The Grey Ghost: Book Two of the Archaic Ring Series

by Reed R. Stevens

  Since they had come all the way from the southern district, Nolan insisted on choosing which of the many trade-specific streets they would tread down first. After walking for some time, he led the way over to a large and indiscreet building of black brick. Four brass poles jutted out from the otherwise barren walls, letting an equal number of thick, golden banners hang over the entrance. Above the entranceway sat a wooden sign that depicted a leaf of some sorts and a vial of liquid.

  This has to be an alchemy shop.

  Once inside, their noses were met with a pungent aroma, a mix of many subtle smells overshadowed by a predominant scent of plants and herbs. The room was filled with dozens of old shelves stocked with healthy supplies of miscellaneous plants and stoppered bottles, along with a wide range of containers, medicines, and strange tools.

  Nolan had originally wanted to see if he could find an alchemy shop near the inn. Now that they were in the business district, he figured he might as well try to visit a reputable establishment where he could get a good look at the ingredients used to create medicinal pellets.

  He didn’t want to keep Nyla waiting, so he made sure not to browse for too long. While he was on the lookout for a few specific items, his true intentions were to see if he recognized any of the plants and other substances that a store such as this might have on display.

  Their next stop was a small general store on a street that was specifically designated for businesses that dealt with miscellaneous transactions and private dealings. This included appraisals and general merchandise. Though the store was small, its selling point was its location. One could see the high walls of the Central Keep looming in clear view from the street outside, the imposing fortifications masked in a layer of moss that was many times denser than the comparatively thinner coating on the city’s outer walls.

  Countless alluring items were showcased on the heavy wooden shelves that filled the entirety of the first floor, each enjoying a generous amount of space. From clothes, scrolls and silverware to armours and weapons, the place had all sorts of items on display. The things that caught Nolan’s eye were a shelf full of old yet voluminous books and a pretty collection of fine tablets and pretty sculptures carved from precious stones, not to mention a few richly framed paintings. Each and every item was excessively extravagant not to mention extremely expensive.

  Nolan and Nyla knew that they wouldn’t be able to afford anything in the store but they were still curious to see what sorts of treasures were spread throughout the place. There were only a couple dozen people in the room, and hardly any showed intent to buy.

  The cheapest item that Nolan could see was a small silver bell inlaid with strange inscriptions that was priced at ninety-five golden cards. Silently impressed, he noticed a golden display case mounted onto the wall in the middle of the store. Not in keeping with its impressive encasing, an old dagger with a worn handle looked out from behind the clear glass. The blade had a jaggedly serrated edge, the pale metal lacklustre and riddled with scratches. A wooden plaque hung from the wall beneath it, reading: Seven Hundred and Fifty Spirit Stones, Price Non-Negotiable.

  He got Nyla’s attention and then pointed to this seemingly unimpressive dagger.

  She was also stunned at its absurd price but didn’t care much for its appearance. “Look over there! There are so many masks.”

  Seeing that she wasn’t interested in the dagger Nolan followed her over to where several dozen masks hung upon a large rack on the far left side of the store. She reached out and grabbed one near the top. It was shaped into a slim butterfly and coloured a poisonous purple, its open wings spread just enough to cover Nyla’s clear, tan face.

  “How do I look?”

  Nolan didn’t answer and instead reached out to grab one near the bottom. It was a plain shade of white beset with a simple yet striking design. The face of the mask consisted of a devious smile and two thin, angry eye-slits carved into the thick wood with a malevolent sort of finesse. A small buckle had been installed on the sides, similar to the leather straps on some of the caps back home. Putting it on, he said, “Better than me, I guess?”

  They had a good deal of fun trying on the various masks, forcing each other wear some of the more absurd ones as they joked around and laughed at or otherwise appreciated each new look. He hadn’t spent much time alone with Nyla since their days in Redfox Village, and was surprised at how happy he was simply looking around some random store.

  Nyla wandered over to a large display case filled with dazzling jewelry and lavish accessories, beside which was a long glass case containing over a hundred demonic beast cores that were laid out atop a lengthy, velvety cushion. Nolan hung back to check out the prices on some of the masks, contemplating whether or not he should get one.

  “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. Was I in your way?”

  Hearing Nyla’s voice, he looked over to see her facing a young man in front of the jewelry display. He was standing at her arm, staring over her shoulder at an object within the case. “No, it’s fine. I was just passing by.”

  “It’s okay, really.” She stepped to the side as the young man came to stand beside her and then returned his attention to the display case.

  “I come here quite often, but don’t seem to recognize you.” He gave her a gentle smile. “We mustn’t have met before, since I doubt I could forget a face like yours.”

  Nolan smirked. With oaken hair, matching eyes and a clean-shaven face, the youth looked every part the noble in his handsome set of close-fitting robes, white cloth trimmed with silky, silvery fabric. He had several rings on his fingers, all of them gold and decorated with fat jewels that perfectly complimented the gleaming buckles on his fine boots.

  Noting how distant the other guests had become, he focused his spiritual sense on the young noble. Fifth level of Body Nourishment, huh?

  Nyla gave a forced smile. “This is my first time in this shop. I’ve just come to look around.”

  “No doubt.” The youth played with the collar of his robes. “I know of a much nicer shop just down the street. Normally you would need to pay a membership fee to enter, but I’m acquainted with the owner. If you’d like, I could have them bypass the fee for you. Then you’ll be free to appreciate the real treasures of the business district.” Although he spoke calmly and politely, there was a noticeable smugness to his tone, as if he was absolutely certain that she would go along with him.

  “That sounds very nice. I thank you for the offer, but I’ve come here with a friend.”

  The young man glanced at Nolan, who was pretending to inspect a few masks while listening in on their conversation. “I’m sure your friend won’t mind being on his own for a little while. It won’t take long.”

  “I’m sorry. We have plans for the day, you see.”

  “Are you sure?” His question hung in the air for a moment, his polite tone adding a slight suspense to the sudden silence. “I’m expecting to meet my uncle here very shortly, and he happens to be the city’s Chancellor. If you’d like, I could introduce him to you. It doesn’t hurt to become acquainted with people in powerful positions.”

  Nolan noticed that he wasn’t the only one pretending to examine an item while eavesdropping on their words. After catching on to some blank expressions and shifting gazes, Nolan sent out his spiritual sense to investigate the cultivations of the four men whose sketchy behavior had aroused his suspicions. Unlike the others in the shop, who were mostly at the third and fourth levels of Body Nourishment, these men were all at the second level of the Profound Entry stage.

  He has guards? Nolan began to feel a direct sense of danger. He’d fallen into the very same situation he’d been hoping to avoid most.

  “I can’t right now. Maybe another time?”

  “Unfortunately, I must insist on today.”

  Seeing that there was no end to the young man’s brashness, Nolan put down the masks and walked over with a polite smile. “Hello there. Sorry to interrupt, but there’s somewhere the two of
us have to be. Since it can’t wait, we’ll have to head out now.”

  Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Nyla’s hand and made to lead her out of the store. However, since when was he so lucky that he’d be able to leave just like that?

  “Who are you to interrupt me?” The young man’s facade melted away like a snowflake in a summer breeze. His tone became cocky, his expression one of annoyance, even disgust. “If my uncle is the Chancellor, just who do you think my father is? I’ve taken a liking to this girl and have decided to bring her back to the palace for the night, yet you, who normally would never have a chance to even shine my shoes, come to disturb my attempts at persuasion?”

  Soon a cascade of whispers could be heard from the surroundings.

  “That Dartan…”

  “That’s him?”

  “That girl seems to have caught his eye.”

  “Another one...” sighed a young woman. “Poor thing.”

  “Keep it down. What if he looks at you and decides to cart you off to his bedchamber instead?”

  Without the slightest bit of shame, the young man had come out and stated his true intentions as if Nyla’s opinion didn’t matter in the least.

  “I don’t know about any of that, but I do know that you’re harassing a girl in front of all these people. She has to be somewhere, but you’re forcing her to—”

  Nolan’s spiritual sense was currently expanded throughout most of the store so he noticed that the young man had just glanced at one of the suspicious men he’d been keeping track of earlier. As soon as the stranger nodded his head, the young man struck out at Nolan with a quick jab.

  Nolan sidestepped the strike, turning to face the young man, Dartan apparently.

  This motherfucker!

  Body Nourishment practitioners lacked a spiritual sense and thus couldn’t sense the cultivations of other people. That nod had been an indicator that Nolan posed no threat, as the bodyguard could clearly sense whose cultivation level was superior. If Nolan’s strength hadn’t been disproportionate to his level, he’d have lost a mouthful of teeth just for speaking a few words in defence of his friend.

  As much as Nolan wanted to give the little princeling a well-deserved beating, he knew that fighting back would only make things worse. Clearly this guy’s family had some major clout within the city else he wouldn’t have his own personal retinue of guards.

  Seeing that he had avoided his strike, the young noble smirked. “Subdue him.”

  Nolan was quickly surrounded by the four men and reluctantly allowed them to push him to the ground and pin his arms and legs to the floor. He felt his face heat up as he became the focus of every eye in the store, the scent of dust and aged wood strong in his nostrils. Many gazes contained pity and disapproval.

  Kneeling down in front of Nolan, the young man grabbed a fistful of his shaggy brown hair and lifted his face so that they could stare eye to eye. “I’ve never seen a street urchin so bold as to attempt to obstruct a son of the city lord.” He looked over at Nyla, whose large eyes were filled with worry. “You love that girl, yes?”

  Nolan didn’t answer. To someone who inverted right and wrong to suit their petty whims, anything he said would only dig himself a deeper hole to lie in.

  He put his mouth to Nolan’s ear. “When I see something I want, I take it. Do you understand?” He let out a peal of vain laughter. “Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m taking her forever. Just a night or two, if she’s obedient.” He released Nolan’s hair and walked over to Nyla, whose body tensed up at his casual approach. He glanced over at Nolan. Dipping a finger along the neckline of her black dress, he gave it a gentle pull.

  Nyla was no fool. She knew that any resistance on her part would only make the situation worse, especially for Nolan. Gritting her teeth, she stood there, unmoving as the entitled scoundrel drank in the sight of the bare skin beneath her dress.

  Nolan shook with rage as a malicious grin spread across the young man’s face. What the hell was this situation? How was this guy allowed to do something so terrible before the watchful eyes of so many people? Nolan’s untrimmed nails dug into his palms, his clenched fists dripping blood. He’d never been so mad in all his life. Why the hell did this guy put on such a cultured pretense if he was just going to be such a piece of shit in the end, anyhow?

  Releasing Nyla’s dress, the young man gave her an expectant look. “Well? Have you changed your mind?”

  “I…I will go with you…” Nyla’s eyes began to water, though she didn’t cry.

  “That’s good to hear.” He walked back over to Nolan and whispered into his ear once again. “After taking a look, I’ve changed my mind.” He glanced at Nyla’s chest. “I think I’ll keep her around for a bit longer. Oh, and don’t think that I’ll forget the humiliation you’ve brought upon me today. When I hit a commoner, they don’t avoid it. If people hear that the city lord’s son was unable to hit a plebeian that was weaker than him, well—”

  “Young Master.” An aged shopkeeper spoke out from among the crowd. “Must you harass my customers? It is unbecoming of someone of your—”

  “It’s not your place to question my behavior.”

  The man opened his mouth to speak, but paused after a second’s hesitation.

  “Dartan!” An angry voice exploded from the entrance of the shop. A well-built man dressed in lavish golden robes stood at the threshold with a disgusted expression on his rounded face. Middle-aged with a trim beard, his long brown hair was tied at the middle with a black strip of fabric, the long ponytail hanging neatly down his back.

  “Lord Darius!”

  “It’s the Chancellor!”

  The many people in the shop dipped their heads in respect to the charismatic man who’d just entered their sights.

  Surprising everyone present, Nolan and Nyla included, the man disappeared with a flourish of his robes and reappeared in front of Dartan with a blur. Before anyone could react to the sudden movement, a loud smacking sound echoed throughout the shop as an openhanded slap connected with Dartan’s handsome face and sent him twirling on the spot, two teeth flying free from his bloodied mouth as he spun about.

  “Does shaming your family bring you joy?” The man’s face was red, a few veins inflating on his forehead. “The reason I called you here was to specifically discuss your disgraceful behavior. Here I was, unsure as to whether or not I should believe all of these terrible rumours that have been floating around the city as of late, and yet the second I arrive I’m met with such a despicable scene. Clearly at least some of those horrible stories were true.”

  “But Uncle—” Dartan tried to get up, but the golden-robed man shoved him back to the ground.

  “Stay put.” He glared at the men pinning Nolan to the ground. “Release him.”

  Nolan stood up the moment the men let go of him.

  The man walked over to Nyla and grabbed her hand. “I am Darius, and I have the misfortune of bring this wretch’s uncle. I apologize for my useless nephew’s disgusting behavior. He’s disturbed, truly a lost cause. I hope that you can overlook his actions today. He will be punished, that I can assure you.”

  “I…” Nyla was at a loss.

  “You,” Darius looked toward the shopkeeper. “Charge their expenditures to the city lord’s palace. As for him…” He looked to his nephew, whose sweat-slicked face had gone pale with fright. “Never allow him to set foot in your store again. If he brings you any trouble, let me know and I’ll deal with him accordingly.” With that, he grabbed the young man by the collar and dragged him outside, and continued down the street in the same manner. The four men quickly followed after them.

  Nolan hadn’t missed the murderous glare that Dartan had sent his way as he was yanked out of the building. He’d mouthed a single word: dead.

  Nobody spoke for a few minutes, though eventually people began to mumble. “If he knew his uncle was coming, then why…”

  “Because he’s Dartan, that’s why.”

 
; A wash of conversation flooded through the store, the general tone one of exasperation. It seemed that this wasn’t the first time that the young noble had harassed girls in such a fashion.

  Ignoring the people around them, Nolan walked over to Nyla and gripped her arms with his hands, which were bleeding from the cuts his own nails had dug. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m sorry.” He felt horrible that he’d just sat by and watched as she was molested in public. “I’m so sorry, Nyla. I should have done something, I should have—”

  “You couldn’t have done anything.” Her tone was a bit aggressive. She adjusted her dress, a slight tremble to her hand. “I think I’ve seen enough of the city for today. We should return.”

  “Nyla, I…”

  “Don’t tell the others what happened today. It’s not a big deal.” She swiftly made her way out of the store.

  Nolan felt a terrible coldness in his gut as he watched her go. He made to follow her, but paused and looked over to the wall-mounted display case that’d caught his eye earlier on. He strode over and smashed the glass, angry-eyed as he snatched the peculiar dagger within. He then grabbed a handful of masks, some jewelry, anything within reach.

  “Hey!” the shopkeeper called out as Nolan began filling his spatial bag. “What do you think you’re—”

  “You heard him,” Nolan glared. “Charge it to the city lord’s palace!”

  “But this much…”

  “What, you’re going to go against your chancellor’s orders?” When the man remained silent, he continued. “Just look at this as an easy way to make some sales.”

  The shopkeeper hesitated long enough for Nolan to grab a decent amount of items. He then rushed after Nyla. Neither said a word during the entire walk back. He had no idea what she might be thinking, but his mind was whirling with devious thoughts. He’d never forget what happened today. Nyla had been forced to endure a horrible experience, and he’d done nothing but watch.

  He regretted that he’d slacked off on his training, that he hadn’t invested any more time into trying to understand the secrets of the ring within his body. If he could make it to the Profound Entry stage then he would be able to develop a deeper understanding of the energies of this world as well as the relationship between them. He was confident that once he reached that point he would be able to defend himself against pretty much anybody, since he was already able to fight people at the first level of that stage and had even survived a battle with someone at the second.