The Axe Falls 2 -ch 6-

“—and then they head to the front lines,” Julie murmured with a shrug of her shoulders. “I get a commission for every person I contract, but I can only use the contracts I’ve been provided. No changes allowed.”

“Well, it definitely sounds like it’s better for you than where you were,” Nick offered up after having listened to her explain the whole thing start to finish.

In the end, it just boiled down to her being a recruiter for the army. Targeting adventurers primarily, which was tough for her here, since they had mostly already all been recruited.

“That and I think you said your sister lives down this way. Doesn’t she? That’s gotta be better,” Nick said, watching Julie.

Much as it had been the last time they’d spent time together, Julie had become a keg with a fresh tap stuck in it. Releasing a never ending torrent of information that didn’t really help him in any way, other than to give her the chance to speak.

“Yes. She does live nearby. I’ve been able to meet up with her once a week so far. It’s been pleasant,” Julie confirmed. “Now, I wanted to ask more about you being here for the Dungeon. You have a party sheet in your hand. Tell me more?”

Nick couldn’t deny her request after she’d spilled everything to him.

“Here with a group of five in total,” Nick admitted. “Tank, melee, support, and healer. We’ll probably pick up one or two more and head in.”

“I got that part… but… who?” Julie pressed.

Taking in a short breath Nick held it for a breath, then let it out.

“Claudia for one. She was the target for you. Along with a High Elf, a Dark Elf, and a Corvu,” admitted Nick. He realized he needed to get ahead of the ‘sleeping with Jessie’ conversation here and now. “I’ve been seeing the Dark Elf since we ended up in the Dungeon collapse together. You and I didn’t make any plans to meet up after and-and I genuinely didn’t think you were that interested in me. Your note was just that silly bill after all without even contact information.

“By the way, the dungeon collapse, did the Dukes do that? Did they do it by clearing the dungeon or something?”

Julie’s mouth had become a flat line when he’d spoken of Jessie, only for her lips to relax and her face take on a more neutral look. As if she’d been annoyed about the news he was seeing someone.

Only for her to look confused about the mention of Ashcroft.

“No, it wasn’t the Dukes as far as I know. Collapsing a Dungeon would be rather stupid,” Julie answered. “After all, when the war is over, those Dungeons will provide wealth and stability for the future. Collapsing them would be incredibly short-sighted.

“As to my note and this Dark Elf I-that is… yes. You’re not wrong. I didn’t provide you with anything and I didn’t come looking for you either.

“Though I’m surprised you brought the count’s daughter.”

Nick had a thought while he had been talking to Julie. That she was his in to getting in touch with a supply officer for the Dukes.

Someone he could sell things in large numbers to at prices that’d likely be better than anywhere else.

Additionally, a possible way to contact the Dukes and see if they could help him.

“I… ah… Julie, do you have your little sound bubble up?” Nick asked. He hadn’t thought to actually check for it.

“No. Would you like me to?” she asked, one eyebrow crawling upward. The corner of her mouth turned toward a smirk as well.

“Yes please,” Nick answered in all seriousness.

Which caused Julie to blink, then use her free hand to make a small gesture with her fingers. He felt the spell go off just as he had last time.

Surprisingly, the hand that was holding his had yet to move despite him telling her he was seeing someone.

“Okay, all done,” Julie murmured.

“Are you dedicated to your cause?” he asked. “To the Dukes and the wish to enthrone your king. What’s his name again?”

“Dominic Randolph,” Julie answered immediately. “As to being dedicated to the cause… well, as dedicated as I can be for my personal contract to the Dukes and that I have no love for the current king.

“The Fash have never done me any kindness and if anything have only troubled me. There was this little pissant of a scion that tried to level a charge against me, just to try to talk me into sleeping with him.

“He was rather surprised when I told him to bring the charges on and that I looked forward to talking to a court.”

“Would you die for your cause?” Nick pressed.

Julie’s mouth took on an odd pout. As if she’d tried a glass of lemonade and found it to be needing a great deal of sugar.

“Maybe? I’m not exactly in love with the idea of a new king, but I don’t like the old one. Are you trying to get me to switch sides? Because I’m not going to. Easier to get you to switch to my side,” answered Julie with a sudden bright smile. “Join me?”

“Well, that’s kind of why I’m asking,” he began, wondering how to phrase this. “But I’m terrified to reveal some things as you might decide I’m suddenly worth kidnapping again.”

As if her thoughts were delicate glass it was obvious to Nick Julie was working through what he had just said. Turning things over and over to figure out what to say.

“I can only offer you my word,” she said finally, her eyes moving up from his knee to his face. “If you’ll take me at my word, I promise to not divulge anything you say. To anyone. Not unless you tell me I can.”

“First, I can get any resource the Dukes need. Any resource. In large quantities, too,” stated Nick. He wanted to start with something like this to see how she took it. “You’d have to tell me what you needed, then I’d be able to get you a price. The price isn’t negotiable as it would already be just about the barest margin for profit for myself.

“I figure though if I can get you any resource, maybe you’ll get another commission and I can make a profit.”

“Oh? That’s actually rather helpful. There’s an open line for purchasing. I’ll get you a list and send it over to you,” Julie replied then laughed. “Was that all? It’s not stuff from the Fash that you’ve stolen or can steal, is it?”

“No. It’s not. It’s just a special connection I have,” answered Nick then decided to dive straight into this. He was suddenly confident that she wouldn’t be a problem

For some reason, he believed in her promise.

“Sire, I really don’t think this is a great idea,” warned Lucian.

It’ll be fine.

If it isn’t, we’ll take that bridge when we get to it.

But I don’t think it’ll be an issue.

She’s got few morals when it comes to what she’s willing to do to get a job done, but I don’t think she’d betray me.

“This is a foolish bet, Sire. A very foolish one. I think you’re being led by the bed,” Lucian growled.

“As Dominic Randolph I do have some special connections,” Nick said with a chuckle, holding Julie’s eyes with his own. “I can’t just tell you everything up front until I know I can trust you. Oh… wait, it seems like I trust you.

“Let’s hope my trust isn’t misplaced since only about eight people know who I really am.”

Taking slow and deep breaths Julie just stared at him. Looking rather statuesque and unbothered despite what he’d said.

The fact that her hand was limp in his own and sweaty told him that she was actually rather panicked at the moment.

“Sorry,” he said with a sigh realizing that this was the opposite of what she’d wanted from her life. “Here you are trying to escape the front lines and stress and I just dropped a load of it on you.”

“You’re just fucking with me,” Julie said, suddenly smiling at him. She was nodding her head slowly as she said it. “This is because I didn’t stop after you came and made you shiver like a leaf in the wind.”

Nick laughed, clicked his tongue, then threw his status screen at her.

Her head jerked up and she clearly began to read what was listed there.

“Oh,” she whispered, sounding defeated and somewhat lost. “I see. I… I kidnapped then assaulted the… the king. The king I’m trying to put on a throne.”

“Pretty sure we assaulted each other there for a bit and I’m the one who suggested it,” Nick challenged and then squeezed her hand. “I’d be happy to provide resources to the Dukes. Beyond that… I’d love to make you my person, Julie.

“In fact, I bet you’d make an amazing court wizard. I don’t have one of those yet. I think you’re a Sorceress or a Magician, aren’t you.

“Even if you don’t want that position, I’m sure I’ll figure out something else for you. You’re a sharp woman with talent. Beyond that, I bet your maximum level is in the nineties.”

A groan escaped Julie’s mouth and she looked away from what was likely his status screen.

“I’m… well… at least I’m not pregnant?” she squeaked out.

Nick laughed at that and blew out a hard breath.

“I dunno. That might’ve been easier. Having an heir already would make some people feel more secure about the situation,” Nick replied. “Now. Court Wizard? Join my household? Actually, want to join my party, too? It’d be nice to have you in it.

“Though, I’ll be honest, I didn’t tell anyone we slept together. I didn’t want it to stain you or get back to you in a different way. I just told them you were very polite to me, kept me well fed, clothed, and taken care of.”

Julie shook her head, looking as if she was floored and unsure.

Nick now felt like he was right for trusting her. Her response to his revelation hadn’t felt contrived or played out.

It’d felt as if she genuinely was shocked and felt concern at having taken him hostage.

“I’ll give you time to think it over,” Nick said and squeezed her hand. “I’ll offer you the Court Wizard position regardless of anything else. It’d be nice if you joined the party.

“Put together that list of resources for me that the Dukes need.”

Nick stood up and released her hand.

“See you later, Julie. Maybe tomorrow morning or tomorrow night. Not sure what’ll work out given how odd the guild seems,” he murmured, then turned. He went right through the barrier of her magic and out of the guild without looking back.

***

Jessie and Sara came out of the guild, a single piece of paper between the two of them.

“Maybe there wasn’t any good quests,” surmised Nick.

“Or-mm-that sheet is filled with all the quests they took. It’s not a standard… form,” Rahak suggested. As of late it’d felt more and more like her vocabulary was almost entirely filled in.

Nick still felt it odd how she would sound exactly like someone else, however.

“Rahak, can you imitate anyone at all? So long as you’ve heard them say a particular statement?’ Nick asked, glancing over at the Corvu.

They had a knife on their hip, a bag on the other, and a spear held between their hands.

“Rahak, can you imitate anyone at all?” Rahak asked in a perfect imitation of what he’d just said. There had been a slight scratchiness to it, but if you weren’t looking at the Corvu, it’d be hard to understand it wasn’t Nick. “This. Yes?”

“Yes,” Nick agreed with a chuckle.

“That’s rather fascinating. You could become quite the bard. Go listen to the best singers and then repeat them back as a performance,” Claudia said with several claps of her hands. She was clearly excited. “Have you heard any songs or the like?”

“Another time, Claudia,” Rahak argued as Sara and Jessie reached them.

“Well,” Jessie said and held up the sheet. “Bright tits and I took up a whole lot of quests. There’s so much work that we can do. We’ll earn a really good amount of coin doing this.

“I’ll need that other coin, tonight, Nicky. Thanks in advance. Easily make two to one with it.”

Nick had the impression Jessie wanted to say more but had clawed the words down before they could escape. While the area wasn’t bursting with people, there was more people out and about this morning than the previous afternoon and evening.

There were a number of adventurers wandering about, in fact, as well.

I think she wanted to flirt, compliment me, or tell me something else.

“Agreed, my boy. Our poor queen is suffering. You should make sure to give her some attention once you enter the Dungeon,” Lucian suggested.

Ker grumbled loudly and trundled over to Jessie.

As casually as could be, the very large fisher got up on it’s back legs, stuck it’s forepaws on Jessie’s stomach, and continued to mutter and grumble at her. As if he were talking to her, rather than making Fisher noises.

“I… have no idea what you’re saying,” Jessie said with a grin. “But I’m betting Nicky understood what just happened, had some misgivings, and you came over here?”

Ker tilted his head to one side, snuffed, then promptly head butted Jessie in the stomach. It was done with enough force that she grunted, in fact.

Mission done, Ker dropped down to all fours and wandered over to where Claudia was sat down on the lip of the fountain and dropped down next to her boots.

“Well! I feel better,” Jessie said with a laugh.

“Anyways,” Sara continued, not bothering to acknowledge anything Jessie had said or done. “Time to head in. The Dungeon isn’t actually in the city but just outside of it. Only a five minute walk which isn’t terrible. There’s an inn, store, and a few other buildings out that way.

“We can also turn in quests there for a small fee. I think we’ll be able to stay in the field for a day or three while we clear these work requests out.

“Best we leave the horses here so we don’t have to worry for them. The stables here are pretty competent.”

“Sounds great,” said Nick and then put a hand on Claudia’s back. He gently pressed on her and she immediately stood up, looking to him. “Now, just because some things have changed, that won’t change our tactics.

“You, my dear Claudia, are our healer. We must all do our best to just about die to make sure you live, so that you can keep us moving, or bring us back.

“Your life is literally more important than ours, because even if you can’t bring us back from the dead, your magic can help keep us ‘fresh enough’ for someone us to recall us to our bodies.”

“Yes,” Claudia said, nodding her head. She had a serious look on her face. “I’ve been practicing my defense as well. I want to be able to help protect myself as best as I can.”

“Smart lady,” Jessie said and put an arm around Claudia and dragged her forward several steps. “You and me, we’re gonna be friends for a real long time. Real long time. When I have kids, I’m going to make them call you Mommy Claudia. Just… forgive them for being half-elves, won’t you?”

Claudia laughed at that, peering at the other woman.

“Sure thing, Mommy Jessie, just do remember it goes both ways,” teased Claudia.

Nick shrugged hier shoulders with a grin and followed along behind the two women.

Sara fell in next to him at his left.

“Did I mention to you that I’m having a great time?” Sara asked in a quiet voice. “It’s great fun to spar constantly with Jessie, Claudia is good company, Rahak doesn’t demean my low intelligence, and you’re just fun to be around.

“I never would’ve guessed you were actually funny when you feel comfortable with people.”

“You like sparing with her? I swear you two would compete over anything and everything,” Nick countered, glancing ahead. Jessie and Claudia were deep in a conversation and it didn’t seem like they were paying attention to Sara and himself.

“Oh definitely. Every time I’m better than her, every time I can show her I know more, I win,” Sara gushed, grinning widely at him. Then she pouted. “Unfortunately she’s smarter than I expected. I only win about fifty percent of the time.

“Doubly so if we consider the fact that I’m not in your bed and she is. Last night, no less. I checked.”

“You checked,” Nick asked in a wary tone.

“Anyways. I’m having a wonderful time. Best time I’ve had in a long while.”

“Yes, this is quite… enjoyable!” Rahak croaked as she hopped along beside them. Their head bobbed up and down repeatedly as they sauntered along. “I’m… eager. Yes, eager-mm-to see what happens with Julie.

“If this goes the way we wish, we can make a great deal of coin. Coin and help those who would help us.”

“Provided she doesn’t betray us,” Sara immediately spat out. She hadn’t been very happy when Nick had explained what he had done with Julie.

No one had been able to understand his reasoning but they also had thought she had only kept him hostage. Not that they’d been playing bedroom games most of the days they had been with each other.

“Provided she doesn’t betray us,” agreed Nick, giving Sara a confident smile.

He couldn’t explain why but he really did believe in Jessie.

Hopefully he wouldn’t be betrayed by her.

Hopefully.