Death Dealers

Understanding

The door to his room burst open. The woman next to him squealed and pulled a pillow to herself. He had been expecting this visit since the unexpected excursion to the southern seas. He reached over and grabbed one of the purses on the stand and tossed it to the woman. “You can get your clothes in the morning, for your trouble.” He said, not caring that the money in the purse was likely more than the woman made in a month. He had more.

Since he had been in town he had removed two merchants that were informing other nations about activities in the empire. He had taken the liberty of replenishing his coffers and had opened up a bank account to store more wealth.

“Why don’t you come in, Mari, thanks for knocking.” He said dryly.

Mari watched the w***e leave, the woman gave her an assessing look but said nothing, she had been paid well. After the woman cleared the room, Mari closed the door and used her magic to repair the broken bar.

She turned and grabbed the wineskin from the small table and took a swig. “What in the twelve regions of the abyss just happened? I was with a beautiful trio when I was suddenly sucked into a f*****g war!”

“That was a simple battle, dear...Only six ships were involved. You did well by the way.”

She glared at him and took another swig of wine. “Come, I’ll explain everything in the morning, we might as well get sleep for what is left of the night.” He said.

“Fine!” She released the belt on her robe and let it fall to the floor.

“Ah, you're naked.”

“So are you and she was also. I promise not to defile your precious honor.” She said as she climbed over him and settled where the w***e had just vacated.

“Tomorrow you will explain to me what happened. Tonight I just want to feel safe.” She said.

***

“ I thought the vault was simply a source of power, I didn’t know it could throw us across the world,” Mari stated, as she took a bite of eggs.

“The vault isn’t easily defined...can’t you feel it within you? It is alive and it has a will. It hid for five thousand years and it chose to call me. I don’t know why. I didn’t expect last night, I think the vault used a connection I made with Esrea to defend her ship. It was unexpected, but I believe it means that if any of us is in trouble the vault will send its other members to them.”

“We don’t have a choice.” She asked

He shrugged. “We may, it may have been that I didn’t know how to set up the spell properly.”

“Could you figure that out?” she asked.

“I’ll work on that, My lady.” He said with a smile.

“I’m not a lady, but thanks for the sentiment. I know you meant no disrespect.” Mari said.

Gareth nodded. “I’ll remember that. I need to look into the spell and see if it can be edited. I’ll need to get into the Hand’s building here to achieve this. We need to go there anyway because I need to make you official.”

“So you’re taking me as a paramour.” She said with a smile.

“No, you i***t, I’m taking you as an apprentice. That is if they give me permission.” He replied.

“What will happen if they don’t let you take me as an apprentice?” She asked with a hint of fear in her voice.

“You are a free woman now, and vault, you are mine. They can’t take you from me, but naming you an apprentice gives you some legal protections.” He answered. “It will also raise my rank in the guild. Only a master can take an apprentice.” He paused for a moment, stirring his food. “Follow my lead in the temple, our ways can be strange.”

***

Her job as a second mate kept her too busy to worry about the upcoming trial. The fleet had diverted to Arngelstad to refit and re-provision. Six ships had been severely hit by the ambush, but it was still being called a victory. She had lost everything, including her innocents.

She looked up as someone knocked on the door to her cabin. The one thing she had actually gained was privacy. Constance stepped in before waiting for a response. “You asked to see me.” She stated.

“I need to kill a wizard without getting in any more trouble, do you have a suggestion?” She asked.

“You could always try Eva’s cooking,” Constance said with a smile.

Esrea shook her head. “I prefer not to torture, I’m not that depraved.”

“What seems to be the trouble with our esteemed wizard?” Constance asked.

“I asked for answers and she gave me this,” Esrea said, tossing a book to her bed.

“Careful, those are expensive...that isn’t a supply manifest.”

“I know, I can understand a supply manifest,” Esrea replied.

Constance sat down on the only other stool in the small room. “Walk me through your problem.”

“I’m vault, I’ve known it since I was ten, but I don’t know what it means. Until now being in the vault just made me better...I could outperform anyone at anything, but now I need to defend myself and I must prove that the vault can control me, I don’t believe I killed those creatures. It is out of character.”

“You told me you’d be able to kill to save someone,” Constance stated.

“I didn’t kill, I slaughtered and I went hunting. That is not in my nature.” Esrea encased herself in her spirit armor and drew the black spirit blades. “I didn’t even know I could do this.” She added.

Constance nodded. “It is possible something manipulated you, but can you prove that?”

“No, that is what’s frustrating. I have a ship to run.” She said as she stood. “Thanks for listening.”

“Esrea, you are vault, some callings supersede all others. Everyone sees you as a hero, only you second guess your actions.”

“If I’m a hero, why is there to be a trial?” She asked.

“Politics...dear...politics,” Constance said as she left the room.