Edited by: tommyjl

Ah, nobles. A fundamental aspect of every nation. The ones that kept the wealth and political power. They were the force that could heavily influence the kingdom, in other words, they were men with power. And power is corruptive, that’s a fact, especially as there are many sides of their inner conflict. Kingdoms were fighting each other, houses within one kingdom were fighting each other and in the very end even members in the different families were rivaling to impact their strategy the most.

But one thing needs to be said atop of that. They surely had class.

These thoughts were crawling in Jason’s head as he was serving food and drinks to the member of house he was spying on. Covered in illusion making him look like a regular commoner he managed to infiltrate the Grand House.

Ah! The quality of food! The smell of liquor that was being served!... Jason promised himself, that he would stop by the kitchen on his way out. Illusions surly are convenient!

- “Thank you for your service. You can leave us now.”

Head of the house addressed Jason politely. It was clear that he was about to discuss politics of the house or some delicate matters with his son – the man that was sitting on the other side of the table.

Still, such courtesy toward mere servant? Maybe not all nobles are assholes? Or maybe that was yet another act to earn the loyalty of his people? That was not a concern of his.

Jason grabbed few dirty plates, bowed his head and said with polite, formal tone

- “With your forgiveness, I will leave you gentlemen alone.” And with his head still lowered he took two more steps back before turning around and leaving the chamber, shutting the door behind him.

Now, he had some time to sniff around the place. So, how about visiting chambers of the head of the house? That was a bold move. But needed.

- “Xavery, are you alright?” Jason asked one of the servants that was sitting on the corridor with a painful expression.

- “No, I am afraid not.” Butler said with a groan “… I feel as if my stomach is about to turn inside out!”

Of course you would feel this way, after all the Photomancer had added some poison to your cup. Nothing lethal, but enough to make you cry in pain for a few hours.

- “That’s bad. The head of the house after dining would probably go to his chambers… which you should clean.”

- “I know… but… Damn…”

- “You sure that you are not just pretending to avoid work?” Jason angrily raised his brow. He could allow himself such action, he was pretending head of the House’s staff.

- “No! No sir, no! I… Agh!”

The man tried getting up from the floor, but pain forced him back on the ground.

- “In that case, you can leave early today. I will do your duties. But, if I would find out that you went to the pub…!”

Jason raised his finger in the air in word-less threat.

- “No, sir, I won’t… and thank you…”

The light mage took cleaning-kit from a man named Xavery and moved toward private chambers. Just like that he gave himself an excuse to walk into the places he was supposed to avoid. Was that necessary? In the end he was pretending to be a head-butler. Maybe not, but you can never be prepared too much.

On his way to the higher floor, he said his greeting to the guards and some other family members. As soon as he got to these specific chambers, he started cleaning.

By cleaning, he meant putting pieces of documents together into nice piles, and as he was doing so, he was “accidentally” reading them. As he was removing dust from tables, he was looking for some hidden mechanisms that would reveal some inner pockets in the walls.

Nothing, only boring stuff.

So he started putting books back on the places of the shelves, and of course, he used that opportunity to pull every possible book back and forth. Secret room behind bookshelves was a classic!

Yet once again, to no avail.

With resignation, he rested his body on one of the candlesticks that were sprouting from the wall. And then it dropped a little. A cracking sound of the mechanism being activated could be heard as the fireplace moved to the side revealing a narrow passage.

Jason cursed under his nose. Why didn’t he notice earlier that fireplace was far too clean!? He shook his head to the sides to cool down, he had no time for idle actions. Lowering his head he moved into the narrow corridor. He still had lots of time, in the end, nobles loved dining and plotting. And if they would be plotting during dining, then you could be sure that they were not leaving feast-chamber for few next hours.

POV change

The cart was moving further to the southwest without more surprises. Weird, the road was supposed to be swarmed with bandits, yet after encountering renegades nobody bothered us. Or maybe these area was so peaceful exactly because of renegades? That would be logical, in the end, bigger and stronger predator always push weaker one from certain territory.

- “Lana, how long till next town? Or village? Or settlement?” I groaned from my sitting place.

- “Oh? And why would it bother you so much? I heard that you actually like camping outside? Maybe something happened that made you yearn for more comfortable bed? Hmm? What could it be though? Maybe backlash after using some forbidden magic? HMMM?!”

You caught [Mana Fever - Medium/High]After depleting one's mana completely, magician suffers condition known as [Mana Fever] it is similar to extreme body exhaustion, yet affects mind and spirit.Max Mana- 20%Mana Regeneration- 25%Magic Based Abilities [Lvl-up] speed- 10%Time remaining01d18h23m11s

You are under effect of [Swollen Mana Veins] effectSometimes magician needs to cast a spell that requires more [Mana] then he posses. In most cases that magician would use external sources of [Mana].

Sometimes there is an idiot that would forcibly stretch his mana veins in order to force more mana into his body.

Sometimes we wonder how such individuals managed to live long enough to ever try this.Status [Headache - Upper High]AddedStatus [Nausea - Low]AddedStatus [Confusion - Medium]AddedEffect of all magic-based skills- 15%Time remaining01d18h23m06s

- “I have no idea what are you talking about…” I said innocently.

Still, my condition could be compared to a hangover. Like, the strong one. Did you hear about Panoramix’s pot? You know, when you mix four beers, vodka, four energy drinks, fruit syrup and Russian champagne – the cheapest one? No? Have you ever been in college? … Or to speak precisely polish college? Well, you have to try then.

My point is, the “hangover” I had after Panoramix’s pot was nothing comparing to this one. Up to the point that I started to using [Healing] and [Detoxication] on myself. It barely helped.

- “Oh, you sure? That’s great! Because I really want to stop by some clearing to collect few flowers. You know, we really fucking love flowers!”

- “My-my! Lanele used a bad-word! Just what in the earth did you do this time, Zari?”

- “Up to this point I thought that I suffered because I tried to aid my friends as soon as possible, but apparently Lana sees it differently.”

- “Yes, I do. It’s just… Could you promise me that you will never use blood magic again? At least next to me?”

- “Sorry, but no…” Oh, what an angry gaze she throw at me! “… there may be a time when I would be forced to risk my life. Then, it is any means necessary for me.”

- “… I would still love if you would do some researches about the origin of blood magic. That’s a big deal for us. Most of the elves would avoid you after knowing that you use it. It’s like a purest dark magic for those from human inquisition.”

- “I will try remembering that… so… when is our next stop?”

Priestess sighed loudly.

- “Still more than a day. We should reach it tomorrow by evening.”

- “Whaaaat?” I groaned

- “And what were you thinking? We just left one town! And we are on the outskirts of the kingdom density of settlements is lower here!”

I got more comfortable in the cart as I prepared myself for two days of a hangover. And in my case, more comfortable meant, less-uncomfortable. My ass hurt, my head spun, and I was fighting with my stomach to keep my breakfast inside.

Oh, and Giselle was driving. Horror, horror.

One day and eighteen hours later.

- “HALLELUJAH!” I yelled as I saw the small city in the distance.

Ok, ok! The name “city” could be a “little” exaggeration here. Still, that was not a village either. Far too fortified.

It was getting dark as the night was approaching, the sun was dying on the horizon so our vision was getting worse and worse. I was slowly changing my eyes to those of nocturnal creatures.

Then, the wind blew, bringing the smells from the town. The average town, you could say. Sweat, dust, unclean bodies and death.

Yes, indeed, the last thing surprised me too, yet I clearly sense a sweet, breathtaking stench of rotting bodies coming from the city. My adapted eyes started moving in all directions looking for its source. I didn’t have to look long. Right in front of the town, a huge tree was growing. The tree, which was decorated with bodies.

- “Hangman’s tree? Looks like they are no longer playing around with the bandits.”

Giselle whistled quietly.

- “How… how cruel…” Lana whispered quietly

You could ask yourself, why the word “cruel” was used, in the end hanging bandit wasn’t an abnormal thing to do, especially the more violent ones.

Well, they were hung in “slavic” way. Not by their throat, strangled to death. Oh no, they would be lucky to end this way. From the branch a rope was lowered. The rope was ended with hook… which was later stabbed under the rib cage of the bandit. They were hanging for days in torment awaiting their death, as birds were feasting on their still living bodies. After few hours, they wouldn’t have the strength to scream. They weren’t fed either. It wasn’t that uncommon for them to die of starvation on those trees.

One efficient way of getting rid of bandits from your region, if you ask me.

- “Stop! Who are you and what’s your business!” the guard yelled at us from the gate as we approached him.

- “Just adventurers. We want to refill supplies and rest for the night.” Gis answered back

- “.. Wait here! The Capitan will decide if you can enter!” man yelled one more time before vanishing from our sight.

- “What the hell?! Limited access? To the town?” Dragoness couldn’t comprehend what just happened

- “It looks like a state of war, and not just fighting with the bandits.” Lanele replied quietly

- “Still, such methods… what kind of person could shut the villagers in their houses and punish enemies in such cruel way?”

- “Dunno, but I already want to punch his face!” Dragoness grouted.

- “Her.” I corrected my love.

- “What?”

- “It’s a woman.”

- “How can you tell?”

- “By smell.” The wind never stopped blowing at my face

The door started opening slowly, and just as I said, we were greeted by about dozen soldiers lead by a warrior with crest of some lower noble family.

- “Stay where you are!” she yelled as we tried getting in “… we still need to verify your identity!”

- “Reaaally?” Gis whispered annoyed as she rolled her eyes

- “Looks like someone here is a control freak.” I responded

- “Now, now! We may be in troubles! Try acting a bit formal!...” Lanele scolded us “… if she is that strict we may be better off trying to avoid offending her here!”

Captain of soldier squad finally approaches us.

- “Fret not! She will recognize me in no time and let us in!” Gis boasted

She looked at dragoness, yet her expression didn’t change a lot.

- “No, I never heard about you.”

- “WHAT!? I am Giselle Redwing! THAT Redwing! S rank adventurer from capital! Daughter of Jeremy Jericho!”

- “I do not pay much attention to adventurers.” She moved to the priestess

- “I am next priestess of…”

- “Nope.” She didn’t even let her finish

- “Oh for fuck sake, Zari barely started adventuring so I doubt…”

- “Mr. Whiteraven?” the noble asked looking at me.

- “Do I owe you money?” I decided to joke a little.

- “What? No…”

- “In that case, that would be me.”

- “Forgive us for this whole situation, sir Zariel. Bandits became ruthless lately, they tired infiltrating town a couple of times already. That’s just a method of prevention. My name is Jessica Blackwater.”

Ah, that solves everything. Branch of Blackwood family.

… also, girls, why are you stabbing me with that gaze of yours?

- “… Bandits were always a problem here on outskirt, far from main military bases, yet close to the borders of other countries. They were robbing villages on our side, and then running away on the territory of the other country. We can’t chase them there, because…” Captain of soldiers kept explaining the situation as she was walking us toward local inn.

- “… entrance of army on territory of another country could be viewed as act of aggression.” I didn’t need explanation in that matter

- “Indeed. The problem is, that one of the groups united the rest of the bands. They became far more organized and dangerous. And violent. And barbaric. We had to use more… drastic measures.”

- “Don’t you know that you won’t win the war by destroying what you hate, but defending what you love? Violence breeds only more violence!”

- “What if protecting what we love requires killing what we hate? She tried remaining serious, yet she looked at me like I was a madman.

- “Easy, I am just messing with you. I make money by killing things that people hate.”

- “Their warleader settled in the ruins of the castle in mountains nearby…”

- “I am wondering why are you telling me all of this.” I allowed myself to disturb her monologue.

She stopped for a moment.

- “I was tasked with the duty of killing that warleader… but… me and my squad are… unqualified. We were trained in taking battles on the ground. An army against army. I know that it was supposed to teach me elasticity in battles but… people’s lives are at stake. I can’t risk it for the purpose of getting better. That would be dangerous, egocentric and foolish. I… I thought that maybe if I could hire you…”

- “That will not happen.” I stopped her “… I can’t just accept requests right away. Every request needs to be given to me by guild. That’s the only restriction that adventurers have when it comes to taking a quest.”

Otherwise, we wouldn’t be different from some murderers you could hire on the street. Guild is checking if the quest is not an ambush or scam. This is why we have guild halls in very first place.

- “I… I see… But, sending a request would take at least a day, then at least a day for a guild to verify the requests, and one more day to get back information….

Woman bit on her lip. I already knew that she couldn’t be THAT bad of a person. In the end villagers that were walking past us were bowing their head with gratitude on her sight, and not with terror.

- “Another thing is that we are kind of in a hurry…”

Here I looked at Lanele.

- “In which mountain did he hide?” Priestess asked.

- “The Watcheye, mountain was named after castle. Centuries ago a border line was a bit different, that castle was supposed to be a garrison which…”

Jessica! We ain’t here for history classes!

- “Lana, how far from Bald Mountain is it?”

- “Not that far, it’s almost on our original path.”

- “Giselle, how do you feel about kicking some assess?”

She “hmphed” at me, still annoyed by the fact that she was not recognized, yet her eyes sparkled. I just gave her a scapegoat for stress-relief purpose.

- “Let’s do it this way, send a request to the guild, in the meantime we would pay a visit to the . If the request would be accepted, just send money to the guild, we would collect them from other guild facility.”

- “…And if it would be rejected?” Blackwater-lady asked

- “Then we wouldn’t be able to take payment as formally we wouldn’t be on quest, but you would owe us a cake…” Giselle coughed “… and steak ...” Lanele repeated a cough “… and…I dunno? A salad? No, honestly, Lana, what else do you want?”

After some more negotiations we moved to the inn for some normal food and light beverage. Tomorrow another busy day awaits for us.

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Chapter RSS About the author 2 Fictions 0 Posts 0 Threads Anuel Follow Author Saturday, June 16, 2018 12:13:25 PM

Bio: Some people want me to write with Style, some people want me to write with Passion, some people wish to see me using logic, yet I... I find madness to be much more alluring.

Srsl tho, I am kinda crazy, ya know?

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