by Skyler Grant
"You do have a baroness busy transforming into a powerful Glitch," Alex said.
"And a great many merchants who would love a baron’s title and taking over control of a port city when she’s gone," Tania said quickly. "Unless the citizenry grow furs, claws, and get a taste for noble flesh, I'm not going to have trouble filling that seat."
"A century in the hands of the House of Bats. You fight your next war with the city still under your control, you lose it. This way you get it back, eventually," Kationa said.
"Why do you even want the city? What are you hoping to accomplish?"
"Sabrina LaFele must kill off those under her authority to transcend. If we strip her of her rank and title, we free the people of Falkirk from her authority," Kationa said.
Alex had considered this as a possibility, it was why he'd sent Kationa away but he didn't expect her to possibly be able to achieve it. Tania however seemed to be considering it.
"And a century because it makes the city no threat to any kingdom in the moment," Tania said.
Kationa tilted her head.
"And is this man to be your new baron?" Tania asked, eying Alex.
"Too young, and too tightly bound with the old baroness," Kationa said.
"A Glitch and a Glitch-hunter? That is a case of star-crossed lovers," Tania said, seeming entirely too delighted at this. "Who then?"
"Yasmine Cinquedea. The woman knows the town and is a member of sufficient rank and standing in the House of Bats. I would stay on as her adviser to help assure Falkirk stayed neutral politically."
That surprised Alex. The two hadn't even wanted to meet face-to-face because of how much they bickered and here Kationa was trying to work with her long-term.
"If, if, I made this happen I'd want trade in Falkirk rebuilt. It might not have suited some of the Commonwealth’s Houses, but it does me," Tania said.
"Cassandra Windicott as trade minister enough?" Kationa asked.
"You want to put a gangster and a criminal hiding behind a legitimate merchant house in charge of the rebuilding the city’s future?" Tania asked and then laughed. "It’s perfect. I highly approve. Cosis here also gets her house back—literally, a house. Her mother was kind to me."
"You really don't have to do that," Ryn said.
"You'll find I have to do rather little. I choose to do quite a bit," Tania said.
"Agreed," Kationa said.
"You're officially empowered to speak for the House of Towers in this matter?" Tania asked.
"Of course."
"Ryn, you're a member of one of the leading families of Falkirk, so you're good to speak for the city. Do you agree?" Tania asked.
Alex had never seen Ryn look so lost. "I agree."
"Alex, are you empowered to speak for the House of Bats?" Tania asked.
Negative
An appropriate party is being informed
"Not yet," Alex said. "Give me a moment please."
There was no more scrolling text however. When a further response came from Alex's bracer it was several runes on it beginning to glow blue and a magical apparition appeared on the balcony. The woman was strikingly beautiful, long black hair bound into a ponytail and reaching down to the small of her black. She wore a strange suit of armor and had a small holster on each hip—weapons that somehow seemed familiar to Alex. There was a bracer on one of her wrists, but unlike Alex’s hers was worn on the right arm.
The apparition did her best to ruffle Alex's hair, although being only a projection he felt no more than a bit of static tingle.
"Hey, little bro. You don't know me and you're really not supposed to know I exist yet, but I'm a rule-breaker too," said the woman, before beaming a smile at Tania and dipping her head. "Chancellor, I'm Amanda Glaive, senior member of the House of Bats. Weird situation we're in here, but we're aboard. If Yasmine Cinquedea refuses, we'll find someone else qualified."
Kationa narrowed her eyes at Amanda. “Unless I miss my guess you’re really taking on business far from home.”
“No comment,” Amanda said.
"I've got some questions," Alex said.
"I bet. You're going to be so disappointed when I vanish without answering any of them. You would not believe the baddies crawling out of the airshafts in Sector 117," Amanda said, and disappeared.
Tania cleared her throat. "Well, it is a day for unexpected appearances. I have to get the votes and then prepare the papers. It may be a few days."
"We don't have a few days," Kationa said.
"Bureaucracy yields to no one, not even me. Do what you have to do to make the time," Tania said.
That meant defending Falkirk. The House of Towers had promised to buy them another day. After that things were going to get bloody.
46
“Memory loss will help to ensure the stability of the matrix until it can be reinforced.” Burned note fragment found in the ruins of the tower of Kintessa Riel, House of Towers, Black Tower
Kationa teleported Alex and Ryn back to town, but stayed behind to help Tania accomplish her business as quickly as possible.
Things in the city had changed dramatically in even the short time since they'd left. A bubble of purple energy now surrounded the Windicott estate and several blocks around it. Inside this the fog that had been a constant for the past day was gone. Red sparks occasionally lit up the dusk sky, sparking against the protective barrier.
The population that remained in the city had gathered under the shield, every house and building having been thrown open. The injured were being tended to, and more were at work burning bodies and making new arrows.
Those who had been pulling long days were already sleeping including Cassandra. Shortly after their arrival Ryn went off as well.
Alex was doing better with his Glitch physiology and so he went in search of whoever was powering the shield.
Given Malia’s objection to helping, Alex hadn't expected to find her, and yet there she was, standing at an intersection with one hand raised skyward, energy flowing out.
"How did you wind up having to be the one that helped?" Alex asked.
"You've got a lot of dead bodies and I can use them for a little power instead of letting it be absorbed by the fog," Malia said with a grin. "So if you're here to woo me, sorry, I'm going to be standing like this for hours and hours and hours, but I'm more than happy for conversation."
"Do you know if they managed to get Yasmine back?" Alex asked.
"Yep, she is off clearing the streets in the bubble. I'm able to keep new bad things from entering, but the bad stuff already in stayed in."
"Can I ask you a question? It’s something you may not be allowed to tell me."
"I love me a little forbidden knowledge. Hit me."
"Amanda Glaive?" Alex said.
"Naughty boy. Ask me someday when you've been really nice to me and I've blocked that bracer of yours first," Malia said.
Of course, if it was something that might get her in trouble with the House of Bats, she didn't want to say it when they could overhear.
Malia asked, "So do you and Kat have a way out of this mess?"
"We think so. You were right, follow the rules based on what you're fighting," Alex said.
A familiar figure stepped out of an ally nearby and turned towards the intersection. Yasmine looked the worst for wear. Her armor was dry and cracked, and her skin was badly burned. Even though she had only been gone less than a week she was obviously thinner.
"Glaive," Yasmine said, squeezing his shoulder. "Heard I have you and Kationa to thank for getting me back."
"Comes with price," Alex said.
"Always does with mages," Yasmine said, rubbing at her eyes. "So I sent you right into the lair of the enemy huh?"
"You didn't know," Alex said.
"I should have. When it is going big and bad you should always look to the people in charge. I just let old feuds distract me," Yasmine said, sitting on the ground.
"You look rough," Alex said.
/> "Should have seen me a few days ago. When the sword couldn't corrupt me it burned me. I was almost two days going through a sandstorm without much in the way of skin left on me."
"Well, now I'm just turned on," Malia said.
Yasmine gave her a dark look but didn't rise to the bait.
"We think we've got a solution, but it’s going to be a few days. We're going to have to defend the town until then. Morgan and Helen are here, off on missions," Alex said.
"Really? The whole gang is back together again? I like that, I guess that means they pulled off their first job," Yasmine said.
"They're all loaded down with special weapons from the House of Artifice. Helen has a Songbow, Morgan some massive Songhammer."
Yasmine grimaced at that and shook her head. "I know they look fancy, but I don't like those. Blade and hammer are reliable, time-tested. I knew someone with one of those hammers once, all this intricate little clockwork in the head. Works great until it doesn't, and then you're stuck without a harmonized weapon in a fight."
"Got a problem with the bow too?" Alex asked.
"Anything that runs out of ammunition should never be your primary weapon. If she still has her mainstays it’s fine."
Malia said, "You should get some sleep. Both of you look like you're barely holding it together."
"That eager to get rid of us?" Alex asked.
"I appreciate the company, but you know I can't hold this shield indefinitely. You aren't the only ones who should be using this time wisely," Malia said.
"What are we dealing with? I found Deep Spawn in the shield," Yasmine said.
"Cavelings and Webghasts too," Alex said.
"Ugh," Yasmine said, and looked like she wanted to be sick. "I hate cavelings. I really, really, hate cavelings. I'm one talented lady at killing them though."
"I know the Tower is giving us this pretty shield. You giving us any offensive backup too?" Alex asked Malia.
"Kanek will probably show up and throw a few fireballs," Malia said. "I'd offer a zombie army, but I'm going to be spent when this shield finally gives out."
"You should go get some sleep," Alex said to Yasmine.
"With most of what command structure you already have asleep? I'll stay up a few more hours. You should go though."
Alex wasn't going to protest that. It had been over a week since he’d had a decent night’s rest and Glitch or no, the body had limits. A room had been prepared for him at Cassandra's and once he collapsed into his bed it was no problem falling asleep.
When Alex awoke he got updated on events. Yasmine had raided supplies from Cassandra's storehouse and made him a dozen grenades of varying elemental properties. They were a lot stronger than a potion-caster, but not nearly as quick.
The townsfolk had been taking shifts to build barricades around a two-block radius of the Windicott estate. This smaller area would be easier to defend and with everyone moving to within its confines Malia was able to shrink the shield to give them a bit more time.
Helen and Morgan had returned, reporting the Coldflames destroyed and the braziers shattered, before they each downed healing potions and crashed into their own beds.
Alex tracked down Cassandra, who was doing a tour of the fortifications. She was still wearing armor and a sword. They suited her, she looked made for this sort of thing.
"How are we doing?" Alex asked.
Cassandra nodded towards the estate and didn't speak until they were alone in one of her sitting rooms.
"Badly enough that I don't want the townsfolk to hear how much. I lost some good people. I have a plan I wanted to run past you, just in case," Cassandra said.
"I'm listening," Alex said, taking a seat.
"Things are going to go bad fast when that shield drops."
"You're going to have a mage from the Tower helping you. And Glitch Hunters," Alex said.
"And too many barricades for you all to man at once. It only takes one of them to get through our defenses and start killing us from behind. The question isn’t if our defenses will breach, but when," Cassandra said.
"So what is this plan of yours?"
"I put the brave or the stupid on the barricades with you lot and move the rest underground into the sewers. When the barricades fall and the Glitch swarm in, I set off firebombs throughout the buildings and burn this place and them with it."
It would burn down Cassandra's storehouse, her home, and would mean the death of a lot of brave souls willing to defend the barricades. It would also kill a lot of Glitch.
"Firebombs alone won't do it. You'll want to get your battle-mage in on it," Alex said.
"Dead yesterday, one of those spiders ripped his harms off."
"I'm sorry. Yasmine then, and we'll need to let the Tower know as well. We'll do everything we can to keep you and the people safe," Alex said.
Cassandra shook her head. "No, not you. If I am doing this and sacrificing everything I've worked for to try to save some semblance of this damned town, you are going to do what needs doing."
"We have a plan," Alex said.
"Ryn told me. I get to rebuild the city into a major trade hub and be terribly corrupt, she gets a house, the city gets a new baroness. I don't care. It may not happen and we are not pinning everything on that hope," Cassandra said.
"It is our best chance."
"You say it is your best chance to end things since it will keep Sabrina alive, because Kationa and you love her," Cassandra said, and she looked at him intently, "Tell me I'm wrong."
Alex was often asking himself that same question and the answer didn't change. While he didn't want Sabrina to die—and that had to mean something—what it didn't mean was love.
"You're wrong," Alex said.
"Then that just makes it easier. Will putting a sword through that bitch's heart end things?"
"With all the power she’s gathered I don't know. It will stop what is happening now, but it seems likely some other terrible thing will happen eventually," Alex said.
"Then do it. Right now I’m not expecting to still be alive in three days—and I very much want to be alive in three days. I’m not making threats, but you know I can and that I will. I don't care that you took her to bed. You and I can go to bed right now, if you like. As my friend, care about my life as much as you do hers," Cassandra said.
"Once again I'm going to have to regretfully pass on the offer, but you're right. I can't leave it all to the chance that Kationa will come through in time."
"Leave now. Take Ryn, you can navigate all the way to the keep entrance like you did before, underground. When the shield goes down things will get crazy. That will give you the distraction you need to breach the palace and get close to her."
"If we’ll even know festivities have started," Alex said.
Cassandra flashed him a grin. "As you'd learn if you ever did take me up on my offers, I know how to make a lot of noise. Trust me, you're going to know when the shield drops."
Alex didn't mention Sabrina being in his head. That made the advice to go now all the wiser. The shield was probably interrupting her connection. If Alex was here when it fell she might somehow learn of Cassandra's plan.
"Keep yourself alive," Alex said.
"Don't worry about me. I always finish on top. Another thing you'd learn ..." Cassandra said.
"You're incorrigible," Alex said, amused despite himself. If he survived this entire thing he really should explore that possibility. You wouldn't normally think of a leader of the criminal underworld as a nice, sane dating possibility, but after Sabrina she would be a big step in the right direction.
Alex already had his equipment. Grenades, Songblade and Songhammer, potion belt and armor.
Cassanda must have already explained the idea to Ryn, because she was ready to go, armor repaired and a brace of throwing knives ready. Alex grabbed Jess too, her abilities with illusion were useful and as always she remained a last resort. If all else failed, one wish from her could dramatically alter the ou
tcome of things to come.
Alex left a note for Yasmine and the others telling them the plan. They would have wanted to come, but the townspeople would need protection and Sabrina was his mistake. Although Yasmine might blame herself, Alex was the one that allowed Sabrina to get so close to him.
47
“That which doesn’t kill me better fucking wish it had.” Morgan Pike, House of Bats
Jess carried the lantern when they made their way down into the sewers. Neither she or Ryn could see in the dark, and Ryn and Alex got to keep their hands free for their weapons.
The shield extended underground. The Glitch already beneath it had been cleared and things were safe up until they reached the shimmering wall of purple energy.
Malia had been informed of their plans and after a few minutes the barrier flickered, a tiny hole opening only for the ten seconds it took them to cross, then the barrier sealed behind them.
"How far is it to the keep?" Alex asked.
"Farther than you'd think," Ryn said, as she led the way forward. Ryn didn't heal like a Glitchunter and she was still walking with a limp.
'Alex! You're back, I found out you left the cell and then that irritating dome went up. Kationa's doing, I presume. Why couldn't you two just stay out of my way?' Sabrina said.
'I'm coming to see you,' Alex thought.
'Kill me, more like. If you were just going to join me you wouldn't have brought friends. I understand, I still think I'll be able to convince you otherwise. I'll put a few surprises in your way to soften you up a bit. I can't wait to see you.'
Alex didn't answer.
"Well, she knows we're coming and she’s going to provide some surprises on our way," Alex told Ryn.
"Your girlfriend sucks," Ryn said.
Was Sabrina still watching and listening in? Probably, it wasn't like she had much else to do with that shield up. Alex wondered if a bit of honest reflection might make Sabrina do some of her own.
"You know, in a way I'm only about a month old. My memories only go back that far, aside some echoes of who and what I might have been before. I liked Sabrina, I thought she might help me feel alive," Alex said.