Chapter 225: A Part to Play (2/2)
”Wait!” Mike jumped out in front of the creature, which had by this point lowered its head curiously to investigate all the commotion. ”Its here to help!”
The grizzled ship captain looked at him as if he'd just said that the sun was going to explode. ”Are you crazy?! Those things are ship killers! Unstoppable engines of destruction on the open ocean! Scourges for all seafaring folk!”
”Yes, well, this one isn't like that. I should know, since I summoned it myself.” He replied, reaching up to stroke the side of the creature's head to prove his point.
”Mike...” Sera urged him from the other side of the ship, reminding him of more pressing matters. The others had already descended to Red's back, and were ready to leave.
Sighing he turned back to the captain. ”Listen, I don't have time to explain right now, but trust me, this thing is here to protect you.”
He looked up at the Sea Serpent, noticing that its eyes were focused on him. ”Protect this ship from the others,” he waved towards the Tenundians, ”and get them back to port safely.”
The creature stared at him for a moment, before sliding back into the water and disappearing.
[I don't know if it understood, but its the best I can do at the moment.] He thought to himself as he ran across the deck, vaulted the gunwale, and landed on Red, just as he was in the process of taking off. In seconds they were in the air, speeding off towards the city at a blistering pace.
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Another howling moan filled the air, causing the grimy glass of the seedy bar's windows to rattle, and sending another shiver down Prime Minister Faril Couthbotan's spine. He was sure he looked terrified, much like the other occupants of the bar, who were waiting for whatever was coming while downing the sour swill they called beer here.
”Are you sure there is nothing I can do?” He glanced around to make sure that no one was listening, although he needn't have bothered, since the poor folk occupying the bar had other things to worry about.
The animate corpse that was once the King of Almir, turned and gave him a smile from within its hood, the dirt and grime they'd applied its face doing little to hide its deathly pallor. ”Whether or not this city survives its current plight is a matter for beings far more powerful than you to decide. Instead, you should focus your attention on the task at hand. It would difficult to track her down again, especially if she knows she has pursuers. So, I recommend you do things right the first time.”
Faril nodded, before swallowing uneasily. Long years of working in politics had ill prepared him for this kind of thing.
There was a slight tick in the corpse's expression. ”There she is, already heading down the stairs. Now, just follow the plan, and everything should work out.”
Without another word, the Prime Minister of Almir stood and nervously started walking towards the narrow staircase which lead into the bar's basement. He hadn't seen the woman at all while they'd been talking, but he'd learned to take the entity inhabiting his friend's corpse at face value.
Although, he still couldn't control the shudder of revulsion he experienced every time he laid eyes on the creature.
He descended into the dark, stairs creaking under his feet until he reached the basement. Ordinarily, in such an establishment, this room would be protected by a locked door to avoid any nosy or thieving patrons from finding their way inside. However, the Rusted Bucket, the charming establishment they'd finally tracked the woman to, lacked even that basic level of protection. It was almost as if they knew that nothing inside was worth stealing.
As he stepped into the dank pit, he felt the faintest of breezes slide over his skin. The mere sensation caused the hairs on the back of his neck to rise, and he was just about to turn around and walk back out, animate corpse be damned, when he felt a blade press against his throat.
A breathy voice whispered in his ear, ”Well, well. What do we have here? A lost little lamb wandering into the wolf's den? Or perhaps a wannabe hunter, looking to make his name? Tell me little sheep, what are you looking for?”
Faril remained silent, not trusting himself to speak in these circumstances. Thankfully, all he had to do was wait until the corpse was ready.
”Not talking? Well, I know a few tricks to-”
”That's enough, Vivienne. You can let him go. I promise he's harmless.” The corpse's voice sounded from the stairs, eliciting a hiss of surprise from the woman.
”You! How...No, why are you here?” She demanded, although Faril could hear the fear in her voice.
”I have my reasons, my dear. However, you should be more concerned about what Lord Fruthik will do once he's learned of your failure. Especially since you revealed yourself in the process.”
Faril felt the woman stiffen against him. ”They may have seen me and a little of what I can do, but they shouldn't know what I am. Information on us is scarce.”
”The Dragonknight has the Appraise skill. You were revealed as soon as he could lay eyes on you.” The corpse replied matter-of-factually as it descended the stairs. ”It didn't take long for him to start making inquiries.”
The blade against Faril's throat trembled slightly. ”So they know what I am? What of it? There was always a danger of such a thing occurring once I made use of my abilities. Lord Furthik should have been well aware of the risks when he sent me here.”
”It is one thing to employ your skills in the course of your usual duties. So long as you followed basic procedure and left no witnesses, they wouldn't have proof of your existence. It is quite another to have your class, race, and title revealed in the midst of an assassination and not only fail to eliminate the appraiser, but allow him to communicate what he learned. I think we both know that your master won't be pleased.”
The blade trembled again. This time harder. ”You think I don't know all that?!” The woman yelled angrily while unconsciously letting her arm go slack, releasing Faril. ”Why else would I hide in this shit hole of a basement?!”
The corpse nodded understandingly, ”Indeed. I'm sure you find yourself in quite the bind. If you return to your master as is, you can expect a flensing, at the very least. Likely coupled with a soul binding so you can be included in Lord Furthik's Lantern Hall, unless I miss my guess.”
”...You probably have the truth of it.” Vivienne sighed.
Stepping forward until he was within arms reach, the corpse smiled its ghastly grin. ”Which is why, my dear, I'm going to offer you an alternative.”
The woman froze, a look of utter terror on her face. ”I-I don't want that! I'd rather spend eternity trapped in a soul jar!”
”No, no. You misunderstand me. That is a fate reserved for those I consider my enemy. No, I'm merely offering you a deal.”
After a few calming breaths, she asked, ”What kind of deal?”