\u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n
Selys stood in a dark room. A flame in an oil lamp gave it light, but it was too dark. A black casket lay on the long hardwood table in the center of the room. It seemed to absorb what little light there was. Outside, the rain fell, turning everything dark and obscuring the sky. Selys stood, listening to the screaming.<\/p>\n
\u201cCheck it again. I don\u2019t care. Check it again! That can\u2019t be what he wrote!\u201d<\/p>\n
The [Mage] standing in the scrying orb was being besieged by all sides. He held up the will like a shield as the angry Drake woman shouted at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeneral Shivertail\u2019s will is perfectly clear! Miss Shivertail, he left his personal equipment to one Selys Shivertail. That would include the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
His gaze flicked towards Selys, towards the casket. Selys remembered the brilliant armor. But she also remembered her uncle\u2019s face. She didn\u2019t know what to say. Her face was pale. Her knees felt weak. She knew she should be shocked, and she was. But another thought was surfacing in her mind, cresting all the other thoughts.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/em> Why did you have to do that, Uncle?<\/em><\/p>\n Her first reaction wasn\u2019t gratitude. Selys wasn\u2019t agog at her good fortune. For a moment, just a moment, she was angry at Zel, angry at her uncle, for putting her in this situation. And then she was ashamed. She looked at the casket and then at the angry Drakes, fighting over Zel Shivertail\u2019s possessions. His sister-in-law was pointing at her and screeching.<\/p>\n \u201cUnacceptable! Unacceptable!<\/em> That Drake girl isn\u2019t one of the main family! She didn\u2019t even know my brother!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSelys.\u201d<\/p>\n Someone shifted the scrying orb. Selys saw Watch Captain Zevara hold the noisy magical artifact away from her. She edged over to Selys and whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did General Shivertail leave\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked stunned. Selys stared at her and shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Uncle Zel for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch Captain Zevara gaped. Selys laughed a bit bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe must have written the will years ago. Back when I wanted\u2014well, I used to want to be an adventurer. He remembered it and never said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTypical of him, really.\u201d<\/p>\n Tekshia looked only a bit shaken. She glanced at the casket and shook her head. She looked almost fond for a second.<\/p>\n \u201cHe would accidentally leave you something like that. He never wore fancy armor and he had few magical artifacts, compared to other [Generals]. Did you hear that part about giving you a sword? I bet he thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n All three Drakes winced<\/em> as they heard an angry squawk from the orb. Zevara looked at Selys and made a rapid decision. She cleared her throat, loudly, and stared into the scrying orb.<\/p>\n \u201cLadies and gentledrakes, I\u2019m afraid I must interrupt. Am I to assume that the contents of General Shivertail\u2019s will have been read out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! And there\u2019s nothing I can do to change it!\u201d<\/p>\n The beleaguered [Mage] was shielding himself from several angry members of the Shivertail family. Zevara nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, I, Zevara Sunderscale, have borne witness and will oversee the distribution of General Shivertail\u2019s will within Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you won\u2019t.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The angry sister-in-law strode up to the scrying orb. Selys got a good look at her nostrils and angry mouth as she grabbed it and glared into it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat will cannot<\/em> apply to the armor! Where is this Selys Shivertail? Is that her? Come over here! Renounce your claim to the armor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnough, Xalia!\u201d<\/p>\n Zel Shivertail\u2019s father angrily grabbed for the orb. He glared into it and stared at Selys.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will be a matter for our cities to decide. Watch Captain Zevara, I want you to hold onto the armor until\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t give orders here! Give that back to me!\u201d<\/p>\n Xalia fought with her father-in-law over the orb. Zevara regarded the skirmishing Drakes with a look of revulsion. She spoke loudly as she held the scrying orb away from her face.<\/p>\n \u201cThe will is clear.<\/em> Zel Shivertail has left his possessions to Miss Selys Shivertail. You may dispute the will\u2019s contents as you please, under the law, but until then, I\u2019m afraid we have pressing business to attend to in Liscor. I apologize for the necessity, but we really must go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara muttered a word, and the scream was cut short. The room was suddenly very quiet. Selys looked at Zevara. Tekshia sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors, what a mess. Now I remember why I haven\u2019t seen my sister in twelve years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys looked around, her tail twitching uncertainly. The two older Drakes looked at her, and Selys was dismayed to see that neither of them had an answer for her. The awkward silence was punctuated by a door opening.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch Captain? Is everything alright in here?\u201d<\/p>\n A Gnoll [Guardsman] glanced inside quickly. He must have heard the shouting. Zevara looked at him. She glanced at Selys, hesitated, and then snapped an order.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Get me every [Guardsman] you can spare and secure this building! I want Relc, Klbkch\u2014and get me Wall Lord Ilvriss and Embria!\u201d<\/p>\n She turned to Selys and Tekshia as the Gnoll barked an order and someone started running. Zevara sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better take a seat. This might take a while.\u201d<\/p>\n They looked at Zel Shivertail\u2019s casket.<\/p>\n \u201cElsewhere. I\u2019ll find you a room.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys stared at the Watch Captain as she strode out the door. Then she looked at the casket as her grandmother began muttering about Wall Lords and the army. A [Fireball] had just landed right in the middle of Selys\u2019 normal life and blown it to pieces. But it had already been shattered.<\/p>\n Zel Shivertail was dead. Her uncle was gone. All that followed seemed oddly appropriate in light of that. Selys took a seat and waited. What else was there to do?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Heartflame Breastplate. A national artifact and a symbol of the Drake people. Mentioned in several stories and older myths\u2026the last known sighting was over two centuries ago, in a war between the Humans and our people. General Ironscales had possession of the armor, and it was deemed lost when she fell in battle.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss stood with his back to the window. His eyes blazed. He was a Lord of the Wall, but he looked as excited as a child who\u2019d peeked into the Adventurer\u2019s Guild for the first time. His tail swished back and forth as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know the legends. The stories of it stopping an enchanted lance thrust to the heart? It never being broken? All confirmed by history. Of course, I haven\u2019t had the time to properly investigate all the old tales\u2014and Liscor lacks an archive. But every [General] knows the stories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStories. Myths. An artifact from the legends was sitting in the Reinhart armory for two hundred years. And turns up now.\u201d<\/p>\n Tekshia sat in a chair, looking older than Selys could remember. Ilvriss nodded, and the spark went out.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. It didn\u2019t save General Shivertail. He\u2014must have been truly cornered to have fought so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked towards the door. They were sitting in another room. Ilvriss had come at once, and he\u2019d seen Zel\u2019s body. He looked\u2014Selys had heard of his animosity with Zel, but Ilvriss looked truly unhappy. He shook himself, as if trying to wake himself.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeculation about his death is\u2026in regards to the armor, I concur with Watch Captain Zevara\u2019s assessment. It does belong to Selys Shivertail by law.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re serious?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys looked up. She stared at Tekshia and Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cThis had better not be a joke. Grandma, if this is anything like that prank you pulled on my 20th birthday, I swear I\u2019ll\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is no joke, Miss Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss stroked at his chin with a claw as he spoke. Selys shut up. It really was intimidating to be around him. Not only was Ilvriss classically handsome in all the Drake ways, he was a Lord of the Wall<\/em>. That was practically royalty to Liscor, who had no nobility of their own. And Erin had thrown a pan<\/em> at him? Selys was too nervous to do anything but listen as Ilvriss spoke with the confidence of his station.<\/p>\n \u201cDrake law is specific. We lost the Heartflame Breastplate in a war with the Humans. Whoever had a claim to it lost that claim, and it became a possession of Zel Shivertail when Magnolia Reinhart gave it to him. He gave it to Miss Selys via his will, so it is legally hers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there a specific law that states that? My extended family will fight tooth and claw if there isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Tekshia looked at Ilvriss. He closed his eyes and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Lands, property, and possessions lost to war are forfeited. A city, group, or individual cannot<\/em> claim ownership over an object they used for the purpose of making war.\u2019 The Agreement at Osthia<\/em>, ECL. 426.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a weird law. Why would we give away anything<\/em> we lose in war?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shook her head. She\u2019d just had a conversation with Erin about that very thing. Ilvriss smiled drily.<\/p>\n \u201cIf that law didn\u2019t exist, we\u2019d go to war more often than we did. Like wills, these laws were put in place in order to prevent fights over lost treasures.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd conveniently, it means that Miss Selys\u2019 case is rock solid. Anyone who wants that armor will have to overturn universal law to get it. Even a Walled City would have trouble making that case.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch Captain Zevara sighed as she rubbed her eyes. She looked at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026And that means we have a national-grade artifact sitting in the other room. Ancestors. I\u2019ve got Relc watching General Shivertail\u2019s body with his partner, but I\u2019ll need more than that if word gets out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will send my men to secure the building.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded at once. Zevara raised a weary claw.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Wall Lord. But Wing Commander Embria insists her men take that duty. We\u2019ll move everything to a safer location within the hour, as soon as a [Healer] arrives to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She broke off delicately. Tekshia snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cRob my nephew\u2019s corpse? Did you have to tell that army hothead what was happening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have a choice! I\u2019m a Watch Captain, Miss Tekshia. It\u2019s my duty, and they would<\/em> kick up a fuss if I didn\u2019t mention it. And I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll want to speak with Selys about\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n All eyes turned to Selys. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cMy armor?\u201d<\/p>\n Her armor. The Heartflame Breastplate. Selys wanted to think about it, but the image of Zel\u2019s face kept flashing through her mind. Why was no one talking\u2026? Probably because this was easier to talk about. Because this was something they could actually do<\/em> something about. The older Drakes talked, arguing about what should be done. Selys sat still, not really listening.<\/p>\n She felt like throwing up. Why was all this happening? Before she knew it, it was dark and Tekshia was turning to her.<\/p>\n \u201cSelys, dear. Go back home and sleep. We\u2019ll sort this out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGee, thanks, Grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys tried to be sarcastic, but her heart wasn\u2019t in it. Ilvriss turned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll send someone\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cForget it. The rain\u2019s not going to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys got up and walked out of the room. The older Drakes looked at each other. Zevara sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut someone else might. Do you think Miss Selys understands what just happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Tekshia sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s young. And she just saw her uncle\u2019s corpse. I don\u2019t think she\u2019s grasped it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, what should be done?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara looked from Ilvriss to Tekshia. All three Drakes eyed each other. They were on the same side. Nominally. But the image of that artifact shone in their minds. What would happen next?<\/p>\n Selys didn\u2019t know. She walked through the street, not realizing that half a dozen shadows were following her. She walked into her small apartment, took off her soaked clothes, dried herself, changed, and lay down in her bed. She was too tired. Too tired to\u2026<\/p>\n Selys slept.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [Heiress Class Obtained!]<\/p>\n [Heiress Level 4!]<\/p>\n [Skill \u2013 Increased Income obtained!]<\/p>\n [Skill \u2013 Lingering Presence obtained!]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors!\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shot out of her bed, her face lighting up with sudden surprise and happiness. Then she sagged.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n She stared out the dark, rainy window and then covered her face with her claws and wept.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Everything happened too fast. Selys woke up after a night full of troubled dreams. She walked around her apartment, swearing and eating the dried meat and stale bread she had in her cupboards. She opened the door to her house to collect some rainwater to wash and realized her house was being guarded. The big, burly Gnoll standing right outside her door tipped her off.<\/p>\n She stared at him. He nodded to her and adjusted his helmet. He was standing beneath the eaves of her doorway so that the rain didn\u2019t hit him.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Shivertail. Watch Captain Zevara sends her regards, yes? She would like to speak with you as soon as you\u2019re willing. Before the funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys just looked at him. There were so many things she could say in reply, but none of them came out. Her usual biting remarks were missing. The funeral was today.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhen is it?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll glanced towards the sky.<\/p>\n \u201cHrr. Four and a half hours from now, if I\u2019m a judge. The bells will ring from every wall twenty minutes ahead of time. Everyone will be there. I do not think anyone would miss it, no.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys didn\u2019t think so either. She closed the door and put on her rain gear. She didn\u2019t feel like showering. When she left her house, the Gnoll [Guardsman] followed. They met Watch Captain Zevara in Liscor\u2019s largest plaza. The Watch Captain looked like she\u2019d been up for hours. She looked tired and grumpy as she drank a stamina potion.<\/p>\n Selys knew what that was like. Erin had talked about something called \u2018coffee\u2019, but all Selys knew was that if you were flagging, a stamina potion would keep you awake long enough to finish your shift. You just felt like you were dead inside the entire time.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Shivertail. Apologies for the guard. In light of recent events I thought it was best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s all this?\u201d<\/p>\n The plaza was full of people. A stage had been constructed in the center of the plaza, and Selys could see wet flags, wood barricades already holding back groups of civilians\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe Council wanted the funeral to be public.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFuneral. But I thought we were going to send off his body\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara paused.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were. But a compromise was reached last night. General Shivertail\u2019s family have no objections to holding the funeral here. A delegation from Pallass will arrive, and General Shivertail\u2019s funeral will be seen by all the Drake cities. His ashes will be sent to his home for burial.\u201d<\/p>\n Bury me with my\u2014<\/em>Selys blinked. That was the compromise? She met Zevara\u2019s eyes, and the Watch Captain nodded ever so slightly. Then Selys fixed on something else she\u2019d said.<\/p>\n \u201cAshes? You\u2019re going to burn him? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain hesitated. She gestured at the Gnoll standing behind Selys, and he backed up. Zevara walked closer and lowered her voice, although the rain drowned out the sound nearly completely.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been a concerning development. I\u2019ve kept it quiet, but I thought you and your aunt should know. We had a [Healer] remove the\u2026armor from General Shivertail. However, the Drake complained of an odd feeling and diagnosed himself as sick shortly after touching General Shivertail\u2019s body. He fell ill and passed away within the hour, despite the use of healing potions and antidotes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Selys stared at Zevara in shock. The Drake woman nodded grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve decided to cremate General Shivertail\u2019s corpse in light of these events. Magnolia Reinhart did warn us\u2014I exchanged a [Message] spell with her people, and they\u2019re convinced that whatever that was only affects those that touch the body.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t anyone mind burning\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s standard procedure with some burials. It won\u2019t be out of place. We can claim it was in his will. I know this is all very hard\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor me?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys stared at Zevara. The Watch Captain nodded uncertainly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt must be hard to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n She saw the [Receptionist] narrow her eyes in the rain. Selys spoke slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cMy uncle\u2019s dead. That\u2019s my business. I\u2019m not the one dealing with his dead body killing people. I\u2019ll be fine, Watch Captain. You do your job. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned and walked away. Zevara stared at her back. She turned and found someone to glare at. The Gnoll [Guardsman]. He flicked his ears unhappily as the rain pattered off his armor and helmet. Zevara glared at him. Damn Gnoll hearing.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t hear anything.\u201d<\/p>\n He saluted.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a thing, Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Everything was a blur. Meaningless, but inescapable in its own way. Selys stood in the wet square as people worked around her. In silence. The crowd that had gathered was tired, wet, but determined to be there. They weren\u2019t openly mourning\u2014they had shed all their tears a week ago. But they came, Gnolls and Drakes and Humans.<\/p>\n Erin came. So did Mrsha, Lyonette, and the adventurers. Selys couldn\u2019t face them, so she stood next to Zevara as the Watch Captain kept the center of the plaza clear. Selys was allowed to be there. She was a relative. People stared at her and Tekshia when she appeared.<\/p>\n Zel\u2019s funeral was a production of the highest order. He was a war hero, and this event mattered. It had to matter. So Liscor had pulled out all the stops it could. So had Pallass. The Walled City had sent a company of [Soldiers] to match Liscor\u2019s own 4th Company. Embria and her men stood in the rain, presenting their arms. Pallass\u2019 dignitaries and senators from their Assembly of Crafts stood with Liscor\u2019s Council for the world to see. Every Drake city was watching.<\/p>\n And yet, there was a limit to how much they could do. When all was said and done, this was a funeral. It couldn\u2019t be a parade, and so the grandeur and effort of the cities was in appearance. The funeral itself was shorter. Somber. Quiet, save for the rain.<\/p>\n It happened too quickly for Selys. Pallbearers of the city\u2019s finest Drakes carried Zel Shivertail\u2019s body through the streets, past silent crowds. Ilvriss, Zevara, Embria\u2026a [General] from Pallass, other officers Selys didn\u2019t know, carried the casket. They laid Selys\u2019 uncle down on a pyre of wet wood. Then they gave speeches.<\/p>\n Selys hid behind Zevara. She would have stood behind her grandmother, but Tekshia was too short. There was no such thing as a [Priest] in this world, not anymore. It was more fitting to let Watch Captain Zevara, Embria, and the other Drake leaders give speeches anyways. Zel Shivertail had been a soldier, and this was a military burial.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t listen to the words. She just stared at the blank casket and the dried brushwood and logs soaked in oil. Liscor didn\u2019t have much wood\u2014they usually imported it and hoarded what they had to last through the winter and spring. They\u2019d had to get this wood from another city. Not from Celum. Pallass had insisted on providing high quality timber, as if it made a difference. Despite the rain, the fire would burn hot and bright\u2014courtesy of an [Alchemist]\u2019s mixture.<\/p>\n After the speeches were done, Watch Captain Zevara stood and spoke Zel\u2019s last rites. She spoke of heroism, of courage and sacrifice, of a [General], a legend. The Tidebreaker. Nothing about Selys\u2019 uncle. She finished with a question Selys had heard once.<\/p>\n \u201cWho will stand to avenge him? Which Drake will honor his memory?\u201d<\/p>\n It was a question asked after Drakes died in battle. It was customary for someone to speak. Selys waited, numb, wet, and cold and saw the eyes of the crowd.<\/p>\n They were staring at her. Selys turned white with shock, and then red. She was standing in the small crowd around the casket. And she was the youngest Drake there. That sent a cold shock down Selys\u2019 spine. They were expecting her to\u2014<\/p>\n Rumors had already spread about Zel\u2019s will. But even without them, the stares of the crowd\u2014Selys saw a [Mage] transmitting the scene\u2014her face<\/em>\u2014to the world. She wanted to disappear. Again, Zevara asked the question as was custom.<\/p>\n \u201cWho will stand to avenge our fallen? Who will rise for Zel Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n The eyes.<\/em> Selys felt like they were all focused on her. But what was she supposed to do? She wasn\u2019t an adventurer! She was just\u2014<\/p>\n Ordinary. Selys looked down at her feet in silence. Zevara raised her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWho among you will answer the call?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n For a heart-stopping second Selys thought it was her. But it wasn\u2019t. Ilvriss stepped forwards, his face grim in the rain. Selys saw some of Pallass\u2019 senators glare at him. Then Embria stepped forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs will I.\u201d<\/p>\n More Drakes stepped forwards. Some in the crowd, others among the dignitaries. They shouted vengeance upon the Goblin Lord, heroes of the Drakes who wouldn\u2019t let the Tidebreaker\u2019s death rest.<\/p>\n It was a pretty scene. Selys wanted it to end. After the shouting had died down, Zevara turned. This was the final moment. She accepted a torch from a [Guardsman], and Selys saw two other Drakes take the brightly burning torches.<\/p>\n Tekshia and Embria. They had been chosen. No one had asked Selys. It was a custom. An officer for Zel from Liscor. The Watch Captain of the city. And Zel\u2019s relative. Tekshia. They approached the pyre.<\/p>\n The casket was closed. Selys could remember what lay in it. Only, Zel\u2019s body was stripped of the armor now. She wondered what he looked like.<\/p>\n The armor. Her armor. Selys wondered why it was hers. He\u2019d given it to her so she could be an adventurer. She vaguely recalled telling him she wanted to be one. Years, oh, years ago.<\/p>\n It had been just a child\u2019s fancy. But he\u2019d remembered it. She stared as the three Drakes stepped forwards. They stood around the pyre. Waiting.<\/p>\n Tekshia Shivertail was the first. She gently placed the burning torch on the pyre. Zevara was next. She held her burning torch to her side until it ignited and stepped back. On the other end, Embria laid her torch on the wood reverentially.<\/p>\n The fire sputtered in the rain, but the alchemical mixture had been mixed well. There was a moment of silence, then the fire engulfed the casket with incredible speed. Selys heard a sigh from the crowd. She stared at the burning wood.<\/p>\n The flames danced in the rain, searing vision, a bright, living thing in the dark landscape. The pyre burned brightly for a long time, and then the rain reduced the fires to ash, then steaming embers. Selys stood in the rain, watching the ash smoke and fizzle until someone touched her arm.<\/p>\n Tekshia. The old Drake woman leaned on Selys\u2019 arm. She\u2019d stood so straight, so proudly during the funeral. Now she looked tired. Selys unconsciously offered her arm, and Tekshia took it.<\/p>\n People were leaving. The after speeches went unspoken. No one wanted to say anything. Rather than leave all at once, the crowd in the plaza just trickled away. Many stayed, staring at the place where Zel Shivertail had been put to rest. Tekshia\u2019s voice was soft as she and Selys walked down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m too old, Selys. Too old to do this again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys whispered the words. Tekshia looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cThe same as what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs Mom and Dad\u2019s funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n The elderly Drake paused.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. It wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all they said. Selys walked her grandmother back to her apartment, a lovely spacious one she\u2019d had longer than Selys had been alive. She saw her grandmother off, stood in the rain. Until she realized someone was waiting for her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you get tired of bothering people?\u201d<\/p>\n Wing Commander Embria stood at attention in the rain. Her red scales reminded Selys of the embers. She saluted stiffly.<\/p>\n \u201cI apologize for my interruption.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. For you.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys glared at her. Embria hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Shiv\u2014Miss Selys. I know this must be hard for you, but there are some matters we must discuss in regards to your\u2014to General Shivertail\u2019s will. If you\u2019ll come with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The armor sat on a stand. It was a breastplate made of some kind of gold metal. There was really a limit to what you could say about it. Whatever [Blacksmith] had made it had engraved faint patterns into the armor, but the rippling fiery enchantment over the armor made it hard to see. When you stared at it, it was a breastplate that shone like fire and gold, like the dawning sun.<\/p>\n Like a pyre. If Selys hadn\u2019t known what it was, she would have thought it was a beautiful artifact, worthy of a Gold-rank adventurer, maybe even a Named-rank one. But because she knew what it was, it looked\u2026almost cheap. You would have thought a legendary artifact would light up the entire room or make everyone that stared at it fall to their knees in awe. But it was just magic.<\/p>\n Just magic.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara awkwardly gestured at it. She stood in the small room\u2014one of the unused rooms in Liscor\u2019s city hall\u2014with Embria and Ilvriss. Selys looked at the others.<\/p>\n \u201cMine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s correct. There was an argument\u2014a battle, really\u2014over the contents of the will. But the law was clear, and Salazsar and Pallass both backed your right to the armor. The other Walled Cities couldn\u2019t protest, and while the Shivertail family was noisy\u2026well, it\u2019s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys stared at the armor. The Heartflame Breastplate. Just last week she\u2019d had trouble meeting her rent since she\u2019d spent too much on jewelry. Now she had this. This.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want it. I don\u2019t want it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drakes looked at her with varying degrees of shock. Selys looked around. Military people. [Warriors]. They probably dreamed about getting artifacts like this. But she was a [Receptionist]. What was she supposed to do, wear it in case she was assaulted at her desk?<\/p>\n \u201cThis is mine?\u201d<\/p>\n They nodded. Selys looked at the armor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell am I supposed to use it for? A paperweight?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Watch Captain Zevara cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Selys, I know this is a lot to take in. But this armor\u2014you need to do something with it. We can\u2019t keep guarding it forever. One of the Shivertails let it slip that it was bequeathed to you, and there are already hundreds of [Message] spells asking about it. Soon there will be [Thieves] and people trying to take it at all costs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone already tried.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked at Ilvriss. The Wall Lord nodded to the armor.<\/p>\n \u201cLast night, one of my people caught someone lurking around the side of the building. They escaped, but there was an attempted break in an hour later. A [Burglar], a local criminal, according to Senior Guardsman Relc, who apprehended him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s already started. And it\u2019s only going to get worse. Artifacts like this attract people like flies. And this one\u2014Miss Selys\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard you. What am I supposed to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSell it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Selys looked at Ilvriss. He studied her and the armor with a quick, appraising gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to offer to buy the armor from you, Miss Selys. I realize I can\u2019t offer you fair compensation for a legendary artifact without a known value, but consider it. You could sell the artifact in exchange for coin, goods, services\u2026this could make you a very wealthy Drake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord! Miss Selys hasn\u2019t had time to process any of this. Give her time\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an offer, Watch Captain Zevara. I have no doubt Miss Selys will receive countless others by the time the day is done. I simply want her to be aware that I can pay my price up front and out of pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 voice was calm. Selys couldn\u2019t imagine how much he was talking about. Ten thousand gold coins? No, for any powerful artifact\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cThe army could use the breastplate. Miss Shivertail might consider choosing to give the armor away to someone allied with her interests, rather than an outsider.\u201d<\/p>\n Embria slid smoothly into the conversation, smiling politely at Selys. If she hoped to be friendly it didn\u2019t work. Selys eyed her and Ilvriss. Zevara raised her claws.<\/p>\n \u201cWing Commander, Wall Lord! Please, let Miss Selys decide for herself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean, to sell an incredibly powerful magical artifact. Just like that?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drakes looked at each other. Zevara coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cNot right away. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Your grandmother is sure to have an opinion on the issue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to make a decision today. We can defer the issue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe issue of guarding it will of course be undertaken by my [Soldiers].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd my people. There\u2019s no cost of course, but there is a limit\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA representative from Pallass is waiting to speak with you, and you have [Message] spells from\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n It was like rush hour and she was alone at her desk. Selys looked from face to face as the Drakes who were far, far<\/em> too important to ever speak with her normally jostled each other for her attention. Then she had a thought.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t. I\u2019d love to ask\u2014but I can\u2019t. I have to go. I have an appointment. My job.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoing what? I\u2019m sure it can wait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo it can\u2019t. My grandmother gave me a task and it\u2019s today. Now, in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoing what?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys wanted to laugh hysterically.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to go supervise a [Necromancer] in the sewers.\u201d<\/p>\n They stared at her as if she were mad.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHey. Sorry I\u2019m late.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys walked down the street. Pisces glanced up and sniffed. He was standing next to a sewer entrance. He<\/em> wasn\u2019t wet. A barrier of air shielded him from overhead, keeping his spotless robes nice and dry.<\/p>\n \u201cI would complain, but given the circumstances, I will refrain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGee. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces glanced at Selys, and then his eyes flicked down the street. Selys didn\u2019t have to turn to know that a group of figures was not-so-discreetly loitering there.<\/p>\n \u201cI assume that those following you are friendly in some sense of the word?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re [Guardsmen]. And Liscor\u2019s [Soldiers]. Oh, and I think some of them are Wall Lord Ilvriss\u2019 people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces glanced at Selys and then at the sewer entrance. It was an iron doorway set into a tunnel that went all the way down to the sewers, Selys knew. It was locked, but Selys had a key. Pisces glanced at Selys again. She just glared at him. She was wet. She didn\u2019t like Pisces that much, and she didn\u2019t want to hear a single acerbic comment out of him. She wasn\u2019t Erin, who had the patience to deal with weirdos all day. But to her surprise, Pisces cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cI could do this myself. Or we could postpone this task for another day.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Receptionist] blinked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a job to do. And I have to follow you and make sure you\u2019re <\/em>doing it right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but if you\u2019d like to take a break, I would be more than willing to relegate this errand to a later date. I understand today might be somewhat stressful\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He trailed off, and Selys realized what he was getting at. He was actually being tactful. She paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d never hear the end of it from my grandmother if I shirked my duties.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could tell her I failed to turn up. Or that I requested an extension.\u201d<\/p>\n Why was he trying to be helpful?<\/em> Selys\u2019 tail curled with stress.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014appreciate the offer, Pisces. But Zevara, Olesm, and everyone else is breathing down my spines to get the sewers cleared. Let\u2019s just get this over with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs you wish. I assume you have the key?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Move over.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys fished around and came up with an old key. She unlocked the doors while Pisces stared over her shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease tell me that your escort isn\u2019t going to follow us into the sewers. Fifteen Drakes and Gnolls crowded down there would be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He paused.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Fairly entertaining, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys bared her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think they get paid enough for that. Besides, we\u2019re not going in far, are we? Here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n The sewer doors opened and let a terrible stench out. Pisces covered his nose and coughed. Selys gagged. She heard the [Necromancer] mutter a word, and a breeze blew past her. The smell vanished.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWind spell. A shame I never mastered scent illusions. Are you alright, Miss Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n She was getting sick of being called Miss Shivertail. Selys eyed Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Selys. I\u2019ll live. Where\u2019s your undead creation?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn here.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces patted a bag of holding at his side. He hesitated. The steps leading down weren\u2019t wet, but the rain was blowing in and there was a good amount of moss coating the old stones.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really needn\u2019t come down with me. Neither of us need be here, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going. Stop trying to talk me out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys glared and walked past Pisces. She took the steps down as the stench of the sewers grew worse and worse. The steps led down to a very large, very flooded sewer. Selys had been down here only once before, back when she\u2019d wanted to become an adventurer. One hour in here had disabused her of that notion.<\/p>\n The sewers of Liscor. Every decent city had sewers, at least in Izril. It rained too much not to invest in such things. But sewers brought trouble. They were a breeding ground for disease and pests, for one thing. Monsters had a nasty habit of invading the sewers, and as such, it was considered a rite of passage for most adventurers to start at Bronze-rank by slaying giant rats, slugs, slimes, and other monsters in the sewers for copper and silver coins. It was disgusting work, but it was plentiful.<\/p>\n If Liscor\u2019s sewers were different from other sewers in other cities, it was in size. To manage the runoff of water, the sewers had been built larger, to withstand the heavy rains that came every year. Selys could see black and filthy water rushing down the main tunnel as she descended the steps.<\/p>\n You\u2019d expect sewers to be filled with green sludge or resemble some kind of bog. You would be wrong. These sewers were meant to send the water out <\/em>of Liscor. If they were clogged, something had gone wrong. And in fact, it was that very issue Selys was here to address with Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors, what a stench.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s certainly pungent.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces seemed more immune to the horrendous smell down here than Selys. He wrinkled his nose and covered his face with one sleeve, eying the moss and lichen growing on the walls of the ancient stone. Selys breathed through her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to Olesm, the sewers are getting clogged thanks to moth bodies and rats. Those damn things stop water flow with their nests. Fortress Beavers do it too sometimes. I saw several streets being flooded since the drains are blocked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was my understanding. Olesm commissioned me to solve the problem, and I offered the use of my undead. I have my creation ready to deploy. Should I\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n Selys just wanted to be out of here. Why was she here<\/em> when she had just inherited a magical artifact? If she sold it, she\u2019d never have to work in the sewers again. She watched as Pisces rummaged around in his bag of holding and then produced a handful of bones. He tossed them to the ground and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cRise.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys had never seen anyone animate an undead before. She watched in horror\u2014and fascination\u2014as the bones floated upwards and rotated, joining together to create a skeletal\u2026thing on the floor. It was definitely not the skeleton of anything that had once been alive.<\/p>\n It resembled a dead animal that was half dog, half cat, and somehow, half rat. There were too many bones, and it had tearing jaws, long claws, and \u2018spines\u2019 of sharpened bones. It looked like it had been born to hunt down other creatures its size. Selys shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s<\/em> your creation?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease don\u2019t be alarmed. This creation is totally under my control. It is a variant of a Bone Horror, scaled down for utility. It will not approach you or harm you in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces spoke quickly, holding his hand out as the bone hunter\u2026thing flexed its body, raising a clawed leg and opening and shutting its mouth. Selys stared at Pisces and then at the undead horror he\u2019d made.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not scared of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t? Ah, well, that is good. As I told Olesm, it won\u2019t take any action without my command, and it will follow my instructions most precisely. You need not look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n The thing appeared to be checking its body for faults. Selys stared at it and then at Pisces. He was half-shielding it from her view.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you afraid I\u2019ll pass out or something?\u201d<\/p>\n He sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cI am aware of your people\u2019s fear of the undead. I would not wish you to faint or become hysterical, especially given our proximity to the water.\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at her with a mixture of disdain and condescension. Selys felt her blood boil. He thought she was going to run away screaming? She\u2019d heard from the other [Receptionists] that they were terrified of him. Selys glared at Pisces. She stared at his Bone Horror and raised her foot. Then she kicked<\/em> it into the water with a splash.<\/p>\n Pisces gaped at her. Selys glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Don\u2019t tell me it\u2019s too fragile to take a kick?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but\u2014that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Selys folded her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not afraid of the undead. I just don\u2019t like them. Is it going to get to work, or do I have to kick you<\/em> into the water after it?\u201d<\/p>\n It was cathartic to see the [Necromancer]\u2019s jaw drop. Pisces raised a finger and then turned and pointed. Selys saw the water shift<\/em>, and a dark shape moved out of sight. She waited, and then saw the undead thing clamber out of the water and lope down the elevated walkways.<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces watched it go and then eyed Selys. He almost looked impressed. Selys got the impression that no one had ever kicked his creations before. She just glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEr, nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood to hear. How long until that thing gets to work?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt should already be hunting down rat nests, ah, Selys. It will locate them, climb into their dens, and eradicate them. If it senses a blockage, it will excavate the offending area.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys raised one of her brows.<\/p>\n \u201cExcavate?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will, ah, disassemble any corpse or blockage it finds. My creation can dissect most creatures quite quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGross.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys sighed. Well, adventurers did the same thing. That was one of the reasons why it was so hard to get people to do sewer work, despite the higher pay. It was a disgusting job where you had to haul dead and rotten body parts around. And if you fell into the waters\u2014well, if there hadn\u2019t been rain for a while, it could get nasty.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cJust show me when it kills things. I\u2019ll stand here, say that you\u2019re not creating an army of undead in the sewers, and go home. You can leave and I can go, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like an excellent plan. Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake folded her arms. Pisces blinked at her, still looking off-guard, and raked a hand through his hair. They stood together in silence as the waters flowed past them. There really wasn\u2019t much Selys wanted to look at. After a while, Pisces spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cIt occurs to me that we haven\u2019t spoken at length before now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t hang around Erin\u2019s inn that often. And you don\u2019t show up in the Adventurer\u2019s Guild too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well, I am aware when my presence is unwanted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe if you stopped making undead and sneering at everyone, we\u2019d all like you more.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 eyes flashed.<\/p>\n \u201cMy pursuit of necromancy is my choice to make! My spells are useful\u2014even if only a few individuals are willing to acknowledge that fact. The fact that the Adventurer\u2019s Guild refused to consider my reasonable offer after <\/em>Olesm had approved it reflects more poorly on you than I. Or am I incorrect in thinking you resorted to my services due to a lack of interest in your \u2018tried and tested\u2019 methods of clearing the sewers?\u201d<\/p>\n His voice was hurt and waspish. Pisces sniffed haughtily and immediately regretted the action. Selys just sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you\u2019re wrong. I said it was okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces paused.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nodded, keeping her eyes on the dark waters. Why was she here?<\/p>\n \u201cYup. My grandmother was the one who objected. You know her? Tekshia Shivertail? She hates all [Necromancers].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n The young man in white robes peered at Selys, looking suddenly a lot more interested and a lot less standoffish than before. Selys frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like [Necromancers]. Or the undead. But I thought Olesm\u2019s idea made sense. It\u2019s for the rats. I hate those things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore than the undead.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys\u2019 tail curled around her legs with distaste.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you<\/em> ever woken up to a giant rat creeping around your kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot as such. But I see your point. Well. I withdraw my former complaint. Am I to assume that it was your intervention that allowed this project to continue?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shrugged uncomfortably.<\/p>\n \u201cI talked with my grandmother. Don\u2019t thank me. It\u2019s just that we have a sewer problem, and I live here. Better a [Necromancer]\u2019s creations than sending adventurers down to deal with it. Do you know how many adventurers die each year in the sewers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that would be a rhetorical question.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces backed away as Selys raised her foot threateningly. She glared at him and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo. On average, two idiots lose their footing and drown. Or actually die if the rats swarm them. I know that\u2019s not a lot, and it really only happens if someone\u2019s careless. But that\u2019s two reports I have to make\u2014two dead bodies someone has to explain to their families. That\u2019s why I\u2019ll tolerate your damn undead, even if I hate them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n The necromancer fell silent, and Selys kicked at a crumbling bit of stone. Pisces was not her ideal talking partner. She\u2019d be happy if they never talked, actually. It wasn\u2019t that he was that unpleasant\u2014not once you took him down a peg\u2014but Selys could live her entire life without needing to engage him in conversation. But here she was. She\u2019d actually kissed<\/em> him once. Why? Oh yeah. The mistletoe.<\/p>\n If Pisces recalled that incident, he didn\u2019t seem to remember. Or care. He was focused on what Selys had said, frowning over her words like a true debater.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I appreciate your pragmatism, Selys, your statements raise a question for me. If you can see the utility of the undead, why do you despise them? Because of their appearance? Their nature?\u201d<\/p>\n The question didn\u2019t so much hit Selys in the gut as bounce off her scales. But it wasn\u2019t a fun question, either. Selys stared past Pisces, wondering if she shouldn\u2019t answer, evade the question, or kick him into the sewers. But no\u2014that wouldn\u2019t be fair. She sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cMy parents died when the Necromancer attacked the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man froze. Selys eyed him.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to tell me you\u2019re sorry?\u201d<\/p>\n He wavered.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to express my condolences. Yes. But it was not my undead that killed your parents.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys\u2019 tail uncurled and lashed a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say it was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but the implication is there. And I understand your animosity towards all undead. But if I may\u2014I would place the guilt on the Necromancer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot<\/em> the undead?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces spread his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are monsters. Some think. Most are mindless. But they hunger after the living, and yes, cause death and destruction if not stopped. But they are a force of nature, Selys. And to a [Necromancer], they are tools. Servants. And sometimes, yes, sometimes, valuable creations. Works of genius.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat killed my parents.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces shoulders hunched.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. In that sense the undead can be weapons. And they can be horrific. But it was the Necromancer who made war on Liscor. I don\u2019t ask you to put aside your hatred, but look at my creation and see it as a tool, however disgusting, Selys. I see value in it. I know the bone and shape frightens others, but there is a craftsman\u2019s pride in my creation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what you say. All I see is a horrible bone thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys turned away. She heard a sigh. Pisces looked at her back but didn\u2019t pursue the topic. She felt\u2026well, not angry. Not really. She\u2019d gone over her parents\u2019 deaths too many times to flare up at Pisces. After a while, Selys couldn\u2019t help it. She looked over her shoulder at Pisces, who was busy reading a spellbook he\u2019d pulled out of his bag of holding.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should have given it armor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up. Selys gestured around the sewers.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the rats and monsters you see here get big. They\u2019ll smash this thing with their bodies if it provokes them, no matter how many claws and spines you give it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou ever seen a three hundred pound rat bodyslam someone? They\u2019ll crush your little bone horror. You should have given it armor. And a ranged attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces closed his book.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not exactly possible with most undead, Miss Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n She snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, not with skeletons. But what about Crypt Lords? Skeleton archers? Ancestors, you\u2019d probably have done better than your Bone Horror if you just animated three skeletons and given them bows and swords!\u201d<\/p>\n That stung his pride.<\/p>\n \u201cMy Bone Horror was customized to fight in narrow spaces!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy a [Necromancer] who\u2019s never ventured into the sewers in his life! What happens if it runs into a slime?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014I, ah, suppose it would destroy the slime\u2019s core.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if it\u2019s engulfed entirely. Did you give it a way to deal with armored rats?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArmored<\/em> rats?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey get weird. You could have made your Bone Horror better.\u201d<\/p>\n He flushed.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I suppose you have a better idea?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys did, actually.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Armor. And a projectile weapon. Let it shoot bone spikes. There are some undead that do that, aren\u2019t there? That way, it might survive an encounter with some of the nastier things down here. And make a bigger Bone Horror, too. Something that can hunt down the huge monsters. That way you can have the little one flush out the tiny monsters while the big one patrols the sewers.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed down the sewers. The main water tunnel branched off down the intersections, but there were walkways on both sides of the canal where something could patrol. Selys looked back at Pisces and saw him staring at her. She smirked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re going to create an undead monster, Pisces, do it right.<\/em> Can you make more?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] had to fumble to reply.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Yes. I can. I lack the bones, but assuming my creation secures enough corpses\u2026I can create another later tonight if that is acceptable. A variant like you described\u2014I haven\u2019t tried\u2014bone spikes, you said? Which undead uses\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEver heard of a Spiked Stalker?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014well, I\u2019ve heard the name, but I\u2019ve never encountered one\u2026how do you<\/em> know about them?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys rolled her eyes mockingly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a [Receptionist] for the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. I have to memorize monster weaknesses and variants. You\u2019re the [Necromancer] here. What\u2019s your excuse?\u201d<\/p>\n She saw him blink at her, and then, surprisingly, grin.<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies, Selys. I will be sure to brush up on my knowledge of the undead. Am I to take it that you\u2019re approving my creation of more undead to patrol the sewers?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys wavered. Tekshia hadn\u2019t given her permission. But Tekshia<\/em> wasn\u2019t watching a bit of poo float down the sewers. She nodded firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Do that. Four should be enough if they\u2019re working around the clock.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll draw up new plans. And speaking of work\u2014I believe my creation has already cleared out a nest. Would you like to inspect it?\u201d<\/p>\n She was feeling a little better. Selys sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cMight as well. Lead the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces took her down two corridors and into a gap in the sewer walls where the stone had crumbled away and enterprising rats had built a nest. Right up until a certain undead had found them, that was. Selys looked at the ravaged rat corpses with disgust. Blood was already running into the waters. Design flaws aside, Pisces\u2019 creation really was good at its job.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, I think I\u2019ve seen enough. I don\u2019t need to watch it disembowel a moth corpse to know it\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent. And there are bones here for me to use. I\u2019ll, ah, get to work after you leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConsiderate of you. Well, thanks, Pisces. I\u2019ll tell Grandmother\u2014I mean, the Guildmistress\u2014that you\u2019re doing a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n Awkwardly, Selys turned away from the bloody nest. She looked around the dark sewer tunnels with dismay. Pisces had created a [Light] spell, but the only other light came from the drains that let a little light in from above.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich way leads out of here? I\u2019ve got a lot to do, and I can\u2019t stand around watching crap float by with you. However much more fun that might be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. I\u2019ll guide you out. Am I to take it that you\u2019re deliberating on your current predicament?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces stood up and pointed. Selys followed him, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cMy \u2018predicament\u2019? What would you know about what I\u2019m up to?\u201d<\/p>\n She heard a sniff and a cough as Pisces walked in front of her, shining the light orb so they could see where they stepped.<\/p>\n \u201cGah! An unfortunate habit\u2014Miss Selys, I would wager that the entire city knows the contents of General Shivertail\u2019s will, at least what pertains to you. He left the Heartflame Breastplate to you, and it is no leap of the imagination to assume that every important figure in the south of Izril desires it badly. Have you had many offers to sell?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo, so far. Well, one to donate to Liscor\u2019s army. Apparently I have more [Message] spells waiting for me. And people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmph. No doubt. Well, I would hate to offer my advice unsolicited, but I do hope that you take care in choosing what you do with the armor. Leaving it be is obviously untenable, but selling it or giving to the wrong faction would be politically risky.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 knowing tone made Selys glare at his back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you<\/em> know of Drake politics?\u201d<\/p>\n He shot an amused glance over his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough to understand that strengthening Wall Lord Ilvriss\u2019 position would undermine Pallass\u2019 authority to restrict his travel through their Walled City. Salazsar and Pallass are currently at odds, so I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if you were immediately approached with a counteroffer to sell the armor to Pallass. And if you don\u2019t agree, I would imagine Pallass would quickly put pressure on Liscor and you to sell the armor to them or one of their allies.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys gulped. That did<\/em> sound likely, now that Pisces said it. Her little sewer adventure meant she\u2019d missed speaking with the important people waiting to talk to her. Was that really what they\u2019d do?<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I suspect that if you didn\u2019t give away the breastplate within the day, multiple factions would start forming alliances to compete for the armor. Pallass doesn\u2019t have to have the armor\u2014neither does Oteslia, or any of the other Walled Cities. Simply denying it to their adversaries would be enough, and you would be caught in a whirlwind of competing influences, so to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there a best move?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys felt dizzy at the thought of all that. Pisces laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cFor you? For your finances? Or for Liscor? If you are worried about your safety, and would rather see this taken care of efficiently, I would gift the armor to Liscor\u2019s army for a small sum of gold. They can hardly afford to outbid a Walled City, but you would be considered a patriot and would offend the fewest number of parties that way.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019d reached the stairs leading up. Selys shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know all this? Wait\u2014you\u2019re just making all this up! You can\u2019t know<\/em> all this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces gave her a superior glance. He began walking up the stairs backwards, looking down at her as he rattled off a list of facts.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Heartflame Breastplate. Last in the possession of General Ironscales of Oteslia. Lost in a conflict with the Reinhart and El family over a dispute regarding trade from Chandrar that resulted in a clash north of Liscor, a rare exception to the traditional conflicts in the Blood Fields. The armor and General Ironscales were lost when her command was routed and she disappeared in the chaos. The Heartflame Breastplate is known for its keen defensive properties and was considered to be unbreakable whether by magic or physical force\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He trailed off as Selys stared at him. Pisces shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cArtifacts are of extreme interest to [Mages], particularly ones that haven\u2019t been discovered yet. I confess, I did listen to the gossip. As for politics, I have studied Drake culture as a matter of interest. I am sympathetic to your circumstances, Selys. You have been thrust into an unpleasant dilemma.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t I know it.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys groaned. She could smell damp, refreshing air from above. She climbed out of the sewers with Pisces and locked the metal doors. She stank,<\/em> and she wanted a hot bath, but she\u2019d have to make a report. Selys glanced sideways at Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, you\u2019re smart, for all you don\u2019t know undead as well as you think you do. What would you do if you were in my boots?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? Do you mean, who would I sell to? No one. Not at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n The young Drake woman frowned at him. Pisces rolled his eyes heavenwards, a gesture that reminded Selys of herself.<\/p>\n \u201cSimply put, the desire for you to sell or give away one of the most precious artifacts known to Drakes does not seem to be in your<\/em> best interests, is it? Artifacts appreciate in value. And this artifact, well, it is an unknown quantity in part.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow so? It\u2019s the Heartflame Breastplate.<\/em> Everyone knows about it!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces smirked.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, yes, everyone. Tell me, Selys. How much do you know<\/em> about the artifact you possess? Its history? All of its magical effects? You know a few rumors passed down by Drakes around a mug of ale. Are you certain you know everything about such a legendary artifact? Just like that?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nearly bit her tongue. She hadn\u2019t thought of any of that. She was still grappling with the idea that the armor was hers! She looked hard at Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you know a lot about it, then?\u201d<\/p>\n He hesitated. Pisces stroked his chin and looked at Selys. He seemed to waver and then shrugged to himself. He drew closer, and Selys heard him whisper as the rain soaked them from above.<\/p>\n \u201cI know where we could find out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There was a crowd of Drakes passing through The Wandering Inn. They first came through the door to Liscor, waited impatiently as the connection was switched to Pallass, and walked through without so much as looking around the inn. Sometimes the Drakes would come the other way, and they were forced to wait in queues as they travelled from Pallass to the inn to Liscor.<\/p>\n None of them had much good to say about Humans today, and the [Innkeeper] in charge of changing the doorway from place to place was pretty fed up with it all. She\u2019d just opened the door to Pallass for the umpteenth time when someone spoke her name.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice looked up in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cSelys!\u201d<\/p>\n She waved at Selys who smiled as Drakes poured past her into Pallass. The Walled City was windy today, without a cloud in the sky. Erin eyed the lovely weather longingly. Selys glanced at the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cLots of traffic?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone wants to come through and back and through again!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin rolled her eyes as a group of Pallassian [Soldiers] in yellow armor marched past her. She lowered her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Selys, want something to eat? No one\u2019s hungry, and they\u2019re all glaring at me. They just want to travel to Liscor which is good because I have the you know whos<\/em> in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed, and Selys glanced at the trap door to her basement. It was open a crack, and she saw a crimson eye staring at her before the trap door closed. Erin grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel really bad, but it\u2019s like\u2014you know?\u201d<\/p>\n She waved her hands to indicate that Hobgoblins in her inn was not a safe move right after Zel Shivertail\u2019s funeral. Selys nodded. She edged towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry, Erin. Actually\u2026I\u2019m going through to Pallass. Do I need to sign something or can I just walk through?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Well\u2026no one\u2019s signing things today. Go on through, I guess. I\u2019m going to have to let people go to Liscor in a minute, but if you wait, you can get back in. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gestured to some of the Drakes and a pair of Gnolls who\u2019d come into the inn and were waiting impatiently. Selys nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long do I have? If I want to stay in Pallass for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman had to think.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re holding the door open for the next\u2026six hours. Just come back by then, okay? I feel really bad for the [Mages]\u2014they\u2019ve got to work really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed to a sweating Drake standing by the door in the inn. There were more on Pallass\u2019 side, and they were rotating in shifts. Selys nodded. She glanced casually over to her right at a patch of empty air.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then. I\u2019ll see you later, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure! And\u2014wait a minute! What\u2019s this about you inheriting\u2014aw, she\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys had already left through the doorway. Erin sighed and looked at the [Mage] standing by the door. He was frowning at Selys\u2019 back, or rather, the air to her right, but he looked up as Erin sidled over. She leaned over conspiratorially as the Drake glared at her suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201cPsst. Want a snack?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage] stared at her. He glanced around at the unhappy Drakes and then at her inn, perhaps realizing for the first time that it was an inn, and not a waiting zone made into his own personal hell. He hesitated and then replied in a whisper.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026What kind of snack?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Selys walked through Pallass, trying to look casual and not gawk. A Walled City! She\u2019d just walked through, and now she was here!<\/em> She looked around and jumped as a young man strolled across the street next to her. Pisces smiled pleasantly and whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t jump!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were invisible!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just kept the spell up long enough to enter Pallass. Humans aren\u2019t unheard of in the city. I just wanted to avoid suspicion at the doorway, a sentiment which I thought you would share.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake [Receptionist] glared at him. She was on pins and needles just having walked into Pallass. The idea of it! But Pisces had been so sure. And he\u2019d been right! No one looked twice at Selys. Everyone was entering and leaving Pallass, and so the normally vigilant guard on Erin\u2019s inn had been slack enough for Pisces and Selys to slip through.<\/p>\n Now they were walking down the street, mingling with the crowd\u2014of which there were a few Humans, it was true\u2014looking for a building. Selys followed Pisces as he read signs. The [Necromancer] practically exuded confidence as he walked down the street, as if he had every right to be here.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. I think that building is it. Right up ahead. The architecture matches what we might expect, anyways. Ah yes, here we are!\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed. Selys saw Pallass\u2019 Archive, the repository of books and Drake knowledge, looming in front of them. It wasn\u2019t so much a library as a treasury of texts. Drakes certainly couldn\u2019t just walk in and take out books. They hoarded their valuable scrolls and books. Normally Selys would have been turned away at the door, but again, Pisces had a solution.<\/p>\n \u201cName?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSelys Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake on duty at the desk looked down at his parchment, did a double take, and stared at her. Selys smiled weakly. He stared at her, opened his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I\u2019m, uh, visiting Pallass for the day. I was hoping I could read a few books\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys let the question linger in the air. The Drake stared at her, and then at his parchment.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not on the approved list. But, uh\u2014you\u2019re\u2014I saw you on the scrying spell! You were at General Shivertail\u2019s funeral! Standing right there!\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured. Selys felt a pang in her stomach. She felt a nudge in her side and elbowed the air. Hard. She heard a muffled yelp. The librarian didn\u2019t notice.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I couldn\u2019t stay in Liscor, so I wanted to visit Pallass. It\u2019s an amazing city. I know I\u2019m not on the list, but I thought I could just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake fumbled for his papers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not supposed to let anyone in. But you\u2019re\u2014I mean, you knew\u2014I don\u2019t see what the harm is. If you\u2019re just looking. I can just write you in as\u2026well, I don\u2019t know if I need<\/em> to write this. Purpose of visit? Why not? I was devastated<\/em> to hear about General Shivertail\u2019s passing. Those damn Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nodded and made appropriate sounds, sensing someone move past her. Within five minutes, she was past the front desk and moving down the shelves. The helpful Drake had even pointed her in the direction of the texts she\u2019d wanted to find. She paused at a shelf and whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou hit me.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 injured voice was a whisper. He needn\u2019t have bothered; few people were in the archive and none of them were in this section. Selys glared in the direction of the voice.<\/p>\n \u201cBe glad I didn\u2019t do worse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe glad the [Invisibility] spell didn\u2019t fail right then and there! Physical contact makes it break!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces retorted angrily. Selys paused.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should have mentioned that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t expect to be attacked! Now, take that book off the shelves in front of you. The one with the green cover. That\u2019s the one we\u2019re looking for, or so I believe.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys did so, carefully. She opened the book, noting the title. General Ironscales, Assorted Myths and Factual Accounts.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHuh. I didn\u2019t know there was a book like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 voice was dismissive.<\/p>\n \u201cOpportunistic [Writers]. This one appears to be a compilation of gossip more than a piece by an accredited [Historian]. But myth may be what we need, so long as it\u2019s detailed. Open it.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys did. The words on the page were tightly written, and she read quickly. A [Receptionist] had to have the [Speed Reading] skill or go insane. Pisces was almost as quick, and he quickly helped her locate the section they were looking for.<\/p>\n \u201cHere we are. The Heartflame Breastplate. Rumored to be worn by\u2026part of a complete set\u2026a complete set? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys glanced up. She felt an invisible hand turn the page of the book she was holding. Pisces\u2019 voice was animated.<\/p>\n \u201cFascinating. I had no idea! This armor was known for far more than its defensive properties. Look at this passage. \u2018One rumor attributes the armor\u2019s defensive abilities to more than just its intrinsic toughness. Legend has it that General Ironscales would walk into battle surrounded by a barrier of flames that could turn aside arrow and spell alike. This rumor may have been due to her ability to breathe fire, but a separate and verified historical entry notes her \u2018protection of flames\u2019, rather than \u2018protection <\/em>from flames\u2019 or other wording.<\/em>\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that what you were talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys\u2019 heart beat faster. The Heartflame Breastplate was more than just a powerful piece of armor? Pisces sounded excited.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why I told you that research was essential. No doubt other cities are looking into the myths, as well. Too often, people assume to know everything, when in fact, the truth is only a fraction of the whole! Let\u2019s see if we can find any more references to the armor.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys paged through the book, noting every reference to the Heartflame Breastplate she could. There were more books that mentioned the legendary artifact, and with the helpful Drake librarian\u2019s help, Selys went through lists of Drake artifacts, accounts of wars involving the breastplate, and more fables about Ironscales and the artifact.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Hours later, Selys found herself leaving the archives, head spinning. She had learned so much about the Heartflame Breastplate. It had been part of a set, it had a power\u2014all of the stories pointed to it having some kind of flame enchantment that was activated by means of some kind of secret command\u2014and yet there was so much she didn\u2019t know. She walked down the busy street, talking quietly with an invisible Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cI had no idea it was this famous. I mean, sure, you hear children\u2019s stories, but there are so many! Like the Spear of Kissle, or the tale about Hessca the [Dragonslayer]. None of that\u2019s real.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd yet, there is a nugget of truth in some legends. You possess the Heartflame Breastplate. An artifact worthy of any Walled City, any hero. You do. Is that not enough to make you believe in some of the mythology?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. No. It doesn\u2019t seem real.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys kept her voice low. Anyone looking at her would just think she was talking to herself. Pisces\u2019 voice was thoughtful.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are taking this quite calmly. Are you sure you\u2019re not in a state of shock? I can hardly believe your level-headedness myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. The Heartflame Breastplate? Me, owning it? Thanks to Uncle Zel? I\u2014I still haven\u2019t really felt<\/em> like it was mine, you know. It\u2019s so sudden. They just showed me the armor, said it was mine, and told me to give it to someone.\u201d<\/p>\n She walked past a burly Drake who was walking her way and sensed Pisces shifting closer to her. There was another group of Drakes walking, and he had to move to avoid them, too. Selys paused until she felt him nearby and went on.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all too fast. This wasn\u2019t supposed to happen to me, you know? Maybe to Erin. But not me. I just knew my uncle. And he was a hero, but I\u2014it\u2019s too sudden. I can\u2019t believe it happened. And the armor only belongs to me because he\u2019s gone, you know? It\u2019s like everyone\u2019s forgotten that. But I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around and realized she couldn\u2019t sense Pisces\u2019 robes swishing by her side. Instead, the burly Drake she\u2019d just passed had turned and was walking her way. Too close to her. Selys walked away from him, irritated, but he was right by her side. What was his problem? She turned and glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, some personal space here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSelys Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked down at her. He had dark orange scales and a scar over his snout. Selys paused.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s me. How do you know my name?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him and realized the big Drakes she\u2019d passed were also standing behind him. A lot of them. In fact, they looked like they were all following her. Selys backed up a step. The Drake with orange scales nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s her. Do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys turned and shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cHel\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Something hit Selys on the back of the head. She sagged and someone caught her. Selys heard a panicked shout from someone across the street and then a voice.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s move!\u201d<\/p>\n The world turned black as Selys felt herself being carried away at speed. She saw the empty street and Drakes staring at her in alarm as her head lolled back, but no one was following her as the thugs ran with her. No one was coming to save her.<\/p>\n No one at all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cMe?\u201d Selys stood in a dark room. A flame in an oil lamp gave it light, but it was too dark. A black casket lay on the long hardwood table in the center of the room. It seemed to absorb what little light there was. Outside, the rain fell, turning everything dark and obscuring the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693085,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693134],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-4782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-5","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n