"Morning, Lythonian,” SJ called as she walked up the church pathway. Lythonian was in his usual position when not running a service, tending to the church grounds.

"Hello, SJ. Is this a social visit or business?” Lythonian grinned with his reptilian smile.

"You heard already?" SJ said, surprised. She hadn't actively told anyone she was now a member of the council, but it was obvious that news travelled fast. "It is town business. I am seeking some information and would appreciate your input and guidance.”

"I see. Well then, would you like to join me for a coffee, and we can discuss your matter?” Lythonian asked.

"Yes, please. That would be great,” SJ replied.

Following Lythonian back inside, they headed to the vestry. The church only had a couple of worshippers praying to their respective Gods this morning.

Lythonian grabbed a pot of coffee and poured two mugs, handing one to SJ. “So, what did you wish to discuss?” he asked.

"It is a rather sensitive matter. I am unsure if you know that I am now a town council member.”

"I had heard, yes,” Lythonian smiled nodding.

"What I need to discuss is rather sensitive, and I don’t want to put you in an awkward position. If you do not wish to comment, then I understand,” SJ said.

"I see,” Lythonian replied, raising his eyebrows in response to her comment. “It must be of a serious nature then.”

"I am not sure yet, but it is the chance that it may be,” SJ replied. “I would like to know more about one of your kin.”

"Whom might you be referring to?” Lythonian asked.

"I am after some information regarding Bellakiy.”

Lythonian squinted at the comment. “And what did you wish to know about him, exactly?”

"There are concerns that he may have been divulging council details and undermining the good that the town is trying to do. I understand that this may not be easy for you to discuss, as I have been informed that you hold his family in high regard.”

"His family, I do, yes. His father was a great Draconian, and his sister is an order cleric. I worked with her in Asterfal before I took over the church here.”

"I had no idea about his sister,” SJ replied, slightly taken aback.

"She is a beautiful soul who works at the Asterfal High Church. She is a senior cleric whom I studied under for several years.”

"Oh. I can understand that this may be a little sensitive then.”

Lythonian shuffled a little uncomfortably in his chair. He appeared to be deciding on what he should say. “I can’t say too much as I am sworn under the secrecy of information through the order, but I can answer questions that do not directly counter my Oath.”

"I am sorry. I had no idea that there may be an Oath involved, and If I had, I would not have approached you.”

"It is fine. If I can answer, I will do it. If I don’t, you know why I can't.”

“Are you aware of any dealings by Bellakiy that may directly impact the town and its workings?”

Lythonian didn’t speak but nodded his head.

“So you know something that may cause issues to the town?”

Lythonian nodded again.

“Can you expand on the reasoning and issues pertaining to what you may have been privy to?”

“I can indirectly,” Lythonian replied. SJ could see a bead of sweat forming on the Draconians’ brow. “Bellakiy has been at odds for years since his father's passing. He wasn’t present when his father died, as he had been away in the Capital, where he made the family fortune trading across the Northern territories. He was very astute at business and had been running the family business for almost seventy years. From the time his father retired and settled in Killic, Bellakiy has argued with his sister.”

“I didn't realise he had been running the business for so long.”

“Yes. His father, the previous Mayor of Killic, was a fabulous Draconian. I had the pleasure of knowing him through his daughter. He regularly travelled to Asterfal to visit. I was her apprentice, and I met him many times. This was at the beginning of my journey as a cleric. When he passed, Wystria took it hard. She blamed herself for the loss, not having taken care of him when he had fallen ill. At the time, she was working towards her advancement to that of a deity representative, which she has successfully achieved and has held the position of a high cleric from that day forth.”

SJ nodded, listening intently to his tale.

“Wystria had communicated with Bellakiy about their father when he had fallen ill, but neither was present when he did pass. Their mother had passed several years previous from a rare Draconian disease. When their father died, it tore the family apart and set the pair at odds with each other. Bellakiy believed he had the rights to the family business as he had been running it before their father's death. Wystria, though, was listed as the incumbent to the business and was given full control under her father's will. This infuriated Bellakiy, and the siblings fought for years over the rights. Eventually, to maintain peace and end the hostilities, Wystria gave up her right to the business and handed it over to Bellakiy.

Until this time, Wystria had been maintaining the business alongside her duties as a cleric, completing all the accounting and keeping on top of the business dealings that required her attention. Bellakiy had not fully controlled the business's finances, always having to confirm dealings through Wystria. This had caused many arguments and was one of the reasons that Wystria ended up giving up her position due to their bitter feud. She was more reserved and averse to risk, whereas Bellakiy was the opposite.

In the end, though, handing over control was the worst mistake that Wystria made. Bellakiy got caught up in a scheme at the Capital over procuring several Mithril mines. He thought he was on to a sure thing and invested all the business capital into the deal. The problem was that the deal was too good to be true. The mines were fake, only having Britlac, a rare ore like Mithril but unworkable. It has no viable use outside of basic jewellery. This led the business to eventually collapse after being in the family for over two centuries, he had to close the doors and resign himself to the fact he had fallen to a deal that held no truth.

This was when he then returned south. He spent several years in Asterfal running several small businesses and doing well for himself, but without the financial capability he had lost, he would never grow back to the size it had been before. This was when he decided to return to Killic and take over his father’s legacy.”

“But his father had not been the Mayor of Killic for decades by this point. Why did he think he could come back and take over?”

“Bellakiy is stubborn and very self-centred.” Lythonian winced as he finished the line, sweat trickling visibly down his brow. He took a sharp breath before continuing.

“He believes in the right of passage, similar to the stance over the business. He still believes that as the son of a Mayor, he should automatically ascend to the position now that he has returned to Killic.” Lythonian shook slightly as he finished the sentence.

“Are you ok?” SJ asked concerned.

“I am walking a very fine line at the moment, and the Oath is telling me so,” he replied, smiling weakly.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean you to break your Oath.”

“I haven’t, don’t worry. I know how far I can push the boundaries without undue effect.”

“So Bellakiy believes he should automatically become the Mayor. Yet, he has no power over the decision to become the Mayor, so the only way he can try to take the position is by causing problems that affect the town and make the presiding Mayor look bad in the eyes of the populace.”

Lythonian did not respond, sitting silently.

“So there is truth in what has been discovered so far. Yet, you cannot say what exactly that truth pertains to.”

Lythonian gave a very slight nod, then visibly winced again as the pain seemed to hit him, making him stiffen in his seat.

“I am sorry Lythonian. I never meant for you to suffer in any way,” SJ replied, looking shocked at the control the Oath he was under must have over him. SJ could now understand why the Oath that Jabrey had taken was such a valid commitment to not attacking the town in the future. “I need to investigate further then and will have to find out what he is doing exactly to undermine the Mayor without drawing attention to myself or to letting him know.”

“I would advise that, yes,” Lythonian replied.

“I will have to visit the surrounding villages and find out what is going on,” SJ said.

“It may be a good place to start your investigation. Unfortunately, I can’t say more than I already have. The dealings are under the Oath of my kin, which I am sworn to secrecy over, so I couldn’t divulge them without death being the likely outcome.”

The power of an Oath was startling, and the fact that Lythonian had mentioned the possibility of death if broken made a cold chill run up her spine. She had only just taken an Oath to Killic without knowing the potential side effects that it may hold if she ever broke it—not that she intended to, but that was beside the point.

“Thank you for your time, Lythonian, and again, I am sorry for asking you such difficult questions.”

“Do not apologise, my dear. You are a friend and someone I trust. Race oaths hold more sway than most in the realm.”

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“I am considering moving into one of the homes west of town by the fields. When I do, I would like to invite you for dinner to thank you,” SJ said, smiling.

“That would be lovely, and I look forward to it,” Lythonian smiled.

SJ bade her farewell and left the vestry as Lythonian dabbed his brow with a handkerchief.

“That was a little intense. Do all Oaths carry that much sway?” SJ asked Dave after leaving the church.

“Not all, no. The town’s Oath can be overwritten by another Oath that replaces or betters it. Race oaths are something entirely different, though. There are several aspects that, as natural Amathereans, they can’t divulge about their races. Not all races hold the same power of direction as the Draconian race. It is one of the stronger Oaths. Oaths of honour like Jabrey's are also binding and can’t be overcome without serious repercussions.”

“So Bellakiy could be passing information even if under the Oath?”

“He could. It would depend on what he is doing exactly.”

Considering the information that Lythonian had shared, SJ knew she would be required to investigate further avenues.

“Well, I need to find out. I think I will have to visit the outer villages and see what is going on.”

“I think you will. I don’t think you will get any more details from within the town itself.”

“Now that I am level 10, can I use the navigation to find the village locations?”

“Not directly, but if you have access to the regional maps, then you can plot perspective positions. They will only come clear once visited.”

“I think I need to go and see the Mayor then.”

“Yes. We also need to go and collect Nexis for his meeting.”

SJ looked at the time. It was 10:10. “I had lost track of time. Thanks for reminding me,” SJ said, returning to the Inn.

Nexis was sitting at a table with several empty plates in front of him.

“Morning,” he said, smiling at SJ as he saw her.

“Morning, Nexis. I see you have been eating breakfast,” SJ said, taking in the empty plates and wondering where he had put all the food they must have contained.

“It was delightful. Floretta is an outstanding cook. I had forgotten how pleasurable it is to eat.”

The thought of a God not needing to eat had never crossed SJ’s mind, but she assumed it was highly probable that they didn’t require the usual sustenance that normal beings would.

“We need to get going to see the Mayor,” SJ said.

“Yes. Absolutely. Let me just pay for my breakfast.” Nexis stood and walked to the bar. As he walked, SJ noticed several pairs of eyes following his movement.

SJ couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she could imagine with the reaction and colour that Kerys’s cheeks went, supported by the giggle.

“Shall we go then,” Nexis replied, returning to the table.

It didn’t take them long to walk through the town and reach the barracks. SJ felt very uncertain about all the stares and smiles the pair received. She had gotten used to morning pleasantries from many, but today, most were directed to Nexis. The God accommodated all the comments and replied to all those who spoke to him, smiling warmly and disarmingly in response. SJ saw several male and female beings' faces flush at his passing.

“You really need to turn your charm down,” SJ hissed under her breath.

“My dear. I am just being me,” Nexis replied with a wicked smile.

“Umhmm,” SJ sighed, rolling her eyes.

Arriving at the barracks, SJ walked straight through the barrier, not disturbing the old orc at the front desk, who was busy dealing with two arguing humans. One had a black eye, from the looks of it, and two members of the guard stood behind them, glowering at them, making sure that nothing else was going to happen.

Heading upstairs, SJ saw Little Stuart leaving the Mayor's main chambers. “Hello, Little Stuart.”

“Hi, SJ,” he replied cheerily.

“What are you doing?”

“Just starting on the model upstairs. Mr Cringle has asked me to build the basic structure,” he grinned broadly.

“That is fantastic news. Good luck, and I will come and see how you get on at some point,” SJ replied.

“That would be great,” he said, hurrying down the corridor before turning up the stairs.

SJ assumed Mr Cringle must be the Gnome who oversaw the town’s model, and she politely nodded at him as she walked by to the Mayor’s office. The doors were open as usual, and Zigferd stood and walked towards his door seeing SJ walking through.

“SJ, welcome, and you must be Nexis, who I have been hearing so much about,” Zigferd said with a genuine smile.

“I am indeed. Mayor,” Nexis replied, taking the Mayor’s offered hand.

“Please come in and take a seat. Alice?”

“Coming,” Alice replied.

SJ watched as Alice came out of her office, and she thought she looked a little different from normal. She frowned slightly as she took in her appearance. Her hair, she thought, was different. She had tied it up in a tight bob, revealing her beautiful Dryad features in full. Nexis, Fizzlewick, or Haber had a lot to answer for. She thought as they entered the office, taking a seat.

“I understand you met with Alice briefly yesterday evening, and she has confirmed your alignment. Therefore, your word is your bond.” Zigferd poured four glasses of water and handed them around.

“She did, yes,” Nexis said.

“Excellent. That removes that formality from the process then.” Zigferd said. “So we can get straight to business. SJ has informed you of our need and that we wish to remain anonymous from sales.”

“Yes. SJ has informed me of the basic plans.”

“So how do you believe this can be achieved.”

“Quite easily, really.”

“Please share,” Zigferd offered.

“I plan on opening an Auction House here in Killic.”

Zigferd, Alice and SJ both sat open-mouthed at the comment.

“Sorry?” Zigferd stammered, the first to regain his composure.

“Yes. I plan to open a new Auction House in Killic.”

“But we can’t have an Auction House here,” Alice replied stunned.

“Why not, my dear? Have the territory boundaries not been re-aligned, meaning the area is now up to level 20?”

“Well, yes,” Zigferd replied.

“Well, there is no reason why an Auction House can’t be set up here. Trading will still be limited to level 20 and higher, but it will allow your merchandise to get into the system without asking undue questions. I assume you are aware of how the Auctions are interlinked?”

“I am,” Zigferd replied, still stunned by the announcement.

“Well then. The distribution of Auction materials is conferred through object transference. The place of origin is irrelevant when moving items as they are transferred as purchased through the transference stream.”

SJ sat wide-eyed, mouth open. She had no idea about the workings of the auction houses.

“How would you possibly get licensing for an Auction House?”

“That is my concern. You don’t need to worry about the details. I will cover the setup costs and dealings for licensing.”

“You would need to confirm with the Auction Magistrate in the Capital. That could take months.”

“Ah. I know Magistrate Hershy very well. We go back a couple of centuries,” Nexis smiled.

“You know the Magistrate of the Auction Houses?” Zigferd eyes could not have gotten any wider.

“Oh yes. I am his daughter's Godfather,” Nexis replied.

SJ coughed at the comment. She had been sipping on a glass of water, which now erupted from her mouth.

“Sorry,” she spluttered, wiping her mouth and dabbing the spray from the table, knowing her dress would dry.

“Godfather,” Dave laughing hysterically at his comment.