Sleeping that night had me in a room, Page having pulled me into a subconscious… pocket? From what I could tell it didn’t substitute sleep, more a form of lucid dreaming, certainly helped with interpreting the pages though, as I flipped through them, considering the sheer amount of data.

Fonxe had been meticulous when it came to records, it covered the expenses he had paid, the goods, the quality, the destination, even a total summary at the end of each moon. It did hint to several other buildings, implicating associates, but I suppose the only people who would know who the buildings belonged to would be Oroen, if anyone.

A light clop caught my attention. The sound of boots stepping onto a wooden floor. I woke, but kept my eyes closed, extending Sense. Someone had entered the room through the window, and was walking towards my pack. I took a moment to take stock of where my weapons were, my sword still lay against the bed, propped up, while my pick lay on the desk.

I sat up as he moved past me to the pack, gripping the hilt of my sword and twisting myself off the bed, gravity pulled the scabbard from it, and the naked blade reflected the dull moonlight. I now stood between them and the window, sword raised. I shifted forward, blade snaking towards their throat. They slid back, circling to my right as they drew a pair of daggers, one looking rather similar to a kukri… “Wait!” He said.

I drew back, sword still held in combat stance, watching his movements. “You should be informed that Oroen does not have the best intentions of the nation at heart.” He said. I arched an eyebrow. “He is using you for his gain just as the others would.”

“And I assume you would suggest that your patron is a better fit?” I said sarcastically. “Pretty words from the man attempting to rifle through my things. Anything else to say before we continue?” I ask, preparing to spring forward.

He seemed to be at a loss for words. “I…” He lunged, and I simply thrusted my blade forward, relying on my reach. Really? I thought to myself. No one expects you to interrupt yourself. He deflected, stepping aside. Until they do. I swiped forward, and he rolled to the side, leaping out of the window. I stared dumbfounded for a moment. I should have expected that. I cursed, moving towards the window. He had already run off, making his way past a corner. Not following that… I thought to myself, shutting the window and tying it with a strip of my armour, before going to bed.

Transcribing the notebook was somewhat costly with the price of paper and inks, but I managed to get Oroen to cover those expenses. He wasn’t exactly pleased that I had been seen, especially since all I had taken from the place was my memory of the notebook. “You’re certain you have made no mistakes whatsoever?” He asked, grimacing as he stared at the still wet ink.

“Yes.” I replied. “I’m absolutely certain.” With Page around my mistakes were spotted almost as they were made. I suppose this would be considered a mundane utility? I thought to myself, a light, weary smirk on my face. “Just let me finish and you can have it.” I said, doubling down on the papers I was writing on. He paced forwards and back, settling into a chair and looking over.

When I had first told it to Oroen he had been incredulous, almost demanding to search me. I had refused, noting that I had replaced the book back into its recess, and that that would easily be reflected in the actions Fonxe took. Being able to recite the whole thing in its entirety no doubt helped my credibility as well. Gods my wrist aches… I’d never written so much even in high school, when we’d done all our essays with pen and paper. I stopped for a moment, rolling my wrist before continuing.

I’d handed him the notes at the end, though part of me wondered if I should’ve written out all of it, it wasn’t all directly pertinent, but at the same time… That wasn’t for me to decide. Much as I didn’t trust Oroen with my welfare, I had to trust that Cale had chosen right, I couldn’t just blunder about, I didn’t understand the system. I could, would cause more harm than good… Right?

The next few days passed without incident, Oroen had paid me fairly well for my services, I had far more leftover than I’d known what to do with, opting to actually start getting a pouch for some of my change. A knock on my door came one day, and I opened it to see Cale. “Huh, glad to actually see you’re still alive.” I remarked, a wry smile on my face. “What do you need?”

“I was hoping to speak to you.” He said. “You were rather difficult to track down.” Well that’s a given, had to give Oroen’s men the slip several times. After the spy had found my place I’d made a lot of effort to find a new place and rent a room without standing out, and keeping Oroen’s men from tracking me, I’d like to think I was good at espionage, but really, that’s just Delving giving me an edge.

I shrugged, opening the door for him. The shaper had thus far remained in my pack, so I had nothing to worry about regarding exposure. “Have to say, your people really don’t like me very much.” I said, moving to sit on the bed and gesturing to the chair. “I was beginning to wonder what in the hells I’d even been brought back for.” He took the seat, looking at least somewhat uncomfortable.

“I apologize for their behaviour, at the very least, that bit of propaganda was all pervasive. I was not… always so… accommodating either.” He said, his words stilted and rough. “I had forgotten how ingrained it had become. Still, I had heard from Oroen that you had accomplished what would otherwise have been impossible?”

“He exaggerates.” I said, waving it off. “And I was seen, so I didn’t exactly manage the impossible after all.” I leaned forward. “What was it that you’ve been up to lately?” I asked. “I hadn’t heard from you at all since you left for Oroen.”

“We have been plying the political scene…” Cale said. “My presence is helping to unsettle them, so they’ve been quieter as of late, though I suppose you wouldn’t have noticed it.” He mused, cupping his chin. “We’re closing in on him. I can feel it, every time he looks at me he looks less confident.” He gives a grim smile. “I’m not going to be satisfied until he’s buried.” He spat.

I nod. “I had assumed that you would be taking action against him. If he does escape though, I’ll help you hunt him down, as will the others I’m sure.” I said, if the accusations were true, he had much to answer for… “What exactly did you want to talk about?” I asked, starting on a carving, my hands worked almost autonomously now, something to be proud of I guess. Maybe I’ll pick up some more tools at some point, make some finer details…

“What do you think of the situation?” Cale asked, vaguely gesturing to the outside. When I didn’t respond, he continued. “All the nobles going for each other, the intrigue, the hushed whispers…” He sighed. “Never had to peer so deeply before.”

I shrugged. “As you know, I haven’t had contact with nobles beyond breaking into their homes. I wouldn’t know.” I said, somewhat bluntly, I sigh. “Personally? I don’t like this place, the last time I was respected was… heh, not here that’s for sure.” I chuckled. “And there’s always a darkness if you seek it out, doesn’t mean it’s irredeemable.”

“I suppose.” He said, non-committal. He seemed to be considering something. “I have my doubts about the situation.” He said, breaking the silence. “Maybe it’s all been bad and I’ve never noticed it.” He said, looking out the window.

“Well if you come to an epiphany… tell me what you need to do. I’m following your lead here, this is your field, not mine.” I said. “Though I guess we’re both out of our element here, so I can’t really blame you unless I die or something.” I shrug slightly.

“I will try not to betray that trust then.” He said, a little dry humour seeping into his words. “Oroen had a message for you if I managed to find you. He would like to request you attend an event soon with alongside us. As he puts it, we may have need of a strong sword arm…” He said. “It is in part a culmination of our efforts. With what you’ve uncovered, we’ve been able to dig up information we can use against them. We’ll finally be able to confront them openly, in the council itself.”

“But? Confronting them in court doesn’t seem like it should end in a fight.” I observed. He grimaced somewhat. “… Nothing’s easy about politics is it?”

“It’s not politics we’re worried about.” Cale said. “We do not know the extent of the corruption, in light of that, protection seems… prudent.”

I nod. “Tell me when and where and I’ll join you.” I said. “Might be interesting to see the fruits of labour…” I smirked slightly. He nodded, telling me that the event would occur two days from now, at the council building just north off the centre of the city.

From the outside the building certainly looked impressive, parts of it seemed made of marble, while the rest was imposing stonework and little wood. Pillars held up a lofty roof, both with images engraved into them. From the outside all I could say was that the design looked… unimaginative. At least they’re still windows around. I thought to myself. If I had to I could probably risk a fall to escape.

I entered with the others, dressed in the clothes of a simple guard. Easier to explain me that way. More to the point however was that I wasn’t needed in any ‘official’ capacity for the proceedings, watching was all I needed to do.

The assembly was somewhat smaller than I’d expected, even with all the guards we all fit into the same small room. Two of the group stared at each other unhappily, taking seats several apart from one another. “That’s Ixley and Loke.” Cale whispered to me. “I managed to settle things with their children, but neither of the two are particularly happy with them being together regardless.”

Cale pointed out the others to me surreptitiously as they took their places, brief summaries of a variety of plots. Besides Fonxe a girl slipped into view, the same wisp of a girl that I had seen at Fonxe’s home. She took her place besides him. Huh, what’s her function here? She doesn’t seem to be carrying anything like pens, papers, blades… I thought to myself, curious.

“So what is this all about Kilroen? Are you finally going to show your hand on all the odd politicking you’ve been up to?” One of the men said, crossing his arms and glaring at one of the other councillors. None of the people here held a neutral stance, in one way or another, they were each other’s enemies. I leaned against the wall as one of the other councillor’s guards nodded to me.

“That is something I should be asking you.” He said, bitingly. “Oroen has uncovered some interesting things that relate to our nation, things that jeopardise our very survival…”

As he called Oroen forward I saw the girl’s eyes settle on me again. This time, with both shock and horror. She leaned down to whisper to the man, pale faced, and took her leave. I blinked. What. I thought to myself, excusing myself from Cale.