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The house they were looking for lay at the end of the street, next to the harbor. Masts from ships were visible over the rooftops, and the sound of loading and unloading could clearly be heard.
Laster instructed Prolur to drive through the broken gates of a fence that had long since deteriorated. The yard surrounding the house was quite large but overgrown with weeds and untamed grass. Here and there the owner had built sheds that appeared to be constructed from driftwood. The main building didn’t look much better, although it most likely had been a beautiful home at one time. However, it was now reduced to a brick foundation with a caved-in roof and walls worn down by the wind. Just like the tavern, it had no glass in the windows except for one made from stained-glass. It was man-sized and depicted the god Aquile.
As they climbed down from the wagon and walked towards the house, the front door swung open. As it hit the wall, the door fell off the hinges with a loud crash. In the doorway stood a short, stout young man dressed in torn leather pants and a much-too-large blue tunic. He wore his long blond hair in a ponytail, and on his chin, he had left several days' worth of stubble.
“Welcome, Fathers,” the man said in a raspy voice, bowing deeply and giving them a smile as he approached them with his arms open. He gave Laster a big hug and patted him on the back. After he had almost completely squeezed the air out of him, he turned to Prolur and held out his hand.
“This is Vaen Ecclar, Brother Prolur. Vaen, this is Father Prolur,” Laster stated as the two men took each other’s hands.
“I am truly delighted to meet such a legendary war hero,” Vaen exclaimed. “I’m quite a legend in these parts myself.” I can sell you anything you want. The possibilities are endless. No questions asked.”
Vaen walked behind them and put his arms over their shoulders and began leading them towards his squalid home. “Now we’re talking about the finest wine a man can drink. Dourian wine, my friends. Truly the milk of the gods.”
Vaen’s grip on Prolur’s shoulder smarted a bit, but his body odor made the monk’s eyes water.
The house was as dirty and smelly as its owner. If Vaen smelled like dried old sweat, then his home smelled strongly of human filth and rotten fish. Most of the walls inside had collapsed, except for the supporting one which split the house in half. The room they were standing in was full of old crates, overturned barrels, and all kinds of filth. Vaen had managed to make a path through the area by shuffling his mess to the sides.
Laster put his sleeve over his mouth to dull the stench. Vaen led them through the room and into the next, which wasn’t as cluttered. There was an open fireplace at one end, in one of the corners lay a straw mattress, and in the opposing one, a wicker basket where a cat was gnawing on the rotting remains of what once might have been a fish. There was a big hole in the wall next to the fireplace, and in the middle of the room stood twelve barrels.
“This is my storage room, Fathers,” Vaen said enthused. “There is your Dourian wine.”
They walked over to the barrels and Prolur shook one of them, and it made a familiar clucking sound. “We need to be certain that this is Dourian wine,” he demanded as he looked up at Vaen.
“I’ll be back in a moment, Father,” Vaen replied and disappeared out through the hole in the wall.
“It is hard to believe that people live like this through choice,” Laster said as soon as their host had vanished while he leaned on a barrel.
Prolur looked around again. In the corner of the straw mattress, he saw what looked to be the remnants of an old rusted chain mail shirt, a helmet, and a shield bearing the Haugarian coat of arms.
“He used to be a soldier in our army,” Laster informed him. “As I told you, most of our people get by as best they can. Vaen is a perfect example of someone who will do anything to earn his keep. Naturally, this does not excuse that he lives in filth and squalor. What do you do when your kingdom does not look out for you, no matter how well you serve it?”
Prolur walked over to the mattress and, pushing the chain mail aside, he grabbed the shield. It was triangular and had once been grey with a black centerpiece. Now, instead, it was red from rust. He cleared away the cobwebs that were stuck to it. He stared at it, and once again floods of memories washed over him.
“It was a long time ago, Father,” Vaen said, breaking the spell.
“An entirely different lifetime,” Prolur agreed and placed the shield back.
Vaen was standing next to Laster with a small axe in one hand and a large cork in the other. He gave the cork to Laster, and with a swift move, he brought the axe down hard on the lid. He then broke off a piece of wood and pulled out a pewter cup from his belt and proceeded to dip it. He passed it to Laster, who put up his hand and shook his head. Vaen then walked over to Prolur and handed him the cup.
Prolur put it under his nose and sniffed the red content. He closed his eyes and drank a small sip. It was the real thing. It warmed his throat and smoothly ran into his stomach and did the same there. He quickly emptied the rest of the cup and savored the taste as best he could.
“Well?” Laster asked.
Prolur gave him a glance and smiled. “It strikes true!” he exclaimed and tossed the cup to Vaen. “Load it up, my good man! We will take it.”
Vaen corked the open barrel, and together they rolled them all out to the wagon. With the help of a winch in Vaen’s possession, they hoisted them up into it with ease.
Laster gave Vaen the money and shook his hand. “It has been good doing business with you, Father.” Vaen smiled and revealed his blackened teeth. “Give my best to Haugén Elden for me, and I’ll see you again soon I’m sure.”
Prolur and Laster said goodbye, and they rolled back out into the narrow street, heading for the market square.
As they once again we're on the main street, Prolur turned to Laster. “Laster, do you think you could gather the food by yourself?”
“Why?” Laster looked puzzled.
“I have a very important errand to run, and I do not know how long it might take, but I will try not to take my time.”
Laster nodded in agreement.