They split the party, p.35
They Split the Party, page 35
“What if I’ve got a few outstanding bounties I need cleared?” Brass asked.
“Or business taxes we want to dodge?” Angel added.
“Goodbye.”
The door shut behind the two, leaving a comfortable silence to descend on the bar until Ruby broke it.
“That was the king,” she said.
“Yep,” Angel said.
“The King of Corsar was here. And he ditched his own personal welcome home parade to come here, just to say thank you and offer you all a favor whenever you need it. Like you’re drinking buddies,” Ruby reiterated.
“More or less,” Phoenix confirmed.
“And that’s not even the craziest thing I watched happen this week,” she said, utterly bewildered. “My life officially makes no sense anymore.”
Angel shook her head. If not for the sake of the girl’s soul, then at least for her sanity, they really needed to get her normal life back. Otherwise, she was going to develop a taste for this sort of thing.
“They are going to be so pissed when they realize we’re back,” Brass said.
“We’re not back,” Phoenix said. “We’re just . . . coordinating our efforts on some unfinished business.”
“What business?” Angel asked.
“The Cult of Stars,” Snow said.
“What?”
“They’re back,” Snow repeated. “And they’re mixed up with Silas, who’s mixed up with whatever was really going on with the breakout.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“I’ve got the scars and mindfire hangover to prove it.”
That got Angel’s attention, and so Snow, Church, and Phoenix laid out the working chain of events they’d compiled from their compared notes and the information Wings had sent Phoenix. The breakout. The weapons Kurien stole and delivered. Silas’s deal in Nikos. The Cult of Stars. All tangled together. One problem after another, all spiraling in on each other. Brass jokingly pointed out that at least Ruby’s demon magic was probably its own thing, but that just reminded them that they had another problem to deal with.
Everyone who hadn’t already was eager to see Ruby’s new abilities in action. Phoenix and Snow were intrigued, and Brass crossed all the way over into excitement, but Church was only concerned. For the last few months in Aenerwin, Ruby’s powers had remained essentially the same. Now, they’d expanded by leaps and bounds.
“I still know a few people in the Infinite Library,” Phoenix said. “They usually keep anything connected to demons under a pretty tight lock, but I might be able to get access.”
“We could always just break in again,” Snow said.
“I’d rather not make them hate me again,” Phoenix said. “I think it would actually stick this time.”
“You guys don’t have to do all of this for me, really,” Ruby said. “I don’t wanna cause any more trouble for you.”
“We’re the reason this happened to you in the first place,” Church said. “And I promised I’d help you. So, I will.”
“We all will,” Phoenix said.
Brass sat back, listening to his companions. This was what he’d been trying to talk about earlier. All five of them, together in the same place at the same time, had faced off against a rampaging menace, saved an entire town, and been handsomely rewarded for their efforts. Not because the rampaging menace had been out to get them. But just because it was a job that needed doing, and somebody important enough to afford them had asked them to do it.
They’d just completed a freelancer job together. They’d fought side by side against impossible odds and had come out the other side just like they always used to back in the day. And now they were all sitting together in a tavern, shooting the shit, discussing options, and plotting next moves. Moves they were going to make together.
They could pretend it wasn’t true all they wanted—and for the sake of keeping peace with the crown, they probably should—but as far as the glintchaser was concerned, there was no denying it.
“We are so back.”
THE END
Characters
Angel/Monica Falone: A former Starbreaker with the divine powers of a Sentinel, and the owner of the Rusted Star tavern.
Bart: A young acolyte at the Church of the Guiding Saint.
Brass: A former Starbreaker of unparalleled hedonism, irresponsibility, and skill with a blade.
Church/Arno Farnese: A former Starbreaker, priest of Saint Beneger the Guide, and the vicar of the Church of the Guiding Saint in Aenerwin.
Princess Diane Recpina: Princess from Her Lady’s City and the representative of Iandra in the summit at Nikos.
Dietrich: The town warden of Cutters Place, a village on the edge of the Iron Forest. Was rescued by the Starbreakers as a child.
Edelfric: Oblivion escapee. Former servant of King Roland I, transformed in death into a plant monster and the Scourge of the Iron Forest. Was originally stopped by the Starbreakers.
The Handler: An underworld middleman and facilitator boss who managed the contract on the Starbreakers. Famous for employing Faceless as servants and bodyguards.
Hilda: Commander of the Order of Saint Ricard, daughter of Sir Richard, and Angel’s former training partner and lover.
Gamma: An autostruct belonging to the Academy, formerly attached to the Golden Shield, and now a direct servant of Ink.
Sir Haegan of Whiteborough: Silas Lamark’s mentor. A former knight of the city of Relgen who witnessed its fall and swore to make Corsar strong enough to prevent anything like it from happening again. Stole the Heart of Force from the Academy and put out a contract on several individuals connected to the Servitor Hearts, including the Starbreakers. Killed by the Starbreakers.
Ink/Kira Arakawa: High Inquisitive of the Academy, formerly a member of the Cord of Aenwyn, and a powerful wizard. Brought the stolen secrets of Hidoran wizards to Corsar.
Julian: One of the brokers who circulated the contract on the former Starbreakers.
Lord Kaiden Roso: Oblivion escapee. Iandran hellborn who uses Hell Tongue to control others through verbal commands.
Katherine: The former queen of Corsar and the mother of Roland II.
Chancellor Kleitos: The elected leader of Parthica and its representative at the summit in Nikos.
Kratz: Vera’s half-orc bodyguard and enforcer.
Kurien: Oblivion escapee. A notorious masked murderer who earned her reputation as the Prince Killer by targeting the heirs of nobility. Was stopped from killing Roland II by the Starbreakers.
Lexos: Oblivion escapee. The human mimic, part man, part shape-shifting monstrosity.
Lupolt: The advisor, attendant, and bodyguard to King Roland II. His sister died in the fall of Relgen.
The Oracle/Apollius: An ancient elf who sought to use the Oracle’s Sanctum to take over the world. Defeated and imprisoned within the Sanctum by the Starbreakers.
Phoenix/Arman Meshar: A former Starbreaker and scholar of the Infinite Library. Sole keeper of the secrets of spellforging in Corsar. Husband of Elizabeth/Wings, father of Robyn, and ex-lover to Snow.
Pitch/Highwater: Oblivion escapee. Former member of the Cord of Aenwyn turned assassin. Possesses the Heart of Flames and burned down the Crimson Lilac in pursuit of the contract on the Starbreakers.
Quint: Former prince of the kingdom of Kaberon, now the leader of the Cord of Aenwyn. Ex-lover to Ink.
Renalt: The Corsan god of truth, justice, and benevolent strength, and the patron deity of the kingdom.
René and Rosa: Twin sisters who work for Silas Lamark.
Sir Richard: Hilda’s father and the person who trained Hilda and Angel to become paladins. Killed in battle defending the girls.
Robyn Meshar: The daughter of Arman/Phoenix and Elizabeth/Wings.
Roland: Former king of Corsar, born in the city of Relgen. Abdicated the throne after the city’s fall and passed soon after.
Roland II: The current king of Corsar, son of Roland. Unable to walk unassisted after an attack by Kurien in his youth.
Ruby: Former escort at Crimson Lilac. Left to die in a fire by Pitch and had her prayers for salvation answered by a demon. Granted power in exchange for an unknown price.
Silas Lamark: A former knight who worked for Sir Haegan and has since taken up his mentor’s mission of remaking the nation of Corsar.
Simon: Server at the Broken Cask, de-aged by a witch’s curse, and only just now reaching adolescence for the second time.
Sinnodella: An elf who lives in the forests of Corsar and trained a young Elizabeth/Sable in druidic magics.
Snow/Chloe Guerron: Former heiress and Starbreaker, now a notorious assassin. Possesses the Heart of Ice. Ex-lover to Phoenix.
Tariq the Immortal: The sultan of Gypten and its representative at the summit in Nikos.
Thalia: The bartender of the Rusted Star.
Vera: Former owner of the Crimson Lilac, a brothel that was burned down by Pitch.
Wendel Lestrade: Oblivion escapee. Used his knowledge of the Disassembly Council’s work to find the location of the Helm of the Dread Knight and became its host.
Wings/Elizabeth Meshar/Sable: Former member of the Broken Spear. Now a skilled archer, practitioner of druidic magics, knight of the crown, wife of Arman/Phoenix, and mother of Robyn. Possesses the Heart of the Sky.
Locations and Organizations
The Academy: The Tarsim Academy of Arcane Studies, better known simply as “The Academy,” located in the capital city of Sasel, is the foremost institute of magical knowledge and study in Corsar and one of the greatest in the world.
Aenerwin: The town where Arno/Church currently lives, site of the Church of the Guiding Saint, and the first town the Starbreakers ever saved from the Cult of Stars.
Akers: A small village on the outskirts of the city of Olwin where Arman and Elizabeth Meshar live.
Asher: The name of the world.
The Broken Cask: A tavern in the city of Sasel, formerly frequented by the Starbreakers.
The Broken Spear: An all-female freelancer company Elizabeth Meshar previously belonged to, during which time she used the name “Sable.” Now disbanded.
The Church of the Guiding Saint: The church in Aenerwin, dedicated to Saint Beneger the Guide.
Clocktower: A criminal organization that facilitated the hits on the former Starbreakers and clashed with the company many times in the past.
The Cord of Aenwyn: An internationally traveling freelancer company that developed a bitter rivalry with the Starbreakers. Currently led by Quint with former members including Ink and Pitch.
Corsar: The kingdom now ruled by Roland II. Only recently unified by the previous reign of Roland I and Katherine of Sasel and still reeling from the fall of the city of Relgen.
The Crimson Lilac: Vera’s former luxury hotel and brothel in Olwin; burned down by Pitch.
The Cult of Stars: A cult dedicated to the return of the Starborn. The Starbreakers earned their name by foiling their schemes and hunting their members years ago. Thought to have been wiped out by the fall of Relgen.
The Disassembly Council: A council within the Academy tasked with keeping dangerous artifacts secured from the rest of the world and destroying them when possible.
Faceless: Grey-skinned, shape-shifting, telepathic beings believed to come from another world.
Future’s Road: The artery that links Corsar’s capital city (Sasel) to the rest of the interior.
Gypten: One of the nations present at the summit in Nikos. A land of deserts, mountains, and elemental rifts fueled by trade and ruled by the sultan. The native homeland of Arman’s family.
Her Lady’s City: Shorthand for Her Lady Excellent’s City of Corrinverno, the capital city of the Iandran Empire.
Hidora: The great empire of the Far West, and the former home of Kira Arakawa.
Iandra: One of the nations present at the summit in Nikos. The self-proclaimed center of the world, famous for its passionate people and their love of the arts. Arno Farnese’s birthplace.
Infinite Library: One of the greatest repositories of knowledge in Asher, situated off the coast of Corsar. The place where Arman Meshar worked and studied before becoming a freelancer.
Loraine: One of the largest ruintowns in Corsar, which was previously nearly destroyed by the attack of the Servitor and now well on its way to becoming a true city.
Nikos: The capital of Parthica and the host city of the first international summit of Asher.
Oblivion: A prison of incredibly advanced physical and arcane security features where the most dangerous criminals and monsters are kept.
Olwin: The largest city in Corsar’s interior now that Relgen has fallen. Home to countless refugees from the area surrounding the fallen city.
Parthica: Host nation of the first international summit of Asher. One of the only nations in Asher to elect its leaders.
Pearl Palace: Home palace of King Roland II.
Puerto Oro: An independent port city on the shores of Tecah, originally established by Iandran colonization efforts.
Relgen: Formerly the military capital of Corsar and Bastion of the North. Its entire population was wiped out by an Old World weapon during the Starbreakers’ final mission together as a company.
Rusted Star: Tavern owned by Angel/Monica.
The Sanctum of the Oracle: A great Old World machine housed in a floating fortress of ice and rock built to provide perfect knowledge of the past, present, and future. Home of the Oracle.
Sasel: The capital of the kingdom of Corsar; City of Yesterday and Tomorrow; Jewel of the Coast.
Seven Gates: An order of knights who serve the crown.
Tecah: A large island landmass located to the southeast of Corsar with an interior of impenetrable jungle and independent port cities along its coast.
Other Terms
Company: Most common name given to a group of freelancers who work and travel together.
Extractor: A device created by Phoenix to siphon the energy of a Servitor Heart. Only a few unused models remain, held by the Academy in the event of their need.
Freelancer: An itinerant mercenary-explorer who finds employment in everything from delving into Old World ruins, recovering artifacts, hunting monsters, and serving as hired muscle. Infamous in many places for bringing trouble wherever they go but nevertheless invaluable for their skills and expertise.
Glintchaser: Colloquial, semi-derogatory name for freelancers used most commonly in Corsar.
Hell Tongue: A fiendish power to control others with verbal commands.
The Old World: The days when the elves ruled an empire of several worlds that included Asher and humans were little more than servants.
Paladin: One who is trained to funnel divine power into their body and weapons.
Ruintown: A typically temporary settlement that rapidly springs up around the community of opportunists who come to exploit newly discovered Old World ruins. Often the host of all manner of strange people and occurrences.
Sentinel: An angel who incarnates in human form to battle evil on the mortal plane, forgetting its previous life as an angel in the process.
The Servitor: A war machine of the Old World which rampaged through Corsar until stopped by a joint effort of multiple freelancer companies and the forces of the crown.
Spellforging: Old World practice used to create arcane machines and weapons.
Starborn: Ancient cosmic beings from beyond the farthest human understandings of the universe, believed by some to have existed before the gods.
Servitor Heart: A power source of the Servitor, each one keyed to a specific type of power, such as Force, Flames, Ice, Sky, or Shadows.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have wanted to be a writer for most of my life, but because it was more a dream than an actual goal for so long, I’ve spent a long time wondering when I’d feel like a “real” writer. It used to be I thought it would happen once I got my first book published. But then I did that, and as momentous as that occasion felt, pretty soon I started to think, Well, anybody can get one book out. You’re not a real writer until you have books out.
Well, I now have books, plural, out in the world. And even more writing than that besides. And I guess I do feel a little bit more like a real writer. But, probably honestly, this is never going to feel real. This is a journey. One I intend to walk for the rest of my life, and one I absolutely could not walk alone.
Thank you to my beautiful wife, for reading this thing almost as many times as I did. I genuinely do not think I could have properly revised this story without you. You are, as ever, the reason I write and the reason it comes out half as good as it does.
Thank you to God, for giving me a gift and a chance to share it. You are the reason my first and greatest goal is to add some goodness to the world. I hope I made you proud.
