Chapter 174 - Conspiracy Theories

Hump stared ahead at the gates to the Daston Estate as Abraxus and Eliana departed. He’d wanted answers, but all he’d gained was more questions. None of it made sense. He’d been there, he’d seen it happen, he’d pulled the arrow from his master’s chest and listened to him scream. There was no doubt in his mind that it had been goblins that attacked them, yet more and more the evidence indicated that there was more to this. And now some sick bastard had dug up the old man’s grave and mutilated his corpse.

Anger bubbled to the surface. He felt it surging through his blood. It whispered in his ear, urging him on. Take your revenge. Kill those against you. He hated that voice, even more so knowing where it came from.

He took a breath and turned to Vivienne, who was watching him. For a moment, he wondered if that was doubt that he saw in her eyes. He could hardly blame her. Inquisitor Abraxus’ information directly contradicted the story he’d given her.

“Vivi, does this change things between us?” Hump asked. “We’ve been down this road before and I need to know that you still trust me.”

She paused and then shook her head. “Whatever doubts I had about your involvement in Seth’s death are long gone. We’re in this together. We suspected there was more to his death than you realised, and this makes that even more likely.”

Hump formed a fist. “So, he was murdered.”

“I believe so,” Vivienne said. “What I don’t understand is Abraxus’ report. The type of magic required to cover up the injuries you described, convincingly enough to fool an inquisitor… very few people in Alveron have those abilities.”

“I don’t understand,” Emilia said. “Are you suggesting that Inquisitor Abraxus is lying?”

“The man is a snot-faced, egotistical maniac, but he’s as straitlaced as they come,” Vivienne said. “I never took him to be a liar. I just wish we knew more information.”

“I should have thought to look,” Hump said. He pressed a hand to the side of his head, hard enough to hurt, furious at himself for not handling things better. “I could have buried him somewhere more hidden. A place nobody would find him.”

“You could never have predicted that some madman would dig up his grave,” Bud said. “It’s beyond sick.”

“Dark powers must have been used to disguise his death enough that even Inquisitor Abraxus couldn’t tell,” Dylan said. “Master, doesn’t he specialise in detecting this kind of magic?”

“He does,” Vivienne said. “And by all accounts, he’s very good at what he does.”

Celaine laughed. “He can’t be that good. So far, the inquisitors haven’t been right about anything. They were useless at the scene of that priestess’ death, and they’ve made no progress with the black stones or warlocks since we went to Stonebark Forest. That on its own is suspicious.”

“If we’re thinking about the simplest explanation, maybe Abraxus was involved,” Hump said to Vivienne. “Do you trust his integrity enough to count him out?”

Vivienne bit her lip, thinking for a few seconds before slowly shaking his head. “It’s possible. If even Inquisitor Abraxus can be turned, however, it may be a long time before anyone thinks to trust in wizards again.”

“I don’t give a shit if people don’t trust us,” Hump said. “All I care about is that someone may be responsible for my master’s death. Consequences be damned, I’ll avenge him.”

“Calm yourself,” Vivienne said softly. “Just because I wouldn’t completely count him out, doesn’t mean that I think it likely. With so much information missing, we need to think on what we know. Other explanations for what you saw, that might line up with Abraxus’ account.”

“Just to make sure I understood everything correctly,” Emilia said. “Sethril was Hump’s master, and he and Hump were ambushed while travelling through Brookwood Forest. His master died from an arrow wound three days later, and two days after that his body was found.”

Hump felt a pang in his chest remembering it all. He could still hear his master’s feverish cries as he tended the wounds. “That pretty much sums it up.”

“Perhaps the goblins managed to find their trail and dug the body up to loot it,” Celaine said. “It wouldn’t explain the different wounds, but there might be another explanation for that.”

“We considered someone capable of commanding goblins before,” Hump said. “If there was a person involved, it wouldn’t be farfetched to think they were able to track us down after we escaped.”

“What would they want?” Emilia asked.

Vivienne glanced at her then back at Hump. “Does she know?”

Hump nodded. “We told her everything.” He turned to Emilia. “Well, I told you most of it. Vivienne and my master studied my spellbook back when he first received it. It’s powerful, and at one point Master Sethril was almost killed for it. Vivienne’s theory is that maybe someone really succeeded at it this time.”

“In which case, they’re after you,” Emilia said.

“It’s possible that now that Hump’s identity as Seth’s apprentice is known, he will be targeted,” Vivienne said. “With that in mind, I suggest you avoid going anywhere unnecessarily, or without the support of your party.”

“But I have a date,” Hump blurted out. He closed his eyes, regretting it immediately. This wasn’t the time, and it certainly wasn’t important.

“Excuse me?” Vivienne asked.

Hump waved her off. “Forget it. I just had plans in a couple of days, but I can cancel them. This is more important.”

Vivienne frowned at him and turned back to the subject at hand. “I’m going to try and speak with Eliana alone when I can. She may reveal more to me without Abraxus present.”

“Do you trust her?” Dylan asked.

“Not with my secrets,” Vivienne said. “But she’s a friend of sorts. At the very least, I value her thoughts on the matter. Right now, I can’t think of anything else we can do. We just don’t know enough.”

“I have an idea,” Celaine said. “While we don’t have enough information to figure out any suspects, if we work on the assumption that they are after Hump’s spellbook… well, it’s right there.”

She pointed at the book on Hump’s belt.

“You want to use Hump as bait?” Dylan asked.

Hump shrugged. “That’s not a bad idea actually. Where better than in Sheercliff? We have Countess Daston’s support, there are more Temple Guard on the streets than ever, and we could take the initiative.”

“If it’s the Blackstone Warlocks after the book, though, it could end very badly,” Bud said. “We could have an entire cult coming after us.”

“So we defeat the warlocks first,” Hump said, frowning. “Not specifically us, but we let the powerful folks in charge beat them and then we do it.”

“It’s certainly an option if we come to that,” Vivienne said. She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of a door opening inside. “We can discuss this more later in a more private location. I need to speak with Justine before we leave.”

The rest of them agreed, but Vivienne focused on Hump.

“And I mean discuss this more,” she said. “You’ve ignored my instruction once already.”

“Fortunately for you, yes,” Hump said. “With Marcela’s help, we were about to get Graham to bring all the equipment he needed to the training grounds. I managed to get the black stone working.”

“You were very lucky,” Viviienne said. “I don’t know how you did it, but that artifact should have registered your soul damage.”

“That was thanks to Marcela,” Hump said. “I think she shrouded the artifact in her own essence.

“She must hold you in high esteem. That’s a good connection to have. How much does she know?”

“I told her the truth about my soul,” he said. “She wants to know about my master now too, but I wanted answers first. I promised I’d give her an update tomorrow.”

“You’ve trusted her this far. A little more won’t hurt.”

“How was it being locked up?” Hump asked.

“Unpleasant.”

The front door opened, and Sir Roderick stepped outside. He nodded in their direction. “Wizard Vivienne, once again I apologise for your treatment. If there’s anything I can assist with in your work, please have word sent to me.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Vivienne said. “I’ll ensure you are informed if necessary.”

He stepped into the carriage waiting for him and the others exited the estate.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be if you want to meet me back at the inn later,” Vivienne said.

“We’ll wait,” Dylan said before any of them could interject.

Vivienne smiled. “Very well. I’ll see you shortly.”

***

“You should buy yourself some new clothes for tomorrow,” Celaine said. “Preferably something that doesn’t look as if it’s been worn in for the last ten years. You’ve got the money now.”

They were eating breakfast. Vivienne had already left for the day, and the rest of them were to meet Emilia at the carriageway before heading to the training ground.

“What’s the point?” Hump said. “Vivienne told me not to go anywhere unnecessary.”

She narrowed her eyes and gave him an odd look.

Hump frowned at her. “What?”

“I’m just surprised. You don’t normally listen.”

“That’s because I don’t usually have someone out to kill me for my equipment. What Vivienne said made sense.”

“We can come with you if you’d like,” Bud said. “Just in case something happens.”

Hump snorted. “The last thing I want is for you lot to be spying on me and Luna. How would I even explain that?”

“You mentioned Luna intends to bring a chaperone,” Dylan said. “It wouldn’t be that odd.”

“Right, because my whole party tagging along is the same thing.”

“He’s just looking for an excuse to back out,” Celaine said. “You nervous?”

“Me?” Hump scoffed. “You must be joking.”

She just laughed.

Hump glared at her, taking a deep breath. Of all the people to poke at him over this, she was the worst. “What’s so funny?”

“The idea that you’re not nervous. I bet between this and your master, you’ve not stopped thinking all night.”

“Maybe that’s a little true,” Hump admitted. “It doesn’t mean there isn’t good reason to back out.”

“Don’t overthink it,” Celaine said. “Just be yourself, but… more mature. If you get what I mean. It’ll do you some good to get a break from things. We’ll tag along separately, if that would be better. Just in case. I wouldn’t mind checking out the travelling performers myself either.”

“Same here,” Bud said.

“We can send Bud in to distract the chaperone,” Dylan said.

“There you have it.” Celaine smiled. “We’ll go whether you take Luna or not. Now you’ve got no excuse.”

Hump sighed. She was really pushing this. Though if they were all going to be there, it wasn’t like it was any more dangerous than the inn.

“Fine,” he relented. “But no saying anything weird to Luna. If you can agree to only saying nice things about me for a few hours, I’ll let you go.”

Bud shrugged and turned to Celaine. “I can probably manage that for a few hours. You?”

“If it means I get to see Hump awkwardly navigate a date, absolutely!” Celaine said.

Dylan laughed. “You guys are awful! You’ll do great, Hump. Don’t let them throw you off.”

“Thanks Dylan,” Hump said. “It’s nice to have onefriend I can count on.”

***

It was an easy-going morning. They made their way to the training grounds where Marcela and Corvin’s parties had already arrived.

“So is anyone going to tell us what happened yesterday?” Len asked.

“You’ll know soon enough,” Marcela said. “There was a big meeting about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if word gets around by the end of the day.”

“Then just tell us now,” Nina said.

“I’m sworn to secrecy,” Marcela said. “Now if you don’t mind, I need to speak with Hump before we start the day’s training.”

Hump grinned at the grumbled complaints that followed, then followed Marcela to the kitchen. He was ready for their conversation. After returning to the inn with Vivienne last night, they’d continued their discussion on his master’s death. In the end, they’d decided now wasn’t the time to risk baiting anyone out that was after the Book of Infinite Pages. Hump had too much attention on him right now already. There was too much room for things to go wrong. He needed to keep his head down, and not do anything to draw anymore attention to him.

As for Marcela, they’d discussed which details to share with her. She already knew so much, there wasn’t much point in hiding anything. Still, Hump decided to keep the secret of his spellbook and that someone may be targeting him hidden. Some things were best kept on a need-to-know basis. So instead, he told her of the goblin attack, how his master had died, and the discrepancies raised by Inquisitor Abraxus.

“I take it you’re considering alternate explanations for what you thought happened,” Marcela said.

Hump nodded. “I’m trying to. I know what I saw that day, which makes it hard. We’ve had some ideas that have potential though—the main one being that someone instructed the goblins to attack us.”

“Did your master have a lot of enemies?” Marcela asked.

“Enough to add some credibility to the theory.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. Well, if you’re alright with me telling my mother of his death, I’ll ask whether she has any ideas. Her information network is one of the best in the kingdom. If there’s rumour of someone commanding monsters, she’ll know of it. Would that be okay?”

Hump hadn’t even considered using the Daston intelligence network to find more information. Actually, he hadn’t really thought of them helping at all. This was his problem. Nobles didn’t typically go out of their way to help hedge wizards with personal matters.

“That would be great,” Hump said. “Thank you.”

She smiled. “I’ll inform you of any developments. There’s something else I wanted to ask you today, actually.”

“Oh?”

“My mother is already putting together a force to take on the warlock threat the moment any of their strongholds is identified. Sir Ricard will be leading our Academy force, and I will once again be a squad leader. I want your party alongside me. Will you join?”

Hump stared at her. Of all the ways he’d expected this conversation to go, this wasn’t one of them. He considered it. The dangers were there, they would be dealing with warlocks after all, but he was also developing an important connection to a very powerful family. They would be questing anyway, whether it be in Sheercliff or in the surrounding region, and he was certain they would have an opportunity as good as this one elsewhere.

“I’ll need to speak with my party to confirm, but yes. We’re in. When the warlocks are found, we’ll fight alongside you.”

Marcela grinned and extended a hand. “It will be my honour.”

Hump extended his own hand and shook.