Chương 413: Chapter 408 - Liaison

Livvi's gaze wandered out the carriage window, taking in the passing streets with a quiet, solemn expression. Her eyes traced the uneven cobbles, the shuttered windows, the cracked facades, and the half-rebuilt shopfronts, and something inside her tightened at the sight. Reading her father's and brother's letters had prepared her — or so she'd thought. Seeing it herself still left a heaviness she hadn't expected. She didn't like seeing the city she'd grown up in like this, in this state.

Most of the districts she'd passed through hadn't fared so badly, and from what she'd read of Freybrook immediately after the attacks, its current state of recovery was nothing short of miraculous. But it was still her home, and even if only parts of it were damaged, it hurt all the same. Moments like this made her appreciate how safe Elystead was as the Empire's capital.

For all the chaos and panic that had struck there recently, and all the strange happenings surrounding that, the city had escaped anything close to this level of devastation. But look at her. Barely back in Freybrook and already wallowing in gloomy thoughts. That wasn't why she was here. Her gaze lifted, following the skyline towards the heart of the city, where the keep stood overlooking it all — the place she'd grown up. It felt somewhat odd being back so suddenly.

At least when the first person she'd be visiting wasn't her father or brother. She would have liked to see them. It had been too long since they last spoke, and so much had happened. But she doubted she'd manage it. Her Kilnstone passage back to Elystead was scheduled for this evening, and even the Guild's access to Kilnstones was tightly restricted now.

She turned her attention back to the streets as the carriage rolled on, the noise and bustle gradually fading as it travelled north into the quieter, wooded district where most of the nobility kept their estates. It wasn't long before her destination came into view. Livvi was a little surprised to see several armoured guards posted beyond the estate's outer walls, their steel-trimmed plate marked with the imperial crest.

Then she remembered what she'd heard about the Empyreal Barrier and the arcane pylons meant to anchor it. Freybrook's pylon was being raised here, so some degree of imperial oversight made sense. Her second surprise came as the carriage drew closer to the gates. She felt, faintly, as though she'd been wrapped in a thin blanket. It wasn't warm, exactly, but a subtle pressure in the air. Was… that the thing her father had mentioned? That house spirit Scarlett had supposedly bound to the estate?

The corner of her mouth curved faintly. Her father hadn't spoken kindly of it, but he was wary of anything Scarlett involved herself in. Lady Withersworth had apparently praised the spirit, on the other hand, and Livvi couldn't help finding her father's complaints about the older noblewoman faintly amusing. Few people seemed to unsettle him quite the way she did. The estate guards stepped forward to speak with the coachman as the carriage reached the gates, exchanging a few words before allowing it through.

The wheels crunched over the gravel road, and Livvi looked out at the bare trees and frosted hedges of the front garden, where winter's thin white veil was only beginning to soften. Her eyes lifted to the mansion ahead. The carriage came to a halt beneath the archway leading into the courtyard. When Livvi stepped down, she was greeted by an older man with neatly combed grey hair and a finely trimmed moustache, dressed in a black suit.

"Welcome, Madame Knottley. It has been some time since your last visit," he said, bowing lightly. She smiled.

"I was just thinking the same, Garside. And thank you." He inclined his head and gestured for her to follow.

"I must apologise for the modest welcome. Your visit was arranged rather suddenly, and we did not have the opportunity to prepare the elderflower tea you've always favoured. However, I took the liberty of brewing a chamomile blend, which I recall you once enjoyed." Livvi laughed softly.

"You're far too thoughtful, Garside. You didn't need to go to that trouble. I've never once been disappointed by your hospitality."

"I am glad to hear it, Madame." He led her through the courtyard—which had been renovated since her last visit—and into the mansion's foyer. A maid stepped forward to take her coat as Livvi followed Garside towards the staircase, her gaze drifting around the room. It felt different, somehow. Not only because of that faint new presence in the air. Something about the house itself had changed. It looked just as she remembered, but the atmosphere was no longer what it had been when Scarlett first inherited the title.

Nor was it the same as when they were children.

"Her Ladyship is waiting in the parlour," Garside said, breaking her thoughts. Livvi blinked and turned to him.

"Of course. I shouldn't keep her waiting." He studied her for a moment, a gentle, knowing smile forming beneath his moustache.

"It has changed quite a bit, has it not?"

"Oh—well…"

"For the better, I would say," he added with a soft chuckle.

"Though perhaps these old bones could have done without some of the excitement that accompanies Her Ladyship's ventures of late." Livvi returned the chuckle, feeling an odd mix of awkwardness and warmth. Garside had always been kind to her. He regarded her for another moment before leading her up the stairs and through the familiar halls. She knew the way herself, but followed until they reached the parlour where Scarlett was waiting.

Scarlett sat in an armchair turned towards the tall windows overlooking the back garden, a thin wisp of steam curling from the cup in her hands. The faint scent of chamomile filled the air, stirring a wave of quiet nostalgia in Livvi's chest. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. Scarlett turned her head as they entered, dark red hair shifting over her shoulder, amber eyes finding Livvi's.

"Livvi," she said evenly.

"Welcome." Livvi paused in the doorway for a breath, then crossed the room.

"Thank you, Scarlett. And forgive the suddenness of my visit. I know it was inconsiderate to arrive with so little warning." Scarlett lifted a hand dismissively.

"It is of no consequence. It has become almost commonplace for people to arrive at my estate without notice. A full day's forewarning, as in your case, is more than acceptable."

"Is that so?" Livvi said as she took a seat on the sofa to Scarlett's right. The thought genuinely surprised her — that people would visit Scarlett unannounced. Or that Scarlett would actually receive them. Her eyes drifted to the teacup waiting on the table, steam rising in lazy curls.

"Simply ask if you would prefer it cooler," Scarlett said, touching the rim of her own cup. The steam above it vanished instantly.

"I kept yours warm in case you preferred it that way." Livvi's brows rose slightly, but a small smile followed.

"Thank you, Scarlett. But I prefer it hot." She leaned forward, lifting the cup and breathing in the sweet, floral scent.

"This takes me back. We must have been eight when we drank this all the time. I always suspected you simply believed tea made you more refined, but realised this was the only blend you could tolerate without drowning it in inordinate amounts of honey." Scarlett glanced down at her cup.

"Honey, you say?" Livvi laughed quietly.

"Right, I forgot that you don't take it that way anymore. Too sweet, wasn't it?" Scarlett's gaze lingered on the tea.

"…Perhaps, yes." Livvi watched her, her smile dimming slightly. Eventually, Scarlett looked up.

"Pleasantries aside, I would like to know what this visit concerns. In my recent correspondence with Count Knottley, I was given the impression you had taken on a considerable workload alongside your duties at Elystead's Shields Guild branch. I was surprised you had both the time and clearance to travel here under the present circumstances." Livvi raised a brow.

"And what exactly has my father told you about my duties?"

"Very little, to be frank." Scarlett released a huff of annoyed air that almost made Livvi chuckle.

"I once expressed interest in your work with the Guild, but I suspect he misunderstood my intent. He implied—in perhaps not so subtle terms—that I would do best not to involve myself in your affairs."

"Of course he did." Livvi shook her head at her father's overprotectiveness.

"But it is true that the Guild is incredibly busy, myself included. It would be difficult for me to leave on personal business. But as it happens, this trip relates to official Guild matters." She hesitated briefly.

"Or rather, unofficial ones." Scarlett studied her, and Livvi could tell that she understood exactly what she meant.

"Have you been in contact with Arnaud Astrey recently?" the woman asked. Livvi was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I have."

"I see," Scarlett said.

"Then they have chosen to send you as liaison, given our history. I suppose that is understandable." Livvi watched her. It was a very Scarlett thing to say. Calm, composed, and detached. So much like the Scarlett she remembered. Yet also so very different. The composure wasn't new. That had always been Scarlett. But for all her poise, for all her refinement and quiet ambition to fit among the upper circles, she had never commanded attention the way she did now. Not this kind.

When Livvi had first heard from Arnaud Astrey about what happened in Beld Thylelion, she'd nearly dismissed it as exaggeration. Had he not been an S-ranked Shielder—and had the Guildmaster and another S-rank not confirmed it with grave expressions—she might really have called him a liar. What he claimed about Scarlett had seemed absurd and impossible. Even knowing how much the woman had changed over the past year, it still felt unreal.

"So," Scarlett said, drawing her back.

"I presume your presence here means the Guild leadership has reached a conclusion regarding our collaboration going forward?" Livvi considered her.

"Yes, they have."

"And they have agreed to my terms?" Livvi drew a slow breath. She reminded herself that she was here as a Guild representative.

"Yes. The Guildmaster has approved your conditions, with the endorsement of S-ranked Shielders Arnaud Astrey and Gratianus Graham. To maintain discretion, he has acted under his direct authority. No information regarding you—or the true nature of the Guild's arrangement—will be shared beyond those three, myself, and any others you permit. The Guild will provide resources and cooperation within reason, beyond the Shielders already in your employ, who may continue in your service at their discretion."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"This is contingent upon your continued possession of the Tribute of Dominion posing no undue risk to the empire, its territories, or its citizens. The Guild reserves the right to verify that its presence and your use of it remain within safe bounds, and that you cooperate in defining what those bounds are." Scarlett tapped a finger lightly against her teacup, porcelain ringing softly.

"Out of curiosity, what would the Shields Guild do if they determined I failed to meet those conditions?" Livvi's lips pressed together.

"…Presumably, they would act to reclaim the Tribute."

"Reclaim?" Scarlett smiled coldly.

"A curious choice of word. They should already know it would be no simple undertaking. Otherwise, they would never have agreed to my terms." Livvi opened her mouth, then closed it. Scarlett was saying such frightening things so casually. If anything could have convinced her Arnaud Astrey hadn't exaggerated, it was this. She looked down at her cup, took a small sip, and let the taste she hadn't known for years settle her thoughts.

"I…was informed of as much by Mister Astrey. He seems to share the view that, given your knowledge and capabilities, forcing your hand would be unwise. However, the Guildmaster is aware of your ambitions, and wished for you to know that it remains within the Guild's authority to curtail those — even to the point of trying you, noble title notwithstanding, if deemed necessary."

"That would be inconvenient," Scarlett replied, "but little more. I possess sufficient means to operate without my title." Livvi looked up sharply. There was no hesitation or trace of bluff in Scarlett's eyes. She was entirely serious. Another reminder that this wasn't the Scarlett she had grown up with.

"The Guildmaster doesn't want a conflict," Livvi added after a moment.

"That is why he asked me to act as intermediary. His hope is to ease communication and prevent any misunderstandings or missteps, so that we may work together in the people's best interest." Scarlett inclined her head.

"That is reassuring. He sounds like a reasonable man." She took a sip of tea, then set the cup aside.

"Then tell me — what is the Guild's first request? I will endeavour to meet it." Livvi hesitated, then spoke.

"Can I meet the Tribute?"

"Meet her?" Scarlett seemed to consider it, then nodded once.

"I do not see why not." She snapped her fingers. Livvi frowned slightly, then nearly leapt from her seat as she realised someone was suddenly sitting in the seat opposite her. A young girl in dark robes, hood shadowing her face. Strands of pale hair spilled from beneath it, and her skin looked almost colourless in the dim light. Livvi stared far longer than was appropriate.

"Her name is Slate," Scarlett said. Livvi blinked, glancing between them. The girl was perfectly still, like a porcelain figure. Arnaud Astrey had tried to describe the Tribute of Dominion to her, but to be entirely honest, much of it had been difficult to properly parse. That seemed to be the case for most of what Scarlett was involved in now. After a brief hesitation, Livvi raised a hand in greeting.

"Hello. My name is Livvi."

"I am aware," the girl replied in a flat, hollow tone.

"Livvi Knottley. Daughter of Guifford and Tiara Knottley. Sister of Garrin Knottley." Her head tilted, revealing eyes of unsettling emerald that looked straight through her, before dropping to the teacup in Livvi's hands.

"You do not like chamomile." Livvi froze. Her fingers tightened around the cup. So it was true.

"You do not?" Scarlett asked, frowning at the tea.

"Was Garside mistaken?" Livvi shook her head lightly.

"No. He wasn't." Scarlett's frown deepened. Livvi glanced at her, then back to the girl.

'Slate'.

"…Scarlett," she said carefully, "there is one question I was asked to put to the Tribute. Is that acceptable?" Scarlett regarded her in silence for a few moments before giving a small nod.

"Go ahead." Livvi steadied herself, observing the girl across from her.

"How do we kill The Angler Man?"