Chapter 87

"So you met Wystan?" Justinian chuckled and shook his head sadly before taking a drink from a metal tankard, "That man is a foul wind at a summer picnic."

He had led them to a break room. A few artificers dwelled in the corner, eating their food or drinking from metal cups. A water spigot was set into the wall next to a trash receptacle.

"Yeah, we've met," Tobias said in dogged resignation, staring down at the floor.

"He offer you a coin purse?" Justinian asked offhandedly, taking another sip.

Tobias blinked in surprise.

"So he did; no wonder you look pissed," Justinian said before taking another drink.

"That's not the only reason," Riley finked as Tobias eyed her suspiciously.

"Hush, Riley," he ordered.

"We bonded our magics. I've got special insight," Riley volunteered.

"I'll pay you a silver if your information is good," Justinian offered, taking one from a coin purse, setting it on the table, sliding it surreptitiously over towards Riley.

Tobias groaned.

"Well, if you aren't going to talk about it, I can't help!" Justinian threw his arm over him in a sidelong hug.

"You know how quiet he gets," Riley reminded.

"Oh, I do, especially when he's brooding, like now," Justinian nodded knowingly, taking a sip.

"Yep, he's brooding and... annoyed," Riley volunteered, pulling at their bond.

"I'm right here," Tobias growled.

"Auditioning to replace the gargoyles around the academy?" He poked at his best friend.

Tobias narrowed his eyes.

"This break room reminds me of something from Earth," Riley deflected.

"Oh?" Justinian asked, taking another pull off his water. As he sipped, his eyes shifted towards Tobias.

"All that's missing is the fridge and the microwave," Riley commented.

"Ah," Justinian replied knowingly, looking towards Tobias again.

"Something that makes food hot and something that makes food cold," Riley explained.

"Sounds like magic," Justinian said, wielding the small talk like a weapon.

"It's science. It can seem like magic," Riley replied.

Tobias threw up his hands and began to pace.

"We have a winner!" Justinian took up Riley's paw as if proclaiming her the champion.

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"We got in last night; it's not yet high sun, and I've seen vileness, corruption, and apathy that makes me want to burn something!" Tobias raged.

Quickly, two artificers dwelling in the corners finished their drinks and left.

"Sounds like Ashenvale," Justinian agreed.

"I don't know how I'm going to do this. I have to investigate this series of murders, something I've never done, mind you; Chadrick still wants me dead and looks to have tried..." Tobias trailed off, seething.

"And you've been holding all this in how long?" Justinian asked.

"Oh, this is just weeks of repressed rage working itself out. Training was fun, and by fun, I mean grueling, torturous, and terrifying," Riley replied.

"I'll bet," Justinian said, rising to refill his tankard.

"Chadrick tried to kill us during our last training module and sent his hawk to do it. The kid is just begging for an ass kicking," Riley's voice dripped with malice.

"He's the Viceroy of the Commons now, and he doesn't deserve it, but I hear he hates it and considers it beneath him. May it drive him to jump off the north tower," Justinian held up his tankard in a toast.

Tobias glowered as the dam broke.

"It's more than just Chadrick. It just... was a lot," he took a deep breath to steady himself as Riley felt the emotions churn within him.

Tobias sat back down with a long sigh, "I saw some things and lived through some things I don't want to talk about. I've got the weight of all this on me, and I'm barely nineteen. It's a bit much."

"You had a birthday? Do they not celebrate those here? Happy Birthday!" Riley interjected.

"About two weeks ago, and we do, I just didn't feel like celebrating at... where we were," he paused, looking towards Justinian.

"I get it. I know there are some things you just can't talk about; for all my ribbing, we're still brothers, man, and I love ya," Justinian patted his hand.

"I liked my nice, quiet little life, but it's over, and they won't even let me hunt monsters yet. At least that's clean. This is just... diving into a privy pit," Tobias stared down at the floor.

"Yeah, I'm the lucky one down here, but it's not like I don't hear things. Wystan is a snake; you be careful around him. He'd sell his mother for two coppers fair, but I don't know what to tell ya, man. There's a lot of apathy in the nobility towards the commoners. It's a disease," Justinian took a long, slow pull off his water again before shaking his head.

"So what do I do?" Tobias asked his friend.

"What you've always done, you do your best. Are they still quartering rangers at the Prancing Cockatrice?" Justinian grinned.

"You shouldn't know that," Tobias replied briskly.

"What did I just say? I hear things!" He threw up his hands in mock exasperation.

"Yes, they do," Tobias admitted, sounding defeated.

"Well, that confirms that rumor. Anyhow, I know this noble, Lady Godwin; she's a good and genuine soul, but works society like I work a forge. Don't let the smile and the dimples fool you, friend. If it moves, shakes, or gossips, she knows it," Justinian began.

"That sounds like a contradiction," Riley observed.

"You can fight the system or work within the system. Those rightly or highly placed by birth or deftness have the chance to do a lot of good working in the backrooms. She's trustworthy, and I guarantee she cares and knows more than old Wystan ever will, but this is the reality of things, friend. Are you interested?" Justinian offered like an olive branch.

"Yes," Tobias moaned.

"Smart. I'll reach out discreetly, and we'll set a meeting where you're quartered. We'll see what we can see," Justinian patted him affably on the shoulder.

"I missed you, brother," Tobias said, staring down at the table.

"I missed you too, and I'm glad you came to see me, but even I don't know everything. Lady Godwin can help," he deferred.

"Before you go, I was wondering if you'd be interested in making gear for Riley," With a wave of his hand, he produced the requisition papers.

"Really? Let me see!" Snatching them, he smoothed them out on the table as his eyes went wide.

"Mythril? Seriously... this is an authorization for mythril mail and you brought it to me?" Justinian's voice grew squeaky as if in contradiction to his impressive bulk.

"Is that good?" Riley asked.

"That's amazing! I love you, man!" Justinian bowled Tobias over, knocking him out of his chair and pulling him into a hug.

"Let me go, you oaf!" Tobias tried to pull away but could not escape the vice grip of his arms.

Finally, he went limp, and Justinian let him free. Smoothing down his apron, he took upon a professional air, "Do you have time for some measurements, Miss?"

He bowed deferentially to Riley, who giggled, blushing in her ears, "Why, Sir, for a discerning gentleman such as yourself, I could spare the time."

"Twelve Gods save me from this circus," Tobias complained, flopping again into his chair.