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A Soldier's Life - 266 - Greasing the Wheels of Justice
🕑 Added 2024-09-20 01:04:28 +0000 UTCChapter 266: Greasing the Wheels of Justice
“It was in the trade district. There is a jail along the west wall near there. That is probably where he is being held,” Ignis informed me of where she saw Mateo.
“Are there any others? How was he wearing legion armor in the city?” I asked anxiously as I prepared to leave. I wouldn’t wait for Maveith, but Ignis could tell him where I went.
“He just had legion vambraces and greaves, and they were stained black. I didn’t see any others, but I arrived as he was being taken away.” Ignis was examining one of the swords. “Don’t do anything rash, Eryk. He assaulted a citizen of the Grand Duchy, and even if he was in the right, he will have to pay a price.”
I pulled the blood compass to my hand and activated it with Castile’s sample inside. The pull was strong but not close. Maybe three miles west or slightly less, by my estimate. I smiled, so Castile and Mateo were alive. Maybe the rest of the company was waiting outside the city then and Mateo just got into a little trouble. “Tell Maveith where I went.” I belted on a regular sword and elven dagger, not wanting to risk my runic weapons if things escalated.
My adventurer’s medallion was hanging outside my tunic. I learned that if I was going to walk around the city with weapons, it made the guards less suspicious of me. I was not wearing armor because it was not needed; at least, I hoped it was not going to be needed. The city of Gramney was large and it was a long walk to the western side of the city from the upper district.
As I got closer, I stared off a few pickpockets, their movements much too obvious. The jail was not difficult to find and was fairly massive, nearly two hundred feet long, tucked along the western wall. Numerous guards walked outside, on, and on the wall above the structure. I could see the small windows denoting the cells.
I put on a friendly smile when I spoke to one of the guards. “One of my friends has recently been incarcerated. Where can I go to see about getting him free?” The guard assessed me, judging my appearance. My clothes were decent and should have signaled that I was a man of wealth, though I favored darker colors over the brighter hues that nobility everywhere seemed to prefer.
It didn’t take him more than a glance to direct me. “The Arbiters’ office is at the end,” he pointed.
I thanked him with a large copper, “Thanks for your help. Enjoy an ale after your shift.” He nodded happily, and I made eye contact to ensure he remembered me. It was always best to let the local guards know you were friendly.
As I approached the offices, a familiar voice was talking loudly. “I don’t understand! The woman said he was protecting her, and the man was still alive. Just a few bumps on his head. Why can’t we pay damages and be on our way?” I peeked into the office to see an exasperated Benito was arguing with a man in deep royal blue robes.
The Arbiter seemed to be losing his patience. “His case will be handled in the order it was received. You can return tomorrow evening. It should come up by then. The Arbiter on duty will review the arrest, decide on the damages due, and if it will include time on the work crews.”
I walked in and stood behind Benito, towering over him by a head. I was disappointed there were no other legionnaires here. Benito’s clothes were worn and not legion issue. As Ignis had said, Benito also had legionnaire greaves and vambraces painted a dark, flat black. He didn’t smell too great, either. “What kind of trouble did Mateo get into now?” I asked Benito conversationally.
Benito looked back for a second, “Eryk, we were drinking all peaceable like, and I went to take a piss. When I came back, Mateo knocked out some grizzled laborer. He swears the…” Benito’s brain finally caught up to what his eyes had seen and he slowly turned. “Eryk?!” He reached out and touched me to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. He moved in and gave me a half-hug. “I told them Pluto wouldn’t take you. You were just gonna pop up somewhere. And here you are!”
He squueezed me for an awkward amount of time. “Good to see you too, Benito. People are going to talk if you don’t release me.” The arbiter smirked and Benito stepped back.
A pained expression came over his face. “Damn it, Eryk. Why couldn’t you have shown up two weeks ago? Castile used my betting pool money for food. You owe me seven silver!” Although he didn't mean it, he sounded offended.
I chuckled softly, and he smiled, realizing his own joke a little late. “Did everyone make it?” I asked more seriously.
Benito’s expression changed to despair. “No. Konstantin wasn’t with us for the,” he looked at the Arbiter, “battle.” He thought for a bit, bringing up the memories. As he did, I moved us outside, out of earshot of the arbiter. Benito continued, “Firth lost his hand. The healing mages hadn’t gotten to him yet to reattach it by the time we rode with the Emperor. Linus, as well. He took an arrow to the neck but was mostly healed but not enough to ride.”
“This was the battle against the Emperor?” I asked.
“No, before. We crushed the Bartiradians between two armies.” His face ghosted a little as blood drained at the memory. “Bloodiest fight I have ever been part of. We won, but some of the Bartiradians fled, and the Emperor ordered pursuit. Everyone who could, grabbed a horse. Mine was a big black brute who kept wanting to turn around. Like it was scared and knew what it was riding into.”
“The battle,” I prompted before his mind got too far sidetracked.
Benito nodded. “We rode up on the Bartiradians, dismounted, and the Emperor cast his black lightning. The day was clearly won, and then...” He paused. “I didn't really see what triggered it, but soon we were fighting the Imperial Legion. It was crazy even though Castile told me it might happen.” He shivered some. “I don’t want to think about it. More spells than arrows in the air.” His voice got heavy, “Adrian, Kolm, and Malory fell in the fight.”
After a pause, he leaned in conspiratorially, “It was Blaze. Blaze put an arrow in the Emperor's eye at fifty paces! After that, the Duke pulled his army away, and Castile ordered us into the woods. It's been weeks crossing Bartiradia to get here. The first few days were rough, but after we disguised ourselves as mercenary caravan guards it was easier.”
“So, who is with you now? And where are they?” I pressed.
“They are in a hamlet outside the city to save coin,” Benito said. “Castile, Blaze, and Lirkin. Wylie was with us but disappeared on the second night. Castile said to let him go. Oh! And Mateo is locked up,” he gestured profanely at the arbiter’s office.
My heart got heavier with each name he listed. There was a chance Konstantin, Linus, and Firth were alive, but the only ones who had made it to Gramney were Castile, Mateo, Blaze, Benito, and Lirkin. “Well, at least you had a cook,” I said softly, remembering Benito’s quip on entering the Shimmering Labyrinth.
Benito took a moment to figure out what I meant. “Lirkin is in a bad state. He has an infection in his leg from a gnoll spear that he received five nights ago. Blaze wrenched his knee and is laid up, too. Mateo and I were here to find work to make some coin for healing poultices.”
“Why doesn't Castile use her magic? Surely, she could make a good coin with it,” I asked.
Benito was saddened again. “She is burnt, Eryk. During our first few days in Bartiradia, we only traveled at night. She was using her shadows to conceal us from the enemy.” That shocked me. Castile always seemed so unassailable. She also knew when she had reached her limit. My best guess was that she knew if they were caught, it would be a death sentence.
I patted Benito on the back. “Okay, let me see if I can grease the wheels of justice for Mateo.”
“Grease the wheels? Are you going to cook for them?” Benito said, confused.
“Just wait here.” I returned inside to confront the Arbiter. He exhaled and nodded at two guards nearby to be on alert. I stepped close to him and whispered, “I have been told there is a special fee to expedite a case review?” He motioned the guards back, a good sign.
“The friend of your acquiescence?” He asked politely, seeing my hand covering a gold coin. I nodded. “Let me take a look. We do need to clear some cells today.” He went to a folder and started paging through it till he found the sheet he was looking for near the back. “Hmm. Looks like a simple tavern fight.” He acted like he was considering the case as he readied a stamp. “Two large silver or fourteen days on a work detail is the normal fine,” he announced loudly so the guards could hear him. “But it looks like both parties were equally at fault here. I think one large silver or a week laying quarry stone.”
“He will pay the fine,” I said, adding a large dungeon silver to the counter with a clink. The Arbiter took the silver, scratched the verdict, and stamped it. I moved my hand away from the gold coin, and the paper covered it. “Sign here. Next time he is caught fighting in the city, it will be forty silver.” The gold coin disappeared with paper. He turned to a guard, “Pull the Telhian from cell nineteen. He is free to go.”
I went outside and brought Benito inside, but he had been close enough to see. “Since you are giving out coin so freely, do you have the seven silver you owe me?”
“No, Benito. Getting Mateo out just cost me one hundred and ten silver. I am going to stand in the corner to see if Mateo recognizes me.” I smirked, anticipating his reaction.
It was a good twenty minutes before Mateo was marched out of the long hallway. Two guards walked behind him as he limped slightly. His right eye was swollen shut, and his lip was crusty with blood. Benito turned to me and said, “The city guards did that to him for resisting.” I wanted to slap Benito. The guards could clearly hear him, and it was ruining my surprise.
Mateo was missing his greaves and vambraces, and it didn’t look like he was getting them back. “What’s the damage?” Mateo asked Benito.
“I found a friend who paid to get you out,” Benito said happily.
“A friend? Did Castile come into town?” Mateo said, confused.
I was leaning against the wall, and Benito gestured toward me. I should have been more explicit in my instructions to him. Mateo squinted with his one good eye. I was standing in the shadows, as there was only a single window in the room and the entry archway. “What the?” He stepped closer, not believing it. He needed to touch me like Benito to confirm. “Eryk? But you are dead? Castile said…” He moved in for a full hug, getting a little choked up.
When we separated, I said, “Yeah, it seems to happen a lot. You two can go get the others. Try to avoid getting into any fights on the way. We are at the Crescent Crossroads Inn in the trade district. Third floor suite. Don’t tell Castile. I want to surprise her.” I looked pointedly at Benito. “Mateo, why don’t you do all the talking.”
“We? Who is with you?” Mateo asked and stared at my adventurer’s medallion.
“Maveith is with me, and we are headed to the Boutan Caliphate. But we can talk about that later.”
Benito’s eyes widened. “You're going into orc lands? Why would you do that?”
Mateo shook his head at Benito. “He said he would explain later. Let’s go get Castile and the others. We are renting a small house far outside the city. It is a half-hour walk, so it will be some time with my leg.” We spent a few minutes talking, and they obviously had quite the story of their journey getting here.
As I walked back alone, I couldn’t believe Adrian, Kolm, and Donte were dead. Castile had lost two-thirds of the company's legionnaires since I joined. When I entered the suite, Maveith rushed me. “Is the company in the city?”
I nodded, “Where’s Ignis?”
“She took one of the swords to sell. Where are they?” Maveith rumbled excitedly, looking at the door.
“They were staying outside the city. There are only five of them, Maveith.” Maveith’s excitement faded at my words.
We waited for an hour before the thunder of multiple people could be heard coming up the steps. There were some whispers in the hallway before a short, sharp knock. Maveith and I rose to greet them. I opened the door to see Castile standing in the hallway, the company men behind her.
Castile didn’t look healthy and was speechless on seeing me, her jaw trying to work. We stared at each for a long time before Benito asked, “Are we going in? Do they have any food?”
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Comments
Aaron Spielman
Can Benito’s rude gesture specifically be flicking his fingers forward, under his chin? Or would that be too anachronistic?
Erick Thiemke
crrected
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Trevayne
Thanks for the chapters. I am really looking forward to seeing Eryk and Castile talk.
Andrew G.
Love the Benito interaction! That was a lot of fun.
Medhanie Kidane
If something happens to benito I am leaving. He needs to join those two to make it more troublesome journey 😀
Andrew Crews
It’s been weeks crossing Bartiradia to get here. The first few days were rough, but after we disguised ourselves as caravan guards. (→ incomplete sentence)” “It’s been weeks crossing Bartiradia to get here. The first few days were rough, but after we disguised ourselves as caravan guards, things became easier.”
Andrew Crews
Benito continued, “Firth lost his hand. The healing mages hadn’t gotten to him to reattach it by the time we rode with *Emperor. Benito continued, “Firth lost his hand. The healing mages hadn’t gotten to him to reattach it by the time we rode with the Emperor.
Karnnie
Seems Like you have been quite busy, and I have a long list of chapters to catch up on. Great Chapter!!
Silver Beard
If he's going to come clean with his storage... why not stash all of them and go alone? A lot cheaper... and he can spit them out when they are needed and not have to listen to their complaints along the way.
Silver Beard
War time economy- everyone is watching. Who comes in and who goes out... what they buy, who they are, and what faction they might represent. Agree with the comments made about 'frivolous' spending... could bit him the ass once he leaves town. However the MC can handle riff raff.
Kbzzy
Eryk has literally moved mountains to help people he barely knows and you want him to discard a “used up” Castille when he’s been loyal to her for years? She’s very powerful and it wouldn’t even be difficult for him to help. He can farm manticores like the other guy said, or sell loot and buy the correct essences. He even has an unlimited essence collecter when in dungeons. Considering how much gold essences go for it would only take him a dozen dungeon runs to put a bag of apex channelling essences on her table. It would feel very out of character to discard Castille considering how helpful he is to everyone
sdf
so you're saying there's a chance...
Erick Thiemke
yes, hole in the head
Gijo Joseph
Did Zyna actually die?
Jordan
I don’t quite understand how your last post has anything to do with this conversation. Can you clarify that? In the end, we need more information to see if it’s even possible for her to be helped. I do hope that Eric feels just a modicum of loyalty to her based on their relationship to date. I have a hard time seeing him go above and beyond for people he doesn’t even know (3 girls he helps get a job as apothecaries and other similar situations) compared to someone who’s been instrumental in helping him survive the new world even if the solution is long-term.
Silver Beard
Recall she repeatedly took the worst assignments to avoid Octavian's attentions- her team had the worst retention rate of any legion company in the Empire when Eric joined them. That kind of constant pressure, loss, and commitment costs a price above and beyond.
Silver Beard
I have some 'insider' view point which flavors my response. Could be totally wrong; but given the context and Eryk's actions of the past I don't doubt he'd be willing to help; but I think the chances of acquire the essence in question will be quite low. Better assume and plan for the worst- so disappointments are few.
Jordan
Wow. Your opinion of Castille is really harsh. She’s only middle aged. She’s likely in her 30’s somewhere depending on when she started at the university as an enlistment term is 20 years. Nothing about what’s been disclosed about the manticores makes it sound like there’s agreements with them and doing some “depopulation” of their kind would be a service based on prior descriptions of them. With how large the world is it likely wouldn’t scratch the surface of their overall population. That’s only one option Eryk has as well. Castille’s a proven asset and shouldn’t be discarded so easily even if it takes time to heal her.
Silver Beard
But he'd have to seriously depopulate them to get enough; and as they have the capacity for speech- there is undoubtedly areas that hunting is banned, agreements in place, etc. If Castille was an elf and Eryk could spread out his hunting over centuries... I could see him curing her; but she's old and used up...she simply doesn't have the time. She's 'safe' and can't be hunted. I doubt she's the least bit interested in risking what years she has left doing reckless insanities or adventures.
Erick Thiemke
someone mentioned the MC did get channeling essences from the Manticores and Manticores are common on Stone Mountain Island where Mavieth lives.....so maybe
Silver Beard
It's discussed throughout the comments; but her channels are burnt, and she lacks Eryk's essence spell form, so it will take 10's of Apex essences to 'cure' her; perhaps more. The true extent of her condition is not really known. Author promised us a update on stats- likely when Castille sees how far in the hole she really is. Seeing Octavian taking the field when the Emperor was killed (and the throne); with his animosity to her, probably convinced her to 'burn in hell' rather than end up in his power. What exactly would she be able to contribute without magic? She will absolutely be staying behind, for now and perhaps forever.
Kbzzy
He’s leaving Castille begind? :(
PatronTurtle
There should definitely be a path to at least letting Castile get to the point of minor pain so she can build a life away from the Empire
Erick Thiemke
only Mateo, Benito and Blaze are coming. Lirkin is staying behind. He is going to leave the First Citizen Mage in the care of Castile...
Silver Beard
Maybe he will have to sell his apples if he has to set up Castille in comfort too when she gets left behind. Time to revisit the adventure guild: collect his fee for delivering the message, get the rest of the group registered under him and a team established, and finally see about getting some more of his dungeon loot identified and possibly sell some of it. Not sure why he's holding onto the transmute tankard. It can hardly be renewing its passive aether collection (for the transmute) stuck in his space all the time. Maybe a good bribe for the ambassador if he'll agree to treat Castille in his absence?
Erick Thiemke
i was thinking the elf mage healer would have something - someone mentioned having her evaluated by him - maybe it was you. just to lesson the burning, not cure her. only way is to restore with essences
Silver Beard
Maybe it's time to see what mellinia old ginger is worth. Agree fully restoring her is unrealistic but surely there are temporary solutions for pain management when she absolutely needs to do some magic?
Erick Thiemke
funny you mentioned that...i was just making notes on the chapter and had Lirkin complaining about it. Need to finish this World Sphere chapter though before I tackle Soldier
Silver Beard
Oh fun- Eryk gets to feed his buddies more orc healing potions... wonder who will refuse 2nds?
Lazarius
Mmmh I bet she will never recover 😢
Win Rar
Ahh thanks for the clarification! Totally got confused lol
Erick Thiemke
Grand Duchy is a human nation. The Arbiter is human. Ambassador Elaro is an an elf
Erick Thiemke
no, he is just setting up a friend for success. at least that is the MC's thought
Win Rar
Jordan
Him taking the sword wasn’t changed in the epilogue so he likely still has it.
Lemes
With this change of Mateo no longer losing his hand, will he still keep Primus' sword?
Salvo
I mentioned all the food Eryk collected in the dungeon, just because SOME had shadow bear and some fish, doesn’t mean they ate well. No salt for the meat, cava fruit only mention for some. they had to cut trees for wood, and several were poisoned with broken limbs. The elf girl had a sustenance ring and several healing potions that people were desperate for before getting lost in the dungeon! All the cold and he had a heating stone!
Faa Diallo
Lol autocorrect homebase*
Erick Thiemke
damn it. fixed. I also remember I was setting Mateo up for the one-liner, "The Primus got my hand, but I got his fancy sword..."
Erick Thiemke
homemade?
Jordan
Found another reference to Mateo losing his hand that hasn’t been updated: “Four quick exchanges found Benito bleeding from a neck wound and Mateo’s sword hand removed.”
Faa Diallo
Do you think this will be like homemade for these guy? It's seems like thats the direction you're going for.
Tetsu-nii
Typo: /rode with Emperor/ => /rode with *the* Emperor/ … just before that, you wrote that /Firth/ lost his hand.
Erick Thiemke
they couldnt risk going back for Linus...Firth was an agent of Empire and was never fully trusted
Erick Thiemke
the Emperor, a First Citizen, had aether burn in his youth and it took dozens of aether channeling essences
Erick Thiemke
edited - he now just broke his arm badly
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Erick Thiemke
correced
Erick Thiemke
okay edited chap 243 - Mateo's arm is now just broken and not missing
Erick Thiemke
over sixty chapters before the reunion
Roberto Dias
The "vast stores" were acquired AFTER they enter the dungeon. The famine period was BEFORE the dungeon, in the library. Erik did hid some elven rations, from the summoner’s and Raelia’s packs. But not something grand
Silver Beard
Likely have to sit on her magic more than a month. Much too long to wait on the rescue
Lemes
All the survivors of the company supposedly have runic weapons, I believe that now that they have the help of Erick and even eventually Ignis, it wouldn't be difficult to sell one of them and pay for the treatment to recover the hand of the legionnaire who lost it. As for the problem of Castile's burned aether channels, I believe that Elario could be of great help in her being cured.
Lemes
I'm sorry, I got confused. It was Mateo who ended the battle against the emperor without a hand and stealing the rune sword from his Primus Scorpio, chapter 143 final paragraph.
Erick Thiemke
Yes but expensive. Easier to attach the severed limb
Jordan
Haha cool cool. Quick question. Can body parts be regrown through magic? I’m personally hoping the team can get back to 100% physical capability.
Kim Santos
This actually made me tear up
Erick Thiemke
Mateo supposedly lost a hand but I will retcon it to be Lirkin
Erick Thiemke
In the dungeon? It was healed
Erick Thiemke
I wrote out 250+ more words but decided to stop there.
Erick Thiemke
Yes they are gone so she can build her business empire
Erick Thiemke
Damn I really did that to Mateo? Poor guy. He was supposed to go rescue Maveiths sister with them. Looks like Lirkin is about to be switched with Mateo….(as in I am going back and Lirkin will lose his hand)
Jordan
This chapter says Firth lost a hand. The book 4 epilogue doesn’t state that about Firth (although it’s possible as it just says Firth was injured). The epilogue does say that Mateo lost his hand though in the last paragraph of the epilogue. I’m guessing Firth and Mateo are getting mixed up. Also, if Mateo lost his hand it’s unusual that Eryk wouldn’t notice and comment on it after seeing him for the first time after so long.
Jordan
Yep. The mom and 2 kids are already gone
Jordan
Haha
Nick Nicholson
Yeah I guess I just figured they all fled together
Jordan
That was never alluded to. Only the group that participated in the fight against the emperor fled.
Lemes
From what was said in the previous chapter, the mother and children have already left. I think that leaves more rooms, at least until Erick unloads the mage trapped in his dimensional space.
Silver Beard
He's definitely got more than a full suite now. Mom and kids in one, ignis a 2nd, Mavieth in the common room on the floor, Eryk in 3rd... and 6 more with 2 rooms left. Suppose he might share with Castille, but still... think it's past time for the Mom and kids to move out/on their own.
Chachi
thank u for the chp
Silver Beard
that last paragraph could use some work. Thanks for chapter. Expected a stronger reaction from Castille or even a faint.
james keel
Bloodiest fight I have even been part of. Sound better as "Bloodiest fight I have ever been part of."
Salvo
Even though they were part of the largest coup in history, they won’t know real betrayal til Eryk’s vast stores are revealed. ‘…And here is your share of apples I forgot to feed you when you were starving in the dungeon, wine? Elven whiskey? I think I got enough dungeon boar and mash potatoes left for everyone.’
Salvo
For Castile it will be several apex essences. even the 1 point burn Eryk received was thought ‘impossible’ for a legionnaire to get fixed.
Zurko
its gonna take a lot of essences to heal up Castile. his was so quick because of his inscribed spell. also if he does get access to a dungeon through the guild i think the rewards will be a lot less than the previous dungeons because it's already been cleared out a bunch. the elven dungeon was so lucrative because it hadn't been touched in hundreds of years.
Andrew
Thank you!
Liam Andrews
The day was clearly one and then.” One —> won
Lemes
Hadn't Benito lost a hand?
PatronTurtle
Eryk really needs to get access to a dungeon with channelling aspects. Heal up Castile and get a stock just in case he burns himself
Nick Nicholson
I know Firth and Linus were injured but I thought they escaped with the rest of the company
Jesus De Guzman
Nice!! Thank You!!
BubblyGhost
Eryk Mercenary Co.
Glenn S
Can't wait.
saber
The reunion is at hand!
Erick Thiemke
1st of 4. Not much developed this chapter but there will be a tablet reading next chapter for both Castile and the MC.
