Chapter V: Where is your consideration?

It’s going to be fine, she said.

The backpack bounced against his back.

They’d be out of the cave before it returns, she said.

Herzog panted, drenched in sweat as he ran.

He glanced over his shoulder.

The gryphon let out a piercing shriek, still flying after him. Paradox was nowhere to be found.

Herzog yelped.

❋ ❋ ❋

The shrieks stopped. Was it gone? He peeked above the viscous swamp water, duckweed and twigs tangled in his hair.

The sky was clear.

Herzog swam to the edge and threw a hook over it.

“I can’t believe that one.”

He pulled the rope.

“Leaving me behind as bait.”

He staggered onto dry land, twice as heavy as he came in. If anyone saw that, they might have mistaken him for a swamp monster. But that’s not even the worst part—he could have died!

What kind of friend would leave you to die like that? And besides, this whole thing was far too dangerous.

Herzog shook his head like a dog, shooting swamp muck everywhere.

“I’m just a shopkeeper! This is nuts!”

A pink spot in the sky.

He opened his arms.

“Oh, now you show up!”

Paradox batted her wings and dove towards him. Something white under her arms.

A pair of giant eggs.

She alighted, a satisfied grin on her face, then scanned him from head to toe.

“What happened?”

Herzog blinked at her.

“You happened!”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. Why do you need these eggs for anyways?”

She placed them gently on the ground, then approached him, reaching over his shoulder for something.

Click, clack, clang.

Herzog’s eyes narrowed.

“Got it!” she said, pulling something from his bag.

A frying pan. There was drool running at the corner of her mouth, cheeks red.

“Let’s cook!”

“Wait a second. Are you saying I almost died because you wanted to eat some scrambled gryphon eggs?”

“There aren’t gryphons anywhere else in the world, though. And I’m not sure I’ll ever have the chance to return here.” She patted his shoulder. “Plus, you did very well yourself, Zog!”

His jaw dropped.

“You’re nuts!”

She sucked up the drool.

“Have you ever tried one of these? They say it’s best in the whole world.”

“No, and I don’t wanna!”

“But—”

“No. You and your crazy list. Why do you have to be like this?”

The frying pan fell limp to her side.

“I need to do this, though...”

“Tsk. Then do it on your own. I’m going back to the shop!”

He swiveled and stormed off towards the city.

❋ ❋ ❋

Zoey argued loudly with a client about the quality of the products, as more clients trickled in. Maurice arrived at the entrance with his cart, bringing fresh goods. It was good to be home.

Something stank, making Herzog’s nostrils twitch.

Oh. It was just him.

The perfume of the swamp latched onto you and didn't let go, especially after jumping headfirst into it to save your life.

He shook his head.

What was that girl thinking?

But it didn’t matter anymore. He was determined to take it easy from now on.

Maurice walked in, a welcoming smile on his face.

“Hey, kiddo. How’s business?”

“Hey, Maurice. Can’t complain.”

The blacksmith interrupted their usual exchange of pleasantries with a puzzled frown.

“What’s this smell?”

Herzog smiled sheepishly at him.

“We had an... accident. But it’s all sorted out now. What’s on your mind?”

He nodded.

“I just wanted to let you know that the clientele boost won’t last as long as we thought.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“They brought the tournament forward. It’s going to start in two days.”

“Oh... That’s a pity. We might need to slow down with the next delivery.”

Maurice sighed.

“We probably do. Well.” He waved and turned. “See you later, kiddo.”

“See ya.”

The blacksmith left as a couple customers approached the counter. Herzog made himself smile and began to listen to them, as his mind drifted to something else.

Two days, uh?

The customer stopped, sniffing the air.

“What’s this smell?”

Herzog sighed.

❋ ❋ ❋

They were closing the shop when Paradox showed up, without the usual smile. Herzog stopped dusting the counter. Zoey wobbled towards her.

“Paradox, you missed something really funny...”

She turned to Zoey, pulling her hair behind her ear. Her face lit up as they talked.

Herzog lowered his head, pretending to go back to work as she stole glances at him from across the room.

What’s this about? I did nothing wrong. She’s the one who should be ashamed, not me.

“Night, night.”

“Good night, Zoey.”

Footsteps.

Herzog lifted his head as they stopped.

“Hi,” she said. “Sorry.”

Herzog choked on his own saliva.

I was NOT expecting this!

How could he even stay mad, though, as she looked at him like that, looking genuinely sorry?

He recomposed himself, clearing his throat.

“Did you hear about the tournament?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Yeah. I’ll be getting my prize sooner than I thought.”

“Oi. You’re very cocky, aren’t you?”

“Anyways. You’ll only have to bear with me for two more days, and then I’m... gone.”

“Yeah...”

Zoey snuffed the last lamp, dimming the room.

“Good night,” Paradox said.

Herzog nodded, taking his time to answer.

“Hm. Night.”

❋ ❋ ❋

Thanks for reading Chapter V: Where is your consideration?

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