Chapter 86

Trint looked around and pointed at the lead swordsman.

“You, carry the boy. The rest of you can get up. Like we originally said we will go with you,” Trint picked up the broken sword and kicked the end of the hilt and it flew to end up embedded in the tall stone wall.

I would have been okay leaving them to bleed out, the still-covered Pneuma told him.

Thought I should try something new; he told his partner.

I think healing others is good, but the slice-happy fools probably could have done with the pain for a bit.

I think they learned something from today’s lesson.

They both laughed which caused the guards to take another step back only to bump into the Soul creatures. Trint pulled them all back to his Soul but allowed Baba Jaga and Koshchei to stay hidden in his shadow.

The swordsman took a moment to gain his composure as he straightened his robe. Finally showing the two some respect, he bowed. Whether it was from actual respect or fear, it was unclear. But this time it wasn’t hopes of revenge. That ship sailed when he lost his hands so easily. Trint knew all this from visiting the man’s Soul. He now had a connection and the more he did it the more he realized the connections extended to the real world and his Mind. He couldn’t read the man’s mind, but he felt his intentions along the invisible connection between their Souls.

“Please allow me to take you to the Coyriel house. I will promise you reparations when we arrive.”

“Reparations?” Pneuma questioned.

“Yes, I am not the master, and I must report our…interaction,” he politely tried to downplay their one-sided fight. The brat’s smile was gone as he was picked up. The teen seemed to be in a stupor and was easily startled. As if his attention was elsewhere, he jumped as Pneuma got his attention and snapped his fingers. The boy looked over. Pneuma pointed at his own cheek and made a brushing motion.

The teen wiped his face and bloody tears smeared his hand.

Trint followed the man carrying the boy and they were taken through the gateway. They were carefully guided along as their new escort was ignored by the gatemen.

The line outside slowly reformed as people were hesitant to fill the space with blood spread so liberally on the ground. Inside the gate all the traffic inside parted for the noble’s guard escort.

They were taken through the market streets. The shops and the dress of their customers increased in quality and elegance the further they went. There was less and less armor worn and more robes and formal wear. But upon closer inspection, Trint noticed runes and markings on the clothes. They looked unprepared for battle but likely had protection beyond that of the poorer yet traditionally armored citizens.

The quality of everything increased till they reached another inner wall. Rather than a line to get through there were more guards but they were waved through. That’s when the opulence really showed. There were no longer shops or vendors. The streets were just passages between walled compounds. The streets were wide though and had great decorations that changed from wall to wall.

The escort arrived at a grand gate and opened in time for them to march in without pausing. To Trint the wall reminded him of a castle rampart. But the interior reminded him of a Japanese compound. It was spread out with buildings lining the walls and boardwalks between two-story buildings. The focus though was a taller central building rising four stories high. Guards were stationed at strategic positions everywhere inside and along the tops of the walls.

Trint noticed the levels of these guards were over 1750, which was higher than almost everyone they’d passed in their time in i3.

Their escort took a right turn and approached the nearest building.

“So, these are the two you thought to attack?” A sharp-featured woman in orange and black stepped out from the building. “I wasn’t expecting this. Why would you bring someone able to block advanced inspection here after trying to attack them?”

No one responded.

I should have confirmed if we were still blocking inspection, Pneuma chastised himself.

At least it is still working. She doesn’t seem compliant with the brat.

Let’s see where this leads. They are all lower level than us.

“No, I think you all overstepped again,” She snapped her fingers, “Guards please take the young master to his suite. I will speak to your father. I believe this is strike four. Clean yourself and be ready for an audience with him.”

The teen still was acting a little shell-shocked. As he was carried away, he hadn’t said a thing.

“Please come in,” the woman turned her back on them and walked into the building. Two guards stationed outside stepped behind them as the two followed her in. They were offered seats and she called for refreshments.

“Let me be the first to apologize,” the tough exterior she’d shown outside receded to reveal an apologetic half-bow followed by more relaxed body language, as she reclined on a couch. “I am Jelica. I am the Coyriel house administrator in this city.”

“Tigus can be a handful to keep out of trouble. The leash his father allows has been too loose. His father might take offense at what happened. I will try to convince him to not respond negatively. Especially since no true harm was done. Right?

“That is correct,” Trint confirmed. Nothing physical anyway, he thought to himself.

“Good,” She continued. “Will you share why I cannot see anything when looking at you with my inspection skills?”

“I believe we are higher level than you,” Pneuma calmly offered.

“Yes, I believe that. But I don’t believe that to be the reason for the block to my skill,” said as she took a sip from her drink, “Why don’t you share what you hope to accomplish here in the city? I know you were trying to enter and that you came from the outskirts.”

“Well, you are already well informed then,” Trint jumped in. “I am Trint, and this is Pneuma. Why don’t you begin by sharing what the Coyriel house is known for? At least what you can share, of course. And…what do you want from us?”

“To the point. Even more direct than I would have guessed. Which house are you from?” She pried calmly and locked eye contact with Trint.

But she broke contact after a long moment, “To your questions. Coyriel is known for training Soul Masters for two disciplines. We focus on the duality of healing and sword mastery.”

“Our Soul Masters are well known as Life-Blades. They are masters who are known for outlasting others through skill with the sword and endurance through most damage by self-healing and in units of battle healers. If you can’t put them down, they continue to come back.”

“This leads me to wonder how don’t know anything about us and how you so easily best our men. I’m especially interested in your technique to heal their injuries. It is something we’ve never seen before. We are willing to offer immediate compensation for the offense and greater rewards for speaking with our Chief Shepherd.”

“That sounds like a generous offer,” Trint began, “we are looking for opportunities and might be convinced to help. But how do you already know everything that happened?”

“There are ways to observe the city and young master Tigus is always being observed. I know you are from somewhere distant but not from any place we control. You don’t recognize our name, colors, or disciplines, and don’t say you teleported, I know you didn’t arrive here that way,” She smiled knowingly.”

“We don’t wish to talk about our origins,” Trint cut that line of questioning. “We seek only to advance.”

“Mystery after mystery” She put her forefinger to her chin as she pondered, “I’ve shared what I can with most strangers. What do you wish to accomplish in our city? You need to be more forthcoming unless you wish to remain strangers?”

“You are correct,” Pneuma answered for the duo, “we are not from anywhere close, or any place well known. We are looking to find some family members and to advance. We specifically wish to advance my friend’s profession,” He pointed to Trint, “and our levels.”

“What levels might you both have?” She plied.

“We are over 2100 and wish to push toward i2 sooner than later,” Trint offered.

“What profession do you have Trint? Perhaps we could employ you while we seek information on your family?”

What should I tell her?

Let me answer, Pneuma suggested.

“My friend has a similar profession as your family seems to. He can heal using his Soul and is a fighter. Though not very skilled with the sword he is more fluid in his use of Spirit and Soul-empowered blades and other weapons. We believe his profession will most benefit when aiding others with their Soul development.”

“Then you are a like our Soul Shepherds. There are differences but also enough may be similar…” her curiosity evident as she hummed in ponderance.

“We are not familiar with what a Soul Shepherd can do,” Pneuma answered for them.

“It is more a family term for ones who can impart a blessing to others’ Souls. It is a revered and well-compensated profession. What exactly is your profession title?”

“As you said, we are still getting familiar, that can come later,” Trint rebuffed her attempt at getting too specific.

“A demonstration is necessary before I can recommend you to our house. Also, share some more details on what you can do. We will compensate you for simply meeting our Soul Shepherd. You seem unfamiliar but I am not boasting when I say we are among the best. Our chief Soul Shepherd is near the peak of the profession. You could see what he can do, and you can show him some of what you can,” she was firm in getting him to cooperate.

Trint and Pneuma silently discussed in their Soul and decided to see what the Coyriel family could do.

They followed Jelica to another section of the compound. It was not possible to see the depth of the walled area until they passed the central buildings. They had stuck to the right side of the walled area and walked along raised boardwalks. In between the boardwalks, rather than floral gardens, there were ponds and waterways. With trees growing from the water. The walkways were more like bridges over the expansive water below.

Trint admired the variety of fish and birds. Almost all were various colors of orange and black.

They walked toward what appeared to be the gated exit at the opposite end of the compound but turned and approached a building situated over the open water. It was two stories tall, cube-shaped levels with windows on each side and a flat roof.

They were led in through the front door and Jelica asked a young man for the Shepherd. The inside of the space reminded Trint of a combination clinic and yoga studio. Without much delay, a middle-aged man walked down the stairs at the back of the building.

“Shepherd, thank you for seeing us unannounced,” Jelica bowed and spoke respectfully.

“That is fine my friend, what brings you?” The shepherd asked.

“I bring two guests. One has revealed a profession similar to yours but has not offered its title. I offered to let them see your work and for you to gauge his proficiency. I hope that is something you will allow.”

“Not a typical request since our Shepherds are trained up from within, but we could use more Shepherds if you show skill. Our forces continue to come back with scars I can only do so much with. Ever since we ventured…

“They are not yet aligned for you to mention any further details around that,” Jelica interrupted and made sure the line was clear.

“Quite right, I forget being in the compound, not everyone is aware of our dealings. Come sit over here,”

They were led to a side window and a few mats on the floor. “I am the Head Shepherd here and simply called Chief by the other shepherds in our family as I rank the highest. You may call me Chief or Shepherd for now. Please, sit across from me. You two can sit anywhere else,” He pointed to Jelica and Pneuma, “Let us have a little time.”

“Rather than talk about my position let me show you what a Shepherd does. Give me your hands. I will show you the Soul scars you have and as Jelica’s guest, I will heal what I can during a half-session, which is one hour.”

You mind if I help this guy a bit? Trint asked his friend.

Let him try his thing, then show him what you can do. Don’t break him or we fight our way out. Wait, I guess go ahead and break him. Pneuma joked but Trint kept his face passive. He’d triggered one noble already today by smiling at an inopportune time.