The Runesmith

“I think the main wave has ended. We should be fine now.”

Roland muttered, his voice carried softly by the wind as he touched down beside the hastily assembled command post atop the battlements. The morning light spilled across the landscape, casting a golden glow over the battlefield. 

The scorched earth and shattered stone took on an almost surreal beauty under the gentle dawn. Wisps of steam still curled up from the pit where the turtle-like monster had fallen. All around the walls, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of smaller monster corpses littered the ground in grotesque heaps.

“High Commander, I’ve spread my golems around the perimeter, just as you ordered.”

Came a voice from behind. Roland turned slightly and nodded at Lady Curtana. Her voice had a hint of fatigue to it. 

“Good job. You can rest for now.”

“Rest? Good, I could use a drink” 

Armand said, grinning as he wiped monster gore from his arms. Curtana turned slightly, eyeing him with distaste. The man was drenched in fluids of questionable origin, and the stench was overwhelming. She silently thanked her helmet for filtering out most of it.

“Not you” 

Roland said, shaking his head. 

“We need someone here in case anything goes wrong.”

“Me? Why do I have to be the one who stays?” 

Armand protested, his smile fading.

“You won’t be alone. The Guild Master and Sir Durendal will be with you.”

Aurdhan, leaning against the wall nearby, looked visibly annoyed, but he knew better than to complain as he was under contract. Veterans like him had seen worse and gone longer without rest. This was just another long day in a dangerous line of work, and he understood that speaking out now would change nothing.

“Sir Durendal, you’re in charge now. Report to me immediately if you see anything unusual.”

“Of course, High Commander” 

Durendal answered in his usual knightly tone, but his expression shifted slightly as he caught Armand muttering under his breath.

“Can’t we have Curtana stay instead? Why does it always have to be such a sausage fest…”

Roland didn’t respond, but he noticed the slight twitch in his brother’s posture. For just a moment, Robert’s hand hovered near his sword. It was subtle, controlled, but unmistakable. The gesture made Roland wonder, if it came to a real fight, would he be able to take down someone like Armand, who was still a higher level despite his special class? 

He pushed the thought aside. For now, they were all on the same side, and the city still needed protecting. Although the worst seemed to be over, there were other matters that required his attention. He had the deputy mayor on his side now, but that alone wasn’t enough. From past experience, he knew this city had more than its share of corruption, and before Theodore’s forces arrived, he needed to gather more evidence to support his case.

At this point, Aldbourne was a smaller city than Albrook, which had been expanding rapidly. The citizens here didn’t feel safe. The thieves’ guild was running unchecked, and people were disappearing from the streets without a trace. He was well aware of the illegal slave trade taking place and had even helped rescue a few victims not long ago.

“So, where are we going, High Commander Wayland?~”

“Awoo!”

As he descended a set of stairs leading into the city, Lobelia called out to him in a playful tone. There was a reason he had chosen her over her brother as compared to Armand, she had an intellect above that of a toddler. Agni, along with the golems controlled by Lucille, would remain behind as a deterrent and provide support if anyone tried to flee. While the mayor and lesser nobles had already abandoned the city, the criminal underworld had stayed behind. More precisely, they hadn’t been allowed to escape, thanks to one of his associates.

“We’re going to meet one of our allies.”

“An ally?”

“Yes, follow me.”

There was no one littering the streets, the houses stood eerily silent. The cobbled roads were stained with soot but the buildings were intact. Windows had been nailed shut hastily,  and the planks were put in place unevenly. As Roland walked forward, accompanied by Lobelia, Lucille, and the loud wolf Agni beside him, the faintest signs of life flickered behind the wood and glass: silhouettes in closed windows, looking with a hint of distrust.

But it wasn’t just fear that Roland saw in those eyes. There was something deeper, something he wasn’t sure how to handle yet. It was hope and gratitude. He had come to take control of this place and add it to Arthur’s territory. These people weren’t supposed to mean much to him. They were simply a source of taxes to support their leader. 

He understood that a happier population would bring greater profits, but he also felt something unexpected. It was a sense of responsibility. The plan had been his from the beginning. He was the one who gave Arthur the idea to seize this opportunity while Theodore focused on defending more important settlements. Now that he had promised to protect these people, he intended to keep that promise.

They reached a nondescript building at the end of a narrow alleyway. It looked abandoned, its walls cracked, the door partially rotted, and with mold clinging to the stone. But Roland knew better. He walked up to the side of the structure and placed his hand against what appeared to be a crumbling outer wall. Soon after, there was a faint click. The wall shimmered for a split second before vanishing like mist, revealing a stairwell descending into darkness.

“Oh, a mist wall. That one’s a classic, but not common in these parts.”

She was the only member of the thieves guild he truly trusted, so bringing her along had been an easy decision. He gestured for her to go in first, then turned to Agni and Lucille.

“Agni, make sure no one follows us. Lady Curtana, spread your golems out to the specific spots I give you.”

She nodded, and the visor on her helmet lit up as he transmitted the coordinates to all the potential escape points. As far as he knew, everything had already been taken care of below, but it was always safer to have a backup plan. With the golems stationed outside, no one would be able to slip away.

Roland descended the steps into the dark, damp corridor, the only sounds accompanying him were the rhythmic clack of his boots on aged stone and the occasional creak of timber above. The torch sconces along the walls had long since gone cold, with no one left to light them.

Faint signs of battle marked the hallway. Burn marks scorched the walls, deep gouges scarred the stone, and dried blood stained the floor a dark brown. Lobelia moved ahead of him, her eyes scanning constantly for traps.

“No guards? No watchers? Not even a trap? That’s not like them.”

“It just means our associate kept their end of the deal. But let’s move forward, the city isn’t secure yet.”

Once they were deep enough into the tunnels, he allowed his floating golems to emerge. Their runes lit up the passageway, casting a pale glow over the stone walls as they drifted ahead, scanning for traps or anyone lying in wait. He was not expecting much resistance. When he had arrived in the city, he had already been briefed on what had taken place in these tunnels. Now, he was here simply to confirm it with his own eyes.

The map on Roland’s display pulsed gently, leading them deeper into the subterranean maze of the thieves’ guild. These tunnels were unlike typical sewers or smuggling routes. They had been built with purpose and precision, reinforced with hidden alcoves, cleverly concealed kill zones, and false walls designed to mislead even experienced intruders. But with the guidance of his map, Roland knew the most direct path to the heart of the guild’s hidden den.

As they moved forward, signs of conflict became more apparent. Shattered blades lay scattered in dried pools of blood. He paused beside a blackened section of wall, examining the distinctive mark of a magic blast and the unusual scorch pattern left behind. Eventually, the corridor narrowed, ending at a heavy iron door concealed behind a secret panel. After scanning it for traps, he turned to Lobelia.

“Stay behind me and keep your bow ready”

She gave a quick nod, and he stepped back as the door creaked open, pushed forward by Roland’s magic. The metal groaned in protest as it slid inward, its concealed hinges moving only under the force of his spell. A faint breeze greeted them, carrying the scent of blood, sweat, and alcohol. They had arrived. This was Aldbourne’s thieves guild.

The chamber beyond was dimly lit by enchanted lights, which Roland quickly brought under his control. He made them flare brightly, both to announce his presence and to expose any threats that might be lurking in the shadows. Although the associate stationed here was supposed to be an ally, Roland did not fully trust them. Their capabilities were formidable, likely on par with the Adventurers Guild Master.

The room bore signs of recent chaos. Tables lay overturned, scorch marks scarred the walls, and tankards of ale were scattered across the stone floor. This chamber served as a tavern for the city’s thieves, fulfilling a role similar to that of an adventurers guild—a gathering place for those who operated in the shadows.

Several passages branched off from the main hall, leading deeper into the underground network. One of them likely led to the black market. That was his destination now, where the illegal slave trade had taken root. 

When he arrived, he took note of the overturned stalls. They resembled those used by ordinary merchants, though their contents hinted at less lawful business. As the lights flared to full brightness, a shadow shifted in the corner of his vision. A figure stepped forward from a dark side passage. Lobelia raised her bow, a silver arrow already notched, but Roland held up a hand to stop her. This was the person he had come to meet.

From the darkness, his associate emerged. The figure wore a tightly woven outfit of black leather and cloth, built for stealth and speed. Their face was entirely concealed by a soft-wrapped mask, and a voice modulator distorted their speech into something hollow and androgynous. It was impossible for most to tell whether they were a man or a woman, but Roland knew exactly who it was: Hanako, the thieves guild master from Albrook.

“You’re punctual. I like that.”

She called out to him, and Roland gave a brief nod, his eyes scanning the area. His mapping device displayed numerous life signals. People were hiding throughout the space, though a large number were clustered in just a few locations, likely the holding cells where survivors of the hostile takeover had been imprisoned.

“You cleaned up well. Do you have what I asked for?”

Roland walked toward her, his gaze locked on the monitoring device in his hand. The small dots representing hidden thieves shifted ever so slightly, as if waiting for a signal to strike. His golems had already spread out through the black market area, each one charged with magic and ready to respond if necessary.

“High Commander Wayland…”

The voice that emerged was rasping, steady, and completely neutral in tone. It gave nothing away.

“Please follow me. Everything you requested has been prepared.”

There was no ambush. No sudden movement. Instead, the thieves remained still, and a few stepped into view after Hanako gave a silent nod. She turned sharply and began walking, her steps soundless despite the stone floor beneath her. Roland followed her through an arched passage that curved away from the main chamber of the market.

As they moved deeper, the air grew colder. The scent thickened into something more pungent, a mixture of stale sweat and old blood. The walls became rougher and the stone less polished. Whatever care had once been given to this part of the structure had long been abandoned. The deeper they went, the more it felt like a place used for storing people, not goods. The scent was now bordering on putrid, hinting at the conditions of the prison below.

“Just as you instructed, we found the slaves and moved them to safety. We also captured the ones responsible. Their leader is among them.”

This was exactly what he had hoped for. The one they had caught was someone he had dealt with before, someone he had not forgotten. Seeing that person again might bring closure to more than just this mission.

As they continued walking, Roland glanced into the iron-barred cells along the corridor. Inside were hardened criminals. Many were known thieves, killers, or traffickers. These were not people he wanted back in the city. Still, he knew better than to believe the guild could be wiped out completely. A figure like Hanako, though shadowy and secretive, at least maintained a level of order. Under her rule, the worst crimes were forbidden. Murder, forced slavery, and other atrocities were not tolerated. And most importantly, she answered to him. 

Finally, they arrived at a thick, reinforced door guarded by two individuals in similar black garb to Hanako’s. They said nothing, only stepped aside at her approach. She gestured to the door and then it opened. Inside, there were a couple individuals waiting for them, slave traders and among them, one person in particular, Aubert Abramz, the merchant who had dealings with Theodore and ran this whole operation.

“We have stored all the ledgers, correspondence, and identifying marks on the merchandise. Everything ties Abramz to that bastard Theodore’s network. You’ll find it all inside.”

She handed him a spatial pouch, heavy with its contents. Inside was a collection of evidence, not only detailing Abramz’s crimes but also containing anything that could be used to damage Theodore’s reputation. This was all part of Roland’s larger plan to take control of the city.

Before the conflict began, they had slowly embedded members of Hanako’s guild within Aldbourne. A few weeks before the actual outbreak, Hanako herself arrived under the guise of routine business. That gave her enough time to investigate thoroughly, uncover hidden operations, and secure critical information. She had even captured the wealthy merchant Abramz and his accomplices before they could flee beyond the city’s walls.

Roland’s expression remained unreadable beneath his helmet. This was exactly what he needed. Not just prisoners in chains or vague accusations whispered in back rooms, but concrete evidence. Tangible and damning proof. If Abramz’s involvement could be exposed through documentation, it would do more than discredit one man. It would weaken Theodore’s circle of influence and, more importantly, bring scorn from his father, Alexander Valerian. 

“You did well.”

Roland said with a nod.

“Thank you, High Commander. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

Hanako replied, her voice ever shifting in tones. 

“It would be best if you remain in the city for now. We still do not know how this will end.”

“I will. But do not expect my guild to face the Valerian Knights in open battle. No amount of gold will protect anyone from Valerian steel.”

Roland gave a small nod. Arthur’s noble house was infamous for responding swiftly and without hesitation to opposition. Most people avoided becoming entangled in their affairs if they could help it. While they were safe under Arthur’s protection for the moment, if Theodore were to win the contest and claim the title of duke, everything could change. He would likely seek out those who had stood against him during the trials and make examples of them.

“I understand. We will not need your help with that. Just remain here and prepare these people for transport once this is over, we might need them to testify.”

With everything in order, he turned to leave. Aubert Abramz began thrashing against his bindings, groaning through a bloodied gag. Roland took no pleasure in putting others in these situations, but this man was no good Samaritan. He had ruined countless lives and would continue to do so if left unchecked.

He had nearly forced his own younger brother out of the family and had orchestrated multiple assassination attempts. With so much blood on his hands, it was difficult for Roland to feel any sympathy. Once this was all over, the only fate awaiting Aubert would likely be death. Or perhaps something more poetic, becoming a criminal slave and living a life that he forced on others.

With all of this, just one more thing remained to do, to face Theodore Valerian and finally take over this city… 

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