Chapter 16 : The Final Lesson
I put down the two books and sighed. The mayor is a sick, sick person. Even the performance itself is twisted, how can the Dhorn approve of such a vulgar performance?
Further search in his room reveals a cabinet with a glowing ring and a pair of gems, I pocket both.
After more searching, I locate the statue inside his desk. It's time to leave this place.
Hey, what's this? A hidden door...
Soon as I entered, I was confronted by the sight of a naked, caged man.
Please, get me out of here!
Who are you?
My name's Sander. Sander Gregory. I'm a captive of the mayor. A very evil man.
He spits out at the mention of the name.
Why are you being held captive?
He lowers his eyes.
This is a bit complicated, and embarrassing.
Tell me.
Well, the Mayor...he thinks I'm a demonic creature of some sort. Can you believe that? Me, a demon!
He shakes his head. I eye him warily. Those books. Could he be one of those...Incubus?
I'm no demon! Please, you have to believe me! I used to be a carpenter before the Dhorn came! It's not my fault that women think that I'm attractive!
What does being attractive have to do with being a demon?
Well, the Mayor, he's absolutely obsesses. He calls me Incubus and thinks that I can bewitch women to make them couple with me. And he wants me to bestow him those powers. But I've got nothing like that! I'm no demon!
And for that reason he's locked you up?
LP Comment: What the fuck, Valine?
Eeks!
He gives me an abashed look.
It was not pleasant, but he forced me to! Please, I don't want to rot in this cell!
How do I know you're not a demon trying to trick me into setting you free?
I swear to you, by all that I hold sacred, that I'm no demon. I'm a carpenter!
He lets out a bitter, frustrated laugh.
I..I'll see what I can do.
I reasoned that if he is really an Incubus, he would just charm me into opening the cell for him instead of speaking with me. I went to work with the lock immediately.
The small silver key from the mayor's desk fits perfectly.
Thank the Gods! Thank you so much!
It was my pleasure to help you.
I'd like to get out of this place as quickly as possible...Do you know a way out of here? I mean, one past the guards so they won't catch me?
I think so...follow me.
It's going to be harder to leave by the front door with him along..I have to find another route.
The nearby weapons rack holds some arms. I equip the quarter staff and hand over the great sword to Sander.
I step out of the mayor's bedroom, only to hear a pair of guards having a conversation.
Lord Tendenberry was found dead on the first floor!
That's what you get when you consort with whores.
Yeah, but we'd better find the girl. Quickly. Lock all doors and search the lower floors.
Understood.
LP Comment: Funny thing, the original conversation cited that Lord Tendenberry REPORTED that one of the girl is missing. I guess Valine didn't code 'Tendenberry killed' into the script. I had to edit it just to make sense of it.
The nearby room's chest holds a whip and leather outfit. I gave the outfit to Sander to cover his nakedness.
Sensing that escape does not lie on the lower floor, I lead Sander to the upper floor.
A window..I could climb out through this and down onto the street below, but I probably won't be able to come back if I do so.
Ready to leave, Sander?
Yes!
We climb down carefully, so as not to attract attention.
Thank goodness we're out of that place!
Looks like it.
Don't worry, I won't let them take me again. Damn the Mayor and his men! *He clenches his fist.* I hope they choke on their own bile and go straight to hell! But I'd better go and see if my house is still standing. And find a change of clothes. *He glances up into the sky.* Damn rain. Some things never change, it seems.
Better out in the rain than inside that cell of yours, I'd say.
Oh yes. Absolutely. Well...take care then, m'lady.
He clasps my hands again, then runs off. I smiled at his disappearing form and make my way back to the hideout in the sewers. Mando is waiting.
Nice to see you again, Aisha.
Here's the statue.
Oh wow! Excellent work, Aisha!
He takes the statue and hands over a pouch of gold.
Keep the dress. Ask me again if you want any more jobs, okay?
I nodded and enter Alfons' office.
Yes, Aisha?
The wizard's tower...it's burnt down.
He nods.
The clock you delivered was set to explode when the target got close to it. Chancellor Perguin of the city's academy was the target. He often visited the wizard living in the tower. Really expensive device to craft...
You could've told me.
If I had told you that you were carrying something so dangerous, you might have stumbled over your own feet in fear.
Hm, you're probably right.
Sometimes, I cannot give you all the details beforehand. Anyway, it's good that the wizard is gone for a while. He is a pervert, and often snatches people off the streets for his experiments. Beggars and prostitutes, people who wouldn't be missed. They probably died in a very gruesome way.
Very well.
The Chancellor wasn't much better. He was cooperating with the Dhorn. The very same people who killed your family. Trust me, you did a good deed helping us get rid of those two. Try not to think too much about it. I know it's hard sometimes. But you'll get over it, you'll see.
I nod grimly. I need to adapt. I can't be bound by morality anymore. I just don't have the luxury. If I want to win against the Dhorn, I can't sweat over the small details. Which reminds me, there's somewhere I need to be.
It's 5 am. This is the alley where I was beaten, robbed and raped. In my exploration of one of the abandoned houses, I've discovered a secret entrance to their hideout.
I lifted the hidden trap door leading to the secret passage and prepared myself. It's payback time.
The leader is absent...and I can hear the faint sound of snoring as two of the bandits patrol the halls. I slip past them and head straight to the beds.
Once there, I called on my badger servant to distract the guards as I plunged my short sword to the sleeping bastards. I stabbed the first one on the chest, he gurgled something before dying.
I moved to the dwarf next to him and stabbed the short sword into his back. His heart punctured as blood flowed onto his mattress.
By then the two guards have finished dispatching my badger servant. I turned my attention to the female bandit and traded strikes.
I dodged a few bolts from the other as I applied the finishing blow to the bitch. She shrieked in horror as her wounds painted the floor red. A bolt struck me as I approach the last bandit.
*Winces.* Tell Rick Cars...tell him: That I'm coming for him!
I make my escape down to the secret passage, dodging several bolts along the way.
The bastard did not pursue. I cleaned my blade and retreated to my hide out. Ready to finish the job tonight.
But first...I need something to protect myself better. This shield should do the trick.
I returned to the Bear's Pit and rest until the sun sets.
Later that night...
Rick Cars and his gang is finished. I clench my short sword and shield.
I uttered a prayer before entering the battle.
My servant distracted them as I flank and stab them from behind. I'll leave Rick for last.
One down. Rick voiced his displeasure at his comrade's death.
You bitch!
Time to finish this, scum!
Our blades clashed, I got the upper hand as the acid inflict painful wounds on his chest.
Finally, I could sense he could take it no more and lunged out at me in rage.
I was only too happy to oblige. My sword struck true and lodged itself on his chest, acid bathing his exposed wounds as he screamed in agony. I grinned wickedly as I kicked his body back to withdraw my sword.
I spat at his worthless corpse, satisfied. Now...they won't hurt anyone. Ever again.
His lifeless corpse carries a key which unlocks the room in his hideout. Inside, is a gold necklace and a few scrolls. I pocket them and return to the hideout, satisfied.
Hi there, birdie. Rick's floating down the river yet?
He's dead. But he won't be polluting the river...
He nods approvingly.
Guess that shows that you've also got some talented hands.
You bet..
Anyway, well done. I've got to admit I'm impressed.
I say nothing. I wasn't looking to be praised by this bastard. I did this for myself.
Continue with your lessons. We're done for now.
Vico. Did you really threaten Caron?
Who?
Caron. He's working at the Bear's Pit.
Oh. That little guy.
Did you?
Might be. I spared him a glance last time I was around.
What's between Caron and me is none of your business, okay?
Look, birdie, I don't care whether you spread your legs for him or not. That guy's so clumsy, he'll probably get himself killed, anyway.
I'm serious, Vico. If you do something to him or threaten him again...
Yes?
He smiles.
....I'll kill you.
Right. *He laughs.* Go back to playing with your little dolls, birdie.
He turns away. I watched that back and imaged a bloodied dagger buried on it. I've wiped four names from the list so far...you're still on top of that list, Vico. Some day...
I turn towards the Family supplies and purchased a few bags of Caltrops. These should come in handy when fighting enemies. Anything that could tilt the odds to my advantage is always welcome. I attach a few pouches to my belt and made my way to the One Thousand Steps Inn for my final lesson.
As soon as I entered the inn, I noticed a blond man clad in plate mail suit is watching me with a very interested expression on his face...
The man is in his middle years. He's clad in plate and mail from head to toes. Perhaps he's a soldier or a warrior. He never takes his gaze off me.
Do I know you?
Why, greetings! *He smiles.* Allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Christiano Arniman, and this beautiful woman y my side is the Lady Myra Waynolt.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
May I be so bold to ask what your name is?
Tina.
Well met. Anyway, I hope you forgive me for staring at you so bluntly, but the lady Myra and I were wondering if you might be a thief, perhaps. No, don't worry, please. We mean no harm.
Why do you ask?
You see, the lovely Lady Myra and I are on a mission for the holy church of the Sun Lord. We have to find an old artifact. A golden chalice. It belonged to our church, but it was stolen from the temple fifty years ago. The thief was found and put to the question, but it seems he had already sold the chalice. However, the church managed to identify the person who bought it. Sadly, the said person was nowhere to be found. To put an end to this story, I think I have managed to track down that man. Or rather, the place where his remains rest. His grave is in one of the smaller Summer Islands. I'm convinced it's there.
Sounds nice, but why do you need my help?
We've already visited the island. However, we didn't get far. The tomb is full of locked doors and traps. So we've decided to hire the services of a professional who knows how to deal with that sort of thing. The problem is, with the Dhorn taking over Betancuria, such..experts..seem to have become quite rare. We've been here in this tavern for over two weeks now, to no avail. But then...we spotted you! You stalk around like a cat and you have very deft and delicate fingers.
So...you wish to hire me?
Exactly. I offer you 20 gold per day, plus an extra 100 when we find the chalice. What say you?
It sounds very tempting, but I have some errands to finish first. Perhaps when I'm done with those tasks, I'll find you.
I see. Well, come back when you're ready to venture off with us.
Sure...
I don't know what to think. Leaving Betancuria? I better finish my lesson first before thinking of such endeavors. I turn towards the innkeeper whom I'm supposed to get a lesson from.
What can I do for you?
Master Nathan sends me. I'm here to learn something about setting traps.
Alright girl. I hope you've brought good boots for this, and a thick cloak. We'll go away on a trip.
What? Now?
If it pleases Madame, yes. Just a few miles up the river by boat. Going to set some traps in the forest. Fresh meat for me, and you learn the ropes without killing anybody.
Alright then, let's be off.
He tosses two big sacks at me, then drags me out on the street. The harbor is our destination and we board a small boat. Before I could question him about the dangers of night sailing, he already untied the rope and instructed me to bring the sacks below deck. When I come back up, we're already floating in the middle of the river. It seems Master Kelten is quite an experienced sailor.
Nice to be out on the river, isn't it? I always say, if you've got water under your butt, you don't notice the rain near as much anymore.
If you say so, Master Kelten...but why did we stop here?
It looks like the storm will be going on for a while yet. Don't want to risk damaging the boat. So, I'm going to turn back here.
What about my lesson?
Oh yes. Well. See? This is a trap. You place it on the ground. Something walks in. Bang. That's it.
LP Comment: Hmm....
I see...
Clever girl. *He grins.* But I have brought you here on purpose.
LP Comment: DUN DUN DUN DUN
I look at him suspiciously. We're alone on the boat, and he seems to be an able fighter.
You see the river bank to your right? A couple of miles to the south and west is the road that leads back to Betancuria, if you follow it to the south. But going north, it leads to Sargoza and Min-Toras. I'm going to drop you off here. It's your choice which way to go.
Wait, you want to drop me off in the middle of the wilderness?
Yes, I do.
Can't I return to the city with you on your boat?
This is insane! I'm not ready for this!
No girl. I want you to think about this. And not just for a second.
Just what does he mean by that? Master Kelten brings the boat as close to the bank as he dares. He's really a good sailor.
Overboard with you!
You cannot expect me to swim to the shore!?
Diving's fine too.
He grins and shoves me overboard before I could protest. I fell with a loud splash, completely unfamiliar with swimming for months. My clothes threaten to pull me down, but it's only a short distance, then I feel the ground under my feet again. Panting, I climb up the bank.
I'm soaked wet, and it's chilly. Master Kelten waves back as he sailed way. I considered calling him back...but realized the howling winds and thunder wouldn't really carry my voice that far. I quietly remove my clothes and don my chain mail. The familiar short sword drawn from its sheathe, tinted green in the darkness, accompanied with the wooden shield. I gripped the both tightly and gazed at the harsh raining sky above.
This is my final lesson.