The Implock – Chapter 113 – “From Across The Room”

∼ From Across The Room ∼

Chapter - 113

Stressfully, a nervous-looking Aria fidgeted with her dress. It was a gaudy thing, meant to catch the eye. A white accentuated with a deep red, it contrasted her wavy mane of scarlet hair. It covered her from head to toe, leaving only her pale neck and face exposed. And by only the graze of her voluminous hair, her pointed ears were hidden.

Unsurprisingly uncomfortable with the situation, the shy elf fretted at every glance cast her way, her face so pink it was hard to make out her freckles. "For Eric. For Eric, I'll- I will-" She muttered as if a mantra until a hand was suddenly laid on her shoulder. "-Eeep!"

"Oh, miss Aria... I did not mean to startle you." A gentle but firm voice said.

Turning around, the elf immediately calmed down.

"S-sir Duelaheim," She sighed with relief.

Eric's uncle looked the same as he had when they had visited him at his estate. Tall and broad, he looked like an older version of the young man. Except, this time he was wearing even finer clothes. A black suit with gray and purple embroidery. Even though he was in his late forties, Aria had to admit that he was rather dashing. "Is this what Eric is going to look like?" She wondered, going suddenly pink again at realizing what she was thinking.

"You alright? Miss Aria?" Baron Matthias asked with a note of worry.

"I-I'm okay, it's nothing." She murmured shyly, not quite meeting his eyes.

Looking around at the grand ballroom, a massive space filled with people in all manner of beautiful clothes and intimidating presences, the Baron smiled a weary smile. "It's been a while. How are you doing?" He paused, his smile turning genuine for a moment. "And might I add, that you look absolutely lovely this evening?"

"F-fine... just fine." She lied horribly, averting her eyes because of that and the fact she was blushing furiously.

"Oh! Here! Let me introduce you to someone. I would've wanted you to meet during your last visit, but didn't get the chance."

Curious, Aria watched as Eric's uncle hailed over a huge man. He was much younger but towered over even Matthias.

"Sir Jordan, appointed Knight, Guild Arbiter-" As he spoke, Aria stared up in surprise at the spitting image of Matthias Duelaheim. "-And my pride and joy. My son, Jordan Duelaheim."

"Eric's cousin... Eric never mentioned he had a cousin."

"Miss," Jordan acknowledged with a stern but very respectful bow.

Hastily making for an awkward curtsy in return, Aria was lost in the implication of what Matthias had just said. "A knight working as a mercenary?" She asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Baron Duelaheim merely smirked proudly. "Jordan is in a more policing and managing role in the guild. As I mentioned, he's an arbiter. He occasionally heads the teams of crown-issued missions or enforces the king's laws. The type that requires more certain means of getting problems fixed than anyone just meeting the criteria, such as a loyal knight sworn to the crown and country."

He spoke with such pride as he looked at the young knight that it was evident that the man loved his son dearly.

"But, an arbiter, at such a young age..." She muttered with no small amount of respect. Although she had never met one because of her isolated life before now, she knew arbiters were one of the highest ranks within the Guild. A no small feat for someone to achieve.

"Hard work and discipline." Jordan nodded. "However, I doubt you're a stranger to that, miss. I see that you're quite accomplished yourself."

Aria blinked, surprised. He had recognized her advanced class. Which by extension also meant he had recognized her as capable of magic. Even non-mages, when reaching a certain level of competency, were capable of sensing mana and mages. Though to a much lesser, and imprecise extent, of course. However, this man, who no doubt was no mage, had seen through her carefully concealed aura.

"Ahem- Jordan, could you fetch your mother? I don't believe we'll be staying much longer."

"Yes, sir." His son said curtly, simply bowing to him and Aria before turning on his heels and disappearing into the crowd.

Looking after him at his broad retreating back, Matthias sighed.

"My son... is a stickler for the rules. But he's a good boy. He seeks only justice and duty, something I owe his mother for. There's not a shred of corruption in that young man. But it often gets the better of him, so please do not condemn him if you run him afoul."

"Then... what about y-"

"He doesn't know." The Baron sighed again, this time defeatedly. "I'm afraid that he'll disown me if he knew of the people I have ties to. But I did what I had to, and now my son can make a proper man out of himself in the ranks of the nobility. A new legacy that doesn't have the stain of the underbelly on it."

"I see," Aria said sadly, looking at the weathered man.

"So, I don't suppose you're here for the festivities. But on... business? Or was I overly cautious to ask for Jordan to fetch his mother?"

Aria shook her head stiffly. "You weren't..."

Matthias took in a deep breath, then let it expel from his lungs in a rush, forcing a smile.

"Well then, stay safe, miss Aria. I truly do hope you best. For you and my nephew, and that friend of yours. I would regret if I had caused you more trouble than it did good pointing you in a direction."

Then he bowed deeply to Aria and left.

Suddenly alone, Aria could not help but replay Zechariah's words in her mind.

"-The Archduke's ball. We will strike then."

This time around, he had turned to both Aria and Nyx for aid. Even to the elf, she could recognize some desperation in the otherwise usually calm and collected Zechariah. He was losing his grip.

"You must distract the Archduke and render him... incapacitated. Although he's a powerful mage, he's also a dumb and arrogant one. With this-" Zechariah had shown her a small pouch of unassuming dust. "-even a mage of his caliber will fall unconscious."

"But h-how am I supposed to d-do that?" She had responded nervously, looking to Nyx for help instinctively.

"Let's just say, it won't be difficult. He has a proclivity for... exotic women."

Aria had flinched at that, remembering Nigel, the ratkin, and his sorrowful story.

"How will he know? That I'm an elf if I hide my ears?"

"Oh, he'll know. Trust me. While most do, that man will not mistake an elf for a human."

"Why? Why even for one of these noble humans?" Nyx had asked critically, his trust and patience with the twins clearly having worn paper-thin.

"We cannot allow him to join the fight. He's not only powerful but were there any harm to befall him, the king would get involved." Zechariah had explained. "The chaos will be a diversion, one made to look like The Stained Tooth is attacking the nobility. But the main target in truth is Crowley's daughter. Freya. Abduct her, and we'll hold all the leverage."

Across the ballroom, Aria's eyes latched onto a figure. Tall and broad as always, the black-haired young man was outfitted in a dashing suit. Eric. Aria could not help it, but she felt her heart aflutter for a brief moment, having never expected to see him in such clothes. But wow... did he fit them well. The elf shook her head of those wandering thoughts, turning as red as a tomato once again.

By his side, however, an arm hooked in his, was a petite girl. Freya Crowley was more beautiful than Aria had anticipated from what she had heard. As uncomfortable as Eric looked, he was smiling. He looked genuinely happy.

Music started playing throughout the ballroom, the floor opening for dance. Aria felt a pang of pain, looking at the two argue, then move through the ballroom. Eric looked like a deer on stilts, but Freya led with an evil smile.

A sudden voice, however, tore her free of her ruminations.

"May I ask for this dance, miss?"

Expecting the Archduke to already have approached her, she turned around with a strained smile. A smile that died the instant she saw the stout man whose outstretched hand was presented in a bow.

Victor Crowley...