Page 45 of To Hunt a Ruby Remedy

I took a closer look at the hunter, surprised by his willingness to talk. He was no longer clean-shaven, there was dirt in his armor, and the crossbow hanging off his shoulder was of noticeably poorer quality. Between the fine lightening his purse and the lack of welcome by any of the residents of Drakona, he had been forced to live rougher.

Gideon had wanted an easy path to fame and fortune. He thought hunting a dragon in the forest simpler than scaling the mountains to get near one. Now he was without resources.

Perfect.

“I will provide you with a dragon scale,” I told the hunter. “In exchange, you will stop hunting me. In fact, you will leave the forest and never return. You can tell whatever tale you want about how you came by the scale, so long as it doesn’t mention me or shape-shifting.”

“You can’t buy me off with a single dragon scale.”

I raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t refusing to deal; he was simply greedy. That was expected. I had shed plenty of scales over the past few days. I was ready to haggle. “What do you want, then?”

“A dozen scales every year to maintain your secret.”

I shook my head. “Nothing ongoing. Once you leave the forest, you do not come back. A dozen scales total.”

“Fifty. And I want my crossbow and silver returned.”

“Two dozen. I’ll return your crossbow, but I don’t have the silver.” Nor would I ask Scarlette for the money, though I’m certain she’d offer.

“Then the equivalent in copper or whatever you do have.”

I rolled my eyes. “Does it look like I have need of much coin here? I barter with the villages. My coin is healing charms.”

“Fine. Fifty scales, my crossbow, and a dozen healing charms.”

“Three dozen scales, your crossbow, and five charms. And if you tell a story about defeating a dragon in the forest, the villagers of Wulfkin will corroborate your story—so long as it bears no resemblance to the truth.”

“Deal.”

“I’ll get the contract.”

“What?”

“The contract. You didn’t think I’d take your word for it, did you? We will sign a contract detailing our agreement.” I cocked an eyebrow. “That isn’t a problem, is it?”

“Fine. Write your contract, but I want to see the scales.”

“Of course. I’ll bring everything out.”

Gideon scowled, but didn’t protest when I left him outside.

Scarlette sat at the table, pen in hand. She looked up at me. “I almost have your terms filled in.”

“Thank you. I’ll grab everything else.”

I ran up to the loft and counted out scales, slipping them into a rough sack. Then I grabbed five of the charms I had been working on to send to Ortfel, tied off the spells, and shoved them in my pocket. It would serve Gideon right if I made him five charms that lasted no longer than an hour after I finished them, but though he hadn’t specified the strength of the charms, I would still give him quality spells. No doubt he would sell them, and I didn’t want the people who ended up with the charms to suffer because of him.

I slung the crossbow over my shoulder and carried everything downstairs.

Scarlette gave me a look that dared me to object to her bringing the contract out to the hunter. With the sack of scales and the bow to deal with, I decided the extra set of hands wasn’t a bad idea. I didn’t want Gideon to grab things while I was dealing with the contract, especially since we had to bring out pen, ink, and something to write on since I refused to let him in the cottage. Besides, Scarlette pulled a thin stick partially from her pocket, waiting for me to notice it, before reaching for the doorknob.

I smiled. She still had the paralyzing enchantment I had given her. I’d have to see about making a stronger one, maybe fashioned as a bracelet, to replace the stick. But for now, it ought to suffice if the hunter tried anything. It should still have a couple of uses left.

Gideon wasn’t surprised to see Scarlette. He must have heard us talking through the open window as easily as she had listened to our negotiations. He held out an imperious hand for the contract. She passed the paper to him, but he didn’t start reading. “The scales?”

I opened the sack and lifted one iridescent green scale out, angling it back and forth in the sun. Then I dropped it back in with the others and held the bag open wide and angled it toward the hunter. “Three dozen.”

He smiled. “I need a pen.”

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