4.21 In Which the Dark Lord Makes His Case

4.21 In Which the Dark Lord Makes His Case

I will not step on the leaders tail, Vylkher said suddenly when we were halfway across a rope bridge over a terrifying gap I was fully occupied not thinking about, but you should know that you havesympathy, here. The healing you granted has helped, but even before that. Though our lives are less perilous than those of the wolf and cat tribes, there are many here who are eager for the kind of change you represent.

I think, I said, speaking as carefully as I was currently stepping, Im going to refrain from sticking myself into your internal tribe politics, on the grounds that I know nothing about them and screwing around with complicated things I dont understand is a quick was to break shit.

He half-turned his head to give me a glance and a thin smile over his shoulder. Wise.

So from an outsiders perspective, though. What do you reckon are my odds?

The leaders decision will depend on what you say to him. He is conservative, but he is reasonable and willing to change when he believes himself to have been wrong. Ultimately, his goal will be to avoid splitting the tribe.

Good idea. Civil wars are the ugliest kind.

There will be no war. If the tribe splits, it will be peacefully, by agreement. Our laws allow for this. It has never happened, though, not once since we have settled on Dount. No one wants it. All would prefer to find a compromise. The minority will almost certainly go along even if they do not agree.

Thats reassuring. Thank you, Vylkher, thats a very useful perspective.

He glanced back once more to give me a nod, and we continued the rest of the way in silence. I could appreciate a guy who only talked when he had something important to say.

We came to the big central structure where they held their meetingsat least, the non-spiritual ones that didnt call for the altar down below. Even on approach I could see it was occupied, from the flickering lights in the ventilation slits open near the roof. There was also a subtle smell of smoke and something else sweeter and gently spicy. Ugh, more incense. Well, I knew the Seer was there, anyway.

Vylkher went right up to the door and stopped to one side of it, gesturing me in. I nodded at him and pushed through the heavy hide flap holding out the wind.

It was only my second visit to this spot, but it felt like the third. Though Id been there constantly during the initial meeting and then the more convivial sessions dispensing healing, the atmosphere in those two encounters had been so different they were distinct experiences in my memory. This, now, was the first one all over again. The chieftain sat on his carved bench like a king on his throne, with the Seer standing at his side as before. Now, there was an akornin brazier made from the whole shell of some animal on his other side, letting out that smoky incense. Squirrelfolk lined the perimeter of the room in ranks two deep, as during our initial audience. The available space meant this couldnt have been as much as half the villages population, and I couldnt be sure how many of them were the same as before.

Not in a they all look alike sense; on the contrary, I was finding beastfolk easier to tell apart than members of human ethnicities with which I wasnt familiar, simply because their fur patterns did half the work for me. I just hadnt been here long enough, nor been paying enough attention during my first visit, to recall most of the individuals. I recognized a few, though, including the man who had given me that guitar which I could tell was a treasured heirloom. I had healed his young son of what Im pretty sure was some kind of cancer or autoimmune disease.

I dunno exactly. Im not a doctor, I just play one in this stupid fucking isekai.

As before, I stepped up to the cleared space in the center of the room, facing the leader and the Seer, who regarded me impassively.

So, I said cheerfully, I suppose youre wondering why I asked you all here today.

There was a faint whisper of shuffling paws and shifting tails from around the room.

Not particularly, replied the chief, staring me down. You play a dangerous game indeed with that paladin, Dark Lord.

Dangerous games are the only kind Ive seen since I arrived on this world, I replied, unsurprised. Yep, they knew. As I spoke, I reached up to carefully tug my scarf loose. I dont play them by choice, they just wont leave me alone. Regardless, your people have been admirably discreet in this matter. I respect the intelligence that takes, and I am grateful for the help, however subtle. I always remember those who have helped me.

Biribo buzzed out from the loosened folds of fabric to hover in his customary place over my shoulder, prompting another rustle from around the periphery, this one accompanied by soft murmurs. The Seers little squirrel familiar leaned forward on her shoulder to hiss at him. She reached up and flicked its nose.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Wow, was it gonna be like this every time? Biribo and Radatina had warned me, but I could do without him going at it with every other Blessed with Wisdom I encountered like magic stray cats. He, at least, kept quiet and did no worse than stick his tongue out at his new rival.

Then, the chief said evenly, will you consider our debt for the use of your power repaid?

Wow, he was gonna be that mercenary about it, huh. I was not inclined to accept that interpretation of events, and not just because I was getting the worse end of that deal. No, that entire approach to relations between us wouldnt lead in the direction I desired.

Is that how you prefer to handle your affairs? I asked instead. A favor for a favor, everything neatly tallied up?

It givesclarity, he said tonelessly, which is especially important incomplicated situations.

Now, maybe this is just my experience with the goblins talking, but I would say that clarity only comes when terms are worked out and agreed to beforehand. Assigning value to things done after the fact seems like a terrible idea, to me. Besides, I dont recall you ever being in my debt. I told you up front: healing is free, when Im here to offer it. If I want anything in exchange, Ill tell you before acting.

Then

And I expect the same in return. I kept my smile in place, but deliberately hardened it, along with my tone. If someone aids me without being asked and then tries to demand payment, I will have to conclude I am being swindled. That kind of con really only works if you have the power to forcibly extract payment from the mark. Dont you think?

The Seer shifted her head slightly to regard the chief with raised eyebrows. He kept his own stare fixed on me, his shoulders rising and then falling in a silent sigh.

Very well then, I expected it to come to this. Make your threats, Dark Lord.

Do I look stupid to you?

Whatever he was expecting, it wasnt that. The Seer looked amused and intrigued; the chief blinked twice, fumbling for a response.

II didnt

In the hypothetical youve just proposed, I steamrolled on, I would presumably demand your allegiance under pain of Im not sure what you think Id do to you, so lets just call it threats and move on. Your peoples specialties are alchemy and stealth, as I understand it? Definitely aptitudes I would like to incorporate. So in this situation I would have placed a bunch of skilled assassins in and around the heart of my organization, while pissing them off. As if any moron couldnt anticipate what would obviously happen next. Tell me, do I have STUPID printed across my forehead, or do I just give off a stupid vibe?

The chiefs mouth hung open in surprise, and there was more rustling and soft voices from around the room.

The Seer, though, laughed quietly. Her counterpart gave her an irritated look.

Truly, you are a man of layers, Lord Seiji, she said, stroking her familiar. Respect and restraint, fueled by cynicism and rage, and expressed through jokes. I genuinely have no idea what the inside of your mind must be like. Congratulations; that is something I can say about few people.

I bet you say that to all the Dark Lords.

I let them rustle and stir for a moment before continuing.

I am sorry about that, truly. It resulted from my misunderstanding of khora biology, and how a certain spell I can cast works. I would never have done such a thing on purpose. But you seepower is like that. We all make mistakes, but for those of us who have power, our mistakes echo far and cause damage we cannot imagine in the moment we first misstep. Something tells me you know a thing or two about that, chieftain.

I waited for him to give me a grudging nod.

The Inferno was only the beginning, you know. The mere fact of my presence, my existence, means that carnage and chaos you fear is coming. And its coming for us all; carnage does not discriminate, by definition. I wont apologize for the result of me being here, because it was not my idea and believe you me I am not happy about it. It is what it is, now. Even if I manage never to make another single misstep, war and destruction are coming for us alland I think you know the chances of me having a perfect record from here on.

I shrugged, looking first at him and then at the Seer, but in truth, addressing the whole tribe.

Good job not stepping in the crawn bucket, but its about to be kicked over. Your options are to try to survive whats coming on your own, or with all the protection and aid I can offer you. I wont force your handwell, I amended, grimacing, I will try not to. I dont want to. But I sort of do just by being here, dont I? Right, Seer?

Hm. She tilted her head, seemed to contemplate something, and then nodded once as if reaching a decision. You know, I believe you can call me Zhylvren.

The rush of whispers that brought from the onlookers was on another level; even the chief whipped his head around to stare balefully at her. Apparently this was a much more significant thing in their culture than I was prepared to understand, and soas per my earlier comments to VylkherI decided I was better off not fucking around with it until I knew more.

I can try, I said doubtfully. Im pretty sure several of those consonants dont actually exist.

She grinned in apparent delight. Strange womanlikable, in her way, but weird, and alarmingly smart. Maybe I ought to make an effort to get and stay on her good side. The alternative was likely to beproblematic.

Iwill deliberate, the leader stated. He paused, noting that the undercurrent of shuffling and whispers had not completely subsided this time, and swept his stare around the room before correcting himself. We will deliberate. There must be discussion about this among the tribediscussion that will not involve you, Dark Lord. You have said your piece.

I have, I agreed.

The SeerZhylvren, and holy shit there was no way I was going to try saying that out loudleaned down to murmur something in his ear. Both of said ears immediately lay flat back against his skull and he turned to face her, baring his teeth.

What followed was a nearly silent argument, the chief clearly unhappy and the Seer calmly relentless.

I glanced up at Biribo. He flicked his tongue out at me without saying anything, and I decided to defer to his judgment. Having him narrate their discussion would definitely annoy them at the very least, and knowing what they were saying probably wouldnt change the outcome. Besides, I could just have him tell me later.

It was with a distinctly disgruntled expression that the leader finally turned back toward me, but he mastered it quickly enough, raising his chin. At his side, Zhylvren straightened up as well, smiling beatifically.

My Seer has shown me wisdom, the chief stated evenly, in a reminder of why I always make a point to listen to her, despite how annoying it tends to be.

The Seer beamed with intolerable self-satisfaction, and I found myself empathizing with him. Like, damn, she was helping me out here and even I kind of wanted to throw a drink at her.

What I said to your paladin friend was true, the chief continued. I fear the witch far more than the Fflyr. She is closer to us, and more aware of us, than they. But now, there is also you. Just as close, nearly as knowing He leaned forward again, regarding me with a fixed and piercing expression that seemed oddly lacking in hostility, compared to his previous stares. but you have promised, in what my Seer has said is good faith and sincerity, to leave us in peace as best you can. Or to share your strength and bounty with us if we agree to your terms. The witch, it must be said, has never so much as offered us either.

I waited in silence, recognizing both his moment of productionyou just didnt upstage a fellow showmans showtime, after alland that he was making a decision he found difficult. I could relate.

I still do not side against her. But I will, in consideration of these facts, tell you what I know.

I bowed to him. And I thank you for it.

Im afraid your need to conceal youraffiliation from Rhydion doesnt end when you leave this village, he said with a glimmer of dark amusement in his expression. You go to face a vestige of your predecessor. The witch was once a powerful servant of Dark Lord Yomiko, who survived the fall of the Crusade but disdained to throw in her lot with the dark elves of Shylverrael. Nor has she offered aid or succor to any of her other former allies, he added with clear bitterness. Over the decades she had deigned to teach our people some few secrets of her alchemy, but not the merest fraction of what she knows. At best she has given us fair trade in potions for raw materials, and at worst, made demands which we did not dare to defy.

Shes been there since Yomikos time? I demanded. How is that even possible? Waitdo elves live a lot longer than humans?

Elves? he asked in clear surprise. A bit longer than your race or mine, I suppose, if only because they tend to live in comparative comfort and wealth. That is not the issue with the witch of the deep forest. The alchemy she uses, the experiments she carries out with life and death itself Whatever she once was, she is now a thing. Something far more powerful and self-possessed than those shambling corpses she has made, but

The chief trailed off, turning to look at the Seer.

Occasionally she has exerted control over one bandit gang or another, Zhylvren took over, as sources for what she could not get from us. We have always refused to hand over our dead to herexperiments, and it seems there remains enough of a shred of decency in her that she has not seen fit to insist. Besides, she doesnt appear to favor beastfolk corpses. Humans, mostly. Elves, if she can get them. We have learned to avoid the bandits who served her. They tend to becomebizarre. Twisted, and deadly even by the standards of bandits.

Uh oh.

Do they, by chance, tend to resort tocannibalism?

The chief and Seer nodded in grim-faced unison.

Ah. And if someone were to, for example, wipe out a gang of cannibals operating out of the forest

That person is owed the gratitude of all, the chief stated firmly. Such as they are not people anymore, merely abominations that can only be expunged. I might feel otherwise if the witch were driven in her hunger to prey on our kind, but whether she does still possess some form of conscience or simply has never been hungry enough, at no time in our records has she done so. On the rare occasions when she has turned to us for food, she hasbargained. Generously. So much so that some of ours have relented, despite theprice.

Ugh. So the witch eats people. Fucking hell, how desperate must the squirrels have been to bargain forwhat, an arm? Fingers?

Apparently not, though.

The chief shook his head negatively. Not that, thankfully. Those who fall too far under her sway tend to turn to eating the flesh of people; her influence teaches them to see people as prey, but in the end, what she needs for sustenance cannot sustain a man or woman of any race.

Blood, the Seer said quietly. She requires living blood. The fresher, the better. Directly from the victims veins if she can get it.

For a second I could only stare at them in disbelief, before my mouth finally caught up with my comprehension.

Now, just a minute. Youre telling me I am dealing with a fuckmothering vampire?!