“I need your help,” I say honestly. “I have useful information, but I’ll need your help.”
Raven tilts their head. A small hum of amusement hovers between us. They steeple their long fingers and regard me with curiosity. “Speak, Yuki,” they say calmly. “We’re friends after all.”
There is absolutely no way we’re friends. We’re using each other at best, and they know it. But they can’t resist the social stuff, so it’s fine. I forgive Raven for being an annoying moron, and speak. “Tomorrow, Respitia will bring a young human healer up from the fourth floor.”
That piques Raven’s interest even more. “Really now,” they hum. “A healer. And this interests you how?”
“The boy and I worked together before,” I say with a small shrug. “I would prefer that he be free.”
“So you went to ask your good friend Raven to free him,” they hum happily. “But, Yuki. Getting a healer out under Respitia’s clutches can really earn me the ire of Erodyl, downpour’s monarch. So, what’s in it for me?”
The question comes calmly, and yet it bothers me. “A healer,” I tell them first. “You can recruit a talented healer. Since you’re at war…”
“I need resources, yes,” Raven hums, leaning back and toying with the feathers that make up their giant mantle. “But this operation, by itself, isn’t worth it. If it succeeds, and only if, then it’ll still be months for it to pay off.”
Sighing softly, I nod. I knew this would happen. So, with slow motions, I take out a spear. Not that of the guard I killed - that would be stupid - but a normal spear that I bought and then enchanted. Raven’s eyes instantly glitter.
Of course, the enchantments are hidden. [Obfuscated]. But it’s so dense with mana that more of the ethereal fluid rolls off it than usual. Far more. I spent all day on it, after all, so it’s a strong enchantment. I even integrated tiny little core-constructs to help mana flow through it better.
[Job up! Core Controller 4 > 5]
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Raven hums, turning it over in their hands. I know Raven uses spears, sometimes, because they’re a coward. They like holding anyone at range, and it’s a very elegant spear. “Why, Yuki… this is a good start…”
“Stab someone,” I say quietly.
Raven tilts their head, then nods, gesturing one of their little birdies over. A scithian, tall and handsome, but older. “Your hand,” Raven says.
Obediently, the man nods and holds it out. In a swift motion, Raven brings the spear down on it, leaving a small cut. But a moment later, the mana within the man starts to shake slightly - a small sheen of crystal appearing in the wound.
“Oh my,” Raven whispers. Their solidified mana coats the gash. It dissipates quickly, but as the mana returns to its regular state, it messes with the man’s control. “Oh my,” they repeat.
Now, the looks I get are hungrier than before. My value has just risen sharply. “It took me a month to make,” I lie, putting on my best pained grimace, which helps some of the attention dissipate. Raven twirls the weapon happily.
“Mhm, so you did,” they hum slowly, appearing chuffed. “Well then, Yuki.” With a spin of the spear, they smack its butt into the ground and rise from their chair. “Fine, fine. We’ll help you out. Since you’ve been so generous.”
I nod, then get up and leave. “Tomorrow, they’ll come through the front gates. We want to catch them outside, probably. You have ways to smuggle people in, yes?”
Raven chuckles. “That I do, that I do.”
“Good. See you then.” And with that, I walk off.
Truly, I am glad that Raven didn’t notice the spear would explode if overcharged. Because, well, that’d have been hard to explain. But I don’t dare smile yet. Not until Jean is safe.
- - -
Thatch looks pale as he greets me back at the inn. He’s listlessly poking a piece of toast with a fork. I pull out a chair and sit down, and he forces a smile. “Heya, Snow,” he greets me.
I tilt my head. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Thatch says, and his smile widens just a bit. “I’m alright. Just feeling a little tired. This management business has been troublesome. I’ve been establishing connections, trying to get some farmers into our territory.”
“Farmers?” I ask, curious.
Smiling faintly, he nods. “Food is tricky up here. The fourth floor has to deal with the rot, and does glass houses. But here, there simply is very little space for farms. So, most of the soil is made by hand, and druids and beast tamers work together to make food. There’s a lot of stacked farms along the city walls, and some imports via airship.”
“Right,” I say.
“And that food is expensive,” Thatch explains, leaning forward, finding some energy to have a bite as he talks. Being an extrovert is truly powerful. “So, since we want supplies so people can reasonably eat…”
I smile as he waits for me to finish it. “You’ve been recruiting people,” I say.
Thatch grins and nods. “And making space. Excavation efforts have started into the underbelly of the island. We’re using the stones we dig up to repair some of the houses. It’s slow going, but we’re making progress.”
“This has been mostly you and Inu, then?” I ask calmly.
For a moment his eyes widen, and he looks like he’s about to ask how I figured it out, then pauses. Smiling sheepishly, he scratches the back of his head. “Yeah,” he says. “Opal has been helping too, though!”
“Ever the hero,” I nod along. Then I scan Thatch up and down. He’s eaten half the toast. I smile softly. “Thatch. If it gets too much, ask.”
The smile on his face fades into something more melancholic. Silence hangs there for a moment, but then he nods. “Okay,” he says.
I pat him on the shoulder, which makes him smile a little more. Then, I get up from the table, and head to our room. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I say with a smirk, “I have a child to save.”
Thatch snickers for a moment, then realizes I wasn’t at all kidding as he stares after me. “Hey… wait a second! What do you mean a kid to save?!”
By the time I hear the scraping of the chair, I’m halfway up the staircase and start running, spreading my [Observation] wide and looking for Sylves. I’ll need her help for this little operation. Hopefully, we can hide it from Raven.
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