The Lion’s Coin

As Máni travels on the back of Poe he thinks about the interaction he had with Sigrid. She looked worried about something, the many encounters the two have had she’s never seemed worried. While this intrigued Máni it also worried him greatly. Sigrid's tough persona while it intimidated Máni, seeing her scared was a whole new feeling. 

Máni and Poe make it to the town of Leviathan's edge, home to great heroes and great feasts. The docks are littered with ships and slain leviathans. The ships are mostly made of wood, and have large sails with figureheads of sharks protruding from the bows. 

One ship is different. Larger than the others, its bow covered in metal and its sails depict the emblem of Brightstar; a Kingdom from the Realm of Dial. A kingdom with a scared history with the Realm and people of frigid. 

The town is made up of large log buildings, some of which have old ships for roofs. In an open area many merchants trade their wares. Máni enters this area on his sled. He looks around, and his eyes widen when he sees the Knights of Brightstar talking with a fisherman. He stops the sled nearby. Máni hops off it, before entering, 

He sets everything up, throws down the counter, rummages around for a sword he has stored, and throws some flower petals into the air. As he draws a rune with his finger the petals turn into little balls of light and grab passer-by attention.

“Great heroes! Come forth and show your bravery. Only the strongest can wield this weapon.” Máni announces, his voice loud like an announcer. 

People gather around Máni’s sled to hear what he has to say. Some knights even wander their way over.

Máni crushes up some of his star flowers before throwing the petals over the knight's heads. They break apart into little stars that form images of what Máni describes “A red comet burning across the sky, turned out to be a Titan! It crashed into a village and the impact alone almost melted everything, it was no champion who slayed it; but a hunter, who fought for the lives of everyone. The battle was long. Every slash upon the comet appeared only a scratch, but every wound the comet gave him easily could have been his last. He did not surrender. With his last breath, he poured all of his light into his weapon for one final blow. Killing the titan at the cost of his own life while saving hundreds. All that was left was his weapon. This weapon.” 

Máni looks around for people's reactions. While most are impressed, he looks to the knights, and it’s hard to tell what they think behind their helms. “You sir, you seem to be powerful enough to wield this weapon.” 

Máni points out the Knight that he assumes has the highest rank. Omar, a Landborn. His helm represents a lion, a creature many people in Frigid have never seen. His hair comes out of the back like a mane. He has large horns on top of his head. No sword on his side, only claws built into his gauntlets. He chuckles. Walking up to the stand and reaching for the sword. Máni notices the mark on the back of Omar's hand, and his eyes widen.

Omar inspects the sword “I enjoyed your story, but it is nothing more than that,” He places it back down. Omar’s voice is deep; he always talks with authority. 

People scoff, disbanding away from Máni’s sled. “Wait!” Máni crawls out the front of his Sled, falling into the snow and fumbling back onto his feet before running over to Omar.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect your highness. Máni does a very sloppy bow.

“Highness?” Omar looks at his mark, he realises Máni is confusing his mark for the one of the Sun God only given to the king of Brightstar.

“Oh, you must be confused, I’m not the king, just his lion.”

Omar, Champion of Loethera, Lion Demi-God of the sun.

His mark is quite similar to that of the Sun Gods, while it depicts a sun the face of it actually represents a lion. 

“Um- Still, I didn’t know the sword was a fake.”

“Right.” Omar reaches into his pouch and throws Máni a single coin. “For the story then and Gods be with you.”

Omar and the rest of his knights head off.

“One lousy coin.” 

Máni turns around to the sound of slow clapping, a bounty hunter, his snowsuit looking more like leather armour. On his belt are three daggers. “Having trouble, Máni?”

Máni’s eyes widen on this streak of bad luck; this by far would be the worst of it he thought to himself. “Listen, I’m still working on getting Orca's coins. I just need more time I promise.”

The Bounty Hunter walks up to Máni and grabs him by his jacket. “I always forget how much you whine. Orca needs you for a job, come on.” 

Poe stands up, stomping his feet aggressively at the bounty hunter. “It’s okay Poe, I’ll be back.”

Máni follows the Bounty Hunter through the docks until they come to a long building. That has been built inside the bones of a massive leviathan, the entrance being its jaws. There are three long tables filled with people enjoying a hot meal of stew and. Some look like fishers, others leviathan hunters, and more bounty hunters. The bounty hunter leads Máni into the back room.

A small space with one large table in the middle of the room, two chairs on each side. The walls display swords from all over the realms. Orca hangs up one of her swords on the wall. She’s a Landborn covered by a large coat, under which she wears a long dress. Across her antlers are strings of silver. She always has three swords on her side.
“Máni good to see you again. Have a seat.” Her voice is polite yet with the tint of something sinister underneath. 

The bounty hunter pushes Máni into the seat, he throws Máni’s coin on the table and leaves.

“How’ve the explorations been?” Orca asks. 

“Not so good, nothing that seems to be in good quality.”

“I would hope not because if you had anything of value it would be in my hands now wouldn’t it?”

“Right…” Máni sinks into his set.

“Well this is your lucky month. I’ve recently been in contact with the Lion Champion. Are you familiar with him?”

“Yes.”

“Good. He wants someone to bring him to a nearby Stronghold, and well, you’re the best thief I know.” A backhanded compliment and Máni knows it. 

“I’m actually trying to separate myself from that line of work.”

“Oh I understand, it’s like how I’m going to separate you from your hand.” Orca pulls a large serrated blade off the wall.

“I can make an exception. What’s in there?”

“Well he seems to have convinced himself it has something to do with the Star God.” 

Máni can’t hold back his laughter. “Oh gods, you know how many wannabe adventurers told me they want to find the Star Gods tomb?”
“Well he seems to think Stellar Nova is alive, and he’s paying us a lot of gold. So play along and I’ll forgive half your debt. But if there is actually something

in there related to the Star God, and you find a way to sneak it back to me, all debt will be forgiven. Deal?” She reaches her hand out to shake.

He takes it.

“Perfect. They should be outside waiting for you now.”

“Already!?”

“Yep. Omar! Come on in. Omar enters the room. He looks down at Máni. Máni sinks into his seat.”

Omar steps inside, not wearing his helm, he has a very noticeable bushy moustache. His eyes lock with Máni’s “The StoryTeller is going to be my guide?”

“Oh yes, he’s a much better thief than he is a liar.” 

“Very well.” Omar throws a pouch of coins onto Orca's desk. “Half of the payment now, the other half will come when the job is done.” He turns to Máni “Come along.”

Orca sits down. With a huge smile, she starts counting the coins. “You two have fun now!”

Máni follows Omar out leading him and two other knights back to his sled. They all climb on top of it. Máni flicks the reigns, and Poe starts making his way out of town.  Behind one of the buildings a cloaked figure watches them leave.