“It has to be somewhere near the Dead Lands. No one has ever found it and that is the largest area of unexplored land we have. My own father, Sean Jones, has gone to the Dead Lands to try to find it, following some old texts that hinted about its location. Can you zoom to just the Dead Lands please?”
Alburet did as he was asked, noting the blur in the upper left of the zoomed in map that masked out all detail but obviously was something unlike, the vast stretch of just blankness. Ioaniss seemed excited as he also spotted the blur. “That has to be it. I would love to know why the map is blurred, though. May I copy this?”
“Since you already know where it is having seen this questionable blur, I don’t see why not.”
Ioaniss quickly pulled out his own Traveler’s Map, “Just tap your map to mine.”
Shrugging, Alburet tapped his map to Ioaniss's map. A pop-up asked if he wished to trade just the part of his map currently visible or all of it. He selected the visible part, not seeing any need to do it all at that point. “There you go,” Alburet said as he put his map away.
Ioaniss spread his map out, looking over the possible location of the Forgotten Prison compared to the parts of the Dead Land he had mapped out. “That is quite the trek, all the way to the far side of the Dead Lands. Rumor always said it lay at the heart of a mountain chain, with a tunnel dug through to a canyon.”
Stacia seemed more relaxed now that the conversation had turned away from her and her family. She leaned towards Alburet to speak softly, “We need to be back by midnight.”
Alburet checked the clock on his interface, showing they still had close to three hours, “Plenty of time left, Kitten.”
Ioaniss looked up, “Sorry. I always get distracted by new information about old relics. I should thank you properly for giving us this lead. Is there anything you would wish from the king?”
Alburet sat back to consider the open-ended offer he had just been handed. It would be simple to put a foot wrong here and upset their host. Licking his lips, Alburet asked, “I don’t want to put a foot wrong, Sir Jones. Could you elaborate on what kinds of requests would be acceptable? Also, Vladimir has asked that I share this information with him, is that acceptable?”
Ioaniss frowned slightly at the last part before nodding, “Yes. He did, after all, bring the book and opener to the king. Even if I don’t like the idea in general, his Highness would say it should be done. As for what you could request, the choices are long; coin, a minor title, something from the Royal Treasury, perhaps.”
Stacia licked her lips as she realized just how open the request was. Alburet squeezed her hand gently, “Could I ask for three small boons?”
Ioaniss sat back his eyes narrowing slightly, “Let me hear what they are.”
“Firstly, I am the leader of a new guild that was registered yesterday. We are called Alpha Company. In a few weeks, our numbers should grow quickly, as more two-souled will soon be able to stay in this world longer than we currently can. I am hoping a large number of that group will join me and my friends in our new guild. As we will be one of the few guilds that will be able to help people every day, all the time, minus when the bridge between worlds is closed, I would like our name to become known as trouble shooters. One boon would be to be recognized by the Crown, a royal charter as it were.”
Ioaniss nodded, “That is very simple and easy to do. What is the second request?”
“I was attacked not long ago by assassins sent by a minor noble who was upset with me. As a Summoner, most of my power resides with my minions, which are forbidden in the city by law. I ask that Alpha Company and friends be excluded from this law, allowing us to summon our minions inside the city. It will only be to defend ourselves or to train our minions in the confines of our private abodes.”
Rubbing his chin, Ioaniss thought over the suggestion, “I think I can get the King to issue such a decree if it applies only to Alpha Company.”
“I would be bold enough to ask that the same apply to the Dead Man Inn as well. As it is well known to be a hangout of our kind, it shouldn’t cause a major stir to allow them to summon minions inside of the building.” Alburet asked, pressing just slightly. “Thirdly, I ask to be viewed favorably by the Court.”
A chuckle escaped Ioaniss as he shook his head, “This is really all you are asking for?”
“Yes,” Alburet replied. “I am a two-souled adventurer. I like earning my rewards for the most part. My kind also has a saying, 'Playing the long game', which means thinking far ahead. While a boatload of gold now is useful, it doesn't put me or my guild in any key positions. What I am asking for does, while also easing a small burden on others of my class.”
“I shall speak with the king tomorrow morn. I will meet you at the Royal Museum two hours before midday to show you around with Marcus, if that is agreeable. I will have your answers there,” Ioaniss said as he stood up.
Alburet stood, helping Stacia to her feet as well, “That is most agreeable, Sir Jones. I look forward to seeing you on the morrow.”
Pulling a green bell-pull, Ioaniss waited a moment for Berk to come in, “Berk, we are done for the evening. Show our guests out, please.”
Berk bowed to Ioaniss, before turning to the couple. “If you would follow me, please.”
The couple were lead back the way they came, the hallways now empty of everyone but the occasional servant going about their tasks. Berk led them back out the door in silence, where the carriage stood waiting for them. “I do hope your visit was pleasant, and I wish you a good night.”
Alburet helped Stacia into the carriage, but she paused just inside before taking her seat. Alburet followed her in to find Vladimir in the back. “Vladimir, didn't expect to see you here,” Alburet said civilly.
Vladimir chuckled softly, a hint of fang visible as he did so. “What can I say? The possibility of new information is exciting to one of my age. Did Ioaniss agree that I could have a copy of the information?”
“Yeah. Said he would rather not, but that the king would agree to it so I should go ahead and share it with you.” Alburet replied, pulling out his map. Vladimir already had his map out and ready. “Why the rush, though?”
Vladimir eyed him for a moment, “You do not understand just how much knowledge should be contained in that structure. It was the last great work of the first empire. Almost any piece of it will fetch a high price, or a significant boon from the king.” His hand twitched slightly, “Are you ready?”
Checking his map to make sure it was still set on the blur in the Dead Lands, Alburet nodded. “You will probably be disappointed by what I can share.” He tapped his map to Vladimir's, transferring the current data over. “There you go.”
Vladimir opened his map, looking at it intently for a moment. His brow furrowed, “Why is it blurred?”
“No idea. Sir Jones didn't know either. I would assume it is some kind of safeguard put in place by the people who built it. After all, you don't hand blueprints of a prison to just anyone.”
A short bark of laughter came from Vladimir as he put his map away, “You make a valid point. What did you ask for as your boon?”
“Three small things that Sir Jones needs to check on with the king. I will have my answer on them tomorrow. Nothing that should impact you in any way,” Alburet replied. The carriage had not yet moved. “Can we get going? We have another appointment to keep tonight.”
Lips pursed slightly, Vladimir nodded. Opening the door, he climbed out. “I will see you again at some point, Alburet. I wish you a pleasant night,” He shut the door and a few seconds later the carriage started to move.
You are now viewed as Friendly by Vladimir Dracon.
Stacia let out her breath, “He be even more dangerous than he seemed, me thinks.”