Chapter 250: In the House of the Rising Sun
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Chapter 250: In the House of the Rising Sun
Tala followed in the wake of her soldiers, her feet easily cracking through the thin layer of ice to find purchase, even with the increased surface area of her steps.
She heard the sounds of brief clashes, but rarely any screams of pain. Theyd brought true professionals.
Tala took the main corridor to the left, towards the more elite common areas.
Be-thric was heading towards the more guest centric section of the hold, as one of the candidate Eskau who was supposed to be inside was supposedly a guest from another city.
Meallain took the path straight ahead. That way led to the main services for the average guild member. That way was also the audience hall. So, if anyone encountered a full Eskau or Pillar it would be her.
Tala was the next most likely, but as they were striking during the middle of the day, the upper echelon shouldnt be taking advantage of the facilities, leaving them to be utilized by the candidates. Or, at least, thats what Tala hoped.
She strode down immaculately cleaned, wide corridors, done in beautiful motifs of sunlit vistas and beast-folk cavorting in the wilderness.
She passed servants bundled to the sides of the hallway, wrapped in one-use magical restraints. The net of metal formed to the target and held them comfortable but immobile for the span of two hours, or until released.
They couldnt be used again after that.
Tala had a dozen with her as well, though she shouldnt need to use them. The House of Blood soldiers were clearing out the innocents and bystanders.
A cry came from up ahead, Banner! The call agreed upon to indicate a significant threat.
Tala launched forward, cracking the stunning floorboards beneath her heavy, rapid tread as she followed the echoes of the voice, and the brief sound of the clash of arms. Moments after the shout, she burst into a room in chaos.
Four House of Blood soldiers were backing away, their weapons raised, and various magics flickering.
On the other side of the room stood a man in simple clothing, framed by light coming through the doorway behind him.
He had a badge of office, indicating he was a master servant for the House of the Rising Sun. Even so, he was Honored. A gardener?
As she entered, magics struck out from the gardener, none aimed at her as shed only just arrived.
Her soldiers were able to block, but even so, great, jagged rents were torn through the room, and one of her soldiers cried out, bleeding from a savage cut.
Maam! The soldiers acknowledged her.
The gardener straightened, seeing her as a true threat and taking a moment to pause and assess her properly.
Tala kept her focus on the opponent. We are here for one thing only: a candidates protian weapon. Will you stand aside, and let us pass, or must we continue with the violence?The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.
He scoffed, his furry skin becoming more apparent as he stepped forward. You have invaded my home, the home of my master, and the Hold of my House. It is you who have chosen violence, white devil, or whoever you are. Death is the only result for such a crime.
A mole-man? Interesting choice for a gardener.
She didnt have time to contemplate that at the moment. Im Eskau Tali, of the House of Blood. With a flick of will, she changed the target of one of her scales to the mans head.
With a whisper-crack, the leading edge of her scale drove through his forehead, dropping the gardener in an instant.
If death is required, it will be yours. She smiled ruefully. I would have liked to say that to him, but you dont warn your enemies with a line like that.
-Yeah, solid choice of timing.-
The soldiers goggled at her for a moment, but she snapped them back into action. Wounded, retreat. Remainder press on. We need to be in and out fast. Times wasting.
They snapped into action, obeying her without question or hesitation. Two went past the downed enemy and into the rooms beyond.
As for Tala, she walked over to the dead gardener and placed her hand over the wound.
With a rather greater effort of will, she reached out to the scale of metal and changed its target to the metal on her palm
It cracked into her armored palm, breaking several of the bones in her hand. She let out an uncontrollable whimper at the pain that caused.
Still, it had worked just like in practice.
I never practiced with one amplified to this extent though
She moved her hand to where the scale had come from and did another transfer, grunting at the pain of it striking her side, even from the short distance away.
Oh, that rusting hurt.
-It is a weapon.-
She stood, ignoring Alat. Her body had already healed from the self-inflicted damage.
Onward!
As she stepped past the gardener, she noticed the room he had been in. It was a small sitting room with a fireplace, a bookshelf and a chair.
Thats a nice looking chair. She didnt have time to test it out, but it looked incredibly comfortable.
She glanced around, not finding anyone watching.
After all, why not? Why shouldnt I keep it?
-Tala?-
Tala tossed Kit on the floor, the pouch opening to a hole large enough for Tala to quickly drop the chair through.
I have time. I can take some things.
Then, it was as if the whole world paused. Im planning on getting banished. Theyll have no use for Kit, but they will want some of the other things back. If I want to ensure I come away with a bounty I shouldnt just take some things
Talas face broke into the biggest grin that shed had in quite some time.
I can take everything.
She knew just what to do. With quick motions, she snatched up Kit, and the pouch reformed as she stepped up to the bookshelf.
With a quick motion, Tala swept all the books from each shelf, dumping them straight into Kit. The shelf was built into the wall, so it stayed, but the side table and the gardeners body went in next.
I wont take any of the living. She didnt want to deal with prisoners, after all, but the dead. They might have things of use on them. Some might even have dimensional storages or magical items of other varieties.
She now had a new goal, even as she continued the hunt for a candidate Eskau.
Tala swept through any empty room she found, cleaning it out with the finesse of a tornado. If it wasnt nailed down, she dumped it into Kit.
Ironically, this utter lack of discretion made it way less time than if she took only select things.
Paintings came off the wall as she passed.
Every book was taken.
Her weapon ate the power, gobbling it up with abandon.
Less than thirty seconds later, the illusion and security scripts were broken. That wasnt designed to keep out intruders. It was meant to hide it, to keep such methods from being needed.
-Good thing we have such amazing mage-sight, then.-
Oh, absolutely.
There was even a divot that served as a nice little handle. Be careful, Tala. Someone might have decided to take shelter in here.
She pulled it open, eyes searching for anyone hiding inside.
There wasnt anyone in there, but she gasped at what she did find: More books.
-Unexpected! Books in a library!-
Hush you, this is clearly their equivalent of a restricted section.
As she moved to step inside, she heard an echoing chorus of voices. Forward!
It was a silly subterfuge. The command for a retreat sounding like the opposite only gained the smallest of hesitations and most minimal of confusion.
That was enough.
She had apparently missed the call for gathering to claim the weapon, or the protian weapon had been gained before such could be issued. In either case, Forward was an indication of success.
Tala echoed the call even as she ignored the command.
She lunged into the secret library and took everything.
Just as she had been.
A few titles grabbed her eyes as they fell into Kit.
Some would likely be worthless to her: Archival ledgers and records for the house.
Those will be a perfect find to turn over to the House of Blood.
-Continuing to build your worth to them? Fantastic idea indeed.-
While many were interesting some, some made her shake with anticipation and long to sit down and start reading immediately.
She couldnt do that, however, no matter how much she wanted to read: Advancement and the Unbroken Road to Sovereignty.
Theres no way its accurate, but it likely contains some truth.
-All of these are likely just partial truths, if that. This is but a minor city for this House, so there wont be anything world-shattering, but it will still be useful.-
The only other text that grabbed her attention in the moment was a simple one: A primer on the creation of Risen Sun Protian Weaponry.
And with that alone, weve struck gold.
But it was beyond time for her to be gone.
Tala turned and sprinted from the secret room, making straight for the exit.
Tala wasnt the last one out, but she was near the back.
A few of the soldiers were being carried by their fellows, but when she checked with a captain who was helping hold the retreat, she was greeted with pleasant news: No fatalities on their side and no one left behind.
The last of the soldiers were counted and as a group they executed a jogging retreat.
As soon as she was free of the enemy hold, she used her will and power to retract the metal from over her head.
She blinked her eyes as they adjusted to the light. She was getting more and more used to seeing with only her mirrored perspective. Eyeslits are a weakness I can avoid.
Meallain was holding a bracer that positively blazed with light and power. Victory to me, little Be.
Be-thric was shaking his head. With that? We all won.
The elf laughed. So we did, so we did.
They called out a greeting to Tala as she joined them, and it was a triumphant, if slightly bedraggled, group that made it to the House of Bloods hold a short while later.
There, they debriefed, and Tala turned in three of her binding constructs. No one even questioned her. It was simply assumed that shed used the other nine.
More bounty for us.
She did turn over the ledgers, claiming to have come across them in a locked room while searching the hold.
That had the benefit of being utterly true. The best lies are true.
-I feel like I should be concerned by that line of thought, but I also cant find fault with the logic.-
Tala grinned, turning towards Meallain to cover the expressions true cause. Thank you, Eskau Meallain. Without your assistance that operation would have taken longer, and with a longer timeframe, we would surely have suffered greater casualties.
It was still odd to her that casualties meant both hurt and killed.
The elf grinned languidly in return.
Oh, Eskau Tali, it was a pleasure. Those beast-folk have been getting uppity all across the continent. Its nice to strike a blow against them, and this? She held up the ledgers and accounting books. These arent recent, but they will give amazing insight into the workings of the House. Well take them down a peg or two.
Be-thric joined them, even as the soldiers were dispersing to receive healing and be fully debriefed by their commanders. Meallain, you cinched the victory, but I think those documents will be more valuable to the House as a whole in the long run. Incredibly well done, Tali. You prove your worth yet again.
Tala felt a genuine smile at her lips. That was my genuine hope, Pillar Be-thric. I wish to be invaluable to the House of Blood.
Until the moment I make my move.
Be-thric shivered and looked towards the gate. Lock down the entrance. I feel something in the air. If they retaliate, lets make them work for it.
Yes, Pillar! The gate guards engaged the more extensive defenses, and the air positively hummed with power.
Meallain frowned. Be? Is everything alright?
He frowned. Its gone now, but I feltI dont know. Like someone was digging my grave.
Tala stepped forward. She carefully held her thoughts neutral towards Be-thric, instead pulling conviction from her desire for freedom. If so, Ill be there when they try, Pillar Be-thric. I think underestimating me will be the last mistake my opponent ever makes.
-You walk a fine line, Tala. Dont let your arrogance ruin us, now.-
Be-thric shivered, glanced towards the gate, then shook his head, turning to smile her way. Even so, there was still a tension in his gaze. Thank you, my Eskau. That is a comfort.
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Chapter 250: In the House of the Rising Sun
Tala followed in the wake of her soldiers, her feet easily cracking through the thin layer of ice to find purchase, even with the increased surface area of her steps.
She heard the sounds of brief clashes, but rarely any screams of pain. Theyd brought true professionals.
Tala took the main corridor to the left, towards the more elite common areas.
Be-thric was heading towards the more guest centric section of the hold, as one of the candidate Eskau who was supposed to be inside was supposedly a guest from another city.
Meallain took the path straight ahead. That way led to the main services for the average guild member. That way was also the audience hall. So, if anyone encountered a full Eskau or Pillar it would be her.
Tala was the next most likely, but as they were striking during the middle of the day, the upper echelon shouldnt be taking advantage of the facilities, leaving them to be utilized by the candidates. Or, at least, thats what Tala hoped.
She strode down immaculately cleaned, wide corridors, done in beautiful motifs of sunlit vistas and beast-folk cavorting in the wilderness.
She passed servants bundled to the sides of the hallway, wrapped in one-use magical restraints. The net of metal formed to the target and held them comfortable but immobile for the span of two hours, or until released.
They couldnt be used again after that.
Tala had a dozen with her as well, though she shouldnt need to use them. The House of Blood soldiers were clearing out the innocents and bystanders.
A cry came from up ahead, Banner! The call agreed upon to indicate a significant threat.
Tala launched forward, cracking the stunning floorboards beneath her heavy, rapid tread as she followed the echoes of the voice, and the brief sound of the clash of arms. Moments after the shout, she burst into a room in chaos.
Four House of Blood soldiers were backing away, their weapons raised, and various magics flickering.
On the other side of the room stood a man in simple clothing, framed by light coming through the doorway behind him.
He had a badge of office, indicating he was a master servant for the House of the Rising Sun. Even so, he was Honored. A gardener?
As she entered, magics struck out from the gardener, none aimed at her as shed only just arrived.
Her soldiers were able to block, but even so, great, jagged rents were torn through the room, and one of her soldiers cried out, bleeding from a savage cut.
Maam! The soldiers acknowledged her.
The gardener straightened, seeing her as a true threat and taking a moment to pause and assess her properly.
Tala kept her focus on the opponent. We are here for one thing only: a candidates protian weapon. Will you stand aside, and let us pass, or must we continue with the violence?The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.
He scoffed, his furry skin becoming more apparent as he stepped forward. You have invaded my home, the home of my master, and the Hold of my House. It is you who have chosen violence, white devil, or whoever you are. Death is the only result for such a crime.
A mole-man? Interesting choice for a gardener.
She didnt have time to contemplate that at the moment. Im Eskau Tali, of the House of Blood. With a flick of will, she changed the target of one of her scales to the mans head.
With a whisper-crack, the leading edge of her scale drove through his forehead, dropping the gardener in an instant.
If death is required, it will be yours. She smiled ruefully. I would have liked to say that to him, but you dont warn your enemies with a line like that.
-Yeah, solid choice of timing.-
The soldiers goggled at her for a moment, but she snapped them back into action. Wounded, retreat. Remainder press on. We need to be in and out fast. Times wasting.
They snapped into action, obeying her without question or hesitation. Two went past the downed enemy and into the rooms beyond.
As for Tala, she walked over to the dead gardener and placed her hand over the wound.
With a rather greater effort of will, she reached out to the scale of metal and changed its target to the metal on her palm
It cracked into her armored palm, breaking several of the bones in her hand. She let out an uncontrollable whimper at the pain that caused.
Still, it had worked just like in practice.
I never practiced with one amplified to this extent though
She moved her hand to where the scale had come from and did another transfer, grunting at the pain of it striking her side, even from the short distance away.
Oh, that rusting hurt.
-It is a weapon.-
She stood, ignoring Alat. Her body had already healed from the self-inflicted damage.
Onward!
As she stepped past the gardener, she noticed the room he had been in. It was a small sitting room with a fireplace, a bookshelf and a chair.
Thats a nice looking chair. She didnt have time to test it out, but it looked incredibly comfortable.
She glanced around, not finding anyone watching.
After all, why not? Why shouldnt I keep it?
-Tala?-
Tala tossed Kit on the floor, the pouch opening to a hole large enough for Tala to quickly drop the chair through.
I have time. I can take some things.
Then, it was as if the whole world paused. Im planning on getting banished. Theyll have no use for Kit, but they will want some of the other things back. If I want to ensure I come away with a bounty I shouldnt just take some things
Talas face broke into the biggest grin that shed had in quite some time.
I can take everything.
She knew just what to do. With quick motions, she snatched up Kit, and the pouch reformed as she stepped up to the bookshelf.
With a quick motion, Tala swept all the books from each shelf, dumping them straight into Kit. The shelf was built into the wall, so it stayed, but the side table and the gardeners body went in next.
I wont take any of the living. She didnt want to deal with prisoners, after all, but the dead. They might have things of use on them. Some might even have dimensional storages or magical items of other varieties.
She now had a new goal, even as she continued the hunt for a candidate Eskau.
Tala swept through any empty room she found, cleaning it out with the finesse of a tornado. If it wasnt nailed down, she dumped it into Kit.
Ironically, this utter lack of discretion made it way less time than if she took only select things.
Paintings came off the wall as she passed.
Every book was taken.
Her weapon ate the power, gobbling it up with abandon.
Less than thirty seconds later, the illusion and security scripts were broken. That wasnt designed to keep out intruders. It was meant to hide it, to keep such methods from being needed.
-Good thing we have such amazing mage-sight, then.-
Oh, absolutely.
There was even a divot that served as a nice little handle. Be careful, Tala. Someone might have decided to take shelter in here.
She pulled it open, eyes searching for anyone hiding inside.
There wasnt anyone in there, but she gasped at what she did find: More books.
-Unexpected! Books in a library!-
Hush you, this is clearly their equivalent of a restricted section.
As she moved to step inside, she heard an echoing chorus of voices. Forward!
It was a silly subterfuge. The command for a retreat sounding like the opposite only gained the smallest of hesitations and most minimal of confusion.
That was enough.
She had apparently missed the call for gathering to claim the weapon, or the protian weapon had been gained before such could be issued. In either case, Forward was an indication of success.
Tala echoed the call even as she ignored the command.
She lunged into the secret library and took everything.
Just as she had been.
A few titles grabbed her eyes as they fell into Kit.
Some would likely be worthless to her: Archival ledgers and records for the house.
Those will be a perfect find to turn over to the House of Blood.
-Continuing to build your worth to them? Fantastic idea indeed.-
While many were interesting some, some made her shake with anticipation and long to sit down and start reading immediately.
She couldnt do that, however, no matter how much she wanted to read: Advancement and the Unbroken Road to Sovereignty.
Theres no way its accurate, but it likely contains some truth.
-All of these are likely just partial truths, if that. This is but a minor city for this House, so there wont be anything world-shattering, but it will still be useful.-
The only other text that grabbed her attention in the moment was a simple one: A primer on the creation of Risen Sun Protian Weaponry.
And with that alone, weve struck gold.
But it was beyond time for her to be gone.
Tala turned and sprinted from the secret room, making straight for the exit.
Tala wasnt the last one out, but she was near the back.
A few of the soldiers were being carried by their fellows, but when she checked with a captain who was helping hold the retreat, she was greeted with pleasant news: No fatalities on their side and no one left behind.
The last of the soldiers were counted and as a group they executed a jogging retreat.
As soon as she was free of the enemy hold, she used her will and power to retract the metal from over her head.
She blinked her eyes as they adjusted to the light. She was getting more and more used to seeing with only her mirrored perspective. Eyeslits are a weakness I can avoid.
Meallain was holding a bracer that positively blazed with light and power. Victory to me, little Be.
Be-thric was shaking his head. With that? We all won.
The elf laughed. So we did, so we did.
They called out a greeting to Tala as she joined them, and it was a triumphant, if slightly bedraggled, group that made it to the House of Bloods hold a short while later.
There, they debriefed, and Tala turned in three of her binding constructs. No one even questioned her. It was simply assumed that shed used the other nine.
More bounty for us.
She did turn over the ledgers, claiming to have come across them in a locked room while searching the hold.
That had the benefit of being utterly true. The best lies are true.
-I feel like I should be concerned by that line of thought, but I also cant find fault with the logic.-
Tala grinned, turning towards Meallain to cover the expressions true cause. Thank you, Eskau Meallain. Without your assistance that operation would have taken longer, and with a longer timeframe, we would surely have suffered greater casualties.
It was still odd to her that casualties meant both hurt and killed.
The elf grinned languidly in return.
Oh, Eskau Tali, it was a pleasure. Those beast-folk have been getting uppity all across the continent. Its nice to strike a blow against them, and this? She held up the ledgers and accounting books. These arent recent, but they will give amazing insight into the workings of the House. Well take them down a peg or two.
Be-thric joined them, even as the soldiers were dispersing to receive healing and be fully debriefed by their commanders. Meallain, you cinched the victory, but I think those documents will be more valuable to the House as a whole in the long run. Incredibly well done, Tali. You prove your worth yet again.
Tala felt a genuine smile at her lips. That was my genuine hope, Pillar Be-thric. I wish to be invaluable to the House of Blood.
Until the moment I make my move.
Be-thric shivered and looked towards the gate. Lock down the entrance. I feel something in the air. If they retaliate, lets make them work for it.
Yes, Pillar! The gate guards engaged the more extensive defenses, and the air positively hummed with power.
Meallain frowned. Be? Is everything alright?
He frowned. Its gone now, but I feltI dont know. Like someone was digging my grave.
Tala stepped forward. She carefully held her thoughts neutral towards Be-thric, instead pulling conviction from her desire for freedom. If so, Ill be there when they try, Pillar Be-thric. I think underestimating me will be the last mistake my opponent ever makes.
-You walk a fine line, Tala. Dont let your arrogance ruin us, now.-
Be-thric shivered, glanced towards the gate, then shook his head, turning to smile her way. Even so, there was still a tension in his gaze. Thank you, my Eskau. That is a comfort.
Chapter 250: In the House of the Rising SunTala followed in the wake of her soldiers, her feet easily cracking through the thin layer of ice to find purchase, even with the increased surface area of her steps.She heard the sounds of brief clashes, but rarely any screams of pain. Theyd brought true professionals.Tala took the main corridor to the left, towards the more elite common areas.Be-thric was heading towards the more guest centric section of the hold, as one of the candidate Eskau who was supposed to be inside was supposedly a guest from another city.Meallain took the path straight ahead. That way led to the main services for the average guild member. That way was also the audience hall. So, if anyone encountered a full Eskau or Pillar it would be her.Tala was the next most likely, but as they were striking during the middle of the day, the upper echelon shouldnt be taking advantage of the facilities, leaving them to be utilized by the candidates. Or, at least, thats what Tala hoped.She strode down immaculately cleaned, wide corridors, done in beautiful motifs of sunlit vistas and beast-folk cavorting in the wilderness.She passed servants bundled to the sides of the hallway, wrapped in one-use magical restraints. The net of metal formed to the target and held them comfortable but immobile for the span of two hours, or until released.They couldnt be used again after that.Tala had a dozen with her as well, though she shouldnt need to use them. The House of Blood soldiers were clearing out the innocents and bystanders.A cry came from up ahead, Banner! The call agreed upon to indicate a significant threat.Tala launched forward, cracking the stunning floorboards beneath her heavy, rapid tread as she followed the echoes of the voice, and the brief sound of the clash of arms. Moments after the shout, she burst into a room in chaos.Four House of Blood soldiers were backing away, their weapons raised, and various magics flickering.On the other side of the room stood a man in simple clothing, framed by light coming through the doorway behind him.He had a badge of office, indicating he was a master servant for the House of the Rising Sun. Even so, he was Honored. A gardener?As she entered, magics struck out from the gardener, none aimed at her as shed only just arrived.Her soldiers were able to block, but even so, great, jagged rents were torn through the room, and one of her soldiers cried out, bleeding from a savage cut.Maam! The soldiers acknowledged her.The gardener straightened, seeing her as a true threat and taking a moment to pause and assess her properly.Tala kept her focus on the opponent. We are here for one thing only: a candidates protian weapon. Will you stand aside, and let us pass, or must we continue with the violence?The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.He scoffed, his furry skin becoming more apparent as he stepped forward. You have invaded my home, the home of my master, and the Hold of my House. It is you who have chosen violence, white devil, or whoever you are. Death is the only result for such a crime.A mole-man? Interesting choice for a gardener.She didnt have time to contemplate that at the moment. Im Eskau Tali, of the House of Blood. With a flick of will, she changed the target of one of her scales to the mans head.With a whisper-crack, the leading edge of her scale drove through his forehead, dropping the gardener in an instant.If death is required, it will be yours. She smiled ruefully. I would have liked to say that to him, but you dont warn your enemies with a line like that.-Yeah, solid choice of timing.-The soldiers goggled at her for a moment, but she snapped them back into action. Wounded, retreat. Remainder press on. We need to be in and out fast. Times wasting.They snapped into action, obeying her without question or hesitation. Two went past the downed enemy and into the rooms beyond.As for Tala, she walked over to the dead gardener and placed her hand over the wound.With a rather greater effort of will, she reached out to the scale of metal and changed its target to the metal on her palmIt cracked into her armored palm, breaking several of the bones in her hand. She let out an uncontrollable whimper at the pain that caused.Still, it had worked just like in practice.I never practiced with one amplified to this extent thoughShe moved her hand to where the scale had come from and did another transfer, grunting at the pain of it striking her side, even from the short distance away.Oh, that rusting hurt.-It is a weapon.-She stood, ignoring Alat. Her body had already healed from the self-inflicted damage.Onward!As she stepped past the gardener, she noticed the room he had been in. It was a small sitting room with a fireplace, a bookshelf and a chair.Thats a nice looking chair. She didnt have time to test it out, but it looked incredibly comfortable.She glanced around, not finding anyone watching.After all, why not? Why shouldnt I keep it?-Tala?-Tala tossed Kit on the floor, the pouch opening to a hole large enough for Tala to quickly drop the chair through.I have time. I can take some things.Then, it was as if the whole world paused. Im planning on getting banished. Theyll have no use for Kit, but they will want some of the other things back. If I want to ensure I come away with a bounty I shouldnt just take some thingsTalas face broke into the biggest grin that shed had in quite some time.I can take everything.She knew just what to do. With quick motions, she snatched up Kit, and the pouch reformed as she stepped up to the bookshelf.With a quick motion, Tala swept all the books from each shelf, dumping them straight into Kit. The shelf was built into the wall, so it stayed, but the side table and the gardeners body went in next.I wont take any of the living. She didnt want to deal with prisoners, after all, but the dead. They might have things of use on them. Some might even have dimensional storages or magical items of other varieties.She now had a new goal, even as she continued the hunt for a candidate Eskau.Tala swept through any empty room she found, cleaning it out with the finesse of a tornado. If it wasnt nailed down, she dumped it into Kit.Ironically, this utter lack of discretion made it way less time than if she took only select things.Paintings came off the wall as she passed.Every book was taken.Her weapon ate the power, gobbling it up with abandon.Less than thirty seconds later, the illusion and security scripts were broken. That wasnt designed to keep out intruders. It was meant to hide it, to keep such methods from being needed.-Good thing we have such amazing mage-sight, then.-Oh, absolutely.There was even a divot that served as a nice little handle. Be careful, Tala. Someone might have decided to take shelter in here.She pulled it open, eyes searching for anyone hiding inside.There wasnt anyone in there, but she gasped at what she did find: More books.-Unexpected! Books in a library!-Hush you, this is clearly their equivalent of a restricted section.As she moved to step inside, she heard an echoing chorus of voices. Forward!It was a silly subterfuge. The command for a retreat sounding like the opposite only gained the smallest of hesitations and most minimal of confusion.That was enough.She had apparently missed the call for gathering to claim the weapon, or the protian weapon had been gained before such could be issued. In either case, Forward was an indication of success.Tala echoed the call even as she ignored the command.She lunged into the secret library and took everything.Just as she had been.A few titles grabbed her eyes as they fell into Kit.Some would likely be worthless to her: Archival ledgers and records for the house.Those will be a perfect find to turn over to the House of Blood.-Continuing to build your worth to them? Fantastic idea indeed.-While many were interesting some, some made her shake with anticipation and long to sit down and start reading immediately.She couldnt do that, however, no matter how much she wanted to read: Advancement and the Unbroken Road to Sovereignty.Theres no way its accurate, but it likely contains some truth.-All of these are likely just partial truths, if that. This is but a minor city for this House, so there wont be anything world-shattering, but it will still be useful.-The only other text that grabbed her attention in the moment was a simple one: A primer on the creation of Risen Sun Protian Weaponry.And with that alone, weve struck gold.But it was beyond time for her to be gone.Tala turned and sprinted from the secret room, making straight for the exit.Tala wasnt the last one out, but she was near the back. A few of the soldiers were being carried by their fellows, but when she checked with a captain who was helping hold the retreat, she was greeted with pleasant news: No fatalities on their side and no one left behind.The last of the soldiers were counted and as a group they executed a jogging retreat.As soon as she was free of the enemy hold, she used her will and power to retract the metal from over her head.She blinked her eyes as they adjusted to the light. She was getting more and more used to seeing with only her mirrored perspective. Eyeslits are a weakness I can avoid.Meallain was holding a bracer that positively blazed with light and power. Victory to me, little Be.Be-thric was shaking his head. With that? We all won.The elf laughed. So we did, so we did.They called out a greeting to Tala as she joined them, and it was a triumphant, if slightly bedraggled, group that made it to the House of Bloods hold a short while later.There, they debriefed, and Tala turned in three of her binding constructs. No one even questioned her. It was simply assumed that shed used the other nine.More bounty for us.She did turn over the ledgers, claiming to have come across them in a locked room while searching the hold.That had the benefit of being utterly true. The best lies are true.-I feel like I should be concerned by that line of thought, but I also cant find fault with the logic.-Tala grinned, turning towards Meallain to cover the expressions true cause. Thank you, Eskau Meallain. Without your assistance that operation would have taken longer, and with a longer timeframe, we would surely have suffered greater casualties.It was still odd to her that casualties meant both hurt and killed.The elf grinned languidly in return.Oh, Eskau Tali, it was a pleasure. Those beast-folk have been getting uppity all across the continent. Its nice to strike a blow against them, and this? She held up the ledgers and accounting books. These arent recent, but they will give amazing insight into the workings of the House. Well take them down a peg or two.Be-thric joined them, even as the soldiers were dispersing to receive healing and be fully debriefed by their commanders. Meallain, you cinched the victory, but I think those documents will be more valuable to the House as a whole in the long run. Incredibly well done, Tali. You prove your worth yet again.Tala felt a genuine smile at her lips. That was my genuine hope, Pillar Be-thric. I wish to be invaluable to the House of Blood.Until the moment I make my move.Be-thric shivered and looked towards the gate. Lock down the entrance. I feel something in the air. If they retaliate, lets make them work for it.Yes, Pillar! The gate guards engaged the more extensive defenses, and the air positively hummed with power.Meallain frowned. Be? Is everything alright?He frowned. Its gone now, but I feltI dont know. Like someone was digging my grave.Tala stepped forward. She carefully held her thoughts neutral towards Be-thric, instead pulling conviction from her desire for freedom. If so, Ill be there when they try, Pillar Be-thric. I think underestimating me will be the last mistake my opponent ever makes.-You walk a fine line, Tala. Dont let your arrogance ruin us, now.-Be-thric shivered, glanced towards the gate, then shook his head, turning to smile her way. Even so, there was still a tension in his gaze. Thank you, my Eskau. That is a comfort.
