Shapeless Hero

53 - In Broad Daylight

Unaware of the proceedings in the guild hall, Liszka and I wait for the "interview" with the coastal rangers. Despite all what happened in the last few days, I grow anxious thinking about the questions the rangers might pose.

Any kind of investigation was a risk to me. Rev told me at some point that people get tested for a lot of things once taken into custody or questioning - that includes an examination of one's species. Not great, if you happen to be a shapeshifter, but I see nothing I can do now, except hope that the rangers don't deem it necessary to check my insides with magic devices.

As per my request, the commander brings small batches of food to us from time to time. Liszka watches me collect all the offerings from the comfort of her bed, letting her feet dangle from the side, in rythm with her tail.

"Of all people, a commander brings you food without complaint.", Liszka thinks out loud. "That's one amazing ally, you've found there."

"I'm just glad she's not my enemy." I shiver at the resurfacing memories of my impalement.

"Even if, you could survive that battle with her. I'm sure of it, especially after those stunts in the cave."

"Do you need such a resilient ally?"

"You should know. You fought the wolves yourself."

"I'd rather not repeat that. Won't the rangers help us?"

"Maybe a little bit, but these mutts will try other things. They'll sink the ships I travel on, or bribe a few guards at gates that I have to pass through, or simply poison my food..."

I eye the sack I just had filled with the last delivery of fruit. "They really want you dead that badly, huh?"

Liszka responds in a lowered tone. "They eradicated the forest foxes, the martens and almost finished off us arctic fox-kin to get their hands on our nation's defense system. I am perhaps the only one between them and my homeland's throne now."

Barely have I learned the basics of how Tyllat and this world in general work, then comes along Liszka with another region's state of affairs. However, I see no reason for them to hunt her, an exile.

"What stops the wolves from just taking the throne? One would think you'd neither care or be cared about since you're out here, far away from it all.", I ask.

Liszka falls into deep thought for a few seconds. Finally, she puts her hand on her chest and answers. "I hold the title of rune-bearer. I know the activation-runes for said defense system. Without those, the wolf-kin won't be able to keep the control over the nation for long. Therefore, they have to kill all rune-bearers, so the system can be exploited in its resulting state of emergency. I'm out here to waste their time and resources."

"Can't they just find somebody else who would grant them access instead of chasing you?"

"Similar to the imperium, we have our own set of oaths in Lyomin. That's why all rune-bearers resisted-if not already due to our strong convictions by which we are chosen in the first place."

"And that brought you to Ryelope."

"Yep. It's a shame I won't be here for long with the wolf-kin around. Really liked the caves... and that one guild receptionist." She winks.

We hear the commander's steps from outside the room. She knocks, I open the door and a new batch of food makes it into my hands. The commander disappears as quickly as she came, her expression far more serious than before. Unlike the other deliveries, this one has a note tucked between two apples.

After making sure the door was shut tight, I wave to Liszka to come over. Once close enough to me, I translate the text for her: "The crows say, you have five minutes before the wolves arrive. Do what you must. I will know where you are eventually."

Liszka groans. "Gods they are so desperate! Or do they have a reason to think that they'll catch me this time?"

I feel bad for Liszka, but at the same time, this was my chance to escape an examination that could reveal my species. "Alright, we're both screwed if we don't act now. Let's get out of Ryelope."

"Not very connected to this place, are you?"

"Your blackmail helps."

We pack up, then sneak out through the only window in the room.

###

The coastal rangers noticed our disappearance quickly. They knew the room we waited in had a window, but luckily for us, they still underestimate the skills of arctic fox-kin. As the four rangers closest to our window glance the wrong way, we hurry out of the street. At a safe distance we break into a run.

The more I use Liszka's shape, the less I want to change into something else. The agility, the speed, the warmth - it was perfect to slip through walls and fences of the decrepit buildings on the lower levels. I might consider making it my go-to body.

However, my enjoyment was cut short. Unlike the rangers, the wolf-kin were painfully aware of our skills and speed.

After we round another corner, five of those assassins stood in the street. On our left is a row of buildings with no opportunities to enter, while on our right was nothingness, revealing a view of the other side of the fjord. We already heard the rushed steps of more wolf-kin behind us, making it clear that a retreat was out of the question too.

Casting Liszka's miniature snow storm would be a waste of mana without an escape route. The magic noise might help a little bit, but not against so many opponents.

"Any ideas?", I ask my escape partner between heavy breaths.

Lyszka glances down the fjord, then looks up. "We're in the shade despite being outside, which means... well look at that."

I follow Lizska's eyes upwards, there was a giant piece of rock protruding from the rock wall plenty of yards above and past us, big enough to carry several houses. Stalactites hang down, some of them with a familiar tint of purple.

I try to estimate, whether we could hit the stalactites, but a few of the wolf-kin rush us, having noticed our planning. Back-to-back, we get ready to fight, blades drawn and eyes darting around to spot the early attackers.

But before the first blade could draw blood and the first kick could crush bones, dozens of purple chains shoot out of the ground. The violent clatter of ethereal metal only stops, once Liszka and I are pulled to the ground and restrained, leaving us completely defenseless.

"Rev, you traitor!", I yell the moment I recognize the chains.

As if that was the magic word, suddenly a few more hundred chains shoot out and restrain the wolves too. I could hear a single person leisurely walking between the growls of struggling wolf-kin.

"First I thought, I'd catch the fleeing suspects as to help the rangers, but I can't let them take away such fascinating people, now can I?", Rev starts. His feet stop a yard away from my eyes. His clothing rustles as he squats down and brings his smiling face into my cone of vision. "Especially, when one of two arctic fox-kin might be a body-swapper, skinwalker or dragon."

My eyes widen. "H-how..."

"Not many get to see my chains from up close, like Clint and you did, Fylka."

Realization strikes. I was there as "lady Fylka" when I saw Rev's chains restrain Clint. I blew my disguise moments ago by screaming Rev's name.

"And that commander was quite focused on you two. I have another few pointers for you, but there's not much time for a lesson. It's a shame I couldn't discretely confront you before the guild had wolves on its doorsteps."

"..."

"If you manage to entertain my curiosity, I might help you out. I can appreciate a good disguise, you know. Let's find a nice table somewhere more... comfortable."

"I'd appreciate that.", I answer, albeit with a stern gaze.

"Great!" Rev snaps his finger. His summoned chains tighten around each of the countless wolf-kin. Their howls slowly die down, as one after another gets strangled and crushed, gradually painting the street in a vibrant color.