by Skyler Grant
"Is it an absolute thing? I've seen some strange things going on with the values of my weapon damage," Alex said.
"No, higher numbers are always better both in terms of your weapon and your armor. As you've found out for yourself, attacking a Glitch of a much higher level than you can be a humiliating experience. A high-powered sword is never a substitute for leveling-up. Speaking of which, my old weapons ...”
Alex accepted the weapons from her and looked them over.
Berserker's Songblade
Condition: Excellent
Quality: Uncommon
Keywords: Berserker
Slots: 1 (Green: Endurance 2) / Points: 1 (Fetch)
Blunt: 0
Piercing: 7
Slashing: 7
Magic: 0
Dissonance: 12
Dazing Songhammer
Condition: Excellent
Quality: Uncommon
Keywords: Dazing
Slots: 1 (Green: Strength 3) / Points: 1 (Fetch)
Blunt: 10
Piercing: 0
Slashing: 0
Magic: 6
Dissonance: 0
They were well cared for, which was no surprise. Alex had been fighting alongside Yasmine enough to notice how well she maintained her blades. It was a habit he’d learned.
Yasmine said, "They’re both rewards from the House for special assignments. If you begin to prove yourself, they will sometimes offer equipment as an option instead of Experience. Take it, when they offer, I've never seen a negative keyword that way."
"I'm surprised you're giving them up."
"Trust me, I'm getting the better end of this deal. The Berserker effect magnifies your fighting ability as you take damage. Dazing is just what it sounds like. Both have Fetch enchantments and will answer to you now. Once in every twenty-four hours you can call them both to you."
"Nice," Alex said.
"I'm going to suggest you keep wearing your current armor and keep the other with you. Your existing stuff is better against Glitch. If we decide to attack any more soldiers you'll want the other," Yasmine said.
"I hope we're done with the soldier killing."
"We will be, when they're done with killing Glitch Hunters. Shall we go see if the Djinn and the thief fled with everything while we slept?"
They stepped outside of the tent. Two horses had been saddled and two more hooked up to a wagon laden with supplies.
Ryn and Jess were sitting on a log near the fire, Jess was back to wearing her human illusion.
"You two have been busy," Alex said.
"We can't all sleep anytime we want. I grabbed everything I think I can sell. A good bit of it will get us arrested or worse if we go through an official border crossing, so let’s not do that," Ryn said.
"Do you know of a way around it?" Alex asked.
"I do. It will take us half a day out of our way. Any problems with that?"
Yasmine said, "Time is a factor but we can take twelve hours extra. The coin from all of this is really going to come in handy."
"I can run it through alone if you want to meet up there," Ryn said.
"I don't trust you that much."
"Good call," Ryn said.
"Would you really steal from Glitch Hunters?" Jess asked her.
"At the rate they're dying off? Hardly seems like a gamble, does it?"
They left the camp behind them, Alex and Yasmine riding horses, and Ryn and Jess on the cart. They let Ryn lead the way with the cart as she seemed familiar with the route. It wasn't long until they joined with a well-traveled path heading northeast.
"Do you always pick up this many strays?" Alex asked Yasmine.
"I usually work alone. This is all you. With dissonance it can be dangerous to have people around you for too long," Yasmine said.
"How so?"
"Take us. We've been together long enough now that we're a bit tangled and the relationship we have is probably going to show up again. If we're both still alive in twenty years you'll probably bump into me unexpectedly and I'll play your mentor again, or your lover."
"Both, if it’s being a true reflection," Alex said.
"Right. The effect isn't confined to Glitch, but is more with them. If one escapes from you, it might become your adversary, make friends and every so often they show up. Because of her power Jess is particularly likely to form strong pairings," Yasmine said.
"How is it that she can be so powerful and yet also weak?"
"Good question. I don't have a good answer. Ryn at least is proving useful. Glitch Hunters are so often disliked it’s nice to have a neutral face."
"Seemed like she was awfully eager to attach herself to us."
"There are probably worse traveling companions for a thief to have. We're dangerous, non-judgmental, and go to a surprising number of long-abandoned places filled with ancient treasures."
"There are the Glitch and the soldiers trying to kill us."
"Given those soldiers almost just killed her even without us, I expect we get a pass," Yasmine said.
"Do you feel bad about what we just did? At all?"
"Killing people who not that long before tortured and murdered one of our own? Killing people who hours before were busy raping some merchant’s daughter until her mind broke, because they didn't have the good fortune to find me instead? I'm feeling damned good about what we just did. You?"
"It isn't what we're here for. It isn't what you trained me for."
Yasmine was quiet . When she finally spoke again her tone was more subdued. "You're right, and I realize that. I know I'm skirting my line, but I don't think I crossed over it. Do you?"
It was Alex's turn to be silent. He was no fit judge of Yasmine's conscience, for all that they were partners of some kind and she'd talked about her code exactly once. As he recalled, she didn't hunt humans, she wasn't an assassin, and when it was a choice between a monster and a human she'd choose the human every time. It was a fine distinction, however none of those rules had been violated.
"You're inside your lines, but I'm glad we're leaving Youlash behind," Alex said.
"Me too."
A few hours later they cut off the main road, following a narrow path that took them through plains and over a shallow river ford, and finally into a series of ravines. When they left the last of these evening was falling and Ryn brought the wagon to a halt off the road.
"That does it. We're officially in the Commonwealth," Ryn said.
"I expected to meet more smugglers upon your smugglers trail," Yasmine said.
Ryn shook her head. "Once there would have been plenty, back when Falkirk was a major trade center. After the war there’s barely even a functioning black market anymore. I'll sell what we have, but I won't get top price."
In the morning they were back on the road towards Falkirk and reached the city before noon.
They smelled the shore before the saw the town, the aroma of seaweed and salt. Merging with a main thoroughfare there was some traffic. No gates or walls protected Falkirk.
The west side of town was home to several larger estates while the eastern edge had the keep looming high above it, a stern-looking construction built high into the cliff side and reached by a winding road.
"Where are you planning to unload our merchandise?" Yasmine asked Ryn.
"I've connections with House Windicott that should be able to help me get rid of it."
"I'll come along. Alex, I want you to go along to the keep and speak with the baroness. It’s likely she'll have some idea what is going on. If she offers you lodging, take it."
"We'll meet there later?" Alex asked.
"I'm not welcome in the keep—long story, so it’s best we do our own thing for awhile. If you need me, you can leave a message at the Crow and Tankard in town."
"I want to meet a baroness," Jess said brightly.
"There you go. You won't even be alone," Yasmine said.
"How did you get yourself banned from the keep?" Alex asked
.
"It isn't the baroness. I'm on the bad side of one of her advisers. You'll be fine, I trained you well. Investigate, and if you find something big and need backup, come find me."
"The same goes for you."
Yasmine flashed a smile. "You know I will."
Jess climbed up with Alex on his horse and they left the others behind as they headed towards the keep.
"I don't suppose you have any enemies here?" Alex asked.
"Not yet," Jess said with her customary cheer.
18
“You want to know why your prayers aren’t answered? It is because you are praying. It is a rare divine to notice the beggar outside the gates. Announce your presence and come bearing gifts.” High Priestess of Sakai of the Thousand Maws
It was a winding trail to reach the keep’s gate. Unlike in the town itself guards were obvious both manning the walls and protecting the portcullis. Two guards wearing chainmail and holding halberds stood duty outside.
"Hold. What business have you at the keep?" asked one.
"I'm a Glitch Hunter, here to see the baroness," Alex said.
"We haven't heard nothing about no Glitch Hunter business."
"Baroness doesn't know about it yet. You should probably tell her," Alex said.
"Think he's for real?" the guard asked his colleague.
"He's got one of them bracers ..."
The guard turned back. "Who's the girl?"
"I'm Jess," Jess said happily.
"Professional acquaintance," Alex said.
"She don't look like no Glitch Hunter."
"I never said what profession. The baroness will want to hear what I've got to say, I'd stop wasting time."
One guard slipped inside the keep and was gone for several minutes before returning and gesturing them inside.
They dismounted inside a courtyard and a groom took the horse. Another servant led them inside the building to an impressive sitting room.
It overlooked the ocean, two roaring fireplaces keeping the place warm. A man carrying an armful of papers scurried past them when they entered. Apart from guards the room had only two occupants, one a red-haired young woman who looked to be in her late teens or early twenties, and dressed in a gown of green and gold. The other was a woman at least a decade older, dark-haired and wearing blacks and grays. Alex guessed her to be the baroness.
There was a curious note in the air, it wasn't quite dissonance. Alex hadn't encountered the like before.
"A curious pair. He is legitimate, and she is more than she appears," said the older woman.
"A Magess?" asked her companion.
"Glitch, I believe, although masked in illusion. As I said, a curious pair."
"We're standing right here," Alex said.
"With a notable lack of the customary bowing and curtsying, so we're both choosing to be discourteous in turn. Come here where we can get a better look at you. I'm the Baroness Sabrina LaFele and this is my advisor, the Magess Kationa Vess of the Grey Tower," Sabrina said.
"Hi!" Jess said with a wide smile.
"Before you introduce yourselves, know that I loathe lies and misconceptions. Drop your illusions, all of them," Sabrina said, with a pointed look towards Jess.
Jess looked at Alex questioningly and he shrugged.
Jess let her illusions drop, her red skin with gold markings revealed, and the dress taking a considerable downgrade as it transformed into the one given to her at the army camp.
It meant that her dissonance was no longer being masked and Alex winced as the world became a distorted squeal.
Alex started to speak and Sabrina held up a hand to stop him.
"I'm sure you have grave tidings or some important hunt to announce, but indulge me. My adviser and I were just arguing about how much I should rely on Kationa’s wisdom. So tell us about our guests, Kationa, impress me," Sabrina said with a hint of challenge.
"Truly?" Kationa said with a sigh. "These games don't suit you, Baroness. Still, if you wish to be childish, let us carry out this little charade."
From her robes Kationa withdrew a circular piece of glass marked with runes. She studied Alex and Jess through it for several awkward, long moments before putting it away.
"The Glitch Hunter isn't known to me, but he wears the Glaive Bracer. The last known wearer was Vandon Glaive, encountered by a member of the Tower only four months ago. So this man is fairly new."
Sabrina arched a brow at Alex and he nodded.
"Mildly impressive, I suppose. The girl?" Sabrina asked.
"Djinn, a young one by their standards, although not by ours. The Tower hasn't encountered her. The girl’s markings indicate she is from the twelfth moon of their home."
"Woah," Jess said.
Alex wasn’t so impressed. The information was the sort that he might have easily gotten from his bracer—it had shown him Jess's family name for instance, and would identify other members of the House of Bats.
Alex tried to get a reading on Kationa. With Jess unshielded standing beside him he couldn't get any sort of lock on her.
Sabrina said, "Wisdom somewhat proved. Now, you told my guard that you had business with me? Of what sort?"
"I'm on a quest for the House of Bats. A powerful confluence of black energy has been detected here and they feel it may result in the destruction of Falkirk unless stopped," Alex said.
Sabrina merely looked thoughtful. Alex caught an expression of surprise from Kationa.
"And they are so concerned they send a novice Glitch Hunter to the aid of my city? I'm underwhelmed by the seriousness with which they take matters, and yet somehow even less impressed to hear this from you and not my adviser," Sabrina said.
Kationa said, "You know that Glitch energies are not directly discernible with magic. He is likely not alone. It would be uncommon for a Glitch Hunter this inexperienced not be paired with a more capable one."
Sabrina shifted her attention back to Alex. "Is this true? Was meeting with me so unimportant that another decided to pass on it?"
Alex really wished these two stopped finding a way to put everything in the worst possible light, and using him as a means to snipe at each other. Alex could try to conceal Yasmine's presence, however she'd never said to do that. Only that she didn't think it was wise for her to be here. A part of him wondered if she knew exactly what he was walking into.
"I'm not alone, although I’m not here as a student. My partner on this quest is Yasmine Cinquedea who believed she'd clash with one of your advisers. I'm going to follow what leads I can find, while she pursues her own investigation," Alex said.
Kationa said, “She threw me out of a window once. Twice, really, but the second time I took her with me so it hardly counted. Still, I hold grudges."
Sabrina waved this away. "A story for another day. Djinn, you'll be my guest here at the keep, but I'll not have you restoring your illusions. Kationa, show her to the guest suite next to mine and take the guards with you. Glitch Hunter, stay."
The room cleared quickly. Alex and Sabrina were left alone.
"Something you didn't want others to hear?" Alex asked.
Sabrina gave a wry smile. "Do you know anything about the Grey Tower?"
"I'd never heard the name until you mentioned it."
"One the House of Towers. They are devoted to politics and greasing the wheels of power. Kationa is my adviser and her insights are valuable, but what she knows her Tower also soon knows."
"So even if you trust her, you may not trust them."
"Just so. Do you know anything more than you've already told me?"
Alex shook his head. "I don't. Just that the danger is here and those forces were already gathering. I was hoping that you might have some information."
"I do. There have been reports of Glitch, people gone missing, unexplained murders. I do not see any pattern to these incidents. Then again, I am not a Glitch Hunter."
"How fortunate I arrived then."
"Indeed. This partner of your
s will stay away from the keep. I've little desire to see messages pass between two Glitch Hunters, no matter how well-meaning, or to watch her and Kationa bicker."
"I believe that was her intention anyways," Alex said.
Sabrina nodded. "Now, as to you, you look more beggar knight than Glitch Hunter. I've little eye for things relating to combat and even I can see the gaping holes in your ill-fitting armor."
"It belonged to my predecessor and was pulled off his corpse."
Sabrina wrinkled her nose. "What a loathsome practice. Still, as one who sits in an ill-fitting keep she inherited from her dead parents, I am not without my sympathies."
"Your gown at least fits perfectly," Alex said.
"Flirtation? Given the reputation of Glitch Hunters I was expecting a pass at both myself and Kationa far earlier."
"Rose bushes may be pretty, but you don't want to get naked with them," Alex said.
"Is she the prickly one or am I?" Sabrina asked.
"I'm seeing thorns everywhere."
Sabrina seemed pleased by that answer and her gaze wandered over Alex. "Good. So was that flirtation too or do you have a vastly suppressed sense of fashion?"
"It was flirtation," Alex said.
"Good, no dissembling. I already commented on how I loathe deceptions and untruths."
"Does that mean that you're interested? I'm finding you quite impossible to read."
"Then I'm achieving what I'm going for. The Djinn, are you her lover?" Sabrina asked.
"No."
"This partner of yours?"
"Yes. You ask a lot of questions," Alex said.
"I'm a very curious woman. Yes, I am interested, but I have conditions," Sabrina said.
"Flirting doesn't usually come with a list of demands."
"I've got my reasons. Still interested?"
Alex had to admit that he was. Despite almost sleeping with Helen, he hadn't, and Yasmine had been his only lover since coming to this place. They worked well together, but what they had in the bedroom was more of a friendship than anything else.
"I am," Alex said.
