Octophobia

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 47

The training went well, all told. The mistakes in Fritz's stance weren't many, but they did allow definite detriments to dilute the strength of his style. There was the way he tilted his shoulders before he stabbed, it gave him away to any experienced duellist, or so his tutor proclaimed. There was also the stiffness of his back and body and the misplacing of his feet.

There were also other, more minor errors that had nothing to do with his form, but they were pointed out all the same, ...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 46

"Lord Hightide?" The storm guard sergeant, Louisa, asked with some surprise.

"The very same," Fritz agreed arrogantly.

"Why is it always you?" She muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Fritz asked.

"Nothing... Nothing important, Lord," she said, straightening her shoulders and back in an attempt to regain her composure.

"She asked why it was always you," Bert provided. "Lord, have you been dallying outside your betrothal?"

"What!?" Fritz exclaimed exa...

Spire's Spire - Arc 3 - Chapter 45

When Fritz awoke, it was to a cold plate of dinner, mashed vegetables and fried toad-man-alike on his bedside table. He'd slept right through the intruder's entrance, though he did vaguely remember waving Cassandra in and signing to leave the meal where he now found it.

The fatty, greasy meat was unappetising in its lukewarm state, but he choked it down all the same.

After eating, he revised his letter to Count Wavereach and found it full of flaws, both in the wordage and the wave...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 44

On the way to the tailor, Fritz remembered his haul of Treasures from the Browncoats and told Lauren of the loot. He placed some emphasis on the staff that could conjure light and asked if she would find it useful.

"Perhaps," she said thoughtfully. "While it's not perfect, it's not as if one could say no to such a gift. Though it could serve as a good bartering piece when we all go to the Treasury."

"Right, we still need to scout the Treasury and its auctions out too," Fritz said,...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 43

"You cheating little sneak thief," Adam growled, stepping towards Fritz menacingly. His hand gripped the hilt of his currently sheathed sword.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Fritz lied, not flinching or retreating from the huge man.

"That last round, you were quicker and reacted better," Adam accused. "And your sword spat lightning. I wasn't aware it could do that."

"It can't, there's no such Ability Imbued," Fritz said. "You can investigate the blade yourself if you...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 42

Under the eerie quiet and clear air caused by the cover of the rainshield, Fritz faced his tutor.

Sir Needle didn't make a move, he simply held his long, thin blade at the ready, watching and waiting.

Quicksilver in hand, Fritz observed his opponent. When he was certain that his tutor wouldn't act first, he stepped forward, a foot out of the rapier's reach.

While he approached with another cautiously short step, he couldn't help but compare their swords. The Reach-steel rapi...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 41

Fritz woke before dawn, having caught only a scant few hours of sleep. The rest was nowhere near enough to refresh him and had seemingly only worsened his aches and weariness. Still, he rose from the sheets and made his way down the stairs and towards the sounds of breakfast being made.

There Cal was, intent on his cookbook and the sizzling pans and boiling pots in front of him. He was aided in part by the maid, who would fetch ingredients at his request and could lend her observant eye...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 40

Once the council's surprise at Fritz's sudden appearance had worn off, the meeting began, starting with the subject of their captive.

Fritz gave his opinion, one of leniency due to her surrender and willingness to talk. It wasn't received particularly well, even if none would directly challenge him.

"She can't be trusted. If she'll spill her secrets to you, she'll spill our secrets to them if she escapes," Earnest observed.

"They're a Pather, deadly. It's a danger to keep th...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 39

Fritz recast Lethargy on his captive, then he ordered one of the burlier men standing around to bind her hands and feet.

"Don't harm her, she surrendered," Fritz warned.

"I won't hurt her. I'm not some scum," the man grumbled out.

"Good, then I trust you to keep her safe while I do some Scouting," Fritz said, slapping a hand on the man's shoulder. "Don't let anyone take some hasty revenge. I'll want to question her later," he added in a low voice.

The man nodded stoica...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 38

Fritz and Toby listened on as Craig blathered an explanation about how one should step on different surfaces to avoid as much slippage and sound as was possible. The imparted knowledge was rudimentary to the pair, but they didn't bother to interrupt him. This tedium was a welcome relief to their usual 'training'.

Though their 'mentor' had plenty to say on the subject of sneaking, there was little they didn't know about it. Still, Fritz had paid attention when he could stomach the vile m...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 37

"You're late. Again," Craig growled.

The thug scowled and stabbed his daggers back into their sheaths with more than his usual aggression.

"My apologies," Fritz lied. Then he spotted an oddity.

Craig's rough face, already spattered with the thin white lines of scars, had accrued a new addition to those pale, craggy crevices. It was a long pink line, perfectly cut into his cheek and was seemingly the first of any such injuries. He had been punished by the Nightshark. For what...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 36

When Fritz woke, it was to the usual aches and pains, though not nearly as many as he had been dreading.

Blearily, he made his way across the room, it was dark. The sun had set some time before, likely some hours ago. After dressing deliberately and refilling his Treasures, he made a worrying discovery.

His stash of gold was running low.

At first, he thought that maybe someone had stolen from him, but as he remembered all his previous purchases and the obscene costs of keepi...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 35

The after battle Council meeting dragged on into the early hours of the morning. Fritz yawned and could barely keep his eyes open. Though it had started out enlightening, he soon got lost in the names and minutiae of what happened in the day-to-day of the Refuge.

His mind was foggy, drained as he was from his training, the late hour and the battle.

The territory had many troubles, the drainage, the leaking roofs and the rot. And that was only the beginning and didn't consider the ...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 34

Fritz had expected the gangs to act soon, but he didn't expect them to move quite so quickly. It had barely been six minutes since Sid had left and the timing left him suspicious, he wondered if it was a spy or simply foreknowledge. He discarded the thought, there were more pressing matters.

"How many?" Fritz asked, quickly taking command.

The child stared up at him with terror, both of him and the coming thugs. Tears fell and legs trembled.

"Don't cry. This is Fritz, he's h...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 33

Fritz and his fellows made their way down to the Sunken Ring, then wove their way through its tangled streets and alleys. The rain was light, and though dawn slowly approached, it was still the deep dark of night. The gutters gurgled and the distinct odour of mildew and mould wafted from the dilapidated buildings that flanked them as they walked ever further into the slums.

Fritz kept his eyes wide and his ears open, watching for the trouble that was sure to be lurking. Fortunately, eac...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 32

Fritz was late to his nightly meeting with Craig, but he couldn't bring himself to care much about that. The fervent, earnest hour he spent with Sid was a welcome respite from the constant stress and suffering of the demands his daily, and nightly, life ordained.

He was sad to see her go and sadder to say goodbye. She was similarly loath to let go and leave. Although she spoke not of her desires, he could read it in the motes and ripples of emotion that shifted in the air around her. Fe...

Spire's Spite - Arc3 - Chapter 31

Fritz recounted parts of his night to the tutor, who listened intently, taking only a small swig from his hipflask when the King was mentioned.

"You saw him do battle?" Adam asked, sitting forward on his chair.

They were in the lounge, but were in little comfort as the fireplace had not been lit or fed in some time. Luckily, it wasn't too chilly and the run, stretches and lifts had warmed Fritz considerably.

"I wouldn't call it a battle," he replied his shoulders sagging. "I...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 30

Fritz's stomach fell when he discovered the addition to his Spire sheet. There, in his Techniques was a new entry: Python's Fangs. This was just what he was attempting to avoid, another useless Technique filling up his channels. The wind and rain of his Sanctum roared and the branches of his willow rocked in the sudden squall. He almost let out a yell, but all that was cut short when he noticed that he still had a channel free and the conspicuous absence of the Arte Pugilist.

As the air...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 29

The river crashed into the Climber's Yard. The great weight of water and the swiftness of the surge swept into the horde of Toad-man-alikes being held at bay by magic and blades. The powerful waves threw the beasts backwards, into or over the wall, while the various guards and Climbers were, somehow, thrown in the opposite direction, pulled in to join their fellows in the depths of the impossible tide.

At the speed the waters were rushing, Fritz was afraid that he too would be dashed up...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 28

Blue-silver light flashed like lightning, and the night was lit up in bright contrast. From where Fritz stood he could see a great jagged fissure split the base of the Mer Spire. It was brilliant, blazing, casting stark shadows as the crack widened. Dark shapes spewed from the opening, and croaking calls, warcries, carved through the quiet.

Bells rang, adding to the clamour. A squad of drizzlers, following some long-observed protocol, ran down the street, ordering the populace to stay i...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 27

Over three days of intense training, Fritz barely had any time to himself and was starting to feel run ragged. Weariness assailed every waking moment, he ached all over and that pain had led him to discover new, neglected, muscles he didn't even know he had. Fortunately, the new, potent remedies they received from Ame and Naomi took the edge off the constant fatigue and perpetual soreness.

Still, he managed to find time to run some errands and catch some whispers on the wind, despite th...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 26

Fritz was in the yard, drenched in rain and sweat, finishing the last of his laps, his legs barely wanted to follow his orders any longer.

Adam yelled some profanities over his and his team's efforts.

"You are the sorriest lot of skulg I've had the mispleasure to tutor. There are barnacles that could be done quicker than this!"

Fritz slumped, heaving as he usually did, though his breath did come a little easier than yesterday's and he recovered substantially swifter than he ...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 25

Knowing he couldn't parry both the black daggers that were quickly closing on his chest, Fritz leapt a foot to the side, dodging narrowly. Craig rapidly adjusted and followed the movement, his stabbing motion swept into a series of slashes. Heeding the warnings of Danger sense, Fritz stepped between each cut and attempted his own thrust, right at the Browncoat's heart. The thug's body blurred and he slid around the blade with ease.

Fritz felt a prophetic pain in his side. He rolled forw...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 24

Lauren took the lead in the negotiations with the two street alchemists Ame and Naomi.

Fritz lent support where he could, though he didn't want to take too much advantage of the goodwill he'd earned for his admittedly heroic actions in the Sunken Spire. He needn't have bothered, Ame knew what she wanted and what she wouldn't sacrifice, and no amount of prior heroism would sway her. It was frustrating, but he began to admire her steadfast, sure-headed nature. He could definitely see what...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 23

Fritz wandered the markets with intent, leaving his team to the acquisition of the equipment Adam had listed for them. He had quickly concluded his assistance wasn't needed and he decided to make use of his time better, mostly by engaging stall keepers and market patrons in conversation. His goal was simple, find out more about what was happening in the Upper Ring and places even higher. It had cost him some time and some coin, buying a forgettable trinket here or there, to have his sometimes...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 22

Fritz finished the last of his laps just as Rosie started hers. He panted, recovering as more and more of his team joined in the exercise. Not for the first time, he thanked the miracle that was the Ring of Suppress Pain. It allowed him to complete his run with dignity, then continue to stand stoically under the tree as he watched the crew struggle with their own exertions. Soon it was only Bert and Lauren left. Then it was only Lauren, jogging through the rain.

George was standing by F...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 21

When Lauren was called, she stood with dignity and poise. She handed her book to the maid and instructed her to put it back by her bed. She was obeyed without hesitation. She smiled at Cass's retreating back. It occurred to her in that moment that, for all of Lord Hightide's oddities, he did have something of a knack for finding good people.

She could even concede that Cal, Rosie and George had proved more than simply useful. They could be considered her friends, and each had their own ...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 20

Bert grinned and sat back in his chair, and with the small exception of his Dawn's Bond, he began to lay out his Powers in full. The fire crackled and Adam nodded with appreciation as each Ability and Passive was revealed. He didn't seem happy that Bert had neglected the metal side of his Attributes, but he didn't hurl any insults his way so it must not have surprised him.

"A solid set of powers, and some beneficial Techniques," Adam said, once Bert was done. "You must be bloody hard to...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 19

Adam straightened in his armchair and cleared his throat with a cough, preparing to give a lecture he'd likely given many times before. And although his breath stank of liquor, his words came or clear, if a little hoarse. "So first of all, we'll talk about Advanced Attribute Variance."

Fritz nodded, eager to learn.

Adam continued, "Unlike the Base Attributes, which have the same effects for everyone. Advanced Attributes can present differently from person to person. Take your Awar...

Spire's Spite - Arc 3 - Chapter 18

Fritz made his way to the alley mouth where Craig still lurked. The rain was heavy and the drizzlers he had escaped had moved away, so he didn't bother too much with stealth. He thought his performance had been good, having not alerted the storm guard to his presence or drawn any attention his way, however, Craig did not look pleased.

The dark-haired man spun a dark, stone dagger in one hand, frowning. It was a sign of deep annoyance, the prickly halo of dark motes around the man's head...