{"id":2175,"date":"2015-04-07T00:01:57","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T04:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=2175"},"modified":"2015-04-22T07:11:19","modified_gmt":"2015-04-22T11:11:19","slug":"a-most-unusual-patriot-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/a-most-unusual-patriot-part-one\/","title":{"rendered":"A Most Unusual Patriot – Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greetings, friends of Tellest. \u00a0We have a treat for you today, in the form of a new story from one of our staunchest contributors, Aaron Canton. \u00a0You may remember him as the writer who penned A\u00a0Practical Warrior<\/em> a few months back. \u00a0Well, we have him again delivering some great storytelling in the world of Tellest. \u00a0This time, he created your new favorite superhero, Jadie Rivers. \u00a0Over the next three weeks, you’ll be privy to seeing this great new tale unfold. \u00a0If you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy it immensely!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Most Unusual Patriot
\n-Part One-<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Light and laughter spilled out from the Sapphire Square and over its patio, extending all the way to the edge of the Spirit River.\u00a0 Clusters of people moved through the inn\u2019s backyard, some having stepped outside to enjoy the flowers and the cool breezes, while others were about to return to the inn to revisit the buffet tables and\u2014more likely\u2014the open bar.\u00a0 Nobility mingled with merchants, tradesmen laughed at the jokes of gladiators, and even the servants seemed willing to chatter with their esteemed guests.\u00a0 It was, truly, a perfect night.<\/p>\n

One of the putative servants, unable to stifle her grin any longer, put down her tray of drinks and turned away from the crowd to hide her smile.\u00a0 Jadie Rivers had never visited Atalatha before; her whole life had been spent in Westwick, studying at the hands of stern, unyielding masters and having little to do with moments of leisure, save watching pigs scampering around their market pens.\u00a0 But now, at last, she had completed her apprenticeship.\u00a0 She was a full member of the Westwick Thieves Guild, out on her first mission, ready to do her city and her teachers proud.\u00a0 How could she do anything but smile?<\/p>\n

But she did have a job to do, and so, after a moment, she controlled herself and turned towards the next table.\u00a0 Jadie\u2019s ultimate target was the Lady Trefaer, whom rumor had indicated would be wearing her famous set of diamonds\u2014a personal gift from the Duke himself\u2014at the party.\u00a0 She had not yet arrived, but several other specimens of the wealthy-and-hapless variety were there, and as her teachers always said, there was never a bad time to practice her skills.\u00a0 The very next table, for instance, held three people with empty glasses and more jewelry than was good for them.\u00a0 Jadie smiled to herself and approached.<\/p>\n

No sooner had she reached the table than she took stock of her targets.\u00a0 The first, a Marquis by the looks of his robes, was wearing several large gemstones of poor quality, likely the victim of an unscrupulous jeweler and his own ignorance of what such stones were truly worth.\u00a0 The merchant next to him wore a dozen cheap rings on her fingers as if she was trying to show off wealth through sheer quantity.\u00a0 But the third, Baron Orthlo, flashed an expensive emerald on a bracelet as he gesticulated.\u00a0 Now that<\/em> was a stone worthy of Jadie\u2019s attention.\u00a0 The thief\u2014unable to stop her smile from returning to her face\u2014moved near him.<\/p>\n

\u201c…I\u2019m just glad they finally worked out the treaty,\u201d Orthlo was telling the others.\u00a0 \u201dWarus isn\u2019t even a nation, not really.\u00a0 Just a mob of competing tribes.\u00a0 Completely impossible to settle; you put up a city one year, some band of gnolls or kobolds razes it the next.\u201d \u00a0He shook his ale mug in protest.\u00a0 \u201cBut now that we have some allies over there, I think we\u2019re finally on track to start stabilizing that territory.\u00a0 Maybe adding some of it to our own.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Marquis frowned.\u00a0 \u201cI heard a bunch of feral kaja overran a human settlement in western Warus,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIt might be more difficult than\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMere rumors.\u201d Orthlo laughed. \u00a0\u201cEven if they\u2019re true, our ambassadorial delegation will include a full complement of soldiers.\u00a0 They\u2019re more than a match for a few half-crazed kaja.\u00a0 No, I\u2019m certain things will be easier, at least in the political sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the economic sense too,\u201d the merchant added.\u00a0 \u201cAn entire untapped market\u2014and we\u2019re in the best position to reach it.\u00a0 Once the ambassadorial team arrives, my caravans will be right behind them.\u00a0 As will most of the others in Raleigh, I imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd as a member of that ambassadorial team, allow me to say that you have my full support!\u201d said Orthlo.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s to new opportunities!\u201d<\/p>\n

As he raised his glass, his other hand leaned against the bush behind him.\u00a0 Jadie moved up behind him and let her hand touch the leaves of that bush.\u00a0 Grab his hand<\/em>, Jadie told the bush.\u00a0 Just a few branches.\u00a0 Come on.\u00a0 <\/em>She smiled to herself.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be fun.<\/em><\/p>\n

The bush slowly shifted, Orthlo\u2019s hand slipping inside the bush as a few of its branches rearranged themselves.\u00a0 Orthlo, in the middle of toasting, said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me!\u201d said Jadie, stepping between them with her tray of drinks.\u00a0 \u201cMore sweet wine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have a glass,\u201d said Orthlo.\u00a0 He tried to move forwards but stopped as his hand pulled at the bush.\u00a0 The other two members of his group laughed as he tried to extricate himself.\u00a0 \u201cJust give me a minute…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAllow me,\u201d said Jadie merrily.\u00a0 She leaned over and reached into the bush with one hand, telling it, Thanks!\u00a0 You can let go now!\u00a0 <\/em>Between them, unseen by all, her other hand flicked up the clasp of his bracelet and swiped it\u2014as well as a few rings he was wearing for good measure\u2014into the large pocket of her uniform.\u00a0 After she gently pulled Orthlo\u2019s hand from the bush, drinks were served, and she retreated, knowing it would be a very long time before Orthlo even noticed the theft.<\/p>\n

There were people, Jadie knew, who had staggeringly powerful magical gifts\u2014the ability to summon fire from their hands, or drain health with a thought, or cause a forest to sprout in moments and tear through city walls like damp parchment.\u00a0 Jadie was not one of them.\u00a0 She could coax plants into helping her out just a little: releasing pollen, for instance, or twisting a few branches when needed.\u00a0 It might not have been a terribly powerful kind of magic, but it was hers, and she liked it.\u00a0 And she couldn\u2019t deny that it did<\/em> come in handy in her line of work.<\/p>\n

She crossed the garden, stealing two coin purses, one set of earrings, and a gorgeously wrought ceremonial dagger along the way, until she noticed a small group clustered on the bank of the Spirit River.\u00a0 Curious, Jadie headed towards them, directing the moss on the bottom of her shoes to muffle her footsteps.\u00a0 The moss took a few moments to respond\u2014it was the laziest plant in the world, in Jadie\u2019s experience\u2014but it finally did so, smoothing over the bottoms of her shoes so they didn\u2019t make a sound.\u00a0 Jadie served her way to the bank of the river, moved closer to the group, and listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cI already told you, pay up front,\u201d growled a voice that sounded almost like a series of barks.\u00a0 Jadie stiffened as one of the figures straightened and she saw a distinctly dog-like head.\u00a0 A gnoll?\u00a0 Really?\u00a0 Whoa.\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cDo you mind hurrying this up?\u00a0 I\u2019ve got places to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you don\u2019t want to stay longer, Hwarl?\u201d drawled one of the other figures in a rough voice.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t imagine gladiators eat like this often.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFood might be worse, but the company\u2019s better,\u201d snarled Hwarl.\u00a0 \u201cLeast there the people aren\u2019t whispering to each other \u2018bout which of them I\u2019ll eat first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI nominate Stebbins Hartley,\u201d said another of the figures.\u00a0 \u201cI owe him money.\u201d And the group laughed.<\/p>\n

Jadie looked around and saw several rows of flowers growing on the bank.\u00a0 One row\u2014she noted with a smile\u2014was full of chrysanthemums, flowers that could produce truly staggering amounts of pollen.\u00a0 She knelt and picked a few, slipping them into the drinks on her tray like overly frilly garnishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d the gnoll was snarling.\u00a0 \u201cI brought the merchandise.\u00a0 Are we doing this or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShow it first,\u201d said someone who had an air of authority around him.\u00a0 \u201cNo deal until we see it work.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gnoll took out something that glinted in the light.\u00a0 Jadie stepped closer, keeping behind a tree and making sure the moss shut out all sounds of her footsteps on the cobblestones, and saw that it was a knife.\u00a0 The gnoll picked a copper off the table and dropped it on the blade.<\/p>\n

It split cleanly in two.<\/p>\n

Jadie\u2019s mouth dropped, and the leader whistled as the others murmured.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you can get us, what, fifty of these things?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than that.\u00a0 They don\u2019t care if gladiators are importing weapons since we\u2019re professional fighters.\u00a0 Got a hundred in town already, and if you need more I can get another shipment.\u00a0 Price is ten gold per.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s outrageous,\u201d said one of the men.\u00a0 \u201cTen gold for a knife?\u00a0 I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want a dagger that can cut through the armor of the Duke\u2019s personal guard, or don\u2019t you?\u201d asked the gnoll.\u00a0 \u201cBecause if not, just say so and I\u2019m out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeal,\u201d said the leader before his men objected again. \u00a0Jadie heard clinking as a bag of coins hit the table.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s your money.\u00a0 Next time, we\u2019ll have a thousand gold for you\u2014if you have the weapons to sell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jadie froze as the impact of what they were saying hit her.\u00a0 This wasn\u2019t just a weapon deal. \u00a0They were plotting some kind of attack on the Duke.<\/p>\n

The Westwick Thieves Guild had instilled in her many values\u2014chief among them loyalty, cleverness, and a love of money, not necessarily in that order.\u00a0 But patriotism was in there too.\u00a0 Westwick survived thanks to special dispensation from Victor Raleigh himself, and no man, woman, or child within it would stint anything in upholding the kingdom.\u00a0 If there was a plot against the nobility, she owed it to her town\u2014and her guild\u2014to stop it.<\/p>\n

Her grin returned, fiercer than ever.\u00a0 This was going to be an even better mission than she\u2019d hoped for.<\/p>\n

She walked up to the group and offered the chrysanthemum-garnished drinks.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like any?\u201d she asked, bowing her head as a good servant would.\u00a0 \u201cSpecial vintage. \u00a0The innkeeper\u2019s best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure it is,\u201d muttered Hwarl, but he nodded anyway.\u00a0 Jadie\u2019s finger brushed the chrysanthemum in his glass as he took it, and she just had enough time to focus on her magic.\u00a0 Quick!\u00a0 Release your pollen!\u00a0 It\u2019s urgent!\u00a0 <\/em>Then she lost contact as he took the glass and drained half of it in one gulp.<\/p>\n

Which was when the flower blasted pollen into his face.<\/p>\n

Jadie\u2019s plan worked better than she could have guessed.\u00a0 He let out a mighty sneeze and dropped the glass, spattering his ill-fitting tunic with sweet, sticky wine.\u00a0 Jadie was by his side in an instant, wiping him down and pretending not to notice his retreating companions.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so sorry!\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, allow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hwarl looked at her and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cLike I care,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, if I might make a suggestion, the fruit flies will be attracted to the wine.\u201d She tugged at the tunic.\u00a0 \u201cWe have excellent laundry facilities.\u00a0 Please, allow me to have this cleaned.\u00a0 It will be returned to your quarters tomorrow morning.\u00a0 I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gnoll scowled but eventually stripped the tunic off.\u00a0 \u201cMore comfortable like this anyways,\u201d he said, raising a mocking eyebrow at the men who were now standing several paces away.\u00a0 \u201cFine.\u00a0 Send it to the gladiator quarters by the Coliseum.\u00a0 Room 318.\u201d \u00a0He turned and walked away.<\/p>\n

Jadie watched him and his companions leave in different directions, then headed back towards the inn.\u00a0 She still needed to wait for Lady Trefaer.\u00a0 But the next day, Jadie Rivers, newly minted Thieves Guild member, was going to save the country.<\/em><\/p>\n

Best mission ever<\/em>, thought the thief before chuckling and returning to the crowd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Greetings, friends of Tellest. \u00a0We have a treat for you today, in the form of a new story from one of our staunchest contributors, Aaron Canton. \u00a0You may remember him as the writer who penned A\u00a0Practical Warrior a few months back. \u00a0Well, we have him again delivering some great storytelling in the world of Tellest. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[349,145,146],"tags":[836,273,837,149],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Tellest_WebHeader-x2-e1427024822542.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-z5","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2175"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2175"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2175\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2176,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2175\/revisions\/2176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2175"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2175"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2175"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}