The Staff of Ramah

  Chapter 31

  Gaost and Jer had been wandering the docks of Goram for nearly an hour but they still could not find this old fisherman named Pete.

  “Maybe we should check in some of the pubs,” Jer said to the Cleric. “Everyone out on the streets seems way too scared of you to talk. What’s with that G?”

  “Strange stories about my powers have spread around the lands for all of my life. Some say that I can suck out their souls. Some think that I take their children away for dark rituals. I am avoided everywhere I go Jer.”

  “I guess that’s good in a way huh? Then you can do all the stuff you need to without bein’ bothered.”

  “You speak the truth son,”

  “Well I think you are pretty cool. I’m gonna sneak into this pub here and listen for a sign of this Pete guy, ok?”

  “Good idea Jer,” Gaost responded, smiling at the compliment from the little thief. “I will wait outside so as not to scare all the patrons.”

  Like a flash, Jer slipped inside the pub leaving Gaost to wait outside. In mere minutes, Jer came back out to inform the Cleric what he found out.

  “Ol’ Pete is in there getting good and drunk G,”

  “Any suggestions as to how we can get him out here to have a talk Jer? I want to avoid going in myself if at all possible.”

  “He’s got a mangy dog with him. I’m pretty sure that I can lure the dog out here. He should come out after him I think.”

  “How do you plan on luring a dog to follow you son?” Gaost asked quizzically.

  Jer pulled out a fairly large chunk of meat that he must have been saving for a snack. “I always keep something in my pocket for when I get hungry.”

  Before Gaost could agree to the plan, Jer slipped away once again into the pub.

  Gaost just shook his head, but he had to admire the young man’s vigour. Less than a minute later, Goast could hear a slight commotion coming from inside the building and shortly after that, out came Jer with the dog following close behind.

  “J.j.jonah! W.w.w.what’s up with you t.tonight?” came the voice of an old man from inside the pub. Not far behind Jer and the dog, came an elderly fisherman who had a very pronounced limp.

  “Sorry sir,” Jer said as kindly as possible. “I didn’t mean t’ trick ya, but we wanted to talk to you alone for a bit.”

  The smell of booze emanating from the old sailor was enough to make Gaost’s eyes water, but the man seemed actually very coherent for having drunk so much liquor.

  “Speak up then lad,” Pete spoke with a snarl. “W.w.what do you want?”

  “I wish to hire your boat good sir,” Gaost said in a kind voice. “I will pay any price that you wish.”

  “W.where do you wanna g.go?” the old man asked.

  “I would prefer to speak of that when we are in a less public area,” Gaost responded, “perhaps at the docks?”

  “Follow me then,” Pete said simply, gesturing them to follow.

  Gaost walked slowly alongside the old boatman at a steady pace but no words were said between the two. Jer and Jonah the dog however were having a blast, almost running circles around the two men. It looked to Gaost as if the young thief had never owned a pet before and it was probably true. Again the weary cleric smiled in spite of the pressure that was weighing on him. He had lived for such a long time now, and most of that time was in a world that had forgotten its creator. In fact, aside from the last few weeks with Logan, Rose, and Jirah, he had lived a very lonely life. As if to accentuate his feelings of isolation, the people of Goram were moving out of his general direction, and if by chance they ever looked into his white eyes, they would immediately avert their gaze. As he and Pete rounded a street corner, the docks came in to view and Gaost’s feelings of melancholy were replaced with anticipation. The time had finally come for the chosen one to arise and having Rose this close to the staff could not help but bolster his determination. Rose would get the staff and he would protect her with every ounce of his power. The tide would turn from Belial to Ya, and he may just live to see it.