Darkness and Hellfire

Chapter 31 Less Risks

“So, who do you want to tell first?” Isaac questioned Lenna. Celeste had known that something was up when she saw them head up to their room earlier but so far they hadn’t told anyone that they were officially engaged yet. In elvish culture it didn’t matter but it was a big step for humans. Not as big of a step for Isaac compared to a normal human but it was still somewhat of a step. The hardest part about said step, for Isaac, was figuring out what they were going to do with their surnames, but that was a conversation for later.

“Let’s tell Celeste the next time we see her.” Lenna offered. “The same for Macken, Edward, and Alice. We can make a special trip for Stan, Jessica, and Jala when we are ready to formally invite them. We should go and see Sera and Izen as soon as they get back.”

“What about Alexander, Marie, Fen, and the boys?” Isaac asked. “I would like Aria to officiate it, if you don’t mind.”

Lenna nodded. “I am fine with Aria doing it.” She replied. “Marie and Fen will come if Sera and Jala do. It might be a bad idea for James and Lenny to be seen in public.”

“Yeah, you are probably right.” Isaac agreed. “Alexander?”

“He can get one when Jala does.” Lenna replied.

Isaac nodded. “Sounds fair.” He said. “We should go tell Celeste and ask her about a place to have it.”

Lenna sat up in bed. “Yes. Though we don’t have to rush. We have at least two months to figure it out.” She reminded him.

“Yeah, a month's heads up should be plenty.” Isaac agreed. “After we talk to Celeste we need to go track down Lenny. I know that he wasn’t done with Duncan so we should make sure the kid didn’t get himself killed.”

“Agreed.” Lenna replied.

“We also still don’t have our double platinum tags yet. I wonder what is taking the Adventurers’ Guild so long.” Isaac said with a thoughtful expression on his face.

“They did say it would take a while.” Lenna reminded him.

“Yes but I’m getting that feeling again.” Isaac replied.

“Like something big is going to happen?” Lenna asked.

Isaac shook his head to clear it. “Hopefully it’s nothing but we shouldn’t let our guard down.”

Lenna nodded. “I never do.”

Isaac gave her a warm smile. “I know.” He said and pulled her into a kiss.

—

Celeste looked like she was about to vault over the bar when the duo told her the news. As it was she all but sprinted around the side so she could wrap them both in a hug. “I might have grandchildren yet.” She said more to herself than to them before she cleared her throat. “Congratulations you two!” She told them. “When is the wedding? Where are you holding it? Who is officiating it?” And so on her questions went.

Over the course of the next hour or two Celeste helped them pick out a place to have it and sort out a bunch of other things related to their wedding. She also fed them, on-the-house, and brought out a bottle of light and sweet wine for the occasion. They each only had enough for a toast before it was time for Isaac and Lenna to hit the road once more. They had a rogue-warrior to hunt down. Hopefully the kid was still breathing.

—

Lenny woke up from his very extended nap. He rubbed his eyes and then stumbled his way to the window with a view of the clocktower. It was dinnertime which was odd because he could have sworn that it was just past midnight when he had fallen asleep. “Oh. Oh!” He exclaimed. “I slept for fifteen hours.” He shook his head to try and clear it. The incredible dryness in his mouth now made perfect sense. His stomach rumbled and he was assaulted by hunger pangs. “Yeah, I definitely slept for fifteen hours.” He finished the last of the water in his waterskin, snagged a piece of jerky to hold him over for a little while, stuffed his mask and swords in his Bottomless Bag, donned his cloak and headed back out onto the streets.

Lenny was stuffing his face, at a small shop that usually fed workers for cheap after they were done at either the warehouses or mushroom fields, when Isaac spotted him. Lenny almost choked when a copper coin appeared in his grasp without him even noticing. He nodded and then finished his food. He left a silver coin on the counter and left the shop. He soon spotted Isaac and Lenna and he made his way over to them. They were across the street at a stand, that sold fresh mushroom tea for the workers, sampling some of the lifeblood of the working class.

Lenny got his own and stood off to the side along with Isaac and Lenna. “Hey, boss.” Lenny said under his breath. “I have news but not here.”

“Where?” Isaac asked just as quietly.

“Where we met before.” Lenny replied. He quickly finished his drink, left the mug with the stand owner along with a pair of copper coins, and then headed off. A short while later all three of them were back inside of the abandoned building across from some of Duncan’s warehouses.

“So what’s going on?” Isaac asked.

“Well, I took a page out of your book and learned some things the old fashioned way.” Lenny replied.

“Which is?” Isaac questioned.

“I broke into his house and had a good look around.” Lenny replied with a shit eating grin that was far too reminiscent of Isaac’s.

“You are going to either ruin him or get him killed, probably both.” Lenna told her mate.

“Actually, I’m with Lenna on this one. Don’t get yourself in over your head. You aren’t useful to me dead.” Isaac chastised his mortal shadow.

“I was careful.” Lenny replied. “But anyway, here’s what happened. I climbed up the outside of his house and used the roof entrance.” He began and filled in Isaac and Lenna on everything that had happened and everything that he had seen.

“You almost got caught.” Isaac told him pointedly.

“Almost only counts with horseshoes, fireballs, and meteors.” Lenny countered.

Isaac sighed. “Whatever.” He conceded. “So, what’s your impression on the torture chamber?”

“It looked like it used to be well used but it hasn’t been in a while.” Lenny replied. “His wizard lair or whatever they call it was definitely behind it though.” Lenny explained. “His wizardy stuff was nowhere to be found and that was the only place I couldn’t get too.”

Isaac nodded. “It was a good thing you didn’t.” He told the rogue. “You wouldn’t have survived. There is no way that a man like that doesn’t have it trapped to the high heavens.”

Lenny begrudgingly agreed. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He conceded. “So, what do you want me to do about him? I think he actually sent out all of the slaves. I couldn’t find any but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t another secret location somewhere.”

“Let’s trust that we did find them all but keep an eye on him just in case. Have your brother keep an ear on the ground for anything about Duncan and let me know if it’s something that you think is important.” Isaac told him. “Anything else?”

Lenny shook his head. “Nothing important. I think I have all of his men’s faces and patterns memorized by now but I doubt you want to hear about that.” He replied with a self deprecating chuckle. “I think you are right, stakeouts aren’t as interesting as I used to think they were.”

Isaac nodded. “At least you can sit still. I feel like I’m fighting with myself to either not fall asleep or to keep from doing something less optimal out of boredom.” Isaac shook his head. “Anyway, thanks for the good work. Keep it up and do me a favor would you?”

“Sure, boss, what’s up?” Lenny replied.

“Find someone, I don’t care who it is, and let them know when and where you are about to do something risky. If you don’t come back they can let either your brother or one of us know, then we can try to rescue you.” Isaac instructed him. “If it’s too late then we can at least get revenge for you.”

Lenny’s eyes went wide and he swallowed. He had been playing really fast and loose but what Isaac had said had reminded him that sometimes the worst really did happen. It happened to his brother and they had rescued him. He didn’t want to be stuck in a position like his brother had been but without anyone knowing where he was. Lenny was not built to withstand torture. He nodded a few times rapidly at Isaac. “I’ll do that, boss, I promise.”

Isaac nodded once and patted him on the shoulder. “Good.” He told him.

“Now if I could only get this one to take less risks all would be well.” Lenna chimed in to some chuckles from the boys.