Retaking my seat on the front left Chapel pew, surrounded by a number of sharp, drawn weapons. Unconcerned. Maybe zen had been the right word. Not the cheap seats in the back, this one had cushion for those pious parishioners that like to sit up front near all the action. A pillowy softness for their delicate tushies as they sit rapt and in awe, witnessing miracle after miracle occurring mere feet away each and every sermon.
In a quiet tone to the man holding the knife. “Understand that I hold no personal animosity toward you,” my eyes flicking to the man holding the sword, “or you,” and verbally acknowledging the third, fourth and fifth ones, “or any of you. I know what's going to happen to me today, and I accept it. But if anything happens to either one of them you and everyone else in here are dead men. I've had my family stolen from me once and I'm not going to stand idly by this time and let it happen once again. I won't get my revenge today, you guys got me today, but there are a lot of tomorrows. If it comes to it, do me a courtesy and kill us quick. I'll grant you the same mercy.”
Magpie taking her seat in the witness chair, her natural expression enhanced by her more than evident anger. Harper getting ready to start and, from her expression, clearly enjoying herself, her eyes sparkling. She'd come prepared for a meeting with the House's leadership, putting some extra care into her appearance, and even going so far as to ask me to help braid her hair. The lighter colored, tight crown of red contrasting with her much darker blood red cloak. Overall an arresting presence, only a couple inches shorter than Riley. A form coalescing on her shoulder and taking shape. Light green in color. Her demon.
Holding my breath. Bringing that thing out in a room full of Paladins, Clerics and Monks, Julie, you seem to be enjoying yourself a little too much. Glancing around. No reaction. Letting my breath out. Relax, they can't see it. The woman to the right of Parnell immediately disabusing me of that notion. Her lip curling in disgust. Staring at her. Don't you dare. Our eyes meeting. Don't you dare say anything. Stay in your lane, truth or not truth, no one wants to hear anything else.
“Ms. Harper,” the Augur sealing her fate, “please don't bring something like that in here. This is hallowed ground.”
“What's the issue? He's won't do anything, he's only helping me focus.”
The woman compressing her lips before looking over at Charity and stating, “Please let the record reflect that Ms. Harper has a demon perched on her shoulder.”
Muttering spreading throughout the room but Parnell not seeming to be surprised in the slightest. The man lightly rapping on the table and his expression placid. “Noted. Ms. Harper, if you'd get to it.”
“Certainly.” Any potential caution she should've had set aside due to Parnell's outward lack of condemnation. “The charge my client is faced with is corrupting the innocent, specifically corrupting four individuals, myself, Grace, Evelyn Riley and Kate Wolfe. This would necessitate, I would think, a deliberate desire on the part of my client to negatively influence our behavior, not merely incidentally, or by accident. Am I correct in that assumption?”
Parnell frowning in thought. “That would be a fair assumption. I'd agree.”
“Excellent.” Harper moderating her triumphant smile. “Grace, before getting to the incident in question, could you tell me about your relationship with Lucy, Evie and Kate, and why you were all going to the graveyard in the first place.”
“I met them when, uh, I, well, we met...” The girl stuttering and stumbling as everyone's attention turned to her. Her eyes going over to me. Nodding at her, you got this.
“Grace,” says Harper, “take a moment if you need it.”
“Yeah, sorry,” she says. “Everyone's looking at me and it's making me nervous.” The girl taking a deep breath and humming sound. “I guess that's to be expected, I need to be better at this. Okay, I think I'm ready, but before I get to it there's something I've been wondering about since I got in here, something that's really not sitting right with me.” Her voice starting unsteady but gradually building in strength and indignation. “Charity, you absolute bitch, I certainly didn't expect you to come over and say hello, but you won't even look at me?” Magpie staring at her. “You won't even look at me now. When that moron said he saw four first year girls, how'd that end up in what you've been writing? You know it's not true. Did you even bother writing it down, or are you looking forward to scrubbing it out, too?”
Parnell rapping on the table with a gauntleted hand at a moderate pace. Magpie looking over at him and Charity's face remaining buried in her work. “Nancy, please strike that outburst from the record. Ms. Upton, I understand this may be a stressful situation, but please try and stick to the subject at hand.”
“Dragonslayer, I'm sorry.” Magpie taking anther huge breath. “Here's why we went to the graveyard. Evie is a Cleric. Her, um, god is...” The girl scanning the stained glass windows. “That one there, the woman with the key ring standing in front of the black gate. Evie has to go-”
“Let the record reflect the goddess Nyx has been indicated by Ms. Upton.”
“Uh, so we go in there,” Magpie trying to restart again, after having momentarily lost her place, “because she has to go. And she's our friend. And, I mean, we couldn't even get in the place without her.”
Parnell nodding, with a sympathetic expression. “Aside from wanting to help your friend, are there any other reasons you might go? Financial, perhaps.”
“What?” Magpie thrown a bit off kilter. “I mean, yeah, of course. Flesh fetishes have a decent sell price, and we've mostly been fighting Flesh Golems.”
“Anything else you've been picking up out there?” Parnell pressing.
“Yeah, um,” Magpie getting a little turned around, “Mac's got a spell that makes these stones. This woman who runs this shop over by Mink buys them. She wants us to go in there, too.”
“What do you suppose the approximate value of all the materials you've gotten at your various trips to the graveyard has been? All together.” Magpie's mouth staying clamped shut, clearly unsure how to respond to Parnell's overly calm question. “Oh, you misunderstand, you've earned all of that by the sweat of your brow and I'm not going to begrudge you what you've earned. Your five hundred silver pittance for trespassing is all I'm requiring for that. I was just wondering, out of curiosity, how much do you think you've made?”
“Me, personally? Maybe around thirteen, fourteen thousand. That was my share of it, at least. Usually we'd hit the graveyard in the morning, sell the loot, split it evenly and grab lunch. And then, money aside, Flesh Golems are pretty good experience once you get used to fighting them.” Magpie glancing out at the crowd and the stares much less hostile than when she'd first started her testimony. Harper looking much less happy, however.
“Would you say that Ms. Macarthy over there,” says Parnell, “had similar incentives as you to be with Ms. Riley?”
“Well, sure, but we all did. We were all going out together. Wait,” Magpie squinting at Parnell, “are you trying to insinuate that Mac only went with them for the money? No, no, no. I know you don't like Mac, but that's not it at all. If that was the case we never would've bothered to have lunch with them afterward. Evie's got to do her thing - she's required to do it - so while the money is nice, and the experience is good, half the reason we're even going out there in the first place is because we're looking out for her.”
“Grace, I'm sorry if you thought I was implying that, I'm certain Macarthy has other reasons for going, as well.” A gentle smile gracing his lips. “I was wondering, though, you had mentioned something at the beginning, that Mr. Campbell had been incorrect on something.” Magpie's face screwing up in confusion, clearly trying to figure out what he's talking about.
“Who's Mr. Campbell?”
“The other witness.” Parnell's short, clipped tone betraying his inner rage.
“Oh, that guy. Dragonslayer, you've got a reputation for fairness and I hope it's true. The other guy said he thought I was a first year girl. I know I'm short, okay?” Magpie looking out at the crowd again. “This is my third year. That guy doesn't know shit. He doesn't even know the first thing about me and yet somehow you're all believing him that I've been brainwashed, or something. It's crazy.”
“It's your third year?” Parnell glancing to the woman on his right. “I'm certain Mr. Campbell merely made an incorrect assumption and meant nothing by it. Regardless, you have my apologies for the error.”
“Grace,” says Harper, trying to step in and regain some semblance of control over the situation, “could you please tell us what happened during the incident in...”
Harper looking over in my direction. Magpie looking at her, then back to Parnell. About to open her mouth, but beaten to it by a disembodied voice coming from the empty area directly in front of me. A familiar, older man's voice. “Excuse me,” he says, “I'm sorry to interrup., I come in peace.” At the sound my, Magpie's and Charity's heads all swiveling to see. My old master coming into view, standing at the front of the room in a dapper looking coat, with neatly coiffed hair and an oiled mustache. Using his sword, still sheathed inside its case, as a cane. Pretending to use it as a cane, at least. His sudden appearance setting off a bit of a stir in the room. “I'll only take a moment of your time before you can all get back to this.”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Parnell's earlier unflappability shattered, replaced with undisguised loathing. “Stand down,” he gets out.
“Dragonslayer,” says my master, “I appreciate you letting me have the floor.” Walking up to me, and my escort withdrawing their weapons at his approach. “Mac, I've been looking all over for you. You're usually in the graveyard on day four but you weren't there today. I ended up asking some of them out there where you might be and they directed me here.”
“I'm very glad you found me.”
“What have you done to my men?”
“Huh?” My master glancing back at Parnell and giving a vague gesture. “Nothing. You've got a very polite group of kids. Very helpful.” Turning back to me. “Mac, I wanted you to be the first to know, well, I guess everyone in here gets to learn the news along with you. It worked. The situation has been resolved and the Marquis has reinstated the charter. I got the guild back.”
The budding surge of hope at seeing him appear out of nowhere exploding into a brilliant cascade of victory. Still surrounded, still on trial, still in the middle of all this, but everything, once again, becoming right with the world.
“Master,” said Magpie, “does that mean we're getting everything back?”
“What?” The man glancing around again, and then breaking out in a grin. “Magpie, I'm sorry I didn't say hello. Had big news to deliver. And Charity, I didn't mean to ignore you, either. I hope you're doing better. I've been trying to keep an eye on you, but there's been a lot going on.”
“I am. Thank you, master. I appreciate it,” she says.
“Great. Magpie, I wish I could say that was the case, but life sometimes involves compromise.” That brief burst of hope, all that rightness with the world starting to take a sour turn, starting to circle the drain. “The old location, unfortunately, not in the cards. But the new location I do like quite a bit. It's much more centrally located.”
“You gave up on it?” My words breathing out in a colorless monotone.
“Mac, remember what I said about compromise? Because you couldn't hold off on doing what you did, we had to come to some sort of deal. It took some quick thinking and fast footwork on my part, but in all honesty without your rashness I probably couldn't have gotten as good a result. The Marquis finally understands our value and I got the guild back. Once you're done with all this I definitely wouldn't mind if you came by and visited the new location. From time to time, that is. Not too often. You're not my student anymore, but you're more than welcome to stop by every now and then. As a guest.”
The thing with nicely cleaned up haircut and the freshly oiled and trimmed salt and pepper mustache looking very pleased with itself. The thing wearing the fine surcoat with the well cut and well tailored attire underneath looking down at me with a very pleased expression. The thing that had been my master looking very pleased, indeed, as it delivered the news. This is my reward after everything. This feeling right here. This is the value of gratitude.
“I'll think about it.” My words an insignificant speck of dirt, a tumbleweed blowing through a barren dust bowl.
“Mac,” the thing says, “I appreciate you may be a little upset because you didn't end up getting exactly what you wanted, but I'll have you know that you owe me quite a bit for those negotiations with the Marquis. Without me things may have turned out considerably worse for you - but I had your back. I want you to know that.” Giving my shoulder a consoling pat. “After getting that whole situation resolved, I'm sure you'll manage to get yourself out of this minor scrape no problem. Best of luck.”
The Chapel door banging shut after it had sauntered down the aisle and left the building.
All the tattered remnants of my pride, all my frayed self restraint, all my attempts at presenting an image becoming irrelevant in the face of the oncoming onslaught. Bringing my hands up to try and stop the bitter tears uncontrollably pouring out. Sobbing openly in front of the entire gathering.
Parnell banging on the table. “This right here,” his booming voice addressing the entire room, “this is the reward for those on the side of evil. Even their greatest champions are discarded once they're no longer needed. Righteousness may be a heavy burden, but it is to be carried proudly. Remember what you've seen here today when you're tempted to follow the easy path. William- Ms. Macarthy,” looking up at him, the man a blur through the tears still streaming out, “you should feel blessed to have undergone such a trial. Happy is the man whom God corrects, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. Though you are now bruised and wounded, the pain you are feeling will lead you to a better place. Now, more than ever, I'm convinced that even you may find redemption.”
“Take your slave morality and shove it.” Clearing my throat a few times and then spitting on the ground. “You you were behind shutting down the guilds in the first place, you pompous fuck. You've been full of shit since forever. You were full of shit back in the service and you're full of shit to this day. You're not fooling anyone who doesn't want to be fooled. Get to it already and end this farce.”
The man shaking his head and taking his seat. “I realize your emotions are still very raw, but maybe one day. I'll pray for you.” Clearing his throat. “Ms. Upton, unfortunately she's correct, we do need to wrap this up. Magpie, he called you, I assume you were both members of the Thieves Guild in the past, before all this,” gesturing at me, “so I suppose your defense is that you weren't corrupted by her because you're already corrupt.” His attention moving to Harper. “And, Ms. Harper, the demon on your shoulder demonstrates a similar corruption for you, as well. Would that be a fair assessment?”
Harper swallowing. “For us, yes.”
“That's a bold argument, and logically sound. You have my admiration. For Ms. Riley the claim is that your clients were helping in her work to destroy the undead. They may have had ulterior motives of their own, but you, at least,” gesturing at Magpie, “genuinely wanted to help her, I'm almost convinced. The only person left unaccounted for is Ms. Wolfe. Is there anything you can say regarding that?”
“You're not very fair.” Magpie's words coming out heavy with mucous. The girl sniffling. “Kate's amazing, she's already saved me any number of times and I didn't even meet her all that long ago. Only from when I got back from the desert.”
“From the desert?”
“With House Ishtar. They're my House. I guess they were. I'm quitting today, but I haven't told them yet. A lot's happened.”
“You're foregoing their protection over this?”
“No.” A serene, relieved expression finally breaking through Magpie's doubt. “I've been thinking about it for awhile, there's only one reason I haven't left yet. I joined up with them because the guild shut down but there's no way I'm going to rejoin the guild, not after what he just said to Mac. You want to know who Kate is? Kate's the one who really objected when that guy tried to kick Mac out, because it wasn't fair, it was some bullshit because you hate Mac and for no other reason. You say you're conducting this trial because you think Mac corrupted her, but I know you don't care about her - you didn't even spend two seconds trying to find out anything about her. You don't even know her full name. Hey, 'Nancy', you should jot that detail down while you're at it. It's Kathleen.”
Parnell considering her testimony with a grave air before changing his focus. “Ms. Harper, I don't suppose you're a member of a House. Mink or Solstice, perhaps?”
“I-,” her eyes getting tight, going to the Augur, then back to Parnell. Letting out her breath and standing up straight. “No, I'm not.”
“You should consider joining one after this. It'll be better for you than your present company. More legitimate, more structure.” Parnell getting to his feet and coming around the table. Putting a heavy, gauntleted hand on Magpie's shoulder. “Ms. Upton, I want you to know that your words have convinced me that I need to amend the sentence. You said I wasn't fair, and I'd agree. My aim has always been truth and justice. The truth is not fair, and neither is justice. For the crime of corrupting the innocent, all three of you are guilty.”
Giving the slightest nod to my executioner at the sound of the word guilty and the knife at my throat making a sharp upward jab. Standing next to my corpse as a translucent ghost. Emotion vacant, and feeling much better as a result. Looking at the still very conflicted man who'd done it. Walker. Staring at his hands and staring at my slumped, lifeless body. He'd made it quick, and essentially painless.
Harper, standing flatfooted a few steps away, had suffered a similar, merciful fate, the sword entering from behind her right ear. Her ghost standing next to her fallen form, the mouth open in surprise.
Magpie, however, even with Parnell's hand already on her shoulder, she'd somehow managed to stick him in a joint with one of her knives and wriggle away. Running to the right, past the confessional, while dodging attacks along the way, even blindly dodging one coming at her from behind. She really is quick. A few attendees going after her in earnest, but most only making perfunctory, halfhearted attempts at catching her. Almost near the exit and then a flash of light engulfing her upper body, producing a surprised cry, and leaving burns and smoke in its wake. The girl's momentum halted, stumbling a bit, trying to cover while blinded by the flash. The Cleric who'd gestured, a woman with the symbol of a golden crown next to her Wrymsblood insignia. The girl starting to move again, somehow dodging a sword thrust, but then a hammer smashing against the side of her head and sending her to the floor. Another downward chop likely breaking her skull. There's her ghost.
Decoupling from my corpse and gliding toward Harper. “Your first death? I'm sorry it was because of me but you were inspired. It's going to be rough waking up at the temple, everything is going to hit you at once. Take some time now to accept what happened, and you'll get through what's coming quicker.” Harper and Magpie could understand me, but the still living would only hear a ghostly wail. Harper's ghost looking at me, serene and not saying anything. Heading toward Magpie, drifting through objects and people alike. Getting stares while venturing further away from my body. “I'm so proud of you.” Magpie's ghost having difficulty speaking. Needs more practice. “Get going, I'll be along soon.” Magpie's ghost and body disappearing as one, leaving her gear on the ground. Harper's ghost looking around a few moments more, then doing the same as Magpie's.
“This was certainly no victory today.” Parnell speaking to the room. “Macarthy's intimidation in the harbor has proven effective and, despite our best efforts, some of the rot that we had cut out has come back. It's substantially weaker than it was, but it has been given approval by the Director and has once again taken root. We must remain vigilant and prevent the Thieves Guild from fully getting back on their feet, from once again running the city from the shadows. As for Macarthy, seemingly weaker, but much more sympathetic, and much more persuasive, as a result.” His focus changing to me, standing directly in front of him. “I hope, more than anyone, you reflect on what happened. Your former master's victory was not your victory. You were used for an end and then cast aside.”
Grinning up at him and doing my best spooky ghost laugh.