Chapter 3 Walk of Shame

I could describe the following hour of trying to escape the binding ropes, which may or may not have ended with me knocking the chair over backwards like an idiot, but maybe I should finally explain the whole Contract thing now. Galius had called it a Soul Contractthat was what they were called in the kingdom of Urdalebut that is quite the misnomer. Contracts dont put your soul on the line. Your freedom, maybe, but not your soul. Contracts are extremely rare; perhaps only a hundred or so are known to still exist. They go back about a thousand years to the Power Wars, when the kingdoms of Amirand were still in the bloody process of defining their borders. One of those vying for power then was Lyrak EsTal, king of Gualain in the east. He has the infamous honor of being the only ruler of a kingdom to also be a wizard, and with good reason. In order to keep his army under strict control, Lyrak created Contracts to magically bind his soldiers to his will. Lyrak issued orders using them, and his soldiers accepted those orders to receive their pay. The concept was simple; the workings of the Contracts, however . . . not so much. Starting with the basics, there are two primary parties to any Activated Contract the term used to denote that a Contract is actively in use. First is the Holder, the one who actually possesses the Contract and accepts a job through it. Lyraks soldiers were Holders, for example.

The second is the Setter, the one who determines the Terms of the Contract. The Terms include details such as what the job is, how it is to be done, how it is not to be done, and a time frame. Lyrak and his high-ranked military leaders were the Setters. Now, the reason that some regard these magical items as Soul Contracts is that if a Holder fails to fulfill a Setters Terms within the specified time frame, they become f orever linked to the Setter. This link alters the Holders mind, making them subject to the Setters will. In all reality, it makes the Holder a slave. If this link is created, a Setter could tell the Holder to jump, and they would jump. The Setter could tell them to die and . . . well, Im sure you get the picture. The threat of this link is a Setters insurance and a strong incentive for the Holder to do their job. One would think that the Holder could simply never return to the Setter. However, the link somehow bonds the Holders life to the Setters. Without the Setter giving the Holder orders, the Holder would die within weeks. I cant explain how the link works, and truthfully, I dont know if anyone can. There are a couple of safeguards preventing a Setter from purposefully creating slaves, though. For one, the magic of an Activated Contract prohibits the Holder and Setter from intentionally harming one anotherwhether directly or through second partiesand the Setter is unable to interfere with the Holders fulfillment of their Terms. This strange, magical bond lasts until either the Setter or the Holder dies. Because of this safeguard, I couldnt have attacked Galius even if Id wanted to. The magic of the Activated Contract wouldve stopped me. However, it shouldve kept Thug One and Thug Two from tying me up and beating me, both being actions that technically interfered with me completing Galiuss Terms. Still, they were somehow able to . . .

Moving on, the second major safeguard lies in the use of Guildmasters.

A little

explanation about Activating Contracts may help explain how Guildmasters fit in. This is where it gets complicated. First of all, Contracts are physically just ivory-colored cloth squares, no bigger than the palm of a hand. They cant be marred or destroyed, except by magic. One side bears Lyraks dragon-head emblem stamped in blood red ink that never fades. Some say that the emblems were printed with Lyraks own blood. The other side of a Contract is blank until the Setter marks it with their blood. This is where the Activation begins. The Setter speaks their Terms while holding the Contract and then places a drop of their blood on it. Afterwards, the Holder places a drop of their own blood beside the Setters to complete the Activation. There is no outside magic required to Activate a Contract; all the necessary magic is contained within the Contract itself. Concurrent Activations can be made with a single Contract, though the Holder is always bound primarily to the oldest mark on it, even if a more recent Setters time frame lapses first. The drops of blood begin to fade as the end of a Setters time frame approaches. They will completely disappear only if the Activation is ended. However, even if the Contract is magically destroyed, removing all traces of the blood, the Holder and Setter are still bound. In other words, once the Contract is marked by both parties, the Activation must be ended no matter what. Ill get to that in a bit. Guildsusually only found in larger citiesare the only places where Contracts can legally be Activated. They serve the purpose of an intermediary between those looking for jobs to be done and those willing to do to those jobs for a price. Though most guilds require membership, anyone with a Contract is usually exempt from having to join. This is because

those with Contracts are typically sought for the most lucrative, high-paying jobs, since their freedom depends on completing them. Guildmasters are quick to hand out work to anyone with a Contract, netting themselves a handsome percentage of the monetary agreements between Holders and Setters. The role of a Guildsmaster goes beyond just matching up Holders and Setters, though. They serve as an impartial party, legally obligated to advocate for Holders if they find a Setters Terms to be unreasonable or feel that the Holder is being taken advantage of. They also verify a Contracts legitimacy by proving it cant be destroyed by fire or blade. And so, Guildmasters serve as an important safeguard, protecting the Holder from being used unfairly. There are those who illegally Activate Contracts without a Guildmaster, making it simple for the Setter to establish impossible Terms from the start. If a Holder is stupid enough to accept such Terms, however, then they probably deserve to become a mindless slave. Once a Contract is Activated, there are five ways to end the Activation. First, the Holder can fulfill the Terms within the time frame. Second, the Holder can fail to fulfill the Terms within the time frame and thus become a slave. Third, the Setter can cancel the Terms using the same process as Activating a Contractthe same method Galius wouldve used to alter the Terms of my Activated Contract. Fourth, the Setter can die. And fifth, the Holder can die. I never liked the prospect of the fifth option. Theres no way for me to explain how a Contracts magic can recognize when its Terms have been fulfilled, but somehow it does. The magical intricacies involved are well beyond me. So, back to Lyrak. His controversial use of Contracts led to the unification of the surrounding kingdoms and the defeat of his ever-growing army. After Lyrak was vanquished, those kingdoms remained united in peace and split up most of Gualain. Out of respect for the

innocent residents of Gualain, a portion of the kingdom was left for them to call their own. The majority of the Contracts were lost during this time, and over the years, guilds took up responsibility of governing the ones that remained. Using a Contract was a great means of funding my travels, making it simpler to not only find work, but also make good money. Also, since typically only those with higher economic and political status can afford to hire someone with a Contract, I was able to get closer to royalty in my search for my parents. On this night, however, my Contract got me tied to a chair with a possibly broken wrist to go along with a possibly broken nose, staring up at the darknened ceiling from where Id tipped the chair over backwards. I assumed that Galius mustve paid off the Boars Pens proprietor to have the tavern closed early for the night. Either he was trying to flaunt his influence, or he was just plain stupid. He couldve had me dragged off into an alley somewhere for free. Maybe after his thugs punched me out, hed simply been too lazy and arrogant to have me taken anywhere else. Speaking of Thug One and Thug Two, the thief whod stolen the gem mustve been pretty damn good to make it past Galiuss thugs. Howd the thief get out of the tavern uncaught? More importantly, if Galius was in such a hurry to get his gem, why was I tied to a chair? Again, the magic of the Activated Contract shouldve prevented my situation, but I guess no magic is perfect. It made me wonder if the Contract really would keep Galius from killing me, if maybe the Contracts protection was just a myth. Then again, given that no guild would be open until morning for me to accept Galiuss revised Terms, maybe I wasnt technically being kept from fulfilling the original Terms.

All of these thoughts made my head hurt even worse than the lump swelling on the back of it. Strands of my hair were plastered to the dried blood under my nose, starting to really make my upper lip itch. Worse than pain is having an itch you just cant scratch. After the hour or so I mentioned earlier, the door to the tavern creaked open, letting in a sliver of soft, golden light. A slender woman holding an oil lantern stepped cautiously into the room. The warm light revealed her to be the pretty, young serving woman whod waited on the table Id been sitting at with Brennor and his pals. Caralys, I believe her name was. Caralyss frizzy red hair was tied up in a loose bun. In the weak light of her lantern, her face didnt seem quite as pale and freckly as Id remembered. She was still wearing the snug white blouse and long green skirt shed worn under her serving apron earlier. Once her lanterns light settled on me, she gasped. Hello, I greeted with a dry-mouthed rasp. Caralys hurried across the room and crouched beside me, setting her lantern on the floor. Grabbing the back of the chair, she struggled to lift it, grunting with the effort. Her chest heaved as she tried to regain her breath after barely managing to set the chair upright again. Not that I was staring at her chest . . . though she was pretty enough that Id have asked her to share a drink under better circumstances. Anyway, I looked at herin the eyes this timeand said, Thanks, with as much of a smile as I could muster in my current condition. Caralys smiled back prettily before circling around to my back to untie my hands. I shouldnt be here. That man paid my boss to leave you locked in here until morning. I couldnt do it in good conscience, though. You seem like a nice man, and you tipped well. See, it never hurts to be nice to your server.

If my boss knew I was doing this, Id probably be out of a job. Finally, she pulled the last knot loose. With my hands freed, I twirled my wrists, stretching out my fingers as I did so. Id been overreacting about the potential broken wrist, but by the gods did they both hurt. I rose painfully to my feet and gave Caralys another smile. Well just keep it our little secret, I told her with a wink. I reached into my coin purse, which surprisingly still had a couple silver coins left in it, and flipped one to her. She nodded her thanks as I walked to the exit. Thankfully, both my scabbarded shortsword and my dagger still rested in the basket by the door. I grabbed both weapons from the basket, took my brown wool cloak from a peg on the wall, and stepped out into the moonlit night. Not that I was unappreciative of Caralys s

assistance, but the more time I spent with her, the more likely someone would see us together. The silver piece I gave her wouldnt have made up for a lost job. After the door clicked shut behind me, I wiped a sleeve across my upper lip, wincing as dried blood flaked away. The fact that I was no longer actively bleeding seemed to be a good sign. Placing my fingers on the bridge of my swollen nose, however, confirmed my suspicions that it was broken. It was hard to believe the things I endured for a little money. Well, three gold is more than just a little, I suppose. It was too late for any guilds to be open or to buy supplies for the task of locating a thief who could easily be an hour or more outside the city in practically any direction. I figured my best bet would be to return to my room at the Weary Travelers Inn on the outskirts of Geeron to plan my next move.

The mid-fall air was cool enough to warrant the cloak that was bundled under my arm with my sword and dagger, but I had enough on my mind to ignore it. And so, I started down the street, deep in thought. Geerons streets and buildings were very well kept and clean. The majority of the buildings around me in the inner portion of the city were white-plastered businesses with angular, tiled roofs that wouldve been a brilliant red in daylight. As I made my way to the Weary Travelers Inn, the few lit windows did little to illuminate the cobblestone streets. Fortunately, the gibbous moon and burning street lamps helped light my way. The city wasnt necessarily large, yet it was still a fairly significant center of trade, given that Byweathera port city off the Dyanac Oceanwas only a short distance to the south. The influx of ocean-shipped goods provided plenty of money ensure Geerons upkeep was well taken care of. The crisp, chill wind invigorated me as I neared the outer city. There were hardly any others out at this hour, and thankfully none alert enough to notice a bloodied man with a sword under his arm. Just a block or so from the city gates, I finally arrived at a stuccoed building with a painted sign hanging from its tiled-roof overhang that revealed it to be my destination. I stepped into the Weary Travelers Inn, announced by jingling bells hanging from the doorframe. The innkeeper on duty turned from the patrons eating and drinking in the common room to me, the bloodied man entering the inn. In hindsight, I guess shouldve cleaned up a bit before coming in and scaring the poor guy half to death as the look on his round face suggested I had. I almost thought hed jump out of his suspenders. Pressing my remaining silver coin into the innkeepers hand, I flashed my room key from a pocket in the lining of my bundled-up cloak. Seeing that I was a paying patron, the rotund man

gave me a nod of confidentiality and let me pass. The other customers, all laughing loudly to some skit performed by two men in colorful tights and puffy-sleeved shirts, paid me no mind. As funny as the performers may have been, I wasnt quite in the mood to laugh. I made my way up two flights of wooden stairs to the top floor of the inn. I unlocked the faded green door to my room and entered, flinging my sword, dagger, and cloak onto the carpeted floor as I kicked the door shut behind me. I quickly made my way to the drawer chest, lit the oil lamp atop it, and unlocked the top drawer with my room key. I let out a pent up breath when I saw my Contract still siting next to a bulging leather coin pouch. Galiuss mark was a much brighter shade of red than my faded one beside it, showing that he really had revised his Terms. After shutting the drawer and locking it, I walked over to the full washbowl sitting atop a small table next to the bed. I painfully scrubbed my face and hair with the cloth and the bar of sandalwood soap that had been resting beside it. The water was quickly reddened to a clear ruby shade. Taking a quick glance in the mirror hanging over the drawer chestconfirming that my nose was a swollen, bruised, and broken messI fell back onto the bed, breathing through my mouth to avoid the whistling coming from my nose. I shut my eyes. My mind swam with questions about why the gem was so important, what had happened with Galiuss thugs, whod stolen the gem from me, why theyd stolen only the gem from me, and what I was going to do next. Scratching suddenly sounded at the door, answering my last thought for me.

I hopped up from the neatly made bed and opened the door. In trotted a short-haired, gray tabby cat with black stripes and long black whiskers. The black M-shaped pattern on his forehead was fitting, as his name was Max. Why are you never there when I need you, Max? I questioned sternly. Max looked up at me inquisitively with bright green eyes. Because you told me that you had everything under control and that I should go hunt some mice or whatever else it is that cats do, he answered in a raspy voice that always made me imagine him as an old man with a long white beard and a smoking pipe. After over thirteen years, I still wasnt used to seeing a cats mouth move like a humans. It just didnt seem natural. Not that I would hunt mice. Why eat mice when freshly cooked salmon is so Max stopped mid-sentence, staring up at my face. What happened to you? Before I could answer, he let out a deep breath. You did not get the gem, did you? Maxs tone bled disappointment. Just heal me, okay? I felt a little bad for snipping at him, but I simply wasnt in the mood for his sarcastic humor. I will heal your nose, but you can deal with the rest on your own, talking to me like that, Max huffed. Not many things can hurt your pride more than being berated by a tabby. Besides, he continued, you look rugged. Maybe a little ruggedness is just what you need to make some farm girl fall madly in love with you and straighten you out. Plus, farm girls are wonderful cooks. Someone who can make seasoned pork chops and gravy with boiled potatoes would do you good.

Always with the food, Max. Dont you ever think of anything else? That got me a glare. Anyway, Im sorry I snapped at you. Its been a long day. I let out a sigh as I locked the door. Plopping down on the bed, I explained everything that had happened at the Boars Pen. In true cat fashion, Max just stared at me as if he couldnt care less. I told you before that you should get a haircut. I looked at Max incredulously. Really? Thats what youre taking out of all that? Max shrugged and jumped up beside me on the bed. Closing my eyes, I rubbed my fingertips against my temples in a circular motion. Look, Max, I really need some rest, so if you could just heal me and go find us a lead on our little black-cloaked thief, that would be wonderful. Max stretched out his front legs, arching his back and stiffening his tail. He gave a widemouthed yawn before sitting back on his haunches. After a quick scratch at his right ear with his back leg, he turned his slitted pupils to me. Well, you owe me. Again. Come here, lunkhead. Oh yeah, did I mention that I had a magic talking cat?