Chapter 437 - Late to the Party

Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the holiday. Been a bit of a rush since I got back so this chapter is still quite rough. I'm going to proof and edit it tomorrow and will send out a message once that's updated along with any significant changes.

The five of them were seated at a corner table, the warm hum of the welcome party continuing around them. It had been a long evening. Emilia had insisted that they do their rounds, exchanging small talk with friends and acquaintances, as well as meeting some new people. Wizard Jentris was in attendance, along with a number of other wizards that she introduced him to. Among them was his teacher, Wizard Charles. Marshall Anara, Sir Owen, and General Korteg were all in attendance, and showing their faces to each of them had kept Hump busy for a while. Now, he just watched, lost in thought.

Laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music filled the air. These were the kingdom’s elite—nobles, Chosen, wealthy merchants, priests and other officials—yet instead of preparing for the expansion of the Fallen Lands to the north, or the warlocks trying to destroy the Seal of Elenvine, they were here, celebrating the return of a traitor. He supposed that surrounded by all this finery, the real problems in the world must feel so far away.

But they weren’t. One of those problems was in this very room. Hump had seen the way they fawned over Kassius and it made him more nervous than even the fall of Fort Nordric. It would be a simple matter for Kassius to slip away for whatever plot he was a part of. The difficult part was figuring out just what that plot was.

The only certainty Hump knew was that the warlocks needed to destroy the Seal of Elenvine, which was supposedly protected somewhere beneath the Temple District, no doubt hidden away in some secret chamber or crypt. Sir Tobias Godfrey, the ninth circle Chosen of Lady Light, had already betrayed the kingdom, which meant the warlocks likely knew where to find the seal. So Kassius’ role was likely to help them infiltrate the city.

“You look like you’re thinking about something very complicated,” Dylan said.

Hump gave him a small smile. “Why do you think the warlocks left Kassius in Fort Nordric? Why allow him to be captured and brought back here?”

“Because have a prince on the inside is beneficial to them,” Emilia said. “Or, because he is useless to them, which I think is unlikely.”

“They could have just been done with him,” Bud offered.

Emilia shook her head. “Even as a hostage, he has some value.”

“Agreed,” Hump said. “So we can conclude that they intended for Kassius to return to Alveron. The question then becomes, how could they be confident he would be welcomed back so positively?”

“As far as the stories are concerned, he died a hero,” Emilia said. “Most people have no reason to be suspicious of him.”

“You don’t just think he’s a spy?” Celaine asked. “Seems the most obvious answer.”

“Not a very good spy when enough people know that he betrayed us in Bledsbury,” Hump said.

“The throne,” Dylan said. “Kassius is in line for it.”

“They would need to not only assassinate the king and Prince Gregory, but the rest of Kassius’ family too,” Emilia said. “But technically, he is seventh in line for the throne. King Henry only ever had one child, and Prince Gregory is not yet married.”

Hump raised his brow. “I hadn’t considered that. What would they want with the throne though? Seems relatively unimportant considering they are trying to release the old gods.”

“Where’s this coming from, anyway?” Celaine asked. “Didn’t you say this wasn’t our problem?”

Hump frowned. “I know, but I can’t shake the feeling we’re missing something.”

“We have out orders,” Bud said. “I understand your concern, but it is not our place to question the strategy of King Henry and the other commanders.”

“And we talked about this just being politics,” Emilia said with a shrug. “Are you sure you’re not reading too much into this?”

“Normally, I’d agree, but what if it’s not just politics? What if it’s theatre?”

“You think the invasion is a show?” Emilia asked.

Hump shook his head. “Maybe not the whole thing, but it’s too perfect. The Seal of Elenvine is exposed, Kassius is here, and the warlocks know it. the moment we go north, isn’t the city an easy target? What if the warlocks aren’t quite as unaware of our plans as we’ve been led to believe?”

“Hump, stop,” Emilia said. “Not here. Not now.” She leant in closer. “And do you really think those in command haven’t considered and prepared for this? You often jump to conclusions and assume others have missed something, but I can’t imagine those in command haven’t prepared for this.”

Hump sighed. He knew she was right. “Fine, I’ll leave it for now. But I’m going to speak with Count Daston about this again when I can. Maybe he knows more about what’s going on.”

Emilia stood. “If I see him, I’ll let him know you’d like to talk. I’m going to go say some goodbyes and then we can leave.”

“I’ll come with you,” Celaine said.

Dylan stood. “And I’m going to go and find Lorissa for one last dance.”

Hump watched the him go with a smile. Lorissa seemed nice. He still hadn’t had too much of an opportunity to get to know her, but he could tell how happy she made Dylan. Hump swirled the last of the wine in his cup, caught somewhere between restlessness and relief. He was pleased they would be leaving soon. So much time forced into conversation and making small talk with strangers had left him drained.

“Oh, heads up,” Bud whispered. “You’ve got a visitor.”

Hump glanced over to see a woman in a golden gown trimmed in white stride over—Luna. Her eyes found his almost immediately.

“Hump,” she said with a soft smile. “And Robert. It’s good to see you both.”

“Luna,” Hump said. “You look… well. What are you doing here?”

“I’m a Priestess of Lady Light,” Luna said with a smile. “Many of us were invited.” Her gaze went to Celaine. “I saw the two of you dancing. I’m happy for you. Truly.”

There was a pause between them—just long enough for Hump to take a breath. “Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t come to find you.”

She shook her head. “No need for that, though you could have sent a letter!”

Hump glanced away. “I should have. Sorry.”

A warm smile spread over her face and she laughed. “That’s okay. I didn’t come here for apologies, only to wish you well, and luck for everything that is to come.”

“And you, Luna,” Hump said.

And just like that, she was gone, slipping back into the crowd with the calmness and grace befitting a woman that belonged in such a place. Hump waited for something—regret, ache, bitterness, but there was nothing. Just a quiet sort of peace. Celaine was his. She was the one he was meant to be with, and now he was.

He turned back toward the table and found Bud watching him, his expression unreadable.

“You not going to say anything?” Hump asked.

“Nothing to say,” Bud said, reaching out to pluck two glasses of wine from a nearby platter. “You handled that well. Dignified even.”

Hump smirked, accepting the glass. “Thanks.”

Bud took a sip, then glanced at him sideways. “Though she’s right. You could’ve sent her a letter.”

Hump winced and leaned back in his chair. “Yeah. I feel a little guilty about that.”

“I think you have a good excuse—we’ve been busy,” Bud said, raising a glass. “One last drink for the night?”

They clinked glasses and the hum of the party rolled on around them. Hump swallowed it back in one go, the light burn of alcohol washing down easily. Warmth bloomed in his chest, and a quiet buzz followed. A pleasant end to the night.

***

They stepped out into the cool evening air, laughter and music trailing behind them as the party became more distant. Guards let them go, closing the gates. The street was almost empty now. Hump walked hand in hand with Celaine, chatting idly with Bud and Emilia. Behind them, Dylan and Lorissa ambled along at a slower pace, deep in their own conversation. The stars were bright overhead, and essence stone lamps illuminated the area in long shadows.

“I quite enjoyed that,” Celaine said. “I could get used to fancy dinners. Perhaps next time without inviting a warlock that tried to kill me, but at least the food was good.”

Emilia laughed. “I thought the trouble would make it appeal to you more.”

Celaine smirked back at her. “Maybe a little.”

“The people were surprisingly pleasant,” Hump said. “For nobles, at least.”

Bud gave him a sidelong glance. “You always phrase things in a way that makes them sound so negative.”

“Part of my charm.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Bud continued. “You work with so many nobles now. How many do you not get along with?”

Hump scratched at an itch on his nose, considering Bud’s words with a thoughtful frown. “Okay, you may have a point.”

Celaine laughed, only for it to break into a yawn. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I think I may have drank too much. I’m really starting to feel it.”

“That’s not like you.” Hump paused, looking at her. She leaned back. Her eyes seemed unfocused—more than that, essence shone in them. Usually, she kept that hidden in public. “Your eyes are visible.”

“Oh?” Celaine frowned, and quickly the light was gone from them. “Better?”

“Yes, but… no. Really, this is not like you.” His tongue felt suddenly confused, his words slurring.

“Hmm?” she murmured, barely coherent.

Hump stopped walking. A cold pit formed in his stomach.

“Bud,” Hump said glancing over his shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

Bud’s reply came with a hearty chuckle. “Better than you, my little friend!” he bellowed. Don’t think you could ever beat me in a drinking contest, not even with that dragon blood—”

“I feel a bit off,” Emilia said. “Wobbly.”

“Shit,” Hump muttered, already fumbling with his potion pouch and pulling free a vial of cloudy green liquid. He hadn’t noticed any essence in the air, which meant either they had walked into a very powerful spell, or more likely… “We’ve been poisoned.”

He didn’t wait. He downed his first dose of Toxins Begone, the bitter, herbal taste coating his tongue like sour grass, then he shoved vials into his friends’ hands. “Here—drink this. Now!”

Hump gasped as it burned in his stomach, but it did nothing against his growing dizziness. The potion was enhanced with magic but would still take several minutes to work on general poisons. If it was something more specialist, it might not work at all.

His bond flared and he felt Nishari’s concern in the distance. Hump tried to reassure her that everything was okay, but he may have just made it worse in the manic message he sent back.

He turned to call back to Dylan and Lorissa. “Dylan—”

His cloak whipped around him on its own. An impact to his back cut his words short, heavy and hard as a kick from a horse, just beneath the ribs. Hump stumbled forward. He crashed to the cobbles with a grunt, his breath stolen. Behind him, an arrow bounced off his Cloak of Protection with a dull clatter. His vision swam. The protective enchantment had stopped it from piercing, but the force had been enough toc rack something inside him. He felt a tight pressure in his chest, but the pain cleared his mind.

“Ambush!” he croaked. “Shield!”

He thrust his palms up, raw instinct fuelling the motion. A dome of shimmering essence sprang into being around him, Celaine, Bud, and Emilia, but Dylan and Lorissa were still outside. Hump’s control faltered. His essence trembled, wild and unfocused. Without his staff and with poison surging through his veins, he could barely hold it.

Beyond the Shield, Dylan roared, his Aspect of the Bear appearing overhead in a spectral form. The druid’s body expanded, muscles and Nature’s Wrath surging around him as he threw himself in front of Lorissa.

Hump’s own Shield flickered. His hands shook violently. Essence bled from him in uncontrolled streaks of light, sparking into the air. It surged through his channels painfully, his power not fully his own. The pain wasn’t too bad, but it was enough to make it hard to focus.

No. Think. Focus.

With effort, he activated Accelerated Thought. Time slowed. The panic dulled. His mind sharpened.

“Anyone hit?” he managed through shallow gasps.

“My dress is,” Emilia muttered, drawing her dagger, “but not me.”

“Not yet,” Bud said grimly, sword drawn. “What about you? That looked like it hurt.”

“It did, but my cloak stopped it.”

Celaine grabbed Hump under the arms and dragged him upright. His vision swam from the motion, the pain in his back exploding. His Shield flickered as another impact struck it, hard enough to send a resonating crack through its surface.

Hump's mind snapped to his ring. With a quick thought, he activated the Sands of Osidium. Golden sand burst from the gemstone set in the ring and scattered into the night like a flurry of silver sparks. The glowing grains lit the street in a pale constellation, floating like starlight through the dark.

And in their illumination, the enemy was revealed.

Figures moved in the shadows—dark-cloaked shapes emerging from alleyways, crouched atop rooftops, barely more than silhouettes in the haze of magic and moonlight. Some held blades that glinted with poisoned steel. Others gripped bows already drawn taut. And a few—dangerously still—held staves pulsing with latent essence.

The arrows didn’t stop.

One after another they pelted the flickering shield, slamming into it like stones on glass. With each impact, more fractures bloomed, humming with volatile power. Hump’s essence bled freely now, spilling from him in bright, uncontrolled streaks of bronze and gold, flaring into the air like fireworks without focus.

He was losing control.

“My shield can’t hold,” Hump grunted, struggling to keep the words coherent. “I’m shattering it.”

Bud didn’t hesitate. “Do it. I’m ready.”

Cold essence bloomed from Bud’s body like a winter storm gathering in a heartbeat. Frost crystallised across his arms, shoulders, and chest as Ice Armour began to form. The spell coated him in a shimmering suit of frost-forged plate, jagged and gleaming, trailing vapour with every breath. His breath misted in the air, eyes hard with focus.

“Shatter Shield,” Hump barked. The essence in his spell exploded outward in a wave of power. There were a few startled cries amongst the attackers, but Hump felt them respond with their own magic. A moment later, he sensed a Soul Manifestation, and the essence in the air became heavy with enemy intent.

As the others started to move toward their attacks, Hump took back control, letting his essence pour from him. A wave of power burst out, a flash of his soul—commanding, violent, powerful. The very air rippled as a violet blaze surged around him, and the air shivered with a dragon’s roar.

His cloak whipped up in time to block the dagger of a man that had dashed in close. Hump thrust a hand at them. “Fire Blast.”

An explosion of fire shot from his hand in a wild blast, sending the man flying back.

Hump turned his gaze upward.

He could feel Nishari—close now. Very close. She must have come for him. A ripple of anticipation ran through their bond. She was coming to help him.

Then he saw her. A dark silhouette descending through the darkness. Light flickered, outlining her winged form, and then it grew brighter. Fire, burning from within. Her scales gleamed—obsidian rimmed with gold. A monstrous roar shook the street, reverberating through stone and bone alight.

Fire burst through the night, a searing inferno roaring down from the heavens, engulfing one of the cloaked figures. A woman’s screams filled the night.

Nishari tucked her wings in against her body and descended toward the battle in a dive.

A dragon had arrived.