Count Linus marched down the halls of his home, hands clasped behind his back, and eyes lowered to the monotonous red carpet that lined the center of each passage. His elaborate red military uniform, complete with golden epaulets and several medals of honor, was only slightly disheveled from having his armor hurriedly put on over top of it and then taken off again just as quickly.
His head hurt.
His round tiger ears flattened against his golden locks.
Too much was happening too quickly. His long standing ally, house Dresdeth, had been in decline for generations now, but it was only a few months ago that young Calden arrived seeking succor and healing from an ailment that even the best physicians couldn’t cure.
Word of assassins and spies in his lands soon followed, and forced him to send a small team out with his only daughter and the critically ill Calden in a vain attempt to save the boy, and by extension, his own house and people, but he knew that he would likely never see any of them again.
But they’re back. Returned to me whole and healthy by a mysterious being that has now harmed my younger son, disturbed and influenced my people, and now waits beyond the wind with no traces to be found.
The large jewel encrusted doors of the reception room loomed large in front of him. His feet, and years of life here, had brought him to the threshold, but his worries stopped him from crossing.
The stationed guards were poised to let him in, a small crack made as one side of the great arch was held ever so slightly open, but the Count didn’t budge.
He could’ve sworn he heard a fly buzz past one of his sensitive ears, but ignored it.
I must be imagining things. Yes, my fears are like flies now. Hope has returned with Calden, and together we shall swat them!
With a dignified nod the doors were swung wide, and he strode confidently into the cavernous chamber.
Two rows of corinthian columns supported the vast vaulted ceiling. As he walked between them he admired the sculptures of monsters that adorned the bottoms, appreciating all the more the towering heroes of the house that loomed large atop them just as they did in life.
So that none will forget their dedication and sacrifice.
The granite floor reflected his face as it had been polished so thoroughly that it captured all within its shadow swirled surface. The red carpet offered him the only path across that wouldn’t tarnish the servant’s long hours of hard work, and he fixed the frown on his face lest he greet his children with the same sour look he reserved for Griswold.
Up above, massive crystal chandeliers, no smaller than a normal family’s dinner table, brought light into the dark corners of the room that the large windows couldn’t reach. Magic lights meant that no candles were needed, and when combined with the crystals and the reflective floor, all the room appeared to glitter and sparkle.
He squinted past it all at the elaborate painting of the clouded heavens that adorned the ceiling, complete with little winged torathans attending to the majestic form of the white haired Lady Matweirden. Her lower body was that of a massive white tiger while the torso of a tanned skinned warrior woman sprouted from where the beast’s head would be. She lounged on a blanket of fluffy cumulus, spear clasped vertically in one hand, while a round shield rested at her side.
My lady. I worried that you had abandoned us, but I’ve no doubt that Calden, our hope, endured thanks to you. I am eternally grateful for this miracle, and–
His mouth fell open and he muttered. “What… What is that?”
Ahead, the raised dais held two thrones, a lower simpler one off to the left side that belonged to him, and a higher more regal one that served as a constant reminder of his vassalage and duties to the empire.
But that wasn’t the problem.
Directly above the higher one, seated on a transparent geometrical chair, was a person clad in ordinary travel attire. They wore dusty boots, and a hood covered their head and much of their face. They carried no obvious weaponry, but held a simple short staff in their right hand.
Nothing about this figure hinted at how they got into his well guarded section of the castle or even why they went to so much trouble to do so undetected, but the gall they had to sit above the throne meant for the emperor told Linus all he needed to know.
In a flash, he drew his sword, and in one fluid stroke, swung in the interloper’s direction.
A brilliant blue crescent of pure mana flew from his blade. As a veteran warrior, it was filled with enough power to fell a swath of knights and fast enough to outpace any mage’s incantations, but still it stopped midair.
A violent gust of wind tore through the otherwise tranquil room as a multifaceted barrier simply appeared and stopped his strike.
The Count was confident in his abilities but stood dumbstruck when his attack fizzled and faded before the unscathed wall.
That… that’s not possible! Where did it even come from? It looks like one of Bastion’s scintillating barriers but master level magic can’t be stored for later, so is it some ability that produces a similar effect?
The magic faded after the attack was done, and he didn’t hesitate to release a second stronger slash.
He poured every offensive ability he had earned over his long life, and conflict filled career, into it and it raced like lightning at the individual–a strike capable of slaying even the most massive monstrosities that lurked in the lake.
But once again it was stopped.
And once again, it failed to even scratch the magic wall.
His sword hand trembled. I’m almost out of options. I can try to combine my efforts with Griswold’s support magic, but if that doesn’t work I’ll need to rely on my powers as lord–regardless of the cost I must incur.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Without looking back, he took a stance and readied for another attempt. “Gris. I’m going to need you to provide support.”
“Gladly, sir.”
The old butler stepped forward, raised his hands, and then bowed to the aerial intruder. “Please forgive my lord’s sudden assault upon your person. My name is Griswold Donnovan, humble steward of this castle Kalsynth.”
Linus glared at his old friend, clamped a hand on his shoulder and pulled him from his bow. “Griswold! What do you think you’re–”
A chilling stare from the elder retainer stopped him cold.
What? This rogue is guilty of lese majeste so immediate execution is warranted and deserved! Why then is he submitting to that fiend?
“Forgive us yet again. May I assume you are master Anon Amos? The one who saved Lord Calden and Young lady Ysdra, and delivered them safely back to us?”
Linus’ eyes widened. Oh.
The figure up above finally spoke. It was a calm even tone that settled into the ears and steadied the heart. A tone that at once both soothed and subjugated the soul. “I am. I know who you both are, and since this little exchange was well within my expectations, there’s nothing to forgive. After all, I did see myself into your home uninvited.”
Griswold bowed again. “As the savior of–”
Linus cleared his throat to stop him. “No. You are welcome here. I greatly desired to speak with you after hearing of your aid, and now that I have seen, any doubts I held of your deeds have vanished. Please, name your price. Both for the services you’ve rendered and for securing your aid in the days to come. You are surely a blessing delivered to us by Lady Matweirden, and I am deeply sorry for the rudeness I greeted you with.”
What is this person? A friend? A foe? First they help, and now they harm and insult? I can’t afford to make another enemy, and we’re in dire need of all the aid we can get, but there’s a limit on how much one can get away with!
“Hmm.”
Anon stroked their chin, and Linus blinked several times.
Am I seeing things now? Do they have a beard or don’t they? And just how powerful are they to fool even my senses?
“I’ll have to think about that for the time being. I didn’t come here to be paid or hired, but simply to meet the father of that delightful little girl and her unruly brother.”
A pang of guilt, like a dagger to the heart, wracked Linus, and he dropped to one knee. “Forgive me. How could I forget? I cannot–”
Anon raised a hand. “That’s enough apologizing for one day. I’ve already overlooked it. What I meant is that I came to examine the metaphorical cloth they were cut from, so that I could be sure you could protect them since I doubt the excitement we’ve been experiencing will stop simply because we changed locations.”
“Hahaha!” Griswold removed his monocle and wiped a tear from the corner of his brown eye with a white handkerchief. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect from you after hearing the lord Baronette’s reports. To me you sounded like a spring storm, coming and going suddenly, casting away decay, and ushering in new growth heedless of the damage, but it seems you are far more calculating than that.”
And to think he’d call our longstanding troubles little more than excitement!
Anon smiled. “I do what is needed when it’s needed, regardless of if the recipient is thankful for it. Now, can you tell me what your next steps are?”
Griswold glanced at Linus.
The Count hesitated. Gris seems to be fully in favor of trusting that person, but we know so little about them! Yes they saved Calden and Ysdra and haven’t sought a reward, but that just makes me all the more suspicious! What in this life is free? Even Lady Matweirden demands sacrifice, so why don’t they?
Linus hung his head, then nodded. But I’ve been forced to accept worse deals for the sake of my people. So why not this one?
The butler returned his attention to the aerial Anon. “Now that young lord Calden is safe, our greatest priorities are to support his return to Dresdeth territory, and regaining contact with Lady Matweirden.”
Anon tilted their head. “He just got here but you’re already planning to send him away? And how does his return help contact this lady?”
Linus butted in. “Lady Matweirden, is our patron deity, the terrestrial deity of this region, and house Dresdeth are her chosen priests! Given the Marquis’ injuries he cannot perform the task so the duties fall to his son!”
Anon pounded a fist into their open palm. “And that’s why you worked so hard to help him! Well, I guess that, and the fact you’re allies, and your kids do seem to get along.”
Linus spluttered. “I– Well… Yes. That’s right.”
They get along? My little Ysdra?
Griswold stifled a snicker, but evened out his voice and continued. “There’s also the fact that the Marquis is beset with troubles brought on by malefactors seeking to bring the house down. Most of the empire is indifferent to this conflict, but as it stands we don’t even know who our enemy actually is.”
“Pfft. That’s easy. It’s pale as heck.” Anon rubbed their chin. “Err… Palaesheck? Yeah, that guy!”
Linus froze. Then boiling rage ignited within him–not that he showed it on his face. “And how do you know that?”
“Hmm? Oh, we got a confession from some of the assassins he sent. Doofus was so committed that he put his right hand man to the cause, only for him to get captured.”
Linus growled. “And you expect me to believe that he just confessed? Marquis Palaesheck has been one of the only friendly moderates during these troubling times. I won't just betray his goodwill because some mysterious third party said so!”
Anon leaned their head on a fist. “You say that, yet you admit you’ve no idea where the attacks are coming from. And wouldn’t everything make so much more sense if this so-called friend, that you’ve no doubt shared confidential information with, was actually the perpetrator?”
“Hoo.” Griswold covered his mouth, something he only did when deep in thought.
No! I won’t just give in to speculation! I–
“And what’s he done that was so great anyway? Speak on your behalf at court? Is that it? Has he actually done anything else? Anything more substantial? Because I saved your daughter and Calden. Several times now. Are you really going to take his word over mine?”
Linus clicked his tongue. How do they know? How do they know everything? Even Lady Matweirden isn’t this omniscient and this is her domain!
Anon shook their head. “Honestly, if you still don’t believe me then check with the Baronette. He’s got them in custody, and has probably interrogated them on his own by now. But even that hardliner Carmella you sent believed me when I said I saw it written on their souls.”
“What?!” Linus gasped and stared up at Anon, their kaleidoscopic face giving way, if only briefly, to a warm white light. “Just–? Just what are you?”
Anon grinned. “I’m afraid that topic will have to wait until later. Our weary travelers have almost returned, so I really should be going.”
“No! Wait!”
Linus reached out, but was met with a blinding blast of light.
When his vision cleared, the ethereal floating throne and the figure atop it were gone, and only a faint fleeting buzz was left behind.
Suddenly weary from all that had transpired, Linus wiped his face and sighed. “Gris, what was that?”
The old butler polished his monocle, then returned it to his left eye and muttered. “A friend. I hope.”
#
I buzzed my way out of the audience chamber and hummed a happy tune in my mind. Okay! Mysterious benefactor role accomplished! And since I know what they need now I can decide what to do next! Should I seek a safe route for Calden to get home? Try to get in touch with this Matweirden lady? Go mess with Palaesheck? Or should I stick around just in case?
I saw Calden and company round the corner and head toward the room I’d just left, a mix of smiles and weariness on their faces.
Regardless, I shouldn’t go too overboard. Wouldn’t want to rob him of the glory he’ll need to make an impact on this apparently indifferent empire.