The Wayward Journey: Confronting Drokore

As the last rays of the day were being swallowed by the encroaching twilight, Wizard #333 and Wizard #2223 prepared to approach Wizard #959's home. Their plan was simple: keep the confrontation civil but show that they weren't afraid to escalate if necessary.

Eizo, being the more diplomatic of the two, took the lead. He slowly approached the house, the setting sun casting long shadows in front of him. Ace, noticing the stranger, stopped chasing a pixie and bounded towards Eizo, sniffing him curiously. Eizo reached down to pat the dog gently, hoping to earn his trust.

Inside the house, Drokore had just finished packing his pipe with his favorite Fey-grown tobacco when he heard Ace's playful barks turn into a protective growl. He peered out the window and was surprised to see two figures approaching his house.

By the time Eizo and Jack reached Drokore's door, the hustling monk was waiting for them, his pipe glowing in the dim light. His face was calm but his eyes revealed his alertness. He did not recognize these strangers, but he wasn't one to be caught off guard.

"Greetings," Drokore called out, his voice steady, "I don't get many visitors out here. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

"We seek the Sacred Flame," Eizo responded, his voice firm but not hostile. "We've heard that it came into your possession recently." (https://www.forgottenrunes.com/lore/wizards/959/0)

Drokore’s eyes narrowed slightly, his calm demeanor still intact. “And why should I just give it to you?” he retorted, taking a puff from his pipe.

“Our intentions are not to harm, Drokore, but we need that flame,” Jack interjected, his hand resting on his Bag of Tricks. The underlying threat hung heavily in the air, the tranquility of the Fey momentarily disrupted.

Drokore’s gaze flicked to Ace who stood guard at his side, a low growl echoing in his throat. The standoff had begun and Drokore realized his peaceful evening had taken an unexpected turn. What he didn't know was that this was just the beginning of his encounter with Eizo and Jack. Their journey had led them here, and they wouldn’t leave without the Sacred Flame.

Drokore's gaze shifted from Eizo's firm grip on the Mamba Stick to Jack's stoic expression, realizing that he was indeed outmatched. He had come across a Mamba Stick in his hustling travels before and knew what it was capable of. The tension was palpable as Ace growled low, sensing his master's apprehension.

Sighing, Drokore lifted his hands in a peaceful gesture. "Look, I'm not one for fights. Especially not on my own doorstep. Let's... let's talk about a trade, perhaps?"

Eizo and Jack exchanged glances, their expressions softening slightly. Eizo withdrew his hand from the Mamba Stick, taking a step back to indicate their willingness to negotiate. The Sacred Flame was their primary goal, but they had no intentions of harming Drokore or Ace.

"What do you propose?" Eizo asked, his gaze steady on Drokore.

Drokore considered for a moment, his gaze landing on Jack's Bag of Tricks. He'd heard tales of the mysterious Bag and its magical contents, the kind of tools that could easily turn a game of Runes in his favor. "Something from your Bag of Tricks," he suggested, "Something that could help me in my future hustles."

There was a pause, an anticipation that swelled between them. Then, Jack revealed a small red crystal from the Bag. "It's an item stolen from the Secret Tower," Jack stated, his voice holding a note of mystery. "I'm not positive what it is capable of."

The proposition hung in the air as Drokore considered it. Eventually, he gave a nod of acceptance, signaling his agreement to the trade. However, Drokore still had a lingering question. Turning his gaze back to Eizo, curiosity flickering in his eyes, he said, "Before we finalize this deal," taking a puff from his pipe, "I'd like to know... what's so special about the Sacred Flame? I won it fair and square, but I don't quite know its worth."

At this, Jack stepped forward, his gaze hardening. "You're not exactly in a position to be asking questions or making demands, Drokore," he said firmly. "You're holding something that doesn't belong to you, and we're offering a fair trade. Do we have a deal?"

Drokore hesitated, glancing at the Sacred Flame then back at Jack. His usual hustler's grin had faded, replaced with a more serious expression. He knew he had lost this round, and with a heavy sigh, he agreed. "Deal."

Thus, the Sacred Flame was secured, and Drokore received a mysterious red crystal from Jack's Bag of Tricks. Their part of the confrontation was over, leaving both parties with something gained and something lost.

Eizo and Jack now turned their gaze westward. The Sacred Flame, a crucial piece in their ongoing quest, now lay safely in their possession. The Purple Wizard Pavilion awaited them, its secrets shrouded by the setting sun. But they were ready.

Wizard #7518, their lost friend, filled their thoughts. He was out there somewhere, and they were coming for him. The journey across the Salt would not be easy, but they had faced and overcome challenges before. This was no different.

So, with the Sacred Flame in their hands and their resolve hardened, Eizo and Jack set off towards the setting sun. The serene beauty of The Fey gave way to a vast expanse of untamed wilderness, the unknown road ahead promising new challenges, new adversaries, and, hopefully, the answers they sought about Finn. Their encounter with Drokore was behind them, but their wayward journey was far from over. They had secured their second Sacred Flame, proved their mettle, and were now heading west, to the heart of the mystery surrounding their friend Finn. The road would be treacherous, but Eizo and Jack were more than prepared to face it head-on, their determination lighting the way.

Entered by: 0xB1B3…8aF2