Chapter 77: Truth As Leverage

Subject: Inis Location: Arlcada Territories - Count Kylant's Settlement

Inis's father had taught her how to play Thirds. He indulged in these diversions frequently, and wanted to share his passion with his daughter. Inis, wanting to make her father proud, learned not just the rules, but also how to bend them and win.

But she found he didn't so much care that she won. He delighted in how she won. And thus, Inis strove to find more and more inventive ways of winning. Hand her a reduced deck and she could win in an upset. Hand her the common deck and opponents might begin to doubt what card game they were even playing.

Or, in this case, an opponent will doubt her mental faculties, or question her experience. That was the face the young woman in front of her was making.

"Have you really played this game before?" Fragma asked, perplexed.

Inis nodded.

Fragma didn't know that Inis had planned this exact scenario. Playing against a single opponent made it much easier to control the board.

The game was a doorway into an opponent's mind. Fragma had waited in the early stages of the game, hoping to disrupt Inis's attempts to score any starting points. Disrupting an opponent's progress was one way play, though decidedly unusual for a Knight of Shroud. Order was their purview, after all.

This game was instructive. It first taught her that she didn't know what it meant to be a Hexaline Knight. And who could blame her? Most people never interacted with them, and she had been no different until last night.

When Inis didn't make herself a target, the knight grew impatient and finally picked a more traditional point gain pattern. From there, she scored the game's first point soon after.

"Either way, that's my point. For my question, I want to know who you work for."

"My secondary job is as a seeker, but I don't take contracts often. Primarily, I work for myself. I'm a travelling merchant, selling-"

Inis intentionally stopped here, making a face as if she were nervous. Fragma didn't inquire further, recognizing that she had exhausted her one question.

"Interesting choice of career. Unexpected, but I'm sure you have your reasons. I'm ready to resume."

The knight impatiently scored a second point shortly after, perhaps sacrificing late-game point potential. Having sufficiently guided her opponent's curiosity, Fragma's next question was predictable.

"What wares have you sold throughout your career?"

"Odds and ends. Too many items to count. Sometimes I unload excess shards, self-made medicine, wilderbeast parts, blightseeds, refined charke, books, miscellaneous blightsources, and much more."

Inis finished, forcing back a grin before it had a chance to form on her face. Then she spoke again.

"You look disappointed."

Instead, the Hexknight grinned and, with her elbow on the table they were using as a board, leaned her head on her palm. Fragma knew what Inis had done, intentionally drawing her in, but she didn't fault her for it. She wasn't angry.

Strange.

"Oh, it's only that I think you are too good for such a life. I know better than to ask if you'd work for me, but I still lament you wasting away like that."

Inis didn't respond. She refused to give up any information for free. Her opponent continued to respect her wishes. Fragma was really committed to this whole "earning her trust" act. Perversely so.

They continued playing. Eventually, the next point went to Inis.

"Do you normally bring ruin to the lives of nobles and their subjects?" She boldly inquired.

"For nobles, at least... Yes, I believe I do. Not intentionally, but their actions have the tendency to rub me wrong. As for their innocent subjects, I try not to cause collateral damage. The count's subjects were safe and sound in this very building until not so long ago. You'll see them when you leave, if you care to look."

Inis found that hard to believe, but perhaps that was because other Hexknights of Judgement wouldn't care about dozens of citizens getting caught in the crossfire, if it meant accomplishing their primary goal. They were death-dealers, not guardians.

"Not that it's my business," she replied. "I'm ready to continue."

And so the cards were dealt and placed on the table, gradually revealing each participant's primary objectives. Or, at least Inis's strategy would have been revealed, were it not for Fragma's unexpectedly poor skill.

A player should have noticed that Inis was toying with them by now, but Fragma acted like she believed Inis was changing her strategy each time. She would stubbornly react, react, time, delaying her own progress to any of the many win conditions.

"My point," Fragma declared, somewhat overeager. "Where did you get such incredible power?"

Inis was taken aback.

"Uh...I don't know..."

She wasn't buying it.

"What I mean to say is: 'off limits'."

"You've used your first of three. New question: are you unwell? Less generally, are you afflicted by any concerning or otherwise life-threating ailments? Sickness of the body or sickness of the mind."

Inis panicked. Technically, all that came to mind was the experiment she'd run on herself all those days ago, granting her incredible power and unpredictable symptoms. It had been weighing on her since, and hiding it meant lying.

"New question."

Without missing a beat, Fragma dove for the kill. Figuratively.

"Your behavior compared to last night is completely different. Where you were frantic, you are reserved. You embodied brilliant chaos, only to lose the fervor from the moment you awoke. I know the influence of battle, but the difference is too great. Explain yourself."

Terrifying, but true. How could she talk her way out of something like this?"

"I was overstressed, and lost myself when I finally made progress in my training. But, I imagine you want an answer better than I can provide comfortably, so I will not answer."

That was a mistake. Information for free.

The Hexknight blinked a few times, an expressionless face betraying none of her thoughts.

"Alrighty then. Are you an enemy of Shroud?"

This unexpected question made Inis drop her hand of cards, barely catching one before it slid off the table. The Hexknight watched her closely. But, rather than panic further, Inis merely breathed a sigh of relief.

"I am most definitely not an enemy of Shroud."

Fragma looked annoyed.

I have to win this. Now!

Luckily all this setup meant that Inis could win in no fewer than three turns. She gained three points in an instant.

"Your points. Ask away, I'm an open book."

With a deep breath, Inis let loose.

"First question. Do you really intend to let me go without punishing me?"

"I do."

Risky, but maybe if I get her to reject a couple questions...

"Second question. What is the secret behind the Recovery Stations installed in every city? Specifically, what is the nature of their magic? If you do not know the spell, could you tell me everything you know about everyone involved in their development?"

"I won't answer that one, but I like you even more now. Believe me, I really wish I was permitted to tell you."

She ignored the comment, having never expected an answer. That said, there must be some delicious answer hiding somewhere.

"New question. Are we really going to war with the meredine again?"

"I would ask you where you heard that, but troop movements are hard to ignore. I'm not up to date on the most recent developments, but yes. Our long cold war with our most hated neighbors will soon blossom into full-blown, sustained combat. If word gets out that I told you this, I'll kill you myself."

"I- I would never. I didn't expect you to..."

"Oh, haha. I see. You wanted me to refuse? Go on, ask that third question of yours. Even the way you ask your questions is an interesting game."

"I... Third question. Why doesn't the nation take more of a formal stance on the Blight. Why leave it to the Guild to martial a response to the threat?"

This question caught the Hexknight by surprise. She thought long and hard before responding.

"I think because... people are idiots? They are short-sighted. Too worried about immediate threats and stealing power from their supposed allies to worry about something that is supposedly being handled by an extra-national organization."

"It's not being handled. We're steadily losing land, people, and the Blight is growing more and more dangerous each day. I've seen it."

Fragma shrugged.

The game continued in heavy silence. It was now Fragma's turn to score a point.

"Close to the end now. I can see now that I'm up against a skilled opponent. For my question, I would ask you why you care so much about the Blight? I heard conviction in your voice when you brought it up."

She'd made a mistake. With a question, she'd given away more than many answers could reveal.

"There's no use drawing it out by refusing. My mother was a seeker. One of the best in our home city, but she died. My father was a teacher, but he changed after her death. He died in a-"

"In a laboratory accident, was it? You're that little girl, aren't you?"

She didn't answer. But she didn't have to. It must have been a memorable incident for the Enforcers on duty that day, and damaging enough to the city to enter the memory of even Hexknights.

"I don't know much about your story myself, but my associate did know your father. He'd heard about your mother, but I don't remember what their relationship was. Small world, not that I have any attachment to your background. What interests me is the young woman you are now."

Inis finished the match by scoring the remaining points. She didn't have any questions she wanted to ask more than she wanted to avoid further attention she'd certainly get for asking. It was risky enough to win against a Hexknight in the first place.

"I didn't know I was playing a pro," Fragma sighed. "What are your remaining questions?"

"I have none. The game is over and I was hoping to be allowed to leave."

"You could leave at any time, and I understand not asking me questions, but letting you leave empty-handed leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Inis tried to refuse whatever Fragma was suggesting , but the prideful knight wasn't having it.

"No, I really insist. Ask a request of me, and I will see if I can do something about it. What do you want most in the world right now?"

This was a trap. Making a request of someone like this was like rolling the dice. They might target you for trying to take advantage of their "generosity", the might refuse, or perhaps most dangerous of all, they might come through and grant the request.

But Inis had little to lose in this predicament, and she planned to escape at the first opportunity.

"You wouldn't happen to be able to get the Guild to grant me access to their private archives, would you?"

"Unfortunately... As the Guild is an autonomous body, and one Shroud works hard to negotiate with on a regular basis, you are asking the impossible. Even we can't get access to the archives without risking a purge."

"A purge?"

"They will destroy the information before we can use it. They've done it before, and it is a loss for all sides. We benefit from the Guild continuing their 'charitable' work, which they won't do if they can't have autonomy."

The dejected Blight researcher had no choice but to enact her plan. She was just about prepared, so she might as well get it over with.

"You don't see to believe the Guild is as good-natured as it appears to be. Why?"

"Simple: they are people. People lie. People are corrupt. People want power. I don't have evidence, if that's what you thought. Trust is rarely well-placed.

They shared a solemn moment. Inis also believed this. Maybe this Hexknight wasn't so bad... Then again, wouldn't a thought like that be placing too much trust in a stranger?

"Just what did you want access to the archives for? Did you perhaps lie to me? Maybe you work for one of Shroud's dark divisions."

The expression on Hexknight Fragma's face now was serious and dangerous. Inis felt every instinct telling her to escape quickly. She couldn't help but flinch, snapping a glance toward the only exit of the room, a small wooden door. Fragma caught the reaction and flung the table aside.

"Was I right? Do I have to remind you people what I do to users?"

"No! I have an idea of what you're accusing me of, but I'll tell you the whole truth!"

Fragma stopped glaring, but she didn't smile or apologize. Somewhere during the game, she'd forgotten she was fraternizing with one of Shroud's executioners. Inis had one chance to deescalate this situation.

"I'm listening."

"You know of my parent's deaths, yes? I research the Blight because of them. I need what the Guild has gathered so I can make a more comprehensive analysis. If I find anything out, I intend to make the knowledge public. This is what I'm doing in this city. Once I get what I want, I intend to leave. I'll make my way to the next Blightbane headquarters and the next after that."

The explanation seemed to get through to the dangerous knight.

"That... I understand your explanation. I have to say though, you are acting very differently than you did last night."

Fragma stroked her chin.

"Yes, that behavior is a recent change."

"Care to share?"

"No, if you don't mind."

Hexknight Fragma bit her lip nervously. Regret was painted on her features. Inis's fear and the impact of the subsequent force-confession, reflected in those delicate features.

"I'm sorry for scaring you earlier. I wouldn't have killed you before I was sure, but I might have tried to drag the information out of you. Maybe someday I'll be able to trade for that explanation. All I can do now is get you out of the city."

"What do you mean?"

"You intend to pillage the Guild's restricted archives, correct?"

Inis fell silent.

"Yes. You are a practiced mage. Your discipline may run counter to the passion you displayed last night, but I believe you won't back down even if I tell you that the Enforcers and the Guild actors alike will be on you like a brood of spinners if you're caught. Even if you're not caught, people are growing more wary lately. Shining gems like you catch the light and draw the ire of our benefactors."

Shroud.

"You talk like you don't work for them."

"I do work for Shroud, but Shroud is not the monolith our Channeler would have you believe it is. I will make arrangements to get you out of the city. Are these your only possessions?"

She couldn't lie at this point. Inis's brain was racing, trying to find a way to refuse or somehow get out of this situation, but the attention was already focused on her and Fragma wasn't backing down.

"No, I have a mechanical wagon at my camp in the wilderness. I can get out of the city on my own."

"You're going to exhaust yourself again, doing this alone. You'll pass out in the streets."

She was right. If today was anything to go by, shards couldn't replenish everything spent on magic. A human body just couldn't persist like she wanted hers to.

"Tell me where your camp is, and I'll take care of everything. As much as I want to, I won't snoop in your possessions. You've done nothing to warrant it. I promise you I'll make the arrangements alone, leaving my knights here to help the refugees rebuild a proper home."

It wasn't a question. She was trapped.

"...Very well."