Well, I guess It’s more important to go back and make sure Calden is okay. It’d be pretty bad if I followed them out of my detection range and then someone tried something back at the castle… Even if the Count is pretty strong. So I guess it’s time for, feral form.
With my decision made, and spell cast, I shifted back into a bird and flew toward the tallest and most imposing stone structure in the city. I hadn’t realized it before, but I’d been so absorbed in the whole church ceremony thing and chatting with Iskel that the sun had already begun its descent and made a good bit of headway.
Long shadows played across the roofs and streets of the three ringed city, plunging the most remote and desolate places into near total darkness that would only get darker still as day bled into night.
What remained of the orange daylight warned the denizens below to finish up what they were doing and head home. Some collected their wares, others pulled their various vessels ashore, while others still held out their hands to receive the day’s wages.
Since, ya’know, salaries probably aren’t a thing, though the affluent might have such a system since they can pay enough to not leave their employees in the lurch.
There weren’t any major disturbances below, and most of the religious congregations I’d visited had already dispersed, though a few were still in the process of wrapping up, like the temple of Matweirden that had moved inside the cathedral quieting into some sorta candlelight vigil.
That’s fine. By the sound of it she hasn’t made any effort in keeping in touch for a while, so if this helps them find comfort, then take as long as you need. I just don’t want anyone getting hurt.
I made for the upper part of the castle and shrunk back down to a buzzing bug so as not to be spotted and cause a commotion. A bat might’ve worked too, but I doubted that there would be much of a reason for one to be hanging around so high up so I just stuck with the hardest to spot option, though now I had a problem.
The day’s almost over, the temperature’s dropped considerably, and as a result the maids have gone and closed all the windows!
I did a bit of checking since not all of my awareness field was available to me, but there really wasn’t a convenient way in anymore, and since I couldn’t shapeshift into a ghost or teleport without drawing an elaborate magic formula I was kinda at a loss.
I guess I could find one that’s not near anyone and try to shift back and open it myself, but there appears to be magic detections in place to alert the Count if someone picks or magics the locks so I’mma need a different way in.
I landed on a windowsill outside of the dining hall where Calden, Ysdra, her brothers, Carmella, and the Count sat eating a sumptuous supper of a large bird, akin to turkey, with creamy soups, fluffy bread, and a vast assortment of fish in every possible way you could prepare it.
Save for sushi. Given the culture of the area I wasn’t surprised that there wasn’t any sushi.
It’d be nice to try some of that, but it’s not like I need to eat anyway. Which means I really shouldn’t disturb Calden’s meal by asking him to open the window.
I sighed internally. Am I really just gonna sit here? It’s really kinda chill– Wait. No it’s not. Why am I not cold?
Uriel buzzed.
Conclusion: Due to the Total Resistance ability, natural cold and heat no longer bother you.
Huh. Succinct. Nice. But on that topic, is there anything I can do to get inside without making a fuss or trekking up from the bottom?
Uriel buzzed again.
Request accepted.
Analyzing.
Analyzing..
Analyzing...
Complete!
Extracting necessary components from the master level order magic Guided Gate spell.
Processing.
Processing..
Processing...
Complete!
The new beginner level space magic spell Shifted steps has been created and is ready for use!
Great! Then, uh, Shifted steps, I guess?
With a pop so miniscule only I could hear it with my enhanced awareness, I vanished back into that redonkulously fast tunnel we traveled in during our prior teleport.
And then, almost immediately, and rather jarringly, I reappeared inside the dining hall with yet another infinitesimally small pop.
If it weren’t for my awareness I’d probably have been disoriented enough to puke, but since I wasn’t, I just shrugged my little fly forelegs and buzzed my way around the table.
There were plenty of empty seats at the long lacquered lumber since only six were taken and the whole looked set to hold around thirty or so. I kinda wanted to plop into one just to see everyone’s reaction, but figured it’d be more than a little rude so I continued making laps while I examined the attendees and listened in on their conversation.
At the table’s head sat the Count, go figure, and he was dressed much as he was earlier today, though a bit more put together and a whole lot less stressed, given that his golden hair was immaculate, and his uniform wasn’t even the slightest bit wrinkled from when he had hurried to don his armor.
His smile was wide as he patted the shoulder of the still sheepish Ymir seated to his left. “And then he lept into the air and drove his sword down into the beast’s eye! It didn’t fell the creature but in all my years I’ve never seen that leviathan retreat so quickly beneath the waves.”
Ysdra, who sat beside her black haired brother, now wore a fabulously frilly gold dress with so many bows that I didn’t even try to count them, and pouted, kinda like the doll she now resembled. “Father, don’t encourage him! Ymir, how many was it this time? Hmm?”
The black tiger's ears flattened against his head and he shrunk away from the little sister he owed his life to. “I–I… Sixteen, sister.”
“Sixteen!” Ysdra nearly jumped out of her seat, driving a glare of disbelief at her father. “Sixteen casualties? Again? And for what? You know that leviathan is associated with Gretkarn right? I know we aren’t on the friendliest terms but that creature isn’t hostile until you attack it!”
Ymir mumbled. “I–I’m sorry. Sister.”
Ysdra huffed, and shot back. “You say that every time you return bloodied from the battlefield. If Mother were here she’d flay you alive.
At the mention of their mother Ymir, and the still smartly dressed Ygvarge turned their heads away while the Count forced a nod with a grimace.
Ohhh. That’s… That’s good to know… My condolences little one.
Carmella, now wrapped in an indigo dress with lavender lace, dabbed a napkin to her lips and said calmly. “Lady Ysdra, I’m sure his Grace had good reason to attack the beast. After all, without your spirit magic around to soothe it, I doubt it would have left in a timely fashion and the appearance of a creature that large that close to the city is never good for public order.”
Now it was Ysdra’s turn to grimace. “Yes but… but it doesn’t help our relations with the followers of Gretkarn… And stopping unrest in the short term only to breed it in the long doesn’t make sense either.”
Calden, dressed in a black version of the Count’s military uniform, nodded with a sad smile that didn’t fit his years. “Yes. There’s never an easy way in politics, not unless you’re–”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
I sensed where he was taking that sentence, and unable to stomach him praising me anymore than he already had, I telepathically cut him off. ~That’s enough of that, thank you very much.~
Instantly, his little head snapped up, eyes wide and searching. After their get together they were all apparently aware what this meant as their reactions were all very different but equally dramatic.
Ysdra's dour face lit up and she started searching for me too, Carmella hid a grimace behind a hand and slouched a little, Ygvarge and the Count both tensed up, and Ymir… Well he toppled out of his chair and threw himself onto his knees.
Given that the entire atmosphere had been destroyed, and that they were all now waiting, I buzzed behind the chair at the far end of the table, opposite the Count, and transformed back into myself, standing up to the right of the seat.
“Sorry to drop in uninvited and unannounced, but today’s been rather eventful, and I wanted to check in with all of you.”
Though I was far away, the room’s acoustics or perhaps an enchantment, carried my voice to the table’s other end. But before anyone else could answer, the kneeling Ymir bellowed. “Nonsense! You are always welcome here, merciful benefactor! I thank you again for sparing me, and for your constant care toward my sister and our allies!”
I cringed internally. Man, he’s done a complete one eighty from his stubborn and blunt self. And all it took to bring it out of him was… guilt? Shame? Whatever. I’m just glad he’s learned some manners.
I didn’t respond and just glanced at the Count, since he's kinda the only one with any right to actually admit me. I was a little surprised that Calden and Ysdra didn’t call out to me or run over, but perhaps court protocol or Ymir’s own more embarrassing outburst prevented that.
Since, by the look of it, they’re all pretty taken aback at what he just did.
Linus nodded rather seriously, as if my arrival heralded some great disaster or perhaps the death of a loved one, and said. “Please, sit. We would be honored if you’d join us, and even more indebted if you’d share your piece.”
I bobbed my head and slipped into the seat opposite him. He reached to ring a bell, probably to summon servants to wait on me, but I held up a hand to stop him. “It’s fine, food isn’t what’s important right now. What is, is the name Gregorious Durdanhal. Do any of you know it?”
Carmella, the Count and Ygvarge shared a look, and she answered. “Yes, I believe he’s one of the leaders of the Transcendent faith. Why?”
I leaned back in my chair. “Well, some goons in white robes appeared and tried to force me to go with them. I just kicked them out of the temple, and on closer inspection of their, er, souls found out they were working for Gregorious.”
Some muttering between the three adults ensued. I tried not to eavesdrop but I still picked up snippets of “They were after Anon, but if they would attack inside the city they clearly don’t care for us or the people.”, “What are the chances that they’re aligned with Palaesheck?”, and “The Ascendant is in the capital, so where are they based? We’ll need to find them.”
However, before any of them could get back to me, Calden asked. “Master Anon? If I may, what temple were you at?”
“Hmm?” I tilted my head, more than a little confused as to why that mattered. “I believe it was the temple of the Creator.”
His eyes lit up, and he turned back to Ysdra and mouthed. “I knew it.”
She nodded subtly, eyes also starting to sparkle.
Oh great. Now what have I done?
Count Linus gave me a strange look, diverted his gaze to the young Dresdeth, then sighed. “Thank you for informing us. If you’d like we could investigate the Ascendant’s involvement in our territory further, but if you’re agreeable we could use some help in exchange since we are currently thin on free personnel.”
Ascendant? Like the one from Kormath? Ugh. I really hope it’s just two rotten individuals and not the whole bloody church.
I smiled. “I don’t suppose you’re referring to Gretkarn’s leviathan are you?”
The Count leaned into his steepled fingers and muttered. “You knew? No of course you did. This must all be a test. Or a hint. Rhhh. I need to know more.” He looked up from his plate and met my gaze. “Yes. The beast makes periodic appearances, and is always a disturbance. Both because Gretkarn’s followers celebrate wildly, but also because it sometimes sinks ships or strikes our fortifications.”
I leaned on my hand. “So you’d like a more permanent solution?”
“If you wouldn’t mind. Our debt is deep already, but I fear you are the only hope I have of preserving the peace of my people.”
Oh, sure, use the flattery tactic as if I’m some egomaniac. But he doesn’t appear to be disingenuous either so I guess I can do something since that lake is interesting. That said, how should I go about this? Do I just charge in magic flaring? Do I try to sneak in and scope things out? Or should I waltz right up to the biggest fish I can find and ask to negotiate?
#
Ariadholm burned.
From the outer walls to the inner one around the tower, fire raged, people screamed and ran in panic, and desperate guards shouted to one another as they struggled to move enough water to combat the fire’s spread.
All they had to do was keep it contained until their lord could come and extinguish the blaze with his wind essence magic, but there were so many fires and so many people moving about that even hauling one bucket from the nearest well became a nightmare.
Soaria, the perpetrator, crept down the stairs of the Baronette’s tower toward the dungeon unnoticed by the few guards who remained on standby. As if invisible, she simply slunk past them, not wanting to waste even a second of her hard earned distraction dealing with nobodies who weren’t actually stopping her from achieving her goal.
The chaos is regrettable, I hate the noise, but I don’t have a choice this time. I can’t fight an archmage at the seat of his power, but I wouldn’t even be doing this if those idiots could just do their jobs.
She reached the door at the bottom, peeked through the small barred window at the door’s center, tested the lock, then when it resisted, flicked out her picks and cracked it open in a few short seconds.
An alarm sounded, magic in origin, and Soaria rolled her eyes. With the Baronette outside the tower’s premises most of the magical wards should be down, but she hoped against hope that he wouldn’t keep a more permanent one down here, but barred the door upstairs just in case.
I’ve still got time. They’ll break through the door in a few minutes, but the real problem is that the Baronette now knows I’m here. So will he come to stop me? Or will his bleeding heart choose to save his people?
Banging echoed down from upstairs just as she expected, and she quickly relocked the door behind her before racing through the dungeon, scanning each cell, until she found the four where her imprisoned initiates were kept.
Rune covered chains bound their arms and legs tight to the far wall, and bruises and small lacerations marred their bodies. Their once limp heads perked up at the sound of the alarm, and their wild eyes fell on Soaria with frantic excitement, one word palpable within. “Freedom.”
Shade coughed. “Master. We didn’t divulge anything. We–”
She hissed. “Silence.” and got to work opening the cells.
Her keen ears caught the sound of wood splintering at the top of the stairs before the thunder of boots raced down to the second and last obstacle in their way. She didn’t have another portable bar to seal it like before, but given the precedent she’d set, the guards didn’t stop to think and started to break down the barrier.
With all four cells open, she shouted over the clamor of blades against solid wood. “Free yourselves, or die, your choice!”
Without hesitation, Shade, Veil, and Thread all slipped their bonds and stumbled out of their cells, Whisper however, made no attempt to leave and in his place another voice called out to her–just short of raving.
“W–what about me? Weren’t you sent to collect me?”
Soaria’s cold, dark, eyes turned and landed on the equally abused figure of Sorren, her employer's former right hand man. “No.”
And with a flick of her wrist, and a glint of a long needle, he fell silent.
Then she said, “Whisper? Last chance.”
He didn’t reply, and the sound of splintering wood led her to click her tongue.
“I’m disappointed.”
“As am I.”
The booming baritone from right behind her caused her eyes to widen and hand to reflexively clasp the crystal that hung from around her throat. Years of experience prevented her from tensing up, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t terrified.
How? How is he here? How did I not sense– No. I don’t sense him at all. Only mana. He isn’t here.
She whirled around, threw a cough cloud bomb to incapacitate the guards who leapt through the door’s remnants, and scowled at the illusion of the Baronette that hovered in the air in front of her. “Disappointed? You? You don’t know me.”
His tired eyes smiled at her as his image went through the motions of spell casting, clearly to combat the fires she’d set. “That doesn’t change the fact that I’m disappointed. After all, this is a wasted effort in the face of the one who captured them.”
Soaria scoffed. “Your arrogance is unexpected, but exactly why they’re free.”
“No. He’s not talking about himself.” Whisper finally piped up, and his hollow, listless voice sent a shiver down her spine. “They have a– a monster on their side! A creature that defies logic! A beast we can’t deal with! Leaving is pointless, it's–ghrk!”
Soaria silenced him just as she had Sorren. Her mood soured, she tapped a foot and her remaining protogee’s moved close to her. “I appreciate the warning, but it won’t stop me.”
Then she squeezed the shard, and in a flash, the four were gone.
Baronette Barigg sighed and recalled his illusion. “I’ll need to warn Linus. Palaesheck is on the move again.”