Reaching the stables for the first time, SJ realised how big the place was. The stables housed at least sixty horses in stalls, and carts were parked neatly in the building's courtyard. There were at least thirty carts. She had never really considered how large it may be. Walking through the entrance arch into the courtyard, she was met by strange looks from the stablehands busy brushing the horses down. In one corner, a farrier was busy hammering away, replacing the shoes on a huge monstrous horse similar to the one she had seen in Killic, ridden by a troll.
A dwarf walked from a building and approached her.
"Can I help you, miss?" the dwarf asked.
"I am looking for Jay," SJ said.
"Can I ask why?"
"I hired him for the week and would like to speak to him."
"You are a councillor?" the dwarf looked surprised.
"Yes. Why? Is that a problem?" SJ wasn't in the mood to be questioned, and her temper was shorter than usual.
"No, not at all. We rarely get councillors coming to the stables. Cyril, get Jay from the block," he called to a ratkin boy who was busy clearing a stall.
"Sir," Cyril called as he hurried off.
A few moments passed before Jay came walking out of the block.
"SJ. What do you need? You should have just got the desk to get me."
"I just want to talk if that's ok."
"Sure. Let's walk and talk," Jay whispered, leaning forward. "There are a lot of ears here."
Smiling, SJ followed Jay, who led him back out of the courtyard onto the main street. Turning down the street, Jay went around the side of the stables and headed towards a bench under a large tree.
"I am surprised you don't recognise the tree."
It took SJ a few moments to realise it was the one she had crashed into. She had never noticed the bench that was positioned under it before.
"I do now you have said it," reaching the bench, SJ sat Jay, sitting next to her.
"What do you need?"
"I need you to do me a favour."
"Of course anything."
"Before anything, though, I need to give you this."
Removing ten gold from her inventory, she handed it to Jay. Jay's eyes went as wide as a dragon on seeing the ten golden coins.
"I can't possibly take that much," Jay said, looking quite terrified by the amount of gold.
"Why not? You deserve it. You are the one who fought and won, and because of you, Lurtew is free."
"Still ten gold. That is a huge amount of money."
"You saw how much I won last night because of you."
"I know, but..."
SJ cut him off. "But nothing. You earned it."
Staring between the coin and SJ for several moments, Jay eventually replied, "Thank you." SJ's display triggered as he moved the coin to his inventory.
Congratulations! Your reputation with Jay has risen to Honoured.
"Nice, it jumped two levels," Dave said.
Jay again asked, "What do you need?"
"Do you know anyone in the districts that sell houses?"
Looking at SJ, puzzled, he asked, "Yes. Why?"
"I want to buy a house."
"Here in Asterfal?"
"I want to move Cristy's aunt and uncle from where they live now. You probably know the districts better than many councillors, and I wanted your advice on the best location and who I should speak to."
"The best location is inside the inner wall, as you know, but homes here are very, very expensive. The best district is probably District 11."
"Do you know how much they cost to buy?"
Jay let out an audible sound as if blowing air from his lungs. "I'm not sure. I think they vary a great deal, and to buy a house, you are probably looking at several gold."
"How many do you mean by several?"
"I honestly don't know. I would have to speak to my friend."
"Can you do that for me?"
"I can. When would you like to know by?"
"As soon as you can, if that's okay? The sooner they can move from the hellhole of a district, the better."
"I'll get right on it, " Jay said, going to stand.
"Also, could you do me another favour?"
"Sure."
"Could you collect Lurtew for me and bring him to the tower?"
"Yeah. No problem. Which do you want me to do first?"
"Speak to your friend first. I may also need you later as well."
Frowning, Jay looked at her, "Why?"
"Oh, nothing major, just that Fretun is trying to remove me from the council due to him losing his promoter's spot."
"WHAT? That son of a wyvern."
"I will get it sorted. That is why I may also need you to support me at the tower. I do not know if I can have witnesses with me, but if you are available, just in case. If you ask for me at the desk when you return."
"Of course," Jay said, turning and hurrying towards the stables again.
SJ sat for several moments, taking in the scene of the inner area. The class of beings walking around differed significantly from in the districts—many wore a uniform or colours of Asterfal. There were no sounds of the traders calling or the hawkers touting for business. Everything appeared much more sedate and organised. Watching, SJ saw two goblins moving around the wide-open cobbled streets with a handcart and brooms sweeping the leaves from the trees. The entire area was pristine and well-maintained. Looking at the inequality was getting to SJ.
"You need to find Farhi and Berger," Dave said.
'How can I do that when waiting to find out what will happen to me?'
"What else can you do? You may as well keep yourself busy in the meantime. I am sure Jay will be back with Lurtew soon enough."
'You are right. I should keep busy. I also need to find out about the mage.'
"So you have accepted the quest, then."
'I suppose.'
"Good. It is about time," Dave said, sounding relieved.
SJ rechecked the quest details and accepted them.
Class Quest - Prove your worth
Carlito has assigned you your first target to assassinate. Dispose of Mya and provide proof of completion of your task.
Reward: One class perk point.
'I will ask Jay to take me there later.'
"Why?"
'I do not know where it is.'
"Do you think getting Jay involved is a good idea?"
'What do you mean?'
"You specifically ask to go somewhere, and then the next thing, the being is dead."
'I wouldn't do it then. I would use it as a reason to visit an enchanter.'
Walking back to the tower, the morning air felt fresher, and the skies had darkened. The first signs of rain began as she reached the steps leading to the entrance.
'I could do with a cowl.'
"You have never been that worried about your hair getting wet before."
'No, to hide my hair colour. Changing my dress is one thing, but my hair is still quite recognisable.'
Walking to the front desk, SJ informed them she would expect guests at the tower and asked if there was an office she could use. The young gnoll who served her mentioned offices were available for visiting councillors to rent at a charge of twenty silver a day. The price was excessive, but she eventually agreed and was given a key to an office off the main foyer. Taking the key, she entered an office no larger than a broom closet. It had a small desk and a single chair. Over two people inside, and it would feel crowded. She wished she had confirmed the size before paying the non-refundable fee.
Walking back to the desk, she saw the kobold who had served them on their first day.
"How can I help you?"
"I hired an office, but it is too small for my requirements. I was expecting to at least hold meetings in it."
"What position do you hold?"
"I am the ambassador to Killic."
The kobold opened a scroll and worked down the list. "Killic, Killic. Ah, here it is. You have an assigned office on the first floor. Room 23."
"I did not know there was an assigned office."
"All ambassadors and mayors have an assigned office."
"So, what did I just rent then?"
"The office you rented was for external council members who are not ambassadors."
Shaking her head in annoyance, SJ asked for the office key. The kobold removed a stone from the cupboard behind him and handed it to her. "There is a three-gold fee if it is lost. Please ensure you return it before you depart."
"Thank you," SJ said. "Here, I will not need the other office."
"There is no refund. You are aware of that, aren't you?"
"Yes," SJ sighed.
Taking the stone, SJ headed to the first floor. Finding the room, she opened it with the key. The room had a well-furnished interior, with four comfy chairs and two desks. The desks held a neatly stacked pile of parchments, and a quill and inkpot sat on each desk.
"I should have asked Zigferd," SJ said.
"Would have been helpful," Dave said.
"Now I just need to find Berger and Farhi. I wish I knew where everyone was based in the tower."
"You need to find Zigferd."
Leaving the office, SJ headed back down the stairs again. Walking back to the desk, she waited to speak to the kobold, not wanting to chance to speak with any of the others.
"Back again. What may I do for you this time?"
"Do you have any maps of the tower or a list of where beings are? The office areas are like rabbit warrens."
The kobold chuckled at her idiom. "We don't, but a scribe could draw one for you. If you head down the corridor on the left, you will come to the scribes' offices."
"Thank you," SJ said, smiling.
The inauguration days had been a simple system, moving between the dining hall to her room and the chambers, but having to find her way around the maze of corridors in the tower reminded her of her first day at a new job. Not having any idea where anyone worked.
'I suppose it is my first day at a new job,' SJ thought.
"Indeed, it is. One with an interesting future, by all accounts."
'Ha. That is only if the job has a future.'
"I am sure everything will work out. For some strange reason, it always seems to for you. Every time I have thought that you have been trapped or about to die, you always seem to get through it. You really don't help an old AI and his heart."
SJ chuckled in her mind. Reaching the offices of the scribers, SJ entered and, after a few minutes, hired a scribe for the day to provide her with a tower map. She had said it would take her a few hours to complete, and SJ let her know where her office was and if she could deliver it when completed. Leaving again, she headed to the dining hall. She needed a coffee.
Walking into the dining hall, she called a server and asked for coffee. The young girl hurried into the kitchen area. On getting a pot and a mug, she took them and walked out into the garden area. The rain was light, and making her way down the path, she located a bench and sat under the boughs of a tree. Sitting, she poured herself a drink and watched as the rain continued to fall. The smell of the gardens and the rain-filled air reminded SJ of days when she used to go camping with her family. Sitting in the tent doorway, looking out as the rain fell with the fresh smell that came with rainfall, her mind drifted.
"Ah, there you are," Berger called.
Turning, SJ snapped from her daydream. "Hi, Berger. I was going to look for you and had no idea where to start."
"The towers can be confusing the first time," Berger smiled. "I have spoken to Farhi. He has agreed to meet to discuss the proposition. Are you free now?"
"I am. Shall we?"
SJ followed Berger inside and through the tower, eventually arriving at another office. None of the doors they passed had any sign of what the offices did, but beings were coming and going from many.
"Please take a seat. I will just get Farhi," Berger said.
The office was almost identical in layout to the one she had been given access to; having brought her coffee shop with her, receiving several strange looks from beings she had passed, she poured another drink. If there was one thing that grounded her, it was the fresh coffee that always seemed available.
"SJ, this is Farhi," Berger said, entering the office again.
Standing, SJ met the eyes of a male dryad. His features were soft, and his eyes shone with intensity. SJ had seen a few male dryads since arriving in Amathera, nearly all being female. They were a beautiful race and even put many of the elves to shame.
"Farhi. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Farhi held his hand out, and SJ shook it firmly.
"Berger has explained the basics of your proposal to me. It sounds interesting. I want to clarify further details if that is ok."
"Of course, ask questions you wish."
The general concept of combined resourcing was discussed in depth. SJ borrowed some parchment and a quill and scribbled several notes and thoughts as they discussed the matter. It was strange for SJ to consider that they had never looked into working together more closely previously. It made sense to her that they needed a combined approach to get the best deals. After almost two hours of discussion, Farhi and Berger agreed. They would allow SJ the first opportunity to discuss the approach with Fasvil, the trade councillor for Asterfal. SJ confirmed she would speak to Isavil and get her thoughts before approaching her brother.
They would speak to Otherlisar about confirming the accounting details if she could strike a deal. The angle SJ would use to support the transition to single trading was to ease the burden of the work required by the trade council. Having a single point of contact would significantly reduce the need for communication and devolve the requirements for communication to the respective representative to confirm with the towns. Farhi had confirmed several smaller towns also traded fish with Asterfal, but it was a tiny proportion of their town's income. Ideally, SJ would have liked everyone on board under one umbrella, controlling the narrative, but she knew that she had to start somewhere.
The time had passed quickly with the discussions and planning, and SJ knew Jay could well be returning with Lurtew from the outer district soon. Passing her thanks to Farhi and Berger, she left them to continue discussing the idea. Reaching her assigned office, she entered and sat writing up the notes from the meeting. Not long had passed before there was a knock on the office door.
"Enter," SJ called.
The door opened to a small goblin peeking around its edge.
"Ambassador. You have guests down in the foyer," he said.
"Thank you," SJ said, standing and following the goblin.
On reaching the foyer area, Jay stood to the side with a very surprised and bewildered-looking Lurtew.
"SJ," Lurtew said as she approached. He looked terrified.
"Lurtew, thank you for coming, as well as Jay. Please follow me."
SJ led them back to the office.
They couldn't stop looking around wide-eyed as they walked through the tower corridors. After entering the office and closing the door, Lurtew couldn't contain himself.
"I can't believe I am in the tower."
Smiling, SJ looked at him. "There is nothing to be surprised about. It is only a building. How were Yawnee and Cristy?"
"Ecstatic. I can't thank you enough for what you did for me," Lurtew said, his head dropping with embarrassment. "And you, Jay."
"Think nothing of it," SJ said.
"It was fun to be back in the cage," Jay smiled.
"Jay. Did you tell Lurtew why I needed him here?"
"Yes. As best as I could."
"Ok, so you know that Malaki Fretun, an 'advisor' to the chancellor, has brought accusations against me to remove me from my position as ambassador?"
"Yes," Lurtew said.
"I will not contest the charge. Although I will explain exactly what has happened, I may require you to support my statements."
Both Jay and Lurtew nodded their heads in understanding.
"It may be uncomfortable for you to be questioned, Lurtew. I know it is difficult to admit that you ran up debt, but I need to emphasise the damage the districts have on many districts."
Lurtew dropped his head, his obvious embarrassment at the situation.
"I will do whatever I can to help," he said quietly.
"Jay. Did you see your friend?"
"I did," he replied, glancing at Lurtew.
"And?"
"Outright, you are looking at a minimum of twenty-plus, possibly more. It all depends upon where exactly."
"A decent area," SJ said.
"Probably thirty plus, for the best area."
"Do you think I could get to meet with him?"
"I am sure he would love to. I don't think outright purchases come along very often."
"Excellent. After we finish here, then we can head over."
The three sat chatting and discussing various elements of Asterfal and how it works. SJ wanted to get as much detail as possible about the districts and how they operated. After witnessing the little that she had, she realised there was so much that needed to be changed in the city to make it suitable for all who lived there. She knew it was an uphill task, and the chances of her being able to make any change would be virtually nil. It would not stop her from trying, though.
As time passed, SJ felt nervous. She had expected that Zigferd would have found her by now to discuss things, but she hadn't heard from him. SJ left a message with the front desk to inform Zigferd of her whereabouts.
There was a knock on the office door, and on answering, SJ was again greeted by the small goblin.
"The chancellor would like to see you," the goblin said.
At the comment, SJ suddenly felt her stomach knot. She thought she had been handling the situation well until that moment.
"Thanks. We will come now," SJ said.
The goblin frowned at the comment of 'We' but said nothing as he led them to the chancellor's chamber.
On entering the chamber, SJ could feel the icy reception awaiting her arrival.
Jay and Lurtew followed SJ inside, both looking like startled rabbits. Even though this was Jay's second time in the office, he still appeared to shrink in stature.
The chancellor was sitting at his desk with Alec, and Wystria stood on either side. Malaki sat in a chair looking smugly towards SJ. SJ felt her temper rise, glancing at the contemptuous man.
"Chancellor. You called for me," SJ said.
"I did. Thank you for coming so swiftly. Alec has made you aware of the reason for this meeting."
"He has," SJ said, trying to hold back the nervous tension from her voice.
"There have been charges brought against you because you participated in illegal cage fighting and being a promoter. How do you stand against the accusation?"
Looking straight at the chancellor, SJ replied calmly. "I don't contest the charges."
Malaki grinned from ear to ear. "See, I told you. She needs to be struck off immediately from her position as an ambassador."
The chancellor turned and glared at Malaki. "Malaki. Let me remind you, this is a meeting, and it is not your decision to define any outcome." the warning tone in the chancellor's voice didn't go unnoticed.
"I do, though, have justification for my actions, and I would like the opportunity to convey them. If you would allow it?"
The chancellor looked at both Wystria and Alec, who nodded.
"Please," the chancellor said.
SJ relayed her tale. She left nothing out apart from anything to do with Carlito, keeping to the facts about what had occurred and why she had done what she had done to save Lurtew from almost certain death. She even detailed the guards' reactions in District 3 and their behaviour and the fight with Quiller and his goons until eventually concluding what had happened in the cage, with Jay rescinding the fight to Lurtew to allow him his freedom and the removal of the overhanging debt forced on him by loan sharks.
None in the chamber commented as she spoke, and her story took time to relay. She then explained Malaki's involvement in the proceedings and what he had been involved in, detailing the diagnosis spell and confirming his involvement in trying to cheat. The expressions of those in attendance remained unchanged, except for Malaki, who SJ could see becoming increasingly uncomfortable as further details were explained.
"And why are we to believe your tale?" Alec asked once SJ had finished speaking.
"I have brought Jay and Lurtew with me today to provide evidence for the meeting. I can also get testimony from many others if necessary."
"Again, how can this be confirmed as truth? Irrespective of their testimony," Alec asked.
Wystria bent to whisper in the chancellor's ear. The chancellor raised an eyebrow before commenting.
"There is a way we can confirm the details. Wystria, please," the chancellor nodded to her.
Wystria turned, leaving the chamber through the side entrance Darwinial had used when SJ had been confirmed. Alec leaned to speak to the chancellor before standing and raising his eyebrows in mild alarm.
You could have cut the air in the chamber with a knife as SJ stood awaiting her fate. Silence ensued, only disturbed by the nervous tapping of Lurtew's foot. Until Alec looked at him, and he stopped instantly, SJ thinking he almost died on the spot. He looked terrified.
Several more minutes passed before the door opened, and Wystria walked back in, accompanied by the strangest-looking being SJ had yet to meet on Amathera. It stood over six feet tall, wearing deep purple robes with a silver trim to it. It wasn't its height or robes that SJ noticed, but its head. Jay's description was about as accurate as it could be. The being looked like it had a squid for a head. Tentacles, the only way SJ could explain them, moved independently around the being's head, and it had large saucer-like eyes.
"Ah, Earquis. Thank you for attending," the chancellor said.
Jay now looked terrified, and Lurtew was visibly shaking.
"Chancellor. How can I be of help?"
"Would you mind reading the thoughts of those in attendance today and confirming the story that has been relayed to us by SJ here?"
"I can, chancellor. What details do you wish to confirm?"
"The truth. SJ, please restate your tale for Earquis here."
SJ looked at the illithid and smiled before relaying her tale again.
