Luke enjoyed the aroma of the food and drink around him. There was a constant clink of glass and utensil use. Rows of well-crafted wooden tables lined the cafeteria hall over a patterned black and white floor.
While scratching Sooty’s talons, he noticed the walls, taking in their details. Two mage lights hung in lanterns next to metal widows with reinforced tempered glass. The walls in between were an inviting white and blue mix. Two servants hung back around them, awaiting orders. For now, The Reaver avoided giving them orders or requests.
He was used to it being the other way around. To obey orders and take out commands, yet the tables had turned. The feeling was disorienting. Aware of Iona’s eyes burning into him, he relented to her subtle pressure.
“Before that, why were all those people after me last night? Even if Veyri is correct, it makes no sense that my gear is coveted by this many; that can’t be the whole picture. I don’t buy it.”
Iona furrowed her brow. “You’ve met the rising star for Moneiba’s tower team. What does she want with you?”
“She’s dead set on recruiting me to her team for the black silver tower. I owe her my life. If the deal is fair, I’ll join her.”
The Beastmaster fed Timber with honey-soaked fish, “Hold off on that. Veyri is part of one of the best tower teams, but it’s not time for you.” Her eyes glinted, “Those rotten people were after you last night because you have a five-thousand gold bounty on your head over the black market. Your items and Sooty sparked initial interest, but now that bounty is the main driver.”
Luke forget himself, his mouth gaped, and eyes widened, “Five thousand? For fucking what? Breathing city air? What have I done since I’ve gotten here to piss so many people off?”
Iona shifted her weight, “I couldn’t tell you. But I can tell you this, Luke. The bounty was posted over twelve hours ago. Where were you during that time?”
“Orlan’s Beast Divide, probably in the Ice side by then, but I’m not positive about the timing.” Luke massaged his temples. Sooty landed on his shoulder; done with her meal, she began to groom Luke.
He smiled at her gesture. “Thanks, buddy.”
Sooty gave a light caw and continued. Lulu landed on his other shoulder and helped out, copying her new friend.
“Lulu’s taken a liking to you, or your crow at least. Good, I was hoping they’d get along. What did you do in the Beast Divide or shortly before it?”
Luke shook his head lightly to ensure he didn’t bother the two birds, “Not here; I’ll fill you in when I know no one else is listening.”
Truth be told, Luke placed little trust in Iona, but he was at his wit’s end. He needed someone’s help at this point, or he’d end up dead. The only other person in mind who could help him would be Veyri.
But Veyri couldn’t possibly handle what he barely escaped last night. Wayfinder brought him to the Defier’s guild for a reason. Rather than trusting Iona, he trusted Wayfinder’s abilities.
Iona momentarily gazed at the two servants; the two hurriedly cleaned the plates and table; she stood up, “Come along, Luke. I’ll humor you this time, but no one here is your enemy; everyone, even the servants, is vetted thoroughly.
Timber followed as Iona moved, and Lulu hopped over to her right shoulder.
The Reaver stood and accompanied Iona, who brought him over to a conference room with plush crystal-framed chairs, runes adorning the walls, and wards flashing around the entrance. After he entered, Iona shut the metal door behind them; magic lined every inch.
Iona sat on the opposite side of the floating yellow wood table, red swirls appeared at random over its design. Luke grabbed a chair for himself and enjoyed the comfortable padding. Looking up to the ceiling, he saw white marble streaked with black mana veins. Faint music played, with no apparent source.
“What’s all the runes, wards, and mana for?”
Iona brushed off the nearby table area, “Privacy, now let’s stop delaying things, Luke.”
“I’ll get right to it then.” Luke began to recall and relay the events that transpired after leaving the Jolly Cat Inn over a day ago. Buying clothes from the tailor, getting cleaned out by the general store, traveling down to the beast divide.
After this point, Luke became more detailed in the events, figuring his earlier actions unlikely to enrage someone enough to earn a bounty. As Luke prattled on, Iona stopped him after one key event.
“The man who died was Chander Pyrite’s childhood friend, Godrel Jelic, the second son of a major merchant house. Chander, however, is part of the titled noble house, the Pyrites.” The Beast Master gripped the table harshly; a thin crack appeared, “Their corruption and short-sightedness have gone on long enough.”
“I’m not following, Iona. I tried to save that man’s life. Why would his death be the answer?” Luke asked.
“Based on the character of most of the Pyrites, Chander holds you responsible for Godrel’s death. In his view, he only died because of your lack of ability with ice, not because of the scroll he willingly used. Luke,” Iona stared into his eyes, “Chander placed that bounty on you the moment you left.”
“That can’t be. How could someone get in contact with half the underworld that quickly? An assassin was waiting for me on the third floor.” Luke muttered, “And the guy swore he’d pay me too.”
Iona didn’t answer; instead, she took out her sigil stone from the spatial bag by her waist, “Do you know what this is?”
“A sigil stone.”
“And what does it do?”
“It displays your level, registered class, intent, among other things. It can link to other sigil stones to contact others and leave messages….” Realization dawned on Luke’s eyes, “that piece of shit called home the second he left the dungeon.”
Iona slowly nodded. A grim look overcame her, “I’ve interacted with the two titled noble families in Sylen more than I’d like to. Out of the Pyrite and Miel families, the Pyrites are far easier to anger and perpetuate or spin events to their liking.”
She tapped against the table and crossed her legs, “That spineless man likely came crying to his doting grandfather, the Pyrite Patriarch, telling him you killed Godrel in cold blood. To the Pyrites, they’d stop at nothing to snuff you out without bothering to verify the truth. Upsetting their young heir is too great an offense for any random spell sword to keep breathing.”
Taking it in, Luke breathed out, pushing away the initial panic, “What can I do?” As for mentioning the unfairness of it all, Luke didn’t bother.
Iona laughed, “There’s nothing you need to do,” her gaze hardened, “If they refuse to yield, the Defiers will exterminate them. We protect our own fiercely. High Defier Musai or Aloysius is likely paying them a visit as we speak.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
She turned her head to Lulu, “Lulu, can you check on how the servants are doing with procuring the reagents we need for the master of your new friend?”
Hoot! Lulu flapped her wings in preparation and flew off. Timber used his paw to force open the door for her. Sooty made a move to follow after but stopped herself, ultimately deciding to stay for now. The door shut itself a moment later.
“It’ll be a nuisance for some time, but the major players in the underworld, The Golden Lions, Red Gorrids, and Velvet Hand, are unlikely to keep attacking you. Separate from them, powerful individuals and lower groups may try their luck. For that reason, you cannot stay as you are, Luke.” Iona’s aura slowly rose, green with yellow emanating off her. The pressure enveloped Luke.
“You must ascend, and you must do it soon. While we can protect you, hiding away from the world behind these walls is not a permanent solution. With that, let’s move to everything you’ll need to thrive with us. Weak Defiers are unacceptable. There is no place for them.”
The Reaver nodded. Luke wanted to stand on his own feet, to make those who threatened him and his family kneel. To have what it took to earn respect and control over his life.
“Go on, I’m listening.”
“First, your artifacts. If Wayfinder refuses to speak, that’d be for the best. Every single one of the numbered artifacts is on a list anyone with real influence or power will come into contact with. But, he’s been lost so long that few would recognize him. As for Xera, she’s a class artifact, as she doesn’t match any of the numbered swords. No one is going to mistake her for one.”
Resting his arms on the chair, Luke said, “You’re saying Xera may be better off speaking as she desires?”
Jutting her chin out, Iona put an arm under her neck to support it. “Did you know a sizable number of people believe your bird companion can speak? If I had to guess, instead, they overheard one of your two artifacts talking. Compared to the fallout from hoarding the second companion capable of speech, flaunting a class artifact is more preferable. Either way is going to bring the wrong attention, but now you must choose. This will also mask Wayfinder. Far more people will covet one of the numbered versus a class artifact.”
Looking down at his sword wand, Luke sighed, “You heard her, Xera; she makes a good point. Don’t make me regret this.”
“Yes, finally! I can reveal my wanderful self to the world. My voice shall make them bow. Alongside my blast and slash, of course.” Xera happily spoke, vibrating in her sheath.
“Whatever floats your boat, Xera.” Luke accepted this course of action was for the best; if it hid Wayfinder and cleared up the misunderstanding about Sooty, then he really had no argument against it.
Iona smiled, apparently enjoying Luke’s reluctance, “As for the reagents for the ritual, consider their cost waived as a welcoming bonus.”
Interested in that sort of thing, Luke asked, “What’s their price anyway?”
“With the ongoing shortage, they’d set you back about oh…thirty gold; in normal times, it’s usually ten.”
I should’ve never asked. Luke thought.
Cued to Luke’s subtle expressions, Iona said, “Don’t dwell on it. Now, as a Defier, you’re required to assist whenever any god-creature servants or agents show up. For Sylen specifically, once you are in the second tier, you’ll also need to start clearing the tower. As a tradition, we’re going to designate a profession for you out of a small list you may choose from. Luckily for you, you’re a Defier for Sylen and not one of the other five main cities in the Duchy.”
Luke tilted his head and lowered his right brow while raising the left one. He asked, “Luckily? What do the other Defiers deal with? What’s a profession going to help me with?”
“They get sent to the border every half a decade. You may not see it here, but every second of peace is brought with sacrifice at the walls. Those Defiers stand alongside the Duchy’s armies to keep the relentless attacks at bay.” Iona stretched her arms and rolled her shoulders, “Here, as we have the black-silver tower to attend to, and the brunt of the Tides come to Sylen, making the quota for us effectively zero, and not only that, but they never send a Defier below the third tier. Earning the right non-combat profession can help you grow in many ways. The specifics will have to wait once we evaluate the suitable sorts for you.”
More questions swirled in Luke’s mind: if there were walls, then how were there Monster Tides? What exactly does a profession do for a combat class? Although he did admit, it made sense if it varied, as Iona said. Does every combat class get sent to the border for a time, no matter their path? Only that it adjusted in frequency and need?
Although it sounds like the Sylen’s Defiers don’t need to go as long as we help with the Tower and Tides enough, Luke became relieved.
“How are there Tides if the borders are walled?” Luke asked directly.
“The god-creatures punch a hole in the wards that create the barrier protecting the Edgelands from them. It costs immense energy to do so past the dead scar, add in their infighting, and they only bother once or twice a decade. In the meantime, their Diplomats and Envoys gather all manner of beasts and monsters. With the Apostles’ assistance, they teleport them through the temporary hole. Their aim is to feast and bring back proper tribute to the god-creatures.”
“What are the people at the border doing at that time? They merely let them through?”
Iona looked exasperated, “Of course not, but let me ask you this, Luke, do you think many people have the power to stop tier five Apostles? The border guard slows down the tide and strikes it from behind, but leaving their post for long is impossible. Not to mention ineffective.”
Luke blinked, “Should’ve figured that out by myself. I’ve heard enough for now. The rest of what I want to know can wait. Anything vitally important for the ritual?”
“It’s not a dangerous process, but the first one can be shocking to the mind. Mentally relax yourself, and you’ll be fine. Speaking of that, let me take you to our chamber made to assist with the ascension. Sitting and talking all day is putting poor Timber to sleep,” Iona gestured to her lightning paw bear, Timber, who hibernated on the floor.
The Reaver laughed at the sight and agreed that the time for conversation was over. He itched to earn concrete progress today.
Leaving the room behind, Luke traveled with Iona through the main lobby and over to the spiral stairs around the tower. Timber disliked closed spaces and preferred to stay in the lobby, giving the servants and receptionist company. Lulu returned as they stepped down, greeting Iona with a low hoot as she perched on her Beast Master’s extended arm.
“How are the preparations going, Lulu?” Iona asked as she descended the steps; a light tap accompanied each movement.
Lulu shook her head up and down and blinked back at Iona. Luke inferred they had a skill similar to Reaver’s Link, as Iona easily understood Lulu.
“Everything’s ready to go? And the High Defier is waiting for us? Good thing we cut our chat early, Luke,” she uttered.
They passed by three platforms connecting to the spiral stairs before Iona abruptly turned into the next exit. “It’s on this level, come this way.”
As Luke entered the doorway, he saw a gigantic stone room; five jagged pillars stood in a formation around a yellow-marked circle. Decorating the vaulted ceiling were murals of several battles centered around four individuals. Men stood against raging devils; gaping mouths ate them alive, yet they stood resolute, shouting as they pierced the monsters to death, often dying in the process.
Near the circle stood an older swordsman wearing a blue-brown equipment set. He had his shorter blade out, gazing at his reflection from the sparkling white blade.
Iona bowed and, after she rose back, smiled, “Musai, I thought you were busy preparing for the Tide? Are you…how do you put it? Here to raise a new leaf?”
Musai spoke, “Iona, you’ve done a fine job guiding our newest branch. You may return to your usual tasks.”
Iona stuck out her tongue and put down an eyelid with an index finger for a second, “No way, I’ve had too much fun to stop here. Lulu even made a friend, and Timber needed to relax. I’ll stick around and watch the ceremony. All that tower work can wait for one more day.”
As if he expected Iona to act this way, Musai nodded, “Stay then; have Defier Luke come to the circle.”
Iona spun around to Luke, hands on her hips, “The time is now, Luke, step up to the yellow mark. Don’t mind Musai; he only looks scary. He’s harmless. Well, to us, anyway.” She winked at Luke and ran off to sit against one of the pillars.
Lulu gave Sooty a hoot of encouragement and formed a salute with her right wing. Sooty clicked her beak once back as thanks.
Luke marched up to the circle. After he sat down, he opened his mouth to speak to Musai, but the old swordsman raised his hand.
“Young leaf, calm your mind for the ascension. We can formally introduce ourselves after. You certainly brought much excitement to my roof last night, its been years since fools within this city directly challenged my Defiers.”
Puzzled by what Musai mentioned, Luke let it go and readied his mind. He inspected the materials around him in the circle. Blue paint overflowing with energy formed into a magic circle, perfectly aligned with the yellow stone formation hewed into the floor. Blue light warmly welcomed Luke.
Various crystals, gemstones, flowers, and metals filled four separate circles in the formation. A sense of calm washed over Luke, and he closed his eyes. Sooty already napped on his shoulder. Luke steadied his breath, and his hands connected by the fingertips.
His heart slowed, and the last link synced up, becoming one. The endless mind chatter grew silent, and his spirit opened. As consciousness slipped, Luke heard Musai mutter to himself. By the end, he distinctly heard one sentence.
“It has begun. Face what you ignore, young Defier.”
One tear ran down from each of Luke’s shut eyes. On the left, a tear of pure blood, the other a tear of water, freezing up from the frost essence beginning to rampage around him.