ch 2

The trio—Kael, Flap the bat, and Fanglet the suspiciously damp forest pup—emerged from the woods into what Kael dramatically dubbed "civilization."

It was, in fact, a tiny hamlet called Duckweed Crossing, known mostly for its seasonal mushroom festivals and having exactly one tavern called "The Soggy Barrel."

Kael strutted in, cape flowing behind him, boots caked in mud, looking like a theater kid who got lost during a production of Phantom of the Opera: Forest Edition.

"I have returned to the realm of mortals!" he announced.

A baker's boy clapped politely. An old woman handed him a sandwich.

"Young man," she said, adjusting her spectacles, "your costume is fabulous. But LARP night is on Tuesdays."

Kael blinked. "...LARP? I am no such thing. I am Kael Varraz, Lord of Shadows, Master of the Crimson Summons, and—wait, is that pickled blood sausage?"

He accepted the sandwich gratefully.

> Local Reputation: +1 (Weird but Harmless). Nickname Assigned: Uncle Bat Pajamas.

Inside the Soggy Barrel, Kael ordered what he assumed was "goblet of bloodwine" but turned out to be very bitter mushroom ale. He didn't hate it. Flap got a saucer of cider. Fanglet tried to eat a table leg.

At the bar, a grumpy dwarf squinted at Kael. "You one of them summon-boys?"

Kael puffed out his chest. "Indeed. A beast summoner of noble lineage."

The dwarf spat into a tankard. "That explains the dog chewing my boot."

Fanglet looked up, tail wagging, chewing intensifying.

Kael yanked the pup back. "He's still in training. That boot, however, is clearly cursed."

The tavern door burst open. A young woman stormed in, wearing a tattered robe, a satchel full of scrolls, and a flaming chicken pecking at her shoulder.

"I need help!" she cried. "My goose exploded, and the mayor thinks it was a spellbomb!"

Everyone in the tavern paused. Kael stood.

"I am deeply curious. Also mildly flammable. I shall assist."

She blinked. "You... You're wearing a bat?"

Flap flapped.

Kael bowed deeply. "Lady of combustion poultry, I am Kael Varraz. Perhaps destiny has conspired for our paths to cross."

She looked at Fanglet chewing on a chair. "Yeah. Destiny or a slow news day."

> New Potential Companion Detected: Nyla Greenspark – Class: Chaotic Arcanist. Luck: Questionable.

As they walked to the mayor's house, Nyla explained.

"I tried summoning a simple elemental goose. You know, for errands and mail delivery. But something went... goose-shaped."

Kael nodded solemnly. "Goose magic is notoriously unstable. I once saw one eat a goblin shaman. Whole."

The mayor's house was smoking lightly.