Chapter 362: The Word of a Shadow (2/2)

She did get a curious glance from the guard. Either the woman tried not to be offensive or she was truly confused at the antics of the Shadow.

Finally, Ilea nodded to the guards standing in front of yet another set of wooden double doors. She knew both of them from the previous day’s bet testing, even with their full plate armor and closed off visors.

[Mage – lvl 163]

[Mage – lvl 170]

“The Shadow is here.” One of them said.

“Another beating?” The other one asked.

“Most likely.” The first one said again.

The woman who had led Ilea and Walter rolled her eyes. “She’s here to see the governor.”

“Who’s the sorcerer?” The first guard asked.

“Dark magic swirls around him.” The second one said.

“A ploy at deception?” The first one again asked.

Ilea smirked. “Do you really want another beating?” She asked. “He’s a friend, also here to see Alistair.”

“Another bout would be interesting.” One of them said.

“Us together this time. Against you.” The other one said.

“We don’t want to ruin this beautiful building, now would we?” Ilea asked.

Magic surged from the two as their power was released. “Indeed. An unwise decision.” One of them said.

Ilea’s ash armor formed as her limbs fanned out behind her. “Unwise indeed.” She grinned.

Alistair opened the door and hit both his guards at the same time. “Stop it.”

Walter patted Ilea on the shoulder. “You too, please?” He chuckled as he looked at the woman who had brought them, her sword halfway out of its sheath, her face pale.

“Relax. She’s not our enemy.” Alistair said, stepping past his guards to greet Ilea. “Welcome back. Earlier than I had expected.” He spoke with a warm voice.

The guards had immediately stopped their antics and Ilea too was moving her armor back to the rose form on her back and below her clothes. “Alistair. Nice to meet you.”

“The same. Your work yesterday was splendid. I wish I could pay you more but the bureaucracy only allows me a certain power over our budgets.” He turned his head to face Walter. “Welcome, dark sorcerer. I assume you are with the Shadow?”

Walter extended his hand and shook the governor’s. “Governor Gallian, Walter Skorn. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am a friend.”

“A friend.” The governor replied, inquisitive eyes looking over the sorcerer. “Well, do come in.” He walked back into his vast office.

Ilea smiled once again at the two guards and blinked past them.

Walter walked in the normal way.

The door was closed by one of the guards as soon as they were in the room.

She saw the enchantments fall into place and smirked.

“I got the reports.” Alistair said and walked around his desk, sitting down on the big armchair and resting his elbows on the dark wooden table.

Walter looked around, taking in the bookshelves, the different maps as well as artifacts and monster pieces displayed in various ways.

“Impressive work in Stormbreach. An escaped demon from Ravenhall?” The governor asked.

Ilea grabbed a horn and looked it over.

[Alpha Drake Horn]

Knew that seemed familiar. She smiled. “THE escaped demon. An intelligent Spawn variant that forced Mind Weavers to work for him. Mind Weavers are those normally controlling the weaker and more ferocious Spawn version.” She explained.

“We are aware of some of the specifics. Lys had to deal with some Mind Weavers themselves. I’m glad the problem has been taken care of before it escalated. Demons are incredibly dangerous to a mostly non combatant population.” Alistair said. “Of course killing the Baralia officers earned you my trust already. We are working out a deal with Vincent at the moment. To keep his operations in check but to give enough leeway for him to not betray us.”

“Vincent Halligan?” Walter asked. “He’s the one you brought back from the rogue camp?” His voice didn’t betray the way he felt about the man.

“Yes.” Ilea said. “He threatened to kill a child. Other than that, he didn’t seem like the worst guy. I didn’t tell you Alistair but if he makes trouble, feel free to contact Claire or me if I’m around. It would surprise me however.”

“It would be my failing as the governor if he rebels. As I’ve told you before.” Alistair said and nodded towards Walter, a questioning look on his face.

Ilea opened a nearby chest, knowing what was inside thanks to her sphere. Cold runes kept some of the things inside fresh. She took a bottle of ale and opened it. I probably would have a problem if alcohol did anything to my body still. She smirked and closed the chest again. “Feel free to talk about what we discussed in secret. He’s a dear friend that helped me out quite a bit.” She smiled at Walter and lifted her bottle. “A good man.”

The sorcerer smiled at her, genuinely.

“I finished the letter. Would you like to go over it now or later? Your signature as well as mana signature will be needed. The contents cannot be altered after our mana has been placed on the paper. Feel free to examine the enchantments.” The governor explained.

“I can have a look in a minute. Walter, can you check the enchantments as soon as I’m done?” She said.

“Of course. Lucia has taught me quite a lot in the past years.” The sorcerer said.

“Should we talk about the last mission or is the sorcerer’s presence the reason you’re here?” Alistair asked.

Ilea smirked and grabbed the letter on his table. “Both. I’ll let you two talk while I read through this.”

Alistair looked at Walter and nodded.

Ilea in the meantime walked back to the chest and formed an ashen chair before sitting down. Her legs crossed as she started reading.

“I suppose it’s time to formally introduce myself.” Walter said. “I’m Walter Skorn, leading member of the Vultures Brotherhood. We are a group of mages practicing various forbidden and dark magics, necromancy as well as dark enchantments and sorcery.”

The governor smiled and glanced at Ilea before he sighed. “The Vultures Brotherhood. Now we can place a name to your little group. A peculiarity. You operate near the abandoned Calys mine, don’t you?” He asked and gauged Walter’s reaction.

Alistair chuckled. “Were you part of a court perhaps? You betray nothing. The trade has been noted but according to our investigation, none of the goods were poisoned or in any form dangerous. Nor were there abductions or murders associated with your… brotherhood.”

“Many have still advocated me or the guard to take care of it. To few for it to matter. What is it you propose?” He asked.

Walter got out a small rolled up paper with a seal on it. “We are merely practitioners. In no way do we endanger the population nor anybody but ourselves. There are services we can provide as well as goods I’d like to trade without having to pay off guards. Neither do I want to worry about… as you put it, being taken care of.”

Alistair motioned him to come closer and accepted the paper. He broke the seal and started reading.

Ilea was mostly through her letter too, mostly suggesting cooperation and official recognition of each other’s independence. Some law suggestions, humanitarian rights and ground rules were mentioned but it all seemed reasonable and in line with what the Ravenhall council had in mind.

Mentions for direct support in case of war were little but present. A discount on Hand mercenaries and support in case of a large scale invasion or imminent destruction of either city. Alistair apparently didn’t want to ask too much. Or he assumed Ravenhall would be the city to catch the kingdoms’ and empires’ eyes more so than Riverwatch.

“Reasonable demands.” Alistair said as he put away the suggestions from Walter. “I need a couple days to check it and perhaps have it revised slightly. In case we get the support of Ravenhall, I think I can easily get this through without much of a headache. How should we communicate?” He asked.

“Have a message placed for Skorn with the adventurer guild in case you would like to meet.” Walter said. “Thank you for the consideration.”

The governor nodded. “I understand your situation. Know that this goodwill is only possible because of Ilea’s word. I would have you thoroughly investigated otherwise. As much as I believe simply practicing a school of magic doesn’t have an influence on a person’s morals, I do know that some schools are more dangerous than others. As long as you keep your experiments to your cave and don’t kill people related to Riverwatch, I will accept the Vultures and will officially recognize them as a trading partner to the city.”

Walter bowed his head.

Alistair turned to Ilea, noticing that she had stopped reading. “May I use your name officially to back the Vultures? The connection will quiet most if not all opposing voices.”

“Use Lilith’s name.” Ilea said. “More investments are likely on the way too.” She said and stood up, giving back the letter. “Walter, enchantments.” She added and smiled.

The sorcerer complied and checked the letter thoroughly before he nodded. “What he said is true.”

“Perfect.” Ilea replied. “Where do I sign?”