Return of the Runebound Professor

Brayden didn’t give Noah the chance to even try to protest any more. He took Isabel, Lee, and Todd by the shoulders, looping his massive arms around them.

“Lee, hold on,” Noah said, pulling his travel bag and gourd from his belt and handing them to her. “Could you take these? I don’t want to have to carry them around. I’ll pick them up soon. Put them somewhere safe and out of the way.”

Lee blinked, then nodded, taking both from Noah.

“Come on,” Brayden said, pulling them all away.

Noah was left standing around like an idiot beside the one remaining guard.

“Do… you need help?” the guard asked, squinting at Noah. “It’s been a while since you’ve been home. I have to admit, I barely even recognized you, Vermil. How long has it been? Two years? Three?”

“Something like that,” Noah said with a noncommittal nod. “I’ve had my nose buried in the books for a while. Barely remember anything about this place. It’s funny how quickly you forget home, you know?”

“Tell me about it,” the guard said with a knowing nod. “I got sent out to the Reddened Marsh a year ago and spent a month there. A month doesn’t sound like much until a dozen Bloodflies are trying to fly up your ass. I swear I’ve been jumping at bugs ever since. Hate the bastards.”

What does that have to do with home?

“It’s a bit of a nightmare for me,” the guard continued, rubbing the back of his head and letting out a chuckle. “My daughter loves bugs. She keeps bringing the cursed things home and showing them to me. I can’t bring myself to tell her to stop, though. They make her so happy. When I first got stationed in the marshes, the thought of her was the only thing that kept me from offing myself.”

Aaaand now I feel like a prick. At least he’s really talkative. I could probably –

“And then, after two weeks, I damn near forgot it.” The guard’s brow darkened and his knuckles tightened around the shaft of his spear. “Can you believe that? Forgetting the face of your own daughter. That marsh did things to me. When I got back, I swore to myself that I’d never let myself forget her face again – even if she keeps bringing me blasted bugs.”

Forget feeling like a prick. I am a prick. This poor bastard.

“What matters is that you’re here for her now,” Noah said, clapping the guard on the shoulder. “And you’re a better man than I. I probably would have tried to convince her to pick up a new hobby and hoped that she found something slightly less bug affiliated.”

The guard chuckled. “The thought has tempted me many times. You’re a parent as well?”

“Afraid not,” Noah replied. “A teacher, though. That’s what I’ve been doing at Arbitage.”

Well, among killing a ridiculous amount of monkeys, murdering the Linwick’s gift to the school, collaborating with the enemies of the Linwick house, and summoning a demon. Just the little things, you know?

“How is it?”

“What, teaching?”

“No. Arbitage.” The guard glanced from side to side, then lowered his voice. “You seem like you care. It’s hard to find someone of a like mind, and I’m worried, you know?”

“Worried about what?” Noah asked, matching the man’s tone.

“Well, you know. Arbitage is the closest of the Bastions, but I’ve heard just about everyone there is a noble. I’m clearly not, considering I’m working the gate. There are rumors that the teachers don’t care as much about the non-noble kids, but you don’t seem like that kind of person to me.”

You have no idea.

“How do you know?” Noah asked, blinking. “I could be.”

“Nah. Father’s insight,” the guard said, tapping his forehead with a knowing smile. “I can tell. I also have an Empathetic Light Rune. Helps a lot for judging the people that stroll through the gates. You care about your students.”

Huh. I guess there really is a Rune for everything. That’s a pretty damn useful one. I wonder if he can read minds? That would be seriously concerning. I bet someone has that ability, somewhere. I’ll need to figure out a way to deal with that.

Noah pictured a giant chicken bouncing around in his head, rapidly making it change colors. The guard’s face didn’t even twitch.

Okay, probably not reading my mind.

“The rumors are right,” Noah said, keeping his voice conspiratorial. “Neither of my students are nobles, and they’ve run into obstacles left and right. I honestly don’t know anything about the other Bastions, but assuming they’re better – don’t send her to Arbitage unless you’re certain her teacher isn’t going to screw her over.”

The guard’s eyes hardened and he nodded. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. Name’s Frederick, by the way. I keep forgetting to introduce myself to people. I hope you haven’t taken any offense.”

“None at all,” Noah said, reaching out to shake Frederick’s hand. “You know, it’s been quite a while since I’ve actually been back to the Linwick Estate. Do you think you could do me a favor?”

“What is it?”

“I’m a bit worried about stepping on someone’s toes,” Noah admitted. He shifted uncomfortably in his place, doing his best to look scared. Considering what would happen if he got caught out in his lie, it wasn’t too difficult. “I’m not much of a noble myself, even if I’m part of the outer branch – which isn’t saying much. Has anything changed a lot since I was here last?”

Frederick pursed his lips. “Things are restless. I don’t really know enough to actually say why, but I know there are a lot of rumors going around that another war might break out.”

“Against the Torrin family?”

“No.” Frederick shook his head. “An internal one. It’s all rumor, mind you. Please don’t go around spreading that I mentioned that. I don’t need to get disciplined.”

“My lips are sealed,” Noah promised. “Did the rumors mention who was being problematic?”

Frederick swallowed heavily and looked around again, checking to see if anyone was in the area. Luckily, the gate and the road leading deeper into the city was empty. He lowered his voice again, speaking in little more than a whisper.

“Dayton. He just got back from a three year long excursion and reached Rank 5, and he’s publicly disobeyed the Head of the family several times now. He’s got a lot of supporters that want the Linwick family to take a more active role and start pressing to get stronger. I’d steer clear of him. He’s bad news.”

Noah dug through his memories. He vaguely recalled Dayton’s name from the book that Moxie had gotten him. The man was a main branch noble, but he’d been listed as a Rank 4 like Brayden.

As far as he recalled, the head of the family was a Rank 6. Frederick saw the thoughts crossing through Noah’s eyes and shook his head.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Frederick said. “I never said I thought he’d actually win if there was a rebellion. Dayton is talented, but I’m worried he’s a bit… you know.”

“Weak?” Noah offered.

Frederick’s eyes widened and he shook his head vehemently. “No, no. Pampered. He never even went to one of the Bastions. His parents got him monster-infused baths and sourced all of his Runes for him. All he’s done is combine them and kill the monsters they deliver to him. He’s got a big following, but the Head is hundreds of years old. He’ll crush Dayton like a… well, like a bug.”

Noted. Stay the hell away from Dayton and don’t get caught up in any rebellion bullshit. I wonder how Frederick would react if he knew that Vermil's dad was trying to summon a demon and start a little rebellion of his own.

Actually, what kind of political influence was he even aiming for? Killing the Head of the family? That seems ambitious. Guess I’ll know soon.

“I see. Thanks for the warning,” Noah said honestly. “You might have saved my ass. How old is your daughter? Maybe she’ll be headed to school soon.”

Frederick tapped the butt of his spear on the ground and shook his head. “I should hope not! She’s still six.”

Six? Isn’t it a bit early to be thinking about what college she’s going to?

“Maybe the colleges will change a lot before she gets around to going to school,” Noah said. “Who knows. Try to find me again when you’re about to send her out. Maybe things will be better.”

Frederick grinned. He pressed a hand to his chest. “I knew we were kindred spirits. Thank you. If you need anything during your stay in the city, please feel free to seek me out. All the guards know where I live, so it won’t be hard to find.”

Should I ask why? Now I really want to know.

Noah didn’t get a chance to ask. As he opened his mouth, he saw Brayden striding back out of the streets and heading toward him at his patented brisk pace. Noah took a step back from Frederick.

“Looks like it’s time for me to get going. Thanks again, Frederick.”

“Take care,” Frederick said, raising a hand in salute. “And feel free to bring your students by my house for dinner some day before you leave. My wife always makes too much.”

“Thanks.” Noah grinned. “I’m sure they’d like that. If we get a chance, I’ll take you up on it.”

He headed into the city, walking up to stand before Brayden.

“What are you doing?” Brayden asked. “You need to go meet Father already.”

He thinks Vermil is paranoid about everything. I can use that to my advantage

“Just putting some feelers out to make sure the city hasn’t changed much since I left,” Noah replied. “You never know who’s listening.”

Brayden pressed his lips together. He glanced over his shoulder, then started off down the road. Noah fell in step beside him.

“I keep telling you that there’s nothing to be worried about, but if it makes you feel better, then I suppose you can go ahead.”

“Are you sure about that?” Noah cocked an eyebrow. “Sounds to me like things are shifting.”

Brayden didn’t respond, and Noah took the opportunity to get a better look around the city. It looked just about like a normal city would have, with rows of stone houses lining the road. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting.

“You might be right,” Brayden admitted. “It will be best for all of us if you get this over with quickly, but good luck convincing Father of that. Maybe you’ll succeed where I failed.”

They walked in silence for a few moments. They took a turn down a large, busy road, but Brayden’s bulk made everyone in their path quickly move out of the way. After just a few more minutes of walking, they came to a stop near the gates of a considerably wealthier district of the city.

The houses within it were made of marble and polished stone rather than just brick, and another guard stood near the gate. Brayden didn’t even need to say anything. As soon as the guard saw him, the man pushed the gate open to let them inside.

“Not the most relaxed atmosphere,” Noah observed once they’d passed him.

“Yeah, yeah,” Brayden said. “It’s fine. None of this is our concern.”

They came to a stop before a large mansion on the side of the road. A tall ring of multicolored, thorny shrubbery rose up before it, walling off a large garden. White brick made up a pathway through the garden, leading up to the imposing wooden door. It stood open, allowing access into a red-carpeted hall.

“We’re here,” Brayden said. “Let’s go. I don’t care what your reasons are. If you keep Father waiting after all this time, he’s going to be furious.”