{"id":4798,"date":"2018-09-04T13:31:56","date_gmt":"2018-09-04T13:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=4798"},"modified":"2025-12-24T00:58:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T00:58:01","slug":"5-18-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/","title":{"rendered":"5.18 S"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhat\u2019s it like, being a [General], Uncle Zel?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA [General]? Hm. That\u2019s a difficult question. Why, are you planning on becoming a [General] instead of a Named Adventurer, Selys?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t want to join the army. Grandma hates them. I do, too. Every time they come home, they cause trouble. They tried to kill some Antinium.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I heard about that incident. How is the city adapting to them?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDunno. They\u2019re weird, but I don\u2019t see them often. There\u2019s one in the City Watch. Did you know that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026did.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really strange. He\u2019s always polite and everyone avoids him. Why are we talking about the Antinium? What\u2019s it like being a [General]? Huh? Tell me!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat part of being a [General] interests you, Selys?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026what\u2019s it like being famous.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFamous?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know. Everyone staring at you. Grandma said you led a <\/em>huge army against a Gnoll Tribe last month!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Vaskia Skyhunter Tribe. It wasn\u2019t that large of an army. But yes. I had to do that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo? What\u2019s it like?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026What?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing at the center of attention! Is it fun?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not exactly like that, Selys. I\u2019m a [General], not a hero. People take orders. It\u2019s not like being an adventurer or a celebrity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut they do pay attention to you, right?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish they did that to me. No one <\/em>ever pays attention to me. Grandma\u2019s famous. So are you. I\u2019m just Selys.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not everything you might think it is, Selys. Fame is a one-way street. Once you go down it, you can\u2019t go back.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? What\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2014being stared at by everyone isn\u2019t always fun, Selys.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you do it, then?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Huh.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWait, you don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thinking. Hush for one second.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Why do I do it? Well, I don\u2019t like being famous. Having everyone\u2019s eyes on you, being trusted to lead an army\u2026that\u2019s a heavy responsibility. There\u2019s something unique about being the one person in the world everyone\u2019s watching. That\u2019s true.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it like, Uncle Zel?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIndescribable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReally.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it feel good?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s hard to say too. Being in command, taking charge\u2026some love the feeling of doing that. Others hate it. I do it because there\u2019s no one else. Because it\u2019s my duty. Because\u2026it must be done.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Okay. Well, I bet that I\u2019ll like it. When I\u2019m a Named Adventurer, I\u2019ll visit you all the time, okay? I\u2019ll be more famous than you are!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHahaha\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t laugh! I\u2019m serious.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Selys. I know you are. I was just thinking that might be pleasant. When you\u2019re more famous than me, come visit me anytime. It would be refreshing to have a niece more famous than I am.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJust you wait. I\u2019m going to do it. Grandma\u2019s teaching me how to use a sword, and I can go into the sewers when I\u2019m fifteen! Evvy\u2019s parents are going to let her try when she\u2019s fourteen, but Grandma says I\u2019m too reckless. I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019s just being careful. And she is the Guildmistress of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild, Selys.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Anyways, I\u2019ve been practicing with those claws you gave me! Look, I brought them!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Well done. I suppose if you\u2019re here, I should teach you another trick. Unless you want to use a sword?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNope! I\u2019m gonna learn how to do everything. Teach me another trick!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Stand back and give me some room. You\u2019re going to want to be a bit back from your opponent when you do this\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWow! Let me try!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCareful. It\u2019s not easy. And remember what I told you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do this to anyone I know?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRight. But the second part\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Stay out of trouble.\u2019 I know, Uncle.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just concerned for my favorite niece.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Your favorite?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe my second favorite\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cUncle!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00ad<\/em>\u201cWake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone smacked Selys with a claw. She jerked, felt the binding on her wrists, and stared at a Drake. He had an ugly, flat face, like a Human\u2019s. And he was standing too close to her. She tried to back up, nearly fell, and realized she was sitting in a chair. Her hands were bound to the back with rope. She saw other Drakes in the room, huge, thickset ones, and thought of the worst.<\/p>\n

\u201cTouch me and I\u2019ll\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake in front of her glared at her. He had dark orange scales, greasy and uncared for. He also had a knife. Selys realized that when he brandished it. She eyed the blade, but kept talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you lay one claw on me, I\u2019ll bite your hand off, got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake exchanged a glance with his buddies.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooperate and you won\u2019t be harmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Cooperate or we\u2019ll have to persuade<\/em> you. Which would be fun for us. And not for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another Drake leered at her. Selys stared at him. He was shorter with brown scales. She glanced around. This was bad. Really bad. What was\u2014<\/p>\n

The Drake in front of her slapped down a piece of parchment. Selys stared at it. The Drake put down an ink pot and quill. He pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSign.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at him. She stared at the contract. It was hard to make out since the only light in the room was a single lantern. But she could make out what looked like a legal contract. \u2018I, Selys Shivertail, hereby authorize Watch Captain Zevara to relinquish the artifact in my possession to the bearer of this document. Said artifact is known as\u2026\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The pieces flew together in her mind. The Drake [Receptionist] looked at the parchment, at the thugs, and then relaxed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors, that\u2019s a relief.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her reaction caught the Drakes off-guard. They stared at her. Selys glanced around. Dimly lit room, about eight Drake guys\u2014okay, one female skulking near the back, although she was twice as big as Selys so it was an easy mistake\u2014she\u2019d jumped to a far worse conclusion. Not that this wasn\u2019t bad. But Selys felt better. She glared at the Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hit<\/em> me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSign the document. You won\u2019t be hurt. We\u2019ll keep you here until we obtain the artifact, and then you\u2019ll be let go. Unharmed, if you cooperate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

If looks could kill, Selys would have been Liscor\u2019s most-wanted years ago. She glared around and then yanked at her bindings.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! My hands are tied. How am I supposed to sign anything if I\u2019m tied up? Are you idiots?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Thug] in front of Selys stared at her. She glared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntie my hands! Unless you want me to sign that parchment with my tongue? I can\u2019t tail-write, you know!\u201d<\/p>\n

Her response took all of them aback. One of them coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, you\u2019re just going to sign? Like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, yeah? I\u2019m not stupid. I\u2019m locked up in this room, and you\u2019ve got knives. Give me the quill.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drakes exchanged glances as Selys glared at them. What did they think she was going to do? Resist torture? An artifact wasn\u2019t worth that, no matter what it was!<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. I\u2019ll release you. Don\u2019t move. And don\u2019t try to run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I won\u2019t. And watch my claws! I got them polished the other day!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe can\u2019t be serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the other [Thugs] muttered as the Drake with the knife began sawing through Selys\u2019 bindings. Selys tried to breathe normally. She was being mouthy, but she was terrified. <\/em>She waited until she felt the bindings fall off her claws and then grabbed the quill.<\/p>\n

Everyone in the room tensed. Selys stared at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m signing the document.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, she dipped the quill into ink and scrawled her name across the bottom of the parchment. The Drakes blinked. Selys pushed the parchment back towards the Drake with the orange scales.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere. How long until you let me go?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Thug] picked up the parchment, frowned at it, and looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have the signature. Let\u2019s go\u2014pick it up?\u201d<\/p>\n

His companions looked nonplussed. The short Drake looked bewildered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we\u2019d have to torture her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we leave a guard\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like that? Okay, what if we\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you\u2019re<\/em> going? Not a chance. I\u2019ll go with\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys watched them argue, feeling a sense of unreality to the day. First she\u2019d been to a funeral. And she\u2019d been given armor. She\u2019d gone into the sewers, then gone to Pallass, been kidnapped\u2026<\/p>\n

She\u2019d been to a funeral. This morning. Selys could barely remember the smell of smoke and the sound of long speeches, now. It felt distant already. But at the same time\u2014<\/p>\n

Her uncle was dead. Zel Shivertail was gone. Those were the facts. Everything that followed, all of this\u2014it was over his armor. The Heartflame Breastplate. Selys had barely seen it for more than a minute. Who cared about it? Why was this happening?<\/p>\n

She lowered her head as her tail curled around her legs. Dead. But his ashes weren\u2019t even buried and Drakes were fighting over his legacy. That was the worst of what they could be. That was what she\u2019d tried to tell Erin. Drakes were descended from Dragons, yes. That was true. But where Dragons were greedy, Drakes could be so petty<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright! We\u2019ll do it like that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked up. The [Thugs] had come to a decision. Five went over to the door, while two folded their arms, looking annoyed. The one with orange scales came over to Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to take the artifact. Where is it being held?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys glared at the Drake\u2019s incredulous face.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I had time to put it somewhere? Zevara has it! I don\u2019t know where it is!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must have seen where it was last.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but they moved it! I don\u2019t know where it is!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys folded her arms. The hired muscle looked at each other. One growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe she\u2019s lying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young [Receptionist] stared at the thug. He narrowed his eyes and came over.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like the way she\u2019s talking back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh y\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

At last, Selys\u2019 mouth finally got her into trouble. The other Drake caught her arm, and she yelped as he gripped it hard enough to bruise.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us where the armor is. You know where they put it. You\u2019re just lying to us to buy time. I want to know where.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know! Let go of me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys grabbed the arm holding her, but the Drake was far stronger than she was. He grabbed her other arm and spoke menacingly a few inches away from her face. His breath stank.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink really<\/em> hard, Miss. Or else I\u2019m going to have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He gasped<\/em> and jerked. Selys felt him let go and saw him jerk backwards. Something was protruding out<\/em> of his shoulder. The silvery tip of the rapier pulled back as he cried out in agony. Pisces appeared behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would ask that you refrain from threatening Miss Selys, good Drakes of Pallass. Or I might be forced to harm you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned as the Drake he\u2019d wounded grabbed at his shoulder. Pisces whirled, and the [Thugs] in the room cried out in shock. Pisces smiled, his white robes shining in the lantern light, his bloody rapier held at the ready.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that degenerate behavior is not simply a Human trait. I would have expected this in Terandria. Or Wistram. But here? Is there no regard for grief, no respect for mourning?\u201d<\/p>\n

They hesitated. Pisces flicked his gaze from Drake to Drake. There were eight of them, spread out around the room. The [Necromancer] backed up towards Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would advise you to lay down your arms. You are outmatched. I am a Silver-rank adventurer and my team\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake he\u2019d stabbed rose up, punched Pisces with a roar, and the other Drakes charged. Pisces yelped, and Selys saw him stagger back. The injured Drake charged him\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c[Stone Spray]!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014And received a face full of razor-sharp stone shards. He screamed and fell, clawing at his eyes. Pisces whirled. Someone charged him with a club. The [Mage]\u2019s form blurred and he lunged\u2014the thrust of his rapier went through<\/em> the Drake\u2019s chest and out the other side. The [Thug] stumbled, dropped. Pisces backed up, cursing, as he tried to withdraw his fragile blade.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a [Mage]! Rush him!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drakes charged. Pisces looked up, let go of his rapier\u2019s handle, and flicked his fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Flame Jet]!\u201d<\/p>\n

A gout of fire blasted from his fingertips, catching two of the Drakes. They screamed and dropped to roll about on the ground, and Pisces turned, forcing the others to back up. He fumbled for something at his belt\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys shouted. A [Thug] was throwing one of the knives he held in his claws. Pisces blurred<\/em> as something dropped, and he appeared three feet to his left. The knife missed him, and the [Mage] flicked his finger. Selys saw a ring on his finger glow, and a bolt of white light shot across the room and struck the knife-thrower in the chest. She heard a crack,<\/em> and the Drake folded up with a hole in the upper right part of his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got artifacts!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt burns!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet around him!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drakes were shouting. Selys was standing up, but she had no intention of getting into the fight. She backed towards one wall as Pisces looked around. Five Drakes remaining, two of them burned badly. They dodged as he raised his hand and shot a stream of crackling electricity towards them. One had a buckler and caught the electricity on the wooden frame, grimacing. Pisces backed up towards a corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would advise you all to surrender.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t witty repartee, but the murder in the eyes of the Drake who\u2019d spoken did a lot for the delivery. Pisces sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Look behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amazingly, one of them actually did turn his head. That saved him. The others were just readying themselves to charge when the long scythe of bone shot out and buried itself in the back of the first Drake\u2019s head. He fell. The others turned. And screamed.<\/p>\n

A tall, tall<\/em> creature of bone stood behind them. It had no face, just a torso without neck or head. Its arms were long whips of bone ending with curved scythes. It had long legs and a strange, ball-like waist from which it could rotate and bend its upper body freely. It did so now, leaning low to the ground and slashing at the other Drakes with its arms, cutting their flesh as they screamed and backed up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors, an undead!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a [Necromancer]! Run!\u201d<\/p>\n

One went for the doors. The Bone Horror tangled him with its arms, cutting him over and over with whipping strikes that flayed the Drake. Another slashed at it, but Pisces\u2019 creation simply ignored the blows. Pisces blasted a third Drake with a spray of stone, making her scream and back up\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody move!\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone grabbed Selys. She hadn\u2019t seen the fourth Drake running towards her. She\u2019d been too focused on Pisces\u2019 creation. Now the criminal grabbed Selys with one hand, keeping his club raised towards Pisces. The [Necromancer] whirled. The air around his hands frosted with cold as he pointed a finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet her go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack away, or I\u2019ll club her brains out! Tell that thing to leave!\u201d<\/p>\n

He was gripping Selys\u2019 arm hard, his claw slippery with sweat. He was shaking. Of his seven buddies, five were dead and the other two bleeding badly. He tried to pull Selys towards the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be foolish. You have nowhere to run. Let her go and I\u2019ll spare your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces\u2019 voice was cold and, somehow, larger. The Drake gulped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t fall for that! I\u2019m not turning into a zombie\u2014back off!\u201d<\/p>\n

He was shaking with fear. Pisces stared at him. The light from the lantern in the room flickered suddenly, though there was no breeze. The [Thug] jumped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move! You cast a spell and she\u2019s dead, you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet her go. Do not make me ask twice.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

This time Pisces\u2019 voice was deeper. It echoed and cracked with dark intent. The Drake holding Selys whimpered. Pisces took a step, and the Drake raised his club.<\/p>\n

\u201cTouch her, and you will suffer long after death. Don\u2019t mistake me for a common [Necromancer], fool. I could do things with your body that would make you scream to hear about.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cS-stay back!\u201d<\/p>\n

He nearly let go of Selys in his panic. He stared at Pisces. Now the [Mage] was grinning horribly, and the shadows behind him danced on the wall. There was a stench of graveyard rot in the air, and he seemed to grow as the Drake retreated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could make you a puppet in your flesh. Would you like that? Let her go or I will ensure you live\u2026forever.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake was panicking. Selys stared at him. She stared at Pisces. Neither male was focused on her. Selys looked at her captor and tapped him on the shoulder with her free hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey. Look at this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWha\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Thug] looked down. Selys\u2019 hand shot up. She raised her index and middle finger and jabbed them into her captor\u2019s left eye. Her claws went into<\/em> his eyeball. He screamed and let her go. Selys stepped back and wiped her claws on her clothes. Then she kicked him between the legs. The Drake fell, screaming. Pisces turned to Selys. She stared at him. He blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Half an hour later, Selys sat in Watch Captain Venim\u2019s office. She had a cup of hot tea in her claws, and Venim was downstairs, supervising the capture of the thugs that had kidnapped her.<\/p>\n

Well, capture and clean up. Of the eight, five had died to Pisces or his Bone Horror. The other three were badly wounded, and it was a testament to the bloodshed that the one with the least amount of injuries was the one with a missing eye and bruising in the groin. The surviving Drakes were being arrested downstairs. Meanwhile, Pisces stood next to Selys in the office, looking around with interest.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been interviewed at length as soon as the Pallass Watch had arrived. They\u2019d come within minutes of Selys walking out into the street and shouting for help\u2014apparently someone had seen her kidnapping, and they had already been canvassing the city. They hadn\u2019t expected Pisces to arrive first, though.<\/p>\n

The [Necromancer] hadn\u2019t given Venim or his people much of an explanation as to how he\u2019d saved Selys. He\u2019d made the Bone Horror vanish into the bag of holding he held before the Watch had arrived. With just his rapier in hand, he\u2019d greeted the City Watch. They knew he was a [Necromancer] somehow\u2014perhaps from Liscor\u2019s Watch, but they\u2019d been impressed and disturbed by his nearly flawless victory nonetheless.<\/p>\n

Now the two waited in silence for Venim to come back to the office. Selys heard Pisces\u2019 robes swishing as he looked around. He walked behind Venim\u2019s desk and eyed a stack of papers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t touch that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces started and sniffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just investigating. A Watch Captain shouldn\u2019t leave classified documents lying around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys eyed him severely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s generally considered polite not to snoop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPolite, but not informative.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Necromancer] sighed, but he backed away from the desk. He looked at Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her head had been treated with a splash of healing potion, and she was fine, albeit a bit shaken. Selys sipped at her tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you? How\u2019s the face?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces rubbed at one cheek where the shadow of a bruise was forming. He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cA minor injury. I\u2019m more embarrassed about it, in truth. I shouldn\u2019t have let my guard down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. What was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat! That\u2014appearing and stabbing that Drake before facing them all down. What were you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces looked surprised, and a bit hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was trying to intimidate them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys glared at him. Her nerves were shot.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy yourself? You don\u2019t give speeches, you idiot! You\u2019re lucky that Drake on the floor didn\u2019t stab you while you were showing off! You should have stabbed him in the back and laid a trap, rather than play the shining [Knight] in armor!\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man blinked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s strangely pragmatic of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not an idiot! But you were, rushing in there! You could have been killed! [Mages] die after being stabbed, and taking on a bunch of [Thugs] with knives is a death sentence! What were you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces hesitated. He rubbed at his cheek and glanced past Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was\u2026concerned for your safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys sat back. Pisces hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that I could distract their attention from you, or ambush them once they\u2019d left. I grew worried when the Drake grabbed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

So he\u2019d stepped in to protect her? Selys regretted shouting at him. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI only regret that I didn\u2019t stop your kidnapping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou couldn\u2019t have known.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I was there. Invisible, yes. I could have cut the first Drake down, but I elected to follow you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gratitude infusing Selys\u2019 heart faded slightly. She looked up over her cup\u2019s rim at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it best to know the scope of the threat before I stepped in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you let them drag me away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was that or fight them all in the street. I had to know their numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys glared at Pisces as he hunched his shoulders. She opened her mouth, thought better, and closed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell. That was smart of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the smart thing to do. There was no telling how many of them there were, or if they had more friends. So yeah, good job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys grudgingly agreed with Pisces\u2019 decision. He blinked at her, looking slightly pleased.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m happy to help. Unfortunately, I fear that this is only the first event of many. I\u2019m sorry you were targeted\u2014although I noticed you were able to defend yourself. That was an, ah, appropriately vicious attack you performed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, poking that guy in the eye? Yeah\u2026he deserved it. And I wasn\u2019t about to wait for you to scare him into letting me go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake [Receptionist] wiped her claws on her clothes for the umpteenth time, shuddering as she recalled the feeling. Pisces flicked his eyes towards her claws.<\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, it was an adroitly done maneuver. Did someone teach you how to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy uncle taught me how to fight, when I was growing up. I was never good at claw fighting, but he showed me how to defend myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. By poking eyes out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot everyone has time to learn how to use a rapier. Anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young Drake woman cleared her throat awkwardly. She looked at Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for saving me.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the first time she\u2019d gotten to say it. Pisces shook his head slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

False modesty was somehow annoying on Pisces, who was often the exact opposite of modest. Selys raised one of her brows at him. He caught her glance and smiled slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it wasn\u2019t nothing.<\/em> But I considered it my responsibility. I did invite you to enter Pallass. I should have considered the risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe risks. You mean, more of that might happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps. You are the inheritor of the armor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Damn it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys closed her eyes. All this and she\u2019d only held the armor for a day! She was about to ask Pisces who he thought had hired the Drakes, when the door opened and Venim walked in.<\/p>\n

\u201cApologies for the delay.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glanced at Pisces and nodded to Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve arrested the surviving Drakes who kidnapped you, Miss Shivertail. We\u2019ll interrogate them\u2014after they heal up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Thank you. Do you know, um, who told them to get me? Or was it just them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Venim hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s unclear. The Drakes didn\u2019t say much\u2014well, only one was conscious, so we\u2019ll have to rely on truth spells when the other two wake up. We\u2019ll charge them for kidnapping and attempted extortion, but my guess is they\u2019re just hired [Thugs] and [Rogues].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any clues as to who might have organized their kidnapping of Selys?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces leaned forwards over Venim\u2019s desk. The Drake Watch Captain frowned at Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. It could have been anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys\u2019 heart sank. Venim nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are<\/em> the owner of the Heartflame Breastplate, Miss Selys. And while I\u2019d like to assure you of your safety\u2026things are moving quickly in Pallass. I\u2019ve informed Watch Captain Zevara, and she\u2019s requested that you immediately return to Liscor. I just need the rest of your statement and your\u2026bodyguard\u2019s before you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy who? Oh, Pisces? He\u2019s not my bodyguard\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Then what was he doing in Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n

Venim frowned at Pisces. The [Mage] smiled calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came through. No one stopped me, so I assumed the passageway between Liscor and Pallass was free for public use on this day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just walked through?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm, yes. In a crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Watch Captain flicked his gaze to Selys, who shrugged, keeping her tail still. Venim grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the door is<\/em> open, but I\u2019ll have to ask you to refrain from visiting Pallass without requesting permission first, Mister\u2026Pisces.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces bowed slightly, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I believe I\u2019ve had my fill of Pallass. What do you think, Selys?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked around. Her head didn\u2019t hurt. But she had a headache now. She raised her claws.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ve had enough too. Can I go back to Liscor now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A large group had formed in Erin\u2019s inn, waiting for Selys\u2019 return. Watch Captain Zevara, Ilvriss, Tekshia\u2014and a member of Liscor\u2019s council! He was the Guildmaster of the Merchant\u2019s Guild, and he practically knocked over Pisces when Selys walked through the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Shivertail! I\u2019m terribly glad to see you. What an affront, to be kidnapped while walking Pallass\u2019 streets! I want you to know that Liscor did everything in its power to ensure you were found as soon as\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Guildmaster Fleiss. Please, give Selys some room.\u201d<\/p>\n

To the [Receptionist]\u2019s relief, Zevara stepped in and forced the heavyset Drake back. She nodded to Venim.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

He saluted her and left. Selys looked around, bewildered, as the others clustered around her. Erin tried to push past Fleiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelys, are you okay? I heard about what happened! Are you hurt? Did you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrakes first! Please! Miss Shivertail, we really must speak about your inheritance. I hate to bring up the subject so soon\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSilence!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia raised her voice. The others fell silent. The Guildmistress stepped closer to Selys and inspected her granddaughter. She nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you poked an eye out, Selys. Good job. Next time try ducking before they hit you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys rolled her eyes. Tekshia nodded at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you\u2019ve had a rough time. All these Drakes want to speak with you. I just came to tell you that you can have tomorrow off. But I\u2019ll expect you back into work at noon the day after, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Grandma\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough. Don\u2019t whine, it\u2019s unbecoming. Now, I\u2019ll be going. Innkeeper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me another one of those \u2018cookies\u2019 you made. A bag, actually. I want to share them with some of my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia turned. She paused and glanced over her shoulder at Pisces. He was standing behind the others, forgotten. Tekshia met his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNecromancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuildmistress Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n

He bowed very politely. Tekshia snorted and walked away, the others looking after her. Zevara cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re, ah, well, Miss Selys? Don\u2019t take Miss Tekshia\u2019s words too seriously. She was quite insistent you be found when Pallass informed us of the kidnapping.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys smiled wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I know. That was her being considerate and caring. I think. Trust Grandmother not to give me more than a day off for being kidnapped.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaking of kidnapping\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss broke in. The Wall Lord looked around, his tail wagging furiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a disgrace. A citizen was kidnapped, in Pallass, on the streets? What kind of Walled City allows that kind of crime?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kind that has an inheritor of the Heartflame Breastplate walking its streets, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara glanced meaningfully at Selys, who flushed. She consulted a piece of parchment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch Captain Venim tells me they were local thugs, hired to kidnap Miss Selys and force her to sign a waiver allowing them to take the Heartflame Breastplate. They\u2019d take it, drop it at a safe location, and receive their payment. Forty thousand gold pieces, allegedly. Not that they saw any of it\u2014they may have intended to take the armor for themselves once they had it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDead gods, plots already?\u201d<\/p>\n

Fleiss shuddered. Zevara just shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a shoddy plan that never would have worked. Whoever hired them must have panicked when they saw you in Pallass and didn\u2019t think things through. If I\u2019d have seen the document, I\u2019d have arrested the Drakes and found out where you were being kept. Fortunately, you didn\u2019t have to wait that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced at Pisces, who smiled politely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was accompanying Selys, and I happened to be in the area, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara nodded at him and turned her back on Pisces. Ilvriss glanced at the [Necromancer] and then at Selys. He looked quite a bit kinder as he went over to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Selys, I understand you must be shaken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys wasn\u2019t going to lie\u2014she was more than a bit unsteady. Wall Lord Ilvriss nodded sympathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to let you know that my offer still stands. I don\u2019t want to force you into a decision, but perhaps it would be best if you allowed some of my people to escort you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys\u2019 eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors, I just got kidnapped and you\u2019re already <\/em>trying to buy the armor from me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her raised voice made the others look at her. Selys turned red with embarrassment and anger. Her voice cracked as she shouted at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to do with the armor! Leave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and ran out of the inn. Zevara called out after her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Selys, wait!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Her voice had the authority of command in it. And she used a Skill. Selys stopped unwillingly. Zevara looked a bit ashamed of herself. She cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to need an escort.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Selys hated everyone and everything by the time she got back to her room. There was a [Guardsman] outside her door\u2014a pair of them, actually\u2014and four had had to walk her back through the rainy streets. Zevara had suggested putting Selys up in an inn\u2014and Ilvriss had immediately offered the Tailless Thief. Selys had turned them both down, instantly.<\/p>\n

She was miserable. She sat in her bed, tossing her wet cloak to the floor and stomping into her kitchen. She reached for a mug, opened her cupboard, and realized she had nothing to drink. No tea leaves, no bottles, nothing. She\u2019d forgotten to go shopping.<\/p>\n

\u201cLizard\u2019s eggs!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys shouted. She turned and saw Pisces sitting at her table. He offered her a cup of dark red wine.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry this.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a second Selys considered poking his<\/em> eye out. Her heart beat out of her chest. Pisces seemed to realize and coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. I should have announced myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you follow me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a point of fact, I slipped in before you got here. Watch Captain Zevara made an error. She posted a guard who checked for invisible or concealed intruders before<\/em> the escort brought you here. There was a window of opportunity as you opened the door. I followed you in.\u201d<\/p>\n

His self-satisfied explanation made Selys clench her fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cPisces, I\u2019m not in the mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that. And I will leave instantly. I just wanted to give you this, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Necromancer] stood up and reached into his bag of holding. He produced a bottle of wine, a plate of steaming spaghetti and meatballs, and a bowl of salad. The salad had spilled a bit, and he shook a few leaves of lettuce off of the bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cApologies. Bags of holding are tricky to use. It\u2019s practically impossible to put a cup of water inside and not spill it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys just looked at the food and wine and then at Pisces. Her stomach rumbled. She hadn\u2019t had lunch\u2014she\u2019d barely eaten breakfast. The sight of food made her feel faint. Pisces shrugged and smiled a bit as he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are under a version of house arrest. Ah, pardon me. I misspoke. You\u2019re being \u2018protected\u2019. I thought you wouldn\u2019t wish to eat dinner, or go shopping\u2014or subject yourself to a public setting\u2014so I asked Erin to make you dinner. I apologize if I\u2019ve overstepped.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her questioningly. Selys made her mouth work as her stomach made a motion for food.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s\u2014considerate of you, actually. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He offered her a crooked smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider it further recompense for putting you into harm\u2019s way in Pallass. I should have considered the risks. I will leave you alone now, if you\u2019ll open a window to let me jump out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys hesitated. She looked at the food, and at Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to go. In fact\u2014here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She went and grabbed two cups from her cupboards. She offered one to Pisces. He looked at it, surprised. Selys gestured at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you have the salad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was an awkward meal. Selys had never talked to Pisces, not in any intimate way. She barely knew him, and yet he\u2019d been around Erin\u2019s inn as long as she had. Longer, really. He wasn\u2019t what Selys would call an ideal dining partner, but she needed someone to talk to. She was upset.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, there\u2019re threats to my life, people wanting to buy it from me\u2014I just want to be left alone! <\/em>Why is that so hard? Why does everyone have to bother me? And it\u2019s just<\/em> for the piece of armor my stupid uncle left me!\u201d<\/p>\n

She was on her fourth cup of wine. Pisces his second. He ate silently as Selys gnashed down a bite of food. Selys paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean that. Uncle Zel\u2014it\u2019s not about him! That\u2019s the problem! I just\u2014I didn\u2019t ask for this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome might call it good fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah? Tell that to the lump on the back of my head! And how good is this fortune? Am I just supposed to sell the armor? Get rich?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the theory, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d do it in a heartbeat if I didn\u2019t think it would get me in trouble. But everyone wants it. If I sell it to one person, I get in trouble with everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA tricky conundrum, yes. But you would be rich.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRich doesn\u2019t help if everyone hates your guts!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem certain that would be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys rested her head on her hands and nearly poked herself in the cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s politics. I\u2019ve seen it happen. If you\u2019re not a patriot to your city, if you\u2019re not a good Drake\u2014you get treated like a traitor. If I get in trouble in Pallass for instance, I\u2019ll get blacklisted until the end of my life and treated like a criminal. I don\u2019t need<\/em> that kind of drama.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yet, you have an obligation to do something with the armor. Surely there is an optimal choice for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces\u2019 reasonable tone made Selys angry. She jabbed a fork at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would you<\/em> know? No one likes you! And everyone<\/em> wants to be my best friend now!\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused. Pisces looked hurt. It didn\u2019t show in his face, but his eyes reflected it. Selys paused, ashamed, and her tail drooped.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. I didn\u2019t mean\u2014I\u2019ve had a hard day. You have no idea how bad it\u2019s been.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces shifted in his chair and got up. He walked past Selys to fill his cup\u2014not with wine, but with some water from a jug. It was stale. He grimaced but sipped it anyways. Selys looked at him, confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Necromancer] sat awkwardly, resting his weight on Selys\u2019 kitchen table. He studied Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s true that I am a pariah in Liscor. But I would argue you seem to be one, too, although your fortunes are the inverse of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys sort of got what Pisces meant, but the wine was making actual cognition difficult. Pisces saw this and flicked his fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me speak plainly. I attract attention because I am a [Necromancer]. A criminal. An undesirable element and, perhaps not least, a Human. This is not a new experience for me. I have long been a notable individual worthy of contempt. However, you are the same. Everyone knows you as the bearer of the Heartflame Breastplate. A Drake inheriting Zel Shivertail\u2019s will. They all want something from you. But they do not care about you<\/em>, do they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. They don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys bowed her head. She was just an ordinary person, changed by circumstance. Pisces nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo. I understand the feeling. It is not pleasant, even if the attention is envy, or intrigue, I imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. How do you deal with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man pondered the question for a moment, sipping from his cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many answers. Many personalities would react differently. I ignore the scorn. I weather hatred as ignorance. I am myself. I will not change for societal pressure. But you do not have that luxury, I fear. They want your inheritance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey can have it. It\u2019s no good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys slumped at her table. She heard Pisces sigh. He sat across from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat attitude is defeatist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider me defeated. What am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words made her look up. Selys frowned at Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am being honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n

He challenged her. Pisces looked at Selys\u2019 eyes. He had gray-green eyes, not vibrant, a dreamer\u2019s, perhaps. But they were serious.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have been reacting to all that has happened, Selys. So much has changed for you. I understand that it must be\u2026impossible in many respects. But have you truly taken a step back to think about all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

No. There was no stepping back in a hurricane. Selys shook her head. Pisces tapped the table with his cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen allow me to help. If you would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would.\u201d<\/p>\n

If he could make sense of it all\u2026Pisces nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us ask one question then, and one question alone. Do you want the armor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys paused. Her instinctive reaction was to say \u2018no, of course not\u2019, but that wasn\u2019t a true answer, was it? She spoke slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I haven\u2019t really looked at it. I didn\u2019t know what it was. Now I know. You showed me those stories in Pallass. And they were amazing! I had no idea that was what it was. I knew it was valuable. But it\u2019s still like\u2014I haven\u2019t looked at it, you know? I didn\u2019t care. When I saw my uncle, lying there\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Her throat closed. Pisces looked at her. Sympathetically. Had Selys ever seen him look like that?<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you didn\u2019t pay attention to it. And that is the problem. You don\u2019t know what others are so fixated on. You were cursed, Selys. Cursed with a conscience. Cursed with affection. You cared about your uncle\u2019s passing, more than the armor. If you were greedy and selfish, you would not be in your predicament.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like the rest of the Shivertail family.<\/em> Selys shuddered. That was true, though. She\u2019d watched her uncle\u2019s funeral this morning. It was too soon. But Pisces was also right, in that she had to face it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Do I need the damn armor? I don\u2019t know. I want to look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen perhaps you should. That would be an adequate first step. Do you wish to see it now? Or later?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, what? You mean\u2026go to it now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rain was pattering on the shutters of her window. Pisces nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys opened her mouth. It was under lock and key! It was being guarded! It was valuable!<\/p>\n

And it was hers. She closed her mouth. And stood up.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Watch Captain Zevara was not<\/em> happy that Pisces had emerged from Selys\u2019 apartment with her. Nor was she happy that they\u2019d forced the [Guardsmen] assigned to her to bring them to her and the room the armor was being kept in. The Watch Captain stared at Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to do what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara was probably off-duty. But she\u2019d come hurrying as soon as Selys had made the request. The Drake folded her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mine, isn\u2019t it? I want to look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but the security is there for a reason, Miss Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s still my armor. Unless you\u2019re not going to let me see it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at Zevara. The Watch Captain backpedaled immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s just that\u2014of course you can look at it. For how long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a time limit?\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps she didn\u2019t deserve this. Zevara\u2019s jaw worked silently. She looked at Relc. The [Guardsman] was leaning against the wall next to the iron door, snoozing. The [Mage] that Ilvriss had assigned to the door was glaring at him, clearly envious.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelc. Wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m up! Do I get to stab anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Relc jerked awake. He looked comical as he fumbled to attention and Zevara chewed him out, but Selys suspected that anyone trying to sneak into the room behind him would find that Relc was more attentive than he seemed. Zevara sighed as she looked at Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake as long as you like, Miss Shivertail. Relc and Wall Lord Ilvriss\u2019 people have the room warded and under guard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys put her hand on the door knob and heard the [Mage] mutter something. She paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe deactivated the ward spell. Don\u2019t be alarmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces nodded at the Drake [Mage]. She eyed him warily. Zevara turned towards Pisces with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for bringing Miss Shivertail dinner\u2026Mister Pisces. But I\u2019m afraid that this is a restricted area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can come in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys thought Zevara might actually inhale her tongue. The Watch Captain turned towards her. Selys put her claws on her hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is<\/em> mine, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! But do you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara bit her tongue on the rest of the sentence. Do you trust him?<\/em> Pisces pretended not to hear. Selys sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease let us in, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara was in a bad mood. She looked at Selys, threw up her arms, and stalked away. Selys watched as Relc yawned.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on in, Selys. Hey, bone-guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuardsman Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys and Pisces entered the room. It was fairly large, a meeting room, in fact. It had no windows, and someone had cleared out the table and chairs to put a single stand in the center of the room. On it hung a shimmering, golden piece of armor.<\/p>\n

Selys\u2019 heart skipped a beat. She stared at the Heartflame Breastplate, taking it in. This was the legendary armor. This was the artifact everyone wanted.<\/p>\n

She still thought it looked sort of cheap. It was gaudy. Gold metal, shining colors\u2014it was impressive, yes, but\u2014<\/p>\n

Pisces\u2019 inhalation of breath was more fitting for the moment. He stared at the armor as Relc closed the door and began flirting with the [Mage] on duty. The [Necromancer] approached the armor, stepping around it to stare from every angle. He reached out, hands shaking, and then looked at Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

For some reason Selys\u2019 voice was hushed. She held her breath as Pisces touched the armor. Then she felt silly and walked forwards. The metal was warm to the touch. That was all. There was no zap<\/em> of magic, no aura of power. It was just armor.<\/p>\n

But it was magical. Pisces ran a finger over the armor, seeing something that Selys could not. He murmured to himself as he inspected it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWarm. What exquisite spellcraft. And the metal\u2014it\u2019s alloyed with gold, but the rest of the metal is\u2026Adamantium? Some spell-metal, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s impressive. I can see why the legends say it was indestructible. It doesn\u2019t have a scratch, even when\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys\u2019 throat closed. Pisces looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour uncle\u2014General Shivertail. Was his body\u2026damaged by the battle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was. It was horrible. Part of his head was missing, and his body was cut<\/em> and burned like\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys felt like she shouldn\u2019t talk about it, but she had to. The words spilled out, and Pisces listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Those wounds are\u2026incredible. But also a sign of the armor\u2019s power, I think. General Shivertail was renowned for his durability and toughness in battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was. He could block an unenchanted axe strike with his scales! <\/em>But still, he\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys broke off, shaking her head. Pisces peered at the armor and coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, look here. I had wondered about the name, but this truly is a breastplate and not a cuirass, isn\u2019t it? Curious that such a powerful piece of armor would lack rear protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

He indicated the armor. It was indeed just a breastplate. In that it only covered the front. Selys was no armor expert, but she knew that a cuirass covered both front and back. It was a strange design flaw. She wondered if that was one of the reasons why Zel had\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe they lost the other half?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be called the Heartflame Breastplate if they had. Artifacts are seldom so easily dismantled. No, this is simply an oversight. Quite a curious one. One has to wonder why the Drakes who made this didn\u2019t think to shield their backs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrakes do not run.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys regretted saying the words as soon as they came out. It was such an instinctive response, the kind of thing you heard the army say all the time. General Sserys had coined the phrase, and it was a saying among the Drakes. But it was so\u2026<\/p>\n

Pisces raised a sardonic eyebrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrakes might not run, but presumably they do turn around at some point. I believe my point stands.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glared at him and then laughed despite herself. Pisces smiled. That was it. He always seemed to be laughing at his own sense of humor, his mockery of the world. For the first time, Selys was laughing with him. She stopped as soon as she realized.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, tell me, Mister Intelligent. Why would the Drakes make a mistake like this? Unless they didn\u2019t have enough metal for the back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces stroked his bare chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. That is a theory, but I suspect we\u2019ve already obtained the answer. Do you recall the revelation of the Heartflame Armor\u2019s abilities we uncovered in Pallass\u2019 library? It had an enchantment. A fiery ward that sprang up around the armor and user.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh. That does seem likely. So it would have protected the back. But are you sure it came from the armor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces nodded. He gestured at the shining breastplate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems realistic to assume that the fiery protection on the armor was an effect of the Heartflame Breastplate, especially considering the motif and name.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was true. Selys stared at the armor. But no one had mentioned her uncle using the ability, and both Ilvriss and Zevara had just thought the armor was\u2026well, legendary. They hadn\u2019t wanted to test the ability, and she was sure they would have tried, had they known.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how it could be activated?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, and I suspect Magnolia Reinhart herself may have lacked the information. The true powers of artifacts are often hidden from public knowledge. That is why I considered research\u2014it may have more abilities lost to time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo my uncle wouldn\u2019t have known how to use it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe may not have had time to research it, if he had thought of it. An [Enchanter] would have known to ask such questions, but would a Reinhart have let him inspect the armor? Well\u2026we shall never know if it was inspected before. As for now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He pondered over the armor, checking its front and back as Selys gently ran her claws over it. It was warm. Soothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpell activation is tricky. If it were a ring, it would be activated by twisting, but usually armor is activated by contact or some other set of rules. Touching it in a certain place, striking it with enough force\u2026but the myth of the armor seems to indicate that the protection effect could be triggered at will. Why don\u2019t we try a few activation phrases?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know some? And it\u2019ll work? Don\u2019t you have to put it on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys couldn\u2019t imagine\u2026it was hers, but could she\u2026? No. And Pisces was shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimply uttering the right phrase should work, Selys. It\u2019s actually quite difficult to make the armor \u2018sense\u2019 who is speaking, so personalizing the command trigger to only activate when the wearer speaks is usually not included in the enchantment\u2019s features.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces nodded conspiratorially. He smirked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact, keeping the secret phrase of an artifact hidden is quite vital, unless it has been truly customized to a certain vocal pattern. Otherwise an enemy could trigger the enchantment in battle. It has happened on more than one occasion, historically speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, then what are some command phrases?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026why don\u2019t we keep inspecting it? Perhaps there are hidden touch-mechanics. And I will utter as many phrases as I know. Thankfully, we know the common language has remained unchanged forever, although written text often replaces itself. So any phrase would work. It\u2019s the key<\/em> that could be anything. A phrase, a single word\u2026there are a number of mage-sounds that I will try first. And I will have you do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be that the armor only activates for a Drake. That would be a tricky enchantment, but it is<\/em> possible. Keep your hands on the armor. Also, if you know any archaic Drake expressions, they would be the most likely activation code.\u201d<\/p>\n

It sounded impossible, and yet, exciting, too. A mystery to solve. Selys placed her claw on the armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about this? Drakes do not run.\u201d<\/p>\n

The armor was warm underneath her claw. Selys waited, but nothing happened. She heard a cough. Pisces looked away from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Sserys\u2019 famous line probably postdates the creation of the armor by at least six hundred years\u2026why don\u2019t we try a few older phrases? Allow me to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

He made a sound and had Selys copy it. She came up with a phrase\u2014nothing happened. Pisces ran through over a hundred different mage-sounds, some of which Selys found nearly impossible to copy. Nothing happened. The two gave up when their voices went hoarse after about two hours. It was a fruitless two hours, but for some reason, Selys felt much better afterwards, albeit with a sore throat. She\u2019d had fun, laughing at some of the phrases and sounds Pisces came up with.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, activating an artifact is an extraordinarily difficult task in the best of circumstances, and I am no [Enchanter]. A true shame, really. I always wanted to learn that discipline, but I never got the chance in Wistram\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces was chatting to Selys as he closed the door. Relc stood to attention, as did the [Mage]. Selys didn\u2019t have to look at Relc\u2019s red cheeks to know she\u2019d shot him down. Or slapped him.<\/p>\n

Or both.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for helping, Pisces. I\u2019m going home\u2014but I appreciate you giving me that advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled at her and hesitated as the sleepy [Guardsmen] marched over to escort Selys back to her apartment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could come back tomorrow. This is a fascinating artifact, and if you would permit me to try and discover the key\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it was her turn to pause. Selys looked at Pisces. He really had been helpful today. Surprisingly so. She found herself nodding.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Why not? I owe you one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile he gave her was surprised, but he made a show of bowing to her as he bade her farewell. Relc muttered about \u2018showoffs\u2019 until the [Mage] standing next to him gave him a look. Pisces grinned impudently.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Miss Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled wearily.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded and strode into the rain. Selys watched him go and then looked up. It was raining, still. It was always raining. And then she felt tired. Good moments were only that.<\/p>\n

Moments.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The next day, Selys woke up, went outside, and visited her friends. She had to. She had to be social and normal,<\/em> or she\u2019d go crazy. To her relief, she managed to find her usual gossip group and circle. Or rather, they found her. They walked through the rain, from shelter to shelter as the [Guardsmen] followed, laughing and talking.<\/p>\n

Today Selys was the topic of conversation. Drassi was off work, so she was there, as were eight of Selys\u2019 female friends and eleven male ones, even the ones Selys didn\u2019t talk to that often. Even the ones she\u2019d been fighting with and an ex-boyfriend. They all wanted to make up and talk with her. No guesses why.<\/p>\n

After fifteen minutes, Selys was sick of it. The other Drakes were wagging their tails, agog over the gossip about Selys being approached by a Wall Lord and<\/em> other cities to sell the armor. They wanted to know everything about it, what the reaction had been when the will had been read out loud. No one asked Selys about who had been wearing the armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we\u2026see it?\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the male Drakes suggested that quickly. The others leapt on his suggestion. That would be so rude! Selys was busy\u2014and Watch Captain Zevara had it under lock and key. Guarded. No one could see it. But if they could\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Zevara wants to keep everyone away. There are [Thieves] who want it, and there was an attempted break-in already.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone sighed in disappointment. Drassi nodded, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was another [Thief], Selys! They caught her this morning! Alive!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at her friend. But Drassi would know. She had both earholes to the ground, and she caught rumors like a lizard caught flies. That analogy had caused a fight the last time Selys had jokingly said it out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sure Zevara can handle it. And Ilvriss. And Embria. I\u2019m so done<\/em> with talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instantly, everyone took the cue. One of Selys\u2019 friends looked around in the rain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, right? It\u2019s so tiring <\/em>talking about politics. Why don\u2019t we go to a bar and relax instead?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only just past morning!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014what if we\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The others started arguing over the favorite place Selys might like, picking all of her favorites. Selys listened gloomily. It was a bit sickening. And depressing. Selys knew her friends, and she wasn\u2019t surprised by how they were behaving. She\u2019d probably act the same way. At least Drassi was open about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I want to do is tell people I know you, Selys. Everyone\u2019s asking me to introduce them to you, and they want to see the armor! I bet you could get a date with any guy in the city\u2014even the married ones\u2014if you promised to let them touch it. By the way, did you hear about the Goblins in Erin\u2019s inn? They got their own artifacts\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one wants to hear about Goblins<\/em>, Drassi!\u201d<\/p>\n

One of Selys\u2019 female friends, Wuvisa, glared at Drassi. The [Barmaid] rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not bad,<\/em> Wuvisa. They don\u2019t cause trouble\u2014or try to slap your tail or butt like the Drakes in the bars I used to work at! They\u2019re really scary, true, but listen\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Selys Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n

A voice interrupted Drassi. All the young Drakes turned. Watch Captain Zevara strode up to them. She was in full uniform, and Selys saw more than one of her male friends eye her tail admiringly. What was the saying? There was nothing like a Drake in uniform. Or something. Selys just sighed. She had no time for tails, and neither did Zevara. The Watch Captain nodded to Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll have to borrow you, Miss Shivertail. There are a number of dignitaries and officials waiting to speak with you. In connection to your inheritance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other Drakes oohed <\/em>and tried to pester Zevara with questions. Selys didn\u2019t. She looked at Zevara\u2019s unhappy face and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Zevara led Selys through the city and into Liscor\u2019s city hall. There was a small meeting room set up with snacks and drinks. The Watch Captain offered Selys a seat, and after a moment, showed a Drake in. Selys rose as a Drake from Pallass\u2014a senator from the Assembly of Crafts\u2014walked in and gave Selys a bright smile. She was the first of a series of Drakes who had requested to meet Selys. All about the armor she owned. Selys sat, nibbling on her snacks and sipping from a cup, bewildered, listening.<\/p>\n

Each Drake wanted something from her, and each one phrased it differently. A Senator from Pallass, a [Mage] representing Wistram, a Drake speaking for Zeres, one from Oteslia, a trio of Drakes from lesser cities, Wing Commander Embria\u2026<\/p>\n

That last conversation stood out to Selys. At least Embria was short and to the point. She didn\u2019t beat about the bush, or offer Selys condolences for her loss or compliments. She walked in, gave Selys a firm handshake, and got straight to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want the armor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo does everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys\u2019 arms were folded. Embria nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m well aware of the politics, Miss Selys. May I call you Selys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve had any number of offers for the armor. Trades, bargains\u2014and threats, no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys was silent. More than one Drake had hinted\u2014<\/em>not quite overtly\u2014that there could be trouble if the armor didn\u2019t come their way. That was a scary threat, especially when it came from an entire Walled City. But a [Receptionist] could at least do a good blank face, so Embria got nothing more than the others. Embria went on without missing a beat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to know that your safety is my priority, and the priority of Liscor\u2019s High Command, regardless of what your decision is. Obviously, the army would appreciate the use of such a powerful artifact. We could reimburse you some of the cost, although I\u2019m afraid purchasing the armor outright would strain even a Walled City\u2019s military budget.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s my incentive? You\u2019ll protect me if all the bad Drakes get angry?\u201d<\/p>\n

Embria\u2019s face didn\u2019t move, but her tail gave the tiniest of twitches<\/em>, telling Selys she was getting to the Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope you could think of your civic pride. If not to us, then perhaps you might consider relinquishing it to the city\u2019s custody? It could still be your possession, but be put to use defending the city itself as the situation demands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly it\u2019d be yours. I get the point. Thanks, Wing Commander, is it? You can skip the part where I\u2019ll end up dead in my bed if I don\u2019t give the armor to you. I\u2019ll just assume you said it, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys saw Embria\u2019s eyes flash. The Drake stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow listen here you<\/em> ungrateful\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWing Commander Embria!\u201d<\/p>\n

The red-scaled Drake snapped to attention. Zevara opened the door, giving her a frown. The Wing Commander\u2019s red cheeks turned darker. Selys waved at Zevara, who gave her a resigned look. She\u2019d had to stop Drakes from trying to throttle or attack Selys three times today. Selys was in a bad mood, and she was inclined to share it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s enough for now, Wing Commander. Don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. My apologies, Miss Selys. I shouldn\u2019t have lost my temper. Consider my offer carefully. Liscor\u2019s army is here to serve the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t see you when all the moths were trying to eat us!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys shouted at Embria\u2019s back. She heard the door slam<\/em> and sat back with some satisfaction. Zevara eyed her as she took a seat\u2014and a handful of dried fruit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought [Receptionists] were supposed to be welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. And it\u2019s my day off. How many more do I have?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys sighed. She was tired. Zevara shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone for now. Ilvriss declined to take up your time. He just wants you to remember\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll buy the armor. Yeah, yeah. And if I sell to him, Pallass might send an arrow into my skull.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara grimaced as she chewed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a threat. I\u2019d like to say it\u2019s an idle one. If they do that, it\u2019ll be a war.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t help me if I\u2019m dead. All these Drakes\u2014you know, Oteslia offered me thirty thousand gold pieces and food for life? Just that. Food. They\u2019ll feed me. What am I, a [Gourmet]?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to compete with sheer wealth. Salazsar is rich, Oteslia less so. Other groups will offer you different incentives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the Drakes offered me slaves.<\/em> Is that legal here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s rare, but not unheard of. There are strict rules about them, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever. I don\u2019t want slaves. I don\u2019t want<\/em> Wistram\u2019s lesser artifacts or the gratitude of Liscor\u2019s army. What should I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked pleadingly at Zevara. She wasn\u2019t that much older than Selys. Maybe seven or eight years, at most. But the Watch Captain felt older. Zevara hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea, Miss Selys. It\u2019s a tricky situation with a time limit, as you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long do I have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure. Wall Lord Ilvriss is protecting the armor, and I believe his escort can ward off any potential thieves. I have Relc and Klbkch on guard duty as well, but Wall Lord Ilvriss is<\/em> a member of Salazsar when all is said and done. There is some question about him influencing you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPolitics. He helped us defend Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts exactly. And he hasn\u2019t given me any reason to doubt his word. It\u2019s just that giving him aid\u2014and by proxy, Salazsar\u2014would put Liscor in a tricky spot, especially with this doorway to Pallass. I can\u2019t make a decision for you, but you should know what might occur.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara offered Selys a sympathetic look. She glanced at Selys\u2019 empty cup and reached for the tea pot.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could just sell it. The amount of gold you\u2019d get from an heirloom like that would set you up for life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if I sell it to Ilvriss\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSell it to Wistram. Or the army. Those are the safest bets. They might not be able to outbid a larger city, but you\u2019ll get the least amount of trouble for it. I think we Drakes would be happier if none of us had it, rather than one of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys buried her head in her hands. Zevara looked at her and cleared her throat a few times.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at it this way, Miss Selys. Make a decision, and you\u2019ll be rich for life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever long I have left.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was nothing Zevara could say to that.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was too hard. Selys lay on her grandmother\u2019s desk, groaning. Her grandmother looked at her and then pushed her off.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have work to do, Selys. This is your day off. Enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow? I can\u2019t go anywhere without an escort, and I have a magical artifact under lock and key! What am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop lying on the floor. It\u2019s dirty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys got up. She felt wretched.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think I should do, Grandma?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSell it. Or give it away. I don\u2019t particularly care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia sighed as Selys groaned and flopped back onto her desk. She rapped Selys on the head with a knuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re making too much of a fuss about this, Selys. The armor is armor. You\u2019ll make enemies no matter what you do, so take the best deal and live with your choices! I had someone after my head when I was eleven!<\/em> You\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Grandma\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to decide for yourself. No moping! Get out there and make a choice, young one! And don\u2019t let me catch you bothering the adventurers downstairs!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know one I can bother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen go find them. But stay out of my Guild! Until work tomorrow. I expect you on time, escort and armor or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

There was no good way out. No right decision. Selys was trapped. And she hated everything. Right now she hated Pisces, despite him being very helpful of late.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry these command phrases next. \u2018Ia curim law<\/em>\u2019. \u2018What is will be and shall ever be the will of flame.\u2019 Um\u2026\u2018Drakes rule.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces paced back and forth as Selys kept her hands on the Heartflame Breastplate. She looked up at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeriously? Drakes rule?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny phrase could work, Selys. Any one at all. It\u2019s the most nonsensical that would<\/em> be chosen so no one would guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no point. I give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys leaned her cheek against the metal, not caring about smudging the legendary artifact anymore. Pisces turned to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say that. Isn\u2019t this exciting? The challenge. Imagine it! You could unlock the secrets of a powerful artifact today!\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes gleamed. Selys just made a thbbting <\/em>sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. Someone else is going to get the armor. Let them have it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. So you\u2019re inclined to sell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m inclined not to die. Which means I have to sell at some point, only there\u2019s no one I can sell it to<\/em> that won\u2019t make someone else mad! I\u2019ll have to sell it and hire a [Bodyguard] for the rest of my life. How is that good?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have<\/em> to sell it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? And keep it? Zevara won\u2019t guard it forever\u2014Relc\u2019s already complaining about his job. [Thieves] will take it, or someone will kidnap me for it\u2014what other options are there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could lend it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah! That\u2019s the same problem!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019ve got no choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys turned her head away. She knew Pisces was trying to help, but she was just done with it all. Erin could handle something like this, but normal Selys had nothing. She\u2019d just sell it to Embria. Or give it to Wistram. That was safe. Then she\u2019d ask Zevara for protection\u2026<\/p>\n

What a mess. Selys leaned against the armor as she sensed Pisces coming over. He sat next to her quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you recall what I told you yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not helping, Pisces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps not. But you never gave me an answer. I asked you if you wanted this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t. Problem solved. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a truthful answer. Truly, honestly, without the issue of pressure, do you want this armor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe it does. You should make a choice that is honest to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonest? Myself? Honestly, I don\u2019t want<\/em> this! I\u2019m not special, Pisces! I\u2019m not an adventurer like you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys raised her head. She wasn\u2019t crying, but she was angry. She glared at the [Necromancer].<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not meant for this. I\u2019m just a [Receptionist]. This shouldn\u2019t happen<\/em> to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yet it did. You may be Selys Shivertail, a [Receptionist], but your uncle was Zel Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mention him. He\u2019s not like me. He lived in a different world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces raised his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? You were part of that world. You can\u2019t deny it! You may have only been his niece, but he cared about you, enough to give you his armor!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a mistake!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was his will.<\/em> And you were part of his life! Enough so that he gave you this, even by mistake! You were part of a legend\u2019s life, Selys. You can\u2019t deny it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys thrust Pisces away. He retreated a bit, hurt. But he didn\u2019t give up. He called at Selys as she wrapped her tail around her body.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to be ordinary, you can claim ignorance, but you know that you\u2019re at least related to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, shut up!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys screamed at Pisces. She was so frustrated and angry that she actually hissed<\/em> at him. The sound was loud in the small room, an angry viper\u2019s hiss. Selys felt hot with embarrassment. No\u2014not hot. Warm. She saw Pisces staring at her, pale-faced, and felt awful.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSelys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I didn\u2019t mean to\u2014you should probably go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSelys!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces was pointing, his finger shaking. Selys looked at him. Then she turned.<\/p>\n

Behind her, the Heartflame Armor blazed. It was on fire.<\/em> Flickering, ghostly-pale red and orange flames licked across the armor, burning without smoke. There was heat without sound, motion without fuel. Selys stared at the armor as it blazed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone hugged her from behind. Selys yelped and looked into Pisces\u2019 ecstatic face. The [Necromancer] danced about the armor, happier than Selys had ever seen him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was it! That was it! Of all the sounds! What genius! What simple\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? What was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys was confused until she recalled what she\u2019d done. Her eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cHissing?<\/em> But that\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo simple! Isn\u2019t it? You wouldn\u2019t expect it to be a phrase, and if you heard it in the heat of battle\u2014and it\u2019s something only a Drake would do! Do it again! Turn it off!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll burn myself!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry touching it from the inside!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cautiously, Selys did. She could feel the heat<\/em> of the flames, but the inside of the breastplate was simply warm. Selys hissed<\/em>, feeling embarrassed, but to her astonishment it worked! The flames immediately vanished. Pisces whistled slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncredible. Hissing. A simple command, not lengthy, easy to activate and so simple that it would be overlooked by anyone attempting to guess the password. I suspect you can subvocalize the noise and activate the enchantment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSub what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake the sound so small, so inaudible that no one can hear it but you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried it. The flames flickered into life across the armor though the hissing<\/em> sound barely passed her lips. Selys jumped. Pisces smiled widely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWondrous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys just stared at the armor. The flames licking across the metal were hypnotic. They weren\u2019t just fiery red anymore\u2014they had shifted to become slightly purple with a white core. As if the flames were reacting to something? It was magical fire, and a magical effect. Selys felt someone standing next to her. Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so I ask you one last time, Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at him. Pisces pointed to the burning armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at it. Selys. This armor was given to you. It was your uncle\u2019s will that you have it. I have but one question for you: do you want it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at him. She looked at the armor. She closed her eyes. She didn\u2019t need to think of the answer. She\u2019d known it all along.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mine. It\u2019s what my uncle gave to me. It\u2019s mine.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached out and turned the enchantment off. Selys touched the warm metal slowly. Mine. <\/em>Hers. Of course she wanted it. What Drake wouldn\u2019t? And there was a part of her that remembered. She\u2019d wanted to be an adventurer, wanted to be a hero.<\/p>\n

Maybe her uncle hadn\u2019t thought of it. Maybe he hadn\u2019t updated his will. But he had known the Goblin Lord was coming. Maybe he hadn\u2019t cared. Or maybe he\u2019d remembered and decided to do nothing anyways.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it like, Uncle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces was staring. Selys turned her head. There was an epiphany in her mind, a rushing roar of understanding. She felt like her heart was about to beat out of her chest. Everything was slow and fast at the same time. Dreamlike.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a strange world we live in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was Pisces for you. He stared curiously at Selys, waiting for her to elaborate. She stared at the armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this real? Or am I dreaming? It doesn\u2019t feel real. It\u2019s like a fantasy. Something I\u2019d imagine. How could this happen to someone like me?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no answer. There never was. Selys was ordinary Selys. A Drake without aspirations, without ambition. Only, that wasn\u2019t true. She\u2019d had all those things, once. She\u2019d just given up on them.<\/p>\n

The armor was heavy. Probably six pounds. Which was heavy for the average breastplate. But it was balanced well. Selys lifted it off the stand. If you wore it, it would be easy to move around in. Far lighter than if you had a back plate, too.<\/p>\n

It felt like it should be heavier. Selys lifted the armor up. A legend\u2019s armor. It had been worn by General Ironscales, by heroes of the Drakes. It had been worn by the Tidebreaker, and it had seen more battle and glory than Selys could ever imagine. It was an artifact worthy of myth.<\/p>\n

And it still looked a bit tacky. Selys inspected the Heartflame Breastplate.<\/p>\n

Then she put it on.<\/p>\n

Pisces gasped<\/em>. Selys fastened the straps around her body, feeling the metal shift<\/em> to fit her form. It was a perfect match, despite having been on Zel\u2019s chest before now. It fit like a glove. And it was\u2014comforting. Selys turned, and Pisces backed up. His eyes were wide. He looked awed, in wonder and happy with it. Another emotion she\u2019d never seen in him. Selys smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going. Are you coming with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed. And pointed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Liscor was busy in the rain. People walked to and fro under awnings, grumbling about the rain but accustomed to the season\u2019s weather. There was a lot to do. Business was business, and there was actually more business in the spring. A lot of Drakes were on boats outside the city, hauling in prodigious catches of fish and watching out for aquatic monsters. Others were fishing from<\/em> the walls, casting their lines into the water and returning with buckets of fish of varying sizes, shapes, and taste.<\/p>\n

So there were plenty of people on the streets. Plenty of people who were going about their ordinary days doing what they thought of as mundane things. They looked up when they heard the shouting. They saw an ordinary Drake striding down the wet street. An ordinary Drake, a young woman. A [Receptionist].<\/p>\n

Wearing the Heartflame Armor.<\/p>\n

Selys heard the shouting. She\u2019d been hearing it since she\u2019d left the room with Pisces following. She had a crowd in her wake. Angry Drakes, [Guardsmen], officials. Shouting at her. Telling her all kinds of things.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t do that!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho do you think you are?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Noise. Selys walked through it all. She stopped in the street as Drakes and Gnolls paused, looking at her. The Heartflame Breastplate was warm on her chest. It shone. It would make a good nightlight. But that wasn\u2019t all it could do. Selys took a breath, her heart pounding. Then, ever so softly, so quietly even the Gnolls couldn\u2019t hear it, she hissed<\/em>.<\/p>\n

And there was fire. It sprang around Selys, covering her hands, her tail, her face\u2014but she could see straight through the flames. It was only when she looked at her body that she saw the blue flame. She heard the angry shouting go silent. And then there were voices raised in awe.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t matter, either. It was just Selys, standing in the street. She stood and felt the armor burning.<\/p>\n

Heat.<\/em> Selys closed her eyes. She felt warm. Only, it wasn\u2019t heat. The burning flames around her didn\u2019t touch her scales. She didn\u2019t feel the temperature. But her heart\u2014<\/p>\n

Her heart beat fiercely in her chest. Her blood rushed. Selys opened her eyes and felt alive. <\/em>She looked around and finally took in the crowd.<\/p>\n

People were staring at her. Hundreds. Some were running, others shouting. A Drake had fallen to his knees. A Gnoll was staring mesmerized into the flames. Another Gnoll was shaking her head, pinching herself. So many eyes, so many faces.<\/p>\n

All turned towards her. It was surreal. Selys had been at the center of attention in the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. She had made announcements, shouted for attention\u2014never this. This was something else. This was a moment she couldn\u2019t forget, a brief window in time where a part of the world had stopped to stare.<\/p>\n

At her. Selys looked around and then started walking. She had to. She had to move. The crowd parted before her and trailed in her wake. Selys walked through the rain as it burned and turned to steam on her armor.<\/p>\n

She walked with her knees shaking, her head light. Every head turned towards her. Selys felt the world passing slowly. For a second, a minute, she was the center of the world. It was terrifying. Amazing.<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t supposed to be here. They were staring<\/em>\u2014Selys shook like a leaf. But she was warm<\/em>. And that gave her the courage to go on.<\/p>\n

Down the street. Through the crowds as every person in Liscor came to a stop. Whatever they were doing, whatever they had planned\u2014Selys occupied their attention. Zevara came running down the street and stopped. Embria paused as she and Ilvriss ran forwards. They became part of the audience.<\/p>\n

Left at the intersection. Walking the same path from her apartment she\u2019d always done. Selys looked around, trying to remember this feeling. Trying to capture every moment for the rest of her life.<\/p>\n

There was a two-story building ahead of her. The doors were worn with age. Selys put her hand on the handle and opened it. Adventurers rose to their feet. The [Receptionist] on duty fell out of her chair. Selys walked into the Adventurer\u2019s Guild.<\/p>\n

Her home. She heard the crowd press at the doors. She saw an elderly Drake walk down the stairs and waved at her. Tekshia stared at her granddaughter, blazing, on fire. Selys walked past the line of wet adventurers, seeing them flinch back from her. She saw the Halfseekers turn. Gold-rank adventurers, staring at her just the same as the children.<\/p>\n

The [Receptionist] at the desk backed away. Selys rested a claw on the wood and saw it begin to burn. She lifted her claw and turned. A room full of faces stared at her.<\/p>\n

Ten minutes. That\u2019s how long it had taken for her to come here at a slow walk. Ten minutes. That was enough.<\/p>\n

For ten minutes she had been a hero. Selys looked at her grandmother and saw Tekshia looking at her with an expression Selys had never seen on her face. Wonder? Awe? Respect? There were no words. Selys stepped behind her counter. She ran a claw over it and saw smoke rising. Then she leaned on the desk. She hissed,<\/em> and the flames died out.<\/p>\n

In the silence, the smoke drifting from the desk swirled upwards and vanished. The Drakes, Gnolls, Humans, and other adventurers stared at Selys. She stood at her desk, wearing the Heartflame Breastplate. She smiled as wide as she ever had.<\/p>\n

At the head of the crowd was a young man in white robes. Pisces stared at Selys. She beckoned him forwards, as if he were in line. He took a few hesitant steps. Selys leaned towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what comes next? Huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces blinked. He stared at her and then around the room. She didn\u2019t have to say it. She knew he was thinking the same thing. Sometimes, just sometimes, it was good<\/em> to be the center of attention. At last, Pisces smiled. He looked at Selys, that challenging, excited gleam in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. But I\u2019m eager to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Selys stood in a room with an odd group. Watch Captain Zevara. Wall Lord Ilvriss. Pisces. None of them were people she\u2019d normally talk to. Well, maybe Pisces, but that was so new, as well. And yet, she didn\u2019t feel afraid of talking to them anymore. Instead, Selys was all business.<\/p>\n

When you wore the Heartflame Breastplate, people listened<\/em> to you. Sometimes it was because you were on fire. But it was also because you\u2019d dared. Dared to put it on. Even Ilvriss hadn\u2019t dared to try. It was Selys\u2019 armor. Hers.<\/p>\n

And she was talking about giving it away. Pisces stood with a sheaf of parchment in hand, reading through his notes, talking animatedly. He\u2019d been using [Message] spells all day. He\u2019d taught himself the spell, apparently.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026and in light of the new enchantment\u2019s trigger being discovered, all of the cities are bidding desperately. They regard the armor\u2019s powers\u2014correctly\u2014as something that could turn the tide of battle if used to full effect. A [General] wouldn\u2019t need to fear danger, and take to the front lines with far more certainty, with such a powerful protective enchantment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf my uncle had known how it worked, I wonder if it would have helped him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no telling. But the armor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss stared at the breastplate. Selys had put it back on the armor stand. People also tended to stare at your chest if you wore it while talking to them. And it got heavy. Pisces nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have noted your increased bid for the armor, Wall Lord Ilvriss. Backed by your Walled City, you are, of course, fielding one of the highest bids for the armor, from a purely monetary perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the highest? Who else is bidding?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss swung around to stare at Pisces. The [Necromancer] smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cConfidential, I\u2019m afraid. Some of the potential buyers wish to preserve their anonymity, I\u2019m sure you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss narrowed his eyes, but he couldn\u2019t exactly sneer at or ignore Pisces. The young man cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, yours is certainly an alluring bid. And Pallass is aware of it. They are concerned about Wall Lord Ilvriss\u2019 ties to Liscor and have come up with a counteroffer, Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned to Selys and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re willing to offer you a modest sum if you\u2019ll agree not<\/em> to lend, lease, or otherwise give the armor to Wall Lord Ilvriss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara and Ilvriss looked at Pisces. He looked smug. Selys stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to sell it to Ilvriss? But then I\u2019d be getting money\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor nothing. Exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces looked around at the Drakes. He sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a simple concept! A magical artifact can make money simply by existing and remaining neutral\u2014especially in ideal circumstances like these. Pallass, and the other Walled Cities, are keen to get their hands on such an artifact, but not at the cost of outbidding each other. They would rather pay a small fee to ensure none of their enemies turn up on the battlefield wearing that armor than obtain it for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s robbery!\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara looked aghast at the idea of paying someone for nothing. Pisces laughed. He actually laughed!<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Just politics. Terandria has treaties like this in place. That\u2019s where I hit upon the idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re willing to hold onto the armor? Even if it means risking losing it? We can\u2019t guard it forever, especially if you want to wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss turned to Selys, looking exasperated. She shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still want to earn money off it. More money, I guess. Come on in!\u201d<\/p>\n

She raised her voice, and the door opened. Ilvriss looked past Selys and up,<\/em> as a giant head appeared. A half-Giant head. Moore stepped carefully into the room, bending so as not to bang his head on the ceiling. Jelaqua strode in after him, and Seborn appeared at their backs. Selys shook Jelaqua\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re serious about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid stared at the armor. Zevara and Ilvriss, catching on, stared hard at Selys. The [Receptionist] just nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to lease the armor to your team, Miss Jelaqua. Lease, not sell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the dungeon? How would that work?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid scratched at the back of her head, her claws brushing the spines. Her tail twitched, and Selys wondered if she could hiss<\/em> using her body\u2019s new throat. They\u2019d figure something out, if not.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very simple. I\u2019ll let you use the armor to take on the dungeon\u2014or any missions in the area. You\u2019d have to give it back to me after a set amount of time, but you can use it until our contract expires.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Halfseekers stared at each other. Seborn raised a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if we lose it or it breaks? We\u2019re adventurers. Accidents happen.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can find something that can break the Heartflame Breastplate, I\u2019d love to see it. From really far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys folded her arms. She nodded at a book that Pisces had found for her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been doing some research. With Pisces. Possession of artifacts is very clear. Under Drake law it means that if you die with the armor on in the dungeon, it\u2019s mine. If it\u2019s stolen, it\u2019s still mine. Only in war does that rule not apply. If you lose it in the dungeon, I\u2019ll hire someone to get it back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s not likely to break. Alright. But what happens to you in the meantime? I\u2019ve been hearing rumors that lots of people are targeting you. I\u2019d hate to get my team involved in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelaqua looked around at the other Drakes and hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026politics.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good point. Miss Selys, your life would be in danger if\u2014especially if you lent<\/em> the armor to adventurers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss looked like he was struggling to find a flaw in Selys\u2019 plan. The Drake [Receptionist] just smiled. She looked at Pisces, who gave her a self-satisfied smirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cPisces had an idea about that, actually. It\u2019s the kind of underhanded thing I would expect from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shall take that compliment in the spirit with which it was given.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExplain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara demanded of Pisces. It was Selys who replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the event of my death, the armor doesn\u2019t go to anyone in my family. No matter what I say, no matter what I might sign, it\u2019ll go straight back to Magnolia Reinhart. With instructions on how to use it. That will is good for ten years, at which point I\u2019ll have to renew it or write another one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack to\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss spluttered in horror at the thought. Selys imagined that would be the reaction of most Drakes. She nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack to her. I can\u2019t change it no matter what. That will is solid and sealed by a Wistram Mage\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFalene. Pah. As if I couldn\u2019t do the spellcasting myself, given a moment\u2019s time to study\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Watch Captain of Liscor ignored Pisces. She studied Selys seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if she has you killed? Magnolia Reinhart uses [Assassins].\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys gritted her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen she\u2019ll have to get through every Drake who cares about the armor to get me. And I\u2019d say one Human [Lady] being after me is better than six Walled Cities pulling me apart, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilvriss had the decency to blush slightly. He looked around and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors. You\u2019re serious about this, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely. Jelaqua, if you\u2019re willing, I\u2019ll lease the armor to you. I know I could find a team in Pallass or someone else in Liscor\u2014the Silver Swords, maybe\u2014but I wanted to ask you first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelaqua looked dumbfounded. She looked at her teammates and then at Selys, rather helplessly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, of course we\u2019d love to borrow it, even for a day! But Selys, we can\u2019t afford\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s not about how much you can pay me now. I just want a cut of whatever you get.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys interrupted the Selphid. Jelaqua snapped her fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do? Of course! A cut of the treasure!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need artifacts or anything else. All I want is a percentage of anything you find. You can have first rights to artifacts, and compensate me the cost.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Halfseekers stared at Selys. She held her breath as they turned. Moore covered their heads as he bent his to confer. Jelaqua turned back within a minute.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it\u2019s a percentage of our findings, we could offer you thirty percent\u2014but let\u2019s talk this over, okay? How\u2019s a drink sound? At Erin\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys smiled. She turned to Pisces, and he gave her a thumbs-up. He looked satisfied as he edged over to Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get a cut of the profits, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared flatly at him. Pisces lost his smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Was that the wrong time to ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

He yelped<\/em> as Selys poked him in the side. The [Receptionist] winked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t over with the Halfseekers. Before they met to discuss the terms of their contract, which would be magically enforced and certified by Liscor\u2019s Watch Captain, Selys strode into Tekshia Shivertail\u2019s office. The elderly Drake looked up as Selys thrust a parchment onto the table for her. Selys didn\u2019t wait for Tekshia to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Goblins are going to be a Bronze-rank team. They\u2019ll work their way up through the system, but this way Liscor can take credit for them entering the dungeon, and we get a cut of whatever they find. Otherwise, we have five Goblins running about who aren\u2019t under anyone\u2019s control but Erin\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia picked up the form to create a Bronze-rank team. She studied it. Then she pushed it back across the desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys leaned over the desk. She should have worn her armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia\u2019s face didn\u2019t change.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t trust them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI<\/em> do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? You\u2019re not the [Guildmistress].\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at her grandmother. She glared and then took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not. But I say it should be this way, Grandma. If you\u2019ll sign this, I\u2019ll take responsibility for the Goblins. If they cause trouble, I\u2019ll take the blame. Not you. You can put that in writing.\u201d<\/p>\n

She jabbed a claw at the parchment. For a second she thought Tekshia would scoff at her, but then, to her astonishment, Tekshia laughed. The elderly Drake grabbed a quill as Selys stared at her in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how long I\u2019ve been waiting to hear you take some responsibility for your actions? Fine. If you\u2019ll put your tail on the line\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She signed the parchment with a flourish. Selys gaped at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t stare. I\u2019ve waited for ages for you to suggest something and have the spine to back up what you\u2019re suggesting. You\u2019ll never get anywhere by trying to get someone else to take the risks, Selys. An adult takes chances,<\/em> and backs them up! A shame you had to make Goblin adventurers your first big decision. Ah, well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia sighed as she pushed the parchment back towards Selys. The Drake stared and then snatched the parchment up. She peered at the signature. It was real. She glared at her grandmother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, was this all another test? You mean all my suggestions\u2014Pisces cleaning the sewers\u2014all that was to prepare me to follow in your footsteps?\u201d<\/p>\n

The old Drake paused in nibbling at her quill tip.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly. I just don\u2019t like [Necromancers]. What\u2019s this about you following in my footsteps?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought\u2014you were preparing to make me the Guildmaster! Guildmistress!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been having me run about, do all kinds of important work for the Guild. And you keep talking about your bad back and how much work there is. I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys trailed off as Tekshia gave her an incredulous look. The old Drake shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuildmaster? You thought I was grooming you to replace me? Hah!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She barked a laugh and pointed her inky quill at Selys like a dagger. Tekshia grinned, her teeth inky in one spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have my place when I\u2019m dead, Selys, and not a moment before! I just wanted you to take some responsibility and start leveling up again!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys felt like Tekshia had kicked the rug out from under her. The old Drake cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll give you a small raise. Assuming you\u2019re not too busy, running around in armor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014but\u2014you\u2014I worked so hard\u2014<\/em>and you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys spluttered. Tekshia shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not having my job. Too much good fortune is bad for your character, anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you! I worked so hard! And for what? I\u2019m not working overtime again!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys raged as she turned and stomped away from the desk. She had to come back for the parchment. Tekshia nearly laughed her tail off. But she stopped Selys as the young Drake stormed for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a smart idea to keep it, Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys turned. The young Drake woman smiled at Tekshia, her anger forgotten.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. And I couldn\u2019t just give it away. After all, Uncle Zel gave it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tekshia sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did, at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door closed. Tekshia watched Selys hurry down the street through the window and laughed before snorting.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuildmistress? Hah! Not this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she reached under her desk and produced something round and soft to nibble on while she worked. It was a cookie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t over. Selys sat at a table in The Wandering Inn, talking animatedly with Jelaqua. She was no [Shopkeeper], but she had a certain degree of charm, and she could talk shop with any adventurer under the sun.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just asking for a reasonable percentage of whatever profits you make. With this armor, you can literally walk through<\/em> some traps unharmed. And the flame enchantment will protect you from all kinds of effects. For a Selphid you\u2019d practically be invulnerable, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue. But we haven\u2019t tested the magnitude of the enchantments. Forty percent is high. Hell, thirty<\/em> percent is high! We\u2019re doing all the work!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I have a legendary artifact. With it on, you might be a Named Adventurer, Jelaqua. Think of that. If you don\u2019t want it, I could talk to Ylawes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid was thinking, Selys could tell. Jelaqua leaned back to whisper to Seborn, and someone passed by their table.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother round?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin lifted a mug, smiling. Selys smiled too. She had barely had time to talk with Erin over these last few days. But that was the thing, wasn\u2019t it? Erin had her busy life to lead. She was always getting into trouble or finding something weird. And for once, Selys could relate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have a fruit drink, Erin. No more alcohol. But can I have another kebab?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComing right up! Hey, did you know I didn\u2019t make this, for once? Ishkr\u2019s really good at searing the meat. As good as I am with my [Advanced Cooking] Skill!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin left and returned with some hot skewers of pork and chicken. Selys gobbled one down happily as Jelaqua looked resigned. She had her on the ropes! Selys would be content with thirty five percent, actually. It was just a matter of getting the Selphid to agree\u2026<\/p>\n

Selys paused as she chewed and swallowed. Her armor was going to be huge, especially if Jelaqua\u2019s team found something. But there was something she had to do as well tonight. It had to be tonight. She\u2019d talked with Zevara, and it had to be tonight. Zel\u2019s remains would be transported through to Pallass tomorrow with a huge honor guard. So\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cErin, I need a big favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Innkeeper] looked intrigued. Selys scooted her chair back to whisper in her ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need you to pull a few strings to get some people to help me. Here\u2019s what I\u2019ll need\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Later that night, two [Guardsmen] stood in one corner of Liscor as the rain fell unceasingly. They were on duty\u2014it was customary for the Watch to post a guard here, regardless of weather or circumstance. The graveyards of all major cities were well-tended, and the remains were disposed of in such a way that the undead couldn\u2019t rise, but you could never be too certain.<\/p>\n

It was wet. One of the [Guardsmen] shifted and yawned. He raised his voice and spoke above the patter of rain to his companion.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay, Klb, old buddy. How much trouble would we be in if we were caught doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium standing next to him paused. Rain dripped off his mandibles as he opened them to reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy saying \u2018we\u2019, are you referring to you and I as Senior Guardsmen, the four of us present in the graveyard, or the entire group, including Watch Captain Zevara and Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n

Relc paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm. I believe in our case we would both be fired, or forced to resign instantly, be court martialed, perhaps imprisoned, and potentially be executed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Right. I was just curious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

They turned their attention back to watching. Not watching for intruders, but rather, watching for anyone who might catch the two intruders already in the graveyard. They were holding shovels. One of them whispered to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you hurry up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m trying! This would be easier if you would let me use an undead, rather than do it myself\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces straightened, mopping dirt, sweat, and rain from his forehead. Selys glared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, and get murdered for desecrating the graveyard more than we already are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is a treasonous offense, either way. The coffin is just a few more feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has bones in it. Of course I\u2019m sure!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces was irate. He hadn\u2019t signed up for manual labor, as he\u2019d pointed out all night, but Selys had trusted no one else. Ironically, the [Necromancer] was her only expert in this field. Digging up a grave.<\/p>\n

Not just any grave either. Selys shuddered. She pointed at Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you dare steal so much as a bone from this graveyard. I mean it, Pisces!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t dare.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sounded sincere, so Selys relaxed. Pisces grunted as he hopped back in the hole he\u2019d dug.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, all the bones are disposed of in such a way that they can\u2019t be used easily. Warded coffins, silver dust\u2026it really is inconvenient. Or so I\u2019ve heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease stop talking. You\u2019re standing over his<\/em> grave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys closed her eyes tightly. She clutched the urn to her chest as Pisces kept digging. She heard him pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked down. Pisces clambered out of the hole he\u2019d dug and eyed the gravestone in front of the hole. It was a marvelous tombstone, a grand thing that looked a lot better in the daylight. The name of the owner was emblazoned across it. A name every Drake child knew. A name from history.<\/p>\n

General Sserys.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe coffin is right there. I presume you don\u2019t want to open it? It\u2019s probably loaded with enough ward spells to destroy half this graveyard if I managed to break through it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s fine. It just needs to be next to the coffin. Here. Give me a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces walked back. He stared at Selys as she opened the urn. In the pouring rain, Selys hesitated over the hole. A perverse part of her thought it would be so funny if she tripped and fell in. Then she stared at the urn.<\/p>\n

It was so small. Too small. And try as she might, Selys couldn\u2019t find enough sadness in her heart. It was still there, but she\u2019d done so much mourning that it was smaller. Truly. And this moment didn\u2019t strike her as sad. She held the urn over the grave and said a few words that were lost to the rain. Perhaps Pisces heard them\u2014perhaps not. The rain was loud. But then again, he could read lips.<\/p>\n

Selys poured the urn\u2019s contents into the hole in the ground. The ash fell, a brief cloud, settling into the grave. Selys stood there for a minute and then turned to Pisces.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, let\u2019s cover it all back up. Hand me a shovel.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two got to work, piling the wet, heavy dirt back into the grave and tamping it down. Pisces even levitated the plaque back into place, adding the uprooted turf so it looked like no one had ever tampered with the grave. The two stepped back, and there was a moment where they looked at each other. Pisces cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurnscale. Not a word I\u2019m familiar with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys jumped. She glanced at Pisces, and he shrugged. Selys hesitated and turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably because it\u2019s not a word you\u2019d find in any Drake book.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded, flicking wet hair out of his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re most likely correct. But I can guess the meaning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. It\u2019s fairly obvious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the context of what you\u2019ve done, I can only infer one conclusion. Selys. Am I right in thinking\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked at Pisces. He fell silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Necromancer] looked startled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruly? I can understand General Shivertail. But was Sserys\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake [Receptionist] hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one knew. He died long ago, and Uncle never talked about it. But I think he and Uncle were\u2026he wouldn\u2019t have written that, if it hadn\u2019t been true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zel Shivertail\u2019s will. The words that had been taboo, unutterable. Unthinkable. They came to Selys, unbidden.<\/p>\n

Bury me with my love.<\/em><\/p>\n

A simple request, nothing more. She had honored it as best she could. Selys turned away. Pisces stared at the grave.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you imagine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it were true. Think of what that would mean for history!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was true. No one talked about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys stared at the grave. It felt\u2026good. She\u2019d just dug up a grave, in a sense, despoiled the grave of Liscor\u2019s greatest hero, General Sserys. If Embria had known about this, she would have beheaded Selys and Pisces in an instant. Or stabbed them. She did use a spear. But Selys only felt good. It was what Zel had wanted. And she thought it was what Sserys would have wanted.<\/p>\n

She lingered over the grave, as Pisces walked back towards the entrance of the graveyard, where Relc and Klbkch were waiting. Selys stared at the grave. There was no grave for Zel, no marker of where he had been truly buried. But she thought he might have liked it that way. He didn\u2019t like standing out, in the end. He\u2019d done it out of duty.<\/p>\n

And now, he was gone. Selys rubbed at her eyes but found nothing to irritate them but grave dirt. It truly was the end. She bowed her head and spoke one last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Uncle. Rest well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Above, the rain kept falling. It should have stopped. There should have been a moment of peace, perhaps a brief ray of sunlight or something else. But there was nothing. Selys turned and trudged away. She looked back only once.<\/p>\n

She wondered what had been. What might have been. And for an instant, Selys imagined a tall [General], proud and commanding, laughing with Zel Shivertail over a cup, in the corner of an inn. For a moment Selys could see it\u2014then it was gone. Selys left the graveyard, empty urn in hand. She had to come back fifteen minutes later to find the lid.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how it finished. That night, Selys stayed up late, taking care to wash all the dirt off her scales in a tepid bath of rainwater and soap. Then she sat in her small apartment and made a small fire, though the rainy spring night really didn\u2019t call for it. She let the fire burn hotly for a long while, breaking up the decaying logs and embers until it was burning low, and then extinguished it. Then Selys waited some more, until the embers were out. She gathered a dustpan and broom and began collecting what was in her fireplace. She got a good helping\u2014not too much, and sifted through it to remove any telltale debris.<\/p>\n

At last, Selys poured the hot ash and dust into the urn and then set it carefully on her dresser, wiping the rim so it looked polished and untouched. Selys stared at it for a second and then shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave fun burying that with a big ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned, blew out the candle on her bed, and lay down. She was so tired<\/em>. Selys hadn\u2019t ever been more exhausted in her life, not even after fighting for her life against the undead! She had worn herself down. But she felt good. Relaxed. Almost at once, Selys drifted off to sleep.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[Receptionist Level 19!]<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[Heiress Level 6!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Legacy Whispers: Heartflame Set obtained!]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the night, the rain poured down. Slowly, the Drake sat back up in her bed. Eyes wide. She heard thunder and then words. There was no voice that spoke them, no tongue to shape them. They appeared in her head, searing, unforgettable.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

To find the helm of fire,<\/em><\/p>\n

Look to death\u2019s ire;<\/em><\/p>\n

That village without rest,<\/em><\/p>\n

Where the Putrid One met his death.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They were there, and then only a memory. But what a memory. Selys sat in bed, clutching her covers to her chest, heart pounding wildly. She looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors.\u201d<\/p>\n

And then she went back to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhat\u2019s it like, being a [General], Uncle Zel?\u201d \u201cA [General]? Hm. That\u2019s a difficult question. Why, are you planning on becoming a [General] instead of a Named Adventurer, Selys?\u201d \u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t want to join the army. Grandma hates them. I do, too. Every time they come home, they cause trouble. They tried to kill some […]<\/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":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693134],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-4798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-5","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5.18 S - The Wandering Inn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5.18 S\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cWhat\u2019s it like, being a [General], Uncle Zel?\u201d \u201cA [General]? Hm. That\u2019s a difficult question. Why, are you planning on becoming a [General] instead of a Named Adventurer, Selys?\u201d \u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t want to join the army. Grandma hates them. I do, too. Every time they come home, they cause trouble. They tried to kill some […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Wandering Inn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-09-04T13:31:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-24T00:58:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"881\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"pirateaba\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@WanderingInn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WanderingInn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"pirateaba\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"91 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"pirateaba\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4\"},\"headline\":\"5.18 S\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-09-04T13:31:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-24T00:58:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\"},\"wordCount\":18200,\"commentCount\":106,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"fantasy\",\"inn\",\"web novel\",\"web serial\",\"Writing\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Volume 5\",\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\",\"name\":\"5.18 S - The Wandering Inn\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2018-09-04T13:31:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-24T00:58:01+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"5.18 S\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\",\"name\":\"The Wandering Inn\",\"description\":\"The Wandering Inn is an ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial by pirateaba with millions of readers worldwide.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"TWI\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"The Wandering Inn\",\"alternateName\":\"Wandering Inn\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":881,\"caption\":\"The Wandering Inn\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/WanderingInn\",\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thewanderinginnverse\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TheWanderingInn\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thewanderinginnverse\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/the-wandering-inn\"],\"description\":\"The Wandering Inn is a popular, ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial authored by pirateaba, captivating millions of readers worldwide. Known for its unique blend of epic fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling, The Wandering Inn follows the journey of a young woman navigating a world shaped by magic and levels. With a dedicated fanbase and consistent updates, The Wandering Inn offers readers an engaging experience through its website, Kindle, and audiobook formats, and provides exclusive content through Patreon for fans eager to delve deeper into its world\",\"email\":\"media@wanderinginn.com\",\"legalName\":\"pirateaba llc\",\"taxID\":\"88-1575608\",\"duns\":\"078154126\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"1\",\"maxValue\":\"10\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4\",\"name\":\"pirateaba\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg\",\"caption\":\"pirateaba\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/author\/pirateaba\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"5.18 S - The Wandering Inn","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"5.18 S","og_description":"\u201cWhat\u2019s it like, being a [General], Uncle Zel?\u201d \u201cA [General]? Hm. That\u2019s a difficult question. Why, are you planning on becoming a [General] instead of a Named Adventurer, Selys?\u201d \u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t want to join the army. Grandma hates them. I do, too. Every time they come home, they cause trouble. They tried to kill some […]","og_url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/","og_site_name":"The Wandering Inn","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn","article_published_time":"2018-09-04T13:31:56+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-12-24T00:58:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":881,"url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"pirateaba","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@WanderingInn","twitter_site":"@WanderingInn","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"pirateaba","Est. reading time":"91 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/"},"author":{"name":"pirateaba","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4"},"headline":"5.18 S","datePublished":"2018-09-04T13:31:56+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-24T00:58:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/"},"wordCount":18200,"commentCount":106,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization"},"keywords":["fantasy","inn","web novel","web serial","Writing"],"articleSection":["Volume 5","Writing"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/","name":"5.18 S - The Wandering Inn","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2018-09-04T13:31:56+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-24T00:58:01+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/09\/04\/5-18-s\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"5.18 S"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/","name":"The Wandering Inn","description":"The Wandering Inn is an ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial by pirateaba with millions of readers worldwide.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization"},"alternateName":"TWI","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#organization","name":"The Wandering Inn","alternateName":"Wandering Inn","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/LogoOnly_NoShadow.png","width":1600,"height":881,"caption":"The Wandering Inn"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thewanderinginn","https:\/\/x.com\/WanderingInn","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thewanderinginnverse","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TheWanderingInn","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thewanderinginnverse\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/the-wandering-inn"],"description":"The Wandering Inn is a popular, ongoing Fantasy-LitRPG web serial authored by pirateaba, captivating millions of readers worldwide. Known for its unique blend of epic fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling, The Wandering Inn follows the journey of a young woman navigating a world shaped by magic and levels. With a dedicated fanbase and consistent updates, The Wandering Inn offers readers an engaging experience through its website, Kindle, and audiobook formats, and provides exclusive content through Patreon for fans eager to delve deeper into its world","email":"media@wanderinginn.com","legalName":"pirateaba llc","taxID":"88-1575608","duns":"078154126","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"1","maxValue":"10"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/bc89b3c76fb60f3fe9e390c2aeee3aa4","name":"pirateaba","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/afdb1894e6e158ee450190b7741aae04fd90b89346326012cb6d645642337d89?s=96&d=identicon&r=pg","caption":"pirateaba"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/"],"url":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/author\/pirateaba\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfPPse-1fo","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52856846"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4798\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4798"},{"taxonomy":"twi_volume","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/twi_volume?post=4798"},{"taxonomy":"twi_collection","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/twi_collection?post=4798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}