A Twilight Infinitum.

Heart pounding, Harald reached into the chest and took up the scale. It was light, almost insubstantial. He held it up and drank in its nebulous beauty, feeling as if he held a fragment of the heavens themselves between his fingers.

“Wow,” breathed Nessa, fingers covering her mouth. “An actual Infinitum.”

“Options,” said Vic, rubbing his hands together in glee. “That’s what you suddenly have, Harry-boy. Options. Wealth equals power, and you’re holding enough in your fingertips to put you on par with a duke.” He considered. “An absolutely destitute duke.”

“Is that enough to pay off your debts?” asked Nessa, sliding down the wall to crouch, arms looping around her knees.

The room was small enough that Harald felt clustered in there with his friends, as if they’d met to whisper in a secret hidey-hole.

“No.” He turned the scale about. “Sam’s kept the accounts, and she said we’ve racked up almost six Infinitum’s worth of debt. Just paying the interest alone is a couple of Horizon’s a month.”

Vic let out a low whistle. “By the angels, Harald, your family doesn’t mess around.”

Nessa watched him, expression sober. “Are you tempted to pay off your debtors for another five months?”

“No.” Harald couldn’t tear his gaze from the fluted scale. “To what end? So that we can enjoy this big house a little longer? No, I made my peace with losing Darrowdelve Manor. I’ll put this scale to some other use.”

“I know of several potentially lucrative investments,” began Vic, but Nessa cut him off.

“You’ve Ascended to your first Throne. That means it’ll take 100,000 scales to Ascend to your Second. You could do so right now.”

“And the Fallen Angel would leave me with nine Horizons?”

“No, you’d absorb all of it at once, leaving you just 100,000 shy of your third Throne. There’s no partial absorption.”

“The Fallen Angel isn’t a banker,” said Vic, lowering to one knee beside Harald. “Though there are banks that will gladly exchange that Infinitum for lesser scales. For a commission, of course. And then turn around and sell it to would-be dukes who are in need of an Infinitum to prove their worth.”

“I could pay off Countess Sonora,” mused Harald. “That would leave me with eight Horizons left over.”

“Indeed, a wise decision seeing as she’s bleeding you dry with her own interest rates.” Vic half reached out for the scale himself then drew his hand back. “Absorbing the remaining eight would place you within a stone’s throw of reaching your third Throne.”

“Talk about a rapid ascent,” said Nessa. “From just having your Cosmos to coming close to the Throne of War. Not bad, Harald.”

“Not bad,” he whispered. Then he frowned and closed his fist about the scale. “I’m not sure that’s the way to go.”

“No?” Vic brightened. “Then let me tell you of this opportunity that’s as fleeting as it is lucrative. I’ve learned of a shipment from Marheim that will—”

“Sorry, Vic. I’m not interested in investing.”

“Don’t be so hasty, Harald. You need to broaden the scope of your vision. You could absorb the eight, but then you’d still be 200,000 scales short of Ascending to your third Throne. Given that you’re only Level 1, how long do you think it will take for you to earn that kind of wealth? Your meteoric ascent will slow to a crawl. On the other hand, you could invest, say, half that amount, and with a little luck double it in under a year.”

Vic raised an eyebrow. “Think on it. On one hand you’d be laboring for two, three years to level your class and earn the remaining 200,000. Or you could invest and reach your third Throne in half the time.”

Harald rubbed his chin, considering.

“What I’m outlining, darling, is the best, smartest, and safest way to grow in power.” Vic finally sat back against the wall opposite Nessa. “Think: when the Fallen Angel first crashed to the world and phased into the depths, there was a mad scramble for scales, yes? Some of our most colorful legends hail from that time, as everybody consumed scales with wanton abandon, relishing in their newfound strength. But after a few decades of orgiastic absorption, something new and revolutionary took place.”

“He’s so tiresome when he gets excited,” said Nessa, but she was smiling despite herself.

“What?” asked Harald, not interested in guessing.

“The rise of the first Houses.” Vic held up a finger. “Flutic was but a backwater then, but certain wise and enterprising individuals realized that scales could be more than a means to personal power; they were wealth personified, and could be bartered, traded for, hoarded. Thus did Flutic’s rise as an international hub of trade and wealth begin. Because those grandees realized that yes, you could absorb a Horizon’s Whisper or an Infinitum and empower one person, or you could engage in trade and investments, and empower a hundred.”

“You’re saying I should use this Infinitum to empower House Darrowdelve?” asked Harald dryly.

“Don’t play the fool, Harry-boy. What I’m saying is that you could take a page from the founders of Flutic’s greatness and think beyond Ascending to your second or even third Throne. Turn that Infinitum into two. Into three. Yes, it requires delaying your gratification, but five years from now you could be in possession of a Nightshard. Then you could blow right past the Second, the Third, and Ascend to the fourth.”

“By playing at merchant for five years,” said Harald.

“Don’t put it like that! The longer you delay your gratification, the quicker you will ultimately climb. Think: invest, reap. Or absorb, and you’re done.”

“Darling,” drawled Nessa. “Would you by any chance be drawing a commission from these investments?”

Vic reared back. “I’m insulted! Nessa! How could you ask such a thing? Of course I would. But my gain would be as nothing compared to Harald’s. I’d walk away with a tidy little sum, assuredly, but Harald? He’d be wealthy beyond his dreams.”

“It’s that easy?” asked Harald.

“Well. There is, as I said, a modicum of luck involved.”

“Hmm.” Harald had to force himself to release the scale as he set it back in the chest. “Food for thought. Let’s take a look at what else my father left me.”

They turned to the weapon’s rack.

“A shield, a sword, a very small ax, and three daggers.” Vic stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles. “If they’re indeed all Artifacts, that’s quite the haul.”

“How do I figure out what they do?” asked Harald, rising to stand before them.

“Pick each one up,” said Nessa. “It’ll reveal itself to you. Mind that you can only possess an Artifact for each Throne you’ve Ascended. With your Dawnblade that’ll limit you to one more once you absorb your scale.”

“True.” Harald considered, then, thinking of Sam, he picked up the shield. It had a classical look to it, kite shaped to help protect the legs, rimmed in bronze and with a central raised bronze boss. The face of it was of stretched leather, the whole of it painted white with a ring of black roses intertwined around the boss.

Artifact: Thornguard

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Quality: Rare

Special Ability: Piercing Embrace

Activation: Automatically triggers upon the shield receiving a physical strike. In defense, the Thornguard unfurls a mass of magical thorn vines that entangle the offending weapon or limb, halting further attacks and potentially disarming the assailant.

+2 to Constitution while wielded

Limitation: The density and duration of the thorn vines are proportionate to the number of Ascended Thrones the wielder has claimed. Without this connection, the vines may prove less formidable, serving more as a brief impediment than a substantial barrier.

“Impressive,” said Harald, handing the Thornguard to Nessa and taking up the needle-like sword. It was as long as his forearm, somewhere between a long dagger and a short-sword, its blade flexible, its point so sharp as to seem to fade into the air instead of coming to an end.

Artifact: The Point

Quality: Rare

Special Ability: Dictum’s Thrust

Activation: Upon command, The Point extends to lance-like proportions, delivering a swift and surprising strike. This rapid extension lasts only momentarily before the weapon retracts to its original size.

+2 to Dexterity while wielded

Limitation: The maximum length to which The Point can extend, and thus its reach, scales with the number of Ascended Thrones the wielder has claimed, reflecting their growing mastery and power.

“Another Rare Artifact,” said Harald, turning it about in his hand. The urge to experiment with it was strong, but he restrained absorbing it into his Cosmos needlessly and instead handed it to Nessa. The moment was increasingly feeling surreal; to be casually examining a wealth of Artifacts was the stuff of dreams, not reality.

Next was the hatchet with the golden head. Its haft was of polished hickory, slightly curved, the wood grain rich beneath the polish. The head itself was about the size of Harald’s hand and seemingly made entirely from the soft metal.

Artifact: Goldchop

Quality: Masterwork

Special Ability: Dancing Partner

Activation: Upon command, the Goldchop will animate and hover about its wielder, attacking any foe that comes within its reach. The Goldchop will duplicate itself as many times as the wielder has Ascended Thrones.

+2 to Dexterity while wielded

+2 to Strength while wielded

Limitation: Limitation: The lethality of the Goldchop corresponds to the number of Ascended Thrones.

“Whoa,” said Harald, turning the Goldchop about in his hands. “This one’s Masterwork.”

“Masterwork?” Vic looked up from the Thornguard. “You’re serious? That’s worth an Infinitum right there.”

“A Twilight Infinitum? This one Artifact?”

“Absolutely. Technically. It would depend on finding a buyer willing to part with that much wealth for what the ax can do. What does it do?”

Harald handed the Goldchop to Nessa. “It hovers around its wielder and attacks anybody that comes close, duplicating itself as many times as its wielder has Ascended Thrones.”

Nessa let out a low whistle. “This is a formidable piece of work. I imagine you could attack as you wished with your main weapon as this guarded your flank and rear.”

Vic winked. “Darling, my Goldchop is available any time to guard your… never mind.” He coughed into his fist as Nessa leveled a deadly stare in his direction. “I mean, yes. Of course, it would take the wealth of a major House to purchase something so valuable, and they’d no doubt give it to one of their Gold-ranked raiders. Which would mean they’d be sporting four or five axes at a time. Formidable indeed.”

Harald couldn’t help but laugh huskily. He felt feverish, almost delirious. “I’m guessing these daggers are a set.”

After all, they were identical. Their blades wavered like silver snakes, their hilts of polished steel, their grips short enough to indicate that they were meant to be thrown.

Harald picked up the center dagger.

Artifact: Phaseblades

Quality: Rare

Special Ability: Parts the Reeds

Activation: When thrown, a Phaseblade will pass through obstacles as if they were air. Walls, armor, shields, nothing mundane can prevent the Phaseblade from hitting its target.

+2 to Dexterity while wielded

Limitation: The number of obstacles a Phaseblade can pass through is limited to the number of Phaseblades left in the wielder’s possession after the cast.

“Another Rare,” said Harald, amazed. “Looks like my father really came through.”

“Three Rares and a Masterwork?” Nessa nodded in mock surprise. “Would that my father had left me such a haul.”

“Alas,” said Vic, “you just had to settle for his leaving.”

“Harald, darling?” Nessa extended a hand. “Lend me one of those throwing knives?”

“Best you take all three,” said Harald. “Their effectiveness drops with each one thrown.”

“Oh, interesting,” said Vic. “Assuredly a set, then. Well. My rough math indicates that your father left you the equivalent of two Infinitums and three Horizon’s Whispers, or about 2,300,000 scales. That’s… that’s a princely sum.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Harald turned the sinuous dagger over in his hand.

“The Goldchop is obviously the true prize,” said Nessa, handing it back to Harald. “With it even an amateur swordsman as yourself could delve far deeper into the dungeon than would otherwise…” She cut herself off as Vic groaned.

“Nessa, honestly.” Vic put his hand to his brow. “Realize whom you’re talking to. Now Harald’s going to hare off at the first opportunity to raid the 20th Level.”

“Don’t tempt me,” said Harald, setting the weapons back one by one.

“So, Harry-boy.” Vic sat forward. “You need to hear me out on these investment opportunities. If we liquidate—”

“Not just now,” said Harald. “I appreciate the offer, I really do. And I may take you up on it. But first… I need to think this over carefully.”

“Wise,” said Nessa, rising with a sigh. “That much wealth? Whatever you decide will have tremendous consequences.”

“Well, the auction is taking place very soon,” said Vic. “If you decide to liquidate any of those Artifacts, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to get as good a price as you could hope for. But we’d need to alert Master Ling as soon as possible. He’ll want to advertise their imminent sale to the Houses so they can examine the weapons before the auction.”

“Noted.” Harald rubbed at his face. “Though for now I’m going to leave everything here.”

Vic went to protest but caught himself and grinned. “I’ll say nothing more. It’s just so hard to be discrete when your entire purpose in life is to achieve a sybaritic lifestyle.”

Harald clapped Vic on the shoulder and led the way up the stairs. He could have insisted the other two go first, but that went exactly against what he was trying to build between them.

Risks, payoffs.

Stepping out into the gym, he took up a practice sword and approached Gustav, summoning Abyssal Attunement as he drew close.

As Vic and Nessa watched, he struck the dummy lightly across the chest with his wooden blade. The black energy of the abyss surged, and Gustav made no move to block or evade the strike.

The wall emitted a grinding sound, and then the hidden door slid closed.

“Impressive,” said Vic, leaning in close. “Even knowing that it’s there I can’t detect a seam.”

“Dwarven work,” said Nessa. “They must have used Earthblood. Unsurpassed in the world.”

“Well.” Harald felt rung out by the revelations and sudden wealth. He could easily have gone to bed, or sat out in the patio drinking wine for the rest of the day, mulling things over.

Instead, he inhaled sharply and looked to Nessa. “Ready to train?”

She laughed. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Yes. Of course. It’s why I came here today.”

“That and to bathe in our wit and charm,” said Vic. “You know what? I am so invigorated by the ludicrous amount of wealth that we just saw that I believe I shall train with you both. Yes! Why not? Even Vic the Rapier Regent can stoop to training with the plebians once in awhile.”

“You’ll regret it,” smiled Nessa. “I’ll make you sweat out all that wine you’ve been drinking.”

“I’ve only had the one glass today.” Vic beamed. “And I am far too exemplary a physical specimen to be discomfited by your little training regimes. Do your worst, Blade Mentor.”

“You’re mad,” said Harald admiringly as a predatory looked entered Nessa’s eyes.

Vic smiled. “Quite possibly.”

“We’ll begin with a warm-up.” Nessa crossed her arms. “Fetch a weighted blade, and do the following with the right foot forward: a hundred vertical cuts, fifty diagonal cuts from each side, a hundred cuts from below in a wide circle, a hundred more from below with straight arms, a hundred infinity rotations, then a hundred cuts from the right with the long edge, then a hundred from the left with the short edge.” Nessa’s smile grew sweet. “Then we’ll do it again with the left foot forward.”

Vic’s eyes widened. “That’s not training, that’s indulging your sadistic fetish.”

Harald merely shook his head as he strode over to the bag. “Just think on all the ways you can spend my money, and time will fly.”

“True.” Vic’s expression lit up. “True! To be fair, that’s one of my favorite past times, any way. Let’s get to it.”

They trained for an hour. Drills followed by footwork followed by some demonstrations on how to twist binds to one’s advantage.

Harald focused intently throughout—Nessa gave him no choice—but part of his mind was far away. When finally they set the practice swords down and stomped wearily upstairs—Harald exhausted now by his morning run, fitness training, and hour with Nessa—he still was deep in thought.

Vic, indefatigably cheerful, set about making them lunch, a creation of his own which involved pepper sauce, minced tuna, grilled onions, and toasted slices of stale bread.

Nobody complained.

Despite Vic’s good cheer, he seemed to know not to badger Harald. Nessa ate in ruminative silence. When the meal was done, Harald pushed his plate away and sat back.

“Well, I’ve reached a decision.”

“Whoa,” said Vic, raising both palms. “Wait. Stop. You’ve not heard any details on my investment opportunities. Harald, they’ll have you salivating like a hound.”

“Be that as it may.” Harald took a deep breath. “I know what I’m going to do with the Artifacts and scale. But seeing as Sam’s going to be part of this equation, I want to wait for her return before laying it out. The moment she does, however, I’ll tell you what we’re going to do with all that wealth.”

“And if she doesn’t return?” asked Nessa.

“She will.” Harald nodded with grim certainty. “I know she will.”