Chapter 921: Arc 9-32

Dawn is peeking over the horizon as we make our way home. My expectations that we would be delayed supporting the guards is thoroughly derailed by my eager guard captain; Shake is sure that her people can take the Grand Summoners, regardless of the elementals they employ. Not even a description of Vanity King’s abilities gave the valiant woman pause. Given their entire identity is centered on handling manabeasts and I plan on entrusting the city to her, I trust her judgment and return home.

“Good morning, my lady.”

No one is surprised that Earl is waiting by the door, eyes bright and uniform immaculate.

“Morning, Earl. Has anyone started breakfast?”

“Not yet, but I can have something prepared shortly.”

“No, don’t rush on my account. Let the rest of the house wake up, we’ll eat together. For now…we’ll take tea in the sitting room.”

“Very well.”

We make ourselves comfortable, Earl swiftly returning with our drinks; he chooses a earthy blend that pools in my stomach and tempts me to go to sleep. A lazy satisfaction rises from the comfortable moment. This…is enough.

“I’m ready to leave the city,” I announce.

The pronouncement is taken in stride, Little Water waiting patiently for me to elaborate while Geneva smiles softly.

“Shall I have the house begin packing?”

“I mean, not immediately. After this last thing.” The construction is proceeding without issue. Marcella will ensure that no one starves and the economy recovers. The expedition will restore the hunters’ livelihood and invigorate the city’s biggest industry. My school is educating a bigger and brighter workforce to carry New Quest into the future.

There is only one facet of my reforms that has yet to be tested; my councils, both in regard to their understanding of the new laws and their ability to effectively pass judgment through them. Callan is the perfect trial; his situation is both complicated and relevant, which will ensure they give their very best effort. They won’t be able to render a sound judgement if they haven’t studied the charter exhaustively.

It will also give me the opportunity to understand the attitudes of my future judicators. The law is flexible enough to be used in many ways; it supports strict judgements as well as mercy to promote rehabilitation. I won’t intervene so long as the law isn’t being subverted but it would be good to know where the people are leaning.

“We’ll stay for the ruling of Callan’s trial and then we’ll go.”

“A trial is designed to take some time.”

“We’ll rush them. It’s not like they have anything else on their agendas.”

“The judge? The jury?”

“We’ll do a surprise test. The highest scorer will be the judge. The next thirteen will be the jury. The next ten can observe and the guard will keep order.”

“And if they decide to grant him mercy?”

Sigh. “I can’t imagine it, but if they do, that’s their decision. And they’ll pay for it. Callan doesn’t strike me as the forgiving type.” The entire point is for the city to govern itself…for good or for ill. “But they won’t. He’s a mass murderer for saints’ sake. My testimony alone is enough to see him executed a hundred times. After the raids, they’ll have dozens of witnesses to testify against him. He’s not talking his way out of this.”

“Who’s talking?” Alana asks as she enters the room, a towel covering half her face as she wipes away the evidence of her usual morning training. Her eyes flick over us and she relaxes. “Guessing last night went well?”

I wave for her to sit beside me as I give her the highlights. She is expectedly disapproving of the Grand Summoners’ methods. She also disapproves of my methods.

“You should have killed him.”

“They’ll kill him and be better for it. This is the perfect first case. The enemy is clear and has no connection to the previous regime. He’s easy to hate and nothing brings people together better than a common enemy.” I should know. The north is another great example; the threat of titans has united them in a pointless war for generations.

“Unless they mess it up.”

“They won’t. Have a little faith.”

“That’s funny, coming from you of all people.”

“I have to believe in them. Otherwise, I’m chained to this place for the rest of my life and I’ve got bigger plans.”

“Speaking of plans.” The room turns to Little Water as she stands, stepping forward to be at the center of our attention. She’s hard to read, some of her tells being so different from the human norm, but there’s something about her demeanor that gives me the impression that she’s nervous; maybe it’s the way the end of her tail curls repeatedly or the way one hand taps her thigh. Despite what I read as anxiety, she meets my gaze directly. No one can accuse her of being cowardly.

“I have a request. I would like to join you on your journey.”

Er. That’s something I’ve never thought about. I guess I always assumed that she would follow Khan. And once we cured Khan, they would head back to the north.

Except, there will be no curing Khan. Little Water needs a new plan.

Saints save me. Is she looking for another horse to hitch her wagon to, so to speak?

No, that’s unfair to her. I can’t treat her like another calculating noblewoman. From my understanding, the marriage was Khan’s idea and Little Water agreed because she didn’t know any other way to forge an alliance with humanity. Her language has never hinted that she is attracted to Khan. I can’t see any sign that she’s attracted to me.

She has a goal and she’s searching for any road to reach it. Don’t think of it as a woman abandoning her lover after his father announces he’s no longer an heir. Think of it as a merchant changing suppliers when their usual contact fails to make good on their contract.

Still harsh, but it’s just business. I doubt Khan will see it that way, but I can understand it.

That doesn’t mean I’m thrilled to bring her along. Docile as she is, she is the agent of another race, one that has been hostile to humanity for hundred of years. One that has hunted summoners in the name of the dragons. Her goals are not the estrazi’s goals, but if tested, I have no confidence that her loyalties will fall in line with me. I’m still not sure exactly what she wants aside from change, and that’s not always a good thing.

Judging from Alana’s frown, I’m not the only one with doubts. “Why?” I ask. “What do you want? No, the better question is, what do you think you will accomplish tagging along with me? And why should I bother taking on the burden?”

Her tail eases. Huh. If that was a sign of nerves, I guess she was afraid I wouldn’t give her the chance to make her case. Confident lizard.

“You plan to confront the estrazi in the winter, to judge our incarceration of the Outsider’s apostle. The warren is not likely to explain themselves. While I am a lesser daughter, I am well-educated in our history. I can give you context, our side of the story as humans say.”

Interesting. And useful. I’m not cocky enough to declare that I want peace, not after the fiasco with city. The best I’m willing to commit to is to be open and careful. Little Water explaining her people and their likely motives helps me be both.

“I can also give you our history of the world. Humans have forgotten or hidden knowledge of the past. The estrazi have not.”

Possibly good for story time. “And?”

“I am willing to be your hands. I realize that I am lacking compared to your servants, but I am willing to dedicate myself to your cause.”

“That’s quite a lot to offer. What would you want in turn?”

“To accompany you. To speak with you, candidly, about your own history and motives. And to have you listen to my own opinions regarding my home with due weight.”

“…that’s it?”

She cocks her head. “Your meeting with my people is poised to change the fate of this continent, perhaps the world. Being close to these events, having the chance to influence them, is quite the boon.”

I suppose. Sounds like trouble and I hate mixing myself in the middle of that without very good reason. “But that has nothing to do with you, personally.”

“I don’t know what I wish for myself. However, I am estrazi. I have a duty to the warren and the responsibility given to all estrazi by the majesties. It is as good as a place to start as any.”

There’re worse reasons to follow someone. And really, what will she do if I leave her alone? Skulk around New Quest until a hunter spots her and thinks she’s an exotic trophy? No, stubborn as she is, she’d just follow me anyway, doggedly following my trail even when she’s left behind.

Better to let her tag along, keep her out of trouble. Though there is one more question that needs to be asked.

“What about Khan?”

“He has not determined his path. I don’t think he will want to travel you, certainly not for long.”

“But would you want him too?”

“Of course. He is an impressive human.”

Oof. I knew it, but hearing it is still rough. “Alright. You can come with us, so long as you understand the most paramount rule. I’m in charge. You go against or work against me…it won’t end with you being sent away.”

Her smug smile isn’t hard to read in the slightest. “I understand.”