Return of the Runebound Professor

Chapter 907: Claims

There was no trace of the Truthseeker.

Vivian couldn’t live in denial. She’d spent the last few hours of the party sweeping the hall for any final traces of the Truthseekers while keeping tabs on the dozen or so other problems milling about around her. It had been fruitless. The Chaos magic that the bastard used had completely swallowed any chance of following him back to… wherever it was that he’d run to. There was no way to follow him. Not, at least, without causing enough of a commotion that it would cause her trouble.

Not to mention the fact that it could be a trap. I don’t fancy my chances against Orlen if I go sprinting right into his territory entirely unprotected. That madman is dangerous, even to me. And if he’s somehow figured out how to influence the Beyond…

Vivian didn’t let that line of thought continue any further. Her jaw clenched. There was nothing that she could do now but admit the fact that the Truthseeker had managed to escape. At the least, this hadn’t been anything close to a perfect heist.

That made the corner of her lips twitch in amusement. After all his taunting, the Truthseeker hadn’t escaped unharmed. Spider had apparently nearly melted him alive. That was more satisfying to hear than she would ever admit. She knew who had been screwing with her now.

And while her hands were heavily tied by the presence of the other Faction Heads and the tournament… neither of them would be present forever. There would be more than enough time to deal with Orlen and his crazed fanatics on her own terms. They wouldn’t be getting the jump on her a second time.

Even if he’s gone, I’ve got his magical signature. The next time he tries to enter Aqua Terra isn’t going to be a pleasant one.

A faint prickle rolled across the back of Vivian’s neck. Her eyes flicked to the side. She’d nearly lost track of time. The masquerade was wrapping up. All the food on the tables had been pretty much polished off and most of the mages that had come to hunt for recruits had seen what they wanted to. Nobody was going to make any more moves until more information became apparent.

Vivian supposed she could have given a speech about something or another. It wouldn’t have been awry to gather everyone with some giant flash of magic and tell them about how she appreciated their attendance and wished them the best of luck with the tournament.

But nobody wanted that. They weren’t here to get given a speech. They were here to fight and get recruited. Vivian was quite certain that a speech would have been just as displeasurable for her as it was for everyone that was forced to sit around and listen to it.

There was really no need to bore everybody and waste time. She wasn’t yet so old that time had no value.

So, instead, Vivian snapped her fingers.

The hall emptied in an instant.

Without so much as a sound or word of warning, every single mage that had been summoned here was banished. The sound of thousands of robes and masks dropping to the ground all at once filled the air, a loud, rattling clatter followed by a soft whump.

The only ones that remained were the recruiters and Faction Heads — and one snap later, the recruiters were gone as well. They had no need to be here when there wasn’t anyone left to recruit.

Vivian sent a quick mental command out to ensure that the hall was cleaned. The place was a mess. Then she snapped her fingers one more time and the world reformed itself.

The hall disappeared, replaced by a much smaller room containing nothing but a wide wooden table and several comfortable chairs gathered in a circle around it. Vivian’s stained robes remained behind, replaced by her normal attire as she appeared within one of the chairs. And in the other chairs formed the other Faction heads.

Vivian quietly reached out to one of the several pitchers of tea that had been pre-prepared upon the table and poured herself a cup.

“So soon, Vivian?” the Imperator of Man asked with a hissing laugh. “And not so much as a warning that things were ending. That’s quite like you. What if I’d been speaking to someone I was interested in?”

“You’d have done it earlier,” Vivian replied simply. “Nobody was doing anything of worth at this point. We were just wandering around and idly amusing ourselves. Or am I wrong?”

“Quite right, Vivian.” A lilting laugh slipped through the room from a soft-featured, middle-aged woman with bright red hair. The pitch-black armor covering her body, covered in such realistic engravings of flowers that they nearly seemed alive, shimmered. It seemed the Monarch of Obsidian Gate had finally pulled her hood back. “But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a bit rude. I was having a very pleasant conversation.”

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“You think that every conversation you have is pleasant,” Vivian said. “That somehow doesn’t make it true, Baress.”

“We’re all using first names now? I’m glad the ice is broken. Then let me pitch in and say that I can agree with Vivian on that,” the Imperator said, stretching his arms above his head. “I’d guess whoever you were speaking with probably breathed a sigh of relief.”

“If you mean to insult me, it isn’t going to work,” Baress said with a smile. “I’ve been told far worse by far better. And you’re one to take notice of names. In all the years we’ve known each other, you refuse to ever say your real name. Doesn’t that make you feel ashamed? It’s rude, you know.”

“Everything is rude to you,” the Imperator replied with a wave of his hand. “I don’t see you going after Rake for never speaking. He just sits there and stares. Sometimes I wonder if he’s even alive.”

Vivian glanced over at the Ruler of Endless Path. The thin Faction Head… was quiet. He did tend to be. His sunken eyes just stared ahead, two pools of empty gray that never quite found what they were looking for.

Rake didn’t even blink at the insult. He just poured himself a glass of tea and quietly took a sip.

“Maybe he just doesn’t feel the need to waste words on you,” Vivian said. “I’m jealous. His self control is something I think we could all learn from.”

The Imperator smirked. “Perhaps. But self-control seems to be something you’ve had in excess as of late, Vivian. I would have thought you’d start frying people hours ago with all the things going wrong under your roof. And we don’t even have all of the Faction Heads here right now. If I didn’t know better, I might have thought you were unprepared.”

Vivian’s eyes narrowed.

“I think we’re all aware of just how painful these tournaments are to host. Every little shit across and atop the factions decides that this is their time to make a name for themselves by doing something out of order. The fact that nothing major has happened at this point already puts me ahead of the tournament that you held.”

The Imperator coughed into a fist. “I had extenuating circumstances. And the issues were dealt with promptly.”

“As were mine,” Vivian said smoothly. “Unless you have something to complain about?”

The Imperator smiled. He knew that she had him. At least for the time being, absolutely nothing had gone wrong significantly enough for him to push for anything.

“No,” the Imperator said. “Nothing at all. In fact, I might have to compliment you. The masquerade was far more entertaining than I expected. I actually managed to locate someone I’d be interested in recruiting.”

“Is that so?” Baress asked, clapping her hands together in delight. “That’s lovely. Care to share?”

“A demon,” the Imperator replied. “Rank 5, but with quite the unique combination of runes. I’ve never seen anything like it. She’s got some real spunk. I went to meet her personally. And you know what she did? Signed an autograph. Like she was the celebrity. Can you believe that? Absolutely hilarious.”

“Is that so?” Vivian asked, tilting her head to the side. “I’m surprised you’re taking interest in anyone so weak.”

The Imperator just laughed. “As am I. But who knew. People change, Vivian. But now’s a good time to warn you. If any of you come for her, we’re going to have a problem. This one is mine. I don’t plan on competing.”

“Oh, isn’t that cute?” Baress asked in delight. “You’re actually attached to a recruit! But Imperator, you wouldn’t be asking something of me without an offer in return, would you? I’m sure you wouldn’t be so cold to your good friends.”

“I would be willing to offer an accord,” the Imperator said without a moment of hesitation. “Choose your target. I’ll stay away.”

“Not just you,” Baress said. Her smile grew sly. “All of you. A group accord. That’s the only way we can really know we’ll stay out of each other’s business, yes? And we’re all civilized folks. I’m sure we can each agree to leave one person alone.”

“I don’t care,” Vivian said. “Go for who you wish.”

Rake’s head inclined.

“Perfect,” Baress said. “Then an accord it is. How lovely. When was the last time we all managed to come to an agreement so quickly? Perhaps people really do change. Or maybe the crop this time around is just of far higher quality than usual.”

“Enough prattling,” the Imperator said. “Who is your eye on?”

“A few,” Baress replied as she looked casually into the contents of her glass. “But I’ve recruited several already. For the accord… I will hold onto my choice for now. There is nobody that I am desperate over yet. Should anyone catch my eye, then I will inform you all of my decision.”

“I’m certain that Vivian couldn’t care less. She didn’t spend any time at all looking during the banquet,” the Imperator said with a dry laugh. “So what of you, Rake? Has that hollow gaze of yours found—”

“Yes,” Rake said in a low whisper.

Everyone turned toward him. It was a rare occasion indeed for the weathered man to speak.

“Someone quite interesting if they’ve drawn you to speech, I must guess,” Baress said. Her eyes twinkled in curiosity. “Who?”

Rake was silent for a long second. Then, when he spoke again, it sounded like the sentence were being forcibly torn from deep within his chest.

“There is a mage I have been watching. I seek the one known as Spider.”

Vivian’s back stiffened.

“Impossible.”

The word came out before she could even think about its implications or consider stopping herself.

Everyone turned toward her.

“What was that?” The Imperator asked with a delighted grin. “That can’t be right. Vivian is actually hunting? And she’s chosen the same one that Rake has? Maybe I looked too quickly. Who is this Spider?”

“How awkward,” Baress said, covering a laugh. “I’m sorry, Vivian. But Rake spoke first. This may be your tournament, but he claimed his interest before you did. You must abide by the accord you agreed to.”

“I cannot,” Vivian said. She already regretted her outburst. But it was too late for her to walk her words back now. That would do nothing but expose weakness. There was only one path left before her. “But not because I seek to evade the accord. I spoke truly. Rake’s interest is impossible.”

“Why?” Rake asked, his eyes narrowing into slits.

“Because Spider is spoken for,” Vivian said. Her jaw set. “That mage is already my disciple.”