Quilling...
Quilling...
Chapter 1.10
The city guards Relc and Klbkch confront and capture the fugitive mage Pisces inside The Wandering Inn. Just as Relc is about to kill him, Erin Solstice intervenes, invoking her inn's legal independence to save Pisces's life. After the guards are forced to leave, Erin promptly orders the mage out of her inn.
The chapter begins with Erin Solstice discovering that the mage, Pisces, has been hiding upstairs in her inn the entire time. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of two members of Liscor's City Watch, the Drake Relc and the Antinium Klbkch, who have tracked the fugitive to the inn.
Pisces is immediately identified as a wanted Necromancer. Relc attacks without hesitation, and a brief but intense fight breaks out inside the inn, causing significant damage to the furniture. Despite being a Mage, Pisces is no match for the experienced guardsmen. He uses a [Barrier of Air] spell, but Relc easily shatters it and subdues him, holding a sword to his throat.
Just as Relc is about to execute Pisces, Erin Solstice intervenes. She places herself between the guard and the mage, declaring that The Wandering Inn is her property and not part of Liscor. She asserts that as an [Innkeeper], she has the right to grant sanctuary and that their authority as guards does not extend to her establishment. Klbkch, the senior officer, confirms that her claim is legally sound, as the inn lies outside the city's official jurisdiction.
Forced to comply with the law, Klbkch orders a furious Relc to stand down. After a tense standoff, the guards depart, with Klbkch apologizing for the mess. Left alone with the mage she just saved, Erin's relief quickly turns to anger. She hits Pisces over the head with a pot and orders him to get out of her inn.
The guardsmen Relc and Klbkch arrive at The Wandering Inn, having successfully tracked the fugitive mage Pisces, who was hiding upstairs.
Relc attacks Pisces, who attempts to defend himself with magic. The experienced guard quickly overpowers the mage, shattering his magical barrier and holding him at swordpoint.
Small inn where Erin is present; currently occupied by her. Noted by the Watch as having been abandoned years ago but Erin is using it; the Drake and Klbkch enter here to investigate.
aka the inn, Abandoned hilltop inn +16
A branch of magic dealing with the dead, considered dangerous and illegal.
aka [Necromancer], [Necromancers] +2
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +38
To prevent Relc from killing Pisces, Erin Solstice declares that her inn is outside Liscor's jurisdiction and that the guards have no authority on her property.
Klbkch confirms that Erin's legal claim is valid, much to Relc's fury. He orders his partner to release Pisces, upholding the law and the inn's status as a sanctuary.
Unable to make an arrest, Klbkch and a furious Relc leave The Wandering Inn, leaving Pisces behind under Erin's protection.
Instead of offering permanent sanctuary, an angry Erin hits Pisces with a pot and orders him to leave her inn immediately after saving his life.
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the mage, Mister Mage +18
A general class for any individual who practices magic.
aka [Mage], [Mages] +1
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +4
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +18
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +3
A famed academy of magic where Pisces studies.
aka Wistram, the Academy
A skill, likely used via an artifact or scroll, to determine a person's class.
aka [Appraisal]
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +3
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka Drake, lizards +2
Local armed watchmen; Klbkch and Relc are members and present at Erin's table examining her injury.
aka the Watch, guards +17
A martial civic class for members of the city’s guard, denoting training and authority to patrol and enforce law.
aka Guardsman, [Guardswoman] +9
A defensive spell that creates a shimmering, powerful wall of wind.
aka [Barrier of Air]
“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!”
“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 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.”
“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?”
“Are you stupid? I don’t want anyone killing anyone! You can’t do it! I forbid it! It’s wrong! It’s illegal.”
“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. There are laws, and you have to follow them. If this isn’t the first time you’ve done something like this, you could get a permanent citation on your record.”
“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?”
“If I had a knife in my hand, I’d stab you.”
“Move and I will stab you.”
“No fighting. Not here. And no killing!”
“Not likely. I’m gutting you like a fish right here.”
“Nice last words. But remember—your Necromancer died here. Miles from this very spot. The Tidebreaker was his end.”
“I withdraw my testimony.”
“Prove it.”
“…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.”
“Still don’t care. I don’t need money if I can get rid of a stinking fleshbag like 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! There’s no mercy for my kind here. The legacy of the Necromancer of Terandria, Az’kerash, lingers. Especially here, where his armies once sieged Liscor.”
“I don’t care! No killing, do you hear me?”
“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.”
“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.”
“Prove. It. Can you? Is there a way to check his, uh, class?”
“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?”
“Males.”
“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.”
“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.”
“What? No! No killing! Do you hear me?”
“You punched his brains out! That’s not enough to kill him over!”
“I was, in fact, upstairs the entire time. Under a bed. It was the simplest solution given the intelligence of those two brutish guardsmen.”
“By that? You think a piddly little [Barrier of Air] spell is going to stop me?”
“Then I’ll arrest him, and he’ll be executed tomorrow. Happy?”
“I could still arrest him for attacking me. Yeah. I’ll just do that. Who cares about testimony or whatever?”
“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.”
“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—”
“Wait—what did she just say? Jurisdic—we don’t do that, do we, Klb? Buddy?”
“Humans!”
“But he’s still a [Necromancer]! That’s a crime no matter what he does! And he attacked us!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I—I seek no quarrel with you. I am a graduate of Wistram Academy and a practicing mage. You detain me at your peril.”
“No, he’s an idiot. But he didn’t do anything wrong enough to die for. All he did was try to scare me.”
“Ah, but what good innkeeper would deprive herself of such a magnificent guest?”
“I am a man in desperate straits. You would do well not to underestimate what I am capable of.”
“Antagonizing one of my power is unwise. If you have any sense, you will accede to my request. Or know the consequences.”
“Last words, [Mage]?”
“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—”
“Of course I wouldn’t do that. I’m no barbarian—”
“Yes, you can. You have no cause whatsoever to arrest Pisces.”
“Absolutely.”
“What? Then let’s arrest her too!”
“Oh no. Absolutely not. You’re all wrong, Klbkch.”
“She is correct. Without her testimony, we cannot submit a report regarding his attempted thefts.”
“So it would appear.”
“I can be ransomed. Quite highly! My school will pay ten—thirty gold coins in whichever denomination you like for my return.”
“Regardless of your affiliation to any academy, you are still under arrest. Please surrender now or I will be forced to employ lethal force.”
“You want something. What? To stay here? No. Nope. No way in hell.”
“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—”
“He hit me with lightning!”
“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.”
“Klb! Get over here and help! This guy’s slipperier than he looks!”
“Is useless. Surrender.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“In point of fact, my comrade’s actions are not—”
“Out.”
“…No. Not without an artifact. Klb, you got an [Appraisal] scroll?”
“I do not believe I am.”
“Out.”
“Then go. Now.”
“Shut up.”
“Except here.”
“I know.”
“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—”
“Please, spare my life. If you have any pity in your soul—”
“That is well. Then, please stand clear. We will be going about our business, and I would not wish you hurt.”
“Money is shiny. But, uh, inedible. And it’s good to have money, but starvation is an issue.”
“No. Out.”
“Well—well too bad.”
“Stop moving! Hey!”
“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.”
“Good.”
“Why should I? Give me one good reason, Pisces.”
“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?”
“No!”
“I don’t know how I can thank you, good M—Miss Erin. Please, accept my humblest—”
“You can’t do that!”
“No, I can’t.”
“I assure you, you will never see—”
“Klb—help me out here!”
“Now, now. Let’s not be hasty, good Mistress. I was merely saying—”
“Gutting? Hey, that’s—”
“He’s a criminal.”
“Males. They eat and eat and eat. And then I have to clean up the dishes. Typical.”
“Relc never said—”
“—Allow me to apologize. But if I might say a few words—”
“Hey!”
“Please, please, good Mistress, let’s not be hasty!”
“Gotcha!”
“Where did you come from? I didn’t hear you come in through the door.”
“Please, please reconsider.”
“There you are!”
“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—”
“Desist your actions or—”
“I—I give up.”
“So I’m in trouble.”
“Good job, I guess. But they’re still going to find you. You’re a criminal, and you’ve got nowhere to hide.”
“No. Go.”
“You squirming—”
“Can she?”
“You what?”
“What?”
“What?”
“Would you turn away an innocent—”
“I—”
“Are you—what’s—I’m good. Good.”
“Don’t be hasty!”
“Gewil—”
“Pantry? Pantry is empty. Food? Food is gone. And money—”
“My magic—”
“Cooperate?”
“Aren’t there some more blue fruits around here? Here? No…here? Yep. Nice and wrinkled. Lovely.”
“And you’re telling me all this…why?”
“Surrender?”
“I—I—”
“But he’s—”
“And I’m out of ingredients.”
“No.”
“What?”
“No.”
“Hey.”
“Men.”
“What?”