Chương 159: Arc 3 - Chapter 31

Fritz recounted parts of his night to the tutor, who listened intently, taking only a small swig from his hipflask when the King was mentioned.

"You saw him do battle?" Adam asked, sitting forward on his chair. They were in the lounge, but were in little comfort as the fireplace had not been lit or fed in some time. Luckily, it wasn't too chilly and the run, stretches and lifts had warmed Fritz considerably.

"I wouldn't call it a battle," he replied his shoulders sagging.

"It was over in less than a minute, less than a moment if you don't count the river."

"He's the King for a reason," Adam said with a bitter edge.

"I heard he's an Expert Climber."

"He is."

"Are all Experts that powerful?" Fritz asked.

"Yes and no," Adam said. Then he sighed and explained further.

"Experts are personally powerful, very powerful. And the King is no exception, but he also has certain advantages over other Experts. He's had the best tutors and training Rain City could attract. His father was also an Expert before he abdicated and left. The King inherited great wealth, knowledge and Treasures and has the benefit of an army in the form of the Scale Guard. They may be only Rookies, ranging from level twenty-two to forty, but there are almost ninety of them.

Each outfitted with Treasures and training."

"What about his personal strength?" Fritz asked.

"Discounting all his other advantages, he's the most deadly water mage in the city. Though I don't need to tell you that, you've seen it. However, there is something of a persistent rumour that he's a Solitaire."

"What's that?" Fritz asked.

"It's what Climbers call someone who concentrates on just one Ability or Trait, Evolving and Ascending it while ignoring other powers," Adam said with disapproval clear in his tone. Fritz paused, imagining what heights a Power could reach if it was a singular focus. With the qualitative change that just a single evolution offered, just how potent could an Ability become?

"Is that really a bad practise?" Fritz asked, unsure that being a Solitaire was a detriment at all.

"Not necessarily, though few can afford to be so specialised," Adam said.

"There are definite advantages to doing so, but also weaknesses."

"Like?"

"You should be able to figure that out yourself," Adam said. Fritz thought it over for a moment. There was the obvious neglect of your other Abilities, which would leave you weaker in general. Though what really stood out to him was the increasing Cost of the Ability.

"Such a Power would become too mana-intensive to cast," Fritz provided. Adam nodded.

"That's the main consideration. Dedicated Strikers can offset the enormous mana costs by aligning mostly to their Magical Attribute or cheating with Treasures. Though sometimes, rarely, I mean, you can be offered an evolution that reduces Cost or simply doesn't increase it. Though, you'd have to aim for such an outcome."

"And the King has all the support he needs for doing so," Fritz theorised.

"A whole city to protect and enrich him."

"Which is why the rumour sticks. But it's still merely gossip, not hard fact, he may simply be powerful without such sacrifices," Adam said glumly.

"I suppose it's hopeful thinking for some, that he only has one great Ability and if they could defeat that, they could defeat him. In my experience, that's a fool's hope. It's better to overestimate your foe rather than underestimate them." Fritz considered the words, then decided to take a small risk.

"What about Authority?" He asked.

"Where'd you hear about a thing like that?" Adam asked sternly.

"Read it in a book," Fritz said innocently.

"Better forget it. Maybe burn the book if it's not in a Technique. Kings and Queens, all rulers really, don't like Authority being discussed outside their closed circles," Adam said.

"I had gathered as much," Fritz said.

"Though, is there anything, you, as my tutor could tell me about it?" Adam sighed.

"Is it something to do with the Spires?" Adam's frown grew deeper.

"As your tutor, I would warn you off the subject, and I do as my official advice. But as I can see you're going to pester me for such knowledges, I'll tell you right now that I know very little and what I have heard is baseless rumour." Fritz nodded, entreating the man to continue.

"Authority is the means by which a Spire is controlled, I know not the why, the what or the how. It's far above the concerns of those who don't rule. And for those who do rule, it's an open secret. Though not one for the commoners and Climbers to know."

"What about Decrees?" Fritz asked, frustrated at the, admittedly, rare lack of information his tutor possessed.

"Read that in a book too?" Adam asked sceptically.

"Observed it in an offering. Right in the clauses of the Merfolk Strain," Fritz stated.

"That sounds right, though I've never heard of a Decree being visible. Honestly, you know as much as I do, but I believe a Decree is an application of Authority. Again, I can't speak to the veracity of what I say on this subject. I only know hearsay. There's so much we don't know about the Spires."

"Like Spire Breaks?" Fritz asked, moving the conversation along less muddied waters. Something Adam looked thankful for.

"That is something we have more clear theories on, though as I haven't made it my mission to learn all there is to Spires, just their Climbing, you might be better off asking a scholar," Adam said.

"Still, the reason for Spire Breaks is fairly simple, in my opinion."

"And what is that reason?"

"A lack of vigilance and a lack of courage," Adam said disdainfully.

"I'm not sure I follow you," Fritz said.

"Surely Aberrants have something to do with it."

"Well yes, in the strictest sense, an ignored Aberrant Beast eventually becomes too powerful and breaks its Floor, freeing it and its spawn," Adam explained.

"But that's merely the nature of the Spires. It's the Climbers and Guides who avoid the Beasts, that let them grow, who should be blamed. And the King for that matter, he should be sending more Climbers in with the express command to hunt Aberrants. Have a yearly Purge Climb like they do in the Empire and the more disciplined kingdoms."

"Why doesn't he institute that?" Adam shrugged.

"You'd have to ask him that. But I suspect it's because of gold, or something more nebulous like noble politics." As they had come to another dead end in his tutor's knowledge, Fritz endeavoured on another path of inquiry.

"I learned a new Technique," Fritz said.

"Or rather the Arte Pugilist changed into something else." Adam gave a commiserating smile.

"Bad luck there, if you want to forget that one you'll have to start all over."

"I was afraid as much. Is it a common occurrence?" Fritz asked.

"Common?" Adam mused.

"It's not common, but not terribly rare either. It can happen when you're focusing on both forgetting and learning a Technique and slip up one too many times. Did you create some strange sword style? The Bounding Blade or something similar?"

"Worse, it's a knife and grappling Technique, Python's Fangs," Fritz said.

"Doesn't sound too terrible for an assassination-oriented Striker, good for in close fighting," Adam said.

"You would have trouble with large beasts though, as you can't grapple them and a dagger won't do much against a thick enough hide or hard enough shell." Fritz nodded, having come to that same conclusion.

"You should ask George and Cal if they want to learn it. The grappling may be of benefit to them," Adam mused.

"Speaking of benefits, the Technique also increases its power when striking restrained foes," Fritz said.

"Really?" Adam asked.

"That's a boon and a half. Too bad you don't have a Controller with a restraining Ability to truly take advantage of it."

"What does it mean exactly when it says restrained?" Fritz asked.

"There's no hard rule, but being entangled, grappled, bound or slowed usually meets the threshold," Adam explained.

"How slow is slowed?"

"Two thirds slower is slowed," Adam said reciting the figure easily.

"Though none of you have such an Ability. Still, now that you've mentioned that benefit you might want to consider training all your Strikers in it. It's free power and you'll want to be restraining beasts in the first place." Fritz nodded, most might agree to learn it, though he suspected that Lauren wouldn't be one to take up such a style. Just the thought of her menacing someone with a knife made him chuckle.

"Thinking of Ms. Nearshore?" Adam guessed with a sly smile.

"I suppose she wouldn't be too keen to roll around in the mud, grappling and stabbing. Though she's been diligent so far, so it can't hurt to extend the offer." Fritz nodded.

"I'll do what I can to make my team powerful," he stated. And they sat in quiet for a moment, Adam searched him, then his eyes went distant. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Do you still have your heart set on the sword?" He asked abruptly. Fritz nodded again.

"Yes." Adam sighed, not in frustration, but in resignation.

"Well, you have some days until our duel," he said, taking out a stick of charcoal and beginning to scratch something on a piece of paper.

"Study this, it might help." He offered the sheaf to Fritz, who took it with eager apprehension. Upon it was the sketch of a series of stick figures. It was not the scribbles of a child's drawing, the lines were graceful, composed of subtle expression. Fritz recognised the proper stance and the precise motions the figure displayed as those of the Inevitable Blade. His hand shook as he held it and his face felt hot.

"Thank you," Fritz said.

"That's just a piece of it," Adam said gruffly.

"The rest you'll have to work out on your own."

"Until I beat you," Fritz said, a note of challenge in his voice. Adam just shook his head with a huff that could have been a scoffing laugh.

"We'll see about that. Are you succeeding in holding your Awareness in the back of your mind?"

"Yes, it's there solidly now," Fritz said proudly.

"No lapses?" Adam asked.

"No lapses, not even during the Break," Fritz boasted.

"Good, you can move on to the next Attribute then, Grace," Adam gladly said.

"You don't have any patterns for Awareness?"

"None at all," Adam said.

"I wish I did, but as you know..."

"The Guides Guild?" Fritz finished.

"The Guides guild," Adam agreed.

"Bastards. Still, we'll have no such problems with Grace."

"Good to hear, what do I do?"

"Same as you did with Awareness, find that slippery energy and add it to the back of your thoughts," Adam said.

"I have to hold two?" Fritz asked, doubting he could.

"You'll have to hold as many as you have Advanced Attributes," Adam smugly corrected. Fritz frowned. Adam chuckled and leaned back, his heavy frame causing his chair to creak.

"Don't despair, it will get easier and easier as you master the exercise. And when you align more Focus it will come more naturally."

"I wasn't despairing. I was simply concentrating," Fritz lied.

"Of course, Lord Hightide," Adam replied smiling.

"Which variant of Grace did you want me to use?" He asked, searching within himself.

"Both variants are contained within your Grace, they aren't separate, they're parts of a whole," Adam explained. Fritz nodded and closed his eyes, grasping at the smooth texture of the energy. There it was, sliding over and through his muscles. He opened his eyes and he noticed how the power polished even the minute movements of his eyelids. When he stretched and stood, he could feel the subtle presence of the Attribute, how it steadied his stance and bettered his balance.

He knew intellectually that the energy had changed how he moved, but hadn't realised just how much his whole body was affected by the gentle guiding of Grace. Fritz began to walk, flexing his fingers while he did so. From the top of his head down to the tips of his toes the magic suffused him. And now that he was conscious of the power, he noticed the gliding quality it gave to his limbs.

As he made his way around the lounge he could hear the beat and music, and could feel the strings, adjusting his gait and perfecting his precision.

"You've got a good handle on it already," Adam observed. Fritz nodded, Gracefully.

"Once you can keep that up, add in your Nightwell," Adam said.

"From there we can start on exerting your Advanced Attributes. You'll need to gain some fine control over how hard you push them, then you can start weaving some basic patterns."

"That's a whole lot of training," Fritz said impatiently. And thinking of the hasty, yet direct, instruction he received from Craig, he asked, "Why can't we just skip to the patterns?"

"We could, but it would result in shoddy patterns and hazardous execution," Adam explained.

"You want to be as powerful as can be? Correct? Efficiency is part of that. Just as you can weary yourself by lifting too great a weight, you can wring out your Advanced Attributes if you exert them too far, rendering them feeble for a time as they recover. You want to reduce that liability or never run into it if you can help it." Adam coughed, then drank down a sip from his flask and continued.

"There's also the chance that you might injure yourself when exerting your Magical Attribute, the aligned mana can wreak havoc on your body. I've seen an amateur fire mage burn themselves in such a mishap. He was covered in blisters for days, nearly boiled his eye."

"Well, my Magical Attribute isn't nearly as destructive as Essence of Fire," Fritz argued.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Shadow mana is quite perilous, its pernicious nature is more subtle. It won't be a pain, but a numbing sensation, one that lingers longer than a simple scorching," Adam warned.

"Oh, I didn't know that," Fritz admitted.

"You haven't studied the effects of Nightwell?" Adam asked.

"No, I've been... busy and there are other things that preoccupy my attentions, like securing my place as head of House Hightide. I still need two witnesses' seals, you see. That, and Nightwell is not well documented in the King's Archive," Fritz said in way of explanation. The real reason he hadn't researched it was that it hadn't occurred to him to do so. As that shadowy power was absent from his Sanctum and his Dusksong was merely an impostor.

"Decent excuses, but you should definitely make sure you have an understanding of your Attributes," Adam said.

"As for your quest to become head of your house. I can help there, there's a noble or two I can leverage, or help you work out a deal with."

"That would be a Gods-send," Fritz said, jumping on the opportunity. Normally he'd be wary of such an offer, but Adam Needle had proven himself again and again as a man with principles that he only sometimes sold. A man of much greater character than most he'd met.

"Very well, I'll see who I can find amenable to helping the house of Hightide," Adam said, though his words came out a little bitter as if he were already regretting the offer.

"We've digressed, could you tell me more about Nightwell?" Fritz asked, quickly changing the subject, lest the man go back on his deal. Adam seemed to be falling into one of his darker moods, as he tended to do when remembering anything about Fritz's father and mother and was already chugging down more rum.

"Right, Nightwell," the man breathed out, eyes watering from the liquor.

"Those with it tend to become quieter, paler and more reserved. And shadow mana's main properties are ones of suppression, it dulls the senses and numbs the body, snatching stamina and stealing away your strength. Mishaps with the mana can cause your limbs to become weak and your movement made unwieldy. I've also heard of people lapsing into long, draining sleeps." Fritz nodded. It made sense, but he wondered what the adverse effects of misusing Dusksong were.

Unfortunately, it seemed he'd have to discover that on his own, unless he could find a book revealing its secrets or a fairie to explain its intricacies.

"These pitfalls are why you should take Magical Attribute training exertion slowly and carefully," Adam said. Fritz sighed, the sluggish pace of his growth was frustrating and with any other tutor he might have thought they were trying to string him along, trying to drain their coffers of as much gold as possible. He knew this wasn't the case here though, no, Adam had other interests and other plans, he could sense it.

"Found a scribe yet?" Adam asked, breaking Fritz from his melancholic mood.

"I have, she'll be here tomorrow," Fritz said.

"Good, the illiteracy is stalling your team's growth," Adam remarked.

"Now, if there's nothing else I should see to Cal, he seems to be having a hard time with Momentum. And I need to arrange Lauren's meeting with that fire mage."

"You were actually able to find one?" Fritz asked.

"That's right, he's an odd man," Adam said.

"More a temple warrior than a true mage, but he said he had some wisdom to share. For a price of course."

"What's his price?" Fritz asked warily.

"Gold, of course," Adam said.

"Though that will be Lauren's problem."

"Are there any other teachers you've found us?" Fritz asked. Adam nodded.

"I found an acrobat for Bert and anyone else who wants to train that skill. It might be helpful for you to learn some proper tumbling too. A well-executed roll or flip could save a limb or life. Also, it just looks extremely impressive. I also reserved an archery yard. We'll be using it in a week's time, once I've run you through all the basic weapons." Fritz nodded, he had been meaning to practice with ranged weaponry himself, as he had purchased a small crossbow some days ago.

It was comprised of sturdy black wood and was well made, as far as he could tell. The seller had sworn on its reliability, so he bought it, some bolts and a short quiver for a sum approaching four gold. He still hadn't loosed it yet, but looked forward to testing it. With his questions answered, for now, Fritz left his tutor so the rest of his team could benefit from his stores of wisdom. As he walked he attempted to add Control to the Attributes he was constantly paying attention to.

It was not to be, his concentration on both Grace and Control faltered and faded, leaving him only aware of his Awareness. Fritz sighed, he'd have to take it slow, just as Adam had suggested. He limited himself to Grace and Awareness and set off to the yard, hand clasped on Quicksilver's hilt. He stared down at the paper in his other hand, the one that contained something of the Inevitable Blade's secrets, and attempted to memorise what he read.

Eager and focused as he was on the charcoal sketch, Fritz wasn't watching where he was walking and Cassandra strode into his path, a broom grasped in her small, rough hands. His Awareness warned and his Grace listened, he could feel them moving in concert as he slipped around the girl without so much as breaking his stride. The way he placed his feet and glided past, barely an inch between them, felt almost like a dance step and probably looked that way to any outsider.

Fritz offered the stunned maid a wave of apology and a gentle smile, but didn't slow. He wanted to practice the scrap of Technique as soon as may be. Soon, he was in the yard, joining the still sparring Bert and George. Fritz first trained his footwork, his stance and how he held his sword. Then he stepped forward, then backward. He swung his blade, swishing through the rain. He held Quicksilver ready, then lunged.

There was something off with his strikes and steps, so he recalled what he'd seen both on the paper and in his tutor's movements. He adjusted. He knew he had been making some minor mistakes and now that he had a little direction, he repeated the set of motions until he could feel his body settle into a solid and steady rhythm. Over and over, until it felt right.

It was while he practised that he could more keenly feel the effects of Grace, and while he let it guide him he also paid attention to where it surged in response to his actions. The more Grace swelled, the more he could hear the dance of the world. He shook his head, he wasn't attempting to practice any patterns or exert his Attributes, he was trying to find the Technique. Fritz spent an hour practising before he felt himself slipping up more often, but he continued.

His arms wobbled and his blade wavered, still he stabbed. That was until Adam yelled at him.

"Stop that this instant. Bad practice makes bad habits!" Those who were in the yard looked at the man causing all the commotion, stopping their own exercises. When they saw that the tutor was glaring at Fritz they slowly returned to their own practice. Fritz sighed, but didn't bother to argue. That didn't stop Adam from berating him though.

"Lousy, limp and lacking any life! Get out of the yard, you are banned for the day, you can come back tomorrow when you are taking your practice seriously!"

"You can't exile me from my own yard," Fritz protested, the goading words succeeding in getting a rise out of him.

"What!?" Adam bellowed.

"Say that again, I obviously didn't hear you right."

"You can't exile me from my own yard, Sir," Fritz repeated.

"Better!" Adam said.

"But wrong!" The tutor dashed forward, his body a steely blur. He threw Fritz over one hulking shoulder before he could react. Quicksilver clattered to the ground and he attempted to pull free of the overly muscular man, to no avail, it was like wrestling a statue. Adam belted out a laugh and after ducking down to pick up the fallen sword, carried Fritz toward the house. From his hanging position, he heard Rosie say, "Lucky." Then he saw George nod in full agreement. Bert grinned and gave a wave.

Fritz stopped struggling and was carried into the lounge where he was placed on a couch.

"What was that for?" Fritz glowered, his pride shattered by being captured so effortlessly.

"You need to rest," Adam said gently.

"You're burning the candle at both ends. Even a cruel taskmaster like me can see that."

"I don't have time to rest," Fritz stated.

"I can rest when I'm strong. Or dead." Adam smiled sadly at the proclamation.

"Dead is more likely the way you're going. And I'm not going to let you dig yourself into an early grave. Not just for your sake, but your siblings too." Fritz remained silent, unsure what to say.

"You should visit them, and you should spar with your brother. He's better than you, and you could learn a thing or two from him," Adam suggested.

"Get your sister something nice, a dress perhaps." Fritz narrowed his eyes.

"Why do you so suddenly care? Or even know about them?" He asked. Adam had the good grace to look ashamed.

"I sought them out and met them after having a talk with Harvest," he admitted.

"They're good kids." Fritz worried and felt some shame himself. He had been meaning to visit and reassure them after the Spire Break, but he was always so busy. And there was a small part of him who didn't want to confront his brother again. Not after last tumultuous meeting.

"I'll go tomorrow, it's a rest day," Fritz said.

"Good, but also take the rest of today to recuperate. I wasn't lying about the bad practice bit," Adam warned. With that, the man left him. Fritz decided to heed his advice and spent most of the day in leisure. He even set aside 'The Observations' knowing that, in his bleary state, studying it would do him no good. The day passed slowly. He ate his meals, forcing them down as they were comprised of fried toad-man-alike. He also talked with his team and even signed a small conversation with Cassandra.

But most of all he relaxed, letting his thoughts wander, though he did keep his Attributes to mind. He couldn't be completely indolent. Later, just past dusk, he was in his bed and being woken from a tap tap tap, rattling from the window. Sid was there and her pretty features were tight with worry. She motioned for him to meet her outside, and he did. He met her in an alley. He leaned in to kiss her. Sid seemed surprised, but didn't flinch, she kissed him back, it was short and sweet.

Warmth spread through Fritz and he eagerly leaned in again. This time she stopped him, shaking her head. With her lips escaping, he kissed her neck instead.

"That's not why I'm here," she protested, even as she blushed.

"That's what you said last time," Fritz said, though he didn't press further. Sid looked conflicted.

"That was... that was last time... we can't... not tonight," she mumbled.

"Why not?" Fritz asked.

"I'm leaving in the morning," Sid said.

"For the Mer Spire. I need you to keep your promise. Protect my territory." Fritz hid a wince. Though he knew this had been coming he already had so many things on his plate. But his chest ached at the thought of going back on his word. And Fritz wouldn't abandon his oath, so he would have to make it work, somehow. Fritz nodded.

"Thank you, Fritz," Sid said, sighing out in relief and smiling.

"It's a weight off my shoulders. I'll try to get to the top of the Spire as swiftly as I can. But we'll be only going as fast as the Guide takes us. Hopefully, it shouldn't be more than a week or two."

"Just promise me one thing," Fritz said seriously.

"What?" Sid hedged, obviously worried he was going to say something dramatic or deadly romantic.

"That you'll bring me back some Treasures," Fritz stated with the most infuriating smirk he could muster. Sid rolled her eyes.

"I'll pay you back, don't you worry," she said smiling, slapping him on the chest. She left her hand there, most of her tension gone. They stood there for another couple of moments and Fritz stepped closer.

"I should be going," Sid said, though she didn't move.

"Are you sure you can't stay for a longer goodbye?" Fritz whispered. Sid shivered, then glanced this way and that. Up and down the alley.

"I can't stay the night," she reiterated.

"Just stay as long as you can. That's all I need," Fritz said.

"Apart from the Treasures," she joked, leaning close. Fritz smiled, their gazes met, and he stared into her bright blue eyes.

"Alright," she said. They kissed fiercely, embraced passionately, then were running, hand in hand, back into the house, up the stairway and into Fritz's room.

The fire was lit in the lounge, crackling lazily, and the door was slightly ajar letting in a thin breeze. The front door slammed open, then shut just as loudly while steps pounded into the hallway.

"What was that?" George asked as he spied two dark, dripping figures streaking up the stairs.

"Thieves?" Cal worried.

"Muggers?" Rosie blurted.

"Intruders?" Lauren gasped.

"Idiots," Bert stated.