They arrived at the Museum to find the entrance under heavy guard.
People were being corralled away by a series of knights, none of which Arthur recognized. Angry muttering filled the air as their small group approached the steps. As soon as he’d put a foot on the first of them, one of the knights broke away.
Arthur knew he would have needed to look up at him, even if it wasn’t for the fact he was up a flight of stairs. What sections of his arms were visible through the armor were muscular, and he carried himself with an aggressive stance. Without them even opening their mouth he knew this man enjoyed violence.
Still, he thought he should try and be polite. No point in doing anything to deliberately upset the situation more than it already was.
“Hi, I’m Arthur from—”
“Get lost, outsider. We don’t want you here.” Spittle flew from the man's lips as he barked out his words. “Take your freak with you. We have our own problems.”
“I can tell. We actually have something of a problem ourselves, you see—”
“Did I ask?” The man took another step towards them, leaning forward slightly as though he was about to charge.
Arthur felt his legs tremble as he stood his ground. “No, but we need to talk to The Knight-Captain about—”
A large hand shoved him to the side as Theobold moved in front of the lunging knight. With a twist, the man's hand missed Theobold’s face and smashed into the barrel. From his spot on the ground, he watched the crack widen before the barrel split.
Someone behind him screamed as the corpse of the Multipup landed on the ground with a meaty thud. Even the angry knight seemed taken aback, as Johnathan stared at the display with a look of horror.
As he lay on the ground watching Theobold attempt to clean up the mess he tried to keep his breathing under control. He doubted he was actually hurt, but he knew he needed to use this opportunity of stunned silence for all he could.
“That was what we needed to talk to her about. The Farmers need help, and Pit Monsters are the purview of The Watchdog Knights. Let us in, five minutes.”
“We’re under orders to not let anyone in.” Another knight said as he moved closer, a group following him. All were gripping weapons as they looked at Theobold. “Captain’s orders.”
“Yeah,” said a third. This one was short and stocky, with several knives strapped to his breastplate. “Besides, we don’t want the smell of freaks to infect the place. Nor lights raised to their rank through pity.”
A dark chuckle ran through the group.
“What did you say about my employee?” Arthur asked, taking a step forward. He wished his cane was with him, but he left it at the store. After all, why should he need it here? At that thought he made a promise not to go without it again.
“You heard me. I said he’s a freak! A pity case! Mutant scum who couldn’t hack it, and ran off to join you.”
Behind him, he heard someone yell, but he didn’t take his eye off the knight. Before he could say anything a woman was standing there, hand outstretched. The knight lay on the ground clasping his nose in both hands.
She was an older woman with streaks of grey in her sandy blonde hair. She was fit for her age, and her clothes though wool spun were designed to be easy to move in. All around her, the knights started to step back before she even started to speak.
“What, Knight Peter, did you say about my son?”
The knight on the floor made a gurgling noise, and she turned away.
“Arthur, correct?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Owner of Apocalypse Assortments. Nice to meet you.”
To his surprise, she stepped forward and embraced him. She squeezed tight, and for a moment he wondered if she planned to crush him. However, she let go before it started to hurt.
“I’m Theorisa. Thank you for saving my son. I apologize for not coming to see you, but such is life. Now, you wanted to get inside and see Alyssa?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Excellent. Son, with me. You,” She pointed to the bigger knight. “Knight Gregger. Out of my way.”
Each of the knights stepped back and didn’t say another word as she led them inside. Though as Arthur walked next to Johnathan, he couldn’t help but notice the careful look each knight shot their new companion.
***
The inside of the Museum was deserted, and it took Arthur longer than he would have liked to admit in realizing they weren’t being led to the same place he’d been last time. His mind was focused on the conversation occurring between the two in front of him.
“So, a new job!” Theorisa said, her smile showing in her voice. “I’m so proud of you. What’s it like?”
“A lot of standing around, and some patrolling.” Theobold sounded both nervous and excited as he spoke.
“Didn’t go too far from your experience here then, good to know your skills are so transferable.” Theorisa laughed, as she pushed open a door and marched through it. Her voice dropped a touch for her next question.
“And are you well? Alyssa said you were, but I haven’t been able to get away to check. I’m sorry for that.”
“Mom no!” Theobold sounded panicked. “I’m fine. It’s my fault, I should have come earlier I just…”
He trailed off, but she simply nodded and patted his arm.
“I understand. All of these changes must be a lot to take in. I still remember when you were younger and—”
“Mooom!” Theobold let out a small whinny as he interrupted.
She laughed as she stopped, her hand coming up and resting on the side of his face. “Yes, yes. But remember. No matter what you look like, or what anyone says, you’ll always be my son.”
It wasn’t a question, and Theobold simply nodded. With that, she patted his face once again before moving ahead towards a door he hadn’t seen before. There was no label, but the presence of the same young girl who’d served him tea in Alyssa’s office made him think it was important.
“I’m sorry ma’am,” she squeaked out. “The council is meeting. No interruptions.”
“Sienna. You remember my son, don’t you?” Theorisa said, and when the girl's eyes shifted to Theobold and widened, she continued. “We need to talk to Alyssa bout a problem with his station. It’s urgent enough they have come directly. Council urgent. Would you step aside?”
There was nothing harsh in her tone that Arthur could hear. Yet, Sienna stepped aside as though she’d been struck. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“That’s a good girl. I’ll make sure Alyssa knows you did your duty admirably. Arthur, next to me. Theobold, and… I’m sorry what's your name?”
“Johnathan, ma’am.” His voice was smooth as he nodded toward Sienna, who blushed.
“Right. Stay beside Theobold, and keep your mouth shut unless spoken to. Here we go.”
With that, she knocked twice before letting herself in, one hand on Arthur’s shoulder, so he couldn’t escape.
The room was large, and he expected it’d held a sizeable display in the center of it at some point. Now, the plastered walls were bare and the only thing adorning it was a large table. Four people sat around it, each equidistant apart with papers spread out before them.
Alyssa was the sole member of the four to wear armor, though he saw a skinny man resting a hand on a large quarterstaff.
All of them looked over at them with a variety of expressions. None were any shade of pleased.
“What is the meaning of this?” This came from a woman he didn’t know. She sat opposite the man with the quarterstaff and twisted in her seat to look over her shoulder. Her brown hair was done up in a bun, and even from behind he could see the side of a massive book.
One of her hands gripped a quill, which she kept pointed at him.
“I would like to know that as well, Kourtney,” Quarterstaff said. “I believe we made it clear we were not to be interrupted.”
“And why is there a mutant in our compound? You told me you dealt with this thing!” The man sitting opposite Alyssa said in a voice that sounded like he gargled gravel. Arthur could tell he used to be fit, though it was fading with time. His beard was bushy, and his clothes were stained.
All of that combined with the wooden leg sticking out from beneath the table, let him know where the man's anger came from. That didn’t mean he appreciated it.
Alyssa appeared to agree.
“Hulvin!” she snapped. “Shut your mouth. Knight Theobold has every right to be here. Though, I do wish to mention, not to interrupt our meeting. What is the meaning of this?”
Arthur considered trying to explain, but with all the angry expressions he decided that showing them might be quicker. So, with a simple gesture Theobold moved forward and in one swift motion dumped the corpse onto the ground.
***
Sienna was sent to fetch more chairs.
As they waited, Arthur found himself being introduced to the entirety of the Knight Council. He knew Alyssa, The Knight Captain already, so she did the introductions.
“That there is Cyrus, he’s our Merchant-Captain. Keeps the little trade we have running.”
At the mention of his name, Cyrus waved. He had short curly grey hair, and upon closer inspection, his staff was covered in numbers and symbols.
“I do hope we can do business, Arthur. There is only so much trade between stalls.”
He wanted to ask where they got all their food from, but Alyssa continued before he could.
“Next, Kourtney, our Scribe-Captain. She’s a record keeper.”
Kourtney nodded, her eyes glued to her book. She was scribbling in it with speed, bits of ink splashing the cuffs of her grey tunic.
“Last, but not least, is Hulvin. He’s our Crafter-Captain.”
Hulvin grunted and looked away from them. Arthur felt he could guess what the man's issue was by a simple glance at his leg, and his general state. Hulvin had been fit once, but what muscle he had was going. There was also a stench of booze on him now that he was closer.
“Perhaps you can tell us what you wanted?” Cyrus asked. “Unless you want to wait for seats first?”
“No, it’s fine. I visited the farms. As you know, Riccardo is dead.” He paused as Hulvin turned and sneered at him.
“Thanks to us!”
Kourtney let out what might have been a noise of agreement, or a sigh. It was hard to tell over the sound of her quill scratching at the pages.
“Anyway. They are in need of protection, someone to keep the path into town clear. We were hoping that you might be able to lend aid for this endeavor?”
“Who's he?” Alyssa asked as she nodded toward Johnathan.
“A local. We brought him to explain the situation in more detail.” Arthur could feel his heart beating in his chest as he spoke.
He hoped that he sounded as professional as he hoped. If they couldn’t convince the knight, his idea was dead in the water. Unless he wanted to send Theobold for both pick-up and drop-off. Which might work, but would limit the trade and wouldn’t keep the farmers safe.
“Fine. Boy. Explain.”
Theorisa shoved Johnathan forward, and Arthur stepped back to listen. Minutes passed as both Cyrus and Alyssa grilled the teen who looked nervous. He explained about the types of monsters, how often they struck, and what the farmer's defenses were like.
“I see,” Alyssa said with a shake of her head. “We can’t help you.”
“What?” Arthur asked. “But—”
“No buts. We can’t spare anyone from the compound right now.” Alyssa’s tone brooked no argument. “Not with everything else going on.”
“What if I made it a quest, you’d get paid for it? I’m not asking for a freebie.”
That piqued Cyrus’s interest, but Hulvin grunted. “We don’t want your money. Any trade we do with you will be accidental at best.”
“That would be my decision, Crafter-Captain.” Cyrus leaned forward. “Not yours.”
“But it’s my craftsmenship you’d be selling. And neither I, nor any of my workers, are making things to sell to him. Period. We don’t deal with mutant scum.”
“Hulvin!” That came from Theorisa just as the door slammed open, and two armed guards followed a shaking Sienna into the room.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Tdj0WXeG
