2.17 In Which the Dark Lord Closes In

2.17 In Which the Dark Lord Closes In

We moved out right after the ceremony, which put us on the street just as full dark fell. Gwyllthean was quiet, even here on the middle ring; what had happened in the Gutters that morning cast a pall over the whole city, and even those who were inclined to celebrate Lady Grays downfall seemingly did so in private. In the gloomy silence of a traumatized city, we made it all the way from the mourning chapel to the south gate before encountering anyone.

There, it seemed, we were expected, and met by someone I hadnt thought to see more of so soon.

Captain Norovena. I raised a hand in greeting as I came to a stop, eyeing him up and down. You look like hell, sir. Have you slept at all since the night before last?

There are some days when a mans allowed to rest, the hollow-eyed Captain replied, glancing quickly across my little entourage. Only some. Got big plans, Lord Seiji?

Maybe it was the fatigue talking, but he seemed unusually terse. The sunken eyes and two-day growth of stubble added to the intensity of the mans expression, but he was definitely more intent and openly tense than I was accustomed to seeing him. Id only come to realize recently just how adept Captain Norovena was at mirroring exactly what I expected from him; undoubtedly that was a survival skill for a man in his position who had to regularly mollify higher nobility. It made his relatively unguarded displeasure all the more striking.

I doubt youre here and not collapsing into a bed to experience the simple pleasures of small talk, Captain. Whats on your mind?

Usually Norovena would have blunted my directness with a smile and a compliment, but for once he just answered me straight. Lord Seiji, what did you do to Rhydion?

Rhydion? My eyebrows shot upward before I thought to control them. The paladin? He came by the vigil for a few minutes. I didnt think Id made much impression on him. Why, whats he done?

He has been exerting his political influence all afternoon, said Norovena, his eyes boring into mine. Thanks to his string-pulling, the Kings Guild and the Radiant Convocation have both put out substantial bounties on Lady Grays head. Mere hours after that announcement went out, another bounty on her was posted by Highlord Caldimer of Clan Olumnach. Which resulted in Clan Aelthwyn doing the same in the next hour, to save face.

Four bounties on one woman? Isnt that redundant?

That would be the point, yes. Understand that Lady Gray may be an impressive specimen of a Blessed among the Gutter trash she leadsused to lead, that isbut there are multiple individuals in the Kings Guild who could take her on with little trouble, including several who are specialized in the kind of tracking and detection that could penetrate her famous stealth.

I managed not to visibly wince. I had been having trouble with Lady Gray; apparently all my Dark Lord powers werent yet up to tackling hardened adventurers whod had years to collect all the best spells or artifacts. Sakin was right, I couldnt afford to antagonize the Kings Guild.

Yet.

And thats just our local branch, Norovena continued. The chance to collect four large bounties on a single target will bring the Guilds best from Fflyrdylle and all across the kingdom. Hell, I expect well get big players coming from Godspire and Lancor if one of our own doesnt get her in the first two weeks. I realize you feel personally antagonized by Gray, Lord Seijishe certainly went out of her way to tweak your nose.

I stiffened; that was one way to phrase multiple child murders.

But she is done, Norovena insisted, watching me closely. At this point its just a matter of time. Every single move she makes will only create another trail for the hunters to follow. The best thing you can do to finish her off is to step back and let nature take its course.

If this is such a sure thing, how has she been allowed to run rampant in the Gutters for all these years?

You know the answer to that, Lord Seiji, he said wearily.

Of course I did. Because until there was money on the table, nobody had cared.

Right. Well, thank you for the update, Captain

Forgive me for the tangent, my lord, but I was still answering your question. Rhydion has also had his adventurer friends rounding up Gutter Rats all afternoon.

Aenit was holding Asters hand behind me, but I clearly heard the hiss of her sudden gasp. I myself took an involuntary step toward Norovena.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Hes what?!

So you didnt ask him to do this, Lord Seiji?

Of course I fucking didnt! He never does anything I ask anyhow. Have they cleared out the Nest?

As of the last report I received, they havent gone near it. Which, obviously, is because the Rats are as tense and paranoid as everyone else in the Gutters right nowmore so than most, probably. Any approach to their home would make them scatter and be that much harder to track down. It seems the adventurers who agreed to help with this have been instructed to be gentle and non-confrontational about it. They have approached Rats individually and offered to bring them inside the walls to safety, and not insisted when rebuffed. So theyve only managed to round up a dozen or so into the Convocation orphanage. Still, thats around half the Nest, by my reckoning. Its more headway than anyones ever made with the kids before. They must be especially shaken after what happened today.

That was closer to a quarter of their number, according to Aenits description, but I didnt bother to correct him. This orphanage. How will they be treated there?

Better than under that Gently characters care, Norovena said pointedly. Its a Convocation institution, so discipline is strict and religious precepts enforced. They run orphanages specifically to train future priests. But this is a middle ring institution and a better opportunity than lowborn orphans could have asked for until that paladin involved himself.

Damn that self-righteous recycling bin, even when he finally decided to get up off his extra-shiny ass and do something useful it managed to throw a wrench into my plans. Wellstill. This was probably for the best in the long run. I had my suspicions about this Convocation orphanage, but if I was honest with myself it probably was at least as good a deal for the kids as Id been planning to give them. More importantly, if Rhydion had his buddies out gathering them up, that would mean some hope for those I didnt manage to gather tonight.

I guess thats for the best, then, I said grudgingly. Well, if thats

I dont think you realize the implications of this, Lord Seiji. If anything, Norovenas tone was suddenly grimmer. Rhydion is famous for his tunnel vision. Its the reason he can go anywhere in the kingdom and not hurl everything into political disarray simply due to his presence; everyone knows he will focus on whatever matter brought him and leave other considerations aside. Hes here on Dount to investigate the zombie sightings in the southwest khora forest, which have been going on at least since the Liberation. Now, suddenly, the man has taken a hard turn into current events and thrust his sword into the center of them. Can you imagine the ensuing panic among the Clans?

Oh, but Im sure such upstanding citizens as our beneficent Highlords would have no reason to be perturbed by a crusading paladin, I said sweetly. After all, its not like they would ever be up to anything that might offend his sensibilities.

Im glad youre amused, Lord Seiji, he shot back. This is altogether less funny from my position. Standing between the highborn and the low is tense even when things are calm, and things right now are very much not calm! I havent even begun to address the matter of Highlord Caldimer.

Uh oh. Thats Caldimer Olumnach, you said? Seems like Ive heard that name.

No doubt you have, he said with a particularly piercing look. He is already making a move to seize the territory freed up by Lady Grays ouster. Outlying gangs began moving into the Gutters perilously soon after my men withdrew, a thing they would not have done without a much more powerful hand cracking their reins. All things being equal, I could not ask for a better replacement for Grays influence.

Oh, this might be a problem. Id been operating on the assumption that Norovena was motivated purely by his own self-interest, but if he was actually going to be pro-Olumnach, our days of useful cooperation were coming to an end. Lady Grays removal as a player left me exactly one possible target for my next campaign.

And you favor the Highlord for next crime lord? I asked in as neutral a tone as I could manage.

I favor stability. What Gwyllthean urgently needs right now is a period of nothing of any interest happening. The Gutters must have time to rebuild and let any simmering anger over todays events subside, otherwise we risk an actual uprising. All things being equal, a Highlord as the de facto crime boss would go a long way toward ensuring that. He would be motivated to stifle any threats to the hierarchy and refrain from too audaciously antagonizing the other Clans.

I pounced on the one ray of hope in this analysis. Are things equal?

Not even remotely, Norovena spat. He glanced around; we were alone on the street, the only visible people being his own men guarding the city gate a few paces away, but still he stepped closer to me and lowered his voice. Clan Olumnach used to hold the fief of Gwyllthean before it was given to Clan Aelthwyn, and have been obsessed with this humiliation ever since. Their schemes were one of the causes of the last big crackdown, and Highlord Caldimer in particular has always shown more ambition than restraint. And that was at the best of times. Since Lady Gray had his son murdered two months ago, the man has been nearly as berserk as she is now. If he gets a foothold in Gwyllthean, I cant imagine him not trying to move aggressively against the Archlord, however hopeless the attempt.

Let me guess. That would mean a repeat of todays crackdown, but worse.

I am concerned, Lord Seiji, he nodded, holding my gaze with uncharacteristic intensity. I have a riled lowborn populace in need only of an excuse, a criminal power vacuum, and agitated Highlords who are sharing an island with a man personally powerful enough to smash all their defenses and politically connected enough to get away with it. That would be a volatile mix if that were the whole of it. But on top of it are Caldimer and Rhydion, two powerful men whose next moves I cannot begin to predict, save that nearly anything either does is likely to set a spark to the whole barrel, and they are all but certain to end up at cross purposes! Do you see my problem, Lord Seiji?

I believe I do, I said slowly. Im not sure how I can help you, though, Captain. I dont know Highlord Caldimer in the slightest, and I have no control over Rhydion. I sincerely apologize if it was something I said that set him off, but really, the man has never listened to me before.

You can help me by not doing anything that will kick up a massive disturbance, Lord Seiji, and that is what I came here to ask of you. His eyes panned across my entourage of Lamm, Aster, and Nazralind in her shabby disguiseundoubtedly a group of people looking for trouble if ever hed seen one, plus the added touch of Aenit clinging to Asters hand just to add to the unpredictability. Im almost afraid to ask, but what precisely are you planning to do outside the gates tonight?

Aster

Dont even try, she snapped. I told you, Lord Seiji, were not separating again.

Aster, this is Aenits job. Im only coming along to keep watch in case Lady Gray tries to pounce on her during the one minute shell be out of my sight.

Good plan. Ill keep an eye on you, for the same reason.

Every additional person is another risk

Do you wanna stand here arguing about this, or get it done?

I need you covering this door in case

Goose is fully able to do it for the few seconds itll take us to get back here.

I scowled at her. She raised her eyebrows, staring challengingly right back.

Must be nice having somebody who always watches over you, Aenit commented innocently.

I threw my hands up. Ugh, fine. Lets just go.

They were both silent as we strode to the end of the street, not that they needed to speak. I could feel the smugness radiating from both. Again, I reflected, this was all my own fault. I was the idiot who had the bright idea to surround myself with women. Dark Lord or not, there was no telling them anything.

Okay, its a straight shot down this street to the Nest, Aenit reported, stopping at the corner. Dont peek out, Lord Seiji, if they see you coming theyll all bolt, including Uncle Gently. Should only take me a couple minutes to switch out with whoevers on lookout tonight. Nobodys gonna want to be up on the roof with everything thats been going on, so theyll be willing to trade duties with me. You sure you dont need me to send up a signal?

Biribo will be able to tell as soon as youre in position, I assured her. Is there a convenient way onto the roofs nearby?

She nodded and pointed back the way wed come. First alley there, the last one we passed. Owner of that house lets us keep a ladder propped up for access. Everybody in this neighborhood does favors for the Rats. Keeping on our good side is the only way they dont get robbed blind. Gilder would have grinned while delivering that remark, but Aenit paused, staring up at me intently. Back at the house, with those nobles, what they were saying Is it true, Lord Seiji? Youre the new Dark Lord?

Its true, I said simply.

Many people reacted to that revelation with terror; even Lady Gray had been spooked. Gilder, Benit, and Radon had all been excited. Aenit just nodded again.

Good, she said quietly. Thats good. Theres no saving this stupid country anyway. It all needs to burn.

She turned and scampered around the corner, her light footsteps quickly fading.

Biribo?

Dont worry, boss, Im keeping track of her. Quick little sproutthere we go, shes in the door. No sign of Gray or anybody else.

All right, thanks. Lets get up top.

The ladder was right where shed indicated. In moments the two of us were on the roof, carefully taking position behind it where we wouldnt be spotted by the lookout atop the Nest, but ready to bound across the gaps as soon as the signal came. Until then, there was little to do but stand and welter in the tension.

I need a way to beat that dagger, I mused aloud. Thats the problem with her. Shes not that powerful. Skilled, experienced, smart, Ill give her credit for that stuff, but every time Ive gone head to head with her, sheer brute Dark Lord force has got me at least a draw. The problem with Gray isnt how dangerous she is, its just the sheer fucking cockroachiness of her. I need a way to counter that stealth. Shed have been dead every time we crossed paths already if she couldnt just fucking disappear.

You and everybody else, boss, Biribo commiserated.

Im not just making conversation, Biribo. How can I counter the dagger?

He darted back and forth in momentary confusion. Boss, if I knew something feasible, dont you think Id have already

Then forget feasible, go for farfetched. I know you cant tell me about Wisdom powers or they wont unlock, but what about spells? Artifacts? Something. Norovena thinks some of the Kings Guild adventurers have ways to beat it. They have to exist. Not right this instant, were busy, but think on it, okay? I want a list of everything that even theoretically can neutralize her advantage, and then well work through it and see which I have the best chance of getting my hands on.

You heard the Captain, Aster said quietly. With all the heat Rhydion brought down, theres a very real chance someone else will get her before the two of you even have a chance to clash again. That is, if she doesnt try us again tonight.

Unacceptable, I whispered, staring into the dark alien sky and feeding morsels of rage to the beast inside me. I will maybe settle for Olumnach getting to her first. Hes a sufficiently evil fucker to do the job right, and hes good and pissed. Any of the rest? She wont die as painfully, or as slowly, as she needs to.

Aster stared at me in silence.

Aenits on the roof, Biribo reported.

Kid works fast, I said approvingly.

No joke, boss. That ones a good find. Im still impressed she got inside the walls, Gutter Rats almost never pull that off. All right, the other kid on the roof just went back inside, were clear!

Any other watchers?

Neighborhoods quiet, boss. Id guess itll be another day or two at least before everybody in the Gutters lets up on minding their own business as hard as they can.

Good. Lets move.

We rounded the corner of the roof and dashed across them. Our steps were doubtless heavier than the patter of Rat feet the residents were accustomed to hearing, but Biribo was right; I doubted anybody around here would be in the mood to be inquisitive after the day theyd had. Aster and I bounded across alleys and ran over shingles with no trouble.

The Rats Nest wasa house. From the outside, it didnt look like much of anything. A big house, sure, with the windows boarded, but other than that, just a shabby structure that fit in with the rest of the neighborhood. As we drew close, Aenit popped up from behind a gable and waved to us.

The last jump was tricky, but not onerous. We had to get across the whole street; it was a narrow enough street to make that feasible, but still. After pausing to consider the situation, Aster and I got a running start and then leaped across to the building next door to the Nest, so as to not alarm our targets by landing heavily on its roof. From there, the alley separating the two was narrow enough that we could simply step across.

You work fast, I praised Aenit in a whisper.

I know my business, she replied without false modesty. Okay, Lord Seiji, theres seven exits apart from the front door, including two on the roof up here. We should leave one of those for last so I can get back inside, but Ill show you the rest in order. Finally gonna get some justice, she growled, her little face creasing in a scowl.

Thats not really how we do things, Aenit, I warned her. Not most of the time, and definitely not tonight. You should never set the Dark Lord after anyone who deserves a scrap of mercy. Forget about justice. As soon as I get my hands on Uncle Gently, Im going to do something Evil.

Having so declared, I began summoning slimes.