Chapter 14 Part 1 of 1 (Patreon)

“Please take a seat Elder Kostic,” Acting Lord Chonglu said, indicating to a seat behind him.

“Thank you Acting Lord Chonglu.” Kostic sat down calmly.

“I received your letter the other day, regarding the Adventurer’s Association,” Chonglu said interlacing his fingers together on his desk.

“I’m sorry to say but right now we can’t evict them from the city. They have placed well in the last two fighter’s competitions. They are well connected to the traders and crafters,” Chonglu opened his hands.

“What if in the future they were to lose their current position?” Kostic asked.

“How do you mean?” Chonglu raised an eyebrow.

“Well, there are many cities that they hold halls in. Some of the city lords have certain complaints. Having an obnoxious and arrogant guild in your city can lead to - problems.” Kostic seemed to search for the word.

“Depending on the situation, we might be more amenable,” Chonglu opened his thumbs, keeping his fingers interlaced.

“Well thank you for your time,” Kostic half tilted his head, standing up.

“Let me see you out. I hope that you can come to me if you require any assistance,” Lord Chonglu said.

“Thank you and I will keep that in mind.”

Kostic exited Chonglu’s office, he gathered his guards and continued out to his carriage. It was only inside that he let his blank face turn into a pensive look.

Not as simple as he looks. If they’re connected to the Adventurer’s Association then he will warn them about the impending attacks on their guild halls. If he doesn’t, then they won’t show any large changes. What’s most impressive is on the surface, even as I was watching him, he didn’t show any reaction out of the ordinary. If Vuzgal is supporting the Association just how far would they go and what is their connection? Is the guild actually the Alva Army that they came from? They have some similar weapons. Though the large metal tube weapons and their hidden explosive formations haven’t been seen in battle. What secrets are you hiding?

***

Chonglu related everything to Elan, Erik and Rugrat. Elan spent his time in the under-city Vuzgal was the main hub for the Intelligence Department. He had been working to alter the story around the Silaz family, basing it off of the truth.

Erik and Rugrat had remained a few extra days talking to Momma Rodriguez and finding out all she had been through.

Now there was no laughter and smiles.

“And there’s nothing that we can do. Unless we want to play right into their hand,” Elan said.

“What do you mean?” Chonglu asked.

“He means that if we pass on that the Willful Institute is trying to get the Adventurer’s Association evicted from the different cities, then they’ll know for sure that we’re working with the Association,” Erik’s voice was acidic as he looked at Elan with dark eyes.

Elan bowed his head, pressing his lips together.

Chonglu, let his hands fall powerlessly in his lap.

“So we don’t tell them to cover our asses from the Institute.”

“The guild knows the risks, all of their families and relations have been moved to safe locations. There are plans if a guild hall is attacked. Whatever the Institute does, or who they bribe, it is unlikely that they will be able to march an army into each city that the guild has a hall. Whatever my intelligence officers find out in the other realms, we can pass on. We just can’t pass this on.” Elan’s voice was hollow.

“Fuck,” Rugrat raised his fist to smash it on the desk but let it fall weakly as he let out a frustrated breath.

“Increase training classes. That should bring more of the guild members away from the halls. Blaze will have to close some guild halls and consolidate his people,” Erik said.

“Do we tell him?” Rugrat asked.

“Up to you,” Elan said.

“No, we can’t put that on him,” Erik shook his head.

“He could fucking hate us.” Rugrat said.

“He could, but there is no knowing what will happen if they figure out Vuzgal and the Adventurer’s Association are together.”

Rugrat took in a big breath and sat back in his seat, letting it out in a sigh.

“Fuck.” The simple word filled with frustration, grief and preparing for the coming pain.