It took a while for the pandemonium to settle in the chancellor's chamber. Edward and Emily had now left, and Darwinial had gone with Otherlisar, the guard and the head illithad, to confirm the details surrounding her involvement in the activities against the tower. Petunia had moved from the conference table they had been sitting at and walked over to a drinks cabinet positioned behind the chancellor's main desk. After taking out some glasses, a bottle of brandy, and a tray, she moved over to the comfier chairs in front of the desk and placed them down before pouring drinks.
The chancellor went to call for more guards to instruct them to remove Harmyster's corpse. Petunia spoke up, halting the proceedings.
"Not yet. He may be poisonous to the touch. I will get some of the clerics over to deal with him," she said, stopping the guards who had entered in their tracks.
After they left again and the door was closed, Petunia spoke.
"Come and sit," Petunia said to the chancellor, patting the arm of the chair next to her.
The chancellor had maintained a calm demeanour throughout the proceedings, but SJ could now see the worry on his face. He looked at Harmyster's corpse before approaching Petunia, who handed him a glass of brandy. The chancellor knocked it back and Petunia poured him another drink.
He sat heavily in the chair and turned to look at SJ, who was still sitting at the conference table, uncertain as to what she should do now.
"SJ, are you joining us?" Petunia said.
SJ stood and walked over, taking a glass from Petunia, and sat opposite them. She sipped at the fiery liquid, which burned her throat as she swallowed. She still didn't understand how Petunia drank it like it was water.
SJ glanced towards where Harmyster's body lay.
"Oh. I almost forgot—silly me. You can get up now," Petunia said.
Harmyster's body moved, and slowly he stood, wiping the froth from his mouth where it had remained from his suspected poisoning.
"I thought you were going to make me stay there forever," Carlito said.
The chancellor, who was witnessing the dead bugbear suddenly stand, was again standing himself—a look of shock on his face.
"What on Amathera is going on?" the chancellor said.
"SJ, would you like to take it from here? It was your plan, after all. Please sit down, Henrik."
SJ looked at the Chancellor, an expression of confusion. It was the first time she had ever heard the Chancellor's first name being used. She could not even remember hearing it before in all her dealings in the tower.
He turned and looked at Petunia, confusion not leaving his face, before again taking a seat.
"Here," Petunia said, offering Carlito a glass of brandy. "Your acting skills were awe-inspiring."
Carlito, still appearing as Harmyster, smiled and nodded his head. He collected a glass and sat next to SJ, who was directly opposite the chancellor.
"Ambassador. Can you explain?" the Chancellor said, staring at Carlito before eventually gathering himself.
SJ could hear the seriousness in the chancellor's voice, especially as he addressed her as ambassador. She started to tell the story of how they were now sitting in the chancellor's office, with a Harmyster look-alike, and the ploy behind getting Otherlisar to confess her involvement.
"So, that is why I wished to do it immediately. I knew if I tried to arrange another meeting that it may take time, and I apologise for being so brash. I just didn't want to waste any more time before bringing the matter to your attention, and having witnesses present will also mean that it can't be construed as the tower working underhandedly against the bank. That is why I wished to ensure that Edward was also still here. It will be the talk of the city by nightfall. That now leads me onto the next topic, which I need your authority to deal with."
The Chancellor had been intently listening to SJ's tale, nodding at various times, and asking several questions as she updated him on what had happened so far.
"What do you require my authority for?" His demeanour had relaxed somewhat now that she had explained what had occurred.
"Two reasons. The first is that the real Harmyster is still alive and well. He will need to be brought to face charges at the tower. Secondly, we would like your permission to deal with the gang directly to end their influence across the city. We have already dealt with one side of that family and now wish to deal with the other. The problem we now face is bringing Mascol out into the light so we can deal with him. That is why I would ask that, if possible, Harmyster can be brought in secretly. If anyone in the district gets a note of what has happened, then our chances of getting Mascol will be greatly reduced. We know how difficult a character he can be to locate usually."
"You keep saying we dealt with, and we know? I am guessing this is the 'we' you refer to?" the chancellor said, looking at Carlito.
"Yes. That part is a little more complicated to explain."
The Chancellor looked at Carlito. "Who are you, exactly?"
"I am just a lowly servant carrying out the work of the tower," Carlito said almost humbly.
"But your appearance. You are an exact double of Harmyster. You even have the same small bald patch on the side of your head and the scar he has there."
Petunia leaned forward and placed her hand on the chancellor's arm. "I think what you are about to witness may surprise you. You have my blessing to reveal yourself. No harm will come to you," Petunia said, looking at Carlito.
An already confused chancellor was astonished as Carlito changed his appearance. He didn't switch to any being SJ had seen before taking on the form of Petunia.
Petunia burst out laughing, not able to contain herself.
"Brilliant," she guffawed.
"You're a changeling!" the chancellor stammered.
"I am, sir, yes," Carlito replied.
"And what is your name?"
"I have many names. Some bring fear, others bring hope, but I am unwilling to share them here today."
The Chancellor frowned and switched from staring at Carlito to Petunia and back to SJ. He rubbed his forehead as though he had a headache.
Carlito changed his form again and now presented a middle-aged male human.
"That ability. I have heard of changelings in rumours, but I always thought they were just that, rumours."
"My kind are not well known because we rarely reveal our true identity,” Carlito said, emphasising the word true.
"I am not sure I will ever be able to trust having a conversation with anyone again," the Chancellor said, looking at Carlito.
"Don't worry. I am the only one in this city with the ability to change my appearance."
"And you can be certain of that?"
"Yes," Carlito said emphatically.
"How?"
"Any changeling is marked to another. If there were one in an area, I would know. We are rare beings, after all."
Carlito had explicitly stayed away from mentioning he was a dragonling; the thought of a changeling was one thing, but the idea that a dragonling was sitting in the chancellor's office was even further than SJ could go. She didn't want anyone knowing his true identity.
"I am rarely lost for words," the Chancellor said, scratching his chin, unsure of what to say at the unearthing of a changeling.
"Can you assure Harmyster is brought in quietly?" SJ asked, hopefully.
He turned to gaze at her before a smile broke out on his face. "SJ," the use of her name, gave her a sense of relief. "I will ask the General to deal with this matter immediately. Since your first appearance in the tower, many things have developed, and Petunia was right in getting me to contact you to look into the problems being faced."
SJ felt embarrassed now receiving praise. "I was just doing what I had been asked to do. That was all."
"You have managed to get to the bottom of an issue that has had many in the tower unable to resolve and discover any details behind the problems. I don't know how you do it, but you always seem to solve problems. Even if they aren't in the most orthodox manner."
SJ's display was triggered. She read the notification.
Congratulations! Your ambassadorial status has changed.
Appointment: Asterfal Regional Council Representative, Confidant to the Chancellor
Status: Active
Relationship: Ambassador of Killic
Reputation: Honoured
Future interactions in Asterfal will allow for an improved outcome. Quest gains increased by 80%
Her reputation status had just jumped two levels, and the added title of confidant surprised her more than anything else.
"Wow," Dave suddenly blurted, breaking his silence. "A guardian, dragon blood, gods, and now a confidant of a city leader."
"Chancellor. I am not sure what to say. Thank you," SJ said.
"It is just deserved for what you have managed to uncover and resolve in such a short space of time."
Petunia looked at SJ quizzically. The Chancellor noted her expression. "I have bestowed a position on her that is not unlike your own."
Petunia nodded in understanding, grinning at SJ.
"And... whatever your name is. What can I grant you as thanks for your deeds?"
Carlito looked genuinely surprised by the comment. "I require nothing," he said, shaking his head.
"Well, I can't grant you any reputation, not knowing your name, so there must be something that you would wish for as payment?"
Carlito sat thoughtfully for a few moments before he spoke. "There is one thing that I would truly wish for."
"Please do say."
"Could I visit Galanshaw?"
The Chancellor's eyes opened in surprise. Even Petunia coughed at the name, her eyes opening wide in alarm.
"How may I ask? Do you know of Galanshaw?" the Chancellor asked warily.
"He was my mentor."
Silence befell the chamber at the comment. SJ had absolutely no idea where this conversation was leading.
After what seemed like an age, the Chancellor spoke again. "Only a handful of beings even know the name, and yet you say he was your mentor?"
"He was. Almost two centuries have passed since, but when I first came to Asterfal, he guided me in the city's workings. I would like to have the opportunity to talk to him again."
'Who is Galanshaw?' SJ thought.
"No idea," Dave replied.
The chancellor sat for some time and turned to look at Petunia, who shrugged as she replied. "I see no harm in him visiting. It isn't as though he can be freed."
The chancellor stood and walked to the side door in his office; he stepped through and disappeared.
SJ looked between Petunia and Carlito, who were staring intently at each other.
Petunia broke the silence. "I can trust that you won't try anything, can't I?"
Carlito smiled. "I know of your stature. I would be a fool to attempt anything in your presence."
"So you realise that I will accompany you then?"
"I am not naïve. I understand the risks that Galanshaw brought to the empire."
SJ still had no idea who this individual was that they were speaking about.
"Can I ask? Who is Galanshaw?"
Petunia looked at SJ with a grandmotherly gaze. "My dear. This is not the time nor the place to discuss who Galanshaw was."
Even though Petunia had spoken softly, SJ felt as though her words had just stripped her naked. Whoever this being was, Petunia would not discuss it openly.
The side door opened, and the chancellor returned. A very old, wizened being followed him inside before the door was closed. The being, SJ, wasn't sure what race he was, turned and chanted. A blue light flared around the door before he proceeded to the main doors of the chamber and did the same. Again, the door edges glowed blue.
The Chancellor stood watching the being perform the task before turning back to look at Carlito.
"You have been open to explain that you knew Galanshaw in his previous state. I can't guarantee that you will find him as the being you once knew," the Chancellor said.
"I understand," Carlito nodded.
"Master Stovall. If you would be so kind," the Chancellor said.
The being who had entered with the chancellor walked to an area of the chancellor's chamber where the floor was clear. Without paying any attention to others in the chamber, he again began to chant. SJ watched in amazement as the stone floor shifted, dropping away and creating a set of steps leading down.
"If you would like to follow me," Petunia said, standing. "SJ. Please wait here."
SJ didn't respond, still agog at the steps appearing in the chancellor's chamber. Carlito stood and followed Petunia to the steps before they descended and disappeared from view.
The chancellor moved to where the brandy bottle was placed and shuddered as he picked it up, pouring himself another glass. He then offered the bottle to SJ.
"Who is Galanshaw?" SJ couldn't resist asking again.
The chancellor looked at her before shaking his head. "It is better that you don't know. The fact that you are now aware of his name is a highly guarded secret of the hierarchy of Asterfal and Luxoria. I would ask that you never repeat his name. All I will say about the matter is that he came as close to destroying the peace of Axynllrewam as any being has since the Scrug Wars tore the continent apart."
"I see," SJ said, knowing that she couldn't push for further information after the chancellor's comment.
"Now that sounds interesting," Dave said. "I wonder what he did? Or tried to do?"
SJ wished she knew now that she was aware of the unknown being described in a similar statement to the Scrug Wars. The tiny amount she knew about the Scrug Wars was sufficient to add intrigue, and she had been intending to try to discover more about the history of Amathera—at least when time allowed, which it usually didn't with how busy her life was.
SJ and the chancellor sat quietly while they waited for Petunia and Carlito to return from wherever the steps led.
Carlito appeared first from the steps, with a deep frown creasing his brow. Petunia wasn't far behind, and then the being who SJ still had no idea who he was walked to the space and chanted before the stone floor returned to its previous state.
Carlito walked to where they were sitting, looking stiff in his movements. "Thank you," were the only words he said. SJ could feel the tension between the chancellor and Carlito in their gaze.
"I promised a reward. Although I don't deem what you requested a reward," the chancellor said.
Carlito just nodded, the muscles in his jawline tensing. SJ was surprised she couldn't hear his teeth grinding together.
"Your Worship. Would you mind showing SJ and her friend out? I must speak to the General and get Harmyster collected. It won't be long before the bank wonders why Otherlisar hasn't returned." The chancellor's voice seemed much colder than it had been.
"Of course. Come, you two, follow me," Petunia said in her usual upbeat and happy tone.
Carlito walked beside SJ in silence as they worked through the tower's corridors. SJ could see the tension still on his face.
"Right. I must get home before my friend arrives. Today's happenings have been unexpected, to say the least," Petunia said as they reached the steps leading from the tower.
"Thanks for all your help," SJ said, turning and leaning down to hug Petunia.
Petunia returned the hug, her cheeks flushing from the praise. "My dear. I am just glad everything worked out as we hoped. It could have gone drastically wrong if she hadn't fallen for the world-class acting of our friend here," she said, smiling broadly at Carlito.
Even Carlito couldn't help but respond in kind to Petunia. His jawline relaxed, and a genuine smile appeared in response. It was only momentary, but at least it broke his tension for a moment. As Petunia climbed into a cart at the steps' base, SJ waved goodbye, and Carlito cursed.
"Carlito. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," he lied.
"Please tell me?"
Carlito let out a deep sigh, an almost pained expression on his face. "The being I knew is no longer the being that was. He is a broken shell in comparison. Such magnificence, reduced to what he has become today."
"Who is Gal..." as SJ went to speak his name, Carlito's hand moved with such speed SJ hadn't expected, his hand covering her mouth.
Looking at her with sincerity in his eyes, he said, "Don't ever speak his name," glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot.
SJ was in shock, staring blankly at Carlito as he removed his hand.
"Okay," SJ said, feeling very uncertain.
They descended the steps and walked in awkward silence for some time, making their way towards the outer city.
"I can't find anything in the archives about this Galanshaw," Dave said almost forlornly. "There is nothing at all listed anywhere with that name. Whatever this being did must never have been in the presence of an AI; otherwise, there would have been some report somewhere, even if it was not detailed."
'Thanks for looking,' SJ thought.
"Right then. Time for stage two in your plan. The fun part can now begin," Dave said cheerily.
'You are so bloodthirsty.'
"Who doesn't enjoy a little chaos and mayhem in their lives? It keeps the boredom at bay."
SJ shook her head.
"Is something the matter?" Carlito asked, noticing her action.
"Sorry. I was just thinking about everything we have achieved so far. Yet, we still have the last hurdle to jump over."
Carlito nodded with understanding. "I don't think it will take them long to bring Harmyster in. We need to be ready to act as soon as he is."
SJ nodded in agreement as they entered the outer city.
