Chapter 1.10
1.10
Erin Solstice discovers a fugitive [Mage], Pisces, hiding in her inn, only for the guards Relc and Klbkch to burst in and capture him. When Relc attempts to execute Pisces, Erin intervenes, successfully declaring her inn sovereign territory and forcing the guards to leave empty-handed.
Summary
Erin Solstice surveys her meager earnings and realizes that despite having money, her pantry is empty and she has no food. Her contemplation is interrupted by a voice from her pantry, revealing a man named Pisces who has been hiding there. A tense standoff ensues, with Erin grabbing a knife while Pisces, admitting his desperation, warns her not to underestimate him.
Pisces begins to explain his plight, hinting that he is a [Necromancer] and that the guards, specifically Klbkch, know the grim fate that awaits those of his kind. As he pleads with Erin for sanctuary for just one night, the inn door bursts open. Relc and Klbkch enter, revealing they had been waiting for the criminal to show himself. They swiftly attack and subdue Pisces.
During the struggle, Relc's temper flares, and he declares his intention to execute Pisces on the spot rather than take him back to Liscor. Just as he is about to strike the final blow, Erin intervenes, placing her knife at Relc's neck and telling him to stop. She argues that as her inn is outside the city walls, it is an independent establishment where Liscor's laws and The Watch have no jurisdiction.
While Relc is furious and dismissive, Klbkch acknowledges the validity of Erin's legal claim. He forces Relc to stand down, and the two guards leave the inn without their prisoner. After saving his life, Erin promptly kicks Pisces out, telling him he can return in the morning, establishing a complex dynamic of protection without friendship.
Major Events
A Fugitive Hiding in the Pantry
While worrying about her lack of food, Erin Solstice discovers a man named Pisces hiding in her kitchen pantry. A tense confrontation occurs as Pisces reveals his desperate situation.
The Watch Captures Pisces
Just as Pisces begs for sanctuary, Relc and Klbkch burst into the inn, having anticipated his location. They quickly ambush and capture the fugitive [Mage].
Erin Intervenes to Save Pisces
Erin steps between Relc and Pisces, threatening the guardsman with a knife to stop the killing. She argues that The Watch has no authority in her establishment.
The Inn is Declared Sovereign Territory
Erin successfully argues that her inn is legally independent from Liscor. Klbkch concedes the point, forcing a furious Relc to release Pisces and leave.
Pisces is Banished from the Inn
Immediately after saving his life, Erin kicks Pisces out of her inn for the night, establishing her role as his protector but not his friend.
Major Appearances
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the young woman +20
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the young man, the mage +2
A guardsman referenced by a rookie as likely getting punishment duty for breaking windows.
aka Guardsman Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc +6
An Antinium Senior Guardsman in the city’s watch; arrives at Erin’s door and greets her.
aka Senior Guardsman Klbkch, ant-man +12
Referenced
Entities by Type
Quotes
“Men.”
“Males. They eat and eat and eat. And then I have to clean up the dishes. Typical.”
“Pantry? Pantry is empty. Food? Food is gone. And money—”
“Money is shiny. But, uh, inedible. And it’s good to have money, but starvation is an issue.”
“Aren’t there some more blue fruits around here? Here? No…here? Yep. Nice and wrinkled. Lovely.”
“So it would appear.”
“If I had a knife in my hand, I’d stab you.”
“I am a man in desperate straits. You would do well not to underestimate what I am capable of.”
“So, what? If I don’t decide to help you, will you hurt me? Bash my brains in? Or will you just rip my clothes off and try to rape me?”
“Move and I will stab you.”
“He didn’t want to tell you the truth! But he and I both know what happens to [Necromancers]. We—any mage possessing even a single level in the class—are all killed on sight in this part of the world!”
“Please, I beg of you. Just one night. Just give me sanctuary, and I swear I will be gone upon the morrow. It is my death without your aid. Would you kill me? I ask you as a fellow Human. Please.”
“Gotcha!”
“There you are!”
“Please forgive my rudeness. Are you well? We doubled back and lingered, knowing the criminal may have only pretended to flee the area. Are you hurt or in need of assistance?”
“Klb! Get over here and help! This guy’s slipperier than he looks!”
“[Barrier of Air]!”
“I—I seek no quarrel with you. I am a graduate of Wistram Academy and a practicing mage. You detain me at your peril.”
“Regardless of your affiliation to any academy, you are still under arrest. Please surrender now or I will be forced to employ lethal force.”
“I—I give up.”
“Not likely. I’m gutting you like a fish right here.”
“I assure you, my life is worth far more than you would ever get for me dead. This can all be solved amicably. I will fully cooperate—”
“That’s what I think of your spells. I’m a former soldier of the 4th Wing of the Liscorian Army. I’ve killed more [Mages] than you have levels. Now, are you going to die quiet or will I have to pay for painting the walls red with your blood?”
“I can be ransomed. Quite highly! My school will pay ten—thirty gold coins in whichever denomination you like for my return.”
“What? No! No killing! Do you hear me?”
“Last words, [Mage]?”
“I have only ever done what I loved. Slay me as well, you thoughtless fools. Just like all of my kind. One day—one of us will follow Az’kerash.”
“Nice last words. But remember—your Necromancer died here. Miles from this very spot. The Tidebreaker was his end.”
“I know.”
“No fighting. Not here. And no killing!”
“I don’t care! You don’t kill people just because they practice stupid magic! And you don’t kill people just because you don’t like them! And you don’t kill people because killing people is wrong!”
“But he’s—”
“He’s a criminal.”
“No, he’s an idiot. But he didn’t do anything wrong enough to die for. All he did was try to scare me.”
“He hit me with lightning!”
“You punched his brains out! That’s not enough to kill him over!”
“I can’t believe this. Are you defending him? Because he’s Human? Or do you not want the blood in here? In that case, I’ll take him out back and—”
“Are you stupid? I don’t want anyone killing anyone! You can’t do it! I forbid it! It’s wrong! It’s illegal.”
“In point of fact, my comrade’s actions are not—”
“I don’t care! No killing, do you hear me?”
“Then I’ll arrest him, and he’ll be executed tomorrow. Happy?”
“I withdraw my testimony.”
“She is correct. Without her testimony, we cannot submit a report regarding his attempted thefts.”
“Prove. It. Can you? Is there a way to check his, uh, class?”
“You do that—and I’ll tell all the people who vouched for you that Senior Guardsman Relc arrested someone after a fight he started. You have no proof, no testimony, and I’m pretty sure if you arrest him, that’s illegal.”
“I believe Senior Guardsman Relc does have just cause, Miss Erin Solstice. It is true that his personal sworn testimony would be called into question if you were to speak against him. [Detect Truth] spells would settle that matter, but Relc’s history of inappropriate conduct on-and-off-duty does not help his case.”
“Oh yeah? Oh yeah? Well, this is outside your jurisdiction! You said it yourself—you don’t patrol my inn! Therefore, it is my inn, and I deny your city’s authority here!”
“…I believe I am incorrect. Relc, the Watch has no authority here. This is an independent inn, and the [Innkeeper] is allowed to deny our authority here.”
“Humans!”
“And I'm out of ingredients.”
“So I'm in trouble.”
“Ah, but what good innkeeper would deprive herself of such a magnificent guest?”
“Please, please, good Mistress, let's not be hasty!”
“Where did you come from? I didn't hear you come in through the door.”
“I was, in fact, upstairs the entire time. Under a bed. It was the simplest solution given the intelligence of those two brutish guardsmen.”
“Good job, I guess. But they're still going to find you. You're a criminal, and you've got nowhere to hide.”
“Except here.”
“Please, hear me out. Rest assured, I bear you no ill will for reporting my actions to the guard. I fully appreciate the severity of my crimes, however—”
“You want something. What? To stay here? No. Nope. No way in hell.”
“I assure you I would be a quite convivial guest. And I wouldn't ask for much. In fact, you may be interested to know I am proficient in multiple schools of spellcasting. While necromancy is a—passion of mine, I have extensively studied the elementalist, illusory, and enchanting schools of magic. My level is over twenty in the general [Mage] class. Even amongst my fellow students, you would be hard-pressed to find a spellcaster as widely capable as I am. I can aid in a number of functions that would improve your inn. And I have money.”
“And you're telling me all this...why?”
“In point of fact, I was wondering if I might persuade you to shelter and provide me with my basic necessities while in this moment of dire need. I can provide you with adequate recompense, I assure you—”
“Right, for how long? Days? Weeks? Months? And I get to feed you, make sure no one finds you, and clean up after you? Again: no. I'm barely getting enough food for myself as it is.”
“Would you turn away an innocent—”
“Innocent? You? You're nothing more than a thug with a magic wand. Remember how we met? You tried to scare me into giving you food. And now you want protection because you're getting your just desserts? No. No, when I see Relc again, you'd better be long gone from here. And if you don't leave now, I'll kick you out myself.”
“Antagonizing one of my power is unwise. If you have any sense, you will accede to my request. Or know the consequences.”
“Of course I wouldn't do that. I'm no barbarian—”
“Good.”
“Now, now. Let's not be hasty, good Mistress. I was merely saying—”
“—Allow me to apologize. But if I might say a few words—”
“No. Out.”
“Please, please reconsider.”
“No.”
“Why should I? Give me one good reason, Pisces.”
“If I am caught, they will take me to the city. And there I will be judged and killed. This is a certainty, Mistress Erin.”
“Relc never said—”
“Well—well too bad.”
“Even if you're in danger, I'm in danger if I hide you. I'm not doing that. Run away. Just run away now.”
“They will have patrols out around the city. They will scour the grasslands for me. Please, if you were to hide me, I would be sure to survive.”
“No. Go.”
“Please, spare my life. If you have any pity in your soul—”
“What?”
“Are you—what's—I'm good. Good.”
“That is well. Then, please stand clear. We will be going about our business, and I would not wish you hurt.”
“Stop moving! Hey!”
“Desist your actions or—”
“You squirming—”
“My magic—”
“Is useless. Surrender.”
“Surrender?”
“Gutting? Hey, that's—”
“Don't be hasty!”
“Cooperate?”
“I will cease all magic and go with you quietly if you assure my life. I meant no harm to you or your companion. But we are at an impasse until you do.”
“By that? You think a piddly little [Barrier of Air] spell is going to stop me?”
“Still don't care. I don't need money if I can get rid of a stinking fleshbag like you.”
“I—I—”
“Gewil—”
“Hey!”
“Stop that! Put the weapons away and get out.”
“What?”
“No!”
“You what?”
“I withdraw it. All of it. I was never attacked yesterday. This mage-guy never visited the inn, and I never saw him until today. So there's no reason for you to arrest him.”
“You can't do that!”
“Can she?”
“But he's still a [Necromancer]! That's a crime no matter what he does! And he attacked us!”
“Prove it.”
“What?”
“...No. Not without an artifact. Klb, you got an [Appraisal] scroll?”
“No.”
“Then go. Now.”
“Are you serious? One word to our Watch Captain and she'll send a patrol back to capture this idiot! And if we don't arrest him, you have a [Necromancer] running around! You want us to let him go knowing his class?”
“Absolutely.”
“I could still arrest him for attacking me. Yeah. I'll just do that. Who cares about testimony or whatever?”
“No, I can't.”
“Yes, you can. You have no cause whatsoever to arrest Pisces.”
“Klb—help me out here!”
“Hey.”
“However. As Senior Guardsman Klbkch, I will vouch for my partner to take this Human into custody for unlawful practices which include extortion, theft, and intimidation, which we have every right to suspect, with or without your testimony.”
“Oh no. Absolutely not. You're all wrong, Klbkch.”
“I do not believe I am.”
“Wait—what did she just say? Jurisdic—we don't do that, do we, Klb? Buddy?”
“What? Then let's arrest her too!”
“That would be inadvisable, Relc. We are off-duty, and Miss Solstice has stated her case. Executing a [Mage] of Wistram might also affect the Academy's relationship with our city. Which the Council and Watch Captain would not be happy about.”
“You take one step in the city and I'll—I'll—you take one step in there and I'll do something about it. If I so much as see you on my patrol—”
“I assure you, you will never see—”
“Shut up.”
“Do not mind him. You are within your rights to enforce law within this establishment as you choose. I apologize for the mess on both our behalves.”
“I don't know how I can thank you, good M—Miss Erin. Please, accept my humblest—”
“Out.”
“What?”
“Out.”
“Males.”