– Day 7 –

Magistrates

We approach the magistrates building after heading west from the alchemist shop. It’s a large cuboid structure reaching four to five storeys high with a red slate pyramid spired roof. Just like the garrison, each floor has green wooded single pane windows with those giant metal doors just inside, and the ground floor windows all have bars on them. Flowery designs are chiselled into every flat surface, and each floor is clearly defined along the sides of the building with a two-slab, one slab embossed design separating flatten flowery walls.

“Wait here for a moment. I will set up the meeting and come right back.”

I follow Katharine’s instruction and take a seat on the bench outside. This will give me some time to check out that skill from earlier.

Skill Points: 35 Known Skills:

Appraisal Lv 0/10 [>]

I’m guessing it allows me to judge the value statistics of an object as I obtained it when the owner compared the two antidotes. Let’s max it out; it’s bound to be useful.

>>>>>>>>>>

Known Skills:

Appraisal Lv 10/10 [>] Skill Points: 25 [Appraisers Eye learned]

[- Master Appraisal achieved. Immediately discern rare and priceless items without active magics -]

Looks useful. I better not test it now due to what Emily said this morning. If activating an eye has some sort of physical effect on me, I better not test them in public–

“Aburi Draconis?”

A clerk appears while I was lost in thought.

“Y-yes?”

“Lady Armstrong has requested your presence. I am to escort you to the second-floor meeting room. This way please.”

Red waistcoat, black cloth trousers and large round glasses, it’s a solid look..

Once the clerk turned his back, I closed the menu. I’ll come back to this later.

He stands by the door and waves me to follow along and up the stairs at the end of the lobby.

The interior of the magistrates building is just as ostentatious as the garrison. Overly fancy woodwork in the walls and large mosaic floors depicting a battle of some sort. Unfortunately, the clerk is moving at a brisk pace, so I don’t get to examine it really.

As we go up the stairs, there are multiple portraits of various nobles lining the walls with their nameplates attached. A few caught my eye due to “Armstrong” on the plate, but again, the brisk pace didn’t allow me time to take them in. I assume these are various Lords with positions in government or law.

We arrive on the second floor ..of MI5? Or this worlds equivalent anyway. Wooden panelled walls, bookcases, 70’s brown carpet in flowery acorn pattern, red walkway rug, female secretary, the works…Wonder where Bond is? Or is that MI6?

“Please, head in.”

The clerk gestures to another door. As I pass through this room following the red carpet rug and into the other through a large set of double redwood doors, I see Katharine sat on one side of a very large oblong table with two older men on the other. The table takes up the majority of the room but at the window stands a familiar silver eyed bulb knight.

“Aburi, please have this seat here, beside me.”

Katharine calls me over. I can see it written on her face. Something is wrong here.

I take my seat beside her when the oldest man in the room starts talking

“So this is the Dark Elf in question? I must say, he looks rather young to be a master alchemist don’t you think Graham?”

“Indeed but he is definitely a Dark Elf, and it was only yesterday Alexander told me the story of his daughters' saviour. I doubt his daughter would risk her fathers' name without being sure of the elf’s skill Thomas; she’s been brought up well after all.”

Thomas and Graham, thanks. Now, any chance you’ll introduce yourselves properly to me? Nope, okay then…just an elf; got it!

“His skill is not the question here lads; it’s the bloody fact an elf wants to own property in the capital! I care not of his skills nor what he can do fer you. My Order will not stand for such a blasphemous thing!”

Gut instinct on bulb knight was right on the money it seems.

“Victor, be reasonable. The capital stands to gain a lot of renown should a master alchemist set up shop here–”

“Not to mention the adventurers guild may finally have the supplies they need to send a real expeditionary force into the Aslogia and Harris dung–”

*BANG*

Bulb knight hammers his fist into the table. …is this teak?

“Enough! You’ll do what you’ll do but mark my words lads; you do this, it’s without the support of Lybian! I’ll see myself out!”

Off he goes, Bulb knight storms out. …the walls too, maybe they aren’t redwood…is this all teak?

The two old men look to each other before Thomas sighs.

“Lady Katharine, despite General Syvian’s words, a master alchemist residing here, in the capital would be of great value to the kingdom, and we thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.”

“We will, of course, grant usage of that building to Aburi Draconis for one month. If he is able to produce products worthy of a master, by the power granted to us by the King, we will gift the building to him. I believe this should be acceptable by the other Dukes.”

“Should he not however–”

It’s the Thomas and Graham sketch show…Am I invisible?

“Then he will be executed.”

I will be what now!?

“I have no doubt in Aburi Draconis’s abilities having personally witnessed them first hand earlier today.”

Thanks Katharine but these guys are so far up their own–

“Then the matter is settled!”

“The deed will be delivered to your residence this afternoon.”

Okay, let’s end this rouse.

“If I may speak?”

“..Of course. What is it you wish to say?”

“You have stated that I am to be executed should I fail to produce goods of a masters quality. You have made the rather large mistake of mentioning this while I was in the room–”

I catch Katharine in the corner of my eye, she looks worried and is about to step in, but I turn to her as I continue to speak so as to imply that she should trust me.

“I will produce the expected goods to prove Lady Katharine’s faith in my abilities and her words here today to be true but after that, I am afraid I will be leaving the Capital.”

*bang*

“What!? This is outrageous!–”

It’s Thomas’s turn to bang the table it seems.

“No, sir. I’m afraid it is not. You have not had contact with my kin for the last thirty years for a reason. We are master craftsmen like the dwarves and are well respected because of it. I understand things work a little differently in this Kingdom but never before have I been openly threatened with execution nor ignored in a meeting I was summoned to. I had hoped to open a store here and improve relations between our peoples, but I see that is an impossible task–”

Graham shows a faint smile. I think the gamble has paid off; looks like I acted correctly.

“If I may interject.. you are quite right Draconis.”

“Graham!?”

“We have shown you great disrespect here today, and I must apologise for it. It is clear to me that Katherine has great confidence in your skills as an alchemist and had we not been so quick to summon you here and properly discussed the matter internally, we could have avoided losing a potential asset to the nation; I do hope it is not yet too late to salvage this relation. Is there perhaps anything we could say to perhaps change your mind?”

Bingo~

“Hmm. I can see you are sincere in your words so perhaps it’s not yet too late. If there was anything… That building that I am interested in. It is in a truly dire state…”

“Ah yes. Of course! Perhaps you would allow us to make it fit for purpose for you?”

“That would be most agreeable…”

“Then consider it done but… I’m afraid there is still the question of your actual skill. I cannot–”

“Then allow me to agree to the previous condition; should I fail to prove my skills within a month, you may execute me.”

Of course, if by some insanity I do fail, I’ll try and escape before you lop off my head.

“Then we have an accord. Sir Draconis, I am Duke Graham Rayford. May I apologise for my late introduction.”

“…Duke Thomas Black…”

“Not at all Duke Rayford, Duke Black; I am gladdened we could resolve our misunderstandings like gentlemen. It’s wonderful to finally make your acquiescences.”

Yuck, I feel that fluffer reference needs to be revived.

“Indeed it is. Lady Katharine, I will have that deed delivered this evening. Sir Draconis, whatever you require for that building will be provided by the state. Simply bring the request here, and we will see to it.”

Katharine smiles warmly at me; is it admiration or maybe–

“Thank you, Duke Graham. We have an appointment at the Mercenaries guild we must keep, by your leave–”

“Of course, of course, please”

Katharine takes my arm and leads me out of the room, down the stairs and out of the building. At each stage, our pace had quickened until we were practically running.

“What were you thinking in there!”

“That if I’m going to be threatened, up the ante?”

“They could have executed you on the spot!?”

“Nope. They couldn’t. They may have wanted to but–”

“Why are you so sure?!”

“Several reasons. The main one being that was just a test.”

“A test!?”

“Yeah, they ignored me on purpose…well, Duke Rayford did anyhow, to gauge my response to it. It would have been far worse had I chosen to hold my tongue–”

“How could you possibly–”

“Because! It would’ve meant I had no noble pride inferring no noble status. No one to care should they choose to execute me! Speaking up infers that their idle threats do not concern me and that someone powerful may be behind me. They now have to act carefully; oh the whole month to prove your worth thing is rubbish as well; it’s to investigate my heritage. By threatening to leave and blackmailing them into fixing the building, I secured Duke Rayford’s respect.”

She looks confused…? Wait, did she seriously not follow what was going on up there? Well, at least she trusted me enough to remain quiet…

“…I thought you had no political ties?”

“That’s true, but I’ve had plenty of dealings with people like that. I read the situation well enough. The whole bit with General Syvian was for my benefit as well. I assume Duke Rayford was the one that sent for me yes?”

“Y-yes…How did you know?”

“It was his way of warning me to watch my back. He’s a smart one but he was taking a gamble on my intelligence to pull a stunt like that. I assume he’s good friends with your Father?”

“…I…Yes”

Katharine looks to be in shock. I don’t think she’s played politics on this level before. For now, we should head for the mercenaries guild. Staying here discussing this openly will reflect badly on her name should we be overheard.

“For now let’s head on to the guild. Remaining here, chatting about it, isn’t wise.”

I can’t help but notice Katharine, and I just had our first informal conversation without trying to be polite. If possible, I’d like this to continue.

“Yes…you’re right. The guild is down here.”