Chapter Five: Skill Loans

Chapter Five: Skill Loans

Go fetch me your criminals, and your elderly.

Such was my first decree as Lord Protector of Snowdrift and Counsel to the countess-to-be. Any bank worth their salt required an initial investment, and thankfully Snowdrift housed quite a large population of retired workers or infirm individuals with skills to share. They would serve as our initial pool of talent.

After sending Soraseo and Colmar away, Therese, Alaire, and I spent the day reviewing our candidates in the waiting room. Therese immediately found issues with my powers, however. If you sell knowledge, you can no longer remember it yourself?

Thats right, I confirmed. I have to learn it again by other means. Its why Ill have to be careful about the skills I loan to others.

Even if you purchase knowledge you already possess? Therese crossed her arms. What happens if you store information in an item, but learn it another way? Would you retain the information once you lose the object?

Good point, I said. Best check that out first. Do you two know how to play Shield-Sword-Scroll?

Of course I do, Alaire answered with a grin only to blink in shock when her lady friend coughed in embarrassment. Youve never played Shield-Sword-Scroll, Therese?

While I assume it is a game, no, I have yet to hear of it.

Perfect. I grabbed a copper coin. I will sell you this coin and knowledge of how to play Shield-Sword-Scroll as a package deal in exchange for a single smile.

Very well, Therese replied with a warm grin. Much like my previous experiments on the ship to Snowdrift, I lost my knowledge of how to play Shield-Sword-Scroll when I sold Therese the coin.

Oh, this game sounds amusing! Therese said, having gained the knowledge required to play the second she touched the coin.

It is, I replied with a grin. Or it will be, once you remind me how to play it.

Therese proceeded to explain the rules; I always selected Shield-Sword-Scroll because it was very simple to grasp quickly. We played five games, which she all won; much to her amusement. Do we keep going? she asked me.

Not with me. I took the coin from her hand. Can you play games with Alaire?

I expected Therese to answer no. Instead, she smiled with excitement. How about three out of five, my dear Alaire?

Alaires eyes burned with a competitive spirit. Game on.

I watched on as they played round after round of Shield-Sword-Scroll. Alaire did not need to explain the rules to Therese; she simply knew how to play.

How? I asked when Alaire concluded the final round with a victory. How can you keep the knowledge without the coin?

I do not remember how I first learned to play the game, Robin, Therese replied with a chuckle. But I remember teaching you the rules and besting you.

My heartbeat quickened with excitement. Weve found a loophole! I rejoiced. The items wielder loses the knowledge once they no longer touch the object

But since they keep their memories of applying that knowledge, they can learn through osmosis, experience, and muscle memory, Alaire guessed with a grin on her face. This will let us loan skills around and accelerate training!

I immediately proceeded with another test: I asked for a piece of bread, got it, then sealed my Shield-Sword-Scroll expertise within it. Then I broke the bread into two pieces and tossed one half of it on the table.

Care for a game? Alaire offered while tightening her fist.

I stared at her hand for a few seconds before realizing I had no idea how the game should be played. I grabbed the other half of the bread and then remembered. Since its a package, the item needs to be whole, I complained. I cant sell fractions of knowledge, so tearing the object to pieces wastes it all unless I can recover them all.

And what happens if you eat bread salted with game rules, Robin? Alaire teased me. Will you digest the knowledge too?

She meant it as a joke, but I took it as a challenge. I swallowed the bread whole. I still remember how to play Shield-Sword-Scroll, I said. But well hold off on games until later, to see if I retain the knowledge after a day has passed.

What should we seal the skills into? Therese asked. We need something that can be both easily repaired, can be identified at a glance, and is difficult to steal.

Clothes, Alaire immediately suggested. Garish, colorful clothes that stand out.

Then we can set up a color system to determine which clothing grants which skills, I added. As they say, the clothes make the man.

Let me take care of the wardrobe. Therese clapped her hands with a delightful smile. The citizens of Snowdrift will never have been better dressed!

We set up an organized procedure to deal with our pool of retirees. Each of these people was asked to sign a confidentiality contract, to prevent them from sharing information about my class and power, then offered a trade: their hard-earned skills against monetary or social compensation.

Our first candidate was a retired blacksmith, an old man with a graying beard, rotten teeth, and hands devastated by arthritis. He kept a sliver of the muscles that served him so well in his forge, but time and lifes ordeals had taken their toll on him.

Old age is a shipwreck, I thought grimly. Mister Bjorn, are you certain about this payment?

Yes. The old man frowned in sorrow. Is it too much to ask for, mlord?

No, I I gulped. Conducting this transaction was far harder than I expected. But I do you understand what were asking of you? You will lose thirty years of hard-won experience. A lifetime of skills.

Aye, mlord, I understand, the blacksmith replied wearily before raising his calloused hands. But what good is experience when you cant make use of it?

But all youre asking for is that youre fed, clothed, and housed until the rest of your days, Alaire pointed out with a saddened scowl. She felt as uneasy as I did. Dont you want gold, or a new house?

I had both once, mlady. And children and grandchildren too. The smith sighed. What the plague didnt take from me, age did. Ive got nobody to take care of poor little ol me. The priests kept me from starving, but I cant rely on their kindness forever, you know? At least I would have earned my retirement.

Men asked for little when they had nothing left. How crushing.

I I cant sign this deal, I informed Alaire. He deserves more than kitchen scraps.

I will house him in the castle, she replied kindly. Considering how much his skills will benefit the community, he deserves it.

Perhaps we could open a retirement home of some kind? Therese suggested. Since he and the next candidates will provide for Snowdrift, the city should provide for them in return. Its only natural.

I suppose we could fund it, I agreed before locking eyes with Bjorn. I will ask again. Are you certain of your choice? Youll be taken care of, I swear on the goddess name, but you can still ask for more.

Mlord is kind, but my minds made up. The blacksmith nodded. Ill take the deal.

A lifetime of work was traded away for a few years of comfort. The rest of the procession proved just as heart-wrenching to deal with.

A weaver who had lost both eyes to diseases asked for her sight back; and when that couldnt be arranged, due to lack of prospective sellers, she asked for the same deal as the blacksmith before her. She got that and the promise I would give her back her vision the moment I could find a potential eye-donor.

A crippled soldier offered to sell a lifetime of skill in battle for an expensive witchcrafter-made prosthesis so he could walk again. He walked away with a promissory note from the state and a purse. Though he appeared happy with the trade, I couldnt shake the feeling we had shortchanged him nonetheless.

An old farmer asked for ten gold coins; he offered not only his skills, but his farm too. Bandits had killed his last heir and he couldnt find a buyer. We let him keep the land and promised we would soon send workers to make it flourish anew.

These poor people came by the dozens, all of them willing to sell away decades of toil and hard work for little more than food and pocket change. While I tried to offer what I thought they deserved, most were simply so beaten down that they had lost what little aspirations they had. The situation in Snowdrift was so desperate that surviving had become an end in itself.

Its like this every day, Alaire informed me when we reached the sessions end. Every day.

It only hardened my resolve to improve this city. People shouldnt sell their lifes work for pocket change.

I tried to tell myself this would pay off in the end. We ended up with three blacksmith brigandines, three mason mantles, three physician pelerines, two carpenter hauberks, two weaver waistcoats, three farmer frocks, two steward tunics, and two shipwright doublets. I bought skills, combined them, and packaged them.

After purchasing abilities from the honest people of the city, we moved on to more unsavory lots.

The Black Keeps jails currently hold seven prisoners, Therese explained to me. Three of them are scheduled for execution.

Are we certain they committed the crimes they stand accused of? I asked. It would annoy me to shake down innocents.

The evidence is overwhelming, Alaire replied firmly. I personally oversaw their cases.

After a day of work, I realized the two women made quite the pair. Behind her finery, Therese Delaluz was a capable administrator; it was she who gathered all the documents I required, assembled the ledgers in an easily readable manner, and quickly answered inquiries I might have on financial matters. Alaire, meanwhile, preferred fieldwork; she spent her mornings patrolling the demesne with the knights, checking up on the garrison, and heard petitions in person. A velvet glove and an iron hand.

Why do you stay in Snowdrift rather than return to the Everbright Empire, Therese? I asked the imperial princess while we waited for the guards to bring us the prisoners. I believe your sister keeps imperial nobility in check quite well.

True, but I wasnt sent to Archfrost simply to ensure my safety, Therese replied. I am expected to wed a local noble to improve ties between our countries.

I envy the groom then. Therese would have been my type. I hope he understands the honor granted to him to marry such a beautiful flower as yourself. If he does not, I would gladly duel him for your favor.

Therese answered with an enigmatic, amused smile. You might come to rue these words, Robin.

I should cut off your salacious tongue. Alaire snorted. I thought you were audacious, but now I realize you are merely shameless.

Is it not my duty as your Counsel to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth? I shrugged. Who is first in line, Therese?

Bishop Sigislav Hranslow, condemned for blasphemy. He was caught repeatedly haranguing the peasantry with pro-Reformist sermons.

I had heard of them. Reformists were a grassroots movement that argued that worship of the goddess and the four artifacts should be a private affair, and that the Arcane Abbey shouldnt play politics. Moreover, Reformists believed that all creatures in the world, even hated beastmen, were children of the goddess, and that heroes shouldnt be worshiped as they remained fallible humans. I agreed with most of their points, to be honest.

Unfortunately for Reformists, the Arcane Abbey was a powerful institution in Archfrost: the first king long ago had been a Priest, in both senses of the word. The Abbey supported the monarchys legitimacy, and in turn Archfrost protected the institution. It didnt help that the rebel duchy of Walbourg was a Reformist hotbed; being one in Archfrost was tantamount to defying royal authority.

The Arcane Abbey called for public humiliation at the stocks, Therese read the file, followed by monastic seclusion until he repents.

I dont think speaking ones mind warrants life imprisonment. I studied our prisoner as he was brought before us in irons. He was quite the gaunt fellow, though he carried himself with an air of quiet dignity. Do you regret your words, Sigislav?

No, the man replied bluntly. The Abbey spends more time administering its wealth than sharing it with those who need it. And while I respect your authority, Lady Brynslow, I do not think your grandfather should have any influence in spiritual matters.

I see, Alaire replied diplomatically. I will keep that in mind.

Since a bishop should know how to read and write, I suggest we commute his sentence to community service, I proposed. He could work in the new bank as a clerk, and I would remove his ability to speak about the Reformation so long as he remains in our employ.

I doubt he will accept any deal that requires him to remain silent, Therese said with a chuckle. Will you accept this plea bargain, Sigislav?

The bishop shook his head. I would rather suffer on the pillory and retire in quiet meditation. The Abbey can imprison my body, but not my mind. History will attest to the righteousness of our cause.

At least he stayed true to his beliefs. I admired his resolve. Very well, I said. A bit disappointing, but I wish you luck nonetheless.

The next name on the list was a poacher called Freydis, a muscled woman in her thirties with messy blonde hair and a sharp gaze. Alaires gaze softened when we received her.

Milady, Freydis said with a respectful bow.

You know each other? I asked Alaire.

Freydis used to work for my lord grandfather, she replied with a sigh. But she turned to poaching after he dismissed her.

Milady knows I had no other choice. To her credit, Freydis owned up to her crime. I have three mouths to feed at home.

Alaires expression harshened. So do all the families who rely on legal hunting to subsist. Animals are getting scarcer in the forest, and your activities endangered their dwindling population.

Animals were fleeing the area? I guessed they could sense the forming Blight. I read that the punishment for poaching is the loss of your right hand, so you can never use a bow again, I said. How would you rate your skills as a huntress and archer?

Im the best, mlord, Freydis replied with a scowl. I plead mlord not to take my hand. I will have no honest means of supporting my children without it.

I wouldnt call poaching an honest living, but I hear your words. I joined my hands. Heres my offer: we can use some rare magic to take away your skills as a hunter.

Freydis frowned in confusion. My my skills?

You will no longer know how to use a bow or catch animals, so you wont be able to commit the same crime again, I explained. In exchange, I will allow you to keep your hand and see that you are rehabilitated. We have no need for hunters, but were going to hire dockworkers, guards, peasant workers the city will see to your training.

A wise decision, Therese agreed with a nod. If your intentions are genuine, Lady Freydis, you will have the opportunity to feed your family within the bounds of the law.

Though she appeared doubtful about my power, Freydis did consider the offer. My skills The possibility of selling away a lifetime of expertise unsettled her. Ill lose them forever?

You can still relearn them the old-fashioned way, I replied. When it failed to reassure her, I tried to sweeten the deal. We will allow you to buy them back once you pay your debts to society.

Freydis hesitated for a few minutes, until a look at her hand convinced her. She could always learn to wield a bow again with training; whereas one couldnt regrow lost flesh so easily. Ill take the deal, mlord.

Well, its getting late anyway, I said. The sunset would fall within hours. I should go check on the others.

Ill ride with you back to town, Alaire said before turning her attention to Therese. Can you see to it that the guards are ready for the night raid?

Of course, Therese replied kindly. They will ask questions about the target, however.

They will know once we launch the attack. Alaire shrugged. The fewer people aware of the truth, the less likely a leak will spring forth.

Wise words. I wished Alaire had been in charge of Ermelines watch. The likes of Sforza would never have prospered under her leadership. We bid Therese goodbye and Alaire led me to the stables.

Come on, ask away, she said halfway through the courtyard.

About what? I asked.

About my bastardry, Alaire replied with a scowl. Im used to it.

I shrugged. Honestly, I dont give a crap.

Alaire raised an eyebrow in disbelief. You dont?

You could be a kings bastard or a beggars daughter for all I care, I replied. I judge people on their actions, not their birth. Besides, its not my business to dig up old wounds.

I appreciate the sentiment. Alaires scowl morphed into a thin smile. Is that way of thinking common in the Riverland Federation?

The country certainly puts far less importance on birth than Archfrost, I conceded. Its people worship wealth rather than blood and names.

I am not certain that is a good trade-off. Alaires smile faded away. I intended to journey there once, and to many other places.

What changed?

She scoffed. My last half-brother died and my grandfather became short of an heir. I had to put aside my dreams of knighthood for our familys sake.

I dont see how the two are incompatible, I replied. You can be a knight and a countess. Isnt our prince both the Knight and future king?

Thats true. I could almost taste the bitterness in Alaires voice. But Prince Roland is a man.

Ah, I saw the problem. As the last heir of the Brynslow family, she was expected to settle down and do her duty to keep the line going; something that didnt enchant her at all. I needed to find a way to lighten her up a bit. It saddened me to see so many angry lines on her fair face rather than a radiant smile.

The Black Keeps stables accommodated many horses, winged or otherwise. The straw-covered floor smelled of hay, leather, and the occasional dung pile. Stable boys walked around wooden stalls to feed the animals. Alaires personal box housed a magnificent white mare with feathered wings rising out of her back. Id never seen a pegasus so closely.

Robin, let me introduce you to Silverine. Alaire gently caressed the pegasus mane, who returned the gesture with a nuzzle. Silverine, meet Robin.

The pegasus observed me with pale blue eyes that betrayed her keen intelligence. Id heard these animals were about as smart as human children, though less than their cruel cousins, the nightmares. I petted it on the head. She looks splendid.

She is indeed, Alaire agreed with a hand on the saddle. Come on, climb.

My heart froze in my chest. Climb?

Well fly to the docks long before the sun dips beyond the horizon, Alaire replied. Silverine is a big enough girl to carry two people.

The pegasus let out a sound which I took for agreement. I I tried to imagine myself climbing onto her back and being carried away up into the air, watching the ground below calling me down, like a gasping pit waiting to swallow me up

Ill pass, I replied politely, suddenly uneasy.

Much like a shark on the hunt, Alaire immediately smelled blood in the water. No way

I didnt like her gaze. Atall. It would be safer if I simply picked a second horse

Oh, Robin, dont tell me youre afraid of heights? Alaire smirked cruelly. A brave man like you?

I did the responsible thing in this situation: I lied. I lied through my teeth. Of course Im not afraid! Im just mindful of my safety!

Silverine observed blankly in silent judgment, and her mistress didnt believe me either. Could the fox be a hen in disguise? Alaire taunted me, before making childish sounds. Coot, coot, coot!

Stop that, I said, dead serious. Its not funny.

We both know it is. Alaire grew bored of toying with me and went straight for the kill. I bet youre too afraid to take a tour in the sky, Robin.

When so challenged, my blood boiled in my veins. For prides sake, I couldnt let that slide. But I didnt want to fly either. I remembered a sage piece of advice that saved my life many times in the past: when in doubt, bluff outrageously.

Alright, you cruel woman, you want me to fly? Ill fly with you. I pointed a finger at her and went straight for the throat. But once we reach the ground, Ill cut your braid!

Alaires eyes widened in shock. My braid?

Your braid! I pointed at this beautiful, thick snake of hair hanging over her shoulder. Ill cut it and keep it for myself, as a trophy!

Y-youre mad! When Alaire grew redder than a Fire Island tomato, I knew I had found her weakness. Id seen her play with her hair when she felt nervous. Theres no way I will agree to such scandalous nonsense!

Exactly, I thought. Are you afraid of losing, or of being shaved?

Mind your tongue, before I cut off your balls. Alaire drew her sword and pointed her blade at the weapon between my legs. Good luck finding a man willing to sell you a new set.

Well, if youre so afraid I grinned in triumph as I delivered the coup de grce. You can always ask Therese to pay the price for you. I prefer silver over black anyway!

Alaire saw red. Her blade came within an inch of my throat, to the point I could feel the steel brushing against my skin. You She ground her teeth in rage, unable to form a coherent answer. You vile little

I win, I thought. Shell fold, and Ill take the road. The earthbound road.

My happiness must have shown in my eyes, for Alaire swiftly lost what remained of her composure. Fine!

My smirk faded away. Fine?

Ill surrender my braid to you on four conditions! She raised four fingers. You mustnt fall. You mustnt scream. You mustnt cry. And most importantly

Alaire grabbed me by the collar and pulled me towards her. I could feel her warm breath on my neck.

You cant beg me to end it at any point, she whispered into my ear. Ill listen, but youll lose. Youll lose.

Crap, she wont back down! If I win, everyone will know! I warned her with false bravado. I will parade my trophy to everyone, your near-baldness proof of your humiliating defeat!

That remains to be seen. Alaire released me and then jumped on her mares back. Are you going to climb on your own, or do I have to drag you?

I knew she was playing me. I knew it. If I climbed on that damned horse, I would have to face a moment of pure and absolute terror. But Robin Waybright had never backed down from a bet.

Swallowing my fear, I sat behind Alaire. The saddle was absolutely uncomfortable and unfamiliar; tight ropes bound our belts to it so we wouldnt fall off mid-flight. I felt like a virgin entering a bed for the first time. This could either go well, or absolutely terribly.

By the end, Robin, youll be crying, Alaire taunted me. I swear it to the goddess. Youll be crying like a child.

What followed was thirty minutes of absolute torture.

My heart pounded like a war drum from start to finish. The moment Silverines wings unfurled and let her leap into the sky after we left the stables, I knew I would rue my ill-chosen words for the end of my days. I hoisted myself to Alaire, holding onto her tightly. It would have been a pleasant experience, if it hadnt been mind-blowingly terrifying!

I watched the ground recede beneath us and an all-encompassing blurry void swallowed my vision. I desperately clung to Alaire and snapped my eyes shut in fear. She laughed, the witch. She laughed all the way through as we soared through the clouds, the cold wind battering my naked face.

A Waybright was not so easily broken. I bit my tongue not to scream, fought off the nausea, and managed to open my eyes without crying for a floor under my feet. Alaire decided to test my resolve by having Silverine fly up and down, up and down! We could have reached the docks in ten minutes, but she gave me a tour of the city when I proved to be too strong-willed. The steady rhythm of Silverines wings became a maddening symphony. We rushed above empty cobblestone streets and wooden roofs alike, defied the breeze and flew above the farmlands.

How do you like your first flight?! Alaire peeked over her shoulder, her eyes searching for a tear. Its to cry for, isnt it?!

You will pay for this I swore under my breath. You will pay for this

She had Silverine fly upward with such strength it almost destroyed my stomach. I struggled not to vomit. I also forgot how to play Shield-Sword-Scroll somewhere along the way. As I feared, sealing skills into food was a waste. The consumer retained the knowledge only so long as their intestines allowed them to hold it; which in my case proved to be a short while. I might need to change my pants after this.

Thankfully, Alaire eventually grew bored of our little escapade. She had Silverine land on the docks, near the house I now shared with Marika; a good and honest woman, who would never have put me through such an odious experience! How relieved I was to see her and Soraseo waiting near the door with Beni and Colmar. The Alchemist was entertaining the child with his power, transforming his wooden toy pegasus to gold and then into a dozen other materials.

Silverine landed on the pavement with a thundering crash that nearly threw me off the saddle; I immediately jumped to the ground anyway, kissing it, loving it, promising I would never leave it again, and that I would never cheat on it with the treacherous sky.

Robin? Marika rushed to my side, her hands grabbing my shoulders in worry. Robin, are you alright?

How good her calloused fingers felt on my feeble body almost as good as the feeling of the ground beneath my feet

I cant believe it. Alaire appeared almost impressed with my performance. You won.

I will take my prize I covered my mouth and struggled with my nausea. Oh goddess, I needed to throw up. I wasnt in good enough shape to stand straight, let alone wield a blade. Another time

Marika smiled kindly at me, and Colmar gave me a sweet potion to prevent my stomach from pouring out of my mouth. Beni, however, stared at the pegasus with fascination.

Do you want a ride? Alaire offered Beni. The boy smiled ear to ear and looked to his mother for approval.

No, Beni, no I pleaded with the poor child, who had no idea what awaited him. Dont let that wicked creature deceive you the void will take your soul

Silverine squinted at me as if I were a pitiful worm. Like mount, like rider. Thankfully, Marika proved sensible enough to refuse. Another time, sweetie, she said, much to her sons disappointment. Lady Alaire, I presume?

You must be Marika, the Artisan? Alaire climbed down from her pegasus and shook Marikas hand. A pleasure to welcome you to Snowdrift. Have you finished overseeing the city?

Ive scoured the city for sources of corruption and approached the tavern Lady Freygrad mentioned, the Gilded Wolf. Marika scowled. Besides being a pit of foul essence, I sensed the demons presence within it.

Alaire scowled. This strengthens my resolve. We shall raid the place at night, arrest everyone suspicious, and collect all evidence we can find.

Alaire didnt look too happy about it for some reason though. I guessed she expected casualties with a demon involved.

You shall have my strength, Soraseo promised. Unlike Alaire, she didnt bother hiding her enthusiasm. The heartbeat quickens.

I will treat the wounded, but I will not do well in a fight, Colmar said. The Alchemist was clearly more interested in studying our powers than going out fighting evil. How was your day, Robin?

The skill harvest was bountiful, I replied. The nausea was gone, thank the goddess. How was yours?

Fruitful, in a way. Colmar pointed at a warehouse next to my new home. We stockpiled the goods here.

Couldnt you suggest another place? Marika frowned in disgust. I can smell the stench from here.

Its only temporary, I replied as I moved to inspect the warehouse myself. As Marika warned, I smelled the contents before I could actually see it: an intense mix of rotting food, animal waste, and other things best left unmentioned. Very temporary.

A city as large as Snowdrift produced a large quantity of eclectic waste: dead animals, kitchen scraps, broken potteries, slag from forges, rags, debris, and last but not least, huge piles of human filth. A few were recycledashes could help make soap and mortar, animal excrements were used as fertilizerbut most were gathered by street cleaners or dumped in the river nearby. One of my first orders as Lord Protector had been to order all the days wastes gathered in one place. A true hill of filth occupied the warehouse and reached all the way to the ceiling.

I understand the need to make Snowdrift a cleaner place, Alaire said while pinching her nose. But shouldnt we dispose of this filth outside the citys limits? It will attract rats.

This warehouse is as close to the shipyard and forges as possible, I replied. One of the four pillars of my plan to renovate Snowdrift includes building infrastructure, such as roads, ships, and houses.

I cant build a house with shit, Robin, Marika said bluntly.

I know. I turned to Colmar, smirked, and unveiled my plan. Colmar?

The masked alchemist cracked his fingers. His knucklebones made a strange sound, almost metallic in tone. He had guessed my plan. Yes?

Can you turn this pile of shit I waved my hand at the hill of trash before us. Into a pile of treasure?

Colmar found the warehouse full of excrement.

He left it paved in marble.