Chapter 40.75ish
November 21st, 2022
"Enter." Lady Lelia called out as she heard a knocking on the door. She sat with her dress hiked high up her thigh, her once elegant now crippled leg, exposed and extended before her. Her dress was carefully bunched up between her legs and she grimaced as the Court Physician examined her foot. It was dark. Nearly black in hue and it seemed to bulge at incorrect places as the mangled and powdered bones tried to heal and instead just created a mess inside the fleshy sack that was now her foot. Running from mangled toe to mid shin, there was a bulbous scar, a reminder of the flesh that had been peeled open. All in all, it was a miracle it healed as well as it did. Nevakko and Gerb stepped into the room. Seeing Lelia's leg exposed, Nevakko blushed and averted his eyes and stood at attention. Gerb on the other hand snorted at Nevakko mumbling "Didn't realize you were still a virgin. Or is it that you're a eunuch?"
"We have returned to report on the task you assigned us My Lady, at your convenience." Nevakko barked like a professional soldier. Or lap dog. Depending on your point of view.
"I'll hear your report in a short while." Lelia said before turning back to the Physician. "Well? How's it looking?"
"It's certainly not the best situation, but I believe that I would be able to work with it. It ultimately depends on your wishes My Lady. There are a few options. Some are...far more involved than others." He paused to wait for Lelia's confirmation to continue and, seeing her nod to him, he stood up from kneeling before her, and sat on the across from her and rested his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlacing before him. "IT depends on the level of function and elegance you'd like to try to achieve. The least painful option would be for me to design and commission a brace for you. It would be fitted around your hips and extend down your leg which would be strapped to it. When stepping you will put weight on the supports and not your foot. However, you will likely hobble and not be able to walk straight. The second option is an amputation. I can remove your foot up to your lower shin, and affix a bolt into your bone. I could then create a fake foot which you would be able to attach and remove. It would be akin to the fanciful 'peg legs' but with more refinement. It wouldn't be the most elegant solution, but I'd think you could walk gracefully enough with it, maybe even dance. The third and most difficult option, would be for me to cut open your foot and try to reset your bones and supplement the missing bones. It would take two invasive surgeries and may not even be very successful. However, if it works it would provide you with the best function, but it could be a long time of recovery for no benefit."
Lady Lelia swallowed hard to try to keep her shaking tears at bay. After a moment of consideration she asked, "May I have some time to consider it and pray for guidance?"
"OF course My Lady." The Physician said standing up and gathering up his tools. Once he was finished he turned and bowed deeply to Lady Lelia. "May Krulnac's wisdom guide your decisions, and Korvic's courage comfort you."
"May Aleen bless your works and keep Gorgoth's hand at bay." Lelia replied.
Once the Physician had left, closing the door behind him, Lelia lowered her dress carefully over her leg again and then gestured for Gerb and Nevakko to sit. Nevakko stood by the couch refusing or unable to relax whilst on the job. Gerb plopped himself down with such reckless abandon that Lelia thought she heard wood splinter. She waited a moment before prompting them to report. "Whilst I enjoy your company I must request that you report to me on the status of your 'task'."
"We were unable to locate and secure Gerb's family. There were complications."
"By the dead you're boring." Gerb complained rolling his eyes and sinking further down into the soft couch.
"If you wish to report then do so and stop being so petty." Nevakko replied shooting him a threatening glance. Lelia waited patiently.
Returning Nevakko's gaze, Gerb rolled his eyes before turning to Lelia. "Tried to find an old friend. An informant by the name of Sott. Turns out he's all the more powerful and influential. Turns out he's none too happy to see me. Apparently he was tortured and interrogated after I fled. I owe him for not breaking."
Lelia's heart skipped a beat. Only earlier this day had she heard that name uttered from the Runesmith. Though she trusted the withered Runesmith, she had wondered about the validity of his words. Yet he was right about Gerb and Sott it seemed. Hesitating for only a moment Lelia asked, "What price?"
"That I'm back in, and...that I kill a man." Gerb replied.
"Who?"
"We don't know." Nevakko stated. "We don't know who, or why or how. And yet Gerb thinks that it's a legitimate idea. I told him that..."
"Give me the order to kill him." Gerb interrupted, stunning Nevakko to silence. "Give me the order to kill old man Sott." He stated boldy.
So stunned was he that Nevakko took a step away from Gerb shaking his head in disbelief. "Your audacity knows no bounds! Are you truly mad?" Nevakko blurted out.
Gerb gave him a long and sideways glance. "You have a better idea? If we don't show up, I'm dead. If I try to kill on Sott's behalf I might end up getting killed. If I kill him first...then his dreams will be peaceful."
Lelia raised a hand to silence Nevakko's protests. "What about retribution? A man like him cannot just be killed without anyone knowing."
Gerb shook his head as he reclined, thumping his foot up onto the table. Nevakko wanted to tell him off but seeing no reaction from Lelia he kept his silence. "I'll have to kill more than just Sott. I was foolish and spoke Nev's name."
"Damn." Nevakko swore, running his hand through his hair. "There was a squad of them."
"Other than them, do you know if anyone else knows you were there?" Lelia asked.
"Not by name. The Apostles of Death will likely remember me though. Not too uncommon but a one legged man does tend to 'stand' out." Gerb said laughing to himself.
Lelia nodded solemnly. "You think the priests are in the underground's pockets?"
"Why wouldn't they be?" Nevakko asked. "Not only are they Apostles of Death but they were housing and caring for one of the most influential men in the underground."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Lelia said fiddling with the ribbons of her robes. "The Clergy of the Gods are to remain politically neutral. Unaligned. They serve the Gods first, man second and rulers third. At least, that's how it's supposed to be. Whether or not they are actually neutral is...more questionable. It could be however that they are doing nothing more than caring for a crippled man. They undoubtedly know who he is, and they may be receiving money to care for him but I shouldn't think that it is more than a simple job for them."
"How would they remain neutral and assist Sott?" Gerb asked. "Seems to me that if you're helping someone, you're likely on their side."
"Mercenaries. Religious mercenaries." Nevakko said understanding Lelia's explanation.
"Precisely." Lelia agreed. "Mercenaries are neutral and only work for coin, not a nation. Same with the Clergy. They serve the Gods and man, but are not affiliated."
Gerb grunted. "Well, if that's true that's all the better for me. We'll just need a few well trained men and we can kill Sott and his guards."
"We haven't even decided if that's the best move yet." Nevakko criticised, "I for one am against the idea. Your personal issues are not the concern of th-"
"When do you think you can be ready?" Lelia asked, cutting Nevakko off mid sentence.
"My Lady, as captain of your guard I strongly advise against this course of action." Nevakko protested.
Lelia nodded her head to him. "Your advice is noted. As the Lady of this house I'm giving you these orders: Assist Gerb in every way possible to assassinate Sott the Informant without leaving a trail."
Gerb sat up, grabbed a goblet and poured himself a glass of wine which he heartily downed. Standing up he turned to Lelia and said, "Tonight."
"I will prepare some assistance for you. Nevakko, you'll be facing a squad. How many men do you need?" Lelia asked.
Nevakko grumbled under his breath thinking hard. "For just the squad? No more than three I should think. They were well trained in hand to hand combat and may be armed but I think their weapons are light. However if they know we're coming or we have to fight our way through the Ziggurat then I'd need a squad of my own at the very least, if not three squads."
"Lelia nodded. "Try to keep it under a squad. Four if you can. Yourself and your three best."
"Two best." Gerb said scowling.
"No offence to your condition Gerb," Nevakko said crossing his arms, "But you're in no shape to be fighting. A one legged man has no place in battle."
"No offence to your pampered life," Gerb retorted, "But I could kill you and your three best without any legs. How many kills Nev? Five? Ten?"
"Twenty three." Nevakko said, holding Gerb's gaze in a cold stare.
"Twenty three!" Gerb repeated sarcastically clapping at Nevakko. "Oh well done! Come back when you get your big britches sewn."
"What's our tally? And have you ever killed anyone with one leg?" Nevakko asked with an eyebrow raised.
"You've barely tasted blood boy." Gerb hissed as he hopped closer to Nevakko. "You caw and vaunt yourself about with the arrogance of a child just because you have a captain's title of a weak guard to a dead house. I've bathed in the blood of my competition since before you were born. At first I was given weapons, but they wanted to even the odds so they took my weapons away. So I had to fight fully armed men with my bare hands. A helmet does fuck all when I can rip your spine out of your neck with my bare hands! I poured blood on Aleen and worshipped Korvic. Gorgoth knows my name! Before you were even born I had a tally of two hundred and forty two. After you were born I slew guards, soldiers and bounty hunters alike. I dipped my hands in the blood of children and slew innocent people in order to feed myself. I became the most wanted man in the entire Kingdom!" He got face to face with Nevakko. "So tell me again, Little Nevvy, how much better suited you are than me?"
"Gerb." Lelia said interrupting any further heated engagement. "I will have an apology to my family name." She said simply as she reclined upon her couch. Gerb remained standing in front of Nevakko silently. "Gerb!" Lelia said more sternly. "You will apologies to me. I have taken you in and offered you and your family safety. I will not allow you to speak ill of my house or guard."
Gerb ground his teeth in anger before hopping backwards from Nevakko. Taking a moment longer he turned and bowed to Lelia. "Forgive me for the insult ot your home and your guard. You have done no act to deserve such slander from me." Gerb said solemnly before adding, "I do not however, apologize for my words against Nevakko."
Lelia held him long in regard before nodding. "I accept your apology. Now, Nevakko, Gerb has a number of advantages that we can ill afford to ignore. First, I think it would be good if he led the way, ahead of you and your two. He will be returning to give Sott his answer and should be able to approach easily. This may give you and your men an opportunity to follow discreetly, as worshipers. What do you think?"
Nevakko unfolded his arms and linked his hands behind his back thinking. Though he was still clearly offended by Gerb's words, he prized himself on being professional. "I believe that to be a fine strategy My Lady. Whilst Gerb is talking with Sott, myself and the other two could have concealed crossbows. Sott's guards were not armored. We could remove three before the remaining six could act. If Gerb can handle even one, I believe with short swords, we should be able to make quick work of the remaining."
"I can take two at least, if not three." Gerb said shaking his head. "But that would be a fight that takes longer. Sott will likely have some system in place to call for aid. A bell or whistle or something. We can't afford to run that risk. The first bolt should be for Sott. Even if we get killed, Sott will be dead first. That's the first rule of assassination. Eliminate your target first.
"I can assist you with that I think." Lelia said. "I can work a spell to alter the flow of sound. Even if he or anyone cries for aid, it won't leave the room."
Gerb paused, looking at her with new found curiosity and envy in equal measure. "that...would be pricelessly useful. By Korvic what could I have accomplished with some magic at my disposal."
"I agree. That would be most advantageous. How would it work exactly? For I forbid you from coming along."
Lelia nodded in affirmation. "Yes, I will not have the strength to move quite as nimbly as Gerb, nor as discreetly as you should need. It would not be wise for me to attend. There are a couple of ways it could work. I could provide you with a maledict infused with the spell. To activate it you would need to simply utter the incantation and point to where you want the spell to take affect. I suggest the doorway to Sott's quarters. Alternatively, I could weave the spell into an item and you can simply utter the words and drop it where you desire."
"The item sounds like the..."
"What would the cost be on your life?" Nevakko asked interrupting Gerb.
"Nev..." Lelia began to protest.
"No. Just tell me, what is the cost?"
"Cost?" Gerb asked.
Lelia sighed and explained, "Every use of 'Greater Magic' costs the user. These crystals," She said gesturing to the corners of her eyes and along the veins of her arms, pointing out a pattern of light blue and slightly shimmering crystals, "are my price. Eventually they will grow so great that they clog my heart and I will die."
Gerb paused, blinking for a moment. "Damn." He said awkwardly not knowing what else to say.
Lelia returned her eyes to Nevakko. "It's impossible to say for sure but, using the maledict is the safer option. It will absorb most of the corruption."
"Then the wand it is. Though...what if we say the incantation incorrectly?"
Lelia shifted uncomfortably as she chewed on her lip. "If...if you speak the incantation wrong, you open the doors to the arcane wrong. You'd let an abundance of raw aether through. I don't know what it would do. We call that surge, 'wild magic'. Letting the Aether flow unguided...it twists the world in random ways akin to that of an anomaly."
"I do not wish to dismiss your assistance but without proper training, it will likely be more dangerous for us than to try alone." Nevakko said reluctantly.
Gerb poured another glass of wine, taking a long draught. "What of Zech? He's a weird one. Does he have any of this magic stuff in that hand of his?"
"Zech?" Nevakko asked. "Zechariah? That weird slave boy that you imprisoned?"
"The one and the same." Gerb said finishing his second glass of wine before pouring a third.
"You must be drunk. And you should stop drinking. We're going to be assassinating someone tonight. Apparently. You better have your wits about you." Nevakko chided.
"Nope. I'm going to get more drunk. Bad luck to kill while sober."
"I'm afraid that I don't know Nevakko. I haven't had the time I require to find out what exactly Zechariah is capable of and, I don't think it's a good idea for him to try and learn in this situation either."
"I disagree." Gerb said. "I think that we need your magic, and he's already weird enough, he might have the exact knack that we need. Besides, he works better under pressure."
"Gerb does have a point My Lady, though I am loath to admit it. If he indeed does have an affinity for the magical arts, then it may behoove us to utilize him." Nevakko added.
Lelia shook her head. "I don't know what is wrong with him, but he's too unstable for a mission like this, and he's too valuable for my research to risk blowing himself up on some stupid spell."
"Oh, so he's too precious to blow up but I'm not? Got it." Gerb said sourly.
"That's not what..." Lelia started as Nevakko spoke up.
"Yes. You are unwanted baggage that My Lady is having to put up with in order to secure Zechariah's cooperation. You are expendable and before you get all pissy, I'm expendable as well."
"Nevakko, that's not true you..." Lelia began again only to be interrupted by Gerb this time.
"So that's why you're agreeing to this assassination. To hopefully dispose of me. Kill off the dead weight so you can get Zechariah."
"Enough!" Lelia exclaimed sitting upright. "I will not be so rudely interrupted in my own home. And no, that is not true. You are my slave Gerb. I could have locked Zechariah up and experimented on him like a lab rat. If I really wanted you dead and out of my way, do you not think that I wouldn't just turn you in to Zulad and earn an extraordinary amount of favor in the Courts! Your words are as thoughtless as they are naive. If you do want to live, I suggest you begin to approach me with a little more consideration. I do not need you to get to Zechariah. I made you my slave out of the goodness of my heart and because I believe you were meant to find Zechariah and you are meant to stay by his side. But do not be so brash as to spit in the face of your savior!"
The three of them stood silently, Gerb staring at Lelia, Lelia staring back and Nevakko watching them both. Gerb downed his third glass of wine before putting the goblet and pitcher down. He averted his eyes. "My apologies. Life...has not been one full of kindness. Kill or be killed. That's how I've lived my whole life. I don't know that people are truly capable of such kindness. I am always looking for another reason or motive."
"I accept your apology and I cannot expect you to just be able to suddenly not be suspicious of my kindness. But I do expect you to give me the respect due to my station and my actions. I expect you to learn to control your tongue."
"Yes...Mistress." Gerb said, cringing as he did so. He despised the feeling of belittling himself, of having anyone 'above him'. But she was a Lady, and she had been nothing but kind and patient towards him. He could not deny that.
Lelia nodded. "Good. Now with that out of the way, both of you are in support of trying to utilize Zechariah even though I'm against it?"
"Yes My Lady. It does seem that Gerb and I, in this regard at least, are in agreement. Of course, you have the final say." Nevakko said as he looked at Gerb who nodded silently.
Lelia sighed. "Very well. I'll listen to your advice on this matter. However, the objectives do change. Sott's assassination is now secondary. I want Zechariah back alive. No, this isn't a matter of favoritism. He is, I believe, the key to ending this conquest of Maharrani's." Gerb and Nevakko looked confused, even surprised, but they agreed. "Good. It is settled then. Nevakko, pick one of your most trusted soldiers. I will speak with Zechariah and give him as detailed an instruction in the correct incantations, in such time as we have. Gerb...don't get too drunk."
Gerb snorted an affirmation. "Fine, but before we go, why are you doing this for me? Beyond the goodness of your heart. There are certainly better ways to assist me than an assassination."
Lelia grinned ruefully, a fire lighting in her eyes. "Let's just say that House Sundman is no longer going to be an idle player in the Courts."
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