Chapter 454: Under the Hood
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Chapter 454: Under the Hood
Under the HoodThe original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.
The next day brought another surprise, shaped as a scrap of parchment.
Master Martel,
I request a meeting.
Tonight if so convenient.
Same tavern as our
previous get-togethers.
Your Keeper of secrets
A rather short and to-the-point message for someone so wont to waste words as the Keeper; the coy signature line was the only part that actually sounded like him. Perhaps, like Ruby's message the other day, it betrayed a concerned mind.
Martel had more or less forgotten about the painted jester, as they had parted ways after recovering the relic together for the Friar. He was not even sure if he had any reliable means of contacting the man anymore. But he had no need either, as it turned out, and it seemed obvious that the Keeper wished to meet because of the upcoming Council. The question was whether he knew that Martel would be present or had been involved in the events leading to the summoning of the Nine Lords; Martel supposed he would find out tonight.
***
As Martel entered the tavern, he made sure to use his magical sense to check for gold. Not that he believed the Keeper would lure him into a trap; he if anyone respected the Pact. But there was always the chance that someone had impersonated him, luring Martel to the location under false pretences. That would explain why the note seemed to have diverged from his usual style.
However, the establishment had no patrons other than tired workmen and day-labourers – though one of them wore it as a disguise, grinning as he saw Martel. Preparing himself for the excesses of the rogue's personality, the wizard strode over to join him at his table.
"Master Martel, I am grateful at your swift response and willingness to meet. Time is a little sensitive, otherwise I would not have insisted."
"What do you want?"
A few minutes passed before Martel saw the child again, emerging from the establishment. A few paces behind him came Ruby. "I got her for you," the boy declared excitedly, holding out his hand.
Martel dumped the remaining two coins into the urchin's palm. "There. Get going."
As the child ran off, Ruby reached him. "This is a subtle approach for a proud wizard. Normally, you stride in as if you own the place." Her smile, almost genuine, blunted any sting in her words.
"It didn't seem wise to announce myself, should anybody be watching and guess that I'm going with you to the gathering. It feels like everyone is getting ready for something to happen," Martel considered. "No point warning them to expect me as well."
"You can be clever when you want to. There's more than just school learning behind those blue eyes." Her smile changed to match the cheek in her words.
"Well, here's another clever idea. Tell your mistress to bring the Night Knives with her to the meeting. She'll have Flora and experienced warriors to protect her. I'll stay above ground with you, looking after the Pearl."
Ruby shook her head, her expression turning grave. "I'm not letting her go to that council alone. Martel, she took me in from the streets. She's like a mother to me and the other girls. We won't leave her side."
Martel sighed. He could not fault her for this, considering his own reason for going along was likewise based on emotion. "But what if it's not enough? What if my help is not enough?"
"Look, we're not new to this. We'll be well-equipped for a fight. We got eyes on the other mages in the city who've done work previously for any Ninth Lord – so far, nobody's been engaged. We're watching the gates and port, should any mercenaries arrive. If there's real danger, we'll know," she claimed.
"I still think you should stay up here and let the Night Knives go with her."
She shrugged. "If there is a fight, I have a lot more faith in you than Flora."
"I guess that's nice. But with everything I hear - it feels certain that something's going to happen. It just seems an unwise risk to take."
"Of course something will happen. But is it an attack during the council? On the Pearl while we're away? Or maybe it's all a ruse to scare Lady Pearl away, in which case, her absence confirms her weakness. How much longer do you think she'll be allowed to run the bridge district? And if she is removed, me and my sisters will be hunted down rather than risk us taking revenge."
Martel swallowed. It sounded so harsh, yet he did not doubt her. "Alright. I'll see you Pelday evening."
Her red lips turned upwards before she kissed his cheek. "Good. I'll head back before anybody wonders what handsome face lurks underneath that hood." With a wink, she pulled away and crossed the street, returning to The River Pearl.
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Chapter 454: Under the Hood
Under the HoodThe original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.
The next day brought another surprise, shaped as a scrap of parchment.
Master Martel,
I request a meeting.
Tonight if so convenient.
Same tavern as our
previous get-togethers.
Your Keeper of secrets
A rather short and to-the-point message for someone so wont to waste words as the Keeper; the coy signature line was the only part that actually sounded like him. Perhaps, like Ruby's message the other day, it betrayed a concerned mind.
Martel had more or less forgotten about the painted jester, as they had parted ways after recovering the relic together for the Friar. He was not even sure if he had any reliable means of contacting the man anymore. But he had no need either, as it turned out, and it seemed obvious that the Keeper wished to meet because of the upcoming Council. The question was whether he knew that Martel would be present or had been involved in the events leading to the summoning of the Nine Lords; Martel supposed he would find out tonight.
***
As Martel entered the tavern, he made sure to use his magical sense to check for gold. Not that he believed the Keeper would lure him into a trap; he if anyone respected the Pact. But there was always the chance that someone had impersonated him, luring Martel to the location under false pretences. That would explain why the note seemed to have diverged from his usual style.
However, the establishment had no patrons other than tired workmen and day-labourers – though one of them wore it as a disguise, grinning as he saw Martel. Preparing himself for the excesses of the rogue's personality, the wizard strode over to join him at his table.
"Master Martel, I am grateful at your swift response and willingness to meet. Time is a little sensitive, otherwise I would not have insisted."
"What do you want?"
A few minutes passed before Martel saw the child again, emerging from the establishment. A few paces behind him came Ruby. "I got her for you," the boy declared excitedly, holding out his hand.
Martel dumped the remaining two coins into the urchin's palm. "There. Get going."
As the child ran off, Ruby reached him. "This is a subtle approach for a proud wizard. Normally, you stride in as if you own the place." Her smile, almost genuine, blunted any sting in her words.
"It didn't seem wise to announce myself, should anybody be watching and guess that I'm going with you to the gathering. It feels like everyone is getting ready for something to happen," Martel considered. "No point warning them to expect me as well."
"You can be clever when you want to. There's more than just school learning behind those blue eyes." Her smile changed to match the cheek in her words.
"Well, here's another clever idea. Tell your mistress to bring the Night Knives with her to the meeting. She'll have Flora and experienced warriors to protect her. I'll stay above ground with you, looking after the Pearl."
Ruby shook her head, her expression turning grave. "I'm not letting her go to that council alone. Martel, she took me in from the streets. She's like a mother to me and the other girls. We won't leave her side."
Martel sighed. He could not fault her for this, considering his own reason for going along was likewise based on emotion. "But what if it's not enough? What if my help is not enough?"
"Look, we're not new to this. We'll be well-equipped for a fight. We got eyes on the other mages in the city who've done work previously for any Ninth Lord – so far, nobody's been engaged. We're watching the gates and port, should any mercenaries arrive. If there's real danger, we'll know," she claimed.
"I still think you should stay up here and let the Night Knives go with her."
She shrugged. "If there is a fight, I have a lot more faith in you than Flora."
"I guess that's nice. But with everything I hear - it feels certain that something's going to happen. It just seems an unwise risk to take."
"Of course something will happen. But is it an attack during the council? On the Pearl while we're away? Or maybe it's all a ruse to scare Lady Pearl away, in which case, her absence confirms her weakness. How much longer do you think she'll be allowed to run the bridge district? And if she is removed, me and my sisters will be hunted down rather than risk us taking revenge."
Martel swallowed. It sounded so harsh, yet he did not doubt her. "Alright. I'll see you Pelday evening."
Her red lips turned upwards before she kissed his cheek. "Good. I'll head back before anybody wonders what handsome face lurks underneath that hood." With a wink, she pulled away and crossed the street, returning to The River Pearl.
Chapter 454: Under the HoodUnder the HoodThe original appearance of this chapter can be found at Nvl1n.The next day brought another surprise, shaped as a scrap of parchment.Master Martel,I request a meeting.Tonight if so convenient.Same tavern as ourprevious get-togethers.Your Keeper of secretsA rather short and to-the-point message for someone so wont to waste words as the Keeper; the coy signature line was the only part that actually sounded like him. Perhaps, like Ruby's message the other day, it betrayed a concerned mind.Martel had more or less forgotten about the painted jester, as they had parted ways after recovering the relic together for the Friar. He was not even sure if he had any reliable means of contacting the man anymore. But he had no need either, as it turned out, and it seemed obvious that the Keeper wished to meet because of the upcoming Council. The question was whether he knew that Martel would be present or had been involved in the events leading to the summoning of the Nine Lords; Martel supposed he would find out tonight.***As Martel entered the tavern, he made sure to use his magical sense to check for gold. Not that he believed the Keeper would lure him into a trap; he if anyone respected the Pact. But there was always the chance that someone had impersonated him, luring Martel to the location under false pretences. That would explain why the note seemed to have diverged from his usual style.However, the establishment had no patrons other than tired workmen and day-labourers though one of them wore it as a disguise, grinning as he saw Martel. Preparing himself for the excesses of the rogue's personality, the wizard strode over to join him at his table."Master Martel, I am grateful at your swift response and willingness to meet. Time is a little sensitive, otherwise I would not have insisted.""What do you want?"A few minutes passed before Martel saw the child again, emerging from the establishment. A few paces behind him came Ruby. "I got her for you," the boy declared excitedly, holding out his hand.Martel dumped the remaining two coins into the urchin's palm. "There. Get going."As the child ran off, Ruby reached him. "This is a subtle approach for a proud wizard. Normally, you stride in as if you own the place." Her smile, almost genuine, blunted any sting in her words."It didn't seem wise to announce myself, should anybody be watching and guess that I'm going with you to the gathering. It feels like everyone is getting ready for something to happen," Martel considered. "No point warning them to expect me as well.""You can be clever when you want to. There's more than just school learning behind those blue eyes." Her smile changed to match the cheek in her words."Well, here's another clever idea. Tell your mistress to bring the Night Knives with her to the meeting. She'll have Flora and experienced warriors to protect her. I'll stay above ground with you, looking after the Pearl."Ruby shook her head, her expression turning grave. "I'm not letting her go to that council alone. Martel, she took me in from the streets. She's like a mother to me and the other girls. We won't leave her side."Martel sighed. He could not fault her for this, considering his own reason for going along was likewise based on emotion. "But what if it's not enough? What if my help is not enough?""Look, we're not new to this. We'll be well-equipped for a fight. We got eyes on the other mages in the city who've done work previously for any Ninth Lord so far, nobody's been engaged. We're watching the gates and port, should any mercenaries arrive. If there's real danger, we'll know," she claimed."I still think you should stay up here and let the Night Knives go with her."She shrugged. "If there is a fight, I have a lot more faith in you than Flora.""I guess that's nice. But with everything I hear - it feels certain that something's going to happen. It just seems an unwise risk to take.""Of course something will happen. But is it an attack during the council? On the Pearl while we're away? Or maybe it's all a ruse to scare Lady Pearl away, in which case, her absence confirms her weakness. How much longer do you think she'll be allowed to run the bridge district? And if she is removed, me and my sisters will be hunted down rather than risk us taking revenge."Martel swallowed. It sounded so harsh, yet he did not doubt her. "Alright. I'll see you Pelday evening."Her red lips turned upwards before she kissed his cheek. "Good. I'll head back before anybody wonders what handsome face lurks underneath that hood." With a wink, she pulled away and crossed the street, returning to The River Pearl.
