Chapter Forty-Two

Rather than concede any ground on protection, there were now twelve guards covering the large suite where they were detaining Prince Adric. It was less friendly cooperation and more competitive over-protecting. Harmony sighed. As if there wasn’t a safer place to be right now. Adric was alone in his room, depressingly alone. He looked almost lifeless when she caught sight of him, and she'd never seen him look that way. How could so much change in two days?

He immediately perked up when he saw her and bounded over. Rather than a spin it was a gentle hug, “Harm, I’ve missed you. How's Nae's Garden? You going in alone always has me worried.”

“I’m not the one looking wrung out. What have they done to you since I’ve seen you last?”

“They weren’t happy about that little escape act I pulled to see you at the ballroom. They've increased their diligence in figuring out whatever I am. With the charter counselor arriving soon, they didn’t want to look like they were slacking their duties around making sure no royal undead existed. Outside of the nasty concoctions they’ve been having me drink, I think the only meal I’ve had is a plate of garlic. To think I figured that was an old wives tale about vampires.”

The lack of meals was worrying. But whatever mystery mixtures they're giving him must be causing Adric’s newly pallid look. What will they do next, light him on fire to see if he doesn't burn?

“Even if temporary, that treatment sounds abhorrent.” The glare she delivered to the palace guards, the only staff on hand, returned a few embarrassed looks. “if this doesn't this doesn't end soon. I may need to take legal action.” No reason to point out that legal action would involve pet law. “Hopefully we'll get this resolved soon. Still, you need proper food.” Ambrosia produced a bag of nuts and seeds and slid it into Harmony’s hand. Birdfood? That will have to do. “Eat some of this.“

Adric happily chewed on nuts while Harmony stroked his hair. Color was already starting to return to him. How bad would he look if he stayed two more days or even a week? Maybe this resolution could be today? The idea of confronting the queen sent a ripple of fear through her. Adric might not know why, but he looked down at her with questioning puppy-dog eyes. “Harm?”

“Things are just a little compli…”

Adric lifted her up with such urgent surprise that chronostasis kicked in. Not a gentle lift as he slung her to the side. Only the quickest bodyguards had hands on their hilts, their eyes on Adric. The prince wasn’t moving to hurt her though.

Existence was being ripped. Like someone was cutting the threads that held reality together. A line of pure white sparks lined up in the air and pulled at distorting the view around it. Directionally through that gap, a hint of the queen’s offered recognition leaked.

Odd. One would think you would hear stories if the queen ever made an entrance this way. The leg that stepped through first was definitely not feminine. Red leather dragonhide pants over black boots. The arm wearing a matching red jacket stuck through, followed by the head of a weirdly grinning man with short-cut gray hair and wild eyes. The stranger pulled the rest of himself through, revealing a finely tailored black dress shirt under that red jacket. Chronostasis was still active, such was the speed of the man’s entrance.

The bodyguards weren’t inactive. A full half of them now had their hands on their weapons. It was good to see four of them were her loaners and not the palace guard. That was all she got before her awareness sped up and everything was a blur as Prince Adric hauled her away.

“Now this is a reception!” The man barked as the hole he stepped through closed. Seven of the bodyguards launched at the man, weapons drawn. Skills and magic flickered by those handling support as well.

The stranger in red didn’t move, so much as twist their hips, and manage to deflect and dodge every attack. They all converged and came away with nothing. “Ashes,” Harmony muttered.

Worse, the attackers hit the floor with none of the grace you’d expect from them. Silence?

Stolen novel; please report.

Adric nearly had her to the exit. He was faster than her. [Stride] could be a backup if this failed.

“No.” Rather than hit the opening out of the room the Necromancer and Pet hit an invisible wall. “You don’t.” The man in red finished.

[Stride Before the Fall] Harmony found herself split, but both stuck in the same room unable to escape that way. “Delve me.” The pair echoed.

That caused the man to blink even as he sidestepped more attacks that he appeared blind to, as his eyes never left the Harmonies. “Fascinating.”

Four bodyguards were down. Not dead, but not moving. Can’t leave. Can’t hide. Only one option. Adric was already charging back at the intruder before Harmony finished committing. The boy was a bonded rider, without his mount, which had to cost him the utility of his skills. The lady’s pet prince couldn’t have changed his skills in any way that would be useful here? Harmonies growled after him, both kicking off, trailing in the prince’s wake.

She activated [Keen Investigative Awareness] to find a weakness. Eight bodyguards were down now, dispatched with such ease that she still hadn’t seen enough to trigger any hints on how to take this man down. Just a stupidly powerful man playing with those weaker than him in a manner unbecoming of someone so much stronger. It’s not like she could do much to him as it was.

One Harmony sent a burst of [Mana Rotation] charged [Final Silence]. The man winced for half a second. In that space, he looked, not normal, but not superpowered. No one was there in any coordinated effort to take advantage of that slip, but it wasn’t like she knew it would only last half a freaking second.

Strided, she did have the ability to do that again, but no chance to coordinate it with others. It also limited her options.

Prince Adric arrived weaponless, but it wasn't a physical attack. “In my Lady’s name stand down!” Authority and skill reverberated in his voice. A command skill?

Not enough time. Harmony’s kick was focused on an overpowered soul strike charged through her leg, making use of [High Kick] to her fullest. Doubtful even that would do anything lasting damage but if she could disrupt one of his powerful skills then there was hope.

Adric’s command lingered in the stranger in red’s eyes. Maybe that would be enough. The kick didn't land. Harmony didn’t land. She hung in mid-air a palms distance from landing her strike. Not floating, but frozen in space. Peripheral vision caught that everything was also locked in place in the room, for she couldn't even move her eyes, but did have an extra set she could use.

Hyacinth Stood in front of Ambrosia at the corner. The bodyguards were a mess of sprawled-out and beaten Bodies all over the room. At least she could think. This newcomer had complete control of the room. At least now There was a hint of sweat on his brow.

“Cute, and you... “ He said, addressing Prince Adric, “are lucky this is in the best interests of your lady. I haven't been commanded like that since college.”

The pressure of choosing for [Stride] was rising. Maybe if she wrapped him up in that fancy dragon leather with [Manipulate Dead]. The skill reached out through the modified space. The resistance was akin to when she first tried to use the skill at level one against the undead under Old Bones's influence. No ripping or tearing even moving it a strong wind might be able to do better.

“And you…” The man's attention turned to the Harmonies, first, the one held back and then the one mid-kick. “Such a surprisingly dangerous child.”

Child! [Awareness] flickered and Harmony shoved its distraction away. What ways were there to rip that smug look off his face? A haircut probably wouldn't be able to touch a hair on his head with any skill. Synergy swirled as non-combat tactics were explored. So cocky and prideful. Connections to [Beautician] and [Manipulate Dead] paired up between the two of her. With that, she decided that if one of her was going to die, what did control matter?

The doomed Harmony’s contribution tapped into her instability. When skills broke down they were often more explosive. To reach this arrogant-ass-in-red she sacrificed.

“Hey!” he barked as one Harmony died under his control. His mask slipped in annoyance.

The explosion she set off hit his red jacket and pants. A color explosion. Jagged streaks of silver, blue, green, and purple. Twisted and rippled through the outfit. You don't dress so pretentiously without caring about your looks. It was probably the only way she could hurt him. Futile, pointless, yet totally satisfying.

Now he really lost his cool. Whatever force held Them in place slammed everyone to the ground with a tower shaking thud.

“Gnome infested dungheap! Do you know how expensive that – of course, you don't? Fine, I should have introduced myself. I’m Maekus Von Trell, peak climber, domain holder, master of the five apes, charter counselor, and more importantly the judge and jury of this little problem!”

In retrospect, the charter counselor showing up in the middle of Prince Adric’s suite, powerful and arrogant, should have been an obvious guess after he didn't kill anyone when he had the power to. That had been the gut warning she ignored. So much for making good first impressions.