Chapter Two Hundred and Forty Six – 246Felix left Elle with a promise to visit her before long, though she about twisted his arm to extract it from him. She was a relentless as she was strong. He was just glad she liked him; Felix wouldn't want the city's premier armorsmith as an enemy.
Frankly speaking, Felix didn't want anyone to be his enemy. He'd had enough of those to last a lifetime.
He reached the steps of the new Haarwatch Manor, home to the new Lady of Haarwatch and its fledgling government. The steps were steep, leading up another terraced hill that must have been three hundred feet higher than the square he'd just left. At Felix's insistence, they had built the steps with several different gaits in mind: the larger steps for Humans, Elves, Orcs and two inlaid segments of shallower steps for Gnomes and Goblins and others that had a shorter stride. Oveh had done the work perfectly.
He could have jumped his way up the steps, or flown on Pit, but along with a rejection of governance Felix didn't want to draw attention to himself. Landing in the new local government building on the back of a chimera was something of an eye catcher. Instead, he walked quickly up, taking the steps two or three at a time with an easy grace. All that Agility and Dexterity really paid off. He reached the top in seconds.
A wide open area had been excavated to house the base of the Manor, though to Felix's eye it was more of a tower. The thing took up as much as a city block, after all. The stonework was rough so far, without Oveh's deft touch. Maybe Cal would let him play around with the outside of it? It was roughly circular, with tons of pillars and porticoes that framed a courtyard filled with wide expanses of dark soil. Greenery was to be planted there he had been told. That architect they'd saved the other day was really proving his worth. The place looked...regal.
"C'mon, bud," Felix nodded at the entry. "Should be plenty big enough for us both."
Pit warbled.
The main entry was big enough to let Pit in, despite being bigger than a horse now. Most of that was wing, which he could tuck up, but it was nice to see his friend not having to duck anywhere. Felix knew Pit felt a little sad he wasn't small anymore, especially whenever they went to sleep. Little man loved to cuddle and now he was too big for beds. Felix sighed and scratched his Companion behind his ears.
The interior of the entryway was tiled and spare, with two sweeping staircases leading to an exposed balcony and further areas beyond. A few guards dotted the area, each of them dressed in half plate armor with a sword and axe at their sides and their faces completely visible. Cal's office was located on the second floor, at least for now. The two of them walked swiftly across the floor. The tiles were covered with dirt and rock dust despite the valiant efforts of a few Untempered servants. It felt like walking across a freshly mopped hallway right in front of the janitor. Felix pulled an apologetic face, but the servants didn't even look at him and neither did the guards; their Spirits all shivered in fear.
Oh, right. He was the Fiend and he had a giant chimera with him. No wonder they were afraid. Faster, Pit.
They fairly flew up the stairs, bounding up five steps at a time. Felix was careful not to break the stone behind him, but his shoes were really taking a beating. He'd have to replace the simple leather boots in the morning. He nodded at the guards along the path, and they let them through without comment.
On the second floor, they passed several empty rooms, most devoid of even furniture. The sound of a ruckus grew louder the farther along he went, however. At the far end of the hallway was a larger chamber, practically a ballroom, and this one was filled with people. Inside was a crowd of Half-Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Goblins, Gnomes, and Humans. He thought he spied another Race or two mixed in there, like one of the birdlike Korvaa, but the press of folk was too tight. There had to have been three or four hundred people in there. Everyone was lined up before two large tables, and most of them were armed and armored.
Felix spotted the Regis and Holtformer Elders of the Protector's Guild before the Master Inquisitor destroyed their Charterthey were behind the tables and speaking in measured tones to each applicant. Because that's what this was, he realized. They were all applicants to Cal's new city guard.
"Next!" Holt announced, as the Human before him walked through another door on the far wall.
Interesting. Felix wondered why the two of them were allowed to stay on in positions of authority. Far as he knew those with Guilder connections were given the greatest scrutiny. Too much bad blood. They moved on.
Cal's office was not much farther, secured behind a large double door that looked like it was made from a whole tree. Each door was easily fifteen feet tall and six feet wide, made of a dark-stained wood but otherwise curiously blank. Four newly appointed Haarguard were standing there, two to a side of the large double doors. One of them held up a gauntleted hand.
"Civilians are not allowed into the Lady's offices. Please take yourself and your pet"
"Poul, no. That's the Fiend, man," one of the others whispered. Felix didn't recognize any of them, either from their camp or around the city. "And that's Pit."
The guard, Poul, looked between his friend and Felix in horror. "Oh, sir! I'mI'm sorry toI didn't mean"
"Hey, don't worry about it," Felix said. "You're just doing your job. I'm just going to visit Caluh, Lady Boscalreal quick."
They all moved aside, but their eyes never left him or Pit. He could feel a mixture of shame, awe, and no little fear in their Spirits. Felix frowned. His Affinity was useful, but against folks that had zero defenses against it, he had to pull back on the reins a bit or else he started swimming in their emotions. For now he waded through it, and the two of them entered Cal's offices.
It was a large room, one of the few that had been actually furnished. Expensive looking couches and tables dotted a seating area near an unlit fireplace, while pieces of framed artwork had been hung sporadically from the painted plaster walls. There was even a chandelier. The wall opposite the door was composed entirely of windows, and it looked out over the city. Specifically in the direction of the Wall. A massive desk sat before it, currently overflowing with parchment and scrolls. A woman with short, tawny hair and dark eyes that looked tired. She perked up when she saw him.
"Oh, Felix! I had just sent a messenger for you," Cal said as she stood and stretched a kink out of her back. A stack of papers threatened to topple but she stopped it with a quick touch. "You finished at the Wall?"
"For now," Felix groaned. He sat down heavily in an armchair. He regretted it when the thing creaked ominously. "Hector and his team are moving steadily through it, removing the Archon's influence and getting things up and running. He thinks the basic arrays will all be functional by the end of the night."
Cal looked relieved. "Good. We'll need it."
"Why? What's going on? Why did you send a messenger for me?" Felix asked. Cal's Spirit was more guarded than others. He wasn't sure if it was a Skill or just a very good control over her own emotions, but he couldn't really read anything deeper than surface exhaustion. Pit sat on his haunches beside him, piping inquisitively.
Cal smiled at the tenku's tilted bird head. "I'll explain in a moment. We're waiting on the others."
The wait was relatively short.
"said 'keep up' not kick me off the stairs!" There was a distant grunt. "That does not qualify as training."
Evie finished the last bit as she walked into the room, followed by a smiling Harn.
"Everything is trainin' long as you do it right," he said, and laughed. The man wasn't wearing armor, but some sort of jacket and pants. Pit warbled in delight and bounded over to the two. "Oh, Pit's here."
"Felix! You here about the Quests too?" Evie said excitedly.
"Quests?" Felix looked at Cal, who smiled.
"Let's just wait for everyone else," she said.
Hmm, Felix drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. Quests, huh.
Quests weren't easy to find, typically. Felix had gotten a hold of a quite a few, but most were hidden by prerequisites and accomplishing specific tasks first. Your average adventurer wouldn't see three Quests in five years, according to what he'd learned. It was no wonder that Evie was excited. Quests were a way to gain rewards of gold, Titles, or even new Skills. Apart from all of that, they also awarded Experience, which was always needed to advance in the Continent.
Felix eyed his own Quests, the new and the old.
Quests
Home Sweet Home! 3 of 5 Threats Eliminated
Shrines of the Broken! 1 of 7 Shrines Found
The Proving! 0 of 5 Spells at Adept Tier
The Door of the Lidless Eye! Unlock the Door
Quests. More trouble than they're worth, I think. Felix poked at his firstand oldestQuest.
Home Sweet Home!
You have found a safe place in the wild Foglands, an ancient Temple long thought lost. You are charged with securing your ancestors' Temple from all threats. Be wary, young Nym for your trials have just begun.
3 of 5 Threats Eliminated
Reward: Title, Home, Variable
Threats:
Seven Legged Orit
The Risi