As they walked into the market, they saw the shops closing down. A few of the townspeople waved to them as they passed. But suddenly they heard some shouting coming from one stall down at a corner, in a maze of carpets and rugs.
Venom would wave to the people back, happy that they felt confortable with their presence around, keeping them safe. The Guard's reputation was well known by now and that was a good thing for them. As he heard the shouting, Venom quickly made his way towards the stall of carpets and rugs.
Thankfully Kerag's intimidating appearance comforted some of the people, seeing how friendly they received them while the shops closed. The orc gave acknowledging nods and grunts, his armor clanking as they continued their patrol when his lupine ears perked at the sounds of conflict.
"What's going on?"
He drew his axe and kept pace with Venom, advancing towards the carpet and rug stall.
As they entered the stall, they saw a merchant, a middle-aged, thin man, scolding a strange creature who looked up at him impassively. It looked like a youngish girl, carved from stone. As they entered, they could hear a low grinding sound as it turned its head towards them.
The man looked up, sighed, and put his hands on the desk.
The orc slowed his pace, sheathing the axe and utterly perplexed with the stone girl. He made no attempt to hide his surprise, one glowing red eye fixed on her, observing. Kerag crossed his arms, thumb and index finger rubbing his chin. He broke his stare and briefly glanced to Venom and gestured to sheath his weapon...for now anyways.
"We heard some shouting. What seems to be the problem?"
Kerag grumbled, now watching the merchant carefully.
Shocked to what they were both looking at in front of them, Venom sheathed his weapon and just circled around the carved stone, studying her. Was he covering her with cement or was she actually made out of stone? And what was all the yelling about they had just heard? Venom needed answers.
The merchant watched Venom with a raised eyebrow, and turned to Kerag. The statue moved as Venom walked around it, never moving its body but turning its head to watch him impassively. The merchant sighed.
Nothing serious, officers. This golem I purchased doesn't listen to simple instructions. It's not like other golems. Doesn't understand Common, I don't think. He rubbed his forehead with a palm.
Venom stopped just in front of her to study. He tried reading her facial expression, if she even had one. Was she sad, mad, worried, one could read a person at times by just looking into their eyes.
The man rubbed the back of his neck and nodded sheepishly.
An old friend. I should have known he would swindle me after what I pulled on him so long ago. That's not important. I just don't know what to do with it now. I just kind of does whatever it likes now. I would pay someone to take it off my hands...
The golem looked up at Venom, very nearly without any discernable emotion. Its eyes were very clearly orange-yellow glass, almost unreadable, but there was a hint of...confusion. Mild confusion. As if it wondered what was going on, but didn't really care.
This wouldn't be the first time Kerag witnessed a little karmic payback, he always assumed it to be a joke of the gods, that indeed what went around came back eventually. His eyebrow arched.
"Pay you say..."
The orc was almost as fascinated with the golem as Venom. He smiled.
"I'm sure the Guard can find some use of it, at least we have the resources and time to figure out what can be done."
Venom smiled at the golem. It was his first time around a golem. He had heard stories of them as a child, but never did he imagine he'd be face to face with one some day. When Kerag agreed to take the golem out of the old man's hands, he was kind of shocked at the orc. It was a different side of Kerag he had not seen before, but he also believed the guard could find of use of her and give her a meaning to life, maybe. Venom then walks over to Kerag's side and whispers to him.
I know I'm going to regret this. He heard Venom's question and pulled a small scroll from his back pocket.
You'll need this. This is the golem's chem, the scroll that controls it. It'll follow you if you have it, but....unfortunately that doesn't help its language any. Here's the receipt, as well. Might as well be able to say you own it.
"Maybe so. It's the Guard's problem now though. Thanks."
He studied the scroll, showing it to Venom, and finally holding it for the golem to see. After pocketing the receipt, the orc had an idea. He walked over to the golem and looked over his shoulder at Venom, smirking ever so slightly.
"Let us see if it understands basic hand gestures, sign language if you will."
Kerag waved, then jerked a thumb at himself.
"Kerag."
He pointed back at the golem, hoping it was catching on.