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Liannia
The scent of blood is unmistakable. Copper…why does it smell like that? I’ve exchanged so many copper coins throughout my life…it’s almost as though the Gods are mocking us. As if to say that we toss away our lives as easily as we trade our currency. I hate that smell…especially in my dreams.
It’s the same dream…always the same. No…not a dream. A memory. The memory of my greatest failure. The day I lost my reason to live.
The copper smell of blood overpowers my senses. My legs tremble. I can barely stand. At my feet, a pool of red trickled around my boots…flowing out from the neck of my friend, Arin, an arrow lodged in his throat. His lifeless eyes stared up at me, his body quickly growing cold.
A scream, frantic and feminine, echoes in my ears as my vision shoots up…just in time to see Elyse, whom I had promised to go shopping with the next day, impaled by two swords. The blades tore through her abdomen, their pointed tips visible, protruding out her backside. She falls to her knees, slowly turning my way…reaching out a desperate hand…begging for healing.
…Before I could even utter the first syllable of the incantation, a jagged spear pierced her chest. She didn’t even have time to wail before her life vanished. Her body crumpled to the ground, her hand still reaching toward me…but it’s no use. No amount of healing…can bring back the dead.
But then…why does Elyse’s body start to rise? Twitching. Bones cracking. Almost constricting. The body of Elyse stands once more…but the light in her eyes is gone. Instead, a hollow stare pierces my very soul as she locks her gaze onto me.
I instinctively take a step back, until something grasps my leg. My vision trails down to see Arin, his eyes just as hollow and lifeless, staring up at me, his bloody hand refusing to release my ankle. A moan…mournful and almost desperate, escapes him as his body also comes back to life…or rather, unlife.
I know what comes next. I try to force my past self to cover her ears, but I’m frozen by the sound…the sound of that bastard’s laughter. That sick, twisted, joyful laughter that echoes in my mind to this very day.
“Ahaha…Hahahahaha!”
As always, the necromancer’s voice sends chills down my spine. I see him there, guarded by a formidable group of skeleton warriors, the same ones that cut down my friends. His arms sway out in front of him, dark magic seeping out…enslaving the bodies of my deceased friends.
This is to be my fate as well, I know this, and my body trembles. Once the life leaves my body, my corpse will be reanimated…forced to serve the undead warlock’s every whim. And…for a just moment, I accept that fate. At the very least, I would still be with my friends…
“LIA!”
That voice! No matter how many times I hear it in my dreams, it always startles me. A flash appears in front of me, a large broadsword swiping down, severing the undead hand of Arin. Free of his grasp, I stumble backwards…into the arms of Xander. Even with the plate-mail he wears, he holds me gently…protectively.
And, for a brief moment, hope fills my chest. Xander, my childhood friend, the strongest in our small adventuring party…is still alive!
Hopefully…foolishly…I turn my relieved face up toward him, only to have my elation replaced with utter horror. Xander’s face is deathly pale. His handsome features are marred by blood…and a missing eye. He pants, struggling to breathe. My back suddenly feels warm and wet…with the blood oozing out of his chest. My mouth begins chanting the most potent healing spell I can muster…but it’s cut off as Xander presses his lips to mine.
My eyes widen…as I taste his blood. Despite that, my body leans into him. My eyes slowly close as I feel tears trail down my cheeks. It was our first…and last kiss.
Without warning he pulls away and my world spins as I’m whirled around and tossed backward. My body aches as it rolls, coming to a sudden stop as my face presses into the dirt. Slowly, my vision comes back to me, and when I lift my head I see a light in the distance. It’s the entrance my friends and I recklessly walked through less than a few hours ago. Again, I feel a slight sliver of hope before realizing…I’m alone.
My blood runs cold as a pained wail reaches my ears. Scrambling to my knees, my gaze shoots over and I gasp. The corpses of Arin and Elyse cling to Xander, preventing him from moving as he’s surrounded by skeletal warriors. Coughing up blood, my childhood friend grits his teeth as he fruitlessly struggles.
Then, slowly, torturously, the necromancer approaches him, a thin jagged dagger clutched in one hand. The surrounding skeleton’s part, allowing him passage. In a final defiant moment, Xander spat bloody spittle onto the necromancer’s face. However, the malicious dark warlock only grins at the gesture…before driving he dagger deep into Xander’s exposed throat.
A scream…filled with sorrow and anger…rips out of my throat…
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I woke up screaming…just like always. My hands are reached forward, trying desperately to reach out for Xander…pointless though it may be. My body thrashed around in my bed; the tussled sheets soaked with cold sweat. It took a few moments before my voice gave out and I realize where I am. The single room I rent from the nice couple downstairs. They probably regret it now, considering this nightly occurrence.
And yet, they never say anything…sometimes I wish they would.
My arms dropped, and I quickly wiped away the tears I know are always present after the nightmare. With practiced movements, I sat up, taking deep breaths to try and calm my racing heart. Sadly, this routine is all too familiar to me. Not a single night passes without that horrific memory returning to torment me. The incident felt so fresh, like it only just happened…even though almost four months have come to pass.
From my window, the faintest hint of morning light peeked through the shutters. Finally steadying myself, I stood on trembling legs that strengthened with each step as I approached the window. Pulling the shutters open, I squeezed my eyes shut as the sunlight hit me. My eyes fluttered as they adjust, eventually allowing me to gaze out over the impoverished district I call home.
The grand city of Oliston, the capital city on this continent…was as filthy as ever. Or at least, on this particular side of the city. Of the three districts in this city, mine is by far the worst. Although it has an official name (the Lower Quarter), most people around here prefer to call it what it is…the slums. That’s not to say it’s filled with lowlifes or criminals, which is partially true, but most of the people who reside here are either adventurers, or those without enough money or status to afford nicer homes in the Upper or Noble Quarters.
Leaving the window open, I turned around stretched my arms upward, a loud yawn escaping me. I slapped my face lightly with both hands, forcing my tiredness away. I may not have gotten much sleep, but that was of little consequence. I had a task to complete…and I had a good feeling about today.
“Today…I’ll make him listen.” I swore to myself as I hung up my sweat stained night gown. I know I’ll have to wash it again, but I didn’t want to waste any time today.
A few pieces of dried meat served as my breakfast as I began to dress myself. As always…the lingering scent of copper fills my nose as I tug the blue and white robes over my cheap leather armor. Even though the blood has been completely scrubbed clean…I always gagged once that lingering smell hits me. I’d once considered purchasing new robes…ones that didn’t remind me of my failure, but I just didn’t have the heart to do it.
After all…Elyse had picked these out of me; said I looked cute in them. Xander had smiled when he first saw me wearing—
I shook my head, already feeling a deep hollow pressure in my chest. Taking a few moments to breathe, I eventually finished changing into my adventuring gear.
Washing my face in a water basin, I glanced at my reflection in the small mirror the couple downstairs had graciously provided. I hardly recognized the person staring back at me. My face seemed thinner than before, and dark circles had found a home under my eyes. Even my usually shimmering cyan irises appeared to have darkened. My hair, tangled and messy from thrashing in my sleep, further annoyed me. Not just because it took time to brush and style every day. But because of…my rather unique hair color.
Cerulean, the color of the open sky on a cloudless day. Being only a quarter-elf, it’s the only feature of Elven heritage I possess. My rounded ears had almost point to them. That being said, because of my mixed lineage, I did ‘benefit’ from a longer lifespan than a normal human. I don’t envy full blooded elves, who can live up to almost one-thousand years, entirely too long for my liking. Quarter-elves typically live around three-hundred years, but mostly mature at the same rate as normal humans.
Honestly, if not for my hair color, no one would’ve ever suspected I had Elven ancestry.
Putting those thoughts aside, I quickly tied up my hair in a bun, braiding one strand to hang over my left shoulder. Normally, I’d just tie it without bothering to braid, but I wanted to look presentable today. If I went to the Guild looking like I’d just rolled out of bed, it’d only complicate matters.
From beside my bed I retrieved my staff. The small blue crystal, surrounded by silver metal at its tip, gleaming as sunlight hit it. Grasping the opposite end, I twist and extend the staff to its full length, swinging it a few times to ensure it was still sturdy. Pleased that it was as functional as ever, I collapsed it back to its shorter length before slipping it into a sling on my hip.
Smoothing out my robes, I approached my door, which opened to the outside, on a balcony above a small, rundown home. Gently pushing it open, I glanced around to ensure no unsavory characters were nearby before exiting and locking my door. Tucking the key away in my breast pocket, I walked down the nearby steps. As I passed by the front door of the couple below me…I almost knocked but thought better of it.
Although the sun has risen, it was still fairly early. And even though I’m sure I awoke them with my thrashing and screaming, I wasn’t prepared to explain it to them. They’ve been kind and fair to me since I moved in. The price for the single room is a little steep, but I can’t really blame them. Money was tight for them, being a retired carpenter and seamstress. Besides, considering my nightmares, I preferred to think of it as a fair trade.
Lingering for only a moment, I turned and head down the familiar road that lead to this district’s Guild.
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I could walk this path in my sleep…if I didn’t have nightmares every night. The same road. The same shops passing me by. Occasionally even the same people. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve trudged along this same path. From the day after I stumbled back into Oliston, covered in blood that wasn’t my own, my body and mind nearly broken…I have made this same trip over and over and over again.
My story was one of tragedy…and a warning. My friends and I had ventured into a newly discovered cave hoping to improve our skills and earn some coin…we’d left town before news from scouts reported that a necromancer had taken up residence in the labyrinth hidden deep within those same caverns.
Now…everyone knew to avoid the place…and no one cared about avenging my fallen comrades.
I’d narrowly escaped the necromancer’s grasp. I’m not even sure how. My memory from the event was hazy. After Xander…sacrificed himself for me, the next thing I remember is running down the road…desperate to get back to town. Maybe that bastard of a necromancer just wasn’t interested in reanimating me? Or maybe I just got lucky. Either way…I’d make him regret not finishing me off when he had the chance!
Or at least…that’s what I’d sworn at the time. In the end, no one would help me. I begged anyone that would listen. Even people I had once called friends, people who had been close to my fallen companions, turned me away…and called me a fool.
‘It’s too dangerous’, they said. ‘We’d lose too many good adventurers’, I’d been told. A part of me understood that. But still…how was that fair to Elyse? Or Arin? Or…Xander! Even though their souls had departed, their bodies would be forced to murder other adventures just as misfortunate as we’d been…and I couldn’t accept that, no matter how hard I tried.
And so, as I approached the entrance to the grand hall of the Lower Quarter’s Guild, I ignored the wayward glances of the guards protecting the entrance and pushed open the door. You could call me a regular of this Guild, the guards didn’t even bat an eye at me anymore.
As expected, it wasn’t very lively at this time of the morning. There were many long tables set up for adventurers to rest at while waiting for requests to be posted. A few adventurers sat there, patiently waiting, some of them even glanced my way but I wasn’t interested in them. No…I was there for someone in particular.
Approaching the main desk, I recognized the young woman sitting on the other side. It was easy to see why she’d been assigned to the front. Her features were striking, to say the least. Silky brunette hair, slender legs, a chest that would turn most men’s heads, and all of it complimented by a long-skirted velvet dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. I was proud of my figure, being lithe with a pert chest area, but even I couldn’t deny that she put most women to shame. She was the picture of beauty…at least in appearance.
In the midst of compiling requests, said woman lifted her head, her amethyst eyes instantly locking onto me. Her short, manicured fingernails tucked a lock of her long brunette hair behind a rounded ear. Almost immediately, she let out an audible sigh, “Really? Again? The answer won’t change, no matter how many times you beg.”
“We’ll see about that,” I told her, trying to sound more confident than usual. “Would you please call the Guild Master for me?”
With a frustrated grunt and a shrug of her shoulders, the receptionist tilted her head and shouted over her shoulder, “Guild Master! The little brat’s here again!”
My brows furrowed at her, but she didn’t seem bothered. Sure, I’d been coming here almost every day since the incident, and I can understand how that could get frustrating, but she didn’t have to be so rude. Besides, I’m eighteen. A full-grown adult in this modern society! The least she could do was offer me the respect that—
“Again?” the voice of the Guild Master echoed from behind a nearby door, which I assumed was his office, given how often he disappeared behind it. “…Fine, I’ll be out inna minute!”
With a forced smile commonly seen from her, the receptionist glanced back at me before gesturing to a nearby table and saying, “Have a seat. I’m sure this won’t take long.”
I couldn’t help but scowl at her dismissive attitude. At the same time, I didn’t want to cause a scene. She was doing her job, and it was obvious that my persistence was undoubtedly getting old by now.
Moving away from the desk, I took a seat on a nearby stool and waited. The receptionist gave me a sideways glance before returning to her work. Making myself comfortable, I waited for the Guild Master, as per usual.
This place was practically becoming a second home, with how often I visited. If only it didn’t fill me with such bitter memories…
This is where the city watch had brought me after I barely managed to escape death that day. I was required to inform the Guild about the incident in the caverns. Since our country is overseen by the various Guilds, they needed to be informed about the necromancer. My first-hand account was vital and even though it had been painful…I’d managed to recount everything, even as sobs interrupted my testimony.
Strangely, the rude receptionist had been uncharacteristically kind that day. I vividly remember how she’d sat with me, even hugged me when I broke down on several occasions. She had even prepared some pricey tea for me to drink. Her sympathy was welcome, at least at the time. I also recalled how she’d been pleasant during my first few visits to the Guild after the incident. But after weeks had turned to months of constantly pestering the Guild Master, and constantly being denied, I must have worn out my welcome.
Honestly, the receptionist’s current attitude didn’t bother me that much. If I had to come here and beg on my hands and knees for the rest of my life…I’d do it. She could call me a brat for as long as she wanted, it wouldn’t change my resolve. Her intimidating attitude might have scared off others, but I was committed. Until the Guild Master finally agreed to my request…I wouldn’t stop coming here…every single day until the day I died if need be.
I guess the Guild Master wanted to shoo me away quickly because he came out of his office quicker than I expected. I had only been waiting a few minutes before he appeared. He was a middle-aged man, clean shaven, with short brown hair. His manner of dress continued to surprise me. Despite his station, he dressed more like a tavern barkeep, a plain white shirt with a leather vest draped over his shoulders, and a simple pair of trousers and boots completed his ensemble. I often wondered why he didn’t wear more sophisticated clothing. Not to mention that while he was certainly handsome, the lazy smile on his face was less than attractive. Maybe he just preferred the comfort of peasant clothes?
Regardless, I involuntarily stiffened as he approached. His amber eyes, which usually were warm and inviting, held a hard edge to them today. Had I interrupted him from an important matter? His stern yet bored tone certainly implied that…
“Hello once again, Ms. Lherzolyte. What can I do for you today?”
Yup, I’d definitely taken him away from something he considered more important. His response was so formal and practiced, I’d heard it so many times that I could easily interpret his mood just from the voice. He was obviously getting tired of my constant pestering. However, if I played my cards right, that would all end today.
“Guild Master Darius, I’m here to request—”.
“Denied.”
Flabbergasted, I stammered, “A-At least listen to—”.
“Let me guess, you want to hire a group to help you exterminate the necromancer that killed your friends.” Guild Master Darius spoke over me, shaking his head. “Every day, the same unreasonable request. Look, the cost is the same as always. Seven-hundred gold pieces. I know you don’t have that kind of coin, and I’m getting tired of arguing—”.
“Then approve my loan!” I practically demanded, shooting up out of my seat and marching over to the desk he now stood behind. “I have enough to put down as collateral, so why won’t you—?!”
“Do I look soft in the head or something? We both know you won’t be able to pay it back, that’s why.”
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
I flinched at his words, knowing just how true they were. On average, I would usually earn around 2 or 3 silver pieces a month. Most of that went to rent and the remainder was for living expenses. Even most quests didn’t pay much more than a few silver pieces, once it was divided up between everyone involved. I had savings, of course, but nowhere near that much. Plus, with interest rates and other factors…even if I spent my entire life working to pay it off, I’d barely make a dent in it…and we both knew that.
The frustration must have shown on my face because Darius sighed, almost apologetically. “Look, I get it. You want revenge. If I was in your position, so would I. But I’m sorry, I’m not gonna approve a loan that I know I won’t be able to collect on. Sorry, but that’s just how it is.”
My nails dug into my palms as I held back a scathing comment.
Despite how much I was seething, I at least understood his position. The Guilds have very strict policies when it comes to loans and debt collection. At the same time, getting a loan usually wasn’t too difficult…usually. It figured that I got the one Guild Master that wasn’t a completely heartless bastard. Despite his attitude, it was obvious that he didn’t want to approve my loan not only because I’d never be able to pay it back…but because he felt sorry for me.
Guild Master Darius was known for being strict but fair. He treated those that worked for him with compassion but always followed the laws the Guild’s Grand Council laid down. Not to mention that he sat on that very Council and had a lot more sway than most Guild Masters. He was also intimately aware of my situation; having been the person I first recounted my tragic tale to months ago.
It was plain to see that he didn’t want to force someone who’d just lost their entire party to take on insurmountable debt. In any other situation, I would have undoubtedly appreciated his kindness. However, that kind of thinking only pissed me off even more!
I didn’t want his pity! I wanted to set things right! I wanted to do right by Elyse, and Arin, and…Xander! Why…Why didn’t anyone understand that?! If I didn’t avenge them, no one would!
Left with fewer and fewer options, I felt it was time to play my trump card. My pride would take a huge hit by requesting help from that bastard, but at this point, my pride meant nothing to me. I’d gladly throw it away for the chance to avenge my friend…the only people that ever truly cared for me. With that being the case…I took a deep breath as I prepared to play dirty to get what I wanted.
“Guild Master, I know that my request seems outrageous, but I assure you, I can pay the fee. I’ll even contact—”.
“A bit of advice, Ms. Lherzolyte,” Darius said, interrupting my protest as if he hadn’t even heard me. “No matter how difficult it must be, you need to put this all behind you and move on. I feel like I’ve indulged you too much and it’s time I put a stop to it. So let me make this clear to you. If you come here again asking about this nonsense, you’ll be leaving me with no choice but to have you banned from this Guild Hall. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
For a moment, I almost saw red. Darius’ refusal wasn’t entirely unexpected, but having me banned from his Guild Hall? That was just childish! And if he banned me from his Guild, that would complicate matters. I’d be forced to use the Upper Quarter’s Guild…and there was no way I could afford the fee to travel between the Lower and Upper Quarters. Five copper pieces to pass through the gate, and that was one way! Ten copper pieces in total to get there and back again. That translated to a whole silver piece just to get to and from the Upper Quarter Guild!
Darius…that bastard knew I couldn’t afford that and was using it against me!
What’s more…he’d made it clear that this was my last chance to convince him to approve my request! And now…he was just going to walk away!
Without letting me respond, Darius turned on a heel and began swiftly going back to his office. As his back moved farther and farther away, something inside me snapped. Gritting my teeth, I slammed my hand on the counter.
“Fine! If you won’t approve my loan, I know someone who will!”
The anger in my voice shocked me as much as the receptionist, who visibly recoiled back and away from me. At the same time, I noticed that Darius had stopped. Slowly, his gaze peered over his shoulder. His usually calm expression had vanished. I could see hostility growing in his amber eyes as he turned to face me. Our eyes locked and I found myself rooted in place.
His stare was piercing, as if he were glancing into my very soul. Unfortunately, it was more difficult for me to interpret his thoughts than it seemed to be for him to evaluate mine.
“…Ha, nice try,” Darius scoffed, the hostility in his eyes lessening. “But I can guarantee you that no other Guild will approve your loan. It’s too much of a risk to—”.
“Who said anything about getting it from a Guild?” I cut him off, frowning as a look of shock crossed his face. It only lasted for a moment, but it was all the time I needed. “There are a number of reputable…establishments that would be happy to hear my proposal.”
Darius stiffened, and I knew my point had been made. There were various money lenders that would at least me meet halfway on my request…but that came with a certain amount of risk. Including being forced into indentured servitude.
Although the Guilds didn’t practice it, and frowned upon it, a ‘sophisticated’ form of slavery existed in a strangely legal form. If two parties agreed on it, and the borrower wasn’t able to repay their debt, as long as no next of kin could help pay it off, the borrower would willingly give up most of their legal rights and act as a ‘servant’ to whomever held their debt. The debt could also be sold, to anyone who could afford it. The borrower and lender would be required to sign a contract, overseen by a representative of the Guild, but still, it was a viable option for me…if distasteful.
The idea of selling myself as a ‘servant’ to a noble household or even a middle-class household…wasn’t appealing in the least. I would still retain some rights, and I wouldn’t be treated as an object or property, but my personal freedoms would be stripped from me…until the day I died.
And then there were the rumors. Sometimes, indentured servants would just ‘go missing’, and no one ever found them. Other times, stories circulated about the many forms of abuse servants suffered while paying off their debts. It also wasn’t uncommon for ones debt to grow while serving a noble household either. It was sickeningly easy to blame a broken vase or missing jewelry on those with limited rights. These rumors often served as a fearsome warning as to what could happen if you sold yourself into servitude.
Not to mention that I would probably lose my status as a healer. Turns out, most of the gods aren’t exactly keen on the idea of selling oneself in any capacity, namely Xaphine, the Goddess of Mercy, who happened to be my patron. According to Her teachings, one’s freedom was sacred and the act of willingly throwing it away was an afront to Her.
Doing such a thing would invalidate the oath I’d sworn to her…and I’d forever lose her favor. I’d no longer be capable of using healing or support magic. It would relegate me into the role of a defenseless young woman with no hope of regaining my station. Arin had offered to teach me martial arts once upon a time…but it was too late for that now.
As such, indentured servitude wasn’t an appealing option for me. But that didn’t matter to me…not anymore. I’d throw it all away. My pride…my faith in Xaphine…even my very life. As long as I could avenge my comrades…and allow them to rest in peace, nothing else matter.
“…You can’t be serious,” Darius abruptly challenged me, his gaze sizing me up, unsure if I truly had the resolve to sell myself. “No matter how badly you want it, is your revenge truly worth throwing away your future?”
…
…
“…My future? What future? I have no future! Without my friends; Elyse, Arin…Xander! Without them, I didn’t want a future!”
My voice echoed in the large guild hall, more than likely attracting unwanted attention. Not that I cared. So what if Darius was embarrassed by my shouting? What did it matter that the receptionist nervously glanced around, trying to ease the puzzled looks on the other visitor’s faces?
None of that matter to me. One way or another, I’d find a way to see my vengeance carried out.
I had no other reason to live. I left home nearly three years ago, became an adventurer alongside my friends and never looked back. It was…all I’d ever dreamed it would be. And…all I ever wanted…was to be with them, wherever they went. I was content to heal their wounds. Soothe their sorrows. Comfort them when we ran out of money. That had been my only purpose in life. But now…I had nothing. No future to strive for. No place to return to. My selfish and opportunistic relatives meant nothing to me anymore. I left them, not the other way around.
Even when I still lived with them…I never considered them family. Blood doesn’t make family.
My friends…had been my family. And now they were gone…to a place I didn’t have the courage to follow. The hollow pressure in my chest ached more and more the longer I was separated from them, each passing day becoming more unbearable than the last.
I was alone. Truly. Completely alone. There was no one else I trusted.
If the price of my revenge was indentured servitude, then so be it. At the very least, I’d hopefully be sleeping easier knowing the three of them could rest in peace. Compared to that, lifelong servitude would be a minor inconvenience.
“My ‘future’ died with my friends. This request…is all I have left in this wretched world. Even if I have to sell my very soul…I swear that I’ll lay their spirits to rest. With or without your assistance.”
Averting my gaze from him and the receptionist, I prepared to depart. Begrudgingly, I accepted the grim truth. Darius would never approve my request…not without providing the full amount upfront. And since the Guild wouldn’t approve my loan, it seemed I’d need to become comfortable serving the whims of some rich, entitled noble—
“Is that so…?” Darius’ voice stopped me mid turn, my vision jolting back over to him. To my surprise, a half-grin decorated his lips. It was…unnerving. His usual warm visage had seemingly been tucked away, his eyes reflecting a hint of greed I’d never imagined him capable of. “It seems that I may have underestimated you, Ms. Liannia Lherzolyte. If you’d like, I’d be happy to discuss a proposition with you…in private.”
For a moment, I forgot to breathe. Was Darius…actually going to humor me? After months of pleading and being turned away, was he truly considering…honoring my request?!
I wasn’t the only one shocked by this development, as the receptionist quickly proclaimed, “G-Guild Master, you can’t seriously—?!”
With grace I never expected, Darius gently pressed a finger to the receptionist’s lips, effectively silencing her. A bright blush crept over her cheeks as the Guild Master slowly retracted his hand and placed that finger in front of his own lips in a ‘shhh’-ing motion.
“Rita, do me a favor and cancel any meetings I may have scheduled for today. Also, I would sincerely appreciate your…discretion in this matter. And perhaps, in exchange, a bit of compensation could be arranged?”
The receptionist, whose name I only just learned, puffed out her flushed cheeks. Her expression was halfway annoyed and interested, and it was obvious she was holding back a scathing comment. However, eventually she let out a deep sigh instead.
“You don’t really think that buying my silence will be cheap, do you?” Although her tone suggested annoyance, but the grin on her lips suggested that such an exchange was common between her and the Guild Master.
“Of course not. But capable people such as yourself are hard to come by. I know a fabulous little café not far from here. Perhaps you’d like to join me for dinner—?”
“Actually, I hear a new crepe shop is opening soon,” she quickly replied, running a hand through her silky hair and twirling it around her finger.
“Consider it done.”
Despite the rather benign request, it seemed that the receptionist’s—uh, Rita’s compensation would be more involved than it appeared. If I’d have blinked it would have missed it, but the suggestive wink Rita aimed at the Guild Master spoke volumes. I was almost taken aback by how forward she was being…I could never have mustered up that kind of courage when Xander was still…
The hollow ache in my chest resurfaced, but I fought it off. Now wasn’t the time to get lost in reminiscence. It seemed that Darius agreed with me, as he cocked his head toward his office, silently asking me to follow after him.
Despite how unnerved I was that he was being so accommodation, I knew I couldn’t let this chance slip through my fingers. Something I’d said had peaked his interest, and whatever it was, I needed to capitalize on it.
Without another word, Darius led me to the room I only assumed was his office, holding the door for me like a true gentleman. Finally crossing that threshold, I felt as though luck was finally on my side.
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Darius’ office wasn’t what I’d been expecting. In fact…I wasn’t even convinced it was an office! There was a desk on the far wall, a small round table in the center of the room…and a large bed tucked away in the corner! What’s more, there were no windows whatsoever! And the dim lighting of the room caused warning signals to flare up in my mind as Darius closed the door behind us, leaving us with only the flickering of candle-light.
A sinking feeling in my stomach made my hand reach for the staff on my waist. How could I be so unbelievably stupid?! Despite his outward friendliness, it seemed that Darius wasn’t above lechery. He was unmarried and approaching middle age…not to mention the unnerving look he’d given me when I expressed how desperate I was to curry his favor.
To think he’d be just as desperate as I was, but in the crudest of ways. Men truly are disgusting.
My respect for him completely evaporated as he pressed a hand against the small of my back, his intentions becoming clear. Just as I prepared to use my staff to shine a bright light and stage a daring escape, the Guild Master spoke.
“Pardon the suspicious accommodations, Ms. Lherzolyte, I wasn’t expecting company. Please, have a seat while I prepare the documents.”
With a snap of his fingers, a number of lanterns I’d failed to notice along the walls, suddenly lit up. Blinking rapidly as my eyes adjusted, the room took on a completely different appearance.
Now that the desk was properly illuminated, stacks of documents were now visible. The table in the center had a feather pen and bottle of ink placed on both sides and was even decorated with a fancy tablecloth. Although the bed tucked away in the corner was still a bit unnerving, it was seemed as though it rarely saw any use, if the dust on the frame was anything to go by.
Slowly, I realized my overreaction but said nothing. I didn’t want to sour this opportunity.
“Thank you,” I said politely, taking a seat at the table.
In the meantime, Darius swiftly approached his desk, retrieved a plain sheet of parchment and moved to sit opposite me. Adjusting his seat, the Guild Master pulled a pair of spectacles from his breast pocket. I’m not afraid to admit that I was surprised why his professional appearance as he adjusted them on his face, taking up the feather pen and preparing to write.
“Now then, Ms. Liannia Lherzolyte…I believe your original request was to hire a group of capable warriors to assist you in laying the undead corpses of your former allies to rest. Is that still the case?”
Baffled by his sudden willingness, I stammered, “Y-Yes, that’s right. But why—”.
“Alright then,” he interrupted, his hand flourishing as he elegantly began writing. “As I mentioned several months ago, the nature of this quest is highly dangerous and therefore only seasoned warriors will suffice. I recommended a part of at least eight members, possibly including yourself, which leaves at least seven vacancies. At a cost of one-hundred gold per person, the total I estimated is around seven-hundred gold pieces. In addition, you mentioned before that you are an official Cleric of Lady Xaphine, correct? Purifying the undead is no simple task. Are you currently capable of such a feat or will you require a more powerful Cleric to accompany you?”
He paused, glancing at me as he waited for a response. Meanwhile, I found myself shell-shocked. This was really happening; Darius was actually approving my loan…but why? What it something I said? His question hung in the air for a moment and eventually the pressure to answer him won out over my confusion.
“I-I am. Uh, I mean, yes, I can perform the Cleanse spell.”
‘Cleanse’ – a high level spell that completely severs all unholy or unnatural effects to a person…living or dead. It had taken time, and quite a bit of money, but I’d managed to convince the acolytes at Xaphine’s temple to teach it to me. I could only perform it a few times a day before my magic was depleted, but if I planned it carefully, I could definitely pull it off.
Nodding at my response, Darius’ hand resumed its furious scribbling. “Very good. That being the case, would you want a backup Cleric to accompany you? I don’t doubt your abilities but sometimes it is better to be safer than sorry. At the same time, I certainly understand if you’d prefer to lay your friends to rest yourself.”
“Another cleric won’t be needed,” I answered immediately, not even pondering the idea. “It needs to be me…only me…”
My voice trailed off, my hands gripping the fabric of my robes tightly. I was the one who failed to save them…so it was my responsibly to lay them to rest. Even if I died in the process, I couldn’t allow anyone else to complete this task for me.
With an understanding expression, Darius continued writing. “Very well. In that case, a well-rounded party would be best for this venture. I’ll introduce you to the Captain once we’ve finished negotiating the full extent of your request. Speak of which, if you wish to expand this request, it can be arranged. However—”.
“E-Expand my request? What does that even mean?!” I cut in, my head spinning as he asked more questions than I had been prepared for.
Angling his eyes downward and briefly glancing at me over the rim of his glasses, Darius breathed a light sigh. Then, in a very patient and almost dignified manner, he explained, “At present, your request is merely to find the reanimated corpses of your deceased party members and exorcise them. However, I’ve heard you express a number of times how badly you want to see the necromancer responsible for their massacre be brought to justice. If you wish to expand your request to encompass hunting down and exacting vengeance on the necromancer themselves, that can be arranged.”
“I-It can?!” I almost shouted, momentarily allowing myself to hope.
“But of course,” Darius assured me, before dashing away all my hopes. Rubbing his fingers together in a money-grubbing motion, he continued, “However, that will significantly increase the cost of your request. To execute this operation safely, we would need at least triple the number of adventurers, each priced at one-hundred gold pieces, for a grand total of twenty-one hundred gold pieces. As I’ve mentioned many times by now, if that is what you desire, it can be done. Although we’d need to wait until I get in contact with various Guilds from other regions. I’m afraid we don’t have that many—”
“Wait, wait, hold on a second!” I finally managed to speak up, fighting off a migraine caused by the overload of information. Struggling to process everything, I glared at Darius, who had paused his writing. “What exactly is going on here?! A few minutes ago, you were threatening to have me banned from the Hall, but now you’re prepared to expand my request?! Something…something isn’t right about all this! What exactly do you want in exchange for all this?! I know you have something in mind. So before we go any further, tell me, in no uncertain terms, exactly what you want from me.”
Silence greeted my inquiry, much to my dismay. Darius sat there for nearly a full minute, meeting my gaze without faulting in the slightest. It was then that I noticed something…off about this room. The quiet that surrounded us was unnatural. Even though it wasn’t a busy time of the day, we should have been able to hear sounds from the main hall through the door…but it was eerily quiet.
Breaking away from his gaze, I glanced around the room, finally taking note of the walls. I hadn’t noticed before, because of the low lighting, but etched into each wall was a sigil…a warding spell that I couldn’t identify.
“It’s a silencing spell,” Darius answered without my asking, obviously seeing that I’d noticed. “It prevents certain sounds from escaping the room. I often rent out this room as a meeting space for clients that wish to keep their business…confidential.”
“What kind of…business?” I questioned, failing to keep a hint of disgust from darkening my voice as my gaze from flickering over to the large bed.
An amused chuckle escaped Darius. “I’m not running a secret brothel if that’s what your implying. And I’m afraid that, due to confidentiality, I cannot disclose that information. However, I can assure you that nothing illegal is permitted. Or do you believe I would risk my seat on the Council just to make some extra coin?”
Despite how much I fought it, I couldn’t help my face from flushing as he chided me. He had a point. Having a seat on the Grand Council came with responsibilities that I couldn’t even imagine. As the highest station of government in our country, their actions were heavily respected and criticized. If someone like Darius was found promoting illegal prostitution, it would reflect badly not only on himself, but the entire Council.
I’d let my emotions get the better of me, jumping to conclusions. Reasonable conclusions but still…I’d forgotten the kind of person Darius was. At the same time, lingering doubts plagued me…
“Y-You never answered my question,” I barely managed to squeeze out, fighting to regain my composure. Taking a few steady breaths, I managed to regain my competence and met his steely gaze. “Tell me, Guild Master, considering you know that I don’t have the money for such a venture, what else do you plan to ask of me in exchange for fulfilling my request?”
Darius’ smile vanished and a stern expression crossed his face. Reaching a hand up, he removed his glasses, set them on the table, and stood up, turning away from me. For a moment, I didn’t know what to expect, until his voice abruptly returned.
“As I mentioned before…the Guild won’t approve your loan, not for the extermination of the necromancer, anyway. It’s too much of a risk. Given time, I have no doubt the Guilds would assemble a force to deal with the necromancer…but only if they present a clear threat to our cities. Since this necromancer seems content to hide away in the bowels of his caves, none of the other Guilds have any interest in exterminating them. That’s why I originally suggested simply hiring a group to help you purify the corpses of your allies. It’s…less of risk, to both you and Guild. ”
He didn’t even glance at me as he revealed the truth. I wasn’t exactly surprised, but the painful pressure in my chest ached as I heard it. Necromancers employed dark, forbidden magics; the kind that many people rightly feared. Because of that, exterminating them can be rather difficult. Even if all went well, the Guilds could expect a number of casualties.
I knew that…but to be told it directly…even my own confidence waned. I wanted to see that bastard put down for what he did to my friends…but that wasn’t realistic. The best I could hope for, at this point, was putting the bodies of my undead comrades to rest. It wasn’t what I wanted, or what my friends deserved, but it was better than nothing.
“I see…so why then did you offer to expand my request just now? Also, don’t think I haven’t noticed that you never actually answered my question,” I pressed, his elusiveness weighing on my mind.
With his back turned, Darius was nearly impossible to read. He didn’t usually give much away anyway, but this effectively put me at a disadvantage. As my words hung in the air between us, my patience grew thinner by the moment.
“I hope you don’t think I’m some naïve country girl who doesn’t know when she’s being played. I wouldn’t have survived this long without knowing when someone was trying to take advantage of me. Now, tell me, Guild Master…what would I need to offer in exchange for fulfilling my request?”
I knew provoking him probably wasn’t the best option, but I was tired of the runaround. After months of refusal, he finally listened. That meant I had something he wanted…so why was he hesitating? Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long for my answer.
With a deep sigh, Darius turned to face me, his expression all business.
“The loan agreement I’m writing up isn’t between you and Guild. Rather…I will be funding your request personally. Indentured servitude won’t be necessary. As for what I’d like in exchange…I have a task I’d like you to complete for me.”
As he spoke, I felt a chill run down my spine. I couldn’t quite place it, but something about his tone…disturbed me. And his piercing gaze only added to my discomfort. Nervously swallowing a lump in my throat, I asked, “…What kind of task?”
Without batting an eye, Darius returned to his seat across from me, his face deathly serious as he stared at me. “Tell me, Miss Lherzolyte…do you know how to write Ancient Olistern?”
I felt my jaw slacken and my eyes widen as realization struck me. At last I understood his true intentions. It had been something I’d said that garnered his attention. And I was suddenly thankful for the warding surrounding us. What we were about to discuss was considered treason of the highest order…but that barely phased me at this point.
As understanding filled me, an almost gleeful smile stretched out onto my face.
“As a matter of fact…I do.”