When Gawain made his half-joking comment, the veiled woman momentarily froze, her eyes showing a trace of confusion. She blinked and replied politely, "My name is Melita Pernia. I suppose it may sound unfamiliar in the Northern lands."
Gawain cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Ah, forgive me. It was my pronunciation at fault," he said, swiftly setting a more formal tone.
He coughed lightly to reestablish a more serious atmosphere and continued, "So, Ms. Pernia from the Mithril Treasury, what business brings you here at this late hour—and through the window, no less?"
Melita stepped gracefully down from the windowsill. "Entering this way was necessary. I'm sure you understand how many eyes are observing your residence. Moreover, what I bring is classified as 'Top Secret.' Per our agreement, all handling of such an item must be conducted under strict confidentiality."
As she spoke, her eyes—a shade of violet that caught the faintest glint of light—held a penetrating gaze. Her demeanor, though courteous, was undeniably one of an observer, carefully evaluating her counterpart.
Memories about the Mithril Treasury stirred in Gawain's mind, recollections tied to the life he had inherited. Though hardly shrouded in secrecy, few could claim to understand this enigmatic organization's full reach.
Known as a secure depository, the Mithril Treasury offered services to individuals and entities of all backgrounds. For a premium, they stored wealth and valuables with an unbreakable guarantee against theft or loss, a claim that had held true for centuries. The Treasury also provided loans, handling everything from minor personal credit to colossal imperial financing. However, they operated by stringent terms. Each client's access to resources depended on a tightly held credit rating system, never revealed to outsiders. And, critically, the Treasury's commitment to reclaim every coin lent was absolute.
Whispers abounded of one case in particular—a wily fire elemental lord had borrowed an enormous sum, then returned to his fiery realm, confident he could evade the mortal world's obligations. Days later, his elemental core and essence fragments appeared in a northern auction house, covering his debt with interest.
Gawain's memories aligned with these accounts. The Mithril Treasury served any entity with economic interests, from human empires to the elemental planes and beyond. Its existence was as longstanding as recorded history, predating even the legendary tides of magic that once reshaped the world. In fact, the Ansu Kingdom itself had once secured its initial expansion with loans from the Treasury, though King Charles I had, mercifully, paid the debt in full.
Returning his focus to Melita, Gawain masked his uncertainty. Though his inherited memories of Gawain Cecil included many intricate details, they contained no mention of what he might have stored in the Treasury.
Without betraying his lack of knowledge, Gawain asked, "What exactly did I deposit?"
Her veiled eyes seemed to reveal a smile. "Do you not recall, Lord Cecil? It must be the effect of such a long rest."
"I did sleep for seven centuries. It's only natural if I've forgotten a few things," he replied, keeping his tone light. "Though I must ask—do you customarily retain deposits after a client has passed on?"
"Generally, no. A client's passing ends the agreement, at which point we either transfer the assets to designated heirs or retain them as Treasury property if no heirs exist," Melita explained. "However, your deposit was unique. You purchased an indefinite storage service, which means your items remain with us as long as the Treasury stands. And only you, Lord Cecil, can retrieve it."
As she spoke, Melita conjured a small, ornate case from thin air, holding it carefully in both hands. "You invested a considerable sum to ensure this special service. When news of your demise arrived, we considered it an unfortunate loss. Yet, here we are."
Gawain furrowed his brow, sensing complexities beyond what he had anticipated.
But this was no time for further introspection; obtaining the contents of the case was his priority.
"May I retrieve my deposit now?" he asked.
"It would be a slight challenge without your full recollection, but rest assured, the Mithril Treasury is accustomed to such situations," she assured him, holding the case toward him. "Place your hand upon this symbol—these ancient magic seals will confirm your identity."
Assessing the case with his keen knight's intuition, Gawain noted no malevolent energy nor any indication of a hidden curse or trap. Satisfied, he pressed his hand on the symbol, which resembled a claw print, feeling a gentle warmth as the case emitted a soft click, its lid slightly ajar.
"That's all?" Gawain asked, surprised by the simplicity.
Melita smiled again. "Our priority is ease of access for clients, which benefits us by encouraging prompt debt repayment. Of course, your debt was settled centuries ago."
She then opened the case fully, revealing a single, dull crystal within.
A vague familiarity tugged at Gawain's mind, but he refrained from showing it. Instead, he regarded Melita thoughtfully. "Why approach me now? Was this also part of the agreement?"
"No, not exactly," she replied, her tone slightly apologetic. "However, confirming reports of your return required time. I had originally intended to meet you en route to the capital, but your circuitous journey made it impractical. I decided waiting here would be more convenient, though, I must say, King's City has proven rather expensive to stay in."
Gawain's eyebrow twitched. "Then I trust you've managed despite the prices."
Melita nodded with grace, clearly undeterred. "Fortunately, you are a preferred client, so I'll waive any additional fees for waiting."
Gawain gave her a sideways look. "Indeed. Meanwhile, my guardian here sustained an injury in her duties tonight. I won't be charging you for her medical expenses."
Melita hesitated, her expression, though veiled, briefly awkward. "Ahem. Well, it seems we both benefit from magnanimity tonight."
With that, she produced a final item—a gleaming silver ring. "Lord Cecil, as a distinguished client of the Mithril Treasury, you are entitled to a small gift upon completing your first transaction."
Gawain examined the ring, noting its craftsmanship. "What purpose does this serve?"
"The Ring of Mithril," she explained, "grants direct access to your personal Treasury representative—myself. Should you face financial constraints in the future or wish to store further valuables, simply reach out to me through the ring. For more routine services, it may also be used at any Treasury branch, where it provides you with significant client privileges."
With her purpose fulfilled, Melita turned toward the window, ready to leave.
"Let's hope I never need to borrow," Gawain said dryly, holding up the ring.
Pausing, she glanced back with a knowing smile. "In my experience, everyone encounters financial needs. The Mithril Treasury always has its doors open."
With that, she disappeared into the night as seamlessly as she had arrived, leaving only a whisper of cool air in her wake.
A moment later, her form reappeared in a discreet upper room of Gawain's residence. The room, typically used for storage, now bore traces of her prolonged stay: a few travel essentials lay scattered about, a small stove, a tidy bedroll.
Melita packed up her belongings with practiced efficiency, muttering softly, "Fortunately, I've only been using your rice supplies."