Chapter 55, Moving on the Guild.

(Trisha)

Standing in her room back at the inn, Trisha smoothed her shirt. The door slid open, revealing Eliya entering the room. Eliya gave Trisha a sad smile.

" Are you going back out?" asked Eliya as Trisha winced, her comb tangling in her curly brown hair.

" Yes, we are going to dinner to discuss our plan of attack." said Trisha.

" You know we have to kill him, right?" asked Eliya, sounding worried..

" I know, I know, I'm just trying to get all the information I can for the mission." reply Trisha, deciding her silken blouse, looked fine how it was.

"You are such an idiot. Why are you doing this to yourself?" asked Eliya, her tone soft.

" Doing what? I'm just going out to dinner with a spy to talk about our mission. Dont worry about me Eliya, I will be fine." said Trisha adjusting her curved dagger tucked against the flat of her back.

" Did you give Elliot those vials of paralyzing gas?" asked Trisha.

" Yes, they are fascinating. I cannot believe how effective they are." said Eliya. Trisha paused, turning to Eliya, who looked uncharacteristically concerned.

" Wait, who did you test one on?" asked Trisha.

"Well, Greg was slacking off while I was training, so I tested one out. Turns out when you inhale the gas, your muscles lock up for about five minutes." said Eliya excitedly.

" Fascinating. I wonder if the size of the person affects how long the gas keeps them paralysed." said Trisha.

"Were there any unusual side effects?" asked Trisha.

" Well, Greg doesn't slack off as much during training now, if that counts? But other than that I would say no." reply Eliya, a small smile creeping onto her face. Eliya shook her head in reminiscence, her dirty blond hair falling over her face.

" Thanks for the tip, Eli! I'm headed out, gotta meet up with the spy." said Trisha her path taking her right next to Eliya. Eliya held out an arm, blocking Trisha in.

" Serious talk. I will do whatever you want. I can tell you like this idiot. Just say the word and I will support you. But if he hurts, you I'm going to smash his head open like a watermelon." said Eliya seriously.

"Thanks Eli, I dont know what to do? There is no way out for him. And the reward is just so good, if I kill him." said Trisha, unable to meet Eliya's steely gaze.

" Dont say that, you idiot. If you want to help him, escape, tell me. The church doesn't have to know. I care more about you than this church." said Eliya.

" Thank you for the support. But we will carry on with the plan for now." said Trisha as she eased Eliya's arm out of the way and pushed out the door.

Trisha descended the stairs, passing through the common room and out onto the street. She passed the mercenary group but wasn't in the mood to talk right now. Eliya's disappointed frown as Trisha pushed out the door was affecting her more than she expected. Trisha took in a breath, calming her racing emotions. She glanced town at the timepiece on her wrist. Only ten minutes until seven. She needed to hurry. Her heart raced as she strode down the street. Trisha didn't know what Reskeme had in mind when he suggested a place, but she certainly didn't expect the upscale restaurant she was greeted with.

They built the restaurant on a hill and towered several stories into the air. She could see several glass covered patios jutting from the building higher up. From her position on the street, she could see servers dressed in formal attire delivering trays of food that had her mouth watering from across the street. Trisha eyed the crowd, searching for a familiar face. He strode down the street, seeming uncomfortable in his new red silk shirt and blue pants.

" Well, look at you, moving up in the world?" asked Trisha admiring his new loose fitting clothing.

" Michael's mother helped me get them. I still think i look like a spoiled dandy." said Reskeme tugging on the smooth silk shirt.

" It looks good. For a second I thought you were some other vagrant that looked like Reskeme." Said Trisha.

" Right, I suppose you would think that. It's usually hard to notice us vagrants from your high horse," retorted Reskeme.

" Dont be like that. We look down on everyone, including vagrants." said Trisha, grinning.

Leading the way, Trisha held the door, letting Reskeme enter. A server strode up to them, noticing their entrance.

" Lord, lady, just for the two of you?" asked the server, bowing at the waist. The servers were dressed in a silken doublet of black with a light undershirt of green that made the man seem stately.

" Yes, just the two of us please."reply Trisha.

" Please, just call me Reskeme. As much as I appreciate being called a lord, I'm an honorable commoner. I can't in good faith take the title of lord." Said Reskeme, bowing his head in what he hope was a gracious bow.

" Of course, sir, I misspoke. Sir, milady, please come with me and I will show you to a suitable booth." Said the server, not missing a beat.

They strode through the entrance, inundated with a barrage of noise and a refreshing breeze. The scent of meat and tangy aroma of roasted vegetables drifted to Trishas nose.

" How did they make it so cool in here?" Asked Reskeme.

" That would be the wind and water runes that pump cool air through the building." Said the server.

" What about winter?" Asked Reskeme, sounding like an excitable child. Trisha smiled as she followed Reskeme as he pepper the server with questions.

" We have a mage from the guild come several times a year to recharge the runes. They do not complicate the device when they build it, so even I can run it without mana after it is powered." Said the server.

" I didn't know that was possible? How can a Mundy use something that requires mana?" Asked Reskeme.

Trisha grinned as no doubt the server took offence at the slanderous term of normal people.

" If you must know young man, just because us normal people can't throw around mana doesn't mean we can't use object made by a master runesmith." Said the server, testily.

" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend. I am just curious because I am a runesmith." Reply Reskeme, in an odd show of deference. Trisha cocked her head, not sure what to make of the exchange.

" A runesmith, you say? Fantastic, we need all the innovative Runesmiths we can get." said the server, his previous jovial attitude returning.

Trisha kept quite at a loss about how to contribute.

" Reskeme, what branch of runesmithing have you been practicing?" Asked Trisha.

They ascended stairs covered in a soft, dark red carpet. Once at the top, the server gestured to one table shaded by an umbrella over arching the street. The table sat alone on a balcony overlooking the sprawling city. They built the restaurant on a rise in the city, giving a breathtaking view of the city as the red tinged sunset bounced off the tiled rooftops.

For a moment, Trisha completely forgot about Reskeme and her looming mission as she admired the stunning view. She felt a wriggling malice for a moment coming from her wrist and like squashing a bug; she forced Victor back into the time piece. They were on the top floor of the restraint with an unobstructed view of the city sprawling down the valley. Trisha was so used to feeling boxed in by the confining streets at so felt liberated to be up so high.

" Trisha, did you hear me?" Asked Reskeme, poking her right shoulder. Trisha grimaced. Reskeme took a step back, his expressing growing more guarded. She realized what that must have looked like.

" You touched my stitches. They are still a little sore even after five days to heal." Said Trisha, rolling her shoulder gingerly.

" Oh, sorry bout that. I didn't realize you are hurt." Said Reskeme, eying her shoulder curiously.

" It's fine. What were you saying, the view distracted me," Said Trisha.

"I was saying I make weapons. And I'm surprised, the view is good, but this isn't near as impressive as when you climb over the summit from the south." Said Reskeme.

" Is that how you got here?" Asked Trisha.

" Yeah, we hiked over the summit. That was what I would call unpleasant. But the view was amazing if you like that kinda thing." Said Reskeme, taking a seat on one side of the table.

" Any drinks tonight?" Asked the server.

" I will have a royal red please if you have any." Said Trisha, her mouth already watering.

" I will have water please, I can't stand the taste of spirits." Said Reskeme, shuddering.

" Why is that?" Asked Trisha as the server left. The server left two menus. Each was a small three page book emblazoned with gold script.

" I had an unpleasant experience the last time I drank. And i really don't want to have another." Said Reskeme, his body shuddering as his mind seemed to wander.

Trisha let the topic pass, not wanting to bring up something Reskeme was clearly having trouble thinking about.

" I am surprised you agreed to come to dinner with me, knowing what I am. You didn't have to do that. I have already fulfilled most of my roll to destroy or steal the relic," Said Reskeme, abruptly changing the conversation.

" We are just out for dinner talking about the mission." said Trisha swallowing hard as Reskeme stare her in the eyes. Trisha could swear she could see a flickering green light dancing behind Reskemes deep brown eyes. She shook her head, dismissing the thought.

" What is with your attitude towards other people? You have changed a lot since the first time we met." said Trisha.

" I realized some of the costs of my previous behaviour." said Reskeme, running a hand over his scarred ear.

" Thats good to work on behavior. But you will need to work on your proper decorum." said Trisha.

" Well, I dont know if that is even necessary. Most nobles don't even notice me and when they do that because they dislike me," Reply, Reskeme.

" That is because you antagonise them. I still dont know why you insist on doing that?" asked Trisha. Reskeme went silent, scrunching his face in thought. A distant distraught look crossing his expression, revealing the venerable young man underneath the facade.

" You are not wrong. I do have a habit of creating my own problems." reply Reskeme, skipping any of the details.

Trisha leaned back in her chair. Other than what she had personally seen, Trisha knew nothing about Reskeme's past. He was ostensibly a mystery. Popping up from off the streets after her guild kidnapped him. She took in a deep breath, bracing herself.

" Do you have any family other than Rory and Alex?" asked Trisha, her heart racing in her chest.

" I thought we were here to talk about the mission?" asked Reskeme.

" Well, it is a night out. I am no expert but the point of a date is to get to know each other." said Trisha posthumously.

Trisha flushed at those words. Her heart raced as Reskeme met her eyes. There were questions dancing within.

" I dont know what to think of you, Trisha? Why would you agree to a date when you know that I'm a monster?" asked Reskeme, sinking back into his chair.

" Noone would think that after seeing you with those two children." said Trisha, feeling a need to defend him.

The server arrived, placing a tall cup of icy water in front of Reskeme and a freshly uncorked bottle of royal red wine in front of Trisha.

" I will be back in a few minutes to take your orders. Milady, please let the wine breath to reach its full potential." said the server before he saunter back inside.

" Rory and Alex are my only family." mumbled Reskeme into his cup of water.

" What happened to your parents?" asked Trisha.

" Harboring the afflicted." said Reskeme, staring into the sunset.

" Dont they execute everyone who could be tainted?" asked Trisha, her throat tightening.

" I was on the roof of the neighbors' roof the night of the raid. I was laying and watching the stars after arguing with my parents. They punished me by making me clean the house and taking out the trash. I thought I didn't dis-serve the punishment and so I left early going to where I knew they couldn't find me." said Reskeme.

Trishas mouth went dry. For years, she lived with the understanding that if they ever caught her, they would kill her violently. That was not all. Any who were deemed to have aided her would also be sentenced to death. After all, those deemed afflicted by the curse of mind magic had no rights. The only mercy was a quick death.

" What happen next?" asked Trisha, a lump catching in her throat.

" The city guard surrounded the house. I watched from the roof, too scared to shout. I Remember the last time I saw my mother's face, she was being dragged away in chains. I will never forget her expression. She seemed so resigned. It was like she knew it could happen all along." said Reskeme, staring into his water.

" Did they search for you? Surely the guard knew your mother had a son?" asked Trisha.

" Yes, they did. I hid on the roof. It was dark, and I was small, hard to see in my dark woolen pajamas. I could hear them going from door to door, searching the place. It must have been most of the night before they stopped searching. After that I had to survive, but that is a story for another time." said Reskeme, anger crossing his face at the memories.

" And your Father?" asked Trisha. Reskeme shrugged his shoulders.

" Mom never talked about my father, I actually never met him." said Reskeme.

" What do you think of the menu? I like the sound of a perron fillet." said Trisha, changing the heavy subject. She hoped talking about food would shed the heavy mood that settled on the room.

"That sounds pricy. Monster meat is hard to get for obvious reasons. I like the sound of the slow roasted chicken." said Reskeme.

" You don't come to top end restaurants to get regular meat." said Trisha, aghast.

" What is the point in spending so much crowns on monster meat? That dish the Perrin fillet costs five whole silver?" asked Reskeme.

" Because, the meat of certain monsters can speed your body's acclimation to mana." said Trisha.

" Say that again, but use smaller words." said Reskeme, rolling his eyes.

" It means exactly what I said. The meat has been infused with mana the entire life of the monster, making it like training to eat the meat." said Trisha.

" Why didn't you just say that the first time? Not all of us get to go to school with nobles. Or be raised in a guild." said Reskeme, a smile creeping onto his face. Trisha winked playfully at Reskeme. His shoulder-length brown hair and indistinct brown eyes were a stark contrast to his actual appearance. Trisha breathed sharply, forcing herself to remain calm as a flitting image enter her mind. She could see him from his perspective staring into a looking glass. His silver white hair, bright red skin and flickering green eyes caught her off guard.

The server returned, stepping in smoothly just as there was a lull in the conversation.

" How is your wine, milady?" asked the server.

" I have been taking your advice. I wouldn't dare neglect something so amazing as a royal red." said Trisha, loving the sweet scent of strawberry.

" May I take your orders?" asked the server.

"Perrin fillet for me." said Trisha, excitement welling in her chest.

"And you, sir?"

" I would like Some Varish sand worm," said Reskeme, clearly unsure.

" An excellent choice. We have a special treat for you indeed, a lesser monster at the mid-stage." Said the server.

The server left, leaving them once again in an uneasy quiet.

" What are your plans after the mission?" asked Trisha. Reskeme choked on his water, coughing for a minute.

" Does that mean I'm going to be alive after the mission?" asked Reskeme.

Trisha opened her mouth. She closed it again, unable to lie again to his face. If Trisha was being honest, she didn't believe he would survive. Perhaps that is why she was foolishly spending as much time as she could with him before he was executed? Trisha looked down at her wine, the full bottle still aerating. Trisha didn't want him to die. But she didn't see any way out. Giving him false hope would just be cruel.

Trisha shook her head, deciding to have fun while she could. The sun set as they talked, catching up on the time they had spent apart. The sun had already set by the time their empty plates Were cleared away. Trishas chest hurt as she laughed.

" I cannot believe, he asked you to set up his tent? I bet Kellar was mad. Having your tent fall over on you has gotta be a pain in the ass." said Trisha gesturing wildly, unable to remove the smile from her face. She felt good, her cheeks flushed with wine. The royal read sat pleasantly in her stomach, settling perfectly with the Perrin fillet. Trisha licked her lips in remembrance, wishing she could eat more.

With her plans to infiltrate the guild already in place, all Trisha needed was the key Reskeme told her about. So far tho he hadn't given her a chance to take it and to be honest, she had not even tried. They paid for the meal and left. Trisha had the rest of the bottle of royal red, wanting to save it for later.

Her body tingled, half of a bottle of wine made her body buzz lightly. She strode confidently down the street, Reskeme beside her.

" Do you still have that amulet to keep yourself hidden?" asked Trisha.

" Yeah, but I don't even really need it. Its just nice to not worry about my illusions not breaking." said Reskeme. Trisha paused. Was he trusting her now? Trisha's heart wrenched, she hoped not. He would be even angrier tommorow at the outcome.

" You may hurt yourself long term. If you are not getting the constant practice with your illusions, you will never reach your full potential." said Trisha, unsure why she repeated the bishop's words. Reskeme paused in thought.

" I have still been practicing. But ever since I got the amulet, my progress with channeling has definitively slowed." said Reskeme.

" I can channel six layers, but judging how long ago you started, then you should only be around four, maybe five." said Trisha, pondering.

" I channeled five layers a couple days ago for the first time." said Reskeme.

" The first five are quick. That is why a mage isn't considered a real mage until novice. The first six are your foundation. It took me a year after reaching the fifth layer to be able to channel the sixth." said Trisha, breathing deeply of the night air and strolling along the street next to Reskeme. Trisha didn't tell Reskeme why it had taken her a year. If he was using all three of his mana types then he would progress much quicker than she had. Trisha had to take it slower however, without using her mind mana her progress was essentially cut in half. Well she smiled, now that she was under the bishop her progress was speeding up again as she used both of her affinities.

The streets were lit by orange light. The rune lanterns were much brighter than the torches of the lower district.

" Why don't they consider people a mage until they reach the sixth layer?" asked Reskeme, sauntering casually as his eyes roved the streets unconsciously. Trisha only noticed his gaze occasionally lingering on her because she, too, was keeping her surroundings in mind.

" Because, that is when you start the initial stage of structural advancement, your ability to channel mana becomes a lot easier." said Trisha, The high priest would probably have a tantrum if she knew Trisha was passing on her teachings to a literal demon but Trisha didn't care.

" Thats good to know, I feel like I have been just blindly flailing around hoping I do something right." said Reskeme.

" I think that is how everyone feels." said Trisha.

" Not everyone has it as easy as you. Being the apprentice to the bishop sounds like a stroke of luck." said Reskeme.

Trisha paused. Reskeme wasn't wrong. But he didn't understand the circumstances she was under. She took in a breath, letting it out to relax herself. He didn't know what she was. Trisha thought about telling him, but what would that do? The only people who knew that secret were the Bishop, the high priest and Eliya. Trisha didn't even feel bad about lying to the Bishop about that. Of course, Eliya knew.

But did she trust Reskeme with that information? The answer made her heart race. Trisha shook her head, her gaze roving the streets to avoid Reskeme's inquisitive look. The story of his mother ran through Trisha's mind. He had revealed a lot tonight about himself, and she had revealed almost nothing. Perhaps he was the real friend, and she was just pretending to get what she wanted. Her resolve firmed. She decided that if he somehow escaped, then she would tell him about it.

Trisha paused in front of an inn, smiling as the placard lit up by a rune lantern. The woman clutching a glass of wine seemed a perfect place for Trisha given that Trisha had a bottle of wine half empty in her hand. Reskeme strode ahead a few steps before realising she had stopped.

" This is my inn. I best be going inside." said Trisha awkwardly.

" Of course, milady," said Reskeme, half curtsying, half bowing.

" Thats bow is terrible. I see why the prince insisted you nod." said Trisha, shaking her head. She smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. She had never enjoyed a night out so much before, and wasn't sure what to do about it.

Reskeme chuckled, flushing in embarrassment as he walked away, a grin on his face.

" Well, I will see you tomorrow evening for the mission." said Reskeme.

" Yeah, thanks for the dinner." said Trisha.

" I bought it with your gold." said Reskeme, waving over his shoulder and grinning cheekily at her.

Trisha leaned against the outer wall, watching him retreat around the corner. She smirked to herself. Trisha wonder if he was going to pay her back. It seemed unlikely, but she couldn't discount it. She crept into the building, passing through the empty dinning room. The woman on night shift managing the front desk glanced up momentarily before dismissing Trisha by looking away.

Trisha crept up the stairs and used her key to unlock her room, hoping her roommate was asleep. Trisha passed through the shared living room towards her bedroom door. Two plush chairs sat in the middle of the spacious room next to a long couch. Sitting in one chair was a shadowy figure, as if she had been waiting.

" I see you had a pleasant evening?" asked Eliya.

" Why don't you have a light on?" asked Trisha, looking for the rune lantern in question. The room lit, giving off a light yellow glow as the rune lantern lit the space.

" Sorry, I saw it in a play. Its supposed to add drama. And besides, aren't sisters supposed to keep each other safe? Staying out late on a date could be dangerous." asked Eliya, reclining back in the soft chair, her staff resting on her shoulder.

" I dont know if that counts for a date." said Trisha flushing and setting the bottle of wine on the small table in front of the chairs.

" So you admit it, you were on a date." said Eliya, her calm slipping.

" Nothing happened, we just had some food and talked then I came back to the inn." said Trisha feeling put upon.

" Right. Trisha, I know how you had a hard time when you thought he died. But now you have to kill him. Even if you decide not to, then the other church members will when they do their demon sweep of the guild members." said Eliya, concern written on her face.

" Unless you changed your mind?" asked Eliya. Trisha swallowed, her wavering resolve apparent. Trisha straightened her back, going straight to business.

" In the morning, we will prepare the mercenaries and give the church time to prepare. Attacking in the evening after most people have retired is best. Only the members living in the guild hall will be present. I doubt the guild master is allowing any demons to leave the guild until they are ready. Giving time for the demon to take control over their host while they live in the guild quarters would be the best choice to keep people from revealing themselves." said Trisha.

" The mercenaries have been preparing and scouting since we got here, as have I. There is one entrance in the front and one to the side for members. Our attack should work out the best right after the shop workers close for the night. We don't want a lot of civilians who are not part of this. Once we call in the church soldiers, however, they will come down on the guild like a hammer." said Eliya.

" Thank you for your work Eliya, its reassuring to have you doing the planning." said Trisha.

" Well, it would be easier if my boss detained decide to go to a high scale restaurant with a demon." said Eliya, smiling slightly.

"Did you have a good time, Trisha? Or do I need to break his legs or something?" said Eliya in a calm, serious tone.

" No breaking his legs. That was the most fun I have had in a long time. I have to say, I prefer that demon over a noble any day. For all I know, the demon is more wholesome." said Trisha, grinning as she walked across the carpet towards her room.