Chapter 251: That Girl

Chapter 251: That Girl

Tala leaned back, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she looked at those around her in the lunch meeting.

I am so glad that I ate before coming. Because of that, shed finished first, as opposed to usual, where she was used to eating way more, and for way longer, than those around her.

She didnt really mind, but it was an interesting contrast, now that things were reversed.

While waiting for the others to finish, she pulled out a simple ledger, and Alat projected one of the texts on the Doman-Imithe overtop of it.

Some light reading after lunch.

It had been a few days since the raid on the hold of the House of the Rising Sun, and the city had been abuzz with gossip and rumors about the attack.

The House of the Rising Sun was reeling.

Theyd lost quite a few key members and servants, and a large number of their lesser affiliates had scaled back their relationships with the House, or sought work or trading partners elsewhere.

The House of the Rising Sun was balancing on the edge of total collapse in the city of Platoiri, and Tala was being hailed, internally, as a hero of the House of Blood, because it was her suggestion that had fostered the raid, and she had been one of the principle instruments in its success.

Meallain had taken her aside after the fact and asked about Talas siege orbs. They took a lot of preparation and werent universally usable, but they hit way above her rank.

Apparently the City Lord had left his manor to personally inspect the damage done to the District of Doors and even refused to levy a fine against the House of Blood for excessive use of force.

In truth, the very fact that the House of the Rising Sun had acknowledged the crushing power of Talas assault on their entrance was a major win for the House of Blood.

With regard to the City Lord, word was, he spent five minutes walking around the broken wall and shattered entrance to the House of the Rising Suns hold, then simply grunted, then said, That girl. with a shake of his head, and departed.

The House of the Rising Sun received the denial to their request for punitive action against the House of Blood shortly after.

Now, every time Tala came out of her sanctum, she was greeted by well-wishes and raucous shouts from members and servants of the House of Blood.

Hey, its That girl! Followed by a jovial, laugh, was the most common among those.

She bore it with good cheer. Part of the point of her participation in the raid had been to foster exactly that type of response. She wanted to be seen as a valuable asset. Banishment, not death. I need banishment, not execution.

Even so, she was still investigating other options.

Shed contemplated some truly insane options.

Tala had even briefly considered disabling the scripts that kept her body at its current size and shape.

Maybe if I balloon up sufficiently, my neck will get bigger than my head, and I can just pull the collar off?

Theyd been able to determine that the collar wouldnt resize, and they both knew that the City Lord wouldnt give her a bigger collar just because she got fat.

Needless to say, the long-shot of Be-thrics death without her implication, ideally without her involvement, was still her best bet at freedom.

Sooner would actually be better at that point, because right then? If the House of Blood were to order her execution, it would turn all the honor and prestige shed earned for the House into shame, her fame becoming notoriety overnight.

Banishment would do that to an extent, depending on how it was handled, but not nearly to the same extent.

She returned her mind to the book in hand, and only a few minutes later, everyone was sufficiently done for the discussion to begin.

Sanguis stood. As you all know, Pillar Be-thric will be leaving for the human lands within the month. After all, with Eskau Tali by his side, the final protian weapon is as good as acquired.

There were nods and laughter around the table, and quite a few smiling faces briefly turned her way in acknowledgement.

Drawing their attention back, Sanguis continued, We need to determine the best city for him to enter.

Makinaven would be hilarious. Jevin would obliterate him, outranked or not.

Gallof stood. In my research, Ive found a few human cities with good intelligence about their defenses and defenders. Pillar Be-thric himself was able to confirm roughly what point they are in their great cycle, so we have a good idea which cities will be occupied at this time

Appreciative murmurs went around the large room.

Now, the Forest Cities are problematic, as each is known to have at least one powerful protector.

Thron cleared his throat. Pardon, Honored Gallof, but doesnt every human city have powerful protectors?

Ahh, yes. But the forest Cities have something more. It is estimated that each of those cities are watched over by someone equivalent to a City Lord, at least while fighting within the human settlement, itself.

There were widened eyes and a few startled intakes of breath.

Way to go Master Jevin. I knew you were powerful, but on par with the City Lord? She kept her smile suppressed, shaking her head instead.

Gallof frowned when he looked her way, clearly misinterpreting her feelings exactly as shed intended. We are aware of your feelings, Eskau Tali. But we hope that you will put them aside to help us ensure your Pillar against a deadly fate.

His fate would be better ensured by my presence.

Pallaun huffed a laugh. Shes right, but we arent going to change the councils mind soon enough for it to matter.

Meallain stood. To get back on topic, I would recommend the city site currently called Clevenhold. It is on the fringe, hard up against the sea, and in past cycles it has been less well protected from land-based threats and infiltration. After all, they have to devote a great portion of their magics towards warding away the beasts of the ocean.

She sat back down, and once again, mutters of agreement rippled around the room.

Clevenhold? Never been there. It was on my interrupted route, but so was every other city so that isnt saying much.

-Hey! We can tour the cities when we get back. That would be a good way to level-set, a good way to get back into the feel of human society.-

Yeah, that sounds nice. She thought for a moment. I wonder what theyll do about my contract with the caravan guild. I suppose Im technically in violation, but I cant imagine them being a stickler about it, when I was magenapped.

Gallof snorted, drawing Tala back to the conversation at hand. Clevenhold. As in Cleave-and-hold? Really? Who names these cities?

Meallain gave a half-smile. They have a set of names that they use. It seems that the old ones in power got tired of coming up with names, so they stopped even trying.

Thron grunted. Efficient.

Id recommend keeping it with you.

I was just thinking that.

He smiled and continued, Your siege orbs could be useful.

Tala blanched. In our own hold? Isnt thatunwise?

Not at all. Anything destroyed can be rebuilt easily enough. Well make them bleed, and that is all that matters in the end. He hesitated. You likely know this, but expect them to have someone specifically to counter you. Id count on a few, if not a few teams, specifically chosen to capture or kill you.

Capture?

Of course. The ransom they could get for you would go a long way to flipping the trajectory of power that your raid set into motion.

She hesitated. What do you think the chances are that they have someone watching our entrance?

Their assault force is probably already outside, awaiting the City Lord.

She sighed. Then no sneaking out to counterstrike their hold?

He laughed. Sadly, no. Id bet that there will be a few squads hidden near the entrance to try to get out behind the assault force, but they probably wont succeed.

Tala grunted. Understood.

They arrived at where shed left Kit, and she grabbed the doorframe.

It came away from the wall easily, the entire doorway distorting and reforming into a pouch that she hung from her belt.

Thron scrunched up his face in a grimace, seeming to be working himself up to mention something difficult. Eskau TaliThe concept sword

Tala turned on him with fervor, cutting him off. Is for when Pillar Be-thrics venture is over. Not before.

But the assault

I will not let my enemies force my hand. It stays our secret.

Yes, Eskau. His tone was stiff and perfectly formal.

She softened her own tone and placed a hand on his shoulder. We wont need it, and I wont have such a perfect surprise wasted.

Thron relaxed slightly and nodded. As you say, Tali.

She quirked a smile. Now, where can we set up?

The next three-quarters of an hour passed in a blur as Tala used her prodigious strength to help move mobile defenses around within the hold.

Aside from the bit of manual labor, Tala reviewed a list that had been given her by Thron. He told her it was a list of who Id hire if I needed to kill you.

She was torn between being impressed by his due diligence and a bit concerned that he had such a thing ready to hand.

In either case, she flipped through and let Alat take in their descriptions and powersets.

By that point, Tala was in her position, standing behind a weighed-down, reinforced barricade.

The hold had been radically changed in a short time.

A large swath had been cleared around the entrance, and only a few walls and other defensive emplacements left standing.

No traps or other similar defenses would survive the City Lords incursion, so they werent wasted.

Finally, all there was to do was wait.

One hour on the dot from the beginning of the City Lords warning, the hold entrance opened, the gates swinging wide without any resistance.

The City Lords voice carried through. I thank the House of Blood for making my duties light. Those of you who survive, come to my manor, and I may have something for you.

He stood in the center of the now open gates, and Tala could see armed and armored warriors pressing close behind him, without daring to pass him by. Even so, his eyes swept across their preparations and settled on her.

You become more interesting, girl. Should you survive, make your request again.

Tala froze. What? Is he saying?

-I think he might be.-

He smiled ruefully. Ill still probably say No, but I think the conversation might be moreentertaining than last time.

Even with the probably No, there was a new candle of hope lit within her.

-Tala, hes playing with you.-

She grimaced in return. Youre right. I know you are.

-I think he doesnt know what to make of you. Hes trying to suss out what makes you tick.-

Great

Someone behind the City Lord cleared their throat. Pardon, City Lord, but?

The City Lord glanced back as if just noticing the horde of arcanes, ready for the assault. He then looked back into the hold at the defensive positions and battlelines. Hmm? Oh, by all means.

With the barest whisps of power, he was gone.

Tala thought that she caught something, though she didnt think it was magic, at least not mostly. Is he just that fast?

Regardless, she didnt have time to contemplate.

The assaulting force charged.