Published at 16th of February 2026 8:08 am

Chapter 134: Back with friends

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So, how was your journey? I ask, very casually, maybe even to a knights senses, as we walk towards our usual spot.

Ser Terry, in contrast, does not achieve nearly the same level of nonchalance, his hand rising at least two inches in an impulse to nervously scratch the back of his head. Oh um, it went good. My, um family matter was taken care of.

Its odd, despite knowing what they were doing, I actually get the sense that what he did was family related. Who knows, maybe his family is the reason why he got into his quest and so hes using them as an excuse to not talk about it while not technically lying. That would be in keeping with my impression of him. Its amusing how averse he is to overt lies. Endearing maybe? No, thats not quite the right word.

Thats good, I say, adopting a posture that stops a bit short of being conspicuously casual in imitation of Erika in her rare good moods a cheerful smile, a slight hop to my step as I struggle to keep up with everyones longer strides, and my arms stretched out behind my back with my hands locking. By the way, have you seen Clara? I hope she didnt get caught up in something over the break, I say, drawing attention to our absent friend, hiding the worry about the fact that the last time I saw her she was unable to walk.

I fight the tension in my stomach about all the things I want to ask them. Did they get away without further issue? Did they, maybe have to leave her behind to escape? It feels wholly incompatible with my impression of Ser Terry to think that he would have left her, and I feel I would be devastated if I learned he had done so despite it being what I would have done if needed No Perhaps because it would be what I would do.

Um yeah. She had a situation arise with her family that she had to take care of. She should be back soon.

Oh, I say, theatrically stopping with a suddenly serious look, prompting him to stop and turn before we both resume. I thought she hated her family.

She does, but you know. I guess their ability to draw her back in is just another reason that she hates them. He glances away sadly, as if looking far away to where some tragic scene is taking place.

I take it back; that was a very good lie. Its almost enough to make me wholly doubt my earlier assessment of him not liking to lie. Though there are some indications of him being stressed by the act that preserves the impression. Slight tensions in his hands and voice so small that I might not have even noticed prior to my most recent boons. It seems rehearsed, but repeated enough times that it almost seems natural even to me.

Oh, thats too bad, I say, mirroring his downbeat expression, but suddenly have to force down a smirk as I feel a mischievous impulse quicken. Well, whatever it is must be important for her to miss school. I know how important keeping up her studies are. You dont suppose Addrian could give advice for how we can help her? I glance to our friend accompanying us, who looks expectantly at Ser Terry.

This response is one clearly not anticipated by Ser Terry, and he falters for half a beat, guiltily coming up with an excuse for us not to pry. Oh, um, no, I think shell have resolved everything by the time the advice could reach her.

Oh, thats too bad. Well, do you let her know that were willing to do what we can to help her. After all, I was rather grateful for how everyone expressed support when I was having trouble.

Why am I delighting in this charade? In pretending not to know that shes not anywhere near her family but holed up in some safehouse or another recovering from syranthuse poisoning? What, just because he has chosen again and again to not trust me enough to bring me into his little adventures? How churlish.

We make our way to our normal spot where we quickly order food and bring up the new assignment, but mostly just chatter about this and that until the food arrives.

So, Adrian says to me, a smile thats mostly friendly but with intense curiosity and hints of mischief, I heard your break was eventful.

I freeze as I go through all the things they could be refereeing to. Did they hear about the game with Monroe, or maybe somehow that I have a tower, or bought a house, or?

The Dagger! they laugh. Tell us about the Dagger. You didnt say you were in that deep with the royal family.

Oh, that I trail off, slightly embarrassed for not realizing what they were talking about immediately.

Oh, that, they laugh, far too earnestly for my preference, dont tell me you had something more pressing happen in the past week than getting handed what looked like a semi-divine athame directly by the Empress herself?

I shake my head, though admittedly theyre not wrong. Or rather, while getting the dagger might have been the most significant event, it did get drowned out with everything else going on. I suppose because of how little its been impacting me since. Its not like the dagger has done anything that forced my attention to it.

Ser Terry scrunches up his face in a combination of concern and confusion. Whats this about? he asks, looking between me and Adrian.

I shrug it off, attempting to make it seem like something that didnt terrify me when it was happening. The empress thought itd be amusing to give a major item to someone at random. Shes probably laughing at all the rumours it spawned at this very moment.

Dont make me report you for Lese-majeste, Addrian smirks playfully. Her majesty would never be so flippant with something so powerful.

I raise a questioning eyebrow. You know what it does then?

They shake their head. I only caught a glimpse with the Eye inverted, but it was bright enough to know it was major. That and the fact that its the athame she used in the ritual means she must have some purpose in giving it to you.

Ser Terry, who looks very much like hes getting overwhelmed by the revelation, raises his hand in protest at the speed of conversation progressing without him. Wait, start over. What are you talking about. What did you do that the empress is giving you gifts?

I lean back and shrug exasperatedly. I wish I knew. I didnt even know she knew my name until she called it out. I dont suppose your father said anything? I look back to Adrian.

They shake their head. He actually acted rather odd about it when I asked. In fact, he seemed irritated about the whole affair. I got the impression he disagreed with her majesty, but of course would never say so even to me. But its also one of the few times that he outright refused to tell me about something when asked. So, it cant be a random prank like you suggested. Hence my rather hoping you could tell me what was going on.

I nod and lightly bite my lip thoughtfully, then smile appreciatively. Thats good to know about your father, thankyou. If not a prank, then my only guess that makes any sense is that she had a far prophesy that I was part of, and the dagger is her attempt to influence the related events. Which, of course, is the most terrifying reason I could imagine for her giving me it.

Sensible, Emily chimes in, no one wants that much attention from the gods. So, can we see the alleged divine crime?

I hesitate, not wanting to draw the blade unnecessarily, but wither under her calm, patient but expectant smile. Sure, I say, placing the weapon on the table, careful to keep the blade from touching anything, just dont touch it. I dont really know what it does, and it has additional effects layered on from the ritual. I dont know what might trigger it.

Presumably cutting with it is required, Emily says, raising an amused eyebrow, but halting her hand mid reach.

I shrug, Presumably, but who knows. Only after saying this do I realize that part of the restriction was motivated from a strang unease I felt over another touching it. Odd, I didnt feel that way when John examined it. Perhaps the supposed bonding process has had more time to work, or maybe its because hes my client. It wouldnt be the first time that the patron client relationship had an influence on some of the more abstract magics.

Or maybe its not magic related at all and Im being possessive for reasons that come strictly from within. Though I couldnt imagine why I would feel that way over an item given by the enemy.

Chance, Emily says, her gaze far out in the tell tell sign of inverting the Eye, thats a lot of advanced symbols.

I nod, You recognize them?

Some, she nods. I thought itd be amusing to incorporate a three dimensional symbol or two into my cold box, but I couldnt figure out how to get it to work and ultimately it wasnt worth it. Still, maybe I could make something that even mundanes could use to make the frozen cream. Seems like a hassle to manage though. She trails off with a listless gaze into the distance and shrugs.

Well, Id certainly be happier if your cream was cheaper, I smirk, going for playfulness.

She chuckles, Who said anything about that?

I chuckle back, but turn my attention back to the blade. So, any idea what it does?

She smirks. It cuts things.

Heh, everyone with the same joke, I say, grinning.

She shakes her head, mirroring my expression. No idea then. I doubt even most experts would be able to tell.

Adrian nods in agreement. Especially with the illusion obscuring some of the symbols.

The what? I ask, snapping my head in an alarmed manner.

The Illusion blocking out some of the functions. Im sorry, did you not notice?

I shake my head. I guess I didnt pay too much attention since it was so far beyond me.

They shrug. I guess Im just more alert to the signs, given that its my area. Theres at least one illusion as part of the enchantment. So, I doubt even a highly skilled enchanter could tell you all of the functions.

Huh, I say, thinking back to Johns examination of it. you dont suppose that the Empress put them there specifically to thwart me from figuring it out, do you?

They shrug again. Who knows what actions could be prompted by a far prophecy, if one is really present.

You dont agree with the theory? I ask.

They shake their head. I defer judgement while hoping for anything else. It would be a very bad thing indeed for everyone if the empress started agitating her peers.

Even if the alternative is that she was playing a flippant prank? Emily asks.

They shrug. That would be bad for its own reasons, but not as bad as sparking a divine war, obviously.

I nod and turn to Ser Terry who has turn sullen as the mages have turned excited at seeing such an overly enchanted object.

You should get rid of it. Itll only bring you trouble. Pain too. He says, so seriously.

I try to smirk nonchalantly, all the reasons why I cant do just that floating through my head then falling flat in view of his serious tone that I cant quite bring myself to argue with. An evident concern in his voice that would harm me to dismiss. Yeah, youre probably right.

You cant! Erik says suddenly, breaking from his usual silence born of concentrating on an assignment whose concepts do not come naturally to him. It would be almost treasonous to discard a gift from her majesty!

I glance at him with rueful smile. Yeah I know that too. I guess dammed if I do and dammed if I dont.

I try to pass it off as a lighthearted and off handed comment, but Ser Terry sours anyways. Dont say that. Youre not dammed. Not yet at least.

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes to me. The conversation drifts along to other subjects, but Ser Terry keeps his overly serious countenance, prompting me to nudge my shoulder against his arm.

Hey, dont worry, I whisper, I know how to take care of myself. Besides, if the Empress is starting a divine war, better to have a blade than not; no?

He regards me and makes to speak, but just sighs and nods, a tension leaving him which brings a strange smile to the corner of my lips.

In the corner of my eye, I notice Emily noticing this exchange and smiling mysteriously at it. Uncertain as to the meaning of either her smile or his concern, I turn to the table and resume my work.

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