An echo ssage, Dallion said to the ssenger service. To Linatol.
This was pretty much the first ti he had used the courier for this service. Physical letters were a lot more appreciated, but they lacked the one thing that echo ssages provided: speed. The simplicity of it all was astounding. The courier service had mbers in all cities, each with echoes of everyone else. Sending ssages was a simple matter of one echo conveying the contents to the person that had to make the final delivery. At worst, the target of the ssage would get it the following day. Since it wasnt even noon, chances were that Dallions ssage would arrive in a couple of hours.
You sure? The woman looked at Dallion in surprise. You usually go for letters.
This ti its different.
Right. Being the Hero of Nerosal must keep you busy. The woman smiled and put on her ring. Weve got three people free in Linatol right now. Wheres the ssage for?
Hunters den. It was surprisingly painful saying the words, mostly because Dallion knew what would follow. For Euryale.
Ah, its right. She moved there. The ssenger attempted to engage in small talk. Not an easy task, considering the number of ssages that went through her on a daily basis. Whats the ssage?
Ill be going after him. Dallions throat felt dry. Im sorry.
A bit cryptic, but sure. The request has been accepted. Itll be delivered in less than an hour. That will be one gold and five silver.
The price was a reminder of why so few could afford the service. It wasnt just about the network, but also about the guarantees. Everyone in the courier service had made a Moon vow to keep anything said and heard secret. If the rumors were to be believed, all couriers had limiting echoes in their own realms, ensuring that they would forget everything work related in a matter of days or less. There was no way to confirm it, but Dallion had beco cynical enough to believe it true.
I also want to send a ssage to the Cathedral of the Order, Dallion added. To Cleric.
Which cleric? the woman asked.
His na is Cleric. Hes the bishops assistant.
Oh, when you said cleric, I thought she chuckled. Whats the ssage?
Wheres the Star?
The womans expression froze. Fear emanated through her, ringing so loud that Dallion could feel nothing else.
A-are you sure? the woman asked.
Its a request from the Order, Dallion lied. Send the ssage.
Request accepted. Itll be delivered imdiately. That would be two gold coins.
Dallion gave her four gold coins. Compared to the amount hed just received from the countess, this was insignificant. Without a word of thanks, he left the courier office, making his way to the arena. There was one last thing he had to take care of before returning to Hannahs inn.
Do I need to tell you its a bad idea? Nil asked. Of all the tis youve had dealings with that man, only one was in your favor.
This one will.
Even if he agrees, hell ask more than you have. He always does.
There was so truth to that, but this ti Dallion had more than enough ans to get what he wanted. And even if hed end up owing another favor, hed gladly do so. After everything that had happened, there was no way hed leave the Star unscathed. One way or another, there was going to be a resolution to all this, this ti forever.
Being able to cast spells will help a great deal, Aether whispered from the skill gem. Hes still recovering from the damage Ive caused. Free and you can have the sa power.
Dallion ignored both.
A bubble of space slowly ford around him as he made his way through the city. People and animals tended to move away for no apparent reason. It wasnt conscious. A few even greeted him in passing, though even they werent able to fight the feeling of dread emanating from him. The emotion wasnt Dallions own. Taking Aethers advice, he was continuing to combine his music skill with his empathy trait, causing item guardians not only to feel it, but resonate in turn, spreading it further. It was done quite subtly. There wasnt even a need for Dallion to whistle. Instead, all he did was gently tap his harpsisword as he walked.
Good morning, a fury greeted Dallion the mont he entered the side entrance of the arena. How can I
Wheres the general? Dallion interrupted.
Hes occupied right now. If youd like
Splitting into instances, Dallion rushed past the fury. Her skills were good, but even so she was only able to stop a dozen of his instances. The remaining eighty ran along the corridor, slashing air currents as they did, until reaching the door to the generals chamber. Splitting once more, Dallion entered.
The room had been remodeled yet again. Glass chambers covered three of the walls, full of cloud creatures. Sizes ranged from the size of a coin to that of a full-grown human. In all cases, though, the creatures were made of thunderclouds.
Dal. The general leaned back in his large seat of solid sapphire. Wonderful to see you. I had heard that youd returned. Given my last conversation with the countess, I didnt expect to see you anyti soon. Could it be that the hunt is over?
I want to buy sothing, Dallion said. The two fury bodyguards standing next to the general moved closer to the desk. I can take both of them, Dallion said, brimming with confidence. If you want.
Thats not necessary. The general gave them a sign to step back. I just redecorated the place. Cost quite a lot, in fact.
So, we have a deal?
Let explain how this works. You still owe . Just because the countess has temporarily delayed things doesnt an youre off the hook.
Dallion tossed a small leather pouch on the desk. The general looked at it for a few seconds, then slowly reached out for it as if it was made of dirt. The mont he unstrung it, a vibrant purple glow shined through.
A phoenix feather. The general took it out. Dallion could feel a montary surge of interest, although it was a lot less than he had hoped for. Judging by your behavior, there must be more than one.
Theres just one.
Pity.
Are you saying its not enough?
That all depends on what you want to buy with it. Feathers cant be sold by anyone. Then again, you know perfectly well that I wouldnt want to. Of course, its just a feather. The general put it back down on the desk. It cant compare to the cloud heart you brought . See my new collection? All of them were born out of your heart.
Any other ti, Dallion would have felt revulsion at the suggestion. Now he found himself too numb to react.
I want the artifact you gave in Linatol. He pressed on.
That thing? Surprise stread from the general, even if his expression didnt budge. What happened to the last one?
I fought the Star. Now I want to finish the job.
The generals imdiate reaction was to laugh. Seeing that Dallion didnt budge, the laugher soon stopped.
Youre serious, arent you?
Help , like last ti. Everyone wins if the Star is gone, including you.
Whats good for trade is good for the trader, the general mused. Assuming I can find what youre looking for, what about my interests? Thereve been people planning to destroy the Star for centuries. Millennia, if the writings are confird. One of the Orders main goals is to destroy him, and yet the Star is still here.
Find another artifact and Ill get it done.
So confident of you. But what happens if you fail? You still owe . How will I collect if youre not here?
Thats what the feathers for. Dallion tossed another pouch. This one was three tis larger, made of fine velvet. There are enough spellcraft cubes for you to be happy. They arent unique, but you can use them to get soone to find you sothing unique. As you said a while back, Im not the only one whos indebted to you.
Indeed, youre not. The generals gaze shifted from Dallion to his desk. Between the two pouches, there was enough to buy a middle-sized town. Its a very generous offer. However, your request is a bit he made a circle in the air with his left index finger. I dont like throwing away useful things for no purpose. Youre good, but youre not at the level to fight the Star. You have to be a Moon to be.
If I didnt think Id win, I wouldnt be here. Dallion was starting to lose patience. Are you interested, or should I take this to the Mirror Pool?
Touche. The general clapped. True, Im not the only one who could find it difficult to obtain items. If you trusted the Pool, youd be with them now. I appreciate the effort, though.
Its you or them. What will it be?
Youre being a bit too aggressive, Nil warned. Youre tempting him to refuse out of spite.
You make a compelling argunt, Dal. Also, I see youve gained a few levels since Linatol. I still dont think you stand a chance, but itll be amusing to see you try.
The velvet pouch and the phoenix feather disappeared from the desk, each finding themselves in the hands of the fury bodyguards. The air currents they used were a lot more aggressive, serving as a warning.
Ill need a few days, but I believe the item can be found. Its needless to say how rare it is
Dallion strongly suspected that the general already had one or more of it in his personal collection. There was a ti when he swore that the item was unique in the world, as he had done when describing many other things. And yet, each ti, hed manage to miraculously find a new copy whenever the price was right.
You know where to find . Dallion turned around. As he made a step towards the door, an air current wrapped itself around his left arm. The action wasnt aggressive, but rather an indication that the general had sothing to say.
Im getting tired of this. Dallion burst into instances, turning around with half. As he suspected, no attack followed.
Just a piece of advice on the house, the general said while looking at the cloud creatures on the far side of the room. Two of them were engaging in a fight, casting lightning at one another. It always helps to be equipped, but its not the better equipped or the strongest that wins a battle. If the Order is to be believed, the Star has been tricking people to fight on his behalf since ti began. If you really stand a chance, as you believe, hell be sure to throw everything at you. I trust you havent told too many people about your current plans?
Dallion didnt answer.
I dont need to tell you the tangled ga youve joined. Given that youve been paid, the countess must be pleased with the results, or their lack of. That ans shell pull her protection from you. It might happen right now, but it could be at first light tomorrow. Keep that in mind.
I know, Dallion hissed.
Well, in that case, dont let stop you.
Dallion took a step towards the door.
On, and just one more.
Once again, Dallion paused, looking at the general over his shoulder.
The phoenix. Did you really catch it? There was a shiver of genuine emotion in his voice.
Possibly even he was fascinated by the prospect. It was understandable. Catching a creature that was supposed to be uncatchable always was a good icebreaker. It also gave Dallion the satisfaction of turning around and leaving without giving an answer.
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