Chương 191: Nevermore

As soon as we returned to the surface, we dropped off our loot at the smithy. Since it would be melted down, and since the skeletons weren't wearing full armour, we couldn't make full sets of armour for ourselves yet. Some of it had to be scrapped. Some of it could be reshaped. Others had to be turned into ingots again and remade into a different piece of armour. Plus, our modern armour was thicker. But they could give us a few pieces. I put in an order for a new chainmail hauberk, and so did Brawl.

Anchor was finally going to get proper metal pauldrons. As for the circlet that Anchor recovered, Drywsone examined it for us. He reported back after a few minutes and said, "This has an identification Skill. It's basic, Novice tier, but it's good for picking out enemies from a crowd. This would've been worn by government officials in the old empire. Help them watch their backs and all."

Drywsone didn't seem nearly as excited about old empire equipment as Shatter had, but Shatter was busy—as were the rest of the blacksmiths. They were forging armour for the 294th. I almost folded my fingers and cackled, seeing my plan coming together, but it was too early to say if it'd work. After all, the 294th hadn't actually agreed to buy the armour off us, yet. Drywsone snapped his fingers.

"Sir Levi, apologies. I know you may be exhausted, but we do have other Dupes to outfit besides you."

"Sorry," I said, refocusing. As my Focus had gotten higher and I'd merged away some of my Skills, I didn't seem as good at multitasking. Maybe I was just tired, though.

"That Skill would go well on Anchor," I said.

"If you embed it on his pauldron, I'm sure he could make proper use of it."

"I would, Sarge," Anchor said.

"Are you sure, though?"

"You're the one who found it, and it fits you the best. When we find something that suits me, I'll make sure I take it as well. But I'm not going to hoard anything."

"We'll get started on your armour immediately," Drywsone said quickly, as if trying to dismiss us. There were others waiting behind us.

"Thanks for your orders." ~ ~ ~ After lunch, I returned to my room and activated the reading slate. Over the past week, my attributes had increased: Vitality: 77 Agility: 82(+4) Strength: 81(+10) Perception: 53(+1) Focus: 101 Presence: 112 My Presence was only improving at the rate it was because of the stipend we earned from being among the top squads, and from what Lord Ceonwin gave us.

Everyone else in the program had probably slowed down because of the switch from the upper level of the Labyrinth to the lower level, and their advancement was being bottlenecked by their ability to take Presence in. We would need to start killing more monsters. We were being cautious in the lower levels, but in the coming weeks, that wouldn't cut it.

Next, I checked my Skills: Skills: Evolved Spearmanship (Journeyman), Quick-Witted Crossbow Use (Journeyman), Art: Mass Hammer (Advanced), Memory Modification (Apprentice), External Squad Synergy (Apprentice), Lancework (Apprentice), Needle of Theve (Apprentice), Rope Weaving (Novice), Internal Squad Management (Novice) As for External Squad Synergy, I was pretty sure it referred to me working with other squads. When it came to Internal Squad Management…

had I gotten that for smoothing over conflicts within my squad and making it work? It wasn't the exact same working as 'Synergy', though, so I assumed Internal Squad Synergy was also something I could get. But while it was a healthy dose of new Skills, I'd need far more if I wanted to start pushing my other important Skills to the Advanced tier. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. As I stared at the tablet, though, I sensed the window rattling.

It wasn't an arcane sense, but I could hear the lattice glass shaking and the frame rattling. It sent vibrations through the air, which I picked up on with the hairs on the surface of my skin. Lastly, I heard the faint drumming of wings through the glass of the window. I turned my gaze outside. A black shadow flickered in front of the sun, before circling down and landing outside my windowsill. A raven. It was Croak. He tapped on the window with his beak.

"You better not say 'Nevermore'..." I muttered. The bird said nothing. However, his taps grew more and more frantic, and his eyes locked on to me.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," I said. I set the tablet down on my cot, then ran to the window and pulled it open. Croak hopped inside, then dropped a rolled-up letter on the ground.

"That was a fast turnaround," I told him. Cautiously, I reached out, then ran a finger down the back of his neck.

"Good bird, though. Thanks for the letter. I promise I'll find you some more treats." It was far more impressive that he'd managed to locate me when I was inside and away from a window. Then again, he was a flash-raven. There was already something magical about him. I unfolded the letter and read it: Sir Levi, Thank you for the prompt response. I'm pleased with Croak's performance, and I am glad to know you're still training at Castle Urcia. I have to say, your initial letter seemed awfully cold.

However, I will let it wash off my back like water off a frog. I don't imagine you're used to sending letters. As well, I suppose I understand where the hesitance comes from. I, being the benevolent lady I am, shall inform you of proper etiquette: if you make a mistake, crossing it out is improper. You should have a final draft to send to someone, and rewrite it, if necessary. As well, I do not believe someone with as high a Focus as you would need to rewrite a letter such as that.

Were you simply nervous in writing back to me? Although Alis hadn't added any shapes or drawings to her letter—of course not, why would she? —the way she'd drawn the letters struck me as someone smiling. There was an extra curl at the tips of the letters, like the dimple on someone's cheeks. Was she teasing me? I continued reading: As for your questions: You rode in Lord Ceonwin's stead. There is nothing to fear, it is I, Alis, and I alone writing and reading these letters.

If I am in trouble, however, you will know, and Croak will warn you. Flash-ravens will not deliver a letter that has been tampered with, and they are very conscious of privacy. The Registry of Thegns is real, however, I am once again a benevolent princess (and perhaps one who is a little bored). I have filled out all your proper paperwork for you, and yes, I have mimicked your handwriting. As well, I massaged the bureaucrats' pockets to make things go faster, if you take my meaning.

Your registry is complete, and all will pass any inspection. If not, I still have a few powers as a princess, and I will ensure it passes. With that settled, I have to ask: how do you plan on surviving the retribution from Hinlaw? You seek to become an Ealdorman, don't you? Please do not ask me to turn you into one. I can make thegns of anyone, but an Ealdorman is more difficult, and I cannot do it with the snap of my fingers. Firstly, there must be an opening. Otherwise, you must make one.

I am here to guide you, if needed. You must only ask for my assistance, and I will grant it to you. I, as promised, will remain your friend. I can still see your smile and your face in my dreams, and no matter how many brothers you have, I would always recognize you. The most friendly regards, Alisid (Alis) I smiled at the letter, then set to work crafting my response. It took a few hours, but I finally drafted up a new letter.

I focused intently, making sure not to make a single mistake that would warrant me crossing out a word. I didn't have much parchment to spare to send a letter back to her, so I had to make do with what I could. Dear Alis, Thank you for the letter. Sorry for the coldness. You're right, though. I am new to writing letters. I know my handwriting isn't the neatest (though is any boy's?). Of course, I also apologize for crossing out words.

No mistakes sounds easy when I say it like that, but it's less so when I write it down on a piece of paper. It's not as easy as focusing on a battle. I resisted the urge to settle into complete texting mannerisms. This was a letter to a princess. There could be no 'lol's or 'lmao's, no matter how much I was tempted. Besides, something told me Alis would appreciate sincerity over insecure self-deprecation. I trust you for now. If you need help, find a way to warn me, and I will do everything I can to help.

I was being serious: I will try to send anything you request back with Croak. I don't know what he can carry, though. As for my plan? I've thought about it. I want to walk you through how far I've gotten so far, so if there's something wrong with my reasoning, you can correct it. I don't think a trial-joust will work. I couldn't force one on him, and there's no guarantee I would win. According to the Great Charter, from what I remember, there are a few ways of replacing Ealdormen. The first is lineage succession.

Their first son takes over the position. The second is through a trial-joust. Which, as I understand, won't work. The third is through the Warlord, who can remove and appoint Ealdormen at will. As I understand, the king once held this power, but the Warlord has taken it, and delegates it to his council of Wisemen? As I understand, this is risky to do to a popular Ealdorman, hence the need for trial-jousts to give a layer of separation.

I don't see an easy path to claim the position, because any way of doing it would require the Warlord's favour. He would never favour me after all I've done. I'm too much of a risk. If you have any ideas, my lady, I am open to them. Best regards, Levi I handed the scroll off to Croak, fed him a handful of nuts and berries, then sent him off. He fluttered out the window and shot off to the north.