The Next Day
Landar
My bedroom was sparse and spartan. A bed just large enough to fit , a desk I knew I'd soon grow out of having my knees already scrape against the wooden legs, and a wardrobe that held a few changes of basic but hardy clothes.
Compared to what I had been living in for the last few years, it was luxury incarnate.
And of course on the wall hanging over my desk was a small trophy rack. I could move the pegs around from left to right, and up or down the three sliders. I had my war ax resting there for now. A gift, in a rightful place of honor.
A knock ca at the door. It was early morning, and I had already finished my breakfast and stretching and was dressed for the day in the plane cloths that had been left for . They were brown, and beige. But the cloth didnt itch, and I could feel the slight hum of mana infused in the threads.
I opened the door, and found a young woman roughly my age in a uniform staring back at . Hello Student Landar. I am Sena. One of the Arch Dukes pages. He has sent to show you the way. her eyes moved to the ax on my wall. Please leave your weapons, bring only yourself.
I did as I was told, putting on my boots and traveling cloak, I followed the girl down the several flights of stairs. Huh, I didnt think this thing went this deep, I thought as we passed the sixth spiral downwards.
So how far are we going? my voice echoed strangely in the stone walls.
Down to the basent of the tower. So call it the dungeon.
Dungeon huh? my imagination was filled with images of deep dark forgotten ruins filled with ghosts and cobwebs. Where tombs of the dead were grander than the hos of the living, and beings of shadow and fla slept deeply. Only to be disturbed by those greedy enough to dig down into their lairs.
Yes. Though it is in a tower configuration, the tower is indeed a proper dungeon. Sena sounded almost proud. The duke holds court near the entrance node on the basent floor. Your professors will call it floor zero.
How many floors does the tower have? I asked as we reached the twenty fifth and final floor down.
Unknown. But Duke Mortir has currently reached floor ninety nine. He hopes to break through to the one hundredth soon.
Woh, thats . . . a lot of floors.
Sena smiled and opened one of the double doors in front of us. Yes it is. Please enter, ill wait out here to escort you back to your room when your audience is over.
***
I walked into the hall, and found half a dozen people standing in front of a large throne. The room was poorly lit by two fire sconces to either side of the stark throne, while the rest of the walls and alcoves were bare of tapestries or paintings of any kind.
Landar! A very familiar voice said and before I could respond powerful arms wrapped in a hug and lifted off the ground. The air was squeezed out of my lounges as my father choked back sobs. I felt tears burning my own eyes.
Hello father, he put down and my mont of freedom and uninhibited breathing was short-lived as another set of arms, not half as strong but equally as insistent wrapped around .
My boy, Elsbeths voice was soft, and it cracked with emotion. Youre alive!
Hello mother, a hand reached up and ssed up my hair in a familiar way. Hello Tabitha, I found my very pregnant sister, eyes burning with the sa emotion I felt standing just behind Elsbeth. A mix of anger, and joy was plastered on her face.
Youre an idiot. She said, her words punctuated by the cracking in her voice. We thought . . . we thought you were dead. Tabithas other arm was being held by a man who matched my father for height, and looked like who would eventually match him in muscle. Eventually.
Roland, I thought you were dead.
Not going to lie, he said, his voice soft and raspy, as if it were being dragged across sandpaper and broken glass. I did too. My throat got crushed by a golem. As you can tell, I'm still healing from that beating I took.
I dont know, it sounds kinda cool. You could be batman. I got a blank confused look back from the man. Super cool detective with a thing for bats for so reason. Won find it sexy.
Oh. Maybe I'll keep it then. He smiled down at my sister and she bead up at him. They kissed and my chest felt like it was about to explode. They had earned their happy ending after all.
Soone hit , and I looked down to find my mother quietly bawling into my shoulder. She spoke through the sobs in a halting cadence. You. Cant talk. About girls yet. Too young.
Tomas smiled sadly and pulled her away from into a gentle hug. Hes eighteen now, wife. Hes going to start looking at girls. And hes going to be a lady killer, just like his old man. He winked at , and I couldn't help it. I felt a blush cross my face.
Another figure caught my attention then. A tall, familiar man with weathered features. He smiled sadly at and I waved him over. Farr! Mother, father, this is the man who found on the road after . . . well, after everything happened. He and his family took in and gave a safe place to live for a while.
Is that so? Tomas glared at the man, looking Farr up and down as if examining a street walker for any sign of threat. He let go of Elsbeth, and walked over to him. After a heartbeat or two of tension, I was worried I'd have to step in when Tomas extended a hand, and Farr took it. Thank you for keeping our boy safe.
Youre welco a course. But I got ta say. Im not sure we did much but feed the lad. He helped us far more than we did him.
Still, you gave him a roof over his head and a warm bed right? Elsbeth asked, and I nodded. And ArchDuke Mortir already told us about what happened that night. You saved him.
More than that, they made kin in all but blood. I said, repeating the farr's own words to .
Then we owe you, Farr. We owe you a debt I dont think we can ever repay. Elsbeth pulled Farr into a hug, and the man's eyes went wide. Then Tomas pulled both of them into an embrace and Farr looked extrely uncomfortable.
Good, it's what he deserves. I thought smugly. While my parents both biological and unofficial talked, it gave Tabitha, Roland and I a chance to catch up. As it turned out, Roland was on the verge of gaining his fifth level and was in the academy on the Grey Priesthoods scholarship program. My sister had also been attending the academy, but had taken the last two years off since she got pregnant the first ti.
We have three children. Raylin, our eldest little girl, Lonie, our eldest boy and the middle child, and then this one. She rubbed her belly. We havent picked out boy nas yet. But if it's a girl, we were thinking of Mary.
Mary is an excellent na, a voice from behind us said and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Duke Mortir appeared out of a shadowed alcove, reading a book as if what he was doing was not extrely weird. You know, so say that is the Mothers na. From when she was mortal. I dont much care for Gods, but that little tidbit always interested .
Roland and Tabitha both bowed at the waist. Tabitha admittedly with Rolands help.
Please none of that. Im sorry I interrupted, I just like that na. Are you going to have the sex of your baby divined?
No, your Grace. We prefer the surprise. Tabitha said, smiling as brightly as the sun.
Well that's too bad. When the little brat is born, send a ssage would you? Id love to know.
We will your grace, Roland said.
Alright enough of that your grace nonsense. I get too much of that as it is. It might be good for the ego, but it makes a guy's head swell. Now, I have a little proposal for your family here, and then I'll be out of your way.
Tomas, Elsbeth, and Farr all joined the little collection of people and bowed to the Duke. I already said enough. No more bowing either. Thats an order.
Elsbeth's eyes were red rimd, and I could tell she was not going to bite her tongue much longer. And you can stop glaring at Elsbeth. I get enough of that from you at city council etings.
If you werent so rude to everyone all the ti, maybe I'd glare at you less.
If this is about giving tenents to high nobles to manage instead of land, that proposal was approved by the drudges of all people. Trust when I say-
No Duke Mortir, Eslbeth said his title as if he were her child. It's about the way you speak to people. The tenent idea . . . problematic in so ways. But also understandable given circumstances. . . It's not what you say Duke, it's how you say it that disappoints so.
I froze, fear trickled down my spine. This man had threatened to murder half the city's nobles if they caused a ruckus again, what would Duke Mortir do to my mother. I was prepared to step between them, but my legs froze. My joints felt like they were as stiff as ice, I couldnt move as Mortir glared back at my mother.
Mortir leaned down, and t my mothers unwavering gaze. Then, as if the sun had just risen to chase away the mist of darkness he laughed. I like you Elsbeth. I really do!
Im glad you find amusing.
I do. You have a spine. A real spine. Like your boy there. Though you have more sense then he does by a country mile.
He's A boy, it is to be expected. she gave a worried glance, but it was gone as soon as it had appeared.
Yeah I know. But that mix of steel and common sense is hard to find. That's why I want to adopt you.
***
What?! nearly everyone shouted at the sa ti.
What? Elsbeth demanded.
What? I . . . I thought you were going to adopt . I whispered, and the Duke guffawed at that.
Why would I adopt you? Youre a bullheaded, half crazed, half feral wild child with a spirit possessing you every ti you get angry. Youre WAY too much work. No, your mother on the other hand? For the last three years shes done nothing but stare and every other noble from the northern district down at every city council eting. Shes punctual, smart, have an amazing spiritual foundation, a decent intellectual one, and we can always figure out the physical stuff. I hear our easterner friends have pills for that.
You . . you want to take pills? Drugs? Elsbeth asked. So you can adopt ?
Yeah. It's not as crazy as it sounds. Itd only be a legal adoption. And youd hardly be the only family I have. Hell, three out of every ten noble families in this city have so direct tie to through my brothers and sisters.
Not to ntion all your bastards, Tomas said. He quickly covered his mouth with both hands, as both Mortir and Elsbeth glared at him.
Yeah, that too. He sounded more annoyed then offended. On top of everything, I need soone who can co in and help get the political issues this Duchy faces addressed. Youve spent three years in public service, representing the commoners of this city. Before that, you were known all across the lower districts for your service to the lower casts. The drudges practically worshiped the ground you walked on with all of your little projects to keep them fed and warm and safe during the winter. And the dwarves, when they visit, dont get started on them. They practically make it a point to say more nice things about you then , every ti they show up at our gates. So you have so international clout as well as local experience. Youre the perfect candidate to help get my duchy up to snuff. The only problem is . . .
Im a commoner.
Exactly.
And my husband is on the verge of earning a knighthood on his own. Or so the rumor mill says.
Too true. Though . . . we have to do sothing about that tongue of yours kid. For a mont I thought the Duke was talking to . But then I realized he was looking directly at my father.
My husband has learned how to keep his mouth shut. Usually. And he is getting better about such things.
If you say so. Mortir reached into a satchel he was carrying and produced a parchnt that seed to glow. You sign this contract, and I'll have legally adopted you. Which ans, your family becos my family. Tomas took the parchnt and held it up to the light so Elsbeth could read it clearly.
One more problem. Elsbeth said as she read. If I beco a noble, even a low level one, I'll have to give up my seat on the council.
Yeah, but you were going to have to do that anyway when Mr. Talks Too Much beca a knight at the Yuel court. Dont think I dont know about you grooming your replacent among the commoners.
I have been training Lexy. She's coming along well. But . . . Shes still too green.
Just because youre a noble doesnt an youll disappear. She can still ask for your advice and help you know.
True.
And as a noble, my heir apparent technically, youll have a lot of resources you can bring to bear. Including tutors that you never had, that you can hire for her.
Also true. She finished reading, and began again. This ti going slower as she read through the docunt. Then she pointed to a particular paragraph. What's this about being responsible to care for any kids you wish to acknowledge?
Oh that. Just you know, He moved his hand in a circle. Standard stuff. She glared at him and after a few monts Mortir sighed. Alright, fine. You caught . I . . . well, I actually don't have as many . . . Bastards, he glared at Tomas as he said the word. As people tend to think. What can I say, I'm not the romantic type. But lately thats kind of changed.
Did Duke Mortir et soone? Elsbeth asked, her voice a mix of teasing and pleased. Youve been a bachelor for too long. The Duchy would be thrilled.
Well yeah. But . . . it was a like a decade ago. She . . . she died when we went to take on the seventy seventh floor. Its guardian . . . well. She died saving . He pointed twoards the scar over his eye. The other injuries, the burns and lost hair had all healed. But that scar from when I first saw him was still there. Ever present. Never healing. Pushed out of the way and took the attack right through her heart. Damn near like poetry.
Oh. Im so sorry.
Bah. It was a while ago, and it was only a short trist. But I didnt know that she had a kid. Her grandfather has been raising her in the capital. And hes getting old. And I'm not . . . Im really not the parent type. If you know what I an.
I understand. So, you adopt . And we, She took Tomass hand. Help raise your child.
Where would that put her in the line of succession? Farr asked, and the whole group turned their attention to him. You know. Just to prevent any confusion. I have three grown daughters, and a slew of other children. If I didnt tell them all who got what when and their ma passed, itd lead to all kinds of heartache and bruised feelings. Best have that out the way now. . . sir.
That . . . is surprisingly wise. Thank you uh . . . what was your na again? Mortir asked.
Farr, yer grace. Thats all. Just farr.
Weird na. But okay, just farr. Thank you. Youre right. Hmmm . . . Lets et tomorrow after council eting, and well talk about it. Sound fair?
The docunt magically shifted, and though I couldnt read all of it, I could tell that language about further negotiations was added to the bottom.
I . . . I dont know. What do you all think? Elsbeth asked, looking to father, Tabitha, and Roland.
While you lot mull it over, I need to have a little chat with the feral child. Mortir grabbed my shoulder and directed away from everyone. Almost as if I had been forgotten, the group ca together huddled around the contract and began whispering in tones I couldnt quite make out.
We need to have a little chat.
Yes, your grace. About what exactly?
A few things. First, not your grace. You can call grandpa. Wait, no. Thats weird. Uh . . . uncle? No even weirder. Just . . . just call mortir. For now.
Yeah, thats probably best.
This business about you being from another world. We need to chat about it. Theres . . . His eyes grew distant with mory. I . . . theres a lot more to it then Sigvold explained. When soone is brought from another world by the gods it usually ans sothing terrible is about to happen. The ground shook and dust rained from the ceiling as if to emphasis his words. It had been doing so off and on pretty much the last day and a half. And that, He pointed upwards. Doesnt exactly feel like it. At least not to .
What do you an?
When you get to a certain level, you start feeling the gods intentions for things. Start seeing their authority as it warps the world. And occasionally, when one of them thinks it wise, you can hear them whispering to you. That, motioned upwards again towards the dual high in the heavens. Is confusing. There is more than one authority wrapped up in it, more than one gods fingers in that pie. But when I look at you and that girl, I see only one.
Oh? And what god is that exactly?
Ill . . . ill keep that to myself. For now. But I will say this. It's not the mother or the father. It's a god with a global portfolio. Not a regional one.
That . . . did not make feel better.
Wasnt ant to. Look. When you get powerful enough, people stop looking at you like a person and they start seeing only the power. Whether its raw strength, or political power it really doesnt matter. And most people, those with any sense in this world, fear power at its peak. That makes it difficult for to . . . see in certain directions. Hells I have difficulty talking to my pages, and most of them co from high ranking noble houses.
Hence why my mother is so important to you. You need soone who can see how change up top will affect those at the bottom. I nodded, it made sense. He was trying to implent certain reforms, whatever those were. And in that process he needed to have eyes and ears running up and down his kingdom. So you can adjust your changes as needed.
Yeah. Exactly. But more than that. Most nobles, when they reach the heights of power rely on their children, their cousins, nephews and nieces to keep them apprised of the goings on in the middle ranks of society. And i . . . he looked embarrassed for a mont.
You dont have that.
More or less. I have a few people I can rely on, but most of those have grown in power themselves over ti. You are going to be in a unique position. My cousin, you t the mistress of novices, I take it? I nodded and mOrtir grinned from ear to ear. Shes one of those.
But even she is in a place of power and authority.
Bingo kid. Youre getting it.
Bingo? That was english. What? I shook myself ntally and refocused. It was a question left for another ti. So shes going to need help at the school?
Youll understand more when you start classes, form your party, and start going on practice runs and missions. But . . . well, I need soone who will tell her about issues and report rumors of strange things to her honestly. Whatever is happening in the world right now, Again he motioned up towards the sky. Is probably going to have so pretty big consequences. ON top of whatever problem you and that girl were brought here to help resolve. The first people who usually encounter those types of issues are the common folk. And the common folk deal with threats by asking the adventurers guild, local nobility, and, He motioned to . Students at the Silver Tower Academy who are deed knowledgeable enough and strong enough to take on training missions.
So . . . you want to act as a kind of field intelligence gatherer?
Yeah, kinda. Not a spy mind you. But whenever you see, or hear a rumor about sothing weird from your fellow students? Just send a note about it. Can you do that?
It was my turn to smile. Yeah. If my mother becos your daughter, legally. I wouldn't keep my . . . grandpa, in the dark. Mortir shivered slightly. The man struck as soone who was the consummate bachelor. He loved being single, and he thought of himself as still young and carefree. Despite everything around him screaming that that self image was totally bullshit.
You're a cruel kid. Cruel. he turned around and gently pushed back towards my family. Go enjoy the rest of the day with them, talk about it, and see if you can talk so sense into your mother.
You got it. I turned and t his eyes. Old man. I ran to my family, leaving the Arch Duke to shiver in the dark.
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