Chapter: 21

Adrian rapped on the warehouse doors. The sounds of movement within stilled. Footsteps approached the door a knife sliding free of a sheathe.

I’d never notice this before with my low level.

Gibson opened the door with three of his lads hanging back trying to look non threatening.

"Ah, good to see you, Sarge," he said.

He pushed the door open all the way, allowing him entry and checking past him. "Most of the others have already arrived. We're just sorting out gear.” He ducked back into the warehouse, sheathing his blade and closing the door. “Everett got here not long ago. He's having a chat with Mackie. Edwin and his lads are still on their way in."

"Good to know," Adrian said.

"This way," Gibson said, aiding him past the other men. “Keep watch you two.” He said to the two that were his backup.

“Yes Lance Corporal,” They took up positions at the door, still wearing the civvies.

The rest of their unit was deeper in the warehouse, hidden by shelves that had been turned into beds and living spaces.

They wore blackened armor and clothing, having shed their civvies. Some held fire in their hands, using it to blacken their blades and remove their shine.

Adrian nodded to them, Gibson guiding him to the back of the warehouse Mackie was outfitted in the blackened armor, nodding to Adrian.

Everett gave off a strong presence, drawing in mana from a large area around him, a sure sign of his higher overall level.

“Adrian, good to see you man,” Everett broke into a smile and walked over to him, clapping him on the shoulders and studying him.

“Good to see you too sir, I’m guessing you have a new job for us,” He tilted his head to the marked map that was nailed on the wall.”

“They fixed you up good,” Everett grabbed his shoulders again. “Feel decades younger, but its seeing you and your men that stuns me.” He turned to the map. “Yes, more work for your people. Mackie was just telling me about these sound transmission devices you have?”

“Just have to set which device you want to connect to, power it with a bit of mana to activate it and you can talk to them as if they’re standing right next to you. Take out all the lag of sending messages.” Adrian confirmed.

“That is going to be a huge boon for our strike,” Everett said. “Since you have been gone people all across Goran have been increasing their skills, gaining levels and becoming much stronger. Its become a point of pride between people of how skilled they are. This boon has spread to Tyrus and his people which will make them much harder to deal with.”

"We'll have certain advantages over them. Rick and Len taught us how to fight with magic. Most of them are going to be using unstructured and unguided magic, running on impulse and creativity,” Adrian said.

“Which is going to make them dangerous as hell," Gibson interjected.

Adrian tilted his head in acknowledgement. "Yes, it'll make them dangerous and it'll make them unpredictable, though it also means they're going to use their mana much faster than someone who's at least got a base understanding of how it works. Do you know how many skill ups or what level the people around Tyrus are?" Adrian asked.

Everett drew in a long breath. "We have an idea of some of the people around Tyrus, and Tyrus himself, though our biggest problem is going to be Andreas. He's been training and fighting throughout this entire period to increase his level and skills. The boy was already able to best me with the sword some four years ago, and I was able to get an expert in bladed weapons. So master then?" Adrian asked.

"If that's the one after expert level," Everett shrugged. "I'd think so."

Adrian heard the door to the warehouse open again and Edwin’s voice, followed by him and others walking towards the back of the warehouse.

“Now we’re all here, what’s the plan?” Adrian asked.

Everett made to speak, listened and turned as Edwin came around the corner. “These new senses and abilities are going to take some time to get used to.” He walked over to the map. “We’ve been raising forces in Goran among those that are still loyal. They have been broken into squads and each have their own tasks to complete. None of them know about one another so if something goes wrong they can’t blow the operation. You four have the most information. Though you also have the most vital targets,” He pointed to the markings on the map. “While the finals are underway you’re going to have separate missions and follow ups depending on the situation.

***

"Where are we heading to?" Len asked as Rick guided them along unfamiliar roads.

"There's an inn I know of. My grandma is close with the owner. She told me to stay there when I returned."

"So much sneaking about," Len said.

"Well, when you're trying to hide from the city's very ruler, it pays to be a bit paranoid," Rick said. "Here it is." He waved at the two-story inn. On the left side, there was an archway that led to a stable. On the right side was a large door, opened and surrounded by tables where people were drinking and eating. The noise of merriment carried from inside the tavern.

Rick led Len through the doors into the tavern.

People were drinking and eating, telling stories about the fighting or other events. Rick walked up to the front table where a man stood.

"Looking for a table, a room, or stabling?" the man asked.

"Looking for a room, do any have a silver bell upon them?”

The man took in Rick and Len. “Only at midnight.”

“Ah the curse of the dawn,” Rick said.

“We've got a room with two beds.” The man handed Rick a key. “Second floor number fifteen.”

"The finals are tomorrow, right?" Rick asked as he took the key.

"Yeah, tomorrow morning. Take the stairs over there and follow it all the way to the back."

"Thanks," Rick said, following the man's directions, weaving through the people filling the tavern.

Some musicians were attempting to overcome their noise with their own talents.

Thankfully, the noise dissipated somewhat as they made their way up to the second floor and into the room they would be staying in.

"So, real beds," Rick said, upon seeing the room. One took off his backpack, putting it to the side and starting to unpack his gear. There was a slotted window in the room. There was an alleyway outside and the framed could be pushed, actually opening.

He pulled out several alchemy books and lay down on the bed, keeping his boots off of the sheets.

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Rick was sorting out his gear as well when a letter was pushed underneath the doorway. Len sat down his books and drew his utility knife.

Rick stalked over to the door, he pulled out his own knife. He opened the door, glancing left and right before picking up the letter and closing the door behind him, checking it was locked.

He opened the letter, a folded piece of paper, and read the words within. "Looks like my grandma knows we're back in the city. She wants to see me for something."

Rick handed the letter over to Len, who read the words within.

"It seems she wants you to carry out a mission for her, or at least some task," Len said. Rick shrugged.

Len summoned a flame in his hand holding the letter, destroying it. "Well, good luck. I'll be here, reading." He opened up his book once more, doing just as he'd said. "Oh, can you pass me a paper and pencil? I’ll try and figure out a spell structure that will let the caster understand other languages. Tenebrook will need that if he’s going to understand these books."

“What, don’t want to copy it all out?” Rick asked, pulling out stationery from his ruck.

“Fuck to the no.”

Rick dropped off the paper and pencils.

“Enjoy your grandma’s jobs.”

Rick flipped him the bird and headed out of the room.

***

“You wanted to see me, Grandma?” Rick asked as he closed the door to her sitting room. He’d moved across the city, waited till no one was watching the wall, hopped over and walked through the back gardens.

Carolyn closed a book on her desk, turning fully around. “Yes,” She waved to the couches. Rick took a seat as she lowered herself opposite.

Already the signs of tempering and cultivation showed, there was a strength to her movements. She was a completely different woman from the one he’d seen upon his arrival.

“Here are your tickets,” she said and handed them over. “It is your sister’s last fight, shouldn’t she see her brother in the seats?”

Rick grimaced and took them.

Carolyn smiled at him. “You think the men that went with you to Warwick are ready?”

“We healed up those that you sent to us and trained up those that were in good health. There’s no going back on the contract’s they signed, they’re loyal.”

“You sound very sure.”

“Those contracts bind with the magic in your body. If you turn back on them then they will enact out what was in the contract. If they betray us then they’ll die,” Rick said.

“You say it so simply.”

“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep.” Rick shrugged.

“It will still take me time to reconcile you with the Rick that I know,” Carolyn said.

“I hope we have more time this apocalypse.”

“Go to the Rusted Spigot tavern and order the Siren’s Call drink. A man will contact you there.”

“Who are they?”

“Someone with information on Eskon and what’s happening beyond our borders,” Carolyn said.

“Won’t matter all that long. The royal family will run into their own issues shortly,” Rick said.

“What do you mean?”

“The king is about to fall into poor health. He has been working to keep leashes on the people with the nobles. Though he’s let their leashes become too light. They’re looking to expand more. It won’t be long until the younger generation start fighting one another behind closed doors and then out in the open to bring about the collapse of the kingdom.”

“It sounds rote to you. This is powerful information,” Carolyn said.

Rick waved it off. “It was information decades ago. The Hunter’s Bureau were manipulating all the sides. Looking to increase their hold over the nation. The King didn’t do anything that would help us. While they’re all distracted by that we can build up Goran. Stay out of their sights, on the periphery as we gain true strength.”

Carolyn blinked and watched him. “You’re talking about the fall of Plynthia.”

“Yes,” Rick frowned. “Do you think that it’s the only nation that falls? I’ve already said that the largest group that survives are cities, not nations.”

Carolyn sat upright. “We swore to defend this nation.”

“You did, I didn’t. I will fight to defend my family, this nation is going to tear itself apart. The nobles will do all the work before we have to ever step in. So, Rusted Spigot, Sirens Call, spy shit, when?”

Carolyn took sometime before she responded. “Tonight. Tell him the weather is fair though the winds look stormy.”

“Don’t worry I might have changed the king’s fate already. Depends on what Bethany does.” He turned about and headed out the door.

***

The Rusted Spigot was a lively tavern. There was a bar on the right side as one walked in, at the back there was a band in full swing.

There were seats along the left wall and taking up the space between it and the bar. Revellers had spread outside of the bar, sitting at tables. Money was exchanged at the bar quickly.

Rick weaved through the people. One stumbled into him. He smacked the hands away, clipped the woman over the back of the head and continued on his way. He wasn’t losing his coin that easily.

She looked around, half stunned as he raised a hand to the bartender.

“You got the Siren’s Call?”

“Oh! Been a good long time since someone’s asked for that, seems you’ve got quite the constitution! That’ll be five coppers!”

That’s quite a bit for a drink. Rick pulled out the coin and put it on the bar. The bartender swept it away and pulled down a murky glass and started to fill it with different liquors.

The color turned to a turquoise blue, a full pint of it.

“Here you are!” The bartender chuckled and slapped it on the bar.

Rick took the glass, raised it up to catch the light. Looks like a terrible morning and a great night. Rick lowered it and took a big gulp.

It was pure alcohol. His body started to heal before it hit his stomach.

“Smooth,” He grinned to the bartender. The man laughed and slapped the table. “Grab a seat once you’re done with that, you won’t be able to stand!”

A random man’s arm wrapped around Rick’s shoulders. He about near stabbed him through the ribs out of reaction.

“You’d be a man’s savior if you could get me a drink. Dying of a thirst. The water here is corrupted so it is only the weak beer here that keeps me healthy.”

Rick moved out of the man’s sideways embrace looking him over. A handsome man of middle age, hardened looks, with a brilliant smile a cloak around his shoulders and an instrument case on his back.

His face sweaty as he tried to hide the shivers of drink depravation.

“Water is just fine around these parts,” the bartender growled and slapped a towel on the counter.

The drunk cowed back like a hit dog and turned his smile back on Len. “It doesn’t sit well with my constitution.

“Who are you?” Rick asked.

“A scourge to bars and married husbands,” the bartender said darkly.

“I am but a humble traveling artiste,” the man, put one leg forward and wrapped one arm around his breast, the other reaching for the ceiling. Somehow missing all of the other patrons “Gerald Luthwhaite at your distinguished service.” He rose back up, unsteady on his feet as he paled. That smile still affixed to his face.

Shameless, bold and with his own vices. His movements were graceful with the ‘hitches’ thrown in. Almost natural. As was his complexion.

“One beer for mister Gerald here,” Rick said to the bartender.

“One beer coming up!” the bartender said quickly, eager for the sale. Rick focused on Gerald. “Though questions and time will be the payment.”

The bartender was quickly back with a beer. Rick paid the two coppers and moved off to a vacated table against one of the walls.

Gerald took three long gulps nearly draining his beer as he patted his face with the back of his cuff. “The Sirens Call, only seen that drink a few times.”

“You have information? Grandma is interested,” Rick said.

“Oh, I don’t think I’ve seen any of the older ladies recently.” Gerald chuckled.

“Oh what was it she wanted me to say?” Rick rattled his brain around. “The weather is fair though the winds look stormy.”

“Interesting.” Gerald drank, his eyes darting around the place, he wasn’t nearly as drunk as he affected.

Rick drank from the Siren’s Call, his body was too strong to get drunk off of something like this anymore.

I could be building up a smithy to make Ironclads, or beating—tempering Len, or hell, sleeping. Instead I gotta do this whole spy clandestine shit.

“Well you’re in luck I know a few places to visit!” Gerald finished his beer slapping it down before clapping Rick on the shoulder.

Woah this guy is chummy. Grandma wouldn’t be pissed if I punched him lightly. Right? Seeing as that might throw him through the wall they were sitting next to, Rick was the bigger man and kept drinking instead.

“Follow my lead,” Gerald whispered and stood up. “Come on then!”

Rick downed the rest of the drink. Be a waste to leave it here. Gerald’s eye twitched some as Rick rose up and followed after him. They wandered the streets before moving down an alley.

“So you’re Carolyn’s Grandson.” Gerald’s voice sunk into deeper tones, assessing Rick.

“Yeah. You got the information.”

“There’s a lot and it has been a long time since I was contacted,” Gerald said.

Rick shrugged.

“This way, I have it but there’s a lot of it now.” Gerald led him through the city to a building away from the bustle. He checked something at the door before entering.

Rick could see the weapons hiding about the room as well as the pieces of wood that were set up to alert Gerald if anyone came inside.

Gerald reached under the bed and pulled out several books.

“Nobles are very interested in the rise of the Isendia family and the mercenaries throughout the nation. Tyrus has taken out three lines of credit with different banks and they’re starting to pile up. He has the bankers come into the city quietly. The Hunter’s Bureau has entrenched themselves with nobility and have been hosting parties where they bid to kill beasts.”

“Mana beasts?” Rick raised an eyebrow.

“They call them legendary beasts, whoever kills them becomes stronger and younger on the spot. The nobles love it. They’re purchasing all kinds of goods from them.”

Rick flipped open a book, there were entries listing shipments, others about nobles interactions with one another. Hopefully this will keep Grandma happy.

“Thanks. Grandma might have more for you in the future.” Rick pointed at a nearby towel. “Can I borrow that?”

“Sure.” Gerald grabbed it and tossed it over. “There are a lot of worrying ripples through the kingdom.”

“Glad that is someone else’s problem.” Rick dumped the books into the towel, tied it up and slung it over his shoulder. “Be seeing you, Gerald.”

He walked out of the room and into the street, he pressed on the ground, leaving two footprints firming the wind beneath his feet as he jumped across the sky, heading for the Blue Manor once again.

A damn messenger.

Rick hummed to himself as he sped across the sky.