Chapter Fifty-Nine

“You Should have seen their faces!” Ambrosia cackled.

“I did,” Harmony answered.

“They all broke up into excited conversations. Even Madam Peartree couldn’t calm them down. I dare say that woman is pretty cross with you.”

That was part of the plan. A presentation that would end Peartree’s interest in getting Harmony to join the society. The society head got the appearance and quote she could leverage. And in that exchange, Harmony would send a message that she would be too much trouble to pursue.

“We both got what we wanted. It just wasn’t exactly as she expected it to be.”

“And what you did with that fear. You have to do that at the next concert! Much better than wanting to run away when you used it before.”

“We’ll see if I have time for that, but at least people won’t complain when I practice at the guild training grounds now.”

“Maybe I should schedule some concerts to coincide with your practice near the area. I know a few venues the skill extends over.” Ambrosia mused.

Always looking for an edge as the Songstress, not that Harmony could blame her friend, it was a hard arena to compete in against classes and professions that used music. “And you’ll turn the whole episode into a song. Do you think the information I got was worth it?” Ambrosia had accepted payment before she gave that little display. Harmony hadn't the time to look at it yet. Helping Hyacinth drag out that severed guardian's head was a lot of work.

“One thing about the Grave Society is their records are impeccable. I think they have a few with bookkeepers as a profession. They have a comprehensive list of every evolution option reported and choices their members made as well as what the results were of their choice. They include a list of adjectives, prefixes, and suffixes and how they have modified results. Similarly, they have a book with all the skill options offered sorted alphabetically with rarities and listed by effect. Knowing you, you’ll take some of it with a grain of salt as you should. It will still be invaluable.”

Harmony let a long sigh of relief out. “I needed that.” And now she had a missing piece to the rest of her progress.

“I already looked up [Shadowed Graves]. It’s not in there, but all grave-related skills are at least high-rare and have a greater than fifty percent chance of being a field skill. Shadowed has a variety of secondary effects, ninety percent chance of having something to do with actual shadows. Even if you had a thing against field skills, I know you’d probably have gambled on it.”

“Bloody right.”

A knock interrupted their girl talk. They should have time before Max came by with his notes on tonight's dinner guests, at least this would be the earliest he's chosen to show up.

Stolen story; please report.

With a huff, Ambrosia adjusted her uniform and put herself in servant mode as she moved to the door.

Harmony flicked on [Poise and Bearing] to more easily ready herself.

“Sir, I mean, Agent Maxwell, what an early surprise.”

Oh, Ambrosia wasn't happy about this interruption. No, it was more than that, anger for what happened backstage at her concert. Is this something to deal with? If Max was a servant this would be Bates' job. Now Max was something different. Maybe Adric would know?

“You know why I'm here, and no saying it would be best for Harm if I give her space. My oath will no longer trigger off of lies and insinuations.” Max responded loud enough to be heard by all.

“Send him in,” Harmony said after a sigh.

Her agent of change, no longer a knight and now whatever singularly sworn was, stood in front of her more timid than she’d ever seen the big man. In the brief interactions since his evolution where he dropped off his meticulous notes for dinner or on the Grave Society, it was clear he felt like deserved punishment for his act. Maybe he did.

“Ambrosia, I want you to test Maxwell's oath as hard as you can. I can’t have anyone swaying him so easily that mentioning my name will make him jump into a fire. Max, this is for your own good. Master yourself.” Harmony didn’t mean that as an order but she could feel the man’s oath flare up at that last statement. His spine straightened and the pink that was now a permanent part of him crackled with energy.

He breathed easier now like that added command helped him. “That is why I’m here, my lady. I don’t wish to make that mistake again. My oath turned into a bond, a summon bond that I can use to summon some of your power. My concern is how it will affect you when I use it. It also requires me to be in danger before I can access it. I’d like to try it out with you on hand and supported in case something goes wrong. I came to ask if you had any idea of what will happen when I use it?”

A requirement. Some skills had those. Only able to be used in special situations. With such restrictions often came overpowered abilities. Strength increased based on the damage a person had taken. Speed when you need it. Escape on the verge of death. That it was her power, was a tad frightening after the collapse after Ambrosia’s concert. Would Max gain necromancer skills?

“I don’t know. But I appreciate you doing the responsible act of asking.” As much as part of her flinched at trying it out, she needed to know too. “After dinner tonight, arrange for a private room at the Inn and we’ll test it out. We’ll see what this unknown skill of yours is together. But since you are here, you can inform me about tonight’s guests.”

Max looked relieved at the offer to put him in danger, and the change in topic. After the excitement of her presentation, it was a tad annoying to put off a long-deserved soak she had planned. Better to know sooner rather than later.

Max switched modes and started talking about Ma Bell’s current line-up. The solidification of who this region was having in the Ascendant Games meant the eager adventurers trying to get a seat had died down, but not the interest of some factions to join the table for conversation and to get to know the new fascinating lady in town. The temples had a representative, and they were still looking to smooth things over after their involvement in her first near-death experience. Two merchants who were excited about the expanded importance of Hazeldown. One of Coodly’s garden party guests, a spy for the old matriarch and sure to inquire about Harmony’s relationship status. A manageable nest of annoyances. Harmony knew her mind would be less engaged with the new session to test Max now on the docket. Still, any information will make dinner easier.

Two slices of cake will be needed tonight when dessert hits the table.