He passed through the enchanted door and into Illyian’s library, deep beneath the tavern.

The library was intact, but the elf was nowhere in sight. He crept up the stairs, his runed rod still in hand.

After the night he’d had, he wasn’t taking chances.

He eased open the door to the floor above, and sound washed over him as the wards in the door deactivated.

Corpses in various states of undress lined the floor, and tavern employees stripped them with military efficiency.

Illyian stood in the center of the room overseeing it all, with a young, human woman at his side. He caught Connor’s eye but continued speaking.

“…when you finish cataloging the belongings help Mathew go through the texts we have on runes and enchantments. I want to find where they got these rods from,” said the elf.

“Yes, sir,” said the woman at his side and she scurried off.

“Hard at work I see,” Connor said.

“Of course,” Illyian said, “I’m surprised to see you so soon. I don’t have much for you just yet, but I took a very close look at those rods. The runes are ancient, and it wasn’t easy, but it seems they only induce temporary paralysis on contact. Although the grip is free of the effects obviously. You needn’t worry about your arm falling off.”

After everything that had happened in just a single night, Connor felt more paranoid than ever.

He trusted the elf, but he still watched him carefully as he spoke. Victor had taught him how to spot a liar even from the smallest microexpressions, and with his enhanced senses, it would take someone of exceptional skill to hide anything from him.

Unfortunately, Illyian was no doubt someone of exceptional skill.

Needless to say, he didn’t pick up anything to suggest the elf was hiding anything.

“Good to know,” Connor said, “but not quite why I’m here. Let’s talk downstairs.”

Illyian frowned. “Why do you suddenly look like a man bearing bad news?” he said.

They went down into the library, where the countless wards kept what they said from the ears of others.

Connor told him more about the fight at the docks. What he and Adelia had found when they returned to the manor. Chamberlain Davison’s power play and probable involvement… everything but alchemy.

“Gods have mercy,” Illyian said, “and the bodies were still warm when you got to the manor you say?”

“Yes,” Connor said, “this was a coordinated attack. I’m certain of it.”

“This is dire news indeed. What are your orders?” Illyian asked.

Connor hesitated. Victor was the one in charge, not him

But, Victor wasn’t here.

“We’ll have to operate under the assumption that they have Victor. Let’s see what we can dig up on The Syndicate, particularly anything that could lead us to Victor,” Connor said.

“And what about Chamberlain Davison?” Illyian asked, “should I send someone to eliminate him?”

“No,” Connor said, “as much as I’d like to be rid of him… Victor can get the palace to do that for us. Davison has stepped too far over the line now. All we need is someone the palace will listen to, and he’ll be done for.

“Until then, he isn’t to be touched… any attack on him would only weaken Victor’s position when he returns. For now, just alert everyone in the network about The Chamberlain’s treachery. Until we get Victor back, the palace is our enemy, and everyone needs to be warned about this new group as well.

“I doubt this will be the last we see of them. Whoever they are… they must have someone inside the palace helping them, and Davison might not be the only one. There’s also no telling who else they have on their side. In the palace, or even in our own network. Be on your guard. Let’s not underestimate our new enemy.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Very well,” said Illyian, “It shall be done.”

“Now then, what have you learned about our mystery men?” Connor asked.

“Not much, I’m afraid,” Illyian said, “we only just got them back here. I plan to bring in an enchanter friend of mine. She is a peerless expert on all kinds of runes and enchantments, and that might give us a lead on where they got their weapons from.

“Otherwise, about all I can say is that their gear is very well made and worth far more than a common thug could afford. Not even counting those rods.”

“That fits,” said Connor, “the ones I fought at the docks were skilled fighters, possibly mercenaries. This group must have phenomenal resources.”

“And yet you killed them despite being heavily outnumbered? Including two wizards and a necromancer?” Illyian said with a smirk.

“I had help,” Connor said, “did you find anything else? Like where they’re getting all these men from, or how they can afford all this?”

“Afraid not,” Illyian said, “I’m not a miracle worker you know? Oh, there was one other thing. Come with me.”

He led Connor back up to the room above, bent down and rolled one of the corpses over. The body had a tattoo on his back, over where his heart would be.

It looked like the symbol of a temple, but the pillars were shattered, and a dagger impaled the whole thing.

“That’s not disturbing,” Connor said dryly.

“They all have similar markings, though some are in different places,” Illyian said, “I have men working on the origins and meaning of this symbol, but it will take time. For now, that’s all I have. It’s too bad you didn’t bring any of them back alive.”

“We did try,” Connor said.

“Yes,” Illyian said, “still… it seems unlike either of you to miss a wizard. Not sure what spell they used… whoever these people are they’re ruthless to the core.”

“All the more reason to get Victor back as soon as possible,” Connor said.

The two talked some more, but there wasn’t much left to be said and far too much work to be done. Connor thanked Illyian and left the tavern.

He stepped outside, and though it was still dark, it had finally stopped raining.

He scanned every shadow with his superhuman senses as he moved like a ghost through the silent night. The sun would be up soon, and he planned to be off the streets before then.

There were far too many people looking for him, and he didn’t want to be found.

***

He reached his refuge just as the sun’s first rays spilled over the horizon. He scanned his surroundings, runed rod at the ready, but the streets were empty.

He stepped inside his secret home.

Adelia sat cross-legged on a wooden table twirling a knife in one hand. She fixed him with her violet eyes. “What took you so long?” she asked.

Connor lowered the rod and let out a heavy sigh. “I just escaped from the palace dungeon,” he said.

“And?” Adelia asked.

Connor shook his head. What did it take to impress her? He collapsed on the chair.

“I also paid Illyian a visit. He’ll help us get the word out about The Chamberlain’s power play, and get the search for Victor moving. He hasn’t found out much about the group that ambushed us yet, but he’s going to investigate the rods, and see if there’s a lead there… and he found something else,” Connor said.

He told her about the symbol of the broken temple and the dagger, and everything else Illyian had told him, most of which they both already knew.

“On all the men?” she said as though talking to herself, “what are we dealing with here… some kind of cult?”

“Could be. If they are a cult, then it’s doubly worrying. The gods don’t approve of cults worshipping anyone that isn’t them, and this group has some serious backing. You’d think someone would’ve smote the crap out of them before now.

“Enchanted weapons, wizards, a necromancer, top-tier equipment, and skilled warriors? Where are they getting all of this from? Not to mention they’re tied in some way to what’s been going on in other cities and the spike in the slave trade.

“I think we’re dealing with something massive here, Adelia. I wouldn’t blame you if you decided to walk away now. Whoever these guys are… they’ve got a very long reach…”

“What do you take me for?” Adelia said, “What kind of friend would I be if I ran at the first sign of danger? I can handle myself, and you aren’t going to get rid of me so easily. I’ve got your back, through thick and thin.”

Connor smiled. “Thanks,” he said, “I really don’t want to do this alone.”

“And you won’t have to,” she said, “besides, they attacked me too. I can’t let them get away with that. I have a reputation to uphold.”

A moment of silence passed between them, and Connor basked in it. He wasn’t alone. They were both in this together. To whatever end…

“Aren’t you going to say thank you?” Adelia asked.

Connor frowned. “For sticking with me? I already did,” Connor said.

Adelia rolled her eyes. “Remind me not to tidy up in future,” she said.

Now that she mentioned it, the place was cleaner. A lot cleaner.

“Wow…” Connor said, “thank you. Is this what you did while you waited?”

“I had to do something,” Adelia said, “I got bored. You took far too long escaping. Next time, we do it my way.”

“Which is?” Connor asked.

“Go where we want, do what we want, and kill anyone who gets in our way,” she said.

“I need to learn not to ask…” Connor said.

“So what’s the plan?” Adelia asked.

Connor leaned back in his chair. There was just so much that needed doing… what should they do next? They needed to head to the thieves guild, but doing so in broad daylight with The Syndicate, The Chamberlain, and gods only knew who else out there didn’t seem wise.

But, time was of the essence… perhaps he should make some potions. Yet, how could he make potions right under Adelia’s nose and keep it a secret at the same time?

Should he tell her? Victor would kill him, but then again, if he didn’t keep up a plentiful supply of potions, he might not live long enough to free his uncle in the first place.

They were just too useful, and if he got stronger and made some higher tier potions… the search might go a lot easier. In the end, did he really have a choice?