The next morning, I came to a conclusion: if I want to trade information about the details of Ksawery's death for knowledge about magic, I need to act without Antoni. If he were with me, the value of my information would decrease significantly. After all, we both witnessed the same event, and I didn't want my cousin to find out that I was asking about things like magic.
During breakfast, Mark spoke up:
"Guys," he said, "after you finish eating, go to the adventurers."
"Shouldn't Antoni be out in the fields?" I asked.
"He should, but first you'll tell them what you know," he replied. "Then he'll join me."
Mark, you fool, just once, stay out of my way.
"Wouldn't it be better to go after you're done working?" I suggested.
"No," he answered curtly. "The sooner they leave, the better."
"Are you scared, Ball?" Antoni asked.
Said the one who ran away from the wolf first...
"No, I just think it'll be better to go in the afternoon," I said.
"Why?" asked Mark.
Alright, Julius, say something smart.
"Because they might get upset if we wake them..."
"Ha! The better," Mark laughed. "You'll give them a hard time, pups."
Well done, Julius, really clever way out of this situation.
Unfortunately, it ended up with me going with Antoni. Plan A was for him to go with Mark while I visited the adventurers. I didn't have a Plan B, so I had to improvise.
Halfway to the camp, Antoni started:
"Adventurers are so cool..."
"What's so cool about them?" I asked.
"Well, you know, they go wherever they want, drink whenever they want," he counted off. "Fencing, monsters, girls..."
"Is that so?"
"What more could you want?"
You've got more chromosomes than they do, but I'm not sure that's something to envy...
"One last thing."
"What?" I asked.
"I talk, and you stay quiet," Antoni said, raising his fist. "End of story."
Does he think he'll become friends with them by telling them how heroically he ran from a monster?
"Fine..." I looked down. "Whatever you say."
An hour later, we reached the camp. The adventurers were sitting around the fire, cooking something in a pot. When they saw us, Dawid approached calmly.
"Got lost, boys?" he asked gently.
"N-N-no... Ex-excuse... sir..." Antoni was starting to stutter like Korwin.
"Relax, kid, what's the matter?" Dawid asked.
"We're the ones who met the mutant," I said. "Baltazar and Antoni."
I felt Antoni glaring at my back with hatred.
"Aah, it's you," Dawid continued. "I'm sorry about Ksawery."
"Th-thank you..." Antoni stammered.
He wanted to be part of the conversation.
"Come closer," Dawid invited us, motioning with his hand. "We want to hear your version."
We sat by the fire. Whatever they were cooking didn't look very appetizing. It seemed like the village didn't provide them with proper supplies. Dried meat and hardtack—probably provisions they had brought with them.
"That's Tom and Oleg," Dawid said, pointing to two men sitting next to him. "And those two are left and right."
"Are the nicknames based on their dominant hand?" I asked, curious.
"Hey, someone's got a bit of oil in their head," said left, smiling.
"Yes," Dawid continued. "And I'm Dawid, the leader of this group."
When they weren't hungover, they actually resembled a well-balanced team.
"Now, boys, tell us what happened."
As Antoni summarized the whole situation, I didn't interrupt him. I didn't want to end up with a limp. Listening to his story, I realized that I had no chance of getting any knowledge from them if this halfwit was going to spill everything.
Looking blankly into the fire, it suddenly dawned on me. Maybe I no longer had those valuable pieces of information, but I had something they might be interested in...
"That's all," Antoni finished.
"Mhm," Dawid muttered. "Don't you have anything to add?" he asked, turning his gaze to me.
"No, Antoni said everything."
"Maybe there's a detail he missed?" Dawid continued. "The hunter from the village had a good opinion of you. Didn't you notice anything distinctive?"
Old Jan had a good opinion of me? Ha! I almost laughed.
"No, sir."
"Alright, boys, head home."
"Are you setting out on the hunt right away?" I asked, feigning curiosity.
"Not yet, we start hunting tomorrow."
Great. Since they'll be staying here, I still have a chance to meet with them alone. I just need to prepare my bargaining chips.
When we got home, it was already afternoon. Antoni went to the fields with Mark, and I had to prepare. The only thing that might have some value in the eyes of the adventurers was... food. When I saw their twisted faces eating dried meat and hardtack, I understood.
I have two rabbits and salt!
I remember this from Earth. The value of items is determined by their demand. Throughout history, there have been cases where people traded gold for bread because hunger was stronger than any wealth. Of course, it's not quite that extreme, but I don't expect gold—just a few answers.
After digging up the salt and taking the rabbits, I set off back to the camp.
When I arrived, the sun was nearing the horizon, and the camp was empty.
They must have gone on patrol or were questioning the villagers about the monster.
An hour later, I saw five figures approaching me. When they spotted me, they quickened their pace. They probably thought some village thief was trying to rob them.
"Oh, it's you, boy," Dawid said. "Did you forget something?"
"No," I replied, looking up. "I came to strike a deal."
"A deal?" Oleg laughed. "What could we want from a brat like you?"
Something that will make you stop grimacing while eating...
"A nice dinner?" I said, pulling the rabbits out of my bag.
"Haha! I like him," said left. "Are these your rabbits?"
"Yes, but they can be yours."
"And what could a noble boy want from us, humble adventurers?" asked right.
"Just information," I answered. "And if I like it, you'll get something extra."
"Oooo," said left. "A bonus from the young businessman, I like it! Hehe."
"Alright, what do you want?" Dawid asked.
"Magic," I replied simply. "I want to know about magic, I want to learn."
"Aah, you're one of those..." left muttered.
"One of those?"
"Village boys with dreams of becoming a hero."
"Is it wrong that I at least want to try?" I asked. "I'm offering a fair price."
"Only that..." said right, "we don't know any spells."
"But..." the group turned their gaze to Oleg.
"What are you staring at?" Oleg glared.
"You know magic?" I asked, surprised.
Oleg? He was the last one I'd suspect to be learned.
"Yes, what of it?"
"Nothing, two rabbits for a spell, special offer for you, big guy."
"Haha, you think I care about your rabbits?"
"So... you're not interested?"
"Boy, I'll teach you," he continued, "but not for that."
Interesting...
"I just like to destroy the dreams of little boys."
Who hurt you, big guy? Did uncle visit you at night?
"Or maybe I have talent?"
"Son, talent is mostly innate," he continued, "and your parent is not a wizard, farm boy."
"Let's see."