The Empress of Beasts, page 78
part #13 of The Wandering Inn Series
Isceil’s voice was distinctly relieved as Lyonette smiled and patted Mrsha’s head.
“Oh, fine. Tell Erin. Ishkr! Where are you? Did Drassi already leave to go look for…? Well, you’ll have to do. No—no arguments! Listen—”
Beza sighed as she watched Mrsha and Lyonette hurry off. She was feeling at her scroll pouch.
“I still need to scribe two more scrolls.”
“Do it later. You have multiple copies, don’t you?”
“Yes. But it’s the principle of the thing. I can’t cast magic without a scroll. You know my natural magic pool is too low for regular spellcasting.”
Her friends looked up. That was a touchy subject for Beza usually. She hadn’t been blessed with the natural talents her peers had, so she’d developed this class. By infusing a scroll with mana and laboriously writing the spell on it, she could activate a spell fast as—if not faster than other [Mages], but in return she had to provide effort and money to cast a single spell. Ulinde looked sympathetic.
“How much does it cost for proper blank scrolls?”
“Too much. Let alone liquid gemstone for writing or magicore?”
Beza grimaced. She turned hopefully as Mrsha came trotting out of the kitchen. Lyonette hurried over. She called out as they passed the mages’ table.
“Mrsha, come on! We’re going shopping! Erin’s out of—ground beef! Let’s go to the [Butchers] and I’ll buy you a snack!”
The Gnoll brightened up. Montressa glanced at Beza as she watched Lyonette adjust the door. Ishkr went after them—he set the door to yellow—a location they hadn’t seen before. Montressa raised her eyebrows—the label read ‘Pallass’. Then she looked at Beza.
“But don’t you earn a lot for scrolls, Beza? And you can make more! That’s your entire class!”
“There’s still the time cost, the cost of materials, finding the right buyers—especially if the market is oversaturated! People don’t use spell scrolls every day! I might be rich, but it’s work!”
Beza pounded the table, frustrated. Ulinde and Isceil didn’t look sympathetic.
“At least you can sell your spells. Ulinde and I are combat classes. And we’re not adventurers. Yet. My funding is a lot less than…”
“You think you’ll become an adventurer, Isceil?”
“For a bit? To earn some artifacts and gold? Gold-ranks do earn an enticing amount and I could see myself taking a sabbatical for a few years.”
The Drake looked thoughtful as he stroked his chin. Beza laughed.
“You? Gold-rank?”
“Why not? I’m not Silver. The only thing stopping me is having to put up with a bunch of idiots the entire time…”
“Well, we could be an adventuring team.”
Ulinde looked at the others as Montressa raised her brows.
“Why not? It would be fun! Tell you what, on the way back north, I’ll pop into the Adventurer’s Guilds. If I see something that looks fun or profitable—we take it!”
“It could be good training.”
Beza mused. Montressa shrugged.
“We’ll talk about it. Dead gods, is Palt not here yet?”
Half an hour—no, forty minutes had passed. Isceil waved a lazy claw.
“He’s probably just explaining everything. He’ll have to go through the ranks first—after finding the Watch Barracks—he’ll have stopped for a smoke—”
“Well, he’d better not wait too long or I’m not saving him any of this curry. Where is it?”
Erin had been out twenty minutes ago saying it was nearly done and that she was just waiting on the rice. Since then, the inn had grown more quiet. Beza glanced around—and then Ulinde grabbed her. Hard.
“Oh dead gods. Beza!”
“Ulinde, calm down. I’m trying to watch this ‘play’.”
Montressa complained as she stared at the stage. Beza growled agreement, but Ulinde’s eyes were wide. She was pointing past them, at a duo who’d just entered the inn.
“But Beza! That’s Seborn and Moore! Two of the Halfseekers! That must mean Jelaqua Ivirith is somewhere around here!”
All the [Mages] glanced around. Sure enough, a half-Giant and Drowned Man were walking into the inn. They glanced around impassively, then sat at a table close to the Wistram [Mage]’s. Ulinde started trembling.
“I—I have to talk to them. Come with me?”
She looked at her friends. Isceil was patting his stomach, trying to figure out how much more he could eat. Montressa and Beza were watching the [Actors]. They’d begun Macbeth, but a new cast was on stage. The lead, a [General] played by a Drake, was contemplating treason…
“Go yourself Ulinde, I want to watch this.”
“I can’t! I’ll freeze up! Please? Isceil!”
The Drake snorted. He was watching the play now, and glancing towards the kitchen.
“Go yourself, Ulinde. You’re a Wistram [Mage]! That half-Giant’s not even as good as you are. See his magical flow? They should be coming to you! Where’s the curry, already?”
Beza glanced up. She’d been saving room too and the alcohol was making her peckish. She looked around and to her surprise, realized the dinner rush had in fact been a vacuum.
The inn was surprisingly uncrowded. A pair of Gnolls got up and walked towards the door as the [Mages] glanced around.
“Still delayed. Erin’s in the kitchen, still.”
“Maybe dinner’s later around here.”
“Or the inn isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I knew she wasn’t as successful as everyone said. Not for a guest. Late curry—”
“You just ate two meal’s worth. Give Erin time. I bet she has to simmer the curry or something. Now, shush. This is amazing.”
Montressa shook her head. She stared back towards the stage. The Drake there was giving the performance of his life. He held a claw out, staring at a spectral illusion one of the [Mages] behind stage was conjuring. Montressa knew it was an illusion, but the performance still had her watching, spellbound.
“Is this a dagger I see before me, the handle towards my claw? Come, let me touch thee. I have thee not, yet I see thee still. Art thou an illusion of magic sensible to feeling as to sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation proceeding from heat-oppressed brain? I see thee are not magic but for—”
“He’s quite good. This is a fascinating performance! As good as any [Bards] or [Performers] I’ve ever seen!”
The [Aegiscaster] whispered to Beza. The Minotauress nodded silently. Isceil had to grudgingly agree as Ulinde got up, sat down, and got up again.
“Drake’s as ugly as sin, though.”
“Really? I can’t tell.”
“Take it from me. No wonder he’s betraying his [King]; no one’s going to make him an [Heir].”
Isceil pointed at the Drake’s face and tail. Montressa and Beza couldn’t see it. The Minotauress eyed the Drake appreciatively.
“At least he looks the part. I mean, in body shape. That’s a proper [General]’s build.”
She nodded to his bulging forearms. The Drake was indeed built far better than any other [Actor] on stage. The Wistram [Mages] watched, spellbound, until a growl made Beza look around.
“Excuse me? Excuse me!”
She signaled to Drassi, who’d returned to the inn. The Drake jumped and then came over with a big smile.
“Y-yes? Can I help you?”
“We’re still waiting on the ‘ca-ree’. Is Miss Erin still working on it?”
“What? I’ll ask.”
The Drake blinked. She hurried into the kitchen.
“Curry. Sorry, it’s new and we’re making up a fresh batch. Extra spicy. It should be out in just a moment!”
“We can wait.”
Beza nodded at Isceil. He sighed, loudly, but then Erin poked her head out of the kitchen. She waved at the Wistram [Mages] and they waved back.
“It must be nearly ready. I bet it’ll be too spicy, Isceil.”
“Hah! I’ll eat the entire plate as she serves it, without a drink or anything else. How much?”
“Two small secrets?”
“Done.”
The [Mages] nodded at each other. Erin was talking to Drassi. She was glancing towards the magical door. The Gnoll, Ishkr, was standing by it and waved at her and shook his head, holding up four of his fingers. After a moment, Erin hurried into the kitchen. The Wistram Mages went back to watching…until they realized ten minutes had come and gone.
“Come on, what’s the hold up? Everyone else is eating.”
Isceil’s tail was lashing the ground. Montressa sighed.
“I think she messed it up.”
“You think? What’s so hard about it? I’m going to complain!”
“You idiot, Isceil! She’s our guest!”
“I’m still hungry!”
He snapped back. Montressa sighed.
“Maybe we should get Palt first. He’ll be mad we started without him and maybe the Watch Captain needs more soothing. How about this? Isceil, you get Palt. Beza, you and Ulinde say hi to the Halfseekers—”
“Oh, yesyesyes, thank you!”
Ulinde jumped up, quivering with nerves. Montressa nodded as she reached for her staff.
“And I’ll ask Erin what’s wrong with the curry. We can always have the rest of her food. And I think she mentioned ice cream? That’s a Terandrian delicacy!”
Her friends nodded. Isceil was only grumbling a tiny bit as he got up and began navigating towards the door. But before they reached the door, Erin Solstice hurried out of the kitchen.
“Alright! Alright, sorry for the wait!”
She had a steaming pot full of curry, and Drassi was carrying one filled with rice. The Drake put the pot on the table and looked at Erin.
“Anything else, Erin?”
“Nope. Go find Lyonette, Drassi. Tell her I’m starting dinner!”
Erin smiled at Drassi, and then she looked at the Wistram [Mages]. Isceil hurried back to the table, Palt forgotten. Montressa looked into the pot; she could smell the spices from here.
“Whoo! Hot! I can still see it bubbling! Miss Erin, give me a full plate. A good helping; it’s spicy, I take it?”
Isceil was impatient. Erin smiled at him, putting down rice first and then a big helping of curry on top. The Drake licked his lips, seeing meat among the thick sauce.
“Super spicy!”
“Can we cool it down? I’m not looking to breathe fire.”
Beza looked warily at the hot curry. Erin smiled.
“Sure! Just one thing before we start.”
She set down the pot before Isceil could dig into his plate. Montressa nearly objected; they hadn’t been served, but Erin was looking at her. She glanced around, but all she saw were a few [Actors] on stage, the two Halfseekers—barely anyone else. The Hobgoblin was lounging against the bar, tuning a guitar, but he was alone. The inn was—
“What is it, Miss Solstice?”
Isceil was practically panting with anticipation. He loved spices. Erin looked at him and then smiled.
“I was just thinking. I have some people from Wistram in my inn. I didn’t tell you because one of them’s a jerk and both of them have a past with the academy.”
“Oh.”
Montressa’s face froze. Beza carefully watched her friend, and then put a false smile on her face as she turned to Erin.
“Don’t worry, Miss Solstice, we’re completely fine with any…incidents that might have occurred between your friends. What are their names?”
“Oh, Todam and Shelia. One’s a Human, the other one’s a half-Elf.”
“Todam and—”
All the Wistram [Mages] looked surprised. Montressa’s eyes flicked up and Beza had the same thought. Aliases, of course. She shook her head, smiling.
“Never heard of them, but I’m sure we’d love to meet them.”
“Sounds great!”
Erin beamed. She moved back as Isceil dug a fork into his plate, too hungry to wait. She reached for the pot and then paused.
“Say, do you know someone named Ceria? Or Pisces, or Yvlon or Ksmvr?”
Beza blinked. She’d relaxed. Too soon, as it turned out, and the moment of surprise ran around the table. Erin watched them. Her bright, happy smile stopped on her face.
And then it vanished. She looked down at them.
“Thought so. Mrsha says you smell like their blood. What did you do with them?”
“I—”
The [Mages] froze. They looked at Montressa, and she stared at Erin. She took too long to answer. Isceil sneered.
“They got what they deserved. You didn’t know this, but one of them was a [Necromancer]—”
He got no further. Erin grabbed him by the head. She slammed his face into the plate full of curry.
The Drake screamed. He dragged himself back, clawing at his eyes. The curry was hot, physically and in taste. It burned his eyes. Calmly, Erin stepped back. She grabbed the pot and dumped it over him.
“Dead gods!”
Beza pushed herself back. She stood—and Erin hit her with the pot as hard as she could. The Minotaur sat back down.
“What are you doing!?”
“My eyes! That Human bitch—”
Montressa grabbed her staff as Ulinde went for her wands. Beza roared with fury as she stood. She got no further than that.
From the bar, the Hobgoblin abandoned his guitar. He launched himself across the inn. Numbtongue leapt over the table and kicked Beza out of her chair as she rose. The Minotaur crashed to the ground and Numbtongue followed, kicking, punching at her as she tried to rise.
The other three [Mages] shot to their feet. Isceil, howling, pointed a wand at Erin, barely able to see. He roared.
“[Lightning Orb]!”
The inn was almost empty. The guests had already left, as had most of the staff. At the back of the room, the [Actors] fled backstage. But the Drake seized a spear that had been lying among the props and leapt to the floor, bellowing.
“Erin! Get back!”
She dodged the spell as a crackling orb of lightning shot past her shoulder. Relc slashed at it and cut the orb in half as he charged.
“Senior Guardsman! Put down your weapons or I’ll put you through that table!”
Montressa pivoted. She called out desperately; Erin was watching Isceil as he tried to aim at her.
“Miss Solstice, we don’t want to fight! We had to apprehend—”
Montressa saw Erin swing at Isceil’s face. The Drake raised an arm to block, snarling. She hit him in the stomach with her other hand.
“Where are they?”
“The Horns are alive! Put down your weapons, now, or we’ll be forced to hurt you!”
Ulinde called out. She looked at the Halfseekers, and then at Relc. He was charging across the inn’s floor, knocking tables and chairs aside. She turned, aiming both wands at him.
“[Binding—]”
Seborn appeared at her back. Ulinde half-turned, but the [Rogue] was faster. He appeared out of a shadow and grabbed the Selphid, yanking them backwards. His blade glowed like fire. With one arm he choked Ulinde, keeping her steady. The other stabbed the dagger through her chest.
“Ulinde!”
Seborn’s dagger plunged in and out of the Selphid’s chest, so fast that his hand was a blur. When he let her go, her chest was perforated, seared by the flaming enchantment. Montressa turned white. Ulinde swayed, and one arm came up.
“—Burst].”
The explosion hurled Erin and Seborn backwards. She stumbled back and Relc caught her, pulling her away. Seborn flipped backwards, landing next to the half-Giant. Seborn cursed.
“Damn, I missed the real body. Moore!”
“I’m up. Jelaqua isn’t here. The plan?”
“Take the Human!”
“Get back, Erin!”
Relc yanked Erin backwards. Montressa raised her staff, seeing Beza swinging at Numbtongue. This was happening too fast! How had she known? Mrsha?
Isceil wiped curry out of his eyes. He roared as he inhaled.
“Everyone duck! I’m breathing!”
Fire and lightning shot from his maw. The [Oldblood Mage] turned, sweeping his magical breath across the room. The flames and lightning bounced off Montressa’s barrier as the other [Mages] leapt out of the way. Erin shouted as Relc pulled her back, shielding her as he slashed with his spear, cutting the magical fire and lightning.
The Halfseekers dove. Moore groaned and Seborn swore; a bolt of the electricity had hit his side.
“I’m hit! Moore—”
He was already moving. The Wistram [Mages] turned. No more time for words. Beza swung at Numbtongue and he lashed out, striking her across the chest. Seborn lunged at Ulinde and she jumped backwards, firing her spells.
“I’ve got the Drake!”
Relc roared as he leapt sideways, abandoning Erin behind cover. He dodged as Isceil’s spells came after him. Seborn slashed at Ulinde; the Selphid was babbling despite her destroyed chest.
“Oh, no, no, please! I’m a huge fan, we can explain—”
She fired from both wands and Seborn twisted, vanishing with a curse among the shadows. Ulinde sprayed spells, trying to keep him at bay. He lunged in—sliced through a quarter of her throat. It would have killed anyone but a Selphid.
Four versus four—Moore looked down at Montressa.
“Surrender. And tell us what you did with the Horns of Hammerad.”
Montressa du Valeross looked up. Her surprise turned to fury. She raised her staff, the enchanted jewel glowing, contrasting to the plain wooden quarterstaff Moore held.
“Surrender?”
The half-Giant sighed. He pointed his staff at Montressa.
“[Stone Spray—”
The spell failed to appear. The half-Giant tried again. Montressa raised her staff and struck the ground.
“[Mana Disruption].”
Moore’s spells failed. He stared at her. Then he swung his staff. It came at Montressa from the side, slower as the half-Giant pulled his blow. Montressa didn’t move.
The quarterstaff hit the air and the air moved, rippling with the impact. Moore stared as the glimmering barrier around Montressa appeared, violet, translucent light. Montressa pointed her staff, and Moore raised one hand.
“[Incendiary Darts]!”
