Chapter V - Dealing With A Red Dwarf

Landed a few feet from Chêne, Nain Rouge did a jesterly bow, and hopped in place, alternating between feet. "So you are what all that fuss was about." he playfully said. "You should be chronicled, the bards would make a fortune reciting this exploit." Unflinching, Chêne stood ground, unarmed he showed no fear, and took a fighting posture. Sarcastically Rouge held up his hands as if he was trying to avoid a bar brawl. "Oh no, I don't want to start a fight, you're too much for me."

"As long as you know it." Chêne dryly said. Snarling with his dirty, gold teeth, the red dwarf had no liking for the puppet's arrogance.

"Don't act as if I was speaking seriously." warned the rogue who didn't want the encounter to turn hostile.

"I don't care what you say or what you meant to say, my business is done here, and I don't wish to waste my time lingering." Chêne said his peace began to leave. Cartwheeling to block his way, rouge didn't get what he wanted, and whenever he graced the mortal plane he alway aimed to get it.

"Hold. My charcoal friend, I wish to make a bargain with you." rouge offered, giving his best friendly grin (which was still menacing to mortal standards.).

"I care not for anything you have to offer." stated Chêne bluntly, getting aspirated from his dealing with the dwarf. He knew what Nain Rouge was, and through his teaching learned he cannot harm any mortals unless his star sign in his cycle. Unless he made a deal with the red dwarf, there was nothing he could do to him but be a constant annoyance. At least until his stars align.

"I still wish to make my proposition, I'd kick myself dead if I didn't at least give my generous offer." Humoring the fiendish pixie, Chêne crossed his arms and waited to hear out rouge's faustian bargain. "You see these men were pretenders, horrible frauds, those who bear my sigil, and worship me come from the mountains northwards. And they kept the secret of my fire safe, poor Iago here-" gesturing to his charred remains "foolishly absconded with my secrets and believed he was worthy of my blessings. I am very discerning of those who gain my… interest."

Chêne listened and was alarmed that his actions had gained the attention of such a troublesome creature. Stories he read about the red dwarf speak of him on par with Lucifer or Loki, but he is far worse in many respects. Where the others rarely intervene on the mortal plane since the end of the eclipsed constellations (when all worlds existed on the same plane of reality) the red dwarf had delighted in continuing his malicious influence. Seeking only to corrupt the souls of mortals who seek his magic granting blessings, and to spread his warped philosophy.

Those who had his interest either experienced great turmoils, or became bastions of sinful indulgences. "No matter what you offer Nain Rouge, I wish no part in your schemes." Chêne flatly stated.

"Not even where to find the man who has no name?" he countered colding pointing at Chêne with his long nailed finger. "Where else can you possibly find someone of such anonymity?"

With no hesitation Chêne answered with finality that rattled the red dwarf. "I will do so myself, despite what ease you offer in my task, I am patient, and thrive even when I should crumble into ashes. No matter how long, or even if I must travel till the edge of the world, I will find my sister, and even if I never see her again, I shall take the consolation that I didn't give in to your convenient aid. Your costs are never worth it." Pushing aside Rouge he sent the red dwarf aside, nearly off his feet, Chêne went to the door and undid his wire.

Opening the doors he left but not before he felt a wood chip curling breathe on the back of his neck. "The cost of my ire is more than you'll ever possess." Turning around Chêne only managed to see the fire flash a bright white, then die out, leaving the chamber in complete darkness. An ill omen was hung over his head that moment, and would follow Chêne as close as his own shadow. Walking out of the guildhall Chêne noticed in the lamp light that his shadow had changed, it had taken a new shape, as if it wasn't his own, and whenever he was looking at it, he sensed it was menacing him.

Coming into the light of the early sun, he saw that his shadow looked like it belonged with Nain Rouge.