Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

“Wooooooow…” Dragonfly gaped as she took in the palace surroundings after recovering from the portal’s disorienting effect.

“Indeed.” Serene chimed in, seeming fine as her celestine heritage helped alleviate the stress of teleportation.

After the decision to accept Will’s offer last evening, Kite had initially realized that he had not been provided with any means of conveying their answer. Fortunately, he was spared from walking up to the palace and simply asking as his breakfast the following day had been interrupted by a polite knock at his door accompanied by a gentle signal of a bronze-rank aura.

As he’d opened the door, Kite had found himself face to face with Grim in all his stoic professional splendor. After giving his assenting answer, they had promptly rounded up his companions before being portalled directly to the palace once more. “To avoid most of the eyes and ears that would be interested.” as he explained it after following them through.

“If you would please make yourself comfortable, the young master will be with you shortly.”Grim said, gesturing toward the same group of seating where Kite had sat yesterday. His companions still taking in the beauty of the surroundings, Kite spoke up.

“Try to be on your best behavior, Dragonfly. We are in a palace after all.”

“You forget, Kite, that I am adorable and will, as such, get away with almost anything.” she stated with a proud smile, oblivious to the flat stares of her companions.

“Regardless-” Kite began anew after a brief pause, “-while he isn’t one for much formality, I wouldn’t be surprised if he does like making a proper entra-”.

As if the fates had conspired against him in that very moment, he was interrupted as a pair of rich double doors leading out into the garden was thrown open. Through them, Will was carried out on a rippling wave of conjured spears which bore him onward with great speed. As he drew close, he leapt from the wave and actually did a somersault in the air before landing, one fist on the ground as the other held a spear out behind him in a dramatic pose.

Looking up at them, the young elven man gave a dazzling smile. “Greetings, my companions! My name is Triumph of Indomitable Will. It will be my pleasure to fight alongside you, wielding my Heavenly Shaft against our foes!” he finished, brandishing his gleaming conjured spear.

Stunned silence followed, before Dragonfly spoke up with surprising calm.

“Heavenly… shaft?”

“Yes, my heavenly shaft! The pinnacle of my achievements and the merging of my techniques.” Will confirmed, proudly.

“Would you say that your shaft is… divine? She asked, all impressed innocence.

“Unfortunately, not yet. I still have a long way to go before it can reach divinity. Countless hours of practice still awaits.”

“By yourself?”

“Mostly, but I hope to include others as well along the line.”

“Hmmm…” she hummed in confirmation as he spoke. “How does it feel then? To wield?”

Will, apparently painfully oblivious to Dragonfly’s line of questioning, seemed all too happy to explain. “Ah, yes, the experience is most profound. To feel its weight, slide my hands along its length, feel it thrum in my grasp…” he trailed off, apparently imagining something very unlike the rest of them.

During this exchange, both Kite and Serene had given their friend pleading looks to let the poor man off the verbal hook she had him dangling from. They all recognized that the young noble seemed rather innocent to the world of innuendo, and Dragonfly was merciless.

“Does it stay like that? The feeling, I mean?” she continued, fascination clear in her voice.

“Ah, one could think so. But the intensity increases as I exert more effort, until it reached a peak… a…” he paused looking for the right word.

“Clima-” Dragonfly began suggesting in a friendly tone. At this time, her two companions were about to collapse from shame by proxy and acted in unison.

Serene clamped her aura down on Dragonfly, cutting off her words as Kite stepped in.

“It sounds most profound. Is it one of your abilities?”

“You’ve guessed correctly, friend.” Will confirmed. “While the heavenly shaft is the style I’ve developed, it is based around one of my abilities which ramps up my strength and speed as the battle progresses and more spears are manifested.”

And thus, the metaphorical line was broken and the poor noble was set free from the hook he remained blessedly unaware that he had been dangling from.

From there on, the conversation stayed mostly on track. Introductions were made in less spectacular fashion, and they could continue on to the matter at hand.

“I am very pleased to have this first meeting of our group, even if it is only for the upcoming expedition!” Will exclaimed, raising a cup. During the introductions, servants had brought plenty of fine food which Kite and Dragonfly were currently digging into. “As I foresaw this, I have even taken the opportunity to hire an instructor for us, who will work with us in the upcoming month.”

At this statement, the rest halted in their eating to look at him curiously. “As in, instructing us on how to work as a team?” Kite asked after swallowing. He was definitely not opposed to the idea, but rather a bit surprised as he had envisioned Will as focusing more on his individual strengths. Neither Dragonfly or Serene gave voice to any protests as well.

“Indeed, my friend. While we pride ourselves in our own prowess in these lands, my father still stated it as a requirement. Since we are being grouped up, especially us iron-rankers, we might as well make the most of it. Instructor Concente have arrived this morning, and if it pleases you, we will meet up with her afterwards. I hope you haven’t made too many plans for the upcoming weeks.” he finished with a wink.

After finishing the meal and talking some more, mostly Will asking the group a lot of questions, he had sent for this instructor to join them in the practice yard adjacent to the garden.

After a few minutes of waiting, Grim escorted a human woman into the yard. She was rather short, with dark caramel skin, lustrous brown hair which dangled in a cascade of ringlets down her back and rather soft, rounded features even though she was bronze rank. Her clothes were distinctly foreign, as she wore a long red coat which split below her waist along with high polished boots and tight pants. Affixed to her collar was a distinct, gleaming brooch bearing the insignia of the goddess Knowledge.

“Instructor Concente.” Will greeted, apparently having met the woman already.

“So, young master, you did actually have a group in mind actually willing to work properly together? Not just the ‘friendly rivalry’ that passes for cooperation in these lands?” she asked, voice soft but carrying surprisingly well, as if one’s mind instinctively wanted to listen. Kite wondered if it was an aura trick, a power or just something distinct about this particular woman.

“As I said, instructor. This is Kite, Dragonfly and Serene, and we are eager to take part in your wisdom.” Will answered her, all refined politeness with none of the brash enthusiasm of before.

“Must be social schooling at work.” Kite mused to himself as he saw his host change demeanor like that, even feeling a slight twinge of jealousy as it was a skill he had sorely missed during the last weeks.

Their instructor nodded at them, showing some extra deference to Serene. “Priestess.” she acknowledged.

“My goddess sends her regards to yours. May her song of truth cast away the disharmonious lies of the world.” Serene responded, her windy voice carrying the sound of bells.

“As your host might have told you, I am to be your instructor for a time in matters of teamwork and cooperation. My name is Mirabel Concente, and I reside in these lands for a time as part of a program within the adventure society. Normally, I am stationed in Wavedance down south, but I came here at the behest of the branch director.

I must admit, it is refreshing to be called in to willing participants rather than as a punitive intervention. My usual pupils are local adventurers too caught up in their own glory, which in turn causes them to make stupid enough decisions that they risk losing their membership altogether.

While I recognize the individual strength of Hua-Xi’s essence-users, I do believe that your culture is squandering life and potential to an unacceptable degree.” she finished, her feelings about local culture clear from her tone. Sighing, she continued. “I also recognize that you three aren’t to blame, as you are a result of that culture. But I hope to at least impart a fragment of an alternative during our time together.”

She fell silent as she gazed upon them, and Kite got the feeling that she was waiting for a reaction. Dragonfly mostly looked relaxed and Serene attentive while he himself had been nodding along. Only Will had shown small signs of discomfort as his brows creased, but if he had any thoughts on the matter he kept them to himself for now.

Apparently not getting the response she was expecting, she nodded in approval. “Good. You seem to be decent material.

As we have little time, I will do the best I can with the time that is given. To expedite, the goddess has already briefed me in full of your powers. It seems like we have one support specialist in Serene along with two brawlers; Kite and Dragonfly. Young master would be classified as a striker, albeit with some self-sustain.

Kite, you seem to be able to lean towards a defender role at need while Dragonfly can manage some numbers.

Would you all agree with my assessment?” she finished, giving them all a searching look.

Kite had only a shallow grasp of the different roles that were used way more frequently in other parts of the world, and unused to some of the terminology. From what he understood, he did feel that her assessment was correct, nodding along with his companions.

“Good. As we do not have the time to practice deeper synergies amongst you to a great extent, we will focus on at least laying a foundation through positioning and target prioritizing, along with some ways for you to intervene and tip the battle into each other’s favor.

And we shall begin immediately.”

“Do you have a location?” branch director Jarvan asked his deputy as Rupert entered his office. The leonid’s movements were entirely silent, even to his silver-rank perception. Had it not been for his aura-pulse through which he had announced himself, Jarvan wouldn’t even have looked up from the paper he was currently writing on.

“I did some listening in at the given locations, and found what we were looking for in one of them. It’s a small compound near the base of the twelfth pillar.” he responded in his deep voice.

“Huh, surprising neighborhood. Mostly moderately successful mercantile and crafting families around those parts. Blending in with mediocrity is a good guise, though. Any legitimate business there?”

“Some, yes. So we should at least notify the church of Merchant, lest they be grouchy of us messing up the trade. Miniscule portion of it, but you know how they are.”

“I am… familiar.” Jarvan answered, a slight sour look. “Dominion’s mighty dong, all too familiar. As if the locals didn’t make my life hard enough… What?”

“Isn’t such profanity beneath your dignity as the branch director?” Rupert asked, voice flat.

“What? It’s Dominion! He would probably love being referred to as such.”

“Back to the actual topic,” Rupert said, suffering clear in his voice, “From what I overheard, they are expecting a messenger in two days.”

“Strike while the messenger has arrived?”

“Strike when the messenger has arrived.” Rupert confirmed with a predatory grin. “I only sensed bronze- and iron-rankers in there, so unless the messenger is something special then it should be enough for me to spearhead it.”

Jarvan nodded. “Good. I will send the usual team for backup and the chosen iron-rankers as crowd-control in case we get runners. It’s usually the lower ranks that try to flee the sinking ship first.”

“You’ll send the Kite-boy and his two friends?”

“Three friends, now actually. The fifth son of the city lord has roped them into working with him for the expedition. I even helped to bring in a teacher in team-tactics. It’s always good to have the city lord owe you one.”

Rupert looked perplexed at the development. “Locals learning team tactics. What is the world coming to?”

“Oh, hush you. You know they’re not the first.”

“I apologize. The few reasonable ones do get drowned out in all the bluster. Makes it hard for one to keep up.” Rupert conceded.

A heavy scimitar was descending toward Kite with mechanical precision as the wooden combat dummy struck. At the same time, another one was flanking him and lashing out with its own blade. He brought up his staff to block the first strike as his greatsword appeared in his other hand in a reversed grip to act as an impromptu shield against the second. Even with his armor, he could not properly swing the wide blade in attack using only one hand, but it was close enough to work as a defensive measure. His personal barrier appeared behind him to block the third wooden dummy which struck from the rear, the blade sliding off the slanted surface of Heaven-and-Void warding which had appeared .

Kite thanked Fortune for his evolved perception ability as he countered, the head of his staff thrust towards the torso of the construct as the impact followed by chaotic spatial tears which shredded the dummy’s torso into splinters as he turned to face the two opponents still remaining, his expanded vision also seeing Serene send a pair flying his way with a summoned gust of wind.

Off to one side, Dragonfly and Will were gleefully mowing down more of the wooden constructs. As matters seemed to be in hand, Kite’s full focus remained on his opponents. With a chanted “wall” he summoned a wall of force curving towards himself behind the new arrivals, interposing it between them and Serene and half-boxing the four of them in with him.

During his experimentation with the ability over the past months, Kite had found that he rarely benefited from entirely encircling his opponents with the barrier. Unless the opponent was unable to leave the ground, there was a ceiling close enough above or there were special circumstances, such as the attack against the ruler of the metal domain, most iron-ranked opponents could make their way over the wall due to their increased strength and speed. However, most creatures would instinctively try finding their way around rather than attempting to climb in the midst of a battle, which left Kite himself time to catch up and keep them busy.

In the case with the metal sovereign, he had even admonished himself for not making two half-circles in his direction rather than a full encirclement, as it would have been better with two screens between it and him since no others were around for collateral damage.

As he was now facing four dummy’s that he had cordoned off, he once more summoned his staff. Feeling the boon from Serene take effect as his weapon seemed to resonate even more, he went to work.

When the last dummy fell sundered to the ground, the group turned to instructor Concente who had been taking notes on an enchanted marble disc floating next to her. It was their second day of training and the first day to actually practice against opponents.

“Well, you are trying at least.” she stated as she looked them over. “Serene, you did a good job, even while not using your aura to hide yourself. I know it might sound unwise to practice, but with our limited time is better spent on situations that pose risk. Try to be a bit more proactive with the gusts, especially in offense. Clump them up for Dragonfly and the young master when you have a second to spare.

Kite, good zoning and catching up on Serene pushing them back. But had you been positioned better, she wouldn’t have to use her mana to protect herself in the first place. We will go over ways of improving it later.

As for you two…” she continued, eyes locking onto Dragonfly and Will, “I know that the lure of hitting as many foes as you can with area effects is a great one, but if you keep holding them back until an optimal moment, you might end up not using it at all. Trust that Serene will help you and go for even half-decent opportunities unless it is one of your big plays.”

Same as before, the instructor’s words had a kind of gravity to them which made them hard to ignore even though she always spoke with a soft voice. Kite thought he could detect flickers of magic around her as she spoke, but he was still unsure as to what he was seeing.

So far, their teacher had been competent. While she was vocal in her disdain for the Hua-Xi cultural idiosyncrasies, she was otherwise strict but fair in their dealings. She was just about to prepare another round of training for them when Grim, the manservant, approached her.

“Adventurer Concente. There has been a message from the branch director who has asked you and your students to attend him at the seventh peak.”

“I see. Thank you, Grim.” she said before turning to the gathered young adults. “Since he has sent for us all, we can probably expect some work that he thought might be good practice. Unless anyone protests, we should leave right away.”

“Very good.” Grim answered with a formal bow as the glass arch appeared and the group stepped through.

Grim’s portal had opened on the main square outside the adventure society campus, the elven man remaining behind as his portal could only transfer one bronze-ranker on its current rank. Instructor Concente was apparently familiar enough with the local branch, and led the way as her student’s trailed behind her. Of the four, Kite was the only one who had visited the branch director’s office as far as he knew.

During their walk, Will fell into step beside Kite. “I wanted to ask you; have you given any thought in regards to what boon you would request from my family?” he asked, tone cheerful.

Kite looked back at him. “First of all, I wouldn’t say that any compensation is needed in the first place. It's not like you are a burden to us in any way.

Second, I would say that a month of working with a skilled instructor is ample reward in and of itself.”

“Nonsense. The instructor was a requirement from my father and does not affect the karma between us.

As for your first point… Look around.” Will said, gesturing vaguely with his head.

Kite took the time to activate his perception power, taking in his surroundings. As he had become more used to it, he had it activated more frequently and was able to process more of what it told him. In this case, he realized that the group did get more attention than usual.

In some cases the looks were subtle and conversations whispered, while some of the people in their wake stared more openly while they talked among themselves. Most were too far away for Kite to thoroughly interpret their faces but the little he could make out ranged from idle curiosity through incredulousness to the outraged.

“As you see, associating with me will bring attention, which is a mixed blessing. My father felt it best to provide balm to any discomfort that might arise from it.” Will said.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why?” Kite asked.

“You don’t know about the concept of karmic balance?” Will asked, surprised. “Sorry if I overestimated your commoner education. You see, every action-”

“Will, I know about karma.” Kite said with a chuckle, interrupting the young noble’s well-meant explanation. ”I mean, why would your family even consider our karmic ties? I would have assumed us too far beneath your notice.”

Will gave him a blank look before realization dawned on him. “Ah, I see now. While many powerful families and institutions would act just as you described, my father has long held karmic balance in high regard no matter one’s station.

‘A carp today might become a dragon in the future. Wisdom is to learn which ones to watch the closest.’ is one of his favorite proverbs.”

“Your father sounds like a wise man. I too believe that few, if any, should be dismissed out of hand.” Kite said. “And I do not mean offense, in questioning the offer, just curious. But I do want you to know, Will, that you will be welcome either way. You seem like a genuinely good person, and I like that.” he finished, keeping eye contact with the noble during his final statement in the hopes to get his sincerity across.

Will looked almost taken aback, and Kite almost thought he noticed a slight blush before his usual bravado returned. “Of course, my friend! I do believe I am a delight!” he said with a huge grin. “As to my original question, do you know what you would like?”

Kite had, in fact, given the matter thought. It was surprisingly tricky with these offers, balance being a delicate and nebulous concept. Ask for too much and he might come across as greedy and unwise, leaving bad karma behind. But ask for too little, and he might come across as indecisive or patronizing.

“If the offer stands, I would ask for what help you and your family can provide me in finding and facilitating a teacher in fighting with the staff. The boon I got from the trial will remain at my side to the end of my path, and it deserves the respect of being used properly.”

“A worthy endeavor, and well considered!” Will exclaimed as he put a friendly hand on Kite’s shoulder. “We will find you the finest teacher within our means!”

“But I do hope that we can continue to spar at times as well.” Kite continued. “I have a spear as well, after all.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at his latest friend’s obvious excitement at his last statement.

“So, branch director, I am curious as to why this summons was apparently urgent enough to drag us here in short order. And to you in person, nonetheless.” instructor Concente said as the group had been seated in the office of the man she was addressing.

While the rest of the group was taking in the exotic furniture and curios, Kite and the instructor’s attentions rested on their host who lounged comfortably in his armchair next to the deputy director, who remained standing.

“And I’m curious as to how much your goddess has already told you. You may not be a full-time priestess, Mirabel, but the distinction is thinner than Merchant’s patience with the poor.” branch director Jarvan answered with a meaningful smile.

Instructor Concente smiled as well. “I might have shared such secrets with someone more pious. For one married to a priestess, you sure walk the line of blasphemy a lot.”

“I believe that Fertility will have my back. We’ve given her twenty-two little contributions to her cause after all.”

“Ah, yes. Give Fantina my regards. How is the family?”

“Numerous would be the most apt description.” director Jarvan said with a wry smile. “But they are all hale and well, fortunately. It is almost time for Nastille to get her essences. If anyone has a set lying around, I’ll give them a good offer including a favor from the branch director. My salary is decent, but with the pace we’re producing them it is rough to keep up. And soon enough, the grandchildren might start appearing” he finished with a suffering sigh, albeit unable to hide a contented smile..

“Maybe it would be prudent to get back on topic?” asked deputy director Rupert in his rumbling voice.

“Ah yes. The raid!” director Jarvan exclaimed as he sat up. “Kite, you might remember the curious little detail about how you going to the gate had somehow reached the young initiate who started the troubles?”

At this, Kite sat straighter in his chair. He had asked Adelaide about this not too long ago, and was curious as to the result of the investigation she hinted at.

“I see you do. Good. We’ve been investigating the sale of information in the city as of late, discovering a noticeable increase in lesser but conflict-inducing information in circulation. Small stuff regarding individual grievances and the like. As such a nebulous topic, getting more leads was challenging.

Fortunately for us, Kite’s incident was recent enough that we were actually able to find a trail via the knowledge that the information had reached a member of the sect in their compound and a rough estimate of when. As we coerced some informants to talk, we found trails leading toward a certain business being the front for said information-bartering.”

“Excuse me, director, but why would such small-scale information be of such interest?” Kite asked, as he had trouble imagining the significance.

“Normally, it probably would not be. But this seems to be an operation on a large scale albeit low intensity. An operation literally meant to just stir up trouble and conflict. And I want to know who had such an interest, and why.” the branch director finished.

“I believe that my father would be most interested as well.” Will spoke up, surprising Kite with his more serious demeanor.

“And we will contact the city lord on the matter, but tomorrow. Because we aim to raid the fronting business tonight, and can’t risk more information leaking.” Rupert answered. “I have personally scouted the place and will lead the strike along with a bronze-rank team. But we have need of some iron-rankers to keep watch and intercept runners, and have approached you and another group of locals we have deemed trustworthy enough.”

“So what would we do exactly? Keep watch and detain anyone of suspicion who flees the compound?” Serene asked, windy voice thoughtful.

“Exactly. We do not expect silver-ranked opposition, which means that Rupert will be able to handle things. But he and the strike team cannot be everywhere and will have to focus on the bigger fish. If you can keep them from escaping out into the city, you will save him the time and effort of chasing them down, as well as lowering the risk of any actually escaping.” said branch director Jarvan. “What do you say? Are you up for a contract on short notice? If not, we’ll still have to ask you to remain here on campus until the raid has been carried out. For reasons of secrecy, of course.”

“I can’t speak for all of us, but I am most interested in joining.” Kite answered right away. While his role would be minor, it would feel good to at least be a part of the operation to uncover what might have been behind his brush with misfortune.

“Count me in as well!” Dragonfly said shortly thereafter. “But fair warning, I’m not the best at taking people alive.”

“I will lend myself to the aid of my companions.” Serene chimed in.

That left Will, who looked surprised at the gazes leveled at him. “A chance to work for the integrity of my home city? Do you even need to ask? The legacy of the next Saint of Spears has to begin somewhere!”

“Then I believe I shall come along as well, if only as an observer.” instructor Concente said. “While early in the training, it will be a good moment to evaluate you.”

“Excellent! We have about five hours before moving out. Rupert will brief you, and I will call upon Adelaide to organize delivery of any equipment you might not have brought with you to this meeting.

Get as ready as you can. Tonight, we’ll shake things up and see what comes scurrying out.” director Jarvan finished, a predatory grin lighting up his face.

“As we have gone through the disciples, we continue to move down the ranks. The pace should continue to pick up as we know what to look for now. Based on current trends, we would expect the condition to be most common within the lower ranks.” finished one of Healer’s clergy as he reported to sect leader Dusk, the two grand elders in attendance as well. They were once more in the solar of the sect leader, at the top of the sect compound.

“Have you been able to shed any more light as to what the condition might be?” the sect leader asked, her voice filled with cold anger, as it had been during the last few weeks.

“It remains most elusive, and we have sent for higher-ranking clergy to help us in the matter. But preliminary results indicates some kind of corruption of the mind, low intensity trading for subtlety and high resistance to most types of cleansing. The condition seems to center itself around the brain, meaning that lower-ranked individuals are a lot more susceptible as they still possess that particular anatomical weakness.

“With our current pace, we should be finished within a week. As long as those affected are detained, the operations of the sect should be able to resume after that.” the priest finished, then left at a gesture from the sect leader.

As the door closed behind him, grand elder Lark spoke up. “Sect leader, have you given thought as to how we can contain or at least control this information? If it spreads, our reputation might risk even mor-” he said before staggering back from an unsettling aura spike from the sect leader.

“Once more, grand elder, I feel as if you are lacking focus on what is important. The task your failings thrust upon us was clear; to act for the good of the people and the region. How do you think that the servitor of the queen would view such an act you just proposed?”

Grand elder Lark only stood silent during and after the admonishment. Sect leader Dusk’s eyes thinned as she continued. “Lark, you will be made responsible for the correct and humble handling of this information, done for the good of all in spite of the cost to us. Do it well, and you might still be keeping your position in the future.”

“Th-thank you, sect leader.” grand elder Lark answered through gritted teeth, eyes downcast and aura kept well in check.

“As for you, grand elder Sight.” the sect leader continued as she turned to the woman. “You will be tasked with continuing the preparations for the upcoming expedition. The roster from the sect will have to be adjusted. Remember to keep it a secret from everyone beneath the elders, as the contract is yet to become public knowledge. We do not want the rats scurrying too far before we take their heads. In that, at least, I agree with the branch director.”

“Understood, sect leader.” Grand elder Sight answered with a respectful bow.

As the grand elders left, Dusk turned back to contemplation, suppressing the lingering psychological instinct for a deep sigh. Things had not gone well as of late, but at least there was the expedition to divert some attention from the sect’s failings. And the more long term opportunity. However much it galled her to have their organization’s agenda suborned by a lowly iron-rank outcast, she had to admit it a wise move from his part. He was now all but untouchable to them, while they were still left with a path forward to potential gains.

What did worry her was the potential liability he became as a target for their enemies and rivals. If he died and someone managed to lay the blame at their feet, there would be trouble. Maybe even diamond-rank trouble. She started planning contingencies and preventive measures, as she watched the sun set. While this day had not been victorious, tomorrow and each day after that brought the chance of salvation.

Kite looked pleased as he took another look at his equipment laid out on the table. He idly thought that he probably never had brought all of his weapons out at the same time before now as he fastened the last of the pale blue tassels to the bottom ring on his staff.

Each implement in his arsenal now sported a similar adornment, a small woven tassel which matched the color of a similarly woven charm he wore on a cord around his neck. It was a set of magical utility items he had been eyeing for a while, and now took the time to purchase as the group had some hours to kill up at the society campus.

The woven adornments had a simple effect in addition to enhanced resistance to most sorts of damage; they allowed Kite to retrieve attached weapons into his void sheath at range. As he now had a most precious part of his arsenal in his staff, he was wary of losing it by misfortune or happenstance. The talismans did bring some utility as well, allowing more improvisation such as throwing his spear or letting himself be disarmed as a feint for a surprise counterattack.

The process done, Kite felt ready, the embers of excited nervousness stoked in his chest. Dusk had already claimed the city, and lanterns made the city below look like a lake of fireflies. He joined his companions in a secluded marshaling yard, where another group of five iron-rankers stood assembled. Kite didn’t know them by name, but recognized them as fellow outcast adventurers operating outside of the sects. He and his companions exchanged some nods with the others, but soon found their gazes drawn to the last group which arrived.

Deputy director Rupert Versis walked in the lead, fine, tailored clothes exchanged for a form-fitted dark armor of some exotic leather Kite was unfamiliar with. Its slightly ruffled texture seemed to almost drink in the sound around the leonid, creating a slight unsettling feeling as sound all around the marshaling yard seemed to dim slightly. Apparently he had some control of the effect, as it lifted as soon as he stopped before them.

Behind the deputy director walked a group of six bronze-rankers of whom Kite recognized only one; instructor Whisper, the man who had handled Kite’s and Dragonfly’s examination to join the adventure society. He gave a small nod to them before Rupert spoke.

“I trust you have been briefed on the details already. Any questions in regards to your positioning or tasks?” he asked, deep voice carrying throughout the yard but strangely missing an echo from the wooden walls.

As no questions were raised, he nodded. “Then we move out. Time to see what has been causing trouble in our city.”