Chain the Wild Pawn 5

*Clink*

The sound of glass touching glass penetrated the silence of the musty old office and spoke volumes of the difference between the lively adventurers of the Highroot Company House and Highperch. Though the way he poured the amber colored spirits into his glass at the small bar beside the only window in the bookshelf lined room spoke of his uncultured background, everything else about him and the office implied he was a man of old fashioned power and importance. After being amongst the rowdy adventurers out in the Company House courtyard Chain was anything but impressed where she leaned with crossed arms against the wall next to the imposing double wood doors of the office but was too worn out from her duel with Elliot to verbally complain.

(Ugh. That idiot is smarter than he seems. Our exchange was barely a few seconds long yet I’m totally exhausted from it. To think he was holding back…)

Looking across the office and past Melody who stood beside her in nervous silence Chain noted the differences between the two men who shared the office with them. Elliot was a picture perfect example of an exemplary knight as he stood nearly at attention in front of the cluttered heavy wood desk that took up a good deal of the office’s floor space. He easily could have availed himself to one of the lushly upholstered chairs that rested before the desk but as a knight it seemed unlikely he would allow himself to relax so before a man of power like Highperch. Highperch’s own relaxed nature with the back of his left hand resting on the small of his back undermined the iron fist like approach he hinted at running the Company House with back in the Brass Line station. Taking a sip of his spirits as he looked out the window he heavily implied that he did not consider any present in his office deserving his gaze. As he did not turn around even as he finally began to speak Chain quietly clicked her tongue.

“Considering you are a client and the Chainmaid and beast amongst our members I had not expected to have you all present at the same time.”

Melody flinched at the way Highperch addressed her with such disdain and Chain gritted her teeth in anger. Chain had every intention of speaking up for the harpy but stopped when she noticed Elliot ever so slightly shake his head. It was obvious that he was trying to prevent her from taking any action she would regret and the exhaustion she felt from their earlier duel assured she would be wise not to try.

(Ugh. Who would have thought that idiot had planned this far ahead back in the station.)

Chain’s thoughts naturally went unheard by Elliot who was more focused on answering Highperch regardless.

“It seemed appropriate as Chain’s insight into the situation that the Bandit King left me in has prevented me from tarnishing Lumirest’s name.”

“Tarnishing it more you mean.”

“I understand our worship of her Eminence, Lady Cardinal and her all encompassing light, is frowned upon as she is not of the Trinity of Stars but that does not mean we are a twisted people. It is for that reason that I have nothing but the highest praise for Chain. She not only occupied the attention of the Bandit King and the Rattama Hero who joined him until I could join the fight, but she sought out any survivors even as she fended off the bandits who would come upon the Brass Line.”

“Slaughtering them you mean I would think. What a mess she made of that whole situation.”

“I disagree Master Highperch. I am here now and, though I failed to slay the Bandit King, there can be closure for those who were expecting the passengers of the Brass Line.”

“I don’t know what fanciful delusions they teach you in Lumirest Silverlance, but this world is known by most of us to be heartless and merciless. The Brass Line failing to get here would have been nothing new. As for your foolish belief to best the Bandit King it would have been better if you had never made such a plan. Now I have to worry about dealing with the repercussions of your stupidity and his retribution.”

“The plan was admittedly not mine Master Highperch. My involvement was naught more than to fell the Bandit King should I encounter him on my way to Raptoria.”

“Yet you didn’t, and now it’s up to me and the monarchy to figure out how to get out of the mess you’ve dragged us into without ever thinking about the consequences.”

“I see. That’s why you would have preferred that Chain had perished at the Bandit King’s hands; then there would be no member of the Soarmont Adventurer Company left to attract the attention of the Bandit King.”

“So you’re not a complete fool.”

“Nor a coward Master Highperch.”

Chain’s eyes widened in surprise and Melody’s mouth fell open at the unrestrained insult that Elliot laid upon Highperch. Highperch also seemed surprised as his glass did not make it to his lips for another sip, instead stopping midway as he visibly trembled with rage. Despite his rage Highperch was not able to defend himself as Elliot continued.

“While you and the people of Highroot see the sea of blades beyond the river as a warning and reminder of the Bandit King’s reign, I see it as an affront to honor and righteousness. Surely there are Heroes amongst the ranks of the Soarmont Adventurer Company who you could have called for aid in ending this villainy long before it ever provided an opportunity for Lumirest to improve our relationship with Raptoria and the other Kingdoms of Light.”

“You’re speaking out of turn Silverlance.”

“Maybe Master Highperch, but I am a Knight Prince of the Church of Lumirest while you are but an aged adventurer who seems ill fitted to his position within the Soarmont Adventurer Company. That you are having an audience with a man of my standing is a credit to which you owe Chain. Her knowledge and wisdom painted the Soarmont Adventure Company as better than how you represent it and it is why I have respected your policies and am speaking with you now. Let it not be said that Lumirest is disrespectful of her neighbors without due cause, and your disrespect for life has earned you such contempt Master Highperch.”

“My disrespect for life?!”

Highperch lost his temper and threw his glass to the ground shattering it as he spun around to level Elliot with a furious glare. Melody practically jumped at the scene but Chain had to keep herself from smirking. She may have considered Elliot an idiot but there could be no doubt that the Hero’s provocation of Highperch greatly amused her. Highperch was not so amused and tore at Elliot with rage laced words.

“If there is anyone here with a disrespect for life it is that whelp at my door. Whereas I have done everything in my power to avoid clashes between the Company and the Bandit King to minimize the loss of life she slaughters without a second thought. Even more so she fattens herself on the death of others so don’t you tell me I have no respect for life when that monster is right there and has likely won the ire of the Bandit King for all of Highroot.”

Elliot did not flinch at Highperch’s tirade, instead leveling the enraged man with a powerful glare from the corner of his eyes.

“You forget yourself Master Highperch. You tremble before a common outlaw but would raise your voice to a Knight Prince of Lumirest when you represent the Soarmont Adventurer Company. If I were in your shoes I would be more fearful of earning the ire of a nation than one man. As for Chain’s disregard of life I have already addressed the matter with her and have been led to believe that she still has more respect for life than you even if she is a monster as you claim. Perhaps though it is because even monsters care for their offspring whereas you so callously disregarded Chain’s life as one would spilt water in a lake.”

A shrill whistle passed Chain’s lips and drew the attention of everyone in the office to her. Stepping away from the wall Chain unfolded her arms and placed her hands upon her hips.

“I’ll admit that I don’t like Highperch myself but I don’t believe we’re here to be slinging insults at each other like children. We’re all adults here outside of Melody, who’s absolutely terrified by the way, so we should act like it.”

“You expect me to listen to the words of a girl barely turned maid Chainmaid?”

“You can or you can’t; it’s your choice. The thing is though, Elliot is a client of ours and that means regardless of his status he deserves at least that much respect. If the Soarmont Adventurer Company starts disrespecting its clients people are going to lose their trust in us and then we’ll just look like a gathering of common mercenaries, bounty hunters, treasure hunters, and grave robbers. If that happens I doubt the consequences will be confined to just one nation. As for the Bandit King I wouldn’t worry about him if I were you. That grinning idiot came after Elliot and me of his own free will so I doubt that he’ll take it out on Highroot. At least as long as I don’t stay too long, which is entirely up to you Highperch.”

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater