Landar
The damage at the Lord Collectors keep had not been repaired with nearly as much skill as the Temple complex had been. Though the destruction also hadnt been nearly as complete here.
Portions of the outer wall were still missing bricks, being upheld with wooden scaffolding that looked to have been placed years ago. So crafters still worked here and there repairing the damage slowly, while entire sections of unused walk ways along the top of the outer wall were left in ruin. Though the rubble and falling hazards had been cleared away.
The one part of the complex that was untouched was the keep itself. The main building where my father and pledged the southern gate guards to the effort to counter attack the Blue Priesthood, was as pristine, i still as dusty, as the day I had first set eyes on it.
n and won of all kinds milled about in the court yard waiting for entry into the keep. Most were peasants like us, or servants of high nobility that were sent with official declarations and receipts showing their house had paid their taxes to the ducal court.
Hovering around the outskirts of the courtyard were around a dozen or so mbers of the Lord Collectors guards. n and won, forr adventurers as far as I knew that radiated confidence and authority.
At one point there was a minor scuffle when knight in full armor cut in line in front of several peasants and craftsn behind us. The traders were being rather vocal about their displeasure, and the knight had resorted to drawing steel.
One of the collectors guards was there in an instant. A wand glowing with a nacing red light in one hand, and a dagger in another. The woman smiled a wicked smile. Is there a problem gentlen?
The knight bristled. None that I cant resolve. A little bit of disrespect for one of a higher station is all. Your aid is not required. The knight dismissed her with a wave of his hand, and the woman's grin only got wider.
Farr, we might need to get out of here quickly, I whispered and the older man turned to see what I was looking at. He chuckled lightly.
I wouldnt be worried lad. The Auditors know how to keep order.
As if him finishing his description was so kind of signal, the woman let loose her spell, sending the knight sprawling. Quicker then I could follow she lept atop him, straddling his armored form and pressing the red glowing dagger against his throat.
She whispered sothing to the knight I couldnt here, but then she lifted her voice. Let this be a lesson to everyone here, high born or low. Free and bound. Everyone's coin is equal on tax day, and so are they equally vulnerable to my blade! Treat everyone with respect, dont cause trouble, and trouble will not find you. Break this understanding . . .
The Collector pushed her dagger down and I heard a harsh girgle followed by a distinct tal, Thunk!
Ive not killed you boy. But piss off again, and I'll do worse. She stood, and the man's helt was held in one hand like a trophy. The strap was cut by her blade. A few monts later the knight stood, rubbing his throat where she had struck him. Understood? She pointed her want back in his direction and he nodded. Then returned to the back of the line where he had previously been.
Got it, no cuts. I thought as I fought a smile crossing my face.
Everyone is equal, on tax day. Farr said, laughter in his voice.
We slowly moved up as the day wore on. rchants and food sellers plied their trade among those who were waiting, offering food and drink to anyone at surprisingly reasonable prices. When I asked Farr about why they hadnt hiked their prices sky high like any enterprising rchant would given a captive audience, he explained.
They do a bit, the prices here are on the higher end of reasonable for decent food. But the Duke pays them to keep them from price gouging. At one point they tried to mandate it, but then rchants just stopped showing up. Not worth it to be working under the scrutinizing gaze of the likes of the auditors for the sa price youd get in the day market. So the duke started giving them coin to show up, and coin again to keep their prices reasonable.
The duke sounds like a decently intelligent ruler, I thought. But then I realized it was to his benefit. If people waiting in line had to leave that line and venture into the city for food or drink, it was likely theyd be robbed far away from the scrutinizing and deadly gaze of the auditors. Keeping everyone here on the other hand, ant the duke could ensure his taxes were safe.
Shrude is probably the right word, I thought as we grew close to the front of the line to get into the keep.
A man in a dignified robe that I would have pegged as so kind of servant walked up to us with a notepad. Hello Goodn. I am Shenoshal Est. Once you are inside the keep, you will be given a number. You are then free to mingle with the others around the keep until your number is called. The ti should also be written on your number card. Please be ready at least five minutes before that ti, so that we can keep things moving smoothly inside the court.
Yes sir, Farr said, tipping his hat to the man. The Shenoshal smiled curtly.
Do you need instruction on how to act inside the courtroom? The studious servant asked.
Ive been here almost as many years as my life sir. I think I'm alright. But my boy here might need a refresher.
Yes, well. Its rather simple. Dont say anything unless instructed to. Once inside the court, take three steps in and wait for the doors to close behind you. Then bow, and walk up to where the guards are standing near the base of the stairs that lead up to the throne. Kneel, and offer your number. Theyll ask you questions, answer them honestly. The Duke will then offer you a minor boon. Do not annoy the duke with your request. Ive seen n killed for asking the wrong boon. Do you understand?
I nodded. I think I got it. Thank you sir.
Est nodded, and moved down the line to the next person repeating much the sa questions and offering the sa instructions as he had given to us. Eventually we found ourselves at the front. The guards took the wagon off to one side, and opened the doors for us to enter. Servants much like Est descended on the bags of gold and in-kind taxes taking careful note of everything, while the guards escorted us inside.
The doors slamd shut behind us, and we found ourselves in a large open foyer. People mingled, talked, chatted, drank and ate from the foot and water so servants were handing out to those waiting. One ca up to us and handed Farr a paper, and both of us small glasses of pure water.
Please stay on this first floor. The rest of the keep is still under renovations and might not be safe.
Thank you, Farr said to the woman, as she retreated back into the crowed. Co on boy, let's find a place to wait.
We found a place a few rooms away that was quiet, and allowed us to sit against the cool stone of the keep. The day had been a hot one, despite the onset of winter and the fact so snow had clung to the ground. Looks like were number seventy six. We have about an hour to wait, according to the paper.
We chatted quietly for a little while, before farr covered his face with his hat, leaned back in his chair, and started to drift off into a nap.
I grew bored and decided to explore the first floor where we were given permission to be. I found a small library, really just a few small bookshelves in one of the sitting rooms, and began perusing the books. Most were books I had read, or where of not interest to . Basic information on magical theory, or mana manipulation. Or worse, romance novels.
I held one of the larger books in my hands, trying to decide from the sparse leather cover alone if I dared to open it. I didnt want to be suprised by another totally implausible sex scene involving a dragon, a rmaid, and a surprisingly plain, yet sohow wonderfully beautiful milk maid. Who was simultaneously the beloved bastard daughter of a high noble, while also being a lowly peasant stricken with poverty.
I sighed, and opened the book. Gah, yup. Dragon - milkmaid - knight having a little fun in a hayloft . . . in the middle of the nation's capital.
Bit into romance are you? A male voice ca from behind . I turned and found a smirking knight in slightly glowing blue armor. Odd to find a peasant so well read.
I froze for a mont, I knew that face. I had seen it in my nightmares the last five years. I had seen it first hand walk through a pillar of light from sowhere else and step into Vlane.
Commander Militant, I bowed awkwardly as my voice cracked. Puberty was awkward.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. Oh, you know of ? I nodded. Well I find myself in the presence of a true oddity. A well read peasant, who doesnt approve of the works of Master Penman Sloss, whom the queen herself enjoys very much. Or so I hear, from very good authority, but still. Only rumors.
My hand twitched towards my ax as my eyes tinged with rage. I covered it with an even deeper bow.
No need to be so formal, boy. He winked at pleasantly. Its tax day. All n are equal on tax day, after all.
Yes, thank you Commander.
He sighed and walked up next to and began reading the titles of the books on the shelves along with . Commander no longer, I'm afraid. No. After that unpleasantness a few years ago my n and ended up staying here in Vlane. Oh, but you might not know much of that. You're from outside the city, right?
I nodded. Yes. But, news travels fast. I heard the fighting was . . . intense. Many people died.
The forr commander nodded sadly as his expression fell. Yes. And just before the war march too. He shook his head. It was a waste. Luckily, and my n were able to help put an end to that confusion, and got things sorted out.
Sorted out?! The image of him standing over my father, his sword raised, threatening my and my mothers lives, filled my vision and I nearly acted. I only stopped myself by biting my cheek until I tasted copper. Bastard.
The bag that hung at my waste seed to hum with its intended purpose. One of my many targets on my very long list of people to visit violence upon, was standing right next to . The items inside had been made specifically for this very mont. To even the playing field enough, that I could take my vengeance.
But not yet, I thought as I listened to the man blather on. I had missed much of what he had just said as I refocused on his words.
-So we stayed. The High Priest imprisoned and sent to the capital for ecclesiastical trial as a traitor to the realm, and well. . . the rest is history really.
So Sigvald is gone? That's one potential alley off the chess board. My already short list of allies is getting shorter.
But it isnt all bad. I even found a bride for myself here in Vlane. A beautiful lass. Shes a solid spell caster, is a mber of the Blue like I am which is always a plus in my book. Spell caster and non spell caster relationships tend to suffer from an . . . imbalance at their core. But listen to blather on to a stranger. He chuckled and shook his head. I suppose I'm just nervus.
What do you have to be nervous about? I asked, legitimately curious as to what could cause soone so physically, magically, and politically powerful to sweat. Perhaps I could find a weakness.
My beautiful bride, shes with child. Weve been looking for nas actually. It's why I ca in here. The Lord Collector said his family kept a list of popular baby nas here.
It's probably not Tabitha. But . . . but it could be.
What is your wife's na? If I might ask, sir?
He gave a curious look, smiled, and went back to scanning the books. Tab-
I heard a wolf howl in my ears, winter's chill rose up from inside , and the overwhelming instinct to kill soone who threatened my pack, no, my family, colored my vision red. I growled, ice ford on the windows and bookshelf, as I felt the creature who had given my core all those years ago rise up to join its will with my own.
In that mont, for the first ti since assimilating the core I felt the spirit of the she-wolf alive within . Within my ax, and resonating within my very soul.
My ax was in my hand before I could stop myself, coated in ice, imbued with more mana then I had ever pushed into Imbued Strike before, and held by muscles that were far stronger then they had been all those years ago.
One of us was going to die today.
And I was pretty damn sure it wouldnt be .
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