SJ could hear voices from where she crouched on the beam. They weren't clear, so she could not tell how many there were or whether they were male or female. The beams were a good twelve inches wide, and she could easily walk along them in her miniature form, so she worked around them towards where the office was situated off the walkway.
"Entrance," Dave said.
SJ turned and looked towards the warehouse's entrance. The door had been opened, and a brutish-looking man had entered. He carried a lantern in his hand, closing the single door that opened separately from the main door it was built into. The light prevented SJ from seeing the man's face.
"Carter," the man called. When he got no response, he bellowed, "CARTER, ARE YOU HERE?"
There was movement in the office, and a figure moved out onto the walkway, looking down at where the man stood.
"What do you think you are doing here? I told you I will communicate with you when we have it sorted."
"Things have changed. I needed to update you."
"You should have come around the back. Not walking in the damn front of the warehouse like that."
"There's no one here. What does it matter?"
The man on the walkway shook his head in dismay at the man's response. "You do realise if it wasn't for your cousin being the lieutenant of this flea pit of a district, you'd have had your throat slit by now for saying things like that?"
"And that's why I know I can."
'Jelart's relative!?' SJ thought.
"Corruption has been mentioned enough, and the way Jelart reacted in the chamber when the chancellor mentioned auditing the districts, it doesn't surprise me," Dave said.
"Hurry up and update me and then leave then. I have important matters to attend to."
"More important than the chalice?"
"Yes. More important than the chalice. Just because your cousin wants it doesn't make his business more important than others. This is a matter well above your station."
'I haven't seen the man's face, have you?' SJ asked.
"No. Not clearly. That lantern is in the way."
"The chalice is being moved tomorrow. It will be taken from the Astaria and delivered to the jeweller's on Nebworth Street in District 10."
"I thought you said it would be in District 5?"
"Last minute change of plans apparently," the man said. SJ noticed him shrug his broad shoulders.
"That makes it much harder to procure. The jeweller's quarter in District 10 has some of the tightest security. We have an inside being in District 5, but with the guard in 10, it will be very risky."
"You get free run in the city because of my cousin who oversees this 'flea pit'," the man said, emphasising the words. "If it wasn't for his lenience, you wouldn't get away with most of what you do."
The man on the walkway laughed, "And if it wasn't for us, he wouldn't be sitting so pretty in his mansion in the inner city with the wealth he has."
The tone of the conversation was not friendly, and SJ could see that this was a business relationship and no other, and by the sounds of it, not a very strong one, or at least one on the best of terms.
"He said he would give you a 20% cut once it's repurposed."
"20% for the jeweller's in District 10, and he thinks that's fair?" the man scoffed. "You can tell him 40% and not anything less. Unless he wants to get the chalice himself?"
"Do you really think he will pay you 40% of its value? You are kidding yourself."
"40% or it doesn't happen," the being named Carter responded, brushing his hair back from his face. His long black hair had covered his ears and face until he did so. The face of a dark elf was visible. Their unusual skin tone and pointed ears of all the elvenkin were now plainly obvious to see.
"There are more on the floor," Dave said.
SJ had been focused on the conversation between the two and hadn't noticed the movement in her vision. Two more beings were on both sides of the warehouse, on the ground floor, in the shadows by the stacked crates. They were both looking at the man standing in the open space before the warehouse doors. A metallic glint came from both in the lantern light, showing they held blades.
SJ thought about triggering her identification skill, then changed her mind. They didn't appear to be mages, but she still couldn't know their wisdom levels. 'What levels are they all?'
"The man is 27. The one on the walkway is 36, and the two below are 17. They are both dark elves as well," Dave replied.
'That man doesn't look much. He may be big, but probably slow.'
"You would probably take him easily enough wearing the clothes he is wearing. I doubt his armour class is very high. Looking at him, I guess he is a fighter by class."
'Looks like it, and looking at the others, I assume they are rogues.'
"At a guess. By the looks, they have some kind of shadow skill."
It was strange how SJ looked at beings, wondering whether she could take them out. Her life was so different from those first few days after arriving, nearly dying to termites and a tsunami caused by Bob, to being an ambassador and, for her level, a very strong assassin.
"40%, do you think he will agree to that? You are dreaming."
"If he doesn't, then it won't happen. I suggest you run back to him and give him the good news, and next time, use the backdoor and not the damn front."
"Whatever," the man said as he turned and left, deliberately slamming the warehouse door as he did to make as much noise as possible.
"That damn imbecile," Carter said. "Winbeck. Follow him and keep an eye on what the idiot does."
"Boss," came the reply from one of the dark elves on the ground floor, who seemed to disappear into the shadows of the warehouse. The only sign of him leaving was the door opening and closing quietly.
Carter walked back towards the office, and SJ heard him speak as he entered. "Sorry about the disturbance, Race."
'Is that Raceillia in there?' SJ thought.
"Could be. We can't tell without getting close enough to look in."
At that moment, SJ's senses were triggered. She couldn't see anything obvious in her vision, but something was nearby. 'I sense something.'
"I can't see anything. Oh, wait above you to the left on the beam."
SJ looked up where Dave had indicated and saw the eyes of a beastie she recognised well. It was a rat, looking at her greedily from a high perch on a beam. It wasn't near, but it had decided it interested her. After checking that the dark elf on the ground floor wasn't paying any attention to what was above it, she took off and, moving high in the warehouse eaves, flew across towards the office. The office had a flat wooden roof, and she landed gently. The rat looked disappointed when she looked at it. There was no way it could get near to her where she was without taking a long route around the warehouse eaves.
The roof of the office was thick with a layer of dust. Apart from a few old tacks, which had probably been there since it was built, nothing was on it. Crouching, SJ listened to the conversation in the office.
"There are issues with your plan," Carter said. "There is no way we can break into the sanctuary. Not with its magical seal. If we were to try to, the spells would trigger as soon as we do."
"I told you I can nullify the spells. That isn't something to worry about." The voice replying was indeed Raceillia.
"And Larianco? She has formidable spells. Any previous attempt has been thwarted easily."
'Previous attempt? Larianco has been attacked before?'
"Listening to the conversation she had with Mistress Valiasca, there is a lot more going on in the fae kingdom than I ever assumed," Dave said.
"She has to be disposed of. You got the same orders that I did," Raceillia said.
"I know, and that is the only reason we are considering it. I am not crazy enough to cross him. Have you reported back yet?"
"I can't. My stone was in the sanctuary. I have no means."
Carter cursed. "We need to get news to him."
"We do, but how? We can't dare use the official channels."
"There may be a way, but it's dangerous."
"How?"
"There is a wind mage who works in District 12. He has been known to do particular favours crossing mana threads."
"No. That's too risky. If anyone even got a sniff of what we are doing, it would mean our certain deaths. And how could you even guarantee you could trust someone who is willing to break the mana threads?"
"Coin. It is rumoured he will do anything if it was the right amount."
"No. It's not worth the risk. If we can get into the sanctuary, we can end this without having to report our failings, anyway."
Carter scoffed, "Our failings? You are the one who raised the contract with the guild in your rush rather than speaking to me about it first."
"Not that it helped. They all failed. I can't believe the luck she has had. I even heard that Carlito had accepted the contract from my source."
"Carlito!?" Carter said, surprised.
"Yes, Carlito. Once she was affirmed, I couldn't continue that route. The scrutiny every member faced from the initial attempt was too severe. Those scriers were horrendous, and I was lucky it was a weak one that read me. Even Fretun raised a contract against her, which, because of his death, was cancelled. I had hoped that would have prevented me from getting my hands dirty."
"Well, it's too late now. You have shown your true colours, and I can guarantee that Larianco's mistress will beat the drums in the capital. We still sit on a fine edge and can't have the influence this Legionnaire is causing to continue. We need to bring back Gavia."
'Bring back Gavia? I thought the fae history was millennia ago when it occurred?'
"It was," Dave said, sounding perplexed. "I'm unsure how they think they can bring Gavia back."
'Did the dark elves work with Gavia previously?'
"I don't know for certain."
Raceillia sighed. "Has your team had any luck locating her?"
"They have seen her in the city, moving around as if she had no care in the world, with that damn orc. We are still assuming she is staying at the sanctuary in the evenings. It's the only place she would be safe, and you said she had left the tower."
"Yes. She has. I confirmed it this morning with a clerk I know."
"Should you still be speaking to anyone from the tower? With what has happened, it can't be advisable."
"If there is one thing I can be absolutely certain of beyond anything else, it is that Larianco would never sully our kind by admitting she had a problem. She has spent her entire career building positive relationships and wouldn't dare chance losing any standing. You know how we are still seen by many. There is a group currently en route to Lashiki to cause the usual chaos," Raceillia chuckled. "That will keep Larianco busy once the news spreads."
"Yes. The fae is still shunned. If only beings knew the full history behind it all," Carter said, laughing.
"I am just doing my part. As my father before me. To become a chosen is still my goal."
"As for us all," Carter said.
"Immortality is something all Amathereans seek. Unlike the Legionnaires who live longer, ours are cut so short."
"Jaristi will save us all," Raceillia said.
"Jaristi will save us," Carter replied.
There was silence for several moments when SJ heard footsteps on the walkway.
"Boss."
"What is it?" Carter said.
"Nefron has the details for tomorrow and wanted to discuss them with you."
"Plans have changed. It's District 10 now."
SJ heard the gulp from the newcomer. "That's not an easy target."
"No. I need you to find out the details of which jewellers it will be at. I am only aware it is now District 10. I may even have to get involved myself with this one."
"Sure Boss. What should I tell Nefron?"
"Thank him as usual and pay him his retainer as if we had completed in District 5. That will keep him sweet."
"Will do," the voice replied as SJ heard footsteps.
As SJ listened to the conversation, she learned more about the reasons for the problems and what may drive them. The specifics were still unclear, but immortality was mind-blowing. Hearing more about Jaristi's involvement sent a shiver down her spine. And the thought of Gavia and the brief history SJ was aware of and issues he had caused for the fae in Amathera and across the continents.
"It sounds like they are trying to return to their old ways. The involvement of the dark elves, though, is surprising," Dave said. "I am going to speak to Mum."
'Mum?'
"Yes. She was around when Gavia's followers caused all the problems. It has been over 10,000 years. She may know if dark elves were involved back then. The trouble between the fae and the dark elves has been long-standing as it is."
'I need to speak to Larianco and warn her about a possible attack on the sanctuary, and I also need to speak to Wystria. She must be told if that chalice comes from the Astaria and they plan on stealing it. Never mind the involvement of Jelart. This city is so corrupt.'
"At least we know where Raceillia is now."
'Yeah. I can't do anything by myself. There are too many, and a level 36 wouldn't be an easy target.'
"Larianco wanted to try and take her alive if possible, remember? Also, it may be worth speaking to Carlito about this Carter character. I am sure he must know of him working in the circles he does."
'Yeah. I have a lot to do.' SJ silently rose into the air and worked her way back to the hole in the roof before squeezing back under the canvas. The rain had ceased for the moment, and the dark of night with the heavy cloud cover made her invisible as she flew towards the sanctuary. Landing at the rear, she checked her display. It was nearly midnight, but this couldn't wait. She knocked on the door.
A light came on inside and Larianco's face appeared at the rear window.
"Late call?" Larianco said, opening the door.
"I found Raceillia and need to update you on a few things I discovered," SJ said.
"Come inside."
They walked through to the kitchen area. "Where is she?" Larianco asked as she drew a flame on her hand and lit a stove with a pot of water. As Larianco made coffee, SJ explained everything she had discovered.
"They plan on attacking the sanctuary?" Larianco was shocked by the statement. "Do you know when?"
"They have the job to complete in District 10 tomorrow, so I can't see it happening until the day after at the earliest."
"What concerns me is Raceillia has a means to break the ward. Only a few could do that or have an item allowing it, and if it is an item, they come from the fae high council. They only exist to prevent rogue fae."
"Does the comment about Gavia not concern you?"
"Of course, but we have to prioritise. Raceillia is the priority, along with this Carter character and his henchmen by the sounds of it. Also, from what you say, Jelart is involved with Carter, even if not directly."
"Yes. First thing tomorrow, I am going to see Wystria and the chancellor. Also, I know you don't want to raise Raceillia with the tower, but I think we must."
Larianco frowned. "That will cause irreparable damage to our standing."
"I don't think it will. All my dealings with the chancellor have been open and honest. I have never felt he was underhand in anything he said or did. And the support he has shown me since the attacks started. He holds no animosity towards the fae. I think we should both go as well, not just me. If you present the findings to him, you are raising a legitimate concern about one of your kind who could threaten Asterfal."
"She isn't threatening Asterfal, though. She is only threatening us."
"But with her tie-in to Carter and the dark elves, she does. She is working with a criminal element the chancellor swore to challenge."
"Perhaps." Larianco drank her coffee as she contemplated what to do.
"Can you strengthen the wards here?"
"I can do and will, but if she has the means to break the ones in place now, I'm unsure what benefit it would bring."
"If we can foil the attempt of the heist in District 10, that will cause waves for them. I am not sure how I can prove Jelart's involvement directly?"
"Scriers," Dave said.
SJ pulled her face at the thought.
"What's wrong?" Larianco said.
"Maybe getting the scriers involved?"
Larianco shuddered at the thought. "As a last resort. I don't trust those beings. I don't understand why the chancellor allows them in the tower. They have a poor history."
"A poor history or the ability to discover being's secrets?"
Smirking, Larianco replied, "That as well. You can stay here tonight, and we can go to the tower first thing in the morning."
SJ lay in a bed in one of the sanctuary's spare rooms not long later. Her mind mulling over everything they had learned this evening.
'There is so much I still need to discover about this world,' she thought.
"You and me both," Dave said. Then followed with a deep sigh. "I am over 7000 years old, an AI, and almost every day, you continue to surprise me with what you are discovering or are involved with. I have been contemplating everything and can only conclude that they wish for your removal to prevent the alignment shift Haber mentioned. If you are indeed beginning to tip the balance in the favour of the good, and there is a plan to re-instigate Gavia's chaos on a wider scale, then the god of Darkness would indeed wish you removed."
"But Nexis said that gods were neutral?"
"Yes, but darkness already has a tainted history from the Scrug Wars, and if he can manipulate a way to bring about more chaos, he probably will. Mum's not responded yet about the dark elves, and it's unusual. She normally doesn't stop when she gets a message," Dave sounded concerned.
"I hope she's ok?"
"Hmph. She is probably off with that AI from the protocols department."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing," Dave sulked. "Anyway, get some sleep. You only have a few hours before the fun begins again."
Smiling, SJ fluffed her pillow. "Night Dave."
