Chapter 8 Plans set in motion
A bald and plump man enthusiastically greeted them.
“Welcome travellers! Welcome in our humble inn. Do you search for a room, or can I interest you in some of our homemade specialities? We have the best cheese and milk in the whole town, and we sure know how to use it.”
Their dwarven companion and guide answered.
“We will take two rooms, one for me and one for the couple here. Also we would like to eat something. We will take a fondue for three. Blue Camembert, please. Until its ready a cheese cream soup as an appetiser would be appreciated.”
Happy about his new costumers the innkeeper flitted towards his kitchen.
Whispering to the dwarf Alec asked “Blue Camembert fondue? Is that really a thing?”. All the dwarf responded with was a wink with his left eye. Shrugging his shoulders Alec led their group to a small table and sat down.
After he scrutinized the room that was devoid of people he asked, “So when will we meet your friends.”
“Soon.” The dwarf answered eliptical and took out a decorative knife. Seemingly absent minded he began to play with the small rune covered knife and juggled it around his hands. The movements of the polished blade were almost hypnotizing.
“You are rather experienced in that, aren't you?” Quini asked. “You are also the first dwarf I have seen that isn't constantly clad in plate armour.”
Smiling he answered, “It is every dwarf's responsibility to learn to handle some weapon types and I am sort of a messenger. Heavy equipment would only slow me down, so I specialised on these kind of things.”
Shortly after their soup arrived and they could only approve of the innkeepers enthusiastic words about their food. It smelled mouthwatering good and the taste was close to perfection. When their plates were empty the innkeeper returned and said “The fondue has been prepared in an adjacent room. If you would follow me please?.”
Filled with anticipation Alec followed him. Their group was led towards a small comfy room, whose centre was occupied by a small table holding a kettle filled with liquefied cheese and an allocation of bread and vegetable sticks. The couches, that surrounded the table, and the elegant wood panelling gave the room a comfy look.
“If you need something come to the front room.” The innkeeper said and departed. The dwarf closed the door behind him and walked over to one of the corners of the room. He once again took out his knife and used its handle to knock three times on the wooden panel.
Shortly after that very panel slid a bit backwards and then down, showing them a dark corridor. From it emerged a familiar dwarf.
“Beoldar!” Alec greeted the dwarf and embraced him.
“Its good to see you friend,” Beoldar replied, “but we should clear the way or your friends will have to remain in this narrow corridor.”
Hastily he made way and was pleased to see Marie and Peter emerge from the darkness shrouded narrow corridor.
“It sure was cramped in there.” Peter said while dusting himself off. “Nice to see you two again, albeit the circumstances are rather menacing.”
Marie went straight for a round of hugs in the meantime.
After their greetings they settled down on the couches, only the dwarf that had led Alec and Quini here left into the corridor.
“He is a bit antisocial, isn't he?” Peter asked.
“Yeah, although mainly he just wanted to give us some time for our reunion. He probably didn't even give you his name.” Beoldar said.
“Right on the mark.” Quini replied.
“That's normal for him, and for his whole unit. It consists mainly of those that have severed ties with their families and many among them once were criminals.” Beoldar explained. “The work they do is unpleasant and unrewarding most of the time.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a growling stomach.
“I guess we shouldn't let this go to waste.” Beoldar said and reached for some bread and dipped it into the liquid cheese.
While they ate they continued to speak about the current situation in town.
Summarised, the discovery of the abducted dwarf had led the dwaven spies on a wild goose chase among the human 'nobles', which gained their titles through their efforts in 'the revolution of Alderich'.
The spies had uncovered many crimes among the human ranks, but sadly weren't able to pinpoint the perpetrators of the abduction, they simply couldn't access certain gatherings because they weren't humans.
“So that's where I shall help you? I doubt that they would want me in their ranks either. After all my wife is an elf and I myself ain't completely human either.” Alec contemplated aloud.
“That's why we need to make you a bit more appealing for them, also I doubt they know who you really are. What we do know, from some of their activities, is that they search for someone immensely strong. Someone that could guide them through a dungeon as far as I know, although I don't know why.” Beoldar explained.
“So you want me to flaunt my powers a bit?” Alec asked.
“Not just a bit. I want you to almost force them to talk to you.” Beoldar said while grinning. “There will be a tournament next week, it was announced after a multitude of complaints were uttered because of the ranking system in the city and how it was abused.”
“So they will reassign the ranks dependant of how well one does in the tournament?” Alec asked.
“Bingo.” The dwarf replied.
“That's quite a fitting reason for an ambassador to be here too, how convenient.” Quini interjected. “And Alec could act as my bodyguard, if that is possible.”
“That would be a good cover actually. Although it has been a long time some might still remember his friendship with me, but maybe we could make it look more like business. So that he appears to be a mercenary that doesn't care about race.” Beoldar thought aloud.
“It's really a blessing in disguise that very few humans have interacted with our race and even fewer have tried to get a grasp of our social structures. Or else our cover would be unimagineable.” Quini said. “So how do we plan to make my appearance and political role known to the nobles here?”
“You could proclaim that you wanted to get a feel for the city before you would negotiate future relationships, that would at least explain your silent entry.” Peter recommended, “All you would need to do, to make it believable, would be to go sightseeing with Alec and then head to the city council.”
“Sounds good to me.” Beoldar exclaimed, “Sadly we can't plan ahead much further than this, as we need more informations to do so. So we should go to rest for now. Also I will arrange for separate rooms for the two of you and speak with the innkeeper. After all we have an image to create.”
It was a restless night for Quini and Alec, ever since Alec had returned to the elves they had shared a bed and now all of a sudden they had to sleep separated. Nonetheless they rose early the next morning, albeit slightly sleep deprived.
After a quick breakfast they had set out and strolled through the city, that like them had just awoken. As they walked through streets and alleys they saw many different people starting their days. They passed by a bakery, where a rich fragrance of fresh bread filled the air, while the baker sat on a bench in front of his shop.
Most of the people in this city, like in the elven city, lived rather normal lives. They weren't overly strong, and they didn't need to. Sure the drastic change in technology and living conditions was a shock at first, but overall their lives didn't get that much harder. This 'apocalypse' had been a kind one for most, there hadn't been any mass panics after the transfer, nor were the people completely lost on what to do.
They had been gifted with knowledge and a calm of mind that enabled them to live on. Only those that strived after it had become adventurers, they were a minority. Most had found a stable live, with an old fashioned profession. Even farmers, miners and loggers didn't have a hard life as the mana had increased their strength and they could easily wield their tools. Some among them even wielded magic to do their job.
It was a world of abundance and it would remain that way for a long time, since its fastness allowed for continuous expansion. Very few in Alderich were truly rich, but at the same time no one was poor or starving. The balance that had been created in this world hadn't swayed yet, but still there were conflicts.
The first sign of it that Alec and Quini encountered for that, was a group of armed men that harassed a blacksmith, who stood next to his anvil. “Like I said before I am not interested in cooperating with your so called guild, and now leave me alone I have work to do.” The smith shouted. Grumbling the men left after they had noticed the attention they had gathered upon themselves.
“Excuse me.” Quini asked the man that was almost half a meter taller than her “But what was all that fuss about?”.
“Hmm? Oh sorry, I almost haven't seen you there.” The smith said as he looked up from his current work. “These guys have been pestering many artisans in the city to join their so called guild. A guild of thieves if you ask me. They want to manipulate the prices you see. But luckily not many have joined them, so their methods are highly inefficient. In the meantime we have formed our own union to protect us and the citizens from scum like that.”
Chuckling the man continued. “What use is it to raise the prices when we make our money worthless at the same time? Sure we would have more coins but when all prices rise what did I gain from that, huh?”
“Why don't you just get rid of it altogether then?” Quini meekly asked.
“Ahh so your kind really doesn't use money, I always thought it was only a rumour. Hmmm... I can't decide whether that would be the smartest or dumbest move in the history of our society. But I have work to do and pondering over philosophy with an elf won't help getting it done. So if you would let me get back to my work?” The smith excused himself and continued his work while humming a cheerful tune.
As they continued their stroll through the now bustling city, Quini talked with a rather big assortment of different people about their lives and what they thought about their government. Surprisingly many didn't really bother with it, the taxes were low, sicknesses rare and even the old were able to fend for themselves if they needed to.
The people weren't dependant of the government and it didn't have the means to enforce much. It didn't even had a regular army, only some loyal adventurers.
When they asked about the revolution against the adventurers guild, many just said that they weren't part of it, but also hadn't been against it. They were disturbingly political neutral and that was probably the only reason the government hadn't changed at all over the course of ten years.
Still, many, among those they had talked to, pointed out that among the council 'ruling' the city there was a lot of intern strive. Not one of the councillors was happy about sharing the power with the others. They were always involved in a silent cold war against each other, that was sometimes revealed in small fights in the streets.
Up till now only those heavily involved with the councillors had suffered from them, but it was an open secret among Alderich's citizens that, as soon as someone uninvolved in the power strive came to harm, they would forcefully end this whole farce and simply elect a new powerless council.
Quini had been flabbergasted by all this and wondered why they even bothered with a council at all. When she openly asked that, all she got were answers speaking of tradition and that someone had to rule.
At noon Quini was utterly confused from this human common sense. Sure she had known of these differences all along, but now that she had witnessed how prevalent the ideas of governments and money were in the human society she just couldn't wrap her head around the whole thing.
“Don't bother trying understanding all that. You literally grew up in another world and even among my own kind there are many that have just accepted all this and have long since stopped thinking about it.” Alec said as he saw the exhaustion on her face.
“Come let's get something to eat, I am sure that will help you.” Alec said and guided her into a restaurant. There they flabbergasted the waitress by ordering two big meat dishes, which apparently was something elves wouldn't ever eat. All Quini replied was a grin with her slightly elongated fangs.
It actually was rare for elf to eat meat, but that was only because they take extreme precaution to not destroy the ecosystems around them and not because they disliked it. They actually loved it.
“I think its time to meet the council.” Quini said while finishing her meal.
“Then we should head back and change. After all you have an image to create and they probably won't take you serious in your travelling gear.” Alec replied.
“Do I really have to?” Quini whined and then grinned. “At least there will be one person that will appreciate the view.” She said and gave him a wink.
They didn't take long, and soon they walked towards the council's building. Quini in her gorgeous ember green dress gathered quite some stares as she strolled towards it, which where quickly cancelled once they noticed the grim and fully armed person escorting her. Some even meant to smell a heavy stench of blood emanating from the elf's escort.
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The two guards, that leaned next to the door of the imposing and overly decorated government building, quickly scrambled up from their gawky resting position and hesitantly crossed their spears to bare their way.
“Who... who goes there.” Asked the guard on the left in a shaking voice.
“Quini Qu'Aranat, ambassador of the elven city Ernot.” Quini said with the practised authority of a high mage that had to organize most of the city's projects that required mages.
“What's the occasion of your visit here?” The guard asked further.
“Why would an ambassador come to the neighbouring city's council building? Because of political reason of course! Go quickly and inform the council of this matter!” The older guard on the right scolded the other one.
“If you would follow me? I will guide you to a lounge, where you can rest until the council is organized for your arrival.” The old guard said with badly emulated fake chivalry. He probably was more worried about losing his job than about their wellbeing.
Leisurely they followed the guard that led them through pompous corridors, that were decorated by paintings of the council members and scenes of the city. The floor was generously carpeted in a bright red colour.
“Here we are. I will send a maid to cater to your needs Madame.” Said the guard while opening a two-winged door made from a dark heavy wood.
As Quini and Alec entered the room they were almost overwhelmed by its baroque and decadent flair. Singular the ornaments and pieces of furniture that decorated the room would have been a nice touch to most rooms, but the sheer amount of these pieces was just too high.
The chairs were at least comfortable, but most of the things in this room was so covered in ornaments that the mere thought of using them flooded ones thought with discomfort. A grand example for the distaste in this room would be a gueridon, a small table with a drawer, near one of their chairs. It was made from the same dark wood as the door, which was a decent material. But its design was horrendously focused on its optic. It was too low to be comfortably used while sitting in the chair next to it. Its top and sides were covered in ornaments in such a way that one couldn't rest ones hands on it without them digging in one's flesh. And the handle on the drawer was just too small and would probably break should the drawer ever be wedged. To top it all it wobbled through the slightest force.
All that Alec noticed when he placed his steel helmet on it. Almost in anticipation he looked as the table trembled under the weight of its newly gained purpose. Sadly it didn't collapse. A maid in what would be a cliché servant's uniform on earth entered the room and silently awaited any orders after she had greeted them with a bow.
They didn't have to wait for long. After sharply knocking on the door, two men, who wore what looked like a slightly changed uniform of the Swiss guard, entered the room and guided them to the conference room.
“Welcome Madame Qu'Aranat, I am Robert Camerran. I preside over this council, so whenever you want to discuss something in this halls just let me know and I will organize everything. Although I would appreciate to be informed a bit earlier than today.” A man clad in a black robe, whose hair had turned white from age, said with a smile spread over his well aged face.
“I will remember this for our next meeting, but this time I just wanted to take a look at the city without being recognized. I must say it is a lovely city and so full of life.” Quini replied.
“And who might this grim man at your side be?” Robert asked while gazing at Alec.
“I am Madame's bodyguard. My name is Alec Mercer. Mercenary and Adventurer.” Alec replied shortly.
“An adventurer, huh? Say Madame, would you be interested to continue our political affairs while watching your bodyguard partake in the tournament tomorrow? If Sir Alec agrees to this of course.” Robert said, “I fear right now not all members are present, but everyone will be watching the tournament and discussing politics anyway.”
“Sure, part of my reason to be here is the tournament anyway. If this job hadn't been so convenient and well paid for I wouldn't have bothered with it.” Alec replied.
“I also wanted to see this, so why not combine the fun with the work.” Quini followed up.
“Great! Pray tell, do you already have a place to stay? I would be honoured if you were my guests for your stay here.” Robert said with a voice brimming with enthusiasm and goodwill.
“The honour would be all mine.” Quini replied.
Two hours later. Quini, Alec and Robert sat in a tastefully decorated room and were eating a light meal. Overall Alec had been surprised by the difference in style between the conference building and Robert's private home, which was still luxurious by all means, but in a more practical and elegant way.
“Much better than these baroque imitations, isn't it?” Robert asked when he noticed Alec's wandering gaze. “I never understood this strange trend among the 'nobility' as they call themselves.”
“You wouldn't consider yourself a noble?” Quini asked.
“No. I wasn't even one of those that fought against the guild. But when everything was in shambles and the self-proclaimed 'King' failed in all his administrative duties, I was there and helped to save this city from collapsing into a festering pool of starvation and poverty.” He said. “If I could, I would re-establish the relation with the dungeon. We have missed out on so much and many have left since it has been closed. If it weren't for our huge populace and central position this whole city would have been abandoned long ago.”
“I am impressed that they accepted you in your position. The last time I encountered a noble he was so overbearing that because of him I had to leave this city together with a dwarven client that desperately wanted to get away from him.” Alec said.
“Don't be deceived, if they could they would get rid of me. But they simply suck in leading a city and they know it. They probably would suck dry the riches the populace accumulated over the years in mere months. But there is hope among their descendants, who I have taught since it had been decided that they would follow in their fathers footsteps.” The old man said. “They trust my work and I don't plan to lose that hard earned trust.”
“That's a heavy burden you carry. The future of a whole city in your hands.” Alec said.
“Somebody has to, especially with all those power hungry and decadent fellows around. Right now they are more interested in their pointless bickers between themselves and mostly leave me alone, as long as I secure their income that is. Which isn't as generous as they want most of the time.” Robert said.
“I can imagine that.” Quini said, “None of these hideous creations in that waiting room was covered in gold.”
The three of them laughed to that, but soon they felt cold shivers run down their backs when they tried to imagine that room covered in gold.
They rested well this night. Robert was an excellent host and even organized them a hot bath, a rare commodity in this world. Refreshed and relaxed they slept better than the last night and awoke well rested the next morning.
After a hearty breakfast the trio walked towards the central marketplace, that had been cleared of most stalls to built an arena. As there were no regular tournaments in the city there hadn't been a need to built something permanent for such events. As such they entered a tent so that Alec could register for his qualification test.
While Alec waited for his turn, Quini and Robert joined the political elite that already had arrived and watched the ongoing preliminaries up till now. Alec didn't have to wait for long as there weren't that many adventurers there yet. His turn came just after a dark pigmented silent man, who had sat in a meditating position until he was called outside to show what he got.
When his name was called Alec calmly rose from his sitting position on a wooden bench and walked towards the tent-door. He peered through the slit in the canvas to adapt his eyes to the increased brightness outside and then stepped outside.
Meanwhile Quini eagerly tried to fend of a throng of overly enthusiastic men, who wanted to make her acquaintance. She couldn't decide whether all this was mere courtesy or something else and if it was she didn't know whether to be disgusted or flattered. What she knew for sure was that she didn't like it at all.
Thankfully Robert came to her rescue. “Now, now. Do I have to remind you lot that our customs and bigger bodies could be a bit intimidating for our guest?” He said and dispersed the group of twenty men into sheepish looking groups of two to three.
“A bit overenthusiastic, aren't they?” He asked while leading her to an empty balcony with view into the arena. “We rarely have non-humans here in the city, since there are many smaller settlements between and most other races, which are much more attractive to them. Mainly because of the smaller distance to the next settlement of their own kind though. I really hope that a few more years will change this distribution, although there are quite some that don't wish for that.”
“Then we will have to change their mind. And the first step towards that would be a trade agreement.” Quini said, “But there will be a lot of complications, as we dislike the use of money, so the trade would mainly happen between our governments since we don't have something like vendors or traders. If you need something you just go to the corresponding workshop and place an order or simply make it yourself.”
“Hm, that complicates matters. But would you also be ready to trade with an institution? If so we could use the newly formed merchants guild as an mediator.” Robert replied.
“If they can be trusted and are ready to trade wares with wares this could work.” Quini said, “Look it begins.”
Just in this moment Alec entered the arena and an announcer welcomed him while, at the same time, introducing him to the audience. While Alec was briefed about his first test, which consisted of a handful of simple aptitude tests, one of the councillors joined Quini and Robert.
He had introduced himself as councillor Alden and was a middle aged brown haired man, that appeared to be at the prime of his life. He wore an elegant combination of a black tailcoat and a pair of equally black pants. Both appeared to be made from very expensive materials, that gave his, compared with the other Noble's wardrobe, rather simple attire a slight sheen.
“I heard that this man is your bodyguard? He doesn't look like much to be honest. He probably doesn't even weight 100 kilogram.” Alden said in a rather analytic tone.
Because of this cold and measuring demeanour he was among those that had left a rather bad image in Quini's mind. As such she replied defiant, “Weight isn't an important factor, but see for yourself.”.
Alec's first task were a couple of stretches to determine his range of motion, which was flawless, although there surely existed people that could trump his performance. Next was a test of strength, where he had to lift or move objects of varying forms and weight. From dumbbells to what appeared to be a weighted sleight, everything was forced into motion by him.
The perplexed helpers added more and more weight for him to lift, until finally not he but the steel handle of the gave way. The audience cheered loudly at this display of herculean strength and cheered even louder when he got the maximal possible points in this test, that alone would be enough to qualify him for the tournament. Of course Alec still had to continue his examination, since the audience and the betters demanded to see more.
Meanwhile Quini chuckled at the flabbergasted expressions of Robert and Alden.
“Like I said weight isn't everything, especially in a world of magic.” Quini added to the flames of confusion and awe.
“Then surely this very magic has made him that strong! He probably can't use any other magic and is a warrior to the core.” Alden said while correcting his mental image of the mercenary in the arena.
The next object to test his abilities was a thin rope made from a bluish silver material, which Alec could identify. He had been said that this rope was really sensible to mana and could be easily moved through it. He received a few minutes of time to familiarize himself with the object and then had to mimic figures a judge, who wore a standard issue mage's robe, created for him.
He followed the mage's example flawlessly and soon once again received the full score. The last test was rather simple, all he had to do was to pump as much mana as he could into a mana stone. These stones were one of the newest inventions and were able to store mana of any kind, the amount stored in them could be recognized through the colouration of the stone. The closer its colour came to red the fuller it was.
It took Alec ten seconds to turn the stone dark red, then it simply crumbled in his hands while emitting a blinding light.
“What sort of monster is he?” Alden asked completely stunned.
“A monster that doesn't bother with ones race, as long as one can make it an interesting offer.” Quini replied.