Monster's Mercy

by William D. Arand

  “Yes?” asked the man.

  “Did the master say anything about meeting me today?” Rene asked. He wasn’t about to sit here without being given any information at all. If this old man thought he could bully Rene simply due to his age, he should think again. Especially since it was likely that Rene had lived as many years as this man had.

  “I… beg your pardon?” asked the man.

  “Is the master going to see me? For my admission interview? You went and delivered the note,” Rene said, finding his aggravation and annoyance rapidly growing.

  Either the man was an idiot, or trying to play with Rene.

  Though he did seem to be incredibly surprised that he was being questioned outright.

  “He’s not seeing anyone for the rest of the day,” said the man.

  Unable to help himself, Rene was shocked at the audacity of that statement.

  “You’re… saying the master of student affairs is closed to interviews a single bell after your doors opened,” Rene stated. It wasn’t really a question, and it certainly felt like the man wasn’t going to assist him anyway.

  “That’s… correct,” said the man, smiling at Rene.

  Okay. He dislikes me, what I am, or… or Junk bought him out.

  Hm, most likely the last one. Time to see the headmaster.

  Standing up, Rene inclined his head fractionally toward the man.

  “I’ll return with the headmaster,” Rene said evenly and then left.

  “What!?” asked the man, as the door closed behind Rene.

  “We’re going to go see the headmaster,” Rene murmured to his guards. “Apparently our dear friend Junk has purchased that little rodent in there.”

  “Of course, young master,” said the senior knight of the pair.

  Not far from the doors, Rene managed to stop a young woman walking by with a smile and a hand wave.

  Smiling back at him, she seemed rather unsure but at least predisposed to talk to him.

  “Good morning, miss,” Rene said, doing his best to fill his words with a polite gentility that wouldn’t scare her off.

  “Good morning, sir,” she said, her eyes moving to the knights behind him and then back to him.

  Ah. They do look impressive and they look like the type of thing someone important would have.

  Not just a little money lender.

  “Could you direct me to the headmaster’s office? I was hoping a woman of your beauty and refinement would happen to know the way,” Rene asked, leaning into the good looks he’d been born with matched with some honeyed words.

  Blushing darkly, the young woman, who was little better than a girl in Rene’s eyes, nodded her head and then pointed off toward the west.

  “Just take this path. The stones along the way will mark it for you,” she said.

  “Many thanks,” said Rene before he started off on that path.

  “Stop!” called a voice behind him.

  Glancing over his shoulder, Rene saw the older man hurrying after him.

  “Stop right there,” said the man.

  “Why? I see no reason to deal with you until after I’ve spoken with the headmaster,” Rene said.

  “You can’t speak with him!” hissed the man.

  “I most certainly can. You’re not his protector, keeper, or guard,” said Rene with a laugh. “Go back to your desk, little toad. As I promised, I’ll return with the headmaster.”

  “Stop right there, you—” The man paused as he grabbed hold of Rene’s shoulder.

  Mostly because both of the knights reacted in that instant. One whipped out his steel-shod truncheon, while the other tossed the man to the side as if he were a paper-weight.

  “Do not lay your hands on the young master,” ordered the knight, standing over the man as he lay on the ground.

  Rene hadn’t stopped or even paused. His goal was simple.

  See the headmaster.

  “You can’t do this!” cried the man.

  Not bothering to respond, Rene kept marching until he found the door to the headmaster’s office. Remarkably, it stood by itself as its own building and was quite accessible.

  On top of that, it was very unremarkable. Almost reminiscent of a small house or a shack with a chimney.

  Very strange building for the headmaster to be working out of. I wonder if he’s as different as I suddenly expect him to be.

  After knocking on the door twice, Rene put his hands behind his back.

  “Enter,” called a voice from within.

  Surprised, Rene turned to the two knights. Both nodded back at him, and simply stood to either side of the building.

  Rene opened the door and stepped inside. The interior of the building really did look like a home. Bookshelves, tables, chairs, a desk, and a side room that likely held a bedroom and bathroom.

  Except everything seemed more built for a child, with the exception of two chairs which sat in front of a small desk.

  “Good morning, young fellow.”

  Looking to the voice, Rene found a white-bearded Gnome sitting in an easy chair. He was balding and had dark gray eyes.

  He was an average size for a Gnome, which meant he was little better than four feet tall.

  Most of the non-human races tended to stay in their home territories. To get a Gnome as a headmaster meant that some expense had certainly been paid.

  Especially if he was a gnome with some magical gifts.

  “Good morning. I’m looking for the headmaster,” Rene said with a smile. “Would you happen to be him, sir?”

  “Indeed, I am,” the headmaster said with a grin, his hands folded atop his slightly rotund belly. “Headmaster Fistikif, at your service. And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

  “Rene Anatolis, recently of Laetus,” Rene said, inclining his head to the gnome.

  Blinking slowly, the headmaster seemed to be processing that.

  “And what is it I can do for you, young master?” Headmaster Fistikif asked.

  “I was attempting to have an interview with the master of student affairs, but the man at the desk told me they weren’t interviewing today,” Rene said. “If I could be so bold, I got the impression the man simply didn’t want me to have an interview at all. My father suggested I speak to you if there was any trouble. He seems to have foreseen something I didn’t.”

  Rene found that if he often attributed something to his father, rather than himself, a child, people took it far more seriously.

  Fistikif’s white bushy brows immediately slammed down over his eyes. The kind-looking older Gnome was replaced in a fraction of a second.

  “Not interviewing today?” asked the headmaster, the faint whine of what sounded like wind whistling through his words.

  “That’s correct, Headmaster Fistikif,” Rene said, bowing his head to the headmaster again. “In retrospect, I suspect that Master Junk may be to blame. I recently made an enemy of him by assisting the Delacroix family with a delicate situation.”

  Getting up out of his chair, the gnome walked over to Rene and patted him on the forearm.

  “Yes. I heard about that. Geoffrey has been singing nothing but praises to your family name.”

  Oh? Hm.

  I’ll need to visit the Delacroix household and make sure I maintain some better relations there.

  “Well, don’t you fret, young master,” Fistikif murmured. “I think you and I will just take a quick trip over to see the student affairs office for that interview. I’m sure there’s a reasonable answer for this.”

  I sincerely doubt that.

  But I think you’ll take them to account regardless.

  “Well… that or I’ll make sure there’s a reasonable answer,” Fistikif promised, the power behind his words gave Rene pause. There was an underlying current of something he didn’t understand within the gnome.

  And that left only one possibility to Rene.

  Actual magic.

  Magic was a rarity in this world. So far outside of the
norm, that it was unlikely a common person would ever truly see it in their lifetime.

  It was only slightly more common for those in the nobility.

  Headmaster Fistikif was starting to feel a lot like someone Rene would do well not to cross.

  “And when we’re done with that, I think I should go visit my dear Master Denik. It would seem I need to have a conversation with him,” growled Fistikif.

  Ha! I like him.

  Let’s make sure we buy him something very nice for this coming New Year’s celebration.

  Rene could only nod his head at that.

  An hour later, a writ for inclusion into the University of Felicie, an interview with a nervous looking master of student affairs, and an invitation for tea with the headmaster at another time, and Rene was done.

  He hadn’t been able to be there when the headmaster had gone to collect “Denik”, which Rene regretted. Though he was rather grateful to the headmaster and would strive to keep him pleased.

  Or at the least, interested in Rene’s well-being.

  Right now, though, he had a new stop to make. He wanted to go see the Delacroix home and speak with Geoffrey.

  If only to make a show of arriving and paying him a visit.

  The gift of a visit, of looking desired, could often be rewarding in and of itself.

  This time however, Rene had made sure to stop and pick up several small gifts he thought Geoffrey would enjoy, as well as one for Odelia.

  Let’s find some teas for Geoffrey and I, and maybe some perfume for Odelia.

  He’d had also purchased a coach and horses, since he could actually stable them at his manse.

  Coming to a stop at the Delacroix estate, Rene was surprised to see the Junk carriage down the street. Heading away from the estate.

  As if they’d just left from the same location Rene was now visiting.

  Oh?

  I wonder.

  Was he trying to get Geoffrey to agree to signing himself back over? Or threaten him?

  Unable to break away from what he was already in the middle of, as it would be rather strange for Rene Anatolis to arrive only to leave, he had to resort to promising himself he would look into it later rather than right now.

  As he stepped down from his carriage, Rene glanced at his boots. They were clean and well-polished.

  One must always check their boots before entering a gentleman’s home.

  “Master Anatolis,” called a warm voice from in front of him. “What a lovely surprise.”

  Looking ahead, Rene found Geoffrey rapidly closing on him with a wide grin.

  “Ah, good to see you Master Delacroix,” Rene said, holding his hand out to the older man. “I thought I’d stop by and see you. I brought several new teas I found in the trade district. I thought we could sample them and see if we fancied any.”

  Geoffrey’s smile grew even wider at that and he shook Rene’s hand firmly.

  “I think that would be quite agreeable. Come, come, let’s go in. I’ve heard you opened up your first location?” Geoffrey asked, setting a hand on Rene’s shoulder and leading him up to his home.

  “Indeed, I did,” Rene said. “I must confess I also brought a gift for the young mistress. Shall I leave it with you?”

  “Heavens, no,” Geoffrey said with a laugh. “She’d never forgive me if I didn’t immediately send for her.

  “I’m sure you’ve already noticed, but she has a bit of infatuation for you. Enamored even.”

  That’s boldly claimed.

  He must be contemplating the fact that I’m unmarried.

  I like Odelia.

  Marrying her would be agreeable.

  What? Since when?

  The Monster didn’t respond.

  Sighing mentally at the idea of marrying a child like Odelia, Rene let himself be escorted into the Delacroix household.

  ***

  Rene kept in a groan as he forced himself to shift his position around. He was starting to get stiff by this point.

  He’d been lurking in Master Junk’s home for hours at this point and hadn’t learned anything at all.

  Geoffrey had been quick to admit that the odious fat man had just visited. He’d attempted to bribe and cajole Geoffrey into taking a loan out with zero interest from him, to pay off the bank-note Rene had with the Delacroix house.

  Not only had Master Delacroix declined it, he’d laughed in the man’s face. Geoffrey had no sentiment for Master Junk except hatred at this point.

  Which I guess makes sense.

  It sounds like Junk was trying to force Geoffrey into giving him Odelia in marriage.

  During their tea samping Geoffrey had started to talk about his plans for his daughter. More so when she had failed to appear despite him having sent for her.

  Like marriage candidates. Which is how they’d ended up talking about what Junk wanted.

  As a suitor for Odelia we’re at least her own age; the fat wreck of blubber should be in a cage.

  We’re not a suitor. We’re not going to be wed to little better than a child.

  We’re her age! In fact, she’s a month older than us.

  She’s nothing but a college girl at best.

  And we’re not even in college! We’re too young for her technically!

  Shut up. This is a stupid argument with a stupid person.

  Really? This coming from the man arguing with a figment of his own imagination.

  Means you’re a stupid person arguing with yourself.

  Unable to argue that point, Rene let his head dip down.

  “Bah. I need last year’s,” Junk grumbled, and then practically rolled himself out of his chair. He’d been sitting at his desk, going over what looked to be several accounting books.

  All in all, Rene had wasted his time.

  Completely and utterly.

  There was a sudden knock on the door.

  “What?” Junk demanded, not pausing in his trundling walk towards a bookshelf.

  “You have a visitor, Master,” called a voice through the door.

  “No visitors,” Junk yelled as he sorted through the books on his shelf.

  “I… I believe this is a visitor you’d accept, Master,” stated the voice.

  Junk paused at that, his face twisting up in thought.

  “Send them in,” said Junk, putting the book back on the shelf. He turned and faced the doorway.

  Log preference has expired.

  Log is now active.

  Your skill in Sneaking has increased (31)

  Unwilling to move right now, Rene ignored the log.

  The door swung inward with a groan and Ronder walked into Junk’s office.

  “What are you doing here?” Junk hissed after the door closed behind the lieutenant. “We were agreed to not meet again.”

  “Can’t avoid it,” Ronder said with a shrug. “Had a visitor come see me that we need to talk about.”

  “Oh?” Junk asked, the anger rapidly fleeing from his voice and face. “Who?”

  “Mask,” Ronder said with a disgusted look. “Showed up in my damn home. Paying me to not show up during his job.”

  Junk’s eyebrows drew down slowly, and then he tilted his head to one side.

  “You took his money,” Junk stated.

  “Course, I did,” proclaimed Ronder. “He’s new, but everyone says he’s bloodthirsty. Really bloodthirsty. You know that. You’ve heard the same rumors I have.”

  “Rumors,” Junk said with a wave of his hand.

  “Rumors, sure, but rumors that make him out to be a damn lunatic,” Ronder growled with some frustration. “You didn’t tell me he was the one doing the job. You said it wouldn’t be a problem.”

  “And it won’t be,” Junk said, shaking his head and holding his hands up in front of himself. “You’re panicking. He’s a nobody.”

  “A nobody,” hissed Ronder. “A nobody who shows up, slaughters the leadership of a guild and takes it over, then just… prances around like it’s nobody’s bus
iness.

  “The Snakes? The Ravens? Their bosses literally blew town. They’re gone!”

  “What?” Junk asked, looking nervous.

  “They left! They were terrified the Mask wanted their gangs, too,” Ronder said. “They’re managing it all by letter at this point and won’t even set foot in the city. I’ve been dealing with their damn lieutenants instead of their bosses ever since.”

  Junk contemplated all that, then blew out a breath and flicked a hand at Ronder.

  “Exaggerations,” Junk said. “This is nothing and will be nothing. Just make sure you keep your end of the bargain.”

  “I really think we should just let this one go,” Ronder said. “And on top of all that, I caught someone sneaking around my office.

  “I get the feeling that people have been bandying my name around far too much.”

  “You take care of it?” Junk asked, ignoring the rest of the statement.

  “I will. Hire someone to take care of it tomorrow,” Ronder said. “But the main reason I came over was this just got far more expensive. Far more.”

  Sighing heavily, Junk just shook his head and put his hands on his hips.

  “Of course, it did,” grumbled the fat man.

  I need to watch over Aurora for a while.

  They’re not allowed to kill her. She’s ours. Ours alone.

  Her life belongs to us.

  I’m the stud that’ll give her the flood of blood and the end of her life that was rife with strife.

  We’re not killing her.

  Though… it does seem we might kill for her.

  And you really had to stretch for that one, didn’t you?

  Fuck you.

  Just for that, we’re marrying Odelia.

  If we marry anyone else, I’m going to talk the entire time you have sex with them.

  About children, kittens, puppies, and other nice things.

  If that doesn’t work? Well, I’ll figure out something.

  Rene didn’t know how to respond to that.

  Chapter 24

  Rene wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but he was fairly certain he’d recognize it when he saw it.

  He couldn’t imagine whoever Ronder had hired to end Aurora was very skilled. Which meant it was more likely to be a brute-force attack rather than something subtle.