Grand Game 333: Parley before the Walls (Patreon)

I’d killed two stygian seeds but gained no player levels. That did not mean the Game did not reward me for the day’s efforts, though.

Your nether absorption has reached rank 8.

Your deception has reached rank 14.

Your sneaking has reached rank 15, allowing you to learn tier 4 abilities.

I was pleased with the progress of all my skills, but it was the advancement of sneaking that delighted me the most. It meant I could finally upgrade fade. First, though, I needed an update on the battle.

“Ghost, talk to me,” I said, stopping at the edge of the thinning fog bank. “What’s happening?”

“The crawlers are all dead and the soldiers have returned to the city, but Elron has remained behind. He is waiting for you outside the gates.”

Considerate of him, I thought. “What about the harbinger?”

“He and the weavers are still searching the area around the seed. They haven’t seemed to realize you’ve fled already.”

I had guessed as much myself from the persistent growls and angry hissing emanating from behind. More importantly, though, I didn’t hear any threats uttered—which was a relief. “What is our friend’s mood? Is he angry?”

“More like, spitting mad,” Ghost replied, her voice hiding more than a trace of amusement.

I grinned. “Excellent.”

“Do you think he knows it was you who destroyed the seed?”

“Hmm, probably not. He isn’t ranting like he did earlier.” The scent crystal must’ve worked, I decided. “But once he calms down, he might figure things out.” I wanted to be well away before that happened, and in preparation for my reentry into the city, I renewed my disguise.

You have cast facial disguise, assuming the visage of Taim. Duration: 3 hours.

I’d been wearing Taim’s face the entire time I’d been in New Haven and had no intention of abandoning the ruse yet. It was especially important with the harbinger around. If the stygian Power inadvertently—or deliberately—revealed my bloodline, then at least my real identity would not be exposed.

Then, too, there was the New Havens to consider.

I wasn’t certain what sort of reception awaited me back in the city. I hardly thought the council was going to hail me as a hero, although… a small display of gratitude from them wouldn’t be entirely misplaced.

I grinned wryly. That’s hardly likely either, Michael.

During our first meeting, the city’s rulers had been more than a little ambivalent. The thane, for one, seemed to dislike me intensely—for no reason that I could fathom. The orc, too, had been distant. Only the dark elf ruler had been openly friendly. But I had not had enough time to judge if her overtures were genuine.

Lastly, there was the marshal.

Of all the city’s occupants, Elron was the one I knew best, but even with him, I didn’t have a firm read. An hour ago, I would’ve said the marshal was well-intentioned towards me, but now…

Now, I knew without a doubt he would place the well-being of his men and city first.

So, while I was willing to give the New Havens the benefit of the doubt in the hopes of forging a long-term alliance with them, I was not foolish enough to let optimism blind me.

The city might prove trustworthy.

Or it might not.

And I had to be prepared for both eventualities. With that in mind, I removed the ability upgrade gem from my backpack and activated it.

Creating ability tome…

…

You have acquired a greater fade ability tome.

The gem vanished, leaving a small leatherbound book in its stead. This time, the Adjudicator had offered me no choice of variants, which was not surprising given the specialized nature of the fade ability. Wasting no more time, I opened the book and absorbed its knowledge.

You have upgraded the fade ability to greater fade which makes you 50% harder to see for 2 minutes. Greater fade is a master tier ability and requires 5 more ability slots than its expert variant. You have 2 of 58 Dexterity ability slots remaining.

I smiled. I’d gained my first master-ranked ability! And it was arguably, my most powerful ability yet.

Greater fade required an incredible fifteen attribute slots, but given its benefits, I thought the cost warranted. The ability’s next tier was more expensive still, requiring a whopping thirty slots. I would get it anyway, of course.

Still smiling, I crept out of the mists.

✵ ✵ ✵

I found Elron and a robed figure waiting for me.

The city gates were closed, and the silver dome Ghost had spied earlier was still in evidence. The marshal and his companion were standing outside the magic barrier—an unnecessary risk, I thought. Drawing to a halt, I let the shadows concealing me dissipate.

You are no longer hidden.

The marshal’s companion started. Elron’s response was more subdued, with only the slight widening of his eyes giving away his surprise. “Stealth?” he asked.

I nodded.  “A must-have skill for every explorer,” I said lightly.

“Is that how you evaded the charging crawlers earlier?” Elron asked curiously.

Since I'd shadow blinked directly into the fog bank, none of the New Havens would have any way of realizing I’d teleported, and I saw no reason to enlighten him. “Exactly right,” I replied glibly.

Not wanting the conversation to linger over my abilities, I glanced at the blue-robed figure. From his garb, I guessed him to be a mage. His hood was pushed back revealing a hawkish face. “Who’s this?”

“Taim, meet Magister Avery. Magister, this is the player you’ve heard about,” Elron said.

I greeted the mage, and he nodded back brusquely.

“How did you do it?” Avery hissed before I could say anything further.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his demanding tone. “Do what?”

Avery stepped forward, his eyes wide, and his expression hungry. “Find the seed in the fog. What trick did you use to locate it?”

I studied the mage carefully. He’d quite deliberately entered my space and stood quivering with suppressed emotion less than a foot from me. But was it passion that drove him or an ill-conceived attempt to intimidate? “Like I told Elron, I have an ability that lets me see through the nether,” I replied evenly.

“Nonsense,” Avery barked, his fetid breath washing over me. “There’s no such ability!”

I folded my arms across my chest. “And how would you know that?”

The magister’s expression cooled so quickly it could only be pretense. “Books,” he replied vaguely. “The Game has always fascinated me, and I’ve studied it extensively over the years.” His eyes darted to mine again. “Will you tell me the name of your ability? It must be a truly extraordinary spell to pierce the nether.”

Elron saved me from answering. “There will be time enough to discuss such matters later. We need to get back to the city.” He threw Avery a warning glance. “Before the harbinger arrives.”

The magister’s lips tightened but he stepped back without argument.

The marshal turned to me. “Speaking of the harbinger, where is he?”

I jerked a thumb over my shoulder. “Still hanging around the seed’s resting place.”

Elron looked behind me. “Then we better get moving. The fog is dissipating fast.”

I nodded. “My thoughts exactly.” I started to advance, but the marshal’s next words stopped me.

“Hold out your hand,” Elron instructed.

I stared at him blankly. “Why?”

He gestured to the shield that still enclosed the city. “You will not be able to pass through until Avery grants you access.”

My brows furrowed, realizing that’s why the two were waiting for me outside the dome, and why Elron had felt the need to bring the magister in the first place. “Why does he need my hand for that?”

“To etch the access sigil, of course,” Elron said impatiently.

I eyed the magister. After my experience with Loken and his magics, I was wary of letting any mage touch me, and Avery did not strike me as exactly trustworthy.

Sensing my hesitation, the marshal added, “Every New Haven citizen has one.” Pulling back his own sleeve, he showed me the small silver mark inscribed below his wrist. “The city’s wards will not let you pass without it.”

I shook my head. “No thanks.”

Elron’s brows drew down. “What?”

“I’m not going to let anyone mark me.” I glanced at Avery. Much less him. I didn’t voice the words, but I think Elron caught my meaning. “Lower the shield, and I’ll pass through.”

“I can’t do that!” Elron said, aghast. “It will endanger the entire city.”

I shrugged. “Then don’t. And I’ll wait out here until the harbinger leaves.” I paused. “I assume the barrier will be lowered once he’s gone.”

Dumfounded, Elron stared at me. But after the silence drew on unbroken, he seemed to realize I was serious. “Stubborn, mistrustful fool,” he muttered. Pulling Avery with him, the marshal stomped back to the gates to confer with the mage under the protection of the battlements.

“So, you don’t trust them,” Ghost said from behind.

“I don’t trust them enough to let myself be marked with a magic sigil of dubious origin,” I corrected. “I think Elron means well but I’m not so sure about the city council.” My gaze drifted towards Avery. “Or that one.”

I’d taken an instant dislike to the magister, finding his mannerisms both disturbing and annoying, and hoped never to deal with him again. I suspected, though, I wouldn’t be so lucky. Oh well, best I learn what I can while I have the opportunity. Reaching out with my will, I analyzed the magister.

The target is Avery, a level 158 human.

My brows drew down in surprise. Avery was even higher-ranked than Elron. Perhaps, that explains his… arrogance.

My gaze flitted back to the pair. I could see them conversing, but none of their words carried to me. Keenly interested to know what they were saying, I stepped forward until my nose nearly touched the warding barrier. Still, I heard nothing.

“Damn,” I muttered. Raising a hand, I touched the silver dome.

This is a protective barrier. Only those who have been granted access by the ward’s owners can pass through.

It seemed Elron had been telling the truth about the sigil. Still, I was adamant about staying unmarked. Time was running out, though, and I had to make a decision. I glanced behind me. The harbinger wasn’t visible yet, but the fog wouldn’t hold for much longer.

Wait or go?

Before I could make up my mind, a thin section of the city’s protective dome flickered, then vanished. “Quickly! Get inside,” Elron said, gesturing at me frantically.

Without hesitation, I stepped across the rim of the barrier.

By entering into New Haven without an access sigil, I knew I ran the risk of imprisoning myself within the city, but the city was large and had hiding places aplenty. Eventually, I would escape.

And declining to enter the city wasn’t an option either.

I needed New Haven. Not just for the location of the exit portal, but to serve as my allies. With Elron’s soldiers backing me, many things became possible—including defeating the harbinger and the sector boss. With the New Havens’ support, I could do more than escape Draven’s Reach. I could conquer it.

And that was only the beginning.

First, though, I had to convince the city council that their interests aligned with my own. To do that, I had to win their trust, which destroying both stygian seeds should have gone a long way towards accomplishing.

Behind me, the dome around the city reformed. Up ahead, the gates began to open. The die was cast and my path set. Inhaling deeply, I strode through.

It was time to find out just how deeply I could bind New Haven to my cause.