Holly’s information had been helpful. District 10 had, by all accounts, been flooded with information about the issues caused by the chancellor. One reason Holly came to the tower after being told that District 3 members were being fed was that she believed it unfair that they should get free meals when she struggled to feed her own family in District 10. There was no reason for them to get different or better treatment.
After SJ had gleaned what she could from her and they had finished eating, she asked for their address and said she would come and visit them. The attendant looked at her quizzically as she left the dining hall and walked past the table where District 3 members were still queueing, awaiting entry.
‘They really have got problems,’ SJ thought.
“It looks that way. I can understand why they would put food on for those in District 3 if they have been forced from their homes, but also the anger many will feel being left to suffer still will cause problems,” Dave said.
‘Yes. Especially when there are beings deliberately spreading rumours.’
Holly stated that leaflets weren’t the only thing being dropped in the District; she had been approached directly by several people who told her about the unfair treatment. Due to this, the whole district was in discourse. District 10 wasn’t the most affluent district of the city, but it also wasn’t the worst, and if the level of support that was suspected from District 10 was anything to go by, the chancellor was not being looked at in a good light.
“Please let the chancellor know that I am here to see him when he has availability,” SJ asked the kobold at the front desk.
“Of course, Ambassador. I will send a runner to his chambers.”
“Thank you. I will be out in the garden area,” SJ replied, making her way to the tower gardens. The fine rain still fell, and SJ pulled her cloak around her and made her way to one of several pagodas on the grounds to seek shelter. It wasn’t long before one of the elven attendants came hurrying along the garden path to find her.
“Ambassador, the chancellor said he would see you immediately.”
“Thanks,” SJ said, standing and following the attendant. As she walked through the tower halls, she noticed several beings in the tower turn and look at her as she passed them, her vision picking up their lingering gaze. Some were not friendly either.
‘Things don’t feel right here,’ SJ thought.
“No. Everyone seems to be on edge,” Dave said.
Once they reached the chancellor’s office, the attendant knocked sharply before SJ heard the chancellor respond.
“Come in.”
“Sir. I have the Ambassador for Killic to see you,” the elf said, bowing as he addressed the chancellor.
“Thank you. Please show her in.”
SJ walked past the bowing form of the elf entering the chamber. The previous visits had always shown a pristine office befitting a ruler of such a large city, but now the office was full of tables with parchment spread out over many of them. The chancellor sat on a sofa in front of his desk and placed the parchment down he had been reading as SJ entered.
“SJ. Great to see you again so soon,” the chancellor smiled.
SJ noticed his face looked tired, and his scales didn’t have the same sheen as they had on her previous visit.
“Chancellor. You look tired,” SJ said.
The kobold smirked at her. “I am. I haven’t slept well since you departed the city. As soon as Jelart was dealt with, the problems began.” The attendant had left, closing the chamber door behind him. “Thank you for coming so swiftly.”
“Of course, although I have limited time. I require to return to Killic with Alice so we are back in time for the harvest festival. We have a surprise for Zigferd and Isavil.”
“I see. Well, let us not waste any time then. Please come and sit so we can talk.”
SJ moved to the facing sofa and sat. “What do you need from me? Bastvik briefly gave me an idea.”
“In all honesty, I am not sure as yet. I know that currently, because of the problems we are facing, there are few I can trust with my thoughts directly.”
SJ frowned. “Do you not have Wystria, Alex, and Petunia?”
“I do, and the general, but they are dealing with so much themselves. Petunia has stayed on since Alex returned from the elven capital. There is a mountain of work that needs to be done. District 3 rebuilding works are a priority, but we need help with the supply of various materials. This is because of the influence of certain districts, which we believe are trying to make supply a problem. There has been a tremendous increase in basic costs since we began the work. The main issue we have had is every building removed has meant that we have had to find accommodation for the displaced families. I am sure you have seen the crowd in the tower.”
“So there are those who are pushing the prices up and causing delays?”
“Simply put, yes. And while the works are underway, other districts and the inner city are feeling the pressure.”
“It seems as though they want you to fail and try to cause as many problems as they can while doing so. I met a family from District 10 when I arrived today trying to get food in the dining hall.”
“Yes, unfortunately, we have had several who have attempted that. Thankfully, the attendants are very diligent and have them removed.”
“I fed them,” SJ replied, staring at the chancellor, who looked at her with mild surprise.
“Why would you feed them? They are not entitled to a meal unless affected by the rebuild and losing their homes.”
“Because I saw their state and how hungry they looked.”
“Oh, I see,” the chancellor frowned. “I was unaware. I haven’t left the chamber, never mind the tower, in a while now.”
“I think you need to get out there and see for yourself the state of some of the areas. The family I spoke to lost their home after the death of her husband and was moved to the outskirts of District 10. She now cannot find work as a lower-level farmer and struggles to feed her children. If this is in District 10, what are some of the worst districts like? I know District 3 was the worst, but I think focussing only on the one district is what is causing you the largest problem.”
“We can’t possibly work within any other district at the same time. We don’t have enough resources as it is for three currently, never mind another.”
“I was thinking of at least something which could possibly offset some discourse.”
“Such as?”
“Soup kitchens,” SJ said.
The chancellors looked at her with a perplexed look. “And what is a soup kitchen?”
“The main issue the mother told me was being able to feed her children at least one decent meal a day. Where I came from originally, we used to have charities that would go out onto the streets and provide food to those who were the poorest in society. They were known as soup kitchens. It meant that anyone, regardless of position or standing, could get at least one meal per day. If there are areas within other districts that have problems similar to those in District 3, then it may alleviate some of the issues you are facing due to backlash. I can understand why some would question why District 3 should get special treatment over themselves.”
“I don’t know what these charities that you talk about are.”
“Volunteers. Beings who wish for the betterment of all. Maybe it is something that the church could look into?”
The chancellor mulled over SJ’s comments: “Perhaps it is something I could discuss with Wystria and Petunia. The fundamental problem is the delay in construction. The sooner we can get the area regenerated, the better, allowing the families to return there.”
“How much of District 3 is affected?”
“A large swathe of it,” the chancellor said, standing and walking to the table.
SJ stood and followed him.
“Here you can see the areas currently under reconstruction,” he said, indicating several marked areas on the map of District 3 that were stretched across the table.
“Are all these plans for the restructure?” SJ asked, glancing around.
“Yes. The plan was to start by the outer wall and work inwards, which I now believe was a mistake. The population out by the outer wall is much denser than that as you move inwards, meaning the most significant number of beings have now been uprooted. Foresight is a wonderful thing that we lacked on this occasion. We wished to deal with the worst areas first, but we should have considered the load on the city.”
“I see,” SJ looked at the various plans. Several were for new building designs. “There are a lot of new buildings being planned.”
“Yes. Jelart owned over 80% of the land in District 3, which now comes under the city’s direct responsibility to maintain. Once this initial refurbishment is completed, we will start on District 4 and then 5.”
“These buildings don’t look very tall. Have you not considered much taller buildings to accommodate more?” SJ imagined the high-rise flats that filled many of the suburbs of London. Where land was a premium, to get the best returns for the land, buildings went upward rather than outward.
“We have thought about taller buildings. Our construction team has sent some proposals. The problem we have is the material costs associated with taller buildings. They require magical reinforcement, and the mages guild are asking for astronomical sums of gold for such work.”
“Do you not have mages who can do it for you who work for the tower?”
“We do and could, but that would undermine the trade agreements the city has with the mage academy. The city’s economy revolves around our trade position and working across the various guilds and academies.”
“It seems suspicious that they are suddenly asking for so much.”
“As I say, all the costs have been increasing. I would state, on average, most items have doubled in price.”
“Someone has to be behind it. There is no reason for all the providers to spike their costs.”
“That is my concern. Whoever is orchestrating the problems significantly influences and impacts the construction and refurbishment plans.”
“If everything is being driven by cost, are the banks not involved? Does Otherlisar not know anything?”
The chancellor gave SJ a shrewd look. “You are very aligned with money, aren’t you? I have spoken to Otherlisar, and she has not seen anything to support the idea that the money is being directed to the bank. Whoever is behind this has influence and also the ability to stay out of sight. None of my usual information routes have discovered anything.”
“I am not sure this is something I will be able to resolve on this visit. If you have no leads, then I am not sure where to start.”
“For now, any information that may lead to a responsible party would help.” The chancellor looked at SJ, the tiredness in his eyes clearly visible.
“I will see what I can discover. I can’t guarantee anything.”
“I understand. With everything else going on, if you can look into this for me, I can focus on other areas. I still have a city to oversee, and my time has been split with the problems.”
“Are there no others inside the council who can help you?”
“I have trusted advisors, yes, and they are doing what they can, but many of the lieutenants in the districts are asking for my time, and as the chancellor I can’t really refuse them appointments.”
“I am only here for three days while Alice concludes her business, but I will discover what I can.”
“Thank you, SJ. I knew that I could count on you. Bastvik has been very complimentary when I have spoken to him,” he smiled.
“I will get to it. I will let you know if I discover anything,” SJ said, bidding farewell and leaving the chamber.
‘This doesn’t look good,’ SJ thought as she walked through the halls of the tower.
“I agree. It does seem a rather arduous task,” Dave said.
‘Any thoughts?’
“None. I am at a loss on where you should start. From what the chancellor just alluded to, everything associated with the district is being made more complex.”
‘Well, I always found going to the sources was the easiest way to learn the truth.’
“Sources?”
‘Yes. We have just met a family from District 10 who may help. Especially as so much discourse is coming from there.’
“Oh, I see. Yes, it makes sense.”
SJ called her communication clip from her inventory and placed it over her ear as she walked from the tower. The fine rain had stopped currently, and a weak sun had broken through the grey skies. The damp surfaces of the streets shone under its light.
SJ pressed the button on her clip, and after several moments, a voice came through.
“You are back, I see,” Carlito said.
SJ had walked away from the steps and out towards the stables, where the giant tree stood behind it. She sat on the bench under the tree, her cloak keeping her dry from its damp surface. She opened her map and found Carlito was at the Black Griffin.
“I am. How are you?”
“Very well. Business has been ticking over as usual.”
That Carlito was an assassin and that business kept ticking over still concerned SJ. There were so many assassination jobs available within the city. Soon, she would end up joining the guild, and the thought alone still concerned her.
“I wanted to let you know I am here. I may need to call on your expertise.”
“Really, and what would my expertise require to do this time?”
“I don’t know as yet. I have been asked to do some investigation work and, depending upon what I discover, may come to you.”
“I see. I am sure that I was supposed to be your trainer?”
“You are, and that is why I would be seeking your guidance and support.”
Carlito chuckled. “You lie so poorly. You may seek my help perhaps, but from what I have seen, you require no guidance.”
SJ didn’t respond immediately, knowing full well she would attempt to use Carlito if she needed to.
“Have you reached Level 20 yet?” Carlito asked.
“No. I am at 19. I doubt I will reach 20 for a while yet.”
“I am sure you would have gained enough experience by now.”
“I have. I am just holding off currently.”
“For what reason?”
“It’s complicated,” SJ not wishing to divulge any further details.
“I see. Most things are complicated. Will you have time for any work while you are here? There are a few lower-interest quests that may benefit you.”
“I don’t know as yet. I am only here for three days.”
“I see. I will send you some details, and if you have time, you can complete them.”
“I will look at the details. Thanks.”
“No problem. Well, you know where I am if you need me,” Carlito said as the call ended.
SJ knew Carlito had contacts all over the city, especially in the more deprived areas. He had to be the perfect source of information.
‘I wonder what he will send through,’ SJ thought.
“Getting some more skill points will help if you can while here,” Dave said.
‘It would.’ The perks the extra skill points gave, allowing for multiple skill paths to be learned, had given SJ significant benefits. Her Shadow Step was such a helpful skill. Her display icon flashed.
‘That was quick,’ SJ thought, opening her messages.
Class Quest - Three for two
Carlito has issued you the task of completing three guild quests. You may complete any three of the following within the next seventy-two hours:
A cheating wife - eliminate Olivia Sharcastle, known to frequent the Emperor’s Arms.
Competition - eliminate Master Garshaw’s sole competition in the market area of District 4.
Elimination - Remove the threat caused by the Legionnaire Justin to the assassin guild ‘Liquidation’.
Hallowed Earth - find the person behind the death of Killian Broadaxe and seek vengeance.
Reward: Two class perk points.
‘Two perk points! They would be nice. Increasing Shadow Step again would really be useful. Never mind increases to my other skills. Two more levels in Clawed Avenger would give me an additional ten points of damage. Never mind then adding them to Advanced Identification now that I am aware that Level 5 will begin to show attributes of my targets on top of improving the weakness details of enemies.’
Since SJ had reached Advanced Identification Level 3, she could now see Beast's Weaknesses. Level 5 initially gave attribute information, including Strength and Dexterity. Level 6 then would show Intelligence and Wisdom, with Level 7 concluding the attributes with Charisma and Constitution. The enormous benefits of the skill came into play at Levels 9 and 10. Nine would tell her specific skills, and ten would allow her to read the class of her targets and specialisations. SJ knew that the spell that Bob had cast on her back in the meadow had told him everything about her and that he would love to reach that ability eventually. She knew also that once her advanced skill reached Level 5, it would allow her to choose another Subterfuge skill.
“It would indeed, but as you say, do you have time? The fact he has even given you a time limit of seventy-two hours, knowing how long you are here as well.”
SJ opened her character sheet and reviewed her details; she had come so far since her initial arrival in Amathera.
Legionnaire 25007077
Name: SJ
Age: 27
Race: Fae
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Neutral Good
Level: 19
Experience: 26300 of 9000
Hit Points: 125 of 125 (131)
Mana Points: 115
Armour Class: 67 (37)(30)
Damage: 81-83 (18-20) (13)(30)(20)
Attributes:
Strength: 17 (5)(12)
Dexterity: 40 (9)(31)
Intelligence: 14 (2)(12)
Wisdom: 22 (9)(13)
Constitution: 21
Charisma: 24 (9)(15)
Resistances:
Arcane Resistance 10%
Cold Resistance 10%
Magic Resistance 10%
Poison Resistance 10%
Skills
Racial:
Night Vision – you have improved vision in poor light conditions.
Flight – when in miniature fae form, you can learn to fly. Flying is not available in humanoid form.
Shapeshift – the ability to switch between fae forms.
Class:
Martial Arts –
Kata Level 10
Unarmed combat - Incapacitation Level 5 / Elimination Level 3
Armed combat - Melee Claws Level 4 / Ranged Darts Level 3
Clawed Avenger Level 4
Subterfuge –
Identification Level 10
Advanced Identification Level 3
Shroud Level 6
Shadow Discipline –
Shadow Step Level 2
Profession:
Tailor Skilled Level 8
Perks - Sure Stitch
Symbiosis:
Dragon Sense – your senses, touch, hearing, smell, and sight are heightened.
Precognition – foreknowledge due to increased perception will allow you to evade a killing blow. (24hr cooldown)
Divine lightning – your blood is combined with that of a blue dragon, increasing healing speed while out of combat.
Malware: Waiver (Sandboxed)
Inventory: 84 slots (8 x 10 Bags of Holding) (2) (+2 strength) (10 special)
Followers: 3
