Chapter 128: Catching the Signals (1/2)
Viscount Wendel strode across the deck of the mighty vessel he'd recently 'acquired.' Tanya followed at a slight distance, once again feeling intensely uneasy about the entire plan.
She moved out of the way, as a troop of soldiers pushing a small covered wagon nearly ran her over in their haste to meet the Viscount's tight schedule. The wagon vibrated slightly as the beast inside it shifted in its sleep.
”My lord, are you sure this is a wise idea? The University is rather well defended. What should we do if we can't capture our targets?” She asked hesitantly.
”Don't worry. Even in the event of abject failure, some of our objectives will still be achieved.” He gave a short laugh at his own joke.
”That's not really what I am worried about.”
He shrugged, ”Our forces have already infiltrated. The University's defenses should be compromised. Any serious resistance should be quashed before we even make landfall. So long as the students themselves don't put up too much of a fight, it should be a simple matter.”
Frowning, she asked, ”Isn't that a valid concern? There is an entire department dedicated to training those students into future military officers.”
Resting his hands on the railing, the Viscount stared out at the ocean for a moment before looking back at her. ”Those students, for the most part, have never known war. They have never seen battle. When we come upon them like the righteous vengeance of an angry god, they will break. Especially since the instructors should be largely taken care of by then.”
[But what about the students that have seen battle?]
Tanya was still uneasy, but decided that she would just hope for the best. ”Very well, my lord. When do you wish to depart?”
He tapped his chin with one finger, deep in thought. ”Our friends should have the Almiran navy occupied by now, so within the hour would be best. We should be able to reach the University by noon. With any luck, our other agents will have completed their tasks by then, so it should come as a complete surprise.”
She was about to reply, when the beating of heavy wings drew her attention. She saw five small specks in the sky, which gradually grew larger as the creatures approached.
”Sounds like our other friends are almost here.”
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Mike woke the next day feeling rested and reenergized. Uncharacteristically, Audra was up before him, rolling playfully in the folds of his cloak. This bothered him slightly, since the garment was hanging from a hook last night, at least until a mischievous dragon pulled it down.
He walked over and lifted a corner of the cloak until he could see a curious head peeking out.
Audra gave a high pitched chirp, which could be roughly translated as 'hungry!' before launching herself awkwardly up into her favorite spot on his shoulder.
Giving the troublemaker a scratch behind the head, Mike walked into the kitchen to find something to assuage the ever present hunger of his familiar.
After a while the other three woke and congregated in the living room.
”Thanks,” Mike said, accepting a cup of tea from Tal, ”So what's the plan for the day? We don't have classes, but there is some sort of gathering taking place at five bells. Would you be interested in going?”
”This is the one with the airship, right?” Brenden asked while lying down on the couch in a laconic manner. ”I'd like to see it.”
”Agreed.” Tal chimed in.
”When you say gathering, do you mean some kind of school hosted party?” Sera asked.
”It sounded a bit like a picnic. We're supposed to meet in central campus. There'll be food, and some kind of naval demonstration.”
”Was there an established dress code?”
Mike thought back to the classroom, trying to remember what his instructor said. ”I think he mentioned something about not having to wear a uniform, but making sure you have appropriate attire on.”
She got up and started pacing, ”I think I already know the answer to this, but what were you planning on wearing?”
”I figured I would just wear some of the clothes we got the other day.” He said, slightly defensively.
She nodded, ”There were a few casual outfits in that selection that would fit the occasion. However, now that I think about it, we have nothing appropriate for Broderick's gathering.”
”I don't think he'd care too much about what we were wearing. He said it was supposed to be an informal occasion.”
”He is from a ducal house. If we showed up looking like vagabonds, it would be an insult to our host. None of us have anything fitting…No choice, we have to go shopping this morning.”
A small chorus of groans sounded from the male members of the group.
”Can't we go some other time? I was looking forward to having an easy morning.” Mike complained.
”We don't know how long the event in central campus will take, but it might last until evening. All the best stores will be closed by then. Tomorrow will be fully occupied with my request, since I can't afford to delay it any further. Since I can't trust you to pick out your outfit on your own, now is the best time.”
”Ugh, fine….” He reluctantly agreed.
”We need to move quick if we want to make it back in time. Come on!” She urged them up and started forcing them out the door.
The Oracle essentially dragged the three of them through the gates of the university, and into a rented carriage. They spent close to three hours wandering the various stores geared towards the nobility before rushing back to campus to change in a hurry.
”I still don't see why I needed three new outfits for this weekend. It's not like I'm going to change clothes in the middle of it.” Mike commented as he buckled his sword belt into place, before attaching the new steel longsword he'd purchased. Apparently, it was considered a minor faux pas for nobles to not be armed when out in public.
”Because, we don't know when you'll be invited to another event, and we need you to look the part. If you show up in the same outfit twice, people will assume you are too poor to clothe yourself properly, and judge you accordingly.” Sera's voice called from the other room, where she was getting ready.
Mike sighed. He looked himself over in the mirror. His grey tunic with dark blue highlights and black pants made him looked older than he was. Or at least older than his body was. He decided to leave his cloak behind, guessing that it would stand out a bit too much in the summer heat.
”Ready?” He asked Brenden, who had just finished slinging his own sword over his back. He was dressed in elaborate brown leathers, since it had been decided he was too rough around the edges to play the part of a noble himself. As such he would take on the persona of a bodyguard or militant servant, something that suited him just fine.
The beastman just nodded lackadaisically. Mike could tell that his enthusiasm for the event had waned dramatically since being forced to participate in a shopping trip.