Published at 16th of February 2024 2:25 pm

Chapter 2.58 Unexpected Friends

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Swati took the half-brothers by hand and led them through several walls. It reminded Nox of forcing his hand through a slime’s thick membrane and inside its gelatinous body. No debris stuck to his skin when they emerged on the other side. Fortunately, Swati appeared to know her way around the estate. She led Nox and Louis through a couple of storerooms and unoccupied staff quarters. They ended up in a room that smelled of manure. Gardening tools hung from the wall, and burlap sacks sat against the walls.

Nox’s body felt significantly heavier when Swati released his hand. He struggled to maintain his balance, but Louis caught him before he could fall. The pair straightened their clothes, and a rapier hilt appeared in the prince’s hand.

Instead of acknowledging the weapon, Swati opened the door in front of them and walked into the garden beyond. She had guided the brothers through the maze of rooms and corridors into the estate’s courtyard. Muffled music leaked through the windows overhead. When Nox craned his neck, he could see the ballroom through its ceiling-high windows and the balcony they looked out upon. Guests leaned against the railing, chatting, drinking, and eating. He heard people talking about the incident with Aria among the gaggle of voices.

When Swati walked deeper into the garden, Nox and Louis followed. The latter’s eyes glowed pink, and runes danced around his fingers. Meanwhile, the hilt in his right hand emitted a similar light. Nox hoped the younger man wouldn’t do anything hasty. He sensed the situation was still salvageable. A single wrong move could throw everything into disarray. Nox nudged the prince and shook his head.

“Just erecting a perception barrier,” Louis said. “You don’t want anyone to hear our conversation, do you?”

“Good thinking, Prince Mercer,” Swati said, spinning around to face the pair. She scanned her surroundings. Hedges blocked their view of the balcony and windows. They saw a few isolated couples, but they all stood several dozen feet away and appeared to be engaged in whispers or other activities to care about their conversation. Louis’ magic was an extra precaution. “So. Tell me what you plan to do to the Singhs.”

“Not much,” Nox replied. “Defamation. Trouble with the guilds. Get them to leave the city if I’m lucky.”

“And you think you can manage all of that?”

“They’ve not just stolen my research, Swati. They’re breaking a bunch of laws and guild rules. Things won’t turn out well for them when it all comes to light.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Swati asked. “The Singhs aren’t people you want as enemies. They might run with their tail between their legs if the city and their allies turn on them, but they’ll eventually look to get even.”

“I grew eyes in the back of my head when I was six years old, Swati. The Singhs will just have to get in line with the Gedges. Sorry, Louis.”

“Don’t worry about it. My father is a blighted fool.”

“Besides, it’s too late.” Nox glanced at the doorway they had left behind. “The die is cast. The question is whether you’re going to warn them of what I’ve been up to or not?”

“I don’t think I will.” Swati smiled. “I’m not happy you used me for your ruse, plot, scheme, or whatever this is. The last time someone played with my feelings, I pulled them halfway through a wall and left him there. Lucky for you, I suspected you were up to no good as soon as you agreed to the date.”

“Why?” Nox asked. “What gave me away? I was genuine for most of the evening.”

“That’s the issue, Nox. You were too genuine for a first date. I’ve been observing you for longer than you think, and you put in too much effort to convince me that you’re interested. It might sound silly to the two of you, but a woman can sense these things.” Swati moved closer until she and Nox were almost nose to nose. “You like to think you’re a cold, calculative man. That might be true in most cases, but not when relationships are concerned. You’re in love with Aria Edelweiss. I never had a chance with you, and I doubt I ever will.”

“Then why agree to all of this? Just for fun?”

Swati shrugged. “A little bit. It doesn’t hurt to try, and my mother stays off my back when I’m actively pursuing a prospect. To be honest, after two months of pursuit, I wasn’t expecting you to agree to the date. I thought you’d show up alone but find Aria Edelweiss and spend the evening with her.”

“You’re leaving the city once the semester ends,” Nox commented. “Once you’re gone, your mother can’t bother you with prospects anymore. It's a decent tactic, but I wish it didn’t come at the cost of my comfort.”

“Please.” She waved at him dismissively. “My interest only improved your social standing and helped you grow a Daksinsthani customer base. The Guptas are just as bad as the Singhs, and their monopoly annoys me.”

“It almost sounds like you don’t like anyone in your community,” Louis said.

“I like Daksinsthanis in Daksinsthan. The ones here are a confused mess. They constantly try to one-up the locals. They segregate themselves, but when the locals exclude them, they cry about—” She froze mid-sentence, glancing between Nox and Louis. “This discussion is pointless, and discussing my issues with my people won’t go anywhere. What matters here is the fact that none of us like the Singhs. I just want to ensure you get out of this situation with minimal complications.”

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“Did Harin get someone important to you killed?” Nox’s question only won him a long, hard stare. “It was someone dear to you. Perhaps a past lover?”

“Do you want my help or not?” Swati glared at the two men. “We don’t have a lot of time left. You need an alibi before whatever you stimulated back there triggers.”

“The Woodsons are creating a disturbance for us. We should be fine sneaking back in without issue.”

“They already did that when the two of you disappeared. It’ll be too obvious if it happens a second time.”

“In that case—”

“Punch me,” Louis said, interrupting Nox. He pointed at his jaw. “Right here. As hard as you can.”

“Alright.” Nox didn’t hesitate. He hit his half-brother in the indicated spot, putting his shoulder and hips into the strike. He was starting to like Louis, but Nox had thought about punching him without consequence for years and failed to give up the opportunity.

“By Yggdrasil!” Louis yelled. The pink shimmer in his eyes and the magic circle floating above his right hand disappeared. “Aren’t you going even to ask why?”

“What’s there to ask? If people see us fighting out here, it’s a good enough alibi.”

“But you didn’t have to hit me that hard!”

Swati laughed at their exchange but quietened when nearby eyes darted to where they stood. “What are you doing?” She demanded, retreating from the pair. Her shrillness masterfully added panic and concern to the situation. “You don’t have to do this!

“It’s your turn,” Nox whispered.

The prince hesitated, glancing between the two watching couples and Swati. Then, when Nox punched him again, he retaliated. Louis hit his half-brother square in the face. It would've broken his nose if Nox didn’t move with the blow. It felt as if Louis had pent-up rage and resentment, too. The following blow hit as intended. It folded Nox in two, forcing the air from his lungs and making him spray spittle. Then, the third punch hit him in the side and knocked him down. Nox found himself kissing the pebble pathway a moment later.

“You’re hurting him!” Swati screamed.

Nox rolled onto his back and kicked his opponent in the knee. The joined buckled, and Louis was at face level a moment later. He lunged at his brother, but a pebble wall sprung into action and blocked him. Nox cast Crystallize Essence almost on instinct, and it crumbled, giving him free access to his brother. A miniature shower of fingernail-sized essence glass followed. It had a muddy glow. Before Nox could identify it, Louis was on him again.

The prince received a punch to the face to the lower jaw. His eyes lost focus, and he swayed for a moment. Then Nox pushed him, and Louis fell on his side. A more solid pebble wall rose between them between them before Nox could push his advantage.

“Don’t make me hurt you, Nox!” Swati begged. “I just had too much to drink, okay? It didn’t mean anything. Louis and I are just friends. Just friends.”

More sets of eyes watched the trio, and several couples had entered earshot. More people stood on the balconies, watching them and pointing. A trio of guards pushed past them and hastily descended the stairs. The half-brothers were on their feet and standing several feet away from one another when the guards arrived.

“What’s going on here?” One asked

“Just a brotherly squabble,” Nox answered, wiping his mouth. The back of his hand came away red.

“It was nothing,” Louis answered, his words almost came out slurred. “We just—” He blinked slowly, rubbing his jaw as he glanced between Nox and Swati. A thick stream of blood trickled from his nose, and an angry red bruise sat to the left of it. “It was nothing. We just had a misunderstanding.”

“This all my fault,” Swati said. “I was just having fun and might have pushed things too far. Please let the Singhs know. There’s no reason this needs to escalate any further.”

Harin, his father, and his uncle stood on the balcony, watching the scene unfold. They appeared amused as they conversed.

“I’ll ask a servant to fetch healing brews,” the guard said. “Please refrain from causing further disturbances. If not for the Lady of Ruipur, we’d be escorting you out right now.”

“Healing won’t be necessary,” Nox replied. He fished a handful of crimson pills from his pocket and popped one into his mouth. He held the rest out for Louis. The dazed prince missed as he tried to take one, stumbling. “Sorry, Louis. I lost my temper.” Nox pressed a pill into his brother’s hand. “Infuse it with mana if you can. The healing will activate quicker.”

“You don’t have to take it if you don’t want to, Prince Mercer,” the guard said. “We have our own brews in-house.”

“It’s fine,” Louis replied. He didn’t sound all together. Nox worried the last punch might have left his half-brother concussed. Louis’ eyes flashed pink before he consumed the pill. Nox couldn’t tell whether the visual signifiers were integral to his magic or a bad habit.

“Please pass our apologies on to our hosts.” Nox nodded at the men on the balcony.

“I will, Sir Ratra—” A servant interrupted the guard. She stood on her tiptoes as she whispered into the guard’s ear. “I’m sorry, Sir Rartra. The Singhs would like for you to leave.”

“That’s fair enough. It’s the second time I’ve caused a scene today.” Nox waved at Harin and his family. They didn’t reciprocate the gesture. “I’ll see myself out.”

“No, Mr Ratra. We’ll need to escort you.” He waved at a staircase that didn’t lead to the ballroom or the rest of the Round Table. “Please. This wa—”

An explosion deep inside the research and service wing silenced the man and made him flinch. The windows above the garden shed shattered, glass bursting outward. Screams spread through the men on the balcony, and many ducked, throwing their hands over their heads. Smoke rose from the darkness. The explosion confused Nox. His sabotage shouldn’t have caused such a reaction. It wasn’t the chaos he wanted. Then, a mottled, grey fungi emerged from the darkness, rippling and squirming as it grew.

“Myconids!” Someone yelled.

A fireball burst from the crowd on the balcony, striking the fungus. It only accelerated the growth, and the room within caught on fire. Then all hell broke loose.

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