“Just a small thing. We’re hoping to speak with you before the upcoming vote,” the Vice Ambassador says. “If you don’t mind, we will escort you the rest of the way to your demesne.”
“And if I say no?” I ask, fist flexing.
“Why, I’d accept your request with good grace. And then go on to my next one, with the Movana.” His grin widens even as his eyes stay cold.
I do my best to keep my face unmoving, giving away nothing. Unfortunately, people like Harry—who is off his game—and the three musketeers do. The Erethran Ambassador grins, deliberately shifting his gaze to those who gave up the goose before turning back to me. Revealing our presence, our location to our enemies would be bad. Really bad.
“Shall we continue your walk? I wouldn’t want to hold you up too long.” Rammaner steps aside slightly, letting us move forward if we wish.
I growl but accept the fact he’s got us cornered. I can’t afford to start a fight here, and his threat—while subtle—is clear enough.
We walk, the Ambassador and his companions content to stroll alongside me in silence. I take a few moments to call up their Status information as I consider what they want. The two other Erethrans are boring, an Assistant and a Bodyguard, or the Erethran equivalent with fancy titles to denote their Advanced Class Status. The Bodyguard is right on the border of crossing into Master Class, and a quick dip into the System shows he’s stuck, unable to progress as he hasn’t chosen to fulfill his Class Quest.
The Ambassador, on the other hand, is much more interesting. I stare at his Status screen and poke at it mentally, seeing what I can call forth.
Zimalin Ramanner, Platinum Tongued, Famed Courtier, Beloved of the System, Master of Ceremonies at the 5S0-8, Slayer of Goblins, Manticores, Sphinxes, … (Senior Erethran Ambassador Level 3) (M)
HP: 2130/2130
MP: 2130/2130
Conditions: Diplomatic Immunity, Two are One, Secured Shield, State Secrets, Aura of the Empire’s Voice, State Security Protocols
“That name…” I frown. “I should know that name, right? It’s not Catrin’s, right?”
“Seriously. How did you ever keep a girl? You had a multi-month relationship. And her name was right above her head the entire time!” Ali sends back.
“I remember her name, just you know, not her last name. I didn’t need to remember it, and it was always right there,” I mentally rebut Ali. “It’s like remembering phone numbers. You don’t need to, because your smartphone always has it. Or birthdays. Or the name of your Skills.”
“Separating molecules, you humans are so lazy.” Ali sends an image of himself rolling his eyes.
I snigger, but I’m grateful that since the latest Level-up, his banishment doesn’t mean he can’t communicate with me. At least, so long as it’s a voluntary one. We haven’t tested an involuntary banishment as yet.
“Ramanner. The ex-Chief of Staff. The one you Shackled.”
“Right! He never mentioned he was related to the Vice Ambassador.” I frown. His presence here, the lack of information. I smell a conspiracy. On the other hand, he is the Vice Ambassador, the guy second in charge. Maybe Ramanner didn’t think it was necessary?
Ali’s dire chuckle makes me grimace, only to see Mikito interrogating me again with an eyebrow. This time, I can only offer a shrug.
We march on, the Erethran Vice Ambassador breaking the silence to chat about inconsequential things. The latest play, the places to eat. He fills the silence with practiced ease, and his presence makes the other guards and the other diplomats glance at us and away.
Each step, each sideways glance by a diplomat, a courier or assistant as we walk makes me tense internally even as I offer monosyllabic replies to Rammaner. My stomach clenches, my fingers press together under the cuffs of my sleeves, and I find myself wishing I had some chocolate to eat.
Harry doesn’t do much better, his fears warring against the enchantments on him and winning out. I see the occasional flashes of panic, of concern that run through him. I hate it. I hate pushing him so hard. But I don’t have a choice, I don’t think.
Mikito handles the walk the best, keeping an eye out for problems without looking more suspicious than any security guard would. It’s still not perfect, it’s still not great, and I can tell that the liquid grace she moves across the floor with is her fighting stance. Her body, her awareness is ramped up to its peak level.
All this tension, all this wariness will force a crash that’ll really suck later. Until then, we watch, we breathe, and we function.
Finally, finally, we reach the hallway that leads to humanity’s secure room. Our secure location, the one that only members of humanity can enter. Guards watch us as we move through the hallways, but none dare stop us. Not with the Erethran with us. And since the hallways lead to many places, they only glance at us before letting their eyes move on.
I’m just glad that traditions—and Council paranoia—dictate that security personnel are pulled back and out of hallways. You can’t stay standing in a hallway for too long, no matter what. Which means there are, of course, roving groups of security and paid diplomatic couriers, but no stationary guards. In this way, with a little bit of luck and planning, you can slip into a rival’s room, make a deal, and leave with no one the wiser.
“And here we come, to the end at last. Really, coming here is dangerous. One might almost call it insane. No one in their right-thinking mind, when pursued by the full power of the Council, would think to come to the very heart of their power,” Ramanner says. “Which is why we knew you’d be here.”
“We?” I say.
“The Empress Apparent sends her greetings.” Ramanner gives a small salute, hand to his chest before he continues. “Also, and these are her words, ‘Tell that fool this is the most I can do and that, if he survives, he should visit.’”
I blink while behind me, Mikito lets out a muffled snort of amusement.
“And what, exactly, did you do? Or is she offering?” Harry says. Something in his voice makes me turn around, slowing down our pace. His hands are clenched around one another. His fingers are pale, almost white around the edges.
The Ambassador sweeps his gaze up and down Harry, his lips tightening in disapproval. He hesitates before giving his head the slightest shake and turning away from the reporter.
“I do want to know the answer to that question too,” I mutter to the Vice Ambassador.
“Ah. A simple matter of extraction.” Ramanner shifts and holds out four stylized pins.
I frown, picking one up from his hand and scanning it to see what the System has to say.
Stylized Pin
Materiaclass="underline" Gold
Of course, that’s not enough for me. I dig in, checking the information provided, and my lips curl up. Because it might be a simple pin according to the description, but the bundle of Mana it’s wrapped around is dense. I push, sliding past the data bundle, and find myself staring at another, more honest notification.
Manop Galactic Positioning System Pin (M)
When you absolutely must keep track of something, Manop’s GPS Pins are guaranteed to work or your Credits back three times over! That’s right, our lifetime triple warranty has never failed, even against Heroic Level Class Skills.
Effects: Provides your location to holder of the master-piece to this slaved pin. May be used in conjunction with master-piece to target spells and Skills.
“Really. You expect us to wear this?” I say.
Ramanner smiles. “I am hoping you do not.” At the incredulous look, I give him, he shrugs. “I follow orders, but I must also express my displeasure at her actions. The Empress Apparent is placing the Empire in danger with the aid she offers you. So no, I would prefer if you didn’t use this.”