1.9 In Which the Dark Lord Makes a Friend

1.9 In Which the Dark Lord Makes a Friend

We arrived at Gwyllthean in the afternoon, having walked for most of the day. That gave me an idea how far it was from my evil lair, even accounting for the roundabout route wed taken, and it was a favorable distance: I had access to civilization but a comfortable amount of space from it. I could get to town at need but should have advance warning if they tried to march an army at me. This also spared me having to develop a mental frame of reference for how far a limn was because I refused on principle to have that bullshit in my brain.

It was at this point, in realizing that we were going to have to spend the night in the city, that it occurred to me I didnt have any money. I hadnt found any when rummaging through Roccos former quarters; Aster and Donon hadnt mentioned it, probably assuming I was loaded due to the fine fabrics I was wearing. I didnt even know what the money here looked like. So, that was something wed have to deal with soon. I began peering around as we passed into the outskirts of the city, now more intently looking for useful opportunities rather than just sightseeing. Not that I knew what shape such opportunities would take, but surely there had to be something

Though the Gutters were outside the walls, there were watchtowers at intervals beyond them, including one standing right alongside the main road; once past that periphery, I guess we were in Gwyllthean proper. From there, the road itself began to rise in a long ramp toward the gate in the first wallwhich, I noted, was housed in a towering fortification which loomed over twice the height of the wall itself. I guess they needed a big gate to haul in the giant pieces of akorthist they built the inner city out of. From this close, I could see that the aptly-named Gutters seemed to have partially flooded foundations, with their clearly unplanned layout connected by a hodgepodge of rough streets, canals, and bridges of varying quality. Lesser ramps down from the main road connected them at intervals, looking almost tacked on as afterthoughts to the well-built central avenue.

Looking at this, I had to conclude again that Asters information wasnt entirely correct. There was no way all this was built without digging into bedrock. I know fuck all about architecture, but wasnt building on foundations of sand a common metaphor for a bad idea?

Anyway, I was mostly preoccupied by discovering what happens when a medieval city is built over a bunch of canals: it smells like a family of fish drowned in pig feces and then a family of enemy fish pelted their funeral with rotten eggs. I mentally scratched visiting Venice off my list of things to do if I ever got back to Earth.

Donon cleared his throat loudly behind me. Ah, begging your pardon, Lord Seijinot to overstep or nothing, but

Im actively in need of insights here, Donon. If you have any thoughts which you can share without getting us in trouble, please do.

Of course, my lord. Just wanted to point out in case it was useful He jogged forward to walk on the other side of me from Aster, pointing ahead and toward one side of the long ramp we were currently ascending toward the gates. In the Gutters, the rule is the better, nicer areas are closer to the walls, but up there is an exception. Right around the northwest gate, in the shadow of the outer walls, the streets reached directly by the steepest ramps Thats where you go if you got shady business. Expensive shady business.

Hmm. This is useful information. Thank you, Donon, well done.

He puffed up so visibly it made me uncomfortable for the moment it took him to fall back behind us. How hard up was this guy for validation?

Aster cleared her throat. While, uh, I can see how bandits and criminals might be useful to you, Lord Seiji, it might be smarter to startlower? There are plenty of sketchy areas in the Gutters. The people in the High Lows are dangerous.

I just nodded, thinking ahead. Not that I didnt appreciate the warning, but I did not have time to waste fucking around with pickpockets and street trash. Virya didnt seem the patient type, and god only knew what Yoshi was up to already; one or both of them would be coming after me sooner than later. Donon and Aster were hinting at organized crime, which sounded like exactly what the Dark Lord needed to be acquainted with. So everybody there might kill me, so what? That was literally the first welcome I received when I landed on this fucking planet, and the life of a conqueror in service to the Goddess of Evil was probably going to consist of mostly that. I couldnt afford to coddle myself.

Worst case, I could Immolate a few people. That should impress them.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Among the people coming in and out through the gates, my eye caught on two men who turned aside onto one of the ramps leading down to the streets Donon had just indicated. They made a more conventional parallel to me and Aster, in fact: a well-dressed man accompanied by a heavily-armed thug. Except that the man wore local rich people fashion, in tight pants and a loose shirt with a heavily-embroidered thigh-length coat which was dyed a vivid blue beneath all of its decorations to match his cobalt-colored and gold-trimmed leather boots. He was also blond beneath his broad-brimmed hat, wearing a rapier at his waist, and had that expression that rich people get where I couldnt tell if he was sneering or his face was just shaped that way. His bodyguard was more conventional, too, a tall and broad-shouldered man with both a club and short sword hanging from his belt, nothing on him apparently elaborate enough to be an artifact.

Perfect, I said aloud, changing my course and lengthening my stride to pursue them down the ramp.

Lord Seiji? Aster hissed. What are you doing?

Isnt it obvious? I grinned at her and made a languid gesture at the nobleman ahead, currently striding down into criminal territory with all the confidence of someone who owns the place. Im gonna go make friends with that guy. He seems nice.

If I hadnt been saving the battery on my phone for emergencies I wouldve taken a picture of her face. That expression was worth preserving.

My lord, she continued to mutter, leaning close to me as we descended, if I failed to make it clear enough, nobles are dangerous, and criminals are dangerous, and this looks like both.

You know who else is dangerous? The fuckin Dark Lord. Best behavior, now, people, its time to be sociable.

She subsided, looking magnificently displeased at everything. Behind me I swear I could hear Donon gulp.

I turned onto the ramp, bringing the pair ahead back into sight; they were already more than halfway down it. Being the closest to the city gates and thus highest up, the ramp was taller and longer than any of the others wed passed, and at its top where it joined the much larger ramp of the road leading to the gates it was above the level of most of the rooftops below. The nobleman and his bodyguard had just passed into the shadow of a looming structure ahead. I lengthened my stride, Aster keeping pace and Donon trotting along behind.

The bodyguard was good; he kept watch all around, even occasionally glancing behind. Thus, he noticed us just seconds after we began our pursuit as part of a random sweep. His head-turning became immediately less random, glancing back over his shoulder twice more over the next ten seconds and clearly taking note of the distance between us shortening. After the third glance, he lowered his head slightly toward his employer. I was of course too distant to hear anything, but in the next moment the nobleman also glanced back at us. Thereafter he did not look again, though the bodyguard began keeping a regular watch on us. I noted that while the lord rested a hand on the hilt of his rapier, they didnt increase their pace. Confident fellows, then.

Aster tried once more, pitching her voice low. Men like that are not going to appreciate being approached in public by strangers, Lord Seiji.

Let me worry about that. Defend me if either goes on the offensive, but otherwise mind your manners.

She pressed her lips together and exhaled an angry sigh through her nose.

The street below this ramp was quiet, to a point that was downright strange for an urban area at this time of afternoon. By the look of the buildings lining it, there might not necessarily be many people about; they had large doors and few windows, which suggested warehouses. Still, there should be someone, unless Actually I didnt know unless what, though it was a safe bet it had to do with the kind of business Id been warned was conducted in these parts. It was noticeably darker, especially once we passed down below the level of the surrounding rooftops. The outward-arching city walls hung directly overhead here, which felt unsettling and oppressive. I knew they had to be structurally sound, somehow, but it felt like they were about to collapse on us any second.

The dimness and isolation set a perfect mood for the moment, just after the three of us reached the base of the ramp with our quarry only a few meters ahead, when both men suddenly stopped and turned. Smoothly drawing his rapier in the process of pivoting, the nobleman held it forward and pointed down, at the ready but not overtly threatening me. Yet.

A slime. The noble tore his eyes from it to direct an utterly withering look at his companion. Which is on fire. I do not pay you for your conversational skills or scintillating insights, you chunk of gristle, nor do I need you to continually demonstrate what a poor bargain that would be. Speak with your fists or not at all, and that only when directed.

My lord, the man replied stoically. The lack of reaction suggested he was equally used to being spoken to thus. I already didnt like this aristocrat, but I didnt need to; he was a means to an end.

So, the noble said, again studying me. A foreigner, and a silent caster, with access toexotic spells rarely seen in Dount. And an enterprising spirit with an eye for opportunity. On the other hand, friend, you show rather more ambition than sense.

Ill cop to that, I said in my most agreeable tone, but really, isnt that an equally useful trait? Under the right circumstances, anyway.

Perhaps. Finally, he sheathed the rapier, his expression relaxing somewhat. If youre that new to the country, youve done well to already have acquired Dountol servants. Particularly Blessed specimens. His eyes cut to Aster, flicking to the handle of her sword and the collar of her mail shirt. At least, I assumed that was what he was looking at; her loose jacket obscured both the shape of her chest and the bundle of Biribo still hidden in it.

Oh, these two? They were just what was lying around, I demurred airily. Aster has already proved a surprisingly valuable find, and the boywell, he only has to carry things and follow. I will honestly be impressed if he finds a way to screw that up.

The noblemans lip curled up in an effete sneer. Never underestimate the ability of lowborn to bungle simple tasks, my friend.

Oh, yeah, fuck this guy. But I could still use him, and if he had me pegged as a fellow noble it meant my act was working as intended. True, true. Its the same wherever one goes, is it not?

Indeed. I am not, I regret to inform you, in a position to recruit newtalent.

I kept my own smile in place. But?

But, he agreed, nodding almost imperceptibly, I do believe I know someone who might be interested in interviewing you.

I would be absolutely thrilled to meet them! And there it was; presenting myself as a penniless stray with useful powers would encourage this guys superiors, whoever they were, to snap me up. So long as they felt in control, theyd bite. The rich and powerful are even more predictable than human beings in general, which is really saying something. No reason they need to know anything about my personal fortress and bandit gang, much less any Dark Lord business. At the very least I could learn how the dark side of Gwyllthean operated, and perhaps if the terms were agreeable it would suit my interests to let myself be recruited.

Obviously, my new acquaintance continued in a drier tone, my associates are mindful of both their pride and security. I should forewarn you that we have short manners with those of hostile or duplicitous intent.

Oh, but of course. Severed fingers, shattered kneecaps, plucked eyeballs, all the classics. I fancy Im familiar with the broad strokes.

The bodyguard grimaced deeply; his employer just raised his eyebrows. Hells revels, what animaginative people yours must be. We Fflyr simply kill our enemies and dump them over the rim.

Straightforward and efficient! I think Im going to like it here.

He made a peculiar gesture: right hand in front of the heart, palm down, then rotated it palm up and moved it in a horizontal line across his chest before letting it fall. I am Lord Arider of the Clan Olumnach.

Hajimemashite. I amLord Seiji of Clan Omura.

Lord Ariders expression tightened subtly. We dont bow in Fflyr Dlemathlys, Lord Seiji. As you become acquainted with our history you will understand why, but to begin, consider it a point of etiquette.

Oh. I hadnt even registered that Id done it; bowing was just second nature. Well, that shouldnt be a terribly big adjustment; they dont bow in the States either.

Ah, forgive me. I appreciate the instruction, Lord Arider.

So. It is Lord Seiji, then? His eyes flicked briefly over my outfitwith curiosity, but not skepticism. Evidently cheap Japanese fabric matched up well against the best Fflyr Dlemathlys had to offer, and he was willing to accept the style as being foreign, like my face and accent.

That is a translation, of course. I suspect if I went around introducing myself as Seiji-sama, no one would know what I meant. Hm. That was actually the first time Id heard the title in my native language. Maybe I should have people call me Seiji-sama. It had a nice ring to it.

Quite so. Perhaps later we can discuss how the different systems of rank align. For now, Im afraid you have caught me in the middle of an errand.

Ah, yes, and here I am, making you late! Profound apologies, Lord Arider. If youll kindly direct me to the next person to whom I should speak, Ill cease taking up your time.

No one there would see you without an introduction, he said with a knowing little smile. Thiswill not take long, and is not excessively sensitive in nature. I must admit, I have been relegated to the role of delivery boybut only because there are matters my clan cannot entrust to lesser talents. He gave his bodyguard a pointed stare; the man just stood there in long-suffering patience. If you are not busy at present?

My time is yours!

Arider nodded once and gave my fire slime a significant look. Oh, rightI didnt actually know how to get rid of these things, they couldnt be banished the same way they were summoned. My previous fire slime back at North Watch had been left in a cauldron in the kitchen; the other two were justaround, somewhere. Fortunately we were still in the Gutters and there was a narrow gap between two nearby buildings at the base of which was a drain. I directed the slime into this; it oozed through the bars, there came a splash and a sizzle, and the awareness of it in my head from Tame Beast fizzled out.

Alas, poor slime, we hardly knew you.