Page 26 of Phoenix Chosen 3

“More wine and food for our heroes!” someone shouts, and everyone cheers.

Kalistratos holds up his palm, calling for everyone to wait. “Please,” he says, gently but with a stern authority. It’s just a single word, but everyone stops talking and listens. My heart jumps.

Sodamn sexy.

“What is it you’re expecting from us?” he asks. “We’re not heroes, we’re just passing through. We appreciate your hospitality—we were in great need of it. But we have our own problems, and staying here may only bring them to your doorstep. We can pay you, of course. This essence stone would fetch a pretty good price…”

“The journey to Athenos is difficult,” Markos says, shaking his head. “Now that it’s open, we may get traders coming through once again, but… we cannot make it ourselves anymore. It is Aelonos that is our lifeblood, but the way south has been blocked.” He holds up two fingers. “Nearly two months ago, a powerful bandit gang seized the road. They raided our shipments and we were powerless to resist. We have no warriors here. We’re not strong enough to defend our carts.”

Phyllis says, "The gods of thunder and fire have blessed them. They knocked out poor Kristos with a single blow and drove off the rest of us with a great breath of fire.”

“He surprised me,” Kristos mutters, embarrassed. “If I’d been a younger man…”

“Nonsense!” Phyllis interrupts. “It was thunder magic! You wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it. But our heroes...” She smiles, her teeth stained from wine. “They can do it.”

Kalistratos sighs. “Like I said, we have our own problems…”

“Kalistratos,” I whisper. “We should help them…”

“I’m not going to put you in danger,” he replies quietly. “We’re not here to fight bandits. And there’s only two of us.”

I frown. “There’s three of us,” I say.

“Tyler…”

“You gave me this,” I say, patting the sling on my belt. “I know how to use it.”

“And what about payment?” Airos asks.

“Airos!” I say. “Seriously? They’re a bunch of senior citizens. C’mon, you don’t charge an old lady for helping her cross the street.”

“If I had to beat someone up to do it, maybe I would,” Airos replies.

Kalistratos laughs. “For once, we agree on something.”

I shrug. I can’t argue with that. I’m just not used to the idea of mercenary work, of demanding payment for helping people—but then again, I was a security guard. When I think about it… it’s not really that different.

“No, no,” says Markos. “Of course we will pay.”

They produce a bag of coins and set it on the table with a heavy thunk.

“Okay,” Airos says, nodding. “And a week’s provisions, room and board, and free access to fill my wine gourd whenever I pass through.” He smiles cordially at them.

Kalistratos snorts. “Oh, this monk is really something.”

“We have a deal,” Markos says, holding out his hand.

“Wonderful,” Kalistratos mutters.

They bring us more food and wine. Airos looks happy to drink another cup. I’m happy to get more food. Kalistratos is pissed.

“What are we doing, Airos?” he says angrily. “We can’t fight bandits, especially when we know nothing about them.”

“Apparently, they know magic. That’s something,” Airos answers coolly. “Very curious. Besides, we don’t have a choice. We’re going to Aelonos. We have to take that road, so why not get paid to do so?”

Kalistratos leans back against the wall and drinks his wine.

The village has a bathhouse.

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