He blinked a couple of times in surprise. “What?”
“Yea, he likely made it there before the letter letting him know I was canceling my engagement ot Chatterdeem.” I resisted making a disgusted face at saying his name. At least, I tried.
“I… see…” He started flipping through stacks of papers before finding a report. “Backing up a bit, how did he seem after Chatterdeem visited your estate?”
“Mostly scared, cause I almost hit him with a knife after I put Chatterdeem through a table.” I said, honestly.
It had taken me a moment to realize what was going on, but clearing up his impression of Calmar was better than taking the blame myself. Even if it made him suspicious of me, it’s not like I knew how to blow up a building. And I’d been asleep when it had happened.
“So, the injuries were from you… why?” He’d broken out a pen and clean sheet of paper.
“Because he talked about his toys…” I didn’t suppress the shudder, “And talked about my purity. He’s lucky I didn’t use him as target practice.”
The scratching of Severn’s pen filled the room as he took notes, “And where were you when the explosion occured?”
“Asleep. I was woken after it had happened by Priest Toren, from the Quintius shelter.” I said, watching him write that down. “He was checking up on me, since we’d been talking through some of the strange events of my life since we met on getting my stats recorded.”
“I see.” He finished scribbling and sighed before putting an elbow on the desk and using that hand to wipe as his face. “Look, Lady Danielle. I’ll be honest with you. These questions should have been asked soon after the incident. And your answers have put a pretty big target on you as the primary suspect.”
I shrugged, “I’ve no reason to hide. I’ve been stuck in the manor the entire time trying to recover from what happened.”
“And you’ve done a great job, from the looks of it.” He said, looking me up and down. “I’m noticing a focus on physical stats, did you already change classes?”
I shook my head, “No, still only a Noble. Level 7, if you need to know.”
He made a note, “I didn’t, but might as well have it in my records.” Leaning forward, Severn put his elbows on the desk and supported his chin with his knuckles, “So, is that part of why you missed Germaine’s party?”
It was my turn to be surprised, having almost forgotten about it, “I… guess? Huh, I’d actually forgotten about it completely. Did you go?”
“Part of my role as a Captain. I’ve got to make public appearance at most social functions.” He smiled, “I find them kind of boring so I was looking for you to use as an excuse to leave. Get back to work, or whatever nonsense I thought of at the time.”
I couldn’t resist chuckling at that. “Maybe I should have gone. I was busy, though.”
He nodded, chuckling with me. As he leaned back in his chair, he sighed. “I should let you know, you’ll be under watch because of what you’ve just told me. But I also don’t think you’re responsible. For one, I don’t think you could get the knowledge to, or access to, whatever was used to blow the mansion. Calmar was a stretch, but he at least had a motive. Your father too, if he was unhappy with the decision, but I wouldn’t go near that problem with the Duke’s personal guard surrounding me.”
“So, what should I expect.” I asked.
He sighed, “Round the clock monitoring of the Rosecrest manor, as well as a search of the premises for anything that could be used as an explosive device. The first will only be for a few days, but the later can be taken care off tomorrow. Then you’ll need to submit to a screening to make sure you don’t have any of the required spells. I can perform it personally, or have a Gilded handle it.”
“You.” I said immediately. “And we can do that now if you’re available.”
Severn looked at me with suspicion, “Ooookay. We’ve the Barracks crystal available for use. We can check it now and get you out of here, if you want. I’m sure your bodyguard is getting anxious.”
I stood at the same time he did and followed him out of his office. As we walked, I checked my skills for anything that might be problematic. Without even thinking about it, I hid Fire and Wind Manipulation using Moderator’s Veil. If Grandpa Toren couldn’t even see the trait, I should be fine. I also played around and was able to change my stats display to show Total Category Value for each one, which was useful.
The paths through the barracks all looked the same, even at the upper levels where it was decorated. We didn’t go downstairs, so I got a good look at the place. Lots of carpet, small tables with vases of flowers, and metal spikes sticking out from the ceiling in various intersections.
Severn saw me rubbernecking, and filled me in. “They’re portcullises. They’ll drop down in times of trouble. We run drills regularly to make sure they still work, but it’s been decades since we’ve last needed them.”
“What happened then?” I asked, trying to pass the time.
“Small rebellion. A bunch of laborers and commoners got together and tried to storm the place to make a point. They made it to the second floor before they were killed to a man.” He shook his head, “A waste, but I suppose a point was made.”
“Wow. Why’d they do it?” I was curious why they’d do something that everyone there had to know would be lethal.
“Who knows.” He stated. “Unsafe streets, extortion, or missing people. Take your pick. Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to handle most of it.”
Not what I was led to believe. I said, thinking on my few lessons on the politics involved. “Sounds like you need a bigger budget.”
He laughed, “I’ll let the Councilor know you said that. Expect a generous bribe to make an official statement.”
There was anything else said as we finished our walk to an ornately decorated crystal in the middle of a large hall. It was much larger than the one I’d used with Toren, and there was a strange… familiar looking pedestal beneath it. What’s with the metal tubes?
It was a pedestal on the floor about as big around as a medium sized fountain and as tall as my chest. There was a small set of stairs made from the same material that led up to the crystal itself. Several metal tubes were attached to the base where the crystal touched the pedestal. Severn stepped up first and put a hand onto it, “Okay, when you’re ready.”
I reached up and set my hand to the crystal.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
It’s always something new, isn’t it. I looked over at Severn who seemed to be reading something over. I focused on N, since I did NOT want to try and do anything sneaking with him watching. The man was far too perceptive for me to risk it.
Instead, I watched my quests update. 210 went up to 328, most of the ones I saw were along the same lines. There was nothing else of note, and I cleared my throat. “We good?”
“Hm?” Severn finished reading and nodded, “Oh, yes. I was just making sure I got the right things. I’m impressed you were able to improve in magic so fast. And Spatial Closet is fairly rare, what’d you do to earn that?”
I froze, “I just… got it. Day I knocked Chatterdeem out.”
Deception has ranked up!
Deception: Tier 0, Rank 2
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Severn chuckled, “Let me guess. Deception.” I winced and he shook his head. “It’s a high level trait, Danielle. You’ll need to register it. I’d ask to search it, but without special equipment it’d be too dangerous, and you aren’t a big enough suspect for me to worry about it.”
Hesitantly, I asked, “Isn’t that… a bit unprofessional?”
He rolled his eyes, “Maybe, if you weren’t so easy to read. No, just get it registered. It’s not useful for transporting any of the contraband we’re actually concerned about. Slaves would die without gear that was more expensive than the product. Several of the illegal narcotics are out for similar reasons. The empty air and way the trait sucks heat and moisture out of something tends to destroy most products.” He shrugged, “There are easier ways to smuggle weapons, and magic items will go haywire crossing the threshold.”
That last one is good to know. “In other words… it’s not that useful.”
“Oh, I didn’t say that. You can keep clothes, dried goods, and weapons in there just fine. I’m actually a little jealous, it’d be perfect for storing paperwork and the tools I usually need to do my job. It’s just…” He smirked and turned to look at me, “Tell me you have an explosive in there?”
“But I don’t…” I said, confused.
“Just humor me.” He was still smirking and I kind of wanted to punch him.
“...I have an explosive in my Spatial Storage.” I said, not trying to make it convincing.
His eyes flashed a bright green, “And I know you aren’t lying.”
I stood there, thinking about it. “Trait?”
He smiled, “I’ll escort you out.”
I didn’t get an answer, but I was almost positive I was right. I didn’t push too hard though, and leaving was faster than marching around the upper floor. There was actually a staircase nearby that led down to the lobby.
There I saw Deacon, sitting on a bench, fingers tapping on his thigh as he looked in the direction we’d originally gone. When Captain Severn and I stepped up to him, he stood up and let out a sigh of relief. “Oh good, she didn’t get arrested. I was afraid she’d hit someone while out of sight.” I reached over and whacked his arm with the back of my hand. He looked at Severn. “See what I have to deal with?”
Captain Severn laughed, “No, she’s fine. I was going over her case with her. Apologies for taking so long.” He gave me a little bow. “Lady Danielle, I hope you can make the next social gathering.” Then he turned around and walked back towards the stairs.
I looked at Deacon from the side and nodded at the door and he gave me a subtle nod. We walked outside into the twilight dark. “Later than I wanted.” I said, with a little frustration.
Deacon looked like he wanted to talk. I shook my head, “Let’s get back to the manor. We need to talk with Grimoire too.”
“Damn right we do. About you going off on your own, for one thing.” He said, starting off after asking a guard for directions to the right district.
“Come on, we were in the Barracks. I could not have been safer.” I said, annoyed.
Deacon hissed under his breath when we were out of earshot, “Except your step brother is suspect number one in the death of your bethrothed and went missing not even a day after.”
I blinked, “Am I the only one who didn’t connect that?”
There was a sharp whisper and I felt something impact the back of my head. It was hard enough to make me stumble, but not enough to do serious damage. I looked around to see who had done it, then glared at Deacon. “What the void was that about?”
“You’re not getting how serious of a situation you’re in, and acting like you aren’t connected to the world around you.” He grumbled. “If you keep doing that, it’ll get you killed. You aren’t the main character in some novel, you’re flesh and bone.”
We both paused for a moment at that.
Finally, I responded, “Probably, but that’s why I’m trying to improve as fast as I can.”
I didn’t hear Deacon’s response, but we walked the rest of the way back in silence. I just hoped nothing bad was going on with Cal. He should be back soon.
Calmar was not having a good day.
Porter was outside, fending off a fire wolf as Samuel focused on dispersing the flames of the rest of it’s ethereal, flaming pack. The battle was going well, but the fire breath would have cooked the body guard if it hadn’t been for the driver. Calmar was going to get that kid a raise when they got back.
If they got back.
Even as he thought that, Porter blurred and his short blade stabbing through the neck of the beast twice, the second time he leveraged it into decapitating the creature. Smaller fights had been happening less frequently as they left the lands near the Flame Flower Fields, but they had to keep on guard.
And Calmar was stuck in the carriage.
Yes, he had a sword. He could even use it if push came to shove.
But he had never been able to take a life. Even with a collar, he’d been unable when ordered. Not that he had a great wellspring of willpower. Rather…
Trait: Pacifist
You take the higher road. When the world burns around you, you refuse to take that which is most sacred: Life. Through war and famine, you focus on finding the right words to defuse a situation, rather than take up a blade.
Doubles Class Attribute Gain per Level
Improved Social Skill gain
Improved Non Combat Skill gain
Unable to kill: All fatal blows from you will instead incapacitate.
He looked down at the sheathed sword on his lap, there in case he’d need to use it. Taking it out just enough to see his own reflection, he sighed. “All I’m good for is accounting and drinking.” He sheathed it again and looked out the window, watching as Porter directed Samuel on the proper way to prepare the wolf for transport. They made quick work of it, and had it packed away before the sky had started to turn to dark.
“Think we can make a few more kilometers before night, what about you?” Porter said as he got back into the carriage, the vehicle rocking with his movements.
Calmar nodded, “Maybe more if we can get to the highway.”
“A shame the Lord couldn’t come with us.” Porter said with a heavy sigh.
Calmar nodded, “Yes, but he was right. He’s the only thing keeping a breach from occurring. I’m just glad the adventurers could take us to meet him when they were taking supplies.”
“It was lucky, but I’m still worried about him. The seventh floor isn’t a joke, and he doesn’t have nearly enough help.” Porter was frowning.
They rode in silence. Porter opened his mouth.
“No.” Calmar said without needing to hear his question.
“But something is weird with her, and you know it. Maybe… maybe she knows something to help.” Porter continued, even with Calmar not wanting to talk about it.
“Leave Dani out of this. She’s going through enough.” Calmar said, avoiding Porter’s gaze.
Porter was quiet for a few moment before his serious tone filled the carriage, “Its not going to be long before she tries to come out here herself.” Calmar didn’t respond, so Porter continued, “She’s training for a reason, Cal. You know that, right?”
Calmar closed his eyes and sighed, “You don’t know that.”
“She knocked Chatterdeem out with one blow. That isn’t that impressive on its own, but Chatterdeem had a high Charm skill. It’s what he was known for. She shouldn’t have been able to break through it enough to hit him, let alone with enough force to knock him out.” Porter said with conviction.
“I’ve the same skill at Tier 3, almost Tier 4, and it’s not infallible.” Calmar responded. “You can bypass it with a few tricks.”
“But how would she know them?” Porter said.
Calmar didn’t answer.
Porter sat in thought, tapping the pommel of his blade. “Are you going to give her the books?”
“Of course I am.” Calmar sounded insulted Porter would suggest otherwise. “She needs every tool she can use, and it’s a powerful skill.”
“Just making sure your priorities are in order.” Porter said. “Hopefully the delay didn’t cost us too much time.”
Calmar didn’t respond, too busy brooding as he tried to turn his mind to what he’d do when back in Cotton Rock.