Chapter: 246 - Grueling, If Profitable (Patreon)

<Contains content which may be considered grimdark>
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Tala was completely incidental in the short negotiations, though she did have the utterly fascinating duty of standing beside an Eskau from the House of the Dark Abyss.

The man was, ironically, a white-skinned huefolk of such pure coloring that it extended to his hair, irises, and pupils.

Moreover, he leaned into his coloration, hard.

His name was White.

If Tala hadn’t been forewarned, she’d have thought he was joking, and that would have been an awkward way to begin negotiations.

White’s gear was all equally colorless. The only item that broke the monotony was a nearly void-black bracelet that seemed to almost suck in the light around him, though it left his own whiteness alone.

He didn’t talk as he stood beside Tala, and something about his aura allowed him to utterly hide it from Tala’s mage-sight. Though, something about him made her believe that she was nearly equal to him in power ranking.

He’s somehow even made his aura white.

-Well, you have to appreciate his dedication to the theme.-

I guess so, yeah.

The Pillar of the House of the Dark Abyss had come with only two other people. The first was obviously White, his Eskau, but the second was a deeply dejected looking young dragonling with steel-gray scales.

As Tala listened, she was able to determine that, somehow, the boy had allowed his potential pillar to be killed.

She had winced in sympathy when she’d learned that.

An Eskau surviving the death of his Pillar meant either death or banishment, depending on the circumstances, where death was the rule, and banishment was only offered as an option in truly extraordinary circumstances.

The kid seemed to be the favorite nephew of this particular Pillar.

Nepotism apparently counts as extraordinary circumstances. Good to know.

-Well, it’s not like he’s getting off with a warning. He’s losing his weapon and being banished.-

I’d think this was a way out for us…

-But they’d never take off the collar and just let us walk free. It would be death, even if we could engineer ‘extraordinary circumstances.’-

Yeah.

-The best case scenario would have us sent to a different city, put under the authority of others, likely in a far worse situation than we find ourselves now.-

Too true.

The potential Pillar’s death and the pronouncement of banishment on the no-longer-candidate-Eskau had created a set of circumstances where the House of the Dark Abyss had a protian weapon available for trade, and Be-thric was capitalizing on it.

Tala didn’t listen to the details, as they really didn’t matter.

A minor functionary from the House of Blood in Croi sat with Be-thric, advising him on some of the specifics that could be offered or granted by the local House of Blood, as well as providing insight into the House of the Dark Abyss as needed.

All in all, it was boring, but Tala did her part, which meant standing stoically as a show of force near Be-thric. As that didn’t require action or much of anything, really, she took the time to think.

No matter how I make my escape, more power and competency will be a boon. It will help in escaping, making my way home, and once I arrive.

-So, we should reach back out to Meallain?-

Yes, Meallain. She should be willing to continue training us, and I really want to figure out more about Doman-Imithe.

-We’ll have to be circumspect with regard to Doman-Imithe.-

Of course. We should probably build up some knowledge about it on our own, if we can find anything. I also want to pursue a different angle in regards to the council’s decision. We should talk to Gallof and Thron.

-Yeah, that makes sense. Thron makes the most sense to me. He should be able to gather more information for us more easily, and he likely already has insight into other options.-

That’s what I was thinking, yeah.

In the end, Tala wished that she’d paid a bit more attention, because the ‘price’ that Be-thric ended up paying was fairly simple. First, the House of the Dark Abyss would be able to have first bid on a couple of long term trade contracts with the House of Blood coming up for option in the coming months, and the boy—Ganog—would be coming with Tala, Thron, Gallof, and Be-thric back to Platoiri, forever banished from any city in which the House of the Dark Abyss was present.

Oh…great. We’ll have another hanger-on for the trip back. Tala sighed internally, keeping her face carefully neutral.

Ganog removed his own light-sucking bracelet, his own protian weapon, and presented it to Be-thric.

The Pillar of the House of Blood accepted it graciously even as the Pillar and Eskau of the House of the Dark Abyss left without a backward glance.

They apparently took the boy’s banishment quite seriously, even if they had gone out of their way to see him reasonably situated in exile from their House.

Their departure seemed to be a signal of sorts, because Gallof came from an alcove to the side, greeting the boy and leading him away so that Be-thric could be about more important matters.

Speaking of which, Be-thric, for his part, came over to Tala, while the room cleared around them. “Eskau Tali.”

“Pillar Be-thric.”

“I know you are less than pleased by the decision of the Council.”

“That is… accurate.” She couldn’t keep emotion entirely from her response, though she wasn’t sure if what came through was anger, despair, or something else.

“Your devotion to duty is admirable, my Eskau. If you wish to talk through this, I will listen as I did after your accident. I don’t want this shock to harm you.”

“I will remember that.” You mean you don’t want this to harm my mental state…

-Yes, he’s not a nice person, Tala. Focus. He’s standing right in front of you.-

Be-thric gave a small smile and nodded once. “Very well. I won’t belabor the point, and I’ve things to be about.”

“Good day, Pillar.”

“Eskau.”

Without another word, Be-thric departed.

Tala stayed behind, standing in silence.

She remained alone in the meeting room, fighting back rising despondence.

Don’t cry, Tala. Keep your emotions in check.

-Tala?-

I’m fine. I’ll be fine. This is fine. She didn’t allow herself to consider what was around her, simply focusing on getting herself under control.

-You’d say that even in a burning room.-

Well, to be fair, if it was a normal fire, I probably would be fine.

-That’s not really the point.-

I know… Tala took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I hear you. I promise.

-We’ll get through this. Together.-

Tala felt a smile tug at her lips. Thank you.

Only shortly after that, she was able to wrangle herself back under control. Finally, with a nod of assurance for herself, she straightened and departed.

Tala grabbed the attention of a passing servant and ordered them to carry a message to Meallain.

There. She said that she’d planned on working with me until we depart, and that isn’t for quite a bit, yet. We’ll reestablish a schedule, and I’ll get to train. If nothing else, improving herself would better her odds, no matter what plan she came up with, and what means she utilized to finally get free.

Tala was pulled a bit out of her dark mood as she walked across an exterior passage, the majesty of the world fragment captivating her, making her feel small and insignificant, along with her problems.

The world already died. We’re all living on borrowed time, and every second is a gift.

-That’s a good way to look at it.-

Too bad my gift was soured by a— She cut off her own thoughts. Enough of that.

-Yeah, that wasn’t going anywhere productive.-

She followed the passage back into the building, quickly returning to Kit.

The entrance to her sanctum had actually been set up in quite an interesting area of the hold.

It was in an alcove in a purpose-built circular room with a half-dozen such alcoves, each labeled with the occupant of the hold set up within.

This seemed to be one of many, as Tala’s was the only door present at the moment, and she knew for a fact that there were other visitors who’d brought their own extra-dimensional lodging.

Tala took a moment to admire the artistry in the skylight, central to the round space, before she strode the rest of the way to her door.

With a firm grasp on her own desire, Tala opened the entrance to her sanctum, right beside Thron.

The dwarf took in a startled breath, head jerking up so he could look at her as she opened the door, but otherwise he didn’t react to the sudden nature of her appearance.

He was in her library, a rather large room, filled with bookshelves save for the three-foot wide walkways, snaking throughout.

The shelves were absolutely packed.

The only exception to the shelves and aisles was a single, large chair situated right beside the entrance. It was in that chair that the dwarf sat, his legs swinging freely above the ground, a large tome open across his lap. “Eskau Tali. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? I assume that your entrance, here, is not a coincidence.”

“It is not.” She pulled the door closed behind her, blocking sight and sound, but she didn’t dismiss it. “Thron, I need help.” She used his real name as he’d called her ‘Eskau.’

The dwarf frowned, knowing full well what she had done and why. “Tali.”

She smiled, feeling a bit mirth. “Thorn.”

He sighed. “Well, I’m glad that you’re feeling a bit better, at least.”

“Just a bit. Especially if you can help me.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

“Is there any way that we can go around the ruling of the council? Any nuance in the House’s laws, or conditions that could make it reasonable to ignore the ruling?”

To Tala’s surprise, Thron didn’t argue or dismiss the idea out of hand.

She had prepared arguments to use if he had done that, but instead, he simply nodded slowly. “Ahh, yes. I see what you’re getting at. There are some circumstances where that might be acceptable, even laudable.”

Tala grinned. “Wonderful. What are they?”

“That’s the issue. If you force the circumstances, they generally aren’t valid.”

She sighed. “I’ll trigger that spell-form when it’s needed. Tell me anyways.”

He shrugged. “Very well. If the obedience to the ruling would cause substantial, unforeseen harm to the House, it can be ignored, but the consequences must still be borne by the actor.”

The loss of an Eskau?

-They would lose you either way.-

Right… “Anything else?”

“If members of the deciding council die, and the votes of those remaining would have supplied a different outcome.”

Tala’s eyebrows rose, and she tilted her head to the side, an idea quickly forming. It was a bloody idea, but that was fine by her.

Before the plan could fully bloom, however, Thron dashed her hopes. “But that only holds if not a single one of the Pillars’ deaths can be even loosely tied back to party affected by the ruling.”

She grimaced.

“By the Pillars,”—he shook his head—“you would have tried to kill one, wouldn’t you?”

She sighed, sliding down the door to sit cross-legged on the floor. “Probably not. No.” They’d probably be too powerful for me to kill out right regardless. But it would have been nice to have the option available for consideration…

“I’m not sure I believe you…”—He shook his head again.—“Regardless, that wouldn’t change the outcome even if you succeeded as you’d be responsible.”

“I got that, thank you.”

Thron grunted. “Just making sure.”

She leaned back, knocking her head against the door behind her and groaning.

“There is one other way.”

“What is it.” She didn’t even make her tone questioning. It’s not like this one will be any more workable.

“If those affected really don’t like the decision, they can ignore it, and act with their best judgment.”

She sat up straight, her eyes snapping open. “Really?! That’s—”

Thron was shaking his head, fighting a smile.

“That was quite rude, adjunct.”

“Oh, I am terribly sorry, Eskau.” He lost the fight and cracked a smile.

Tala huffed a chuckle, then found herself continuing to laugh.

“Oh, the look on your face.” He smoothed his beard. “You’re right desperate, aren’t you?”

She pulled up her knees and put her head down on them, fighting down the laughter, and fighting even harder to keep it from turning into sobs. I’ll get home.

I’ll get home.

This is just a setback.

I’ll get home.

Thron waited for a long couple of minutes before Tala lifted her head and nodded. “Yes, Thron, I am desperate.”

He opened his mouth, seemingly to rebuke her for using that name but hesitated. Finally, he shook his head. “Why?”

“Why?”

“Yeah. Why? Why is it so rusting critical to you?”

Tala cocked her head. “Does that curse even make sense for you? Your spell-forms use a material that doesn’t rust.”

“So do yours. The worst gold and silver do is tarnish.” He grinned back at her.

She snorted a chuckle. “Fine, fine.”

“So?”

She gave a long-winded sigh. “I need to accompany Be-thric.”

“I got that part. Why?” He wasn’t leaning forward, but Tala could feel the intensity of his gaze and his interest in the question.

She growled in frustration. “Nothing will go right if he goes without me. I cannot help but feel that it will be a colossal failure if he leaves me behind.”

Thron grunted in a sort of understanding. “An Eskau’s place is between her Pillar and danger. There’s no doubt about that. I won’t lie and say it makes sense to me, sending a Pillar off on his own.”

The dwarf shook his head, finally closing his book and setting it on the side table beside the chair.

“But he’s a powerful one, Pillar Be-thric. I don’t see him dying, even without you.”

“But the mission won’t succeed without me.”

“Why do you think that?”

She stood, beginning to pace in frustration. “I can’t express how, but I just know.”

“A feeling? A premonition?”

Tala stopped. “Yes? Would that matter?”

He scrunched up his face. “Under other circumstances, maybe, but I happen to know that the more superstitious of the Pillars voted with Be-thric on this one. The ones that you actually want to alter their vote wouldn’t be swayed by such a thing.”

She threw up her hands, turning away. “What’s to become of me when he goes?”

“Become of you? You’ll do your normal duties in Platoiri until he gets back.”

“And if he doesn’t come back?”

“Then…” Thron frowned. “Hmm.”

She stopped her pacing again. When did I restart that? “Well?”

“That’s a good question, actually. Any other Eskau, at the death of their Pillar, would be in one of two positions. If they could have or should have prevented it, they would face death or banishment. If they couldn’t or shouldn’t have prevented it, then they would most likely be stripped of their title and protian weapon and be incorporated into the house as a member of standing, even if not one of high standing.”

“And in this case?”

“In your case, you mean?”

She nodded.

“I have no idea. There is no precedent.”

Another grimace stole across her face. “Great. My fate is being thrown to the wind.”

“I wish I had better news for you, but you really aren’t wrong.”

A thought crossed Tala’s mind, and she seized it. “You know…”

The dwarf paused, narrowing his eyes as he regarded her. “Yes?”

“A distraction might help.”

“Why do I feel like you’re about to ask me to do something questionable?”

“Because you are wise.”

He snorted. “Flattery is wasted on me, girl. What can I do for you, Tali?”

“I want to know about the Doman-Imithe.”

He sighed. “That isn’t really freely available knowledge. You were there, same as I, when Eskau Meallain explained that to us.”

“I’m aware, but certainly you could… acquire some books on the subject?”

He regarded her skeptically.

“You can’t tell me that you aren’t curious, yourself.”

“You’re right, I can’t.” He frowned. “Are you sure?”

“I’m not asking you to do anything against the House. Eskau Meallain said it herself, we’re entitled to the information, the appropriate time for conveyance simply hasn’t occurred yet. I just wish to speed up the timeline.”

Thron shook his head, but he was smiling. “I’ll see what I can do, but no promises.”

“Thank you, Thorn. That is all I can ask.”

They sat in companionable silence for a minute more before a loud knock resounded on the sanctum’s main door, which Tala had maintained in the library with them.

When Thron opened it, a servant delivered a message to him and departed.

It was from Meallain; she was available for training.

Let’s get back to it, then.

*      *     *

The next week passed in monotonous repetition.

Tala trained with any Eskau who had the time, always with Meallain overseeing and guiding the work.

She ate feasts that slowly seemed to regain their flavor, so long as she didn’t dwell on the future too much.

In the off times, she studied with Thron, digging through the books he was able to find that mentioned the Doman-Imithe and piecing together a more accurate picture of what it was, what it was not, and how it related to Zeme as a whole.

Their hope was that if they put together enough of the mystery, it would open the door to the information, directly.

Otherwise, she spent the time making siege orbs and amplifying the gravity on her scale-mail.

The white metal scales now formed a protective, cohesive layer on a hauberk that she could doff and don at will, giving her a truly massive number of projectiles along with some solid protection.

As for siege orbs, Tala realized that there was no reason to have a limited number, so she made them whenever she had the chance, and nothing better to do.

She was getting more skilled at their formation and could easily read or exercise while creating one, so long as she was in the underbelly of her sanctum.

Even with the progress she made on the orbs and scales, she didn’t use either as projectiles in training, instead focusing on improving her martial abilities and instincts.

It was a grueling, if profitable, week.

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<BONUS CHAPTER - 246B - De-arg>