Chapter 53 – Barnabus
It was late afternoon as SJ waited patiently, watching the comings and goings from Barnabus's store. He had received several visitors throughout the afternoon since she had arrived to observe. Tonight she would strike, or that was her plan. It had been a week since she had discussed the two targets they had considered with Fas, and SJ had given herself enough time to complete her own investigation into both.
Barnabus was, from what she had witnessed, cautious. Whenever his shop was open, where he carried out his money-lending antics, there was always a guard outside and one inside the premises. Both were indeed dwarven, like Barnabus. SJ had taken the chance of identifying them and knew they were high-level fighters. One was level 39, the other was level 37.
Barnabus himself was level 43, and SJ could tell from his appearance that he was an ageing dwarf. Most dwarves, male and female, had full heads of hair and wore plaited beards. His beard was closely cut for a dwarf, and he was also thinning on top; from the height SJ watched, the growing bald patch on his crown was clearly visible. He wore expensive clothes, silken-looking breeches, and a bright blue tunic. He looked the part of a wealthy being.
His two guards both wore studded leather of identical design, and emblazoned on the front of the leather was a crest that matched the one hanging outside Barnabus's shop. SJ had been watching for two days now, monitoring his activities and the times the shop opened and closed. She knew, looking at her display, that the shutters would be drawn within the hour. Today, she had been here since just before lunchtime, perched on the roof of a building some distance from the shop that sat by the inner wall of District 3. It had been hard initially to find a place she could watch from safely, without being noticed, but thankfully, the curvature of the inner wall allowed her to stay several buildings away and still see the area clearly.
She had witnessed at least four nobles from the inner city arrive during her watches; one of them she knew held a high position within the traders' department of the tower. She couldn't remember his name, but from her dealings, she knew he worked closely with Fasvil, Isavil's brother. That had raised her suspicions, given the reasons he might be visiting a moneylender.
The time passed slowly as SJ watched vigilantly from the rooftop. It was only as the shutters were closed that SJ stood from her crouched position and stretched. She could feel the tension in her body even before acting. Her pulse was increasing as she began to move over the rooftops. Staying low and flying only inches above the tiles. It didn't take her long to reach the building adjacent to Barnabus's, as she looked down and noticed the lantern light appear in the second-floor window, where she believed Barnabus lived.
There was always uncertainty when infiltrating a property; SJ didn't know whether any defensive measures were in place. She doubted it being on the second floor, but she could never be sure. Sweat built up inside her gloved hands, her claws already equipped as she waited patiently. She would give Barnabus time to settle in before she entered.
In the evening light, she was invisible, especially with her claws equipped and the camouflage skill effect triggered. She knew that no one could see her unless a mage with mana sight looked directly at her, and that was exceedingly unlikely.
As time passed, Dave grew restless. "Let's get this over with. We have another target yet to deal with."
I'm in no rush. I would prefer that he be asleep before I enter, and I'm not planning on visiting Julisa tonight; we've already discussed this. It would be too suspicious with two dying on the same night.
"I know, I know, the waiting game is so boring, though. Death, mayhem and mu... I mean assassination." Dave said, as he corrected himself.
The balcony door opened on the first floor, and the two dwarven guards who lived there appeared. They held long pipes in their hands, and SJ watched as they sat talking to each other. Barnabus also had a balcony above the one the guards now occupied, and that was where SJ was planning to enter.
I hope they aren't going to be outside all night. SJ stated, observing the dwarves.
The time continued to tick by until both guards eventually disappeared back inside. The balcony doors were still open, which wasn't ideal, but SJ had no choice but to enter from Barnabus's balcony. There was no clear entry point elsewhere, which wouldn't be problematic given her miniature size. She had never seen any of the windows being opened the whole time she had been there.
As the night dragged on, SJ watched as the lantern from Barnabus's floor was extinguished.
Looks like it's time, SJ thought, as she flew directly over to the balcony before dropping down gently onto its surface. She looked up at the balcony handle; there was no lock on it. Which she found a little strange, then again, she was on the second floor.
She listened for a sound from below before she carefully grew, keeping crouched, her claws again triggering their camouflage. As she reached her full size, she cautiously stood. Drapes covered the windows, and no light was visible from inside. She took hold of the handle gingerly before gently lowering it. The handle let out a low groan, as though not used in a long time, and SJ froze as she waited to ensure no one reacted.
After a few moments, she continued, feeling the latch free from its housing, and gently pulled the door towards her. The hinges squeaked into the night, even with the sound of those still on the streets; it sounded loud to SJ like a hammer striking an anvil. Her heart raced as she froze again, listening for any movement.
None came, and she slipped inside, slowly pulling the door closed again behind her. As the latch connected with its housing, she felt a surge of relief; her infiltration had been successful. She stood behind the heavy drapes before peeking out from behind them. The light was low; a hooded lantern hung on a stand, and SJ could see a living room area. A large sofa faced a fireplace, which hadn't been lit by the looks of it for a long time. The room's furnishings were not overtly ostentatious, but they were well beyond the average being's price range. Several large tapestries hung on the walls, and various paintings depicted mountains and vast valleys.
SJ took everything in in an instant as she slipped into the room, watching every step she took. Once she was through the curtain, she shrank and took off, hovering. The room's door was open, and she flew across to it. She believed that Barnabus's bedroom was down the hall near the end, as the window where the last lantern light always dimmed was there. She flew towards it; the doors were all open, and as she reached his bedroom, a lone candle flickered inside. Her eyes had adjusted rapidly, and with the candlelight, her vision was clear. She knew dwarves had excellent night vision and required little or no light at night.
The form of a being lay on its back on a large double bed. She could make out the bald pate of Barnabus as the candlelight shone on its surface. SJ flew over; he was asleep. The low snoring sound and slow, deep breathing are clear signs.
SJ had already decided that she wouldn't strike in miniature form. She didn't want the chance of him screaming or making unnecessary sounds as she grew after a strike; even if the growth was fast, it could cause excess noise. She landed by the bedside and then grew.
The dark green of her claws was only hinted at in the candlelight as she readied herself. This assassination was going to be efficient. Her right hand thrust upwards underneath the dwarf's chin as her left clamped down on his mouth. His eyes opened in shock, the realisation too late as her claws did their job. He didn't even have time to lift a hand to try to pry her hand away. As his eyes rolled back and she felt his body relax, she withdrew her hand from across his mouth. The only visible sign of distress was the three puncture holes going up under his chin.
"Well, that was very simple," Dave said.
SJ didn't move. She stood looking down at the dwarf. His expression appeared peaceful, as though he were still asleep. She carefully took the edge of the blanket he lay under and pulled it up to cover his throat, where the blood was now visible, before panic flooded her every fibre.
Her hands started to shake violently, and a feeling of extreme nausea swept through her.
"What's wrong?" Dave asked.
SJ's breathing had become rapid, sharp, shallow breaths as the attack pressed against her. The room suddenly felt as though it were closing in on her, and her head swam.
"SJ, calm down," Dave said urgently.
She closed her eyes, slowly getting a grip on her physical reaction. She didn't reply to Dave for several moments.
I just killed a being. The thought was like a warhammer hitting her very soul.
Then her display triggered. The quest she had accepted that Fas had created, showing its completion.
"It's not your first," Dave stated matter-of-factly.
I know, but it just feels different.
"Yes, because it was planned between the two of you to happen. You always knew this was murder, but pretended to cover your moral standing through a created quest."
The blunt response from Dave was even more crushing. Had she really just murdered a being rather than perform an assassination? Could she ever again justify her moral position of being an assassin for the good? She didn't know, and now wasn't the time to contemplate it.
That's unfair. I have witnessed what he has been doing and concluded that his actions are bad.
"I'm not disputing that, but you did allow Fas to create the quests to cover your own morality, which is now biting you back."
SJ opened her display.
Class Quest: Remove the money-lender --- Complete
You eliminated Barnabus Longspike, the nefarious money-lender.
Reward: 1 copper
Fas had deliberately placed such a low reward on the quest to prevent any others from even considering taking it.
Congratulations, you have killed a level 43 dwarven fighter, Barnabus Longspike. For killing an enemy ten levels higher than yourself, you receive double experience. The 570 experience was doubled to 1140 experience.
"No reputation bonus given," Dave mused.
I wasn't expecting guild bonuses as I'm not a member of the guild that Fas used to create the quest. I'm not working on behalf of Asterfal, so I suppose that makes sense.
"Perhaps, but that's not clearly defined. Let me get in touch with the quest administrators and get their understanding of the rewards. While you loot the place and then get out of here."
SJ had got distracted by the notifications, but had breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she hadn't received one affecting her alignment. That had been one of her overarching worries: that performing these tasks for Fas would impact her alignment.
She took a closer look at the room, identifying several items that seemed valuable. Then, Barnabus was also looted, receiving a chain and three rings. Before moving cautiously through the apartment, checking room to room and, without causing disturbance, taking several items. She spent the longest at the study, as she added several of the ledgers to her inventory. Her plan was to hand them over to the tower, even if she did so anonymously. There was an almost certainty that several names would show up based on what she had witnessed, which might raise uncomfortable questions for some of them.
Two small chests sat in the study, and she attempted to lift one of them. It was firmly bolted to the floor. Quickly, she retraced her steps to where she had seen a keychain before she returned. After several tries, the lock clicked, and she opened the chest to find several rolled parchments and bags of coins. She paid them no attention as she added them all to her inventory. Whatever they contained could wait. The second chest was smaller, and she picked it up and added it directly to her inventory. She would investigate its contents later.
After triggering her mana-adjusted sight to ensure that there was nothing magical lying around, she made her way back to the balcony before slowly slipping back outside into the night. To a neutral observer, the apartment appeared untouched, with no visible signs of entry. It was the perfect guise for her trade and would probably raise several questions. As she shrank and took off again into the night, she looked back in her vision at the building, where she had just committed murder, whether she could justify it or not in her own mind was still unknown.
Fas and Benji were still up when she arrived back at the Black Gryphon. They were both sitting with glasses, and an almost empty bottle of sherry sat on the table.
"I saw it's done," Fas said as she entered.
"Yes, one is. What's the celebration for?"
"Benji got his exam results back."
"Oh, how did you do?" SJ asked.
Benji's face was flushed, his cheeks a ruddy red from the alcohol, and as he spoke, his words were slurred. "I passed with flying colours; my physical workout put me in the top three."
"That's amazing, congratulations. What about the officer theory part?"
Benji looked a little ashamed. "Not sure yet; they said it was being reviewed."
"Reviewed? That's probably a good thing then. There is still hope of your being accepted."
"Perhaps. Anyway, I think I have had enough for one evening," Benji said as he went to stand, stumbling and grasping the edge of the table for support.
"Here, I'll give you a hand," Fas said as he stood and steadied the young man before escorting him back to his.
SJ waited patiently for Fas to return.
"It looks like we have two things to celebrate today, then," Fas said, returning.
"I don't feel like celebrating. I feel dirty," SJ said, as she started to empty the contents of her inventory onto the table. "Here's what I collected: the parchments and ledgers I am sure contain some juicy details. I was thinking of giving them to the tower. Also, several bags of coins and this small chest." SJ said, placing it last and then dropping the keychain next to it.
Fas opened the pouches and nodded appreciatively. "Nice haul, definitely a few platinum's worth of gems and coins here. What's in the other chest?"
"No idea. I just took it and came back."
Fas lifted the keys and tried the lock. Eventually, locating the right key. He lifted the chest lid and let out a low whistle. "I haven't seen one of these in a long time." Fas removed a small, spherical object from the chest.
"What is it?"
"A mineral orb. It is used to identify metals and gem varieties. They are mainly used in mines to identify different veins. I assume he had one to ensure he wasn't being conned with any payments. I bet one of the miners' guilds will pay a decent sum for this."
"I didn't even realise there was a miner's guild in Asterfal."
"Yeah, although it's nothing compared to those in larger mining areas. If you ever get a chance to visit a dwarven city, you will see what a real miner's guild looks like."
Fas placed it back in the chest.
"How long before you hit Julisa?"
"I was going to give it a couple of days at least. I've already scouted it out, as you know, but it's not as straightforward as Barnabus's."
"Here you go," Fas said as he flipped a copper coin to SJ.
SJ caught it in her hand. "Really?" she said sardonically.
"It's your reward after all," Fas shrugged.
"I'm going to head home. I will take the ledgers to the tower tomorrow; let them do what they wish with them."
"Fair enough. I'll get the gems shifted for you. Guild takes a cut, as you know, but it saves any questions."
"Sure, thanks," SJ said as she stood. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"As always," Fas said as she left.
