The group of beings with Master Garshaw were all drinking heavily. The table was littered with empty tankards, and a server was busily delivering fresh tankards and trying to collect the empties around the occasional groping hand or remark. She only looked young for a server. A human man grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.
“Give us a kiss, love,” he slurred.
SJ’s temper rose, and she stepped around the table, placing her hand over his; the server’s face was one of terror.
“I don’t think she wishes for your attention,” SJ smiled at the man, who looked up in disbelief at SJ’s angelic features.
“I will take one from you then,” the man said.
“I don’t require one from you either, and I am sure your wife would be interested in knowing about your activities,” SJ said, noticing the wedding band he wore.
The group at the table laughed as the man spluttered in response. “You don’t know Izzy, do you?” panic registered on his face.
“I don’t, but now I know her name, I am sure I could find out.”
His cheeks turned scarlet with embarrassment.
“Jackson. Maybe you have had enough for today,” Master Garshaw said, looking at his companion. “You better get back to Izzy before she throws your dinner out,” he laughed.
“Maybe I should,” he said as he went to stand swaying heavily.
“Henry. Can you please make sure he gets home safely?”
“Sure, boss,” another human male replied. “Come on, you big lummox,” he said as he grabbed the man under his arm and escorted him from the bar.
SJ turned to look at Master Garshaw, his cheeks were slightly flushed with drink, but he didn’t look as bad as several of the other beings at the table.
“May I join you?” SJ asked.
Garshaw looked at her quizzically. “Please do,” he said, pulling out the chair that Jackson had vacated next to him.
SJ moved around the table and took a seat.
“You appear to be celebrating well?” SJ asked.
“Another successful deal achieved, that’s all,” Garshaw said.
“Excuse me. Could you get another round, please?” SJ asked the serving girl, who had only just finished loading the tray with the empty tankards.
“Yes, ma’am,” she replied and hurried off.
“What deal?” SJ asked, looking at Garshaw.
“Nothing important. Just another successful building contract.”
“Oh. You work in construction?”
“How rude. I haven’t introduced myself. I am Edward Garshaw, owner of Garshaw’s Construction. Who may you be?”
“I am the ambassador for Killic,” SJ said.
“Ambassador. I do say that sounds very official. What brings you to this humble abode?”
“I am also known to back the odd fighter,” SJ smiled.
“A promoter and ambassador. Very interesting indeed.”
For all the drinks he must have consumed, Garshaw was very charismatic.
“It is very interesting, yes.”
“I haven’t heard of this Killic you speak of. Where is it situated?”
“Several days travel south of here. It lies on the border to the desert region.”
“I have never been that far south. I spend most of my time in Asterfal. I am usually too busy to travel.”
“It must be a good time to be in construction with the rebuilding works that are underway?”
“It has its moments, although it isn’t as good as it should be.”
“Oh. I am surprised. I had heard that the money was flowing with the building work in District 3.”
“It was, but with the recent cost increases, everyone’s pouches are being squeezed.”
“That surprises me. I would have expected it to be an amazing opportunity: being involved in the largest redevelopment in Asterfal’s history.” SJ had no idea if what she was saying was correct, but it didn’t harm her to say so.
“You are well informed. I assume it is the talk of the tower.”
“It is. Since I returned to Asterfal, I have heard nothing but conversations about the work in District 3. I was led to believe that you may have significant influence.”
Garshaw laughed heartily as the server returned with a new tray of drinks, placing tankards in front of each one. SJ picked up her tankard and drank a long drink.
“That hits the spot,” she said, smacking her lips as she placed the tankard down.
“A female after my own heart,” Garshaw said, doing the same. His colleagues at the table were all busy chatting and talking to each other. None of them really paid her or Garshaw any attention.
“What is driving up the costs?” SJ asked.
“The guilds are. Everyone is after their cut and it means that everyone has increased their prices. Even my long-term affiliates are unable to provide me with my resources without the increase in costs, and I have worked with many of them for years.”
“Which guilds?”
“It would be easier to say all of them. The merchant branches the mages guild, and don’t get me started on skilled labour costs.”
“It’s a shame. I would have thought the city would have pulled together since this is the first of several planned redevelopments. It doesn’t make sense to force price rises.”
“Exactly,” Garshaw nodded his head in agreement. “It doesn’t make sense at all. I met with the towers administration the other week, and they disclosed that District 4 is very likely to be the next district to be regenerated. As things go on, I doubt that District 3 will be completed very soon with the cost increases. All it is doing is stagnating opportunity. Beings seek short-term coin rather than looking at the continual income that redevelopment offers. If the tower continued its plans, there could be work available for years to come until it was all completed. Constructing high-quality buildings takes time and coin.”
“There has to be someone or a group causing the increases rather than just the guilds. I am sure guilds could see the potential opportunities the work brings.”
“I don’t know if there is, unfortunately; otherwise, I would grab them by their collar and give them a talking to. If there is someone behind it, they have no sense of business.”
“Maybe they don’t care about business and are just seeking failure.”
The look of shock on Edward’s face was genuine. “Why would anyone wish for failure? It’s the best thing to happen in this city in a long time.”
“An enemy of the tower, perhaps?”
Edward scrunched his face as he pondered a response. “There are those who have always been against the tower and its ideals, but this opportunity feeds all, from the labourers to the bars, inns and traders. Never mind the coin the Mages Guild makes from a basic build. To restrict growth restricts the city.”
“Have you experienced no negativity in your dealings?”
“Some, obviously. There are always those against change, but if someone is trying to stop the rebuild completely, it would be devastating.”
Edward took another long drink. The sober conversation had curbed his happy, boisterous appearance.
“I am sorry for darkening your mood,” SJ said.
Edward turned to look at her. “There is no need to apologise. I have enjoyed the conversation; this rabble is usually too drunk to be able to talk about business. Which, after all, is my love.”
“Could I get you another drink?” SJ asked, seeing his now empty tankard.
Edward looked at the tankard and, when picking it up, slammed it back down on the table. “Server. Another round, please,” he bellowed over the din. “This one’s on me,” he said, smiling.
This being wasn’t at all what SJ had expected to meet. He genuinely came across as someone who cared about the business and the growth opportunities that the rebuild brought to Asterfal. He had even considered the broader economy and how everything related to the growth potential.
“Could you answer me a question about building?”
“I can. What is your question?”
“Why are the mages guild required to construct the buildings?”
“Oh. There are various reasons. The main reasons are for stability, but generally, it is also related to service provisions, water, sewers, that sort of thing, oh and fireproofing.”
SJ was aware of the provision of services or water from her own home, and she had heard of fireproofing being used back in Killic in the kitchen at the Hogling Arms. She hadn’t ever expected sewers to come under the mages guild, but she supposed if they provided the water, they would also be responsible for its disposal.
“What is the problem with stability?”
“Oh. It’s not a problem as such. It’s to confirm structural integrity, and buildings over a certain height require strengthening spells.”
“Why? Are not buildings able to stand on their own?”
“Yes. Many can, the issue is cost. Constructing a stone building takes time and coins, whereas constructing a stone and wooden building is much cheaper. The problem is that the wooden supports used in taller buildings require strengthening to support the stone walls.”
“Why not use metal?”
“What?”
“Why not use metal supports instead of wood? Would that not negate the requirement for strengthening?”
“The cost of metal is too high. It would increase the prices too much.”
“Even being used as a frame for the building?”
Edward frowned, looking at SJ.
“If the frame of a building is made from metal, rather than timber, then the walls would be supported by that framework," SJ said.
“Even if that were an option, the amount of metal that would be needed to build the frames wouldn’t be easy to acquire.”
“Are there no mines around here?”
“Yes, several. Mines surround Asterfal, stone, copper, and iron, at least of which I am aware.”
“Then why aren’t you using steel more? It would be a much more cost-effective option and remove the need for mages to strengthen structures. I see enough steel swords and weapons regularly. If you used steel bars as the framework for buildings, would they give you the strength you need?”
“Boss. We are going to head over to the club. Are you coming?”
Edward turned to his companion, who had spoken. “You know I am,” he smiled.
“Hopefully, I can win tonight,” the man said as he stood.
SJ remembered Carlito's comment about not gambling with Garshaw and wondered what it related to exactly.
“Ambassador. You will have to excuse me. I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, and you have given me plenty to think about. Maybe we can chat again?” Edward said, standing and downing the remainder of his latest tankard that had been delivered as they spoke.
“I would like that. Where can I find you?”
“My main office is in the inner city. If you ask any residents, they will be able to tell you where,” Edward smiled as he turned to follow his companions.
“That was not the conversation I had expected,” Dave said.
‘Nor I. He was actually very easy to speak to.’
“Saying you were an ambassador may have helped the situation.”
‘I wish I had asked about District 4 and his competitor. I still have no idea who the target is.’
“There can’t be that many construction businesses.”
‘That’s if it is just construction. It just states competitor, not what trade or business they deal in.’
“You could always catch him up and accompany him. It was pretty obvious he was off to a gambling den.”
‘No. Not now, especially after Carlito's comment. I also have another issue to deal with, and I think I may have decided how I will proceed.’
“That is if he will give you any,” Dave said, reading her thoughts.
‘If not, I will buy some.’ SJ had been mulling over the problem with Justin being at the Astaria, and although it pained her to be considering an assassination on church grounds, the easiest and least apparent way for her to achieve it would be through poisoning. She couldn’t possibly use her claws under the circumstances.
SJ noticed Carlito’s elven form leaning against the bar and talking to another elf. She moved over and stood by him, waiting for an opening. The male elf Carlito had been chatting to moved away. Carlito turned to look at her smiling, his female elven face making SJ feel very uncertain.
“Could I get some of your special, you know what from you?”
“My special, you know what. I have never heard it referred to as that before,” Carlito chuckled. “Has someone upset you this evening?”
“No. This is to deal with another of the issues you asked me about.”
“I see,” Carlito said as he moved his hand and palmed a small vial into SJ’s. “Be warned. Do not get it on your skin. It doesn’t require to enter the body to react.”
“Thanks,” SJ said. “I am heading off for now. I may be back later or tomorrow.”
“Enjoy,” Carlito smiled.
SJ left the Black Griffin and turned toward the small park she knew was off to the rear of the inn.
“So what’s the plan then?” Dave asked.
‘You already know,’ SJ thought.
“I want more details. You must have more than to poison him.”
‘I will be doing everything in miniature form. Even the poison with its potency, if miniaturised, should be ample to kill him.’
“That is true. You suffered the effects of that poison after all, and Carlito confirmed at the time the amount was more than enough.”
SJ reached the park, and a couple sat at the bench where she had met with Carlito. She triggered her shadow step, disappearing into the bushes behind them before transforming. She was soon in the air. The sky had begun to darken with dusk drawing in. Automatically, she changed her clothes design and colour, taking on her night attire. Her small form swiftly passed the rooftops below. It wasn’t long before she reached the inner wall and headed to the Astaria.
As she had never visited it, she wasn’t aware of its layout; from above, as she approached, it looked like the head of a trident lying on the ground. The steeple in the middle had a large main building leading towards it, with the familiar style of a church. Large arched windows filled its substantial length, and ornately carved stone statues adorned the walls. From each side, there swept two wings like a trident’s outer prongs. These outer wings looked more like accommodations or offices and didn’t have the same style of ornate windows and sculptures that the main cathedral building did. Filling the space in front of and between the three main buildings were ornate gardens. Pristine hedgerows and flower beds were traversed by meandering pathways that ran through them. Pagodas were placed at several locations, and on one side, there was a large pond and even a rowing boat tied up.
‘This is one imposing building. It is huge,’ SJ thought.
It could easily accommodate several hundred, if not thousands, of beings for a service or similar event, and the two supporting wings could also house many more.
“This could be like trying to find a needle in a haystack,” Dave said as SJ swooped lower towards the nearest wing. She landed in some bushes in the gardens that separated the main cathedral building from the two wings. Along the footpaths that meandered through the gardens, lanterns were positioned at intervals, their light fighting off the incoming darkness. Light from inside the cathedrals shone through the stained glass windows. Each one depicted a different scene of what SJ could only assume were the various gods.
SJ stayed in her miniature form as she flew low across the open garden towards an entrance to the nearest wing of the cathedral. Hovering, she peered inside, where lantern light shone brightly through its windows. As she looked through the windows, she saw various offices and classrooms. The internal ceilings on the ground floor were huge, and although it appeared the building had three floors, SJ believed that there were only two due to their height. None looked as though they were accommodations, and all looked like offices. Through one window, several beings were working in a kitchen area. The window was open, and SJ could smell the cooking food in the evening air. Her stomach growled as she realised she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
‘He could be anywhere, even if he is here, and I have no idea what he looks like,’ SJ thought.
“I can tell you if we come across a Legionnaire, at least,” Dave said helpfully.
‘I am going inside. With the ceiling height and the rafters, I should be able to move about unseen.’
Several of the doors along the building side were open, and SJ headed to the nearest. Inside, she could hear the voices of beings talking and peered around the edge of the door frame. There was no one visible, the voices travelling easily within the arched ceilings of the ground floor. SJ entered and flew immediately up to the rafters. The ceiling was a good twenty feet high, if not taller still. A troll entering may spot her, but no other normal-sized being would ever consider looking up. They would have to strain their necks to do so. It was also dark in the rafters; the lanterns hanging on the walls at shoulder height were directed, their light aimed down and into the rooms, not directed up towards the ceiling.
‘How quickly can you identify if someone is a legionnaire?’ SJ asked.
“As soon as they are in sight,” Dave said.
‘Excellent. All I need to do then is fly through the main areas where any beings may be.’
“Pretty much. As soon as I have sight of them, I can say yes or no.”
‘Great. Let’s get going then.’
SJ started working her way along the corridor rafters. Her adapted vision allowed her to watch for movement as she did. The first sign and she would stop and land on one of the beams. They had only been inside the building about five minutes when Dave called out excitedly.
“Found one.”
