Chapter 676: The Cabal's Fellowship

Chapter 676: The Cabal's Fellowship

Alexs question for Isolde didnt come easy. In a way, hed never wanted to ask it, too frightened of what her answer might be. It was a question hed even avoided asking himself for the longest time, but eventually he had, finding peace with himself. The attack on Patrizia DePaolos ballwhich felt like a lifetime agowas what hed wrestled with, wondering if he was to blame. He knew for certain that the attack never would have happened if he hadnt left Thamelands shores. That was a fact, just as it was a fact that he had no way of knowing what would have happenedifhed accepted his duties and simply served the other Heroes as the Fool.

But, he could make some pretty good guesses, most involving him lying dead in a cave somewhere, his corpse now nothing but bones.

He also knew that Uldars secrets wouldnt have been revealed.

The power of dungeon core essence would never have been uncovered.

Untold numbers of dead demons would still be alive, roaming free to torment mortals.

Hannah might have never developed a stronger connection with the material world.

The hidden church wouldnt have been exposed.

Andwhen the Heroes eventually defeat the Ravenerthe cycle would have just continued century after century, destroying innocent Thameish lives. More lives would continue to be shattered, including endless streams of Chosens, Champions, Sages, Saints and Fools, fighting the futile wars of a dead god.

Another cost if he'd followed that duty? His sister would no longer have a brother, Theresa would have lost her best friend, and there would be no Claygon.

For all the good that his leaving Thameland had brought, there were also lives taken that likely would not have been lost had he just quietly accepted his fate.

Carey would still be walking the halls of Generasi, in all likelihood, researching alchemy, looking for a permanent solution to the Ravener, still happily hosting meetings with members of Campus for Uldar.

People whod died after the Ravener became more aggressive would likely still be alive, including those whod died on the expedition.

For that matter, thered be no expedition between Thameland and Generasi.

He vividly remembered the attack on Patrizia DePaolos ball, and would for the rest of his days.

If hed been in Thameland, Uldars Ravener-spawn wouldnt have been there, leading a horde of monsters into a moonlit garden. Everyone who'd been maimed, traumatised, or killed, would be well, reliving wonderful memories of a magical evening spent dining, drinking, dancing and sharing time together.

For the longest time, part of him would wonder if Isolde blamed him for what had happened, but hed been too afraid to voice the question.

Now, hed finally said the words, and shed answered with:

I shall be honest with you. Under slightly different circumstances? Yes. Yes I absolutely would have.

He had to know what that meant.

Khalik and Thundar were silent, exchanging nervous glances.

What circumstances, Isolde? Alex asked.

Her answer came quickly and decisively. If you had known that you were being hunted by these clawed beaststhat they had tracked you all the way from Thamelandand that you were the target of their violence while you walked around the school and then my cousins ball without telling anyone?

Her lips pressed together in a thin line. If you had risked so many peoples lives simply because you wanted to have fun? Then yes, I would have blamed you. I would have done more than simply blamed you. But you did not know.

Laughing, the prince and minotaur got back in their chairs.

Alex called on every bit of training and every fibre of his will to not crack a smile.

By the Traveller, I love these people, he thought.

Alright! Thundar clapped. Lets focus up, again. Were a cabal, and one of our members is in trouble. Lets figure out what we can do next. Alex, do you want us to spread what we saw at Uldars Rise? Tell our own stories about the great stuff you did?

No, I think youre too close to me for that. the Thameish wizard shook his head. Remember when Govert Berensteyn tried to shut down the bakery the day we opened? Well, the reason his plan failed was because it was obvious. We were only open for a few hours and all of a sudden, theres all these people on every street corner claiming our food poisoned them? I mean, sure, if we hadnt caught the scam, it could have workedit was working for a whilebut imagine if hed been subtle, patient and waited? What if hed had his agents talk about being poisoned over a period of days, weeks or even months? You know, just telling friends, letting those friends tell other friends, allowing the news to spread from person to person. His scheme would have been a lot harder to detect andby the time I figured out that something fishy was going onthe damage would have been done.

In a nod to Isoldes grandfathers wisdom, he tapped the side of his skull. Weve got to be smarter than that.

The young noblewoman smiled at the tribute.

We wont make Goverts mistakes, Alex continued. We have to let the rumours about me travel naturally. Theyre already starting to spread, so all we have to do is let them.

Well, we cant just sit on our butts and do nothing, Thundar rumbled.

Agreed, Khalik said.

Absolutely not, Isolde added.

You wont be doing nothing, Alex promised. Youll be listening. Gathering information and telling me if you hear anyone talking about the Fool, and what kind of talk youre hearing. Thatll help me get an idea of what the wizard-councils response might be: if public opinion is bad, then itll be easy for them to make me someone elses problem.

Thats easy: wed be listening anyway! So, how about this? When you go confront your king? Well be right there with you. Thundar grinned.

My experience with nobility might help in this situation, Isolde drew herself up to her full height, her chin rising. The von Anmut family has engaged in many matters of diplomacy.

And Ive had my share of speaking to kings, Khalik laughed. If worst comes to worstif he is a monarch who has no interest in discussions with commonersI can have my title announced and speak to him on your behalf.

Alex startled. Youd do that for me?

In a heartbeat! Khalik clasped him by the shoulder. What sort of friend would I be if I did not?

Thundar cracked his knuckles. I wont have any fancy words or titles to help you with, but hells, if anything goes wrong, then Im gonna bust some damned heads.

Alex felt a lump in his throat.

Listen to me, a lot of things have gone right and wrong in my lifebut meeting the three of you was one of therightest things that has ever happened to me, the young wizard said, his voice shaking. No one in the world has friends like mine. No one in the world.

You are wrong, Khalik said. We do. Because we have each other, and you are our friend.

The young Thameish wizard choked up, remembering a day long agowhen hed followed a prince into the woods, looking for a large eagle.

Thank youthank you was all he could say.