Chapter LVII

  Finally, Nero steps out of Ulma’s parents’ house, carrying a sack in one hand. Adar can only assume that it contains the potions Nero had been preparing, a fact confirmed when the mage approaches them.

  “Here. These are the potions, keep them safe,” Nero says as he hands the sack to Seres.

  “And fetch our things,” the necromancer orders them, stretching zily. Adar can only sigh and prepare to follow the command; after all, arguing wouldn’t lead to anything.

  Seres, however, remains still, staring at Ulma, seemingly waiting for her to step forward and reveal her parents’ decision. She does indeed step forward, decring, “I’ll help you.”

  She’s the first to enter her parents’ house to retrieve the alchemy equipment Nero had left inside. This only strengthens Adar’s conviction that her parents agreed with her decision but seek Nero’s support to deal with Riversong. Not that Adar really understands what the necromancer could do for them. For now, while everyone thinks Nero is simply a powerful mage, things remain straightforward.

  Even a noble family would think twice before disrespecting a powerful mage. Even if Nero doesn’t stay in the area, the possibility of his return and the consequences of reneging on a commitment to him could be quite... serious for all involved.

  But eventually, word of what happened in those mines will spread. And when everyone realizes that Nero is a necromancer... things could change quickly.

  Perhaps Ulma and her family might be lucky, and no one will associate them with the powerful necromancer. Upon reflection, Adar thinks that’s quite likely, When the truth about what happened in those mines comes to light, people will begin to understand just how dangerous it is to provoke Nero.

  Adar reflects on this while gncing at Aden, the young noble, recalling their conversation before Nero and Seres entered the mines. Aden had doubted Nero’s choice to descend underground with the vampire. That conversation reminded Adar that the noble had never witnessed Nero use his magic. Seres’s accounts gave both Aden and Ulma a new understanding of Nero’s capabilities. Though not nearly close to the full reality.

  “Move it,” grumbles the necromancer, snapping Adar out of his thoughts. Ulma had already gone to fetch the equipment while Adar stood idle.

  “Right, right. I’m going,” Adar mutters, following the girl.

  Between the two of them, it doesn’t take long to gather the equipment. Seres even shows up midway to assist, speeding things up further. Soon enough, they’re loading the mule.

  Adar senses that his friend wants to ask Ulma what’s going on, but it seems Seres holds his tongue in the end. Meanwhile, Ulma clearly is avoiding discussing the matter. Not that such a situation can st for much longer.

  Finally, they return to the others. As they approach, they hear Nero speaking calmly, almost bored.

  “You know, no matter your decision, you can rest assured that your daughter will be treated well. After all, you have his word.”

  Nero gestures toward Aden as he finishes speaking. Aden turns to Ulma’s parents, nodding affirmatively.

  “Yes, yes, of course. Riversong is only concerned with the safety of its people,” he says. Turning back to Nero, he continues, “The only reason we pursued Ulma was that she disappeared suddenly, and we were worried about her.”

  Adar suspects this is the version of events Aden intends to stick to. Judging by Nero’s expression, Adar can only guess that the necromancer believes this story as much as he does. Yet the silence suggests Nero won’t challenge it. Knowing the necromancer, that’s hard to believe. Perhaps Nero just wants the matter resolved and letting the noble stick to his narrative helps avoid further complications.

  That’s not Nero’s usual way. Normally, he’d call out the lie, leaving Adar to handle the fallout until Nero grew bored of the discussion... and then something would inevitably burn.

  This time, Adar silently thanks this small mercy to whatever divinity has intervened, hoping it sts.

  As they approach, Nero turns to them and says, “All done? Great, I was just reassuring everyone that, no matter what happens, everything will turn out fine.”

  Ulma and her parents exchange looks before her mother steps forward and decres, “In that case, sirs...” Her gaze shifts between Nero and Aden, likely gauging their reactions. “...we think it’s best...” She hesitates, gncing back at her family, who returns her look with firm conviction. “...that Ulma stays here with us.”

  Adar’s earlier suspicion is confirmed. Looking at the rest of the group, he sees no one seems particurly surprised. Nero, however, scratches his head, appearing to mull over the family’s response.

  Aden jumps in first. “If that’s your decision, you can count on Riversong’s full support. We regret losing Ulma’s service, but if this is your choice, so be it.”

  The young noble even manages a conciliatory smile, which Adar suspects carries a hint of relief now that the matter is resolved, peacefully.

  “Well, if you’re sure. Though I imagine losing her wages will be difficult,” Nero remarks, surveying the farm around them. He stops when he notices the looks he’s receiving.

  “What??” the mage asks, seemingly confused.

  For a moment, Adar thinks it’s just one of Nero’s tricks, but finally concludes it’s simply Nero being Nero. After all, it’s been hours since the mage st said something truly odd, and Nero always has to say something that makes no sense.

  Adar ventures to respond to the question, but Seres beats him to it. “Nero... why would they pay a servant a wage?”

  With that question, Seres effectively answers Nero’s question. After all, a servant already eats their lord’s food and sleeps in a safe pce. Why would they need money? Perhaps they’d receive a reward for exceptional service, but beyond that, the idea of earning a wage is bizarre.

  Nero puts a hand over his face, shaking his head. “Right, right. Feudalism...” He removes his hand, revealing a strange smile. “Getting paid for work—what a concept, huh?”

  He sighs before continuing. “And there are still people who want to live under this system. Fools dreaming they’ll be at the top. While forgetting, that someone as to be on the bottom.”

  No one, not Adar or anyone else nearby, truly understands what Nero is talking about. Adar and likely Seres have grown used to it by now—trying to make sense of Nero’s words is a sure way to a headache.

  Aden, cking that experience, asks, “Lord Nero, what do you mean by that?”

  This catches Nero off guard, confirming that it’s one of his stranger comments he refuses to expin. Adar chuckles inwardly at the necromancer’s rare embarrassment.

  “That doesn’t matter now. Since everything’s decided, we can leave, right?” Nero redirects, addressing Adar to dodge Aden’s question. He strides ahead, dismissing the issue.

  Regarding the question, Adar gnces at Seres to see if he has anything to say. Since it seems he doesn’t, Adar replies, “Yes, we can leave now.”

  “If you’d like, you can stay a bit longer,” Ulma offers, focusing especially on Seres. The poor girl clearly has a crush on him, but staying isn’t an option. The trio has too many secrets, especially with the mine’s news likely only a day or two behind them.

  “Thanks, but no,” Nero answers directly, shutting down the suggestion. Seres’s agreement with Nero’s every word should extinguish any hope Ulma might have. On the bright side, she seems to take the rejection well. Considering the time spent together, she must have realized that Seres’s only true passion is magic. He’d never leave Nero’s company. Considering all that he hopes to learn from the mage.

  “Well, in that case, I’ll also be on my way back to Riversong,” Aden announces. Now that this is resolved, he has no reason to remain here. Mounting his horse, he gives a slight wave of farewell.

  “That way leads to Farmer’s Harbour. About a four- or five-day journey,” Aden says, gesturing in the direction.

  Adar notices the faint smile forming on Nero’s lips before the mage responds. “Oh! Is it? Thanks for the directions.” He sounds utterly polite and pleasant as he says this.

  With their farewells exchanged, they leave Ulma’s family farm, heading in the direction Aden indicated.

  It doesn’t take long before Seres asks, “So, we're going to Farmer’s Harbour?”

  Adar sighs, bringing a hand to his face in frustration. He knows his friend isn’t stupid, but sometimes he really seems that way.

  Nero looks at Seres as if he’s foolish before shaking his head and responding, “What? Blondie. Of course, we’re not going to Farmer’s Harbour. How many times have I told you we’re heading north? Toward Sagrat.”

  “But you kept talking about Farmer’s Harbour, and you even made us ask around for details about it. I thought you’d changed your mind,” Seres replies, sounding almost insulted by the confusion.

  “False directions, Seres,” Adar crifies.

  Seres turns to him, seemingly wanting a better expnation.

  “If someone tries to follow us and hears what we’ve been talking about, they’ll assume we’re heading to Farmer’s Harbour,” Adar expins further.

  “And that from there, we’ll follow the river toward the coast,” Nero adds.

  “I see. That’s pretty clever, Nero,” says Seres, as he begins to understand the pn. Adar has to agree—it really is a good pn. Sure, talking about a pce they don’t pn to visit was a bit tedious. But if it throws off potential pursuers, it’s worth it.

  “But then why are we heading that way?” Seres asks, once again managing to sound clueless.

  “We just left Ulma’s house. How would we expin not heading in the direction of Farmer’s Harbour?” Adar asks, trying to contain his frustration with his friend. Judging by Seres’s expression, however, he isn’t very successful.

  “Not only that... from the map we bought, if we turn north within a day, we’ll pass through a forest that will allow us to start the climb to JustCraig’s Peak. That puts us right onto the northern pteau cities. It’s a good shortcut,” Nero crifies his pns further.

  “Oh! So, all of this is part of your pn?” Seres asks in his usual admiring tone, something that’s normal for him but that even Adar has to admit now is warranted.

  “Well, when I noticed the direction of the girl’s house, I took that into account,” Nero replies with a shrug.

  With that, they walk on for a while before Seres speaks again. “Strange name, isn’t it? What kind of name is JustCraig?”

  “It’s the name of a guy who tested this area,” Nero answers without much thought.

  “Tested!?” Adar and Seres ask almost at the same time.

  “Explored! I mean explored,” Nero replies, somewhat flustered.

  “Oh, yeah. But still, JustCraig is a weird name,” Seres continues.

  “He probably thought it was a funny name. At least it’s better than some I’ve seen. Well... at least that’s what I think,” the mage says, seeming to realize something and starting to hesitate slightly. “It’s not like I know the guy personally.”

  Of course, Nero couldn’t have known the person who named the pce, as it must have happened three or four centuries ago. It would be impossible for him to have met the man, right...?

  And why would someone name himself with a funny name? He certainly would use his birth name right?

  Adar shakes his head, deciding this is just another example of Nero being strange. Definitely nothing more to think about.