A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 10: Day 10
The next morning, the larger band of adventurers, now including Zoë and Lucas, set out for the Compound the Lord Mayor had seized from Kranos. The band explored the entire property, then gathered in the great room of the manor house to decide on sleeping arrangements.
"I'll sleep anywhere," Matthias said. "In three days, I'll be living in chambers in Tranos' house."
"You should take the master bedchamber for those three days," Karla suggested with a smile implying she knew about Miri's offer to Matthias.
"You and Milos should have it once you pledge yourselves to each other again," Lisette interjected. "Tristan and I will take the room next to it, and Miri should take the one across the corridor. You and Milos can use the other room temporarily until Matthias moves into his father-in-law's house."
"The servants' quarters have four rooms, so there is room for Lucas and Zoë, as well as two more servants should we need them," Milos observed.
"Let's make a thorough search of the house and see what is here," Matthias suggested. "Miri should search the library for the guide to using the device we recovered."
"How much coin was in the safe?" Milos inquired.
"At least two hundred coins, mixed between silver and gold, and dozens of gems," Matthias replied. "More than enough to sustain us for several years."
"Lucas and I will clean the kitchen and buy supplies," Zoë said. "There is food for a few days, but we'll just need funds to properly stock the pantry and kitchen."
"I'll take care of that," Milos offered.
They all agreed and set out to complete their tasks, taking a break for their mid-day meal.
"Our next move is to betray the Razor Claws," Karla said. "Milos should ride for Haven and implicate them to the King."
"With what evidence?" Milos asked.
"A description of the details of the plot, and how it was carried out," Matthias replied.
"But only after the Commander of the King's Guard is hanged," Miri stated firmly. "We don't want him released."
Once they finished their mid-day meal, they resumed their search. Brandon arrived mid-afternoon, and he and Karla went to the garden to speak in private.
"Pavel agrees," Brandon said. "Tonight at mid-night, meet me in the usual place, and bring the device."
"At that hour, I'll need a guard," Karla replied.
"One. Matthias. And he leaves the moment I arrive."
"Agreed."
"And tomorrow, I get my reward!" Brandon declared lustfully.
"It is I who shall be rewarded!" Karla replied. "I promise to show true appreciation!"
Brandon smiled and took his leave, then Karla returned to the house.
"Tomorrow I'll have the location of the Razor Claws' headquarters," Karla said to Matthias. "Tonight I need an escort at mid-night to meet Brandon."
"We'll need to be in the city before the gates are locked, and stay until they're opened at first light," Matthias observed.
"We should go just before the evening meal so we can arrange rooms at the Soaring Falcon," Karla suggested.
"Matthias?" Miri said, coming up to him. "I found a tome, but it refers to a control device."
"I suspect Kranos had it on him when he returned."
"That makes sense," Miri agreed. "I can ask my future father-in-law whether or not it was confiscated from Kranos. Will you come with me?"
"Of course," Matthias agreed.
The two of them left the Compound and headed to the Fulham Keep by way of the path through the woods, as it was so much quicker. When they arrived, they were quickly admitted to the Lord Mayor's office.
"How can I help you?" he asked.
"Did Kranos have a device on him when he was arrested?" Miri asked.
"He had an extraordinary device made of a material we have never seen."
"May we see it?" Miri asked. "We found a device, and the guide to using it refers to some sort of additional control device."
The Lord Mayor summoned a clerk and gave instructions. Five minutes later, a member of the City Guard entered with a device both Matthias and Miri recognized as a remote control.
"May we take this with us?" Miri requested. "We can conduct tests and determine how the magic works."
"Absolutely!" the Lord Mayor declared.
The City Guardsman handed the device to Miri, and the duo took their leave.
"A remote control?" Miri asked incredulously. "Do you know what that means?"
"The technology to traverse planes must also exist in our plane. I think we're dealing with some kind of extraterrestrial technology."
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