Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

The extensive compound of the Relentless family was absolutely abuzz with activity, covered in beautiful paper decorations and the first flowers of spring. The latter had been spread with such abundance that there was no doubt that users of the plant essence had been retained to bring forth the floral bounty ahead of nature’s schedule. Protecting it all was an environmental barrier, only in use for special days such as this to keep the frequent squalls of rain away from the people of importance gathered at the complex of manors, all there to pay their respects to the mistress of the Relentless family.

Or at least ostensibly it was so. The game of politics being played were the usual, making it important to at least be seen at such an event no matter what one actually thought of their hosts. Among those already inside, finery and auras were on full display as the mighty of the city mingled and schemed, a line of those not as high in the social hierarchy still present outside as each group got their invitation checked.

And further inside the complex, far away from the main festivities, a pair of house servants passed each other in the hall, giving a subtle nod to one another as they ostensibly exchanged trays of food and refreshments. There was a constant bustle among the staff, with those in charge constantly barraged with requests and questions. Overall, the chaos lent itself well to a cadre of ‘guests’ who were not on any list of invitees.

One of the house servants turned a corner, their manner in unison with the rest of the quite stressed staff. But the woman’s steps did not turn for the main gathering, but rather the opposite. Navigating basically empty corridors in one of the guest wings, she stopped in front of an open set of sliding doors showing a pleasant garden. The woman did not exit, instead stopping close to the threshold and speaking softly.

“Everything is in place. The formations should hold for at least a few minutes under stress. It was all that could be prepared with a decent chance of remaining undiscovered.”

“A few minutes will be plenty.” a female voice replied, drifting in from the garden while the speaker remained unseen. “You have done well. Prepare to make your escape after the target has been brought here. For those of you that succeed, power awaits you.”

“Understood. May our foundation be built over the relics of the past.” the ‘servant’ intoned before leaving once more.

One-winged Heron smiled where she stood, unseen to all but the most powerful of observers. It had been a bit of a challenge in slipping by the outer defenses of the compound, but what remained of their allies on the inside had provided enough information to make it possible.

“It speaks well of them that they obey without question, even if the orders aren’t from those they think. Those who make it will be worth recruiting to the mistress’ banner. Having participated, they will have little choice, should they value their lives.” Heron thought to herself. All should be in place; her brethren hidden in the garden. Their aura masks should help them remain undetected for long enough.

“And the final touch-”

With a thought and a ripple of mana, Heron’s features shifted, instead showing the face of a young mistress of the Horizon family. The family in question was quite successful, having made a path for themselves in the foreign trade long before they were given their name by the past city lord. Successful enough to be invited, but not enough to be overly noticed, Heron had chosen her guise well. Another layer of illusions transformed her sleek armor into fine dress robes, complete with a silk shawl enchanted to float on its own, the accessory being all the rage in Bastion’s higher society these days

Even as she readied herself, she could feel a part of her spirit calling for her to just destroy this place; to unleash the power gifted to her just to revel in the act during her final moment of existence. But Heron held it in check, having been trained to do so for years. Destruction’s gift was, in the end, but a safeguard, but the whispers of the god’s mere echo was still potent indeed.

Positioning herself to play her part, Heron sat down to wait.

“Have you sent a message to the branch director?” Braid called to Wander where the three of them sat upon Glint as she floated along the busy streets of Bastion.

“I did what I could, but you know I can’t spread out far enough over the city to both come and get you and go all the way to the First Step. And you were the closest~!” Wander said from his shoulder. “And besides, do you know how lucky I was to even overhear this? It was from one of the silver-ranked ladies heading to the party on one of the palanquins. I just barely managed to stay hidden as I rode along. Didn’t see her through the covering, but I did catch a whiff of her smell. Braid, I could have been caught~!”

“Then we just have to hope that we can arrive in time to do something about it.” Braid retorted.

“But Wander, why were you on the palanquin to begin with?” Kite asked, waving apologetically as Glint had to weave a bit too close to a pair of pedestrians. Only silence was his reply, both men turning to look at the rat whose whiskers were twitching a bit awkwardly.

“Wander.” Braid said, as if he knew what was to come.

“Well, there was this most wonderful smell coming from it. Some kind of fried pastries I have never tried. Soooo I thought that they wouldn’t miss a little nibble~...”

Braid just sighed while Kite shook his head, smiling. “Then we should thank Fortune for your lack of self-control.”

“But also start praying for guidance on how we are supposed to get in there to help.” Braid said, ducking beneath the branch of a tree. “I don’t think we’ll get too far if we make a scene at the gates, and it will give away to any observers that we are onto their plan. If there will even be an attempt.”

“Braid, I know what I heard. That tone of hers, all gloating. It sent my whiskers shivering~.” Wander protested.

“It is indeed worth it to at least make sure that Vista is safe.” Kite said in agreement. “He is very competent, but still not infallible.”

“But, striking against him in his own family compound… Few would call it a wise move.”

“Unless it succeeds. Then it might be considered bold.” Kite finished, voice grim. “We are drawing close. Let us dismount and make a plan. The less attention we draw when getting in the better.”

A little while later, the three were standing in an alleyway near the Relentless family compound, looking out over the line of guests still waiting to enter.

“I can’t see them properly from over here, but the defensive array is nothing to scoff at.” Braid said, a few runes on his cloth mask glowing with channeled mana as he observed the wall around the compound. “Nothing I couldn’t get through, of course. But I’d need at least half an hour, double that if we are to minimize risk of detection.”

“Braid, I don’t think we have that much time~.” Wander whispered.

“Well, how do you know that?”

“Just call it womanly intuition. The lady I overheard sounded like she was already sure of her success, as if news would reach her any moment.”

“And you got all that from her tone?” Braid asked incredulously. “I still think we should consider a measured approach. Maybe-”

“Wait!” Kite said, as he had spotted something. Something, or rather someone. “I believe that I have an idea. Braid, can you make us some finery? It only needs to be something that won’t get us kicked out immediately.”

The cloth-wrapped man looked at Kite in silence for a second, before Kite could see the hint of a grin beneath the mask. “Non-enchanted clothing? Oh Kite, my sweet boy… I believe that I have our needs quite covered.”

So far, Stoic Boar felt that this day was looking to be quite splendid as he was engrossed in pleasant conversation with the young lady next to him. Lustrous Pearl lived up to her name very well, her white dress robes and mother-of-pearl accessories beautifully contrasting her blue hair, celestine beauty only hidden behind the fan she artfully waved in front of her face.

The pair was standing with their entourages in line, waiting for their turn to be allowed into the compound of the Relentless family. While part of him chafed at waiting, Boar knew his place; both his own and the Lustrous family were only retainers to true power in the end, but her having accepted his invitation was a great prize in its own right.

“If Fortune favor me, maybe she would be amenable to join me for the soirée in two weeks as well?” he thought while hypnotized by those blue eyes.

“-but I will share with you, young master Stoic, that I have heard the most scandalous rumor as of late.” the young woman confided, leaning just a bit closer while her retainer holding the parasol above her swerved to keep her out of the sun.

“Oh, please do tell, my dear!” Boar said, leaning in almost conspiratorially, earning himself a demure giggle.

“Well, while it isn’t confirmed, rumor has it that the young master Relentless might not be unengaged for too long.”

“No? Really? Would the Whirlwind Warrior really be tied down?” Boar asked, intrigued.

“Oh I don’t think many would have been able to, but from what I have heard, it might be a name and woman mighty enough to perform such a feat. They say that it is one of the Gellers!”

At this, Stoic Boar froze. Mistaking his reaction as feigned shock, young mistress Lustrous continued. “I know! An outlander, but such a prominent one. Apparently, she is as fair as they come, with bright red hair. They say that she is a mighty adventurer too. But how would such a woman be a proper wife to one if his station? Truly I-”

Boar barely noticed her pause before her gaze had left his, looking at something behind him.

“Young master Stoic? Do you know these people?”

Turning around, Stoic Boar froze yet again, his heart clenching slightly this time. Crossing the street, a pair of men were making no attempt to hide their approaching the group. One was dressed in cloth from head to toe, fine purple silk robes accentuated by a cloth mask with intricate, mysterious embroideries in gold. Boar did not know the man, but he did very much recognize the other man; a few years younger than himself, Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune was dressed a lot more richly than the last time Boar had met him. Now he wore a set of deep blue loose, flowing robes almost like those a sage might wear, golden tassels prominently on display. While the young man looked a bit out of place in a garment one would often associate with someone much older, there was no denying the quality of the cloth or tailoring. Some threads even seemed to glow.

“Ah, young master Stoic! I am most terribly sorry for our tardiness. The tailor truly dragged his feet until the final moment, but now we are finally here to join you. Your invitation to add us to your retinue was a most gracious and generous one. Truly, you are a man of honor, giving us such face.”

Boar was so taken aback by the sudden approach that he barely reacted at first, but when he got a look from his guard asking for his response, Boar just shook his head ever so slightly before turning to the approaching pair.

“Ah, but of course, of course. You already give me such face in allowing one of my lowly station to escort you to the event, disciple. It is not every day the lowly Stoic Boar may be in the company of someone who is both a personal disciple of Phiona Geller as well as in the entourage of young master Relentless himself.” Boar said, walking forward as if to give a more familiar greeting to the young man.

“What are you doing?” Boar hissed once he was close enough while performing a proper courteous bow. His whisper was at a volume that the bronze-rankers of his group would not be able to listen in.

Kite gave him a meaningful look before returning the bow, attempting to mimic the strength of voice used by the young master. “I’ve found a way for our karma to be severed, young master Stoic. Bring us with you inside. It is of utmost importance.”

“You are calling in the favor already? Like this?”

“I am.” Kite said, their eyes meeting. In the young man’s eyes, Stoic Boar saw resolute determination, his aura matching the expression.

It did not take more than a split second for Boar to reach a decision. “Then I am forced to acquiesce. But please, do not make me complicit in whatever you have planned.”

“Excellent!” Kite said, louder as he straightened from his bow with a smile. “You truly are the paragon of virtue. We shall be in your care.”

Vista sighed inwardly once again as he was walking through the corridors of his compound, soon to reach the small garden in one of the guest wings. A certain perfumed note had politely but rather fervently asked him to meet there, wanting to discuss something of the utmost importance. And as this was not the first time this happened, not even the first time this particular garden was chosen as a location for said ‘discussion’, Vista had left the main celebration immediately, finding it best to get out of the way as soon as possible. Even Whimmy had been left behind, happily using its flames to grill slabs of meat before devouring them with surprising care and restraint. In previous such encounters, the familiar’s presence had only given the would-be courter another way to keep Vista talking.

“I had hoped that the rumors regarding Rachel would have helped in this regard, but alas…” he thought with a sigh. Contrary to his hopes, the rumors had only led to more invitations to private meetings and discussions in more ‘intimate’ settings, many apparently taking the rumored entanglement as proof that Vista was now openly accepting courtship.

“Still, I need to keep the family’s interests at heart. And let whoever it is down gently.” he thought to himself as he turned a corner and spotted the lone young woman sitting demurely at a bench in the garden.

Inwardly cursing the heavens for his bad luck, Vista put on his polite smile and entered the garden. “Young mistress Horizon. A pleasure to have you attend us this day in the end. I thought that you were indisposed for today’s celebration.” With the close ties between their families, Vista knew that he had to handle this one with care.

“Ah, young master Relentless.” she said, rising as her robes and fair hair fell into place almost as if the motion had been practiced, while the parts of her silken shawl that was not covering her arms floated up behind her as a colorful halo. “I am ever so pleased that you would join me here.” Her manner was every bit as bashful as Vista expected, having met the young woman often during his life. “If it would not be too forward of me, I would be happy for you to address me as Aurora. Like you did when we were children.”

“Well then, Aurora-” Vista said, not wanting to be too rude in his rebuffing of her attempt to add more familiarity to their conversation. “- know that I am pleased to meet you, but have to return very soon as I still have my duties.”

“Oh, but won’t you at least stay for a short while… Vista?” She asked, tentatively trying out the name to gauge his reaction. As he showed no displeasure, she pressed on. “Thanks to your family’s generosity in deploying the barrier, the weather is too pleasant not to enjoy for just a little while, is it not?” Aurora asked, once more sitting down at the stone bench while leaving just enough space for him to sit down beside her with a bare modicum of propriety.

The indication of what she hoped for was quite clear, Vista chose to remain standing in front of the woman once he walked over to her. “As I said, Aurora, I will soon be required to return. May I ask, what did you wish to discuss with me?” His tone was still pleasant and cordial, as he prayed that she would take the unspoken hint.

She sighed in theatrical disappointment. “Aw, no mercy toward this young mistress? Then I suppose we shall have to conduct our business as things stand.”

Something in her words caused Vista’s mind to snap to alertness, but by then his aura senses had already been shut out from penetrating the walls surrounding the gardens. And three other figures were already moving in for the kill.

“I can’t believe that actually worked~.” Wander whispered from beneath Kite’s robes, a small head peeking up from his collar.

“We have only Fortune to thank that the young master happened to owe me a favor.” Kite replied under his breath. Him and Braid had joined the rear of the group, trying not to draw further notice from the rest of the line who had curiously looked on at their approach and exchange.

“And you too, Kite, for actually having him owe you said favor. Look, it seems to be working~.”

Ahead of them, the young master and his lady companion were presenting their invitation, the guards looking over their group. Kite could see them ask a few questions, casting a meaningful look at him and Braid, but another few words and a bow from Stoic Boar seemed to ease whatever suspicion they might have been under. Shortly thereafter, they were allowed into the compound.

Kite had seen the courtyard before, during their first send off as Vista’s entourage, but today it was even more embellished.

“The amount of paper here could empty a library.” He murmured as he looked around. “And the flowers alone… What would such a thing cost?”

“Meh, it’s nothing compared to what these old families earn. But from our investigations, there have been clear signs of them being on the back foot for a while now~.” Wander whispered, but fell silent as Stoic Boar turned to them.

“My esteemed guest, if you’ll excuse me, we have to go around and make greetings. But I hope to reconvene with you as soon as possible.” Boar said, bowing before turning to leave as swiftly as decorum would allow for, all but dragging his companion with him while she still cast curious glances at the two. Kite had been amused to see how the young master had fought a cunning and intense social battle to regain her attention after he and Braid had joined their little group.

“May Fortune favor your endeavors of the heart.” he thought with a slight smile before turning to Braid, nodding toward a more secluded space among some plants where a pair of sculpted stone benches allowed the guests to sit down.

“What is the plan?” Kite asked, looking around the crowds. “This place is huge, and there must be hundreds of guests here.”

“Wander, you should go and see if you can approach the master of the house or someone else of sufficient power. They need to be informed about what is going on as soon as possible without drawing too much attention, at least not during your approach.

As for me and Kite, we will need to find the young master and warn him. But as to how we find him-”

“By scent!” Kite exclaimed, interrupting Braid.

“That could be worthwhile, but Wander would need something of his to-”

“No, Braid.” Kite said, pointing over the courtyard. In the shade of a silk tent, a cerberus Kite was quite familiar with by now lay daintily munching on grilled meats. “We have someone intimately familiar with Vista here already. Both in scent and bond. Let us go.”

“Then go! Quick! I’ll see if I can’t find someone important to bother~!” Wander said, rats starting to flow out from beneath the hem of Kite’s voluminous robes before scuttling away beneath the cover of the plethora of decorative plants.

Kite began crossing the courtyard, Braid in tow, their pace and urgency causing many sour or distasteful looks to be directed against them, even the occasional aura spike being directed their way. Ignoring it all, the pair soon found themselves standing before the cerberus, two heads looking up to regard their approach while the last happily munched away at whatever meat was left on the three huge platters in front of them.

“Whimmy, we think Vista might be in danger. Could you please guide us to him?” Kite asked, kneeling down in front of the familiar as they were currently in their smaller form.

One of the heads turned to regard him with a concerned whine while the other cast a suspicious stare towards Braid.

“He is another one of my friends, and he wants to help. Another friend is here as well.” Kite said, showing the one rat of Wander’s swarm which was still with him. “But Whimmy, please. We do not think that there is much time left.”

The two active heads regarded them for a few more seconds, then gave a small *bork* of assent. Rising, the third head still trying to gobble up what it could, the familiar started making its way past the main living complex, noses constantly sniffing the air. Kite and Braid followed in their wake, ignoring even more curious or annoyed stares. At first, the cerberus mostly seemed to move in a general direction, probably following their familiar bond, but soon all three heads seemed to become much more direct in which path they chose.

They followed Whimmy through side paths and around buildings, once even passing through an outside gallery of impressive stone sculptures, the din of the party gradually fading behind them. Soon, there were barely any people around, as far as Kite could detect with his aura senses. And after what felt like an hour of tense searching, Kite finally sensed a familiar aura from an enclosed garden just ahead of them.

“I can sense him. He’s with someone-” Kite began, before everything within that garden was suddenly and abruptly cut off from his spiritual senses. A chill ran through Kite, mind snapping to alertness. With no time left for more words, he activated the speed-increasing power of his boots to dash the final few meters to the door leading into the now blank space in his aura senses.

“Wall!”

The words were out of Kite’s mouth before he had even had time to properly register the scene in front of him. Vista stood in the garden, with a young woman seated in front of him on a stone bench. Just as Kite crossed the corner and gained line of sight to his companion, another three figures had already begun their strike. All three were veiled, clad in gray clothing the color of ash. And all three of their attacks were glowing with power to Kite, enough to make the air and mana ripple with the force of their passing.

A split second later, Kite’s force walls appeared like a cage around Vista, who had just began to move himself. The first of the assailants, hand outstretched with two fingers glowing with contained force, had his attack absorbed by the barrier, but not before cracks spread all over the cage due to the high-powered special attack. The second, a woman with a spear, broke through the weakened cage, spear point partially deflected just in time by a curved falchion which had suddenly appeared in Vista’s hand. Wicked attack turned from potentially lethal to merely injuring, the spear blasted through Vista’s side, the young master allowing the force to throw him out of the way of the third attack as the descending meteor hammer cracked the stone tiles where he had stood just a moment before.

Then, the seated woman made her move as well. The stone bench beneath her cracked as she pushed off, a pair of shimmering steel wings appearing on her back before scything towards Vista in a whirl of cutting death.

“Ward!”

Kite had barely had the time to take another step into the garden as his second spell took effect, a small barrier about twenty centimeters across appearing. One of the wings cutting through the air was stopped by the conjured disc, the other already intercepted by a pair of crossed falchions. Vista, ever cognizant of his own motions, had already started his slight leap as the attack was about to connect, once more allowing himself to be pushed back by the strike, his slow-fall and gliding power assisting to carry him a few extra steps to land closer to Kite.

With Kite’s third step into the garden, the glowing threads keeping his robes together retracted, the voluminous garments falling away from him to reveal the armor beneath, only the pauldrons having been left behind to keep the disguise more plausible. Braid and Whimmy had both just reached the doorway behind, a trio of howls echoing across the enclosed space.

To their credit, neither of the assassins called out or stopped their assault at the unexpected interventions. Both of the women, razor wings and glowing spear leading, were already upon Vista again. The man with the meteor hammer had just begun another swing when five glowing threads shot across the distance, wrapping around his arms and tangling up his chained weapon. A moment later, arcing lightning traveled along the glowing strings, causing a grunt of pain and muscles contracting as Braid literally wove his rituals.

The unarmed martial artist was also trying to flank the beleaguered young master, but was rapidly forced to rethink his actions as a huge cerberus barreled into him, trio of heads snapping and attempting to rip him limb from limb. While the familiar’s first instinct had been to rush straight towards his master, Kite couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of the trust Whimmy showed him in that moment. Because Kite was almost at Vista’s side already.

“Wings!” Kite called out.

“Understood!” Came Vista’s terse answer as he shifted, blades twirling to maneuver the winged woman closer toward Kite. A projected attack forced her to retract her appendages of feathered death and instead utilize them in defense, Kite’s projected spear strike only causing dents in the metal wings. As he began his second strike, Kite couldn’t help but inwardly cheer as she seemed content to let her wings deflect that one as well. But unlike the first, the wings would not survive the second.

Kite was greeted with a hiss of frustration as his dispelling force forced the wings out of existence, even though the momentum of his attack had been spent in the process. Without hesitation, he let the spear disappear, blocking a cluster of steel feathers thrown his way with a conjured barrier even while he began his next swing. The head of his staff gave off a sonorous chime as it appeared, his foe jumping backwards to avoid the strike only to be hit by the projected impact, mana draining once then twice as the echo hit her along with the physical impact.

Pushing his initiative, Kite swung again with the staff before switching to his spear and blade in the exchanges which followed. While the woman was certainly skilled, fighting with discipline and a distinct lack of fear, she had a tough time adjusting to the lack of her conjured wings and Kite continuously shifting up his style as he mixed regular and projected attacks in feints and traps, often using his intent to strike even if he was up close to make the timing of the attack hard to predict. This was the result of many hours of drills and spars with Phiona, the Geller having recognized the potential in his evolved racial gift as much as mistress Dew had.

Meanwhile, Vista had somewhat recovered as he wove his mesh of blades, one of his abilities being magical charges of recovery which slowly accumulated when outside of combat. While he lacked the clustered enemies to properly start stacking up his enhancing boons, the young master made up for his disadvantage through superior skill and flawless footwork, seamlessly weaving his gliding power to adjust the length of his steps, slides and small leaps to keep the point of the spear away from further drawing his blood for now.

Just half a minute into the conflict, Kite could already notice the increasing franticness of their opponents. Everyone here knew that in the assassins’ initial attempt failing, this venture had been put under the relentless pressure of passing time; each passing second bringing the potential assistance for Vista and his companions that much closer.

The man fighting Braid was the first of the assailants who decided that this was enough. Even with his weapon and body entangled in the weaver’s threads, Kite could note a kind of frenzied rigidity in his bronze-ranked aura, the hint of a zealot. And after failing yet another attempt to break free and strike at Vista, the man chose another course of action.

Through his magical perception, Kite saw something ignite within the man. He had seen it several times; as if a charge was gathered, fed with the person’s own life force to increase the power of an attack. But this time, it was more. A lot more. Taken by surprise, Kite could only watch as the man suddenly lit up with power, discarding his weapons as his now glowing form shed Braid’s threads, the glowing constructs disintegrating before his passing. The man took one step, then a second and then his final one, throwing a punch towards Kite’s ally even as his form started to erupt.

A discharge of glowing destructive force followed, blasting outwards in all directions but mostly focused against the weaver. Kite could only see traces of something forming in front of Braid before the powerful blast washed over him and catapulted his now limp form through one of the windows lining the surrounding walls. His aura completely winking out.