With Magpie onboard, three items left.
First, depositing the two completed shoe soles at the cobbler.
Second, heading a bit south to the pawnshop and entering the basement level, the huge space filled with tables and a few other shoppers. An associate appearing at my side.
“Ms. Macarthy,” he says, “is there anything I can help you with?”
“I'm interested in getting a wand, preferably bone.”
“I can certainly help with that. Right this way.”
Bringing me to a different section a ways away from the weapons. Passing by several tables filled with an assortment of items. Wands next to a table filled with scrolls. Giving the rolls of parchment a wistful glance, but my gaze returning to my objective for the day.
“We have three in stock,” he says. “This one, a bit more charge, thirty five hundred, this one, a bit less, thirty two, and this, twenty eight.”
All out of my desired price range.
“Bone may have been too much.” His lips souring. “How about this type over here?” A twisted branch, about seven inches in length.
“Thirteen,” he says.
“I'll take it.”
Final chore, the weapon shop. The blacksmith, a burly man with a smithy's apron and a beard, appraising my current weapons before giving me a curious glance.
“I need a special order. About fifteen feet of chain.”
“Chain? You can pick that up premade at the general store.”
“I need something better quality than what they have. Tempered steel. Quarter inch links should be plenty strong. And then for the center link I need something with a space for me to write on, maybe about four inches, a flat piece of metal. Sturdy.”
“I can make something like that,” he says, after considering. “You're going to pay a premium, though.”
“Fine by me. This should more than cover it.” Tossing him a gold. “I'll see how it does, and then maybe get you to make me one out of a stronger, lighter material if it works out.”
“It'll be ready in a few days.”
“How about quicker than that?” Tossing him another gold. “I need it in two days, first thing in the morning.”
“I'll make sure it gets done.”
“Great, thank you.”
Almost ten in the morning, a bit of a late start today because of Ishtar. Underground still doable, theoretically. Not great experience. Could climb the graveyard gate, probably, but disadvantaged against most of the stuff in there. More traffic going north, would rather avoid. Maybe west for a couple hours on the road, then get off and head south, maybe far enough south to hit up the marsh. But that's going to take awhile, should probably sell those stones first. Those stones... Quick inventory check. Forgot the stones, again. Screw it, may as well head out now.
***
Time to test this baby out. But how, exactly? Wave it, right? Holding the twisted branch like a small sword and giving it a gentle swoosh, producing a light tingling in my fingers. Seems simple enough. Alright, that thing over there should be in range. Good posture, shoulders back, wand hand ready. Giving a much more determined wave of the stick and feeling a surge of energy travel to the tip.
The grazing triceratops looking beast with the extra sharp horns and spiked tail over in the thataway direction suddenly seeming to develop a digestive problem. Something near the beast's belly bulging outward at an odd angle before quickly deflating, making it stagger.
Success.
Only to quickly collect itself while looking extremely annoyed. In my direction.
Didn't expect it to drop that thing, but that's my current achilles heel solved. Range. Enough to get away or set up an ambush, and the wand probably has a couple uses left before it crumbles to dust. Good job little guy, back you go. Going to save up some and buy you a brother.
Dodging the lumbering charge and taking the opportunity to stick it once in the eye. The tail with its barbed spike swinging at me, being intercepted by the shield and producing a nice breeze. Making a second, much more decisive, strike at the eye. The beast falling to the ground, thrashing. Blocking a wild strike with the shield and backing up some.
Putting a blot on the side of critically wounded animal and removing pieces to leave behind the fissured design of Disjunction. Activating. Cracks appearing at the center of the rune, spiderwebbing outwards and tearing open the skin and muscle, revealing a ribcage and organs underneath. The beast letting out a scream of agony as its entire body is suddenly pulled inward, leaving behind a red brown stone that falls to the ground. That looked and sounded extremely painful. Almost as brutal as Kate's spell. Very close. Definitely not going to show that to Nico anytime soon.
***
“Mac,” says Magpie, “with what we've got coming in today you've got to promise me you're going to get a new chain for next cycle.”
“It's really difficult controlling it. I was thinking about holding off on getting another one until I get better at it.”
“What? You did great, and it made those things sitting ducks, until that big one broke it.”
“Maybe you just did better because of your sword.”
“That definitely helped, but c'mon.”
“I barely had to heal anything until then,” says Wolfe. “We were way ahead because of it.”
“Okay, fine. I'll get a better one made. It uses a lot of mana, but I'll use it against this stuff.”
Killing things from a distance sounded very fun in theory, but playing complete support while needing to stay within ten feet of the center link on my chain is a different story. And it had been incredibly nerve wracking not being able to activate the shield, or do too much else other than what felt like walking much too slowly, while trying to control it. And it's real tough getting it to flip itself in the right direction once it's out of my hands. The best discovered method had been leaving it on the ground to wrap around lured targets like a boa. It'll probably feel better against things it can actually choke. Definitely not going to show it to Nico unless he really makes me angry.
“I'd like to cash these two notes.”
“Ms. Macarthy,” says the bank teller, “the combined fee for cashing these notes is eighty three silver, which leaves eight thousand, two hundred fifty nine silver. However, there is the current matter of your outstanding fines. Fifty silver, one count of property destruction at House Ishtar. And then at The Spider's Web, one hundred silver, one count of assault against one of your compatriots. And then, also at The Spider's Web, five hundred silver, one count of sexual assault against one of your compatriots.” The teller giving me a disappointed look. “You naughty girl.”
“Mac, what'd you do?”
Turning around to see Riley with a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back a laugh, Wolfe not even bothering to try and Magpie with an ear to ear grin. Another woman, behind us in line, squinting at me with one eye.
“It was consensual.” The woman pointedly looking in another direction. “I swear.”
“What'd you do?” says Magpie, the grin taking up the entire lower half of her face. Riley not able to hold it back any longer and joining Wolfe.
“Well, you see-”
“Lucy, we're not eating that one,” says Riley, “That's coming out of your cut.”
“The thing is-”
“Did you kidnap him?” says Wolfe.
“I can see her doing it,” says Riley. “You were merciless, weren't you?”
“I mean, well, yeah, basically.”
The three girls devolving into giggles. Getting our money, splitting it up, plus some from the stones collected on day two, and minus for my indiscretion. Still being hounded while walking out of the bank.
“Okay, you want to know?” A universal agreement. “So it was like this, you know that spell that freezes things, I hit him with it right before he was about to blow. The boy had a religious experience. Almost gave up the ghost.”
Devolving into giggles again.
“Alright everybody,” says Riley, “great to see you all again, that was a great day, a great lunch, and then a truly memorable bank visit.” All of them starting to laugh at that. “I'll see you next cycle.”
“Evie,” says Wolfe, “before you go, I was wondering if you could go somewhere with us. Right now.”
“Sure. Of course. What's going on?”
“It's tough to talk about.”
Magpie puts out her hand. “Let me try and explain. Mac came to visit me two days ago. She could only talk in circles, if at all, and I was trying like hell to figure out what exactly was going on. I think they've been cursed.”
“That's not good,” Riley says, “but I can fix that. Why are you waiting until now to tell me?”
“You won't be able to.” Shaking my head at her surprised look.
“It's like a good curse,” Magpie says. “Mac said it was a secret club.” Turning to Wolfe. “You're in it too, right?”
Wolfe confirming.
“Kate, you're in some secret club and you didn't-” Riley stops. “Oh, because you can't talk about it.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
“I tried to tell you a few days ago,” Wolfe says, “but the words just won't come out. It's, like, how to even say this. My master had said, to, um. It's important because, that is, we need to, uh. Fuck, this is so fucking annoying. It's really important. It's really important and you have to join. I can't talk about it, though.”
Riley looks at me. “And how did you find out about it?”
“I'll tell you when I can. Ready to go?”
“Lead the way.”
Heading southeast from the town square into the merchant district. Going to the southeast side. A neat and ordinary little neighborhood. Little fences, all nice and neat and picketed. Every little thing measured out, in its place. Shrubs symmetrical and neat and pruned. Very orderly and secure. And quite neat. Standing in front of a three story brownstone.
“They're expecting us. Evie, I want you to know, you're being a real trooper about this.”
“I got you,” says Wolfe.
“I guess this is also part of my penance,” Riley mourns. “Actually hold on. Now that we're here, I need to ask someone about this.”
Wolfe giving me a confused look, but then rolling her head to one side and considering Riley as she pulls out a small, golden key. The three of us shuffling around a bit as Riley keeps focusing on it. Taking her time. The girl looking at the brownstone for a bit. Back to the key. Then putting it back in her pocket. Giving Wolfe an unreadable look. Giving me the same. Blinking.
“I guess I'm still in,” she says.
“Alright, that's what I wanted to hear.” Reaching out and taking one of her hands. “You're going to be fine.”
Wolfe takes the other. “You are going to be fine.”
“What about me?” Magpie pretends to pout.
“Grace,” Wolfe points at her, “I've got you. You don't have anything to worry about.”
Walking up the steps and getting to the door, the barest hint of some pungent smell inside conjuring up a reminder of how we'd spent the morning. Giving several sharp raps to the door.
“You smell that?” says Riley.
“Yep,” says Magpie.
“How'd you meet these people?” says Riley.
“It's a good cause,” Wolfe whispers, perhaps as a reminder to herself.
The door opening to reveal the Blood Mage from the caravan, bags still under his eyes, but with only a midafternoon stubble today. Looking in recognition at me and Wolfe. The smell still there, a touch stronger now, and another one joining it, the familiar sweet scent.
“Bring them inside,” he says.
Blood Mages. Probably a whole nest. Need to be on my absolute best behavior. They'll probably get angry if I kill one of their invisible monsters. Absolutely no squished cupcake repeats.
“Oh, which smell were you talking about?” says Magpie.
Riley blinking at her. “I guess both of them, now.”
“We can talk about this inside. Let's go, let's go.”
In we go. The scenery a carpeted combination of angst and indifference. Some dirty clothes on the floor by the entry. A short bookless bookcase containing a plate with some food still on it. A humanoid skull. A large bird's talon, petrified. Following him to a living room with a big couch and a hookah on a table - the source of the sweet smell. Another man, a Pact member, lounging on the couch. Recognition flowing. And then him looking at Magpie.
“Grace?” he says.
“Hello?” Magpie offering no visible recognition.
“You're going to be involved in this?” The guy excited at the prospect.
“Hey, Magpie, who's this?”
“I think I met him maybe a month or two ago, before we went on that trip. You were at that house party, right?”
“That's right! We were talking for awhile. More than talking.”
“Oh, right,” says Magpie. “Your name is, um... sorry, I was pretty drunk.”
“It's Derrick.” Her not remembering not putting him off in the slightest.
“Oh, right,” she says again, simply to say something.
“Hi, I'm Lucy.” Stepping in between the two in order to save her. “I don't mean to interrupt your reunion, but we need to get this done. I'm kinda on a schedule today.”
“Oh, right,” Derrick says, looking at the other man. “We need a knife. Two, actually.”
“Here's one.” Magpie pulls out her's and flips it around.
“Here's the other.” Getting the backup from my hip.
“Do you want to wait for Julie?” Derrick asks the other man.
The guy's eyes sliding all the way to the side to check to time. “She said she was going to be here thirty minutes ago - we'll get her another time.” Turning to Magpie and Riley. “We've been entrusted-” Stopping. “Fuck, I can't even say it. We're going to need a good bit of blood from each of you. At least a pint. Maybe more.” Looking at Wolfe. “You're going to be able to deal with both of them at once?”
“I should be okay,” she says.
“I'll help triage.” Tracing. “Which arm you going to cut, left?”
Magpie and Riley already low enthusiasm cratering now that the time has come.
“Yep.” “Yes.” Left gloves off, Magpie's arm guard unbuckled, sleeves pulled down. Mending runes in place.
Glancing at Wolfe. I'll deal with Magpie. Glancing at Derrick. You deal with Evie.
Derrick coming over to brace Magpie. Huh. Can't even follow simple instructions. Changing my plan and instead getting ready for Riley to collapse. Wolfe glancing at me. Okay, understood, Evie's in good hands.
“So we're clear, we're using the contract language I provided for them?”
“I got your letter,” says the man.
“Wait,” says Wolfe, “you were able to change the language of the contract?”
“Kate, you didn't even try? This stuff isn't written in stone.” Wolfe, now the very picture of consternation, opening her mouth, but nothing coming out. “You know what, Kate, I wouldn't worry about it, you'll probably be fine. We are using my language for the contract, though, right?”
“Yes,” he says.
“Alright, I'm holding you to that.”
“Please accept this invitation to join our Pact of Blood.” Looking first at Magpie, then at Riley. Using his own knife to produce a shallow cut on his palm and starting to chant. The words skittering around us and the blood coming from his wound starting to swirl.
Magpie and Riley each getting a knife. Hesitation from both, but then cutting deep. Their blood joining the swirling mass. My arms loosely around Riley's middle, getting ready.
“Repeat after me,” he says. “I will not betray the Council.”
“I will not betray the Council.”
“I will not betray the Council.”
Riley going limp. Straining to bring her gently to the ground and activating the rune on her to close up the wound. Seeing her, knowing she is a member of the Pact. Looking over at Magpie and knowing again. Her arm already healed, and the girl still standing, but being entirely supported by Derrick. Her eyes fluttering, fighting to stay open. Wolfe's hands on her.
“I'm okay,” she mumbles, trying to find her feet, “help her.”
Wolfe not answering, or moving, continuing for at least another thirty seconds before coming over to Riley. Getting a leaf from my pouch and putting it in Magpie's mouth. Helping Derrick set her on the couch. Riley starting to come to under Wolfe's ministrations. Derrick and the other man carrying her to the couch and putting her upright, with Wolfe moving with them. Magpie still chewing, her eyes glancing around at the rest of us. Lifting up her arms some and opening and closing her hands a few times. Riley's eyes half closed, looking around.
“So that's how it is,” she says.
“You guys did real good. Super proud of you.”
“Thanks, Kate,” says Magpie. “Yes, thank you Kate,” says Riley.
“I told you you're in good hands,” she says.
“Kate,” says the man, “when your friend came up to me and asked about getting more people in, I told her that without someone to help deal with the aftermath I wouldn't want to do it. I've got some candidates I'd like to get in and I'd really appreciate if you could help me with them.”
“I'll definitely help,” she says.
“I was surprised you guys weren't recruiting more. I've been looking around town and there's not as many as I figured. We're going to need some numbers for when we hit Solstice.”
Everyone suddenly looking at me. Wolfe's eyes getting a bit wide.
“You guys didn't know about that?”
“Wait.” Riley bringing her hands up to make a T. “What, exactly, is going on here? Start from the top.”
“The top?” says the man. “So a bit less than a year ago the Director and the Houses went through with their plan to dismantle the guilds and take their place.”
The sound of the front door closing stopping him short. Footsteps approaching.
“Is that what this is about?” Magpie looks to me.
“Yes.”
“According to my master,” says Wolfe, “we're actually doing this because-”
A girl, tall and slim, with red hair, and somewhat familiar looking, coming into view. Much more familiar, however, is the light green demon laying draped over her shoulders. The demon's mouth pulling back, feeling my gaze on it. Letting out a hiss.
“James,” she says, “who are these people?” She definitely knows me.
“Julie,” says James, “you're late.” Turning to Wolfe. “If you wouldn't mind?”
“I don't mind, but tell that thing to stop hissing at me.”
“I don't see why I should, you're the one invading my house.” A vision of a pulped cupcake dancing in my head. Going to crush that thing into paste.
“Julie,” says James, “this is about that thing I was trying to tell you about. These people are friends.”
“Friends?” The girl giving me a flat look before turning to the thing on her shoulder. “Sassafras, don't worry. I know you're only looking out for me. It's okay.” Stroking its chin. The hissing being replaced by a throaty purr and the demon scampering off her shoulder to find a perch on the nearby couch.
“We're doing it now, Julie.” The man's cryptic mutterings beginning again and another small stream of blood coming from his hand and starting to swirl. Holding out the knife to her. “I'm going to need a lot.”
The girl considering the knife held out in front of her, but not taking it immediately. Her feet seem a little colder now.
“Don't worry,” says Wolfe, coming over and resting a comforting hand on her arm, “you're going to be fine.”
The redhead taking offense at Wolfe's concern and in a fit of pique snatching up the knife. Gouging a sizable trench into her own arm and letting out a small scream filled with pain and anger.
“Repeat after me: I will not betray the Council.”
“I will not betray the Council.”
Out. Caught by Derrick and immediately being healed by Wolfe. Eyes attempting to stay open. Joining the other two still convalescing on the couch, their physical wounds healed but still recovering from the spiritual ones that had been inflicted. Wolfe continuing to stabilize. The girl glancing around in sudden understanding.
“So this is what happened,” says James, returning to his story, “the guilds went kaput and we found ourselves suddenly under new management. We Magi have always been more reclusive - people tend to find our magic unsettling - so we've stuck together, much moreso than a lot of the other groups. This year we did our best to find as many of our fellows as possible from the incoming class. That's actually how I met Julie.” The two sharing a fond look. “You're really shining, Jewel, just relax for a bit.” She gives a weak nod. “So new management came in, and they gave us a choice. Do what they say, when they say it, or get the fuck out. They were nicer about it than that, but that's what it was. After a great deal of debate our formerly very tight knit group split. Some of us coming out here, and the other side staying.”
Riley not terribly impressed. “This is an internal dispute?” she says.
“Evie, it's more than that. It's more than only them.” Magpie eyes smoldering, that old forgotten anger rekindled. “Like basically everyone in this room, I fell for the marketing and slogans and joined the Academy, and then I got shipped out here. But while this place is in a lot of ways much worse than they ever said, back when I got here it was also much better, in a different way. I spent a year, more, with the guild. I got through the initial training and initiation - not many of us made it though that - and then I started running jobs on the streets. After being lied to and thoroughly betrayed, I actually managed to make a new home for myself all the way out here. It was an amazingly fun time. I even earned my name.” Running her fingers through her hair and shaking her head.
“And then one night I go to sleep, and go back to the worse place for a bit. And then my shift ends, and I find I'm not in my bed anymore. Instead, I fall a couple feet onto wet stone in the sewers. In front a blank wall. No entrance to the guild, and everything I'd cobbled together, gone. That was some fucking night. I sleep naked. That's why we're doing this, right, Mac? This is what you were trying to talk about the other day.”
“That's exactly why we're doing this.”
“Good. Thank you. Hopefully my stuff is still in my room.”