Chapter 117

Two Months Ago

Erik closed the door to his study, before leading Wil to a sitting area in front of a large fireplace. The crackling flames banished the cold from the rug covered stone. Relaxing in his favorite armchair, the City Lord sank back into the comfortable leather.

Matching him, Wil waited for Erik to speak. He had arrived at the city lord’s palace barely an hour ago, meeting with Tessa regarding his new mask. Although, this conversation with Erik was the true purpose of his visit.

“Did you have any trouble with Tarlin?” Erik asked, leaning forward, and pouring a cup of tea from the pot that the servants had left. Enchantments kept the liquid within warm for hours, always ready for their lord’s desire for tea.

Filling his cup, he added a small spoonful of sugar and cream, before handing it to Wil. Pouring another for himself, he settled back into his chair with a contented sigh.

“None at all. It was just as you said, although the Oath is more constricting than I would like. Unfortunately, I can’t share any of the details of our encounter without breaking it.” Wil said, sipping his tea before placing it back on the table.

“I wouldn’t worry. You won’t be required to do anything to break your oath. I assume you cannot reveal any of your ‘co-conspirators’, or the contents of your Quest?” Wil shook his head at the city lord’s question.

“No matter, just continue as you would. I already have people watching the gates. I will be informed the moment you return. As soon as your ‘benefactor’ retrieves whatever item you are going into the Wilds to fetch, I’ll have my people in place to take him.”

“For now, you will simply do everything in your power to ensure that the Quest succeeds. Once the item is delivered, you should be free.” Erik finished, draining his cup of tea, and pouring himself another.

“What did you tell Astrid?” Wil asked, curious. The young woman had been surprisingly quiet about his leaving.

“That you are going into the Wilds on a mission for me. Something that I can only assign to someone I trust. She pushed for details but understood once I explained the importance to her.” Erik responded.

“Thank you for doing this Wil. I know that it’s rather…distasteful.”

“It’s fine. I needed to get to the Wilds, and at least this way I can help you in the process. I should be going, I still have some things to prepare” Wil said, standing and giving a bow, before leaving Erik alone in his study.

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Present

Wil was filled with anticipation for the arrival of ‘Gold’. His oath required him to do nothing to hinder the success of the Quest, and to make no effort to find out the identities of ‘Gold’ or his companions.

He was pushing the limits of his oath by not mentioning the City Lord’s efforts to seize the crate, and those involved in the transfer. He could feel the restrictions of the oath binding him, like a weight on his shoulders. He was skirting the edge of it, not hindering the Quest, but not warning the others of the approaching threat.

He knew that the City Lord wouldn’t act until the Quest was complete, the crate was handed over for delivery. It was a technicality, but one that allowed Wil to stay within the confines of their agreement.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Wil all but tapped his foot in impatience. It had been nearly a half an hour since they arrived, and everyone was getting restless. Even the ‘Numbers’ were agitated, whispering amongst themselves at the delay.

Just when the waiting became unbearable, ‘Gold’ entered the warehouse, his clothing as ostentatious and rich as when Wil had seen him months ago. Flanking him were two guards, wearing simple black cloth masks. ‘Gold’s companions were both Rank 8, rather strong for simple bodyguards.

“Welcome home, triumphant heroes!” Gold shouted, spreading his arms wide as he smiled broadly at the group.

“Cut the shit, you’re late.” ‘Elf’ said, the Triplets standing with arms crossed. They had been the most impatient, their jolly discussion descending into cursing on ‘Gold’ and the others. Wil was worried they were about to snap if they had waited any longer.

“Apologies, dear friends. I was delayed, but I’m here now. Your payment awaits as soon as I verify that the package is intact.” ‘Gold’ replied, his smile insincere. Wil could feel the tension in the room increase, and the groups were on edge.

Gesturing to his guards to follow him, ‘Gold’ walked slowly around the crate, running his hands along the black wood, ensuring the wards were intact. ‘Gold’ was low ranked, barely reaching Rank 2, but he evidently was skilled in enchantments.

He studiously checked each rune and symbol, even funneling small amounts of his own mana into the crate, watching the wards react to protect it. After nearly five minutes, ‘Gold’ seemed satisfied with the condition of the package.

“Wonderful! Barely a mark on it. It’s a wonder those savages didn’t ruin it.” ‘Gold’ exclaimed, clapping his hands loudly. Wil tensed, expecting ‘Gold’ to take this opportunity to renege on some part of the deal. To Wil’s surprise, the man simply pulled out four pouches from within his robes, tossing them to the groups.

Catching his share, Wil opened his to find another batch of gemstones and jewels, equal to the one he had received previously.

Tucking his pouch into his bag of holding, Wil waited for ‘Gold’ to dismiss them, fulfilling their oath. Gesturing to his bodyguards, they stepped forward, each taking one end of the crate and hoisting it up. Carrying it out the warehouse door, ‘Gold’ waited until they were away, before turning to the others.

“It’s been a pleasure.” The man said, turning and leaving. Wil felt the oath he had sworn fade away, the weight lifted from his shoulders, the slight tightness around his skin relaxing. He breathed a sigh of relief as the tension left him.

The others began to leave, walking pass Wil, with only ‘One’ pausing beside him for a moment. Opening her mouth, she was about to speak, when a loud explosion sounded outside. The warehouse shook around them, the rotten structure swaying alarmingly.

Wil could hear shouting and the sounds of metal striking metal, combined with a rising tide of mana. The City Lord had arrived.

Ignoring the others, Wil rushed outside, the ground rumbling as more explosions occurred.

‘God’s Bones, how many people did ‘Gold’ bring with him?’ Wil thought to himself, as he disappeared from sight. Teleporting a short distance, he reappeared outside the warehouse into a scene of devastation and destruction.

The city lord’s guards and mages had clearly assaulted ‘Gold’ just as he was leaving with the crate. The item itself was on a wagon, the horses tied to it were gone, their harnesses cut in the battle. Fires burned on some of the nearby houses, and long gouges were carved into the stone street.

There were guards lying on the ground, their bodies mangled and scorched. One mage was imprinted into a building, the stone sunken in from where he had struck it with force.

‘Gold’ himself was kneeling on the ground, blood dripping from his face, his mask missing. Wil saw that he was a middle-aged man, handsome, with a long nose. His guards were dead, the two Rank 8’s had been joined by nearly a dozen more people.

Ringing the wagon and the captured ‘Gold’ the City Lord himself was sitting on a large horse, his guard captain shouting orders to have the fires doused and the injured healed. In the few seconds that it took for Wil to leave the warehouse, the battle was over.

The others, still wearing their masks, halted as they saw the scene. ‘Dragon’ and his two companions didn’t seem surprised, almost as if they were expecting this outcome. ‘One’ and the ‘Numbers’ even stepped forward, removing their masks, and bowing to the City Lord. It was only the Triplets that were clearly surprised, cursing as the guards surrounded them, stripping them of their weapons.

Taking his own mask off, Wil was about to walk forward when a silver haired woman slammed into him, her arms tightening around his waist.