Chapter 24 - Under Pressure

The next day Euryale walked with hurried steps through the city.

It’s been two days and he hasn’t tried to contact me…

She turned a corner onto the main street towards the guild hall. A patrol of soldiers were passing on the far side of the street. She had noticed the increased patrols of the soldiers after the fire bomb attack, but ever since the incident in the woods she became even more hyper aware of their presence.

She tried not to stare as they walked along and she dipped her head lower, as if that would somehow make her less conspicuous.

A few children passed by her. A couple of them gave her strange looks.

It’s just your imagination Euryale. The children are just surprised to see someone important…ish walking around town.

She hurried her steps more.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the same children run over to the soldiers across the street. One of the children started to point right at Euryale while saying something to the soldier.

She began to panic and practically ran down the street until the soldiers and children were out of sight. She didn’t notice that no one gave chase, though she was aware of more strange looks from those she passed in her rush.

Relieved, she finally started to catch her breath when the guild hall came into view.

It was mid-morning. Well past the morning rush of those looking for new quests and offset from any of the meals the hall served in its tavern. She hoped that would mean there would be few people around.

She tentatively pushed open the door to the hall. Other than the same pair always sitting near the window playing games, the only person there was Witt standing behind the quest counter which operated as the hall’s bar.

There was always something odd about giving out quests and beer at the same counter. But when she thought about it, was it really much different if the alcohol was served a few tables over?

She shook her head to toss away the fleeting distractions of her own thoughts and approached Witt at the counter.

“Uh…Hello…Mr. Witt. Um…How do you do?”

It was almost painful to watch her struggle so hard to try to begin with a normal conversation.

“Euryale! Lovely to see you! What brings you in?”

The gregarious Witt greeted her like he would any other day. The normalcy of his greeting somehow made Euryale even more nervous.

“Well, I, um…wanted to talk to you. About…things. And such.” Her words seemed to die mid-sentence as she failed to come up with the right way to phrase her words while others were around.

“Things and such you say! Well, I’m your man.” He smiled and winked.

Witt then leaned in closer over the counter. “You know Euryale. This isn’t necessarily the best place to discuss…things and such.”

He could see the panic on her face get even worse.

“I know. I know! It’s just…so many things. So much…such…” Her hands waved in the air as she floundered to find her words.

He put up his own hands like he was calming a wild animal. “Ok, it’s ok. We can talk a little. But lean in close.” His eyes flicked to the men at the front window and he leaned in even more with a whipser. “They probably won’t pay attention and have terrible hearing. But you never know. So let’s stick to talking about stuff we don’t mind being overheard, if you get what I mean.”

Euryale nodded eagerly.

Standing back up, Witt spoke low, but clearly. A casual conversation with a friend from cards.

“You’re probably curious about that nasty attack in the woods. Did you hear? Warlock’s group attacked an envoy and some soldiers had to chase them away.”

“Is that…is that actually what happened? What…did happen? I am so confused?!”

Ignoring her real question, he spoke like he was merely an interested gossip. “No one seems to know everything that happened…yet. But that is certainly the word on the street.”

The word ‘yet’ drilled into Euryale’s mind.

“What’s the castle saying happened?” Witt asked. “That would be very helpful to know, wouldn’t it?” He raised an eyebrow in a way only she could see.

Right. He wants to help me. Did help me. I don’t know why. But he needs information. What can I tell him?…

“Well, um, I did hear that they sent someone to figure out some mysterious substance at the scene. Something that burned a soldier. Taia thinks some people might have died, but isn’t sure.”

“Isn’t sure? That’s very interesting, isn’t it. And does Taia know who was in that carriage? Or Xorn? I’m so curious for castle gossip.” It was obvious he was dressing up his question in case of any listeners.

“Oh, no. No actually. Taia told Xorn she thought it was some financial expert. That’s…what she had told me…before…too.”

Her eyes swirled like she was going to be sick as she thought about who was actually in the carriage. Witt quickly pulled an empty pitcher over and set it in front of her.

Euryale forced herself to breathe more slowly and pushed the pitcher away without needing it. Unlike at home last night. And the night before.

“Thank you Mr. Witt. I…must be coming down with some illness. Or something.”

Witt smiled knowingly. “Well, if you want to avoid getting…sick…” he leaned closer again, “you shouldn’t push yourself by coming to visit me.” His voice was a low growl. It was obvious to Euryale that he was upset she stopped by unannounced.

She stood tall and tried to slow her breath even more, trying desperately not to let the panic overwhelm her.

“And as for the gossip,” Witt switched back to his genial tone again, “I am very, very curious to know when Xorn and Taia find out who was in that carriage. It would be a…shame…for me to be kept out of the loop.”

“Right! Yes! I understand.” She responded, a little too formally.

“And Euryale. I realize it probably goes against all kind of protocols. But do you think you can share any information about who comes and goes from the castle for the next little bit? As a friend? I imagine any new visitors will be relevant to all this gossip.”

A conflicted look crossed her visage, but she seemed to come to an answer quickly.

He’s been so helpful. I’m sure it will be fine.

“Of course. That makes sense. It’s important so friends can help friends.” She over-emphasized the word a little too much for Witt’s liking, but he got the answer he wanted so he let it slide.

“Well then. Thanks for your visit Euryale. You really shouldn’t have. Feel better and have a nice walk back to the castle!” He waved jovially like she was leaving any other day, even if his tone switched to a warning partway through.

Feeling not at all less worried, she nonetheless forced her steps to be closer to her usual gait as she passed by a shorter, blue hair elf coming into the guild hall.

“Well hello adventurer, how can I help you today.”

Witt greeted the new entrant with his usual grace as Euryale awkwardly waved as she left the building.

Witt’s eyes followed Euryale until she was completely gone then turned to properly address the newcomer. “Coming to report on a quest?”

“Yes…guild master.” He tried to ignore the pause in Ariadne’s reply but at least she didn’t call him dad.

“I’m here to provide a quick update before I head back to finish my quest.”

“Excellent. Report.” The last word was far more business-like and direct than his chat with Euryale.

Ariadne leaned in and whispered. “I paid those kids in sweets like you said to point out the demon to the guards every chance they get. Little buggers jumped at the chance. Bloody evil idea by the way.”

Witt suppressed a laugh.

“And the…discussion…should take place tonight. I’ll head back over to keep an eye on things.”

Witt immediately knew she meant the interrogation of the prisoner.

“Well, I appreciate your hard work as an adventurer as always. Don’t forget to bring snacks if the quest is a long one. And do tell that partner of yours to pop by more often. I can’t believe he makes you do all the busy work.”

Ariadne barked a laugh without meaning to. “Yeah. I’ll be sure to tell the bugger to stop being such a taskmaster.”

“And here I remember he told me you volunteered!”

She shook her head and laughed as she left.