The Grand Weave

"I have a few questions," I said.

Allaron motioned to Hubold who stepped forward. "Yes, sir?"

I pointed to the list. "Some of these are written in different ink, and a lot of the summaries are varied."

"The items were archived in different eras of Solunaria's history. It was only after the fifth king that the vaults were itemized and organized accordingly."

Made sense. But some of the skillstones were too weird.

"What about this one? I understand different styles of organization, but why not use an identify skill on this?" I said as I pointed out Dragon's Breath. "It lacks the summary of the other skillstones."

Hubold nodded. "Yes, sir. That skillstone in particular is an oddity. Attempts to identify it have resulted in the same text you see listed. Ranging from tier one to tier four, the skillstone resists identification beyond what it has revealed."

"And nobody absorbed the skill for themselves? Why?"

Allaron waved his hand dismissively. "Deemed too valuable to use casually, while too risky to be absorbed by anyone important enough for the skillstone. And the affinity requirement is nearly impossible within our kingdom. One may get close, perhaps within ninety-five percent, but never ninetynine. It'd require an elemental-aspected race, like an oni or to truly use it."

"And Rune Skald?"

"With the same issues, sir," Hubold explained. "Too valuable, and too risky. And the mana aspect is a signature we can't identify. It seems to be a combination of pure mana and minute mixtures of every element which is an impossibility. Its origin is unknown, for there was no note or mention of the skillstone."

Allaron watched me carefully, his posture was relaxed, but his eyes were calculating. No doubt he was trying to pinpoint a detail about me based on my mentioned choices.

If he learns something about me, then oh well. I tried.

I ran through both lists several times. The major list had some interesting skillstones and I could see value in each one. So I started crossing off the ones I didn't need.

Even if it was funny, Eat the Cake was axed. Next was Endless Maze Timeless Dream. As far as illusions went, Galarion could potentially do that in the future. And some of the creatures I had faced lately were immune to mind control.

Despite how cool Dragon's Breath sounded, and the inability to be identified interested me, Zharia would murder me in my sleep.

I could already picture a third dragon familiar, argueing with Sturmrorex on who was the better dragon.

A shiver went down my spine. Whatever I chose, had to avoid that scenario at all costs.

The new list was much harder to knock down but I temporarily removed Runekeld Vanguard. I was interested in runes and a rune summon was double so, but I had my eyes on Rune Skald.

For now it was in the maybe category.

Saint's Grand Ascension was tempting with the potential ability to teleport. But I wanted to diversify my summons. And like Dragon's Breath, I had Zharia to handle the light element.

Baneblood and Law Unmoving...

By Law Unmoving sounded like an amazing control skill. Stopping mana itself as well as what sounded like kinetic energy could never not be useful. But there was a problem and probably why the skillstone was unused.

Affecting people's mana was hard. You needed more mana, more willpower, and even a higher affinity to combat against someone else's skill. And affecting the mana of a higher tier was next to impossible without directly injecting into their mana channels.

And as cool as it sounded, Magnus could absorb energy and reapply it for his own uses.

So that left me three choices and I could only take two.

I repressed another sigh and moved on to the minor list.

With Sovereign's Warcry I had to choose from the three items. The mask was promising. I wasn't sure what it would do once absorbed, but my real mask gaining the ability to switch faces would go a long way in keeping me disguised.

In the same vein, the earrings would help me in combat. More familiars meant more skills at my disposal, more options to use.

I pointed out the earrings and tapped the scroll. "It lowers the percentage for familiar type summons. Does that lower the summon's mana pool?"

"Yes, sir. It wasn't a concern for the original founder of the earring since he only employed one familiar, but that was a noted drawback from his summon at the time."

Well, damn. The earring was out. My familiars needed their mana, especially someone like Erebus. Drawing from my pool was fine, but having their own mana pool be big in size was too valuable.

Mask or gemstone...

Before I chose, I pointed out a few items on both lists. They were ones I was curious about but would have never chosen.

Even if the king acted casually, I had to throw him off. Make it seem like I wanted other things so I could minimize what information I gave away when I inevitably declared my choices.

Allaron held up a hand and leaned forward. "I'd like to propose a deal."

I lowered the scrolls and waited.

He wasn't smiling, and his hands gripped his chair. How much of that was an honest reaction, I didn't know, but the fluctuation in his mana was noticeable, like a thin slash at the air as the space bent before the enchantments of the vault mended it.

"I have my report, and the head of Helio's adventuring guild submitted her story. Much was revealed, a lot less than I liked. And when I asked about you she told me to stuff it." His last words scratched at my ears. I winced as he repeated the English words. He examined me from head to toe but I kept still and waited. "I want to hear the story, the real one."

My eyes narrowed. "And why do you believe my story is any different from what you've been told?"

He didn't laugh but his eyes blazed with light. "Are you implying that it's not?"

I looked up and noticed the light above the vault was different from before. It was the same as it was in the throne room–flames crawling along the walls and ceiling– and I lowered my gaze back to the king.

"What exactly have you been told?" I said.

I feel stupid. This whole acting mysterious is stupid. And I can't even tell you the full story anyway.

He leaned back. "An ancient being invaded the city and usurped the pantheon's control, blocking the gods. The gods who knew couldn't reveal it because of the chains that tie the divinity to the Grand Weave. From there, a dungeon spawned mind controllers ranging from tier one to tier three throughout the city and created a mass illusion while installing parasites inside their necks."

That's it?

"Is that all?" I asked, letting my voice drip with sarcasm.

"No, but," he said as he leaned forward and more lashes cut the air. "The guard captain and the guards refused to tell me of you and Broken Tower's involvement. The guildmaster I understood. The adventuring guild has always been an entity outside of the kingdom's rule. But the guards? And so far as to refuse the order of their commander? That's unheard of."

Oh. Elanor kept her promise.

"And what do I gain for revealing such information?"

Hubold answered for him and teleported away. A moment later he returned with a small chest. He placed it atop a table that materialized and spun it around so the lock was facing me.

Allaron motioned for the chest and I stayed waiting.

He sighed and waved his hand. The lock clicked and the chest opened revealing a small orb. One that I had seen inside a different vault, albeit atop a hoard of treasure.

My excitement was snuffed and I sank deeper into my beanbag.

"For the information, the real information; an evolution stone. I take it that's an acceptable reward worth the price."

I wanted to laugh. And I almost did, but kept my cool. It was good that he couldn't see my face or his eye would be twitching.

Out of all the things he could offer me, that was probably the least useful thing on this planet.

"I decline."

Allaron blinked, as did his attendant.

"Truly? Is this not enough?" he asked, suspicion coloring his voice.

I looked up, the truth skill continued to dye the ceiling a different shade.

Can't lie, but I don't have to tell the truth.

"The stone is worthless."

His eye twitched fiercely. It was rather comical.

He regained his composure and Hubold snapped the chest shut and teleported away. This time, he didn't return, leaving me with the king trying to burn a hole through my disguise.

Allaron massaged his temples and leaned back. "Insanity spawns insanity."

Huh?

"Of course Anastasia and Nathaniel would bring me someone just as odd as them. Why can't it be normal for a change," he groaned.

Now I felt bad.

He dragged his hands down his cheeks and sat up. "Unfortunately I am only allowed so much time to hide away. Have you made your choices, Strax?"

I stared at the major list and frowned. The choices were hard but I had someone in mind and I knew it would mesh well.

"I have," I replied.

"Good," he nodded. "Hubold is ready, what items do you want as your reward? The choice is final once made and any further interaction with items from the kingdom's treasury can be discussed at an appropriate time."

It was all very official sounding and judging from Allaron's tone, he found it annoying but still went through with it anyway.

"I want the skillstones, Rune Skald and Baneblood Immortal from the major list. For the minor list, I'll take the skillstone Sovereign's Warcry as well as the Fragment of the Stars," I declared.

Allaron nodded and stood up. Hubold appeared in a flash with four ornate chests. Two were made of silver and blue crystals engraved with dozens of enchantments, while the third was more mundane and made of simple iron. The fourth chest was entirely different; shaped like a cube and made of a shimmering stone that reminded me of the stars. A thick red chain held it tight as the chest itself emitted a sense of heaviness a few inches out.

Hubold stepped back and I walked forward tapping each chest and pulling the items into the storage ring I had underneath my gloves.

There was no way I was going to reveal Chomperz to them. He would be too recognizable and with the king's resources he could find any number of people who saw him back in Edolus.

I cringed at the reminder of how naive and showboaty I acted several months back, but what's done was done.

Before we left, I pulled my beanbag into the ring as well and joined the king as he walked towards one of the backwalls. Hubold placed his hand along the golden plate hung near waist level and channeled a river of mana into the plate.

The pin along my collar ringed in resonance and a glowing light appeared. From the light it split into two motes that swirled until a portal formed, revealing the throne room.

Before we left Allaron turned and held out his hand. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Strax. Mysterious you may be, a hero came and saved my people. For that you have my gratitude. If you ever come to the court to parley, I will ensure you are welcomed for as long as you continue to be friendly toward my kingdom."

I shook his hand and lowered my head. "I hope you enjoyed the time to relax. Life isn't fun when it grinds you down without reprieve."

He roared with laughter and released my hand.

"Indeed."

He stepped through and Hubold stared, his attention glued to me like a hawk. I nodded his way and entered the portal, the world stretching from behind me this time around.

I appeared in the court and Allaron had returned to his throne, sitting patiently while a woman in stately clothes whispered in his ear.

He nodded and I turned to take my leave. As I did, the guardsmen to my right were bowled over in a wave of water as Nathan rushed toward me atop a bathtub. Anastasia was on his shoulders with her sword pointed forward charging an insane amount of mana at the tip.

Behind them, a red-faced man yelled obscenities while he charged in a wave similar to Nathan's.

The earth rumbled and became mush behind him.

"Get back here!" he screamed.

Allaron groaned and dropped his head into his hands while I was snatched by Nathan's muscular arms and tossed over his shoulder.

"Time to go!" he shouted.

Anastasia cackled and she fired a beam of light at the window that lit up with a glowing red spell circle. The enchantment baked in cracked and exploded outward in a pulse that floored the nearby guards.

Nathan carried us through the window, and my heart dropped to my stomach as we sailed past the mountain and into the city below.