{"id":8833,"date":"2020-08-14T01:31:49","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T01:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=8833"},"modified":"2025-12-24T01:01:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:01:36","slug":"7-42-m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2020\/08\/14\/7-42-m\/","title":{"rendered":"7.42 M"},"content":{"rendered":"

Then.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ryoka Griffin didn\u2019t know if she liked the Archmage of Izril or was disappointed. Because when she realized how many prisoners had died in those cells\u2014how many intruders\u2026she looked guilty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot to task myself with monitoring them. Oh no. What an error. And they\u2026starved to death? They would have\u2014without food\u2014oh no. Did I forget? What do I do? Were some of them important? I\u2014I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of genuine distress flashed across her face. But\u2014rather than moral anguish over the deaths she\u2019d caused\u2014it was more like someone realizing that the pets they were supposed to housesit had all starved to death. Serious\u2014but not like actual death.<\/p>\n

Even so. Her reaction was mortal. Unguarded. For a moment. The Archmage of Izril panicked as she floated down to the ground. She put a hand to her temples.<\/p>\n

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

Then her expression went unsettlingly calm. Her hysteria subsided. Valeterisa spoke in an inflectionless voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was clearly an error. Moving on\u2014it seems my experimentation was flawed. I was caught in a mental paradox; being too close yet unable to solve the conclusion. In totality\u2014your presence was beneficial. You will be rewarded, Runners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka Griffin, Salamani, Fierre\u2014looked at the Archmage of Izril. Valeterisa\u2019s expression was cold before it flitted back to tired, rueful emotion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made a mistake. But I\u2019m close.<\/em> Yet it was good I woke up. There is so much I have to do. Come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She beckoned them. And Ryoka Griffin realized\u2014she had done it. There was more to settle, but she had accomplished an impossible delivery. She had won her reward.<\/p>\n

One more noble for the Summer Solstice party. Only a few more impossible tasks to do. Then she could meet her friend who had died.<\/p>\n

It was a fitting quest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lady Ieka Imarris was annoyed. She was pulling strings, and still\u2014Lady Rie demanded more little favors<\/em> for this [Emperor]. It was everything from nudging a [Merchant] to adjust his course to trade concessions, arranging salt from an allied [Lord] to be sold to Riverfarm, thus benefitting both groups and breaking the House Ulta salt monopoly.<\/p>\n

She had the power to do that as a higher-ranking member of the Circle of Thorns. Even so, it grated on Ieka\u2019s nerves.<\/p>\n

Yet, if she was upset over the [Emperor] situation that she had no control over\u2014her mood changed the moment she got the [Message].<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Imarris, priority [Message] for you from Salamani the Courier!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Give it to me at once!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lady] snatched the slip of paper with shaking hands. She had been certain Salamani had a chance. But could it really be\u2026? She read the note from the Mage Runner and gasped, blinked twice, and read it again, slower.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Archmage of Izril is awake. I cede credit for the delivery to Ryoka Griffin. Requesting agreed-upon hazard pay. <\/em><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRyoka Griffin? But I thought\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Ieka could [Message] Salamani back and demand a proper explanation, her [Maid] arrived, panting.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Ieka\u2014another [Message]. From\u2014from Archmage Valeterisa.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ieka dropped the first note. The second one was just as short. Wide-eyed the [Maid] retreated as Ieka read it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am not pleased. But I will speak with you at earliest convenience. Your Runners burned my isle down. Was that intentional? We will meet shortly.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 –Valeterisa, Archmage of Wistram.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ieka Imarris felt\u2026unsteady. She massaged her temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cBurned part of her\u2026? What did they do?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She was about to send a [Message] spell herself, blasting Salamani for allowing Ryoka to be endangered and angering the Archmage, but then Ieka caught herself. Even when she\u2019d hired Salamani, the odds had been low<\/em> he\u2019d succeed where other Couriers had failed or given up. A Named Adventurer<\/em> had quit the assignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis\u2014this is an excellent day. Beyond excellent. With Valeterisa out of seclusion\u2014dead gods. And Ryoka did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

That was what the message had said. Ieka remembered the City Runner and could scarcely credit it. No wonder Ryoka had been so confident! She must have been furious to know about the Courier being hired after her. How had it happened?<\/p>\n

Ieka would find out. And she\u2019d make a proper apology to Ryoka. With gold! Oh yes. And perhaps a private dinner\u2026?<\/p>\n

No, no. Ieka caught herself. Subtlety.<\/em> But Ryoka Griffin\u2019s exploits would not go unrewarded or unmentioned. Oh no. If no one was considering her as a potential Courier\u2014well, this all but cemented her recommendation.<\/p>\n

And what had Ryoka requested aside from gold? Oh yes, the poor girl had wanted a party.<\/em> In Riverfarm? Ieka blinked as she put together Lady Rie and the [Emperor] with\u2026<\/p>\n

Well, she would get her party. Ieka had connections. Lots of them. For Miss Griffin, she would lean as hard as she could to get the girl whatever party she wanted. Entertainment? Ieka could supply the mage-illusions herself, she was so exuberant!<\/p>\n

Fantastic news. Just\u2014Ieka sat down to plan and send her own flurry of [Messages]. The Archmage of Izril had returned. It was fantastic<\/em> news.<\/p>\n

She was busy\u2014until the third priority-[Message] reached her just past midday. And if she had thought the other two were important\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was one of those fine summer days. Hot, yes, but with enough of a breeze to make it feel comfortable rather than just hot.<\/em><\/p>\n

The smartly-dressed [Messenger] who rode up to the keep\u2019s gates was rarer than Runners. But his class still existed; a sort of private messenger you could afford between the nobility.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a personal statement for Lord Veltras. May I speak to his lordship at his convenience?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s demeanor, dress, and refined manners all spoke to his nature as a high-class servant of some house. Possibly, even one of the Five Families.<\/p>\n

However, the [Majordomo] of House Veltras, Ullim, informed the [Messenger] that a meeting wouldn\u2019t be immediate.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis Lordship is riding. He will return within the hour. If you have a missive, it can be left here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, then I will wait. The message is confidential\u2014verbal only. At Lord Tyrion\u2019s convenience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The servant smiled. Ullim did not.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis Lordship will return and see to you in time. You may be waiting for longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

That, the [Messenger] did not like.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014see. But if you would inform his lordship my master would appreciate a swift request\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your master does not announce themselves, Lord Veltras<\/em> will take their message at his convenience.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, the [Majordomo] had the [Messenger] escorted to a guest room where he was watered and fed\u2014with about that much delicacy. The food was closer to a rider\u2019s rations than something elegant.<\/p>\n

It rather put the man off. He was thus annoyed when it turned out that Lord Tyrion, after a two hour morning ride, returned to his study but did not immediately see the [Messenger]. He took his sweet time about it and the old [Majordomo] would not be convinced to persuade his master. The [Messenger] was really annoyed\u2014especially because he had a time limit to deliver his missive. It was all about timing.<\/p>\n

And style.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lord Tyrion Veltras was not in a good mood, either. True, that was not a rare occurrence, but today he was genuinely irked.<\/p>\n

Over Terandria. Anyone with an eye towards continental politics was aware of the Ailendamus war threatening the Dawn Concordat of three kingdoms. Like many Terandrian conflicts, this was a war about politics as much as actual conflict, so a lot of maneuvering had been going on.<\/p>\n

Ailendamus had been encroaching on Kaliv\u2019s lands, threatening other kingdoms, building up an excuse, casus belli,<\/em> for war. Trade blockades, convincing other kingdoms to abandon the three smaller kingdoms so they\u2019d be weakened when war actually began\u2014<\/p>\n

The larger empire was a giant, having swallowed other nations\u2019 territory and won several wars in the two decades since King Itorin II had come to power. They were set to roll over the Dawn Concordat if Pheislant, Noelictus, or another nation with an axe to grind didn\u2019t decide to help out. Even then\u2014Ailendamus just wasn\u2019t a fun nation to fight. If it halted wars with the other nations and focused on you\u2026well, then you were in trouble.<\/p>\n

Politics. Tyrion understood most of what was going on and he wasn\u2019t even directly invested in the war. It was far from Izril\u2019s shores. He just liked to keep up on such things, like the King of Destruction\u2019s conquests and Balerosian battles, as well.<\/p>\n

Ailendamus had taken a bloody nose in that incident with the Lord of the Dance. They\u2019d lost an entire fleet and suffered diplomatically as well, for all they screamed it had been a trick.<\/p>\n

Still\u2014if Ailendamus went to war, the Dawn Concordat was in trouble as it was. Lord Tyrion had evaluated their armies and, in his mind, the outcome was a defensive victory with significant casualties and unavoidable losses of territory on the Dawn Concordat\u2019s side at best<\/em>. And that relied on the strength of their warriors and expertise of their generals\u2014never a given thing.<\/p>\n

But those nations knew that too. So each one was reaching out for allies. And as it happened\u2014Izril had a history of interfering in Terandrian conflicts and vice versa. Of course, King Itorin knew that the Dawn Concordat knew that so\u2026they had reached out to Tyrion Veltras.<\/p>\n

The Lord of House Veltras had received two offers, one from Ailendamus via their [Emissaries], and another from Calanfer, the most political of the three members of the Dawn Concordat. What they wanted was simple: when war began, House Veltras would send aid to their side, in form of troops, resources, and perhaps even Lord Tyrion himself.<\/p>\n

It was a smart move. Lord Tyrion had one of the most elite standing armies and his House could<\/em> threaten either side just by allying. And if he pulled in another of the Five Families? It could swing the entire war.<\/p>\n

So\u2014Ailendamus was eager to prevent that, or get him on their side. But Calanfer was far more desperate. Both had reached out to Tyrion and offered a traditional method of incentive, which had troubled the Lord Veltras this day and the entire week. It had put him off hunting and his training.<\/p>\n

Ailendamus had offered the hand of a [Baroness] to Hethon, Lord Veltras\u2019 older son, or an arranged marriage with a noble of similar rank for his noninterference.<\/p>\n

Lord Tyrion had been insulted at once. A [Baroness]<\/em>, marrying the heir to House Veltras? It spoke to Ailendamus\u2019 overinflated egos, as well as their disdain for Izrilian nobilities, their \u2018uncultured cousins\u2019. Tyrion had sent an instant refusal and made a counteroffer.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrincess Ozena\u2019s hand would be acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had mentioned that\u2014without being truly serious; she was a decade older than Hethon. But the response had been\u2026infuriating. The [Emissary] had politely stated that there was no way King Itorin would ever<\/em> marry his daughter off to a \u2018distant noble house of such standing\u2019.<\/p>\n

King Itorin II didn\u2019t seem to know or care how infuriating that was to Lord Tyrion. The [Lord] remembered such grudges. Nor was he afraid of Ailendamus; the Terandrian nation might be a giant among other nations where it stood, but it did not rule Izril.<\/p>\n

By contrast, Calanfer proved its reputation for good politics, even if it wasn\u2019t nearly as adept at military matters. They had approached Tyrion after his exchange, possibly having heard of it, with a much more flattering approach. The Lord of House Veltras had ignored that, of course, but their offer had been direct and meant to strike a contrast.<\/p>\n

For his<\/em> aid, they would offer no less than arranged marriage between Hethon or Sammial and a [Princess] of Calanfer. One of the many [Princesses], true, and thus a distant chance that the [Lord] would ever become [King]\u2014but the benefits were still enormous.<\/p>\n

And troublesome. Tyrion had thought it over for a long while. Either it would be an existing, unmarried [Princess], or, if the royal family had another heir, a [Princess] newly born, a marriage when both were of age.<\/p>\n

In either case, there was an age imbalance. And that troubled the [Lord] greatly. He wasn\u2019t sure what to do.<\/p>\n

His<\/em> marriage had been arranged when he was a boy. It had turned out for the best, since there had been love there. But Tyrion was aware of arranged marriages that ended poorly; the majority, in fact.<\/p>\n

He\u2026wanted the best for Hethon and Sammial. But was that irresponsible young love or\u2026marrying into Terandrian royalty, however distantly?<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should have better lives than mine. Hethon would be a [Prince] by marriage. If he took the house\u2014he would be royalty, the first\u2014no, second\u2014Izril had known in ages. Or Sammial could inherit\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He had to consider it. But in diplomacy, one could move forwards while still leaving room to back out. Tyrion had considered the options frankly. Of the current [Princesses], there were two of Calanfer who were eligible. The 4th<\/sup> and 6th<\/sup> Princesses\u2026er\u2026Seraphel and Lyonette, according to his information.<\/p>\n

The 4th<\/sup> Princess was even older than Ozena. And married multiple times, a widow at least once. Tyrion grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 4th<\/sup> Princess is not acceptable. I would\u2026consider the 6th<\/sup> Princess of Calanfer.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was about five to six years older than Hethon. That was\u2026possible. And for such negotiations, this was a first step.<\/p>\n

Calanfer was far more amenable than Ailendamus. Jericha brought back an immediate reply; their [Diplomats] were always prompt and ready to reply or take a response back from their [King]. That was true soft power. And they also made their statement in a refreshingly straight-forward way, calculated to appeal to House Veltras\u2019 leader. Tyrion read the offer grimly.<\/p>\n

They wanted him to vouch for another of the Five House\u2019s support\u2014or two. That would be significant. The communiques practically stated that if he brought two<\/em> more Houses against Ailendamus overtly\u2014the marriage was as good as done.<\/p>\n

He had to think about this. The war with Ailendamus didn\u2019t concern Tyrion; that was almost an upside. Even if House Veltras went to war, they wouldn\u2019t overcommit and with the right strategy, they could efficiently level and inflict losses on the enemy. He would relish that.<\/p>\n

But marriage\u2026the [Lord] wished his wife were here. Salva would have known what to say. Actually\u2014she might have encouraged him to go to war with Ailendamus and damn the marriage. Insults like that were not to be tolerated. But\u2026<\/p>\n

It was telling that Lord Tyrion didn\u2019t discuss the matter with Hethon or Sammial. It would have never occurred to him; he was thinking of consulting others, and he would have gone to Jericha, Ullim, or even another [Lord] like Pellmia, or one of the other Five Family\u2019s leaders before his sons.<\/p>\n

The [Lord]\u2019s musings would have to wait, though. He was aware of the [Messenger] who declined to give his house of origin. So the [Lord] had kept him waiting\u2014but since the puzzle of politics was so aggravating, he finally told Ullim to send the man in.<\/p>\n

When the [Messenger] walked into the room, Tyrion was looking at a map of Terandria. But the instant the smartly dressed man entered the room, the [Lord] turned.<\/p>\n

Tyrion Veltras was no fan of great diplomacy. He had been described as an honorable man\u2014or to his detractors, straightforward as a blade, without bend or give. But for all his faults\u2014<\/p>\n

He was a seasoned warrior, commander, and leader. When he felt the [Messenger] enter his room, the [Lord] turned and put his hand on his sword.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Messenger] was surprised. The [Lord] had seen him through in a moment. Slowly, the man bowed. And he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord Tyrion Veltras. I am a [Messenger] with an offer on behalf of my masters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are no [Messenger]. You are an [Assassin].\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyrion spoke flatly. He saw the man\u2019s eyes flicker.<\/p>\n

It was a thousand little signs. From the concealed blades, to the sense<\/em> the [Lord] had of the other man\u2019s aura. A killer trained. Couriers could fight\u2014this man killed. Even the way he stood was light, like someone who was ready to spring or move suddenly\u2014not like a [Soldier] at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cReach for any of your weapons and I will kill you. Who sent you? This is a poor attempt on my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] had a hand on his longsword. He was searching his keep, trying to detect a hidden killer. He had a thought.<\/p>\n

If they were after Sammial or Hethon\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJericha! Ullim!\u201d<\/p>\n

He raised his voice. Instantly, his [Mage] and first assistant rushed into the room. She gave the [Messenger] a quick, troubled look.<\/p>\n

\u201cMilord?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind Hethon and Sammial. Now.<\/em> Place them under an elite guard, and have Ullim do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLord Veltras, I can assure you I came alone\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Jericha\u2019s eyes snapped towards the [Assassin], who was smiling. He looked\u2026charming. Blonde haired, sable-eyed, youthful\u2014nothing like his nature. But a killer had a presence Tyrion had learned to notice. Jericha had a finger to her temples, sending out a [Message].<\/p>\n

\u201cLord?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo. I will be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyrion was armed. He didn\u2019t have his armor on, but he could equip it in less than a minute. And he never took off his other artifacts. His sword was an heirloom of House Veltras. He was more dangerous in the saddle, but he could have killed the [Assassin] in a moment.<\/p>\n

Still\u2014the impudent intruder didn\u2019t seem afraid. Just\u2026annoyed. His eyes flicked to Jericha as she exited the room. And he bowed, slightly, keeping his hands slightly raised and to his sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord Veltras, my masters did not<\/em> send me with anything but goodwill in mind. Please hear me out. I am a [Messenger]. Of the Circle of Thorns. They have been watching you. Now\u2014they would like to make you an invitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Circle of Thorns?<\/em> Tyrion knew that name. An old group that most nobles knew of\u2014but he had assumed they were long extinct, if he had ever given them a thought. He didn\u2019t remove his hand from his sword\u2019s hilt. But after a moment, he gestured curtly.<\/p>\n

\u201cStand there. My warning applies. Speak your message.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Assassin] sighed. He looked at this over-proud [Lord] with all his bravado. But he was<\/em> a leader of one of the Five Families. He gave Lord Tyrion his most charming smile and bowed; he did have social-Skills to use for his infiltrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, Lord Veltras. Let me be clear and frank. The Circle of Thorns is not a rumor. Perhaps you have heard of my masters. Well\u2014they exist. And they have existed for ages as a body that does what is necessary for Izril\u2019s survival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlots and schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Veltras was not impressed. The [Assassin]\u2019s lips twitched before he could stop them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than schemes, Lord Veltras. When you called for aid\u2014the Circle of Thorns backed you. Part of the reason why so many flocked to your banner and not Magnolia Reinhart was that we believed in your cause.<\/em> Indeed\u2014we have seen many reasons to favor you over\u2026other\u2026great nobles of Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had switched to \u2018we\u2019. Tyrion was aware that Magnolia had lost control of the Assassin\u2019s Guild. He had wondered to whom. Now\u2026pieces were connecting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how powerful is your master\u2019s organization?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have many influential nobles and other members. The Assassin\u2019s Guild belongs to the Circle of Thorns. Lord Veltras, the Circle would like to put their assets behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not like [Assassins].\u201d<\/p>\n

Salva.<\/em> Lord Veltras stared at the man until he grew nervous. The [Assassin] was used to at least some<\/em> nerves from people who knew he was a trained killer. Tyrion Veltras looked at the [Assassin] as if calculating exactly how many ways he could kill him. The [Assassin] didn\u2019t like the sensation. \u00a0He was supposed to do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Guild is only one part of the Circle, Lord Veltras. There are countless assets the Circle can bring to its allies. Or\u2026members. You have proven your commitment to driving the Drakes back and claiming Izril, as well as your integrity to the true Izril. Compared to traitors to the realm, you<\/em> are the Circle\u2019s champion. They would make you that in title and reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

They wanted him. The [Assassin] spoke slowly as Tyrion\u2019s eyes flickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Circle of Thorns has many ranks. We would make you the commander of the Circle\u2019s assets. The First of Thorns. But let me speak more of the Circle\u2019s ranks. Of how it operates. This is an honor, Lord Veltras.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I refuse?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] finally took his hand off the hilt of his sword. The [Assassin] relaxed slightly. Lord Veltras strode over to his desk and checked a glowing scroll; his sons were secure, as was Ullim. No other intruders detected, so far. He glanced at the [Assassin].<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not intend to be coerced into allying with any side. Despite your \u2018honor\u2019. What if I told your masters no?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Assassin] gritted his teeth. He hadn\u2019t wanted this assignment. Tyrion Veltras was as stubborn as they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, they would ask you keep the Circle\u2019s secrets, Lord Veltras. Nothing more. My masters work for the good of Izril. One can be a silent ally of the other, or at least, tolerate its existence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I do not wish to do that either? Out of curiosity. What would your masters try<\/em> to do to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] stood there, eyes never leaving the [Assassin]\u2019s face. The man bared his teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Lord Veltras, it is not my intention to make any threat towards you. As I said, the Circle values<\/em> you. But my masters will not let Izril fall to ruin. Today, in fact, one of Izril\u2019s greatest traitors will suffer for her transgressions. Against you as well as others. I believe you know her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyrion looked up. The [Assassin] smiled beatifically. This was the fun part. He watched Tyrion\u2019s expression as he let him in on the secret.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, a scion of the Five Families meets her end. Magnolia Reinhart is about to die. Would you like to watch?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLady Ieka Imarris. Another priority [Message] for you. No sender.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ieka looked up. Not from Salamani or Valeterisa? Actually\u2014she might forget. She waved a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, send it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The note was short, and unsigned. But when she saw it\u2014Ieka froze.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Order a scrying spell at the following coordinates\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly she rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me a scrying orb.\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached for the artifact her [Maids] hurried to bring her. The [Lady] stared at an open stretch of road somewhere she couldn\u2019t place. North of Invrisil a good ways, on the road to First Landing\u2026<\/p>\n

She waited. Then she saw a pink carriage. And then\u2014<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Magnolia Reinhart sat in her carriage, reaching for another cube of sugar. Ressa slapped it out of her hand without looking.<\/p>\n

\u201cRessa! Please, if I must be cooped up in here, at least give me the dignity of sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing dignified about it. We won\u2019t be much longer. Read a book or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lady] sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven the fastest coach in Izril is arduous on the posterior, Ressa. How much further to First Landing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least three more hours at our speed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Magnolia pursed her lips. The ability to cross Izril like, well, the fastest thing on land wasn\u2019t something she liked to complain about normally. But it took her precious time even with her repaired carriage. Teriarch had reinforced the spells. Still\u2014Izril was vast.<\/p>\n

The carriage was moving at its classic, faster-than-anything speeds. Reynold was watching birds look at his carriage as he zoomed past them.<\/p>\n

They were headed to First Landing. Magnolia sighed as she looked around the carriage, but she didn\u2019t try to toss sugar at Ressa or something like that. She was aware of Sacra and the two other [Maids] riding with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Aerta had better be serious about this entire affair, or I might strangle her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnolia pursed her lips. She hadn\u2019t intended to go to First Landing today. She was preparing<\/em>, almost prepared to visit Oteslia. It had consumed her, finding gifts, arranging matters, security, dragging the things she wanted out of Regis\u2019 grasp\u2014<\/p>\n

But something had come up. Lady Aerta, someone Magnolia was distantly acquainted with, a product of intermarriage with the Wellfar and Terandrian noble houses, had reached out to Magnolia with a very<\/em> interesting request.<\/p>\n

She had somehow gotten word about the meeting in Oteslia. And, surprises abounded, wanted to accompany<\/em> Magnolia.<\/p>\n

That\u2014was too much to pass up. Magnolia wanted to know how Aerta knew, and if she was serious\u2014consider the offer. Pryde, Bethal, Wuvren, Zanthia\u2014Magnolia had considered all of them, but the invitation had been for her alone and she didn\u2019t want to alarm the Drakes.<\/p>\n

Still\u2026Magnolia glanced at Sacra and the two other [Maids]. It could also be a ploy, so Ressa had ordered the other [Maids] to accompany them. Which was silly; if Lady Aerta had some kind of trap, it was going to be of a social design. Attacking a noble member of the Five Families in First Landing was tantamount to suicide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe I shall have a nap. Inform me about this\u2014this detail about a fire with Archmage Valeterisa\u2019s isle. If she\u2019s gone and blown herself up, we\u2019ll have to deal with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnolia sat back and closed her eyes. She did do a lot of organization in the carriage, but it was more tedious. Ressa signed and consulted her informants who had told her about the strange events on the isle.<\/p>\n

As they rode, the one man in the carriage\u2014or rather, driving it\u2014was bored. Reynold Ferusdam had to keep alert, though; even going slightly off the road, a collision at this speed spelled death for whomever he hit.<\/p>\n

He noticed that the dirt road they were taking that ran along the city of Celical was rather empty for the last stretch. Perhaps a monster attack? He was reaching for a Scroll of Messages to check; Lady Reinhart liked to be appraised of such things when he saw, fast-approaching\u2014two wooden posts in the ground.<\/p>\n

They were\u2026just wooden posts. Hammered into the ground. But something about them made the former [Cavalry Lieutenant]\u2019s instincts shrill.<\/p>\n

Something\u2014<\/em>Reynold was a veteran of wars and numerous battles even before he\u2019d come to Magnolia\u2019s service. He didn\u2019t ask for Ressa\u2019s opinion or hesitate. He instantly turned the reins. The carriage shot left, turning with incredible speed. At the same time, Reynold snapped towards the carriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Magnolia, something might be happening. I think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The infamous pink carriage swerved left, still at the insane speeds few things in the world could match. It avoided the two posts with the invisible wires strung between them. And\u2014hit the second layer placed to the left and right at top speed.<\/p>\n

The magical carriage struck the wires. And the [Trapmaster Assassin] saw and felt<\/em> his wires take the incredible force of impact. And\u2014hold.<\/em><\/p>\n

The pink vehicle flipped<\/em>. It crashed into the ground as the [Butler] went flying. The carriage hit the ground as the ghostly horses vanished and rolled for nearly a hundred feet. It came to a stop, wheels spinning upside down.<\/p>\n

\u201cTold you it would work. Let\u2019s get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Trapmaster Assassin] left the cover. And four more [Assassins] walked with him. They strolled over to the pink carriage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now.<\/em><\/p>\n

They were being watched. Lady Ieka Imarris stared at the downed carriage, a wheel still spinning comically as she adjusted the scrying spell she\u2019d cast.<\/p>\n

She\u2014couldn\u2019t believe it. That was Magnolia\u2019s carriage.<\/em> They\u2019d stopped it. She saw the black-clad figures walking towards it, slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour\u2026five?<\/em> Five? They sent five?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She had seen the Assassin\u2019s Guild attacking the Couriers. Ieka thought they needed at least a few hundred to make sure they did the job. Then\u2026she looked at the downed carriage.<\/p>\n

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

They had sent their best. This time\u2014the Assassin\u2019s Guild had sent their Faces. No Ranks. No expendable [Assassins]. Just five of them. One had taken out the carriage. Now, they spread out. One conjured a [Fireball] and blasted the carriage.<\/p>\n

The enchanted wood held. The [Assassins] seemed to confer\u2014then one of them approached, with a long sword.<\/p>\n

Lady Ieka watched. And she was not the only one who had been told to observe.<\/p>\n

They watched, in silence. Countless nobles, using magic and the coded message\u2019s coordinates to observe. Some had been told directly, like Ieka. Others stopped at parties, told by a friend or a friend of a friend. Some had just been told to watch, like Lord Emile, Lord Gralton, or other influential [Lords] and [Ladies].<\/p>\n

Lord Tyrion Veltras had been told. The Circle of Thorns had decided to kill Lady Magnolia Reinhart. Unlike the Couriers\u2014they wanted her well and truly dead.<\/p>\n

The [Assassin] with the blade never got to the carriage to begin taking it apart. One of the doors blew open. He leapt backwards as the [Assassins] braced. One threw a dart which exploded\u2014but Ressa blocked the projectile. She leapt out, a blur, slashing with the deadly, poisoned dagger, the Vision of Grasses, as the other [Assassins] spread out. Behind her were the two [Maids]\u2014Magnolia Reinhart remained, at least for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cRessa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ieka watched the [Maid] slashing at the first [Assassin]. She was flinging objects down. Scrolls, magical artifacts\u2014anything and everything she had.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out. She used to be a Face.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were five of them. The [Trapmaster Assassin], the white-haired man that Ryoka and Fierre had met, was one. He eyed Ressa, then withdrew glittering lines of metal.<\/p>\n

Wires.<\/em> He flung them into the air as the [Assassins] held their ground, appraising Ressa\u2019s dance with their [Blademaster]. Five of them. They were cautious; mostly of the blade or artifacts. And they were waiting for the [Trapmaster] to give them an advantage.<\/p>\n

The wires were mithril. They were long and the oldest of the [Assassins] threw them far, anchoring them to the ground, points in the very air. And then he spoke his great Skill.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Create Field: The Steelthread Web]<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The world changed. If the grass and road was the world they knew\u2014the [Trapmaster] created a world within it. A place guarded by razor-sharp wires, preventing escape. Set too with invisible threads, ready to slice his enemies apart.<\/p>\n

Invisible to all but his allies. He stepped back, guarded in his lair, and loaded a crossbow.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire had changed<\/em>. The woman\u2014was still female. But her body had shifted with the draught she had taken. Now, a Minotauress clenched a fist.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like that artifact. Combo Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait until she sets up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ressa dodged backwards as the [Blademaster Assassin] slashed at her. She\u2019d taken three cuts, but none of them had missed how the enchanted blade failed to leave a mark on her maid\u2019s uniform.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh-grade artifact. And here come the summons.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

They stepped back as Ressa threw summoning talismans from Drath, calling every artifact she had. The other [Maids] were opening scrolls, no doubt calling for help, buffing themselves\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026That\u2019s a Hydra.\u201d<\/p>\n

A huge monster roared<\/em> upwards as multiple heads flashed from the most powerful talisman. The [Trapmaster] saw it rise higher\u2014then crash<\/em> into the wires he\u2019d set up. It was hampered, although the wires couldn\u2019t slice it apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a lot of high-grade monster summons.\u201d<\/p>\n

He calmly shot an emerging monster through the head and the magical summon vanished before it even fully formed.<\/p>\n

Five of them. The [Blademaster] was pursuing Ressa as agreed, a single-minded duelist. Another of them moved now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll down that Hydra. One of you kill the [Lady].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Mire. Who wants the maids?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of them was armed with a huge cloak which shifted as he threw more magical darts. The two [Maids] and Sacra took cover, using wands to attack back as the [Assassin] locked them down. That left just Mire and the [Assassin] who had cast the [Fireball]. She pointed at the Hydra trying to attack the enemies.<\/p>\n

\u201c[True Lightning].\u201d<\/p>\n

A bolt of lightning as powerful as the kind that struck from the heavens hit the Hydra. The [Trapmaster] shielded his eyes; when he looked, one of the Hydra\u2019s heads was a smoldering ruin. The monster reeled as the [Mage Assassin] shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Flare Wyvern].\u201d<\/p>\n

He conjured a fiery form that flew at the Hydra. The [Trapmaster] shot his crossbow again. He was watching Mire.<\/p>\n

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

Ressa was tangled by the wires and the [Blademaster]. The [Maids] locked down. Mire charged the carriage, her Minotaur-form rampaging forwards.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Magnolia Reinhart lay there, on her front, disoriented. She wasn\u2019t\u2026hurt. The powerful protective ring had worked. But she couldn\u2019t understand\u2014<\/p>\n

They were under attack. It was a trap.<\/em> The [Lady] slowly reached for her earring. She had to\u2014to\u2014Ressa had told her to stay put. Sensible. But she had to\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cTeriarch? <\/em>We\u2019re under attack\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She whispered. And got no response.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Dragon lay sleeping.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

—-<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The [Lady] looked up as the Minotauress wrenched open the carriage door. She fumbled for the artifacts she carried\u2014Mire dragged her out. The clients wanted this done in the open. Magnolia was reaching for her hand\u2014something\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Reinhart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire dragged Magnolia up. The [Lady] fought\u2014but the [Alchemist]-[Martial Artist] was impossibly strong even without her form. She held Magnolia there, turned her\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c[Piercing Shot].\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Trapmaster] fired his crossbow straight into Magnolia\u2019s chest. He saw the enchanted quarrel strike the [Lady] just above the bosom of her pink dress.<\/p>\n

And bounce off. Mire stared at the quarrel, lying on the ground. The [Trapmaster] blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s some powerful ring. Mire\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOff of me, please. [Deft\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire went flying. The [Lady] looked around. She twisted a second ring on her finger, looking around. The [Trapmaster] felt his [Dangersense] go insane.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRelic-class artifact!<\/em> Mire!\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnolia Reinhart was not unguarded. Teriarch had given her his ring. And she had another artifact.<\/p>\n

The glowing, crimson beam of light shot from her ring. The same artifact that had killed the \u2018Great Mage\u2019 Nemor. She lifted her ring, choosing her target\u2014the [Blademaster] after Ressa. The [Maid] knew to dodge away\u2014<\/p>\n

The Minotauress grabbed Magnolia\u2019s hand. The [Lady] jerked; and the Minotauress twisted her arms up effortlessly. The ring glowed. <\/em>The beam of magic locked into the air as the [Assassins] took cover. The Minotauress leapt away\u2014<\/p>\n

The air caught fire. The crimson explosion and flash of light shot into the sky like a beacon, visible for miles. And it hit\u2014no one. Magnolia blinked in shock. Then she saw the Minotauress running at her. This time, Magnolia was a touch too slow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c[Shockwave Palm]!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire hit the [Lady] in the chest with an open palm. The [Trapmaster] saw the [Lady] go flying.<\/em><\/p>\n

Like a doll. She hit the wires and he winced, waiting to see pieces of her landing. But the [Lady] just bounced<\/em> off the wires and lay on the ground, stunned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat caliber of protection ring is that?<\/em> I want it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take that attack-ring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire had leapt back as Ressa forced the [Blademaster] back. Like her mistress, her ring had shrugged off every attack and she\u2019d used that to score a slash on his arm. The three [Assassins] moved back.<\/p>\n

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

The [Blademaster] looked at the venom spreading impossibly fast over his arm. The [Trapmaster] sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelic blade too. I\u2019ll stop the poison. Thesil\u2014stop Ressa.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Mage Assassin] turned and began throwing spells at the [Head Maid]. Mire grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat [Lady]\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what to do. Give me five minutes. Hold still. <\/em>If the toxin spreads within one minute, cut your arm off.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Blademaster] nodded tightly; his arm was already wrapped in mithril wires to stop the blood flow. The [Trapmaster] rapidly took out potions and antidotes.<\/p>\n

Magnolia Reinhart lay on the ground. Stunned. She was protected\u2014but not prepared for combat. She tried to stand, reach for another artifact.<\/p>\n

Mire walked over and struck her.<\/p>\n

[Tremor Fist]. Down<\/em> the [Lady] went again. Again\u2014unharmed. But Mire dragged her up and threw<\/em> her into the carriage.<\/p>\n

It was easy. The ring had to run out of power sometime. The [Lady] kept trying to use her Skills. But this wasn\u2019t a ballroom, or even a battlefield. The [Martial Artist] walked through her attempts to use her aura and struck her again. The ring\u2019s glow flickered<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you! [Lesser Teleport]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Mage] screamed as Ressa leapt at him. Unlike Magnolia, the [Assassin]-[Maid] knew how to use her ring. She ignored his spells and went for the kill. He vanished and the [Trapmaster] looked up as Ressa advanced on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have her. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Blademaster]\u2019s arm was still green, but the poison had stopped. Now he lifted his enchanted sword.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Sword Art: Four Singing Stars]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ressa took two cuts that sent her stumbling back. Ring or not\u2014she was taking hits. And the artifacts were running out of magic.<\/p>\n

But the servants were getting in the way. The two [Maids] had wounded the [Assassin] throwing his arsenal of weapons. Sacra had dealt him a crushing blow to one arm, nearly breaking his damn bones before he fought her back. The [Thrower Assassin] snarled. He drank a potion and was fine\u2014<\/p>\n

Until the [Butler] leapt on him.<\/p>\n

Reynold was wounded. He\u2019d broken something in the fall. But he had artifacts too. Now he leapt with a roar, his sword aimed for the [Assassin]\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Leaping Strike]!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAaaah!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The man screamed as Reynold penetrated his back. But not far enough. The [Assassin] tore away and ran; Reynold hadn\u2019t run him through. Both sides had defensive artifacts.<\/p>\n

The [Combat Butler] cursed. He saw Lady Magnolia; the Minotauress was grabbing her neck and trying to twist<\/em> it off, but her ring was still active.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Reinhart!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He charged. Mire leapt away with an oath as Magnolia produced a glittering dagger and Reynold attacked her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Sithorn, this isn\u2019t going well!<\/em> Those damn rings are bad enough, but the servants\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI see them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Trapmaster] watched as Ressa pushed back the [Blademaster] again, and the [Mage] at the same time. He looked at Mire. Their clients weren\u2019t happy about this, he was sure. Still\u2014this was the job.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s change the battlefield. Sacrifice my field. The carriage is upside down, anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it. Back up.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

At Mire\u2019s voice, the other [Assassins]\u2026ran. They jumped, teleported, or just ran for the wire walls of the field, ducking through the openings only they could see. Magnolia Reinhart\u2019s servants regrouped.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Reinhart! Teleport!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been trying! None of the scrolls are working!\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnolia stared at the [Mage] among the [Assassins]. Ressa whirled.<\/p>\n

\u201cReynold, Sacra, get that coach upright. You two, cover me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She saw the other five assassins standing outside the net of wires. And two of them\u2014Ressa saw old Sithorn, the [Trapmaster] she had known, standing with Mire. Her eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Get inside the c\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

They moved too slowly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c[Combination Skill: The Web Closes].\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire stood next to Sithorn. The [Trapmaster] had given her the wires and a glove. It was a combination Skill. Something that took two experts working together to perform.<\/p>\n

It was a simple Skill. The Minotauress grabbed the wires and pulled<\/em>. They snapped<\/em> through the air. Closing inwards in a single moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The wires snapped together, wrapping around the carriage before falling to the ground. Magnolia was wrapped by them for one moment\u2014but Teriarch\u2019s ring saved her. It was fit for an [Empress]; meant to be worn into battle against leveled opponents higher than those known to the world today.<\/p>\n

It was still running out of mana. But it saved her again. She fell to the ground as the wires sagged, the field the [Assassin] had set up sacrificed for the Skill.<\/p>\n

Then\u2026she saw the blood.<\/p>\n

Her two maids, Imina and Fini\u2014were dead. They had been cut to\u2014Magnolia\u2019s stomach lurched.<\/p>\n

Ressa was alive. She staggered upright. Magnolia\u2019s head moved around, searching.<\/p>\n

\u201cSacra? Reynold?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Reynold answered her slowly. He was halfway inside the carriage. He had been shoved inside. That had saved him. She had been too slow, though.<\/p>\n

Sacra lay halfway across the inside, on his lap. Reynold looked down at her. He looked at her blank eyes. The [Butler] rose, slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cReynold? Reynold, they\u2019re coming. Protect Magnolia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ressa spoke to him over the static in his ears. The [Combat Butler] looked up. Ressa\u2019s face was pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to\u2014protect her. Help has to be coming. Someone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She whirled. The bolt of lightning illuminated the world. When the blindness and ringing were gone\u2014Reynold saw Ressa.<\/p>\n

The [Mage], the throwing expert, and the [Martial Artist] all surrounded her. They were attacking in tandem, dodging her dagger and wearing her down.<\/p>\n

That left the trap expert and blade master. The [Trapmaster] was speaking calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold the [Lady] down and stab her to death. Pull her ring off if you have to. I\u2019ll stop her from running.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Blademaster] walked at the Butler. His blade shone, part glass, part metal. Some work of art, with the reach of a greatsword, but only one edge.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Butler]. Leave. You\u2019re not our target.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man with the sword addressed Reynold curtly. He pointed with his blade, indicating the open road. Reynold saw Magnolia backing up as the [Trapmaster] ducked out of the way of the wand she held.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave?\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynold looked at the [Assassin] with the sword. The man nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to die here. This is your one chance. What will it be?\u201d<\/p>\n

He waited, a mockery of honor as he held his sword at the ready. Reynold looked down at Sacra. Gently, he lowered her to the ground. The [Butler] drew his sword. He wiped at his eyes so he could see.<\/p>\n

\u201cRun? Never. To the death, you worthless bastards.\u201d<\/p>\n

He advanced, his sword held between both hands. The [Blademaster] sighed. Reynold heard Magnolia make a sound of pain. Ressa was faltering as the [Martial Artist] kicked her into another bolt of lightning.<\/p>\n

Reynold charged.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Double Slash]! [Evasive St\u2014]<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Assassin] whirled. His sword lashed out.<\/p>\n

Reynold fell down. He tried to get back up. But something was wrong. He looked back and saw the problem.<\/p>\n

His legs were gone. Severed. The [Butler] stared. Then he tried to crawl forwards. He slashed at the [Assassin]\u2019s legs with a wordless cry.<\/p>\n

The man walked past him. Magnolia was pinned. The [Trapmaster], exasperated, fired a crossbow point-blank into her neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho gave you that ring?\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t answer him. She looked up. The [Trapmaster] nodded to the [Blademaster].<\/p>\n

\u201cEnd this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other man lifted his sword overhead. He looked up, for the invisible watchers. His eyes flickered down to Magnolia.<\/p>\n

Lord Tyrion Veltras ran him through the stomach. The [Lord] turned; the [Trapmaster]\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] bellowed. The watchers stared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

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

Then.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLady Magnolia Reinhart?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyrion Veltras stared at the place the [Assassin] had indicated. His hand drummed on the table. He looked at the [Assassin]. At the spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy midday, perhaps a bit later. Then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyrion Veltras drew his sword. He strode past the [Assassin] and roared one word.<\/p>\n

\u201cJericha!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She came running. But she was too slow; the [Lord] was racing out of the stables before the [Assassin]\u2019s body collapsed. His head lay on the floor. Tyrion Veltras left Jericha and the frantic soldiers behind. He rode faster\u2014faster\u2014<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is he doing? <\/em>That\u2014that fool!<\/em> That idiot!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ieka screamed at the scrying orb. She wasn\u2019t the only one. The watchers of the noble houses saw the [Lord] of House Veltras strike at the [Trapmaster], scoring a deep slash before whirling. He rode down on the other three surprised [Assassins].<\/p>\n

The [Blademaster] was alive\u2014but he\u2019d been gored through the stomach and thanks to the poison, the healing potion wasn\u2019t working properly. He was screaming as Tyrion struck with his lance, breaking up the three around Ressa.<\/p>\n

But what was he doing? <\/em>She heard an [Assassin] speaking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeave. Or we will kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were five. The [Lord] of Veltras stared at the wounded [Blademaster]; but the [Assassin] had stopped the bleeding with a Skill. He was crouching behind the others.<\/p>\n

But all five were standing there. They hadn\u2019t fled. They had not been prepared for him.<\/p>\n

[Messages] were screaming towards the [Lord], but he could not hear them. Nor did he respond to the [Trapmaster].<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep them off me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at Ressa. She blinked up at him, and then bared her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Pure Acceleration]. [Shadow Doppelganger]. [Whirlwind of Blades]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She leapt at them and the [Assassins] dove away with a cry as a second, shadow-Ressa appeared and was skewered on the [Blademaster]\u2019s sword. Tyrion Veltras accelerated.<\/p>\n

He had taught Hethon how to strike with a lance. The world became a single charge. And at the end of his lance tip\u2014trying to evade\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Mire had consumed dozens of potions. The [Trapmaster], Sithorn, threw a desperate loop of wire. Tyrion knocked it away with his shield.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Lancing Hydrastrike].\u201d<\/p>\n

He stabbed Mire with his lance at the same time as his first strike hit her in the shoulder. Off-target.<\/p>\n

She lost her arm and shoulder. The [Lord] saw her fall, grabbing at a healing potion. She healed herself; he frowned. But her arm was gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cCall him off or give us a second target.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Sithorn hissed into a speaking stone. He listened, then bellowed at Tyrion as Mire backed up, muffling her howl of pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord of House Veltras. Why are you helping a traitor to Izril?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Not his words. But if they worked\u2014Lord Tyrion lifted his lance. He charged<\/em> again, wordlessly.<\/p>\n

This time he was foiled\u2014the [Thrower] snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Full Power Throw]! [Hail of Projectiles]!\u201d<\/p>\n

She threw nearly thirty enchanted darts which exploded and forced the [Lord] to evade and block. He rode out of the cloud of dust, unharmed. He slapped a vial of healing potion onto his wounded mount as he rode, lance raised.<\/p>\n

As if he was on the tilting grounds. The [Lord] calmly spoke as the [Assassins] pivoted towards him. Magnolia was kneeling besides Reynold, empty bottles in her hands. The [Lord] looked up and addressed the invisible watchers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not Magnolia Reinhart\u2019s ally. I do not agree with her. I detest how she rules her lands and her philosophy is antithetical to mine. If she comes against me, I will oppose her, even if it should mean one of our deaths. However.\u201d<\/p>\n

He lowered the lance. Magnolia looked up at him and Tyrion gave her a cold look. Then he nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever. If I let her die to treachery, to the true traitors of Izril, slain by cowardice, by [Assassins]? The day I allowed such a thing, that day, the House of Veltras is no more. We are the Five Families of Izril. Silent cowards have no right to slay us.\u201d<\/p>\n

His army was coming. Slower, far slower than the [Lord]. But they were coming.<\/em> And\u2014as the [Assassins] waited for orders, Ressa limped backwards towards Magnolia. She was kneeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cReynold. Stay with me. Reynold.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI believe I\u2019ve lost something, Lady Reinhart. Go on without me. I regret that I cannot drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe silent. Ressa\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to fight with him. Stay in the carriage. Lock yourselves in\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Maid] was coughing. The north watched. And then\u2014Magnolia Reinhart\u2019s eyes widened. She raised her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cT\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She vanished.<\/em> The [Assassins], Ressa\u2014even Tyrion stared.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I had the teleportation spells locked!<\/em> Even [Greater Teleport] should have been slowed by\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Mage] cried out as the others whirled on her. Suddenly\u2014their calm professionalism turned to uneasiness. Ressa looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Wait, w\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She vanished. Reynold was grinning, coughing\u2014he vanished too.<\/p>\n

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

Tyrion Veltras stared at where they had been. He didn\u2019t comprehend what spell could have done that. Then he whirled.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Shockwave Punch]!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Martial Artist] slammed into his shield. The [Lord]\u2019s shield absorbed the entire blow. Yet\u2014his horse grunted at the strain. Then\u2014from the side, the [Thrower] screamed.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Complete Onslaught]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He unloaded everything. Tyrion whirled\u2014too slow\u2014the [Mage] fired into the cloud.<\/p>\n

\u201c[True Lightning]! [Siege Fireball]! Damn you! You\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] galloped out of the haze. His warhorse stumbled. He saw the wire too late\u2014the invisible edge caught the horse. It didn\u2019t go through the enchanted armor, but it blocked his retreat.<\/p>\n

The [Blademaster] was standing there, still with a hole in his stomach. The whites of his eyes were showing. But he spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Walk Forwards Unto Death, Or Victory].<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He advanced, his sword swinging and tracing patterns in the air. Tyrion Veltras touched his mount once.<\/p>\n

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

The warhorse went down. The [Lord] threw himself to safety. He rose, blocking a spell and dart. Suddenly\u2014the [Assassins] had turned their fury and shock on him. He met the Minotauress and blocked her punch.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we kill him or not? We can bring the [Lord] down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sithorn was speaking into the stone. The [Lord] rammed his shield into Mire\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

[Retribution of the Shield].<\/em> The stored energy sent the Minotauress flying so far she landed<\/em> in a forest. She might be dead. The [Lord] pivoted.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Thirty-foot Slash<\/em>].\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Trapmaster] ducked with an oath. The [Blademaster] parried the incredibly long<\/em> and wide strike. Tyrion raised his blade.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Might of Four].\u201d<\/p>\n

He brought his sword down as the throwing expert lunged at him and drove the other man into the ground<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u2026But he was a [Lord]. And a [Lord] alone was weaker. The [Assassins] got back up. Mire howled.<\/em> She had transformed into a larger, hulking figure. Her arm was still gone, but the rest of her injuries…<\/p>\n

They were Faces. The [Lord]\u2019s eyes widened fractionally. He was used to battlefields. He had never conceived of five opponents like this. The [Assassins] advanced.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring him down.<\/em> [Wire Noose].\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Trapmaster] snagged an arm. He tossed the wire to Mire and she grabbed it with her left arm and screamed in fury. Tyrion tried to plant himself; with her enhanced strength she threw him <\/em>into the air. And a spell.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Siege Fireball]!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The [Lord] blocked the spell mid-flight. Barely. He landed, shaking his head, ears ringing, and then the [Blademaster] was on top of him as the throwing-expert tossed a bolas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? Does he die or not?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Sithorn aimed his crossbow at the [Lord]\u2019s head. He could practically sense<\/em> the elites of House Veltras bearing down on them. \u00a0He waited\u2014and at last, the babble of voices resolved itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Izril cannot lose its most powerful [Lord]. Leave. Now.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Assassin] threw the stone down and cursed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvacuate!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Faces looked at him in disgust. Tyrion Veltras, shield raised, saw them leap away. He looked around.<\/p>\n

The dead [Maids]. The broken carriage. His mount.<\/p>\n

Sacra.<\/p>\n

When Tyrion Veltras\u2019 bodyguard finally caught up, he stood alone. Alone\u2026his deed of saving Magnolia Reinhart seen by his peers. And Magnolia Reinhart?<\/p>\n

She was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he do it? He hates her.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe even left him during the battle. He\u2019s a fool. An idiot. Veltras honor.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Faces are outraged\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet them. This was not acceptable. <\/em>You. You decided to approach Tyrion.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The sound cut off. The Circle of Thorns went silent. After a long, long pause, someone spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

One voice spoke. Calmly. Suppressing the fury of it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will suffer for this. Tyrion Veltras has proven himself to be a feral hound, not an ally\u2026he will be brought to heel. He is a fool. And he will see just how far our reach extends. When he swears himself to the Circle\u2014he will do so as servant to the cause, not ally. Now, begone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The meeting ended. The Circle of Thorns broke up.<\/p>\n

They had failed to kill Lady Magnolia Reinhart. Lord Tyrion, at no benefit to himself, had done the unthinkable. The Circle had made its one mistake in him.<\/p>\n

What a fool. The Lord of House Veltras slowly rode back to his lands. He had no reward. He was injured. He\u2019d lost his horse, and Magnolia Reinhart was gone; if she had thanks for him, well.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t done it for her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMilord? Why did you ride to her defense? You could have\u2026died?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyrion did not like to admit that himself. But he had not\u2026known\u2026how strong the [Assassins] were. They had nearly brought him down, armed with his best artifacts, on the charge. He looked at Jericha.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Jericha? Was it not clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

His tone was surprised, as if it was written clear as day on his face. Jericha hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the honor of the situation demanded it, but even so, the risk to yourself\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] slashed with his lance. He was riding a spare mount. He looked ahead, tiredly. Back towards home, far away. He rode ahead of Jericha.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just\u2026Hethon and Sammial. If I let her die, how could I raise them with anything like integrity? Assassins? We are better than that, Jericha. We must be.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at his back. The [Lord] rode home. And Izril changed for that moment.<\/p>\n

Magnolia Reinhart left the north three days later.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Note: <\/strong>Thus ends seven days of writing. I had planned the ending with the beginning. I don\u2019t know if I did it proper justice; I wish I was certain.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been tiring. In seven days, The Last Tide came out. I lived without air conditioning in the summer\u2019s heat. I killed three spiders and a lotta moths.<\/p>\n

Oh, and I wrote a lot of words. I hope you enjoyed this, whenever you read this. I will now take off the rest of the month to rest and work on other TWI-related projects. Thank you for reading and understanding.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s all from me. See you in a bit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–pirateaba<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/lightsresonance<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.deviantart.com\/lightsresonance<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Headscratcher\u2019s Death, by Lire<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Headscratcher<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Then. Ryoka Griffin didn\u2019t know if she liked the Archmage of Izril or was disappointed. Because when she realized how many prisoners had died in those cells\u2014how many intruders\u2026she looked guilty. \u201cI forgot to task myself with monitoring them. Oh no. What an error. And they\u2026starved to death? They would have\u2014without food\u2014oh no. Did I […]<\/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":[11693087,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693136],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-8833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-7","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n7.42 M - 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\/2020\/08\/14\/7-42-m\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"7.42 M\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Then. Ryoka Griffin didn\u2019t know if she liked the Archmage of Izril or was disappointed. Because when she realized how many prisoners had died in those cells\u2014how many intruders\u2026she looked guilty. \u201cI forgot to task myself with monitoring them. Oh no. What an error. And they\u2026starved to death? They would have\u2014without food\u2014oh no. 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