XXIV.

XXIV.

In the end, it had been quite a simple matter of obtaining transport to Rooskeld. They did not even have to ask for guidance, as, before they neared the caravan market within Westgate, dozens of drivers yelled out destinations and fares. A few of the more cunning caravanners yelled out to the crowds of prospective passengers with foreboding warnings of staying in such a dangerous city as what Helmsgarten had become.

Ride to Rooskeld! Ride to Rooskeld! Escape the danger and worry of the big city! Only forty-two Novarins!

It was not long before Jakob, Heskel, and undead Sig were seated within the tight stow of a wooden carriage. Rusted metal strips were secured carelessly with thin nails to the wooden frame, giving off the impression of structural stability, though Jakob knew it would not hold against even modest winds, let alone provide any meaningful cover should they come under attack during transit. The canopy was likewise not in the greatest shape, but their trip would only last a day and a half at most, so he did not care. Besides, having lived in the frigid sewers made even such shoddy transport seem like overindulgent luxury to him.

A few other passengers had been about to board, when they saw the trio and promptly left to find a different carriage. The driver glared daggers at them, until Heskel, with a nudge from Jakob, handed him the payment for their trip: a golden orb that had once been an eyeball. Afterwards, they were treated like royalty, though the driver still waited around a while longer, perhaps hoping some senseless passengers would board regardless.

Waste time, grumbled Heskel.

Sig stared blankly into the air, as though a puppet with her strings cut. Jakob was looking at her, once again satisfied with himself at how he had reduced such a proud heretic to this, and did not bother respond to his impatient Lifeward. At last he had found a punishment for her Eyeless faith that he thought fitting.

Then Sig turned her black-eyed head slowly to look out the opening at the back of the carriage. The sudden animation surprised Jakob and he followed her gaze despite himself, managing to catch the exact moment a passenger boarded.

A ruffled bush of crimson hair was the first thing that caught his attention, then he recognised the face and the dimpled smile, but he quickly rose from his seat when he noticed the eyes that mirrored Sigs own.

Jakobwe meet again

Guillaume. What are you doing here?

I was drawnto her

You want her for your collection?

yes

The way the body of the Daemons puppet stood completely motionless, his mouth and eyes not moving a hairs breadth when he spoke. The way he was so clearly just a facsimile of the living. It unnerved Jakob no small amount. Heskel quickly got in front of him, misunderstanding the situation.

I have forgotten to introduce you, Jakob said flatly. Heskel, you may treat him as a neutral party, for now. Guillaume is an Undying Daemon whose service I summoned, on behalf of the Crown, to return to them an inconsequential Prince.

Heskel looked wrongfooted by this and only relaxed his threatening posture slightly. Why help?

They would have slain me if I refused. Besides, I deemed it a decent way to get them off our backs, though it seemed not to have lasted long

the Princenow a Kingit has been amusingto watch

Why are you here?

when I sensed Herwhen I saw your Divine WorkI felt myself drawnto youonce again

Mister, are you getting on or not?? asked the driver from behind Guillaume suddenly.

He is with me, Jakob answered the man.

You revere the Great Ones?

they are the primogenitorsof us all

Jakob nodded enthusiastically. Indeed.

you must knowI will dedicate myselffully to aiding you

Thats good.

to that endI will inform you thatthe King seeks your imprisonment

I am aware, Jakob replied indifferently.

Heskel looked between them uneasily. Jakob knew he must have guessed as much already, but the confirmation was no doubt still troubling to him. Particularly given the fact they had already succeeded once.

I will utilise myother vesselsto stall them

You can consciously operate more than one of your corpse puppets? Jakob asked, the prospect seemed impossible to him, but then he also did not know the limits of the Daemons powers. After all, despite Demons and Daemons following prescribed formulas, in terms of power and temperament, they yet retained manifold quirks and powers that oftentimes were unique to the individual creature.

yesI currently possess eighteenmy power multiplies with their numbers

It was little wonder that an Undying Daemon could decimate a nation in days if allowed to run rampant, Jakob considered darkly.

Will they notice the absence of one?

due to my gripon the lifeof their Kingthey allow me muchfreedom

And they cannot track you?

no

Very well. We are going to Rooskeld, a township to the west where we hope to find one of the Tolls of the summoning rite.

may I seethe instructions

No, Heskel replied adamantly. He was clutching the Tungsten Scroll jealously, as though begging the Daemon to take it from him.

Guillaume. You may be an ally, but you have not earnt that right. Talk is talk, and though your kin are not known to boldly lie, there are things we cannot trust you with, even if we bind you with a thousand contracts and oaths.

I understandI simply desire to witnessthe Avatar of a Great One

The child-like sincerity of the Daemons desire made Jakob grin deviously beneath his mask as an idea formed in his mind. Through the opening at the back of the carriage, he saw the gate that Westgate was named after shrink into the horizon.