Darkness and Hellfire

Chapter 45 I Like Them.

“As I said before, my name is Isaac Wexler and this,” Isaac gestured toward Lenna. “Is Lady Lenna V’Nova. My bodyguard.”

The duke glanced at the magistrate and the magistrate nodded. “Why are you here?” The duke asked cautiously.

“That’s complicated so let me start at the beginning.” Isaac replied and took a seat. His shadows poured off of him in a torrent and formed a square under him. From the bottom of the inch thick square was a column of shadows three inches thick that pressed into the floor and spread out at the bottom. Isaac leaned back lightly against some shadows that rose from the back of his seat to look like a backrest. In truth Isaac couldn’t put his weight on it as it was taking practically all his incoming mana to maintain the chair and even then he was afraid to shift his weight on it.

The court mage’s eyes went wide and his mouth opened slightly in both shock and awe at the display. There was no spell, only concentrated mana being used to support a person. He had never seen anything like it and the mana that he felt being moved was easily enough to cast a ninth level spell and the man in the middle of the hall seemed to do it casually.

The magistrate, who could also feel that mana being moved, prepared to cast a spell. His body was tense and ready but he made no visible move. The others in the hall also seemed to be surprised at the display but they couldn’t feel the magnitude of mana being used in front of them. Well, except for Lenna. She had felt his power multiple times but even she hadn’t seen him use so much of it constantly. She usually saw him use it in bursts like when he had killed each guard in one hit. Lenna’s body language hadn’t changed. She needed it to look like this was normal for Isaac’s plan to work.

“My guard and I came to this city for two reasons. The first was to sign up with the Adventurers' Guild. The second was to restock from our trip here.” Isaac explained and then began the story. “When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly guard who told us that if we didn’t want to give specific details about ourselves on entry that we would have to meet with the magistrate to ensure that we weren’t spies.”

“As is protocol.” The guard captain interjected.

Isaac threw him a withering glance before returning his gaze to the duke and regaining his neutral expression. “He and two other guards took us to the jailhouse claiming that he was guiding us to the barracks to wait for said magistrate.”

“That is also protocol.” The captain interrupted again.

“Interrupt me again and I’ll remove your tongue.” Isaac told him coldly.

“Insolence! You would dare threaten a guard in the presence of the…” The captain went on until he was stopped by a hand from the duke. The duke glanced at the magistrate again, again the man nodded.

Isaac narrowed his eyes at the duke for a moment and then continued on with the story. “Once inside, which we entered willingly, they ordered us to pile all of our gear on a table next to the entrance to the cells. At this point we were completely sure of what was happening but complied nonetheless.” He took a deep breath. “They tossed us in the cells and chained us to the walls even though we had done nothing but cooperate and ask for a meeting with the magistrate so he and his truth spell could confirm that we weren’t spies.”

Isaac stood up, the shadows rose with him and wrapped him in a void that ate away the light that touched it. Only Isaac’s eyes were visible. The guards all tensed. Lenna rested her hand on her hilt and passed her gaze over some of the guards. The duke raised his hand again to get the guards to relax though he was still wary of what Isaac might do.

“Despite my hatred for cells and chains I complied, and Lenna, upon not seeing me resist, complied peacefully as well.” Isaac took another deep breath. “A few minutes into our wrongful incarceration three of the four jailhouse guards entered.” Isaac ground his teeth and his cloak started to disperse, it came off in whisps like solar flares and the entire room dimmed. “They walked into my companion’s cell and started telling her about all the things they would do to her and how no one would care because she is a drow.”

The duke leaned back in surprise and the duchess put her hand to her mouth. The court mage seemed slightly surprised but not nearly to the extent of the nobles. The guards and magistrate didn’t even seem to register the problem of the guards actions.

“After it was apparent that they meant what they said I killed them. There are still three bodies in the cell Lenna was locked in.” Isaac said calmly.

The duke looked at one of the guards in the back of the room and nodded towards the exit. The guard nodded and took off in a run, likely towards the cells.

“Now. I wanted to play nice. I’m done playing nice. This is what is going to happen.” He told the duke. The captain visibly ground his teeth and looked ready to jump at Isaac. “You are going to ensure that Lenna and I are welcome in all of your territories. You are going to give her a badge or something letting everyone know that you approve of her presence. Then you are going to grant us free lodging in this city. And finally you are going to tell your men that if any of them look at Lenna with anything less than total neutrality I will kill them, on the spot, in the middle of the street.”

When Isaac said that last part the duke glanced at the magistrate again who sighed and nodded. Lenna took her hand off her hilt and took a half step forwards. “My Lord, I do not think that is necessary.”

“I do.” Isaac replied sternly.

“My Lord, I request that you reconsider. Killing guards for not liking my presence is unreasonable.” Lenna continued.

Isaac didn’t even turn to look at her as he responded: “I have heard and acknowledge your request Lady V’Nova and I reject it.” He said with finality.

She took a deep breath and then returned to where she was standing and sighed. “Understood, my Lord.”

The duchess had covered her mouth at some point during their back and forth and was looking back and forth between them with wide eyes and a hidden grin.

The duke cleared his throat and straightened a bit. “I believe we can work something out under a few conditions. The first is that you will stay at the Celestial Dawn, so Celeste can keep an eye on you.” The duke glanced at his guard captain. “The second is that you break no laws. If you break even one there will be hell to pay.”

“It depends on what the laws are. If it’s just don’t steal or kill people we’ll be fine. If it’s something stupid like don’t be an asshole to the guards we might have a problem.” Isaac cut in.

The duke did not appear amused and continued. “The third is that you are obligated to take paid requests from me personally, much in the way adventurer requests operate. And finally…”

He was cut off by his wife saying excitedly: “You will join me for tea at some time in the future. Also if you would answer me one question and one simple request I will reward you with something you both are dearly needing.”

“Your terms are fair.” Isaac replied and nodded to the duchess with a slight smile. Her energy was much appreciated. The rest of the room was wound up like a ballista ready to fire but the duchess seemed to be enjoying the show instead of going for a knife.

“The request is easy enough. I wish to see the face of this lovely Lady you have in tow, Lord Wexler.” She asked with a cheery smile and expectant eyes.

Isaac froze for a moment. He slowly turned to look at Lenna. “It’s up to you.” He told her quietly. “You don’t have to.”

Lenna met his eyes. “I trust in you as you have trusted me my Lord.” Then she looked up slightly to meet the duchess’s eyes. “It would please me to know the Lady’s name before I grant such a request.” She spoke her request in her deep, smooth, relaxed cadence that had enthralled Isaac when they had first met.

The duchess smiled at her. “My, my. I am Duchess Serentia Von Arbencroft. Wife to Duke Izen Von Arbencroft, ruler of Safeharbor and its surrounding territories. It is a pleasure to meet you.” The duchess, Serentia, spoke with the practiced authority of one experienced in the art of the court. Then she abruptly changed back to being almost playful and told Lenna: “But you can call me Sera.”

It took Lenna a second to formulate a reply. “Perhaps in a less formal setting my Lady.” She replied. She took a deep breath and reached up to start unstrapping her helmet. Isaac disappeared without a trance in that very instance. The whole hall except for Lenna jumped.

“Without a spell chant…” The court mage whispered.

As Lenna took off her helmet she spoke, loud enough for everyone to hear though it was only meant for one person. “My Lord, if you save my life one more time I fear I will never repay my debt to you.” She then tucked her helmet under her arm and met Sera’s eyes.

The two noble women watched each other for a moment before the duchess broke the silence. “Yes. That makes sense now.” She said quietly. “You are gorgeous Lenna. May I call you Lenna?” The duke rubbed his temples with a hand and sighed.

Lenna actually showed some surprise on her face even if it only for a split second. “If that is your wish my Lady.” She replied and gave her a polite, slight, bow of her head.

“Now for my question and then on to your reward.” Sera declared. “Lord Wexler?”

Isaac reappeared standing behind Lenna and walked around her with silent steps. “Isaac is fine.” He told her with an easy smile. His entire tone had shifted abruptly. This was partially on purpose but also because he was happy that the duchess at least seemed to like Lenna. It was a good start to people not freaking out when they saw her. The other reason was that he wanted to keep reinforcing two things to the duke and his subordinates. One was that he was extremely powerful and it was not worth pissing him off. The second was that he was easy to please but quick to anger. It made sure that the duke would be extra careful in not stepping on Isaac’s toes but also showed that it was easy to make Isaac happy and a happy Isaac was the best Isaac.

She smiled at him. “Then call me Sera.”

“Alright.” Isaac replied casually.

She leaned in and interlocked her fingers with a devious smile. “Are you two together?” Isaac froze for a moment trying to register her question. “You know, an item, a thing, bound by love and passion.” She just kept laying it on.

Isaac coughed and cleared his throat as he thought about what he wanted for the future for a moment before deciding. “Not yet, Sera.” He replied with a grin.

Sera giggled like a schoolgirl and Lenna’s eyes shot to Isaac already raised in surprise. After a moment Sera calmed down enough to ask a follow up question: “Not yet? Do you have some kind of plan then?”

Isaac grinned. “I do. It’s quite simple. I’ll just wear her down with roguish charm and flattery until she makes the first move.”

“Oh? You won’t make the first move then? Why not?” Sera asked. Her full attention was on Isaac and watching Lenna’s expressions from his answers.

“I’m kind of in charge of her aren’t I? It wouldn’t be right for me to make a move when in such a situation. She, however, is more than welcome to.” He replied with his now constant grin.

Sera giggled again. Her age, which was mid forties at the time, wasn’t showing in the slightest. She could have been sixteen giggling at the new gossip if someone couldn’t see her to know better. “Well Isaac, I am going to have a letter delivered to the Silverstrand Seamstress on the corner of seventh and twentieth. She will get you your reward. Make sure to wear them when you come for tea.”

Isaac couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thank you Sera. We will.” He then turned to lock eyes with Lenna. “I think we should stay for a while. I like them.”

Lenna gave him a slight smile and then put her helmet back on. “Agreed.” She replied.

Sera laughed and turned to her husband. She placed a hand on his forearm and said loud enough for Isaac and Lenna to hear with a big grin on her face: “I like them too.”

“If that is all then we will take our leave.” Isaac said to the owners of the very city they stood in.

“Yes…” The duke sighed. “That is all. I’ll send a messenger to the Celestial dawn about your lodging within the hour. You are dismissed.” He said wearily. It looked as though this meeting aged him by ten years and gave those years to his wife. “Tim, give the Lady a vest to wear. We’ll come up with a better option at a later date.”

The guard captain sighed and reluctantly walked up to one of the guards and had him remove his vest and hand it to Lenna. Lenna nodded to the guard and he hesitantly nodded in return before glancing wearily at Isaac who had been watching him the entire time.

Isaac and Lenna nodded towards Izen and Sera and then turned to leave. They were at the door when Sera called out after them. “Tea in one month!”

Isaac nodded and replied: “One month.” Before they walked out onto the street. Isaac took a deep breath which turned into a deeper sigh. The tension finally mostly left him and turned to look at Lenna. “I have questions but first, warm food.”

The two headed off to find the Celestial Dawn for a meal and hopefully soon a bed.