Grand Game 396: Striking Back (Patreon)

Multiple unknown entities have failed to pierce your disguise.

The Game message reassured me, as did the soldiers’ open expressions. Neither was suspicious—yet.

“Duty calls, as always,” I replied with an easy smile as I drew to a halt before the guards.

“You have come with more news about that player, haven’t you?” the second guard guessed shrewdly.

I let my eyebrows rise.

Both soldiers chuckled in response. “You shouldn’t be surprised, Min,” the first said. “News travels fast in this city.”

I nodded agreeably. “Don’t I know it.”

“You will be wanting to see the First, then,” the second guard said, moving to unbar the gate.

“If she has time to spare,” I replied.

For some reason that made the two laugh uproariously. “Who do you think you’re kidding?” one said between guffaws. “Everyone knows the First always has time for you.”

The other guard smirked knowingly. “You must be quite something.”

With difficulty, I kept my face impassive—are the guards implying what I think they are?—then on second thoughts, forced a scowl onto my face. “I don’t know what you mean,” I muttered.

“Of course, you don’t,” the first said smoothly as he swung back the gate and waved me inside.

Keeping up my pretense of anger, I hurried wordlessly past.

“Don’t let Castor catch you,” one of them called after me.

“I hear he has quite the temper,” the second added.

Saying nothing, I stomped harder, which only made them laugh more.

✵ ✵ ✵

As I rushed through the fortress’ bailey, I worried over the guards parting words but, after a moment, realized it would make my job easier—not harder.

I’d been planning on changing faces as soon as I got into the fortress proper, but now I had cause to reconsider. If the guards’ innuendo was fanciful thinking on their part, then no one in the fortress would question Minakawa’s presence in Cilia’s bedchamber.

I could get in and out without arousing suspicion. It’s worth a try, I reflected and slipped into the main keep.

Multiple unknown entities have failed to pierce your disguise.

Even at this late hour, the place was busy. Countless servants, guards, and courtiers hurried about on some business or the other. But despite my unannounced presence, no one thought to challenge me or even bothered to give me a second glance.

Security seems lax. Well, that’s all for the better.

Wading through the crowd, I casually scanned the passing figures, trying to discern if any were possessed. I spotted no scarred faces though, nor anyone wearing the distinctive blue robes of the Mages Guild. It added further weight to Algar’s information.

Perhaps, Elron’s aide is right. Perhaps all the possessed really are holed up in the fortress’ lower levels. If so, it would make completing the first half of my mission that much easier.

Recalling the floor plans I had memorized, I mapped a path to the First’s rooms. They were on the topmost floor, and since the city was currently in the midst of its night cycle, there was a good chance I would find her there.

Walking slowly—but with purpose—I made my way through the fortress. As I ascended through the levels, the flow of people through the corridors subsided, so much so, that by the time I reached the final floor it was almost down to nil.

I slowed my steps.

My target was close—or so I hoped, anyway. Unfurling my mindsight, I let my awareness expand outwards.

There were less than a dozen mindglows within a hundred yards of me and none were in my immediate line of sight. Keeping my mindsight open, I advanced further along the floor.

A few minutes later, I came to a halt. Up ahead and to the left was a long, opulently furnished corridor. Cilia’s personal suite lay at its end—nearly within reach if I could get past the two vigilant sentinels standing watch at the entrance.

Those must be the bodyguards Algar warned me about.

Leaning casually against a passage wall—and still out of sight of the pair—I reached out with my will and analyzed both.

The target is Jasmayne, a level 106 dark elf.

The target is Redpaw, a level 117 dark elf.

Analyze confirmed my suspicions—the two were Cilia’s bodyguards. But where was the First herself? According to my mindsight, the rooms beyond the pair were empty.

I frowned. Was Cilia shielded? It was certainly a possibility, if not a pleasant one. If it was the case, the only way I would find my target would be by setting eyes on her.

Which meant getting past the guards.

No turning back now. Turning my head from left to right, I scanned the corridor in which I stood. There were plenty of vacant rooms around. Drawing up to the door of the closest, I turned the handle.

Locked.

Not a problem. Inserting a dagger into the keyhole, I jiggled the small blade until the simple mechanism sprang open.

You have successfully picked a lock.

Slipping into the room, I closed the door behind me and examined my surroundings. Judging from the uniforms lining the wardrobe, I was in a maid’s chamber. Hmm, not ideal, I thought, hesitating. Should I find another room?

No.

Even though my disguise appeared to be holding up, I couldn’t waste time unnecessarily. Here would have to do. Reaching into my bag of holding, I extracted the Cloak of the Reach and spread it on the floor. Unfortunately, due to the necessity of maintaining my disguise, I’d been forced to unequip most of my usual gear.

“Come out, Ghost,” I murmured.

“Finally!” she exclaimed, streaming out of the garment.

Ghost has cast manifest and has taken the form of a level 201 stygian pyre wolf.

Filled with my familiar’s inky-dark presence, the room suddenly looked too small. “It’s time to get to work,” I said. “You remember what to do?”

“Keep watch and warn you if anyone approaches,” she replied, bobbing her head vigorously. “But are you sure you don’t want me accompanying you?”

I shook my head. “Better you don’t. If I can, I want to do this without drawing needless attention—or spilling unnecessary blood.”

“Alright,” Ghost grumbled, her head sagging in disappointment. Stretching out on the floor, she yawned, “I’m ready whenever you are.”

I smiled, not for a moment deceived by her play at disinterest; Ghost was pleased to be out. “Be back soon,” I said in farewell.

Slipping back into the corridor, I rounded the corner and stepped into view of the bodyguards.

✵ ✵ ✵

Two hostile entities have failed to pierce your disguise.

Your deception has reached rank 18.

My disguise held.

Letting no sign of my delight at that fact show, I continued my lazy stroll up the corridor. The senior guard, Redpaw, nodded impassively as he spied me—a damn sight more professional response than the one I’d received from the pair at the gate.

“She is sleeping,” the other—Jasmayne—remarked when I drew up before them.

Thinking the comment was a refusal, I opened my mouth, arguments at the ready to wheedle my way past, but before I could voice any of them, Redpaw slid the door open in silent invitation.

Containing my surprise, I snapped my mouth closed.

Minakawa, it seemed, really was one of Cilia’s favorites. Not trusting myself to do more than nod imperiously, I slid past the bodyguards and into the room beyond.

Behind me, the door closed quietly.

Remaining in place, I took stock. From Algar’s floor plans, I knew I was in the entrance chamber of the First’s living quarters.

The room was small and contained almost no furniture, just a single desk and chair—meant for an assistant or secretary, I guessed. A rug covered the floor and paintings decorated the walls. More importantly, though, there were three exits to choose from—all presently hidden behind closed doors.

Expanding my awareness, I searched the rooms beyond but found no mindglows. Jasmayne’s comment had settled my doubts, though. Cilia was near. I was sure of it.

Only two questions remained. Which room was the First in? And had she shielded herself or the room? The First was a mage, I recalled, so either possibility could hold true.

Moving soundlessly, lest the bodyguards outside hear, I unbuttoned my soldier’s uniform and extracted the bag of holding I’d concealed within. Opening the bag, I peered inside.

It did not take me long to find the item I sought.

You have equipped and activated a sorcerer’s coif.

The response was instantaneous. Threads of magic snapped into view, all of them concentrated on the antechamber’s leftmost door—Cilia had to be in the room beyond.

You have detected a hostile spell!

The target is a tier 2 ward spell: slumber’s sentinel.

I frowned. The ward’s name was… cryptic. Would it keep me out, hurt me, or simply awaken its caster? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t imagine the spell was dangerous. The bodyguards had let me in without hesitation, after all.

It’s a detection ward, I thought. Has to be.

Creeping up the door in question, I studied the spell wrapped around it more closely. The weaves had been thickly laid, especially around the keyhole and the door handle—which left me in a bit of a quandary. Even with the most agile of hands, opening the door without triggering the ward was going to be impossible.

I’ll have to risk it, I decided.

Extending my right arm, I let my hand hover over the handle. Ghost was an attentive presence at the edge of my mind and for a second, I focused on her. “Status?” I asked.

“All clear,” she reported. “No one has approached since you left.” She paused. “How are things going on your end?”

“No problems yet. But I’m about to enter a warded room.”

Concern filtered across the link. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Possibly,” I conceded reluctantly. “It’s the only way to get to the First, though. I’m not sure what’s going to happen when I trigger the ward. Probably nothing but stay alert—in case, you know.”

“Of course, Prime.”

Closing our mind link, I returned my attention to my surroundings. It was time. Screwing up my courage, I closed my hand around the door handle.

You have triggered a ward!