Tale of Four

A small feast was laid out before Isis and Seth as they waited. Staring at the food, Isis could hear her stomach rumbling, but resisted the urge to dig in before the Lady of the manor arrived. It had been a few days since her outing, and although she felt slightly trapped inside the manor, they had been treated well.

The doors opened, and Ceiceil stepped in, taking her place at the head of the table. Once she took the first bite, both Seth and Isis dug in, making their own plates. Isis tried not to notice, but from the corner of her eye she saw the lady taking glances at both her and Seth, obviously contemplating soemthing. After a sip of wine and a momentary pause in her food, she sighed and put the glass down.

”Seth. When were you going to tell me I am housing wanted criminals?” Isis tensed up, but Seth didn’t react, tearing a large chunk of meat from the bone and slowly chewing. Looking up, he took a deep breath and chuckled, shrugging afterwards.

”I didn’t really feel a need.”

”Seth.” Ceiceil’s voice was low, hiding a slight anger as she looked between the two, ”News has spread. I can protect you, but not Isis. Her bounty has become too big to ignore. If I hadn’t offered my home and protection to her, I would have already handed her over.” Looking at Isis, the plump woman smiled, ”No hard feelings, but the reward is quite lovely.”

Isis could only muster a small smile and continue to silently eat. Seth groaned and tore another chunk of meat from the bone he held. ”So, is this our final meal?” Seth asked, finally putting the bone down and looking at the woman. Ceiceil thought for a moment and flashed a white smile, shaking her head.

”Frankly, I have no love for Cras. If you were wanted for murder, this would be another question, but you are not.” Seth looked at her with a confused look. Ceiceil tilted her head before sighing and taking a sip of wine, ”You killed a man?”

”If they haven’t said anything about it, it means they couldn’t prove it.” Shrugging, he also took a sip of wine, pleasantly enjoying it, ”Do not worry. I will ensure you receive no fallback if things spiral. I have always been good at disappearing.”

”I am not worried, I know my position. I am simply saying that this will only get worse. The longer I house you the-” The door opened, and an uncollared servant walked in, bowing towards her.

”My lady. A guest has arrived. One that cannot be turned away.” Ceiceil narrowed her eyes and turned to Seth, who smiled.

”Who?”

”The Broker.” Seth’s smile fell as Ceiecil frowned, her eyes slightly fearful. Isis looked between the two as the plump lady nodded and ordered another place at the table to be cleared.

”The Broker. Forgive me, but who?” Isis asked, getting a click of the tongue from the two.

”That unpleasant man is still alive?” Seth asked, ignoring Isis’s question.

”You will show respect when he joins us, Seth.” Turning to Isis, she carried on, ”He is a powerful master within the city. You have been to the Vine Tower, correct?” Isis nodded, ”He is the one who controls the auction house at the top.” The door opened again as she finished, and Justinian walked in with arms spread, looking at Ceiceil.

”Ahh, my dear. Please continue speaking about me.” Justinian stared at the table, nodding in approval. Looking around, he walked behind Isis, slamming his hands on her shoulder, forcefully rubbing them, ”I am sorry for interrupting your meal.” Squeezing Isis’s shoulder, she looked up at him and tensed, seeing his smile. Justinian met her gaze and chuckled, patting her shoulders before circling around. Standing behind Ceiceil, he took some of her hair and brought it to his nose, smelling it, ”Vanilla. Did you know I was coming, my dear? You know I love this smell.”

”Good evening, Justinian.” Ceiceil didn’t let her discomfort show, letting him play with her. After a minute, he got bored and leaned over and kissed her cheek before going to Seth and looking him up and down. Staring into his eyes, his own widened.

”The crafter has returned after so long.” Standing behind Seth, he leaned on the back of his chair and rested his chin on his grey hair, ”Tell me, old man, have you got another item for me to sell. Why else would you come back to a city you claimed to hate?”

”You are as awful as I remember you,” Seth said without hiding his disdain. Stabbing his fork into a vegetable, he lifted it to eat, but Justinian swooped down and ate it.

”Thank you.” Wiping his lips, he finally took his seat next to Seth and lifted his feet up, resting them on the table, ”Now then.” Clapping his hands, he looked at the three and took a strange delight in the discomfort both Isis and Ceiceil were in, ”You two are criminals, and as a good citizen of Danmor, I must take you in.” Isis tensed up, but seeing Seth groan and continue to eat, unafraid, she let herself relax. ”I’m joking, of course, but I am here for you.”

”This is ruined.” Seth pushed his plate away and looked to Justinian, ”What do you want?”

”Well, I have been speaking to some people. Some of the city is searching for you, but why they haven’t come yet, well, no need to thank me.” Looking at Isis, he gave her a thin smile, ”The Chained Brothers have also met you, if I heard correctly. Finally, there are those guys who don’t really care about you.” Justinian looked at the empty glass next to him and held it into the sky. Waving it around, a collard servant walked over and picked up the jug of wine beside him and poured a glass. Finishing the drink, he held his glass up again, asking for a second.

The room stayed silent, Seth refusing to entertain the man and Isis and Ceiceil taking a cautious silence, wondering what his visit was for. Finishing his second glass of wine, he stared Ceiceil in the eyes and let go of the glass, letting it fall and shatter on the floor, ”You should have told me about this little situation, my dear. Haven’t I always been a good friend?”

The servant who poured his drink knelt down, picking the shards of glass up, as he continued to talk, ”Anyway, the Evangelist wishes to speak to you, but I couldn’t help myself to come first.”

”Who?” Isis asked, finally working up the courage to see how dismissive Seth was.

”Our glorious preacher of the Pantheon. You see, he has no love for Cras and found what you did to be useful. Help him and this issue...” Waving a hand, he chuckled, ”Do not be so worried. This is Danmor, and as a guest of the city, he will not hand you over to Cras unless you give him reason to.”

”Justinian.” Seth spoke, unable to continue listening to the man’s voice, ”We aren’t here for your ambition.”

”But. You. Are.” Justinian playfully said, never letting his smile fall, ”You are criminals, and can easily be handed over. You will be alright, old man, but,” Taking his feet off the table, Justinian jumped up and circled around the table, going behind Isis. Once again, he put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them, before placing a finger on her neck and drawing the outline of a collar, ”This one will be used to pay Cras back for the damages. I asked around, and they are quite... annoyed at the losses they incurred. More importantly, they are angry and wish for a show.”

Isis went stiff, feeling the cold finger on her neck, and took a deep breath. Looking at Seth, he saw the man’s face freeze with anger as he stared up at the man. Taking his finger off, he clapped his hands and stepped back, ”Tomorrow, come to the Pantheon. You will have complete immunity from danger as you walk the street, I swear that. If you refuse, I will assume you turned down this generous offer, and you will lose the protection of Danmor.”

Turning around, he left as quickly as he came, acting as if he owned the place. Only when the door closed did Isis and Ceiceil feel they could breathe. Holding her throat, Isis stared at Seth as he clenched and unclenched his fist. Never before had she felt so scared. She had met Lords in Vesotn, even been threatened by a few. She had been held at knifepoint and robbed. Met killers and rapists, but feeling that cold touch on her neck, the hand of a man that lacked the warmth of a human despite being one, she felt trapped.