17th of Arah, Second month of Winter.

  It has been a long time since I traveled through this area of the world. We have stopped a few times in small towns, but have mostly just camped in the wagon. I’m surprised by the lack of bandits so far. I guess the road guards’ patrols have been stepped up since I was last here, even though we haven’t seen any of them.

  -

  The bandits hovered just offer the hill from the king’s highway, waiting for their next mark. Around midday, a lone wagon came into view. A wagon that the lookout spotted and shuddered at the magic emanating from within. He ran the distance to the camp at full speed, almost tripping on his way down the slope.

  “Boss! There’s a wagon, but I think we should skip it.”

  “Why?”

  “Magic. Lots of magic.”

  The boss, an old grizzled looking man in his fifties, squinted at the lookout, then at the note he had received a few days prior. “Magic. How big is this wagon?”

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  “Pretty big. Human male driver, young elven woman, and a boy.”

  “And lots of magic?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Did he look like this guy?” The boss held up a Demonian gold coin.

  “That’s Him.”

  “Shit.”

  -

  19th of Arah,

  A strange thing happened at the inn tonight. Three men and a woman stopped by our table during supper. They all wore good clothing from an old fashion line, and on their lapels they each wore pins denoting the four suits of cards. We had a polite conversation where I introduced Brianna as my wife and Grendel as child, then they left. Grendel didn’t talk through the rest of our meal. The boy almost never stops talking during meals, it’s a wonder that he can eat with his mouth going so fast. When we went to pay the bill, we were instead handed a stack of coins, and told that our entire stay was already paid for. A strange night indeed.

  -

  Grendel stared at the ceiling. His bed was comfortable and he was very tired, but he couldn’t sleep. It was them. The Aces. Maxw…dad hadn’t caught the subtext, but they were asking questions. Then he introduced me as his son, and they asked ME questions! Thank the gods I learned hand sign. Shit. I am so screwed when I grow up. I don’t WANT to be in charge.

  Several hours of staring at the ceiling later, Grendel finally drifted off to sleep.