4-39 Trace

“Lady Erynthea, you’re here,” said Rigetta, who was having her breakfast on the balcony of her office. There was a small round table on the balcony and she sat facing the city below. “Breakfast?”

“Thanks but no,” Erin refuted politely with a smile. “I have already eaten. Moreover, I didn’t come here for your hospitality, Rigetta.”

“Of course, you didn’t, but take a seat first at least.” Rigetta gestured at the empty chair beside her.

Erin sauntered over and took a seat by Rigetta’s side. The backrest of the chair had an opening that perfectly accommodated her tails, not that she needed one.

“Seems like you made a powerful friend yesterday,” Rigetta said, taking a bite of her sandwich and a sip of her coffee.

“News travels fast.”

“Especially this kind of news. What did the High Lady of Valdrun ask of you?”

“She did not ask anything of me.”

“Truly?”

“Is it strange that she didn’t?”

“Nobles don’t make friends unless they have something they want from this new friend of theirs.”

“She didn’t ask me for anything. In fact, it felt like she had given me something instead.”

“What would that be?”

“Introduction and declaration. Whoever’s targeting my life will now think thrice before harming me.”

“That is true. In addition to being a Fae, you now have a high noble for a friend. Do you know the territory of Valdrun is even larger than Sephrodia’s Valley?”

“Don’t know, don’t care.”

“And it’s odd. House Valdrun is neutral but the High Lady practically proclaimed you as her friend to the whole city. What do you make of that?”

“I have a few notions but none of which are my concern right now. This subject isn’t my reason for my visit, Guild Master.”

Rigetta chuckled. “Not fond of small talks, eh?”

“Not right now. So, what have you found?” Erin began.

“Plenty,” Rigetta answered. “Edmund’s memories are a treasure trove in disguise. Everything that looked like nothing turned out to be something significant after a thorough inspection. He knows the fronts the Covenant and some nobles are using for their illegal dealings. He even knows the secret places and areas where some of the most unsavoury activities are being held. What’s funny is that he’s completely oblivious about all of these.”

“You mean he didn’t even realise he has damning information that could expose the underworld?”

“Simply put, yes.”

“I can’t believe Lyra was involved with such a dullard,” Erin muttered.

“Some girls find foolish boys charming, I have heard.”

Erin cast a sidelong glare at Rigetta.

“Just joking, m’lady.” She tittered. “However, I am sincerely baffled by how Edmund lived for so long. He had offended a great deal of relatively powerful individuals but he’s drawing breath to this day. Do you know who he has offended?”

“If you think it helps with the circumstances, make a list for me. Otherwise, I don’t care about that now, Rigetta.”

“Alright alright, someone’s in no mood for casual talks. I’ll get to the point,” Rigetta said and pulled out a roll of parchment from her long and loose sleeves. “Here, this is your next quest.”

Erin received the parchment roll and unfolded it. Her eyes gave the document a quick but thorough read. “A supposed cave of a Rune Drake on the outskirts of the valley but it is in actuality the lair of immoral researchers of the Covenant… You got this from Edmund’s memories?”

“Sort of. It was a blur from Edmund's memories as he was nearly always… under the voluntary influence of drugs most times. It’s just one month’s worth of memories but in half of these memories, he was semi-conscious. I don’t think he even remembers most of these memories.”

Erin grimaced inwardly. The more he knew about Edmund, the less he found him pleasant, the more he pitied Lyra’s past involvement with him.

“Nevertheless, I decided to send someone to investigate the few interesting-looking places I found in his memories, one of which is a cave where a Rune Drake dwells. The scouts found crates of some kind being transported in and out of the cave. There were no labels on these crates. They used well-fed and well-groomed horses and the carts were plain-looking but they were all made of the finest materials. The cave was indeed a Rune Drake’s nest but they have the Rune Drake enthralled. The Rune Drake now acts as camouflage and security.”

“Is there a reason why you want me to investigate this cave first?”

“Because it’s the one with the most security and activities. Most of the other places of interest were emptied out or nearly emptied out. But this cave is one of the places that are slow in being emptied. Whatever is in the works in the cave, it must be huge.”

“There are other places like this?”

“Four but they are all in crowded places in the city and these four are well-respected on the outside. This cave will be a good start.”

“It certainly will be. Where is this cave?”

“West of the valley. It’s close to a pass, it’s shrouded in tall trees but with you and your companions’ abilities, I don’t believe finding it will be a problem. You can probably smell it from miles away since a Rune Drake’s scent is quite peculiar.”

“Any word of caution?”

“The cave is in the depths of the forest. It may still be within the valley but it is in the wild, so expect bandits and monsters. As much as the city soldiers try to cull them, they are like roaches, very tough and tenacious roaches. Don’t underestimate them. There’s a reason these monsters and bandits live longer than their peers.”

“I know that.”

“Also, they had probably bribed the forest patrol soldiers. So expect some resistance from the patrol should they see you.”

“What are they going to do if they see me? Kill me?”

“They know some handy restraining spells in the form of spell gems or spell scrolls.”

“What level are they?”

“Below fifty.”

“You sound very sure.”

“It is how it is. All those above a certain level are entitled to receive special treatment. Well, if they’re above fifty, they would be delegated to more… prominent tasks. Their words, not mine. Such as protecting the noble streets.”

“Seems like it’s too much to expect their definition of prominent to be synonymous with risk and danger. Do they not realise that level doesn’t define a person’s overall capability?”

“Admitting that will be the same as belittling themselves. Never in a million years will they ever do that.”

Erin shrugged. “I suppose they wouldn’t. Not unless there’s profit to be made from the self-disparaging acts.”

“You know them so well, Lady Erynthea.”

“The greed of people never changes,” Erin mused silently.

****

Erin promptly ended her meeting with the Guild Master and excused herself after receiving the quest from her. Erin wasn’t sure if her Lust was at work or Rigetta simply shared her sexual orientation as she noticed the Dwarrow was giving her flirty glances that were borderline salaciousness. She didn’t want to find out.

“That was fast,” said Amyra, who was waiting at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the staff-only floors. Amyra was the only one who tagged along with Erin as the rest were training. Now that they were amidst strong individuals, they were hellbent on not becoming a liability to Erin and each of them was giving their all in their training. Amyra wasn’t asked to follow but since she also had business with the guild, she came along.

Erin raised an eyebrow. “I did say it won’t take long, no?”

“That’s what everyone says but it usually ends up taking nearly an hour.”

“I’m a man of my word.”

“Woman,” Amyra corrected with a faint chuckle.

“...What about you? You’re finished with your business too?”

“For today. Say, have you tried the honey-roasted breadstick just three buildings away from here?”

“No?”

“They’re tremendous.”

“Why are we suddenly talking about breadsticks?”

“Because I’m famished.”

“But you just had breakfast not an hour ago.”

“I eat a lot.”

“Alright, then enjoy your meal. I’ll be going back to the manor first.”

“Oh, come on, m’lady. Food tastes better when you have company.”

“But I’m not hungry.”

“Just a bite or two. It will be my treat. Unless the quest you received is an urgent one?”

Erin frowned out of nowhere. “Not as urgent as what’s to come.”

“What do you mean—” Before Amyra could finish her question, she noticed her surroundings had quieted down and everyone was looking in a certain direction, including Erin. Swept by her curiosity, she turned in that direction too.

A blonde man with well-combed hair strutted down the guild’s hall with his nose held high and his gaze trained to the front as if everything else was not worth his attention but the path ahead. He had a rapier by his waist and he was dressed in a lightly armoured attire adorned with the insignias of Ruva all over.

“A Venerer?” Amyra muttered.

“Lucan…”

“That’s Lucan? You know him?”

“We were briefly acquainted.”

The blonde Venerer was heading straight towards the reception counter when he caught sight of Erin. It was impossible to miss her as she was the tallest woman in the building aside from Amyra, she was only the one with white hair, and her tails were very eye-catching. Lucan’s lips immediately curled with displeasure and he shifted his path to her.

“He’s walking here,” Amyra said.

“It appears so.” Erin also walked toward Lucan and they confronted each other halfway.

The on-lookers watched over them with bated breaths.

“Erynthea, was it? Didn’t expect we would meet here.”

“I’m an adventurer, Lucan. Why would you not expect to meet me here?”

“You wronged one of my Venerers. A smart person would have gone into hiding and never show themself ever again.”

“You seem to be confusing what you would do with what an actual smart person would do.”

Lucan snorted. “As insolent as the rumours say. So, Erynthea, how would you repent for harming a Venerer?”

“Lady Erin did not harm your companion. I did.” Amyra stepped forward.

Lucan’s gaze was fixed on the pendant dangling around Amyra’s neck. He grimaced. “An Aeryon.”

“An Aeryon Apostle, to be precise. Heed it well, Acolyte.”

“You think you frighten me just because you’re an Apostle?” Lucan scoffed. “Your god is dead, Augur.”

“I don’t need my god to beat you in a fight, Acolyte.”

“Is that a fact?”

“To me, the grace of my god was an exaltation.” Amyra grinned. “But you? Your god’s grace is your crutches.”

A heap of gasps could be heard from the on-lookers and Lucan stared wide-eyed at Amyra with a blank face. Erin was burying her face in her palm and shaking her head.

“Since when did it become your Venerers, Acolyte? Last I heard, Azaela is the commander.”

Lucan gripped her rapier’s hilt tightly. “You damn impertinent—”

“Draw your sword and you will face some heavy consequences, Venerer,” Rigetta’s voice resounded from the second floor. She was standing by the rails of the second floor’s landing, looking down at the first floor.

“You think you can stop me, Umbrun?” Lucan shot back and clashed with her gaze.

“You’re welcome to find out, Venerer.”

“I’m a Ruvan Paladin. I—”

“I’m sure Azaela would rather have you cut off from the Ruvans than risk having the relationship between the Adventurer’s Guild and the Ruvan Faith in tatters over some petty feud. You know your commander. I’m sure you will agree with me, Venerer.”

Lucan’s grip loosen on his rapier’s hilt and his grimace softened into his usual conceited expression. “It would seem there’s a great deal of people that need to be reminded of Ruva’s true grace.”

“Even if that’s the case, it won’t be you who would be reminding anyone.”

The onlookers laughed.

Lucan’s face turned red from the indignation. He looked about to draw his rapier but he ultimately decided against it with a loud snort. “What a waste of time. I have seen and heard enough. None of you deserves Ruva’s grace,” he said and strode out of the building with his fists clenching all the way.

Rigetta sighed once Lucan was out of sight. “Amyra, we need to talk. Lady Erynthea, you may leave.”

“Is Amyra in trouble?” Erin asked.

“That would depend on her,” Rigetta answered.