Shadow Clone Sorcery
Chapter 35: Who To Trust? (2)

“Why do I find that hard to believe?” Snake laughed. “You seem like the type of person who has a lot to say about a lot of things. At least, the chapter president thinks so. It's rare for her to talk so highly of someone.’

“She knows of me? I don't think we've met yet.”

“Tier-two membership comes with privileges,” Snake continued, ignoring the question. He took a seat and crossed his legs. “Most valuable of which is access to exclusive merchants and stocks not available to the unaffiliated. You've probably guessed it now that a lot of shards and essences are never made available to the public. They're too potent for free trading or far too rare and valuable.”

“That's why I wandered in today, actually. I've been on the hunt for arcane and magic-adjacent essences, but—”

“You'll almost never find them in the shops,” the man’s impossibly long arm snaked across a nearby table, retrieving a bit of parchment and a quill. He scribbled down a few names and directions. “Check these shops. Flash your new badge. If they have something suitable and it's not already spoken for, they'll grant you a fair shot at purchase.”

“This just solved one of my biggest problems,” Lukas said. “I need arcane essences for a ritual. It might give me the leg up I need not to be so weak and helpless anymore.”

Snake laughed. “Please. You're far from it. I hear it's the same for your brother. Healing from any injury overnight is a potent power. It's a shame he'd rather prioritize artisanry. The guild could use someone like him.”

“That's his primary concern. Elvis doesn't want to be used. He'd much rather work towards building his own smithing enterprise. Occasionally, delves are a means to an end. Not a career path like it is for me.”

“You don't have to explain.” Snake waved dismissively. He waved at a nearby chair. “Sit. Tell me your plans.”

“Jobs? Plural. I didn't know there were any besides the one with the Cold Fire Sorcerer.”

“The other isn't strictly legal.”

“Does it involve any other guilds or their activities?”

Lukas shook his head, picking partial honesty. The Shadow Seekers and their reach was much too valuable. He didn’t want to give away specifics, but if they valued him, they were likely to help him hide and escape Iskander if things went wrong. “Criminal organization. It doesn't affect any guilds. As far as I know, no lives will be in danger because of the job or its aftermath. I merely need to help someone acquire something.”

“As long as you're not participating in the trafficking of people or the murder and torture of innocents, it's all good.”

“I'm almost sure my employer has a hand in such activities, but the job doesn't involve any of it, or won't. He is a collector—”

“I don't need details.” Snake threw up his hands. “None of my, the guild’,s or the Union's business. Just don't get caught or tarnish our name. Maybe give us a few hints of your employer's illegal activities afterward. If it involves trafficking or harming innocents, we'd very much like to get in their way.”

Lukas nodded. “I can do that. It's not like I like these people or owe them any loyalty. The pay might've been good, but I mostly took the job because it seemed I wouldn't live for long if I said no after finding out what they wanted from me.”

“You could've come to us for protection, but I understand why you did what you did.” Snake crossed his arms. “These essences and ritual. Do you need them for a shard ability, for the success of the job, or is it about survival?”

“A bit of all three.”

“And do you intend to stick around Iskander afterward?”

Lukas shook his head. “I want to follow the sorcerer. There is much to learn from her. It will be lucrative, too. If she won’t have me, I'll try making my way to one of the mage or academy cities.”

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“You're young. The guild has chapters or allied organizations in pretty much every major city. It's the right time to see the world and figure out what you want from it. If I didn't knock up a barmaid and fall in love with the little girl she gave me, I'd also be out there.” Snake shrugged. “But that's life. You pick whatever is most important to you, run after it, and hold on for dear life. Channel all your strength into ensuring Fracture can't shake you off.”

“Sounds like you found the secret sauce for happiness.” Lukas sighed.

“There is no set sauce,” Snake said. “It is different for everyone and changes with time. There was a time when I was happiest after completing jobs and winning fights, just about surviving and then finding a cold mug of mead. Now, it's whenever I manage to get home before my girl goes to bed.” He smiled. “You're young and have plenty of time to figure things out. At your age, I most often found happiness under a skirt.”

You haven't yet made it to my age, buddy.

Memories of a killed clone flooded Lukas. The journal vibrated a moment later. Something had snapped El-Three in half and eaten his head. It was big and reptilian. The memories were incoherent. He got flashes of battle and hazy images. It was likely the clone had suffered a concussion.

“Thank you,” Lukas said. “For the promotion and advice.” He pocketed the list of merchants and directions. “I'll check them out tomorrow.’

“Not all of them are available every day or have time to show exclusive stock to window shopping guild members. I've noted what day and time is best for each.” Snake waved toward the door. “Now go. Enjoy your party.”

“It's not really my thing. I'd rather—”

“You're officially a guild member now. Those are your comrades, and they're celebrating your accomplishment. You don't have to get drunk. Just nurse a mug for a bit. Socialise. Then, go back to your inn. If you're lucky, someone might have leads on something you want or need.”

“I suppose I can do that for a bit,” Lukas said, making his way toward the door. He wanted nothing more than to get some peace and quiet to go overcome the killed clone's memories and check the journal, but he followed the vice chapter leader's advice. Replacing himself with a clone wasn't an option either. There were far too many watchful eyes. Sneaking out would be a pain.

Lukas socialized. He had a drink. Some food. He shook hands. He told people about how Kwame's training and running across Iskander's rooftops helped him complete the job. Kwame also talked about how he had watched until Silver bolts started raining from the overlooking cliff.

The quartermaster explained what guilds were involved in the malicious acts and how he and the expedition dealer dealt with the issue. They had killed one, and the other surrendered. The dead man's guild feigned ignorance and refused to believe the accusations, claiming it was a cover-up for the Shadow Seekers's murderous ways. While the other had excommunicated the perpetrator and claimed he was acting on his own to get his nephew a leg up.t The man was to suffer the Union's wrath alone.

It was late in the evening before Lukas got out of the guildhouse. He summoned a clone to watch his back, and they sped back to the inn. If it weren't for Penelope, he would've found cheaper, alternative accommodation. Renting an apartment would likely cost him less. He would need a clone to prepare food, draw baths, and run the place, but it would come with more privacy. However, the chances of getting robbed would also be significantly higher.

The smithing clones were still out when he reached the inn. El-Four hadn't yet returned. Lukas started with the journal.

You have uncovered Lady Silverspine’s local interest. The Great Leviathan, a distant sea serpent cousin of hers, slumbers deep under Iskander. Drakan’s followers are using draconic remains to mutate local creatures in the hopes of breaking through the Leviathan’s protection spells. Their long-term plans are unknown, but the laboratory or ritual room needs to be destroyed. You will be rewarded for your efforts, and the journal’s capabilities will further expand.

“Well, that’s interesting,” El-Three said. “How are we going to tell Penelope?”

“I don’t know,” Lukas said. “We need to tell her some things if we want a long-term alliance, but how much are we going to share?” He sighed. “She’ll need to find out about you lot sooner or later.”

“We’ll need to trust her if we want an in with the conclave. Good employer. Good source of knowledge. She came through on the shard. Might as well tell her.”

“Yes, but the question is how much do we tell her?”

El-Three shrugged. “I don’t know, boss. But if we follow her, you need to tell her about us clones, at least.”

“But then, how do we explain Inspector’s Compendium?”

The clone shrugged again.

“I don’t think following Penelope or the conclave is the answer,” Lukas said. “Yet, at least. We need to get stronger. Significantly stronger. Otherwise, exposing ourselves to a council of powerful mages or sorcerors might just lead to us becoming their tool. It’s better to join as an equal than a hopeful.”

“Right. They might limit our freedoms and movements. I think we should just take things one step at a time. Let’s focus on upgrading Minarv’s ritual, do Mister Grey’s job, and figure out how to complete Silverspine’s job first.”

“That’s a lot to do. I think the ritual can wait a bit. The other two take priority.”

“You know best, boss,” the clone said, flumping on the bed. “I just wish you weren’t in such a rush to leave Iskander. Kat will be sad.”

“And whose fault is that?” Lukas asked. “Mine for not nipping it in the bud sooner?”

The clone didn’t answer.