Icarus Awakens

Aughal did not experience regular seasons due to its elemental affinities, but the ratio of night and day did adjust normally. In a region with populations that split themselves along the divide of dawn and dusk that meant that life was significantly impacted, temperature change or not. The duskers were the most affected as the day was deadly to them. In traditional winter they thrived. Entering the middling reaches of the Fall, they were content celebrating the lengthening of night.

The benefits of a group of people practically forced to live during the night were paid out in establishments able to staff at all hours. Not having to ever close meant theft was harder and revenue was constant. Any problems from a populace up at all hours were being slowly solved by the work of Builders steadily converting the old structures into newer models equipped with soundproofing and other enchantments upon request. In twenty years, it was estimated their work would be complete and the greatest among them might reach level 6. If Aughal survived that long.

The Spires wouldn’t fall today, even if Kelra wished they would. She arrived for her desk job at the guardhouse before dawn, the tradeoff to her disastrous investment yesterday. It was impossible not to hide her disappointment from the others who had little else to do during one of the slowest times in their work. Any dusker not armored against the sun would be settling down, and most other races weren’t awake yet.

The others, aware of which station drama scab had been recently picked at, didn’t bother her beyond a reassuring nod or hand as they passed. That was fine by her, she was exhausted. At that moment, Kelra didn’t know how many more days she could keep it up. She didn’t know how many more hours she could keep it up. Under the heightened alert and duty status, there were no days off beyond a medical emergency she might be rapidly approaching. There had already been plenty of cases of those being found sleeping on the job, with the hardline punishments at the hand of Lieutenant Sherman either pushing them into a crisis or out of employment altogether.

Aughal’s criminal element was taking notice and becoming bolder. By now word had spread that the hunters brought in yesterday had been attacked by a relatively huge gang of thieves. Against the strong protests of the lieutenant, the desk guard of the main station was informed sometime after dawn that these people were to be released once the Commander of the region personally arrived to ensure there were no further misunderstandings. The decision was backed by the majority of the remaining Council, so there was nothing Sherman could do beyond attempting a coup. Kelra only cared about this so far as to hope she wouldn’t be the one left to greet the Commander.

She arrived before noon, the Ironrush Ravager walking in with several others in tow. Shaun saw her open desk and called them over out of the normal rotation. Something that, to another, would seem self-serving. In this part of the guard, in most actually, boring was better. “Guard, I want those hunters released now!” She winced as the level 5 Champion began yelling and sent a quiet thanks to her coworker. It was unnecessary, posturing like this over a release that had been waiting for the Champion to happen.

Shaun, well-tempered to such approaches even from Blessed, remained calm. “Of course! We have prepared in advance of your arrival, Commander Rasalia, the Ironrush Ravager. You and your companions may follow me, although I ask any weapons remain stowed.”

“What about the charges? You won’t have reason to bring them in again will they?” A tall man wearing robes with a scar on his face asked.

“I, uh,” Shaun quickly glanced at a sheet of paper on his desk. “It is the opinion of the city of Aughal that the three currently in custody are not responsible for the events of yesterday and are cleared of all suspicion.”

“So you know who was responsible?”

“I can’t comment on an active investigation, sir.”

Rasalia extended her arm across the tall man’s chest. “Enough, Lograve. We have an agreement, this is only delaying matters. Lead on.”

Kelra was grateful for her coworker’s sacrifice, right up until fear replaced the emotion. A few minutes after going back into the restricted areas of the guard house, the earth shook with Rasalia’s Battle Cry ability. “AUCREST, WHERE IS HE? WE HAD A DEAL!” The burst of mana that accompanied it knocked anyone without a class off their feet and Kelra fully out.

Downstairs in the secure cell block, Rasalia and those accompanying her looked in horror at the empty cell Shaun had led them to before being knocked into a wall by the force of the Champion’s voice alone. Thomas acted first, moving his hands to heal the back of the man’s head and retrieve the keys he was holding at the same time. A healing Khare and quiet Khiat were freed, although they didn’t know where Daniel had gone either. Khare’s cell had been covered, and Khiat’s didn’t directly face Daniel’s.

As Rasalia charged upstairs to interrogate any she found, Evalyn took notice of how the dusker was acting. She’d said less than Khare and was still hunkered into her shell despite having the space to move freely. “Khiat, I’m so sorry this happened to you,” she said quietly. “They won’t need me to look for Daniel. I can get you back to the tavern.”

Khiat stopped and bowed her head. “N-no. No. No!” For once her volume wasn’t the loudest, the echoing voice of Rasalia coming from above still ringing painfully in the air. Even so, Evalyn found an odd sheen to Khiat’s words. It took a second, but she realized they were the tears she couldn’t cry.

“Thomas, do you have anything for mental afflictions?” She asked quickly.

Thomas looked up from the injured guard, caution in his voice. “We shouldn’t just use those kind of powers all the time.”

“Now is the time!”

He shook his head. “I don’t have anything, Ev. I’m sorry.”

“Khiat, I need you to calm down. It’s ok, you did nothing wrong.”

What is it? Lograve asked telepathically.

Her heart is tearing itself to pieces. It has been since she was attacked. At this point, I don’t think I’d be able to put her to sleep.

“I didn’t do anything.” Khiat’s voice shook. “They almost died and I… I just…”

Should I knock her out?

I don’t know! I’m not a healer, I can just tell she’s close to a breaking point and she’s been through enough already. “Khiat, you need to calm- Hunter what are you doing?” Evalyn tried to intercede before the ringcat reached Khiat, but he easily brushed passed her. He glanced up, shook his head from side to side for a second, and made an odd vocalization she hadn’t heard before. It wasn’t a word, to the relief of Evalyn. Instead, it was like a kind yowl. Definitely not a mewl. Something like that coming from Hunter was physically impossible and if anyone did accuse Hunter of making such a sound Evalyn was sure there’d be blood.

Khiat reached out with a shaking hand and brushed the fur that poked through the parts Hunter’s helmet didn’t cover. “Soft.” Hunter pushed past the hand and rubbed against Khiat, who fell back against the wall. Evalyn watched in disbelief as Hunter worked his way under an arm like a house cat, calming the dusker.

“Hunter says he figured out his new power,” Tak whispered to Lograve. “Says it is called ‘Leonine Charm’.”

I think Hunter has this handled, as odd as this is to say, Lograve broadcast to the group. So, Hunter can advance. If Daniel could see his ‘murder cat’ now he’d, Lograve’s expression turned dark as he trailed off. Tak, I’m assuming Hunter tried to contact Daniel again?

Yes! Almost immediately.

We know it can bypass magical suppression, so that shouldn’t stop it. Have him keep trying. I’ll keep a link active for you both.

“Khare, what about you?” Evalyn asked, moving on from the temporarily resolved crisis.

“Bond?” Khare took a humanoid form and pointed above their head. There was a disappointed note in their voice.

”They have some form of marking power Daniel can see,” Lograve explained. “I’m guessing Daniel isn’t responding to that either.”

Shaun, who had entirely misinterpreted the situation, stumbled back into the room as Rasalia stomped down the stairs and gruffly spoke. “No one knows anything and that damned lieutenant is gone. I might have alerted him, or he was never here. I’m sorry, but it seems like he’s stolen some of the confiscated equipment as well.”

“My bow? The arrows?” Khiat asked from where she was clutching Hunter, on the verge of another heartbreak.

“No, I saw the room they were storing them and I assume you were the one carrying the gigantic bow. Probably too heavy for him or he didn’t care. Given the situation, I am assuming temporary command of Aughal’s city guard, issuing appropriate arrest warrants, and placing the Council on notice. If it comes to it, we will involve Rikendia. I will not let this stand, you have my word.” Rasalia didn’t activate any powers because she wasn’t going to war. Not yet, at least. Even the Champion couldn’t lightly consider facing the Council alone.

“Thank you, we are very grateful for your help,” Evalyn said deferentially.

“You’re welcome. I should go see to the search myself.”

From where he was still comforting Khiat, Hunter rumbled lowly and his mental voice contrasted the calming presence he was trying to be to the dusker. Someone is dying today.

…

Silora had been privy to many tense atmospheres. Before now, the most recent example she could recall was her viewing of the battle to escape the Thormundz mountain range. Only this time, the conflict was far closer. The Commander of Aughal stood over Lord Seliri with arms crossed. She didn’t believe the Champion was using any powers, which was a good thing. The difference between the talent of a true level 5 fighter and the accumulated legacy of a Council member could go either way in terms of advantages, but Rasalia’s power set had a reputation that made the infuriated Blessed far more hazardous to be around than Aucrest.

Fortunately, the Silver Eye was fully cooperating. “Commander, you have my word I intended to release those three even before you intervened.”

“And you personally determine sentencing in this city?”

Aucrest leaned around her and looked at Silora, dodging the question. “Have you had any fortune in locating the Artificer?”

“No,” she shook her head and winced as Rasalia’s volume doubled.

“Do not change the subject and do not lie to me! Did you have them arrested?”

“No,” Aucrest responded flatly. “I had intimated to the now missing lieutenant that I would be interested in any news regarding the rumored Artificer that had come to the region. This man misinterpreted my desires as a license to abduct.”

One Silora knew from her readings as Lograve spoke up from where he sat. “This same man accosted us at the gate some days prior. Are you seriously telling me this was all just a misunderstanding? From the looks of it, your feathers are scattered so far across this mess you could mine the land for silver.”

Aucrest, continuing to expertly read the room, ignored the barb. “That is in fact what I am saying. I wanted to approach your friend once I knew their identity and make them an offer. The actions of that fool only made my plans that much harder to see to fruition.”

“What if Guy’d said no? Is that when you’d have pulled out the chains?”

Aucrest glanced over at Thomas and was struck by how much things had changed since they last spoke in this room. “Commander Rasalia here can vouch for the fact that all of my dealings when it comes to those of rare classes, or any class at all, have been above board.” He glanced up and the Champion reluctantly nodded.

“What about her then?” Thomas asked, causing the Fate to go stiff as he pointed a thumb her way.

“Before my time.” Even one of the masters of the city folded slightly as Rasalia trained her eyes directly on his. “If there is someone you wish to interrogate, I would recommend those of my contemporaries who still employ such aggressive bargaining. The ones, I might add, who aren’t here.”

“Why don’t we discuss Silora’s relationship with the city?” Rasalia asked rhetorically, reopening an old argument. “I find myself reconsidering why I haven’t intervened, especially as I am now in an excellent position to do so.”

“The Council would never approve of amending her contract.”

“Would you?”

Aucrest’s face grew blank and he stood, turning away. “Seeing as that is not the reason we are here, I have no reason to answer.”

“Typical.” Rasalia narrowed her eyes. “You can pass along this message to your Council then. I am giving Aughal an ultimatum of one day to release this Artificer or I will act. One of the very purposes of my position is to check your power when you and yours commit such a blatant crime.”

“You have already seized control of the guard, something I should mention I have not opposed. What else do you propose to threaten us with beyond open war?”

“Reassignment of all available forces to the outskirts of the region to assist in quelling the recent rise in monster activity your decisions have allowed.” Rasalia smiled as Aucrest spluttered and turned back towards her.

“You know what that would do to this city!”

“As do you.”

The Silver Eye snapped back to face the Fate. “Silora, find him! If you are successful I will personally reward you with whatever you desire, so long as it does not violate your contract.”

It wasn’t meant to be a negotiation, Aucrest hadn’t expected Silora to immediately respond with a request, but she did. “Rait. I want him back.”

“That human? All you ever did was complain about-”

“Are you saying no?” Silora asked, breath somewhat shaky but otherwise determined.

“...if that is what you wish. Commander, do we have further business, or should I return to the business of keeping this city running?”

“There is another matter, Seliri. Lograve, Thomas, I will leave the explanations to you. In this matter, they carry my authority.”

“Should we discuss whatever this is in front of the Fate?” Aucrest asked warily.

Lograve sighed, preparing for a difficult conversation with the man who could have abducted his friend and chemistry tutor. “She might as well know, I was going to ask for her service in spreading the word. Assuming your Fate has Far Speech and can cross regional boundaries with it.”

“That is not an inexpensive talent of hers. What would merit its use?”

The Arcanist stood and brought both hands in front of him, palms down. “I am going to use an illusion ability to show you. Suffice it to say this is a threat that overshadows even those dust raiders picking off your people. I sent a very good friend of mine away to Threst to spread the word even though I’d have rather he accompany me.”

“And what is this threat?” Aucrest watched as a dark image steadily began to form.

“Hmm. Put lightly? The end of the world. I need you because your Council are the only ones with the power to bend the ears of the gods, and we’re going to need their direct attention.”

Aucrest turned his head slightly sideways in disbelief, a reaction he’d generally trained himself out of except in this moment. Neither the Arcanist nor the Commander showed any sign of bluff or jest. “If that’s the case, then we might have a problem.”