Chapter 225: The Wedding

“Change of plans.” Will said as he arrived in the meeting room where his ‘friends’ were discussing escape routes once the fireworks kicked off.

Will had been listening.

They’d made contact with Fabron Faefire last night through sheer luck, and riled him up enough that Will was genuinely worried

Kyle, Roger, Amy and Bess snapped their mouths shut as Will arrived, placing a map down in front of them that showed the wedding venue.

“I have it on good authority that one of the other Lords is going to make an attempt on my life during this event.” Will said. “Now I can’t reveal who it might be but I can tell you his name rhymes with Babron Bae-Flier.”

His ‘friends’ stiffened up at the news that Will already knew who was primed to pick a fight with him. He could see the thoughts flickering behind their eyes. How much did he know? Did he know Kyle’s group was involved?

“Since you four are my most trusted friends, I must turn to you to protect me.” Will said, muscling back a malicious grin. “So instead of putting you on security on the outer edge, you’ll be my direct bodyguards inside the wedding itself.”

Will shifted his finger from the outer courty to the seats directly in front of the stage where the wedding was happening.

“And don’t worry for my safety. I’ve arranged for any damage that is done to me to be split amongst the four you.” Will said. “Mark Wyrd was willing to lend a hand, and he is excellent at damage redirection.

Will scanned the pale faces and hopeless expressions, just barely forcing back a gale of evil laughter.

What could be funnier than making them into meat-shields and throwing them in front of their own ‘clever’ schemes?

I think I’ll spare Kyle and the priestess. Kyle needs to feel the weight of his plans crumbling around him inadvertently killing his own men. And I can’t wait to watch the priestess of Granesh blame herself after half-reviving a charred corpse. And of course for the class-burning flames to render the other two invalids.

…Am I taking this revenge thing too far?

Let’s check.

“A bit off-topic, but…If I killed you four right now, how many more kids would it stop you from killing in order to rob?” Will asked.

“That’s a stupid question.” Kyle responded.

“Stupid because the answer is ‘a lot’?” Will asked.

“Stupid because the premise is flawed. You were the only kid carrying a national treasure around completely undefended I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s not like we kill children for peanuts, and it’s not like rich families who pass on priceless heirlooms leave them completely undefended. You were a unique situation.”

Will snapped his fingers and pointed at Kyle.

“Fair point. So, hypothetically, if you found something that valuable in the hands of a defenseless orphan, you’d do it again?”

Kyle narrowed his eyes, seemingly trying to decipher what answer Will wanted.

“…Probably.”

He thinks he can get on my good side by being honest. I’ll keep this revenge thing going a little longer. At least through the end of the stay here.

Will waved off the conversation.

“Anyway, I’ll be sitting here,” Will said, motioning to the seating. “And Fabron Faefire will be sitting there. You fine folks will be sitting….”

Will motioned to the four seats between them. “Directly in between.”

“Your job will be to try and talk him down, since you did such a good job of talking him up last night.”

Kyle inhaled sharply.

“Anyway, that’s all I have to tell you guys. Take whatever last-minute preparations you need. I’ll see you out there in a few minutes.” Will took his leave and went to go find his seat with Brianna.

In the tent, the conversation continued on for just a moment.

“Did he-“ Amy began

“Before you say anything.” Kyle interrupted. “It would be fair to assume that he’s listening to us somehow.”

It’s too bad Phantom eye only works a few minutes at a time, or I’d be watching too. Will thought, arriving beside Brianna.

A few minutes later, the four Climbers arrived, stiffly taking their seats directly between Will and their cat’s paw.

“You seem like you’re having a good time.” Brianna said, nudging his side.

“I’m tormenting some people who deserve it.”

“…Who?” Brianna asked.

“These guys.” Will motioned to his left, where the four Climbers were sitting.

“Hi,” Brianna whispered, waving across Will. Amy gave a nervous wave back, while the others fixed their eyes straight ahead.

“What did they do?” Brianna whispered.

“Tried to kill me.” Will replied.

“Lots of people have tried to kill you.” she said.

“It was before I had a Class.” Will clarified.

“Oh? Oh…” She peered past Will.

“…all of them?”

“The priestess of Granesh wasn’t directly involved but she’s a priestess of Granesh, and the entire religion tried to kill me, so…” Will shrugged.

“I guess that’s fair.” Brianna nodded.

She leaned past Will and raised her whisper just enough to carry to the other four.

“Sorry about him.” She whispered apologetically.

Kyle glanced over at Brianna for a moment, a bead of sweat dripping down the side of his face, but otherwise not acknowledging her statement.

A moment later, Brianna pinched Will’s arm and pointed to the right.

Fabron Faefire was talking with Mark Wyrd, his wife and entourage, seemingly at ease.

He looked…Better. He still looked dog-tired, but…satisfied, in a way. On the mend.

Huh. Is this the last hurrah of a dying man or is he actually getting better?

Fabron broke off from the Wyrds and walked past Will to reach his seat, causing Will’s ‘Bodyguards’ to tense up.

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“’sup kid?” Fabron said, nodding towards Will as he scooted past. He didn’t look like someone planning on making a scene.

Shame.

Fabron took his seat just as Baron Akul greeted his niece. Half-sister?

Their father had been nigh immortal and had sired them two generations apart, so while half-sister was accurate…

“Uncle!” Amanda said, giving the jowly old man a hug.

Uncle is even more accurate. Will thought as he saw a rare smile bloom on the Baron’s face.

“How’s the Seventh Floor? Not too muggy is it? How’s the company? You know you don’t have to stay with him if you don’t want to.”

“…Thanks.” Mark Wyrd said, scowling.

“ it’s not bad once you get used to it, and the company is fine. Mark basically waits on me hand and foot since-“ Amanda Wyrd winced as she stubbed her mental toe on a nasty memory.

That would probably make a good piece for a Memory Key, Will thought idly. His own had gotten longer and more refined over the last few years.

Amanda’s gaze flickered towards Will before dragging back to the face of her uncle.

“I’m doing well. Mark and I are wonderful.”

“Hmm…well, you’re always welcome in Akul.” Luis Akul said, “Catch up with me more after this?”

“Oh course, uncle.”

Luis patted his niece on the arm and the two of them broke apart, heading for their seats.

Only a few minutes later Reggie took the stage in fancy kit, music swelled, and Zodiac walked his daughter down the aisle, retreating to his seat once she had joined Reggie onstage.