I watched Jeebles read for a moment then went back to weaving spells into my bandage clothing, I noticed that it took on a reddish hue once it became increasingly saturated with spells and the strings that it was composed of became complicatingly dense, I noticed Jeebles wincing as I cast spells doing his best to tune me out.

  Once I finished I looked his way and began questioning him. “Lets start with your part of the bargain now. What can you tell me about the outside world? “I asked him holding my hand out in a questioning gesture.

  “Ah, now you want to talk do you?” Jeebles said and produced some wine and started drinking it as he sat up facing me. He passed the small jug that had been sitting next to him with his sleeping apparatus over to me. I had a sip but instantly regretted it as I started to feel tipsy from just one sip. I was still a light weight. I quickly passed it back to him.

  I'm not really sure what you want to know, we are near the edge of the civilized world. The great empire. If you keep going west you will hit the land of monsters where civilization ends. That is a place ruled by chaos and lawlessness, You will not enjoy the same freedoms and protections that you have under the empire.

  “Are there humans there? Or is It just monsters. “ I asked the merchant as I still fought the slight dizziness from the wine.

  “Oh there are plenty of humans there, They may be out numbered by the monsters in the forests and woods but they have their cities and evil kings, they are like the empire in that way however they are barbaric and savage. They don't have anything like the rule of law that keeps things orderly in the empire. “ Jeebles said and took a swig of wine before passing it back to me.

  I drank as expected, feeling the unpleasant rush of alcohol I pushed the wine back to him and considered how I would get out of drinking more of it. “The rule of law… you mean witch hunts spies secret police sneaking around in the shadows and making anyone who speaks I'll of the king or who is suspected of being a witch disappear in the dead of night. Or sending heroes or inquisitors door to door to hunt witches or recruit new heroes depending on the season? You jest, I don't see how anything could be worse than that. “ I said as I watched him carefully to see how he reacted.

  “You would honestly come to appreciate those things after a few weeks in the savage lands. At least the imperial dogs are acting with a reason, in the savage lands if you so much as look at someone the wrong way that's the end for you, there isn't anyone who will save you. It's every man for himself over-there let me tell you.” Jeebles said as he drank more of the wine.

  Jeebles pushed the wine back to me but I shook my head and refused. I could already feel myself getting wobbly and having trouble sitting up straight. “I really can't handle any more of that. “ I said

  “Oh I'm sorry where are my manners, I didn't realize you were such a light weight. “ Jeebles said and that gleam was back in his eyes as he looked at me as if I were a specimen under a microscope.

  “Anyway, king Garos had an incident recently where they were hunting down the children born on the blood moon due to their high probability of becoming demon lords. It was in the city of Titus, a small city on the edge of Garos’s territory not too far from here that a calamity took place. “

  “Well you see, they dispatched a hero, an inquisitors knight and a knight to go door to door in the village of Titus until the had executed all of the demon spawn. It was at one particularly wealthy house, the village black Smith you see, that they encountered some trouble…. BOOM! something blew the whole place sky high and everyone there including the hero died horribly. There is just one problem with this.

  “It would take more than that to kill one of those imperial heroes, they are made of Iron and twice as hard. The heroes sword went missing and his body was never recovered. They say the heroes use enchanted weapons of great power, they say the heroes are strong and their weapons are stronger and that's not a far cry from the truth. “

  I noticed Jeebles blue eyes watching me intently as he spoke looking for a reaction. I kind of figured he tried forcing wine on me so I would slip up and say something. He had already revealed that he knew about the incident that sent me here and it wouldn't be out of the question that he worked for King Garos and was sent to look for me. It was no longer a time for me to be careful but now it was a time for me to be on full alert. This man may be here to kill me,

  “That is some interesting news that you've brought me from the village of Titus. Since you mentioned heroes, can you tell me what they are? “ I asked straight forwardly.

  “Geez do you live under a rock or what. “ Jeebles said as he rubbed the back of his head. “ I mean, I guess that's the wrong question since you live in a cave but… Ah Nevermind. How the hec does anyone in this day and age not know what the heroes are. “ Jeebles said and took another swig from his wine.

  “Well are you going to tell me or just keep making fun of my ignorance. “ I said as I wondered if he was going to get drunk on his own wine which made me re examine my assumption about him being sent here to kill me.

  “In the empire, heroes are gathered up at a young age. They have to be born at a certain time in order to be gifted with the power, the inquisitors hunt them down and take them back to the castle or local barracks where they undergo rigorous training. It's something like ten times more harsh than what they put the knights through. They are taught to harness their powers and channel them in a way that's useful for combat. Then they are sent to hunt demon spawn and fulfill other hero duties. They are really a very high strung bunch of people. I wouldn't get involved with them if I were you kid. “ Jeebles said as he drank even more of the wine nearly emptying the jug and pushed the rest back to me. “This is damn good, it's a shame for me to drink it all myself. “ He said and I shrugged and finished it off.

  I tried to ask Jeebles more questions but my eye lids had become heavy and the room seemed to wobble. Jeebles had fallen asleep almost instantly. I cast a series of protection spells as I fell asleep right in the process of doing it.

  I woke up to see Jeebles still sleeping and quickly got back to work casting spells on my bandages. I had a theory about the strings and I was determined to prove it. As I weaved the strings tighter and tighter, casting spell after spell, the strings the bandages were made of started to slowly change color. Once they reached maximum density they slowly took on a reddish tint and so did the bandages themselves which had already started taking on a red tint become more red.

  I watched Jeebles get up, complaining about his hangover as he took of his clothes and began washing them by the lava pool. He then dressed himself and headed out toward the front of the cave to no doubt check on his donkeys. He then came back and sat across from me again.

  “You don't have to stay in a cave kid, you can come with me to the savage lands. I have merchandise that will only sell over there and I expect to come back loaded with money. “ Jeebles smiled and you could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes.

  “I do not wish to go anywhere with you Jeebles. When are you leaving anyway? “ I asked as I shot him a fake smile.

  “Always in such a hurry to get rid of me. It seems there isn't anything that I can do to make you like me. I will leave in a few days if the snow is better, it's been pretty nasty non stop. “ Jeebles said with a yawn as he opened a pouch and produced some jerky. He started eating it and offered me some, and I nibbled on it cautiously.

  Nearly a week went by before the snow cleared up and I had gotten used to jeebles company. He constantly chatted about places he had been or women he had slept with, constantly shared food and his addiction to fine wines. I had to be careful or I would end up inheriting his expensive addictions.

  I yawned and sipped at Jeebles wine feeling slightly tipsy like I did all day every day now since it seemed like Jeebles had an endless supply of wine. I simply allowed myself to indulge since I had the opportunity but I still never let my guard down.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Jeebles seemed content to stay another week and who knows, perhaps another after that. I had decided that he probably wasn't going to leave for the whole winter! Keeping my guard up around the clock was exhausting and so I would have to work out a plan to get him out, or I would have to leave instead.

  “What's up little man? “ Jeebles said as he came back into the cave after checking on his donkeys.

  “I'm perfecting my spells” I said as I concentrated on a red gauntlet created of weaved strings that only I could see as it had not yet materialized.

  “If the inquisition finds you, you know that they will have your head right? “ Jeebles said already drunk off his own wine.

  “The inquisition will never find me. And besides, casting spells isn't a crime. “ I said while never breaking focus.

  “Ah Casting spells is not a crime but using demon magic is. “

  “Demon magic? “ I asked hearing the term for the first time.

  “Yes, typically to cast spells you need rituals, incantations, gestures, components. It's a whole mess and it's not easy. Only something like one out of twenty people are even capable of learning it. Demon magic on the other hand bypasses all of that and allows the caster to cast the spells instantly. The stronger casters can cast multiple spells at once, and the strongest are not human. The strongest are demon lords and the empire will not tolerate the existence of a demon lord anywhere in this world. “ Jeebles said as he drank more wine.

  “Well, what spells have you seen me cast? “ I asked Jeebles.

  “None, I have seen your body light up with mana but in reality I haven't witnessed you cast a single spell. I confess that I have no idea what you're doing, I can only tell that you're using demon magic by your visible mana flow and your familiar pet since only demons have them.”

  “Well, I'm no demon.” I said and took a sip of jeebles wine then pushed the jug back to him.

  “I never said that you were but the inquisition will certainly think so. By the way, here” Jeebles said as he shoved a map at me.

  “I've been meaning to give you this as payment for letting me stay for so long. It's a map of the known world. I realized that you don't know geography but it's absolutely necessary to have this if you wish to travel.”

  I took the map and looked it over wondering about all the places that I saw. Jeebles quickly started pointing things out. “This is the empire, it consists of five kingdoms in total. Talos, the imperial seat of emperor Belgar, Arleno, Urus, Lutetia, and the Bel and Titus region split between king Garos and king Elizar due to civil war. Titus is the closest to the demon roads which is where we are now. Titus is on the outskirts of the empire and the demon roads are the trade routes that lead from Titus to the wild lands where the demons reside. It's a shame about what happened in Titus recently, that black smith was perhaps one of the best black smith's in the entire empire but he was supplying swords to demons. King Elizar had overlooked it because of the man's amazing talent but that no good kid of his was born on the night of the blood moon and had to ruin it all for them.

  I tried to keep my cool but I opened my mouth and the world's just slipped out. “He was probably making swords for the king, someone must have gotten the kings soldiers confused with the demon army. I bet his son had no control over when he Was born but I doubt that makes him a demon. You know that's the thing about the empire is that they just hunt down and execute whoever they want, at least in the demon lands from what I have herd so far it's honest and straight forward. You could be killed for anything but since there is no illusion of safety you'll do your best to be the strongest and stay on guard. “ I said and caught myself too late. I had given away too much information.

  “Oh it was said that he made swords for the kings army but he definitely supplied the demons with many fine weapons that they couldn’t have gotten elsewhere. They should not have received these weapons since they will certainly use them against the empire. That black Smith should have been charged with treason since his actions could technically empower the demons in a war. “ Jeebles said and took a huge swig from his wine jug and pushed It over to me. I did like wise trying to disburse some of the awkwardness.

  “Is there any proof that he was giving weapons to the demon army? I asked as the wine made me dizzy and wobbly.”

  “The proof can be found on the signature of the blades of many demon soldiers. “ Jeebles said and drank some more wine.

  “I feel like if anyone searched for this proof it would be non existent,“ I said and put a hand on the ground as I sat cross legged and attempted to steady myself. Damn, why was I such a light weight in this life? Then I remembered, my body was only around 13 years or so, I probably shouldn't even be drinking. I hiccupped and helped myself to more wine anyway and felt the inevitable drunkenness set in. The room was spinning fast and I knew that if I spoke I would slur my words.

  “I don't suppose it really matters what the black Smith was doing back then since he isn't alive anymore. “ I said much too loudly. “I hope they catch that boy though. “ I said slurring my words a lot.

  “Oh I am sure they will catch him soon. “ Jeebles said and pulled out his own map. “This is a map of the demon city Asphrus. While there are many villages and may be other cities within the savage, or dark lands as they are called, Asphrus is the only city that the empire allows trade with and the only city that we know of. “ Jeebles showed me the map pointing out routes and buildings and streets. “ Asphrus has very narrow streets and tall buildings. The streets are always in shadow to conceal the wicked deeds of the people there.

  “My trade rout looks something like this. First I'll head to the central bazaar and sell some of my extra stuff, then I will deal with the other merchants. There are brothels where I'll be less of a sales man and more of a customer if you know what I mean, then there is the castle where I also do business.

  “You're such a quiet boy that I don't know who you are or what your story is, but I can tell you now that dwelling in the country side is no good. Eventually bandits or wicked sorcerers will find you. The empire certainly tries to control who uses magic but this far out their control is more lax. I don't think you will be safe here once I leave even with your magics if indeed you possess any. When you have a chance, make your way to the demon city and find me there, I'll help you find work and a room. “

  “And what makes you assume that I would want to go to the demon city and not to one of the more safe cities in the empire? “ I asked and hiccupped still trying to steady my body and keep from passing out.

  “The fact that you're living on the roads at such a young age rather than taking refuge in the empire tells me everything that I need to know. You're certainly running from something but rather it's The law or just from family I assume that you have reasons for not wanting to go back to the empire. “ If you will excuse me I have drank more than my fill of wine and I'm going to take a nap. Tomorrow, I will depart! The snow storm has finally stopped and the blizzard has let up. “ Jeebles said and curled up on the floor right where he was sitting.

  Being too drunk to stay awake I curled up and passed out too. I awoke to cat hovering around and looking nervous.

  “That man just up and left” She said as she zipped over to the area where he was sleeping. “He left a lot of stuff behind. He said he didn't want to wake you and was in a hurry. “ cat poked at the sacks Jeebles had left.

  I said nothing to Cat and examined the goods. There were packs with jerky and jugs of wine. There was a note.

  “Thank you again for your kindness, I left you a parting gift and I noticed that you certainly have a taste for fine wine so have this little gift on me. If our paths never cross again than take care friend. “ The note read.

  “That hardly makes up for all of the trouble that he caused me” I said to cat as I moved the goods over to sit them next to the wall and less close to the pool of lava.

  “Well I sure did enjoy sampling some of that wine. “ Cat said and hiccupped blushing before she zipped back into my chest.

  “Silly faery “ I said as I rummaged through one of the packs and noticed that he had left me a crude version of the map of the demon city.

  “Do you think that we should go there? “ I asked Cat while I zipped the back back up.

  “Anything beats staying in a cave Milo. “ Cat said from within my body.

  “OK, let's see how it looks outside. “ I said and walked over to the entrance to the cave. It was cold, it was very cold but the snow didn't fall and the wind wasn't howling as it had been. The weather was favorable for traveling.

  “Do I really need to leave? I have everything that I need here. I could just keep practicing my magic and bettering my skills.” I said to Cat.

  “But what if that merchant rats you out and others show up here? “ Cat said.

  “Hmmm, you have a good point. There was still something very off about Jeebles, how did he not have any mana? “ I asked.

  “I do not know Milo, perhaps you should have cast more spells” Said Cat.

  “No no no, let me just get my focus back. I will spend a few days getting the wine completely out of my system and clearing my mind, then I will decide if I should go or stay. “ I said to Cat and reached up to my neck to feel the sword pendent there. The demon was hungry for souls but I couldn't promise when he would get any.

  I spent the rest of the day casting defensive spells around the cave and eventually falling asleep. I woke up the next morning and went to look for my wolves. I couldn't find them anywhere. I asked Cat about it and she didn't know either.

  “The pack is usually to the west in the woods isn't it? “ Cat said, “Why don't we go check on it. “ She flew around me trailing her pixie dust and I shrugged.

  “I guess that's all that I really can do. “ I said and walked out into the woods. After walking for an hour I had not found anything but eventually just when I was about to give up I saw some paw prince.

  Despite the cold cutting wind, one of the spells that I had weaved into my bandages was adaptive temperature, they kept me warm despite the cold and despite how thin they were.

  I followed the paw prince to a trail that went past the edge of a pond and there I saw it. Something I wished that I hadn't seen. All of the wolves, the entire pack lay there dead and skinned. Vultures picked at their carcasses and I felt a hateful emotion well up inside of me