Oath of the Survivor

The first thing Kyle noticed upon his arrival was the heat.  He appeared in the middle of a teleportation circle that had been set up outdoors; the carvings in the stone ground stretched easily 100 meters in diameter.  It could hardly be compared to the compact, powerful teleporter used by the Verdant Republic.  An open dome obscured the horizon, though Kyle could make out a blue-green sky far above. It made him think of the Originators, specifically Marcus Kulhavey, and the technology they created to go off-world.  For civilizations that were trying to figure it out on their own, even less refined means like these were impressive.

His attention snapped toward the slowly-advancing group of guards approaching him, followed by a spectacle-wearing goblin carrying what could only be described as a mobile desk.  Multiple monitors were suspended between the goblin and Kyle, and his eyes were darting across all of them.  The harness seemed to rest on his hips, with a circular base supporting several different pieces of equipment.  The guards parted, each carrying a kite shield on one arm and a spear in the other.  Auric Perception indicated each was in the middle of E Grade – and certainly not a threat to him.

The goblin carrying the mobile office stepped forward, rotating the circular contraption to see Kyle more clearly.  “Egad, I’ve never seen such a creature.  Pray tell, do you understand me?  Raise your hand if you understand me.”

Kyle fought to contain his amusement as he raised his hand and spoke.  “My name is Kyle Mayhew, I’m a member of the Courier’s Guild, here at the behest of the Verdant Republic.”

“It speaks!”  The goblin shrieked, before composing itself.  “My apologies, when the Verdant Republic said they were sending a Courier, I assumed they meant one of the people.  To see one such as you behaving in such a civilized fashion simply took me by surprise.”

The goblin adjusted its spectacles and took a deep breath before continuing.  “I am called Pall’Eth, and I am the cabinet member charged with meeting you and providing further instruction.  May I assume that you mean us no harm, Kyle Mayhew?”

“That is correct, Pall’Eth.  I’ve been briefed by the Verdant Republic, and understand that there is a treaty that needs to be negotiated before your world is able to officially join.”

Pall’Eth nodded enthusiastically, nearly losing his spectacles in the process.  “Quite so, quite so.  There are some other… peculiarities that we would like to discuss with you as well.  Given your word that you’re not here to commit violence, and the appearance of backing by the Verdant Republic, it is my belief that you should be invited in to receive the rest of the details.  Guards?”

At his words, the goblin guards turned as one, forming a straight line to either side of Kyle and Pall’Eth.  They marched toward the far end of the formation, with Pall’Eth gesturing for Kyle to follow.  As he walked, Kyle’s Sensory Barbs felt the small grooves in the stone.  While he was a long way from comprehension, his training with Jarberry helped him to see some of the hallmark inscriptions associated with space, in addition to formations tied to mana collection. 

Kyle nearly missed a step, however, when he felt runic patterns he recognized far more easily.  Fire.  Realization dawned on him, and he fought to keep his expression neutral.  The teleportation was also a massive bomb.  A quick activation of Identify confirmed his suspicions.  Ambient mana was being drawn in by some of the other inscriptions, and none was being siphoned into the runes tied to fire.

Kyle expected that, should he have been deemed a threat, these runes could have been activated, bathing the entire platform in a conflagration.  That also explained the relatively weak guards, and Pall’Eth’s nervousness.  They’d been sent here as disposable pawns should Kyle have been deemed a true threat.  They’re a lot shrewder than they’d like me to think.

Once they’d crossed to the edge of the platform, the guards stepped aside and Pall’Eth led Kyle into a narrow stairwell that descended below the dome.  The goblin was quiet, and Kyle suspected his nerves were still on edge.  Given the stakes of their meeting, Kyle didn’t blame him.  The ruling government of Er’Mithren placed a lot of hope in joining the Verdant Republic, and that was all contingent on the work Kyle did.  Were he in Pall’Eth’s shoes, he wouldn’t have wanted to risk his life, either. 

Instead of talking, Kyle spent his time appreciating the architecture.  The stones of the hallway were almost golden in color, with each brick fitting together flawlessly.  Though they were perfect to the naked eye, Synaptic Barbs indicated several places where the air flowed differently, and Kyle suspected the entire stairwell was trapped.  Given the recent coup and current resistance movement, he didn’t blame them.

Soon, they came to a thick metal door.  Pall’Eth gave a complex series of knocks that lasted for nearly a minute before the door finally slid open.  As it did, Kyle got his first look at the city proper.  The door opened out onto a large balcony, and he could make out a sea of buildings below.  Each looked to be crafted from the same yellow-gold stone, with solid, blocky architecture. 

The guards waiting on the balcony beckoned Kyle to keep following Pall’Eth, which he did.  In contrast to the austere teleportation array and stairwell, the hall through which they now walked was adorned with resplendent art and gorgeous flowers.  Vines lined both the top and bottom corners of the hall, almost giving the impression that they were walking through a jungle. 

Kyle could almost feel C.H.A.D.D.’s desire to study the plants, though the drone remained blessedly silent, as they’d agreed.  Still, he knew he’d never hear the end of it if he didn’t at least try to find some interesting plant life for C.H.A.D.D. to enjoy while they were here.

“We’re almost there,” Pall’Eth said, breathing heavily as they approached the end of the hall.  “I would ask that you allow our people to present their instructions fully before offering your thoughts and understandings.  Such are our customs, after all.”

Kyle nodded.  “Understood.  Thank you for guiding me this far, Pall’Eth.”

The goblin gave him a nod, nearly losing his spectacles as he did.  “It was my pleasure, Kyle Mayhew.” 

Kyle approached the large double doors at the end of the hallway, which opened on their own as he drew near.  Without slowing in the least, Kyle stepped through.  He was met by a large auditorium that was in many ways reminiscent of the one he’d seen at the Verdant Republic.  Really odd that they’d decided on the same type of architecture for their meeting rooms, Kyle thought, looking up at the figures seated in the chairs above. 

Unlike the room in the Bureau of Interplanetary Affairs, however, there were no projections here.  Kyle estimated 30%-40% of the seats were empty by design, though he was impressed this many members of leadership had decided to show up in-person.  Given the paranoid nature he’d seen so far, it was a pleasant surprise.

“Courier Mayhew!”  A high-pitched voice exclaimed.  “We have received news of your arrival, and we welcome your assistance in resolving this unfortunate matter.”

Kyle hesitated just a moment before offering a deep bow, trying to remember as many customs as he could.  “I thank you for your hospitality, and look forward to being of assistance.  If I may ask, how should I refer to you?”

A separate voice piped up, the goblin equivalent of a deep basso rumble.  “Simply refer to us as the Council.  Are we to understand that you have received the basic overview from our partners in the broader universe, the Verdant Republic?”
Kyle didn’t miss that the Verdant Republic, one of the premier factions across the Universe, was just downplayed as a “partner” to a D Grade world, but he didn’t point that out.  Instead, he simply nodded.  “They have informed me of the complexities involved, and told me that you have a draft of the treaty prepared and ready for delivery.”

“That we do.”  As the rumbling voice concluded, a small, elderly goblin wearing simple brown robes walked up from where it had been standing near the side of the room.  Held in its hands was a small wooden case, and Kyle could feel the mana coming off of it.  It was an item he’d seen in several of his contracts, carrying a seal that would give an alert when it was opened.  Kyle also recognized standard tools alongside the case for capturing a mana signature. 

He accepted the box and tools from the goblin, who proceeded to bow and step back to the entrance from which it had come.  “I thank you for providing the tools and treaty.  If your people have any idea where the other party is, I’ll depart shortly.”

“We have a general idea of her whereabouts,” a female voice said, speech slow and confident.  “However, the hag will not sign the treaty.  In fact, I doubt she will deign to see you at all.”

And there it is, Kyle thought.  There had to be a catch somewhere.  Still, he kept his thoughts to himself.  “Respectfully, Council, why might that be?  I understood that you were close to achieving a peace here.”

The first voice spoke up, even more shrill than before.  “We certainly hoped that she would see reason, however our most recent delegation was wiped out on approach.  It appears as though she simply can’t accept the fact that her father lost.  That she lost.  So now, she seems intent on becoming a true nuisance until the end.”

There was a pregnant pause, and Kyle remained silent, waiting for the comment he was sure was coming.  A moment later, the bass voice delivered it.

“While we certainly regret the circumstances, and would relish a peace, it appears that one will be difficult to reach.  We, of course, have agreed with our colleagues at the Verdant Republic that we will seek a peaceful resolution.  We would ask you, Courier, to deliver our terms via the treaty.  If, by some miracle, she’s willing to see reason, then we will move forward.  If, on the other hand, you were to come under attack by her forces…”

The female voice picked up.  “While we seek a peace, we also fully understand and appreciate your right to self-defense.  Even more so as a visitor to our world, and as a representative of the broader Collective.  Rest assured that we would trust your judgment in such an event, and would support you regardless of the collateral damage that may occur in such a situation.”

Kyle sighed as he looked down at the box, which now felt much heavier in his hands.  He suspected it earlier, but hearing his suspicion confirmed caused a pit to form in his stomach.  The Council of Er’Mithren wasn’t looking for a Courier, they were looking for a hitman.  Unfortunately for them, they hired the wrong guy.

Letting out a long breath, Kyle raised his eyes to the goblins surveying him from the stands.  Meeting their gazes one at a time, he finally spoke.  “Then I’d best be off.”