"Bet that's the hardest thing. Finding a place to store all the merchandise." Charlie looks at each person.
The closer we get to Ria's, the more crowded the walkway becomes.
All of a sudden, a loud voice fills the air. "I'm sorry, you cracked the flask. There isn't anything I can do."
What the hell is going on? "Someone sounds like they are in trouble."
He nods his head and begin taking steps that way. "Yeah, let’s go check it out."
We break into a jog, following the voices, and soon we find a tall ogre-like man hovering over the market lady who was talking to us earlier.
His nostrils are flaring, and his green face even has a red hue to it. He's holding a weird contraption that reminds me of a hot vapor machine back on Earth. There is a bottle-like container on top that holds water. "I just need you to fix this. I can't afford a new one."
The lady’s eyes widen, and she throws both hands in the air. "I can't fix the fan inside. I'm sorry. The only thing you can do is buy a new spell."
"Then switch it out." He takes a menacing step toward her. "And do it now. I need to get back to my wife."
What's that spell that he needs so bad? He seems determined to get it, but I'm not sure he's going about it the right way.
"Sir?" Charlie steps forward and glances between the two. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"No." His tone is getting low, and his hands clench. "All I need her to do is to give me a new fan, and I'll be on my way."
"But the fans have a spell on them too. It costs me a lot of money and time to do." She straightens her shoulders and stares him in the eye. "You will have to pay for a brand-new one just like everyone else."
"That's impossible. I don't have the money for another spell. This took our savings." His body becomes tense, and his breathing becomes ragged. "I just need you to do this."
"Absolutely not. If I do this for one person, more will expect the same in return." Her eyes hardened, and she places her hands on her hips. "If you keep this up, you will not be welcome back here."
He growls and takes a step forward and grabs her, lifting her up by her shirt. "I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that there was an option."
Tide emerges from the dark shadows and steps in front of them. "We don't take threats kindly here. Why don't you get your stuff and move along?" He turns toward the merchant. “Are you okay, Melody?”
She shakes her head no and takes a deep breath.
There's something missing here. Some sort of explanation. Neither Tide nor the merchant is acting surprised by this man's actions.
"Why don't our two new visitors go back to their house?" Tide glances at us and motions in the direction of Ria’s house.
"Are you both scared for our audience?" The ogre taunts and takes a step toward me. "Maybe if I take something important of yours, you'll finally help me with my request."
If somebody doesn't intervene soon, something bad is going to happen. "I don't think threatening them is the best way to go about it."
His stony eyes turn toward me. "I don't think I remember asking for anyone's opinion. I just need this fixed, and I'll be on my way. I don’t want to cause any problems." He turns back to them suddenly and throws her against the wall.
Her head hits with a loud thud, and she cries out in pain. Then, he’s holding her up in the air by her shoulders.
Dax appears and stands beside me. He crosses his arms, causing his muscles to bulge. "Looks like I got here just in time."
At this point, more backup is appreciated. I turn my attention back to the ogre. "Why don't you calm down, and we can talk through this."
"That's the thing. There is no talking through this." He focuses back on the lady, and he sneers. "There's only one resolution, and she will provide it to me." He places his hand around her throat, and she begins to squirm.
Is Tide not going to do anything? He appears to be a ruler of this world, yet he's letting one of his own merchants be hurt.
"Just... Let her down." Tide takes a few steps back and away from the ogre.
Nope, this isn’t going to happen. Not while I'm here. I take a few steps, but an arm catches me.
"Don't worry. I've got it." Dax grabs the ogre by his shoulder and yanks him back.
The ogre stumbles back and releases her, using both hands to catch the contraption that contains water. He spins around and faces Dax. "What the hell was that for?"
Charlie steps forward, blocking me from the ogre's view. "You don't need to threaten this lady."
What I've now learned is there is always more to the story than what meets the eye. Everyone assumed I did the council wrong, so couldn't this be the same thing?
"You'll pay for this." The merchant straightens and rubs her neck. "There's no chance in hell that I'll ever help you again."
"Don't ever come back on this world." Tide takes a few steps and places his fingers loosely through his belt loops. "You will not be allowed in the portal again."
"You won't help me now so what's the difference." The ogre quivers and takes a step toward both of them.
Dax steps in front of them and holds out a hand. "To get to her, you'll have to go through me.”
"Come on. Let's get out of here before something happens." Charlie grabs my arm to pull me toward the house.
No, for some reason, this is where I'm supposed to be. I can
