Chapter 92 – Mission Log: Fixer-upper
Tanna and Marron left the Thornwick Rest before the others were fully awake.
The appointment with Kess was early — paperwork didn't wait on sleep — and Marron had wanted to reach the property before the carpenter did. He hadn't said why. He rarely explained the small logistics. He just moved, and Tanna had learned it was easier to match his pace than ask questions he'd answer eventually anyway.
The trade depot sat two streets over from the Thornwick Rest, tucked into a natural curve of the mountain's lower shelf. Tanna spotted it first—the slumped roofline visible over a low stone wall, timber dark with age and weather.
Snow Tusk slowed without prompting.
The property looked forgotten.
Two stories. The base was stone—solid dwarven work, laid flush against the hillside itself. The upper section jutted forward slightly, timber frame and narrow shuttered windows. The roof sagged in the middle, tiles missing in uneven patches. A crooked iron chimney rose from the western corner, rusted and listing.
The front gate hung open on one hinge. Beyond it, a small courtyard stretched toward the building's main entrance. Weeds had broken through the paving stones. A rusted hitching post tilted near the gate.
Marron pulled the wagon through the gate and stopped near the center of the yard. Snow Tusk snorted and settled.
Tanna stepped down from the bench.
The building's stone foundation showed no cracks. The timber above looked dry-rotted in places. Two ground-floor windows, shutters warped. The main doors were heavy weathered oak.
Above, a narrow balcony jutted out—timber railings loose, some boards missing entirely. One window faced the courtyard, shutters closed. Another faced east, catching the morning light.
The structure leaned into the mountain's natural rock shelf, anchored at the back.
Marron climbed down from the wagon.
Kess came around from the other side of the building, ledger under her arm, expression neutral in the way of someone who had sold worse and knew it.
"The structure isn't going anywhere," she said, which Tanna took as the most optimistic thing she was likely to say about it.
Marron smiled the way he smiled when he was already three steps past the current conversation. He took the ledger, reviewed the last page without hurry, and signed.
Kess watched him. "Most buyers want to inspect before they commit."
"I inspected," Marron said, returning the ledger. "Twice."
Kess glanced around the yard — the weeds, the listing shutters, the sagging roofline. Something moved in her expression, brief and dry.
"Good luck with it," she said.
She left the way she'd come, footsteps unhurried on the gravel path.
The carpenter arrived a few minutes later — tools slung over one shoulder, already eyeing the roofline before he'd cleared the gate. He didn't wait for an introduction. He just started at the front cargo doors, knocking at the frame where the wood had warped away from the stone.
Tanna drifted inside while the carpenter worked his way through the storage room, his voice carrying back in fragments.
Shelving's gone. Floor's sound back here, mostly. You've got rot along the north wall, here and here—
The front room was larger than it looked from outside. Empty now, the broken counter pushed to one side, dust thick on every surface. Cold morning light came through the gaps in the shutters in pale strips.
She moved toward the back, Moss-Ear hopping in behind her, and stood at the base of the narrow staircase. One of the steps flexed slightly under her boot. She didn't go further.
Loft's the worst of it, the carpenter was saying somewhere above, his footsteps careful. Half the boards need replacing before anyone sleeps up here. Hearth looks intact but I wouldn't use it until the mortar's checked.
Marron appeared in the doorway behind her, hands clasped behind his back.
"Fixer upper," he said.
Tanna looked at the dust, the cracked mortar, the warped door frame.
"Yeah," she said.
Outside, Snow Tusk had settled fully, hindquarters down, chewing something
Tanna looked at Marron and asked, " Was this was truly worth the cost?"
Marron chuckled, low and dry. "Building's seen better days. But it's a good deal." He gestured to the stone foundation, then the yard. "We'll need to do repair work, but it's nothing Brenn couldn't handle."
Tanna considered that. Brenn had built the longhouse in days. This was smaller. Simpler, in some ways.
"Already spoke to Edda over the radio about it," Marron continued. "And if Doc and Mazoga get the bounty money, Kess said she knows a good construction crew that'll start the repairs.
Tanna nodded slowly, watching Moss-Ear hop across the yard toward Snow Tusk. The goat didn't move, just lowered his head slightly to let the rabbit settle between his horns.
"What do you think," Tanna asked, "about Doc and the Truth Stone?"
Marron's expression shifted — a faint tightening around his eyes that meant he'd already thought about it.
"Don't know," he said. "Hopefully nothing bad."
He went quiet for a moment, gaze distant, and Tanna let him work through whatever thought had caught him. The carpenter's voice drifted down from above, something about crossbeams and load-bearing walls.
Marron shook his head, the thoughtful expression fading into something more practical.
"While we're here," he said, "we might as well see what we can clean up before the rest of our people arrives."
Tanna glanced back at the front room — the dust, the broken counter, the warped shutters. She didn't say it would take more than cleaning. Marron already knew.
"I'll handle the front," she said.
Marron nodded and moved toward the storage room, calling up to the carpenter as he went. His voice carried back, unhurried, already planning.
Tanna stayed in the doorway a moment longer, watching Snow Tusk settle fully into the scrub, Moss-Ear perched above him like a sentry. The yard was small. The building had seen better days.
She looked at the cracked mortar, the listing shutters, the stone base that had outlasted everything built on top of it.
Not much.
But it was theirs.
Tanna stepped inside and started clearing dust from the counter.
Calen sat on the edge of a crate in the stable yard, watching Ren adjust something small and metallic in his hands. Kipp stood nearby, arms crossed, while Maris crouched beside a leather pouch, pulling out pieces one at a time.
"What is it?" Calen asked.
Ren held it up — a flat piece of crystal mounted in a brass frame, no bigger than his palm. Lines etched into the surface caught the morning light.
"Scan crystal," Ren said. "Shows class and level. Sort of."
"Sort of?"
"Range is bad," Kipp muttered. "And it doesn't work on anything past thirty."
Maris pulled out a thin wire coil next, setting it on the ground between them. "Alarm trigger. You loop it across a path and tie it to a bell or something that makes noise. Someone crosses it, you know."
Calen leaned forward, studying the wire. Simple. Effective.
"Where'd you get all this?"
"Boss gave us the crystal," Ren said. "Rest we found."
Calen didn't miss the way Kipp's jaw tightened when Ren said boss.
"So," Calen said carefully, "how'd you three end up on the streets?"
Silence stretched. Kipp looked away. Maris kept her eyes on the wire coil.
Ren answered first. "Bandits hit my village when I was eight. Parents didn't make it. Ended up in an orphanage in Glasshold."
Maris spoke next, quiet. "My family was in a border skirmish. Clans fighting over some mining rights. I don't remember much. Just… fire. And people shouting."
Kipp didn't say anything right away. His arms stayed crossed, his gaze fixed on the stable wall.
"Sickness," he said finally. "Whole family gone in a week. No one wanted another mouth to feed, so…" He shrugged. "Streets."
Calen nodded slowly. He'd heard versions of this before. Different details. Same ending.
"Met at the orphanage," Ren added. "We left together. Been working for Boss since."
Calen's attention sharpened. "This boss. What's—"
"It's time to go."
Calen turned. Mazoga stood at the stable entrance, Doc and Fish just behind her. Fish's amber eyes swept the yard once before settling on Calen.
"Marron's got the depot ready," Mazoga continued. "Let's see what we bought."
Doc stepped forward, glancing at the three street kids. His helmet was retracted, his expression neutral but not unkind.
"You three can stay here if you want," Doc said. "Or come with us. Your choice."
Kipp exchanged a look with Ren and Maris. Something passed between them — silent, quick.
"We'll come," Kipp said.
They walked through the outer district in a loose formation. Mazoga led, her warhammer secured across her back. Doc walked beside Fish, the wolf padding close at his left. Calen fell in behind with the three street kids trailing slightly, their heads turning at every unfamiliar sound.
They moved on foot, threading through narrow alleys where the buildings leaned close and the streets smelled of old smoke and damp stone.
Ren kept glancing at Doc's armor. Maris stayed near Calen, her steps careful. Kipp walked with his hands in his pockets, shoulders tight.
"You really killed a bandit lord?" Kipp asked suddenly.
Doc didn't turn. "Yes."
"And you didn't take the bounty for yourself?"
"No."
Kipp went quiet again. Calen saw him frown, like he was trying to solve a puzzle that didn't fit the rules he knew.
They turned a corner. The buildings opened slightly, revealing a wider stretch of road. Ahead, Calen spotted a two-story structure with warped shutters and a sagging roofline. the yard was overgrown, the building rougher than he expected.
Marron stood near the entrance, waving them over. Tanna moved through the yard with Moss-Ear perched on her shoulder, inspecting the fence line.
"That's it?" Ren asked.
"That's it," Doc said.
Mazoga crossed the yard first, her boots crunching on gravel. Doc followed, Fish close behind. Calen gestured for the three to come along, and they did — hesitant, but moving.
"Welcome," Marron said, "to our new problem."
Marron led the group toward the building's entrance, gesturing at the structure as he walked. “Carpenter's been through. Needs work — loft especially”
Calen tilted his head, studying the sagging shutters. "How much does that cost to fix?"
"More than we paid for the building," Marron said without hesitation.
Mazoga tested the front door with one hand, pushing it open slowly. The hinges groaned. "Brenn could fix this in a day."
Doc stepped inside, Fish padding beside him. Mazoga followed. Marron glanced back at Calen and the three street kids. "Stay out here. Don't need anyone falling through bad flooring."
Calen nodded. The door swung shut behind them.
For a moment, the yard was quiet. Kipp kicked at a loose stone. Ren glanced toward the fence line where Tanna was working. Maris just stood there, hands folded in front of her.
"Come on," Calen said, nodding toward the wagon.
Snow Tusk stood near the side gate, his broad shoulders relaxed, his curved horns catching the midday light. He lowered his head slightly as they approached, exhaling a warm breath that misted faintly in the cold air.
Kipp stopped a few paces away. "He's bigger up close."
"Snow Tusk tends to have that effect," Calen said.
Ren stepped closer, reaching out slowly. Snow Tusk didn't move. Ren's hand touched the side of his neck, fingers spreading against the thick fur. He froze, then smiled. "He's warm."
Maris came next She placed both hands against Snow Tusk's shoulder, leaning into him slightly. Snow Tusk shifted his weight, accommodating.
"He's so soft," Maris said in a quiet voice.
Kipp hung back another moment, then approached. He touched Snow Tusk's side carefully. When nothing happened, he relaxed. "Never seen anything like him."
Calen watched them, remembering the first time he'd seen Snow Tusk pull the wagon through the mountains. The creature radiated calm. Strength without aggression. He'd felt safer just standing near him.
Maris kept petting Snow Tusk's neck, a small smile settling on her face. Calen hadn't seen her smile like that before.
Footsteps crunched on gravel behind them. Tanna approached, Moss-Ear perched on her shoulder. The phasehorn rabbit blinked once, then phase-stepped to Snow Tusk's head, settling between his horns.
Tanna stopped beside Calen, arms crossed loosely. "Heard anything from the Mage's Guild?"
Calen shook his head. "No. They're still looking."
"How long has it been?"
"Five days." Calen's jaw tightened. "They said two to three."
Tanna's expression softened. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm but gentle. "They'll find them. Riverton's big, but the guild has runners. Give it time."
"I know." Calen exhaled slowly. "Thanks."
Tanna's hand stayed where it was. "What happens if you don't hear anything before we leave?"
Calen had been asking himself the same question. He looked at Maris, still petting Snow Tusk with both hands. At Ren standing close beside her. At Kipp, who'd finally stopped watching the doors and started petting the Colossagoat's flank.
"I don't know," Calen admitted. "We're supposed to head back in a day or two. If I don't hear from them…"
He trailed off.
Tanna squeezed his shoulder once. "Talk to Maz and Doc about it. They'll figure something out."
Calen nodded. "Yeah."
Tanna stepped back, her hand falling away. She walked toward the fence line again, leaving Calen with the three kids and Snow Tusk.
Maris looked over her shoulder. "You okay?"
Calen blinked. "Yeah. I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. She just turned back to Snow Tusk, her fingers still buried in his fur.
Doc followed Marron through the trade depot's front room, his boots scuffing against dust-covered stone. Fish padded beside him, her amber eyes tracking the shadows in the corners. Mazoga walked behind them, her presence filling the narrow space.
Marron gestured toward the walls. "Cracked mortar throughout. The carpenter flagged it this morning."
"Confirming," Lux said. "Structural integrity compromised in seventeen distinct locations across the visible load-bearing sections. Priority repairs required before occupancy."
Doc studied the nearest crack, running his hand along the fissured stone. "Walls need attention before anything else."
Marron nodded. "Can't put weight on the loft until we shore up the support beams."
They moved deeper into the building. The storage room stretched wider than Doc expected, shelving units lining the walls—most collapsed or leaning dangerously. A workbench sat near the far corner, its surface warped from moisture. The ceiling beams overhead sagged slightly in the center.
"Unsafe load distribution detected," Lux noted. "Recommend reinforcement of central support structure before introducing inventory."
Doc relayed the information. "We'll need to reinforce the beams before we bring anything in here."
Marron nodded. "Brenn can handle that. He'll come with the next shipment."
They climbed the narrow staircase to the loft. The boards groaned beneath their weight. Mazoga stopped halfway up, testing each step before committing.
"Careful," Marron warned. "Carpenter marked three sections as unsafe."
Doc reached the top first, scanning the space. The loft was smaller than the lower level but still substantial. Bedding platforms lined one wall. A small hearth occupied the far corner, its chimney intact. Windows overlooked the road, their shutters hanging loose.
"Multiple points of structural failure," Lux said. "Flooring requires immediate attention. Secondary priority: roof integrity. Moisture damage present in northwest quadrant."
Doc crouched, pressing his palm against the nearest board. It flexed slightly under his weight. "This section's rotted through."
"All of it?" Mazoga asked from the stairs.
"Not all," Doc said. "But enough."
They descended carefully, Fish leading the way down the stairs. Back in the main room, Marron turned to face them, his expression serious but not discouraged.
"I know it's in bad shape," Marron said. "But if we can get this up and running, we've got enough space to house several people and hold significant trade inventory."
Doc considered the layout. The main floor could easily accommodate storage for their shipments—crops, potions, cores, equipment. The loft, once repaired, could house a rotation of settlers during trade runs. The yard outside provided space for wagons and animals.
"It's not ideal structurally," Doc said. "But area-wise, it's more than adequate."
Marron exhaled. “Good. That's what I was hoping to hear.'"
Mazoga leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "How'd it go at the Adventurer's Guild?"
Doc glanced at her. "No issues. We got the bounty verified."
"Well, no issues aside from the Truth Stone turning violet," Mazoga added.
Marron's eyebrows rose. "Violet?"
"When Doc confirmed the kill," Maz said. "The stone glowed violet instead of blue."
Marron frowned, his fingers drumming lightly against his belt. "That's a first I've heard."
"Same," Mazoga said.
Marron shook his head. "That's an issue for another time. Did you get the bounty?"
"Should be in our Merchant's Guild account," Mazoga confirmed.
Marron's expression brightened. "Good. That means we can start repairs immediately."
He paused, his gaze shifting between them. "Which also means someone needs to stay behind while we make the trade run back to the settlement. I'm planning to bring Brenn with me on the return trip."
Mazoga pushed off the doorframe, straightening. "We'll need a fighter here."
Doc met her gaze. "I can stay."
Mazoga considered that, then nodded slowly. "Bran will probably stay behind too. He's found a good fit at the inn with Garrik and Elara. You two can keep an eye on the depot while we're away."
Doc glanced at Fish, who sat calmly at his side. "Works for me."
Marron crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "Then it's settled. We'll head back in two days. Bran and Doc hold the depot. Brenn handles repairs when he arrives."
Mazoga grunted her approval. "Let's hope nothing interesting happens while we're gone."
Doc said nothing. Fish's tail flicked once, her amber eyes fixed on the door
They gathered in the common room after dinner, the inn quiet around them.
Mazoga waited until everyone had settled before she spoke.
"We leave in two days," she said. "Marron's arranged the return shipment. Tanna, Rurrak and I will be going with him." She paused. "Doc and Bran are staying behind to hold the depot until Brenn arrives with the next run."
Rurrak grunted. Tanna nodded once, unsurprised.
Bran leaned back in his chair. "How long are we looking at?"
"Few weeks," Doc said. "Until the depot's functional."
Marron set his cup down. "Brenn will come with the next shipment. Between him and the bounty money, repairs should move quickly."
The table went quiet for a moment, everyone settling into it.
Calen cleared his throat. "I'd like to stay as well. Help set up the depot while I wait for word from the Mage's Guild."
Mazoga looked at him. "You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Then stay," she said. "Extra hands won't hurt."
Doc glanced toward the corner where Kipp, Ren, and Maris sat. "You three are welcome to go back with Marron. Settlement's good people."
Kipp looked at Ren. Ren looked at Maris.
"We know Glasshold," Kipp said. "We'll stay."
Doc nodded and didn't push it.
Marron sighed quietly. "Try not to let the building fall down before Brenn gets here."
"No promises," Bran said.
Tanna smiled faintly. Rurrak said nothing, but his ears flicked once in what might have been amusement.
The conversation drifted after that — supplies, timing, the road back.
Tanna said little, but somewhere near the end she glanced toward the kids' corner. Maris had fallen asleep against Ren's shoulder. Kipp was still awake, staring at the fire with his arms crossed.
She looked away without comment.
Outside, Snow Tusk was settled in the yard. Moss-Ear tucked somewhere warm. The depot two streets over, cold and dark and waiting.
Not much. But it was theirs.
Across the street, a man leaned against the wall beneath a darkened awning. He hadn't moved in some time. Most people who passed wouldn't have noticed him — their eyes slid past without catching, the way they did when there was nothing worth looking at.
He watched the inn's window for a long moment. Then he pushed off the wall and walked away, unhurried, and the shadow where he'd stood looked exactly as it had before he arrived.