Valkyrie's Shadow

Winter's Crown: Act 4, Chapter 4

Winter's Crown: Act 4, Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Ilyshn’ish slinked out of the entrance of the Justice Dragon Dojo on the heels of Zu Chiru.

Unlike the other sections of the city, the Demihuman Quarter remained active through all the hours of the day. The streets and terraces at night were frequented by those species possessing Darkvision or something superior to it, like Tremorsense or Blindsight. This night seemed busier than she last remembered, though the population was still a small fraction of the Human-dominated areas of the city.

How the denizens of the quarter felt about having a ten-metre long Frost Dragon walking by was difficult to discern. She couldn’t decide whether they were simply too busy to pay attention or pointedly trying not to draw her attention. There were also many races present that she had no experience with, so their expressions and body language were unknown to her. Then again, she was a Frost Dragon, so any of these weak individuals who weren’t paying attention to their surroundings most likely did not take any more note than they would a passing wagon.

Through her day together with Pam the previous week, she had learned the behaviour and flows of traffic in the city, allowing her to subconsciously navigate the street with no difficulty or incident. As they walked through the busiest section of the main street, their progress slowed and Ilyshn’ish looked around for the source of the disruption. Along one side of the paved road, which ran from the western gatehouse to the southern one, were what looked to be stands similar to those that could be found in the plazas around the city. Though none were occupied, Ilyshn’ish examined them curiously as they walked by.

“This place seems to have filled in a bit,” she murmured absently.

“Indeed,” Master Tian said. “It is an encouraging sight.”

Encouraging? What was so encouraging about any of this? She eyed the small groups of Demihumans as they milled about the tables.

“Do they plan on opening some sort of market here?” Ilyshn’ish asked, “The way these tables are organized is reminiscent of the plazas around the city.”

“As I understand it,” Master Tian answered, “a handful of Human interests are trying to encourage commercial activity in this quarter.”

“To what end?” She furrowed a brow as her eye wandered over the tables, “The tribal peoples here live uncomplicated lives – they have no appreciation for commerce as Humans or Dwarves do.”

“I spoke at length with a few of the organizers,” he said. “According to one of them, the Great Forest of Tob is considered a mostly untapped resource, so there is great interest in the merchant community over what the tribes living there can deliver to the city. Another expressed a desire to see all of the races have their own traders and spokespeople, and for the citizens of the Sorcerous Kingdom to come closer together through their peaceful interactions in E-Rantel. It is an admirable objective, and in line with His Majesty’s desire that all citizens would partake of the nation’s prosperity.”

Ilyshn’ish glanced at the stands again, then examined the individuals that they passed along their way. Everything about them spoke of their simple lifestyles, and she couldn’t imagine anything being displayed here beyond raw plants, stones, hides and simple crafts. Visitors who came to sell the occasional findings of actual value here would just be feeding the Human-owned industries of the city, who would proceed to take the lion’s share of the ‘prosperity’.

Zu Chiru, waddling forward before her, also looked about, his fur standing on end. He shrunk away from every sudden noise and movement as they made their way along the street. Despite his seemingly timid behaviour, Ilyshn’ish decided that this particular Quagoa was actually quite brave. Even when scouting, they tended to move in groups; seeing one wandering around alone in a strange place – aboveground, no less – was essentially unheard of.

“As brave as you are for your kind,” she told him, “picking a fight with Master Tian seems a bit much. Well, more like suicidal.”

“I-I didn’t know such a monster was inside!” He exclaimed, “This place is strange – nothing is as it seems.”

“You’re right,” she replied. “This place is strange. The people here are sly: they veil their strength and exploit the deeds of others – daring to scheme even against those stronger than themselves. It is not like our old home, where all things are determined through honest displays of dominance. This city is a place where the strong rule using the methods of the weak. Though…since the Quagoa are weak, it should suit your people well, should it not?”

“B-but what can we do?” Zu Chiru said despondently, “The soil is soft and poor; there are no caves, and groundwater does not collect here. We are forbidden from tunnelling beyond the boundaries of the Quarter, so we must submit ourselves to the mercy of others to survive.”

“Didn’t you start farming recently?” Ilyshn’ish asked, “Mushrooms and Lizards if I recall correctly.”

“The Pu jealousy guard this secret technique,” Zu Chiru told her bitterly. "The Zu do not know how. All we know are the ways of our kind, and they gain us no advantages here…”

Ilyshn’ish supposed that he had actually a good grasp on his clan’s present situation. The Human city was quite insidious in its ways, promoting its systems of exchange. Simple people that lived honest lives, like most of the residents of the Demihuman Quarter, were quickly ensnared by its cycles of labour and consumption. The rulers of the city were not idle about it, either – at least not at the start.

Whenever a new group of people arrived, a powerful Dark Elf and some sort of Human minion were sure to appear shortly after. They would come bearing essential sustenance and supplies, and the Human would tell them the ways of the city. Then they would be directed to their first places of employment – usually as labour for the ongoing construction projects around the quarter. Past that point, the poor, unwitting Demihumans would become trapped. There was no time to think or figure things out: only time to work and rest. She wasn’t sure if there was any way to escape it.

Not that their plight mattered to her – she was still trying to get herself out of her own predicament. Studying how the Human city functioned led to some clues, but a real solution still eluded her.

They arrived at the large complex at the other end of the Demihuman Quarter: the same place where she had first encountered several powerful individuals, including Lady Shalltear. Master Tian pulled on a chain dangling near the gate, and the chiming of a bell issued from within. Miss Lupusregina’s head popped out from behind one of the buildings. She came forward with a gaggle of immature Humans following in her wake.

“Oh, if it isn’t Master Sebas,” she said as she came forward. “Looking for someone?”

Master Sebas? Didn’t he prefer to be called Master Tian? Perhaps there was some difference in the relationships here…

“Lupusregina…shouldn’t you be in Carne?” Master Tian frowned gravely at her.

“Shizu and Entoma are there right now,” Miss Lupusregina replied, “they were passing through on the way to the Great Lake, so I had them watch over the place while I came over here. The place just keeps expanding: even with the Dwarves all moved in, they keep changing the rest of the place with their ‘improvements’.”

“If your business here is concluded,” he told her, “you should return to your duties.”

The smooth way in which Master Tian and Miss Lupusregina interacted spoke of some long-standing relationship between them, but Ilyshn’ish could not tell what it might be from their brief exchange. Miss Lupusregina appeared to defer to him, but her attitude was so casual that one would doubt if she did.

“Yep, I’m heading out right now; dontcha worry about it…”

Miss Lupusregina turned around to look over the Human whelps that were standing behind her.

“Big Sis Lupu has to get back to work now,” she told them. “Make sure you don’t get caught misbehaving – cause that’s bad. What do bad children get?”

“The FIST!” They yelled out in unison.

Both Zu Chiru and Ilyshn’ish jumped at the noise, and the Quagoa scurried behind Ilyshn’ish. Though Miss Lupusregina appeared to be threatening them with some dire punishment, the young Humans responded energetically, each holding up one of their tiny, balled-up hands in the air. Weak as they were, these Human whelps were every bit as vicious as wyrmlings – Zu Chiru was right to fear this place.

“That’s right,” Miss Lupusregina said with a satisfied nod. “Big Sis Yuri is really scary. I might be able to take a few good hits, but you pups’ll get smushed into paste for sure.”

“LUPU!”

A shout issued from somewhere unseen, rolling out from between the buildings towards the gate. Miss Lupusregina leapt straight up onto the nearby wall and disappeared into the night.

Another figure appeared from the depths of the complex, and the crowd of children solemnly parted to let her through. It was another female, wearing a long dress that some of the more mature Human women around the city favoured. Despite her severe-looking Human garb, however, Ilyshn’ish immediately sensed this one was not a Human. She exhibited none of the telltale signs of the living, and her scent was extremely weak. Like Lady Shalltear and her Vampire Brides, this one was most likely Undead.

The Undead female ran her gaze over the Human whelps, then let out a resigned sigh.

“Really, that Lupu,” she said. “Putting strange ideas into their heads. Get back to your rooms, children – it’s long past bedtime.”

She finished walking up to the open gate, and the children dispersed behind her, disappearing beyond the range of Ilyshn’ish’s senses.

“Do your sisters frequent the orphanage often?” Master Tian asked.

“Shizu and Entoma do,” the woman replied, “and Lupusregina comes by to see Lady Nigredo when alterations to the counterdivination arrangements in Carne are required. Narberal and Solution have not – I was hoping that exposing them to the orphans would mellow them out a bit.”

“I see…so it isn’t working out so well?”

“The results are mixed. Shizu only gravitates to those that she finds cute – and I still haven’t figured out what her criteria are. Entoma has become a remarkably excellent caregiver – at first, I kept worrying about whether she would try to eat a few, but the children all seem to love her very much. Lupusregina, however, only sees opportunities to rope them into her mischief…”

She paused, eyes widening for a moment.

“Please forgive me; it seems that I have forgotten my manners. Welcome, Lo–er, Master Sebas,” the Undead female lowered her head slightly. “Is there something I might be able to assist you with?”

“I’ve brought a fellow who has expressed some concerns that I thought would best be put to rest,” Master Tian replied. “This Quagoa here…hmm, where did he go?”

Ilyshn’ish flicked him out from behind her with a flick of her tail. Zu Chiru let out a startled cry, rolling forward to stop before the Undead female’s feet.

“His name is Zu Chiru,” Master Tian said. “I believe he and his fellows are starting some sort of school here. Zu Chiru, Miss Yuri: Director of this fine orphanage.”

Zu Chiru unballed himself and dropped to his knees, kowtowing in a decidedly Quagoa-like fashion. It reminded Ilyshn’ish somewhat of their King, Pe Riyuro, prostrating himself before her father, but it lacked the customary tribute of precious ores and gemstones to pay for an audience.

“This one offers his greetings to you, Dread Leader of the Azure Sky, Iron Fist Sect. This one is Zu Chiru, who humbly presents himself before your fearsome presence.”

“Sect?” Miss Yuri adjusted the frames of her spectacles, “What is this all about?”

“I believe he and his fellows consider both the orphanage and my dojo competition for prospective students,” Master Tian said.

“What sort of ‘school’ are they founding?” Miss Yuri’s voice turned curious.

“Our Mountain Mole Sect is one that teaches the foundations of Quagoa combat, oh Dread One,” Zu Chiru’s voice drifted up from the cobblestones. “We’re trying to find a way to earn more, erm…money? So that we may improve living conditions for our clan.”

“I see…but why would you consider this orphanage competition?”

“You take in the young, do you not?” Zu Chiru looked up at Miss Yuri, “There are many powerful beings here – why else would this place exist but to collect the impressionable so they may be inducted into your sect?”

“I’m not sure where you’ve heard this from,” Miss Yuri gazed down at Zu Chiru with a look of concern, “but our instruction is not in the ways of violence. The Azure Sky, Iron Fist Institute for Promising Children is a place where poor orphans are gathered and furnished with the skills and education to become productive members of society. Any who show promise or interest in martial vocations will be introduced to places where they can better pursue those paths – which are not practised here.”

What was the purpose of that? Taking in whelps and providing what Miss Yuri described seemed monumentally wasteful. The strongest would naturally rise to the top on their own to be picked out, at no cost to oneself. There must be some hidden benefit to all this…

“What happens after you’re done ‘instructing’ them?” Ilyshn’ish asked, “Will they then be your minions, sent out to bring back wealth and prestige?”

Miss Yuri looked up at her with a furrow on her brow. Ilyshn’ish returned her look – it was a perfectly reasonable assumption.

“Who is this, Master Sebas?” Miss Yuri asked.

“She goes by the name of ‘Shiver’,” Master Tian told Miss Yuri. “Lady Shalltear left her with me to address some matters of discipline.”

“This ‘Shiver’ certainly has quite the self-serving outlook,” Miss Yuri said. “I’m surprised she sent her to you…given Lady Shalltear’s disposition, I’m surprised she survived at all with her tone. Do you know what it is that she did?”

“She told me that she does not know,” Master Tian said, “and Lady Shalltear left before I could request a better explanation. Seeing that I’ve been trying to raise some upstanding individuals for Lord Ainz, she might be thinking along those same lines – Lady Shalltear has been quietly stretching out her hand over the past few months, employing various locals for her purposes.”

“Is that so?” Miss Yuri examined Ilyshn’ish with a critical eye, “Lady Shalltear, hm…I suppose Dragons do fight with their natural weapons, but I’ve never heard of a Dragon with job class levels before…”

“Indeed,” Master Tian said. “I held the same impression, but she professes to be a Bard.”

“A Bard?” Miss Yuri tilted her head curiously, “Then perhaps some sort of Dancer?”

“That was my conclusion, as well,” Master Tian somehow straightened his already straight posture, and adjusted his pure white tie. “We should get back to training, as her time in the city is limited. Thank you for your assistance in clarifying matters, Miss Yuri.”

Miss Yuri lowered her head with a gentle smile, spreading her skirts in a graceful curtsey.

“It was no trouble at all, Master Sebas.”