Chapter 30 – Consequences
SJ's pulse raced as she opened the notification.
"You smell nervous, dear," Claita said behind SJ.
SJ hadn't even heard her enter the room again, so focused on what she was doing. SJ yelped in shock, fumbling with the pouch as she dropped the earrings inside, spinning to face her. Claita had a playful smile on her face, standing a few feet from her.
Thankfully, the notification had only mentioned the stat boosts for the set.
Fas had a smirk on his face as he spoke. "That was a little impolite, Claita."
"I couldn't resist," Claita smiled. Her charismatic appearance was not enough to mask the fear-inducing suddenness of appearing behind SJ. She hadn't even noticed anything in her vision, and Dave had given no warning of her presence. She knew she had been transfixed on her display, but still, she should have seen something.
She scares the life out of me, SJ thought as her pulse slowed again.
"Is she free?" Fas asked.
"Yes, momentarily she will be. She will come and get you when she is."
"Thank you, Claita," Fas said.
"My pleasure as always, Carlito," she replied, sweetness dripping from her words.
I wonder if they can smell Bob's blood? SJ thought, referencing her comment about their scents.
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps, I really couldn't be sure," Dave replied, intrigued by the idea.
I hope not. The new worry sat heavily on top of her existing fear.
"I'll do some digging," Dave said.
A soft shuffle of paper made SJ turn. Claita had returned to the desk area, where she no longer paid any attention to either of them, while SJ resumed pacing.
"Will you sit down?" Fas said after a few minutes. "You're making me nervous."
SJ stopped her pacing and looked at her friend and guardian. With resignation, she moved to a seat and sat heavily. Instead of pacing, she now started tapping her foot.
Fas rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"What?" SJ replied, staring at him defensively.
"Nothing," he replied placatingly.
"Do you know how long she will be?" Fas asked Claita.
"She won't be too long," Claita said, looking up.
Again, the seconds ticked by, and each minute of waiting added to the stress. SJ's fidgeting was getting worse. She wasn't just tapping her foot but had even lifted her hand to her mouth, biting her nail.
After what SJ believed to have been an hour, which was actually only a few minutes the imposing form of Jaxon appeared at the doors.
"She will see you now," he said, turning again and disappearing.
"Here goes," Fas said, standing.
SJ almost launched from her seat with her pent-up tension.
"And you seriously need to calm down," Fas said as he reached for SJ's arm.
Her arm shook; her anxiety and stress levels had soared. She met Fas's eyes; they held her gaze, calm and stoic.
"Breath," Fas said.
SJ took a shuddering breath before they followed Jaxon.
The corridor they entered was pristine and clinical. The stone surfaces of the building were perfectly smoothed; they had none of the rough texture found in many buildings. Off the corridor were several open doors, and inside each there was what SJ could only describe as a dental chair. She shuddered at the thought of beings lying in them, being drunk from.
"She is in the meeting room on the first floor," Jaxon said as he waited at the base of the stairs.
"Thanks," Fas said as he climbed them.
SJ glanced at Jaxon, whose expression was blank; he acted like an automaton, rather than the brutish orc that he was.
SJ followed Fas, almost pushing him up the stairs in her hurry.
Fas looked back, sighing at her as he reached the landing and walked to a single door about halfway down. He knocked sharply.
"Come in," Navina's voice called.
They entered what indeed was a meeting room. In the middle sat a large darkwood table, and on the far side, Navina sat, a crystal goblet in her hand, containing what had to be blood.
"What has created such urgency that you disturb me here at this time of the day?" Navina asked.
SJ couldn't hold back anymore as a gabble of words erupted from her mouth.
"I went to the chiefs and stole the earrings. I need the incantation to stop them deteriorating anymore."
If Navina was surprised, she showed no emotion as she sipped casually from the glass. She placed the goblet down, and a thin trickle of blood rolled slowly down her chin. She removed a handkerchief and dabbed with it.
“You did, did you? That's a little surprising. I wasn't aware,” her calm tone frustrated SJ.
"Yes, and I need the incantation of the earrings will be destroyed."
Navina scoffed. “I want many things that I can't have.” Her eyes flicked towards Fas. “Has the chief been dealt with as per the quest? I have received no updates.”
"Not as yet," SJ said.
"Then the reward, as discussed, can't be given until she is."
"But I need it now; they have already lost a level of durability, and I can't chance them being destroyed."
"Then you should have heeded my warning and dealt with the matter as requested first," her voice felt like ice as the words penetrated SJ's mind. "I will not change the parameters of the quest at your whim."
"You can't be serious," Fas interjected. "You know what they are and are willing to allow them to be destroyed rather than protect them. Have you no conscience?"
SJ didn't see Navina move; she hadn't had time to blink as Fas was lifted from his feet and pinned to the wall by Navina. He let out a groan as he struck the solid wall with a thud. She hissed as her mouth opened and her fangs were on clear display.
"Don't dare question my morals," Navina said, her tone a clear threat.
SJ gulped at the scene. Fas, for his skills and ability, had been instantly immobilised. His arms down at his sides, as Navina gripped him by his jacket collar. His feet were clearly off the ground.
Navina wasn't just cold emotionally; she was terrifying. SJ's pulse raced as she looked at the scene unfold, remaining silent.
"You know the rules. I'm surprised that you even thought I would entertain such a thought of changing the details of a quest."
Fas didn't react, his expression remaining calm as he replied. "I apologise, Navina. I didn't mean to upset you."
Navina scoffed, releasing Fas, dropping him to the floor. "I'm not upset she said, spinning and walking back to her seat, as Fas straightened his jacket before returning to SJ's side.
SJ had witnessed and understood more within those thirty seconds about the power dynamic between these two than watching them interact for decades would have.
"She is one scary lady," Dave said, letting out a breath as though he had been holding it.
SJ didn't reply. She was still too shocked to speak.
An adjoining door opened, which SJ hadn't noticed in her heightened state, and a tall, elegantly dressed man entered the room.
"Ah, Carlito, it's been so long." His voice was smooth and eloquent.
"Master," Fas nodded politely.
"And who do you have with you?" The Master said as he appraised SJ.
"This is my ward, SJ."
"I was unaware you had a ward," the Master said with a hint of surprise.
"You know me; I always pick up the strays," he smiled.
SJ felt like hitting him over the comment, but resisted the urge.
"SJ, you say," as he crossed the room towards her. SJ lost all control of her voice as he approached. "A pleasure," he said, holding his hand out.
SJ took it nervously; it was as cold as ice, and she shivered. His eyes were milky grey, and he stared at her. She could feel her stomach knot as he appeared to inspect her very soul. He then swiftly bent, raising her hand to his lips and kissing the back of it, before releasing it. SJ's hand remained in midair, frozen where he had released it; her breath caught in her throat.
She cleared her throat before replying. "The pleasures mine," she said, her voice cracking.
The master moved to the table and took a seat. He crossed his legs and sat back, relaxed.
"Has the matter been resolved?" he asked casually.
SJ took a moment and spoke without thinking. "Not to my satisfaction."
Navina's reaction was subtle yet meaningful, her eyes narrowing imperceptibly at SJ.
"That is a shame. I don't like problems being left unresolved. Perhaps it is something I may assist with?" he said, a perfect smile forming on his face.
"It's guild business, Master, nothing for you to concern yourself with," Navina said.
The fact that she had referred to him as Master spoke volumes to SJ. This wasn't necessarily a friendship. Navina may be the second-oldest in the city, but she bowed to his authority.
"But I am concerned; it has brought Carlito here to a place we know he can't abide. I can smell the fear he exudes. He wouldn't have dared enter these premises without a powerful reason." He smiled.
Fas hadn't once looked nervous or fearful the whole time they had been there, but if Fas was giving off the scent of fear, SJ could only assume she smelt of terror.
"As I say, it's guild business. It doesn't involve the clan," Navina replied.
"Carlito. May I ask what the matter pertains to?" The Master said, ignoring Navina. SJ noticed Navina flinch.
"I wouldn't wish to discuss guild business outside of the guild, Master, sorry," Fas replied apologetically.
The Master smiled knowingly, then turned to SJ. Her heart stopped beating as his milky grey eyes fixed on her. "Perhaps your tongue is freer to speak, young SJ?"
SJ couldn't speak; she wasn't sure she could breathe, move, or do anything, remaining stock-still and silent.
Eventually, the Master turned to Navina as he let out an audible sigh. "I see. You have your pets controlled well," he said, looking at the Navina.
Navina didn't reply; her expression remained neutral.
"Fine, if none of you will tell me, I will have to discover by my own means," he said, standing with a flourish. SJ flinched, waiting to be held at the wall as Fas had been by Navina. He just smiled as he turned back to Navina. "You're no fun sometimes," he said, pouting.
"You know I don't bring guild business into the clan," Navina replied politely, smiling in return.
"Well, conclude your business as we still have much to discuss," he said, turning. "Nice to see you again, Carlito, and to meet you, SJ," he said casually, waving over his shoulder as he left.
SJ watched the immediate tension leave Navina, as if it were physically forced out; it was a sign of vulnerability, as her head spun to stare at SJ before her face changed again. Her eyes narrowed; her brilliant ice-blue stare made SJ tremble.
"Don't ever put me in that position again," Navina said, her words cutting like knives. This wasn't a threat; it was a promise, and SJ just nodded, her throat feeling parched.
"Sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me," SJ spluttered.
Navina held her gaze for several moments before turning to look at Fas. "You need to spend time informing your ward of our ways," she said as she stood. "This meeting is over. When you have dealt with the chief, you may return and see me for the incantation, and not before. I suggest you get a move on." Her voice was dismissive.
Fas stood, followed by SJ, as they left the room. Neither spoke as they returned downstairs. Fas only nodded in the direction of Claita as they walked outside into the cold, damp air.
"It was lovely seeing you again," Claita called as the door shut behind them.
"Well, that was very interesting," Dave said.
Terrifying, SJ thought.
"A little, but the level of information you just gained was immeasurable."
At this moment, what SJ had witnessed didn't feel informative. If anything, SJ would probably never walk through the streets of Asterfal again in the same manner, knowing such powerful beings were hidden in the night.
"I'm sorry," SJ eventually said as they walked silently down the street.
"No need to apologise," Fas said. "You knew no better."
"I mean, in making you go somewhere you can't abide."
Fas stumbled slightly; the comment had taken him off guard. "It's fine, forget about it."
"It's obviously not; something must have happened to make you feel that way."
Fas stopped, his face turned towards her, his shoulders dropped heavily as he came to some choice in his mind.
"What is it?" SJ asked, concerned.
"You remember our meeting in the chancellor's office?"
"Your performance as Harmyster, you mean, of course I do."
Fas rubbed his brow and glanced around the street. "Not here," he said as he turned away. "Let's go to yours; it's closer, and I will tell you."
SJ followed Fas as they headed to her house. It was all dark inside at this time of night, so SJ changed to her miniature form, flying up to the balcony as Fas scaled the building side as though it were a stepladder. Once they were inside and SJ had lit a lantern, Fas sat in the chair at her desk as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"What were you going to tell me?" SJ asked.
"I may as well tell you now, as the book, when I let you read it, contains various notes, and I would prefer that you understand it from my perspective." His head dropped slightly, and SJ could see that he was nervous.
SJ started to feel very uncertain, as though she might not wish to know what it contained after all. If it was having this much of an impact on Fas, she couldn't possibly comprehend what it was.
