Fae and fare, p.134
Fae and Fare, page 134
part #2 of The Wandering Inn Series
“Oh, no problem! How did it taste?”
“Good. Was that roux you made?”
“What?”
“Roux.”
“No…it was gravy.”
“But—Erin, do you know what roux is?”
“…No.”
I rub at my face.
“Never mind. I guess your skill told you what to do, right?”
“Yup! I’ve got [Advanced Cooking] now. Isn’t it great?”
Erin puffs out her chest and looks proud. Selys looks impressed and Klbkch nods. I shrug.
“I guess. It’s an important skill, right?”
“For an [Innkeeper], it’s great! Most [Cooks] and [Innkeepers] in the city have [Basic Cooking], but [Advanced Cooking] is rarer.”
Selys explains as she finishes her plate. I rub at my head. It still aches, but it looks like it’s time for me to get to work. Time to think, and plan. Selys is a native here, and she knows a lot of common-sense things. So I ask her the obvious questions.
“If that’s the case, there’s presumably an [Expert Cooking] skill, right? How many people would have that?”
“[Expert Cooking]? Well…no one in this city has it. You’d have to be a really high-level [Chef] to have that. I’ve heard some of the Walled Cities have people with that skill. They’re always hired by the nobility.”
So. You can rate skills by their rarity, which generally corresponds to a level. Makes sense. And I guess it’s still a parallel to our world.
“What level would you say that skill appears at?”
“Um…Level 40? Maybe Level 30, if you got lucky. There are better skills—or so I’ve heard, but it’s still rare.”
“Right. Because most people don’t usually get to Level 30?”
“That is correct.”
Klbkch nods as he delicately slurps up some gravy. I try not to look at him eat—I try to be open minded, but the Antinium creep me out in a way the Gnolls and Drakes don’t. Hell, even Selys is still sort of disturbing to me. I don’t know how Erin is so natural around all of them.
But here I am, sitting with Klbkch the Slayer and a Drake [Receptionist] of all people, talking as if I’ve known them for a long time. They’re so friendly.
“I still can’t believe you don’t know all this. Is it because you don’t have levels?”
Selys stares at me, and I tense slightly. She doesn’t know I’m from another world. But hell, I have to know how levels and classes work. I might not use them—and possibly can’t anymore—but not knowing how this world functions is only inviting trouble. So Ryoka, lie your ass off.
“That’s right. I’ve never paid attention, I guess.”
“Erin was like that too, you know. Are you both from the same nation? You seemed to know each other.”
“Something like that.”
Klbkch nods.
“I am familiar with the country they originate from, Selys Shivertail. Their people have customs unlike ours.”
That makes me stare hard at Klbkch, even though Selys accepts his statement at face-value. He just covered for me, didn’t he? Erin did say Klbkch knew she was from another world. And now Erin’s coming over. I try to signal her with my eyes to play along, but she’s oblivious.
“Oh yeah, this is a lot like…uh, where we come from. I mean, there are some big differences, but there’s actually a lot of stuff in common, right Ryoka? Like, this is totally like Dungeons and Dr—”
“It’s sort of similar, but I wanted to be sure about all the details.”
I cut Erin off and glare at her. She returns my look blankly.
“What? I’m not a gamer, but you told me you understood something about the system, right? It’s like Diablo, you said.”
“Diablo?”
Selys looks between us. I shake my head.
“It’s just…nothing. It’s a game from where we come from.”
“Oh, I see.”
I am going to kick Erin’s ass. As Selys and Erin start talking about Mrsha, I cover my face for a second. Then I look up and see Klbkch is staring at me.
Oh shit. Did he…how much did he get from that? Erin says he knows she’s from another world. What about me?
Kill Erin. But watch him. Klbkch the Slayer. I read the history of the Antinium Wars—damn it, I wish I’d read more than the first section now. They didn’t mention much about the Prognugators, but this guy was around decades ago. He dueled General Sserys—he’s dangerous.
But the Antinium in front of me is sitting in Erin’s inn, eating gravy. And he was killed by Goblins, or so Erin said. Weakening Prognugators. Hmm. And Erin’s involvement with the Antinium is also special. She can make unique Individuals, which could mean…
Gah. My head hurts already, and not just from the alcohol. I thought my life was complex, but Erin’s is ten times more convoluted. Not only is she involved with the Antinium, she’s attracted Lady Magnolia’s eyes, and she’s on the receiving end of a Gnoll debt so massive it can only be settled with death—unless one of us has fifty thousand gold pieces lying around.
Holy fuck. I close my eyes for a second. What should I do? What can I do? Normally I’d be running off to collect my payment from Teriarch, but—
No. I look over and see Mrsha, crowding around that Lyonette girl for some reason. She’s feeding Mrsha scraps from her plate and scratching her behind the ears.
Oh yeah, and Erin’s got a princess or some high-ranking noble’s daughter in her inn. God damn it.
I massage my temples. Selys looks at me sympathetically.
“Head still hurting? A healing potion will get rid of that. I know a shopkeeper who sells cheap ones.”
“No—thanks. I’m just really busy. There’s a lot of shi—a lot of stuff I need to deal with.”
“Like what? I’m free today, if you need some help, let me know. A friend of Erin’s is a friend of mine.”
Selys smiles at me. I hesitate.
“Nothing too important. I wouldn’t want to bother you.”
“As you like. I’m going to see if Erin wants to relax in the bath house. You’re welcome to join us.”
“…Thanks.”
Selys gets up to chat with Erin. I stay at the table, thinking. People move around me. Klbkch is still sitting—he’s not eating, but I suppose the Antinium have to sit to digest? I put him out of my mind and think.
I’ve really got to think, because there is a lot of crap for me to deal with at the moment. I won’t say that this is a terrible situation but—no, aside from moments where I’m actually in danger of being killed, this is probably one of the worst.
Fifty thousand gold pieces. Let’s just focus on that. Yesterday I made a claim to the Gnolls that I would pay Erin’s debts. There’s multiple reasons why I did that.
First, it’s pretty clear the Gnolls have power. Erin’s been helped by them in the past, and they might be an ally. If there are any groups she and I can trust, that is. But Krshia seems intelligent, and it’s better to have someone on our side than against us. Which leads me to the second point.
We need the Gnolls to cancel the debt, or else Erin and Lyonette are in danger, and so is Mrsha if she’s staying with them. Is this even a place for a young Gnoll? How can Erin raise her? I can’t…I can’t stay with her. But she needs a home. A family. If Krshia could—
Third point. Krshia might be able to mitigate the stigma associated with Mrsha’s fur, but not with her authority contested. The debt of Lyonette’s is sapping her influence as long as it remains unresolved. That Brunkr idiot seems to be trying to usurp her position, and he would be a danger if he took control. All in all, that means resolving the debt is really damn important.
The only question is…how? I have some ideas. I could give the Gnolls a technology—that was what I claimed, but now that I think of it…
Fuck. I am so screwed.
Let’s put this in perspective. I need to give the Gnolls a technology worth 50,000 gold pieces. At the same time, I can’t destabilize the world by giving them gunpowder.
No.
All flesh is grass.
No.
So what do I do? It seems simple, right? But what can I physically give the Gnolls besides weapons? The industrial revolution? What the hell would a nomadic society need that kind of infrastructure for? And they wouldn’t be able to make use of it, anyways.
No, think. It has to be something simpler. A practical technology or revolution. Think, Ryoka.
Hm. Trebuchets. But damn it, that’s a siege weapon—not something roaming tribes need! First off, wouldn’t trebuchets exist in this world? They were a medieval invention, and this world has renaissance-era technology at times.
For instance, they’ve got glass. Hmm. Lenses? But that technology is dependent on glass grinding to focus the lenses properly, and I don’t know how they’re made.
Damn. So telescopes are out. What else?
Radios…? Hah. Even if I had the ability to work with wires and metal to that extent, who needs radios when you have mage spells and the ability to howl? Long-distance communication isn’t a problem for them.
Bows. Gnolls use bows. I’ve seen them use composite bows and short bows so…fuck. They don’t have compound bows, though. But could I make one? Nope. I’d need industrial-era technology.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Okay…steel. But this world has steel. On the other hand, I never saw steel in the Gnoll tribes which means only a high-level [Blacksmith] can probably make it. It’s no revolutionary technology, though.
I wish I knew how to make Damascus steel. There’s the Bessemer Process of course, but that requires industrial era technology, again…
A printing press? This world still has handwritten books in many cases, but…
Two reasons why I can’t give the Gnolls that. No, three. One, I don’t know how to make a printing press. With screw-based technology, of course, adapting from the wine press…but hell, I’d need months to figure out the exact way to set one up. Second, the cost in resources and space isn’t practical for Gnolls again, and third…
You can’t copy magical spell books with a printing press. That’s obvious. I’ve seen spells, and if they exist on paper, it’s not just in the two-dimensional sense. My guess is that it would be impossible to copy one with any kind of printer, so that already makes one of the greatest revolutions of our world fairly useless to the Gnolls.
What they need is something immediately useful, but the more I think, the more I don’t have any good idea. None except for weapons, and I won’t give that to anyone.
“Fuck.”
I hold my head in my hands as I sit at the table. Then I hear someone clear his throat delicately.
“You appear to be in a state of distress. May I inquire as to your predicament?”
I look at him. Trust no one.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
Klbkch pauses.
“Does your issue relate to the Gnoll debt towards Lyonette du Marquin?”
What the hell? Klbkch is just staring at me. My heart rate picks up, but I keep my face straight.
“How do you know about that?”
“The Antinium know much of what occurs within Liscor.”
“…Were you listening to our conversation yesterday?”
The Antinium shakes his head.
“No, but there are a finite amount of topics which would necessitate such discussion. And the Gnoll’s issue with Erin and Lyonette is a pressing concern.”
“To you? Why the hell would the Antinium care about something like that?”
“Erin Solstice is…important to the Hive. And to me.”
What an odd thing for an Antinium to say. I stare at Klbkch.
“What do you want?”
His multifaceted eyes are fixed on mine.
“I wish to speak with you, Ryoka Griffin. I have desired to speak with you for some time. My observations of your behavior lead me to believe I can trust you.”
He’s been…waiting? To speak with me? And watching me? I’m naturally paranoid, but this makes every instinct I have scream out warning signals. I shrug, carefully.
“I’m free to talk. What…did you want to talk about?”
“I would like to speak candidly, Ryoka Griffin. You are wary of me; that is understandable. But I do not wish to cause you or Erin Solstice any harm. I would like to assist you, and I hope you will regard me as an ally, not a potential foe.”
I…fuck. This is coming out of left field. I thought I was in left field already, but this is catching me totally off guard. I scramble for a response. Test him.
“Are you trying to say we’re on the same side?”
Klbkch tilts his head slightly.
“Are there sides, Ryoka Griffin? The Antinium are not your enemy.”
“I disagree.”
“As do I. If the Antinium were your enemy, Ryoka Griffin, you would be dead. You do not matter to the Hive or my Queen. Erin Solstice is only a tool to be used. So long as that is the case, any interaction with either of you falls under my purview of responsibilities.”
I pause. Klbkch is speaking carefully, and if I read between the lines…
“You’re offering to help. Why?”
“Because Erin Solstice must survive. She must live to help the Antinium. And you are attempting to protect her because you both come from the same world.”
He knows. My heart stops dead in my chest for a second. He knows.
I glance around, but the inn is empty. Where has everyone gone? And why is it daytime all of a sudden?
Klbkch says nothing. He just looks at me. Watching. He’s seeing how I react.
Can I take him? He’s got two swords and classes. So…no. My right hand is still injured and I’ve got no weapons.
“I would prefer this discussion remain civil. Rest assured, I will not harm you or Erin. That is the last thing I desire.”
Fuck. But at least I might not die this instant. I try to keep my voice level as I reply. Focus. This is…the Antinium are as bad as Magnolia. If they know…
“Why bother with the niceties? Are you trying to get us on your side so we can help your Hive?”
Klbkch’s gaze doesn’t waver.
“So long as Erin lives, she will help my Hive. But to answer your question: my Queen is not aware that you and Erin come from another world, Ryoka Griffin. If she was, you would be captured and quickly interrogated.”
I feel a chill. But, wait a second. Klbkch is saying—he’s saying he’s lying to his Queen? For us? No. For Erin?
“Aren’t you supposed to be the right-hand of the Antinium Queens, or something? I thought Prognugators were loyal.”
“I am. But loyalty takes many shapes, and I have grown to question the direction the Antinium are taking. I believe leaving you alive is preferable to your deaths. No—I know this is the case.”
My god. Is this…is this Erin’s effect? She created individual Antinium, but affecting the allegiances of a Prognugator? Or is this something already occurring? I reach for a mug to take a drink. My hand is shaking. Klbkch nods, seeing my reaction.
“I have not informed Erin of this because of the dangers involved.”
“But you’re telling me? Why?”
“Because you can keep a secret. Let me be clear, Ryoka Griffin. Your status as a traveler between worlds is not important to me. If my Queen knew of this, she would interrogate you mercilessly. But I only care about Erin Solstice. She is the valuable one.”
“The Individual Antinium.”
“Just so.”
Klbkch nods.
“Erin Solstice must not die. She must live, and help my Queen change the Antinium from within.”
“But—you want to help us. Help her.”
“I will assist you to the best of my capabilities and inform you of the dangers of which you are not aware. I will reveal secrets of my Hive. I will use my command over Soldiers and Workers to defend this inn and your persons, if need be. I will even lie to my Queen for you.”
“Because Erin is important.”
“She is everything, Ryoka Griffin.”
“Why haven’t you told her this? Why haven’t you offered to tell her…all of this?”
For the first time Klbkch looks uncomfortable. He pauses and clicks his mandibles together delicately.
“I had considered that option to begin with, but it grew apparent that Erin Solstice cannot keep a secret. Anything I tell her will inevitably be repeated to all our costs. You are more discreet.”
So because Erin has a big mouth and doesn’t think, he can’t trust her. But he trusts me?
Or does he? Is this all some ploy? I have to test him? Hah, as if I’ve got a choice. Here’s an Antinium Prognugator or—Revalantor or whatever the hell he is now, offering to tell me all about his Hive. I can’t turn my back on this.
Take a breath, Ryoka, and plunge in. I don’t know how far these murky waters go, but if this is the case—I look at Klbkch.
“Fine. Tell me what you know. About the Gnolls and their debt, for instance. You said you know something?”
He nods.
“The Gnolls in Liscor are led by Krshia Silverfang. Ostensibly, they arrived nearly a decade ago to facilitate trade, but their true purpose was to acquire information or objects of value to improve their tribe’s standing. The decennial gathering of Gnoll tribes involves bringing a gift to be shared with all Gnolls, and the Silverfang tribe hoped to gain something of true value to improve their standing and influence at this event.”
Holy fuck. I stare at Klbkch.
“You were planning this all along, weren’t you? You wanted to tell me this.”
He pauses.
“My goal is to keep Erin Solstice alive. It is only fitting that I inform you of all dangers to her, and the Gnoll situation has been studied closely by my Hive.”
“Okay, okay, go on.”
I listen with rapt attention as Klbkch continues.
“Under Krshia’s influence, the Gnolls began pooling their profits and purchasing magical tomes from every shop they could find. They gathered many spell books together—most containing Tier 1 to Tier 3 spells—in the hopes that they might offer them as a gift to the tribes.”
Gnolls learning magic? I’ve never heard of a Gnoll [Mage], just [Shamans]. But wait—didn’t Erin mention the Gnolls had a feud with Wistram?
