Book 3 Chapter 37 (Patreon)

Aria had only expected to spend a night in Drachenberg, the city-state. So, when the Greywing arrived a day and a half later, she was ready and appeared worried. The future baroness ran into Nox’s arms when he showed up at the inn. The Oakheart event wasn’t for another four days. However, Nox wanted some time to explore the estate library and everything retrieved from Wilson’s family vault. So, they only spent half a day in Drachenberg to resupply and get Brianna appropriate clothing for a visit—most of her outfits involved roughly hewn leathers, furs, and university uniforms.

While the women and Alexander were busy helping Brianna ‘develop a taste for fashion,’ Nox and Joey visited the local branching of the banking gold. They had first removed all weapons, armor, artifacts, and relics from Otis’ spatial storage. So, when Nil ordered the gremlin to empty his stores, it only littered the private consulting room with gold coins and bars. The dumbstruck assistant called in a few colleagues, and it took them a few minutes to count it all. Once they finished, Nil divided them into four and addressed them to each of his party members. It was a given that he’d claim most of the enchanted items and relics for research. Nox wasn’t short on money either, so he didn’t mind handing over the liquid funds—after deducting the journey’s costs, of course. When they sold everything afterward, he planned on dividing the proceeds five ways.

Nox also visited the local apothecaries and alchemist stores. He wasn’t surprised to find them selling Ratra products at a significant mark-up. Then he found rip-off products in bottles with crests he didn’t recognize. He bought samples to test and report if they infringed on his patents. The guilds took such accusations seriously. Nox had to deal with a couple of Imperium alchemists claiming he had stolen their work. The regulatory organizations solved the issue swiftly. Once they received sufficient evidence, the guilds ruled in Nox’s favor. He received compensation from the alchemists, and they also lost their licenses. 

The Greywing set off from Drachenberg late in the afternoon. Nox and Aria fled to their cabin immediately. They both had accomplishments to celebrate, and they did just that—vigorously and loudly.

Afterward, Aria told him about how the city’s rulers had initially rejected the Edelweiss Barony's offer, not believing they had hired delvers to take care of the approaching dungeon. Then, when their diviners saw it fall and identified the vessel departing from it, they changed their tunes. The rulers signed the trade deal almost instantly, and the Edelweiss Barony was likely to profit significantly from the deal. 

The crew’s cook prepared humble sandwiches for everyone, and they sat in the main cabin, eating and chatting.

“I had a question for you, Brianna,” Nox said after they were done eating.

“Ask away,” she said, finishing her third sandwich. The cook had made extras for her.

“The party and I held a vote last night after you went to bed.” The giant woman sat up straighter, shoulders stiffening as Nox spoke. She seemed to have a rough idea of what was to come. “You did amazing during the delve, and we were hoping you’d be willing to join us more permanently. I’d like to have you continue working for me and delve into it with us.” Nox passed her the promissory note. “You’ll receive an equal cut of all delving profits, of course.”

Brianna’s eyes widened as she read the number on the piece of paper. “What would working for you involve?”

“Protecting my little spy network and getting them out of trouble when they need it,” Nox answered. He glanced at Aria and his companions. They listened silently. A couple of them wore soft smiles. “We’d also help you to help with Joey’s investigations.”

“If I’m a part of the party, helping with investigations, taking part in delves, and everything you do together is a given, is it not?” Brianna asked. “I’m all in. Provide me with room and board and a daily allowance, and I’ll protect your spy ring, your wife-to-be, and whatever else you want.”

“I didn’t think this was going to be that easy,” Nox said, shaking the giant woman’s hands.

“Thank you.” Brianna’s eyes brimmed with tears, and her voice quivered.

Nox hesitantly glanced at his wife-to-be. “You should know that the way we do things doesn’t always align with the rule of law.”

“That doesn’t bother me. There are two types of Aether Warriors. The first are the generic soldiers that serve warmongering masters. The second are protectors of the weak and righteous. I know that sounds awfully clichéd, but I was raised as the latter. Since my clan is gone, I've struggled to find a place where my talents can be put to good. I might not know you well, Sir Ratra, but your reputation speaks for itself. You've proven yourself a fair and generous man, too. So, I will work for you and with you to make the world a nicer place. If that means breaking a few laws and sacrificing the few to save the many, so be it.”

Aria didn’t respond. It almost looked like she had resigned herself to the fact that her husband would forever test the law's and morality's boundaries. She stared at Brianna for a moment, sighed, and leaned against Nox. He didn't know what was going through Aria's head but chose to let sleeping dogs lie. There were some things where they'd never see eye to eye, but he still loved her, and it seemed she loved him, too. That was good enough for Nox. She was willing to look the other way as long as he didn't hurt House Edelweiss or risk harming its name and reputation.

“Great. Once we get to the Oakheart estate, I'll be in the library until the event. Outside of the Imperium, they're apparently the only great house with time-magic tomes and history on the continent. Regardless of whether I find anything worthwhile, I'll be using this opportunity to steal—I mean study secrets that the house has held dear for ages. If not develop a new spell for my mana system, I want to walk away from the estate with plenty of ideas for new arrows, bombs, and whatnot. Everyone is free to do as you please, of course. Lord Oakheart and Annabelle might be busy with preparations, but they've organized local guides and a butler specifically for us. They'll show you around and find you entertainment.”

“I'll be sticking with you,” Aria declared. “Unless your deal stipulates that only you can explore the secret library, there is a lot I can learn, too. Two people looking is better than one.”

“I'll be splitting my time,” Joey said. “I doubt they'll have anything on Djinn Fire. Almost all the literature I've found on djinns is grossly inaccurate. However, I'd like to develop new fire, frostfire, and fae fire spells. It's likely a house as powerful as the Oakhearts has potent cantrips—especially healing cantrips—and illusion magic, too. Nar and Lorenzo want me to expand my repertoire.”

“Why don't you spend your time with your missus,” Brianna said, nodding at Caitlin. “I can assist Nox and Lady Edelweiss—”

“You're a part of the party, Brianna,” Aria interrupted. “That means you'll be spending a lot of time with us. Please call me Aria. Titles make me feel old and pretentious.”

“Aria, it is.” Brianna smiled. “Anyway, Joey, you should spend time with Caitlin. I'll help in the library, and if anything of interest crosses my path, I'll set it aside for you.” She turned her attention to Nox with a mischievous look in her eyes. “Don't worry. I'll keep my distance so I don't end up a third wheel.”

“I appreciate that.” Nox winked at the giant woman and wasn't surprised when his wife-to-be nudged him in the ribs.

“Have the pair of you decided on a wedding date?” Alexander asked. “Please tell me you'll be holding it in the Galleria. Grandmother won't let me leave the city once I start my training in earnest. She wants me to create a bond with Ygg and says it will require an uninterrupted circulation of her mana and a deep empathic connection.”

“We’ve made no decisions yet,” Aria said. She moved from the couch to the armchair, making herself home in Nox’s lap. “It's likely we’ll do it in the Galleria. Fort Edelweiss is too far out of the way for most of our guests. We’re only just recovering from Terrastalia’s passing, and I don’t want Father or the town to bear the burden of housing guests coming from all sorts of places. It's not fair to expect people to cover the cost of the journey either. We’ll be better off holding the ceremony and festivities in the City of Ygg and then holding something smaller in the barony for our subjects and neighbors.”

“That’s awfully pragmatic, and I respect it,” Caitlin said. “Is it okay if I don’t bother with the events in your barony?”

“It's no problem at all,” Nox replied. “This is more for ceremony and public. We plan to do something small and intimate away from pomp and ceremony.” He kissed his fiancee’s cheek. “It will be just for people close to us. I’d love it if everyone here would be in attendance.”

“Including me?” Brianna asked.

“Of course,” Aria answered. “You’re one of us now.”