Book 2 Chapter 39 (Patreon)

Nox felt like a show familiar. Mages raised and tailored familiars in the Imperium and several allied cities for show or gladiatorial matches. The rade Empire didn’t engage in such activities but helped transport contracts and conduits to facilitate those who indulged. He had only ever seen the mages from a distance during gatherings in the Golden Isles. The familiars and summons on show often appeared miserable as their contracted partners had them put on little demonstrations or flourishes.

The gathering’s hosts and the woman on the arm didn’t treat him like a trained monkey or parrot capable of speech, yet Nox felt like one. Swati sang praises of his alchemical prowess. Then Harin found them and told everyone about Ratra’s Bow and Nox’s potency with it. Nox played along to the best of his ability. He was no stranger to putting on a show. He had done it many times before—mainly to antagonize and sell his products—but such performances exhausted him. Many didn’t seem to understand that charming and introvert weren’t mutually exclusive.

“You absolutely have to try Nox’s products!” Swati gushed to a group of older women, holding out her arm. “Touch my skin. Go on! Just touch it.”

“That’s softer than my granddaughter’s bottom!” One of the older women squealed, stroking Swati’s forearm. The aroma of spiced, fortified wine hung thick around her. “Are you sure this isn’t some spell?”

“I swear on my mother and grandmother’s lives, it's not a spell,” Swati replied. “Once you’re a favored customer like me, Nox will brew you personalized products suited to your skin. You won’t believe how the last delve left me. I can’t handle the cold. The blighted rift was frigid and coated in several feet of snow. It left my skin so dry and cracked. Further training would’ve probably left me bleeding.”

“Is that why you spent all evening avoiding me?” The woman asked, crossing her arms. Despite the annoyed tone, her expression gave away her playfulness.

Swati nodded. “It wasn’t just you, though. I kept away from everyone. Then Nox’s brew fixed me up within minutes.”

“Nox. That’s a strange name. Isn’t it? Do you mind me asking its origin, Mr Ratra?”

“My birth name was Nitesh,” Nox answered. “I couldn’t say it and preferred Nox. It's what my father called me. After he passed and I lost all of my titles, Nitesh got scrubbed from all documents. Nox stuck.”

“Have you ever thought about changing your name back?” Swati asked. “Nitesh is a lovely name.”

“No.” It wasn’t a topic Nox enjoyed discussing. He was barely seven years old when the change happened and always preferred the nickname anyway. He didn’t know the meaning behind the word Nox or its origin. “I prefer Nox. It's a party of my brand as an artisan, and changing it now might harm my business.”

“I’ve been Gupta’s products for a decade now, but I’ll try yours once I finish—”

“Would you like a sample?” Nox asked, flashing his best smile. “Swati insisted I bring some samples.”

“You did?” The woman’s eyes widened. “Sure, if you’ve got them here.”

Swati clicked her fingers, and a servant appeared with a tray of small sample bottles. He disappeared into the background as soon as the older woman picked up an embossed container. They moved on after a couple of minutes of small talk, and the conversation was repeated in another part of the room. They adapted content to fit the target’s age group.

Much to Nox’s surprise, he didn’t hate Swati’s company as much as she expected. The Daksinthani woman didn’t drape herself over him or get too flirty as they did they socialized, making her more tolerable. Harin was an excellent host, frequently checking in on him and making introductions. A handful of conversations annoyed Nox.

“Why did it take so long to find us?” Harin’s uncle asked. “I get it. We need to integrate with the locals for the sake of business and ambition, but these are your people, son! Our culture and history bind us together. These outsiders will never understand us or truly accept us. Trust me. My first wife was an Imperium woman. It was the worst mistake of my life and set me back by at least a couple of decades. Oakhearts, Edelweisses, and Beauforts are all fine as acquaintances. Sow your wild oats, make acquaintances, and professional relationships with them all you want, but be sure to draw a line. You can be sure that your true community will never turn your back on you.”

“Thank you for your advice,” Nox replied, maintaining a polite smile. “I’m sure things were different for you—”

“There are exceptions, and then there is the rule. I mean, look what happened with your father.”

“That’s enough, Uncle.” Harin cut the older man short.

The older man paused, looking confused as his eyes shifted between Nox and Harin. “I apologize, young man. Sellis weed and wine are a bad combination. They loosen the lips.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Harin said after they moved away from his uncle. “Your tale has been highly discussed and debated ever since the knighthood. Not many with Daksinthani blood have received such accolades or gained success as fast and suddenly as you did. And uncle—” Harin sighed. “We already knew about what happened with your mother, but when the Gedge’s actions came to light, my uncle and parents were particularly enraged for you.”

“That might be true, but you should know I’ve met more pleasant locals than Daksinthanis. Everyone gets ugly when politics and gold are involved.”

“That’s because you haven’t met or socialized with many of us besides your aunt and my terror of a cousin.”

“Your cousin?” Nox asked, thinking about what other Daksinthanis he had met.

“Annabelle Oakheart’s fiance before you came along, of course,” Swati said. “His family is from Ruipur, too. I don’t know how he turned out a meathead woman beater.” She shook her head in derision. “The Singh clans are supposed to be honorable warrior folk. They’ve dedicated multiple generations to protecting Daksinthan from the beasts and roving dungeons. Sure. Sometimes, they get their hands dirty, but it's all for their homes’ growth, prosperity, and safety.”

“I didn’t know about the Singh clan,” Nox stated. “I thought most Daksinthanis living around here started as merchant or artisan families. The Trade Empire deals with many around the continent, and I’m sure I’ve seen many Singhs.”

“The clan’s main families and all firstborn sons of branch families walk the warrior’s path,” Harin replied. “The rest have the freedom to explore other trades and arts. My father and uncle are third and fourth sons. So, they went into hospitality, investment, and research.”

“And as the firstborn male, are you going into delving?” Nox asked.

“Something like that,” Harin replied.

Swati helped Nox avoid the Guptas. They lingered around him and followed earlier in the evening. As predicted by the hosts, the duo eventually got too drunk to care, and Nox spotted one disappear into a side room with two men. The other sat down with a pipe and fell into a near-comatose state.

As the evening continued, Nox noticed Swati’s attempts at keeping Nox away from certain guests. At first, he assumed that she wanted to keep him away from young, single women. Then, she occasionally did it with older folk of both genders. Nox became sure about the hosts’ intentions when Harin rushed in and redirected Nox or his conversation partner just as he was starting to talk.

It eventually grew frustrating, but Nox smiled and nodded through most of it as the pair helped him distribute more of his samples. As the evening continued, Nox couldn’t help but wonder whether there was something at play.

If the Gupta pair Nox saw were a representative pair of the brand, he doubted they were capable of the attacks on his business. One appeared more interested in their sexual appetites than business. Nox had overheard the other’s conversations, and he came across as a drunk and Sellis addict incapable of keeping anything secret. Nox heard him discussing what should’ve been business secrets and an acquaintance or family member’s trouble conceiving and possible impotency.

It was possible that the saboteurs were using the Daksinthani people as a misdirection. Their actions thus far appeared much too intelligent for the Guptas he had met. The family could still have a mastermind working from behind the scenes, but Nox ended the evening with doubts about his suspicions.

Swati tried luring him to a bedroom towards the end. Meanwhile, Harin suggested he stay longer for a more intimate gathering, which usually carried on until sunrise. Nox cited the store’s constraints and the need to prepare for the upcoming week of classes. The pair appeared unconvinced. Much to his relief, they didn’t push the issue.

After Nox said his goodbyes, Swati showed him out of the building through a grander hallway and exit he used during entry.

“I just wanted to see what you could be enjoying by spending more time with us,” Swati confessed. “I guessed you’re not the type to be swayed by such opulence, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Does it?”

“Tell me honestly, Swati. Why are you so keen on getting me to spend less time with the locals? Have they hurt your community that much?”

“In my case, it's because I want you, Nox,” Swati replied. She took his hands and looked directly into his eyes. The woman planted a soft kiss on his lips before he could react. “I’m pretty sure I’ve made that more than clear. You’re intelligent, decent-looking, a good businessman, and obviously an incredibly talented mage. That’s a rare combination, you know? A good future awaits whatever woman and family ends up with you.

“As for Harin. He’s unwilling to spell out his purpose, but I guess he wants you in his party. I and another plan to the party at the end of this semester. Harin probably wants you to fill the hole we’ll leave behind. That new boy training with your group has him intrigued, too.”

“What makes you think I’d want to leave the party I’ve spent half a year cultivating?” Nox asked, surprised by the blunt response. He pulled away from Swati, ignoring the kiss. He didn’t want to encourage her by acknowledging it.

“You guys aren’t unified,” Swati stated matter-of-factly. “Our party delved together for three years before we decided to part ways amicably. Meanwhile, you lost one of the first members before the semester began, and now two more will probably depart before the semester ends.”

“You know about the Beauforts?” Nox raised an eyebrow.

“The Imperium Inquisition made no secret of their apology and offer,” Swati replied. “I think they’re trying to pressure the siblings with the publicity. Only a fool would give up the offer they received.” The woman waved at a group of men eating skewers in the distance, and her carriage driver broke away from them. “As for the Woodsons? I suppose they’re a decent bunch. I’ve seen Caitlin around a fair bit. You just started delving with the pair. I doubt you’ve bonded well with them. If you make a case for that girl—our childhood friend—I’m sure Harin would make an exception and let her into the party, too.”

“What about you? If you’re leaving the party, don’t you want to recruit me for your future venture?”

“I struggle to separate work and my personal life, Nox. If I can win you romantically, the rest will follow. On the other hand, if you continue rejecting me for Aria Edelweiss, I’m afraid I wouldn’t want you around.”

“Well. I respect your directness, Swati. You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about.”

Swati of Ruipur’s carriage pulled up to the Singh mansion’s rear entrance. Nox bid her goodbye, boarded the carriage, and returned home. He was pleased to find Aria awake and waiting for him and told her everything about the evening.