Chapter 29: ObligationsI was welcomed to Bode by a heavy rain storm. The cloak I have for Nordselm came in handy during the short walk from the forest to the castle.

  “Hello, my name is David Moreau. I’m here to…”

  “Right this way, Lord Moreau.”

  Crap, I guess they really have been waiting for me. Well, may as well get this over with. The guard led me to a nondescript room, which was probably the same as st time. Inside sat the duke and Gosr, almost like they had been frozen in pce after I left the room yesterday.

  “Good afternoon, David. What brings you here so te in the day?”

  I handed the ring to Gosr, who immediately said, “Yes, this is almost certainly the same ring. The marks are unmistakable.”

  “Great that you found this, David.”

  “Just to be clear, I consider this ring to be my property since it was recovered from sin brigands.”

  “Yes, yes, of course, David. I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of your rightful property. But, this ring will certainly help your case.”

  “I imagine it should, considering what it is. In fact, it’s probably something I should hold on to as evidence.”

  “Um, yes, I wouldn’t… fine, David, how much do you want for it?”

  “It’s pretty important so I’m thinking maybe 250,000 Nars would be a fair trade.”

  “Fair? Well, figures you would have researched the ring’s history. I guess that’s why you came so te in the day.”

  Gosr takes coins out of a bag and hands me the rest — I was asking for too little again.

  “Yes, I came te in the hope that our meeting might be brief.”

  “Oh, are you really so busy?”

  “Yes, I have byrinths to subjugate, you know. By the way, has Captain Gosr finished his investigation of Nordselm? I don’t want to leave that one unattended.”

  “David, what are you talking about?”

  “I’m only asking for practical reasons.”

  Gosr responds directly, “Yes, Lord Moreau, the damage around the byrinth is consistent with a battle as you described. I can’t conclusively determine how many were involved except to say that the engagement was restricted to a fairly small area and no rge groups arrived by foot.”

  “Thank you, Captain Gosr, I sincerely appreciate your candor. If there are any details you wish to know, please feel free to ask.”

  “Hey, what’s going on here? Why are you two so friendly all of a sudden?”

  Gosr immediately backs down. “My apologies, Your Grace, I overstepped.”

  “It’s fine, Gosr. David obviously knows our procedures much better than a commoner should.”

  “David, we also learned that the vilgers seem to think very highly of you. Just like everything else about you, this is frankly quite peculiar.”

  “Well, it’s probably just because I did a little trading with them.”

  “Why did you, though.”

  “It was convenient and they needed it. Why not help under those circumstances?”

  “Commendable but it doesn’t answer why you chose that particur vilge.”

  “Oh, that’s because I wanted to go to one of the byrinths in Elven Territory. I started with Aruba, but it was too busy. The adventure’s guild suggested Nordselm as an alternative.”

  “David, it’s pronounced Harba. Anyway, what makes you think we need your help with byrinths here?”

  “All byrinths need to be subjugated. Nordselm is no exception, perhaps even more than others.”

  “Are you suggesting that the Count of Selmer can’t take care of it?”

  “Certainly not, My Lord. It was just my guess that Nordselm’s Labyrinth could use more attention. I do not cim to be an expert.”

  “Oh, David, we both know that is most definitely not the case. By the way, how many students do you have here in Elven Territory?”

  “None. Now that I have completed my contract, I hope to devote my time to the byrinths.”

  “Including byrinths here in Elven Territory?”

  “Yes, as long as I’m not directly forbidden.”

  “Just so you know, David, subjugating a byrinth in a noble’s domain does not grant you sovereignty.”

  “Obviously. Ah, I mean, I understand, My Lord.”

  “Haha, that’s surely a long time from now, right, David?”

  “Yes, certainly not this year anyway.”

  “Hmm, well, that’s a interesting way to put it. I’d like to hear more. So, David, you will join us for dinner.”

  “Huh? Why?”

  “Haha, come now, David, you must have expected this by coming here so te and properly dressed.”

  “Uh, I couldn’t possibly…”

  “No excuses, David. Just remember to behave yourself. Disrespect will not be tolerated.”

  Back to my fake, formal tone, “Yes, Your Grace, I understand.”

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  Why oh why couldn’t I have simply been thrown in prison? I’m following the duke and Gosr along the never-ending corridors to what may be my st meal. Well, maybe my st meal in this country, if I need to flee. It’s not like I’m in any real danger with my Sigil.

  Thread! Now I remember, those friendship bracelets are made from slug threads and their crystals grant the substitution enchantment. Making one of those will let me get rid of the accessory and get my bonus points back. I’ll order some from Luke when I check on the kobold crystals.

  We entered a modest room where a few women where chatting. Let’s see… oh, it’s the duchess. Wait, better not react. Well, I’ll wait to be introduced anyway. Just as I had read, she really is rather striking in an other-worldly sort of way — oops, better not stare. That could lead to a new set of problems.

  [Duchess of Harz][Cassia Nordbrun Anselm][Female, Age: 29][Mage: 41]

  Hmm, do women keep their name here or is she unusual? Well, it’s mainly just nobles who have st names so it doesn’t really matter. More importantly, considering that my social rank is probably lower than most of the servants, I guess I’ll spend the evening saying Lord and Lady. No, the duchess should probably be addressed as ‘Your Grace’, just like the duke. How do they know who’s being spoken to? Doesn’t matter if I simply keep my mouth shut. I’ll just be quiet and enjoy the free meal, assuming it’s any good — hope it’s not just tree bark. Well, Rutina and Brunhild liked meat-skewers. Yeah, Brunhild… sure wish I knew why she did that.

  “David, this is my wife, Cassia, the Duchess of Harz. Cassia, may I present our guest, Lord Moreau.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Lord Moreau. Rutina tells me that you are a Mage.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace and yes, I am a Mage.”

  “I must admit, Lord Moreau, that I am unfamiliar with your House.”

  “Yes, so am I.”

  “Lord Moreau?”

  “As far as I know, I am the only ‘Moreau’ in this region, perhaps the entire empire.”

  My short, cryptic answers have started to attract everyone’s attention. Still, how else could I possibly answer? A polite lie would be investigated and the truth is ridiculous. Well, admitting that I’m an alien (or worse) would at least get me out of the dinner party.

  “Oh, that’s tragic. Is there really no one left?”

  The duke probably sent his wife to start with the polite approach just so he could exploit any holes in my story. Well, as long as I don’t invent any details that can be disproved, I should be fine.

  “I’m sorry, Your Grace, I do not know. I would be very interested to find anyone who might be a retive.”

  The duke finally jumps in, “David, why all the mystery? Please just expin yourself.”

  “Yes, I will do my best. Are Your Graces perhaps familiar with the Duchy of Grand Fenwick?” [1]

  “No, David. Where is that?”

  “I wish I knew. In fact, I only know of it as a story so it may not even be a real pce.”

  “Well then, what do you know?”

  “I’ve been told that it is ruled by Her Grace, Duchess Gloriana and she is not from my family. I was brought to this nd after the loss of my father and raised in an environment very different from my birth.”

  In a rather unpleasant, accusatory tone, the duke says, “So, you cim to be of foreign nobility.”

  “Oh no, Your Grace, I have no evidence to support such a cim, so it is therefore moot.”

  In a notably softer tone, the duchess asks, “But, Lord Moreau, how else can you expin being a Mage with a family name?”

  “I am sorry, Your Grace. I have no credible expnation other than the simple fact that it’s true.”

  “That is truly sad, Lord Moreau. My apologies for pushing you on what must be a sensitive topic.”

  “Oh no, Your Grace, the fault in mine. I did not intend to sound so negative. I am more than satisfied with my current status.”

  “But, Lord Moreau, don’t you long to return home?”

  “It all feels so far away — like a different world. Of course, I would love to visit if I could, but this is my home now.”

  With some cynicism, the duke concludes, “David, that was quite a story.”

  “My apologies, your Grace. My sorted past was perhaps inappropriate to discuss in polite company.”

  I feel sorry for all the grief I will be causing Gosr as he tries in vain to locate that fictitious Duchy. Considering that I don’t actually have a past in this world, it will be very hard to disprove my bogus story. I just hope that this was enough misdirection to pass light scrutiny.

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  Finally, it’s time for the so-called casual dinner at a rge table surrounded by more servants than seats. The food here can be compared to several days worth of dinners at an inn, both in variety and quantity per person. Even in this house, the meat cks a certain richness compared to the modern world. I don’t know if it’s the lower fat or if this stuff is just too natural. Fortunately, I’ve had venison and other wild meat in my youth to make this not completely unfamiliar.

  They brought out a much nicer mix of vegetables compared to the inns I stayed at. The heavy bread and ale were basically the same. I wouldn’t want to eat like this every day, but this could be nice every week or so. Fortunately, everything served was recognizable and nothing was gross.

  The conversation around the table was light, local and not directly towards me. I was free to ponder which of these unrefrigerated ingredients would come back to haunt me ter tonight.

  The duke interrupted my guessing game, “So, David, what do you think of the food here?”

  “Excellent. I found the veal especially well prepared.”

  “Oh, none of this seems unusual to you?”

  “No, Your Grace, nothing in particur. Perhaps I have missed something.”

  “Hmm, interesting.”

  What was that all about? Would it have been boring if I had praised the bread? Is he compiling my likes and dislikes for a party?

  Just as I was about to get up from this full meal, a second, complete set of dishes was brought out. What the hell is this and, more importantly, why aren’t all these nobles really fat? Now that I bother to check, I see that they’re picking through their food even worse than I am. I thought I might seem rude to be so cautious, but maybe that’s just considered civilized here. Fortunately, I still had plenty of room left for the new food since it was notably fancier. Just dumb-luck that I didn’t fill up on the cheap stuff.

  “David, do you have a favorite for this course?”

  “The custard was interesting. It’s refreshing to have a different style than I’m used to.”

  Why am I being evaluated by my pate? If this is some sort of test or hazing, it’s not going to work against me. My French-influenced, middle-css background should easily match a typical noble here.

  The st course, at least I hope it is, consisted of several types of cheese, fruit and a light wine. Best to get the jump on him this time.

  “Your Grace, may I say that this wine is exquisite. I’m not normally much of a wine drinker, but I love how light and tart it is.”

  “Thank you, David, I’m pleased to hear that. Green-wine is one of our regional specialties.”

  What a lucky shot, especially considering that this wine most certainly isn’t ‘green’. Honestly, it tastes like a sour version of a wine-cooler.

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  As the dinner was ending, the duke called us back into the other room.

  “Everyone, now it is time to expin why Lord Moreau has been invited here tonight. The infamous brigands, Heinz the Bandit and Simon the Mad Dog, have been sin. Lord Moreau and his party were part of that effort.”

  The others apparently hadn’t heard and looked overjoyed. I do recall the duke mentioning something about Selmer having some serious trouble with them so the duchess probably had a personal interest. Nice to earn even more points with her though I seriously doubt that she had the political power let alone the interest to help shield me in any way.

  So, the duke decided to leach some of the glory for himself, possibly even the majority. Even being associated with this success puts me in a rather safe zone with him. I really don’t care how much credit he takes. Having less focus on me and my activities is actually a good thing. The duke probably wouldn’t understand that and he might even compensate me in some way to keep me happy and quiet. Of course, he doesn’t need to know that I’d be willing to pay him to have me left out of the spotlight. I got the bounty reward, after all.

  The duke continues, “A ring was discovered among the items David recovered from the brigands. On closer inspection, we have discovered that it appears to be my old heirloom ring. It is a complete mystery how it came to be in the brigands’ possession. Regardless, I’m happy to report that David was gracious enough to gift it to me.”

  That was some really odd gymnastics. Why go through all that crap about who found it and supposedly gifted it? Well, I’m happy to have received 250k for that ‘gift’. Damn, I’m rich. Maybe it’s time to upgrade our equipment again. We’re still just on the lower floors, but being too prepared isn’t really a problem.

  That multi-course dinner is starting to make me sleepy. I sincerely hope the duke is done with the big reveals because I’m starting to lose focus.

  “It is for this and many other reasons that I’m pleased to offer Lord Moreau a position in the Ducal Order of Knights.”

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  [1] This is the setting for The Mouse that Roared, a satirical novel from 1955 and a funny film with Peter Sellers. It’s sort of like Animal Farm in its political message but much less serious.