'And this man Siy would have used the mother as a weapon?'
'Yes, sir.'
Dastardly was explaining the entire situation over the communication stone when the Land-Regent's voice faltered.
'Medieval, normally I would voice my doubts since I have only your word for what happened, but there are farmers who say that large groups of ogres, men, sprites and who knows what else are seeking shelter in our lands for the time being. Some with tales about a gigantic mechanical spider.'
'Why would I lie to you, sir?'
'I don't know. You found out about the congress, that's for sure, so I suppose we're even.'
'Did I thank you for what you did in the first place?'
'Yes, Dastardly, several times. You have been very useful, and I would like to see you in the audience chamber as soon as you can get here.'
'Yes, Sirus sir.'
The freelancer released the rune on the stone and the Shard stopped showing the ruler's face. No one was currently watching the Shard. Plen T. was nursing the cuts on his hand from grabbing the glass's edges and Adrian was watching Dastardly.
'You've got too many secrets, Dastardly, if that is your real name, but you did help me with my mission and I won't forget this strange series of events any time soon.'
Dastardly tried to change the subject like he had in the cave.
'A very interesting morning. We reunited a mother and child, so at least something came good of it.'
'Maybe,' the knight said. 'I will have to help the King find a new home for my people. I am starting to wonder if Siy moved the City in the first place, just to find the other imprints.'
'At least no one was hurt, not that we know.'
'No casualties.'
'Except Siy,' Dastardly said. 'If he didn't die immediately from the fall, the injuries would have finished him off.'
'Though I wouldn't wish death for the living,' said Adrian, 'I must say that I hope never to see that one again.'
'Should I spoil the ending?' the female voice returned to the freelancer's ears. Death was standing behind him. 'I won't tell you what happened to the kobom. I've more important things to do.'
Dastardly wished he had left the airship earlier. 'Am I again on the brink of death?'
'I won't tell you that either,' she said, walking up to him. Her feet didn't appear to make contact with the deck.
'Where's your scythe?'
'Why must you fear me, Dastardly? What do you have that's worth living for?'
He looked at the knight and the gnome, slowed down to the point that they were almost statues. 'I think I can continue to make a difference, for Helen.'
'I am here, Mr Medieval, to offer you a chance to do just that.' Death wandered about. 'There is a prophecy that you and Adrian, amongst others, will eventually fight the return of the Wizard.'
'You mean I'll have to meet with Adrian again?'
'Of course. First, however, you will help us to reunite the fallen races who didn't answer the call to congress.'
'Help you. Meaning, Death and – ?'
'The other forces. Father Time is my CEO, and I have a new assistant called Taxes.'
'That's original,' he scoffed. 'Look, will you give me the time to think about it?'
'Would if I could,' she said, and vanished.
'What was that about?' Adrian asked him when time sped up again. 'You were staring at empty space.'
'Thinking about a new friend I've made,' Dastardly said. Plen joined them by the wheel.
'Good to see you've gotten the hang of steering,' he said. 'We're just about over the city now, so I'll kindly ask you both to get the heck off my ship.'
'Your ship?'
'Yes, my ship, you know. I could always just take those boots of yours, like you said. I see you've lost the sword.'
'Alright, Plen.' Dastardly changed tone. 'What do you plan on doing with it now?'
'I think I'll go and pick up Jowno from the deep road. Knowing him, if the whole place caved in he'd still be sitting there. Then we'll go back to the Mercenaries' Guild. With a ship like this we could make a fortune.'
'I'll be sure to drop in a message next time I pass through the river town,' said Dastardly.
There was a tall set of steps in front of the Regent's palace. Plen lowered the airship down where the knight and the freelancer climbed out.
'See you around, Sir Adrian of the Clockwork City. Farewell, Dastardly Medieval.'
The ship sailed away to the south east, beyond the port and over the sea. Adrian extended his right arm.
'Pleasure doing business with you, Medieval. I hope for both our sakes that the next time we meet is under less stressful circumstances.'
'I wouldn't count on it,' the freelancer said. 'But we can savour the peace we have while it lasts.'
They shook hands, and the knight descended into the street below while Dastardly went up towards the throne room.
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