CH. 23 - Interlude - Those That Seek Shall Find

"Hmm…"

The scout slipped back within the cover of the forest and began making its way back to the rendezvous point, a planned point where others like it were assembling, at the assigned time and date.

Having been making detailed, even intrusive observations of its assigned area when appropriately afforded the opportunity, it was certain the information it had obtained would be valuable.

Even the scout was surprised by what they had witnessed. The intelligence brief that had been provided prior to its particular operation had been meticulously full of detail, nothing had seemingly been remiss within the documents.

With the knowledge of that particular assistance of information, the observations had begun, providing a particular focus for its investigation.

For a month, the scout had observed, monitored, investigated and conducted general gatherings of information it determined was relevant to the finalization of the operation. Information that would later be used to assist and provide the perfect implantation of the end goal.

But the secondary focus if its investigation had surprised him. The one the intelligence brief related to.

The scout cast their mind back to the battle it had witnessed, the battle between Duke Marcus Helios Astrea's soldiers and their opposing enemy. The scout knew the nobleman's soldiers were approaching an ambush, but neither cared nor deigned to inform them of such a wicked scheme.

As far as it was concerned, there was no concern.

The strong don't owe the weak anything. It is not the responsibility of the strong to protect the weak. It is simply the fault of the weak for being weak.

That was the scout's approach upon the matter.

So, they offered nothing and instead watched. Waited. Interested though it was in the outcome of such a fight, there was more concern held in gathering information of the fighting capacity from both sides, more than anything else.

As the battle unfolded, it sneered at the nobleman's soldiers, who were cut down one by one by what the scout determined to be a motley brigand of thugs for hire. Skilled though some of the thugs were, they shouldn't have been able to fight as well as expected of the nobleman's soldiers.

Pathetic. If this is an example of what the kingdom has to offer, there will be no concern from us. How laughable, that those under the patronage of a Duke are so embarrassingly futile.

Snorting with glee, the scout watched the Duke's daughter run from the battle, attempting to flee from the skirmish.

The scout watched as a thug, who it cared not the name for, attempted to defile the young girl. The scout curled its lip in disgust as it observed. They weren't so cold as to disparage such despicable behavior, but its role was not to interfere, merely observe.

So it was that as it thought the Duke's daughter was done for, that something completely unexpected caught its eye.

The Baronet's son appeared out of seemingly thin air.

Why hadn't the scout noticed his presence? Too engrossed in recording the altercation before it, the scout had failed to pay due care to its surroundings.

The scout cursed inwardly at itself. It couldn't afford to make petty mistakes such as that and risk being seen, much less captured. If that were to happen then the worst-case scenario would occur, one that was unforgivable.

It shuddered at the thought. No, it must be ever hyper-vigilant.

What boggled the mind of the scout was what happened next.

Apparently facing certain death, the baronet's son had circulated mana and drawn it forth, using magic to create a mass of stakes to spear suddenly from the ground in a wide-ranging area of effect.

This was not in its briefing notes.

Magic in and of itself was not of particular concern of course. There were plenty of races that could utilize spell craft to their benefit, bending the laws of nature and other such forces to their will.

No.

What caught it by surprise was the incredible surge of the build-up of mana prior to its release. From someone who it had never concerned itself with being able to cast spells in the first place, much less pull mana out from within themself.

The pressure exuded from the sudden release of the spell, without any incantation and without any training with magic whatsoever, almost knocked the surprised scout off their feet.

This was extremely valuable information. This was incredibly interesting to have observed. How fortuitous for the scout this chance encounter was.

Grinning to themself, the scout watched as the boy collapsed from the sudden depletion of mana. Having overworked himself without any experience, the complete exhaustion and over release of the energy would leave him unconscious for days.

It was almost comical. Something like a play from the theater, that was emptied and only they had the single, available seat to watch from.

"Time to go…"

The scout had disappeared, blending into the surrounding forest it was so good at camouflaging itself with as the guards from the nearby town, a focus of its investigation, arrived. Years upon years of training and enhancing its level of skill in particular areas had made them an exemplary example of expertise of the role they performed.

*********

Weeks later, after rendezvousing with the others who were also sent out to undertake similar surveillance missions in other areas, the scout arrived back at the manor of their employer. One who had requested the secondary objective of their mission and provided a particular brief of intelligence.

"Ah, it's been far too long. And here I was wondering if you had collected the information I requested or had failed and were too ashamed to face me again."

The employee spoke to the scout, an air of authority surrounding them that spoke volumes of how little they cared for failure.

"Of course. I've never failed in any capacity that's been requested of my services. Certainly, on this particular request neither have I failed now."

The scout rubbed their palms together nervously. This was one person they did not want to disappoint. Though they knew the document they would shortly provide was valuable, it still held a certain fear over upsetting this individual and facing their wrath.

"I never doubted you for a second. Your reputation precedes you, I merely jest. You have always been above reproach. What you provide is always beyond expectations."

Smiling a smile that would make any male swoon, the employer flattered the scout.

But the scout knew better. They knew this particular person's capacity for violence and cruelty. They knew what that smile betrayed.

"Thank you. You honor me with such praise. I have the results of your request here with me. In this folder of documents, I am sure that you won't be disappointed once you read them."

Handing said documents to the employer who immediately withdrew them and scanned the contents on the pages, the scout waited patiently. It was only natural that the one who requested their skills would want to ensure the request had been fulfilled to its completion.

"Yes… Yes… Hmm… Excellent. This is more than I expected, I am satisfied for now. Fantastic work as always. One of my servants will take you so that you may receive your payment. I may have need of your services again in time, so bear that in mind too will you."

"As always, I am at your disposal. Should you need me, you know where to find me."

Nodding at the scout, the employer poured themself a glass of red wine and watched as the scout was lead from the room by a waiting servant.

They were pleased. More than pleased actually. Smiling contentedly to themself, they swirled the wine before putting lips to glass and sipping from it.

Patience was a virtue and time was always on their side, they need only wait a little longer. Sometimes it took years for them to gather what they sought. So be it, in due time the prize would be obtained.

If there was one certainty in the world, then it was that this individual always got what they wanted. There was no greater truth, no harsher reality, than that singular cold fact.

The employer shivered with a joy they could barely contain.

Gently caressing the magic staff that stood propped beside them, the red stone perched upon its crown pulsed in response to the touch.

"Soon…"