Mage Mangler -(Crucible of Ascension)

True to her word, Nix, Osha, and Quill the Trident disappeared a short while after our meeting to begin rounding up Peralt's contacts, which meant we had to get moving ourselves or their work would be for nothing.

Our main job now was to organize all of our people and synchronize our attacks. Which raised a rather large question that I still didn't have a satisfactory answer too. "Who the hell are these other gangs?"

Mosda answered immediately. "The Dockers and the Red Plague. Peralt has inserted himself on both their worlds and squeezed them out of businesses they've run for years."

"Well I'll need to meet them before we rely on them. Criminal gangs are not exactly known for being trustworthy."

"And meeting them would make the more trustworthy?" Hendel said, lounging on the couch of my Engine works quarters, while simultaneously sharpening his sword.

"It'll let them know we're not to be screwed with."

"They are good for this," Mosda assured me, and I do not think arranging a meeting at this point will help. We need to move in the next forty hours. Peralt is actively hunting you. We can contact them via message rod to synchronize our attacks and I can deal with that."

"I'll do it," I snapped. Felling like the whole mission. My mission, was being taken out of my hands and I didn't like it.

"You're better off speaking with the men here. They'll fight harder with one of your powerful speeches."

Hendel snorted. "Look, Earl. What Mosda is trying to say, is that the Dockers and the Red Plague are powerful gangs in their own right. He and Nix have very carefully put this tenuous alliance together, so we can act fast against Peralt and get Malika back. You, are a fucking nightmare. You'll upset them, or they'll upset you and then we'll end up at war with them as well. Take it from me, negotiations isn't one of your strong points."

Not being in control was stressing me out, and yet I couldn't find fault in what Hendel had said. I scowled at him, trying to work out if I cared or not about the sensible thing. To stay quiet and let Mosda handle the alliances. Then it hit me. I was ready to go to Peralt's alone to kill the bastard. All this other stuff was just noise. I'd pulled together some help and I was still in full control of that. With a wave, I let it go. "Fuck it. Just make sure they know what we're doing."

In the end our plan, while complex with all the moving parts, was not complicated. Phase one had consisted of sending our fighters in small groups to various worlds before they moved on to Haleen in small groups. The two gangs joining us would do the same. They all had their streets to approach by, which meant we'd all be coming from different angles to arrive at the same time.

At first we planned to go early morning, but the streets were too quiet then and we'd stand out even more, so we opted for dusk when there were a lot of people moving about. Those leaving for work, going for meals or evening strolls.

My team was going last, so after a walk around to wish everyone luck, I reckoned that's what a good leader should do. I popped into Akerash's Hardware Store in the hopes of getting a new coat and some more knives.

Galin was surprisingly happy to see me. "I wondered where you'd gotten too! You've still got at least one lesson left to finish those gloves."

As surprised as I was by the genuinely positive reception, I hid it. "I'm looking forward to it. But it won't be for a few days at least. Got some work to do."

"More trouble?"

"Always. How's business these days?"

He beamed. "Well would you know, I've never been busier! No one trying to rob me, and people actually paying for their weapons!"

"Ah, nice. Living the dream then," I chuckled.

"Living the dream," he repeated wistfully. "So if you're not here for a lesson what can I do for you? I notice your short a coat."

"Aye, fella. Probably not the best place to come for a coat, I get that. But I'm going into a big fight off world and I need something to hold weapons, offer protection, and not look like I'm going there for war."

He tilted his head, thoughtful, like he was trying to picture me not causing trouble. "What weapons?"

"Just knives. Anything more gets cumbersome real quick, but I still like lots of options."

"Alright. And did you like the setup of the long leather?"

"Sure did. The length was cool but not necessary, the pocket placement inside however, was perfect."

He nodded. "How long you got before you leave?"

I weighed it up. "About fifteen hours."

"I'll have something for you then if you can swing by and pick it up?"

"You bet your ass I can."

"Let's pick some knives out for you then and I can make sure the pockets are well designed for them."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Sure thing. Show me the best you've got. Active enchantments only."

He led me off to his knife selection and plucked a number of knives down from his shelves. He put one to the side, and winked at me. "That's the best I've got. The rest are all solid knives that'll see you right."

I could tell by looking at them they were good quality and I trusted the old Grunir to do right by me, so I didn't bother looking at any others and chose two from the selection to go with the one he'd singled out.

Sly Dagger

Made with a mana infused Obsidian and steel blend. The steel offers strength and durability while the obsidian offers increased sharpness and makes the blade harder to detect by both eye and magic.

Length: 9.5 inches

Blade Type: Single-edged

Price Range: 180 – 220 Unitols

Durability – 2000 - 100%

Special:

60% harder to detect by eye

40% harder to detect with magic.

50% sharper than standard steel.

Thumbhook

Grunir-forged short blade with a pronounced curve and a flattened spine for thumb pressure. Designed for quick draws and grip-switching.

Length: 8 inches

Blade Type: Curved with spine groove

Materials: Hardened steel with Pernavin inserts in the grip

Price Range: 74 – 98 Unitols

Durability: 1200 - 100%

Comfort: 70 of 100

Back-Bite

Reinforced core and point for punching through basic armor up chain-mail. Plain and nasty.

Length: 9 inches

Blade Type: Needle pointed single edged blade

Materials: Estermite alloy core, Coral Strand grip

Price Range: 88 – 112 Unitols

Durability: 1200 – 100%

Comfort: 64 of 100

"These are great. You're a star, Galin."

"Happy to help. It suits me to keep you around, Joren. Now off with you. I've got a busy night ahead of me now. I'll see you in fourteen hours."

I wandered off from his shop feeling like a kid on Christmas eve, eager to get to the big day and full of restless energy. I considered going to the pub, I considered checking on the groups leaving Lasital in dribs and drabs, but I knew it wouldn't help anyone if I started fussing or drinking, so I did the most sensible thing I could and put myself to bed.

It wasn't like I didn't need the sleep. It had been a long few days from a tourist in Aalarat to a parkour prisoner in Naras.

I only intended to sleep a few hours, but I slept until Ree's insistent shaking brought me around. "It's time to go, Joren. Our people are being checked when leaving through the transport tower. They're looking for you so we're going to have leave now and go through the Siroth Portal."

"Might be for the best," I said jumping up from the bed and feeling surprisingly good.

"Not really. It's further to travel from here to there and from the Portal on Haleen to Peralt's place. If we don't move then we'll be late for the others arriving."

"No problem," I said rushing over to my draw, pulling out a black silk bag, grinning like a madman… Or at least a madman that grins a lot.

I undid the fastening strings and my grin grew wider. Since leaving Waldren Perch to start on this merchant mission I'd carried these beauties around with me, unable to wear them in case I broke our cover. Today, I didn't fucking care! I slipped out the prize gloves I'd forced Onlan into giving me.

Gologrid's Grip

Named after the fearsome Ogrid who stood atop the Velorian defenses on Tarranth and held back three Xeo Juggernauts.

These gloves provide incredible durability and strength.

Crafted from Estra hide, reinforced with olithin plating, these gloves offer exceptional durability and enhanced striking power while maintaining flexibility. The reinforced knuckles are layered with harmonized Osterite , a rare material that channels energy from the power of the strike to create a reverberation effect causing 30% additional damage to living targets.

Level Requirement (30)
Price Range – 4200 – 7340 Unitols

Attributes:

Durability: 3400 – 100%

Comfort: 88 of 100

Runes:

Level 3 Rune of Power (Indebted)

+70% Strength boost in for 7 minutes. 50% Mana Drain, followed by a 3% penalty to reaction time for three hours.

Perfect for last stands.

I felt Ree looking over my shoulder intently as I put them on. I grinned at him. "Nice, huh?"

"Incredible. And also with a Level 30 requirement. Care to explain?"

"Sure. I blackmailed Onlan for them after joining the Siroth."

"But how are you wearing them? Surely magical immunity doesn't ignore Level locks."

I gave him a double handed wave, then stopped when I realized how camp it looked. Not really the vibe I was going for when we're just about to attack one of the most dangerous gangsters in the Union. "I just can't use the powers that need activating. I can use all the active enchantments though."

He shook his head. "I don't think I have ever heard of anyone like you, Earl."

"You say the sweetest things. How long have we got before we need to leave? I've an errand to run."

"Didn't you listen to anything I just said? We need to leave now or we'll be late."

I gave him a thumbs up. "Don't worry about it. The errand is at Akerash's. It's right next to our portal."

Whatever he said was lost on me as I headed out of the room keen to get started.

We met Mosda downstairs, talking to Hendel, Dalgom, and Moll, but he stopped when I arrived.

Hendel's smile was so wide I broke out into a grin of my own. "You ready for the merger then, Joren?"

I raised a brow. "Fucking merger? What do you thinks happening, Hendel."

He chuckled. "I think we're carrying out a hostile takeover of a very lucrative business. I've been counting the Unitols in my sleep!"

"Not for much longer." I replied.

Mosda, not feeling the energy at all, ushered me toward the door. "We must go now."

I waved at finger pistol at Dalgom and Moll. "See you guys in Haleen."

Then we were back out in the rain. Feet pounding the damp cobbled streets of Lasital.