Book Three Chapter Fifty Eight: CC_Gate Choice

Book Three Chapter Fifty Eight: CC_Gate Choice

"What do you mean?" Qube asked as the city guard and the Thieves Guild squared off against each other.

"You're not getting anyone to try and harm any member of our guild!" The leader growled, cutting off whatever the Chosen One had been about to reply.

"The duty of the city guard is to eliminate all vermin," the captain replied. "So, if we were to clean up around here, we'd just be doing our jobs."

Wait, are they actually going to fight? That doesnt seem right. The Chosen One was, predictably, distracted from his conversation with Qube by the conflict unfolding before him. He wasnt the only member of the adventuring party to be pulled into the drama.

"The rats' mutations seem to have made them intelligent enough to join the Thieves Guild," Definitely Bad Guy said, his eyes flaring red and blue as he examined the giant rodents. He slowly started circling around the rats, as was his habit when examining things, stepping past the bristling thieves. The former Mage Advisor completely ignored the fact that a large group of armed guards were threatening to kill the group of beings directly around him, so enraptured was he with his studies. "Fascinating."

"While I defer to you in all things magical and mutant, could this not be the result of them being exposed to [The Bard's Ballad]?" Sencha Bard asked with surprising humility from a safe distance, far outside the reach of both the city guards and the Thieves Guild. The glances he was sending to the human members of the guild were anything but humble, however. Qube hadnt seen such venom peeking out since well, since hed last mentioned the Devs.

"A worthy question," Definitely Bad Guy said, nodding approvingly. "But we have seen many animals affected by [The Bard's Ballad] and only the creature designed as Boss showed this level of intelligence."

Sexy Screamy Spider Briar sucked in a sharp breath at his statement. She shifted slightly, allowing the mascot on her back to slide off and approach the centre of the Thieves Guild, where the Mage was working.

Squiggles wound her tentacles around the Mage's ankle. He didn't look down, instead continuing to address Sencha Bard as he added: "Naturally, creatures affected directly by the Healer's spells would show increased levels of understanding regarding the reality of the world they live in, which could present itself in the form of rapid learning."

Squiggles slowly started trying to climb Definitely Bad Guy. Not breaking eye contact with the Bard, he carefully pried her questing tentacle off his leg. A second tentacle took its place. This too was removed by his remaining free hand.

Which meant he had no hands free to stop the other six tentacles from latching on, allowing the sharktopus to climb up onto his shoulder.

"I object to this treatment," the Mage said stoically. His expression was scrupulously neutral as he continued to look straight ahead. With the tact and diplomacy he was known for, Sencha Bard didn't so much as flinch at the sight of his compatriot being swarmed by a happily drooling Squiggles.

Qube tugged on the Chosen Ones arm, drawing his attention back to her.

Chosen One, please focus, she said, mildly exasperated, but not at all surprised.

The Hero shook himself, and brought his attention back to the half-elf before him.Follow current novels at novelhall.com not having either of these idiots join us when we go to the castle. We don't need them tagging along and making a mess," the Chosen One said to his boon companion, gesturing to indicate both the thieves and guards. We can do it on our own.

Who are you calling idiots? the leader of the Thieves Guild interjected indignantly.

Of course well be joining you on your quest, the captain of the city guard was distracted from her mission to eliminate all vermin from the city by the Chosen Ones strange declaration.

Nope, the Chosen One said firmly. Neither of you are coming with.

All animosity between the two disparate groups was temporarily put aside as they faced their new mutual foe: the Hero destined to save their kingdom.

We are an elite group of guards dedicated towards the protection of this city! the captain said, bristling in indignation.

We have the right to try and protect our interests, same as anyone else living here! The thief leader also bristled in just as much outrage as the captain. Theres no way youre gonna let these goodie two shoes hog all the glory and impose a bunch of new rules.

Just as theres no possible reality in which these degenerates will be given free reign to destroy our peaceful way of life! the captain retorted.

Yeah, the leader of the Thieves Guild said, drawing himself up. Yeah! Were willing to shed blood, theirs or ours, to stop this city from being strangled! For our freedom! We may be thieves, but theres honour amongst thieves!

Not what that saying means, the Chosen One said dampeningly. But see, thiss what Im talking about, he said to Qube. Either way, their plans involve getting killed by a bunch of troops while we sneak in the back. Whereas if we actually sneak in, they dont need to be at the front.

There will be an overwhelming number of troops within the castle the captain started.

Who we can deal with a lot better than you guys, the Chosen One said brutally, before turning back to Qube. Im not into these kinds of stories. Dont like them. Never have, never will. Its pointless sacrifice for the sake of adding fake depth.

Something about the way he was talking was faintly familiar to Qube. She could have sworn hed said something similar to her before. But she didnt remember this kind of intensity about stories.

At the word stories, Sencha Bard, whod been subdued ever since Construct Crossroads, looked up at the Hero.

We dont need them to die to get into the castle, the Chosen One continued. And I guarantee you that theyll die to attacks that wed easily survive. And sure, theyd probably drop unique loot, but this close to the end point thats not really as important.

The entire party gasped at the Chosen Ones declaration.

But Chosen One! Qube said, moved almost beyond the power of speech. You love loot!

I do, the Hero said seriously. He put his hands on Qubes shoulders. But even unique loot isnt worth killing a dozen innocent people and a bunch of maybe-sentient giant rats for.

Qube was shaken to her core, rocked by the sheer weight of the Heros words. He had truly grown so much during their adventures together! She clasped her hands together and nodded, tears sparkling in her eyes.

But surely its not your decision, whether or not these people choose to join us? How can you prevent them from doing what they wish? Will you force them to obey your wishes? Sencha Bard, though obviously also affected by the Heros momentous shift in attitude, was still focused on his own train of thought.

He can simply order them to stand down, Definitely Bad Guy said. If they are pledged to his cause, they will be compelled to do as he wishes.

We could always distract them before the big fight, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar said thoughtfully, while standing directly in front of the people she was proposing to distract. And use their distraction to tie them up, and leave them behind so they cant hurt themselves.

But youre still taking their agency away from them, Qube pointed out. They chose to fight with us, and theyre choosing to make this sacrifice, so shouldnt we respect their wishes? Its not necessarily for us to tell them how they can and cannot spend their lives.

Nah, the Chosen One replied casually. I aint gonna tell anybody what they can and cant do. All I can do is control what I do or dont do. Like this: Hey everyone! he shouted to the two groups. I aint gonna play ball with whatever plans you come up with.

You cannot stop us from doing our duty to the city. Even if you beat us, or tie us up, or break our legs, well storm the castle as you enter the maze! the captain bravely declared.

Yes, us too, the thief leader added, with slightly less conviction. Obviously wed prefer it if you didnt hurt us, of course. No one mentioned any leg breaking. Normally we break the legs.

Again, you guys are all thinking way too simply, the Hero said. Especially cuz you should all now be thinking for yourselves. Its simple: Im gonna infiltrate the maze. If you lot try and storm the castle, or help me in any way, I aint gonna try and physically stop you, or compel you, or whatever. No, whats going to happen is: Im gonna stop trying to get into the castle, and walk away.

Everyone murmured in confusion. The Hero continued:

Yup, just plain old going to stop what Im doing and go do something else. Maybe Ill go to the inn and have a nap, or go for a walk around town or something. Dont matter what I do; the point is, youll all die, and it wont help me at all cuz Ill be off doing something else, so itd all be pointless. So you can all do what you want, but Im also gonna do what I want. Plan accordingly.

The Chosen One turned back to the party, and gave them a gleefully evil grin.

And that, my friends, is called setting a mother-[fiddling] boundary.