177. PERFORMANCE: TABITHA

That was definitely a success. I have never had someone rolling in the aisle in hysterical laughter before. Zabavno and Manus are genius writers. From a performer's point of view, we still have some polish to do to the Comedic Rhythm acts, but after that reception, we are all motivated and energised.

The Duchess was there as well and wanted to meet us. She was a tall woman with a commanding presence. Her husband was with her. He was in civilian dress but still held a military bearing. I knew he was a fifty-year veteran of the army retiring with the rank of Cavalry Major. He and the Duchess had married quite late in life, and his love for horses was well known. I connected to him by asking about his horses and talking about Dusk. I got an invite for Dusk and me to visit his stables. A top performance, if I say so myself.

First up though is Fredrik. Fredrik’s place was two hours ride outside the walls. He had a place by the river, complete with a dock and a barge being loaded. When his buildings came into view, his ranch house and associated buildings were up teh hill from teh river, but close to teh Docks wa a huge warehouse and factory. Adjacent to the large building was a number of enclosed fires heating something.

Fredrik greeted us as Modrica and I rode into the marshalling yard of the factory. There were a number of heavy duty wagons unloading coal for teh fires and other loading bricks and other boxes of unidentified goods.

“Welcome, welcome,” he shouted over the noise.

“The sign at the gate said Beitemark Ceramics?” I posed it as a question.

“Have you not heard of us? The finset ceramics in Khirghiz! That is not just pottery and dishes! No, no, no, we create the finest tiles and ornamental bricks. We have a whole team of artisans dedicated to top-end porcelain.”

“I guess that makes sense with your Clay affinity,” I stated.

He just winked at me. “I’d have been disappointed if you hadn’t done your homework, lass.”

What is he, my school teacher? What that means is he has done his homework for us. He gave us a quick tour of the factory. It was kilns that were continually firing the clay and the different glazings and mixtures that went into it. I hope Modrica learned something because it went over my head. We then headed up to the ranch house. We walked past the house to a large flat area behind it. There was no grass on it. He spent some time talking to Modrica and Težka through various tasks, and exercises to practice and improve their control. I sat and watched from the shade of a tree.

We retired to the ranch house for refreshments.

“I checked with some of my military contacts. Apparently, you and your brother Sten are ‘valued allies’ or some such shit,” Fredrik started the interrogation.

“Sten is missing, presumed dead in that Otto mess.”

“Have you seen the body?” I shook my head, “then don’t presume. It’s only been a couple of weeks. I have had people return after longer than that.”

I am unsure if that was to console me or tell me he won’t be presuming anything.

“I am interested in why citizens are classed as allies,” Fredrik posed it as a question.

“I didn’t realise we were classed as allies. You will have to ask the military. In my experience, they do strange things.”

“How much experience have you had with the military?”

“We helped them with a problem in Obalno.”

“Obalno is a major navy base with a Commando training centre. What problem could they not deal with?”

“Exactly! That's the reason I don’t have a high opinion of the military.” My voice sounded exasperated.

Fredrik’s eyes narrowed, “You’re not answering my questions. Perhaps we can exchange information.”

It was my turn to raise my eyebrows. “What information do you think I need?”

Fredrik smiled, “I think you need information on the Duke of Kirghiz, seeing as you have gone out of your way to annoy him.”

“That depends on what information you want.”

“I want to know the real reason why you had Otto killed. I would also like to know how. He was a veteran of the two-year war with the Empire and an experienced Monster Hunter with a monster bond. He would be very difficult to kill.”

I thought for a bit. This was actually one of my goals in setting up this caravan. To become an information broker. I did need as much information as possible on the Duke.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I can tell you why Otto died, but it is not my place to tell you how.”

Fredrik nodded. It turns out he had a lot of information on the Duke, his family, advisors, allies and enemies. We were one enemy, but it was complicated because we were in business with the Duke of Obalno and allied with the Duchess of Dohovno. The Duke's youngest son has been punished and is out for our blood as he blames us for his woes. The key thing I noted was the Duke's known promiscuous relationships and parties that were basically orgies. There were several known bastard children around and rumours of his own children not actually being fathered by the Duke. He is on his fourth wife, and the wives participate in these parties. That is, current and ex-wives at the same parties. I guess you could also say there were future wives there as well. It must be one big mess of relationships and rivalry. I was looking forward to stirring that pot.

When Fredrik heard what Otto was up to, I think he also wanted to kill him. When I said Sten had died from his wounds, he wasn’t sure whether to believe me. Apparently, the only eyewitness said Otto was buried in lava, and Sten and a big ass snake were fighting the ranchhands. Sten had been wounded but was still fighting. Nobody else survived. Fredrik probed, but I only confirmed the same that the military knew, Sten had a Granite affinity. I had no idea where the lava came from. I suspect it was just fire, burning things, and the poor guy was traumatised.

When Fredrik asked about us with his military buddies, I suspect he was instructed to gather information. I am not sure how convinced he was that Sten was dead. I made a mental note to catch up with the watch captain and see what she has figured out.

The Major was totally different. I had learned my lesson from Eluf that all military officers from Captian up had received specialist training in the Mental area. I only had my Confuse Status running and was alert for attempts to breach it. Eluf had taught me a number of tricks.

The Major, however, was not concerned about me. He was interested in Dusk. He had me walk Dusk around the yard, then mount and ride. Then he asked me some questions.

“Why did you bond with Dusk?”

I thought about that. We bonded in the middle of a fight. Then I said, “I have been riding her for three years. She is my escape in times of trouble and a way to clear my head. We bonded in a fight, and she gave me an advantage.”

“Why did she bond with you?”

I queried our bond before replying, “Because we both like riding with excessive speed.”

The Major smiled, “yes, she is built for speed. You have fought with her. Have you fought while riding her?” I shook my head. “How do you think you would fight while riding her?”

That required some thought. My usual duel-wield fighting style will not work on Dusk’s back. I am too mobile.

I took too long to answer, and the major said. “There are several main ways of fighting with horses. First, use them to get you where you need to be and then fight dismounted. The Royal Dragoons do this. Then there is the Heavy Cavalry which charges enemy positions. Dusk is not built for that, although that is where they will want the Orc with the Direbear. Then there are the Skirmishers with hit-and-run tactics. They usually fight at range with a backup weapon for close encounters. The Royal Skirmishers use spears and short bows.”

“It will probably be a hybrid dragoon skirmisher. My only ranged skill is Throw Weapons, and then it is knives and swords. Stealth is big for us.”

“There are some tricks I can show you for muffling the hooves. For a hit-and-run skirmisher, you should be using a different saddle. Dusk is also a bond. You don’t need reigns, except it is what you are used to. Dusk should not have a bit in her mouth. You work together through your bond.”

“It is actually the Orc and the Direbear I wanted to talk to you about. Modrica and Težka. They have been given notice of Military Service.” The Major just nodded. “ What you may not know yet is that Modrica and I are Krvne Sestres.”

That was a surprise to him. Then his eyes narrowed, “Are you trying to get her out of her military service? You could enlist as well. They would keep you together.”

I had figured the Major would be pro-military after a fifty-year service. “There are other complicating factors.”

“Such as?”

“I am listed as a valued ally of the military.”

The Major narrowed his eyes again, “What branch?”

“Military Intelligence.”

“Bloody interfering spooks. You will have to go and talk to them if you want an exemption.”

“I am not necessarily looking for an exemption. I am looking for information and advice. What happens when someone like Modrica is enlisted.”

“Everyone does a minimum of two months of basic training. You stay there for two months or until your Unarmed Combat, Sword, Shield, and Spear Skills are at least level 5, whichever takes longer. Then you go to Basic Class Training. You are assessed in Basic Training and assigned to a Class Training group. Warrior, Archer, Cavalry etc. You stay with that group until you have levelled the class enough to specialise. That usually doesn’t happen in your first five-year term. Modrica would be assigned to Heavy Cavalry. Affinity users also get specialised training after Basic Training and are promoted to Special Lieutenants. They have no command power but get special training.”

“Modrica already has a high levelled fighting class and is a Master of Unarmed Combat.”

“Then she will be training others in that while she gets her other skills up to scratch. You wanted my advice?” he continued, “Then my advice is you should both enlist in Basic Training and then get the Cavalry Class. This Class is the primary class for all our mounted troops.”

“We can’t spend five years in the military.”

“Then you need to take that up with Military Intelligence. My advice is that you will get no better grounding than in the Royal Cavalry, and it is time well spent.”

“How long would it take to get the Cavalry Class?”

“Your Riding Class is Mid Apprentice?” he asked. I nodded, “For you, 6-8 months.”

“And for someone without a riding Class and only just gained the Skill?”

“At least two years.”

Shit, that was not going to happen. I steered the conversation back to Dusk and me. I purchased a new saddle from him, which made things a lot easier. He also got his leather worker to modify the bridle, and we removed the bit. Dusk would have a lot more freedom.

I am going to need to talk to Military Intelligence. That means making a deal.