Chapter 58: Taking chances
"Thank you, but-" Irwin said as he stared at the older woman beaming at him and holding forward a small parcel.
"No! Don't you dare," she said. "You saved mine and my grandson's life! I brought these raisins just for a festive occasion, and what could be more festive than living another day!"
Irwin reluctantly took the package, looking at the little boy staring at the parcel. He was probably two years old, at most, and seemed unable to understand why food was being given away. Taking a quick look around and noting no other people around, Irwin knelt and pulled open the tiny bag. In it were two handfuls of raisins.
"By Gerwin's beard, so many raisins," he whispered as he raised his eyebrows at the little boy. "I don't think I can ever eat all of these. Do you think you can help me with some?"
The boy nodded resolutely, and Irwin took a handful of raisins, carefully placing them in his hands. He grinned widely as the boy began stuffing his face. Then he took a few, chewing on the savory and incredibly sweet dried fruit. Sharing another smile with the boy, he rose and saw the old woman nod at him.
"Such a decent young man," she said as she took the boy's free hand. "Thank you again! Take care of yourself, and make sure you don't get killed."
Irwin swallowed and nodded. "I will." He watched the old woman walk off, hearing her mutter under her breath. "A shame I don't have any more daughters."
Irwin grimaced, stuffing the remaining raisins in his new coat's pocket as he continued towards Trimdir's. Pulling the front of his new jacket closer together, he shivered. The sky was still blue, and the wind almost nonexistent, but the temperature had dropped even more. A thin layer of ice covered the ground, cracking below his boots.
I wonder how Trimdir will react, he thought.
Daubutim had agreed that it was time to talk with the smith, though he had advised not to explain exactly how they could reforge the cards. They had talked for a while and came up with what Daubutim said would be an at least reasonably plausible explanation. After that, he'd suggested he come along in case the smith would try something.
He won't, Irwin thought as he shook his head. He'd never heard or seen anything bad from Trimdir, and unless he was willing to let Degonda perish, he needed to find some way to get more higher-level cards circulating. Thinking back to the demonic frogs eating people, he shuddered. No. He wanted to help!
As he passed through the town's narrow streets, he thought back to the sight just outside of the tower he'd witnessed. A few dozen people had been gathered at the tower square, chatting and thanking Basil and some of his elite guards. The heavily armored men and women, some still wounded from the previous day, had mingled easily, obviously knowing many of those that had come there.