A quaint show of authority

This is chapter number five of ten I am preparing before starting to release, things are joining well, ill probably write some more tomorrow, maybe number six and seven, well see.

Have a good one and remember, if the novel gets like 100 pps by Friday I will do a triple release on the weekend.

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''Are you done?''. My words were followed by silence.

''Good, then get ready, were going''. They looked at each other in a somewhat confused way.

Ubam who was still behind me asked. ''We going home boss?''. You wish.

''No, we're going back to the clearing''. A commotion followed my words, they didn't seem to like the idea. To be fair I didn't like it very much either.

''Are you sure its a good idea Boss, you know what happened last time, and we even left a dead body just sitting right in the open, what if one of those things is skulking around there''. His words put a smile back on my face.

''I've dealt with it''. I started walking towards the fire. ''You see, while you were having a nice slow walk back here, I dealt with one of those monstrosities, it is drowning in the trap at this very second''.

A further wave of surprise followed my words, this one was quite a bit louder. The one to speak this time is Vun.

''How can you be sure it worked sir Caspian, there is no way to be sure without going there in person, and whoever goes to check may not come back alive''. Easy there big guy, you just spoke more in a few seconds than in the last three days combined.

Now next to the fire I start kicking dust into it to put it out.

''Why you should know how I did it, at least one person here knows, of that I am certain''. I say and turn to look at the dirtiest giant, the one who fell on the ground and told me not to haunt him with my, I quote ''demon birds''.

He shows a dumbfounded face, lifts his right hand, and points his finger at his own face.

''Yes, you, I believe you called them demon birds, so of course, you should know'' I keep kicking dust into the fire making it flicker.

''Why of course they sucked the very soul out of that monster and caused it to stumble right onto the trap causing it to drown''. As the fire became smaller and smaller so did the light in the surrounding area.

''You should know also, that just one touch is enough to leave a man soulless, a mere walking puppet waiting to be culled''. As I finish my words the fire fully goes out. I then channel the tiniest bits of magic and make it fly outwards without a shape, this is no spell but simple manipulation, even someone with no idea of magic should be able to do it.

It had the effect I intended, in the now dark room, purple sparks started appearing as if by magic, which it was, then headed towards the dumbfounded giant, he let out a scream and started running towards the exit smashing right into the door and opening it in the process.

Everyone else was standing very still with their eyes locked on me and bodies ready to pounce to safety, mages had a very bad reputation among most races, giants included, not like I was a mage, more of a magic aficionado.

''Of course''. I continue. ''That would only be possible if I were to be several hundreds of time stronger you fools, getting scared by a small scouting bird, shame on you!''.

I know, not very mature of me, but to be real, that giant called my lovely disposable buddies 'demonic birds', imagine someone calls your cat a demon just cause it scratched the couch, how fair is that.

They somewhat relaxed after hearing my words, Ubam stepped forward closer to me and asked. ''Boss why did you scare him off like that?''

''Ubam, you should know by now that I am a petty human, and that giant insulted what is mine, even if he didn't mean to do so it does by no means make it acceptable, trust me when I tell you this, my summons deserve as much respect as they can get, they saved our lives several times already so do be careful what you say about them''.

I lock eyes with some of the remaining giants and continue. ''Now that the joke is over get ready to go, as I said before, anyone who is willing to follow us back to the clearing is getting double pay, if you are not willing you are most welcome to leave, do come to look for me in a few days for you pay if you choose to do so''

I know I am being hard on them but this is the only way to keep them in check, I am smaller and weaker than they are, knowing this showing any type of weakness may cause them to turn on me.

Therefore being stern and hard will make them listen to my orders without complaining. I am well aware that this is not a good way to make friends but I don't want friends, I want minions, and my minions better listen to what I tell them to do.

They grumble at each other wondering what to do, I let them get on with it, their choice doesn't matter much anyway, there are more possible underlings where they came from.

But, thankfully and to my surprise none of them leave, now this requires an explanation so I turn to Ubam. Seeing my gaze he probably understands what I mean, he's a clever fellow.

''We respect the strong and disdain the weak Boss, you showed that youngling how to act'' He lets out another gurgling giggle. ''Should've seen his face as he ran, lost all respect for a fellow sailor''

My oh my, color me surprised, strength is respected while cowardice is disdained and rejected, how quaint.

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Eight people walk out of the workshop, one tall bearded human dressed in a long flowing burgundy cape leading a group of seven giants, two of which, the biggest of the bunch, were flanking his sides while covered by a curtain of brown leather that protected them from the harsh wind.

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First thing first, I need a way to make sure that the wolfhound of death is, well, dead. And, looking up at the gate I know just the way to do it.

Approaching the wall I let out a shout. ''Captain do come out, may I have a word with you!''.

It does not take long for the guard captain to walk out of the guardhouse by the gate, he was still wearing his usual clothes while holding a long iron-tipped spear. I eyed that spear very carefully.

''What is it, merchant?'' He looked behind me. ''I see you still have your little group with you''. After a careful inspection, he adds. ''It seems you're missing one''.

Oh that one, yeah, stuff happened. ''There was an incident captain, nothing to worry about''.

He didn't seem very convinced but oh well, doesn't really matter.

''Tell me, merchant, what do you want, I trust you didn't make me come out in the weather for a simple chat, no?''. You got me there.

''Indeed it is as you say, I came here to ask a favor of you captain''. He didn't seem surprised.

''A favor I see, then tell me where it is and ill think about it''. Where is what?

''Captain I fear that I cannot understand exactly what you are referring to''. Like really, what?

He nods and continues. ''It is good not to admit to it right away, but you came all the way here, just say it out loud, don't worry, i will lend you a hand this one time''. My eyes went from left to right trying to figure out what he meant.

''No, but captain I truly don't know what you mean, could you elaborate?''

With a huff he says. ''Where is the body merchant, you came to me because you wanted help hiding the body no?''. No, but I will keep the offer in mind for later.

''Oh lord forbid, no, I came for something completely different captain''. I say in a hurried tone.

He seemed somewhat disappointed. ''So there's no body then, you didn't do anything?''

''Of course not captain, I never took anyone's life''. With my own hands that is.

As he heard me he lifted his eyebrows and exclaimed. ''Then why did you not say so from the beginning, tell me what you want and stop stalling for time''. Stalling for what, you think I've got nothing better to do or what.

''Captain I came to ask you for two things, they are very simple requests that you can easily fulfill''. I am not exaggerating, it's very simple.

''What are they merchant, hurry now, I got official business to attend to''. Yes, yes, very official.

''I came to borrow a couple of spears and the largest sword you could get me, captain, it is very important''. I mean it, very important.

''You want weapons?'' His curiosity rekindled. ''What for?''

''You see captain, I've laid down a nasty surprise for the things skulking in the forest and I have grounds to believe that the surprise was indeed effective''. With a flourish of my hand, I continue.

''So captain, it would be much appreciated if I could borrow some of your tools, merely as a precaution, of course, do now worry, I will reimburse you if anything were to happen''.

''The skulkers in the forest, you can't possibly mean those things right?''. he looks at his spear. ''Even if I gave you our best gear I doubt it would be nearly enough''

''No need to worry captain, you just have to give them to me and I will take care of the rest'' He thinks for a second before shrugging.

''Fine, I can give you a few spare spears''. He stops and thinks for a moment. ''As for the sword there are none here but there is an executioner's ax laying around, you could have that, don't even have to return it, thing brings bad luck I tell you''.

Ohh I've hit the jackpot. ''Marvelous, if you would be so kind as to guide me captain we will be out of here as soon as we get the weapons''.

He turns to walk back inside and says to me without turning back.

''Don't worry about it merchant, just be careful out there, we may not have started on the best of terms but I respect your intentions''.