The Fasa House Of Commerce enjoyed an extravagant interior and temperature-controlled air.
With his evolved senses, Luke noticed this time that refined crystals in the walls not only altered the natural temperature and humidity but also filtered the air for quality. The soft flooring sunk under his weight by a tad and, by some measure, sucked in all dirt, then pushed it to a disposal indent near an orb put into the baseboard trimming the walls.
He remembered the velvet drapes over gigantic glass windows accentuated by gold at the edges. Luke glanced up at the transparent ceiling, but it struck him as odd, as the material was not glass. He welcomed the low golden light it allowed in all the same.
The Reaver’s understanding of people’s aura had transformed, although he’d be the first to admit that it was inaccurate. In general, while the floor was filled with disgustingly rich people being attended to, few were ascended, and none were above the first tier.
Iona strolled beside him as Maria, the attendant, led them further inside, past the plush chairs they had seated him before.
“You’re not going to seat us at one of those chairs again?” He asked.
“A man who keeps the company of Sylen’s top Beastmaster cannot accept such shabby accommodation, sir Luke.” Maria offered a polite smile and came to a private room filled with gaudy decor, such as paintings, exotic plants, and fine fur rugs. The chairs, as Luke paid the most attention to, were an inviting peach color; the cushions felt firm yet plush as he sat on one.
Iona took another such chair for herself to Luke’s side. Opposite him was a long, thin table level to his chair.
After the two seated themselves, Maria bowed, “Purveyor Edric shall be here in a moment unless you would prefer a different appraiser?”
Luke waved his hand, “Not at all, he treated me well last time. Are you staying?”
Maria assented, “That I am, sir Luke. Should you need anything, I am at your and Defier Iona’s beck and call for the duration of your stay.”
Iona crossed her legs, “Do you perhaps have Drake Roast coffee? The flavor your house of commerce serves is one of my favorites.”
“We most certainly do. Shall I also retrieve a drink to your liking, sir Luke?”
As Luke crossed his arms in thought, Iona spoke up, “Ah, Maria, Luke here is a Defier now as well. I suppose it is too recent for the average employee of the Fasa group to be updated yet.”
The attendant widened her eyes, “Defier Luke, I hope my negligence hasn’t offended you. I meant no disrespect.”
“You’ve been polite as ever. Call me Luke. Anyway, I remembered the melon juice from last time, could you bring some?”
Maria left to fulfill the drink orders.
Luke oriented his body toward Iona, “Now that she’s gone, any tips about this place? From that earlier girl’s reaction, you’ve been here before a lot.”
Iona clapped softly, “Glad you picked up on it. Yes, I’ve been to plenty of the establishments in the Midas community square. Keep your poise here, and while they wear smiles, they aren’t always on your side. To your credit, you’re a Defier now. They will treat you as less of a mark.”
Knew I was being taken advantage of. The ‘time’ needed to find information on my dad was almost certainly a ploy, the extra profiteering on my earlier sales another. That said, I can’t see myself making a better move back then with the cards I had to play.
“Not all that surprised. They had the gumption to admit they low-balled me on the items I sold to them last time. Then again, I needed gold, as I do now.”
Iona leaned forward, putting a palm under her chin, “You’ll be a lot less strained financially with what you can snatch from the Ruined Realm, the dungeon newly ascended and middle experienced tier one’s go to. Not to mention, if you become skilled at your profession, it’ll be another way to gold and all sorts of secondary benefits.”
Luke raised an eyebrow, “Secondary benefits?”
Iona blinked, and the door swung open. Maria served the melon juice to Luke and the Drake Roast to Iona. The elf had lost interest in the conversation, preferring to sip the hot coffee. Behind Maria was Purveyor Edric.
“The Aspirant returns as a Defier; you have my admiration, Defier Luke.” He snapped his fingers, and a sultry monic woman with white runes to her cheeks came in the same formal amber and deep green attire, yet ‘tailored’ to be more revealing.
Luke found it to be no mistake, and the monic woman put on a show of handing over the package to him. Luke heard Iona scoff. The monic woman grew alert and left quickly.
Purveyor Edric smoothed over the misstep with Iona by focusing on Luke, “Maria here informed us you were here for more than to pick up the package, Defier Luke?”
“I am, I’ve got a few items to sell, afraid they aren’t as quality as last time, however.”
“Before you reveal the items, if I may…” Edric retrieved a ticket from his breast pocket and handed it to Luke, “this is an invitation to the auction coming in a week’s time. The Fasa group would be delighted if you attended, Defier Luke.”
Luke accepted the ticket and overlooked it. In short, it had a silver mark, the word ‘monthly auction’ printed on it, and the words ‘Fasa House Of Commerce’ etched at the bottom.
“An auction once a month? Are there others? If so, what’s special about this one?”
Edric put a fist behind his back, similar to how a butler would, “Other than this will likely be the last formal auction for the western quadrant before the Monster Tide…” he glanced to Iona, “items even those at the peak of Sylen would appreciate are being offered. There are other, often smaller scale auctions, but without a more private invitation, this would be the most ‘public’ one available to you, Defier Luke.”
“There’s other more private ones? What sorts of things will be for sale?” Luke had fallen hook, line, and sinker to Edric’s fabricated mystery.
“I do not wish to be rude to you, Defier Luke, but the more shall we say… ‘well established’ in this city would disdain to invite you to their further private auctions.” Confirming Luke had remained calm at the possible slight, he continued, “As for what this one is to offer, items only of rare quality and above shall be displayed. Including, but not limited to, skill books, master crafted weaponry, formulas, special items, scarce materials, elixirs, the list only continues.”
Luke checked his inventory, only to be reminded of the lack of even one gold within. He sighed, “I’ll come to understand what’s out there, but I doubt I’ll be able to afford a thing. So, uncommon quality items are what I can sell to you, right?”
“Correct. If you would place the items on the table, I would be happy to appraise them.”
Reassured, Luke took the Crimson Hood, Ghastly Gloves, Night Shade Cape, and Scarlet Tunic out and set them on the table.
The table morphed for a moment, melding over the items, sucking in all the dirt. An instant later, the table settled, appearing as if it hadn’t moved at all. The four old equipment pieces Luke put on the table were practically sparkling.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Neat. Last time a floating table, this time another one that can move and eat dirt on its own. All sorts of things. I don’t even see runes on this one.”
Edric beamed in pride, “These tables are affixed to higher quality rooms, reserved for clients of a certain import. Instead of the typical mix of runic enchanting and mana weave work, this table was wholly crafted through mana weaving, hence the lack of runes, Defier Luke.”
Mana weaving? Is that the regular enchanting type? Runic seemed more specialized to me from the dossier.
Putting aside the curiosity for now, Luke asked, “And what do you think of the four items?”
“Each is of fine usefulness; cloaks, even at lower levels, are met with fair demand. We have a set of private buyers who would be happy to stockpile these items. Would two gold be suitable for you?”
Luke glanced at Iona. He had no idea of the value of things. But a woman who’s lived in this world for years should.
She said, “The offer is fair but very slightly under market rate, unless you want to waste time chasing a few extra silver, you should take it.”
Sipping on the melon juice Maria served him earlier, Luke waited a moment before replying, “We have a deal, Edric.”
Purveyor Edric clapped his hands loudly, and another attendant came into the room to bring the sold items away. He asked, “Is there any other service you require of us, Defier Luke?”
“I don’t suppose you know where I can sell off the two common items I’ve got with me?”
Iona answered for Edric, “You’ll need them for practice soon anyway. Keep them, Luke. They’ll serve you better that way than the silvers you’d get for them. Trust me on this.”
Luke said, “Practice? For what?”
“If Musai did things as we usually do, he set your brain on fire today by jamming a Profession Book into you for Runic Enchanting. You’ll need items to practice on. Higher quality common items like that are great for that.”
The Reaver kept the burning in the back of his head under wraps, but its persistence continued. At this point, he felt trouble concentrating on his abilities, although essence control remained unaffected. Betting that Iona knew what she was talking about, Luke stared at Edric, “That’ll be all then. Do we need to leave immediately or?”
Edric sweat profusely at that line of questioning, “Please, you jest, Defier Luke, our attendant, Maria, shall attend to you as you enjoy your drinks and depart at your leisure. It would be our honor that you enjoy the Fasa House’s amenities.”
Eying the package, Luke wanted to leave sooner rather than later, but Iona thought otherwise.
“This roast is as delightful as ever. I’ll lounge until I’ve finished this cup; may I have another to go?” She said.
Seizing the opportunity, Edric said, “I’ll take my leave, Maria, ensure Iona receives our renowned Drake Roast and see them out when they choose to do so. Good day to both of you.”
Luke waved goodbye to the man as he left the room. Maria excused herself to retrieve more of the Drake Roast. She asked if Luke also would like a refill, to which he refused.
“I doubt this room is free of any measures to listen in on us. Why send her away?” Luke said.
“For one, that drink is my favorite from them, and for two,” she gestured with her index finger near Luke, “that package.”
“What does this have to do with anything? Maybe you don’t know, but it contains information about my dad that I asked them to find for me.” He smiled, “I’m honestly really excited. I’ll finally have a better idea of where he is! I can’t wait to see him again. It’s been way too long.”
Iona only grimaced, and traces of guilt plagued her expression; she said wistfully, “I’m afraid that’s the problem, Luke. Once we leave here, follow me to a nice spot; you’ll need it. In my defense, I only found out myself during your awakening ceremony.”
“Find out what? I’m not tracking here.” Luke sipped on the remaining melon juice; the combination of the pain from the Profession Book and excitement at the prospect of meeting his father soon cut away any ability to read between the lines.
The Beastmaster sighed. She put the roast down, “I’m no longer in the mood for this. You’ll be alright, Luke. Things will get better, and the Defiers Guild will help you. And if they won’t, then I will help you. Let’s go to that spot I mentioned.”
A sense of foreboding built within Luke: Did Dad die? No, that can’t be it. The registry said he was alive. Did he move to one of the other countries? Is he stationed at the border now? What’s going on?
Iona stood up, “Take that package with you. As long as the Fasa House has any spine, it’ll tell you everything you need to know. Wait until we come to where I’m taking you. Can you promise me that, Luke?”
A mix of fear, trepidation, and curiosity fought for control, but in the end, Luke assented, “I’ll come to where you’re taking me. And you’re giving off the sense you’ll refuse any questions.”
She winked at Luke, “You're getting better at reading women. We’re leaving out the south wall, down toward the central road. There’s a meadow there you’ll like.”
“What about your roast?”
“Forget about that, chop-chop, we may have all day, but time waits for no one. Timber will be standing guard for us at the meadow. It’s a favorite of his.”
“Standing guard?”
“No more questions, newbie, to the meadow.”
----------------------------------------
Luke breathed in fresh, wild air as Iona led him down the central path out Sylen’s southern gate. Other than sneaking peeks at Iona, the guards offered no trouble, forgetting to ask for their sigil stones, only performing a quick scan with the crystal they had on them.
As they passed by, he wanted to ask questions about the area. However, the sense of dread and glee he accumulated every time he glanced at the package kept Luke mute. He made out the plain terrain around.
In their central path, grasslands fitted both sides, with the occasional rocky outcropping. A thin forest started but grew expeditiously, and cultivated farmland settled near the river basin to their left. Various cargo boats, ships, and ferries floated on the water.
Moving briskly, a chunk of time passed before Iona stopped in the middle of the road. She motioned with her head, “If we cut through here, the meadow should be about a three-minute walk into the forest. No need to worry about monsters; the highest level critters you’ll find are level six fire-hide boars or feather tail badgers. They run at the sight of anything awakened. Timber’s likely got them cleared out for miles simply by sitting there.”
“Fine by me, the constant fighting lately wore me out. A peaceful forest for once is practically a foreign concept by now.”
Iona lithely walked toward the forest. The grass smushed underneath her feet. Luke took advantage of the impromptu path, following behind her. She teased Luke, “Letting a lady lead so easily? Or do you like what you see?”
The Reaver barely registered what she said, the dread built faster than the excitement, “Something happened to my dad, hasn’t it?”
Displeased her attempt at distraction failed, Iona said, “You’ll know in a minute, an angry ascended can deal heinous damage to the city. Have patience.”
Luke felt his heart drop in real time. She skirted by with her response, but it may as well have been a confirmation, “What happened?”
Entering the forest, she said, “Give it another minute Luke, we’re basically there already.”
The Reaver gazed at Iona with a serene determination in his eyes, “No, I’ve waited long enough. May be a few days to you, but it’s been over a year to me.” Luke made the motion to sit down, his fingers about to get to work undoing the packaging.
“All the more reason to take another moment…never mind, I’ve seen that look in men before.” She breathed out, “Don’t feel emasculated by this, you’re strong, but severely lacking to a tier 3 at the peak.”
Luke only had time to tense up before Iona flashed in front of him. She knocked the package out his hands, put it into her spatial bag, and took him under her arm in one smooth movement. A brown and green aura blasted out of her, sealing Luke’s essence. She stepped onto the grass, and an entire patch vaulted into the sky; Iona flexed her arm, knocking the wind out of Luke.
“Put Luke down, you trickster elf lady! We can be civil, or I can get to blasting.”
Alarmed, Wayfinder said, “Elf-lass, thought you were on the lad’s side? What in the blazes are you trying?”
“Xera, Wayfinder the forgotten, now’s not the time. This is for his own good. A rampaging Reaver in Sylen will cause too much destruction.” Iona dismissed them.
“What would Luke do that for? He controls himself very well! I can’t tell you how many things I’d want to blast or slice, and he wouldn’t let me.”
“My counterpart’s got the right of it. He’s not one to kill or destroy for the sake of it. He spared monster foxes of all things or any monster runt unwilling to tussle.”
Iona purposefully ignored their arguments. Luke attempted to struggle, but Iona continually tightened her grip each time he did so. When his bones began to creak, he stopped.
“Good boy, might make a man out of you yet.” Iona straightened, each of her muscles inflated slightly before systematically flowing down to her right foot. She stamped down once and zoomed through the forest. Her hand snapped any tree in half in her path, as the kinetic energy became spent, she dropped into the middle of the meadow.
The Beastmaster threw Luke down to the side, a yard away from Timber, who groggily woke up from the commotion. Iona took the package out her spatial bag and flung it at Luke, who coughed as he in-took air with half-collapsed lungs, “Timber, make sure our new friend doesn’t go too crazy. You can open that package now, Luke. Take your anger out on me if you must, but I’m doing this out of concern for you. This is the reason why Musai made me your guide today.”
She sauntered to a nearby stump and sat down, crossing her legs and arms as she stared down Luke.
Luke sat up, after sending a glare at Iona, he ignored her.
“Are you alright, master? Use me. We’ll teach that elf-lady!” Xera asked.
“The she-elf gave you quite the wallop. Can you move about without breakin’ anything?” Wayfinder said.
“Forget about that, I’m not that fragile.” Luke tried to bring essence to his arms, but the resource moved like backed-up sludge, “My essence is slowed to crawl around her. She’s not letting up on the aura suppression. What the fuck’s the big deal?” he glowered at Iona.
“Open the package, Luke,” Iona said.
Luke set his eyes on the package. He tore it open with haste. A ledger with a thick stack of paper waited for him inside.
It was titled Events Concerning Paul Wallace.