Getting back in at midnight after two days out and running into an immediate hangover. Paying the bartab after being pulled out for work at five thirty the other morning. Expected. Fumbling around and trying to find the light. Shielding my eyes. Too bright. Magpie not in yet. Opening my pack and getting my herb pouch. Oh, there's Magpie. The girl had nearly given up just outside the door, and the both of us had passed out on the bed a about a minute later in our underclothes. Coming in now with headaches, disorientation and dry mouths. And underwear soaked in urine.
Getting a leaf and tearing it in half. Immediately chewing mine and giving her the other. Stripping down and tossing my sodden garment to the corner. Chewing. Drawing Runic Shield on the back of my hand and using it to provide some modesty. Leaving to find a bathroom while wishing death on the universe. Swallowing. My desire for complete annihilation resolving itself after a couple minutes on the toilet. Drinking from the shower head. Crossing paths with Magpie while leaving, but neither of us saying anything. Grabbing a towel and heading back to the room.
Fortunately, the linens had been changed during the two days we'd been out. Sitting on the side of the bed wrapped in a towel, combing out my hair. Had hit 13 about three hours ago. Add another rank of Decomposition... dang, not enough points. Maybe double up Perception? But that risks running into this situation, again. Okay, hold off changing anything until Decomposition hits five ranks.
Name: Lucilia Macarthy Profession: Runemage Level: 13 Sex: Female Experience: 68,286 (6,452) Age: 20 Until Next: 14,464 Health 85 Mana 77 Stamina 37 Spirit 8 Strength (STR) 57 (3) Constitution (CON) 64 (7) Dexterity (DEX) 69 (14) Agility (AGI) 87 (18) Discipline (DIS) 77 (13) Aura (AUR) 82 (16) Logic (LOG) 73 (16) Intuition (INT) 76 (18) Wisdom (WIS) 46 (-2) Influence (INF) 77 (13)
Name Trainings Bonus Armor Use 6 29 Physical Fitness 14 57 Simple Weapons 14 57 Arcane Symbols 19 68 Magic Item Use 14 57 Harness Power 14 57 Mana Control 14 57 Runemancy 14 57 Arance Lore, Decomposition 1 5 Arcane Lore, Shaping 14 57 Arcane Lore, Transference 5 25 Survival 14 57 Perception 14 57 Climbing 14 57 Swimming 10 45 First Aid 14 57 Trading 14 57 Stalking and Hiding 14 57
And, the best part, scouting out the upcoming goodies in Runemancy.
Fourteenth rank.
Runic Circle: Draw a series of runes around the perimeter of an area. There is no set dimension or shape, but larger areas will take longer to create. While inside the area members of the caster's group will have their success chance for every action increased slightly. Duration is 30 minutes per Runemancy rank. At 10 ranks of Arcane Lore, Transference members of the caster's group will also regenerate a minor amount of health, stamina and mana every five minutes while in the area.
Meant for area defense. Or maybe crafting. But still nothing to make item enhancements permanent. That juicy Transference bonus makes it seem like it has to be coming.
Fifteenth rank.
Reshape: Allows the caster to alter the physical dimensions of an object. Through this process matter is neither created nor lost, but the density of the object can only be very slightly changed. Duration is one minute per Runemancy rank. The base amount of material affected is 20 lbs, which can be further increased with more ranks of Arcane Lore, Shaping. At 10 ranks of Arcane Lore, Decomposition the density of the object can be altered to a much more significant degree. Will only affect non-living objects.
Undoubtedly designed to be used when crafting, but creative applications are probably limitless.
The door opening and Magpie coming in, also wrapped in a towel.
“You want to get some dinner? Maybe grab a pint? Only one. Definitely take it easier tonight.”
The girl's natural expression graced with a much larger frown than usual. Several blinks. “Sure.”
***
Just after seven the next morning. Nice, dry sheets and no hangover. A light dinner, a single pint, and then to bed. Today will be a busy day. My temporary roommate still asleep, but not for long.
“Hey, Magpie, get up, it's payday.” Giving the bed a kick.
Shifting, but not waking up.
Tracing. Pulling out the knife and putting it on my side of the bed. Getting both my boots from the corner and my leather chestpiece. Usual runes on each, plus the new Rune of Warding, and then Runic Shield on me. Hands out. Carve. Activating all the runes. Turning and considering my companion. Suddenly losing a bedleg would wake her up. Could probably cut through that metal. Or maybe not, metal might be out of reach. Okay, see if slow and steady works and then Mend it back. Need to be fast.
Walking over to her side of the bed, kneeling down and putting out two fingers. Bringing them against the metal, softly, then adding more pressure. Trying to shear through, and scoring the surface a bit, but not more than that. The motion also causing a high pitched scratching sound. Magpie shifting a bit more and mumbling something. This isn't going to work. Well, there's always the tried and true. Puncturing, and the world returning to it's normal hardness.
She'd seen this in use against monsters. Flashes, interceptions. But no real sort of involved work. Shattering the morning quiet with the shield's crackling sound and light. Using the energy field to grab her shoulders and pull her vertical from her gentle repose. Earning a piercing scream. Thrashing a little, starting to break free. Releasing her, gravity taking hold, and the girl flopping back down.
“Hey Magpie!” Yelling at the top of my lungs. “Get up, it's payday! We got some money coming in today so let's get moving.”
“What the fuck was that?” Eyes flaring and a hand on her chest.
“That was one gold coin.” Holding up a finger to help her count. “Who gives a shit about one gold coin? That's how much money we're making today. So get up, because we gotta get going to go get it.”
Magpie now caught between anger and exuberance, swept up in my energy. “It better be a lot.”
***
Brothel breakfast. Surprisingly good. Spiced meat, reheated from last night, eggs and a fresh, brown bread with an orange colored jam. The best place to start asking about Inkathius? Right here. Now where's the one who saw me feed that statue, she'd probably be the most inclined to help. Spinning around on my bar stool. The room filled with a number of chatting women – acolytes? priestesses? – in their near see through, silken garments. That specific one isn't here. Hmm. In that case, anyone will do. Completing my three sixty spin.
“Hey, barkeep, I got a question.”
Magpie, mouth full of eggs, glancing over.
The barkeep finishing up his jabbering with one of the women. their conversation punctuated by sharp consonants and short vowels.
“Ms. Macarthy,” he says, “I sincerely hope you're enjoying your breakfast.”
The contrast from his native language and ease when speaking with his own kind, to the overly polite manner of address given to me: somewhat unsettling.
“This is great. One of the top breakfasts, ever. No question. I'm looking for somebody. One of you guys. I've got a letter to deliver to him from his sister. His name's Velmar Inkathius. You ever hear of him? She says he owns a shop here. It's a charm shop. Something like that.” Filling my own mouth with eggs to stop my babbling.
“I'm sorry to say that I've never heard the name, but if he owns a shop someone in the bazaar will undoubtedly be able to direct you to him. He might even be there, himself.”
“Thank you, appreciate it. Magpie, you-” another forkful entering her mouth, “-still got a bunch left. Can I get another coffee? I'm not sure if the first one took.”
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Sipping the new cup. Really decent coffee. Definitely one of the perks, that thing encourages indulgence of all kinds. Another sudden thought.
“Hey, barkeep, where is the bazaar?”
***
Moving though the crowded streets, staying close together and keeping a close eye on our surroundings. Pouches kept secure. An active Thieves Guild means unwary out of towners are most at risk, and beyond them there's also every other unsavory, unguilded character following our progress with their eyes. We stand out like sore thumbs. Outsiders. The only saving grace is that we're short, but that's leaves us lost in the crowd, mostly blind and surrounded by the omnipresent jabber of their language. Moving from stall to stall, asking about Inkathius, with shrugs, who's and idunnos following in our wake. Finally, a hit.
“Inkathius?” says the husky, bearded man. “Sure, of course. He's fairly well known.”
“No one else seems to think so. Where's he at?”
He shrugs. “Maybe you're not asking the right way.”
“How much do you think that information would be worth?” Putting a couple silver down on his stand.
The man glancing at the coins. “Why do you want to find him, anyway?”
“I've got a letter for him from his sister.” Showing him the envelope. “Not like I'm trying to collect a bad debt. Actually, I could be, for all I know. I haven't read her letter.” Flipping it around to show him the unbroken seal.
The man nodding at the explanation, then scooping up the silver. “I did business with Velmar, back when he was running his shop.”
“He isn't running the shop anymore?”
“Not anymore, but I still do business with him, and with his new employer.” Looking at me expectantly. More coins on the stand. “He does very professional work, and because of that he caught the eye of some very influential people, so now he's working for them. The Urasu family. I would hope the name is familiar.” Shaking my head and putting some more coins on the stall. The man ruefully shaking his while scooping those up. “The Poobah - Poobah Urasu - hasn't left the palace in several years. The rumor is he's in poor health, but they still haven't announced a successor, so his children have been running the city. Nothing comes in, or exits, without the Urasu family's approval. That includes the group you came in with, by the way, as well as any goods coming in, or heading further downriver.”
“So where's Inkathius?”
“I told you, he's working for the Urasu family.” Gesturing with his hand. Pay up.
Taking a few more silver coins and putting them down. His hand reaching out once again but this time grabbing his arm with the shield. The crackling flash causing a stir from those around us. “You're deliberately avoiding my question. Get to it, already.”
The man trying to pull away. Putting more pressure with the shield, causing him to wince. “You Outsiders are an impatient bunch,” he says.
Releasing his arm. “I appreciate you may be trying to give me the lay of the land, but I'm just trying to do someone an unpaid favor by delivering this letter while I'm in town. You're making it more difficult than it needs to be.”
The man slowly picking up the coins, one at a time. Looking slightly above my head. “Your name is - am I pronouncing it correctly - Macarthy?”
“That's right.”
“Then here's some free advice, Ms. Macarthy. My second child has also, like you, been chosen.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, but being chosen also made her something of a willful girl, very much like you. On her twelfth birthday she was sent off to help cultivate her talent, but her first holiday back I'll never forget how much she cried. 'They're so mean,' she said. Being chosen didn't make her special, not in their eyes, so before you go blustering around threatening people, and thinking you're going to get away with it because you've been chosen, know that you're not the only one, and that you're not especially special, either.”
“I'll keep that in mind. How's she doing now?”
“Her mother and I couldn't be more proud.” The guy's posture relaxing. “Velmar is the foreman at one of the Urasu's major workshops, inside a large warehouse on the east side of the river, near the northern bridge. The family symbol is a red dragon's head, but each of the Poobah's children has their own variation. The symbol on that building has smoke coming from the nose.”
“Thank you.” Walking a bit away.
“So the guy isn't in business anymore,” says Magpie.
“Yeah, but the people he's working for have money. These stones are worth quite a bit so I'm sure they'll be willing to pay.”
“Or they'll simply decide to take them from us. I think it'd be a good idea to get some help before heading over.”
Checking the time. “No.” Magpie preparing to argue, but cutting her off. “It's half past eight. Anyone inclined to help is either still asleep or already balls deep in some hooker. Or-” A vision of Daniel and Serena causing a stab of jealousy. Trying, mostly successfully, to cast it aside. “We need to get this done ourselves. It'll be fine.”
“And, if it isn't?”
“Then it'll be bloody, and we'll still get it done.”
Walking east, toward the wide river.
“Magpie, what level are you, anyway?”
She hadn't had any trouble with any of the regular monsters in the mountains or desert. What level was she when the guild got disbanded? Somewhere in the teens.
“I'll answer your question if you answer mine.”
“What's up?”
“Why are you only wearing one glove? It's been bugging the hell out of me.”
“It's because...” Fashion statement? Not even remotely believable. Lost the other one? No, she deserves more honesty than that. “If I'm wearing a glove I can't draw on things. So my left glove stays on, for better grip, and the right glove stays off.”
“Huh.”
“Would you believe me if I said it was fashion statement?”
“No, I believe you. I hit sixteen a couple days ago.”
Wait, was this your first trip out since you left? The only fighting you've been doing has been with your gag reflex. What a waste - and that's speaking from experience. Had spent basically the last nine months since losing the guild drinking and smoking myself stupid, screwing whores, and fighting, and only that last one got me anywhere. Well, there was also a lot of time spent feeling sorry for myself - and doing that definitely didn't get me anywhere, at all. Magpie, when we get back, you're going to start coming along with me. Get you out of that house and keep you from falling back into that kinda rut.
“I just got something, but I can't exactly be passing it around to everybody. You've got to keep it hush-hush.”
“What is it?”
“Are you going to mind your manners?”
That specific phrase causing her eyes to narrow in suspicion. Searching my face. “Yeah.”
“Let me see your boot.” Kneeling down, drawing and activating Rune of Warding. “This is spell resistance. It's not going to help you against conjured stuff like Serena's fire, or her lightning, but against other stuff it should be effective.”
“Like that spell you used to paralyze me?”
“Exactly like that.”
“You know, I was planning on killing you only a few days ago. Are you sure giving me something like that is a smart decision?”
“It's definitely a risk, but simply telling you I have it is even riskier, and those are both risks I'm willing to take.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“Great. Let's go get our money.”
***
Broad daylight is hardly the most ideal time for maximizing Magpie's effectiveness. She should be near me, ideally within several feet, but skulking out of sight. But at this hour, at this location, that isn't really an option. The two of us keeping our weapons visible should provide some deterrence. Hopefully no trouble. No one usually wants to risk nursing a knife wound on top of nursing last night's hangover.
Heading over to the first people in sight, a group of dock workers moving pallets and boxes, talking to each other in their language.
“Excuse me.” One glancing over. Nudging his friend. Saying something. The others turning and looking, as well. “I've got a delivery for Velmar Inkathius.” Waving the letter. “I heard he was running the show down here.”
“Who are you?” says one of the workers.
“We just came in with a caravan from Lumeer. His sister wanted me to give this to him while we were in town.”
Turning to each other and jabbering in their language. Glancing at us. Jabbering. Laughing. A few more words exchanged, then the guy turning back to me. “Okay, I'll take you to the boss. This way.”
Exchanging some concern with Magpie, but then following after. Heading into the warehouse, across the floor, then to a set of stairs heading upward to a second floor. The guy knocking on a door and the three of us stepping inside. A smallish, rectangular room, poorly lit and stinking of tobacco smoke. A man is sitting behind the desk, in rumpled, slept in clothing, smoking a pipe and studying a piece of paper. A lamp on the desk and some sunlight coming in from the windows overlooking the river are the only illumination. The worker and the man engaging in a brief, jabbering conversation. Back and forth. The worker turning to leave.
“Please, take a seat,” the guy with the pipe says.
“You Inkathius?”
“No,” a thin lipped smile, “I'm Armando Urasu, very pleased to make your acquaintance,” looking slightly above our heads, "Ms. Macarthy, and Ms. Upton. I heard you had a letter to deliver to Velmar, but I also assume you're here to check in on the merchandise. Some of your companions were here the other day.”
“Yeah, I'll take a look.” Magpie glancing at me. “But before getting to that, if you actually are Mr. Urasu, then you're exactly the man I need to speak with.”
“Oh? What about?”
“I've been doing business with Inkathius's sister back in Lumeer. Nice lady. I assume whatever you got Inkathius doing here is similar to what she's doing out there, so I've brought along my own bit of merchandise I think you'll be interested in.”
“Really?” he says, intrigued. “What do you have?”
Pulling out a single disjuncted stone and rolling it toward him on the desk.
“What is...” The man rolling the stone between two fingers.
“That little stone is going to make Inkathius very happy. They're going to be a great boon for your business.”
“Alright,” he says, putting down his half smoked pipe, “let's get his opinion on it. Come with me.”
Following him back outside the office, down the stairs, through the warehouse, and then to another set of stairs heading downward. The large room at the bottom of that staircase having the same smell and feel as Ink's shop back in Lumeer. Earthy and metallic. Sulfur. The same tingle in the air. Workbenches covered in various things. Some completed items, but mostly what looks like scrap or some amorphous, clay-like material. About a dozen people in the room at various stations, wearing heavy leather gloves and blacksmith aprons. Urasu barking out something in his godawful language. Jabbering from some of the workers, then one with a face shield coming over and lifting it up. There's definitely a family resemblance.
“Mr. Inkathius, good to meet you. I've got a letter from your sister in Lumeer.” Waving the letter at him. There. Gotten rid of. Job done.
Urasu jabbering with Inkathius. Inkathius jabbering back. Urasu handing over the stone. Inkathius peering at it, then getting a surprised look on his face. More jabbering. Urasu indicating me and Inkathius looking positively giddy.
“Ms. Macarthy,” Inkathius says, “First, thank you for delivering Cynobel's letter, but do you really have more of those in your possession?”
“I brought over a whole bunch from the trip. Your sister said you'd probably be interested.”
More jabbering between the two. Inkathius indicating the stone, pointing at some of the items on a bench. Urasu seeming a bit skeptical, but Inkathius adamant. Urasu shrugging.
“You were right, Ms. Macarthy,” Urasu says. “He is very enthused. Let's see what we can work out.”
Heading to the far side of the room, to a table against the wall. Pulling out both pouches, clicking with the stones gathered as a result of the entire group's efforts over the last several days. Slowly pouring them onto the table. Inkathius seeming very happy indeed, shouting something to the room and some of the other workers coming over. The men, two of them women, counting and sorting the stones into various piles.
“Before we discuss the price,” says Urasu, “when's the next time you think you're going to be back in town?”
“I don't know, that may very well depend on the price.” Urasu giving a polite chuckle. “But probably about six months, it's a whole undertaking getting over here. But, again, that may depend on the price.”
“Let's see what he says.” Urasu indicating Inkathius, now equipped with a magnifying glass. Inkathius coming over and yet more jabbering. Constant infernal jabbering. Gonna bring earplugs if there is a next time. “Well,” says Urasu, “after speaking with him, and after considering the volume, I'd say fifteen for the lot is more than fair.”
“Fifteen... thousand silver, I assume.”
“Yes. Like I said, more than fair.”
Magpie losing her pokerface and mine falling somewhere, as well. Urasu smiling at our reactions.
“Yes, that is certainly a fair offer. Ordinarily, I'd like to haggle, but I don't think either of us would believe it. How about letting me save face and you throw in that item right there. That is what I'm thinking it is, right?”
Urasu turning toward the indicated item. “That... isn't exactly a high value item.”
“Yeah, but I've got to pick up some souvenirs for some people back home. It'd save me the trouble of having to wander through the bazaar finding stuff myself.”
“Souvenirs?” he says, in genuine puzzlement, but then the man lets out a genuinely amiable laugh. “That's fine. If you want to pick out a couple of these small ones, feel free. But first, let's go back to my office and I'll get you a bank note. So when do you think you're going to be in town next?”
“Hopefully sooner than I thought.”
Following Urasu out of the room and up the stairs. Beginning to go in the direction of his office, but the man suddenly stopping. “Oh, that's right,” he says, “the other merchandise. Follow me.” Doing an about face and heading outside. Heading across the way and entering another building, An open warehouse with a number of them. Mostly women, but also some men, and a few children. “They seem to be fully recovered. When do you think you're going to be able to come and pick them up?”
Are these slaves? No, their clothing isn't shabby, and they don't look like they've been branded. They're freely walking around with no restraints, and they even have luggage. Indentured servants, then? Maybe, but there are already plenty of these things crawling around in Lumeer, so why would they be importing more? Maybe they're coming over for another reason. But what other reason? Maybe that. This may be paranoia, but better safe than sorry.
“That's good to hear, but probably in a couple days when we head out. You mind if I ask them something real quick?” Urasu giving no objection. Walking over to a nearby one. “What can you tell me about the Council?”
“The Council doesn't exist.”