31 – Infiltration (2)

“I…” Alexandra started. “Yes, the view is quite nice.”

He was smiling. His hair fell to his jaw on the sides but had retreated from his forehead, leaving him with a broad, open face.

He looked back at the plaza below. “Not many people find their way up here.”

“I was looking for some air.” Alexandra kept her hands on the railing. “The crowd.”

“Mm.”

She opened her mouth.

“I just needed a moment,” she said. “Away from it.”

He looked at her for a beat.

“Don’t worry.” He turned back to the plaza, leaning both forearms on the railing. “I’m not supposed to be here either.”

“I’m not…” She started again, before stopping herself. “Whatever.” She leaned on the railing next to him. “What brought you here?”

“I’m hiding from the Wardens.”

Alexandra turned her head and stared at him. “What?”

He chuckled. “Not the real ones. The ones ruling Esmera are not true members of the order. They wouldn’t be stationed in this backwater otherwise.” He paused. “Don’t let them know I said that.”

“I’m not planning to.”

“Good.” He nodded. “What about you? What brings you here? It’s not everyday I see a demon worshiper walking about freely.”

“I don’t worship demons.”

He shook his head. “White hair, scars, missing finger.” She clutched her maimed hand under her glove. “All the signs are there.”

“The Hands can vouch for me.”

“Bah. The orders are all the same. Why would I listen to them?” He extended a hand without looking at her. “Louis.”

She shook it. “Alexandra.”

He nodded.

Below, a cart wheel caught on a loose stone and the driver swore at his horse. Louis watched with mild interest until it resolved itself.

“You’re not from here,” he said.

“How can you tell?”

He smiled. “I’ve never seen you before. Your appearance is hard to forget.”

Alexandra winced. “Thank you, I guess.”

“Passing through?”

“For now.” She looked toward the sun. Mid afternoon. She had time.

“The white,” he said. “Did it hurt?”

She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t dealt with a demon.” She paused, and continued. “I wouldn’t say it hurt. More like I lost something.”

“Lifeforce.” He stared at her.

“I swear it’s not what it looks like.”

“But it’s lifeforce. Isn’t it?”

She grimaced. “Well, yeah, but…”

He made a small sound. Not quite a laugh. “Fine. Fine. I believe you. I always wanted a suspicious friend, anyway.”

Alexandra looked at him.

He was already watching the plaza again, chin resting on one hand, the book tucked under his arm.

“What’s that?” She pointed with her chin.

Louis grabbed the book in his hand, and showed it to her. “Verdant Beasts of the Balerian Plains. I borrowed it from the Wardens.”

She frowned. “Do the Wardens have a public library? I wouldn’t mind visiting it.”

“They do!” Louis beamed. “Well, they don’t know that it’s public. But those fuckers wouldn’t notice a missing book. Not like they ever read them.”

“And if they do?”

“They won’t.” He closed it again. “A real Warden would have hunted the Yshant terrorizing the plains before it became a problem.” He tucked the book back under his arm. “You know why they don’t, despite the reports streaming in from most of the villages?”

Alexandra waited.

“The people here are not real Wardens. They failed to get the class. All they care about is their little cushioned seat ruling this city. That’s why they won’t ask for reinforcements either, by the way, lest their order bring scrutiny to their activities.”

“Corruption?” She asked.

She thought that, perhaps, this was the real reason why Bamir didn’t want to call the Wardens for help. Maybe he knew it was useless.

Louis nodded. “Corruption.”

“What about the Hands? Can’t they help?”

He shook his head. “Not as bad, but they suffer from the same issues. Though in their case, they’re not fighters in the first place.” He sighed. “Alexandra, the orders are not what they used to be. Since the heroes took power…”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She tensed at the mention of the heroes. Hakim… She wanted to ask about the six others, but she was afraid of showing how much she didn’t know about this world.

Thankfully, Louis kept going. “Just think about it. We’re in the Hunter’s land, and he’s not helping at all! The hunter. What a stupid title. I’d like to see him hunt that damn Yshant.”

“He’s probably busy with more powerful threats.”

Louis scoffed. “Of course. His holiness Aaron Loew is always hunting high level monsters in the Verdant Reach, far from civilization.”

Alexandra froze at the mention of this name. This couldn’t be a coincidence. She’d already been wondering about Hakim, but Aaron Loew… That was her old guildmate’s name.

She let out a silent whistle.

Louis’ scowl turned awkward. “Ah. Erm. With all due respect, of course.”

This was enough to make her laugh. “Insult him all you want, I don’t care.” She glanced at the book once more. “So, what are you going to do with that?”

Louis followed her gaze. “That? I’m going to hunt the Yshant myself. What else?”

“No, you’re not.”

“Look, I know it’s dangerous. But I have to try! Those fools don’t realize what’s going to happen if nothing’s done to stop it.” He tapped on the book cover. “It’s in there! Eventually, the Yshant will swallow the plains, then this city. Someone has to prevent this.”

Alexandra raised a hand. “I don’t care about that. The Yshant is mine to kill.”