2-30 Encounter

“A shitstorm, have you heard of such a crude word, Lady Erinthea?” asked the Guild Master, Edith Rosemary, who was sitting across from Erin in a comfortable armchair.

Erin took a sip of her lukewarm tea before answering. “I haven’t but… I think I guess its meaning with the word itself alone.”

The two were now in the private room of Edith Rosemary, located adjacent to the Guild Master’s office. It was the hour after supper. Erin had come seeking an audience with Rosemary who was just relieved of her duty for the day. Not wanting to turn away a Fae and an acquaintance’s request, Rosemary invited Erin to her personal quarters. Rosemary popped open a brandy as lubricant for their conversation but Erin’s recent was still fresh in her own mind. Therefore, she graciously declined the brandy and went for the milder option of tea. Aside from the taste of the tea, she was surprised to find how accommodating the armchair was. It had room for her tails. When she asked, Rosemary told her it was due to the various kinds of guests she would often receive that she had this armchair made. There was even a chair that could accommodate a race with wings.

“Race with wings? What sort of race?” Erin asked.

“Dragon-kin,” answered the Guild Master.

“You have had Dragon-kin as guests before?”

“Never but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared in case any of them sprang by,” she jokingly told Erin so. Her affable smile disappeared as she downed her glass of brandy.

“I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time, Guild Master.”

“After what happened this afternoon, you will never not catch me at a bad time,” Rosemary replied with a self-deprecating smile. “A quarter of the officials are involved in the slavery business. Our dear viceroy included.”

“You mean Lord Howard Clayton?”

Rosemary nodded and a sigh followed. “We grew up together, you know. Our fathers were friends.”

“Were?”

“They’re no longer with us.”

“I-I see… Sorry to hear that.”

“It’s alright, Lady Erinthea. Their passing has already become a bygone topic but not Howard’s… actions. I should have known. I should have seen it. The town’s in dire straits. He’s desperate and he’s not about to let his power slip to the Ruvans. The signs were there... But now, I guess none of that matters anymore.”

“What happens now?”

“I’m the current viceroy, acting, until the court designated another viceroy. However, my new temporary responsibility is only for the sake of formality. The reality is that the Ruvans will be making a say in almost all affairs now. Of course, I’m not going to just roll over and let things be. I will do whatever I can to prevent all power from falling into the Ruvan’s hands.”

So far, the Ruvans Erin had met didn’t give her any troubles at all, save for Lucan but according to Saphielle, he was a special case. The Ruvans in this town were relatively tame and weren’t as zealous as their brothers and sisters in other towns and cities. The modesty of Quinteburgh’s Ruvans wasn’t coincidental. The head church had assigned these individuals by design since this town was a trade route for many merchants, mainly influential merchants. Having their zealotry in full display of these merchants was only going to harm the church’s reputation. Erin was told all of that by Saphielle.

“And I’m sorry, Lady Erinthea,” Rosemary suddenly said.

“What for?”

“...I’m thinking of handing the whole ordeal over to the Ruvans.”

Erin was surprised, sure, but it was only a matter of course after what happened today. “What’s going to happen if the Ruvans took over?” she asked.

“The town’s guild and officials will lose the trust of the townsfolk. It will also be a stain in the record of the Guild’s history. Ruvanity in this town will become even more prevalent. Before long, the zealots will inevitably come flowing in. You can guess what will happen then.”

Erin took another sip of the tea. Granted, it didn’t taste as good as Iris’ but Erin wasn’t about to be boorish. “If that’s so, you are still considering handing it over?”

“What else is there to do? The kingdom won’t dispatch any troops if there’s no compensation for the troops. The court certainly isn’t going to pay out of their own pockets. The same reason goes to other strong adventurers. Only the “charitable” Ruvan Paladins are left as a choice. I know it’s not a wise choice but it’s the only one we have, that or we let this town drown in misery until the good townsfolk take matters into their own hands. The latter choice is definitely a path I do not wish to take.”

Erin couldn’t refute. What Rosemary had said was only the truth. In the first place, Erin’s reason for her fervency in heading into The Singularity was a personal one. She didn’t feel like she had any right to criticize the Guild Master’s decision.

“I know you have a personal stake in this. That’s why, I’m sorry, Lady Erinthea.”

“It’s alright,” Erin said. “The fault lies not with you.” Her ears drooped down.

Rosemary let out a dull laugh. “Oh come on, it’s not like I’m giving up everything completely, Lady Erinthea. Cease with your melancholy. So, what pleasure do I owe for this cordial visit?” she asked as she poured herself another glass of brandy until it was filled to the brim.

“I would like to know what needs to be done in order to have someone pardoned.”

“Ah, I see,” Rosemary said with a knowing gaze. “So it is about Velkan Corvas.”

“Not just him, there are others. If I can get them pardoned, they will join me in my ventures into The Singularity.”

Rosemary was about to take a sip of her brandy but stopped and put her glass back down. “That’s a tall request, Lady Erinthea. If it’s just Velkan, I think I can make it happen but even him alone would take some time with all the Ruvans around. Especially if Azaela could be arriving any minute now. Do you even know what the people you wanted pardoned have done?”

“I don’t. I haven’t met them but before I do, I want to know if I can even make it happen.”

“You’re a Fae. And you have three tails. You could even kill someone and get away with it.”

Erin almost choked on her tea.

Rosemary laughed. “How green, I didn’t expect this reaction from you, Lady Erinthea.”

“You’re not joking?”

“It won’t be exaggerating to say Faerie-kin are in a way, the emissaries of the Spirits. If the Fae so wishes, I heard the elders can condemn a nation into a starvation of Spirits.”

Erin felt her mind turn blank as she heard that. Her mouth was opened but only stammerings came out. She took a swig of her tea to calm her nerves. “I-I know my kind is influential but… this much… It’s simply too absurd.”

“Then again, it’s only what I have heard. Rumors, they all are but I think there’s some truth in them. Maybe if it’s you, the Ruvans will relent to such a request.”

“But who do I have to speak to for that to happen?”

Rosemary was silent for a while before answering. “...The head priest of the church but… if maybe in the not so distant future, Azaela.”

Hearing that name again, Erin felt as if the name had become nothing more than an omen and a herald for the inevitability of their paths crossing.

****

The talk, in the end, gave no closure to Erin’s uncertainties. She knew what she had to do but whether she was able to do it, that was a different matter. If she wasn’t so in need of the Mist Pearls, she would gladly hand over the quest to the Ruvans considering the current circumstances. But if she did pass the weight over to the Ruvans, she would miss her opportunity. And hearing everyone’s thoughts about The Singularity, she was extremely doubtful she would survive venturing into that place all alone, especially it was a place where even Spirits avoided. She needed a team for her own reasons and she needed a valid cause.

After thanking Rosemary for the tea, she left the Guild Master’s private quarter and took the stairs down to the lobby but not before applying Twilight Veil on herself to disguise her Fox-kin appearance. It was now two hours before midnight. It was the time when women were at their most vulnerable, not that she was part of that category but she wasn’t looking forward to the hassle.

The reception area was barren by this hour. The only adventurers still around were lounging in the waiting area. From the few words Erin managed to pick up, most of them were discussing their course of actions for tomorrow and the days to come while exchanging a few jokes. The minority were discussing the harlot they were going to spend the night with in the red light district later. Erin sighed and smiled bitterly at the peaceful moment that would last most probably for another few days.

Erin was making her way to the exit when she came across a familiar face staring at the notice board by the door.

“Ah,” Erin uttered, her ears perked up along with her surprise, or it would have looked this way to others if it wasn’t for Twilight Veil.

The dark-skinned boy took notice of her presence and he too gave off the same reaction. His eyes were immediately affixed to Erin’s face. Unlike the time he was in ragged clothes Erin last saw him in, the boy was now in proper attire, sporting leather armor and a sword by his waist. Now that he was cleaned up, Erin had to admit, the Augur boy had a face that would make most ladies or even women swoon over him. Even his physique was well-built for a boy of his age. Erin felt a little envious that she didn’t even have half the boy’s charm when she was Argon Raze.

“Cynric, was it?” she asked.

“Yes, I am but… how do you know my name?” the Augur boy asked back. “Have we met?” he blinked.

It put a smile on Erin's face, knowing the lives she saved had thrived from distress. “Not actually but I’m glad you’re safe now and you’re doing well. Anyways, good night,” she bade and walked past Cynric. Just as her hand was on the handle of the door, her other hand was grabbed.

Of course, it was by none other than Cynric. “Wait,” he said. “Forgive me, milady b-but are you perhaps the one who saved me from my predicament?”

Erin was confused. A male was grabbing her arm, though not a man but a boy. Still, it had always felt revolting for her when a man touched her or even gave her a compliment regarding her appearance. However, she had none of those aversion towards Cynric. “Maybe it’s because he’s still a boy?” she thought.

“Milady?”

Erin snapped back to reality. “Ah, well… I guess you can say I was one of them who have helped you.”

“But you did save me. You are the reason I am here.”

“One of the reasons. As I have said, I’m merely one of the individuals who have helped you.” Erin didn’t lie. She was with Siv when they saved him from the so-called dark forest. “If you wish to express your gratitude, I think the merchants of the caravans deserved your gratitude more than me. Now, if you will, can I have my arm back?”

“Ah, apologies, milady.” Cynric let her arm go after an apology. “But I had to ask, if I’m not overstepping my boundaries, may I have the honor to know your name, milady?” Despite his somewhat brutish appearance, his manners were adequate enough that it wouldn’t displease a noble.

“Of course,” Erin replied. “My name’s Argon.” She was in disguise. Giving her real name, current, would be confusing later on and she didn’t think exposing her disguise to someone she barely knew was a good idea.

“Lady Argon, I am honored to have my life being saved by you. An astounding beauty no less.”

Erin raised an eyebrow and her thumped for a second. She thought her disguise had come undone but only to realize her disguised appearance was a beauty in its own right too.

“If there’s anything I can do for you in return, please don’t hesitate, milady.”

Evidently to Erin, she had gained another fervent admirer but she wasn’t sure it was something she should be glad about. However, his offer was tempting but Erin didn’t think it was right to drag a mere child into her own problems. “I’ll hold you to that,” Erin gave a vague answer. “Well then, good night, Cynric.”

“I wish you a lovely night too, milady.” Cynric did the unexpected. He bowed and took her hand to his lips, laying a gentle kiss on the back of her palm.

“Y-you too,” Erin threw a random response and quickly left the building before the red surfaced on her cheeks.

“What the hell just happened!?” she screamed in her mind on the cold streets of Quinteburgh. She didn’t think she would ever be moved by male’s compliment but that was more than a compliment, she realized. That was an expression of desire, the boy’s feelings laid bare. Her mind brewed into a storm. She was well-accustomed to the lustful gazes from men at this point but this was the first, a proper expression without any filthy intent behind. “Am I that easy after all?” she asked herself.

The more she thought about it, the more flustered her heart was becoming, but before the turmoil could expand even further, a greater issue presented itself in front of her.

There was a lady in front of her, dressed in religious garbs with a hood over her head. She resisted the temptation to use appraisal but upon a closer inspection, she knew even Appraisal would not work. She caught a glimpse of the few strands of red hair under the hood and most of all, she felt the tremendous gap of power between them. And just from the way the lady carried herself, it spoke volume of her prowess and experience. Erin’s mind instantly pieced all the puzzles together.

“Azaela,” Erin muttered in her heart. She braced herself for whatever might happen but she restrained her hand from going for her sword hilt.

Azaela stopped right in front of Erin. She held her gaze up and met her eyes with Erin’s. Her lips parted.

Erin stilled her tumultuous mind.

“Pardon me, lady but you’re in the way of the door,” Azaela said without a hint of any hostility.

“Eh? Ah… Um… S-sure,” Erin stammered in confusion but she was able to move out of the way for the paladin. “She doesn't know who am I—? Wait, I'm under the guise of Twilight Veil. If she couldn't tell, this means... she doesn't possess Spirit Magic.”

With that verdict of her own, Erin released a breath that she didn't even realize she was holding.

As Azaela entered the Guild building and the door closed behind Erin, the Fox-kin could hear a series of loud gasps and clamor from within the building. She could even hear the Guild Master rushing out of her room and down the stairs in seconds to receive the paladin.

Erin prayed for the Guild official’s fortune in dealing with Azaela and briskly sprinted back to her rooms. An hour later, the town began clamoring about Azaela’s arrival throughout the dead of the night.