33 Anchor (1/2)
Li explained to Old Thane the bare bones version of what had went down. He told him how the thieves were affiliated with Black Vine, but he omitted that they were a secret den of vampires wanting to usurp the kingdom. He didn't tell him about the vast power he had used to subjugate the organization entirely. It felt pointless to burden him with more worries about things he would have never found out otherwise.
”And the thugs? They won't be coming back anymore. I've made sure they'll never even think about setting foot near here,” said Li. He stood up and began cleaning the table up. He put the loaf back into its basket – it was still nearly whole, as Li only ate as a gesture of courtesy rather than need. He put the mugs and plates away into a washing bucket capped with a lid inscribed with a cleansing rune.
Old Thane tugged at his beard. ”Gods, to think Black Vine would stoop to such lows. I'd heard the rumors, but never did they dare to loosen such brazen thuggery upon Aine. I would not have allowed it, nor would any of the adventurers thankful for her life-saving brews.”
”Don't waste your breath on them,” said Li. ”They're done.”
Old Thane nodded his head and crossed his arms. ”Aye, that's good to hear that they won't be hounding us. Say, lad, how about we show them up even more? Your license is coming tomorrow, no? Once that is here, you should show Black Vine how a real herbalist does his job. Would make them right ashamed to even sell their cheap wares.”
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”Listen, do not speak more of Black Vine as if they are still some thorn at my side. There is no need to ever treat them as an equal. I will never have to compete with their lowly ilk for I have decreed that they will never rear their pathetic heads ever again.” As Li spoke, his voice rumbled, and his expression darkened. The cottage trembled just a little, as if shuddering at the clump of eldritch power it housed.
”I have subjugated them entirely, making bloody examples of their brethren, instilling within them a fear that will never be forgotten, not even in centuries. Even now, they still weep tears of blood at the misery I have wrought upon them. Their leader I have taught well, for now he truly understands where he stands in this world: right under my heel. Though his dreams are lofty, I have etched unto his being that reality will always show him that he will always be beneath me.”
Old Thane stared at Li open-mouthed for a few seconds before he nodded slowly. ”Aye…I was merely suggesting things, lad. I understand, they are no longer a problem.”
”I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me.” said Li as he shook his head. He felt as if he was in a daze, lightheaded as if he had been pulled all of a sudden to the ground from a great altitude. When he looked at Old Thane, seeing both equal parts fear and concern etched into the old man's wrinkles, he sobered up completely from whatever leftover influences of his eldritch power there were.
”Perhaps it is best we get some sleep,” said Old Thane as he reached out and gave Li a pat on the back.
Li opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but in the end, he just ended up nodding with a quiet ”yeah.”
---
The next day proceeded as usual. Li and Old Thane got up at dawn and weeded the fields and began pruning the herb and berry gardens. Old Thane was back at his chatty mood, this time regaling Li with the ups and downs of a tale revolving around masquerading as a pit fighter to bust a criminal overlord.
It was as if nothing had happened, and Li still smiled and laughed and threw out the occasional sarcastic but bantering barb at the old man, and yet today, it felt as if the exchanges were just that much hollower.