“We have a problem, Lady Tome.”

I have several problems. Not least of which is the presence of Aurelius in my house once again. However, it’d make things more complicated if I kicked him out. I’m not afraid of a confrontation. On the contrary, I’d welcome one and wouldn’t hesitate if he were the only concern. Unfortunately, the instructor didn’t come alone.

Seated beside him on one of my couches is a stern looking man dressed in a neatly buttoned blue jacket with white trim. His dark hair is combed back and his shoes are polished to a shine. A fitting appearance for the messenger of a city lord.

“I don’t see the problem,” I say after a long drink of my tea, enjoying making them wait. They don’t have their own beverages to preoccupy their idling hands as I have no intention of showing hospitality to the bald bastard or the lackey sent to trouble me.

“Allow me to make things plain, then.” Aurelius struggles to keep his features blank but I have too low of an opinion of the man to imagine he isn’t enjoying this.

“The lord is investigating the matter involving the guilds carefully. There is evidence to suggest a struggle at the bar owned by the man known as Howie. It lends credit to your claim that you were attempting to rescue your acquaintance. However, there is still the question about appropriate force.”

“If Mr. Howie was a member of your house or a recorded servant,” the messenger continues, “there would be little question of you taking personal action to ensure his safety. He is neither of these things. Essentially, he is an acquaintance.”

“Are you saying I can’t care about him because he isn’t related to me closely enough?” I ask in disbelief.

The messenger frowns. “The world is full of misfortune. It is commendable to abhor injustice but we cannot have casters dispensing justice as they see fit. Otherwise, what is the point of the law?

“Asking someone to refrain when their family is in danger is asking for too much, especially from those of ability. We’ve learned to be…understanding about such things. This was not family or someone under your protection. This was the man who poured your drinks and you killed a guildmaster.”

I scoff. “He was under my protection. I made it very clear that if they attacked Howie, they would answer to me so they can’t pretend they didn’t know they would be involving me. I’d go as far as to say they were targeting me.”

“Lady Tome, please be reasonable.”

“Reasonable?” I set down my cup and lean forward. “Let mebe clear about something. I only had to resort to such extreme action because of the incompetence of the city guard, the lord’s men. Howie’s barmaid went to them first and they were very reluctant to act.

“Even when the hunters tried to dispense some of their own justice outside the Torchbearers’ guild hall, the city guard retreated rather than quell the rioting hunters. How am I supposed to trust in the law when it balks at the slightest sign of trouble?”

The messenger narrows his eyes at the insults I’m slinging at the city guards and, by extension, his master. “I would warn you about treating this matter lightly. Several people have died. A guildmaster is dead. You are responsible for these deaths. If the lord is not satisfied by your reasoning, you can be imprisoned or executed.”

“Oh, yes. But of course, he would have to find men brave enough to try.”

“The hunters would be more than willing to undertake the task. If you think your status as an acolyte of the Hall will protect you, you’re sadly mistaken.”

“I’ve already explained the Hall’s position,” Aurelius adds.

“Yes, the Hall will not stand in your way but they certainly won’t help. Unless that’s changed?”

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The instructor’s narrowed eyes tells me he wishes it had. “Correct. The Hall does not involve itself in Quest’s matters and vice versa.”

“Looks like this is between me and you, messenger boy.”

“I’m—”

“When you return to your master, make sure you express my displeasure with him for wasting my time. I expected you came here to continue your investigation and welcomed you in like a good citizen of the crown. Instead, you sit there…actually, what are you doing? You’ve said a whole lot of nothing and I’m more than ready for you to get to the point.”

The messenger bristles. “I am here to warn you against leaving the Hall. Trying to flee can be taken as a sign of guilt.”

“Or it could be taken as an innocent person being too busy to waste her time while you all chase your tails. You have my statement. You don’t need me here.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to be here to defend yourself?”

“Why should I need to defend myself? The truth will do that for me.”

“…there is no distance great enough to escape the king’s law.”

There really is. I doubt anyone’s going to chase me down to another continent. “If you think I’m running, I’m not. I’ll return by mid-winter, spring at the latest. Straight to Quest. Hopefully by then, you’ll have reached a decision.”

“I’m sure we will have.”

The messenger’s tone is vaguely threatening but I ignore it. I haven’t met this lord but I know he’s a coward. Otherwise, the hunters wouldn’t have disparaged the city guard so openly. There is no chance he will bar me from leaving.

There is a chance the lord deems me guilty. After all, I’m sure he’s under significant pressure from the guilds to do so. Not to mention, no noble wants a dangerous caster they can’t control in their territory.

He won’t even have to risk his men detaining me if he waits until I leave. If he declares me a fugitive, a bounty can be put on my head. Knights and hunters from across the kingdom will try their hand at taking me down. If I prove too much of a nuisance, the crown could get involved.

Which I’m not concerned about in the least. If he really tries something so cowardly, I will simply have the decision appealed by the crown. I want to see them detain a war hero.

…on the off chance the king loses his mind, there’s always the elven continent.

“If that’s all?” The most polite dismissal I can muster.

In response, the messenger rises stiffly, Aurelius following him. “We won’t take up any more of your time, Lady Tome.”

“My steward will see you out,” I say dismissively as Earl appears in the doorway.

As they make their way out of the room, Geneva enters. “A good meeting, my summoner?”

“Useless posturing. The lord is trying to gauge my intent, I think. Sending a messenger to blow hot air in my face to see if I jump. Really. If he wanted to scare me, he should have dragged me from the house in chains.” That’s what I would have done.

“You are not bound by mortal considerations or laws.”

“There you go again with dangerous talk.” Dangerous talk that may be working. I can’t deny that my first response to the messenger showing up on my door was annoyance mixed with disdain. Not for a moment was I worried or respectful of Quest’s lord or his authority.

“It’s true. The stronger you become, the less such a flimsy thing as the law matters. You knew as much before you gained power.”

“True.” I rise from my seat. “Are my wives done with their fun for the day?”

“They will be done soon.”

“Mm. I’ll run a bath then. Be sure to mention that to Alana.” I know exactly how harsh Kierra’s attentions can be. Have to keep the future saint properly motivated. “Where’s Rolly?”

Geneva chuckles. “She is busy teaching Gajin how to properly embody his role.”

“I see. And his role is…”

“A creepy hermit who imparts valuable knowledge and renders unexpected aid.”

“Huh? How can he be a hermit when he lives on an estate with an entire household?”

“Rolly constantly asserts it is the spirit of the actor that matters most to the performance.”

“…as long as she’s happy, I suppose. How is the menu for the journey?”

“Quite well. We are not spoiled for choice as I can keep the food from degrading. I think we will be the envy of the camp.”

I chuckle imagining the face of the other acolytes once we stop for the night and they break out their dry rations while the scent of Geneva’s cooking spreads through their midst. “Make sure to add extra stock. Since we’ll be traveling with a large group, our pace will probably be slowed.”

“Yes, my summoner.”

“Oh? Not going to tell me that you’ve already handled it?” I imagine she has.

“That would be a waste. It is important for you to consider these things. As amusing as having a puppet for a summoner would be, we are destined for more than that.” She grins viciously. “I would like to be assured of your ability to fend for yourself should the day come when you need me to act for you in another place.”

“You’re talking about the mess in the capital. We can talk about it in detail later but have the succubi evacuated?”

“All material wealth has been removed, along with the key members of the Mason family.”

“Mm. And if I asked you to provide political pressure on the king in case this stupid lord tries to cause trouble?”

Her smile widens. “The king will not be an obstacle.”