A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 11: Day 11
As soon as Matthias was around the corner, Brandon opened the secret door, and they went into the lair where Pavel was waiting.
"The device, as agreed," Karla said, handing the box she was carrying to Pavel.
He opened it and removed the device. He examined it and nodded.
"It is as described," he said.
"The shattered mana crystals need to be replaced," Karla said. "I assume you have the service of a mage, or can hire one?"
"We do," Pavel confirmed.
"And my reward?"
"Pay her," Pavel ordered.
Marcus handed Karla a bag of coin, which she tied to her woven belt. It was heavy enough to be the correct amount, and she was certain that any double-cross would come later, and they'd retrieve the coin at that point.
"Not going to count it?" Pavel asked.
"I trust you," Karla replied. "And the rest of the bargain?"
Pavel nodded, "Are you prepared to swear the oath to your brothers and sisters?"
"I am."
"Then follow me."
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Matthias was concerned about Karla, but not overly so, as the Guild was short several members, and Brandon was absolutely determined to receive his reward. When Matthias reached the Soaring Falcon Inn, he knocked softly on the door, and the viewing port was opened. Once Katherine saw it was Matthias, she unlocked the door and let him in.
"The cooks are gone," she said, "but I have hot mint tea, bread, and bacon in the kitchen."
"I appreciate the thought! Thank you!"
Matthias followed Katherine through the mostly darkened common room, where a number of men and women were sleeping, and into the warm, more brightly lit kitchen. Katherine indicated Matthias should sit at a small table, then quickly brought the food and drink.
"How long will your friend be?" she asked.
"I'm not actually sure," Matthias replied. "Perhaps a few hours."
"If you want to sleep, I will wait for your friend," she offered.
"I prefer to wait."
"Then I will keep you company, if it pleases you."
"Please, sit, have tea, and eat something with me."
"Thank you!" Katherine exclaimed and sat down across from Matthias.
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Pavel led Karla down a dimly lit corridor to a trap door. He unlocked a lock, then slid open a pair of heavy bolts. Brandon pulled open the door, then descended a ladder. Pavel indicated Karla should follow, which she did. Marcus followed her, then waited as Pavel used a rope to lower the box containing the device. Once Marcus had it, Pavel descended the ladder partway, then closed the trap door and moved a mechanism to lock it.
Once Pavel had reached the base of the ladder, Brandon lit a lantern and led the way. Karla was not surprised to find herself in the sewers. They traversed several tunnels, and about five minutes later, Brandon stopped at an iron grate in the floor of the walkway. He used a hook to raise it, then the four descended a set of stairs. They followed a narrow passage to a heavy iron door, which Pavel opened with a key. A second door behind it required a different key, which Marcus carried, and led to a dimly lit room.
"Before we go through the next door," Pavel said somberly, "know that if you ever reveal the existence of this place, your life is forfeit."
"I understand," Karla replied.
"Hood her!" Pavel commanded.
Brandon placed a thick cloth hood over Karla's head, and she saw only inky blackness. A few heartbeats later, she heard scraping, grinding, and mechanical noises, and it felt as if the floor was moving. After about two minutes, the noises ceased, and both her arms were grabbed. She was moved forward, and after about ten paces, they came to a stop. She heard similar noises and felt similar sensations, and when the sound and motion ceased, her hood was removed.
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"You are very kind to allow me to join you," Katherine said.
"Thank you," Matthias replied.
"I heard you aided in the capture of Kranos the Arcane, who stands accused of conspiring to kill Prince Alfred. Is that so?"
"It is," Matthias confirmed.
"You are very brave! Not to mention handsome!"
Matthias smiled, "Now it is you who are being too kind."
"Lisette speaks quite highly of you!"
Matthias was not clueless about women as Matthew had been in the Real World, and it was blindingly obvious what Katherine intended. He marveled how, as Matthew, he had struggled to get a date, while girls were falling all over themselves to be with Matthias; not to mention the 'flexible' nature of relationships in Nystria.
Matthew's thinking had adapted to something closer to Matthias' reality, given that Matthias was, in fact, his alter ego. In Nystria, his old moral code from 21st-century Ohio seemed quaint and naïve. He was certain that his inability to even get a date was the primary source of that moral code, and his trepidation with Miriam had been largely based on fear. In Nystria, sex was at once currency, companionship, entertainment, and politics. Love existed, of course, but it was neither required nor did it automatically override duty, honor, or friendship. It was, to use Miri's word, flexible.
Matthias was attracted to Katherine, as any man would be, given her extreme beauty. After being with Lisette, he could not legitimately use his upcoming marriage to Lilia as an excuse. That marriage, he realized, was first and foremost a strategic alliance between himself and Tranos, as well as a contract to secure grandchildren for Tranos. That reflected the thinking of the times in which he found himself, not dissimilar to 11th-century England.
Matthias felt a further shift in his thinking, and he understood that, if he continued down the thought path he was on, Matthew would eventually no longer exist, and he would truly be Matthias. It was, at the same time, both thrilling and frightening. Maybe, just maybe, staying in Nystria was the right choice, and among his first tasks would be 'inventing' a shower and improving the taste and quality of the food.
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The hood was roughly removed, and Karla blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the light. In the room with her were a score of men and women, all bearing the crest of the Razor Claws.
"Karla of Langford, step forward!" Pavel commanded.
Karla moved to the obvious spot before what looked like an altar.
"Are you prepared to take the oath?" he asked.
"I am," she said firmly.
"Remove your tunic so you may be cloaked."
Without any hesitation, Karla shed her leather armor, then pulled her tunic over her head. A female Guild member took it from her, and two others 'cloaked' her in a light-green tunic, which bore the crest of the Razor Claws. Pavel took an ornate dagger from the altar and presented it to Karla with both hands.
"May this dagger serve you well, and may one like it find your heart if you betray the Guild or any member!"
Pavel retrieved an identical dagger and drew it across his palm, leaving a thin line of blood. He nodded to Karla, who immediately did the same. Pavel clasped her hand, mingling their blood.
"Do you, by this blood oath, swear loyalty to the Razor Claws above all else?"
"I do!" Karla affirmed.
"Do you promise to never reveal any secrets entrusted to you and to keep the confidence of your brothers and sisters in the Guild?"
"I do!"
"Do you pledge loyalty to the Grand Talon, the leader of the Razor Claws, and agree to obey his every order, even at the risk of your own life?"
"I do!"
"Then receive the sacred kiss from all members!"
Pavel released her hand and kissed her on both cheeks, with each member of the Guild following suit. When they finished, a female Guild member bandaged Karla's hand.
"Karla of Langford, you are now an initiated member of the Razor Claws!" Pavel proclaimed.
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"Lisette is a very sweet girl," Matthias declared, then added, "as are you!"
Katherine smiled sweetly, "You are kind to say so!"
"You are also beautiful," Matthias said, simultaneously acknowledging Katherine's desire and his own interest in her.
"You truly think so?" she asked.
"I do."
"Perhaps we could pass the time in my room," Katherine said demurely.
"I can't think of a better way to pass the time!" Matthias declared.
Katherine stood up, cleared away the plates and mugs, then took Matthias by the hand and led him to her small room, which had a bed, a wardrobe, a small writing desk, and a shelf with a ledger book. Katherine closed the door and turned to face Matthias. She smiled and pulled her simple tunic over her head, unbound herself, and removed her linen undergarment. Matthias smiled in appreciation of her beauty, then quickly undressed.
Katherine boldly stepped forward and placed her arms around Matthias' neck, their bodies touching lightly.
"I am untouched in any way," she said, looking deeply into his eyes. "You will be the first to have me."
Matthias knew that speaking was the wrong course of action, so he wrapped his arms around Katherine and touched his lips to hers.
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A cheer arose from the assembled Razor Claws, and a mug of ale was thrust into Karla's hand. As she drank, she carefully committed each face to memory so she could identify any Guild member she might encounter.
"You are part of Marcus' crew," Pavel said. "Follow his orders as you would mine. You'll receive your first mission the day after tomorrow. I have urgent work for you, but I need to keep Brandon happy!"
"As do I!" Karla declared, continuing to play her part. "And he needs to keep me happy as well!"
"When Brandon is finished with you, come see me," Marcus said. "I have an assignment for you that is perfectly aligned with your skills."
"Where do I find you?"
"At the East Nystria Trading Company offices at the docks."
"I'll be there in the morning, the day after tomorrow. May I ask about wearing the tunic?"
"It should only be worn under armor or during ceremonies such as this. Membership is secret, as you know."
"I will need a plausible story for my new friends."
"I'll ensure you have a cover story," Marcus said. "Remember, you may reveal nothing to anyone on pain of death."
"I remember," Karla said firmly.
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"So wonderful!" Katherine sighed deeply, then snuggled close to Matthias following their second coupling. "Did I please you?"
"Tremendously," Matthias replied.
"You may have me whenever you wish," she said dreamily. "All you need do is ask."
That was unlikely, given the circumstances, but Matthias didn't want to make Katherine sad when she was so happy.
"I would like that," he said.
"I think we should rise and wash, so we are ready to receive your friend."
Matthias was as reluctant to get out of bed as Katherine was, but it would be better if Karla were not aware of the tryst. The pair rose, washed with cloths and water from a pitcher and basin, and dressed. They sat quietly in the now darkened kitchen and drank dandelion tea for just over an hour before they heard a knock at the door. After confirming it was Karla, Katherine opened the door.
Once the door was secured, Matthias bade Katherine 'good night' and he and Karla went up to their room.
"How did it go?" Matthias asked once they were safely behind the closed door.
"I'm in, but their headquarters is well hidden and well protected. All members except Pavel, Marcus, and Brandon are hooded at the final barrier, which involves a mechanism of some kind that moves floors and walls. On a positive note, I memorized every face, so I'll know when I see any Razor Claw in town. I'll have my first assignment the day after tomorrow. We need to decide our best course of action, but betrayal still seems the best route."
"The challenge will be recovering the device," Matthias said.
"Someone in authority will want to access the headquarters when we betray the Razor Claws, and we can work with them."
"A reasonable plan. Shall we get some sleep?"
"I want to wash first," Karla said.
"I'll turn my back," Matthias offered.
"Or you could help," she said invitingly.
Matthias wanted to laugh because it seemed every girl in Nystria wished to be with him. Karla was pretty and interesting, but he didn't want to do anything to cause dissension in their band of adventurers.
"I'm not sure that would be wise," he said.
"When you were with Miri and I was with Milos, I couldn't act on the desire. Now I have three more days of freedom, and you have two. Let's make use of them! I promise to never speak of it in the future, and to provide maximum pleasure now. Think of it as a last chance before you marry!"
Matthias had thought that had been Katherine, though he would be with Miri once more before he wed. He struggled with what to do, given his thinking when Katherine had implied what she wanted. Karla made the decision easy.
"I'll drink deeply from your fountain," Karla offered, licking her lips suggestively.
That was a surefire way to end the mental struggle, and Matthias accepted Karla's offer.
Matthias was exhausted at first light, as Karla had not allowed him any sleep. Not that he had any room to complain, given everything they'd done, including things Matthew in the Real World had only heard about. Most enjoyable was using their mouths simultaneously, with Karla drinking deeply at the end.
Now, Matthias was certain he needed a shower, both from the grime building up and from the exertions of the night. The lovers got out of bed, washed themselves, with Matthias feeling anything but clean when he finished. They made their way to the common room for a breakfast of porridge, freshly baked bread, and hot dandelion tea. Karla noticed the looks Katherine gave Matthias and the light touch on his arm, and shook her head.
"You plucked that rose!" Karla said quietly with a smirk.
Matthias, having abandoned Matthew's worldview by accepting Karla's offer, smiled and said, "A pleasurable way to pass the time while waiting for you."
Karla laughed softly, "And yet, you managed seven releases!"
"Lisette gave Katherine the special herbs! I am exhausted, but not spent!"
"You should ask for a supply for your wedding night and honeymoon, so you may plough round-the-clock!"
"Even the most experienced ploughman will need some rest!"
They both laughed, finished eating, settled the bill, and headed for the Compound. When they arrived, they found a newly painted placard hung from the brickwork at the gate, which read 'Langford Manor'. The gate was unlocked, and they entered, heading into the house, where they found Tristan, Lisette, and Milos in the great room.
"Success?" Milos asked.
"Not complete, but enough," Karla replied. "I know every member by sight and the general location of their headquarters, but not how to enter. I'm to be given an assignment tomorrow, at which point we'll look for opportunities to betray members of the Razor Claws to the City Guard."
"Milos, you should ride for Haven three days hence," Matthias said. "The former Commander of the King's Guard will have been hanged, and you'll have attended my wedding. Is Miri in the library?"
"Yes," Lisette replied. "She asked not to be disturbed, as she is studying Kranos' journals and books on arcana, which have annotations."
"Then I will rest, as I did not get sufficient sleep last night."
"Allow me to prepare your bed, please," Zoë offered as she came into the room.
"I would appreciate that," Matthias said.
"I'll turn in as well," Karla added.
"I will also tend to your bed," Zoë said.
Matthias and Karla waited five minutes, then ascended the stairs.
"You were a most capable ploughman," Karla said quietly when they reached the door to her room. "I very much enjoyed it."
"As did I!" Matthias declared.
Karla entered her room and shut the door, while Matthias continued to the master bedchamber. Every step on the stairs dragged at him — Katherine's kitchen and whispered invitation, then Karla's door shutting on a night Matthew could never have survived. He was not ashamed; he was spent and glad the band was still speaking to him in the morning.
He meant only to collapse into the bed Zoë had promised to prepare.
What he saw made him stop short when he entered.
"Zoë?" he asked of the beautiful naked girl reclining on his bed.
"You are Lord of the Manor, and this is your right."
"You are not indentured nor are you a slave," Matthias said. "You are paid staff, and should be treated with respect. You do not owe me anything other than loyalty."
There was also the fact that in Matthias' mind, Kranos had raped Zoë for at least two years, not honoring the code of the fifteenth year.
"Truly?" Zoë asked.
"Truly. Rise and dress. You owe no man that service and may choose when and with whom you lie."
Zoë rose and quickly dressed.
"Thank you, my Lord!"
"Call me Matthias, please, and address the others by their given names."
"As you say, my L ... Matthias."
"Please wake me for the mid-day meal."
"I will."
She left, and Matthias climbed into bed, quickly falling asleep.
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Despite her request not to be disturbed, Miri was interrupted by a messenger from the Lord Mayor informing her of a betrothal meal and ball the following day. The messenger bade her to visit a seamstress to fit her gown, which Ælfwynn, Robert's mother, had selected. Having no real choice, she agreed and requested Tristan accompany her, as Milos had departed for the Keep for his sparring lessons.
"You're far more dangerous to any attacker than I am," Tristan declared as they left the house.
Miri laughed, "Perhaps, but I was instructed by the messenger not to travel without a man-at-arms. My future father-in-law is concerned about my safety now that Robert is heir to the throne. Imagine the ransom that could be had."
"Hmm..." Tristan smirked.
Miri laughed, "Careful, or I'll turn you into a frog, and no kiss will reverse the spell!"
"Is that truly possible?"
"Not in my experience. There are legends, but nobody can point to a mage who can do it, or a verified occurrence."
"Have you expanded your knowledge of spells?"
"I was studying when I was interrupted. I will need many moons of study to learn to cast the more advanced spells."
"I know what you can do now, but what's possible?"
"Ultimately, teleportation — the ability to move instantly from one place to another."
"How far?"
"The sources suggest about a day's travel by horse, but it drains ten crystals and prevents them from charging again for a full day, as it depletes all mana in the mage's body."
"But now you have forty crystals!"
"Yes, but I'm not sure how they work. That's actually what I'm trying to discover from Kranos' research journals. If I can understand that, I may be able to increase my power beyond anything anyone has ever seen. I'm positive that's what Kranos was trying to do."
"I am very glad to be your friend!" Tristan declared.
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Zoë woke Matthias as requested and served a mid-day meal to him, Karla, and Lisette. After the meal, Matthias summoned Lucas.
"Do you have a desire for a trade or training?" Matthias asked.
"I had thought of apprenticing myself to a smith," Lucas replied.
"I can certainly arrange that, but I thought you might want one of us to train you. You would be free of indentured service, be paid, and able to train. Of course, you'd live here, should you wish."
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