Chapter 94: Back To Mine

Chapter 94: Back To Mine

Neither of us were in a mood to rush back to our lodgings. We wandered through the empty streets like a couple taking an early morning stroll.

The corpses wed left lying in the street, blood pooling around them, didnt figure very much in my thoughts. Neither did the memory of sliding my hand inside Jennys underwear (although I certainly intended to have a long hard think about that later). What preoccupied my mind was what I would do next time Jenny decided to rush headlong towards danger.

She had every right to go around kicking wasp nests if she wanted to, but I didnt particularly want to get stung. And yet, would I be able to back off and leave her to it? Thats what I should do, but part of me wanted her to get in trouble just so I could rescue her. So I could be her hero.

Yes, I realise how idiotic that is. This is what happens when you start to develop feelings for a girl. Stupid shit.

What I needed to do was stop mooning over the pretty girl next to me and start working on a way to get out of this city.

It wasnt a simple matter of leaving, we had to have somewhere to go. Preferably far away from people. But how would we survive? How would we make money? How would we eat? My stomach rumbled, suggesting I answer the last question first.

We found a bakery and bought some breakfast pastries. It was sweet, yet cheesy. No, not cheesecake. More like a grilled cheese sandwich with whipped cream. It wasnt bad. Could have used some ketchup.

What should we say to the others about last night? asked Jenny through a mouthful of food.

Nothing. Itll only freak them out. Im going to do my best to forget everything. Especially Mama Ivy. I shuddered at the recollection of the cold stare she gave me before she left.

I liked her, said Jenny. She seemed like a sweet old lady.

Are you insane? It was hard to imagine we were talking about the same person. Dont you think it was strange how those men didnt even try to escape? Once she locked eyes on them, they were done. She bent them to her will, crushed their souls and left them unable to even defend themselves. How is that sweet?

Oh, said Jenny, completely ignoring the magnitude of malevolence I was describing, do you think shes some kind of witch?

Quite possibly. You should go see if shes looking for an apprentice.

Jenny smiled at me. Careful. I might turn you into a frog. Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

I shrugged. I know some very happy frogs. It isnt a bad life.

Neither of us said much on the way to the inn. Perhaps we needed time to process the events of the last few hours and let them filter their way into the part of the brain that locks things up and puts them away.

By the time we got back, fatigue had started to set in. The manager was behind his desk, as usual. Drunk, as usual. Not that Id ever seen him drinking, but the smell of alcohol was hard to miss. Maybe he had an intravenous drip attached to his leg that I couldnt see.

A job where you could be wasted the whole time seemed very appealing. If you had no idea what was going on, even bad things wouldnt affect you. But the thought only lasted for a second. I didnt want to be detached from life, I wanted to be attached to a life that was enjoyable. Where do you find one of those?

These and other self-involved musings bounced around in my head as I walked up the stairs to the landing, where I was met by a scream.

It was a mans scream. Not out of fear, or surprise, it was very definitely a scream of pain. And it came from Maurice and Claires room. It should be an indicator of just how distracted I was with all my feelings that my reaction was to immediately draw my sword and rush into their room. Clearly, I was not in my right mind.

The first thing I saw was the naked man on the bed. Well, maybe naked is too strong a word. He had no top on and was lying face down, not moving. It took me a second to realise it was Kizwat.

Standing over him, her hand covering her mouth, was Claire. And cowering in the corner, way on the other side of the room, was Maurice.

What did you to him? I asked Claire.

I think hes okay, said Claire, not sounding very sure. I dont think hes dead. She leaned a bit closer. Hes breathing. A bit.

I sheathed my sword and approached the prone figure. A sheen of sweat covered his back, which rose and fell confirming that he was indeed still breathing. His eyes were closed.

I think he just passed out from the pain, said Claire. I was working on his arm, trying to focus more on the physical therapy, like you said. Only, it turned out to be a lot harder to get any kind of improvement to the posture, so I gave it a bit of pull.

It was horrible, said Maurice. She put her knee in his back and nearly yanked his arm out of its socket. And then she twisted. His eyes were filled with the regret of having seen what cant be unseen.

Still sounds like a heist.

No. Be quiet. There is one person in charge of the Treasury, and his name is God.

I was about to make an interjection, but Claire held up a hand.

He isnt a god, thats just his name. I dont know why. Anyway, he is trusted by all the guilds and there are two things special about him. First, hes a visitor, like us. Kizwat doesnt know exactly how long ago he arrived, but its been awhile. And the other thing is his special ability. Hes a truth detector.

What, you mean he has a lie detector?

No, said Claire. Not a lie detector, a truth detector. A lie detector can tell when youre lying, but if you believe what youre saying, even if its not true, you arent lying so youll pass. A truth detector can tell when you believe something that isnt true.

How is that possible? I said, incredulous.

Claire shrugged. How can you heal people, or make flames come out of your hand.

She was right, normal logic didnt really apply. And if it was some kind of magic ability, that certainly made this God guy more interesting, even with the ridiculously pompous moniker.

Wait, said Jenny, you can make flames come out of your hand? Id forgotten shed never seen me do that. Is there any other stuff I dont know about?

Yes, I said. She waited for me to continue, but I didnt. How does knowing about this guy change anything?

Ah, said Claire smugly. Visitors, it turns out, are allowed to meet with God as a courtesy. Im not sure why, he just likes to hear about whats going on back home or something. And since were visitors She spread out her hands and raised her eyebrows like shed just performed a magic trick. All we need to do is tell him about the spike, hell know were telling the truth, and chances are if its anywhere, its in his vault.

And you think hes just going to give it to us?

I dont know, said Claire, but its worth a try, isnt it?

I dont think you fully understand what the words no risk actually mean.

I havent got to that part yet, said Claire. Since theyve already seen you with Kizwat at the Sheaf, its probably best for you not to come with us.

It took me a second to understand what shed said, and I still didnt believe it. What?

You see? Its no risk for you. Because you wont be there.

I was stunned. You want to do this by yourselves? Without me?

Claire nodded

Its just recon, said Maurice. We go in, talk to God. If he doesnt know anything, we havent lost anything.

The idea of them doing this by themselves did hold a certain appeal. The more independence from me they gained, the better. And if I really wanted to rid myself of the urge to play hero, the best way to do it was not be there.

Okay, I said. You should take Flossie and Dud, too. And Jenny. You should all go.

Really? said Claire, buoyed by my faith in them. You think we can do it?

Sure, but first well need to visit the Municipal Directory.

Claire nodded even more enthusiastically. Okay. What stuff do we need to get out?

Nothing. I want you to make me a co-signer on all your accounts. That way, when you dont come back, I get to keep your stuff.

Now thats what I call a no-risk plan.