Chapter 29 - The Invitation - Markus

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Scratching absently at his stomach, Markus yawned and stepped back to appreciate his latest creation. Almost identical to Hector in every respect, the newly animated golem was only cosmetically somewhat female in appearance. It had slimmer arms, a slightly protruding chest, a thin waist and widened hips.

Honestly, Markus wasn’t really sure what Aela had expected when demanding equal gender representation amongst his golems. He reckoned that proper selection of equipment to further accentuate the feminine form of the golem would be necessary to make sure there would be no further complaints.

“What is this golem’s name?” Aela asked curiously.

Markus hadn’t given much thought about it. Now that Peabody had finalized a contract with the Guild, Markus had figured it might be best not to grow too attached to the golems. Then again, Markus also wanted to keep a few of the first golems for his own personal protection as well, so he was back to square one.

A name came to mind, but Markus felt conflicted about it for reasons he didn’t understand. “Brida,” saying the name aloud gave Markus a headache and thinking about it further only seemed to make it worse. Dissatisfied, he pushed through the mounting discomfort to think of something else.

Aela had noticed something was wrong and was creeping closer with a look of unabashed concern, “What’s wrong? Are you alright?"

Markus shook his head, “That name...” Anger and resentment welled up unbidden from the darkest corners of his mind as the name was repeated over and over again.

“It’s okay, we can just call the golem something else,” Aela smiled reassuringly but her eyes were still filled with worry.

“I need some air,” Markus muttered, readily accepting Aela’s offered arm as she shepherded him out the front door and sat him down on the bench outside. The change in surroundings seemed to be all he needed to clear his head, the discomfort and headache evaporating in the cool evening air.

Aela still had her arm wrapped around Markus’s shoulders, her nervous squeezing making it clear she was worried about what had happened. “Are you feeling better?” Aela asked quietly, leaning in close to better assess his condition. Her amber eyes were wide and lips drawn tight in concern as she worried over him.

Touched by her concern, Markus couldn't help but return a small smile, “It was just a headache. I think I am okay now."

“Was it another memory?” Aela asked, now visibly relieved but obviously still curious.

Markus shook his head, “Maybe? It was just... Thinking about that name, it felt like I should have remembered something. But I didn’t... It's hard to explain,” he shook his head again, not knowing what he should do.

“Maybe she is someone you knew from before you lost your memories?” Aela offered helpfully.

“Maybe...” Markus agreed, “When I said the name aloud, I felt so...angry... Why would I choose such a name for a golem meant to protect myself and others?"

Aela was quiet for a short while before asking a question of her own, “Markus, did you feel the same when you named the other golems?"

It was a simple enough question, but one Markus honestly hadn't given much thought before now. Arlee had named the first golem before he had the opportunity to and the disembodied golem inhabiting his desk had named itself. Naming the merchant golem had seemed so obvious to him and was almost like he was petulantly getting back at someone. But as Markus considered his choice for Hector, he felt only regret and a distant sadness.

For each golem, their names had seemed to obviously fit their intended purpose. “I don't know for sure, but I think you are right. The names might belong to people I knew from before.” Markus let out a long drawn out sigh. The train of thought was emotionally draining and he wasn’t prepared to delve deeper into it at the moment to find more concrete answers.

Thankfully, Aela was in no hurry to pursue it further. Instead, she appeared somewhat lost in her own thoughts.

“Markus!” A familiar voice called out from a short way down the street.

Looking towards the source of the voice, Markus saw Phillipe waving excitedly as he made his way towards them at a brisk pace.

Now standing in front of them, Phillipe gave a small bow to serve as both a greeting and sign of respect. “Ah, it has been too long!” He chuckled cheerily.

Thankful for the distraction, Markus allowed himself to smile a little. “Are you just passing through?"

Phillipe shook his head and became a little nervous, “Actually, I wanted to ask you for a favour."

The smile on Markus’s face disappeared and was immediately replaced with suspicion. They had cleared a couple of dungeons together and had gotten along quite well, but to be propositioned for a favour out of the blue threatened to destroy the goodwill Phillipe had earned up until this point. “A favour?” Markus asked neutrally, willing to at least hear the man out before refusing him.

Far more socially astute than Markus, Phillipe readily recognized his precarious position and quickly pressed on, “It is really more of an opportunity,” he clarified. “I want to recruit you to my adventuring party to raid a specific dungeon."

Markus blinked, unsure of what he had heard, “You want my help with a dungeon?"

Phillipe nodded emphatically, “I believe with you on our side, we should be able to conquer the dungeon without any casualties!"

“Huh, casualties?” Markus asked, now fairly certain he wanted nothing to do with this mess.

Realizing he had made a mistake, Phillipe backpedalled somewhat to better explain himself. “An aberrant dungeon has been identified in the Jarldom of Skalisberg to the northwest."

Aela had been politely observing the conversation until now, but now she was intensely paying attention.

“Look, Markus, I am not going to lie to you. But I can't tell you everything unless we move somewhere more private.” He shrugged apologetically with a wry smile on his lips. “The rest of the party is waiting in a private room at the Guild. Will you at least come and hear us out?"

Markus hesitated. So far as he could tell, Phillipe was telling the truth and held no ill intent towards him. All the same, Markus hesitated.

Seeing he was losing his chance, Phillipe tactfully lessened the pressure, “It’s alright. I know this is a lot to spring on you out of the blue and you are probably busy. We have all taken private rooms at the Guild, so if you change your mind, just stop on by."

“Alright,” Markus agreed cagily.

Lips pursed, Phillipe nodded regretfully. “I hope I will see you later. Good day Markus,” he bowed again and then began walking back the way he had come from.

While Markus was trying to think about what he should do regarding Phillipe’s offer, his thoughts were interrupted before making any progress.

“Markus?” Aela asked, somewhat timidly.

Markus turned his head to show she had his attention but said nothing.

Aela briefly looked him in the eye then glanced downward, “Would you consider going to find out more about the dungeon?"

Surprised, Markus waited for Aela to explain herself.

A little flustered, Aela was having trouble meeting his eyes.

“Why is it that you think I should go?” Markus asked insistently. He couldn’t help but feel a little upset that Aela was encouraging him to seek out unnecessary danger.

Three minutes passed by in awkward silence before Aela replied, “Mother will be able to explain it better than I can." She stood up and anxiously motioned for him to follow her.

Still wanting answers, Markus was left with little choice but to follow her.

As they entered the attic, Aela recounted the brief meeting with Phillipe to Svala.

With a sombre yet stern expression, Svala shifted her attention from Aela to Markus. “I can’t blame you for not understanding why this is so important to us,” She sighed somewhat despondently before her face grew contorted in anger, “All it takes is one death. The loss of a single noble's life to justify the lingering hatred and resentment against my people. When well connected prominent heirs to powerful families die or go missing inside of a dungeon, it is unacceptable to assume that they were too weak or unskilled to survive. No, it is far easier to accept that malevolent forces conspired against them. To assume that the monsters living in the woods had a hand in it! Sycophants desiring favour would begin claiming witness to malevolent deeds to justify the mourning nobles' anger. Armies would be raised! Bounties set! Children murdered!” Svala was livid, her eyes flashing with hatred.

Markus was shocked at first, but as he continued to think about it, he had to admit he was not surprised. Humans barely tolerated the chimaera at the best of times, so was it so far fetched that a grieving or arrogant family would put the chimaera to the sword to save face or seek misplaced justice? No, it wasn’t.

“There is more,” Skadi pushed herself up into a sitting position, a difficult task given the alarming progression of her pregnancy. “Our clan resides in the neighbouring territory to the Jarldom of Skalisberg. If a cull is called...” Skadi didn't seem able to say it, but she also didn't have to.

“Your families will be the ones made to suffer...” Markus groaned, feeling quite ill at the thought of it.

Aela nodded, “Do you see how important this is now?” She asked apologetically.

Markus nodded and felt somewhat ashamed for his initial reluctance in agreeing to Phillipe’s request when Aela had asked him to earlier. Releasing a deep sigh, Markus dejectedly began making his way downstairs.

Since Peabody had begun generating a stable income on his behalf, Markus had hoped he wouldn't need to enter any dungeons higher than the tenth level. If it weren't for the debt Markus felt he owned Svala and her family, he wouldn't voluntarily enter dungeons at all. His initial plan had been to gain levels from running dungeons and semi-retire enchanting equipment for other adventurers.

Peabody’s artifice embodied Markus’s retirement plan and had taken it to the next level. Requiring no supervision or participation on his part, the artifice was generating sufficient funds for Markus to live a truly lavish lifestyle if he wanted to. Furthermore, Peabody had informed him of its plans to expand the service to other towns and cities throughout the southern continent. Even by Markus’s most pessimistic calculation, it would not be unrealistic to assume he would rapidly become wealthier than even the most ancient noble families, perhaps even the ruling royal family themselves.

So with such a bright and comfortable future secured for himself and his adopted family, the prospect of assaulting a dungeon Phillipe assumed would generate casualties, was psychologically draining.

Removing the tablet from his pocket, Markus connected to the Guild information network with his identification and began searching for the dungeon. It was not difficult to find and was being actively advertised through the network as a high priority for both immediate reinforcement and emergency culling. Reading the Guild notes attached to the dungeon made Markus’s blood run cold.

[-More than a dozen monsters confirmed to have bypassed containment... An alarming string of murders in nearby villages... Census has proven ineffective at routing the monsters... believed to be assuming identities of villagers...]

[[Dungeon: The Baron’s Manor [Aberrant] {??}. Adventurers: Asta Skadidottir. [Priest] {22} Status:[Unknown], Gudny Jodisdottir. [Warrior] {25} Status:[Unknown], Ljot Ragnhilddottir. [Warrior] {32} Status:[Unknown], Gerdi Hallveigdottir. [Warrior] {37} Status:[Unknown], Drifa Eilifdottr. [Mage] {46} Status:[Unknown]]

The aberrant dungeon had five women listed as status unknown, the assumption being that they were still alive and missing. As Markus continued reading what he had at first thought was a description of the dungeon, he felt his blood run cold as he realized it was a second list of adventurers' names. Only, this second list was much longer and each name was accompanied by Status:[Deceased]. Unable to bring himself to do a thorough count, Markus estimated at least forty names were marked down on the list and the highest level amongst them was fifty-two.

Trying to suppress his dread, Markus skimmed past the names of the dead and instead moved on to the associated notes and rewards. Just as shocked as he had been by the death toll exacted by the dungeon, Markus was initially unable to believe the rewards listed for destroying it.

The Guild had posted roughly ten thousand crowns and private parties, doubtless relatives and acquaintances of the dead and missing, had collectively posted more than triple that number. It was hard to get an exact number because of the currency conversion, but it was a monstrous sum indeed.

Slowly reading through the rewards found two rewards directly linked to the rescue of Drifa Eilifdott, the forty-sixth level Mage listed as missing. Contingency on her safe return, her rescuer would receive a [Warrant of Crusade] and command of the Arngier fortress for the next decade.

Unsure of the value of these rewards, Markus was about to begin hunting through the Guild records when an incoming message interrupted him.

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor! These rewards are of unprecedented value! If you are considering attempting this dungeon, do not accept anything less than sole ownership of those two rewards! Or at absolute worst, the [Warrant of Crusade] must be yours alone! The [Warrant of Crusade] entitles the bearer to claim hereditary rights to lands taken and held in the Deadlands to the west! So long as you and your descendants hold the land, it is your sovereign territory!! Benefactor could become a king if he so chose!!!"]

Before Markus had even finished reading the first message, a second and then third appeared.

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor! You would not need to lift a finger in the development and management process! I am both willing and able to see to these matters personally!!!"]

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor! Please give this matter serious consideration!!!!!"]

In the wake of the golem's emphatic insistence, Markus almost forgot about the sheer number of high levelled adventurers the dungeon had already killed, almost. “How can you be so confident that I can clear the dungeon when so many others have failed?"

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor! It is my firm belief that prolific use of mana draining and mana entrapment equipment would provide an advantage more significant than the fleeting abilities of the defeated adventurers!"]

Markus had to admit it, Peabody was probably right. Imagining an entire adventuring party decked out with the enchantment, it now made sense why Phillipe had specifically sought him out. So long as the group was careful and reasonably skilled, the monsters would be at a huge disadvantage. Another thought occurred to Markus and while he initially dismissed it as silly, after giving it a little more thought, he wondered why he hadn't thought of it sooner.

What if he used the mana draining enchantment on armour in addition to the weapons? Theoretically, any monsters attacking in close quarters would be weakened or paralysed right? So assuming Markus was completely covered from head to toe in decent armour, there would be precious little to worry about...

“I'll still need better armour,” Markus sighed. His eclectic collection was suitable for low-level dungeons, prioritising his mobility and lack of stamina. But if he was going into a high-level dungeon, Markus wouldn't settle for anything less than plate and mail or brigandine. He held similar expectations for Aela, assuming she was intending to enter the dungeon as well.

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor will be pleased to know that I have already acquired quality armour fitting of both your needs as well as your likely retinue!” The accompanying image displayed two complete suits of brigandine armour, as well as accompanying salet, bevor, gauntlets, greaves and thick leather boots. There were also four accompanying long-skirted black dyed gambesons and surcoats as a single chain hauberk. The surcoats had a large white ring stitched on their front and back, somewhat reminiscent of an eclipse.]

The smallest suit of brigandine and gambeson was obviously intended for Markus, as he sincerely doubted anyone else he knew would fit in it. Similarly, the next smallest with the tapered waist was intended for Aela. So Markus assumed the large gambesons were instead for two of Aela’s brothers.

“How did you even buy them so quickly? It hasn't even been an hour since I started looking into this...” Markus was genuinely impressed and a little concerned at the golems frightening level of efficiency.

[Mr Peabody: “Hehehe. Benefactor, you give me too much credit. I had already purchased these suits of armour in preparation for your next sojourn into a dungeon or attendance of Guild business. It was my intent to present a more intimidating and unified appearance to would-be detractors.”]

“Oh,” Markus was somewhat touched by the degree of Peabody’s concern.

[Mr Peabody: “Also, I believe Benefactor will find that once his arming belt is cinched about his waist, the main body of armour’s weight becomes negligible."]

“Huh...” Markus didn't know that. His primary reluctance in wearing the more protective armours had been based on the assumed unwieldiness and how tiring it would be to wear them over long periods of time.

[Mr Peabody: “Indeed, Benefactor. Given the dangers of the dungeon, I have also set aside two mana reservoirs to serve as emergency reserves while traversing the dungeon. Two additional mana reservoirs will also be provided for storing excess accumulated mana, should the event occur." The new image displayed two large packs each containing a pair of two-foot-long quartzite crystals each six inches in diameter. They were braced between two solid chunks of wood and held in place with thick leather cord.]

“You still seem far more prepared for this than I would have thought,” Markus observed suspiciously.

[Mr Peabody: “Not at all Benefactor! This has all been but a demonstration of my diligence in preparing for your next conquest! That your next conquest presents such outstanding rewards is purely coincidental! Even so, I would be remiss if I did not do my utmost to both protect and serve you in this particular endeavour Benefactor!!!"]

Still somewhat suspicious, Markus chose to let it go for now.

Partway through changing his clothes, Aela knocked on his bedroom door and invited herself in. She sat down on the edge of the bed and began fidgeting nervously. “Have you reconsidered?” Aela asked

Markus sighed and nodded, “I have. It’s worse than your mother thinks. There is already a large number of dead adventurers and monsters have already escaped, terrorizing the local villages."

Aela froze, her breathing becoming hard and loud as she got up off the bed and rushed back out the door, “I have to tell mother!” Aela called urgently back over her shoulder as she raced towards the stairs to the attic.

No less than a minute later, and just as Markus finished pulling on his nicer boots, Svala came bursting into his room with Aela trailing just behind her. “Is what my daughter said true?!” She demanded heatedly.

Markus nodded, “So far as I am aware. I was reviewing the current state of the dungeon just a short while ago and there have been many casualties."

“Shit!” Svala cursed angrily. “Fucking abyss cursed shit!" She turned the full fury of her attention back to Markus, “You need to do something!” Svala jabbed her finger painfully into Markus's chest, her sharp claw causing the small amount of mana in his shirt to hemorrhage in order to maintain its defensive enchantment. Even so, Markus was knocked off his feet.

Taken aback, Markus was having trouble keeping his thoughts in order, “I was just about to go meet Phillipe about the party request."

“That’s not enough!” Svala snarled, she made as if to grab Markus but was yanked backwards and thrown into the wall by the unnamed female golem.

“Cease hostile actions,” The female golem growled.

This was a side of Svala that Markus had been fooling himself into thinking didn’t exist. However, after Beowulf’s assault, Markus had resolved to not take any chances with the other chimaeras

Svala attempted to pull herself free of the golem’s grip but only managed to get both her arms pinned behind her back.

“Mother stop it!” Aela demanded as she stepped forward to intervene.

“YOU STAY THERE!” Svala roared while baring her teeth and snarling at Aela.

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Stunned, Aela immediately came up short, the culmination of decades of strict upbringing conflicting with her personal feelings leaving her unsure of what to do.

“You will use your connections to make them stop!” Svala growled menacingly, even as she fought with the golem to free herself.

The other chimaera had now occupied the hallway, no doubt anxious to see what Markus would do.

“My connections?” Markus couldn't think straight, just repeating the last thing she had said. “I barely know anyone..."

Svala growled menacingly as she narrowed her gaze, “The Guild Chapter-Master! Make him order the nobles to stand down!"

Markus could only stare back at Svala in stunned incredulity. Really? Did she honestly think that the Chapter-Master would do such a thing on his behalf? Or even assuming that he did, that the foreign nobles would listen to his request? From what Markus understood of the nobility, receiving such a request would only spur them onwards purely out of spite.

“Fine!” Markus agreed quietly, “I’ll do it." He needed to diffuse the situation before someone did something stupid.

“He said he will do it, now stop!” Aela hissed, apparently now having overcome her temporary indecision.

Svala growled and reluctantly let Markus go, resulting in him falling heavily to the floor. “See that you do!” She snarled. The golem let her go and she pushed past the others and heading back upstairs.

Aela quickly rushed to his side and tried to help him to his feet, but Markus subconsciously shied away from her, scrambling backwards until he was pressed against the wall in a panic. He felt cold and couldn't think clearly, but when Aela had tried to touch him, he reacted on instinct.

Slowly closing and retracting her outstretched hand with a shocked expression on her face. The shock quickly gave way to anger as she stormed out of the room with tears streaming down her cheeks and her teeth bared.

Markus wanted to stop her, to apologize and explain that he hadn’t meant it, but he couldn't find the words. It wasn’t until he was truly left alone that Markus realized how terrified he was. Drenched in cold sweat and hands violently shaking despite being firmly held by his sides, even his vision was blurring.

Stripping off his shredded sweat-soaked shirt, Markus threw it aside and shakily got to his feet. He had to lean heavily against the wall just to stand up. Markus saw Hector and the newest golem lurking in the hallway and was now curious why they had not intervened while Svala was threatening him. That they had perhaps been guarding Arlee and her mother was the only possible consolation Markus could find for their convenient absence.

Throwing on a new shirt, Markus gingerly made his way downstairs and left the house while officially ordering the golems to protect his adopted daughter while he was out.

He felt like such a coward, fleeing from his own home without having put up a fight or even standing his ground. With the same thoughts circling in his mind, by the time Markus arrived at the Guildhall he was thoroughly depressed.

Despite Markus being unfamiliar with him, the middle-aged senior clerk immediately gave Markus deferential treatment, even going so far as to temporarily abandon the young adventurer he had been assisting with the mana recharge station to attend to him personally.

“Lord Farus,” the clerk bowed deferentially, “How may I assist you today?"

The junior clerk, who was promptly moving to replace the senior in assisting the adventurer, stopped at the mention of Markus's name and bowed.

Visibly irritated, the young woman pointed rudely to the junior clerk, “Hey! I don't care if some big shot has suddenly shown up! You at the very least should process this transaction!” She stomped her boot in visible frustration, “I have a lot more items to charge, do you not want my coins?"

The junior clerk bowed again before moving off to assist the adventurer.

“Erm, begging your pardon my lord, but as you can see the artifice you provided has proven very popular,” the clerk smiled weakly.

“That’s alright,” Markus nervously smiled apologetically, “Uhm, do you know if the Guild Chapter-Master is in town at the moment? I would like to speak with him if I could.” Markus had been in such a rush leaving the house that he forgot to ask Annabelle.

The senior clerk shook his head, “I am sorry my lord, the Guild master is attending a summons by the court,” he looked somewhat nervous for a moment before leaning forward and lowering his voice so only Markus would hear him, “I believe it is in regards to your artifice my lord. Rumour has it the royal family is demanding one of their own."

Markus wasn't sure how to feel about that, but he gave the clerk a small nod as thanks for the information.

Despite the relative insignificance of the gesture to Markus, the senior clerk was elated.

“Well, if the Guild Chapter-Master is not available... My acquaintance, Phillipe, told me he was staying at the Guild for the next couple of days. Could you please let him know I am here to see him?” Markus asked politely.

“Of course my lord!” the senior clerk bowed again and then quickly disappeared down the corridor and up the stairs in the direction of the Guild’s private lodgings.

While waiting, Markus absently observed the adventurer piling various items into the recharge artifice. She had a half dozen large leather packs stowed off to the side and seemed to have an endless number of things in need of charging. After watching the third load piled into the artifice, Markus had begun to wonder just how much the young woman was planning on spending. Part of him rationalized that it had to be a relatively small amount for her to so flippantly charge so many items. But overhearing the quiet conversation between herself and the junior clerk, the young woman proved him wrong.

“Miss, are you truly sure?” The junior clerk asked meekly, trying not to upset her.

The young woman waved her hand dismissively, “Leader is covering the tab, so it’s fine. I’ll show him for not trusting in my abilities!” She growled with a wicked smile on her face.

So that explains it. There was only one type of person who spent coins more frivolously than a noble and that was someone spending someone else's.

“My lord?” The senior clerk had returned and had a somewhat worried expression on his face, perhaps burdened with bearing bad news. “Lord Pascal is currently..erm..indisposed,” he covered his mouth and coughed somewhat awkwardly in embarrassment, “But I have been informed that his lordship has reserved a private dining area in the event of your arrival. Lady Pascal and the wait staff are currently in attendance should you wish to pass time in comfort while waiting on his lordship."

Markus wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of spending an indeterminate amount of time exchanging pleasantries with Phillipe’s sister while waiting to speak with him, but he had few alternatives. With visible reluctance, Markus nodded, “Alright,” he sighed, “Would you please show me the way?"

The senior clerk’s expression brightened somewhat at this response, “Of course my lord!" With the spryness of a man half his age, the clerk enthusiastically led Markus through the Guildhall to the reserved dining room.

Similarly furnished to the meeting room Markus had visited previously, the primary difference between the two was the amount of allocated space. This dining room was markedly more spacious, particularly since the space was thus far only being occupied by a couple of lounging couches, a large dining table and a dozen accompanying chairs.

Just as Markus had been informed beforehand, Phillipe’s younger sister Kassandra was currently idling away on one of the couches with a glass of wine and a small book. While she had not noticed Markus and the senior clerk’s arrival, the trio of wait staff in attendance had and respectfully bowed.

“Thank you for showing me the way,” Markus said quietly.

The senior clerk smiled, “It has been my pleasure, my lord!” Still smiling, the clerk bowed and quietly closed the door as he left.

Unsure of what to do with himself, Markus awkwardly walked over to the unoccupied couch and sat down.

Turning the page of her book and absently taking a sip of wine, Kassandra nearly gave a start as she suddenly noticed Markus sitting a short distance away from her. Now scowling, she furrowed her brow at Markus, “And how long have you been skulking there?!" Kassandra demanded.

Markus shrugged, “Perhaps five minutes, not long."

Kassandra only narrowed her eyes further before sniffing contemptuously and returning to reading her book.

Somewhat glad that he no longer had to talk to her, Markus just withdrew his tablet with the intent of doing further research on the dungeon. He was surprised to find that he had missed a number of messages from Peabody.

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor, fret not, I have opened negotiations with the Jarl’s household on your behalf! Under the pretext of installing an {Artifice Invigoration Station} in Skalisberg, I have made it clear in no uncertain terms that the deal is contingent on not only the chimaera being left alone, but also yourself holding exclusive rights of entry to the dungeon!"]

[Mr Peabody: “Benefactor should also be made aware that I have received a number of requests for installing {Artifice Invigoration Station}’s in other towns and cities throughout Frankia. The most pressing case is presented by the royal family in the capital. I believe it is less to do with the access of the artifice and more a matter of prestige, so it is important to treat this matter carefully. Without a substantial increase in golem production to protect your interests and deter those who would force your hand, I recommend delaying on a final decision at this time."]

Carefully reading through the messages again, Markus sighed. He was, of course, glad that the innocent chimaera would hopefully receive at least some protection from Peabody’s intervention. But Markus was also worried about Peabody’s inferred need to substantially increase golem production.

The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Even the smallest noble families had a hundred or so men at arms and the largest had tens of thousands. It was perhaps only because the artifice was being handled by the Guild that was causing greedy and avaricious houses to stay their hands for the time being.

After giving it careful deliberation, Markus sent Peabody a message requesting the golem to make detailed recommendations on the number of golems required to ensure the safety of his adopted family and financial interests. Surprisingly, Peabody didn't make an immediate lengthy reply, simply responding that it had received Markus’s orders and would make a detailed report when ready.

It was perhaps somewhat understandable given how much was already being handled by the golem on its own. It was certainly accomplishing a great deal more than Markus himself that was for sure. Maybe he should allow Peabody to make another golem to explicitly serve as its assistant to better share the load. After all, the amount of work would only increase if more of the recharging artifice were created and spread over the continent.

While the Guild would handle the point of transaction, there was still the matter of securing and maintaining the infrastructure of supply. Since Markus didn't know of anyone of sufficient temperament to assist Peabody, it only made sense to have another golem fill the role and be brought up to speed by Peabody directly. After seeing how a second golem takes to the role, Markus could make a better-informed decision then.

Finally, now beginning to read the reports on the Skalisberg dungeon, Markus was suddenly interrupted by an irritated cough.

“It’s rude to ignore people you know,” Kassandra muttered pointedly, despite the fact that she was still to all appearances thoroughly absorbed in her book and not paying Markus the least bit of attention.

Markus frowned a little, “I’m sorry, I thought you were otherwise occupied and didn’t want to bother you,” he replied tersely.

“Hrmph,” Kassandra snorted and glared angrily at Markus from the corner of her eye.

In no mood for indulging her pride, Markus deliberately began ignoring her.

Sometime later Phillipe and a tall northern woman dressed in an embroidered tunic and woolen pants, with long braided blonde hair entered the dining room. She seemed friendly, with a cheerful expression that drew attention to her pale blue eyes.

“This is the one you were talking about?” The woman asked quietly, pointing discreetly towards Markus. Her tone was curious rather than indignant or spiteful in spite of Markus’s relatively shabby appearance.

Phillipe nodded. Loudly clearing his throat to get Markus’s attention, he held his hand out in greeting as he quickly made his way over, “Markus! I am glad you could make it!” He firmly clasped Markus’s hand between both of his own and shook them enthusiastically.

Markus shrugged, “It’s the least I could do really,” he admitted. It wasn't like he had actually agreed to do anything yet.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” The tall northern woman asked, elbowing Phillipe sharply in the ribs and smiling at Markus with unfeigned enthusiasm.

Phillipe winced and rubbed absently at his side, “Ow, alright. Markus, this is my betrothed lady Hilda Sigrundottir."

Hilda beamed, “It is pleasurable to be meeting you lord Markus!” Before Markus could react, she had reached out to shake his hand just as Phillipe had done. Only, Hilda’s grip was many times stronger. She seemed surprised that Markus had not cried out in pain or discomfort.

“It is nice to meet you too,” Markus replied, showing off a little by replying in her native tongue.

Hilda smiled even wider, “Phillipe didn’t tell me you spoke the northern tongue! And so fluently too!"

Markus shrugged, “I get a lot of practice at home,” he admitted.

“Ah, Phillipe did mention you had a northern girl with you the times you met previously. Your sense of taste says much about your character!” Hilda slapped Markus’s shoulder good-naturedly as she delivered the compliment. Hilda was again surprised when Markus didn’t wince or otherwise react from the pain as she had expected. “Ah, I am sorry. Phillipe is always complaining I handle him too roughly,” Hilda apologized.

Markus shrugged again, “Aela has handled me far worse,” he admitted, “I don't even know how my ribs haven’t caved in yet."

Hilda smiled, “This, Aela, is your northern girl?” She asked eagerly.

“I guess?” Markus wasn’t sure how to answer that.

“You guess?” Hilda shook her head and tutted.

Prickled somewhat by her dissatisfaction and sudden criticism, Markus sighed. “I don’t know what you mean by that,” he grumbled.

“Mean by what?” Hilda asked, now a little confused.

“Whether Aela is my northern girl,” Markus replied, unsure of how to express what he was not understanding.

Hilda lightly slapped her forehead with a look of sudden realization on her face, “Ah, you misunderstand. I was asking if Aela is your woman."

Markus's face flushed and he had to swallow before replying, “We have been courting for a couple of months."

“Courting? Really? That is unusual,” Hilda commented. “Usually the man and woman just tell their families and get married. Ah, is it perhaps your parents?"

Markus shook his head, “No parents that I know of,” he admitted.

Hilda was surprised for a moment then quickly apologized, “I am sorry, I didn’t know!” She gave Phillipe another sharp elbow to the ribs, for which he was thoroughly unprepared for since he did not seem capable of following the conversation.

“It’s fine, you had no way of knowing,” Markus shrugged a little dejectedly.

“Erm, but if it is not the parents, usually the man is very aggressive in pushing for the marriage?” Hilda gave Markus a queer look like she couldn’t quite figure it out. “Is it perhaps you do not feel rushed because you are already sleeping together?"

The light flush in his cheeks from earlier immediately grew a few degrees in intensity, “No! I mean sometimes we sleep in the same bed but we don't....We don't...do...that..."

Phillipe noticed Markus’s sudden distress and realized he needed help. “My love, whatever did you say to upset our guest!” He firmly demanded, ignoring his obvious strength disadvantage.

Hilda raised her hands helplessly, “I was asking why he was not marrying this Aela already!"

Kassandra suddenly choked and spit out the wine she had been drinking.

“Alright well, maybe I was saying he hadn't because they are already sleeping together!” Hilda confessed. She reached out to Phillipe and gently rubbed his shoulder, “Don't being mad my little firepole, I meant nothing by it."

“Are you serious?!” Kassandra coughed, wiping at her mouth with a handkerchief.

Hilda looked confused and taken aback, unsure of how to reply.

“You accuse him of fucking a chimaera and think it’s no big deal?! Abyss take me...” Kassandra cursed as she got up off the couch and discarded her book. “Mother and father said we had to be a little lenient because things are different up north, but this is too much!"

It took her a moment, but Hilda quickly realized what Kassandra had said and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, “Ah, I am sorry, I was not knowing this Aela was a chimaera, please excusing my poor manner!"

Markus couldn’t help but scowl, he wasn't angry with Hilda but with Kassandra. “It’s fine,” he muttered.

A knock came at the door and the same senior clerk from earlier entered with Aela following close behind. “My lord,” the clerk bowed briefly, “Miss Aela was most insistent on seeing you, I hope you may pardon the intrusion."

Seeing Aela, Markus felt most of his anger quickly slip away. “It's alright, thank you for showing her the way."

The senior clerk beamed. Bowing again, he then saw himself out.

Aela quietly made her way over to Markus and nervously sat a short distance away on the couch. She shot a number of anxious glances his way before working up the nerve to speak. “I am sorry about earlier. I should have done more, I should have stopped mother...I am so sorry Markus.” Aela looked like she was on the brink of tears, perhaps only managing to refrain because of their mostly unwitting audience.

Markus sighed and dragged Aela closer, much to her surprise. Now side by side, Markus brushed his forehead against hers and whispered quietly so only she would hear, “It’s alright, I don’t blame you Aela." It was true. Markus blamed himself for not activating the failsafe inside of Svala’s protective amulet. He had intended to use them as a last-ditch means of personal defence if he was assaulted again, but he was too frazzled in the moment to do it. Markus would try to find a more automated solution in case it ever happened again.

“Are you sure?” Aela asked timidly.

“I am sure,” Markus replied.

Aela smiled, “Thank you, Markus."

The exchange had been brief and contrary to Markus and Aela’s expectations, the others had actually been embroiled in a drama of their own and had largely missed what happened.

“Kass just go get Tina, will you?! This is the last time I am talking my fiancé down from punching you in the face!” Phillipe growled angrily.

“Hrmph!” Kassandra stalked out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

Phillipe was rubbing at his temples while Hilda rubbed his shoulders, “Why does she have to make things so difficult?” He muttered.

“It is just what sisters are doing sometimes,” Hilda consoled him, “She will be missing you when we are married.”

With a noncommittal grunt, Phillipe rolled his shoulders before shifting his attention to Markus, “Sorry about all this. Things aren't going quite as I had expected or intended."

“It’s fine,” Markus reassured him.

Phillipe looked relieved, “I promised I would tell you more about the request, but I hope you don't mind waiting just a little longer. I would rather discuss it when Kass and Tina return."

“Alright,” Markus agreed.

“Uh, so this is the Aela?” Hilda asked somewhat sheepishly.

Aela tensed, then turned to face Hilda before replying, “I am Aela,” she confirmed.

Hilda smiled, “Ah, good. I had made somewhat of a fool of myself earlier when questioning Markus about his relationship with you."

“Our relationship?” Aela asked fixedly, now markedly tenser than a moment before.

“Well, erm, he said you were courting?” Hilda seemed somewhat lost.

Markus was determinedly trying to read from his tablet and stay out of the conversation.

Aela narrowed her eyes, “We are," she confirmed confidently, an air of challenge in her tone.

Now Hilda was thoroughly confused, “He intends to marry you?"

“He does!” Aela hissed quietly, baring the tips of her teeth.

Hilda looked exasperated, “That is what I thought!” She explained, “Naturally it is only a matter of time before you are fucking-"

“What!...” Aela nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Well...You are already sharing the same bed and he obviously finds you attractive...” Hilda explained warily, “The way he changed the moment he saw you, it is pretty obvious..."

“He did?” Aela carefully regarded Markus for a moment before turning back to Hilda, “But we are not even engaged yet and Markus is a noble..."

Hilda snorted derisively and smiled conspiratorially, “Do you think my firepole and I were engaged the first time we fucked? Of course not! What the elders think they know and what they know are two different things!”

“Really?” Aela’s tail had begun coiling about Markus’s waist and slowly constricting.

Hilda nodded with her eyes closed and a prideful expression on her face, “Besides, how would you know if you are compatible without trying it first?"

Aela nodded eagerly in agreement, obviously excited by the change in her future prospects.

“What are you talking about?” Phillipe asked, obviously made suspicious by the energy of the conversation.

”Nothing!” Hilda lied, “Just talking about home and how soft southerners are!” She bearhugged Phillipe and bodily lifted him off the ground before shaking him to and fro.

“Ooof!” Phillipe groaned loudly as the air was crushed from his lungs, “Can't...breathe..."

Hilda laughed as she set him down again, “So soft!” She slapped his ass and grinned at Aela.

It was at that moment that Kassandra returned, just in time to see her future sister inlaw groping her brother’s ass. “Oh come on! I leave you two alone for ten minutes and you are already going at it again?!” The degree of exasperation in her voice making it abundantly clear that it was not an uncommon occurrence.

“You're just jealous,” a familiar-sounding woman proclaimed in a bored tone.

Looking over towards the door, Markus saw Kassandra burdened under a small mountain of leather packs and beside her was the young woman he had seen earlier by the Artifice Invigoration Station.

She was relatively short, only about five feet tall with her auburn hair cut boyishly short. With her slight figure, were it not for the deliberately flattering design of her jacket, she could pass for a young man at a glance. Like most female adventurers, she was dressed in an expensive jacket, pants and knee-high boots. Strangely, she was also wearing a pair of large rose-tinted spectacles, which made it difficult to see her eyes.

Seeing the pile of packs Katharine had now discarded by the door, Phillipe’s expression visibly paled. “I know I said I would cover the costs for recharging your necessary artifices and items Tina, but why is there so many!"

The young woman, apparently Tina, crossed her arms and sniffed haughtily, “Hrmph, are you saying you don’t trust my judgement?” She asked snippily.

“You know that's not what I meant,” Phillipe growled.

“Then there shouldn't be a problem right?” Tina reasoned glibly as she dragged out a dining chair, sat down and arrogantly crossed her legs, resting her heeled boots on the dining table. “Besides, there is no way you managed to convince that Artificer to go along with your harebrained plan. Not all artificers are as brave as I am you know. Besides, someone talented enough to make something like that wouldn't risk their own lives in a dungeon! Maybe if you were an Artificer, you would be able to understand just how big a deal that artifice recharge station is, let alone the changes he made to that hand I made for you. I can tell you right now, if I were him, I’d tell you to fuck right off!"

“Tina-” Phillipe growled warningly.

Tina leaned back on her chair and glanced over her shoulder, “What?"

“Shut up!” Phillipe’s tone made it clear he was not playing around and caught Tina somewhat off guard.

Kassandra leaned in close to Tina and whispered something in her ear, then pointed towards Markus sitting on the couch.

Tina suddenly turned in her seat, nearly losing her balance and falling to the floor. Mouth agape, she tapped the frame of her spectacles, causing the rosy tint to fade and revealing her wide brown eyes.

Somewhat embarrassed by the sudden attention, Markus glanced away and tried to continue reading from his tablet.

“No way...” Tina gasped. Pushing Kassandra aside, Tina quickly made her way over towards Markus with a somewhat dazed expression on her face. “Oi...are you really Lord Markus Farus?” She asked bluntly, but without giving him time to answer, Tina suddenly focused on the tablet in Markus’s hand. Her eyes became the colour of weathered copper, mottled green and shimmering reddish-brown. “No way!” Tina’s mouth hung agape.

“Huh? What is it?” Kassandra asked, her curiosity now piqued.

“Hilda is also curious!” Hilda announced a little louder than was necessary, “What has little Tina so excited?"

“Erm, nothing!” Tina suddenly blushed, turned around and began waving her arms as if trying to ward off wild beasts, “You wouldn’t get it." Turning back around to Markus, Tina crossed her arms behind her back as she leaned down to his eye level and seemed to be making a very conscious effort to draw his attention to her chest while she got a closer look at his tablet.

Aela hissed in annoyance and used her tail to possessively draw Markus closer.

“Woah! How in the abyss did you connect directly with the Guild information network!” Tina quietly demanded, “I have been trying for years!"

Markus raised an eyebrow, “Really? I am just using the same signal the Guild’s golems use to retrieve adventurer identification and send reports."

Tina was visibly shocked, “Y-you piggybacked the Guild’s golem reporting enchantments?"

Markus shrugged, “Sort of. I made my own improvements since the golem’s parameters were too inflexible."

Leaning back again, Tina pursed her lips and whistled, “Are you crazy? Do you know what the Guild will do when they find out?"

“They know already, or at least the Guild Chapter-Master does. It was part of my golem demonstration a couple of months ago.” Markus shrugged like it was no big deal. “I was demonstrating a functional prototype, so it needed the same features as the Guild’s old models. I didn’t give it much thought at the time. Besides-” Markus pointed to the Guild staff that were respectfully standing at attention nearby with refreshments, “-do you think I would be so brazen as to use it with so many witnesses if I didn’t think I had at least tacitly implied permission?"

Tina was taken aback for just a moment before rubbing her chin thoughtfully, “That makes sense...WAIT, you made a golem?! Who did you collaborate with? Was it the Chavare’s?!"

Markus shook his head, “The first golem’s body was bought from a tinker. Just a small wooden marionette to practice with. It was apparently impressive enough that the Guild master wanted me to make a second one, although I am not sure which craftsmen were responsible for making the body, I enchanted it on my own just like the first one.” Markus shrugged again, like it wasn’t a big deal, “There were witnesses, you can ask the Guild master or his assistant if you don't believe me."

Tina’s expression kept alternating between awestruck and incredulous. “No way,” she muttered, “There is just no way..."