The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [29]
“So, Garrett the Snake is dead? You do it all by yourself?” He nods and casts an approving glance at Ceryn.
“No,” he replies then with a nod, indicates James who still sits on the wagon seat, “had some help. If he hadn’t been there, I’d be dead right now or wishing I was.”
After giving James an once-over, the mayor says, “There’s a bounty on their heads.” He returns his attention to the bodies lying in the wagon. “Looks like you got Garrett and six of his henchmen.” Turning once again to Ceryn he gestures to the line of horses tied to the rear of the wagon. “Are these their horses?”
Ceryn nods, “Yes they are. I would like you to give the whole bounty to James here, I owe him my life. The horses are the town’s, according to our agreement, with the exception of one that James will take for his own.”
The mayor looks up to James and gives him a grin. “I guess we can’t begrudge one for the man who saved our Warden and helped to terminate a long-standing threat to our community.”
Moving down the line of horses, Ceryn unties a brown stallion with white patches from the others and leads it to a hitching post near the Town Hall steps.
“James, this one is yours.”
Using his spear for support, he comes down off the wagon and hobbles over to stroke the horse on its neck. The horse allows the touch with but a snort and brief shake of its head. James is delighted with the choice that Ceryn made.
The mayor turns and motions for them to accompany him. “Come inside and we’ll get this matter settled.” Hollering in a very unofficial manner to two men standing nearby, the mayor says, “Marin, Josh, take the wagon around back and unload the bodies. Put the horses in the stable.” Confident that his orders will be carried out, he leads Ceryn and James up the steps and through the front doors.
They cross a large open room before ascending another flight of steps to the second floor. At the top they enter a hallway that runs the length of the building, ending at a set of double doors. The mayor leads them to the double doors, opens them and then precedes them into his office.
The room is officially decorated. The most prominent feature is a large desk with a high-backed chair, both masterfully crafted. Two chairs of a lesser nature sit before the desk. Several shelves containing dozens of large, expensive looking books adorn one wall. On another wall rests a long shelf bearing expensive looking knick-knacks.
Sitting in the big chair behind the desk, the mayor indicates for Ceryn and James to sit in the two chairs in front of the desk. He then pulls out a piece of paper, vellum really, and dips a quill into an inkwell as he proceeds to write out a payment voucher that James can take to the local bank to receive his reward. It’s for eleven hundred gold pieces, just like Ceryn had thought.
Handing the paper to James he says, “Son, you’ve done this town and this area a service that’s needed doing for some time. Take this and our gratitude for a job well done.” Coming to his feet, the mayor extends his hand toward James who quickly shakes it before taking the reward voucher.
“Now Ceryn, how long do you plan to be in town?”
“I’ll be leaving in the morning. First though, I want to take James to Corbin’s and see if he’ll let him recuperate with him. He needs a place to hole up while his leg heals.”
The mayor casts a concerned look to James. “I do hope it’s not too bad? When James shakes his head, concern turns to cheerful. “Good, good.” Coming around the desk, the mayor says to James, “Hope you enjoy your stay here.”
“It seems a very nice town, sir,” he replies as he works with the spear to come to his feet.
Turning to Ceryn, the mayor claps him on the back and walks with him and James to the door. “Going to be at the Squawking Goose?”
“After a while. I told old Gyn that I would be there to tell what happened; and maybe squash any wild rumors that I