Chapter 37 – Watcher
"Thank you for everything today," SJ said, as she finished the last of her honey wine.
"It has been a pleasure and a rather unusual commission."
"I'm sure I will have further enhancements that I require in the future."
"Call in anytime," James said, grunting as he pushed himself up from his chair. He looked exhausted. The outer shop area was in virtual darkness apart from a hooded lantern sitting on the nearby counter. Janette was leaning over a parchment, scribbling notes as she confirmed the day's sales.
"Everything alright?" Janette asked, looking towards the pair of them.
"Absolutely great," James's smile was weary.
"That's good to hear. You look tired," Janette noticed James's face as he entered the lantern's light.
"It was a complex process," James replied, the subtlety in his words enough to indicate that the enchantments hadn't been the usual requests, while not stating any details to his wife. He picked up the shop key from the counter and moved to the front door.
"I will call in again," SJ said as she walked outside. The night had drawn in; the streets were still busy, but many stores had now closed or were in the process of closing. Merchants were carrying their wares back indoors from the stands they had outside their shops. The sound of music drifted across the early evening from a local bar. A large orc staggered down the street, carrying a bottle in his hand, singing to himself. It was a typical night in Asterfal. Even District 11, with its expensive homes and upmarket feel, still had a similar scene to many others.
The items she now had in her possession were incredible with her new enchantments, and she was even slowly starting to believe some of the comments from Dave about how strong she was becoming. It was fleeting, though, as she remembered the issues she had when fighting Malvon. Yes, she had overcome him, but only with Fas's support.
Maybe if I level up again, I may feel a little more confident.
"Level, if you level with your stats, you will equal someone at least ten levels above your own, and that would only be if they had decent gear. You need to start having more confidence in yourself."
I'm confident in my abilities. It's just the uncertainty of others that worries me.
Dave scoffed. "There are a few beings you should be concerned about. You have improved so much over the past twelve months. You trigger all your skills consistently, you attack with precision, and your dexterity makes your agility crazy during combat."
SJ, even after her time on Amathera, didn't carry the same positivity that Dave did.
"It would have been a very expensive trip without Nexis."
I don't know how many beings can even afford normal enchants, let alone the greater ones.
"Greater enchants are for the wealthy only. There won't be many in Asterfal who get them outside of the legionnaires who compete in the dungeon."
I still want to visit it one day, SJ sighed. The enticement of entering the dungeon had existed since she had discovered Asterfal had one, but with the requirement to be in a guild, preferably one of the better guilds, and also the fact that you had to get selected, made it not viable alongside her class at this time.
"Stop," Dave said, the warning evident.
SJ came to an immediate stop, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, and then she felt the wave of uncertainty triggered by her perception sense.
What is it?
"Not sure, I'm sure I saw a being following you."
You think Inspections have sent someone after me?
"No, why would they even attempt something after the amount of coin you just spent with them?"
Perhaps they want my gear?
"They would need to get rid of you first, which hasn't happened so far, even after the problems you have encountered."
Can't I see anyone?
"No, maybe I was mistaken... there seven o'clock."
SJ focused where Dave had mentioned, not needing to turn her head, and then she spotted them. A cloaked being stood in the shadows of a shop doorway. The shop was closed, and the being looked in her direction.
I'm going to go down the next alley and shrink.
"Good idea."
SJ walked purposefully further down the street before sharply turning into the next alley. As soon as she was, she started to run, shrinking as she did, before immediately lifting off the ground when she could.
She didn't fly up to the rooftops or away, but instead cut directly up and then turned back, looking down the alley to the street. It didn't take long for the hooded being to appear as he entered the alley. It was obvious he was looking for signs as he stared at the ground, following where she had run, before stopping as any trace of her would have vanished as she took off.
He doesn't look like a ranger. I thought only rangers could track, and that it was virtually impossible to track a trail in a city?
"Yeah, but he isn't a ranger. He shows no signs of being one."
They don't walk around with signs above their heads!
"No, but he isn't a ranger. He isn't even wearing leather armour."
The being searched the alley, and SJ heard it curse as it hurried to the far end, assuming that was where SJ had gone.
She turned, following the being as she spotted it, looking around on the next street before it hurried across towards a diagonal alleyway. SJ stayed high in the evening's light, helping hide her from any eyes that might glance skywards. The being didn't slow as it hurried down the next alley, only stopping when it reached the far end. It struck the side of its leg in frustration as it realised it had lost its target again with no sign of SJ.
Dave stated the obvious. "Definitely looking for you."
SJ hovered by the guttering of a building at the alley edge as she watched the being turn, straightening his hood and starting back out towards the inner wall of the city.
I'm going to follow him.
She still hadn't seen the being's face, unable to tell their race. They were of a slight, wiry build and moved with athleticism and confidence, navigating the streets with ease among the many beings in the early evening. SJ stayed low to the rooftops, watching at a distance until he reached the inner wall of District 11 and then turned towards the main entrance gate into the inner city.
He didn't go to the gate, though, and it was as he neared SJ's home that he slowed and turned onto the street that ran by the wall that entered the rear yard of her home. The being tilted its head, looking up at her home, and a wash of panic came over SJ. The face she saw was that of a being she had seen in Asterfal but never spoken to any of them. Its fur was deep brown, its eyes sharp, and the two fangs which protruded down from its upper jaw gleamed in the lanterns that lit the street.
"A Khalias," Dave said. "We haven't seen many of those in the city."
Asterfal had so many obscure races of beings that SJ still didn't know the names of all of them.
Why would they be watching me?
"Let me check the Legionnarious, I’m sure it will give me the answer," Dave replied dryly.
SJ was watching from the rooftop over the street where she landed gently on its tiled surface as the Khalias moved to the door of the adjoining building behind SJ's home. It paused momentarily before entering the door, which closed behind it.
They are too close for comfort.
"Go find out what they're up to then."
Did you check their level? I didn't identify them.
"Level 27."
SJ was at a higher level, and with her stats and new enchants, she was in a much stronger position than many. There was light coming from inside the building, which was a three-storey affair. The building looked residential. SJ flew down to the nearest alley before growing. She checked her dress, adjusting its colour slightly, before pulling the cloak up to cover her hair and walking over to the door.
"What's the plan?" Dave asked.
I'm going to ask why they are following me.
She reached the door, and to the side were six small nameplates; it appeared the building contained apartments.
I have no idea which one they will be in. SJ thought as she tried the door. It opened inwards into a brightly lit hallway. Candles burned brightly in small glass containers, preventing the wax from dripping down. The decor was clean and not luxurious, but not cheap either; the wooden floor was polished to a high shine. A door opened down the corridor, and a woman walked out carrying a bucket.
SJ casually walked down the hallway towards her.
"Excuse me?" SJ said.
The woman jumped, crying out in surprise. Her back was to SJ, where she had knelt, wringing a cloth out and washing the floor.
"You scared me half to death," the woman said as she turned to look in SJ's direction.
"Sorry. Do you know a Khalias that lives here?"
"Oh yes. Mr Tyber lives in apartment three on the first floor."
"Thank you," SJ said as she moved towards the stairs at the front of the building again. "Has he lived here long?"
The woman frowned. "Several months now. Why?" Her tone was now suspicious.
"No reason," SJ smiled as she started to climb the stairs. The first floor was lit the same way, with three doors leading off it. The door at the head of the stairs had no sign, while the other two were numbered.
Apartment three was to the front of the building, leading back onto the street she had entered from. She now knew why there were no windows overlooking the rear of her property: the left wall of this building was where the stairs were. As she neared the door, she called her claws to her right hand only, holding them under the fold of her cloak as she reached out with her left and knocked on the door.
She heard footsteps from inside and a key being turned in the lock before the door was opened inwards. As soon as it was, SJ stepped forward, placing her foot to prevent it from being closed and lifted her claws towards the shocked-looking face of the Khalias. Her second claw immediately appeared on her left hand.
The Khalias staggered backwards as SJ stepped forward.
"Hello."
The Khalias's eyes were wide with shock as it hissed.
SJ's claws looked lethal, with their sixteen-inch blades pointed directly towards it. "I'm not here to kill you... yet."
"What do you want?" The Khalias said. Its voice was deep and gruff, its feline eyes narrowed, and a sneer on its predatory face.
"I was wondering why you were following me?" SJ asked casually.
The Khalias glanced towards a scabbard that rested on the back of a chair.
"Don't even think about it," SJ warned, noticing the look as she closed the gap further. She was well within strike range. The room was furnished, but practically, there were no obvious luxuries. "I asked you a question."
The Khalias's hands flexed; what SJ had assumed were gloves at a distance were its natural fur. It had removed its cloak and stood a couple of inches taller than SJ, wearing dark trousers and a plain tan shirt. It wore no armour or weapons. Not expecting such a visit to its home.
"You have entered my home uninvited."
"And you have been following me. I just want to know why?"
Its eyes narrowed slightly as it calculated its response. "Orders," he snarled.
"Whose orders?"
He didn't respond. SJ kicked back with her foot, pushing the door closed behind her. She didn't want any beings seeing what was happening.
SJ's voice rose slightly as she asked again. "Whose orders?"
He snarled, his teeth bared. SJ noticed a glint from its palm; it wasn't a weapon.
"Drop it."
The Khalias's grip tightened on what it held.
"Drop it," SJ hissed, her blades held ready to strike.
Slowly, its grip loosened, and a communication stone dropped from its hand, bouncing on the floor. The gem was lit, meaning it was active.
"Who are you speaking to?" SJ said her tone was flat, professional, and balanced. As SJ watched the stone in her vision, the gem darkened as the call ended. That was when the Khalias moved. He didn’t lunge towards her but instead towards the closed window. SJ reacted, attempting to grab him, but the sudden move put it out of her range; her claws caught the fabric of his tunic as he threw himself through the window.
The glass shattered, and the wood splintered as he crashed through the first-floor window. SJ followed its movements, unable to stop its escape. Glass and wood fell to the street below, drawing several beings to the sound as the Khalias landed rolling, then came to their feet and sprinted down the street.
Damn.
"Chase him," Dave said.
SJ ignored his comment, turning back from the window and quickly scanning the room. There were three doors leading from it, and she quickly looked around them, knowing she wouldn't have long before district guards or others came to investigate.
The rooms were sparsely furnished, and there was little of anything that gave any idea of the beings' life. Several changes of clothing hung on a rail in the bedroom, a kitchen area that looked unused, and the lounge had nothing of interest either. SJ picked up the scabbard and sword, adding them to her inventory, then scooped up the communication stone and shrank, moving to the window as she heard footsteps in the hallway.
A few beings were standing on the street below, looking up or in the direction he had run. SJ spotted the gleaming metal of the plate as District guards appeared around the corner; they looked like the gate guards at the inner-city entrance, which was one of the nearest posts to the area.
SJ flew across the room back into the bedroom, the window in here opened onto the street behind. She quickly grew and opened the window, again shrinking and leaving as she heard shouts and the sound of keys in the door.
"Why didn't you chase him?" Dave complained.
SJ landed on the rooftop, looking down and across the street again, the way the Khalias had run, ignoring Dave's comment.
Can you trace the communication stone?
"What?"
Like you did with Fas and me?
"Oh... perhaps, I've never tried."
SJ called the stone to her hand; it was a single direct stone. Not like her upgraded one, which allowed her to speak to her friends.
You won't be breaking any rules by attempting it, will you?
"Rules are for breaking," Dave cackled like an evil genius. "Give me a moment."
Dave muttered to himself as he worked. "Emm, perhaps if I try... Let's see now..." This went on for several minutes, as SJ watched the scene in the street. The guards had been inside and were now leaving again. The chaos caused by the flight of the Khalias was slowly coming to an end. The same lady who had been cleaning the apartments' floors was busy sweeping up the broken glass and wood from the street.
"Now this is interesting," Dave said.
What is?
"I have a trace; it's a rather complex process as there isn't an established call currently."
I can soon change that. SJ said as she pressed the gem on the stone. It vibrated for several moments before it blinked solid. SJ only just held back her gasp as she heard the voice that came over the stone.
"I guess you escaped?" Navina said.
Her breath caught in her throat. Of all the voices she had expected to hear, Navina's wasn't one of them.
What's going on? SJ's mind raced.
"Don't speak," Dave warned urgently. "Let her talk."
Navina spoke after a slight pause; her tone was measured. "Barquin?"
SJ's heart pounded in her chest as she stood silently staring at the stone. The sound of the streets seemed to fade out.
"I don't think I need to trace the stone now," Dave said.
Do it anyway, I want to know where she is.
There was a longer pause this time. "Well, this wasn't what I was expecting today, SJ. Although I'm not surprised."
Her jaw clenched as Navina's words struck her like a cold blade.
There was a sigh. "I suppose you have questions," Navina continued, her voice had its usual icy edge to it, which always made SJ's hair stand on end. "Come to the guild. We can discuss this face-to-face."
"Why are you having me followed?" SJ replied, her tone low and uncertain even in her miniature form.
"Good, you do speak. As I said, we should discuss this in person. Come to the guild in the hour, and come alone." The warning was evident as the gem went dark.
"This is not good," Dave said quietly.
You think? SJ said, her hand shaking as she held the stone, which now felt bitterly cold in her palm, before she added it to her inventory. Why is Navina having me followed?
"I suppose there could be many possibilities. Good or bad. Maybe she just wanted to track how you are doing with the quest?"
No, that's not the case. The apartment wasn't lived in for comfort or permanence; it was temporary, but he had been there for several months. Way before I took this quest. She's been watching me for a while.
The cool air of the evening blew gently across the rooftop, and SJ shuddered, not from the cold but from the uncertainty.
I don't have much choice but to go.
"No, and if you didn't, she could easily find you by all accounts. She knows you have the stone and have confronted Barquin.”
SJ looked towards the inner city, where the library stood; the torches along the inner wall burned brightly, and the city's glow was like a light calling a bug.
I should at least tell Fas.
"No," Dave almost shouted. "He is your guardian, and I can guarantee he would end up doing something stupid if you did."
Fas isn't stupid.
"No, he isn't, but he also cares deeply about you, and if he thinks you are heading into danger, he will try to do something."
The way Navina had held Fas against the wall in the blood bank came flooding back to SJ. Navina was a force to be reckoned with, and SJ knew that she could end them both if she wished with ease.
I'm furious. I've completed every quest that the guild has asked or I have taken. Never failing. I thought she trusted me, or at least hoped she did.
"I don't believe that she trusts anyone. You're becoming a force to be reckoned with in the city, not just because of your class, but also your contacts, which she is aware of. Even I would be interested in your actions if I were her. Not that watching you brush your hair every morning is very exciting," Dave chuckled.
His attempt at humour didn't ease the nervous tension SJ felt.
You think she thinks I will betray the guild?
"Perhaps? I don't know, but then again, after finding out about the master and his position, I think it is unlikely. She may just want to make sure you are staying safe, as you are targeting one of the leaders of the city's corruption."
SJ pulled her cloak tightly around her small frame, her stomach churning with uncertainty.
I don't like being watched. Not by anyone.
