The Lost Key (Chapter 1, part 2)

 The Mysterious Contract 
Part 2

Next Day, The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the meadow. Children played by the stream, their laughter filling the air. Spring had arrived in the quaint village of Helcross, bringing with it a sense of renewal and the promise of new beginnings. I readied my horse and filled my pot with some water. 

“Where are we going” I asked the key,

“Down south there’s a man named Marcus, he can help with your journey” The Key replied with an excited tone.

“He knows about you?” I asked while fixing the saddle.

“Of course, you were the last remaining puzzle piece I required, rather an important puzzle piece” she answered humbly.

I rode down south as she mentioned through the forest and two days passed between that journey, meanwhile I hunted some rabbits and collected some vegetables for supplies. The key told me about her Master, as she never saw his face but the chest contains the secret of his identity and also her purpose. She offered me golds and artifacts worth millions. She told me Marcus is holding onto some artifacts for me as my first payment. 

“How far are we suppose to go, we might be entering chandolwood after few hours” I told the key.

“We won’t have to” she replied

“There, it is” She said loudly while vibrating in my pouch

I see a small home, rather designed like an old tree house, decorated with ancient show pieces and artifacts. I immediately recognized the items hanging outside.

“Is this potential companion of ours supposed to be a Drow” I asked curiously.

My thoughts were right a Drow came out of that house with a bow and arrow, Drow are the people of Underdark, there are not many of them living on the light side but I’ve work with them before. The Hostility was immense as he aimed the bow at me.

“How may I help you, sir!?” The Drow asked with a threatening tone.

“A well mannered drow, hmm” I thought to myself

“I am with the Lost key” I replied 

“What’s your name!?” He questioned me but this time in a polite tone.

“Radian” I replied and continued “You”

“I am Vance! Vance Do’urden” He answered and put down his bow. 

‘Where is Marcus?’ the key asked with a worrying tone.

“He’s been missing, till the last few days” answered the Drow while looking at the Forest. “Come inside” he continued “there are things wandering around, we don’t wanna disturb”

As we got in, Vance offered me a cup of tea, while he cleared up the space. The place was filled with books about supernatural creatures and necromancy.

“Marcus got a news about a witch, that lived by the woods down east, He became too curious and he was adamant to find that witch” Vance started speaking with a grave tone.

“I’ll find that witch and help the village on their crisis” Marcus said! Vance was telling his story.

“The village recently facing some cases of missing people and some kid name Harriet went missing too” Vance said while looking at the tea pot boiling.

“Harriet is some kid in the village and she went missing one week ago” Vance continued

"Apparently, Marcus befriended her few weeks ago." Vance told us while putting on the tea leaves.

“He became so obsessed with the witch for some reason, he barely slept and all the time sitting around learning on witch magic. So that, he can save Harriet!”

“What was Marcus, if you don’t mind me to asking!” I asked him the question knowing the answer judging by the surroundings. The shield, sword that can only be carried by a pa…”

“A Paladin” Vance replied with a worrying face.

He offered us the tea and sat in front of me, “He was a swordsman! Like no other, one of the finest I knew” Vance said.

“But, he always felt obligated to help others, even if he knows he can’t and somewhere down the line I know. He will lost his life for this same reason” Vance finished his sentence.

I took my sip of tea and “something was not right” I thought to myself.

“You trying to poison us” I said while holding my knife

“What, NO!” Vance replied

The tension grew!

“The tea is poisoned but it is some kind of magic spell not lethal” I finally pointed the knife at the Drow.

“Tell me your intention and I’ll give you a swift death” I continued

“Believe me, I have no idea” Vance replied all tensed.

“He’s telling the truth” The Key interfered 

“How do you know that!?” I asked the key with a loud tone.

“Because, my Master told me so” The key replied with a grave voice.

After few mins..

“I took a deep breath, where did you get the tea leaves” I asked Vance but now with a little bit polite tone.

“From what I know, Harriet sold it to Marcus” Vance replied.

and after saying this words, Vance understood the situation and with an awed expression looked at me.

“No!!”  Vance said while looking at the cup of tea!

It was Harriet all along.