Threatening Reality (7)

I pick my head up from the page only to see several other pamphlets flying about. It appears they've been spread around town for one reason or another. I grab another and see the exact same message written in identical font.

How the hell did they make this so quickly? Whoever did would need a printing press to produce this volume and quality of pamphlets. There are only two organizations in this town with the resources to pull off a stunt like this, and there's no way the Duke would frame the fairies' actions so favorably.

Curious, I weave my way through the rolling crowd to the Adventurer's Guild in order to investigate.

"We both know you're the only one who could pull something like this off!" Duke Avaritan shouts inches from Jezabel's face. His gaze is only met by a frown filled with disgust. "When the king hears of this, he'll have your head on a spike! You dare betray the country you serve?! I should kill you myself!"

Jezabel calmly collects herself. From where I'm standing, it looks like an underpaid teacher confronting an entitled parent.

"First of all, I had nothing to do with this," Jezabel responds while shaking the piece of paper in her hand.

"Bullshit! No one else has the ability to produce that many pamphlets. Everyone knows you have a printing press in the building." My thoughts are confirmed by the raging Duke.

"Oh really?" Jezabel cocks her head to the side. "The technology to make a printing press has been available for some years. Anybody could have made one."

"In this pathetic little town? There'd be no point!"

"Also, there's no way we could have made this many pamphlets in one night. Whoever did this would have had to prepare these in advance."

"A simple matter for someone of your caliber."

"I'm flattered by the compliment, but it doesn't change the fact that the Adventurer's Guild is not involved in this incident." Duke Avaritan glares daggers at Jezabel. Despite the concentrated rage being poured on her, Jezabel gracefully maintains her poker face. "If you have nothing else to say, then I'll take my leave, but just remember, if you continue attacking me, I'll withdraw the teams we've sent to support you."

"The scraps you've left me can hardly be called support," he growls.

"Well, that's the best we've got, and I'm a little annoyed that you're taking such a combative stance towards me. The guild has done nothing but help you since you arrived. We provided information, supplies, and lodging, which you thanked me for on more than one occasion. I hope this misunderstanding doesn't stain our relationship going forward." Jezabel walks away after delivering her chilly response. The Duke clearly wants to say something but can only grind his teeth in frustration. His bloodshot eyes follow Jezabel until she disappears into the back rooms and lands squarely on me.

"You!" He storms across the hall and lifts me into the air by the scruff of my neck. It's times like this that I'm reminded of my small size. At only ten years old, I'm barely ninety pounds soaking wet. Noticing the threat, my mind begins spinning.

[He didn't lead with an attack, so it's unlikely that he'll make a move now. I can safely assume that he's just threatening me. Is there any way I can turn this conflict to my advantage? I could start crying and play the kid card, but he's already seen me stand up to his guards, so he's not going to buy that. Fighting back also seems suicidal. I don't think he's going to listen to me either. I normally try to maintain some plausible deniability, but that's meaningless in the face of irrational conviction. I don't think there's any way he'll change his mind. In that case, I'll do nothing. Though it's unlikely, I need to keep in mind that he could just be trying to get a reaction out of me. I doubt he became Duke just because he was lucky.]

I debate throwing on a mask but eventually decide to remain inert.

"I know you're involved with this! Once this is all over, I'll have your head!"

"…"

Blood continues to rise into the Duke's face as I remain silent.

"You think this is over?! You think you can go against me?! I'll kill everyone you've ever met and make you watch!" My brow furrows at his threat. I don't mind if he threatens me but coming after my friends and family really pisses me off. "Oh, that got your attention! Watch your back, bitch!"

Duke Avaritan throws me backwards, but I manage to land on my feet. I can feel a pit grow in my stomach as he walks out the door with a smirk on his face. It feels like the war I planned to watch from a distance just arrived on my doorstep. I'd been planning to provide passive support to the fairies, but now it seems I'll have to be an active participant. My blood runs cold. A massive weight is suddenly hefted up on my shoulders.

"I'm surprised you didn't say something clever: I was looking forward to watching the Duke smack you in the face." Jezabel appears behind me, pulling me back to the ground.

"I was thinking about crying, but I didn't think he'd buy it."

"You little shit, you're such a snake."

"Medusa calling me a snake, is that a compliment? Ow!" I reel back as her hand connects with the side of my face.

"Shut up. Now, if you're not doing anything today, then I've got some work for you."

"I'll have to check with the rest of my party. They were still asleep when I woke up. By the way, what's the word on getting our roof fixed? I can pay whatever it costs."

"Oh, I forgot about that. I'll send some workers over in a few days. I'll let you know the expense when they're done.

"Thanks." I head back home after finishing my conversation with Jezabel. Along the way, I dive into myself. A new weight presses down on my shoulders.

[The war has always felt distant until now, even with everything going on. On some level, I always believed things would work out. Maybe the fairies could move to a different part of the forest, or the Duke could overlook my involvement. Even if I had to leave the town, I never would have guessed this would come back to haunt my family. One thing has become very clear; the Duke has to die. No matter what it takes, I have to ensure he does not survive this campaign.]

My eyes sink into my skull as I descend the stairs of our house.

"Nick!" Shinobu excitedly calls to me. Like magic, the dark clouds swirling above me part just a little. I can't help but grin, seeing her look so happy.

[I've heard people describe their children as happiness faucets. Something that can make you smile every time you see them. I think I'm starting to understand what they meant.]

"Good morning. I was just at the guild, and Jezabel said she had some work for us if you're all up for it. It didn't sound super important, so I wanted to see what you all wanted to do."

"Sure!"

"Ugh…" The walking corpse, formally known as Sakura, groans from deep within her covers. Well, they should be her covers, but it appears she snuck over to Josh's bed at some point during the night. Suddenly noticing the intruder, Josh jumps out of bed with a bright red face.