Chapter Four: Honesty

"Truth is a rather relative concept, is it not? It is easy to speak the truth while being completely deceitful or to tell a complete lie by weaving small truths together skillfully. What then is a truth or a lie if not fluid, both are open to interpretation."

The Outsider –

"You are brave, even after Delilah took your mark here you are, eternally the Royal Protector." I commented, opening one eye enough to take in the shocked look he was giving me. In truth, he'd rarely worn such a surprised face, twice that I could recall. As I watched him I realized he hadn't known it was me. He'd come after me after only having seen a shadow leaving the palace…he'd thought me to be working for Daud and not gotten close enough to recognize me until now. Amusing thought that I would be attacked in Daud's name, the assassin would probably laugh if he knew. Then, Corvo couldn't be blamed for not knowing who I was. "Let me get out of here, and we can speak. It is just as well that you know what is happening. I expect you would need to be informed eventually."

"Outsider…" His voice was as confused as his expression but he folded his blade and walked after me as I headed up and back to a nearby rooftop, glad for the salty air compared to the bloody remnants of the fly's nest. "H…why are you here?"

"An unexpected event, surprising I know, considering." I stated, still entertained by the consternation across every line in Corvo's face. So many of those wrinkles caused by his noble appointment, his years protecting the crown. "Delilah's involvement, and Emily's defeat of the woman, has left me temporary stranded in this body. Given Emily is helping me to fix the issue, I planned to come forward soon – though at least your greeting was intriguing for a man so hesitant to cut throats."

"The trip…that's you." Corvo added it all together at lightning speed. No one could say the man wasn't capable at his job. I nodded in response, still trying to clear my lungs and nostrils of the stench from the building.

"Yes." I eventually spoke the confirmation aloud. "I have spent the better part of the day gathering other materials required. Have you been following me everywhere?"

"I lost track for a while." Corvo admitted, still looking quite confused at the conversation he was having. "Then I got wind that someone was clearing out the infested building and came here on a hunch. Are you alright? When I came up you weren't exactly on your best game."

I managed to keep the frown off my face though I wanted to scowl at the observation. If I was so weak now compared to my usual form that a mortal could sneak up on me, then that wasn't good. Even one with my mark. Certainly there were others with it that wouldn't mind removing me from the game board. Daud made another striking example, he was still quite bitter with me after the last task I'd assigned him. The blade hadn't cut my skin, it had only pressed against the surface…and there had been enough pressure to draw red for a normal mortal. I suppose that answered the question as to if I could be harmed easily.

"I am well enough to have defended myself." I pointed out after contemplating various answers.

"Good, then get whatever you need, get it without Emily." Corvo returned to his usual mentality now that the initial shock was wearing off. I had to admit I wasn't certain how he could remain interesting while always singing the same song. Still, I expected some resistance when it came to the Royal Protector.

"Emily has already agreed to aid the cause, and you'll be needed as well. It cannot be other people, the last participate we require is why we're taking the trip. Unless you would rather leave Delilah unchecked with all the possible power of the void." I remarked.

He scoffed, scowling at me as if trying to measure if I was lying to him. Eventually he let out a resigned sigh. "I am really starting to hate you Outsider. What is it you want me to do?"

"Glad you've come around…I'll bring you up to speed…"

Emily –

"I'm not certain a trip like that is wise now, some of the citizens may feel you are abandoning the repair efforts." Caldoun, one of the advisors that had been loyal to me but wise enough to go into hiding after my temporary disposal, and therefore survived to be here now, pointed out. "I understand your reasoning as well, but I'm not certain the citizens will. Do you believe you'll be able to keep them content? There are many with problems coming to the castle every day and you barely have time to hold audiences now. You can't hold audience if they aren't here."

"Corvo Attano can hold the court in my stead until I return, with the council's advice of course." I replied. I couldn't explain what my full plan was, or that I needed to go to the north to acquire a person for the use of the Outsider to return him to the void. That explanation would go over far less well than a quick tour of my islands to reinstate myself with my people. "After all the unrest, it would be better if my various cities peoples could see me, not just Dunwall's. I've hidden away at the tower for too long, which is what allowed the Duke to take me on with Delilah in the first place."

"It is a fair observation but I think more than a few days in the capital is important your highness." Caldoun pressed, clearly feeling strongly but keeping himself level headed despite that. I could understand his confusion with my rush, it isn't as though he knew how much was at stake for me taking this trip. Nor could I tell him exactly. "I know and understand your concerns but the rest of the nation deserves my time and presence as well, Dunwall wasn't the only one that suffered under Delilah's rule. Taking a trip through the whole of my territory will be good, you didn't see what happened in Karnaca."

"Yes…I suppose that's true." He wavered at the idea that things could be even worse somewhere else. Caldoun had been one of the people let in to see the destroyed state of the palace and he'd been hiding here in Dunwall as it all unraveled. It was probably hard to consider that other areas had been hit even more than Dunwall had but now that I'd planted the idea his imagination was taking root with it. "I don't like the idea but if things were really that bad then I suppose you are right, that everyone in our nation needs you now more than ever. But still, not sending word that you will be on your way? That seems insecure, at least discuss it with the Royal Protector. Where is Corvo?"

"I will and he is doing something for me in the city." I answered. At least, I hoped he was since I had been forced into this small meeting even though I was not yet comfortable making such decisions all alone. I wish I knew where father had gotten off to.

"What are you going to do traveling without the Royal Protector?" Caldoun seemed ready and able to channel Corvo even without father here. "There was already one attempt at stealing your crown, without a proper set of guards can you expect to ward off others? Even if you were popular right now, you couldn't just go without a guard."

"Yes, I know. I have a new person I am considering as a second Royal Protector when Corvo is unable to be present. He helped me retake the throne." I replied. Another half-truth, it wasn't as though the Outsider was really a direct aid but indirectly he'd given me the edge that let me accomplish everything. I couldn't let the cost of my returning to the throne be at his expense after all that. I was glad I was at least starting to win over someone, even if Caldoun was a supporter it was better than nothing. "I want you to continue advising Corvo, I know he can be a little serious but he needs someone who can deal with the noble families easier than he can with his personality."

"I'd be happy to help your majesty." The man seemed surprised by my request but pleased, not that he would be likely to refuse even if he wasn't. "Have you considered any official appointments? There are a lot of people missing or possibly dead, we are still compiling a list of what seats are still filled or if the holders were Delilah sympathizers."

"Good, I'll want that finished before any set decisions are made. I want to make sure there is at least a working general council before I leave on my trip." I reassured, which also seemed to relax the man further. I was putting a lot of responsibility on him, and I didn't know him extremely well but since he'd headed the effort to retrieve me when he had no real title left I felt I owed him a gesture of good faith in return. "I expect you'll be an invaluable advisor for political matters where Corvo isn't already versed."

"I am a fast learner." Father's voice brought a smile to my face. There was always a feeling of security that accompanied knowing he was nearby even if his presence alone couldn't always make me safe. "What are you two in here concocting? Councilman Caldoun, a pleasure to see you back at court."

"A pleasure that there is a court to come back to." Caldoun replied smoothly enough, smiling at Corvo. "This won't be the easiest assignment but I'll certainly do my best. Has the Empress told you what her plans are?"

"I don't want to sit on the throne but Emily is right." Corvo stated, sounding as though he was chewing glass at the observation. His expression told me that we would be speaking in private very soon, I managed to keep my face neutral but I had expected more of a fight from him. Perhaps it was still coming even though he'd just publicly admitted he'd be staying here in my stead. "The realm at large needs to see their Empress as more than a picture on posters or banners. They need that promise that all of this is going to turn around."

"Well, I can't argue with both of you. I had expected you to be on my side in this Corvo." Caldoun stated, it was good natured, but it was clear he was just as surprised by how easily father had gone along. "You must approve the new Royal Protector then? Or the second one? I'm not certain how it works. Where did you find him Empress?"

"He was in the outskirts and helped me get out of the city when Delilah took over." I hadn't come up with any sort of cover story yet but I supposed it was just as well to build on the partial truths, less to remember later.

"Speaking of, I will need to steal the Empress away for a few minutes. Councilman, I would like to meet and discuss plans for the city and how to deal with rebuilding and other issues. Would you mind waiting in the lounge? I'll have dinner brought to us." Corvo requested, effectively signaling an end to the meeting at hand.

"Of course, I will head there and wait for you." Caldoun didn't pursuit whatever I and father needed to speak about for the moment. He offered a bow to me, a nod to father and left out of the roo. Corvo meanwhile turned back to me, his expression still stating we needed to speak.

"Let's go to your room, you can tell me the plan. I'm none too pleased at you leaving me here, away from you." He remarked lowly, so he wouldn't be overheard if Caldoun wasn't walking quickly on the way out. I nodded and walked with him quietly as my escort until we reached my quarters and shut the door.

"I know you aren't happy but I need someone here I trust." I immediately stated when the door clicked, the audible signal we were alone now. "Besides, I'll be safe."

"I am not as certain about that." Corvo answered, sighing and rubbing his hand over his face. He looked so tired, and I couldn't blame him. He was always getting me out of some sort of trouble. "I know you can handle yourself, but I don't trust the Outsider. He is who you meant as a second protector yes?"

"You know then…" I said with a bit of surprise. I knew that Corvo might have deciphered the Outsider's presence but he just came forward. "I know it's not preferable, but I can't just leave him."

"I…we had a long talk this afternoon. He caught me up on his side of the story." Corvo replied, his face relaxing a little before continuing. "I think you made the right call. It doesn't have to be the desirable move for it to be the strategic one. We can't just leave something like him being here unattended when we don't know what could happen from it, more or less what Delilah could do if left unchecked in the void. However, he doesn't tend to get heavily involved, just keep that in mind. He may not go for this ploy of yours where he's your new protector, what will you do then?"

"Well he has to," I stated shortly. "He's here and he needs us to get back, so everyone has to make some sacrifices. Compromise if how working in a group happens."

"All right, but how exactly will he blend in. His eyes give him away." Corvo asked.

"Yes, I know. I sent for Sokolov, he should be arriving by this evening. I hope he'll be able to build the Outsider some lenses that could cover up the eyes." I explained, then smiled at father's thoughtful nod. For as strict as he could be, he gave credit when he felt it was due, his lack of immediate further argument was a good sign. If anyone could do this in the time we needed it was Sokolov.

"You'll need to ask the Outsider but I don't think it'll be a problem, he wants to keep the word of his presence limited here. He was careful enough out in town today." Corvo mentioned. So now I knew that Corvo had seen something around my room, ever the protector…not that I didn't appreciate it. "He is done with his gathering and said he would be working on things he needs for the reversal spell. It is all above my head but I expect he's in the vault again, it was a wise move putting him there. No one will just stumble into him. I don't know how he gets in and out without the key but he'd never worked on our level. Just be careful, no one knows what the Outsider's real game is but the Outsider."

"Understood." I agreed. Certainly, I couldn't claim to know the mind of what was basically a god, and father didn't either. "You…you've known him a while."

I had always known father had something extra, that there was more to his unique set of skills than just practice. Still, despite stories and rumors about his worshiping the Outsider, until recently that part of his life was something alien to me, and now that I understood it I felt a bit sad that he hadn't talked to me about it before now. I remembered the mark that had been on father's hand, before Delilah had taken it away…

"Yes…I hate to say it but we both owe him more than I'd like." Corvo admitted with that same 'chewing glass' tone he'd used earlier. "I don't want to let you leave without me, but I can't argue it if the Outsider agrees to this scheme of yours for him to act as your protector. Whatever he is, I've never seen him as a liar, so if he says he'll keep you safe there are no better hands - second to mine. That being said, he does omit often enough to still be questioned."

"I get it. I do." I confirmed, happy that father was still worried about my well-being even with a god at my back. "I will be careful. I promise."

"That's all I ask…but I should go. There is a lot to do and I'll need to speak a lot with Caldoun at length and it is close enough to dinner that we can get started. I need to find some whiskey for that." Corvo stated. I had to admit that I was glad he was here, I don't know what I would have done without my father looking out for me. He was the one person I could trust in this whole mess. I let him leave with a mental note that we needed to have a long conversation about his involvement with the Outsider one of these days. Then I ordered up food with the servants…they didn't ask when I requested two plates. My day was so full and I still hadn't figured out if the Outsider even ate…

End Chapter

Another chapter that ended up longer than first intended. I was quite tired when I worked through this and while I did go over it again, I hope it's alright. Next chapter some more Outsider/Emily interaction, woot! Also, Happy Holidays to everyone! I meant to get this up yesterday but Christmas had me super busy! Anyway, I'll try to get up another chapter by or a bit after New Years!

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Sparda4 – Emily still has her powers. The opening of this chapter actually addressed where Corvo's powers were XD. As to the future, that remains to be seen, I only have a general plan and I'm fleshing it out as I go.

Tigerfur – Whoops. I'll have to assume maybe some came in on a boat? We'll leave this as the last mention of them further north ^^;;;