien's or some quirk of the Gods, but let's make it official. He hasn't been back in fifty years or more, so I'm turning over his room and library to you. The house has already rekeyed the door, and only you, I, or someone you designate can open that door. Enjoy your library."

A set of private rooms in the Capitol with hot water, a comfortable bed, and a massive library of strange books? Ben felt the idea of attending the Academy fade away. There was bound to be more strange information in that room than in ten Academies. That was a reward he would have traded a pile of gold for. A very big pile.

Ben bowed. "I thank you and accept. Now I just have to convince the Baron to give me more missions that take me to the capitol."

Harmonia shared glances with several other people. "You may get your wish based on some of the things we are hearing. Your Baron is stirring up several hornets' nests and has some important people upset."