Chapter Fifty-Seven

No one complained when Harmony skipped practicing [Shadowed Graves]. This time, it wasn’t a matter of control, it was a matter of presentation. Time in the Nae’s Garden had worked out much of the kinks in how to influence it to apply the desired effects. The question was when and where to introduce it. There were still rules to follow for field area effects.

Guild mistress Thorne moved behind the desk at the small office at the training grounds reserved for private meetings. “Are you here to ask for advice on defeating the bastard on the fourth floor?”

Harmony hadn’t told anyone what she did to that guardian yet. Thorne, unsurprisingly, was at least keeping track of her progress and that she’d made it that far. After defeating it she descended rather than go to the fifth floor. “No. I have a presentation with the Grave Society and wish to demonstrate my field-type skill there. Per our agreement, I’m to check with you.”

“I can send runners to notify the neighborhoods affected, but are you sure that’s a good idea?” Thorne asked.

“I feel like I’ve got the negative aspects of the skill under control. The skill is very striking when my goal is to make a statement. If anyone can respect the skill, I’m hoping it will be my fellow necromancers.”

“If you feel that is best. I try to stay out of local politics. Correction, I'm actually required to stay out of local politics, but many members choose to use that organization's services. If this goes bad I’ll have to distance myself.”

Thorne, at least, wasn't like Hemlock. The bodyguards, supplies, and then agreeing to take legal responsibilities for any issues with [Shadowed Graves] practice. “I understand.”

“Good. Now that I have you here, Tyler and Len have informed me that you’d be joining us for the Deadwoods excursion?”

“Yes, I’ve never been. They feel my presence will be valuable for them.“

“With various spirit bonding scrolls being prizes from defeating Old Bones, we have enough to cover all the required slots. The trick is finding the right ones. You’ve had a tremendous amount of luck, and it would be good if we could get some to rub off on those poor sods who the dungeon picked to go with you.”

[Poise and Bearing] triggered to stop a wince at the mention of luck. It implied she lacked agency, lacked skill. Luck was being born wealthy. Favorable things may have happened, but she'd fought to get those opportunities, to get that attention.

“I’m happy to be of assistance. I hope you’ll support me through any complications I have in my endeavor to participate in the Ascendant Games.”

“Absolutely. That is why I am here. What strengthens the dungeons strengthens the guild. I’m not one of those who use it solely for their personal gain.” Thorne responded forcefully, clearly thinking of Hemlock.

“Then I’d like a few more guards. I’m concerned someone might use my relationships against me. Adric, Ambrosia, Bates, Hyacinth, and Bowe could all use eyes on them.” Too much has happened to ignore her weak points [Keen Investigative Awareness] always hit her gut when she used it to focus on herself.

“Bowe?” Thorne asked.

“Prince Adric’s pet coatl. Since they can’t join us in the dungeon he’ll need long-term care and security while we are in the games anyway.”

“Of course, Lady White.”

All there was left was to hash out some details before her speech.

The Grave Society headquarters stood out in Naewauld, bare earth, stone, a building, and a walkway free of vines, moss, and weeds. A show of power over the rampaging overgrown environment and the benefits and power of necromancy in this city, at least necromancy with [Rot]. It reminded Harmony a bit too much of Hazeldown. Would it kill them to have a few isolated flowers for a tasteful bit of color?

As she crossed the threshold with her crew, there was only a faint hint of decaying matter in the air. Someone probably scoured the grounds of plants hourly. Four bodyguards, Hyacinth, and Ambrosia because she wouldn’t miss this for the world, matched her pace. Harmony chose a tasteful, yet simple blue dress to address the group, with a simple metal bracelet to satisfy [Small Armor]. Night would stay in reserve. With a tailor on the staff, she found herself more willing to risk simple dresses that Steven made.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Madam Peartree waited at the large bone-white society house entrance. Three stories tall, large enough to house several hundred, which it often did. The Grave Society welcomed all who chose necromancer as a class. But it wasn’t a charity. They charged for room, board, lessons, and access to their hiring network for dungeon jobs and other requests. Worse was that they charged interest on any accrued debts. That was because they avoided having employment contracts like Harmony had with the manor.

You could have a very successful career there. If you were at the very top. Maxwell had all the dirt. His profession change had improved his information-gathering skills. The Grave Society has been around for a long time and has gathered the usual set of problems. Established families, corruption, and bureaucracy. Three families essentially ruled the place, controlling access to jobs and positions, the Peartrees, Spindarts, and Warmwoods.

It was only a broad picture that was painted, of cliques and competition among the men and women who joined the society at a young age and lived in the dorms. Some were dropped off by disappointed families, and others had been entranced by the wealth shown by the big earners who took most of the dungeon jobs.

The staff at Coodly Manor had made her prove herself, but ultimately she was one of a select few, all under the watchful and impartial eye of Bates. If she had gone here, Harmony shuddered at what the potential outcomes could have been. Her visit here was a feather in the cap of the current head.

“Lady White, a pleasure you could join us for a visit. Let me take you on a tour before you meet our members.” Madam Peartree greeted.

“I’ll be delighted to see what you have to offer. I’m hoping this exchange of knowledge and experience will be helpful for everyone. With one more choice and my evolution approaching, I’m sure we all want me to go forth and do well in the Ascendant Games as a representative for our class.”

There was no promise for more than that. The Grave Society was both respected and disliked in Naewauld. Success would inspire more youths to choose the necromancer class, which would increase the Society’s membership. The House of Records kept statistics and there had already been a slight uptick since Harmony became a Lady.

Bates had used that bit of statistics in the behind-the-scenes bargaining for this visit. While Harmony agreed at the training grounds, her staff had set up guaranteed exchanges to show this was more than just a social visit. A small speaking fee, private records on evolution, and skill options in exchange for a tour, a speech, with a demonstration as well as a promise not to say anything negative about the Society if asked by any reporter.

This being a business transaction felt better than begging for information. Playing hard to get had apparently helped in negotiations. When it came time she’d make sure they’d get their money’s worth.

Peartree led the way. Smile and nod while she talks about all the heads of the Grave Society who helped make their services a fixture for Naewauld. As for famous students and members? There was an absence of them. They produced at best high-paying servants, a cushy life for the few that achieved that status.

“We have two classrooms. One for new to their choice and another for those wishing to enter service helping climbers.”

A dozen students, all looking depressingly young, sat at twenty desks as an instructor wrote notes on a chalkboard. Skills are like muscles. Repetition and activation are key for their growth. Combining skills can lead to unpredictable and dangerous effects. It is best to have those muscles strong before attempting only well-researched and understood skill-combining techniques.

“Thibodeux?” Harmony asked, keeping any disdain out of her voice with [Poise and Bearing], as she recognized her rival.

“Yes! We find that a firm foundation in best practices works to build our members up for success.”

“I admit I must've read Thibodeux on Skills a dozen times. It has influenced my progression in a way no other has, and I’m looking forward to demonstrating some when I present.”

“It’s Lady White!” Gasped a student. Their little chat outside of the classroom door had not gone unnoticed.

The instructor barked, “Students!” at the scooting chairs and turning heads

This was one lesson Harmony didn’t care if she interrupted.

`“It’s okay, Threnody. This way they are guaranteed not to skip this afternoon's assembly. Lady White will be speaking and demonstrating in an exchange of knowledge.”

[Keen Investigative Awareness] flared in conjunction with a few social skills as the underlying tone and subtle inflection in Peartree's response. They didn't seriously believe that Harmony would be contributing to their knowledge. It made sense with them being an institution with hundreds of years of experience and her being an unevolved youth only here due to celebrity. Not shocking but it still stung.

The Grave Society headquarters were nice. They didn’t match up to the opulence of the Dragonfly Inn, but it was easy to see why you might choose them even at the cost when they advertised potential success stories. It didn’t help that the lack of greenery made the place feel extra spartan, but that was a difference in growing up in Hazeldown as opposed to Naewauld.

“They’re waiting for you at the training grounds. Are you ready?” Peartree asked.

Harmony’s eager smile was completely genuine. Maybe Hyacinth was rubbing off on her. The way he took joy in challenging things both bigger and smaller than him.

“Absolutely.”