CH19

"It's too bad, we couldn't keep any of the magic." said Bran over the storm as the three of them mutually supported each other. "What do you think they did?"

"I think one was a teleporter," she said thinking about the ring of magic.

"Do you know what the dagger did?"

"No," she said

"None of that matters," said Ruth with glee. "What we will get a big payday from this."

"I wish we could have kept one," she said.

"Don't be ridiculous, what would we have done with it? The money is better," said Ruth.

"Well we did get to keep some stuff, I have enough new spells to learn for years."

"That's not all," Bran smiled mischievously, "Think Geoffry wants a crown."

"You took it?"

"Red is his favorite color. Think he would walk around wearing it."

"It would be funny."

"Oh I also found this, I think you would like it." He handed her a bronze cloak pin with a phoenix curled along the outside on the back were a few words in Fion.

"Thanks," she put it on her cloak.

By the time they got back She was so cold, she was too numb to feel her wounds. It was a blessing to walk into the warm building. Shaking off any stray snow as they pass the guard at the door. They must have taken longer than she thought. As they thawed out by the fireplace Tam came in.

"It's done," he said.

They sat at a table. Without all their outer layers she could see the effect of their fight. The blood medallion was only good for large wounds. It needed to be covered in blood to work. Everyone would have to wait for the small cuts to heal naturally. Tomorrow she would make a potion to speed up the healing. Ruth had many across her forearms. Tam was the least injured but he still had the remnants of the leg wound. Bran Had a cut on his forehead that matted his hair down with blood. May's shoulder throbbed from a particularly deep cut but she had many other smaller cuts all over her.

They pulled out all the papers they collected and May took out the blank book. "This must have something important in it, it is covered in complex enchantments." away from the other artifacts she could see the lattice of magic weaving around and through the pages.

"Can you remove them?" asked Tam

"They are very complex, it will take some time."

"Did I hear my expedition was successful?" said Geoffry as he rounded the fireplace towards them. "You all look terrible."

"Just because it was successful doesn't mean nothing happened. But we got it done. The artifacts are waiting for pickup."

"Perfect, they will ship out for sudeland by the end of tomorrow. You did well."

"We even got you a gift," laughed Bran as he brandished the crown.

He took it, tapping a gem with his knife, "He was richer than I thought." He flipped the circlet in his hand "You all get a bonus." then put it on.

Bran winked at May.

"I hope you found something valuable for yourself, miss mage."

"Yes," she said brightly as she pulled out the four books, "With this on I can finally learn warding properly. I might even be able to ward this place eventually, and this one is upper level enchantments that are more than temporary."

"The other two?"

"I'm not sure yet they just seemed interesting, but more spells are always useful."

"Well let me know when any of these new spells are ready," he looked to Tam, "I am having an important meeting in three days, I want you to come with me."

"Of course, " he smiled, "Absolutely."

"When are we getting paid?" asked Ruth.

"Right now." he left to get their money.

"I never thought he would be so rich. I mean I expected the magic but it was everything there," said Ruth.

"Well he is a high ranking wizard," said May "Other than the potential evidence we took I doubt he will miss anything."

"You've got to be joking." said Ruth "Is he that rich?"

"It's ours now, and I think we can put it to better use." said Bran

"Like you could buy a new hat." said Tam

"Don't be ridiculous, this hat is priceless."

"I could think of a few better words to describe it." said Tam

"Hey."

"Oh come on, he wouldn't be the same without it." May said.

"Exactly, it's one of a kind."

"Eh, do you really think Tiernan won't be affected by the money we took?" asked Ruth.

"He has plenty of reasons to be angry at us, taking a tiny fraction of his wealth is the least of our worries," said May.

"It's not like you to fret, we all knew he was powerful before this," said Tam.

"I guess just didn't expect him to be rich, I thought they were like monks all living up in their towers"

"Did you forget they are all children of nobles?" said Reah as she glided across the room to join them. "Did you really think they just gave up the lifestyle they were born with?"

"But they aren't nobles anymore," said Ruth "How do they have so much money."

Rhea laughed, "The same way anyone else does, did you forget till May came to the city that they had a perfect monopoly on any magic needed. If the wizard is of any strength they often become richer than they ever would have been before even as a noble."

"So how rich is Tiernan?"

"He is an elder," said May "so he makes lots from weather magic commissions."

"Not to mention being an ambassador puts him in the perfect position to receive bribes to speed requests along," said Reah.

"And with morals like his, he would definitely take them," said May.

"If his deal is so sweet, why is he risking so much?" asked Bran.

"People like him, nothing is ever enough. The power hungry are never satisfied." said Tam.

"Speaking of which, we should look at the papers we took," said May. "See what his actual plans are."

"No, we have done enough for today. We should celebrate. How many times can you say pulled one over a wizard?" said Bran.

"Yes we should, I have the perfect place in mind," said Reah.

"We," Tam pointed to us, "are celebrating our victory."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, besides I don't think our tastes match exactly," said Tam.

"How do you know? I never even said where it was?"

"She did keep an eye on Tiernan for us," May offered.

She could see Reah was disappointed to be left out by her hand fidgeting under the table out of view of the Reah could plead her own case, Geoffry returned carrying a chest. He set it down with a thunk in the middle of the table. The key sat in its hole waiting to be unlocked. Everyone stared at the sum of money it must contain. It wasn't a fraction of what the magic items would bring, but she didn't expect Geoffry to take the risk without a large profit margin for himself. Even though the goal was to expose more of Tiernan's plot even she was captivated by what waitied inside. Geoffry unlocked the strongbox and showed them the pile of coins inside.

"Enjoy," Geoffy said "Now if you do intend to celebrate. Don't do it here. It is late enough already and I need my sleep."

He left again into the shadows. No one was about to burn the goodwill they just earned by waking him up.

"Let's divide up the money tomorrow," said Tam.

"I want my cut now," said Ruth.

"Can't you wait?" said Tam "I'll pay for your drinks tonight."

"Fine, but don't be stingy."

"Am I ever," he sighed, "I guess You can come too, but I'm choosing the place."

"How gracious of you to grant me permission," Reah said.

Tam and Reah continued to bicker as they left. Ruth put the chest in the dungeon for safekeeping. Despite their earning being from a heist on a wizard her room was the safest place to leave the money. The mere threat of magic was more than enough to keep any but those already here from entering. Part of her thought it was silly how scared everyone was of magic. Then again if she had even part of the defenses Tiernan had their wariness would be granted. She wished everyone wasn't so frightened of her but it was nice not having to worry about locking the door.

They left the docks and the worst of the snowstorm had passed. The wind had stopped and only a light smattering of snowflakes fell. The normally grubby docks were covered in a beautiful layer of snow that reflected the emerging moon. Only the river flowing silently beside them remained dark. Everything else took on a luminous glow from the fresh snow. She enjoyed these times since coming to Richosa. The thick snow that fell here transformed her surroundings even softening the city sounds. She enjoyed them while they lasted. By tomorrow afternoon the snow would be piled in muddy mounds to clear the way for carts. The ephemeral silence made her feel like they crossed the veils briefly.

Wrapped up in the beauty of the night, she didn't notice what kind of place Tam took them to till they were inside. She frowned. It was a smelly dingy bar dirty even for their standards. He was trying to scare off Reah. She didn't get why he was like this. Bran said they were rivals, but when they were apart both of them spoke highly of each other, but together… Even Tam became petty. Rhea immediately saw through his plans and began a charm campaign on everyone inside as if to say, See I like here, don't dare call me snobby. Tam pretended not to watch but conspicuously smiled when wiped her hands on a handkerchief.

Ruth ignored their charades and promptly walked up to the bar and said "Give me your best, the tab is on him."

As she pointed at Tam he sighed but passed over two gold "This is for all of my companions, keep the change."

The bartender, a woman not too much younger than Ruth with a thin wispy bun, smiled. two gold could probably restock half of her liquor.

"Don't be too hasty, this old lady has had a lifetime of experience drinking, now give me a bottle." Ruth chuckled.

The display of wealth got them a table cleared by the barkeep. The place was surprisingly crowded considering the time and weather. They settled around the rickety table, no longer sticky but very wet from a hasty clean.

As the night went on the place got more crowded. Soon they were sharing their table with strangers as inebriated as them. Bran was the first to get drunk, though maybe he was just the most vocal of the group. The fog May felt only served to make her more reserved. He was very poorly explaining how wine was made by walking on grapes to no one in particular.

"I'm telling you it's the walking on them that makes it wine. They have a big festival and everything. That's why you shouldn't drink it. I don't get why it's so valuable. I don't think people know it's just foot juice." He rambled on becoming increasingly incomprehensible. May nodded along like she understood. She thought she did though she only understood every other word.

As it grew later to very early, May was ready to go home. Magic had worn her out and you couldn't recover from that weariness without sleep. She didn't want to ruin the others' fun and she couldn't remember what direction home was. Bran sat up next to her frowning. She followed his eyes to see his father walking in. He was smiling and talking to another man.

Bran muttered "What ridiculous fight are you going to take next."

"Who is he with?" she asked?

"His 'manager'" he sighed "all he has ever been is a confidence booster for his real clients, dad is just too stupid or stubborn or both to realize that yet."

"Should we stop them?"

"Stop him?"

"Well you just made a massive amount of money."

"I have been making enough money for a long time, a little more won't change anything."

Ulric finally recognized them and came over to their corner. He smiled despite Bran's sour mood.

"I didn't expect to see you here, does your mother know you are out so late?" he smiled.

"Did you just get a new match? Shouldn't you be taking a longer rest?" said Bran.

"No, I can't pass up an opportunity like this."

"Like what."

"You will see, it's a surprise I think you will like it."

"No, but do you think anything could take me by surprise by this point?" Bran grumbled.

"Don't look at me like that. This is going to be my last fight."

"Really?" his voice brightened.

"Yeah, you have to hang up the gloves at some point right? Anyways a few have asked for me to coach them. I figured I might give that a try."

"That is great but you should have done that long before."

"I couldn't before," he chuckled. "They want me only because they've seen how long I've been at it and think I have some secret to longevity."

"Do you have a secret?" asked May

"No, but don't tell them that." they both seemed more relaxed "anyways why are you out so late."

"We just finished a big deal."

"Oh?" he said, disappointed.

"Not like that, we are in the middle of a case to expose a corrupt wizard."

"How can a wizard be corrupt?"

"They are just like any other person."

"Eh, the less I know the better," he said "Anyways my fight is in three days. You will come see you're Pa's last fight won't you. It's been a long time since you came to one."

"I don't care for them much any more."

"You used to love to come watch me."

"Yeah well, things change and …" he sighed, "But for one last time I will definitely come."

Ulric smiled

"Where is it anyways?"

"Oh you won't have to go far. It is being hosted by your boss."

"Oh great, we can all come," said Tam.

"If you wish," he looked guardedly at Tam.

"Wonderfull," smiled Reah, "I will finally know one of the fighters."

"What day is it?" asked Ruth.

"You are going to come?" aske Bran.

"Why not, it's three days from now at the warehouse."

"Yes."

"And you all are coming."

"Of course," said May

"Perfect."

Despite the urgency she felt they took off the next few days, agreeing to work on Tiernan's plans after Ulric's fight. The first day simply to catch up on sleep the other two because the successful read created a lot of work, at least for Tam and Reah who had to catch Geoffry and Horrod up to speed as well as actually coordinate the movement of the magic artifacts they took. Ruth usually disappeared after raids, but this time she didn't even show up for breakfast. Then again this time there was quite a bit more money than before. Maybe she was going to her hometown, she never said she wanted to go back but she talked about it often enough. She didn't meet up with everyone till the night of the fight.

At first it was her and Reah. "You know for all of the times fights have been hosted here I have never actually sat and watched one?" she said.

"I've only seen one, I don't think they are our type of entertainment," said May.

"No, the others like them though,"

"Oh how was the party, I never got to ask."

"Something that I would have never predicted. Tienan was as usual making a scene, but there was another interesting rumor going around. I met lady Sharon, aunt to the current lady Aberton, a nice woman who tends to not know when to stop talking."

"And"

"Well, it has been a very well kept secret but she had a falling out with Lady Aberton and was ready to show all her dirty laundry. There was quite a lot. I'm surprised it has been so well hidden for so long."

"What was it?" she said knowing Reah rarely called something interesting.

"It was know Lady Aberton had an affair, but never with whom. It was the king himself, and what's more they had a child."

"Cian?"

"Yes, how did you know his name? And what's more he is technically the king's oldest child. The affair happened before he married the queen. Even illegitimate, the king hasn't announced an heir and he could have a not insignificant claim to the throne. I am surprised I have never seen Him at court."

"He is at the green tower under Tiernan as an apprentice."

"Really?" She stopped and said, "I should go."

May looked over to see Tam "Why do you two always avoid each other?"

"I think it is normal amongst rivals."

"But are you really, I know Tam is stubborn but he actually respects you. You know that right."

"I know, that is why we are rivals. You must be equals for that, just don't tell him I said That." She waved goodbye and was socializing with another group before Tam reached her.

He sighed, "She is so good with people you would think she would be a little more subtle about avoiding me."

"Perhaps she knows you would see through it anyway so she doesn't bother."

"Nah, I'm just a big fool to her."

"I don't think so."

"Speaking of fools, where is Bran? There is no way I got here before him."

"He is with his dad."

"Good, it is nice to see them actually get along. I don't think I have ever really seen that. Then again his choice to join the storm was pretty controversial."

"Is that when you met Bran?"

"Yeah, he was just a kid trying to get money anyway he could. He was fifteen maybe sixteen and a late bloomer, he was so little I doubt you would recognize him. He was still clever though."

"So you are the one who got him working here?" asked May.

"Yes," said Tam "Sometimes I wonder what he would be off doing if I didn't drag him here."

"I'm sure he would find trouble no matter what."

"Maybe."

"You have always looked after him."

"Not as well as I should have," he sighed "I haven't looked after either of you like I wanted."

"We are all responsible for what happens, not just you."

"But I am the one who puts you in those situations. I should be able to get you all out of them too."

"And we always have. We trust you have a little more faith in yourself."

He chuckled "Thanks for the encouragement, but it's part of the job description to worry just a bit. Especially with a crew as crazy as mine."

"When did Ruth join?"

"Not too long ago. She was part of another crew sent with me to Sudeland. She didn't officially join me till she was the only one amongst them to see that the mutiny would fail."

"How did she join the storm?"

"I don't know, doesn't really talk much about her life does she."

"You aren't the most forthcoming either about your past."

"Anyway and now you're part of the crew and you definitely have the most interesting story of how you got here."

"Yes it is hard to see anyone beating it."

"Now, what is taking so long, why has no one come out yet."

She scanned the room and Geoffry wasn't in his chair. Then Bran came running up. "Tam you have to stop my idiot father. He is going to fight Kuno and get killed. I thought retirement meant he had wisened up. Turns out he was just spending all his stupid in one night."

"I will go speak to Geoffry," Tam got up and looked at May, "Just try to keep them from blowing their tops off, both of them."

She nodded and hurried to follow after Bran who dashed back toa room off the main area.

"I thought you didn't want this blood money," Bran said.

"I'm making this money through an honest fight, you make yours doing who knows what."

"Oh forgive me for not respecting the nobility of pit fighting."

"I have honor, more honor than you understand if you try to keep stopping me."

"What good is honor if it gets you killed. You are just clinging to the past."

"I'm retiring. Can't you just be happy with that, now you want to take my last chance from me too?"

"I'm not taking anything from you, I just want you to take care of yourself."

"I don't need my son telling me what to do."

"I can't believe you."

"I can't believe how spineless you are."

"Idiot."

"Coward."

"Lets all calm down," she stepped between the two.

"Stay out of this," Ulric shouted at her.

"Bastard."

"You little..

"Bran," she put her hand on his arm. He looked at her, but there wasn't anger in his eyes, only weariness. He followed her willingly as she led him away by the hand.

"I'm not done with you, are you going to hide behind a bitch?"

"Fuck off." he turned and glared at his father.

"Lets go ok?"

"They stopped just around the corner."

"I'm sorry," he said.

"You don't need to apologize."

He slumped down against the wall till he was squatting on the floor.

"People don't mean what they say when they get angry and fight."

"No, they mean exactly what they say even if they don't want to admit it." He looked away from her. "Anyways what he said is true. I don't have honor. I do shady things for money. The thing is I don't care. I don't care if I'm a shit person. I'll be a bad person. I'll be a criminal. I have to be to pay the bills. Honor does nothing to stop people from suffering."

She turned his face to hers "Most people would say taking care of people is very honorable."

"They wouldn't say that for me."

"I would."

"Well you shouldn't. I'm not a good person."

She kneeled before him and clasped his hands in hers. "Whether you believe it or not, I believe you are a good person." She smiled as she saw a flush growing on his face encouraging her, "In fact, you are the best person I have ever met."

"Then you have only met some really shitty people." but a smile grew across his face and he held her hands lacing their fingers together.

She squeezed his hands, "you know that is not true."

"Well this wholesome saintlike person needs some of that stuff that makes you puke to drug his own father with."

"I do have some in the basement."

"No need," said Tam, startling the two, "I already got Geoffry to cancel the fight. Look around everyone is going home. We should too."

He offered a hand to both of them and Pulled them up. "Thanks Tam, you are the best." said Bran.

"That's not what I heard," he smiled "I heard you are the best."

They both laughed nervously.

"I didn't mean it like that," she said.

"I know that, and I happen to agree. I think Bran is pretty great too." Tam ruffled his hair.

"Hell guys, you would think someone paid you you're being so nice."

"Who said we weren't?"

He laughed, "I may be feeling better but how am I supposed to get my dad to leave?"

"Quickly," said Tam "We'll have him halfway home before he knows what happened."

"Yeah yeah, lets go," he waved to May "See you tomorrow."

"See you, we still have to figure out what is inside that book."

She smiled as she went to her room and heard Tam and Bran continue to talk.

"Do you want to stay at my place tonight?"

"Depends, If we have to carry him back maybe. He snores much worse when he is angry."