“I don’t care what your badges say.” The man seated at the front desk in the Windhelm Provisioners and Armaments lobby shook his head, voice firm. “There’s no way you kids are part of the Steelshade Vanguard. Now get out of here before I call the guard for daring to impersonate one of the empire’s elite units.”
Pax clenched his jaw. They were already running behind with the detour to the Silent Stein. And now this idiot thought they were kids playing a prank.
Rin didn’t budge, her muscles tensing after she exchanged a look with Pax and turned back to the man. “Please provide us your name and position so we can report back to Mage Lyndara who refused to allow us to deliver this critical message to—” She paused to look down at the address slip that came with the sealed message before meeting the man’s eyes again. “Victoria Windhelm.”
Pax barely kept a straight face as the man’s eyes widened, looking completely taken aback by Rin’s refusal to back down.
“Mage Lyndara?” he asked slowly, obviously familiar with the name.
“Yes,” Pax said, imitating Rin’s professional and slightly impatient tone. “She is our supervisor and made it clear that we are to deliver this message directly to Victoria Windhelm. If anyone prevents us from executing our duty, we’re to take names and report back to her.”
The clerk sat back in his chair and cast a quick glance to his fellow employees seated at other desks who were suddenly very focused on their own work. They obviously wanted nothing to do with the situation he’d gotten himself into.
“Sir, please give us your name and position or inform her that Mages Pax Vipersworn and Rin Esta are here delivering a message on behalf of the Steelshade Vanguard.”
The man suddenly leaned forward with interest, flipping open a book and scanning through it before looking back up at them. “Did you say Vipersworn and Esta?”
Pax nodded slowly, unsure if the question was a good thing or not.
The man smiled and hopped to his feet. “I’ll gladly inform Mistress Windhelm of your arrival.” With an abrupt nod, he spun on his heel and hurried through a door behind him, disappearing into the hallway beyond.
“What was that about?” Rin asked in a low whisper to him.
He just shook his head, doing his best to keep up the professional appearance as he tamped down on his own impatience.
The clerk was back a few moments later, ushering them down the hall and into a massive office with none of the disregard he’d shown earlier. When he opened the door and ushered them in, both Pax and Rin stopped just over the threshold and stared.
The office itself exuded an air of grandeur, adorned with rich tapestries, intricate furnishings and enough room to handle twenty people comfortably, if necessary. Polished wooden chairs in cozy groupings complemented the room's opulent aesthetic. Filtered sunlight streamed in through tall windows casting a warm glow over the space. Along the other wall, shelves lined with ancient tomes and magical artifacts hinted at the depth of knowledge and power held by the Windhelm family.
“Mistress Windhelm,” he said, his tone semi-formal. “The student mages, Pax Vipersworn and Rin Esta.” Without another word, he turned and slipped back out of the office.
The hefty click of the latch echoed, making Pax want to flinch as he forced himself to meet Victoria Windhelm’s gaze. Even seated behind her large mahogany desk, she cut a commanding figure. Dressed in tasteful, but obviously expensive clothing, she exuded authority, looking more than capable of overseeing one of the family's offices in the empire’s capital. She looked at them, her gaze steely but with a touch of what Pax hoped was friendliness.
Following Rin’s lead, Pax stayed quiet, waiting out the woman’s examination of them.
She finally gave them a nod and stood, motioning toward the chairs in front of her desk. “Please have a seat, young mages. Bronson said you have a message for me from the Steelshade Vanguards, though he questioned whether your claims were legitimate.”
“Then why did you agree to see us?” Pax asked as they stepped forward and sank into the soft cushions of the chairs. Thankfully, they had solid backs that allowed them to sit up straight to face the woman’s imposing presence.
A puzzled frown flitted across her face as she cocked her head at them. “You’re part of the crew that saved my cousin after the loxotine battle, aren’t you?”
Pax nodded, and Rin let out a soft ah of realization.
“Did you think Head Master Windhelm wouldn’t keep all of his businesses informed of your names and descriptions? We’re to pass any requests for help directly to him. If they aren’t unreasonable, we’ll do what we can to satisfy them.”
Now Rin blinked in surprise. “But he’s already given us an extravagant gift and helped us out during the Purge. Is he planning to help us out for life?”
She looked between the two of them, keen gaze judging them before she spoke. “Does my cousin Elowen have an entirely new life because of you?”
“That’s a good point,” Rin said, her tone suddenly calculating.
Pax gave her what he thought was a subtle elbow.
Victoria let out a delighted laugh that surprised both of them. “I can see why my uncle likes you. Now tell me why you’re here today.”
Rin stood and presented the sealed missive to her, placing it in her hand instead of setting it on the desk.
Victoria took it with a curious look, glancing between it and them as Rin sat back down. “So, you’re really with the Steelshades? That makes you even more intriguing.” She set the message down in front of her without opening it. “I’ll need to discuss better procedures with Bronson. I’m disappointed he missed the obvious authenticity of this message and your badges. They aren’t easy to forge. Tell me, did he take the time to examine them?”
Rin shook her head and while Pax kind of felt bad for getting the clerk in trouble, he’d brought it on himself for dismissing them out of hand.
Victoria pursed her lips in displeasure before her face cleared, and she held out a hand to them. “Please hand me your message slip, and I’ll stamp and initial my receipt.”
Pax quickly obeyed, not happy that Lyndara hadn’t mentioned they needed to have that done. Maybe it was common knowledge.
Victoria pulled a seal out from under her tunic and quickly stamped the address slip before inking her swirling initials into the design. “There. I’ll have Bronson send a tip for you two with our payment this month. That should teach him to look past appearances better, don’t you think?”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Rin smiled and nodded.
“Now, is there anything else I can help you with? This has been a pleasant diversion, but I’m perpetually short on time.”
During their trip across town, he and Rin had come up with a few ideas that might help their cause if they got a chance. He took the lead, since they were both related to him.
“Two things, since you mentioned Master Windhelm would still like to help us.”
She nodded, just a touch impatiently.
“During the Purge, he offered to help with administrators or leaders who tried to come after my crew and I.”
“The letter made it through, then?”
Pax blinked, completely surprised by her knowledge.
She laughed and shook her head. “I head one of the offices in the empire’s capital. There isn’t much of import that I’m not informed about. What is the current situation?”
“The Student Compliance and Enforcement office has summoned me along with my Mentor to appear next Saturday at 10:20. I wonder if Master Windhelm or any of his solicitors could offer me advice?”
She was writing with a fast hand. “Your mentor is still Mage Incedis, the war hero, right?”
He nodded, resolving not to be surprised by anything else she knew.
“Alright. I’ll pass this on to my uncle and we’ll do what we can to help.” She gave them a tip of her head. “Now if that’s all?”
“Does Master Windhelm have a way of getting current war information?” Pax blurted out the question and knew immediately he didn’t word it very well.
Her brows narrowed in suspicion. “Of course he does. What merchant wouldn’t? However, I would expect you to be intelligent enough to know how valuable and difficult to get that kind of information is. It isn’t something to be shared lightly with students. Besides, your Steelshade Vanguard members likely know at least as much, if not more than we do. Explain yourself.” The last came with a sharp bite that told Pax he’d overstepped.
“First, we’re brand-new interns, so the Steelshade members won’t share anything with us that isn’t already publicly available information.”
“As is proper.” Her approving nod made it clear how she felt about following protocol.
“I’m sorry, but we weren’t asking for anything that is crucial to empire security. It’s just my brother—” He let his words trail off as he loosened the bands of control he normally kept cinched around his emotions.
“Ah. This is about family?” Her expression relaxed, and she leaned back in her chair. “We Windhelms know plenty about what we’ll do for family. I’ll give you another minute to explain, and then, I really need to return to work. If you need further attention, you’re welcome to write up a message, and I’ll see that my uncle sees it.”
“No.” Pax hurried to wave a reassuring hand. “I don’t want to waste any more of his time. I can explain quickly.”
More approval shone in her eyes as she nodded permission.
“My brother was a shirker like us. They took him years ago, and I never saw him again. I’ve been paying information brokers to track him down. They found that he awakened as a warrior, but they sold him in an exchange with a neighboring city called Northvale.”
She winced at the name, sympathy suddenly in her expression.
“Yes, the hordes overran it, but word is that some people escaped to nearby cities. Plus, I was able to make him my inheritor.”
Her brows rose at that.
“I don’t want to shirk any of my mage duties, but with everything going on, they may send us students out again to help with the war. Quarrybrook isn’t super close to Northvale, but it’s on the same side of the empire. If I could get a better idea of the situation out there, just a general one that doesn’t involve any dangerous secrets, maybe I could come up with a better plan to track down my brother.” He let his expression fall and lowered his voice. “If he’s still alive.”
“You know the inheritor system isn’t perfect, right?” she asked, sympathy in her tone. “He could have been alive when you selected him, but if he’s died since then, it wouldn’t notify you, only send your belongings to his heir if you died.”
He nodded. Though he hadn’t known the specifics, he knew the inheritor thing couldn’t be without issues. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t try.”
She examined him for a long moment. “I wouldn’t expect any less. I’ll write this request up and see that my uncle gets it. He may not be able to share much information. But if there is something that he can share without jeopardizing our interests, he’ll do it.” Her expression turned stern. “I don’t need to remind you that whatever he gives you is for your eyes and ears only. You’ll agree to never write it down or share it with anyone but your immediate crew and possibly your mentor. I’ll get back to you on that. Understood?”
As they nodded, she stood, and Pax heard the door behind them open. Somehow, she’d signaled her assistant to come escort them out.
Pax stopped and then gave her a solemn bow. “Thank you for all your help. You have a lifetime ally in my crew. We may be students now, but we won’t be forever. Don’t hesitate to ask for any help we can offer you and your family.”
Instead of giving them an indulgent smile or dismissing the offer, she returned his bow. “You are already a valuable ally, and I’ll pass your words on to my uncle. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Pax said before turning and leaving the office with Rin.
Bronson escorted them back out the lobby, acting a lot more respectful to them. As they passed his desk, he bowed his head to them. “Please forgive me for my treatment and disrespect to you. Not only were you official representatives of the Steelshade Vanguard, but you are important allies our family owes for the life of our master’s daughter. I’m sorry for the way I treated you and it won’t happen again.”
His apology was so sincere that it made Pax hope his boss didn’t come down too hard on him.
“Thank you,” Rin said with an appeased smile. “We are used to being underestimated. And everyone makes mistakes. At least you’re man enough to admit it and apologize. I’m glad we’re allies.”
He looked surprised by how gracious her response was before returning her smile with a tentative one.
“Good luck with Mistress Windhelm,” Rin said with an airy wave as they headed toward the front door.
Pax stifled a laugh at how quickly Bronson’s face turned pale again.
“You’re so mean,” he whispered as they pushed the door open into the afternoon foot traffic. He paused, suddenly remembering his Identify he needed to level. He looked back, knowing Bronson couldn’t object.
***
Merchant Lloyd Bronson - Level 5
Position: Senior Clerk
Increase Identify Skill for more information.
Skill Boost: +3 to Identify Level 3 - 291/300
***
Pax celebrated internally. He was so close!
Rin shot a look back at Bronson and scowled. “Maybe he’ll think twice next time he gets all judgy about someone else he decides is too young or beneath him to deserve respect.”
He laughed and shook his head at her antics as they dodged through the crowd. When his Sphere of Perception detected a sudden movement that slipped out of sync with the rest of the pedestrians, Pax was already spinning, his grip clamping down hard on the wrist of a pickpocket.
He saw the flare of surprise and fear in the eyes of a young girl dressed decently enough to blend into the middle-class crowd in the business district.
“I don’t have anything you want. And next time, maybe try asking.”
Her eyes flickered with disbelief. “You’re a mage. And I ain’t no beggar.” She gave a sudden jerk that might have broken his grip if he hadn’t been prepared and had a much higher Strength than she probably expected from a student mage.
“Hey mister! That hurts! Why are you hurting me?”
“Want me to call the guard?” he asked as he and Rin moved out of traffic to the opening of an alley between buildings.
Seeing she wasn’t drawing much of a crowd with her antics, she subsided. “No. What do you want to let me go?”
Pax looked at Rin, suddenly thoughtful. She pulled a few coppers out and held them up to the girl. “We might have some occasional work for someone like you and your crew. Any way to contact you?”
She gave them a suspicious look, but didn’t hesitate to snatch the coppers out of Rin’s hand. “Here on up to the square at the next street is my territory. Come sit down for a meal and one of us will find you if we feel like it.” She looked down at Pax’s grip on her arm, but didn’t try pulling away again. “You going to let me go now?”
He’d barely loosened his fingers when she darted away, disappearing into the crowd with impressive skills for someone who couldn’t have a stealth skill yet.
“She’s doing a lot better than we were,” Rin mused as they moved back onto the busy walkway.
“Until the war gets here.” Pax frowned at the thought. “How many people like her are going to get swept up in the coming mess.”
Rin shook her head, expression pragmatic. “Too many. But when the beast hordes eventually overwhelm the empire, they’ll all die, anyway. So, doing anything is preferable, right?”
He nodded, knowing she was right though it still bothered him. He forced himself to focus back on their work for the day. “Well, one message down and four more to go. Then I’ve got to visit that old guy tonight.”
Rin smiled humorously at the oblique reference to Magesecond Fenix. “We should finish in plenty of time. You might even have time to visit the curmudgeon before dinner. Our next delivery is three blocks that way.” She pointed to her left, already moving quickly through the crowd, making it obvious her Agility was still higher than his.