Chapter 48: A Suffocating Feeling

Subject: Gwen Location: Maliscade - Nosk's Shrine (Commerce District)

“I always appreciate how punctual you are,” a man sitting alone in a small courtyard commented just as Gwen arrived.

Adopting a casual, kneeling prayer stance, this nobody shopkeeper had been waiting for Gwen to arrive.

It was one of the many lesser shrines to Nosk, The Pure. The deity of forgiveness was popular among Shaden in cities all across Shroud. Still, this space of quiet contemplation was tucked away between buildings of the Commerce District, hidden on all sides from the major streets.

“I will pay back what I owe until I’m free,” she answered quietly. “You don’t have to keep meeting me like this. I’ve told you I’d do drop-offs or whatever. I’ll never succeed as a merchant if I can’t keep my word, and besides, the Enforcers are everywhere today. Whatever happened has them jumpy.”

Still staring up at the human depiction of mercy, the corner of the man’s mouth curved up in a grin. Then he turned sideways, glancing to make sure they were alone, and fixed his gaze on Gwen.

“The lesser shrines aren’t frequented because, in the city, it is more beneficial to put your faith on public display, where your devotion can be documented. Faith held close, the faith you keep for yourself, is faith in its purest form. I knew you’d come through, my keen merchant. I don’t meet you because I worry about your commitment.”

His scarlet eyes bore into Gwen, lancing her body with a lasting chill. She didn’t let her uneasiness show. It was easier, now that she had reason to hope for freedom.

“Then, why?”

She emptied the contents of her coin pouch onto the bench between them. It wasn’t much compared to the extent of her debt, but the Grey seemed pleased nonetheless. However, his words didn’t exactly line up with that sentiment.

“Is that all? This amount won’t clear your debt for years, what with the interest you’ll be accruing, but it will keep my boss satisfied.”

The amount was probably more than he spent on everything he was wearing. This was why these people were so hard to deal with. They were smart enough not to get themselves caught.

“I will continue to bring this amount or more. I know what I owe, and I can do the math to calculate the interest. The debt will be paid. I swear on my life.”

The unassuming shopkeeper laughed, casually swiped the coins into a comparatively nondescript cloth pouch, and then slid himself closer. A hand rested on Gwen’s shoulder.

It was a soft touch, making her feel all the more like an insect caught in a spinner’s web. For insects, those creatures were surprisingly crafty. That was why the military had a specialized unit to handle their infestations elsewhere in the wilderness where surviving their spawning season was a dire struggle.

But a Grey looked just like a person. A Grey was a person, and that was the problem.

“Sweetheart, it isn’t your life we want. I’m not a bad person. I would take care of you, clear your debt, and protect you if you joined under me. You know your numbers, not just enough to make simple transactions, but so much more. That’s still a rare thing beyond the capital, and our organization deals with villages who think ‘mathematics’ is a kind of magecraft. You’re indebted to us because you lack wisdom, not intelligence.”

His name was Ren, and he was her contact and the one who gave her the loan. Poisoned fruit, coated in kindly paint. It was slow-acting death for the naive. He was the only Grey she’d ever met face-to-face, so she didn’t know how many more there were in his organization.

No matter how much Gwen wanted to put distance between her and the Grey, she didn’t move. She needed to stay on good terms with Ren because he was the stranger she knew, and the stranger she didn’t was more frightening.

“I told you, I don’t want to work for you. I’ll work independently until I can make more to give to you. I have worked lined up. This isn’t something I’ve dreamed up or whatever, you’ll see. If you try to make me, I’ll kill myself the first opportunity I get.”

Ren just smiled.

“From the moment I met you, I saw your potential. You’re wasting your talent on small schemes. That drill is the seed of genius too. It’s a crude masterwork, my favorite kind.”

Gwen reflexively tried to clutch her precious drill tighter, revealing that his words had gotten to her. Even though she’d left her drill in a safe place, she felt threatened. Yet, only Ren’s eyes revealed the passionate maelstrom within.

“Where could it be? It looked like you must have tinkered for loving years on that thing, so I highly doubt you sold it. One day, I know you’ll realize that I’m not your enemy. You could work with me, and only me, and we could reshape this city. The authorities are busier than ever with their countless squabbles.”

The Bearer of Red showed his true color. Twirling around on an imaginary stage, a violent red blaze engulfed his eyes, and he drew breath as the wilderness beast he was. Spiraling crimson patterns raced across his skin. He radiated dangerous energy.

Seeing Gwen recoil in abject terror, Ren exhaled calmly to show he was still in control of his Mark. For now, at least, his emotions wouldn’t risk scaring her away. For now, the whites of his eyes returned to their usual color.

“We won’t force you. We aren’t like that.”

Of course they weren’t. Greys were worse because they had to be careful whenever the theocracy started looking for heretics. They had to get smarter about putting on the pressure, making life a light-torn ruination for anyone who had the misfortune of crossing them.

Gwen forced a respectful goodbye. He watched her quietly while she walked in the direction of Tether Transit, intending to take it back to the Gate District, where she felt somewhat safer.

Ren didn’t stop her, but she desperately wanted to cry. Where was Caim right now? If she went to the Guild Headquarters, would he be there? She needed him to be there.

Subject: Caim Location: Maliscade - Blightbane Guild

Everything was blurry, but Caim found himself face-to-face with Mille when he awoke. Violet conduits cast a glow across her solemn features.

He knew her well enough by now to suspect she was grappling with powerful emotions right at this moment. Maybe she’d been worried he was going to die?

Past events returned to him even before his eyes could confirm the signs of the battle that had raged on while he was unconscious.

“Caim. Is it you?” she asked, an awkward hesitance cleaving her usual rhythmic tone.

“Yes. Who else would I be? Nevermind that, are we safe?”

He tried to move to a better place to see his surroundings, but Mille unexpectedly pushed him back down again with her full body weight.

“We are safe.”

“How can you be sure? I can still do something to help-”

“You’ve done enough. Let the Hexaline Knights handle the rest.”

Enemy killed. Safe, reported Scion, somewhat instantly.

He didn’t remember summoning Scion. Where was it? What was this?

“Did I cast a spell while I was unconscious? Wait. Did you just say ‘Hexaline Knights’, as in plural?”

She didn’t answer. He was about to press her for more when he realized the commotion in the center of the hall.

Around the hall were unfamiliar faces—seven of them, dressed strangely. One of them was glaring at Latice. It was difficult to see the man’s face from where Caim sat, especially with Mille holding him down.

“What happened?”

“One of the enemies used powerful magic. He tried to kill everyone. Even the Hexaline Knight and his squad couldn’t do anything.”

While listening to Mille, Caim continued to watch the seven strangers. They were enemies. They must be. No one had realized it yet because they were probably still shaken from the last fight. That must be it.

Scion wasn’t ready yet, so he waited, hoping there was enough time before the next fight began.

He was uncomfortable. Lonely. It felt like he should know why he felt this way, yet the reason escaped him.

I was somewhere else, talking to someone annoying. But I had a friend there. Multiple friends? I can’t remember at all.

“The knights tried to stop the attacker, but he was protected by magic. It stopped every spell. Your magic insect was able to break through that protection.”

“Why don’t I remember this?”

“You hit your head. You weren’t… You weren’t awake.”

“I know I hit my head. I’m saying I didn’t know I could summon Scion while I was unconscious.”

Mille looked like she knew something he didn’t, but she was as close-lipped as always. It was frustrating to have so many questions, and so many people unwilling to answer them.

One of the strangers began walking over to Latice, still menacing a pretentious glare.

Scion was ready now. Caught up in the moment, Caim began to summon Scion. Mille noticed this and demanded to know what he was doing while pushing him down further.

The spell was interrupted when he lost his concentration. Though rare, It wasn’t the first time he’d lost focus. It didn’t put the spell back on a delay, so he was free to try again.

“I’m protecting us. The bright light still hurts my eyes a little, I admit, but you can’t tell me these strange people are friendly. They’re not with the Guild, and even the Hexknight is ready for a fight.”

He managed to gently shove her off of him and get up. Taking action now would save time and potentially save their lives. It didn’t matter if he was saving someone like Latice in the process.

He began to summon Scion again. The silvery body was about to take shape.

“It’s true they aren’t with the Guild, but you can’t!” Mille shouted in a panic.

She took a running leap and tackled Caim. She had a smaller frame, but her body turned out to be surprisingly heavy. Maybe faron bones were denser, or maybe he was just weakened.

The shimmering particles signaling Scion’s entrance fizzled out before his metal ally could take form.

He’d have to start again.

“Why’d you do that?!”

“Caim, those people are knights!”

Knights? How could they be knights? They felt like enemies. The one in front displayed such open malice toward Latice that you could feel the tension in the air.

But Latice is bad too. It would make sense if they were knights. Knights must be violent people, even with each other. What was I thinking, defending one of them?

There was one new piece of information Caim gained from this. When he had started to summon Scion, he felt a familiar sensation. A pleasant nostalgia seeped in through the same void his spells came from. The magic hadn’t felt like this before, or at least he hadn’t detected the sensation.

“Promise me you won’t do something stupid,” Mille begged, her voice carrying a surprising amount of emotion.

Her conduits were equal parts fearful and caring. Her body was trembling.

“Wait a second. I know him,” Caim realized.

“Yes, he’s the man we met on the train. He’s a Hexaline Knight of Progress, Gillis The Cartographer.”

“You know him well?”

“I only looked him up in the branch records after we met him. I know of the knights, but they aren’t people you just see in person like this. There’s also supposed to be one more in the city, but I don’t know where she is...”

She’s probably just as twisted as these ones. Maybe more so.