Shew’s retirement Allion the Third called Stafford to his private office to order his older mentor’s death; the prince claimed that Shew was now working with smugglers and committing treason. That was the day that Stafford began planning his own retirement; not wanting his successor to do for him like he was now assigned to do for Shew.
Stafford appeared on Shew’s door step and immediately saw the traps. Instead of entering he simply left a note that read “ Beef ragoût, dash, dot, dot, dot...” This would mean nothing to anyone but Shew and Stafford. It meant for Shew to meet him at the Ox the following week, third day of the week. And that the meeting time would be at seven in the evening.
Shew sauntered in to the Ox like the old codger that he was. After forty years of fighting the hidden foes of the kingdom he had altered his looks and personality to be that of a harmless but crotchety appearing old man with a thin pointy mustache and a sharp pointed beard. He spotted Stafford sitting towards the back of the tavern and hobbled over, pulling up a chair sitting opposite of the younger man.
“Hey Old Timer,” greeted Stafford, “thought you were dead.” He slid a drink towards the older man. “I took the liberty
“I tried,” Grumped Shew as he picked up the frothy stein, “but when I lay down in the grave it spit me out… said I tasted funny.”
“Probably the ridicules beard and mustache,” laughed Stafford. “How’s retirement treating you?” Stafford added casually.
“Retirement’s fine and the mustache and beard make me look younger, thank you. I got married about a year ago and the little Mrs. won’t let me in the house if it isn’t to get cleaned up first.
You didn’t invite m e here to discuss my retirement and I thought I we agreed to treat me as if I was dead and not to look me up unless it was life or death.”
“Married,” you old son-of-a -b…” Shew started to stand. “Hang on a minute,” said Stafford turning serious and gestured him to retake his seat. “It just so happens, that it is… life or death; mostly yours.”
“So the little prick finally made the call, did he?” Shew spat referring to the current king as he sat back down and picked his drink back up.
“I’m afraid so,” replied Stafford.” He seemed such a nice kid when he was prince… you sure he didn’t get switched at birth or dropped on his head or something? He’s nothing like his dad or grandfather.”
“Some kids just grow up to be bastards, regardless of their parentage,” the old mentor stated matter of factly. “So Stafford,” the old man continued, “what’s it going to be, an accident, a fire, or does the little tissue wipe want my head as proof?”
“He didn’t say, but if I give him your head it will be less likely he’ll send a follow up to check my work,” shrugged Stafford.
“What if I don’t want to die,” grumbled the older man. “I like my life… how am I going to explain this to Martha, wow is she going to be miffed… Besides, I’m pretty hard to kill – even by you. Does that little prick think I’m just going to lie down and say lop my head off I’m not using it anymore.”
“I got your back,” Stafford placated. “You still have those artifacts I gave you?”
“Yeah,” said Shew.
“Good here’s what I want you to do,” explained Stafford. “Open up the smaller case and inside is a little handheld artifact that is all blue except for the red glyphs and the yellow button, take it and use it to remove that little CSS tattoo behind your right ear. I don’t want you to say I didn’t warn you but it will feel like its burning at first but keep it activated and in place until it feels cool and like it’s healed… it will take about three minutes. If you stop half way it will scar and you will look like someone who burned it off and it will look suspicious.”
“What about Allion, he’s not
Stafford appeared on Shew’s door step and immediately saw the traps. Instead of entering he simply left a note that read “ Beef ragoût, dash, dot, dot, dot...” This would mean nothing to anyone but Shew and Stafford. It meant for Shew to meet him at the Ox the following week, third day of the week. And that the meeting time would be at seven in the evening.
Shew sauntered in to the Ox like the old codger that he was. After forty years of fighting the hidden foes of the kingdom he had altered his looks and personality to be that of a harmless but crotchety appearing old man with a thin pointy mustache and a sharp pointed beard. He spotted Stafford sitting towards the back of the tavern and hobbled over, pulling up a chair sitting opposite of the younger man.
“Hey Old Timer,” greeted Stafford, “thought you were dead.” He slid a drink towards the older man. “I took the liberty
“I tried,” Grumped Shew as he picked up the frothy stein, “but when I lay down in the grave it spit me out… said I tasted funny.”
“Probably the ridicules beard and mustache,” laughed Stafford. “How’s retirement treating you?” Stafford added casually.
“Retirement’s fine and the mustache and beard make me look younger, thank you. I got married about a year ago and the little Mrs. won’t let me in the house if it isn’t to get cleaned up first.
You didn’t invite m e here to discuss my retirement and I thought I we agreed to treat me as if I was dead and not to look me up unless it was life or death.”
“Married,” you old son-of-a -b…” Shew started to stand. “Hang on a minute,” said Stafford turning serious and gestured him to retake his seat. “It just so happens, that it is… life or death; mostly yours.”
“So the little prick finally made the call, did he?” Shew spat referring to the current king as he sat back down and picked his drink back up.
“I’m afraid so,” replied Stafford.” He seemed such a nice kid when he was prince… you sure he didn’t get switched at birth or dropped on his head or something? He’s nothing like his dad or grandfather.”
“Some kids just grow up to be bastards, regardless of their parentage,” the old mentor stated matter of factly. “So Stafford,” the old man continued, “what’s it going to be, an accident, a fire, or does the little tissue wipe want my head as proof?”
“He didn’t say, but if I give him your head it will be less likely he’ll send a follow up to check my work,” shrugged Stafford.
“What if I don’t want to die,” grumbled the older man. “I like my life… how am I going to explain this to Martha, wow is she going to be miffed… Besides, I’m pretty hard to kill – even by you. Does that little prick think I’m just going to lie down and say lop my head off I’m not using it anymore.”
“I got your back,” Stafford placated. “You still have those artifacts I gave you?”
“Yeah,” said Shew.
“Good here’s what I want you to do,” explained Stafford. “Open up the smaller case and inside is a little handheld artifact that is all blue except for the red glyphs and the yellow button, take it and use it to remove that little CSS tattoo behind your right ear. I don’t want you to say I didn’t warn you but it will feel like its burning at first but keep it activated and in place until it feels cool and like it’s healed… it will take about three minutes. If you stop half way it will scar and you will look like someone who burned it off and it will look suspicious.”
“What about Allion, he’s not
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