Chapter Fifteen

The guest list for Ma Bell’s table had no surprises in that outside of Prince Adric she didn’t know any of them. No former teammates from Old Bones, no frequent guests from Coodly Manor who knew her better as a maid, no errant princesses with their meddling Handmaidens. That wasn’t to say Harmony wasn’t informed. Sir Maxwell had been thorough in this dossier of tightly written words, and [Recall] would let her use that information to the best of her abilities. The food however was the most delicious trap because after the day Harmony had in Nae's Garden, she was starving.

“Pass me the steamed greens,” Harmony asked of Captain Ellis. The guard captain was a social investigator for the commander of the city guard. It was a cushy position where they kept an eye on new powerful people visiting the capital. It was almost an honor, but the lady maid knew she had nothing to hide. Get in, evolve, get out, and then head back to Hazeldown for Hemlock’s madness. No ulterior motives to investigate at all.

“Of course, Lady White. As I was saying, the guard is at your service. If you ever feel any security concerns simply ask and we'll have men to assist you.”

With one hand she waved that concern away as the plate of food was moved closer to her, Bates carrying it the rest of the distance. The idea that she needed bodyguards was ridiculous. They’d probably be spies. Not that there was anything to hide. They couldn’t protect her from the reporters who sometimes hound her. Ambrosia got more mail from overzealous fans and had to hire bouncers for some events. Becoming a lady had made her popular, at least in Hazeldown, but here she was nobody special. It wasn’t like anyone had any reason to harm her.

The citrus-infused greens hit the exact spot she needed A pleasure that distracted from her inner turmoil as she let Ma Bell’s skill increase that pleasure even further.

“It’s okay my dear captain. The Grave Society will keep an eye out for her. She is our sister from Hazeldown. Her peerage means so much to us. A visit would mean even more.”

Necrowitch Peartree smelled like decomposing vegetables to the maid’s sense of death. Not enough to ruin the meal, but enough to make Harmony wince whenever she picked up on it. The evolved necromancer ran a social organization of them here. Necromancer wasn’t a popular class to pick due to its stigma. But unlike in Hazeldown, it was a common class to be given a choice here, enough that they had numbers and a support network. Certain skills like [Rot] allowed you to excel in the dungeon at low levels. Even undead wooze played as pets in the street.

As the first other necromancer she’d met, Harmony felt hesitant about accepting her inclusion. No one had gone to Hazeldown to recruit her for such a group. And she wasn’t planning on staying.

“I’m so busy Madam Peartree. As much as your invitation honors me. I’m not sure I’ll have time.” Hemlock’s announcement couldn’t come sooner. Then they’d at least all know why she has to dedicate time to evolving. That way she didn't need to talk about the potential terminal nature of her current situation to have it make sense.

“It will really be no time at all." Peartree insisted.

Okay, this lack of surprises was annoying because these strangers all wanted something from her. Rotting ashes, signing up for this every evening. She let a slight glare leak out as she looked toward Ambrosia, the one who’d actually signed her up for this. “I’ll talk to my personal maid about my schedule and see what I can fit in.” It was the response she’d seen many times serving as a maid, where the answer ended up whatever the request was, it was never going to end up in the schedule.

Harmony speared a piece of steak determined to enjoy the one good thing about these dinners. The spiced meat was warm and savory in a way that chipped away at her hunger simply by having it in her mouth. If she ever had the funds, she would hire a personal chef when she got back to Hazeldown.

“How was your first trip to our fair dungeon?” Blythe was another merchant. Ma Bell liked inviting them to her table as she got discounts on goods for the inn. His eyes mostly stayed on Ambrosia. Apparently, he’s a fan and caught one of her shows on a run to pick up coal from Hazeldown. As her favorite muse, it’s not like he didn’t know Harmony, but his focus was on the Songstress, leading to polite conversation which allowed him to look in Ambrosia's direction.

“I was having a time of it until I got to the broodmother. The wooze were not a fan of cold. A little frost and they keel over.”

“Wooze are quite resistant to cold. In fact, most elemental effects don’t do much to them.” Aaron, the final member of Ma Bell’s party, corrected. An adventure making his own journey up Nae’s Garden. Aaron's family held some sway in the guild. Another place Harmony wasn’t interested in getting too involved with. The attention of one guild master had caused enough problems.

“But once you remove the hair, not a problem.”

“Oh, you must chill my wine. I didn’t know necromancers had such a skill.” Blythe asked, extending his wine across the table to me.

“It’s not a popular path,” Madam Peartree clarified.

Harmony didn’t pick it to be popular. [Rot] against an undead dungeon was nearly useless, let alone trying to raise already controlled dead being impossible. It had been the best option she had. The ability to cool drinks was an invaluable skill for a maid. Doesn’t matter if other classes had more powerful ice-based skills. [Cold Touch] was hers.

Harmony reached out and let her skill push into Blythe’s drink. Stilling it until it was cold enough for air to mist off the nearly frozen wine.

Snap. Crackle. Pop. The overstuffed dam of her class shifted. Necromancer Leveled up. The choice was upon her. Killing the brood mother didn't do it, the final straw was a drink. Not an ideal location, as she itched to make her choice, ever since she’d gotten authority the pressure to do so when she leveled was always greater.

Choose your class’s fifth skill: Raise dead - Rot - Final Silence.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Blythe sipped the wine, “Oh, that's refreshing.”

[Raise Dead] again. Harmony wanted it even less now. The poor undead prince was enough of a handful even if the skill only made obedient mindless puppets and not whatever he was. And [Rot], Peartree’s moldy scent didn’t make that appealing even if it was supposed to be excellent for this dungeon. [Final Silence], well every class could get a [Silence] choice as a way to interrupt skills and abilities. It wasn’t common and they had different strengths and weaknesses. [Silent Strike] which more melee classes could get required you to hit a target but lasted longer than a wizard's [Cone of Silence]

“You should see how good she’s at styling hair and skin,” Adric added.

“Beauty treatments and makeovers, bah. I’d rather hear more details about how the Lady handled her first trip to the dungeon You solod the floor until you got to the brood mother?” The adventurer pressed.

“My familiar was with me. I wouldn’t call that solo as he always has my back.”

Aaron frowned. “Your class is only level fifteen. I know evolved do it, but they have special training.”

Harmony doubted there was anything actually special about the training. They just expected to go in alone and were willing to take more risks.

“A necromancer with the right skills has always done well in Nae’s Garden.” Peatree picks up a chicken leg. “It only takes one small cut and…” The meat rotted in her hand, releasing a foul stench. She caught the remains with a plate and as quickly as she did it a servant whisked it away.

Peartree seemed unaffected but everyone else gagged from the smell.

“That is not appropriate table manners, madam. You asked for this seat.” Ma Bell chastised her. Harmony could feel that she’d dropped the calming effect of her innkeeper skill, perhaps forced to by the stench.

“Your humble forgiveness, my gracious host. It was me being over-eager to show how necromancers need not be looked down on. It’s been forever since we’ve had a lord or lady among our ranks.”

Whatever social skill the Necrowitch had it projected utmost sincerity. So much so that Harmony doubted if there was any actual sincerity.

“Fine, but don’t let it happen again. This is a table for eating, not showing off.”

Aaron, nose still pinched, snipped his wine to get the taste from Peatree’s skill out of his mouth. “I’m not saying The Grave Society hasn’t supported runs well. I was mostly curious about the lady’s run because of her unusual choice of skills, a lifetime guild member with so few combat abilities.”

Her skills? Did everyone know them? “My skills have been acceptable. We managed to defeat the brood mother, though not without some difficulty.”

“I highly doubt.” Aaron continued

“Probably got lucky and hit a small one,” Blythe added in an attempt to help.

Silence might be good to make everyone at the table shut up. This questioning of Harmony's combat ability started grating on her nerves. It’s not like she hadn’t trained as much as she could. But it did leave one question. “They come in different sizes?”

“Oh, yeah. The longer a path is left undefeated the bigger they can get. Sometimes the guild will leave one alone to farm its extra long hair, and once they hit the height of the forest trees they can get difficult even for most teams. That’s why it’s common for groups to take the second-oldest path. No one wants to end their run up through the other floors because they had the bad luck to get one of the big ones and need to turn back.” Blythe chatted happily.

“Adric, dear, why didn’t you tell me this?” Harmony made sure to poke him through their bond.

“The plan wasn’t for you to complete the floor. You agreed to leave if it looked like there was something you couldn’t handle.” Adric answered sheepishly.

“Good thing she was lucky.” Blythe chipped in.

Aaron’s slight nod seemed to agree with that statement.

It took effort and [Poise and Bearing] to bite her tongue to keep from defending her honor. Part of her wanted to be acknowledged and praised, but it’s not like she wanted this crowd of strangers digging into her and questioning how she did what she did. Always better to be underestimated, both the lady and maid in her agreed on that.

That little verbal clash brought the perfect distraction as all the food dishes and drinks were subbed out by fresh ones, finally clearing any lingering smell or taste. The kind of expert service Harmony respected.

Dinner continued, though slightly soured.

Ma Bell restarted the conversation by encouraging Captain Ellis's and Aaron's shared passion for Naewauld’s pet battle league.

“I wish Earthshaker Atlas could beat the Fire Brigade, but he’s not making it out of that match. It’s like that pet was designed specifically to beat him.” Aaron complained.

“I wouldn’t put it past some of the gyms to arrange for exactly that.” Captain Ellis responded.

“Boys and their sports.” Madam Peartree prodded Harmony, picking up on some disinterest.

It was more that Harmony didn’t want to be reminded of her failed plan to raise Bowe and participate in that life. “It allows them a distraction from work. No matter their class or profession they can bond over pets fighting it out.”

“And what is your distraction from work?” The evolved necromancer asked.

Nothing. Harmony couldn’t say that, as much as it felt that way with all the pressure on her and Hyacinth. Maybe after all this trouble passes. “I perform with my friend's band, as a dancer to be supportive. I’m sure you’ve heard about that. It’s a new thing, usually, I’m happiest with a good book. Skill theory more than fiction.”

“The dancing shocked me at first. And the songs. But it seems to have done more to rehabilitate the perception of our class than most of the attempts we’ve made. That’s one reason why it would be important for you to visit your fellow practitioners. Instill some hope in them.”

The fact that Appletree was trying to press some social skill onto her was obvious, as subtle as it might be the woman’s class bled into it and all harmony could feel was assaulted by a decomposing spiritual sense. It was death, so it’s not like it was the most repulsive thing in the world to that part of her. But it did remind her of all the dirty jobs she’d cleaned up, particularly Lord Tyler’s room after he’d wallowed in it for a few days without support. The woman probably couldn’t help it any more than Harmony could when the chill leaked out.

“If I have time. Then I’ll consider it.”

“The Grave Society has a necromancer’s guide to conquering Nae’s Garden. Let me send it to you tonight as a sign of good faith.”

Books on necromancy in Hazeldown had been scarce. Plenty on how to defeat the undead monsters of the dungeon, but the town had so few necromancers that books on skills and leveling were, well, Harmony had never run across one. She’d even been tempted to trade favors with Tyler to get one before spotting the Raise Undead Pet scroll. “I’d appreciate that. “ The choice to pick her fifth class skill pressed into her. Maybe it was time to make that choice while well-informed?