by Philip Read
I sigh in relief and also lean into his hand. I’ve been worried that his presence has been a burden my family has had to endure. No one has said such but sometimes I think about it even when I pretend to be secure in the surety of their love. I still worry that they will leave me, that they will cast me out as being too bothersome or high maintenance. I used to be even insecure in my children’s love for me, thinking they loved Kuyoki more before Iki and Aura came and I learnt that they are all my children equally.
But whatever Sachi and Nikita and Ingwe just did, I want that. I found myself experiencing a mother’s love I had thought I’d never know, I found myself experiencing a father’s love I had forgotten, I found myself experiencing a lovers love. How could Sachi do that, how could he be a mother and a father and a lover all at the same time? Yet I wasn’t even the focus of all those energies.
We separate and we smile at each other as though we’ve just shared an intimate secret. Sachi has gotten a hold of himself and walk with the clutch of children all around him into the hut that is all that’s so far been built of our new home. Ingwe and Niki are both already fast asleep inside and by how he is walking I imagine he will soon join them.
“Alright, nothing to see here, let’s get back to whatever else we were doing!” I say noticing all the eyes around us.
They better not judge my Sachi for crying or else I swear someone will get hurt. I stare down at all the Aldermen present and they get the message and bugger off, Ingwe’s brother and cousin don’t go far though. I’m not worried about Om or Damage or Gaia or even that strange Soal fellow seeing Sachi cry, none of them can dispute his manliness and anyways Barbarians cry at every funeral.
I look at Gaia and his sister again, the girl is barely older than Saya and Gaia is already ready to pawn her off to my man. It doesn’t help that Saya and her are friends, but what frustrates me most about it is that I’ve noticed Sachi looking at her. Didn’t he say something about some Shea woman? Why then would he be looking at Saya’s friends if he already has another woman ready to add to his harem?
Spirits beyond, I’ve just thought of myself as being in a harem! I scowl as I look to where Sachi has gone into, what has the man done to me?
“Are you alright?” Rigdris asks still standing at my shoulder, maybe it’s his scowl that scared away the Alderman.
“I’m fine, thanks for being here.”
“Sure. Ahh… not to be cruss or insensitive or whatever but I’m really horny after watching that.”
“Me too.” I say pulling him by hand further away so we can find a nice soft grass patch to get busy on.
* *
From the Aldermen Foothills we travel at a fairly sedate pace as Sachi shows us the sights. His big half naked friend with the runes of power on his skin having returned from escorting the others to personally escort us as well. They spend a lot of time talking Sachi and him, and I find I’m not the only one fascinated by the big zanpakutō weirlding pseudo Barbarian.
We eventually reach the gloomy woods that lead to the Academy proper and I’m confused at how anyone can know where they are going in these woods. But I follow where everyone else goes and we eventually come to an occupied area with open fields and mansions and other buildings between the trees.
Over the rise I get my first glimpse of Sachi’s exalted Academy and the site doesn’t disappoint. I could call it a palace if I was being modest as the place has numerous high towers, high walk-ways and is just a clut of interconnected buildings. Its like a town all made into one building surrounded by fields with people playing around or doing some strange training and little houses all around.
We are met by a group of people that welcome us and lead us to a large dining hall filled with people, some the very people we traveled down here with and we catchup and dine. After eating we are led to the bathing pools and spend a good 30 minutes there enjoying the water and being thoroughly clean. Then we are led to admistrative buildings where they take our details and tell us what is to be expected of us and the rules of this establishment.
The word ‘Conclave’ isn’t even mentioned once but they do talk about their programs for children and how the parents can be involved in that. We agree to what they say and sign a piece of paper before being shown to our new lodgings. Sachi says the place is even bigger than the last time he saw it and I’m not surprised. We kiss and say our heartfelt goodbyes as he leaves with all the people already accepted into this Conclave of his. It takes some persuading to get Gaia to let his sister out of his site though.
“Okey, are we all ready to give our very best?” Kuyoki ask to myself, Kiera, Vuyo, Ingwe, a grumpy Soal, the slave girl Sachi has named Katya, Sachi’s parents, Tabita, Sachi’s aunt and uncle, Gaia’s wife Soro, Cicilia and all the children associated with everyone.
It’s times like these that I remember she is actually the oldest person in the room.
Chapter 108
Sachihiro
“And Hara agreed to all this?” The man from the main Sovereign Building at the Den asks again looking at the two letters before him.
“Yes.” I say again still standing respectfully, keeping my hands clasped behind my back.
The man looks at his deputy sitting at the chair across from him next to me. He gets up and indicates to the lounging area where the more comfortable luxury padded sofas are.
“Please sit.” He says walking from behind his huge mahogany wood desk guilded with dark runes going up its legs and joins me at the indicated chairs.
“The Ambassadors to the different kingdoms and empires are given a lot of leeway into how to decide the best course of action in any situation needing immediate response. Wherever they may be place they speak in the name of the Conclave, an organisation that is growing to be bigger than any one person.
“Here her authority, actions and recommendations are given great weight that is not in question.But as she has her department others have their departments and the builders and craftsman may just decide that it’s too much effort for too little gain to build a private residence in a foreign land for an agent who’s usefulness and importance to the organisation they know nothing about.” The man says looking at me as we get comfortable on the sofas.
“I understand. How can I help speed along my request and get things started for the construction to take place?” I say not breaking eye contact.
The Sovereign headquarters here in the Den is the first stop I’m making on a long list I want to get done today. They know of me somewhat here because of my involvement with the Alderman and the report I’ve written. Getting my family secured and safe was the first step and I’m confident Kuyoki and Mira won’t be at the Academy even a month before they are transferred here for more specialized training.
So I need to make sure at least the foundation of the house I have in mind is built before I leave on my mission for the Shadows. Everyone has been accommodating so far but the different departments of the Conclave don’t have to follow orders from people outside their direct hierarchy. So the people at Conclave Construere may turn me away or have other more immediate projects to work on.
“It would help if I knew what your involvement with Hara is since you aren’t one of my agents. And I know no other Compound is up and running yet so all Sovereign recruitments go through this office.” He says looking at me closely.
The man is not human that much I can tell but what he actually is I haven’t the slightest. He is big and fit and bearded but more aristocratic with a scholarly feel than that of a warrior. He is in clean well made but casual clothing as is the norm in the Conclave. Even the Proelium guys don’t have to wear the standard uniform armour if they have their own they are more comfortable in wearing.
“I’m afraid as is pointed out in the letter my mission is as of yet confidential until I hear otherwise.” I respond smoothly looking at both men carefully.
“I see…” He says his brow furrowing.
“Very well, I will make copies of these and hav
e them hand delivered to Master Zee. I will add my own note of recommendation and the need for haste for I can sense the urgency in this request. You must return in an hour and I will let you know what the builders decide to do. Is the anything else I can help you with?” He asks already standing, the silent man next to him also standing.
“Yes, I’d like to place a request to be invited into being a member of the Conclave Sovereign at the conclusion of my mission.”
“I’m afraid it is by recommendation only that any Enclave accepts new members.” He says with suspicion creeping into his voice because that is something I should already know if I were who I was claiming to be.
I produce another letter which the silent man takes, opens and reads. He nods and look back at me. “Your request will be taken under advisement, thank you Sachihiro van Damage.” He speaks for the first time and we shake hands.
*
I wanted my next stop to be to pay my respects to Master Zaraya but I have no concrete Idea where she will be as we’ve never had a regular training area like other Masters have with their disciples. I head instead to the underside where Sergei directed me to go and I knock twice on a large black double door of a structure cut out of the walls of the foundations of the Den. The structure is just the door and a single window curved out of the wall far up.
Its basically just a cave with a wooden door and a single window with the vague outline of a building curved out of the very solid stone. One of the double doors opens and I walk into a dark corridor and realise I’m alone. I walk down the corridor as the door closes behind me, creepy place.
I eventually reach another door which I open myself. “How can I help you?” The pretty voice of a gnome woman asks from behind her desk in the brightly lit foyer. I produce another letter which she reads before passing me a map with only the route I should take as well as the letter.
I take a side door and walk down a flight of stairs I didn’t know existed in the underside. I take a door to my left and pass two people in the corridor both of whom ignore me. I go up another set of stairs and knock on the indicated door, the ink on the map fades as the door opens for me.
*
“This is Joseph, he will be returning back to Tiba and taking you with him. It’s important that you get to know each other and if at all possible please get along.
“You must maintain your relationship in Tiba as well for if you do not make it into selection as an Brothel acolyte he will help you get into the Brotherhood of the Order. Joseph has made enemies of the most powerfully active sorcerers working against us so watch his back.
“If at any point you are trapped and can’t flee, Asriel is back in Tiba and will be your last hope. I believe you are acquainted with him, otherwise do not contact him for any other reason.”
“Sachihiro and I have actually met before.” The young handsome man sitting next to me says.
We are in a very casual setting in a warded room sitting on bean bags and floor sitting pillows drinking chilled wine. The man giving the mission briefing is introduced simply as Jason, an elf. I look to the young man that claims to know me, I try to place him but I really can’t remember meeting him.
“I don’t think we’ve met.” I say after studying him further than I already have and still for get no recollection.
I should get a recollection from someone that shines so brightly with spirit power. Definitely a sorcerer of some kind this one but not just that. Something is off about him but I can’t place my finger on it with surety.
Then the left side of his body flares up slightly to my awareness and starts giving off an imperceptible smoking haze that shines purple in the visible spectrum. “You took my arm remember?”
He says and it clicks ‘cause there is only one person who I maimed and let live as far as I’m aware outside or sparing matches and exhibitions. The three other men in the room say nothing so I don’t immediately worry of an attack but I stay vigilant, I also give him my right hand to shake.
“Nice to meet you again, how’s the arm?” I say holding my hand up and he looks at the offered hand before taking it and shaking it.
“Better, I didn’t even know it could regenerate before that episode though. Not a pleasant experience but I look forward to catching up with you.”
“Thank you Joseph, you may wait outside for the rest of the meeting.” He is dismissed.
*
“What took so long for you to get here, we nearly went with our second choice for the mission.” The one named Jon asks so I immediately give a report of our trip here. Something that was already done to the people of the Academy and the Conclave Sovereign.
Then I am given further detail and the importance of the Order and how vital it has been as a bastion of learning, peace and enlightenment in Pangaea. They speak openly of the hundreds of people the Conclave has recruited from the Order and how they also worry about the outside influences pushing to infiltrate it’s ranks and use it for their own gains. There are currently talks taking place between the Order and the Conclave and the usually reclusive Order is apparently only taking them seriously because of the reputations of some of the people talking to them.
My mission is complicated and two fold, information gathering while relationship building and finding the rotten eggs within the Orders of Tiba. Joseph is going to be a target of assassination that is a given as they explain to me his role in the current take down of ‘prominent’ Order member that have been part of a scheme to end the world. It’s all a big mess but I’m to help identity people that he may have missed, I was also apparently ideal to these Shadow people because of my time at Spiritus.
“Who is he?” I eventually ask because my curiosity has been burning about who the other man in the room with us might be and he leans forward after the question.
“I’m Erickson, I’m your boss.” Is all he says before getting up and walking out the door.
“He was a vampire right?” I ask cause the man has the strangest vibrational frequency I have ever felt. Like a corpse but he doesn’t give me that aura of the undead I’m used to from the vampires I know.
“Don’t worry about that, it’s just important you know his face because he is the one that manages all our agents on Pangaea.” Jon says.
Jason nods, “If he you gives you directions to do something you do it.”
*
I actually have 20 days before I have to leave so I relax a bit. I get another letter from Jon to add to the pile I should put in front of this Master Zee the head project approver for Construere. I leave there with a promise to catchup with Joseph the possessed sorcerer and I go directly towards the Brothel.
It’s almost nostalgic being back and as I now have a rough timeline of when I will need to leave the urgency has dissipated. Walking the passages of the underside is not something I’ve actually done outside of visiting the Brothel and I find that I like this place. There are vampires and ghouls, and gnomes and even a goblin that walk these passages.
Ghouls are rare and not usually found outside the Underworld but the Conclave stopped surprising me long ago with its diversity of recruitment. There are thieves and potential pickpockets everywhere and I realise the upper management wouldn’t tolerate this behaviour unless it was also a type of training, maybe.
I notice a familiar symbol and head into the passage and I’d say down the alley if the underside wasn’t one big alley with a roof. Down the passage and to the left I see the door and knock before walking in. It opens with the toll of a bell and I am aware of all the weapons, the shields, the wet stones and other implements as I walk in.
The underside is dark, extremely dark and if you don’t have something to offset that naturally you struggle, or you shouldn’t be down here I guess.
“Wes Midnight.” I say to the man behind the counter appraising a weapon being presented to him by the shortest elf I’ve ever seen.
“Sachihiro, I’ll be right with you.” He says and then speaks to the half elf passing him back
his sword.
I peruse the place with my awareness, focusing on one item at a time with awareness whilst focusing on another with my eyes. I’ve been practicing this and I think I may be at the cusp of a truly divided mind.
“What can I do for you Sachihiro of the Norse?” He says as the little man leaves, I’m curious what his race may be but I don’t ask.
“Nothing really, I just saw the sign and I thought I would check it out. I remember seeing it on your door when we used to be neighbours, this is a social curiosity call more than anything else.” I say with a shrug suddenly feeling awkward.
“Well I appreciate it.” He says and we clasp forearms before he walks me through his store.
*
“My family is a family of witches but compared to the covens we’ve met here at the Conclave we are only dabblers of the craft and not the powers we thought we were.” He says blowing out smoke before passing the splif to me.
“Where is your family from originally?” I ask taking a hit and holding it in to dissolve within my lungs.
“So far away that it would take you 3 years to get there on foot even in your Awakened physical state.” He says as he looks at me from his couch.
“What gave me away?” I ask taking another hit before passing the joint and leaning back into the couch.
“Nothing I can feel, after all I’m still a mundane. The sign you say you saw though is enchanted to be difficult to spot even in the underside of the Den. We try to attract only the clientele that can truly appreciate what we can acquire for them.”
“Okey my curiosity is peaked. I’ve seen your swords and trinkets and though a lot of them are of superior quality and grade nothing stands out to me as a weapon I could do without.”
He grins, a man who enjoys being a trader this. “The Midnights are more facilitators than actual weapon’s traders. Here I do a lot of appraisals, I take weapons in that need repair or modification and I pass them onto the right people on the other end.”
