Chapter 399 - My People

I always get hyped when we're about to reach the next hundred. 400 feels like so many chapters lol. Just finished at 5am, and this one still needs a proofing. Check back in tomorrow if you'd like the more polished version.

After the meeting, Hump and the rest of the party waited in the courtyard of the King’s Hold for Bud to finish his discussion with Anara. The familiar faces—members of Marcela, Randall, and Owen’s parties—gathered briefly, but soon all were on their way. Talk was serious. Hump sensed the tension in each of them. While it was nice that they were part of a plan to fight back against the warlocks, it hardly sparked confidence. They didn’t know where the enemy were, when they would next strike, or how powerful their attack would be.

But one thing had changed. Before, the warlocks had had the Remnant Realm all to themselves. They had been a hidden enemy, striking from the shadows and utilising guerrilla tactics, but now they had played their hand. The surprise had worked, but Alveron was no longer in the dark entirely.

It wasn’t long before Bud returned, and with good news. Anara had come through for them regarding the Royal Armoury. It was Drexel—the spy master that had orchestrated the infiltration of the Infernal Halls that had promised the reward, and it had not been forgotten. A thousand gold coins each and an artifact from the Royal Armoury, approved by Prince Greggory himself.

“And Prince Greggory is actually the king’s son, right?” Hump asked. “Not like Kassius.”

“Exactly,” Bud said. “Kassius would be his cousin. An appointment will be made for us tomorrow.”

“Brilliant,” Hump grinned. “And once Wizard Aldric arrives, we can get our rewards from the Vault of the Inquisition too. We’re going to be rich!”

That would be a while yet, however. Aldric was part of the reinforcements coming from the north, and large armies were anything but quick.

“Any plans for today?” Emilia asked.

Dylan gave a sheepish smile. “I, in fact, do have plans! I’m meeting with Lorissa for lunch, so I’m afraid I must bid you all farewell fairly promptly.”

Bud clapped him on the shoulder. “Good for you! And I must visit the temple again. There’s a priest I’ve been speaking with, and I feel there is still more counsel I can gain. That is unless you want me to accompany you back home, Emilia.”

Emilia shook her head. “You go. No point having you sit around waiting on me. I should be at my parents’ side.”

“That leaves you and me,” Celaine said, turning to Hump with a smile, a sly glint to her eyes.

Hump immediately backed away, hands raised in mock fear. “What are you planning? Should I be worried?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re insufferable sometimes! I was going to suggest we explore the city and maybe find that bakery you mentioned, but now I feel like literally anything else instead.”

“In my defence, you laugh at most of my jokes,” Hump said with a grin. “They are usually very funny.”

Celaine let out a long sigh, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

“I can watch Nisha for you if you like,” Emilia offered.

“Thank you, Emilia,” Hump said. “She does stick out worse than a sore thumb. I should do some training with her first though.” He turned back to Celaine. “Maybe we can head out for a late lunch?”

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

With plans set, Hump and Celaine returned to the Rike Estate for the couple of hours that remained of the morning, training Nisha, before leaving for their trip into the city. Nisha wasn’t thrilled to be left behind, but Emilia had promised to keep her entertained with the younger disciples.

Before leaving, they changed into casual attire. A staff and battle robes would draw the wrong kind of attention, especially given Hump’s growing reputation. Instead, he brought the wand he’d acquired in Sheercliff City, slipping it discreetly into the inner pocket of his jacket. It was a far cry from his staff, but in a pinch, he would have a weapon.

As she stepped out, Hump gave her a once-over and grinned. She wore a simple dress Hump hadn’t seen before, white on top, and olive at the bottom. “I like the dress. I can imagine you managing a shop or something.”

“Careful Hump. That almost sounded like a compliment.” She turned to Emilia. “What do you think?”

“You look great together!” Emilia said excitedly. “Very cute.”

“That… that’s not what I meant,” Celaine said. “Do we pass for respectable members of society?”

Emilia studied them, a smile tugging at her lips. “You look good. The clothes are obviously new, but you should not stand out too much. You will be fine.”

Celaine gestured to the book strapped to Hump’s belt. “And what about that? Will you really wear your spellbook around the city? Most people don’t carry their books like that.”

“I think it makes me look dashing,” Hump said.

“It makes you look like either a wizard or a priest,” Celaine said.

Hump scrunched his nose. “Wouldn’t want to look like a priest.”

Celaine snorted. “Here, let me put it in my belt.”

Hump handed her the book, but when she activated her storage artifact, nothing happened. Celaine frowned and tried again.

“Or not,” she muttered.

“It must be too powerful for the Belt of Storage to contain,” Hump said.

“You could leave it here,” Emilia suggested.

Hump shook his head, tucking the book into his leather pouch. “I feel better with it on me. This’ll do. Kept Nisha in it for long enough.”

Nisha, who had been sitting by Emilia’s feet, perked up at the mention of her name. But when it became clear she wasn’t coming, she let out a dramatic huff and skulked over to Hump, head down.

Hump crouched, scratching her under the chin. “You’ll survive, little one. You’ve got plenty of people here to spoil you rotten.”

She’ll have more attention than she knows what to do with,” Emilia said. “The disciples love her.”

“Great. If they can tire her out before we get back, they’ll have my eternal gratitude.”

With Nisha temporarily appeased, Hump and Celaine set off into the city. The bustling streets were alive with activity, and the lively atmosphere surrounded them in a cocoon of sound—merchants hawking their wares, the rumble of carts over cobblestone, and the chatter of passersby. Yet, as they moved deeper into the maze of Elenvine, a nervous energy tugged at the edge of Hump’s mind. It was just the two of them, and he couldn’t stop his thoughts from racing.

“Anything you want to see?” Hump asked, trying to push past his unease.

Celaine glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. “I want to see where you grew up.”

Hump smiled faintly, his chest stirring with a mixture of emotions that he wasn’t quite sure how to interpret. It felt… personal. And he wasn’t sure it was a past he wanted to dig up. “It’s not much to look at. Honestly, there are probably better sights in the city.”

“Would you rather we go elsewhere?”

Hump very nearly said yes, but in the end, he shook his head. He had seen her home. It was only right that she got the chance to see where he grew up. “No, it’s fine. I’ll show you. Or at least, I can try. I’m not sure I’ll be able to find that bakery.”

In truth, he was a little curious himself. Not just for himself, but for the children that lived here much like he had. The Order of Ancients were looking for recruits, and somehow, the idea of taking people from his streets didn’t sit right with him. At the very least, he wanted a better grasp of the situation.

He led her through the winding streets toward one of the rivers that ran through the east side of Elenvine, retracing steps that felt entirely almost foreign. The river harboured a bustling trading hub, but the farther north one went, the poorer it became. Parts were rife with gangs and other nefarious activities, while others were home to fineries only the wealthiest in Alveron could afford. The once-familiar alleys had transformed in his absence, but as they wandered, pieces began to click into place—a shop sign here, a familiar crossing there.

Hundreds of people moved back and forth, purchasing goods from the small shops and eateries that spotted the winding alleys. The sun broke through between the rooftops in places, and there tables and chairs were setup where people sat, sharing in drinks and small platters for lunch. Hump paused outside a small bakery nestled among a row of food stalls and shops.

“This one?” Celaine asked.

Hump looked up and down the alleyway. It was a crowded place, full of food stands and small shops. There was a leather shop come cobbler opposite it with a sign that said it had been operating since y.752. Almost two hundred years—that part certainly hadn’t changed, but he didn’t recognise it.

“I don’t think so.”

“Well, this place looks nice anyway,” she said, peering through the window. Her eyes lit up as she pointed to a display. “I want to try one of those.”

Hump followed her gaze to a layered pastry topped with cream, berries, and syrup. They bought two, along with steaming cups of tea, and found a small table outside to enjoy them.

The crowded alley bustled around them, the aroma of baked goods mingling with the scent of roasting meats and spices. Hump took a bite of the pastry, savouring the sweetness, but Celaine’s words soon cut through the moment.

“I’ve been meaning to speak with you about your book,” Celaine said, her tone serious. “I think we need to be more careful.”

Hump blinked in surprise. “What?”

“People are looking for it. You’ve already been attacked twice. A powerful demon is looking for you, along with whatever organisation the warlock that found us in Fort Nordric belonged to. I’m concerned that if we continue as we are, trouble will find us before we’re ready.”

“Is this really what you want to discuss now?”

Celaine’s eyes burned into him. “I hate to be hunted—I despise it. It makes me feel useless and I want to change that.”

Hump let out a deep sigh. “I’ll admit, it’s a topic that’s been on my mind much lately. I try not to dwell on it as so much feels outside of my control. At least here in Elenvine we have allies.”

“That must be stressful,” Celaine said, her face softening. “You’ve seemed tired lately. I wasn’t sure if that was just because of how much action we’ve seen, and the situation with Bud, but I can tell you’ve been worried. Nisha’s been acting strangely too, you know? She watches you sometimes.”

“She always watches me.”

“Not like this. Her entire body slumps. Talk to me, Hump.”

Hump frowned. “We have enough on our plate already, without me needing to add to it.”

“It’s already on our plate,” Celaine argued. “We’re in this together. If someone comes for you, they come for all of us.”

“The actions come down to me, however,” Hump said, a little frustration seeping into his voice. “There’s nothing any of you can do to help. I need to better mask my soul. I need to find a way to conceal the spell. I need the training that Wizard Aldric has offered. It’s my weakness that’s the problem.”

“No,” Celaine said. “The situation is what it is, and we must adapt. Aldric is weeks away, and you’ve already been discovered multiple times. We’ve handled it so far, but what if the next foes are beyond us? We need to get ahead of them.”

Hump leant forward, resting an elbow on the table and his face in his hand. “I am working on that. This is a big city, so even if someone is looking for me, I won’t be that easy to find. I’d like to find an artifact in the Royal Armoury that will help me to conceal my soul. Aldric already has his contacts looking into the sigil tattooed on the attacker from Fort Nordric. Maybe I could use the Elenvine Academy archives to find something myself, if I can gain access, but that’s a big ‘if’. Point is, I am doing things.”

Celaine frowned and leaned back in her chair, thinking. “What makes you think you would be difficult to find just because it’s a big city?”

“I was tracked to Fort Nordric. If anyone was still in pursuit, they would know that I entered the Infernal Halls, and unlike us, they won’t be able to access Elenvine through the Remnant Realm. It will take them time to find the trail again. Time I can use to train.”

Celaine seemed to consider his words for a few seconds before nodding. “I agree that it will slow them down, but I don’t think you’re fully thinking this through.”

Hump crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. “Then enlighten me, oh great Huntress of Owalyn.”

Celaine smirked at him. “No need to be snappy with me. Doesn’t take a hunter to know you won’t be difficult to find. General Korteg’s arrival in Elenvine has already been relayed to Fort Nordric and likely to the rest of Alveron—you have the Chosen of Vesta to thank for that.”

“Damn it,” Hump said. She was right. It hadn’t even crossed his mind. “With all the talk about the White Flame, it’s a near certainty that they will know I’m here, and once they do, locating me will be a simple matter.”

“You were the one that opened the portal,” Celaine said, nodding. “It’s impossible that they won’t know that you’re here. And once they figure that out, it could be a matter of hours before they learn where you’re staying.”

“Emilia’s home,” Hump’s voice was quiet.

Guilt. Immediately he knew that it wasn’t rational, but he couldn’t help it. Emilia’s sick mother was here. Her family had already suffered one loss, and now he had put them in danger again. A danger that Emilia couldn’t even explain to them.

“I can’t stay there,” Hump said.

“Emilia would never kick you out,” Celaine said. “I don’t think her family will fear a fight either. They do not seem the type.”

“I appreciate that, but their safety isn’t the only reason I need to leave. If my location is known, my enemies only need to wait by the gate for me to leave.”

“That’s what I would do,” Celaine said. “There would be no rush. I would wait for the perfect opportunity. A moment when you’re alone and vulnerable, like a deer straying too far from the herd. You wouldn’t even know I was there before it was too late.”

“What do you suggest?” Hump asked. “I could find a safehouse. Marcela knows I carry a unique artifact, even if not the full details. She would help.”

“Too obvious.”

“Then what?”

Celaine stroked her chin in a particularly wizardly way. “Randall may be worth speaking to.”

Hump raised an eyebrow. “Randall? Really?”

“Nobody will ever think you would go to him for help,” Celaine explained. “As far as the world is concerned, he is the son of a traitor. But we know differently. He has proven his loyalty to Count Daston and made an effort with us to make up for our… disagreements in Fisher’s Lake. His rogue, Skander, is very skilled and no doubt well-connected.”

Hump mulled over her suggestion. “It doesn’t sound… terrible. But there are other options to consider: Drexel, Lady Anara, Countess Daston—she has a network of spies. I’m sure she could help, and we can trust her.”

Celaine leant forward and whispered. “I do not trust your Chosen. If they knew what you carried, they may take it for the sake of their kingdom. You must avoid questions and suspicion. Alternatively, moving between various inns may be a good temporary solution. As you say, the situation will change with time.”

Hump grimaced. “I’ll think on it. A discussion with Randall and Skander may be worthwhile, but I would prefer not to involve anyone else.”

Celaine nodded and took the last bite of her pastry. “Good. I am reassured. We shall speak more on this when the party is gathered. I am satisfied to know you are considering it.”

Hump smiled. “It’s nice that you’re worried about me.”

Celaine narrowed her eyes. “Why do you sound like you’re making fun of me?”

Hump laughed. “I wouldn’t dare. Shall we carry on?”

The streets quickly transformed as they left behind the bustling markets and thriving shops, replaced by a dreariness that seemed to cling to the air. The harbour district was a maze of weathered warehouses, foul-smelling fisheries, and rows of cheap lodging with peeling paint and sagging roofs. Slums sprawled out around them—cramped alleyways, buildings on the verge of collapse, and debris-strewn streets. Signs of a recent fire scarred one section, leaving a gaping wound of charred timber and ash. Nobody seemed in a rush to clear it

Hump's pace slowed, his eyes scanning the broken streets. Then he saw what he was looking for—a huddle of children gathered in a shadowed alley. They were gaunt and wary, their movements quick, eyes darting toward anyone who passed. A few clutched makeshift bags stuffed with whatever they could scavenge. Others simply sat, backs pressed against the damp walls.

“Right, we’re here,” he said quietly.

Celaine followed his gaze, then looked around. Her voice was soft but edged with disbelief. “This is where you grew up?”

Hump shrugged. “Maybe. I’m not entirely sure. My memories of it are… foggy. But this is close enough.”

“I thought we were looking for that bakery you mentioned—the one that helped you?”

“No,” Hump said, shaking his head. He nodded toward the alleyway where the kids were gathered. “We’re here to find answers.”

Celaine stared at him for a long moment. “You’re worried about the children being recruited by the warlocks.”

Hump nodded. “It’s a weird feeling, but this was me once. In a way they are my people,” he said, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and anger. “Street kids like these… they’re vulnerable. They’re prey. If I was still out here, I might have fallen for it too—the promise of food, power, or just someone who pretends to care.”

“What about the Pantheon’s investigation?”

Hump gave a small, bitter laugh. “The Pantheon might find warlocks, but they won’t help. The people here don’t trust them, and neither do I. If there’s one thing I remember, it’s that help doesn’t come from the people in their lavish temples and fine robes. But these lads will know what’s going on—they’ll have heard rumours or seen the warlocks for themselves. We just need to find a way to get the answers out of them.”

“How’s that?”

Hump jiggled the coin purse in his pocket.

“Ah. Of course.”

Celaine studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she sighed and gave a resigned smile. “You do know how to show a girl a good time.”

Hump smirked as he began walking toward the alleyway. One of the lads spotted him and alerted the rest of the group, who all turned to stare at him menacingly. Hump guessed the oldest of them to be a few years younger than him, while the smallest couldn’t have been more than five years old.

Hump pulled a silver coin from his pocket and held it up. “We’re after information. A silver for each of you if you’ll talk to me, answers or not.”