Hylore – Seahold (Noreland Capital) Spring 2344 AS

  Day 15

  I walked along the route highlighted on my eye screen. The screen was translucent, allowing me to avoid obstacles.

  I walked farther uphill as I moved deeper into the city's noble section. My leg muscles were getting a workout today. Around me were large, spacious homes, their gardens and plots walled off from one another and from the rest of the population.

  Around here, the Watch were out in force patrolling. I was close to my destination now and had been stopped no less than four times by separate patrols. They recognise my System tattoo but still interrogate me as to my purpose here. I simply told them I was returning something to one of the noble families, which seemed to satisfy them, and they let me on my way.

  The houses around me were not as spacious as the ones I had passed earlier, but compared to the rest of the population, they were still luxurious. The buildings' style had also changed, with many now sporting a rougher, more weathered appearance. I had to remind myself that these weren't houses or mansions but mini-estates of the noble families.

  I reached the road where the family mansion was supposed to be, and I began trying to identify which building I needed to go to. Thankfully, most families have their crests on the gates or nearby, engraved into walls to indicate who owns the property.

  I walked down the road holding the box in the crook of my arm. I had pulled it open slightly to see the crest again and began to try to match it. Eventually, I did. By the time I found the building I was looking for, I was at the end of the road. It was the last building, and the road ended before it.

  I stood before the Ironbreaker mansion. The wall told me a great deal about the family. Large trees grew on the other side, but on the road-facing side, I could see that the wall was old but well-maintained. I walked up to a pair of wooden doors large enough to admit a carriage. The word was dark and old, but like everything else, well-maintained. There was a small side door, and beside it was a mechanism with a string attached. I suspected it was a bell of some sort.

  "Well, let's find out." I reached out and tugged on the string. From the other side of the wall, I heard a bell ringing. It seems my guess was correct. After ringing it, I waited. And waited. I was thinking about ringing again.

  I didn't, as I heard shuffling and movement from the other side of the door, and someone caused a heavy thunk by pulling back a deadbolt of some kind. Another came shortly after, indicating a second lock. Then the door opened.

  "Good day, Sir, how can I help you?" The voice was old and tired, coming from a hunched old man bent with the weight of years. He was dressed in a butler's uniform that was very reminiscent of period dramas and 1930s scenes. His clothes were old and worn, yet they were kept to an acceptable standard.

  "Good day to you, Sir." I quickly fell into the almost mechanical, super polite speaking pattern used with strangers. "I am Adventurer Hector. Recently, I was on a quest and discovered a box bearing the Ironbreaker family crest. I have no claim to it and seek to return it to its rightful owners."

  As I spoke, I tilted the box in my arm, revealing the crest to the old man. He squinted at it, showing me his eyes were failing, but he quickly recognised the crest. I also showed him my System tattoo, confirming that I was an adventurer.

  "Thank you for your virtue in returning lost property to the family. Please come with me and present to the head of the house." He stepped aside and motioned for me to enter.

  I did so, privately cursing. I thought I would drop the box off and be able to go back to the tavern, but it seems that I was going to have to rub shoulders with some nobility first.

  Once I was clear of the doorway, the old man closed it, and I turned and watched as he read the lock. Two heavy metal deadbolts were slid into place, securing the door firmly. He turned and walked toward the house. I followed, looking around at the grounds we did so. Because of his age, he was not moving quickly, shuffling along. I knew that sort of walk far too well and did not press him, politely keeping pace. The memory of my own body's weakness as age ravaged it was still fresh in my mind.

  There was a large, well-maintained garden in front of the building, with trees lining the perimeter. The house itself was large but not as impressive as some of the buildings I had passed. The style of its construction was one of the oldest ever seen. There was no brick; it was old-fashioned cut stone with a slate-tile roof. Everything was old and even more worn than many properties I had passed. Even though it was old, the place was well-maintained, which spoke to a quiet pride.

  I followed the butler through the main doors of the house into a lobby. He returned and spoke again. "Please wait here while I inform the master of the house of your visit."

  "Of course." I noticed the maid off to the side, cleaning some vases. She was glancing extensively in my direction while trying to pretend she was still working diligently.

  The butler turned from me and shuffled away. This gave me a chance to look around the lobby without moving. Everything in this room was old and well-maintained. The air was heavy with age, and many different types of close-combat weapons hung on the walls between the paintings and tapestries. The furniture was high-quality, but again, old. The carpet on the floor was the most worn of all. It definitely needed to be replaced as it was threadbare in several patches. I could hear faint ticking coming from the room the butler had entered.

  The Ironbreakers were a noble family, but it seems that their fortunes were waning.

  I heard a murmur of voices from the doorway that the butler had shuffled through. The maid was still working through another one on the opposite side of the room, keeping an eye on me, wondering why I was there. I ignored her content to wait to be summoned to see the master of the house and look around.

  The door opened again, and the butler appeared.

  "This way, sir." He told me to follow him, and I did.

  He guided me into a lavishly decorated sitting room. The ticking was coming from a large grandfather-style clock in one corner. Like the rest of the house, the room was well furnished, but everything was old and worn, even though the occupants did their best to keep it up. The walls were decorated with paintings and old-style photographs.

  A large marble fireplace dominated one side of the room, and there was a small fire burning within it, generating heat. I could smell the woodsmoke in the air, but there was also a strong trace of something I had not smelled in many decades—pipe tobacco.

  I knew that smell from my childhood, when my grandfather smoked it, and suddenly I had a flash of my youth, staying at his house while he puffed on his pipe by the fireplace.

  I quickly cleared my head and took in the two occupants of the room. Both were standing to meet me, and I suspected that they were members of the Ironbreakers family.

  The two men shared a similar build and face. The older man had more white in his beard and hair than grey, and from his size and posture, I suspected that in his youth, he had been powerful. The younger also had a beard like his elders. He was far younger and older than twenty-five, with the beard, it was hard to tell. He was not as stocky as he could be, but he seemed physically in shape. Their clothes were of good quality but practical in their design. These men might be nobles, but they were working nobles, it seems.

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  "Good day, Adventurer Hector. I am Lord Morgan Ironbreaker, and this is my grandson Alistair. My butler has informed me that you have something you believe belongs to my family." The older man spoke. His voice carried authority and command, but there was also a rasp. I suspect he picked it up from yelling orders. I was getting a very strong military feel from him.

  "Good day to you, Lord Morgan and Alistair Ionbreaker. Indeed, I believe I have." I extended my arms, holding the box I had revealed before entering the room. The box had been cleaned, and the family crest was easy to spot.

  "Most interesting. Please place it on the table here and tell us the story of how you found it." Lord Morgan indicated to a small table before the fireplace that there were two chairs and a small sofa flanking it. The two Ironbreakers were on the side with the two chairs.

  I walked over and set the box on the table, placing a cloth beneath it. Closer to the fire now, I was feeling the heat it was producing. It was a small fire, but the fireplace's design funnelled the heat back into the room.

  "Please sit," Alister said, and I noticed his voice was not as hoarse as a grandfather's, but more educated. "Would you like any refreshments?"

  "No, thank you, I am fine." I kept reminding myself to watch my P's and Q's, and I sat back on the couch. I wanted this interview finished and gone. I had plans for the rest of the day.

  The two men sat across from me, each in a chair, and I noticed the one next to Lord Morgan had an ashtray with a pipe in it, still smoking. That is why I could smell pipe tobacco.

  Lord Morgan pulled the box toward him, using the cloth to slide it across the table. He picked it up and began to inspect it with his grandson watching both him and me. I went back slightly and just waited for the questions to start.

  "It's old." He said, almost muttering to himself, but loud enough for us to hear. "Tell us, adventurer Hector, where did you discover it?"

  I have been mentally preparing this speech in case I was asked. I hope that they would accept the box, say thank you, and let me be on my way, but I needed to be sure I had all my bases covered. So, I prepared a version of events that would quickly explain how I acquired the box.

  I launched into my story, explained to them the quest, and my need to travel into the sewers. I explained that I had discovered what seemed to be the basement of a much larger building off to the side of one of the sewers and investigated, as this was where the black rats I was seeking to kill seemed to be concentrated. I told them I found the box while cleaning out the rat-infested rooms. Once free of the sewers, I cleaned up the box and saw the family crest. To identify them, I went to the library and spoke with the librarians there; they recognised the crest and pointed me toward this house.

  I left a lot out.

  Lord Morgan nodded along, still inspecting the box as I spoke. When I was finished, he asked the first question. "Did you bring the keys with you?"

  "I have." I produced the small keyring with three brass keys and handed it to him. He looked over, nodded, and seemed satisfied.

  "You did not try to force the lock?" Alister asked not in accusation but in interest.

  "No. If I did not find the family that owned the crest, then I would force the lock, but until I had confirmed that there was no rightful owner, I chose not to tamper with it."

  "Honourable," Lord Morgan said, leaning back into his chair, holding the box. "Many of your ilk would not have been so diligent in seeking to ascertain if the original family still existed. Your right to claim the box as part of the loot of your questions is well known."

  "As I said, Lord Morgan, until I identified that there were no other claimants to the box, I chose not to open it. I knew I could claim it, but instead I decided to find out if there were any claimants."

  "And that search brought you to our door," Alister added.

  "It did. Do you wish to claim the box as your family property?" I asked, eager to bring this to an end so that I could be away.

  "We do. What price do you require for it?" Lord Morgan asked, looking at me with his piercing grey eyes.

  "None."

  That surprised both of them. They probably expected me to demand some favour or financial compensation, but I was happy to get rid of the box. It had been a good excuse for me to leave Low Town, and this is another part of the city. Now that I had a good idea where the Coliseum was, I might actually attend a few events there. Also, I knew I could access the library if I needed to do future research, so overall it had been a good day.

  "None." Lord Morgan spoke in a confused tone.

  "That is correct, Lord Morgan. Now I wish no insult to you and your house, but I must return to my lodgings as I have much to do today." As I spoke, I stood, and the other two men were left scrambling to catch up with me.

  "Adventurer Hector, this is the most unexpected display of generosity. Surely you could only stay for a meal and tell more of your exploits?" Alister was saying quickly.

  "I thank you for the offer, but unfortunately, my time is extremely limited today. I have much to do. I am preparing to take on several quests over the next few days, and my focus must be on that and my preparations." This is partly true, and I did want to hang around here.

  Alistair guided me back to the entryway and thanked me for returning the box. Lord Morgan hadn't followed and was standing next to his chair with the box in hand, with a thoughtful look on his face.

  The butler was standing by the door, about to open it, when I heard a voice from the stairs.

  "Brother, we have had visitors, and you did not tell me?" Came a woman's voice. We both turned, and I saw the woman on the stairs.

  Until that moment, I never believed in love at first sight, but today I was proven that I might be wrong. She was standing on the stairs, in a blouse and a dress with knee-length riding boots. Her long black hair flows down from her head, and she has the same grey eyes as her grandfather and brother. Her face was finally featured, and she reminded me of the actress Eva Green from my youth. Like her brother, she was in her early 20s.

  "Sister, this is Adventurer Hector. He was returning something he had found on an adventure that belonged to our family. Unfortunately, he cannot stay; it must be about his business." Alistair explained to her.

  "An Adventurer, how unusual?" There was a playful tone to her words now. "Fresh from a quest discovering secrets and danger."

  I spoke before Alister could. "Nothing so grand, Lady Ironbreaker. It was a trip into the sewers to help deal with the black rat infestation plaguing the city, and I discovered something with your family crest."

  She kept walking down the stairs throughout the whole conversation. She was now down on the ground with us. "Adventurer Hector, I am most disappointed. How can a young lady enjoy her daydreams of romance, glory and bravery if you go around ruining them with reality?"

  Her voice was firm, but her tone was light. She was playing with me, trying to gauge my reactions, probably.

  "Alas, dear lady, that is the true nature of my occupation. It is less romance, glory and bravery. And more moments of sheer terror, blood and long journeys." I knew she was playing with me, and strangely, I found it enjoyable. I knew I was far too old for her, but it had been decades since my last flirtation, and something about her wanted me to play the game again. Now she was closer, and I could smell her perfume, light and subtle.

  "Morgana, Adventurer Hector was leaving, so I'm afraid we must end his conversation," Alistair spoke to my right. He was right, I needed to go. But now I didn't want to.

  "Your brother is indeed correct, Lady Morgana. I needed other parts of the city to attend to my affairs." I realise I needed to get out of here. This woman was far too dangerous to be around. She reminded me how lonely I was back on Earth.

  She pouted and spoke with great unhappiness. "But you have just arrived, Adventurer Hector."

  "I'm afraid such is life. It has been my great honour to meet the Ironbreaker family, but I'm needed elsewhere." I placed my hand over my heart and bowed slightly as I spoke. I had to get out of here. She was too close.

  "Morgana let the man go." Her grandfather spoke from the doorway. I wondered how long he'd been standing there watching us.

  "Very well, grandfather." She turned and gave him a beaming smile as she walked gracefully over to his side.

  I use the opportunity to escape the house as the butler guided me to the gates. Meeting Morgana Ironbreaker had stirred feelings I had long ago put away. If I were to do my job here in Hylore, I would need to keep them locked away.

  The butler let me out through the gate and came through, and I quickly walked down the street, changing the location tracker on my HUD map to take me back to Low Town.

  I was trying to keep a low profile after my last altercation with the corrupt local Watch squad. I crossed the line with them by drawing my firearm and openly threatening them. I had half-expected Captain Graystone to pay me another visit this time, with backup.

  So far, it's been quiet, but that has not helped my mindset.

  I had prepared my defence in case I was pulled into a System trial for my actions. As far as I could tell, I had been right up to the line. It was the second time I'd encountered the squad engaged in what could be seen as criminal activity. I was also suffering from black rat fever, which could be used in my defence. Well, against a human jury, yes, against the System, I did not know how it would judge that.

  A light almost missed as rain hit me, and I looked up. There were more clouds in the sky now as it was getting later. They were depositing light showers in different areas, nothing too hard, but I didn't want to be caught in any. I quickly picked up my pace and began heading back to Low Town.

  I soon reached the merchant section and began moving through it, passing by the Coliseum again. I promised myself I would definitely attend some events there, since the gladiatorial fights were considered among the best entertainment in the city.

  Several hawkers standing on stage were calling out odds for different bouts scheduled to take place this very night. It was not the main night for fighting, so few people were interested right now. From what I heard from other locals, when there was a prominent fixture or a fight, this part of the city would fill with thousands trying to get into the Coliseum.

  I walked down the streets, avoiding the pedestrians and the traffic, and as I approached Low Town, the quality of the buildings around me noticeably shifted. It wasn't long until I reached The Poor Man's Dream.