Robin and I left the tall wolf to the butcher while we head out to finish our work. The paper specifically told us to bring red coat boar cores as proof, and so we went to the client's workplace. The one who commissioned the task were the town's merchant guild.
Exploring the town, we came to a two storey building with the banner of the merchant guild hanged beside the door. As the two of us enter we were greeted by the noise of chattering. It was rather noisy at the counters where discussions between the receptionists and clients are held. I've been to one numerous times, I had to deliver supplies for the coins but it sure is still busy wherever guild is.
"Good afternoon, what can I do for the two of you?"
The receptionist greeted us with a smile. I hand over the bloodied pouch of cores. Of course I cleaned it, but there weren't much I can do with the dirty pouch. Beside me, Robin handed the parchment to the receptionist.
"Oh! Thank you for your cooperation. Can I have your names?"
"I'm Nathan and she's Ingrid."
"Erm, can I ask what's the mask is for?"
Ah, here it is. I'm glad I made a script for this.
"While we're traveling we encountered a witch. She puts a curse on me when we tried to catch her. Now whenever my face gets exposed to the air it would release flames."
"That's...that's unfortunate, Sir--"
"Ghh-- do you insist on seeing my face? Very well, it would hurt but if I can prove to you the validity of my words!"
I held my mask and pulled it slightly, using necromancy I simply conjured the flames to appear.
"Gahh!", I shrieked in response.
"O-oh gosh, no! I'm really sorry. I wasn't--Maam! Please stop your friend!"
I feel her palm at the back of my head and then I feel her other hand at the back of my hand. She pushed the mask back to the surface of my face. Funnily enough, she didn't let go of me and I am standing there with her hands pushing into my head.
"Right...thank you, Ingrid. So, about the compensation."
"Yes Sir! I'll prepare it right away."
Through the small opening I have left from her covering mostly of it, I see the receptionist run out of her post with the bag and paper. When she came back she has a small pouch of coins to which she placed at the tray and slipped it onto us.
"Thank you for your cooperation! I hope the two of you continue to provide your services to the merchant guild!"
We simply nodded in response after taking our pay and went back to the butcher.
"Woah...", I can't help but say out loud when I saw the yield from that one tall wolf. The skin was large enough to occupy the whole table. The claws and fangs sitting next to it alongside the core and meat that we got from it.
"What should we do with the claws?"
"The apothecary should be willing to buy these materials. The fur will be sold to the tailor. The meat for the butcher. Lastly, this core should be what's left for ourselves."
Robin answered. She takes the fistful size core with her hands and analysed it closely.
"Good, it's quite the quality. It should last us for a while."
"You know how to appraise cores, Captain?"
"Yes, I learnt this firsthand for survival. They say that a good core offers more days in the wild."
Cores are usually used to make fire. Just a piece of it can light up a torch and light wood for fire. Although that's only what I know, I heard some hearsay that it can be used for other things like conjuring water out of nowhere, or stop an attack. The husband of Lady Rhea once told me that cores are just wild mana that gathered and became solid. I don't exactly get what this "mana" thing is, however.
"I'll carry the skin while you're in charge of the others. I'll talk to the butcher to sell the meat."
"Wait, you were serious on selling the meat?"
"I am. Edible or not, the meat is full of mana. It can be used for a variety of tools. Bait, fertilizer and even as food for beast tamers."
"You're saying those vicious beasts can be tamed?"
"Yes, they can. The majority of them are from the elven kingdom."
"Elves huh, I am kind of interested on seeing them."
"You better not, I suggest you run when you see one. Come on now, get your legs working."
Robin took care of the skin and carried it away. Before we leave, we sold the meat to the butcher and got a 10 gold coins for it. Knowing it's value in coins made realize how valuable it is. A large portion of cow meat costs about 20 silver and comparing it to the tall wolf's, we've got 50 times the value. Once I realized it, Robin only smugly peeked at my reaction.
Soon after, we've visited the tailor and sold the leather for 5 gold coins and after that to the apothecary where we got 34 silver coins for the claws and fangs. Robin looks satisfied while holding the pouch of our earnings as we head back to the inn.
"A productive day...", she muttered while we were walking. A small smile forms across face.
"What should we do for tomorrow?", I ask while following beside her.
"We'll have to see what work is available. After that we should have enough to pay our fare to the next town. We have to be always on the move."
So we'll slowly make our way to the town huh. I hope everything works out smoothly. So far we've been faring well.
"Nathan, look at this.", Robin suddenly called out to me.
She was looking at the parchment pasted on the wall. Curious to what she saw, I approached the wall and noticed an illustration of my face and a description that says...
Be careful of this man. If you see this face, immediately report it to the authorities. In addition, a man named Robin Wyrm--
I didn't have to finish reading it. The moment I saw my face in the paper I became aware of the fear that was tugging at the back of my mind. I felt more conscious of the mask that I was wearing and experienced the urge for my hands to hold onto it tightly. My life depends on this mask.