“I really would join you guys if I could, Joe,” Tezeno stated, gesticulating with his hands to show the emphasis his voice naturally lacked. “There’s just no way I can leave any time soon.”
Joe raised an eyebrow as he leaned forward onto the counter in the guildhouse. The justiciar was standing on the other side of the desk.
“Between the Cauldrakon Event and Margen’s return, we’ve had a record number of kids awaken their first class this year. And a whole lot of them received adventurer classes, too. With Kenda taking over duties from Myllo, it’s up to me to get the newly-classed trained. As much as I want to help Finn, I have too many obligations here.”
He had been pretty sure Tez wouldn’t be able to travel with them to the north coast, but he wanted to ask. Having the defender at his side made life so much easier—Tezeno’s defensive buffs, combined with Joe’s restorative abilities, made for a very resilient team.
“I didn’t know kids didn’t start out with classes?” Joe mused. It made sense as he thought about it; he just hadn’t considered this aspect of Illuminaria before. Joe didn’t get his first class until he made an active choice to heal Buckle. Would a young person have the conviction to understand such a choice, or would they just pick the first thing that caught their interest? “How often do you get new adventurers?”
“We get a couple a year, but most kids tend to follow their parents and are offered trade classes. You know, crafting, agriculture, merchants. In Fort Coral, sea-faring classes are about two out of every five kids. Not this year. I’ve got fourteen. The guild’s never had more than a dozen at one time before.”
The exaggeratedly pained look on the archon’s face drew the desired chuckle from Joe. “That is a lot. What kind of classes?” he asked.
“Well, thanks to Margen, half of them are swordhands or straight-up fighters. I expect at least four of those will end up in the city guard. One of them, Neski, a cousin of Kerrig’s, will surely evolve into a duelist. I’ve never seen a kid that fast before.” Even Tezeno’s flat voice reflected a measure of regard for the young prodigy.
“Of the rest of them, we have four casters. Those I get to farm out to Vexor, and believe it or not, Lex. He’s genuinely turned around since joining the Hellions. Then there are the two archers. Poor kids are stuck with Isias since RC said she can’t do it. The last one, I was going to have you train.”
“Me? I’m still learning how this all works. The kids probably know more than I do.”
“Yeah, but you’ll be perfect for Bailey. She’s got your easy-going thing down to a tee.”
“But why …”
“She became an Acolyte of Mairrhee. She’s a natural support caster with some affinity strengths you can help with. She excels at Life and Mind. I know your Mind affinity is not one of your best, but you have a knack for using commands and rallying effects and defending against mental attacks.”
“So, you need me to stay?” Joe faltered. This was a development he had not expected at all, especially as he was hoping to be sailing away in a day or two.
“No, no. She’s only ten. She has plenty of the basics to get through before we hook her up with a mentor … and even then, it would be an occasional thing. You need to deal with the curse before Finn loses his goodwill by eating the bay dry of fish.”
“Oh, good. You scared me there. Um …? Is there anything I do have to do with the guild before I go?” Joe inquired, just then realizing he had not even considered if there were any procedures he needed to complete to stay in good standing with the organization.
“No worries, mate. Kenda and I knew you would space your furlough paperwork. We did it for you.” As his words trailed off, he grimaced at Joe. “Aw, damn it. We both owe Earcellwen five gold now. She bet us you’d think of it at the last minute. I guess this qualifies. I thought that was a sure bet.”
“Sorry,” Joe chuckled to his teammate, though he was secretly pleased RC had that kind of faith in him. “At least you’re getting far more from your share of the sea-lion.”
“Yeah. I still feel bad about that,” Tezeno apologized.
The moment Joe told the archon about the sale, Tez let out a huge whoop. Joe hadn’t even had a chance to broach the subject of using the money to buy Dorain’s cutter ship. The sentinel had been carrying a significant guild debt. The three grand could finally pay that off. A little later, when the guild trainer learned the questers needed the money, he tried to offer it, but Joe refused.
“Don’t be. I’m serious. I know how long you’ve been trying to pay that debt. I’m not taking the money you need. Yuk, Hah’roo, and I have most of it for Dorian. I’m sure we’ll figure out how to get the rest.”
“Thanks, but if you can’t, I want you to have it.”
“We’ll see. For now, don’t worry about it. ” Joe stated. He quickly switched topics, hoping to end that discussion. “I came by to say a few goodbyes before meeting with Margen this afternoon. Where is everyone?”
“Most of us can’t heal away hangovers the way you can. And my people rarely get drunk. Alcohol just doesn’t affect us like it does most races. So, it’s just me after the first annual Margen’s Day celebration. ” He shrugged and looked at the clock hanging behind Joe. A scowl crossed his features. “Speaking of which, when is your meeting?”
“Midday … or maybe First Bell?”
“Joe! First Bell was twenty minutes ago. You’re either really late, or you’re really, really late.”
“Aw crap! See ya!”
Joe wheeled about and almost crashed into Edror, who was walking in with his big hide bag packed tight with trophies. The elder monster hunter was so poison-proof that he was probably as alcohol resistant as Tez was. Joe ducked and dove around the man, bounding out of the guildhouse and turning westward across the city.
Fort Coral was shaped like a semi-circle with the bay to the north. The western third of the city was a pie-slice, separated from Midtown and Swift Water by the wide Arcramoot River. The affluent West Hills district was one of the areas of Fort Coral in which Joe had spent little time. It was filled with stately manors and supposedly incredible gardens. He and Kay had planned to stroll the scenic streets a couple of times, but the overwhelming heat squashed that idea.
Joe’s destination was not quite in the West Hills, just shy of it. There were only a few ways to cross the fifty-yard-wide Arcramoot, but the primary method was the uninspiringly named River Bridge. At each end of the solid stone span were the Twin Gatehouses, the offices of the City Watch. This is where Margen’s new office was. As the new Master of the Watch, he oversaw all the city’s military forces and defenses.
With [Hunter’s Pursuit], he crossed the distance to the Twins in record time. As he ran, Joe recalled that he was just really late, not really really. He was supposed to have been there at First Bell or, as his brain still translated, 1:00. Now that he was paying attention to his surroundings, the sensory enhancements from [Night Hunter] allowed him to slide through the crowds at a fast clip and jostled not one single person. However, he did startle a few folks.
Launching himself up the white marble steps, he almost reached the open gateway, where men and women in various watch uniforms were coming and going. Just before the top of the steps, a tall elf in formal green armor slid directly into Joe’s path.
“Woah,” Joe huffed. “Excuse me. I’m trying to get …”
“I am well aware of what you are attempting, but as you lacked the discipline to do so when you were ordered to, you now have an appointment with the pillory instead. Turn around and follow me.”
“Uh. No,” Joe stated flatly.
The pale, fair-skinned man immediately flushed a furious red. As his hand moved to the long curved blade he wore, Joe could feel Maru’s presence loom against the back of his head, imploring him to let her stand at his side. Joe emoted a ‘wait’ command to the guardian spirit.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
While this idiot seemed to think he could toss orders and punishments around, it was possible he might actually have the right to do so. Joe doubted it, but it was better not to escalate things. He had made the mistake of not dismissing authoritarian bullies already in Illuminaria - which had not gone well for him. This time, Joe wanted to know what he was dealing with.
Yinmaris Naeqen: Elf (High Elf): Knight/Reeve 22
‘Another frigging knight,’ Joe swore to himself. ‘What is it with these guys?’
Out loud, he stated, “I think you have me confused with a guardsman, sir. I report to the Adventurer’s Guild. If Margen doesn’t want to see me, then fine. But try to toss me in the stocks, and we’re gonna have a problem.”
“I knew you would defy me. Your kind always does,” the knight snarled.
‘Again, with the straight to bigotry,’ Joe noted. Playing a hunch, he flipped his wrist over, and sure enough, the Mark of Death was glittering away under the fur covering his forearm. Usually, Joe could barely see the symbol unless he parted the hair, but when it was active, like it was now, sparkling golden motes of light flickered through the shag coating the sign.
‘Why?’ Joe mentally groaned, but there was no more time. The elf turned to the guards watching this hostile altercation.
“There will be no problem. You,” the reeve barked to a cluster of nearby watchmen. “Take this miscreant into custody!”
“For being late! Are you shitting me!” Joe yowled, backing away. He enhanced his legs to leap off the stairs if he needed to. As he did, he could feel the wildness seething inside, demanding to be set free and allowed to don the werewolf hide.
‘NO! Jeez! This is spiraling badly enough as is. We are not hurting the watch cause of this dick.’ Joe ordered all the spirits: the mark, the hounds, and the wildness to settle the f’ down. They all wanted to go on the offensive, which was not going to happen.
Thankful, Joe spotted a familiar face in the soldiers the knight had compelled to arrest him. Gurdun was a member of Rattler Squad, the team that Joe had fought alongside during Cauldrakon. They were also stationed on the waterfront, so Joe interacted with them all the time over the last few months.
Gurdun looked askance at the elf, pulling a hand along his cropped military beard. “Yeh, sure about that, sir. I know this guy. He’s good folk.”
“Don’t question me, trooper. Arrest him.” If the high elf was not so regal, Joe expected he would be spitting by now, considering the veins he could see bulging on the man’s neck, just below those long, tapered ears.
The dwarf turned back to Joe and shrugged his blocky shoulders. Meanwhile, four other members of the city guard were converging on where he stood.
“Sorry, man,” Gurdun grumbled. “I’m sure you can straighten this out with …”
“Close your mouth, soldier! Do not engage with that man.” The ‘that’ was dripping with scorn.
“Excuse me, Sir Naeqen,” a new voice chimed in from the top of the steps. “Why are you giving orders to one of my troopers?”
The captain of the Rattler Squad, Cricket Yzswari, was standing, hands on hips, staring down at the elf. Granted, only by an inch or two, even though she was several steps higher. Cricket was a river elf and stood about four foot nothing. Sir Naeqen was good six inches over Joe’s 5’10”. The height disparity did not appear to intimidate Cricket in the slightest.
“The Perence Order allows me to issue commands to any guardsman, Captain. You should know that.”
“In an emergency,” Cricket snorted. “This is clearly NOT an emergency. This man is well known to the city, so a flight risk is not applicable. Nor has he displayed any hostility, even after you provoked him.” The leader of the Rattle Squad descended the steps to stand amid everyone. “Gurdy, hold on. Joe, would you be willing to come with me to straighten this out?”
“Sure,” Joe began.
“There is nothing to straighten out,” the knight snapped. “This man was absent without leave for a significant time, keeping the high commander of the city watch waiting. I have decreed his punishment, and it will be carried out.”
“He is not a member of the guard, Yinmaris. He can’t be absent.”
“Watch your familiarity, Captain. I am the Adjunct Prime to Lord General himself.”
“Which gives you zero authority to command the troopers on watch,” the short elf countered with steel in her voice. “I have no idea what started this, but I’m ending it. Gurdy, take Joe to see the commander on duty. Penemen, would you ask your captain to inform Margen of this disagreement.” The guard she addressed nodded and trotted up into the Gatehouse.
“That leaves you and I, Adjunct, to work out what charges you can actually levy against the healer. Would you care to follow me to a conference hall?”
“You have made a huge mistake. That man is tainted and dangerous. Can you not sense the bale emanating from him? He consorts with chimeras.”
“Finn? This is about Finn?” Joe and the captain blurted almost perfectly in unison.
“That vile beast is just the tip of the tainted spear,” the noble elf began. As he opened his mouth to continue, Cricket interrupted him.
“Alright, enough,” the short captain snapped in a forceful military bark. “I don’t know what this is all about, but we are not going to make a further special on the front steps of the Gatehouse. Sir Naeqen, as an adjunct, you do not have the authority to issue orders to these troopers. Nor to impose punishments on citizens. Joe, from what I gather, you were supposed to meet with Margen but, you’re late and missed the meeting. I’m going to ask you to remain here with me for a minute. Gurdy, head to the squad house and inform the unit I’ll be a few minutes late.”
The dwarf thumped a fist to his chest in salute and trotted off with a few of the onlooking guards following him.
“Sir Naeqen,” she stated, speaking the name more like a question. “You are outside my chain of command, so you are free to do as you wish, but it will not include accosting this man any further.”
The knight leveled a disdainful gaze at them both and spun on his heel, marching away.
“What in Blu’s name did you do to him, Joe?” Cricket asked out of the corner of her mouth as they watched the haughty elf stomp away. Well, stomp for an elf, that is. It was a perfect gliding step that still managed to convey an infuriated outrage.
“I … I … I have NO idea. Yeah, I’m late, but when did that become a capital offense?”
“I’ve worked with Adjunct Naeqen for years. I have never seen him like that. You must have done something.”
“I promise, Captain. I really didn’t.”
“All right. I don’t even know where to start with this. Keep your head down tonight, and find me tomorrow. I’ll let you know if there is anything genuinely to worry about. Maybe the Adjunct celebrated too heavily yesterday, and you struck a nerve.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep Finn on the Haven, too. Just to be safe.”
“Good idea,” she agreed. Thumping Joe on the shoulder, the squad captain turned and headed inside while Joe jogged back through town.
As he loped down to the wharves, he considered the Mark and what it was doing. It didn’t make sense. For some reason, Joe seemed to spark outrage in certain nobles. But not all of them. He and Count Randeau had gotten along quite well with each other.
It seemed to be knights, in particular, that lost their shit with Joe. Sir Groven detested him at first sight. Azbekt was barely able to stop himself from beating Joe to death. Even Sir Corra was way more cantankerous with him than he was with the rest of the guilders. And now this guy.
But it couldn’t just be the Mark of Death. He didn’t have it yet when Grover broke his neck in Crowfield. Yet the Thirteenth Sign had been active when Sir Naeqen was flipping out.
There had to be a connection. And it was one Joe needed to figure out. For example, if it was another occupation, say hat-makers, Joe could have gotten through life without a hat. Knights, on the other hand, tended to be trained warriors who commanded armies and held positions of authority. These were not the sort of people Joe wanted to automatically have as enemies.
“Things were going so well,” he sighed as he stepped onto the Haven’s deck. A large thumping tail indicated that at least someone was pleased to see him. Joe let himself fall into Finn’s side, soaking himself in a wet hug. “Good thing we are getting out of town, Big Guy. We can let that mess sort itself out while we go sailing.”
Finn warbled a response and then batted his head into Joe, staring at his waist.
“Oh, fine. So it’s not me you’ve been waiting for, is it?”
Joe released the pack. Ranu, Bayu, and Finn immediately tore off into the salty waters of Fort Coral Bay, chasing each other through the ocean.
Maru planted herself at Joe’s side, glaring up the hill to where the Twin Gatehouses stood. A deep, rumbling growl emanated from her.
“Hey, sweetie, Don’t sweat it,” Joe consoled the guardian, lightly running a hand over her back. “A couple days, and we’ll be out of here.”
Maru was not so easily dissuaded. Long after the goofballs returned from play, long after Joe, Yuk, and Tez had eaten dinner, even after the shipmates had gone to bed, she had not moved, tirelessly watching the shore and guarding them throughout the night.