A Record of Ash & Ruin: The Grieving Lands

Book 3: Chapter 47: Plans for Tomorrow

What use is a good bow if there are no arrows to string?

- A Quassian Aphorism.

I had received the first reward for a chain quest, making it feel like the holidays had come early. Immediately I felt a childish urge to wield it, to spin it about and test it. To smash it against some innocent object in an explosion of delight.

But such thoughts were short-lived as Elwin and Kidu burst into my room, without even knocking. I jumped in surprise.

“What we got here then, Gil?” Elwin began, giving me a cheeky wink. Kidu’s face mostly remained expressionless, but I could see from the tell-tale tightening around his lips that he was annoyed.

“I warned the little man that to enter another’s tent with no announcement is… rude,” the big Hunter rumbled in disapproval.

To condone such behavior would be problematic, but truth be told there was little need for such privacy between us. Still, a few words of chastisement were in order.

“Kidu is correct,” I stated, though there was little force or real ire in my voice.

“Come now, Gil. Got to keep you on your toes, haven’t I? Now what have we here?” he replied, stepping towards the bundle. “I knew this place was meant to be rich, but if this is what you get for bumbling about in the city’s bum-hole, then count me in next time you go for a job!”

The Rogue ran his hands across the dark shaft of the weapon, whistling in appreciation. Irrationally, I felt a small spike of jealousy.

“Now this ain’t just any sort of whacky stick is it now, Gil?” commented Elwin, looking at me with an inquisitive eye. To this Kidu just snorted.

Sharing a look with Kidu, I decided to share what information I had gleaned. “I believe this to be a magical weapon, though of a lesser caliber than the one that Cordelia wields. Also, I have no idea in what way it is actually magical,” I admitted. “Speaking of Cordelia, have any of you seen her as of late?”

“Last time I saw her, she was having words with the mistress of this place... and since it’s rude to eavesdrop, I thought it best not to listen in,” Elwin said.

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“Being rude has never stopped you before. Tell us what you know, Elwin,” I sighed, exasperated.

“The big man’s rubbed off on you, eh?” Elwin remarked. Kidu cracked his knuckles in warning. “Nothing meant by it, big man. Just that our welcome here is growing thin. Most likely it was made out of politeness, probably didn’t think we’d actually take her up on it. Foreign folks like that, say one thing and mean another. God knows the big man eats enough for three, and I might have been drinking a bit more, and a bit better, than usual. But… that’s the thing with gratitude, is that it wears out right quick. A threat, on the other hand, stays fresh longer.”

“That’s a rather cynical and Machiavellian way of thinking,” I commented.

Elwin looked puzzled for a moment before responding, “Don’t know about that Macky stuff, but cynical? Hardly. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you come to know a thing or two about human nature.”

Though I wanted to, I could find no words to refute him.

“I think you should not do things just to receive thanks. Good deeds are their own reward,” rumbled the Hunter in dissent.

As expected, the noble savage was a font of useless wisdom.

“Well, I doubt they will kick us out for a week or two. It will be easy enough for us to earn some money if we can get a few jobs under our belt.” I paused, taking out a few pieces of loot. “I got these from under the city… Elwin, these might be worth a few coins, yes?”

He nodded, his eyes glinting with avarice as he looked at the jewelry. “I can get rid of these somewhere for a half-decent price where it can’t be traced back to us… Can’t help but feel like a bit of caution is in order.”

Kidu looked troubled by this, so I sought to placate him.

A lie would serve me better here than any awkward truth. “I did not steal them. A group of scoundrels tried to end Larynda and me in the sewers. A greedy bunch of thieves, but I turned the tables on them. Let’s just say they won’t be bothering civilized society any longer! So, yes, they are mine by battle right, but that does not mean that other concerned parties would share the same view. Humans can be, well, emotional, when it comes to these things.”

The large man furrowed his brow in thought, “If these were honorably acquired, then why must Elwin exchange them secretly just for warm lander coin?”

As I was at a loss for a response, it was the Rogue who provided a reasonable answer for me.

Oh Kidu, ever the innocent and noble savage, why did the odious task of educating you in the wiles of civilized man fall upon me? With no small amount of regret, I began my explanation.

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“Well, low-life scum usually have a boss, right? Chiefs, like, that they answer to, yes? What would they do if they knew I had gotten a hold of one of their tribe member’s valuables? Would they not take umbrage at that? Misplaced pride if nothing else? Better to be cautious about these things to avoid misunderstandings.”

Acceptance settled in, and the Hunter nodded in slow, reluctant agreement.

Taking a quick breath I moved on to the main matter at hand, “Now, to the next order of business…” I leaned forward conspiratorially. “An opportunity has come my way. I would have you know that I made the acquaintance of someone who will be able to reward us most generously,” I half-whispered for dramatic effect.

“The giver of the weapon?” remarked Kidu.

“Just so, Kidu! I am to meet with him tomorrow. He will be paying me another half a silver, just for meeting him.”

Elwin looked dubious. “So… what’s the strings we talking about here? You an’ me both know that nothings free in this world,” the Rogue inquired.

“Well, that is why we have been requested to meet with him tomorrow to find out. Rest assured that, for the moment, our goals align with his,” I stated confidently.

Indeed our goals did align. Any enemy of the gods of this world was a friend and potential ally of mine. If I could do anything to frustrate the designs of the so-called Divines, then I would do so. Still, I would be doing myself no favors by telling my companions of my true enemies. They might lose heart, after all.

So I told them what I knew of the Necromancer, skipping the part of him being, like me, an enemy of the gods of this world.

“So, I was thinking that just the original crew see what Vincenzio has to offer…” I suggested.

Kidu crossed his arms, his stature and expression making him look as solid and as tough as a forest oak. “Why not bring the woman warrior? She wields a heaven-touched blade too, yes?” asked the Hunter, his thick eyebrows furrowing.

“The big man’s got a point…” chimed in Elwin.

I took in their words, closing my eyes for a moment as I played out a scenario.

Indeed, Cordelia’s blade would be welcome. The problem was the wielder of the sword. At a guess, diplomacy when dealing with a master of the dark arts would not be her forte. This led to me wondering, just as a mental exercise if it would be possible for my party to take down the Necromancer, despite the vast difference in levels between us.

Elwin’s voice cut into my thoughts, “You there, Gil? Having another of your moments?”

“Just thinking for a moment,” I replied with a forced smile. The Rogue always had a habit of just pressing the wrong buttons. “No, I still think it best that just us three visit Vincenzio tomorrow. Cordelia, bless her heart, is a little inflexible in her thinking,” I concluded.

Seeing that Elwin still looked a little unsure I decided to add, “And with only the three of us, means a larger individual share.” It was almost comical seeing the sudden change in the Rogue’s expression. Just like Elwin, I too was learning the levers that moved a man.

To me, however, the potential monetary rewards were a secondary thing. More important was the information that Vicenzio the ‘Alchemist’ could furnish me with. And any other artifacts that he might have on hand.

With the things looking like they were smoothly in motion, life, as it always seems to do, wanted to object.

There was a delicate knock on the door, followed by a pleasant voice that I knew well, but at this very moment dreaded more than most.

“My Lor… I mean Gilgamesh,” came Cordelia’s voice, almost causing me to jump out of my skin. “May I come in?”

We all shot each other guilty looks. Had we been overheard?

“But of course… Lady Cordelia,” I answered awkwardly a heartbeat later.

Radiance entered with a smile that could have stolen most hearts, leaving those unaccustomed to her charms struck dumb and mute. Cordelia, ever the vision, was the very epitome of classical beauty, her features as finely chiseled as statues from antiquity. Yet, it was precisely her resemblance to the goddess Avaria that laid bare the terrifying scale of the foes aligned against me. Fortunately, I had managed to sway one of their agents to my cause.

This day, she was garbed in a modest orange abaya, a robe-like dress of simple cut, complemented by a light blue chiffon sheila, a headscarf that veiled her head. The fabric framed her oval face, enhancing the vivid emerald hue of her eyes. Though her attire was common in make, she wore these garments with a regality that made it seem as if they had been spun and sewn solely for her form.

“Forgive me, Gilgamesh, I hope I am not intruding on anything,” she offered demurely.

“No… err, not at all!” was my hasty reply. Elwin shot me a vaguely dirty look.

“I have heard that you have encountered a few difficulties in going about your business in the city,” she started to explain, a pleasant smile blossoming on her face. “Though, of course, they were not so great that you would not be able to overcome them, praise be the Goddess.”

“Indeed, praise her name,” I said automatically, eager for her to make her point.

“It seems that the goddess has chosen for you the path of an adventurer. In my wish to assist you in all things, I too wished to walk this path with you,” she added, displaying a small copper badge. “However… unfortunately, I will not be able to join you for a while. While registering at the Guild, I was given an invitation to assist a few others of the faith in their own aspirations… and without me, their lives would surely be in peril,” she continued to explain, her usual veneer surety cracking for a moment.

“So… you’ll be joining a bunch of new adventurers for a while, is that right?” queried Elwin insightfully. His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, his expression now a touch less guarded.

“Quite so… forgive me, but I simply could not refuse them,” she answered meekly.

I sighed inwardly in relief. The stars had finally aligned, and luck seemed to be on my side. I nearly jumped for joy, barely able to restrain myself.

The Temple Knight looked down and away, a surprisingly human gesture. "I will require ten days to assist them, so I must beg my leave of you."

"That is indeed a shame," I replied in a morose tone. "We would have been glad to have your sword at our side." I was careful with my words, unsure if she possessed some mystical ability to discern truth, like the Guildmaster in Ansan.

I offered my best smile, a mix of encouragement and regret. "But do not be overly saddened, for this is only a temporary separation. We will be glad to have you return to us in ten days. I wish you good fortune in this venture. My thoughts and prayers will be with you," I said warmly.

"As will mine," she responded, her smile radiant. “By your grace,” she added, before excusing herself and gracefully leaving.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kidu's expression darkening, like a gathering storm.