Vainglory 3.19 - Just Looking Out

Enjoy the chapter - things should start heating up in the next few :)

-Plum

19 – Just Looking Out

Ward sat with Haley on the fountain bench at the center of the Garden Gates square, waiting for Fitz. The day before, he’d sent a messenger with a note indicating that he and Coral had been successful with their admission application, along with the instructions for the meeting time and place. Ward sighed, shifting his pack by his feet and looked at Haley. “He said nine, right?”

“Be patient, Ward! It’s only a little past the hour.” Haley, of course, was quick to defend Fitz, but her expression was a little stormy, regardless. She’d gone before dawn to practice with Master Rose, and when she’d returned, she’d had bruises on her cheek and purple swelling under one eye.

“You won’t tell me about this?” he asked, reaching toward her sore-looking eye.

She scowled, swatting his probing fingers away. “I did! Master Rose is very fast.”

“Yeah, but is that the right way to teach someone? Beating the shit out of them?”

“As a white adept, I should have been able to mitigate this.” She gestured to her face. “As Rose says, there are holes in my training.”

“Hmm.” Ward frowned. He could understand, but he didn’t like it. If Rose was so good, she should have been able to pull the blow before hurting—

“I know what you’re thinking,” Haley said, shoving his shoulder. “She did protect me. If she hadn’t, my bones would have broken. You don’t understand how hard she can hit.”

Ward held up his hands in surrender. “If you say so.”

“I do!” Before Ward could say anything more, she leaped up and waved. “Fitz!”

Ward turned to see Fitz approaching and, behind him, two others—Trent Roy and a woman dressed in heavy chainmail and a conical helmet with a broad metal noseguard. She was tall and stout, burdened by several leather packs and satchels, and carrying a crossbow. A heavy ball mace swung from her belt. Fitz waved and the three walked over to the fountain. “Apologies for my tardiness.”

Ward stood up, nodding. “Fitz.” He looked at Trent Roy. “Didn’t expect to see you.” He turned to the woman with an arched eyebrow, noting her eyes were on a level with his.

“Expect it or not, I’m here, old chum.” Roy grinned, holding out a hand and Ward shook it, still focusing on the woman.

“Yes, pardon me,” Fitz said a little nervously. “I’ve brought Trent and Lali, here, to join you on the expedition into the Garden Gates.”

Ward frowned. “We didn’t ask for more companions—”

“I’m stung!” Roy said, holding a hand over his heart. Lali just frowned, inhaling deeply, swelling her chest under the heavy chainmail. The armor made Ward jealous. He’d yet to replace his old armor but that was mostly by choice. When his lycan nature increased his size, he tended to ruin expensive garments.

“I’m terribly sorry, Ward, but my sponsorship comes with a price; I intend for my adventuring company to have successful ventures and I believe Trent Roy and Lali Johns will increase your odds tremendously.”

Lali held out a leather-gloved hand, arching a blonde eyebrow. She had unusually vivid green eyes, piercingly clear as she focused her gaze on him. Ward wasn’t happy about the last minute addition to their little party, but he wouldn’t hold it against her. If anyone was at fault, it was Fitz. He took her hand, pleased by the strength of her grip. “Good to meet you.”

Fitz reached up to clap the woman on the shoulder, jingling her thick metal armor. “Lali’s a weapons expert, Ward. You’ll find yourself glad to have her along; trust me.”

“I’m happy to meet you,” Haley said, pushing between Ward and the other woman.

Lali smiled and took Haley’s hand, responding with a husky voice that seemed to come from deep in her chest, “I’ve heard much about you, Miss Firefist.”

Haley’s smile broadened and she laughed, looking shyly at Fitz. “Has Fitz been talking about me?”

Ward groaned inwardly as Fitz replied, “Only telling the truth about your amazing skills with Gopah, Miss Haley.” The man’s spine visibly straightened as he spoke, and he practically preened in his perfectly tailored suit. Ward clicked his tongue and looked away, suffering from second-hand embarrassment.

“Well, old chap, bet you didn’t expect to see me so soon, hmm?” Roy asked, joining him in giving the others a little space.

“Not so soon, no, but I’ll admit I’m glad to have you along. From what I heard, we’re a little under-tiered for the place.” Ward emphasized the strange term, which was, apparently, a perfectly commonplace way to describe people whose vessels weren’t up to the presumed difficulty of a challenge.

“Well, then, it’s good we’re going in as a team. I’ve heard some stories about the place.” Roy paused, peering across the square to the vine-covered gates. “Most accounts agree it’s a fairly violent challenge—more battles than puzzles.”

Ward clapped him on the shoulder. “Been keeping your sword sharp?”

He chuckled, adjusting the straps of his heavy canvas pack. “I’m always ready for a fight.”

“Are we all ready?” Fitz asked, projecting his voice so Ward and Trent couldn’t ignore him. “I’ve the documents to secure your entry. Let’s walk over to the management booth.”

As they fell into step behind him, Lali nudged Ward. “Is it true that you’re a lycan?”

Ward scowled, irritated that Fitz had been talking about him, even if it wasn’t a big secret. “That’s right.”

“Well, keep your damn beast in check, will you? I’d prefer to focus on enemies and not worry about my comrades hamstringing me.” She spoke bluntly, her eyes unwavering as they locked onto his.

Ward felt a surge of hot anger, and a low rumble in his chest escaped as he returned the stare. “You let me worry about my beast.”

“Easy, Lali,” Roy said, putting a hand on her shoulder, trying to break the tension. “I told you Ward has excellent control, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make him angry; he’s a human, after all.”

“Hmph.” Lali looked away, busying herself with her crossbow as she walked, making some kind of minute adjustment.

Ward practiced his deep breathing, not trusting himself to speak. He ran through various objections he could make to Fitz about the woman. He didn’t want to deal with someone with obvious trust issues in a challenge. Meanwhile, they’d reached the gate and Fitz and Haley were already speaking to the person in the little office beside it. When they came out, Fitz took a breath, about to announce his success—it was apparent he was pleased. Ward cleared his throat, though, interrupting him. “Fitz, we’ve got a problem.”

Everyone looked at him, including Lali who glowered. Fitz shifted nervously, tilting his head to the side. “Ahem, what do you mean, Ward?”

Ward nodded to Lali. “Your hired muscle doesn’t trust me and I’m not going into a challenge with someone I’ll have to watch—”

“Oy! I didn’t say that!” Lali stepped forward, her crossbow hanging from one hand but her other fist clenched, the leather of her glove creaking with the force of her grip.

“Lali, what’s the issue?” Fitz asked, folding his arms over his chest.

“I just told him to keep his damn beast in check! I’ve seen what a lycan can do when the beast takes control—”

“Ward doesn’t lose control!” Haley said, stepping forward, her cheeks flushing with anger.

Fitz groaned, sighing heavily. “Lali, I thought we had an understanding.”

“All I was saying is I don’t want to watch my back, so he better keep his beast under cont—”

“Well, that’s a shame,” Fitz said sharply, interrupting her. “You’ve served my family well for years, and I thought you’d be a boon to this team. What were you hoping to accomplish? Did you think you were somehow central to this effort? Ward is the one you were hired to help. In any case, you may take your leave.”

“Oh…” The bluster fell away from Lali’s expression and her eyes widened under her helmet’s rim. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t—”

“I won’t have Ward worried about the loyalty of his team. If you’re concerned about his lycan bloodline, then…” Fitz shrugged, looking at Ward.

Ward sighed, shaking his head. Now he was the bad guy? He didn’t want to get the woman kicked off the team, but he also didn’t want to deal with any bullshit. Rather than try to mince words, he said precisely that, “Look, Lali, I’m not trying to get you sent home. If you can understand that you’re not in charge in there and if you can cut the bullshit about my bloodline, then you can stay on the team.”

She licked her lips, her sudden loss of footing evidently making her nervous, as she nodded. “I’m sorry I mentioned it. It was mostly bluster.”

“She’s a soldier, Ward. You know how that goes, right, mate?” Roy chimed in.

“Yeah, I get it.” Ward stepped forward and offered his hand again. When Lali gripped it, he squeezed, pulling her close, so their faces were inches apart. “Just don’t judge me until you’ve got a reason, clear?”

She jerked her head forward in a quick nod, squeezing his hand back. “Clear.”

Ward grinned and let go of her hand, turning to Fitz. “All right, what’s the deal?”

Fitz looked at Haley—was he looking to her for support?—she smiled and nodded, and the man cleared his throat. “Well, we’ve gained access. The gates will open shortly.”

“We?” Ward scowled.

“That’s right, Ward. I’ll be leading this adventuring company from the front lines!” He rested his hand on the polished butt of a finely tooled alchemical pistol. He stepped toward Lali, holding out a hand. “I can take my bag now, Lali. Thank you for holding it.” She slid one of the straps off her shoulder, removing a leather satchel and handing it to him.

Ward looked from Fitz to Haley. “You knew this?”

She nodded a little sheepishly. “I knew he wanted to.”

Ward held his tongue, inhaling slowly through his nose, then pointed at Fitz. “We need to talk for a minute. Just you and me.” He didn’t wait for a response, turning his back on the party and walking over to the fountain. Someone seeing his behavior might think he had something against Fitz or that he was being unreasonable. That wasn’t what was motivating him, however. When Fitz cleared his throat behind him, Ward turned to ensure they were alone. Haley and the others had remained at the gate.

“Ward, I know I’m not the best fighter, but I’m not—”

“This isn’t about whether I think you’re capable, Fitz. This is about Haley.”

“Look, Ward, I intend to be a perfect gentleman—”

“Not that, you idiot. How much do you know about her? Did you know that she just lost her brother in a challenge last year? Did you know that her parents were both murdered? That her cousin betrayed her and tried to have her killed? That he’s dead? She’s suffered so much in the last year, Fitz, and here you are, a perfectly nice young man she’s begun to have feelings for, and you want to go into a challenge dungeon and get killed right in front of her face. What do you think that’s going to do to her?”

“I have no intention of—”

“No one ever intends to get sliced in half or crushed or burned or spiked or poisoned or…goddammit eaten! Have you ever even been in a real fight?”

“I’ve had extensive tutelage…” Fitz trailed off, looking over his shoulder at Haley.

“I’m not objecting to you, Fitz. I’d be happy to take you along. You’re a grown man; if you want to risk your life, that’s your call. Unfortunately, I care a hell of a lot more about Haley and I’m telling you, it would do a goddamn number on her if she had to watch you die.”

Fitz frowned, folding his arms over his woolen suit jacket. His clothes, while fine, were definitely durable; he had leather boots on and his satchel probably held some gear, but Ward figured Lali was the one carrying his rations and camping equipment. Fitz was a handsome fellow, and Ward could see in the way his eyes narrowed and his lips turned down under his mustache that his pride had been wounded. Still, he moved a few notches up in Ward’s book when he said, “I wouldn’t want to see Haley hurt. Can you help me think of a plausible excuse not to come?”

“Yeah, actually, I can.” Ward looked around the square, briefly locking eyes with Trent Roy and nodding to let him know all was well, then he said, “Trahl veskarun.” As the words of power slipped out into the square, they didn’t travel far—it wasn’t that sort of spell—and the open air quickly absorbed their slithering hisses. Fitz flinched, though, his eyes flying wide as he reached toward his ears.

“Are you—”

“I’m just casting a spell to ensure no one can hear our words. There are people watching me, and probably you, Fitz, since you’re our manager.”

“People?”

Ward nodded and then spent a few minutes briefly telling the man about the schemes of the Assembly, most notably the three members Ward had been dealing with: Coral, Veylan, and Reembak. “I need you to do some digging. Are there more men and women you trust, like Lali?”

“Of course! My family has resources—”

Ward held up a hand. “That’s all I need to hear. If you want your new company to be successful, then you need to help me and Haley get clear of this Assembly bullshit. We need to find out what’s going on with Veylan with regard to the cult and the artifact that Marshal True and I brought to the city. Can you see what you can do to help us with this situation? Listen, Fitz, this is just as dangerous as the challenge, but I think it’s ground you’re a lot more qualified to walk on. You understand me?”

“I understand. Play to my strengths. Honestly, Ward, I just wanted to spend more time with Haley, but the more I think about it, the more foolish it all was.”

Ward smiled and reached out to grasp the man’s shoulder. “Listen; we all get a little caught up when it comes to the heart. Do you want to talk to her or do you want me—”

“I’ll talk to her. I should explain that you didn’t force this, that I think it’s the wise move. I should have spoken to you ahead of time, in any case. This all could have been avoided. As for Lali, she’s an excellent fighter, and I trust her with my life. I hope you’ll look past her brief show of prejudice—”

Ward waved his hand. “Forget it. I should’ve just handled it with her rather than saying something. It’s water under the bridge. When you talk to Haley, be careful what you say—my spell will be gone.”

Fitz nodded. “Understood.”

Ward walked over to the gate again, shattering his spell’s web of silence. He couldn’t miss Haley’s concerned scowl as she looked between him and Fitz, who’d remained by the fountain. “Haley, will you go speak with Fitz for a minute please?”

“What did you do?” she asked.

“I had a favor to ask him and now he wants to speak with you.” Ward folded his arms, his face implacable. She growled, clicking her tongue, and brushed past him, hurrying to the fountain.

“Anything you can tell us?” Roy asked.

Ward nodded, looking between him and Lali. “I had something I needed Fitz to handle while we’re in there.” More to Lali, he added, “And I don’t think he’s cut out for a challenge like this.”

“Agreed,” she replied. “I tried to talk him out of it, but he’s lovesick.”

“Yeah.” Ward looked toward the fountain and watched the two young people talking. Haley had her back to him, so he couldn’t see her face, but her body language said she was listening—she didn’t look upset. Fitz was doing a lot of talking, gesturing expansively. After a few minutes, he laughed, and then they hugged and walked back together, both smiling. Ward mentally gave himself a round of applause for handling that little crisis so well.

His self-congratulatory mental celebration was cut short when Haley glared at him and, with a saccharine smile said, “I know what you did.”

Before he could respond, Fitz stepped up to the vine-covered gates and pressed a small metal token against the engraved latch. It clicked loudly, a distant chime sounded, and the gates swung open, revealing a cobbled path through a densely overgrown garden. Blue skies hung overhead beyond the gate, but when Ward looked over his shoulder, the skies above Ordo Caelus were streaked with gray clouds—rain was on the horizon. “Now that’s strange,” Trent Roy said, peering through the opening.

Fitz turned and waved his hands toward the gateway. “Hurry now! You only have a minute or two to enter before they close again. Best of luck! I’ll be awaiting your return.”

“See you when we’re done then, boss,” Lali said, clapping Fitz on the shoulder and strolling through the archway, crossbow held ready.

“Farewell,” Trent said, shaking the younger man’s hand. He straightened his wide-brimmed, gray felt hat and stepped through after Lali.

Ward tipped his hat, placing a hand on his sword hilt as he stepped toward the opening. “Be careful about what I told you, Fitz. Don’t trust anyone.” Then he went through and gave Fitz and Haley a chance to spend a final minute together. As far as he knew, they weren’t even on a handholding basis, but he thought their mutual attraction was sweet—mostly for Haley’s sake.

Ward and the others stood just inside the gate, getting a feel for the strange change in atmosphere that occurred after taking the few short steps required to pass under the archway. The air was thicker and warmer, the sky brighter, and the sounds of the city were utterly gone. Distant birds chirped and squawked. Faint animal sounds, like big cat roars, echoed over the tall garden walls and made Ward wonder what sort of “garden” this was.

He was considering those walls, tall, ancient gray stone blocks that rose up on the left and right and funneled them toward a distant T junction when he heard the gates clang shut and spun to see Haley standing there. The gates had changed. They’d become ancient-looking, rusted wrought-iron. He could see through them, but the city wasn’t there; only a thickly overgrown section of cobbles that faded into the heavily overgrown foliage. “Shit,” he muttered. He supposed he ought to be used to the strange magic of the challenges by now, but it was still unnerving.

“Well?” Roy asked, drawing his rapier with a rasp of steel on steel. “Shall we see what this challenge has in store for us?”

“Aye, let's.” Lali lifted her crossbow, turning toward the junction ahead.

Ward ignored them, watching Haley. She didn’t seem upset as she came forward. She even smiled at him. As the other two walked ahead a few steps, Haley beckoned for Ward to lean close. He did so, nervous he was about to get punched, but she whispered  into his ear, “Thank you.” Then, to his surprised delight, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “I know you were just looking out for me.”