The laughing God's Gambit

CHAPTER 9: time isn't stopping.

Time didn't stop; it just got super expensive. Finn's crossbow stayed steady. His guys fanned out below, blocking the stairs and the main door. The lemon polish smell? Now it was the smell of a clean, final trap.

Finn, Ferris said, sounding surprisingly calm. Nice doublet. A going-away gift?

Think of it as a burial shroud. Saves money. Finn's smile was all business. Come on down. My arm's tired, and you're dripping on the client's floor.

Lyria had her hand on the catwalk railing. Ferris saw her checking out the drop, the guys, the angles. A battle plan forming. The bond with her felt cold and sharp, like total focus. Four guys below. Stairs blocked. No way out.

You ratted us out before we even got to the sewers, Ferris said, stalling for time. The scout in the kitchen? That was you.

Business, Fox. The Skyhaven reward was too good to pass up. And you... you messed with the plan. Bad for business. Finn tightened his finger on the trigger. Last chance. Come down.

Lyria spoke, her voice cutting through the air. You're a businessman, right?

Finn glanced at her. I am.

Then you get value. The Spymaster wants us alive. But have you thought about what we're carrying?

Ferris shot her a look, like, What are you doing?

Ignoring him, she kept her eyes on Finn. The Tear of the Moon. A crazy artifact. Its worth… to certain collectors in the Bazaar… would be way more than any reward.

Finn's eyebrow twitched. The crossbow lowered a bit. You have it?

We do. Lyria nudged Ferris.

Ferris sighed and pulled out the glowing gem from his jacket. It lit up the room with swirling light. The thugs below started murmuring.

Finn's eyes lit up with greed. Okay, now that's interesting. Toss it down.

A trade, Lyria said, firm. The Tear for the door. We walk. You get a prize worth way more than the Skyhaven reward. No one gets hurt. Easy money.

Finn chuckled, a low sound. Knight, you've got guts, I'll give you that. But here's the thing I could just kill him, take the Tear, and still get the reward for you. That's two payouts.

He had a point. Ferris's mouth went dry. He felt Lyria's plan fall apart, replaced by anger.

Then Ferris had an idea. A bad, good, crazy idea born from desperation and not knowing how magic worked.

You're right, Finn! Ferris announced, too loud. He held up the Tear. It's worth a ton! But you know what makes it special? It's attuned!

Finn frowned. Attuned?

To me and her! Ferris pointed between them. Because of the bind! The magic is… connected now! If I die, the Tear's useless! Just a shiny rock! And if she dies while I'm holding it... He leaned in, whispering. Big explosion! Boom said so! Thirty percent chance!

Lyria stared at him, looking blank. But he felt a shift through their bond stunned surprise turning into hope. She played along, nodding seriously. The goblin was lowballing it. I'd say fifty percent. This room turns into a crater. Your 'easy money' becomes dust.

Finn looked unsure. He glanced at his men. They looked nervous. No one wants fifty-percent crater odds.

You're lying, Finn said, but the crossbow dipped again.

Want to bet your vault, your business, and your whole life on that? Ferris pressed, putting all his panic into his voice. We just want to leave! You get the rock, we get our lives! Everyone wins except Skyhaven, who cares about them?

A long moment passed. The only sound was water dripping from Ferris's hair onto the floor.

Finally, Finn sighed and lowered the crossbow. Fine. A deal. Toss the Tear. My guys will move. You have ten seconds to get out and run. After that, I tell them where you went and still get the reward. Some money is better than none.

It was the best they'd get.

Ferris looked at Lyria. She gave a quick nod.

Catch! Ferris called, throwing the Tear up, not to Finn, but to the center of the room.

Everyone looked up at the glowing gem.

It was the distraction they needed.

Lyria didn't go for the stairs. She grabbed Ferris's coat and jumped off the catwalk, pulling him with her.

They didn't land in the middle of the thugs. Lyria twisted mid-air, kicking off the wall. They landed hard, but right between two stunned guys, by the door.

GO! Lyria yelled, shoving Ferris.

He stumbled, then ran. She was right behind him. He heard Finn yell, the sound of the Tear being caught, and guys running after them.

They ran out into the street. Which way? Ferris yelled.

Any way!

They sprinted, the clothes they were wearing flapping. Finn's men were close, yelling, making the night watch look their way.

Ferris's lungs burned. He saw an alley dead end. Another too wide. Then he saw it: a low doorway, open, with light and a bad drinking song coming from inside. A sign, half-broken, swung in the breeze: The Slumbering Hydra.

In here! He grabbed Lyria's wrist and pulled her through.

The tavern was loud, smoky, and full. Dockworkers, merchants, and people who didn't ask questions. Perfect.

They pushed their way to the back, past a card game about to turn into a fight, and found a booth behind a snoring minotaur.

They slid in, close together in the dark, trying to catch their breath. Through the window, they saw Finn's men run past the tavern.

For a moment, they just sat there. The adrenaline crash hit hard. Ferris's hands shook. Lyria closed her eyes, leaning back.

Then, through the bond, he felt it. Not fear, not relief.

A vibration. A tingle, starting in his wrist and echoing in hers. Like… bubbles. Fizzing.

He looked at her. Her eyes were wide.

What's that? she whispered.

I don't know. The bind? Is it… reacting?

The fizzing grew stronger. Not painful, just weird. And it was in sync. The bubbles in his wrist matched hers.

Then, something new. Pressure behind his eyes. Something gentle but there, trying to… connect. Something he wasn't thinking.

…hello? Is this thing on?

The voice was female, clear, a little annoyed, and totally unfamiliar.

Ferris and Lyria stared at each other in horror.

You heard that too? he breathed.

She nodded, pale.

Ah! Great! Audio-visual working. Can you hear me? The voice was clearer now. Educated voice and sounding curious.

Who are you? Lyria asked out loud, reaching for her sword.

Interesting. You’re using vocal cords. Simple, but it works. I am Mavis.

Mavis the Misplaced. And you two just set off my emergency thingy.

… what? Ferris thought.