The house Mistress Scylla had bought was an ugly square offense to architects everywhere. The windows were line with heavy bars on the outside, the wall separating it from the street was rusted metal. Dead plants lined the courtyard, where a Jackaroo kneeled, pulling weeds.

Another opened the door as Kaden arrived with Eve.

“Upstairs,” Mistress Scylla called.

Kaden headed up a spiral staircase to the second floor, where torches flickered and Jackaroos worked to scrube the walls and floor. “Where’s Trella?”

Mistress Scylla left the desk she stood at. “Did you get the [Unono] ooze?”

“They’re extinct, but I found one in a Dungeon and scraped it clean.” Kaden looked to Eve, who handed Mistress Scylla the jar, then, carefully, the spoon.

“Trouble?” she asked.

Kaden shook his head. “Where is Trella?”

“She’s hiding in the royal audience chambers, checking everyone who interacts with the King. It took her ten hours to get into position, it will take another twenty four for her to get out. I tried explaining to her that no Slaver would risk going after the ruler of a kingdom, but this is something she must learn.”

That was likely Eve’s fault, but Kaden had thought it a reasonable move. “There’s always the possibility, right?”

“It’s happened in the past and been dealt with quickly. Brutally. Ashi has met with almost every trade minister in the kingdom, which is a level Slavers would be far more likely to target. The woman is brilliant.” Mistress Scylla pointed to a second set of stairs. “Eve, if you’d like to wash up, there’s private showers and a cleaning box.”

“I’m covered in swamp water, even with Kaden pulling a raft.” Eve headed upstairs.

The moment she did, Mistress Scylla turned on him. “Do you know how to hide a title? [Queenslayer] is one you need to hide.”

Kaden hadn’t thought of it, but mentally checked the option. “Better?”

“Yes. You need to be more careful. Titles like that can have a provocative effect. Who was it?”

“Deidra Pear, this—”

“Oh!” Mistress Scylla grinned and gave him a hug. “It’s loot all around, then. I’d heard of her when I was young. She wasn’t a [Slaver] but that compulsion skill of hers walked the line, almost identical in power. The only difference is that Deidra Pear’s ability could be resisted, it’s a System skill. [Slaver] comes from outside the system, there’s nothing you can do to fight it. I thought she was dead already, but, there’s a time and place for everyone to meet Mortis.”

Her power had been overwhelming and just made so much sense, but Kaden had fought it and won, at least momentarily, where Trella was certain no one could fight a Slaver. Kaden dumped Pear’s corpse out of inventory. And then held up the skull. “She threatened Eve. That won’t happen again, but who knows if her people will come looking?”

“I see. Collect the loot package, and I’ll have a Jackaroo eat the body, then dismiss it.” Mistress Scylla hummed as she worked. “Sara had a few problems. She was attacked by pirates.”

“Do I need—”

“S&K Holdings has a second ship now. It’s greatly in need of repair but a ship is a ship.” Mistress Scylla pointed to the corpse with a tentacle. “Loot the body, please. The Jackaroos don’t have teeth. It takes time for them to gum a corpse to bits.”

Kaden took the loot package. “The dress is enchanted. Who makes enchanted dresses, especially in that color pink? Fireproof. Stabbing protection, regenerates, self cleaning, environment damping. You know what? I’m not stripping a woman’s corpse for clothing. Not even enchanted clothing with a set bonus with the umbrella. It just looks bad.”

“Everyone has to set their own boundaries. There’s a second shower upstairs. You smell of swamp. I’ll have food ready when you return.”

Kaden headed upstairs, taking the half of the third floor whose door was open. A brand new bed with mattresses and quilts sat unused. He cleaned quickly, waiting only for the bells that signaled the cleaning box was done. When he opened it, a furious [Match Lizard] steamed on the collar of his shirt. “You didn’t have to stay.”

The lizard held a distinct frown.

[Match Lizard]

Level: 2

HP: 10

Mana: 3

Skills: Burn

Talents: Fireproof

The Beast had done enough damage to the [Marauder] to gain experience and a level, making him the world’s strongest [Match Lizard] by a fair margin.

When he returned, Kaden found Eve sitting at a table with Mistress Scylla, devouring potato soup. “Is there anything I can do to help Sara?”

“Wait patiently and pretend to be surprised when she tells you about the ship. What did you get in the Loot package?” Mistress Scylla slurped her soup as she ate.

Kaden hadn’t unpacked it. “Eve?”

Eve touched it, scanning the bundle, then frowned. “That stupid umbrella that lets her glide and offers a set bonus with the dress.”

“Sorry, dress is gone. I wasn’t going to strip a woman’s corpse. It just looks wrong,” Kaden said.

“What’s this?” Mistress Scylla set a folded dress on the table. “I have no idea where it came from.”

Eve added it to the package. “The jewelry is gaudy and awful. Attribute boosts for Soul and Mana while heavily penalizing agility. This is odd.”

She set a wood stick down on the table. “It’s a summoning artifact.”

[Dog Whistle]

Summon a [Marauder] to do your bidding with the word of your choice. You do not need to blow on the dog whistle, your summoning word will communicate in a way they can hear. The type of [Maurader] you can summon will increase as you level your bond with this item.

Mistress Scylla picked it up held it out. “Come.”

From the shadows of the room, a skinny, near starving [Marauder] limped out, carrying a heavy wooden stick. It bared its teeth and snarled before turning and disappearing into the shadows.

“That’s a truly interesting summons. I wonder if James could transmute the whistle to a skill scroll?” She looked to Kaden. “I presume you wouldn’t want to suddenly take up Summoning.”

Kaden shook his head. “Not happening. My Beasts are not disposable.”

“Why do you own a house? You’re not staying,” Eve said.

Mistress Scylla glanced over as one of her Jackaroos picked up a lantern and unshuttered it. Purple light flooded out, illuminating runes on the walls. “You two have no grasp of how difficult it is to kill a Centurion. Particularly a cagey, paranoid Centurion who will have acquired many defensive skills and artifacts. The damage from our battle alone might have collateral casualties.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Will you win?” Kaden asked.

Eve stared, mouth agape. “You’re not supposed to ask.”

Mistress Scylla didn’t. “I hope so. By choosing the time and place of battle I hold several key advantages. I’ve relayed his information to the one who taught me. Should I die in a way that there’s no return from, he will be pursued.”

“I asked once about your faction,” Kaden said. “You told me you wouldn’t speak about it. I think I understand why.”

“Perhaps you do. Sara is three days from a Cargo FarPortal. Trella will hopefully escape tomorrow. Ashi will likely be a guest of the King for the night. I have work I must do, but you two should sleep. How many hours have you been up?”

Kaden looked to Eve. “Forty hours? A couple days? How long has it been since you slept?”

“We live on different scales of existence. Besides, if I’m not awake, my Jackaroos are limited in their responses.”

Kaden summoned Trinity. “She can let two heads sleep and keep one awake. She’s the ultimate night guard. And she’s smart enough to wake us up instead of trying to handle it.”

“I’ll consider it. There is only one entrance and exit to this building now. The others are present but have Mana Barriers cast over them. Trinity, would you mind guarding the front door?” Mistress Scylla’s Jackaroos moved aside.

Trinity lumbered down the stairs, her growls echoing in the emptiness.

Kaden summoned Vip and sent her to Eve. “I’m going to sleep. Wake me if anyone attack—never mind. Just wake me if Ashi or Trella return.”

Sara had said once that every time he fell asleep in a strange place, it got easier. It did not get easier. He took a woodcarving knife and fed curls of wood to the [Match Lizard] for ash, which it gobbled up. After consuming a small stick, it wrapped its tail over its head and laid down.

In the night, he woke and sprinted for the stairs, only to find Jackaroos had knocked over chairs as they sparred with black spears he’d taken from the [Marauders.] Mistress Scylla dozed on a bedroll, and Kaden reluctantly went back to sleep.

Noon came and went with still no sign of Ashi or Trella. Eve went out shopping with vouchers. Evening, and Kaden was ready to lay siege to the palace. “Something has gone wrong. Ashi and Trella should have been back.”

Trinity paced with him, while Mistress Scylla engraced runes on every available surface. “Many times, fate will be beyond your control. Do what you can do, rather than worry about what you can’t.”

Kaden pulled Trinity into his soul and headed to the palace.

A palace surrounded by guards.

Kaden slowed as he approached the guards. “My name is Kaden Birch. I’m staying here as a guest of the King.” He waited as the message passed up and down the guard line.

A captain approached. “Come with me, we feared the worst, but if you’re alive, that’s good.”

Kaden followed him through busy palace hallways to the area near the kitchen. An area blackened by fire. A sickening feeling deep in his stomach made Kaden certain what had caused this.

“You’re alive!” King Evandor shouted as he sprinted down a hallway toward Kaden. “Do you have any idea how bad it looks when guests of the King die in a fire?”

Kaden took a deep breath. “I’m afraid this was all my fault.”

The King stopped, looking from Kaden to the room. “That’s…an usual claim. Why?”

With [Beast Soul] he asked the [Match Lizard to leave his collar. “I needed one for a potion, I bought it a friend. I’ve only been able to find one, and now I think I know where the other went.”

The King kept quiet, staring at Kaden.

Was he trying to use [Authority] and failing?

“What do you think I should do to the person who burned down a wing of my castle?”

“If it was an accident? Make them pay for repairs.” How he’d do that, Kaden didn’t know.

“Well, unless your [Match Lizard] can now cast [Arcane FireStorm], I’m fairly sure you’re not at fault.” King Evandor moved past the guards and waved Kaden on. Kaden’s room was utterly destroyed, black. The walls were melted, the furniture obliterated.

Kaden reached out with [Beast Soul], feeling. Then sifted through the ashes to remove a fat, happy [Match Lizard], which squeaked when it saw the other. “Sara and I run S&K Holdings. She’s been dealing with a Pirate attack. Eve was with me rescuing a dungeon from some adenturers. Ashi—”

“Is she always that demanding?” the King asked. “I welcome trade but her energy is boundless, her standards exacting. I don’t know if I should be flattered or furious.”

“It’s usually both,” Kaden said. He left his room to check on Eve’s.

The room was burned but not obliterated. Sara’s door had been kicked in and the bed set on fire. Ashi’s door wasn’t broken, but the furniture had been obliterated and the courtyard door smashed open.

Kaden turned on the king. “How does this happen without a guard knowing or responding?”

“They did. We held the funerals this morning. Trunistan has held economic might for nearly a thousand years. Our guards are well trained but the number of individuals willing to attack is almost zero.” The King glanced down the hall. “I’ve hired the services of a [Inquisitor] but fire destroys almost everything. Even the most skilled would be hard pressed to get information from ash.”

Kaden nodded along. “Please don’t be offended if we spend our vouchers and move on. I’m not blaming you and I will speak to the others to make it clear it wasn’t your actions against us. But I think once our business is concluded, the best thing to do is go. Anywhere. If the attackers follow, it’s not your problem. If they remain here we won’t be in range.”

“That saves me having to ask. How soon can you leave?”

Kaden considered his needs. “I have custom armor being made. As soon as it’s ready, you won’t see me for a good, long while.”

“I hope Ignus puts you on another guard patrol,” King Evandor said. “I’d love to see what you come out with the second time around.”

Kaden knew a dismissal when he heard one. “Have a prosperous year, King. May it be a long and quiet time before we meet again.”

He found his way out of the palace and into the streets of Trunistan, then made his way to Jules and Julia’s shop. The couple worked together in the back, sewing and stitching, and Jules insisted he wasn’t ready.

Kaden headed back to Mistress Scylla’s Killing House. The courtyard was replanted, and Jackaroos worked around the edges, painting, patching, cleaning. When Kaden pushed opent he door, voices drifted from upstairs.

He sprinted up to lift Trella off her feet and squeeze her until she wriggled lose. “How did you get out?”

“As though you do not know.” Ashi spoke with amusement. “The King was called away to deal with an important matter. I heard your name spoken.”

“I found them all,” Trella said. “And marked them all. I’ll have information on everyone by tomorrow. The only problem is how many I found.” The last, she directed to Mistress Scylla. “Thirteen. You said twelve.”

“I did, but understand that our knowledge of [Slaver] abilities is limited. We know that before they go up a rank, they claim another slave. It is likely that he nears rank thirteen. I’ll prepare accordingly.” Mistress Scylla offered all of them a warm smile. “You’ve done well. All of you. Sara will return in two days with the Phoenix Feast. It’s a meal that can only be appreciated—or survived—by a Centurion. The experience would kill anyone else. I’ve set matters in motion by accidentially leaving the cargo list unsealed.”

Trella scoffed. “And that works? That will get the information to Ducat?”

“I’ve had sixteen new contacts in two hours. Including our ‘friend.’ Of course, all were denied. This is, after all, an intimate gathering of only those who helped me thorugh a difficult time.” Mistress Scylla paused as a Jackaroo rushed to her, carrying a scroll. “Oh, good. So many want to be new friends. I do love new friends. Trella, you may not get the time I want you to have. From the moment he takes the Unono venom, his senses will be dulled. But if I can kill him quickly, I will.”

“Understood.” Trella said the word like it was sour. “Do I have to reach the government ones first?”

“Yes. You must minimize the damage as best you can. Be out, be close, have a plan. Your [Bond Breaker] skill will level quickly to give you range. Have the assault on his house start the moment I send word.” Mistress Scylla looked to the rest of them. “Now, who wants icecream?”

Kaden hated to interrupt icecream. “Someone busted into our rooms at the palace. Burned mine and Trella’s to cinders. Torched Eve’s room, burned Sara’s smashed Ashi’s and killed a bunch of guards before disappearing.”

The house fell silent.

“If it were Ducat, he’d flee. No [Slaver] ever has stood and fought. Unless he doesn’t know I’m present. But Trella didn’t have any of her basic skills. She’s invisible to him, almost literally.” Mistress Scylla spoke even more softly with each line. “This has to be someone from the Vivomancers. Someone who thinks it would be cheaper to kill you and keep the gold.”

“What do we do?” Trella asked.

“Stick to the plan. You have your lodgings near Ducat’s house. What have you learned about his household?”

Trella spoke rapidly. “The biggest problem isn’t the guards. He doesn’t hire high level guards. Maybe he doesn’t trust them. The biggest problem is his household manager, a young [Soldier] who’s served him for a decade.”

“He’s got to know,” Eve said. “What level?”

“Thirty two,” Trella said. “I’d rather not kill him. Despite the whole Shadow Blade thing, we’re careful. There are often options.”

“Tell that to Princess Pear,” Eve said.

Trella glanced to Kaden and frowned—then continued. “My Quest is to break the bonds. My choice is to get those people out. The first problem is his servant. The second is the house itself. It’s trapped. I don’t mean a little trapped, like, ‘it’ll poison me’ trapped. It’s designed to blow. Several Fire Mana bombs embedded in the basement.”

“Not unsual,” Mistress Scylla said. “Slavers often have to leave. When they do, they tend to arrange disasters that kill everyone and everything in the premesis. There will be a trigger on the property. And no matter what anyone says, I promise you, once it’s triggered, it will go off. No button combinations, no secret words to stop it. If there is a timer, expect it to go off while there’s still ten minutes.”

Kaden now had a new most-worry. “Can he trigger it from accross the city?”

“Absolutely not,” Mistress Scylla said. “His existence is his most prized possession. A remote trigger would allow remote assassination. If his servant can trigger it, he has strict protocols for when and how.”

“All right.” Trella stood and gathered her scrolls and maps. “We’re leaving. I did as you suggested, we have a house down the block from Ducats.”

“How did you manage that?” Eve asked. “The odds of a house just being available—”

“Pretty good. I chucked a bag of [Dagger Wasps] in through the window while everyone was gone, then happened to hear the screaming when the owners came home and offered to exterminate them. I know someone immune to [Dagger Wasp] venom. I don’t want to take the house, I just want to use it for two days.” Trella nodded to the others. “Follow me, stay close, I’ll explain the plan when we get there.”

“Kaden.” Mistress Scylla spoke. “I need a favor.”