“I beg your pardon?” Kedryn said with such disdainful surprise that he drew everyone’s attention.
“What are you doing?” Glade projected telepathically, his mind churning through ideas on how best to handle this unwelcome situation.
“It’s time for some improvisation, just follow my lead!” Kedryn shot back, his excited mental voice at complete odds with his verbal tone.
“I assure you, this is a standard security protocol for the Obsidian Bank,” Opal said with that same gentle smile, but the pause had forced her to arrest whatever she was doing with the wand. “It is a benefit we afford all of our platinum level clients should their markers get lost or stolen, regardless of rank or station.”
“It may be standard procedure for you, but I don’t take kindly to being threatened for something we already explained is an inheritance situation. Do you have any idea who my family is?” Kedryn spat, his voice practically oozing with privileged superiority. To say that it grated on Glade’s nerves was an understatement, which surprised him. Kedryn had many flaws, but pretentious rich kid wasn’t one of them.
“Master Elf,” Opal said in an overly patient tone that was clearly a well-worn response to the prideful and privileged she likely had to deal with on a daily basis. “I apologize if this situation makes you uncomfortable. In circumstances such as these…”
“Uncomfortable?!” Kedryn stammered with false rage, rising to his feet and jabbing a finger in Opal’s face. “You’re damned right I’m uncomfortable! You all but accused me and my servants of being brigands!”
“I’m a servant now?” Glade thought back, really not liking where this was going.
“Just play along. Though, I’d recommend you look like you’re tyring to manage me. This is a perfect situation where you can swoop in as the level headed one! So long as she thinks…”
“I get what you’re trying to do,” Glade sent back along with a mentally projected sigh. Boon had put him in enough of these awkward situations that he generally knew what he needed to do. Kedryn was probably going to spin some tale where they had legally come across the platinum marker though may not have the right magical ties to it. If done convincingly enough, the bank wouldn’t use the Orc slaves or have them arrested. He had worried about this exact possibility before coming, but had been convinced by both Riya and Bragden that it shouldn’t be a problem. Only now did he realize that neither of the two likely had this level of interaction with the bank, if at all.
His problem was the Kedryn had picked the course of action that relied on one of his weakest skills. Acting. It wouldn’t have been a problem if Boon were around. That man had once talked himself into an international criminal organization in under an hour. Kedryn… was not Boon.
Glade quietly prepared to blast the Orc’s with his psychic assault spell for when things went sour.
“Young master Ked,” Glade sighed so heavily that it bordered on exasperation. As he did so, he gave Opal what he hoped was an apologetic look as he did his best to channel a feeling of controlled irritation. It wasn’t that hard to fake. “We talked about this before our arrival. The Obsidian Bank has security measures in place for a reason.”
“This is more than just security and you know it!” Kedryn snarled, now pointing his finger at Glade. “This has the stench of my uncle’s grubby hands written all over it! He knew my inheritance would have to be verified. I even came this far from civilization so as to get away from his sullied reach! And what do I get for my troubles? I’m being treated like a lowly thief by a Gnome who is likely in my uncle’s employ! It wasn’t enough that father supposedly left Radagast everything but this lousy platinum marker from his collection, now he’s trying to hedge me out before I can challenge the will!”
Glade raised his hands in a placating gesture, but inwardly he was reeling from the story Kedryn was spinning at a whim. Even Bragden was attempting to calm Kedryn down, but he wasn’t certain if the Dwarf was keeping pace or if he was just as lost as he was.
Whatever the case, Opal watched the spectacle with measured grace, waiving back the two Orcs.
“I’m certain we can clear this whole situation up in a moment,” she said at the first opportunity she could, which was several long minutes after Kedryn finished insulting his imaginary family and how they were all out to get him.
“Oh?” Kedryn sneered. “And how do you propose to do that?”
“I can assure you that no force will be levied against you seeing as this is a… complex matter outside of the bank’s jurisdiction,” Opal explained, obviously not willing to get involved in whatever lie Kedryn was spinning. For that alone, Glade silently applauded the Kid. “If the marker’s resonance does not align with you, we will simply confiscate the marker.”
A feeling of relief washed over Glade. He didn’t know if he could take the massively muscled Orcs in a straight up fight and was glad he didn’t have to find out. He was about to thank the banker for her consideration when Kedryn once again opened his mouth.
“You want to confiscate my inheritance?” Kedryn sounded aghast. “This is all I have left!”
“Master Ked,” Glade said, trying hard not to grit his teeth. He liked Kedryn a great deal, even thought of him as a friend, but the Kid needed to take the wins where he could get them. “Miss Opal has rules she has to abide by as well. Why don’t we let her do her job and we can then take up the matter with this branch’s leadership if we are unsatisfied with the results?”
“Oh, that is good!” Kedryn thought, his mind a whirl of activity. Glade swore he could practically feel the adrenaline coursing through the Corporal as he went about projecting his newfound persona. Outwardly, Kedryn sulked, masterfully crossing his arms and sitting down heavily in his chair.
“Fine,” he grumbled with such emotive disgust that even Glade wanted to reach out and smack him. If it wasn’t for the telepathic link that let him know that Kedryn was putting on a show he would have believed him to be a narcisicitc prick in need of some serious discipline.
He was not looking forward to when they found Boon. The very idea of these two working together sent shivers down his spine.
“Very well, I will first run a couple of basic tests to make sure the mark’s resonance hasn’t been tampered with,” Opal said, raising her wand once again. As she did, Glade followed what was happening with his specialty.
Three astral threads of mana were sent through the platinum marker where they were shaped into distinct patterns, almost like they were three different radio wave frequencies made manifest.
“Well, that’s pleasantly surprising,” Opal thought out loud, eyeing the three of them with her gentle smile. “The registry magic in this marker is exceptionally strong for being so old. It’s almost as if someone had maintained it over the centuries.”
Glade immediately thought of the vault they had found the mark in and the role of the mnemosynian core in restoring items to their previous state. He was certain that was the reason the marker was working so well.
His attention was drawn back to Opal as she directed the manifestations first toward herself where they were visibly repelled, like trying to force opposite polarities of two magnets together.
“It appears there has been no tampering on the mark,” she said with a pleasant nod. “Now we shall test it on you three.”
Opal swung her wand with the manifestations first toward Bragden, where they rebounded from him in much the same manner as they had from the banker.
She then pointed the wand toward Glade. Much to his surprise, one of the manifestations was not repelled like he had expected. Instead, it passed through his aura, creating a warm tingling sensation while the other two bounced off of him.
Opal’s eyes widened in surprise, giving him an odd look.
Before Glade could provide a response, she sent the manifestations toward Kedryn. The same thing happened with him, where one of the manifestations resonated with him.
“Does this satisfy your concern?” Kedryn asked, his voice still full of disdain. However, inwardly he was just as surprised as the rest of them that he had felt the resonance.
“Not quite,” Opal replied, though she said it in a way that she too was surprised they had gotten this far. “Marks of this age typically require dual authentication. Two of you have a soul resonance with the platinum mark, which is the first authenticator. We normally only require one soul resonance be present, but it is helpful to know there are two here. The second authenticator though is a bit more… crass.”
“Crass how?” Kedryn asked, his eyes narrowing.
“First, you must understand that this marker was created a very long time ago, which means they used more… direct methods of identification. In this case, whoever had this mark created opted to use a blood lock for the second authentication.”
“What is a blood lock?” Glade asked.
“Just like what it sounds,” Bragden scowled. “Any third rate enchanter can create one, but they be considered bordering on dark magic which makes them very unpopular.”
Glade felt Kedryn’s mind explode with questions, but he kept up his persona of an entitled rich kid.
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“Who cares,” Kedryn sneered. “I’m assuming you need a drop of blood to continue?”
“Yes,” Opal said, pulling out two silver pins. “We will destroy the blood once we are done…”
“Just get on with it,” Kedryn interrupted, thrusting his hand in front of him.
Opal didn’t hesitate, poking Kedryn’s finger with a needle. She then did the same for Glade.
Glade’s blood had no noticeable effect, but Kedryn’s lit up brightly in a rainbow aura once it made contact with the platinum marker.
“Well,” Opal said, her eyes sparkling with surprise at Kedryn. “You seem to have satisfied both authentication factors. With your permission, I will connect your interface with that of the Bank’s. If you wish, we can also issue and attune a new marker for you.”
Kedryn sat back and thought for a moment before answering. In momentary pause he, Glade and Bragden had a quick conversation using telepathy.
“Link the account information to myself and my man servants, then leave us be,” Kedryn said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I will let you know if I want to do something about the marker later.”
Glade was watching Opal carefully, which was the only reason he saw the brief glance of naked greed on her face when she looked at the ancient marker lying on the table.
“Of course, my Lord,” she said, standing up and giving Kedryn a bow.
With a gesture, several notifications appeared before Glade, Kedryn, and Bragden as Opal and others then left the room.
“Are we safe enough to talk without being overheard?” Glade asked.
“Aye, we should be,” Bragden sighed. “The Obsidian Bank has a reputation to uphold.”
“Are you two seeing this?” Kedryn said, his tone of voice having changed from insulant rich kid back to his normal self.
Curious at what Kedryn was seeing, Glade pulled up the notifications.
You have been granted access to view the following information:
Account Owner: Storms’ Rest Founder
Aura Lock: Only those with the following titles may access this account:
• Master of Storms
• First Storm
• Second Storm
Blood Lock: Only those of the Serevlir Line may grant access to this account.
Note: Only those who meet the requirements to open both locks may adjust access requirements. See designated Obsidian Bank official to initiate further adjustments.
Glade read through the prompt, shaking his head at how much of a coincidence it was to have met the criteria to access this particular account. He absently scratched at the brands hidden beneath his shirt sleeve, wondering how much of this was orchestrated from the moment they had arrived on this backwards planet.
Bragden whistled, distracting Glade from his thoughts.
“Now that be a pretty sight,” he said.
“I know, right?” Kedryn said excitedly. “With that amount available we might even be able to do more than sell things at the upcoming auction!”
Glade quickly pulled up the next prompt.
Savings:
• Gold: 4,453
• Silver: 16,889
• Copper: 43,441
Glade let out a low whistle as well.
“That will go a long way in helping us establish the settlement,” he said absently. “By the way Bragden, have you priced out that list of our needs yet?”
“I be working with one o’ Helmund’s partners. We should have a proposed cost soon enough,” Bragden replied. “But I need to warn ye, it’s going to be slagging expensive. Just the foundry requirements alone will be upwards to 300 gold or more.”
“Well, it looks like we should be able to afford everything now, though I think it wise to keep as much in reserve as we can,” Glade said.
Kedryn grabbed his arm. “Have you looked at the other tabs yet?” he asked excitedly.
“Just what’s in savings…” Glade began, but Kedryn stopped him.
“Take a look at the items in the vault as well as the property listing!” he said excitedly. “You too Bragden! There’s something there I think you will find interesting.”
Glade went ahead and pulled up one of the last two notifications.
Items held at the Silver Leaf Branch Vault
· Unknown Lockbox. Blood, Name, and Aura Locked.
· Unknown Lockbox: Blood and Aura Locked.
· Elder Guardian Treant Core: The core of an Elder Guardian Treant. Whomever possess this core can use it to create a subservient Treant. When bound to a magical tree the Treant will take on aspects of that tree’s capabilities and will shape the land accordingly. Can be used to help earth type paths progress in their capabilities. Attunements: 70% Earth/30% Water. Item class: Rare. Value: 3,100 Gold.
· Chance Stone: A complex consumable item of artificery and alchemical creation, a chance stone slowly gathers the esoteric random power of fate itself and imbues that power upon a set geographic region. Using this item will permanently increase resource growth, looting abilities, encounters, sporadic mana events, and other factors tied to fate. Strength of changes made is contingent upon the environment the stone is used upon and duration of time the stone has had to accumulate fate. Attunements: 100% Astral. Item Class: Legendary. Value: Seek a bank official for appraisal.
Glade glanced at Bragden, wondering what he thought of the short list of items that were being kept in a faraway vault. He had expected the surly Dwarf to be spitting and cursing the heavens and declaring that they were all doomed. Instead, he was cackling like a madman.
“Oh ho! This be the Mother smiling up at me from the great depths, I know it!”
“Are you talking about the Treant core or the chance stone?” Glade asked, confused.
“What?” Bragden asked before shifting his gaze in what Glade assumed was him looking at another notification. “Bah, those be alright compared to what is in the property listings. Though, that chance stone be right interesting. It could be downright useful depending on how long it’s been sitting around.”
“I know, right?” Kedryn said. “The items are incredibly useful. I wonder what would happen if we bound the treant core to the silver…”
“Best not mention that aloud, even here,” Bragden warned Kedryn with a glare. “That and if’n yer sayin what I think yer sayin, I wouldn’t be mentioning that anywhere near Riya or any other Elf for that matter. They’d sooner string ye up by yer toe hairs than let ye finish speaking such blasphemy.”
“Yeah, good point,” Kedryn said, looking chagrined. “My imagination got away from me.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’d personally love to see what would happen,” Bragden said. “But let’s avoid trying to pit the entirety o’ the Elven race against us for now.”
It took Glade a moment to figure out what they were talking about. When he did figure it out, he rubbed the sides of his head to fight off yet another headache. Kedryn had been speculating about binding the Treant core to the silverthread sapling.
He silently thanked Bragden for stopping the Kid from pursuing that line of thinking. He couldn’t imagine a scenario where Riya didn’t burn Kedryn alive for even suggesting such an idea.
Before he got further sidetracked, Glade pulled up the property listing.
It was an extremely long list that consisted of various deeds, including large swaths of land where Storms’ Rest stood within the Spines. There were also lists of investments, though most were listed as defunct or no longer existing. However, there was one that caught his attention.
30% ownership of Heartstone Foundry Enterprises: Heartstone Foundry Enterprises is at the heart of the Dwarvish King’s own smithing empire. All clans under the Crag’s authority have ties to Heartstone and work under their regulatory oversight. This controlling ownership was provided in exchange for services rendered and material support provided by the previous Master of Storms to the Crag. Value: Appraisal can be provided upon request.
Glade’s gut started to churn. Of everything they found, a significant controlling ownership of the Dwarvish King’s personal business empire was likely the most dangerous.
He was about to ask Bragden why he was so excited instead of pulling out whatever was left of his hair when there was a light tap at the door.
“Pardon my intrusion,” Opal said before coming in. “But I thought it might be pertinent to explain some services and restrictions with regards to your account.”
Kedryn had schooled his excitement the moment Opal had entered the room.
“I don’t like being interrupted,” he said in a flat voice.
“Of course, my Lord,” Opal said smoothly. “But I have found it helpful to provide some advice in these circumstances.”
“Do you think she was listening in our conversation?” Kedryn sent to both him and Bragden.
“I wouldn’t think so, seein as the Obsidian Bank values the privacy of their clients,” Bragden sent back, “But I think it be wise to make ourselves scarce so’s we can talk at length without worry.”
“Agreed,” Glade sent back.
“Fine, go ahead,” Kedryn gestured for Opal to continue, though he put on a sour face.
“Thank you, my Lord. I have taken the liberty to prepare three markers that will allow yourself and your servants to conduct trade with anyone else who has an account with the Obsidian Bank. To make this happen, all you need do touch your marker to theirs and a notification will appear that will guide you through managing your transactions.”
“That is helpful,” Kedryn said, taking the three markers Opal handed him after attuning the markers to their specific aura’s with her wand.
“In addition, we can arrange teleportation for two of the four items in your vault in Silver Leaf for a small fee,” she explained. “Unfortunately, there are stipulations on the two lockboxes. They must be picked up by you in person.”
“Why is that?” Kedryn asked.
“I am sorry to say, I do not know,” Opal said with false sorrow. “But we can arrange for your personal teleportation to our Silver Leaf Branch for a nominal fee.”
“Don’t ye dare ask any questions about that teleport!” Bragden warned. “Silver Leaf be in the heart o’ the Elvish Empire! Ye’d be spotted for a slagging royal afore ye took yer first step.”
“Maybe in the future,” Kedryn said carefully. “How much to teleport the other items here?”
“You may or may not know that each major branch has a dedicated teleportation specialist that services our platinum marker clients,” Opal explained, but gave an apologetic look when Kedryn’s eyes rose with uncontrolled excitement. “I’m sorry, my Lord, but we are not considered a main branch. The only branch with that designation within the Free Cities is located in Sanctuary.”
“Then why did you bring it up?” Kedryn asked, not having to fake his disappointment.
“While we don’t typically have access to a teleportation specialist, we do have an agreement with the Sanctuary branch to provide us with those services during the quarterly auctions at Helmund’s Auction house,” she said with a smile. “Thus, we have a narrow window of opportunity in the next few days. Would you like us to arrange delivery of those goods?”
“How much?” Kedryn asked tentatively.
“Standard rates would apply. 75 gold per item or 150 gold per person teleported anywhere within the Elvish Empire. If you would like to go outside of the empire, those rates can be presented upon request.”
Kedryn looked to Glade and Bragden, who both agreed the cost would be worth it to get their hands on those items.
“Please set it up,” Kedryn said.
“Of course, my Lord. I’ll have the items brought to your residence at the Sand’s inn unless you want us to deliver them to Helmund’s Auction house?”
“How did you know where we’re staying,” Kedryn asked carefully.
“We are the Obsidian Bank,” Opal said with an enigmatic smile. “We make it our business to know everything we can about our platinum clients, inherited or otherwise.”
The hairs on Glade’s neck stood on end.
“Rest assured gentlemen, your privacy and safety are amongst our highest responsibilities,” Opal said, her smile never wavering. “With that being said, I have been made aware of some very longstanding requests that, should this account ever be accessed again, we of the Obsidian Bank are to make some very generous offers for the lockboxes and partial controlling ownership of a particular dwarvish business.”
“How long ago were those requests made?” Glade interjected, pinning Opal with his hard gaze.
Opal’s perfect smile waivered, her heart skipping a beat as she looked into his piercing eyes.
“Centuries ago,” she said carefully.
“Then let’s leave that request in the past for now,” Glade said with a deliberately measured tone. “We are not interested in selling, nor do we want others to so much as catch a whiff that it might even be a possibility. What my master wants,” he emphasized, gesturing toward Kedryn, “is to remain quietly in the background, do you understand?”
“Perfectly,” Opal said, her soft smile back in place.