46 – The Vault

While the Codex of the Hollowed Sun had occupied their initial attention, the rest of the vault had plenty of lesser—if still astounding—treasures to sift through. Mae especially lost herself in the process of rummaging around in the storage cabinets, shelves, and drawers, oohing and aahing at each alchemical reagent she identified.

Jasper, meanwhile, had walked over to a pedestal with a glass container. He stared blankly at the three blocky shapes of silvery-blue material.

“Those are ingots of starmetal,” he said blandly.

Vivi’s attention drifted over. Sensing an opportunity to deliver long overdue payback, she walked up next to him. Eyes bored, she looked down at the bars of metal.

“Only small ones,” she pointed out.

He looked at her. Opened his mouth to reply. Closed it.

“Yeah. Just…small ones.”

“It makes for excellent silverware,” she commented, then turned and walked away.

She felt him staring at her back. “That was a joke, right? Hey, that was a joke, right?”

Rafael’s attention turned to Vivi as she approached.

“I have a situation I need help with.”

“A lesser demon would run screaming at such words,” Rafael replied. “I merely tremble, instead. How may this humble steward serve you, my lady?”

She eyed him. “I mentioned my apprentice, right?”

“You did.”

“She got into some trouble at Meridian. It’s why she was in Prismarche.”

He digested that, then said, “She fled across the entire continent? Not a small amount of trouble, then.”

“I don’t know the exact details, but no. In short, the Caldimore family got her expelled from the Institute…though maybe deservedly?” For all that Vivi knew Saffra had a good heart, it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility that she bore some guilt for what she’d been accused of. “But I doubt it. I think something more is going on. She allegedly attacked Isabella Caldimore, and was accused of other things too—I don’t know exactly what—but I suspect most if not all were fabricated. I have no proof.”

Rafael took the explanation in stride. “The Caldimores. If I made a list of five families to avoid, politically speaking, theirs would be on it. Perhaps at the top. I’ve heard no request, though. Does she have a bounty that needs clearing?”

“Nothing like that. I think, legally speaking, she was released with the expulsion. But someone she knew, a gold-rank adventurer, wasn’t happy when he heard what had happened, and—made a scene. He insulted the Duke and was thrown in a cell. He’s been imprisoned for six months, and I want him freed.”

Rafael hummed. “Duke Caldimore is not one to let slights slip past his family. A prickly man. And it sounds like he has the legal high ground. This could be difficult to resolve.” Strangely, the demon smiled. “Ah, the old days have returned in earnest. Though I’m surprised you didn’t free him yourself, Lady Vivisari, and leave me scrambling to pick up the pieces. Have you grown wiser in your time away? Or did you pity your steward for once?”

Vivi knew she was being teased, but justifiably so. Because it might have gone that way. Somewhat embarrassed, she admitted, “I went and checked on him. He was being treated well for a prisoner.” By the standards of this world, at least. “I might’ve taken things into my own hands if that hadn’t been the case.”

“I expect little else, however much I will advise you to act with moderation,” Rafael said, only seeming amused. “Now more than ever. You will not escape the repercussions of your actions in the same manner you once could. There are no remaining Cataclysms for the powers that be to justify a rogue element of your strength doing as she pleases.”

“I know,” Vivi said, though she knew she didn’t, not really. The scale of her problems was—too big to contextualize. They didn’t fit in her head. She was one of the most important people in the world now? That was much too ridiculous to be true.

“But yes. Duke Caldimore is famously touchy when it comes to his family’s honor,” Rafael said. “That said, he is a rational actor from what I’ve observed and the profile I’ve put together. He would not dig his heels in if the detriments grossly outweigh the benefits—pride or not. Thus, I believe there are a number of ways we could exert pressure. I hesitate to do so with either of our names, however, which complicates things. The time is not right to announce your return, or Vanguard’s, and my name would dredge up questions—why am I involved? A solution depends on how deep the insult offered was, or the nature of the grudge against your apprentice.”

“I don’t know the details. I’m still looking into it. But William and the Duke have interacted before. He was in the Wardens. He said something about one of his teammates not being healed after a serious injury, when the guild should’ve helped? Contractually? It upset enough people that Duke Caldimore met with him personally, though they didn’t come to a resolution.”

“The story jogs a memory,” Rafael said, frowning. “Hm. Regardless. I imagine a properly sufficient donation would solve this problem. There should be no need to rely on political weight, much less force. Coin is a panacea for many things. Upsetting, perhaps, rewarding the Caldimores fiscally, but nevertheless the most efficient solution.” He shrugged. “If this is unacceptable, and there is need for more direct approaches, remember: you borrow the name Keresi. They are honored to stand behind you, and their influence is not insignificant.”

“If you think a bribe is enough, let’s start there.” She hesitated. “But quickly, please?” She felt awkward asking him to rush when he was doing her a favor, but it wasn’t really a favor—it was his role as Vanguard’s steward. Still, she wasn’t used to demanding things of people. “I’m worried Saffra will want to see him, and then she’ll find out what happened. She’ll blame herself, and—” She sighed and waved a hand, not wanting to finish.

“It will be handled with the utmost expedience,” Rafael said coolly.

“Thank you. And speaking of Saffra, I need advice there too.”

Rafael raised an eyebrow.

“She doesn’t know who I am. I’m debating whether to tell her. The only reason I haven’t—” Beyond her natural awkwardness and not knowing how to approach that conversation, “—is because it’ll change how she sees me. I was thinking it’s better to get to know her without revealing it.”

She would have talked with Tilly about this, but she, of course, had no idea that Vivi was the legendary savior of the world either.

Rafael considered. “Children are not my specialty,” he said. “But I see nothing incorrect with your logic. Knowing that her master is the Sorceress would, indeed, drastically alter how she perceives you. Establishing a relationship beforehand could be beneficial.” He shrugged. “Equally so, it might be seen as deception. Regardless of the rationale or reasonability of hiding your title. Emotions are not logical; children are not; people are not.”

That wasn’t the most useful advice, but of course there was no cut-and-dried answer. She could only use her best judgment…and in this case, she really did think that getting to know Saffra for at least a few days, if not weeks, was smart. It set her somewhat at ease that Rafael didn’t disagree.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Vivi’s eyes drifted to Mae and Jasper. Mae was still rummaging through the vault and arranging reagents on a shelf. Jasper had been appropriated as an extra pair of hands, obediently acting the helper while slipping in obnoxious remarks wherever he could.

“Requests have been sent to the appropriate craftsmen guilds for your project,” Rafael said. “I should have answers by noon; urgency was specified.”

“All three?”

“Indeed. Leatherworker, woodworker, jewelcrafter, as you requested.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

“Merely doing my duty, my lady.”

Glancing over and seeing Vivi and Rafael looking at her, Mae froze with a jar of golden liquid in hand. She hastily set it down and hurried over.

“I’m only organizing,” she said defensively. “I know I can’t just take what I want. It’s for if I need to find something quickly, for an important project. Best to be ready for that sort of thing.”

“I didn’t assume otherwise,” Vivi said. Jasper walked up too, and her eyes flicked to him. “Are you joining as well?” she asked.

“Joining?” he asked.