Chapter 55: A Splintered Fellowship

Chapter 55: A Splintered Fellowship

Nathan just stared for a second, checking to ensure that he wasnt looking at an illusion. But no, the room was as he saw it. A few dozen kids played and yelled beyond the open door. Some of the older ones were casting low-power spells for practice or fun, and he could feel the small magics from here. They were real. The room was real. There didn't seem to be any hidden treasure chests that were their real target.

Several of the kids had noticed the door opening, and turned towards it expectantly. They were surprised to see Faline, even though she was still disguised as the young man whod attacked them downstairs. A few shied away.

One of the oldest, probably around thirteen, stepped forward and spoke deferentially. Honored brother Rodril, what occurs? When will Gramma Rosita return?

Faline ignored him, turning towards Nathan. This is our target. Archmage Gerger is focused on his legacy. She gestured towards the room, and drew her hand into a fist. If it is destroyed, he will not listen to reason. He will strike Badud himself if the proper evidence is planted. I have prepared a note that will point towards the Nails, acting to gain Badud's favor.

It wasnt that Nathan didnt understand what Faline was getting at. From a completely objective viewpoint, it made sense. Baduds move to reconcile the mages had ripped the heart out of their strategy here. They needed to do something drastic to inflame tensions enough that the Questors authority didnt matter.

But this is beyond the pale. Im shocked at how badly shes misjudged me. I think shes spent the last few days trying to influence me towards something like this.But now her hand is forced and shes pushing ahead regardless.

He blinked at the assassin, taking another second to follow the chain of thought.

She hid what we were going for, until wed already broken in and the kids saw my face. Shes pressuring me to go along with this in the heat of the moment.

Indignant anger flared in Nathans chest, and he took a moment to commit it to memory, storing an everburning flame inside his [Mental Fortress]. He would not kill these kids, or let them be killed. No matter what arguments Faline mustered, this was not something Nathan would budge on. If some skill did change his mind he would remember this moment, this adamant promise.

He turned towards his companion slowly, letting some trace of his bewilderment and anger seep onto his face. Fal- No. Theyre children.

She countered immediately, clearly expecting his argument. They are the children of an archmage of Giantsrest. They will attend the Ascendant Academy and become mages of Giantsrest. The same as the dozens you have already killed.

The older kids seemed to have caught on that something bad was unfolding. Theyd backed away from the door, and were shepherding the other children away while trying to stay quiet. One had run to pull on a door at the far end of the room, but it didnt open. He started knocking on it insistantly.

Nathan faced Faline down, his gaze growing thunderous as he glared at the ancient assassin in the body of a hotheaded young man. We cant kill them for what they might become. Theyre part of a shitty system, but I wont kill them before they choose to be part of it.

They will become enslavement mages and war mages. They will try to enslave the people of Halsmet and Gemore, razing the cities with their magics. Faline snorted, disgust curling her lip. By killing them, you kill that threat now instead of waiting for it to develop.

He knew she was right. They were children of an archmage and the oldest were already wearing gray robes that mirrored Nathans own. They would go to the academy, and they would become good little mages of Giantsrest. They probably already treated the slaves here like objects, tools to be used for their own satisfaction.

Just like Harthi, who was raised in Giantsrest without any other option. But Khachi convinced me to spare her, and shes adapted to Gemore just fine. If I do this, Kia would hunt me down, and Im not sure shed be wrong to do so.

Nathan glared back at Faline. The mages I killed made a choice. They marched to enslave, to conquer. He remembered a colorful quilt on a bed and winced at the memory of times when that hadnt been true. Attacking adult mages who chose their Path is one thing, but they, he waved towards the room, have not made that choice. If Giantsrest falls, they will not be locked into that path.

Mental Fortress 8 achieved!

A low growl sounded in the assassins throat, and she took a small step towards the room, a wicked dagger appearing in one hand. They have heard and seen enough to smother our flame. This is the only Path that can topple Giantsrest.

A little girl inside the room shrieked at the sight of the knife, but one of the older boys clamped a hand over her mouth. A few of them seemed to be eying the space around Nathan and Faline, as if considering making a dash.

Nathan stepped forward, getting closer to Faline and blocking the door while he considered his next words. He wanted to be in range of her if he needed to be, and he didnt want any of the kids to come within stabbing range if they tried to escape.

Faline used his hesitation to keep talking. The fall of Giantsrest will kill thousands, tens of thousands. Many of them will be children. But it is still a flame worth following. This. She pointed her knife at the cluster of watching kids. Is no different. It is the only path that sees Giantsrest fall.

She watched his face, seeing the conflict there. Giantsrest enslaves and conquers. You swore to end them. This is a dark deed, but it is required to achieve your goal.

Nathan muttered words under his breath, though they were still loud enough for Faline to hear. I will spill lakes of blood to avoid spilling oceans.

A lopsided smile appeared on the assassins face, baring the edges of sharpened teeth. Yes. This is a sacrifice, but it is a worthy sacrifice. We do this that the people of Halsmet might live free of masters.

Nathan closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Hed caught the mental skill this time. It was subtle thing, carrying him along in the wake of her argument. It encouraged him to rethink his viewpoint and follow her narrative, to the point of believing it.

It probably started as a bard skill, to help tell stories. But now it lets her convince people if shes got even a shred of actual argument.

There was another skill too, one that prevented Nathan from noticing he was being influenced. It had probably prevented him from noticing any times thus far shed used the skill to influence his actions. But this time he'd caught it.

When Nathan opened his eyes again the assassin hadnt moved an inch. His voice was hard and grating. This isnt an argument. We can empty his vault, trash his enchantments, but we will not kill the archmages kids.

Mental Fortress 9 achieved!

Faline hissed and turned away from him, taking one step into the room. You can stand there as damp ashes, or leave and meet me back at the safehouse. This deed must be done.

Nathan caught her arm. Nope. Youre not doing this.

She whirled on him, eyes flashing in fury. The face she was wearing morphed, mouth spreading unnaturally wide to reveal a serrated snarl out of a horror movie as she wrenched to get her arm free. Her body writhed underneath his grasp, and all of a sudden she gave off the impression of a slavering beast eager to rend flesh.

The surprising flash of teeth so close to Nathans face almost made him let go, and Faline knew exactly how to pull to get out of a wrist grab. But Nathans hand wrapped entirely around her wrist, and his strength was far greater. Her intimidation served only to wake his Rage, and Nathan used his grip to toss Faline out of the room with the kids, into the cafeteria next to the garden.

She collided with one of the tables and fell to the ground as the furniture overturned with a clatter.

Nathan stepped outside and took a moment to slam the door to the nursery closed, ensuring the locking mechanism re-engaged. Then he turned to his erstwhile ally and strode towards her in a haze of fury.

Void of Feeling

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Implacable Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Magic Anathema

Airborne Agility

Hand-to-hand Expertise

Voluminous Aura

Denial of Wizardry

Mana Severance

Class: Magekiller level 142

Regenerative Focus: 992/1520

Catastrophic Blows

Battle Stealth

Mage Infiltration

Forgettable

Unsuspecting Strike

Antimagic Stealth

Spell Redirection

Lethal Index

Utility skills:

Battle Meditation 10

Inspiration 1

Acceleration 3

Wizard Senses 4

Alertness 5

Wizards Intuition 4

Effortless Dodge 2

Mental Fortress 9

Tutoring 2

High-tier Tumbling 10

High-tier Noticeability 4

Mid-tier Disguise 3

Mid-tier Battle Cry 7

Mid-tier Aura Manipulation 6