It's a Plant!

 It’s a Plant!

by

Shannon Kostyal


“He’s a plant.” Leyla’s voice was flat with disapproval.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, I’m sure he’s here for the sake of the adventure, not for spying.” Balyron flashed a too-charming grin at his companion.

“No. I mean he’s literally a plant.” She insisted. It irked her to no end that Balyron seemed incapable of taking anything she said at face value. She suspected he was prejudiced against her bardic background.

“Don’t be ridiculous, girl. Plants can’t talk, and they sure as the seven hells can’t answer wanted ads in taverns.” He slanted an annoyed look at her, then turned to Moki.

Moki made a display of wiping down the bar counter, amused at the young adventurers. He spared a glance toward the half-elf in the corner, and was not disappointed. Asanos pointedly looked away from the group, mouth curled in mild distaste.  

“Moki, could you please inform your jerk-face of an apprentice that Virgil is indeed a plant?” Leyla was past caring what others would interpret from the angered lilt in her voice. She wasn’t here to win votes, and she wasn’t here to bard. Not unless it became life or death. Gawyn wouldn’t stand for it; and if she angered him, that would be life or death.

The squirrel-faced old man chuckled, his nose twitching in amusement as he continued to wipe down the already shining surface of a spotless bar top.

“Moki!” Her voice was sharper now.

Moki sighed theatrically and snapped the wash rag with a flourish before tucking it into his belt.

“Yes, yes. No need to be so snippy. She’s right m’boy.” He turned his back to the group, appearing to peruse the display of bottles on the back shelf.

“What?!” Balyron’s face flushed, a sense of betrayal slicing through. What was Moki doing trying to pull one over on him? And in solidarity with the newbie, no less.

“You hard of hearing, boy?” Moki’s voice was gruff, with a hint of laughter swimming beneath the surface.

Balyron started to speak, then stopped, glaring. Leyla flashed him a triumphant little smile as she crossed her arms. Surely this was some kind of joke.

Alright. He’d bite. They wanted to play, he could play.

“Fine. Virgil’s a plant. We should probably make a note to keep him in the back, should there be dragons or wizards we go up against. No sense setting him on fire the first day on the job.” He tried and failed to keep the sarcasm out of his tone.

Moki turned and leaned against the counter, studying the small group. 

“Oh, I don’t know that you’ll have to worry about fire hurting him. But…” he paused, waiting until all three sets of eyes fixed on him in anticipation. “But, he will need to be carried. I would recommend Leyla be his primary buddy, but there will be times where all of you will need to rotate out.”

Balyron shook his head in disbelief. Asanos merely shrugged, returning to a look of half-disgusted disinterest. Leyla cleared her throat, her attention drawn to the entrance of the tavern.

Jax walked in, cradling a small potted plant in his large hands. The clay pot was enameled and glazed beautifully with swirls of red, orange, and yellow, reminiscent of flames. The plant itself was even more extraordinary, however. It rose up from luminescent gravel, and swayed gently as with a breeze, though the air was still. It’s primary stem was a deep violet blue that faded to crimson as it lifted up and branched out into jeweled sunshine leaves and a bulbous top, like a closed flower bud.

Balyron narrowed his eyes at the newcomers. He’d disliked Jax from the moment the warrior had joined their party. Too tall, too good looking. Too strong. Also, a little too ethical. It had severely cut down on Balyron’s side activities.

Jax flashed a boyish grin and lifted the potted plant ceremoniously.

“Gentlemen and lady, may I present the honorable Virgil, flame of the east, keeper of the light, enchanter in the dark.” The respectful intonation in his voice was at odds with the dimpled grin.

“Sir Virgil, may I present our sponsor, whom you’ve already met, Moki. The two young ones next to him are Balyron, our jack of all trades, and Leyla, our… “ he trailed off, coughing uncomfortably. He wasn’t quite sure what she was yet, even after the wyvern tasking had been completed. Leyla narrowed her eyes at him.

“And over in the corner is our ranger, Asanos.”

The plant seemed to draw itself taller, the gentle swaying coming to a halt.

“Well met, young adventurers. I look forward to the missions to come.” The plant’s voice echoed with a depth that was physically impossible for one so small, much less, something that also happened to be a plant. 

Leyla shivered as she felt the tingle of magic slide across her skin. Understanding widened her eyes as she studied Virgil. Magic recognized magic, no matter what its form. She stepped forward and curtsied to the plant, head lowered in respect.

“It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Sir Virgil. I look forward to our future missions together.”

The plant’s bulbous top dipped down in acknowledgement, leaves briefly coming together like hands clasped in prayer. 

Moki snorted at the display and slapped his hand against the counter. 

“Alright, kiddos. Down to business. Come gather ‘round.” He drew out a rolled up piece of paper and flattened it out. 

Balyron stared fish-eyed at Moki, then back at the thing in Jax’s hands. Oh hell no. No. Absolutely not. He pushed away from the bar and took a step back.

“Balyron.” Moki’s voice held a note of warning in it, and the young man flushed brightly, but grudgingly stopped his retreat.

“What’s the mission, boss?” Jax spoke up, hoping to divert attention back to a common rallying point. He gently placed Virgil on the bar top, and gave the pot a quarter turn so Virgil could see the map and the whole group. 

“Troll highwaymen. Been plaguing the merchants this spring. They have a hideout not far from the south forest road.” Moki stared pointedly at Balyron before continuing. “Heard tell they have quite the loot stash at this point. Bounty posting says the loot is fully up for grabs to whoever can clear out the trolls and retrieve a stolen heirloom.”

Balyron’s reticence melted away as the words sunk in. 

“Full loot rights, you say?”

“All except the heirloom. It’s an antique lute. The gentleman posting the bounty was very specific about that.”

“So… loot everything but the lute?” Balyron flashed a grin, for a moment forgetting the talking plant.

“Aye.” Moki nodded, sliding his gaze to Leyla. The girl was frowning.

“Alright, so here’s the map we have so far. Here, here, and here, “ Moki pointed to regions on the paper, “are the known ambush sites. And over there, “ he pointed to a spot a little south of the clustered points. “Here is the suspected hideaway.” He looked up at the group, assessment in his gaze.

“We got this, right guys?” Jax was fairly certain Leyla was in, and as disdainful as Asanos usually appeared, the half-elf hadn’t back down from a mission yet. His gaze focused on Balyron. 

Balyron shifted uncomfortably before shrugging his shoulders. “Yeah.. whatever. When do we leave?” He glanced to the old man behind the counter, resentment still simmering.

“Excellent! You leave tomorrow. Tonight - drinks are half-price, and the tavern dinner special is buy-one-get-one free!” 

Balyron snorted. “Can’t you ever just throw us a freebie, old man?”

“Bah! I have a business to run, boy. Be happy I discount for your group. I don’t have to.”

“Balyron…” Leyla’s voice held a note of warning, but she stopped as Jax spoke up.

“He’s right, y’know. Why, my last group’s sponsor could barely be counted on to even find us a rest point, much less anything else. So come! Let’s have some food and drink, and go over our supply list.” 

“I concur.” Virgil agreed, the quiet dignity of his voice breaking across the group. Lamp light glittered off his leaves as he swayed in the still air.

Balyron grimaced. “Better start the drinks early, old man.”