“Those trees did a little more than wail,” says Riley.
“I've never been to that part of the forest,” Wolfe explains.
“Sorry about that, but that other group got there first and I figured it was better to play nice and let them have the spot.”
Ink's Charms appearing on the horizon. A new person behind the counter, a young man, one of them.
“Welcome to Ink's.” Pausing. “Ms. Macarthy, good to meet you. Give me a moment, Ms. Inkathius said she wanted to speak with you when you came by.”
Voices conversing in the side room, then Ink coming in.
“Ms. Macarthy,” she says, “I had a visitor yesterday. Visitors. They made quite a tempting offer and I was told you were responsible for that.”
Questioning looks from Magpie, Riley and Wolfe.
“Looks like you're already hiring.”
“It was quite the offer. But now, unfortunately, your easy, indolent days are over. I've got a substantial project lined up and you're going to be very busy.”
“That's how it should be.”
“What's she talking about?” Riley says.
“Ishtar booted me so I went looking elsewhere. These little stones are valuable, Ms. Inkathius, it turns out, is capable and enterprising, and we managed to find an investor.”
“Who?” Magpie asks, while probably considering the fairly short list of possibilities.
“Sam.”
Riley and Wolfe displaying no recognition.
“Sam.” Magpie frowns. “What'd you get yourself into?”
“Well, apparently, I've lost a lot of free time,” time that would be spent out in the field, anyway, “but now I've got a guaranteed thing with these stones, and this little shop is not going to be so little anymore.” Ink beaming at that. “I know it's a little late to be asking this, but would you guys mind helping me do this, from time to time. I'd really appreciate it.”
“Of course,” says Wolfe.
“What kind of question is that?” says Riley
“We're still going to be getting paid, right?” Magpie says.
“That's actually a good question,” Riley says.
“We sure are.” Pointing at Magpie, then pointing at Riley. “But, if what they're asking for is, say, down there,” Riley grimacing, “we're not going to have as much leeway to say no.”
“I'm putting together a list of the specific creatures I'm looking for,” Ink says. “I'm going to be doing some experimenting. It's going to be pretty extensive, so if one particular location is a problem you don't need to drag these poor girls anywhere they don't want to go.”
Ink, that last part did not help.
“That's great, thanks Ink.”
“My pleasure. What do you have for me today?”
Rolling them out. Brown with a red dot and sickly green. Eleven and ten.
“Fifty five each for the these,” Ink says, “but these others are much better, eighty four.”
And then a different pouch containing the dark green, brown and more brown stones from yesterday afternoon and evening. Turning to leave, with the other three exiting first.
“Oh, hold on, I forgot something. I'll be right out.”
Grabbing Riley's gift, then heading to lunch.
***
“Evie,” Magpie says, “you must've played. I was infield, mostly shortstop and second.”
“Pitcher. Growing up and through high school. But controlling this is different.” Riley giving a short chant and a globe of water appearing mid air, above her palm. “See how it's just floating? I don't need to physically do anything to make it shoot off, but going through the motion really seems to help with accuracy. On the plus side beaning someone is actually the goal. It's way more fun than softball.” Glancing around the restaurant. “Let me bring this outside, I don't think they'll like me getting their floor all wet.” Riley starting to get up.
“Wait.” Refilling my water glass. “Anyone else?” Being handed Wolfe's, then Magpie's. Riley giving me a nod, so grabbing hers, too.
“Barely anything left,” she says, sitting back down and surreptitiously releasing it under our table with a small sploosh.
“It's a good thing you had it. Your old light probably would've been better against those trees.”
“Under new management.” She taps her symbol. “It worked well enough against the spiders.”
“It slowed them down considerably,” Magpie says.
“Kate, you doing alright?”
“Uh, yeah.” The girl glancing up in surprise, then slumping down and continuing to stir her sweet tea with her straw, “I just feel like I did a lot of standing around today. There's not much I could do against them.”
“You're invaluable. You kept them off Evie and kept them distracted for Magpie, when needed. I definitely see why you switched your weapon. And then we walked out of there with only a couple holes in our armor and some rips on our clothing. Easily fixed. But you know what? I don't think that's what you're upset about. I've got something that's going to cheer you right up. Your gift.”
Opening my pack and putting her gift on the table. A small, carved wooden statue of a man holding a mug, in toast.
“Um,” Wolfe very clearly trying to seem happier than she is, “thank you?”
“Did you find that on the side of the road?” Riley says. “Be honest.”
Magpie starting to crack up. “There's more to that than meets the eye. It made the trip back much better.”
“Pick it up Kate. You'll see. But don't get crazy with it.”
Wolfe considering my smiling face, and Magpie's, and then reaching out to pick up the statue. Studying it.
“Oh.” Looking up. “What is this?” Smugness covering my face, and then a small smile creeping onto hers. A resolved nod. Concentrating on the statue, blinking a few times, then concentrating again.
That may have been a bit much.
“Whoa,” her eyes going wide, “did that just get me-” The second wave hitting, and a hiccup interrupting her mid sentence.
“It did. Lucy,” she slurs, “this is great, I love it.” Hiccup. Taking her hand off the statue and accidentally knocking her sweet tea off the table, causing the glass to shatter on the floor. “Whoops.” Giggling, leaning over sideways to try and start picking up some of the pieces, a moment of panic, then falling out of her chair, hands leading, directly onto the broken glass.
“Kate, are you alright?” Getting up to help. Using the shield to assist in picking her up.
“I'm fine,” she says, waving her bloody hands, a few pieces of glass sticking out, “this is nothing.” Casually extracting an inch long piece from her right palm. Healing up on it's own. Other smaller bits of glass being pushed out as her hands quickly heal.
“What happened?” Riley trying to look over, sounding concerned.
Wolfe giving her head a single, vigorous shake. “That thing got me drunk. Don't worry,” raising her still bloody hands, “I'm fine. I haven't had a drink that's actually gotten me drunk since our farewell party, so more than half a year.”
“You might have done a bit too much. I forgot to mention the delay.”
“Nope, this is just right.” The girl patting the table, adding some splotches of color and threatening to knock other things off.
“Take it easy for a bit, you're not used to it.”
“Lucy,” she slurs again, with some authority, “I appreciate your concern, but you're not the boss of me.” Starting to reach for the statue again. “Maybe a little bit more.”
This has rather quickly gotten out of control.
“Nope.” Using the shield to grab her arm. “You and I are going for a walk. Right now.”
Wolfe tensing, but then her whole body relaxing and a serene smile forming. “Okay, you want to go? Let's go.”
“I'll be right back.” Leaving an amused and slightly mortified Riley, and a significantly less mortified Magpie at the table.
Passing by the waitress coming over with a broom and dustpan and leaving the restaurant. Wolfe leaning on me, with an arm around my shoulder. Not exactly a pixie. For softball, probably third base. She's definitely trimmed down from when we first met, but she doesn't feel any lighter. She feels heavier, if anything. Hold up - taking a deep breath - she's upgraded her armor. She's allowed to wear heavier armor than me. Getting my jealousy under control and starting to walk with her around the block.
“Lucy,” she says, “its really great to have you back. I don't even care that you've got some secrets that you're not telling us, it's great that you're back.”
“I, um, I don't-”
“Don't give me that.” Rolling her head my way. “I know we all have secrets, but you know. You know too much and you always have. Since the first day we met. Every crazy thing you've said has turned out to be not so crazy. I love that about you, so don't give me that.”
Taking a turn and continuing the lap.
“You deserve to know, and I'm going to tell you, but I also don't want you to hate me.”
“I won't hate you. This thing with you being banned everywhere, it has to do with it, right?”
“Yes, it does.”
Wolfe forcing me to stop.
“And the Director is blaming you? How's that fair?”
“Fair is only a word, Kate.” Surprise, followed by distress. “I've tried really hard not to lie to you guys. Really, really hard. I'm so lucky I ran into you, and I owe you the truth, but give me a little more time.”
“I want to help you, if I can.” The girl searching my face, “You're going to tell us when you're ready?”
“I will. I promise. How do you like your gift?”
“It's extremely thoughtful.” Stretching both arms to the sky. “And totally overdue.”
“You're good to head back?”
“I am, it just all hit me at once.” Starting to walk, but Wolfe not making any attempt to start moving again. “Hey, Lucy, when I said I was glad you came back, I meant it. You're the same as when you left. You've never acted weird around me.”
“Just crazy, right?”
“Before coming out here I don't think I even knew what crazy was.” Starting to laugh, but stopping at Wolfe's deadly serious expression. “I've been helping Matt these past few cycles and the people he's joining up with have some pretty strict standards. I've met with them a couple times, but they didn't even look at me twice. Yesterday, I went out with him to do his final trial. Gosh, that was only yesterday...”
“How'd it go?”
“Huh? Oh, it went fine. He got a little banged up, but he's really brave. It's just that, I go over to help him afterwards, and it's like a switch gets flipped. These people who wouldn't give me the time of day are suddenly acting super nice, but it feels like they're spewing slime. They barely even congratulated him.”
“Slime?”
“It's, uh, a turn of phrase. Their words are oily, you know? They see what I can do and they get all warped because of it.”
No reason to sugarcoat it. “Because you're an Empath.”
“I've been going out of my way not to tell anyone because other people have gotten pushy.”
“If they go too overboard you should demand they kiss the ground you walk on.”
“I'm definitely not doing that!” The girl horrified at the prospect.
“Suit yourself.” Giving a shrug.
Wolfe losing it, putting an arm on my shoulder to steady herself while laughing. “It's good you're back.”
“I'm glad to see you, too. Let's get going, the food's probably already on the table.”
Back at the restaurant, the food already out with Magpie and Riley just beginning to start. Both pointing at Wolfe as she comes in.
“There she is.” “Welcome back.” The girl turning chartreuse and putting a hand over her face.
“Sorry,” she says, while taking her seat, “it's been awhile.”
“It really hits you, right?” Magpie says.
"It definitely does. It was a good choice."
Taking my seat and Riley looking at me expectantly. Starting to eat my food. Glancing over. Still looking.
“This is pretty good.”
“Better than the place we went two days ago,” Magpie says.
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“Oh, yeah, that was horrible. So get this, the place we went to looked good. I made the call, it had a quality sign out front, nothing too dodgy. You think there was going to be anything wrong with it?”
Riley still looking expectantly.
“Nope,” Magpie says, “seemed like a decent place. Nothing stood out.”
“So we go into this restaurant, and first clue something's wrong-” Glancing over at Riley. “Yes, Evie, is there something I can help you with?”
“Well, I was just wondering,” she says, before deciding to say nothing else.
“Oh, what kind of restaurant it was? It was-” Riley's face going full pout. “What's wrong?” Unable to control my grin.
“You know full well!”
“Evie, you're right, I'm sorry. Due to everything with Kate it completely slipped my mind, but I most certainly did not forget to get you a gift. I think you'll definitely appreciate it. Give me a second. Let me get it.”
Rooting around in my pack, uncapping the lid on the clay garden pot, pulling it out and putting it on the table.
Riley nodding thoughtfully. Stirring with a finger. “I don't suppose there's anything in the sand?”
“Could be. Just start digging. You might like what you find.”
“Alright.” Starting to dig. At first tentatively, then with more vigor. Finally, a discovery. Pulling it out.
“This is...” Riley pulls out her gift, about an inch long and maybe two thirds wide. Shiny black. “This is a bug.”
“I can't believe you got her that,” Magpie says, while trying not to make any sudden moves.
“That,” offering a gentle correction, “is a scarab. It's been de-weaponized.”
“That's what I said, it's a bug.” The girl peering at it. “What's this material?” Her head snapping up. “What do you mean it's been de-weaponized?”
“Those are typically used as traps. They're pretty valuable while they're still active, but when they've been disarmed they're just jewelry. It's a status symbol.”
“You want me to wear a bug?”
“Evie, take a look at the craftsmanship.” The girl resuming her inspection. “And it's not just jewelry. This chain I'm wearing...” Reaching to touch the chain around my throat and finding nothing. Ah, that's right. “I seem to have misplaced it somewhere, but it helped regulate temperature. It was perfect for being out in the desert.”
“Wait, you had something like that?” Magpie says. “I was sweating like a pig the whole time.”
“It only helped. It was plenty hot and I sweat a bunch, too.” Magpie's jaw going slack. “Anyway, Evie, Ink reanimated the scarab so that you can use it as a hairpin, or a clasp, without it being dangerous. She also said it helps to repel vermin, but I'm not sure what that means, to be honest.”
“Reanimated? So I can make it move?” The onyx scarab in Riley's hand suddenly coming to life, getting to it's feet and opening up it's shiny, stained glass, gossamer wings. Magpie letting out a small eep, and feeling a jolt of nervousness, myself. “This is really pretty.” The scarab walking around a bit on her hand, getting it's bearings, then crawling up her arm and onto her head. Choosing a place to settle and grasping onto her hair, with wings still unfurled.
Letting out my breath. Had unconsciously been holding it.
“How do I look?” Riley turning her head this way and that.
***
Money in hand, minus the fines for helping Wolfe off the floor, and with the spinnerets from the spiders included, and several wooden hearts, roughly nine gold each, plus extra for me from yesterday's stones.
“I'll see you later.”
“Later, Mac, and it was really good to meet you two,” Magpie says, waving as she heads off.
“Likewise,” Riley calls out, while waving back. Wolfe, too.
“So what'd you think of her?”
“I like her,” Wolfe says.
“It's a shame she's in Ishtar.”
“Evie, listen, they're decent people.” Her face practically melting as the corners of her mouth and eyes droop. Holding up a hand to stave off the expression. “I know you don't like their thing, but they are not their thing.”
“You seem to be extraordinarily forgiving about this whole situation. They kicked you out. I figured you'd be angry. I would be.”
Looking away and sighing. Regaining my composure before getting reacquainted with her uncompromising stare.
“Every person on that trip, ten people out of the House, decent enough people. Of them, so far, only Magpie has the guts to be seen with me in public. The rest of the House, not my concern. Their leadership, trash. I'm very angry with them - but I also understand the position they're in. I owe Magpie an enormous debt of gratitude.”
Looking at each other for a long moment.
“I like her,” Riley concedes. “And she can also turn invisible, which is pretty amazing. I also think I might've pitched a game against her during my sophomore year of high school. I'll try not to hold her House against her.”
“Thank you. It's been really good seeing you guys. Tomorrow, West Gate at eight?”
“I'll be there,” says Riley. “But I'm going to talk to Jack and see if he can do anything at Stormhawk for you. There's no reason for you to be blamed for something you're not responsible for.”
“Evie,” Wolfe says, “let's not push this just yet.” Riley visibly preparing a vicious retort, but Wolfe continuing. “I'm sure Lucy only needs a little bit of time to get things sorted out.” Looking back at me. “And if you can't manage on your own, know that we're here for you. Okay?”
“I appreciate it, Kate.”
“Fine,” Riley acquiesces, but she clearly isn't happy about doing so.
Waving goodbye, and both going their separate ways.
So many things to do. Need to meet with Shaker, need to rattle those people at the bathhouse, need to go to the clothing shop and get some extra sets made, need to go to the armorer and get a new set, need to go to the pawnshop and look around, need to see my master and scout out the Runemages, need to think about a long term living situation - possibly rent an apartment, if only for storage - and, of course, need to head underground and keep building up a buffer. Unfortunately, experience underground is getting slimmer and slimmer. Another level, or so, going to have to go somewhere else for several months. Need to pester Sam about getting graveyard access now that the deal went through. It's certainly a closer destination than the northern Haunted Forest. My growing list of things to almost getting out of control then, suddenly, the tick hitting. Level 15.
Name: Lucilia Macarthy Profession: Runemage Level: 15 Sex: Female Experience: 99,862 (3,546) Age: 20 Until Next: 25,888 Health 86 Mana 84 Stamina 38 Spirit 8 Strength (STR) 58 (4) Constitution (CON) 64 (7) Dexterity (DEX) 69 (14) Agility (AGI) 88 (19) Discipline (DIS) 78 (14) Aura (AUR) 83 (16) Logic (LOG) 74 (17) Intuition (INT) 77 (18) Wisdom (WIS) 47 (-2) Influence (INF) 78 (14)
Name Trainings Bonus Armor Use 6 29 Physical Fitness 16 62 Simple Weapons 16 62 Arcane Symbols 21 71 Magic Item Use 16 62 Harness Power 16 62 Mana Control 16 62 Runemancy 16 62 Arance Lore, Decomposition 4 20 Arcane Lore, Shaping 16 62 Arcane Lore, Transference 5 25 Survival 15 60 Perception 16 62 Climbing 15 60 Swimming 11 48 First Aid 15 60 Trading 16 62 Stalking and Hiding 16 62
New experience breakpoint, getting slower and slower. Reshape unlocked. Need to test. Let's see, fifteen ranks is fine for those, can double up on Decomposition. And trading is cheap, so may as well continue with that. Let's see what's on tap.
Sixteenth rank.
Animate: Allows the caster to control of up to 50 lbs of inorganic matter. Duration is 5 minutes per level. Maximum size of the object animated is increased with each rank of Arcane Lore, Shaping. With 20 ranks of Arcane Lore, Shaping and 20 ranks of Arcane Lore, Transference, and an appropriate vessel, the caster may create a permanent golem under his or her control. Only one such golem can be in existence at a time.
Permanent golem? Neat. But forty ranks all together is a big ask. Fifty pounds baseline but increased with more ranks. Definitely need to test.
Seventeenth rank.
Erase: Can remove hostile physical spells from friendly targets or cleanse cursed items. A warding failure may result in the target or item being damaged. Can also be cast offensively as a warding spell. Effectiveness is increased with more ranks in Arcane Lore, Decomposition.
This spell would have saved me such a headache, well earache. Seventeen mana to use means it packs a serious wallop.
As for now, would like to head underground, but the priority is Shaker. A little bit of groveling never hurt anyone. Turn on the waterworks, get him to back off, prevent him from blowing everything to pieces prematurely. Is he's even in today?
Heading back into the bank and depositing the majority of my money. Just in case. Heading back out, then north through the town square.
A voice calling out. “Ms. Macarthy.” One of them running toward me. Holding something in his hand. “Delivery for you, and I'm going to need your response.” Handing me an envelope.
At the sound of my name a lot of attention being paid to me. Did he really have to find me in the middle of the town square? Well, his office is right over there, but how about finding me inside the bank, it's right across the way, and with significantly fewer people. Glancing around at the curious crowd. Ignore them, read the letter, and give the response. Then get out of here.
Lucy,
I have secured a partnership with Ms. Inkathrius, with the terms as discussed, except she insisted that you will have to be made available for specific requests, as she may have, from time to time. I don't see why this would be an issue, as you'll still be getting paid for your work. According to my previous records you should be available on day five, so please come by at nine in the evening. If this is too sudden come by next day two. I've made some discrete inquiries and was recommended an individual who may be able to assist you in finding whatever it is Ms. Inkathius needs you to acquire. As far as a specific schedule you two can work it out amongst yourselves. If you have any issues let me know, otherwise I assume you'll be kept quite occupied making the both of us rich. Please let me know when you're going to be coming by.
Best regards,
Samuel Phelps, Esq.
Esquire? Pretentious ass. Glancing back at the waiting courier and doing my best to ignore the curious glances from the crowd.
“Please tell him that I'll be there tomorrow.” Digging into my pocket for some silver and giving him fifteen coins.
“Ms. Macarthy, thank you very much, your message will be delivered.”
Off he goes, and now for me to make my exit. Hastily starting to depart to the left, but being intercepted by a group of goons, Stormhawk emblems on their cloaks. What happened to the goodwill and cheer between us from earlier, fellas? At least the non aggression. A familiar face in the bunch, Everton. Mouthing something. 'Sorry.' You're going to be.
“Excuse me.” The group moving to block. Encircling me.
Times like these, being short is a real disadvantage. Can't see shit behind them. Are they really doing this in the middle of the afternoon with all these witnesses? The worst part is they're so goddamn smug and their guards are completely down. Killing one right now, three days in the clink, but doing that isn't an option with the meeting tomorrow.
“Can I help you with something?”
Looking down at me, and making a show of stroking the short beard on his chin.
“Your name's Macarthy?” he says. “You're the one the Director has put the notice out about, right? You seem like you fit her description.”
“That's me. What's it to you?”
“Listen,” he says, “some of us were talking about it earlier and we think it's very unfair that you're being blamed for something you're not responsible for. You can't help who your family is. In your present circumstances we were thinking you need some people to watch your back, and we'd be more than willing to offer our protection.”
“Yeah? What do you want in return?”
“For staying in our House, and eating our food, and sleeping in our beds? Nothing more, and nothing less, than gratitude.”
“I appreciate it, but I'm good.” A smile starting to grow on my face.
“I don't think you fully appreciate the situation you're in, and how it can get a lot worse.” Putting his hand on my shoulder. “You really should consider accepting our help.”
“What if I don't?” Ear to ear, throwing my head back and yelling out: “If you want to fight me, then let's fucking go! Let's get someone to officiate this and let's do it.”
Need to play this right, not too tough, just enough to get him to agree.
“Or, what, you ain't good enough for a one on one? Do you really need all six of you to gang up on one girl?”
His group glancing around at the murmuring crowd surrounding us.
“I didn't know Stormhawk was letting in pussies.”
That may have gotten him.