Chapter 24
"You lot are slow," Zarracen remarks to them when they appear. She studiously ignores the glance from Isabella full of amusement. They don't need to know I didn't have a fucking clue. Zarracen thinks to herself as she glances back keeping her face plain.
The full squad was there with their weapons drawn but a few of them saw Vesper and immediately dropped to their knees. She's sure some of the mercenaries didn't know but they dropped it immediately. Avery looks with her eyes glowing. Zarracen thought that expression was only for the descendants of the Goddess Tximuria.
Zarracen finds herself relieved a bit by the expressions on their faces. The shock. The awe. The fear. She certainly didn't want to be the only one that held such a panic. Isabella holds her hand out and Zarracen takes it escorting her back to her carriage. She glances at her team of guards who keep their eyes down in fear.
"We'll talk later. Let's get back to the mansion."
"Yes, I've missed my meeting due to this excursion."
They begin the trek back with the guards all walking amongst the carriage as in their rush to get here they forgoed their personal steeds. Was this a punishment for them being caught unawares. It can be construed that way, but it was just how the situation rolled. Zarracen should walk amongst them as to having been just as caught unaware but she's shameless enough to admit she didn't want to.
"So, what do you plan to do with them?" Isabella questions.
"Nothing," Zarracen informs.
The two spend the ride back to the Crystal Mist Mansion in silence. Once they enter the city walls, she has Avery sit inside with Isabella before she leaves, not forgetting her worry about Prawm and the other members of the Sunmen mercenary group.
"I need you back before dusk for a discussion," Isabella orders as Zarracen disappears into the street.
A simple wave suffices in Zarracen acknowledging the order.
The Romantic Garden is bustling just like every other day. Zarracen walks around the exterior of the building tracking anyone moving in the area. What she finds is several people staking out the exterior. That is odd. Such a place normally has watchers but not like this. They were too intent, too focused as if waiting for a sign or slip up.
That bad feeling she had from Empress Vesper grew.
There were about ten of them watching that she can pinpoint. One a good distance from the others. She hides her aura signature and moves to them. Being sneaky in broad daylight was difficult for most people but not her. Having stolen from neighborhoods like this as a kid well she perhaps has a talent for going unnoticed.
So, the shock the person who she sneaks up behind doesn't even appear before they're knocked out. For some reason they were decked out fully in black in broad daylight like a weirdo. That's how you stick out not stay hidden. Shoot she couldn't even sense magic over the area to mask detection. Bunch of idiots it looks like seeing as their comrades didn't adjust to that quick shift of Videle dropping and leveling the person in front of her had.
Zarracen takes off the mask hoping to spot any discernible looks and finds she doesn't recognize him. She pats them down hoping for anything identifying them.
Ah there it is. In the back right pocket.
She sticks her hand into the pocket and finds a wallet. Zarracen blinks. Nah can't be. No way it's this easy. She thinks to herself.
However, it was. The man's entire name was in the wallet. He was someone from a Tektdom. Lionell Kirk Waylen. He must be from a branch house because Waylen wasn't a Tektdom she knew of. From the RIM badge it's clear that Sunmen mercenary group is under investigation.
A deep frown sets upon her face as an uneasy feeling rises up within her again. With this unease comes an anger. This reminds her so much of why she hates nobility. They'd rather cover up the rot than fix it. This country has so many problems yet, it seems Princess Celeste would rather lend favor to that problem.
No. Calm down. Zarracen struggles to keep her aura within as the rising tide of anger rushes through her like a torrent.
Being at odds with RIM will be bad. Zarracen places the mask back on the man and wallet back in the pocket and walks to the front door to Romantic Garden. Pauses at the entrance using the time to lock eyes with each RIM member around the area. From the ones hiding on the rooftops to the ones hiding in the streets.
Curious, she wonders if they'll make a move or scurry away.
Zarracen enters the building. The boisterous spirit of the room changes abruptly as she enters. A few of the mercenaries leer her way with hostility. A few days and her presence sparks unrest. She looks around for the desk jockey. It's a woman today working and fielding requests. Zarracen walks up to her. She stiffens at the sight of her but smiles with an expression denoting fear and exhaustion.
"Good afternoon, Galt Ahktan," Zarracen is greeted with a curtsy and it makes her want to sneer.
She keeps her face placid as she looks around.
"I don't see the Sulkan Mercenary group," Zarracen acknowledges. Usually, she would see one or two members in the area rummaging around, eating or looking for quests.
"Ah, yes they are currently on a job right now. Would you like to leave a message?"
Zarracen looks at her hard. She's a good liar. She can feel them beneath the guild. Their auras were strong though they felt a bit exhausted. Not the type of exhaustion you get from fighting but the type she felt while memorizing all the knight's codes.
"Can I give a missive?"
"Of course, here's paper and pen."
Zarracen is given a good many sheets. Good. She doesn't feel the RIM have adjusted their positions, so she draws a crude map and marks their location before writing a letter to the Sulkan Mercenary group. The letter is quick informing them of the half information she received about RIM's investigation into Exl as well as giving them a place to lay low along with money.
She uses something she never thought she'd ever use. With the letter and Star Vixtra she leaves an unassuming rock. A holdover from her times in the slum. Inscribed in small letters onto the rock that can only be viewed with a magnifying glass are the words 'Steadi we wak to dead for us to life.' The spelling is reasonably awful but it's an old item from her childhood.
Only a few of them could even read and write so having this to let us know who who in their group was would always get them somewhere. And hopefully, having this will allow that person to help them. At least as long as they don't think of Zarracen as a traitor for abandoning the slums.
"Make sure they keep the rock huh?" Zarracen remarks and hands over everything. The woman skims the letter and then smiles.
"Have a wonderful afternoon Galt Ahktan."
Zarracen leaves. She looks up again jumps to the roof. She stands beside the RIM agent her stumbles backwards when she appears in front of them. She looks down at him.
"What are you doing here skulking about the Romantic Garden?" Zarracen questions.
"Nothing, Galt Ahktan just a routine stakeout. You know how mercenaries can sometimes get out of hand."
"Ah, yes they do get boisterous when they get a good drink in them."
Zarracen agrees with a laugh. The RIM agent laughs as well though it sounds strained. Terrible actors the lot of them. Princess Celeste should send all agents to the theatre, perhaps they'll learn something from playmasters. Zarracen shakes her head. She doesn't go there instead she inquires further.
"I've heard from a few of my own feelers that there is an issue with a super charge." The man stiffens up before nodding briefly. Zarracen nods her head.
"Well, if that investigation team needs help I'll see if Princess Isabella would be kind enough to allow me to lend assistance. The last time such a thing ran rampant my people were affected horribly."
Her people implying those from the slums. The man nods and appears relaxed.
"We'll keep that in mind Galt Ahktan for now we just have a few leads in that investigation."
"That investigation huh?" Zarracen blinks wondering what they were investigating here. "Why are you really here?"
"We've heard of unsavory practices of this mercenary group here. Apparently, they've been ferrying it."
"Hmmm interesting." Zarracen nods. "I'll be off now."
Zarracen dashes off, not without hearing a sigh of relief.
The guard captain arrives back to the Crystal Mist Mansion within seconds after leaving the area around the Romantic Garden. Her guards were in the training hall holding what appeared to be buckets at their sides with their heads bowed as Avery was standing over them menacingly. Upon her appearance in the training hall Avery turns to her.
"Commander," Zarracen greets with a nod. "What are you having them do?"
"Back in the church whenever one of us did something wrong as children we'd have to hold a bucket full of rocks in each arm at our sides," Avery states.
"Huh, so you're taken to punishing them in my place."
"Of course, especially the worthless magic users who didn't even notice you were gone. That's whole reason you brought them, right?"
Of course, despite her demeanor Avery was bright. It's a good thing she's made her the overall Commander of the Guards up under her and not just a squad commander. Too bad she's over passioned.
"I'm glad you could discern that." Zarracen looks at the four in front of them. "Though, should they be struggling like this with just some rocks? Makes me wonder if I got crap instead of actual knights."
"Ah I increased the weight by at least forty times and then cast a weakness spell on them."
"Oh!"
Avery's bright grin is almost blinding to Zarracen. She actually feels a bit sorry for the nobles especially since she messed up as well. But will she tell the zealot next to her that. No. She'll just smile and keep it moving. No need to upset an already upset beast.
"Have they been doing this the entire time since you've been back?"
"Of course,"
Zarracen nods.
"So, how did you find us?"
"Well Miss Fiella advised me that Princess Isabella had left something important that she was supposed to give to the noble she was visiting. A gift I believe and of course the princess cannot go without her gift she was to bestow the less worthy so I followed behind you."
"Uh-huh?"
"But when I arrived, I could not even detect the Princess beautifully shining aura. How, dare they use such vile trickery to take her from us a simple spell like that violating her shadow in such a way! Blasphemy. I was intent on tracking them down, but I figured you had it handled since nothing nearby exploded with your aura. But then I felt your aura outside of the city briefly! So, I quickly undid the spell and back tracked it gathering the guard to go to Princess Isabella's rescue."
"You did good work Commander Avery. Go be with Princess Isabella I'd prefer someone with your standing to be beside the princess."
"Yes of course!"
Avery excitedly scurries off. When she's out of sight Zarracen turns to the others who were now looking at her strain and effort on their faces. She wonders if they were really that heavy. She did say she cast some weakening magic on them.
"Drop the pales," Zarracen orders.
Bang!
Clang!
The buckets drop without claps and thuds. A loud exhale leaves the lips of every knight here.
"Sit down."
Zarracen sits and the other knights do so.
"I don't blame you guys for not knowing about the Shadow Exchange. I should have prepared you for the possibility of it happening myself," Zarracen informs them. "Luckily nothing came of it this time. However, in case it does happen again Galt Veras and Galt Morrow I want the two of you to devise a way to quickly respond to such a switch."
"Not stop it?" Galt Veras questions her.
"No because sadly it's used as a defensive measure as well."
"Understood, Captain." Galt Morrow accepts the task.
"Now, then did she say how long the weakness spell would last?"
"It ended when we dropped the pales."
"Good. Pick up your weapons. We're gonna have a bit of a training session. You for against me. Galt Veras you're the lead for this do as you will."
Zarracen zones out and concentrates on figuring out her teammates strength and weaknesses. Galt Veras was a rather skilled mage. It's clear why she was directly beneath Galt Askola. Her magic always met her aura either defending or attacking. She would even use it to distract and subtly target her balance.
This in conjunction with Galt Morrow's powerful spells was a great contrast that lent well to their abilities. It also highlights the fighters who preferred close combat more like Sir Reynard and Sir Murry. Sir Murry would take advantage of any moment Galt Veras magic would disrupt Zarracen. The former squire may not be used to battle but he has a distinct knack for making a move when the stronger teammate has distracted the enemy.
Sadly, Sir Reynard was the least impressive. It's clear a part of Sir Gibraltar's letters in regard to his son were true. The man's aura fluctuated so often that it could barely solidify to be a proper attack at times. For a tier 6 martial master it's a terrible showing of physical prowess. His magic at least allowed him to bridge the gap focusing on enhancement and small barriers here and there.
Zarracen smacks away his weapon with a sigh.
"Let's stop here. Good showing, it seems your skill wasn't all bad. You have good teamwork for the most part despite not knowing each other long. It lends credence to your experience." Zarracen compliments them. "Go ahead and wash up. We'll continue training together tomorrow."
With this done she now has wasted enough time to see Isabella. Zarracen perhaps, should have gone straight to the princess as soon as she got back but a part of her was dreading the discussion. Even if there really isn't anything to dread.
Zarracen enters the main part of the mansion and walks amongst the halls. She arrives shortly to Princess Isabella's study where both Xan Jax and En Avery stood. She enters the room with only a glance at them.
The princess was sitting at her desk looking calm despite the days activities. Zarracen gives a bow before taking a seat. As soon as she does, a veil casts around the room. Signaling that they can talk in peace.
"Where's Fiella?" Zarracen questions.
"Not here. She's being punished with an absence of my presence due to her revealing matters that did not concern Mom's interests."
"Right and what was that?" The guard captain is certainly curious.
"Matters concerning you," Zarracen blinks before understanding.
That's why the Empress had shown me such attention. She thinks to herself of course. It also explains why she was interested in her amulet. Though, it's weird she grabbed it from up under her shirt. It just looks like a simple trinket and unimportant. It makes her wonder if there was something she sensed in it. For all intents and purposes, the thing was useless until it wasn't.
Zarracen kept in on her as a keepsake and was unaware of the power beneath. She still could not sense it, but it feels like Empress Vesper can and perhaps Princess Isabella could.
"It conjured a shield, did it?"
"What?" Zarracen blinks. "Uh yes, yes it did."
She squirms in her seat feeling a bit uncomfortable. She didn't want to talk about why she has it. Didn't want to think about it really. Princess Isabella seems to catch on though because she steers the conversation in a different direction.
"The Exl. Mother wants me to deal with it but I have no hand RIM like sister does."
"Knight's can investigate too ya know?"
"Hm?"
"Code of 8: Emperor's arms. The Knights are the arms of the Imperial family. They are to protect the citizens from harm and discern matters against the Empire. Subsection 1B: As the Emperor's arms Knights are granted the ability to discern harm against the Empire. Essentially, the Code gives the ability to recognize harm against the Empire and do whatever means necessary to solve the issue. The rest of the code and subsections go into a more decisive detail, but investigation is part of it. After all, the RIM organization is relatively new."
"So, I can charge you to investigate out of recognizing harm of Exl."
"Yes, though likely you're not the only who knows this."
"That doesn't matter. Investigate how you can on your end, and I'll do some investigation on my own. We'll come together each night to consolidate information."
"Right."
Zarracen moves to stand and leave but Isabella halts her with her hand.
"Tell me why did you go out of your way to save those mercenaries."
"They're my friends. Why wouldn't I?"
"Because, they're in the middle of it."
"They aren't guilty."
"And you know this because?"
Zarracen frowns.
"Fine, I don't know if they lied to me about their Exl involvement or not that's true. But, I do know one thing they wouldn't have taken such a huge chance that could get them killed. Mercenaries make good money even if they have to spend a good amount on weaponry. Shit they make better money than most Knights per job if they're good."
"It also makes them likely to get shafted by the people who hired them."
"Which is what I know happened?"
"Know?" Zarracen shrugs.
"I don't know the well that's true. All they did is share a few drinks with me and help me transport the dragon here. But, what I do know is that I have to trust my instincts and they didn't have me questioning myself whenever I was with them. To some extent I trusted them with my prize."
"That's not a ringing endorsement."
"I'm aware. But, the least I can do for them for helping me out since I've gotten back in the capital is help them out once. What happens after this? Well...it's up to them."