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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 9.1, Legacy

Inigo was concerned about Nicole's vendetta; they had talked... at length. She had called him 'lover boy' and he had told her that she was cute when she smiled. It was the most lightweight, pleasant conversation he had managed with her in nearly a month... and it had been right after he had told her off... then kissed her. He had revealed his greatest secret and she had revealed one of hers... or had she? Everything had happened so quickly and he was left feeling... what? He wasn't certain and didn't know how to dissect all of the strange emotions.

He sighed to himself, staring out of the third story window of an inn whose name was Ilysean; it meant 'The Weary Wanderer', or so he was told. Inigo had never been much for believing the word of another but he found himself unable to particularly care. What he did know was that back when Nicole was 'Alarice' she favored The Weary Wanderer as a staging house because it was centrally located within Newport... and, in the most recent case, it was only a few blocks from the University. He found himself wondering more and more as he stared out the window at the brightly lit building how everything would end... WOULD it end?

Nicole slept soundly on the two person bed behind him as if she didn't realize what would probably be the greatest battle in their lives would be fought in the morning. Is that how she planned things to go? If not he was surprised she'd brought such a large army. Nearly seven hundred strong the militia from Vallara had spread out throughout Newport after their Lady Arnswold had given them their instructions. Come morning they would mass as a 'street presence' around the boulevards and alleyways close to the University.

It was a 'show of force' ploy and one that had been a favorite of 'Alarice' when she had been able to round up enough bodies... but what did Nicole Arnswold have to gain by such a maneuver. Inigo continued staring out the window wondering that very question. Years ago when he was first learning the trade he was often tasked with logically working through tactical maneuvers long before the battles even began. He knew Nicole wanted to confront those responsible within the University and that meant that they would either storm it or else try to enter without a fight. He murmured quietly to himself when he realized the answer. "It's a blockade."

Nicole shifted in bed behind him and the Bat's body followed his ears as they turned toward the sound. He leaned back against the windowsill as he watched her sleep. She was beautiful at any time but when she was most at peace she was so gorgeous that it hurt. He had laid with her as she fell asleep but they hadn't had sex... for once in his life it didn't feel right to seek such a distraction... and, looking at the calm, tranquil features of her face left him convinced that he had been correct in not pushing for that carnal reprieve from the world. Shaking the thoughts from his mind he returned to the upcoming confrontation that awaited them in a pawful of hours.

They had collected enough information since things began to realize that the men responsible for the tampering of the University's great reveal and then simultaneously blaming Alarice and her team had access to the Order of Blades. What they didn't know was whether the Order was still a viable threat. Nicole must have planned to mitigate that risk by creating a blockade with the militia; they would keep anyone from entering within two city blocks of the University while the seven of them sought entry with the pretense of returning Joshew Helix's body to its hallowed halls. Would seven be enough? He honestly didn't know.

The Bat snorted, looking back to the streets as he thought about the loss of Joshew. Although he hadn't known the scholar before everything had started he'd come to familiarize himself with the Human more and more during their time together. Inigo felt that he could have called Joshew a friend but, as had happened so many times in the recent month the scholar became another casualty. Inigo was still no better at handling death but he felt useless-- he couldn't say the right thing and Roland wouldn't even let him help prepare Joshew's body. At least he was able to take comfort in knowing that the Wolf Dog refused to let ANYONE help him.

Roland chose to handle Joshew's corpse alone... apparently it was quite some scholarly ritual. He had promised that he (and Joshew's remains) would be ready in the morning before he had disappeared into his own room and he hadn't been seen or heard from since. Locked alone with the body the Wolf Dog hadn't joined in on the group's simple dinner in the common hall and hadn't even revealed himself to wish everyone a good night. He responded to a knock on his door from Alvis but, as with everyone else, the Mutt was turned away without admittance or acceptance of aid.

Alvis was quite displeased by being rejected but Brother Jessen reassured him that Roland and Joshew had been close; Roland obviously needed to care for his body alone and, as Roland had noted before disappearing, "It's what Joshew would want.". Inigio's furrowed brow slackened slightly and he almost managed a smile when he thought about Alvis and Brother Jessen together: a meek University student-not-yet-scholar and an ex-Templar serving as a priest for an underground sect worshipping love in all its forms. He finally did crack a grin when he thought about the different forms of 'love' that the two had probably been practicing together.

Theirs was an eclectic group; that much was for certain. Inigo had no idea how their journey would end but he was certain that it had been an interesting ride. Something told him that what remained would only be all the more 'interesting'. Letting out a sigh, the Bat slowly moved past the bed, placing one paw against the door as he turned the knob with the other; he used the first paw to control the opening so it wouldn't squeak or creak-- Alarice awoke easily and he had a feeling Nicole was no different... especially not so close to the end of their journey. He was likewise just as careful when closing the door after exiting.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Inigo turned to see Wiesen seated outside of his chosen room; the Dragon had his tinkering kit out resting in his lap, a small, metallic sphere resting in his talons. The Bat put on his best socialable grin. "Hard for the body to calm down when the mind is worked up. What about you?"

The ex-Techlar moved the metal ball over to one talon as he stood up, kit in the other. "Waiting."

The Bat raised an eyebrow. "Waiting for....?"

The Dragon opened the door to his room and motioned inward. "You."

Inigo thought of several possible reasons behind the invitation and a lot of them were flavored with the fact that he and Nicole hadn't been intimate that night. The Bat played it cool however as he nodded his head and slipped inside the opened door, pressing his body up against the Dragon's for just a moment in case his initial consideration had been correct... but not obvious enough to be questioned in case Wiesen had other plans. "Waiting up for me? What a pleasant surprise."

Wiesen took a seat in a chair and Inigo chose the bed. The Dragon set his tinkering kit on the night stand and placed the metal ball next to it. "I asked Dr. Brownell to stay here in the morning. If there is danger she doesn't need to be a part of it."

Inigo watched the Dragon, surprised when he saw him start to unbutton his shirt. Were the Bat's dirty thoughts right after all? He'd never had sex with a Dragon before and had to admit that such a new distraction wouldn't be entirely unwelcome. Licking his lips, Inigo decided to maintain the conversation despite what would soon become a strip-show. "I can't imagine she appreciated the chivalry."

Wiesen nodded, having made his way down to his sternum before pulling the rest of his shirt out from being tucked into his trousers, continuing on the line of buttons. "She did not, but I explained my reasoning and she relented. There is far too much of a possibility for danger tomorrow... and I require her services elsewhere."

Shirt finally parting, the Dragon stood before Inigo with the clothing parted, providing the Bat a full view of smooth, finely textured, nearly symmetrical bands of pearly white belly scales. Standing, Inigo took a step forward. "I see... and are... MY services also required?"

Nodding, Wiesen confirmed the Bat's suspicions, and Inigo was all too happy to have the Dragon grab hold of his wrist and show him just where his paws should go. The end result was NOT what he expected, however as a section of scales pulled away from the Dragon's body and a wide panel popped open in Wiesen's chest revealing a square cavity filled with springs, cogs, and gears. "I am close to finding Kesst, and that means I must leave. I can FEEL he has left Newport and so I must follow."

After waiting a moment for the Bat's gibbering and murmuring to die down, the Dragon finally spoke his piece. "I will be leaving for Graddin before dawn and I will need your help with something after I've gone."