– Day 10 –

Countermeasures

*Knock Knock*

“Master? May I enter?”

I awaken to the sound of Kate knocking my bedroom door.

“*Yawn* Of course.”

I rub the sleep from my eyes and look to the window I forgot to curtain last night. It seems to be early dawn maybe? The girls must be doing the morning chores.. I can hear my inner conscious but I know I’m not allowed to help so I wish my guilt would give out already.

Kate enters and prostrates herself in front of the bed?

“Master. I wish to apologise for my.. my behaviour last night, I forgot myself and–”

O for flip sake! Was it too much to ask that she’d have blacked out those memories of the carriage ride home due to alcohol intoxication? I’ve seen lasses from Newcastle drink less and not remember anything! If anyone should be feeling sorry about last night, it’s me for issuing a command!

I jump out of bed to sit beside her on the floor; something to which I immediately regret as I realise I’d slept naked last night…

*swing*

Flustered but determined to see this through, I start jabbering.

“I should-d be the one to apologise, not you! I did something I swore to you all I wouldn’t–”

“No, no you were right too. I didn’t consider or heed your wishes and proceeded to force myself on you. I’ve shamed you and myself greatly–”

“You have not! To be honest with you Kate, I don’t begrudge what happened in the carriage or you. I’m actually flattered that someone so beautiful wants to be with me. It’s just that… If…”

She finally lifts her head to reveal a red-cheeked face…

“Lady Katharine..?”

Is it really that fricking obvious?

“…Y-Yes”

“I understand–”

I interrupt her before she has a chance to say anything else.

“Can’t we compromised and agree that neither of us should apologise and leave it there? …So I can put some clothes on..”

She laughs lightly as she stands and smiles at me while holding out her hand.

“As you wish, Master.”

I take her hand and stumble to my feet. We stand smiling at each other for a minute before starting to laugh again.

“I…I should get dressed.”

She nods and heads to the door.

“Breakfast will be ready in an hour or 2. Oh! Bella and Risk are out back if you want to do morning training.”

“Thanks, Kate, I’ll be down shortly.”

You’re one hell of a woman Kate, and I’m a fricking moron… To be honest, I’ve never been lucky with women. I know, shocker right? It’s bizarre that members of the opposite sex seem to be flocking around me.. perhaps I’m overthinking this.

I change into some fresh clothes, fold the clothes from yesterday and make the bed before heading downstairs; I’m not a slob after all. It looks like Millie and Hannah are in the kitchen… I don’t see Emily anywhere? Perhaps she’s still sleeping. I continue to head through the house to the rear. Outside, Bella and Risk are doing push-ups while trying to punch each other. It was a strange sight, so I decided to sit on the step to observe them for a bit.

After a while, I realise it’s a game they’ve come up with to make mundane exercise more interesting. The idea of the game seems simple enough, one is the attacker, and the other is the defender. They both do a push up as quickly as possible, and then the attacker tries to punch the defender. If the attacker succeeds, they look to get another go, if not, the roles swap and they start over. The trick to it though seems to be that if the attacker stands before the defender, the defender isn't allowed to block. As such and to some humorous display, the more substantial built Risk is getting destroyed with Bella having remained the attacker for the last eight push-ups. It’s quite comical to watch, but eventually, I’m noticed by Risk.

“Oh, you’re up.”

“Having fun?”

“No..not even a little”

“Quit your belly-aching. Not my fault you're slower than a gilled fyian.”

“What’s a gilled Fyian?”

I ask out of curiosity.

“Seriously? It’s like an Octopike but with ornate scales.”

I get the feeling that this conversation will circle on forever…

“I see. Morning training?”

She laughs knowing full well I haven’t a clue what an Octopike is either, must be written on my face. Risk throws me a spear and Bella starts the warm-up.

And so until the spear fades, we do more of the same from yesterday. Form, strikes and combinations. Bella opted not to teach me anything new today but instead enforce the basics with a little game, not unlike the one she played with Risk but with a twist. She’s always the attacker, and I am only allowed to doge if I haven’t made a mistake! Needless to say by the end of it I need a tonic; such a violent young beauty she is!

From training, I head to wash up where Millie and Hannah are waiting. I was unsure why they were there at first, but it seems they are offering to tend to my unique requirement. I asked if Hannah was sure she wanted to do this to which she just nodded. She still has trouble speaking with me it seems, but I close the door and accept, gratefully.

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670

Hunger: 12% Thirst: 4%

Blood State: Good

I think Hannah is starting to warm to me which is good. She’s the youngest of the girls, and I don’t think she had it easy before becoming my slave, after all, she did have a black eye when we first met. Here’s hoping she’ll have nothing but warm memories from here on out!

From here it’s breakfast and discussions on the day. I notice a distinct lack of sound that generally comes from a certain bulldozer.

“Is Emily still sleeping?”

“Apologies Master, she isn’t feeling well. I believe she has alcohol poisoning.”

Serves her right for drinking alcohol like soda! Maybe I should let her suffer…no no.

*blink*

“I see. Can you take her this for me, it should clear that right up in a couple of minutes.”

I hand Kate an [Alrist Antidote]. It’s not the primary purpose of the tonic but thanks to [Master Alchemist], the additional effects will heal her. After all, a basic [Alrist Antidote] is only meant to heal [Alrist Poisoning]. However, mine has hydration qualities that should solve her hangover. I’d like to find some more alchemical and medical recipes; the library may help with this.

“I’ll take it to her”

Bella nudges Risk who then immediately starts talking after wiping the water from his chin, spilt from Bella’s nudge.

“*cough* So Aburi, I’ve told Bella what we discussed last night and shown her the front of the house.”

“I see.”

“She–”

Bella gives him a kick under the table.

“yow–We, We feel that it may be best to hire more mercenaries. You know, to watch the place when we’re not here.”

“That’s the plan, or well, it is sort of”

They look at each other before looking back. I continue.

“I want to hire about eight more mercenaries and have them stay at the bar across the street. They can rotate day and night for 24-hour coverage, and if any of us leave the house, two of the eight will leave the tavern and shadow us at a good distance while the remaining two who aren’t sleeping continue to observe the house.”

“That’s…Well–”

“Who are you expecting to attack that you will need that many?”

“Attack? No one.. Well, it’s true I can’t rule out the possibility.. *Ahem*; I want the mercs to follow anyone suspicious while remaining unseen; I want them to collect information on the ones issuing orders so we can kill them all in one go, basically”

Risks eyes widen… Did I say something abnormal?

“–It’s like the hydra story. If I cut off one head, two will grow in its place and so forth. The only way I’m going to win is if I cut off all the heads simultaneously so nothing can request a new head be spawned.”

Still? I don’t understand, is this not obvious?

“You’re rather…calculating..”

..Oh. I see. I guess most people would be concerned about the very fact that their life was at risk, but here I am, talking about how I’m going to slaughter all of my enemies at once. I guess I can understand the shock. They probably think I’m making light of the situation.. I guess I sort of am in a way.

“Sorry Risk. I forget that we’ve only been together for a short time.. It’s not the first time my life’s been on the line, and it’s also not the first that a large organisation has targeted me.”

“I don’t doubt that”

Oh ‘haha’..

“Yes well, there are typically only three ways to get them to stop; bribe them, which isn’t possible for religious fanatics; kill off the leadership, so the organisation crumbles, or hurt the organisation to the point that further conflict is unwanted. I prefer option two as it’s the one that leaves you with fewer enemies.”

Risk raises his hand to his chin as if pondering my words for a moment and then speaks.

“Isn’t there a fourth option?”

A fourth? Nothing comes to mind.

“Such as?”

“Have another organisation intervene on your behalf?”

Hmm, he’s not wrong. That is possible if you have allies and I guess if I lean on General Armstrong, it would be possible to have the house protected… but no, eventually that would probably destroy him politically… No, this has to be dealt with alone.

“You’re suggesting General Armstrong correct?”

He nods in affirmation.

“You’re correct that in the short term he could and likely would, but it will only seek to weaken his political strength, and eventually it will leave him vulnerable too.”

Risk scratches his head before sighing.

“Argh, fine! I’ll come with you to the guild. I know a few who are perfect for the job…I don’t particularly like them or the way they work, but this is the kind of work is what they accel at.”

“Can Edward be trusted to keep quiet if I hire more men?”

“Fatty? Ha, of course not… but I guess if you hand him some gold, as long as those who come asking don’t offer more, you should have his silence. He’s at least honourable in that sense”

Okay, so that’s my plan…I just need Duke Graham to turn up with the ‘unlimited moneys‘ to put it into action. The girls already know not to leave the house without Bella or Risk in tow so no need to go over that with them again.

“We’ll go once Duke Graham turns up with the requisition order. Free time until–”

*Knock* “Aburi Draconis?”

Seems someone’s at the front door. Wouldn’t it be funny if it’s the Duke.

I head out of the dining room to see who it is only to have Risk grab me by the collar to allow Bella out first…I guess that’s fair.

“One moment.”

Bella waves to Risk, and he lets my collar go.

I step out of the dining room to see a strange young girl, no older than 15 who is definitely not Duke Graham standing in the front doorway. She has pale silver-blue hair in a cropped style, green eyes and a strangely symmetrical face with a blank look on it. Her attire also grabs my attention with a dagger being fastened to each leg of her baggy brown-leather shorts that have the ends turned up. Perhaps they were once trousers, who knows, but the biggest oddity is her top. It’s a yellow hoodie with ‘Birdie‘ written across the centre in pale blue. I haven’t seen anyone wearing anything even remotely close to something from my world before now…Is she also from my world?

“…”

Oops, she’s here to see me.

“Apologies, I am Aburi Draconis”

She points to herself

“Sybil, Sybil Mayfield”

Mayfield…? Sounds familiar for some reason.

“Ah you must be the scout Duke Rayford mentioned”

She nods and wonders in…

“…”

…well, she’s clearly not one for words. She’s just staring at me blankly?

“Did the Duke explain why you are here.”

She nods…

“And do you have any questions.”

She shakes her head

Oh boy, this one is going to be a lot of work.

“Okay then. Do you have lodging in the city?”

She shakes her head again… I remember she was coming from Axxen. Based on the time, I think I’ve found a way out of this awkward conversation!

“Kate, can you show Sybil to a spare room upstairs and perhaps see if Millie can get her something to eat?”

“Certainly Master”

As Sybil turns towards Kate, I mouth the words ‘Thank you’ while clasping my hands. Kate tries unsuccessfully not to laugh but hides it with a broad smile.

“Strange kid–”

*Knock knock*

“Hello?”

Well, this is undoubtedly a busy morning. I turn back to the door to see Duke Rayford and three others, most likely his aides.

“Graham, good morning.”

“And to you Aburi; Pry tell, has Sybil arrived yet?”

“Indeed, literally a moment ago. She’s currently getting settled in upstairs–”

“Oh? I was going to have an Inn prepared for her. Are you sure?”

“That quite alright, there’s plenty of room here, and it will make everything easier overall.”

“Well, if you’re sure then so be it. If you please–”

He hands me a leather backed scroll that’s tied closed.

“It’s a map of the capital with directions to get to the Catacombs barrier. Zero will be in the area in case you need assistance getting in.”

“I should be fine–”

“Yes, well, he said that too, but it won’t kill him to take a few days away from his research to help you out.. The city is teetering on a knifes edge after-all, it’s the very least he can do, but I digress. To the main topic. I need to tell you that the support mage I promised might be an issue–”

He strokes his beard while shaking his head.

“The circle claims no one with the skills is currently available, and it will be at the very least four months before someone could be recalled to help. I don’t know if this is true or not but I’m looking into it.. I fear the circle may have aligned itself with General Syvian.. Oh, here.”

He turns to one of the aides and hands me the requisition order as promised and a box containing 200 gold pieces.

“The gold is for immediate use however you..see fit.”

In other words, it’s for brides and things that won’t have a receipt. Handy… I can’t help but notice Graham hasn’t mentioned the graffiti yet, did he not notice it?

“My thanks, Graham. I’ll put it to proper use.”

“Yes, I’m certain you will. Anyway Aburi, we have a lot to prepare for, I’ll take my leave.”

He turns to his aides who immediate lower their heads and move behind him. This odd behaviour remains me of something I read about Chinese imperial nobles. The culture here is so mixed up it’s hard to follow. Perhaps that’s my mistake, comparing it to the logic of my world?

Lost in my own thoughts of nobility, I peripherally watch the comical show unfold outside. It entailed Graham leaving through the front door, proceeding to his waiting carriage, getting into the said carriage and sitting down. He turns to his head to face me as the carriage starts to pull off and his jaw drop to the floor. The carriage proceeds to stops at the hysterical requests of the Duke's aides as Graham literally jumps off the carriage and rushes back in–

“Aburi, what the hell happened!?”

“No idea Graham, vandals are my best guess at this time–”

“I’ll not stand for this! I will have guards disp–”

“That won’t be necessary Graham, but you have my thanks for your concern. I have my own way of dealing with things like this; Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

He pauses for a moment before deciding to accept my answer, after all, he can hardly trust me to save the city but not myself.

“Hmm, Very well but if you need anything–”

“You’ll be my first stop, Graham.”

“Good. Then, I’ll be off once more.”

He nods in affirmation and heads off. I watch him leave in the carriage when the look of his aides as he jumped out of the carriage finally reaches me cognitively and I burst out in laughter.

Ahh, I shouldn’t laugh. I have a feeling they have it rough. Speaking of rough. I walk over to Risk and grab his hand. He looks at me with a confused look which I return with an evil smile.

“Bella, watch over the place.”

*Zip*

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 588 / 670

Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0%

Blood State: Good