Chapter 15

Valkron took one look at the newcomers and immediately knew that Emeth was not in for a good time. His eyes narrowed. Something bad might happen with them around.

He risked a glance at Emeth. The wizard had gone white and was staring into empty space. His eyes were so wide the golden irises were fully visible. If Valkron was right there was a drop of sweat rolling down his face. He was the only one who had not turned around to see who the owner of the voice was.

Eni put her hands on her hips. 'Who are they?' she said, her voice hinting at disgust.

'They' referred to the trio of women standing in front of the Raulus party. The crowd that had been watching earlier had now dispersed, except for one or two stragglers who didn't have anything to do. Valkron gripped his sword tighter. In times of tension it had been his best friend and that wasn't going to change now.

The rogue, apparently the leader of the group, tilted her head up and looked disdainfully down her nose at Eni. She had long blonde hair that fell to her waist, red pouting lips and sultry, seductive eyes. She seemed even more feminine than Eni.

'That's none of your business, alkey,' she said. 'We just want to talk to someone here.'

'Oh, really?' said Eni angrily. 'So what's with the oh-so-high-and-mighty Miss Rune-Midgard look, then? Orc ladies look better than you!'

'Down, girl,' said Iruna, putting out a hand. 'Let her talk.'

The rogue smiled smugly and tossed back her head of hair. Behind her a dancer and a sage seemed to watching Emeth's back. They were just the same as the rogue - tall, slim, utterly feminine and sexy - maybe too hot for the clergy, because Samaroh had his nose buried deep in his book again, which he held in front of his face.

Valkron moved a step closer to Emeth and whispered from the side of his mouth, 'What's up with you and them?'

Emeth did not answer.

The rogue licked her lips. 'Well, Emeth? Not answering us? Oh, my...are you too shy? Maybe we could help you out, just like we did years ago.'

Nocturne raised an eyebrow, while Khan pulled his sakkhat down to cover his face. Valkron was starting to get the hint, but he did not say anything. This was not funny. He'd never seen Emeth so white before. Neither had the rest.

'I don't think our wizard enjoys your presence, girls,' said Iruna. Her blindfolded eyes gave nothing away as the three of them looked at her. 'I'm sorry, but we're on official business. Please move.'

'Official business?' said the rogue, and gave a high-pitched laugh that made Valkron feel like throwing up.

'But we're on official business too,' said the sage.

'Yeah, Emeth owes us something,' said the dancer.

A half-smile appeared on Iruna's face. 'Really? How interesting. But unfortunately we don't have the time to deal with your wonderful affairs you had during your younger days, so I'm sure we'll be going now.' She turned to Valkron and lifted half her blindfold. The knight received a very meaningful look, which he acknowledged with a nod. He turned around and said, very quietly, 'Let's go, Emeth.'

'Now, now, wait there,' said the rogue. She took a step forth, evidently emboldened by the lack of response from the Raulus party. 'We want to talk to Emeth. He's gone a long way with us, no doubts there. He does owe us something.'

'I owe you nothing, Vierell,' said Emeth, in a strangely choked voice. Valkron shot a look at him, but he was still staring the opposite way.

'Really? Then what was that promise you made to us when you were,' the dancer licked her lips, 'in the need? You said you'd do it, right?'

There was no answer. Valkron, who had an active imagination, already had a mental image drawn in his mind. Now what he wanted was a mental eraser.

'Oh, come on, don't deny it,' said the sage. 'You went with me once, right? Like you did with all of us. That was a tidy sum you paid us then and there--'

Valkron turned around and strode over to the women. Not even the fact that they were taller than him deterred him from walking straight up to the rogue.

'By order of the Prontera Chivalry,' he said, in a loud, clear voice, 'you are to hereby remove your friends from this immediate vicinity and be on your way.'

The three women gave him looks which suggested he was a fly, a cockroach and something stuck to the soles of their heels - in that order.

'Trying to be a good knight?' sneered the rogue.

'It's my job,' replied Valkron steadily.

'But it's not your business, so--'

'Yes, it bloody well is my business. You are mercenaries. Under the Mercenary Law, Prontera Court, chapter one hundred and fourteen, category B, section fourteen point three eight, clause twelve, subdivision three, no member of a mercenary party may approach a member of another mercenary party unless an agreement has been sought with the leader of said party.' Valkron looked up at them. 'I don't remember you asking me for permission to speak to my wizard, and don't try to ask now. Prior to this conversation you had the chance. As one of the honorary knight commanders of the Mercenary Knights' Battalion, Military Divison, Prontera Chivalry, I have the right to report breaching of the court rules to my superiors and give the names of the offenders. If you do not want to get into trouble I suggest you step back and let my party pass without any further interruption.'

'Cool,' said Nocturne breathlessly.

'He's right, though,' said Iruna, nodding. 'I've seen his name on the list. One of the top rankers, too.'

'But still--' began the sage, who seemed to be having difficulty with the entire speech he had just made.

'I won't hear out any objections. If the law states so, then I must do what I have been instructed to do.' Valkron's jaw set. 'I will not back down.'

The rogue gave him a disgusted stare, but Valkron's eyes were accustomed to staring. Eventually she looked away, evidently unable to hold the knight's hard gaze.

'Well, you win,' she said. 'But we'll be back. You hear that, Emeth? We'll be back.'

As they turned and walked away from them, Valkron exhaled and turned around to face the party. He met four astonished stares. Four, because Emeth was still staring the other way, Iruna did not have visible eyes and Amaru was examining one of his forged weapons.

'What now?' he said.

'You just...stated all that, like you memorised it from a book,' said Eni.

'I didn't know you had a position in the Chivalry,' said Khan. 'I thought you were just a King's mercenary and that was it.'

'You're cool,' said Nocturne admiringly.

'I'm amazed he actually wants to travel with us instead of going with some of the upper class mercenaries,' said Samaroh, looking over the top of his book.

Valkron massaged his brow. People would never learn.

'Well, it is my job. I'm not telling a lie. Yes, I memorised it from the Laws and Ordinances of Prontera, and the reason why I can remember it for so long is that because a lot of people have broken that particular law in front of me. I was dubbed honorary knight commander ten years back as commendation for my duties. Nocturne, I don't ever want to hear you say that I'm cool. Ever. And I didn't exactly choose to journey with you, I journey with whoever I like so long as they can contribute.' Valkron drew a deep breath. 'Well? Anymore questions before we go and find an inn?'

'Uh...no,' said Nocturne.

'Good.' Valkron turned to Emeth. 'Let's go, wizzie. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow, and you're bloody pale as a sheet. I can't have a wizard fainting at my feet. Move it.'

Emeth seemed to come to his senses at the word 'wizzie'. He blinked once or twice, and then looked at Valkron. The knight felt another pang of sympathy. The wizard had the look of a frightened animal.

'Let's go,' he repeated, this time in a softer tone. 'Come on. No use standing here and regretting what you did before.'

Juno was famed for one very large inn, called the Winged Horse. It was one of the most beautiful buildings and its service outstripped those of equal class. Not even the unique inns in Al de Baran could match it. Rates were affordable and the staff was friendly and helpful.

Valkron gazed up at the ceiling of the lobby, while Iruna went to get rooms. The ceiling was high and domed, with glass windows lining it. Sunlight fell through in golden rays, illuminating the detailed paintings of warriors and heroes of old and the elaborate architecture that decorated the place.

Not far away, the rest of the party were lounging in a small cluster of armchairs. The staff knew a mercenary party without asking. No doubt because of the high priority given to the King's mercenaries, the group had been left alone except for an occasional waiter coming over to ask if they wanted anything. But they said no.

The knight looked away from the ceiling at them. Samaroh was still reading, but this time he appeared to be making notes. Eni and Khan were talking animatedly, while Nocturne listened. Amaru was keeping away the large hammer he always carried around with him.

Just then someone put a hand on Valkron's shoulder. He half-turned. Iruna was behind him.

'We'll have to wait a while,' she said. 'There's another party just leaving the inn, so we can take their rooms when they've packed and gone.'

'Well, we don't have anything to do right now,' said Valkron. 'We've got all the time today to wait.'

Iruna shrugged. 'It's your say, Valkron. You're the leader.'

Valkron cursed himself for what felt like the hundredth time for becoming the leader of such a large party. It felt like so much trouble, since he was so well known they looked up to him as if he were some kind of demi-god.

He cast his gaze at the party again. Now Iruna had joined the conversation between Eni and Khan, and was now arguing amiably with the assassin. Nocturne was grinning. Valkron wondered about what they were talking about, before his gaze fell on Emeth.

The wizard had not taken a seat, unlike the rest of them. He was leaning against a pillar with his head bowed and his arms folded across his chest underneath his cloak. All that could be seen of him was his headphones, his leaf and his red hair. Although he was about six feet he looked small and despondent this time.

Valkron approached him cautiously. Years of journeying and talking to people had left him with some lessons that were hard to forget. In addition to that, given Emeth's level of mastery with his spells, he had good reason to be cautious.

When he had reached the wizard, he decided to go for an indirect approach. Instead of standing next to the silent wizard he turned around and leaned on the pillar. He rested his head on the cool stone and looked up at the ceiling. Both of them stayed like that for the next few minutes.

At length Valkron said quietly, 'Still thinking about what that rogue said, Emeth?'

No answer.

'Still mulling over whatever you've done? Or are you haunted by her words?' Valkron shook his head, his mop of bushy white hair becoming even messier. 'Whatever it is, you're not acting like the person I know.'

No answer.

'I'm standing here paying you back for your words and the least you could do for me is say something to acknowledge I spoke to you. You're the kind of person who stands up for everyone, you know that? That's why if you had been the leader instead of me people would like you better. You've got the charisma for it.'

Valkron stopped and waited for Emeth to say something. When he didn't the knight continued, 'I've not been around people for a long time, you know. I spent thirty years wandering around Rune-Midgard alone. Now, you - you're a different case. You get along with people, you offer advice - and it's good advice, mind you - and you just...do things I can't do, thanks to my attitude.' Valkron half-closed his eyes. 'So why are you acting like this? That's the question you should ask yourself.'

No answer.

'So what if a trio of girls suddenly pop up from nowhere and hang your dirty linen in public? I say this, Emeth - if your whatever it is you don't wash needs to be hung up by the neck in front of everyone, you do it yourself. It's your life. You've got control over it. Why release your grip on it when you're just getting the hang of things? You're letting people control you, in my opinion.'

Emeth sighed depressively. Valkron paused, but the wizard didn't seem inclined to talk. He scratched the back of his head roughly.

'Well, if you want to keep quiet, fine by me. Another person keeps quiet, I don't get bothered by what they do or what they think. Just you remember this - it was last night when you told me the past is the past and whatever's been done is done. No one can alter it. But you change your past by changing your future. It's your decision, not mine, so I won't force you to make it.' The knight got off the pillar and headed for the party. Then he paused in his tracks and turned his head to look back at Emeth.

'Another thing to note is that I don't care who you were back then,' he said, in a low voice. 'As long as you've changed, as long as you've learned your lesson...I'm fine with it. So who cares if you slept with a bunch of girls in your earlier years? Nobody needs to know. If you had a good reason for doing it you'd get away with it. Trust me. I know.'

Valkron finally left Emeth and went over to the group. All of them were now arguing over the laws of the Prontera Court. He sighed. Sometimes people never seemed to get things right.

If he had looked back just then he would have seen Emeth lift his head and stare at him for a long time.

The next morning Valkron was the first one to be up. By the time the rest had been roused and had stumbled downstairs still half-asleep, he was waiting for them in the lobby.

'Why do we have to wake up so early?' said Nocturne, stifling a yawn. 'We've got nowhere to go, right?'

'We're heading to the research institution. All of us.' Valkron took one look at them and sighed. 'Look, go dunk your heads in a barrel of ice-cold water, will you? I'm sure the receptionist wouldn't mind pointing out the way to it.'

'We're not like you, Valkron,' said Samaroh. Despite his boy's cap golden hair was still sticking out haphazardly from under it. 'We can't time ourselves, and we don't know how much sleep we need.'

'All I can say is that we didn't do much yesterday, so basically I don't see why you need sleep today. You're adults, man, not kids! Get moving!'

Luckily for them breakfast proved to be the cure for their sleepiness. They soon perked up a great deal and were talking and laughing once they left the cafe. The only one who stayed silent was Emeth, who appeared to be the only one besides Valkron to have received enough sleep. Valkron glanced at him once or twice, but he showed no emotion or any sign of noticing that someone was watching him.

They strode towards the institution - a grand structure with a single Runic word carved on its doors and painted in green. According to Emeth much later on, it meant knowledge. The morning air in Juno was crisp and the breeze blowing past was brisk. It certainly lifted the party's spirits.

Suddenly people stepped in front of them. It was the three women again. Valkron's eyes narrowed on seeing them.

'We're back, Emeth, just like we said we would,' said the rogue, tossing her hair. She was armed this time. So were her companions.

Emeth, who had been walking with his eyes on the ground the entire time, now lifted his head. He did not stop walking. Everyone else watched him as he strode past them and neared the group of women. The rogue wrapped her fingers around her dagger and tightened her grip.

And then he walked past them, his eyes staring straight ahead. He did not look around and neither did he give any sign he had seen them. Valkron frowned slightly, watching the wizard move onwards. Something was wrong.

The rogue looked momentarily shocked when Emeth passed her, before she whirled around and watched him walk on in growing anger. Then, evidently angry that he had ignored her, she leapt towards him. The dancer's whip whistled through the air. The sage began to shout a few words, and the earth behind Emeth began to shake.

The wizard turned and watched. Just as the rogue caught up with him, his arm shot out and he gripped her by the neck. She struggled, trying to kick him in the midriff, but he held her too far from him to reach. With his free hand he caught hold of the dancer's whip and yanked it out of her hands. The sage immediately stopped casting.

There was a moment where no one moved, too intent on staring at Emeth for his next move. He seemed to regard the rogue before he set her on her feet.

'I said, I don't owe you anything,' he said, smoothing out his cloak. 'Forget it. There's nothing worth paying now. It all happened a long time ago, so just let it go. Even if you think you can't, don't bother me about it. I can't help you there.'

He strode off, leaving everyone gaping at him. It was only after a few minutes that the Raulus party remembered where they were and hurried after him. By then he had almost reached the building.

Vierell and her friends turned on their heels a little while later and walked the opposite direction towards a narrow gap between two buildings. When they had reached the place a bulky silhouette emerged from the shadows. It made a sceptic sound.

'Well, what a failure you three were,' it said. 'And I thought you'd be effective on him, too. Seems like he's got a grip on himself.'

It snapped its fingers. Immediately the three of them went limp and fell to the ground, disintegrating until there was only dust.

The figure peered out. Its head was covered in a black hood. A sly grin stretched itself across its face.

'Gives me more reason to have fun, then. Maybe they'll need a nudge in the right direction...'

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alkey - thief slang for alchemists. The word 'wizzie' comes from them too.