Chapter 282
Arhades was the first to depart, with Kyle following shortly after. Eileera waited for him outside, a carriage sitting patiently in front of the tunnel. He saw mana flowing behind her eyes, courtesy of his own Identify, and after she looked him over, Eileera nodded.
“You appear to be in good condition, Mr. Mayhew. I trust the conversation remained cordial?”
“It did,” Kyle said, looking at the carriage. “Though it left me with quite a bit to digest. I trust there would be no objections to me heading home a couple of days early?”
“Of course not,” Eileera replied smoothly. “The carriage will take you back to your residence. Send me a message when you are prepared to leave, and I will ensure the teleporter is prepared to take you back to the Hub.”
The conversation completed, Kyle returned to the lodge, contemplating the offer from Arhades.
Fortunately, he and C.H.A.D.D. didn’t have to contemplate alone.
“Kyle, next time you go on vacation, I’m going to have you put on house arrest.”
Suierrillax, predictably, wasn’t thrilled.
“There’s no way that this one is my fault,” Kyle said.
Suierrillax wasn’t deterred by his paltry self-defense. “I’m serious, Kyle. The Courier’s Guild is a major operation, and do you know how many other D Grades deal with stuff like this? None. Well, none that I’m aware of.”
[I ALSO FIND THE ODDS TO BE ASTRONOMICALLY LOW. DR. MAYHEW APPEARS TO BE UNIQUELY TALENTED AT BEING AT THE HEART OF BIZARRE ISSUES.]
“See? Even C.H.A.D.D. sees it. You’re lucky that you’re also uniquely talented at keeping me employed.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kyle replied dryly. “Now, if we’re done bullying the Courier, what do you think about Arhades’ offer? At first, I was ready to reject it wholesale, but I have to admit that I’m a bit interested.”
“You should be,” Suierrillax said with a snort. “As soon as you sent me the details, I looked into it. Talking with some friends, it looks like even the Mercenary’s Guild would have considered sending D Grades to clean it up. The readings are about as low as you can get for a C Grade, and it’s a great opportunity for those who want to grow their power.”
Kyle nodded along with Suierrillax’s explanation. The other part, which he hadn’t shared with his skrell handler, was the potential upgrade to his Adaptive Anatomy. Even including his Exoskeletal Strength, his raw physical power was still low, particularly for D Grades around his level. Given his specializations, that wasn’t necessarily a surprise. However, if he could shore it up without significantly more investment, it would only make sense to do so. Provided the rest of his due diligence added up, of course.
“Arhades talked about the Alabaster Court purchasing opportunities like this for their elites, is that true?”
“Stars above, Kyle, sometimes I forget how little you know about the broader universe. Yes, velgians do that. At least with their most promising up and comers. For somebody like Arhades, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up hunting C Grades almost exclusively as he’s on the journey. And, given that the Alabaster Court is the only organization outside the Archdrake Supremacy to have publicly brought people to A Grade within the last couple of centuries, I’m going to assume they at least know a bit of what they’re talking about.”
[DO THEY DO THE SAME WITH THEIR HIGH TIER C GRADES? ENCOURAGE THEM TO PROGRESS BY FIGHTING B GRADES?]
Suierrillax paused to think for a moment before responding. “I haven’t heard anything of the sort. Then and again, C Grade stuff is always kept so hush-hush, and B Grade even more so. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, though. Seems like the kind of thing those crazy people would do.”
[GIVEN THE UNIQUE CHANGE IN DR. MAYHEW’S PRESENCE AFTER FIGHTING C GRADES, AND ARHADES’ AURA, IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCE IS MEANINGFUL FOR THE PROGRESSION.]
“That’s all above my pay grade, C.H.A.D.D.,” Suierrillax said with a chuckle. “All I know is that Kyle here got a pretty serious invitation.”
“One that could come with serious consequences,” Kyle interjected. “We already know how the Verdant Republic responded to me. If I do this, I might end up getting even further estranged. Not to mention the responses from the Pillar and the Archdrake Supremacy. I’m honestly interested in pursuing this, but not at the cost of losing any and all jobs from the Courier’s Guild.”
“If I’m in your shoes, Kyle, I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Even if the Alabaster Court doesn’t hire out much, we still get plenty of opportunities from the Gray Conglomerate to keep you busy. Besides, Marcus sends enough business our way that we may end up making you a dedicated Courier for him when you’re looking for work.” Suierrillax paused for a moment, and Kyle could hear the telltale tapping of her pen against a desk.
“One more thing, Kyle. When it comes to organizations like the Verdant Republic, especially, I think it’s important to watch what they do, not just what they say. Officially, the practice of hunting C Grades by D Grades has been denounced. They also are in the process of working through one of the most significant cultural discoveries of the past four centuries, owing largely to the work of a Courier who violated that rule.
“You know as well as anybody how slowly things can work through their bureaucracy. Sure, they haven’t sent any more work your way in the last year, but they’ve also paid you handsomely for the last job. When it’s all said and done, I would be shocked if they didn’t have more work for you than before.”
Part of Kyle was relieved to hear that, though he also felt a pang of something else. Disappointment? Dismissing the thought, he got back on track. “So, you’re saying that I shouldn’t have to worry about issues with the Courier’s Guild if I accept this?”
“That’s right,” Suierrillax replied. “Although you’ve got me on the scent of some other research. What the hell could Arhades have done to get a favor owed by a dragon? That doesn’t happen too often.”
Kyle snorted. “Neither does having your uncles sabotage a nobody’s Practicum. But here we are.”
“Yeah, that was strange, too. A lot going on with that family, and I don’t think it would hurt for us to know more. I’m going to chase down some of those leads, and keep you updated with what I find.”
“Please do,” Kyle said, also curious. He believed that Arhades had told the truth, but the motivation from the uncles just seemed too… shallow. Fortunately, Suierrillax had proven quite adept at making connections and gathering intel. And when she tells Jarberry about it, I’m sure he’ll do some investigating of his own.
“Is there anything else you need from me?” Suierrillax asked.
“No, I appreciate the insight,” Kyle said. “I’m going to chew on it a little longer, and I’ll let you know what I decide. Thank you again.”
“The pleasure is all yours,” Suierrillax said, and Kyle could hear her smile through the nav bracelet as the conversation ended.
[YOU SEEM CONFLICTED, DR. MAYHEW.]
“I am,” Kyle said. “I want to go. I want to keep getting stronger. But part of me can’t help but wonder if it’s wise to risk the lifestyle we have now. What if Suierrillax is wrong? What if we get cut out?”
[DR. MAYHEW, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO SUIERRILLAX IF YOU WERE NO LONGER EMPLOYED BY THE COURIER’S GUILD?]
“She would probably be looking for new work,” Kyle said.
[AND DO YOU BELIEVE SHE WANTS TO LOOK FOR NEW WORK?]
“Of course not,” Kyle replied, getting the point.
[I AM INCLINED TO AGREE WITH HER ASSESSMENT. AFTER EVERYTHING YOU INVESTED IN ME, THIS IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD GIVE UP.]
Kyle smiled at C.H.A.D.D.’s words. The drone made a good point, and the sense of resolve coming through their bond was powerful.
“I’m not sure that we’ll get much time for you to practice if we’re hunting alongside Arhades,” Kyle offered.
[I HAVE PLENTY OF PROJECTS TO KEEP ME BUSY. AND NOW THAT I CAN FLY AGAIN, THERE ARE A FEW NEW DESIGNS I CAN DEVELOP. ASSUMING YOU HAVE SOME MANA TO SPARE, OF COURSE.]
“Then it sounds like we have a plan.”
[YOU STILL SEEM TROUBLED, DR. MAYHEW.]
“Do you remember what Arhades said, when I asked him about his goals?”
[CERTAINLY. IT WAS A POWERFUL STATEMENT.]
“To be honest, C.H.A.D.D., sometimes I wonder what we’re working towards.” Kyle felt a phantom pain across his stomach, and his hand traced the scars over his shirt out of instinct. “I know the things we want to accomplish, but I don’t know if we’ll get there. Then I hear Arhades talk about reaching A Grade, defeating the two strongest mercenaries in his Guild, and reforming an entire civilization as if he’s describing a lunch menu. If nothing else, I’m jealous of his conviction.”
[MARCUS GAVE A REASONABLE WARNING ABOUT THE DANGERS OF TOO MUCH AMBITION, IF MEMORY SERVES.]
“He did,” Kyle acknowledged. “And he knows he was being hypocritical when he said it. I do feel restless, I want to keep getting stronger. I want to grow. But I can’t help but think about the hurdles in the way.”
Kyle shivered, stabilizing his breath. “I can still remember everything about him, C.H.A.D.D. I remember how overwhelming his power was, how weak we were. Zierlan and the riftwyrm are connected somehow. Getting strong enough to find the answers I want means putting us on a collision course with him. And I don’t have the confidence that we’ll be able to win.”
[SO WHAT?]
The question took Kyle off guard, and he perked his head up.
[I AGREE THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT YOU WILL BE AS POWERFUL AS ZIERLAN BEFORE THE SANCTION WEARS OFF. WHY DOES THAT MATTER? IF ZIERLAN WAS UNBEATABLE, HE WOULD NOT BE BOTHERED BY THE COLLECTIVE AT ALL. CONTINUE TO MAKE POWERFUL ALLIES, BUILD CONNECTIONS, AND YOU MAY NEVER HAVE TO FACE HIM YOURSELF AT ALL. YOU WILL STILL HAVE THE COLLECTIVE TO LEAN BACK ON. PURSUING YOUR ANSWERS DOES NOT HAVE TO PUT YOU INTO AN UNWINNABLE FIGHT.]
“I hope you’re right, C.H.A.D.D. I really do.”
Kyle heard the arguments; understood the points. Still, he was haunted by the image of that violet eye. One thing was certain, though. There was time before he would have to confront that monster again. Time in which he could develop.
[HEALING IS A JOURNEY, DR. MAYHEW. WE WILL GET THERE, TOGETHER. NOW, SEND MR. ARHADES YOUR MESSAGE.]
Kyle smiled as he pulled up the information on his nav bracelet. While he didn’t share Arhades’ conviction in his goals, not yet, he had incredible support behind him.
Arhades,
I’m in. Let’s go deal with some C Grades.
-Kyle Mayhew