A cleric had visited SJ in her room. The second batch of healing had drained the exhaustion she felt. She still didn't feel great, even at full health. Whatever the poison had done to her insides had taken its toll. She had wanted to join Zigferd in the chamber for the day's ceremony, but Zigferd had flatly refused, ordering her to remain in her room, resting. The cleric would return that afternoon to give her another treatment.
The fact that spells had saved her life again began to knag at SJ. "I need better resistances. I am too susceptible to poisons."
"It's a shame you didn't pick the class path. Poisoners get skills related to resistance," Dave said.
"Maybe that would have been a useful piece of information before I selected Subterfuge."
"You had access to all the skill trees. You could have read it yourself," Dave said defensively.
Their relationship had changed so much from their initial meeting in the white room that SJ couldn't blame Dave for not telling her. "Sorry. I didn't mean it to sound as though I was digging at you."
"It's okay. I was a tiny weeny bit of a jerk when we first met. I was expecting a typical arrogant Legionnaire. Not you."
The comment made SJ smile. "I just wish there was something I could do to help. I am feeling much better now."
"Cleric's orders are to rest. Never mind Zigferd."
"I know. I know. I just feel useless lying here."
"There's no need for you to stay in bed."
Sighing, SJ picked up the book from the bedside table. Finding the page she had been on, she read. After reading the same paragraph five times, she cursed, placing the book back down. "I can't concentrate. I want to find who did this."
"Seeing how the chancellor reacted this morning. I don't expect it to take them long to find details out."
"There is no guarantee they will find out who it is that quickly."
"I am sure this morning's events will have caused serious waves in the chamber today."
"Can you not see?"
"No. Much too far, remember I only see from above. I don't have limitless vision. Think of it as those games you used to play looking from over your shoulder."
It was the first time Dave had ever really described how he viewed the world.
"Can you not see behind me? You mentioned the wyvern when it was catching me previously."
"Imagine being able to rotate the view and have full 360 vision, around where you are standing. That is how it appears. It's difficult to explain. I suppose a chameleon would be a good way."
"So you see elements independently, then?"
"Simply put, yes. Which, when combined, gives me an all-round view."
"Did you see anything suspicious during breakfast?"
"Nothing. The porridge was already on the table when you arrived. No servers came near the table while you were there with Zigferd."
"Then how did someone poison me?"
"They must have known it was you or they aimed it at Zigferd, not realising that you were going to be eating."
"That can't be right. I have been attacked previously, because of the changes. I couldn't understand why someone would try to poison Zigferd."
"If you think about it, since they failed to get you in Killic, the only other way for them to disrupt your inauguration would be if they caused yours or Zigferd's deaths."
"Attacking Zigferd at Asterfal is like declaring war from what Alice told me. The uproar it would cause would be crazy."
"Indeed, it would. It depends how desperate the party is, who has attempted to take your life previously."
"It still seems excessive. I am one person and other areas are being triggered."
"The question I would ask of Gullifer, who mentioned their borders had changed, would be whether the Legionnaire who triggered them is still present in town. You maybe in a unique position. You have achieved revered status and have stayed in Killic. Many Legionnaires wouldn't do. That means what happens to them outside of the town is an unknown to the towns affected with increases. Some will never know when the next change will come if they have moved away to progress. Or if it will ever happen. A good deal may die or be killed once they leave the area. We just don't know."
Having not considered the full implications of her remaining in Killic as she had compared to other Legionnaires, made SJ consider the impact she was having on the town. "Maybe it would be better if I left? No one would know who I was or what impact I may ever have on Killic. It may be safer for the town as well."
"I think we are too far down that road already. Also, do you really want to leave your friends behind?"
Frustration bubbled in SJ. "Why can't beings just want others to do well?"
"Good versus Evil. Always one wishing to prevail. Another beings gain, is another's failings. It is the circle of life."
The bluntness of Dave's statement was crippling, and SJ felt a tight knot in her stomach. The paranoia that had faded had flooded back. Holding her head in her hands, SJ rocked on the bed. Silence remained for a few moments before SJ spoke again.
"I am going to find out who is doing this and kill them."
"It's good to see you considering your class, and it may come down to it after all."
The realisation of the statement she had just made filled her with as much anxiety, if not more, than the situation she found herself in. It was the first time she had ever decreed that she would kill someone, and she knew she would if it came down to it. Even after discovering Greb's attempt to kill her, she didn't have any desire for his death and even felt remorseful for his abandoned state. She had visited him since, trying to set her mind at ease, but all she had done was feel worse for the broken shell of a kobold she had seen.
Climbing from the bed, SJ moved to the table in the room. Removing her tailoring equipment from her inventory, she tried to focus on her profession. Over the past few days, she neglected her training and knew she had to perform her kata and do weapons drills.
"I am going to find a training ground later."
Dave said, "Only if someone gives you the green light."
"They can't keep me cooped up in my room. I am not made of glass."
"No, but Zigferd cares for you like a daughter. Remember that."
Time passed slowly as SJ sat in her room. On more than one occasion, she moved back to the bed and picked up the book to read, but just couldn't stay focused on anything for more than a short time before her mind wandered. It wasn't until 14:00 when there was a knock on her door.
"Hello," SJ called.
"It's Zigferd," the familiar voice called.
SJ walked to the door, opening it.
"STOP," Dave shouted, too slowly.
As soon as the door opened, a blade flew towards SJ's face. Only her high initiative saving her from being struck as she dodged backwards. An elf moved forward into her room as she backed away.
"Good reflexes, but they won't save you," it snarled, stepping forward and closing the door behind it.
Eyes wide in shock, SJ continued backing across the room.
"GET OUT OF HERE, NOW!" Dave screamed. "HE IS LEVEL 37."
SJ had no choice. There was no way she could fight someone of such a high level, and she now turned and ran. Her mind spun as she bolted towards the balcony. The elf immediately gave chase. His speed was ridiculous and in an instant he was closing the gap towards her.
"JUMP," Dave screamed.
Not even considering the consequences, SJ threw herself off the balcony. Hearing the elf curse as she did. Trying to concentrate on shrinking as she tumbled end over end down the side of the tower. Gravity was much faster than she had expected, finishing her transformation as she hit halfway down. The wind created from her descent buffeted her wings as she tried to stabilise her fall. Counting the balconies as she plummeted past them. Nine, eight. 'Come on,' she thought. Seven, six, five. She was still travelling way too fast. Four, three. Trying to get full control, she tilted her wings forwards, directing herself towards a tall tree that stood proud, in the grounds surrounding the tower. Two, she crashed into the branches at the trees top. It reminded her of hitting Bordon's solid back, and her health took a dive from the initial impact.
As her momentum reduced substantially, she tumbled down through the branches. Forcing herself to grow as she did to further slow her fall. Crying in pain as she did, at bouncing from one limb to the next until she eventually reached the bottom where the branches were no more, falling the last few feet to the ground with a thud. Letting out a deep groan as she did. Her health was down by sixty percent from the impact and fall, her dress shredded from being caught on the branches as she fell. Lying face down on the grass at the tree's base, she slowly rolled over. Scratches covered her arms and legs and she felt blood trickling down the side of her face. Throbbing from the impact against the tree's branches, she slowly sat upright.
Several beings who had been on the street outside the tower saw her and rushed towards her. On this side of the tower, there were large stables, and she immediately recognised one face.
"Are you okay?" Jay said as he reached her side, kneeling down.
"I will be fine," SJ said, beginning to stand. "Argh," she cried as she put weight on her ankle.
Putting his arm around her, Jay helped her to her bare feet.
"What happened?" his face expressed confusion.
"Someone attacked me in my room. Can help me to the tower."
"Of course."
Murmurs started behind her as Jay helped her limp to the tower's steps. A guard at the door, seeing her being helped up the steps, stared in surprise.
"What has happened?" he said, stepping from his sentry position.
"Someone attacked her in the tower."
"Attacked! Aren't you the fae who got poisoned?" the guard asked.
"Yes," SJ replied, wincing from her ankle. Her dragon blood was healing her at an increased rate, and her dress had begun to repair itself. The smaller tears were already beginning to close.
"CLOSE THE DOORS," the guard called. At his order, the guards on the other doors looked over before reacting.
"Take her inside," the guard said, as he pulled the tower door closed as they passed. Beings who were just heading to the exit frowned at the sudden closing of the tower doors. SJ hadn't seen them closed once as yet, the resounding thud as they shut and huge metal bars dropped into place.
Looking over at the desk in the entrance hall, the guard called. "Get the Colonel."
Like everyone else, the beings behind the desk were confused, and some of them complained about the guards' actions. An elderly dwarf walked towards him, pointing at him, saying he needed to leave the tower. The guard ignored his comments and pushed past him. Leading SJ and Jay to an office off the side of the entrance.
"Wait here," the guard said as he closed the office door behind them.
Jay helped SJ over to a seat, lowering her into it.
"Thanks," SJ said.
"This morning in the stables, we heard a rumour that someone had been poisoned in the tower."
"I seem to attract trouble."
"Do you know who it was?"
"No."
"Male elf, six feet tall, dark blue leather trousers, pale blue shirt, brown leather belt, dark cloak. Carrying a dirk," Dave said.
'Thanks Dave,' SJ thought.
"I know what he looked like, though," SJ said, relaying the comments from Dave.
"Not very helpful. There are many who dress similarly. Blue seems to be the fashion for many elves currently. Did he have any distinguishing features?" Jay asked.
"Scar above his left eye. Has to be an Amatherean, a Legionnaire wouldn't have scared. They had a tattoo of a dragon on their wrist," Dave added.
Again, SJ repeated what Dave said.
Jay's eyes opened in shock. "Carlito. In the tower!"
Before SJ could ask anything else, the door burst open. The gigantic form of the gnoll colonel SJ had seen in the morning entered. Followed by the guard.
"What has happened?" the colonel said as soon as he entered.
"I was attacked in my room. I jumped from the balcony to escape."
"It's Carlito," Jay said, jumping into the conversation.
"Carlito?" the colonel said, turning to look at Jay. "How do you know that?"
"The description of her attacker," Jay said.
"Please repeat what you have told the orc."
If Jay took offence to being addressed as the orc, he didn't show it. After repeating the details to the colonel, he turned immediately. "No one leaves the tower. I mean no one. I don't care who they are or what position they hold. That includes the chancellor. I want guards on every exit now."
"Sir," the guard replied smartly as he rushed from the room.
The colonel walked to a desk and sat on the edge, placing his hands at his sides, gripping the edge tightly. "If Carlito is in the tower, then we have a problem."
Not having a clue who Carlito was, SJ asked, "Who is Carlito?"
"A very dangerous being," Jay answered.
The colonel glanced at Jay before replying. "Carlito is an assassin."
"Makes sense that he would be," Dave said.
"How do you know it is him, though?"
"The tattoo is the only distinguishing feature that has been reported consistently from sightings over the years. His infamy is legendary in the districts. I have never known him to be in the inner city or the tower before. Even he won't be safe from the scriers. If he is still in the tower, we will catch him this time."
Jay visibly shuddered at the name of the scriers.
"Who are the scriers?"
"Arcane mages," the colonel said.
"They are the squid heads," Jay added, before realising his comment and looking very embarrassed.
The colonel looked at him, scowling. "That is not appropriate addressing the illithids that way. They are a race who specialise in arcane magic. They can read minds."
"Not just read," Jay added, shivering.
Again, the colonel scowled at Jay. "I need to find the chancellor. When I leave the office, you lock the door and don't open it to any single person. Neither of you are to leave until I return. Even then you need to be cautious, until we have searched the tower."
While SJ's wounds were virtually healed, her ankle throbbed, and she had dried blood on her exposed skin. "Is there nowhere I can clean up?"
"Unfortunately, until we have searched the tower, I can't chance you leaving. You have now been attacked twice in one day. The attempt this morning was bad enough, but whoever has been arranging this has gone to extreme heights, hiring Carlito. They know that as soon as you are officially acknowledged to the council that you fall under the protection rights of Asterfal. Anyone then who threatened you would take their life into their hands, literally."
"Colonel. Could I ask that you let the stable master know I am here?"
"Not until the search is complete. The tower will remain closed. The seals will have been triggered by now."
Sighing, Jay walked to an empty chair and sat down.
The colonel walked to the door. "Lock it behind me."
SJ stood walking to the door. Her ankle was still sore but now only a dull ache. Turning the key in the lock, she sat back down.
"It looks like we are stuck in each other's company for a while," SJ smiled.
"Do you play cards?" Jay asked.
"I have only played hangman's noose before."
"That is a game for orclings. Here, let me teach you some actual games," Jay called a deck of cards into his hand. Moving a small table between their chairs, he shuffled the cards. Dealing out two cards each and then placing the remaining deck in the centre of the table.
"Ok. The aim of the game is to get a winning hand. There are several hands, the highest of which is 4 towers. Then 4 emperors, 4 empresses, going down the card values. Then you have a matching trail. This is where you have a tower, emperor ..."
As Jay continued explaining all the differing hands, it became apparent that the game he was describing was poker. Although SJ had never been a gambler, she had used to play poker for fun with her family at Christmas time and knew the rules and how to play the game. The version Jay described was identical to Texas Hold-em.
"I think I get it. I have played something similar before. It has different names for the varying hands, but the same rules."
"Oh. This is an orc's game. I am surprised that you heard of it."
"What are we playing for?"
"Usually we play for coppers for fun. There are a couple of gambling halls in the city where high-stakes games take place."
"I don't mind playing for a few copper," SJ said, calling ten from her inventory.
"Great," Jay smiled, as he placed a stack of ten copper on the table.
Picking the cards up, SJ looked at her hand. Allowing the hand to play out, SJ didn't raise, only calling on Jay's bet. SJ had two pairs made by the cards in her hand and on the table.
"Bet. You will win," Dave said enthusiastically.
'Don't look at his hand,' SJ thought.
"What else am I supposed to do? You are sat gambling in front of an AI with a gambling addiction."
The thought had never crossed her mind. This was the first time she had actually bet. All the times they had played cards in Killic with Gary and Setu, it had been just friendly, and SJ had never placed a bet. SJ alway declining when Gary and Setu had played for money.
'I am so sorry,' SJ thought apologetically, not having considered Dave.
"It's ok," Dave sulked, "I was never a fan of the game, anyway, and I promise I won't tell you if you will win or not."
'Are you sure? I can stop playing.'
"It's fine. I will just watch a movie. Maybe Matrix. I haven't seen it in a while now."
When there was a knock on the office door sometime later, Jay was up six copper.
"Who is it?" Jay called.
"Colonel Crawford," one voice called.
"Zigferd," the next reply said, SJ recognising his voice.
Walking to the door, Jay unlocked it and, standing with his foot wedged behind it, pulled it open, peering out. Stepping back, he smiled at SJ, allowing the door to open. Both the colonel and Zigferd entered.
Looking at them both with trepidation, SJ asked. "Did you get him?"
