Plots and Plans

Dean listened to the nervous man babble on letting him ramble. Most of the Royal Rangers hated when those they were questioning got off-topic. But Dean just kept his glare in place and let the hunter ramble. Rather than try and force the information out of them he knew that all that was needed was patience. The guilty always knew what it was they were hiding and if you gave them enough rope, time, and silence they'd set up the noose around their neck all on their own.

"It really wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The Drunken Dragon's changed owners plenty of times. Nothing strange about that. Even in that room, all the locals know better than to go in there. Few come out." Nip fidgeted sitting across from the huge Royal Ranger. He'd come in and demanded to know if any strange deaths had happened. And Nip had laughed letting him know that lots of deaths happened here on the fringe and all of them were strange.

When the ranger had sat down and simply said "Tell me about them." Nip had thought he was joking but his face was serious. Suddenly Nip knew that something was up but he didn't know what. Sure he'd murdered a few people here and there but that was years ago and leagues away. Nothing a ranger would be interested in. So Nip had started telling him about random recent deaths. As the ranger listened while looking the definition of serious Nip only got more nervous. He'd just finished telling him about the previous owner of the Drunken Dragon's death and still, the ranger just watched him with those unreadable eyes.

"Umm… Well, there was a warg killed right outside a nearby town. It was sorta odd I guess. Not killing a warg just that no one knows who killed it." Nip's eyes darted around nervously still trying to get a read on the ranger. "Some think it wasn't a person though. No one knows what it might be and there have been plenty looking." He licked his lips waiting to see if the ranger would respond before rambling on. "It was the damndest thing. Whatever killed it must have been quick, not many wounds on it but all its innards were gone like something had just ate'n them right out of it."

Nip felt a bead of sweat roll down his forehead, had he not been so focused on the ranger he wouldn't have noticed the slight muscle movement around his eyes. Something about his story had finally sparked some interest. "Um come to think of it. The tavern's keeper died that same way. His heart and lungs were ripped out too, it looked like something had chewed it right out."

Dean broke into a smile that filled the man with more terror than his serious glare had. "Tell me everything. Don't leave out any details."

**********

Pena's heart was pounding as she entered the class the next day. She'd considered fleeing the academy but that would mean giving up years of work and failing her mission. Since nothing had happened during the night she'd started thinking over the events. She still couldn't understand what the monster was up to. But she realized that as the apprentice of an archmage it was possible he was here on a mission of his own. Which country could be involved? She'd even considered blackmailing the duo only until the memory of fangs sinking into her lung chased that thought away. Instead, she realized that her only choice was to get more information.

Entering the classroom they spotted the boy monster sitting at the same desk staring out the window just as before. Swallowing down her fears she smiled and greeted other students as she moved to sit beside him. One of the other girls approached her and quietly, though still plenty loud enough for the boy to hear, offered for her to come sit with her away from such rude company. If the boy heard her or felt her glare of disdain he showed no response. When Pena declined the girl gave her an exasperated look that then morphed into a knowing look as he glanced from Pena to the boy several times. Eventually, the look became one of shock and she quickly went to join a group of girls that burst out giggling.

Pena could only guess at what rumors were starting as she did her best to ignore the growing number of glances. 'Damn this monster boy. This mission was my chance to experience a bit of normality and now he's ruined it. If I ever get the chance I'll drain him of every last drop!'

She was even excited to see the crazy arch-mage turned professor enter forcing the class to order. "Alrighty my little test subjects, I mean students. The first point of business is to remind you all of the increased securities the school is under. It is because a strange cold is going around making students sick." His tone as he added the last part sounded mocking enough to confuse the students. Well most of them, D was still staring out the window while Pena's heart skipped a beat. She was certain he'd looked directly at her as he said it.

"Now no worries. It isn't too contagious but it seems to be passed a lot like the mumps… that's the kissing disease for you who don't know!" More than one person giggled. "But don't you worry my apprentice is totally immune so don't hesitate if you get the urge to do a little smooching with him!"

Most of the students looked back at the boy in question with various degrees of humor or disgust that he'd make his teacher go to such lengths to try and get him a girl. D continued to ignore everyone, particularly the teacher letting his mind wander to his most recent failed ward modification.

Pena felt her face flush not sure why she felt embarrassed by the stares he was getting. She finally assumed that they were too closely directed in her area. After that small distraction, Larian moved into the actual lesson finally getting the class on track. Other than a few more of what he considered discrete attempts to point out his apprentice's availability for a relationship the class passed normally. Somehow despite his outrageous manners and constant match-making attempts Larian proved to be an excellent teacher. Even D managed to learn a little when he managed to drag his thoughts away from wards or food.

Pena got up with the rest of them as soon as class was dismissed. When Larian asked for her to stay and she realized the monster boy was still sitting in the room her heart began thumping again. Once the last student left and the door was closed Larian started circling her eyeing her up and down. "Interesting. How do you do it? The whole floating head thing. Is it a spell or a natural ability?"

Pena's blood turned cold and she wished for the umpteenth time that she could go invisible while fully in her body. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Of course you do. No need to play dumb. D explained to me that it was you." Larian stated matter of factly.

"Whatever he told you about last night is a lie. He forced me into his room. He's obviously making up lies to cover up what he did to me!" practiced tears flowed down her cheeks as she sobbed perfectly.

"That is a pretty good act. You'd might have fooled me if your story was more believable. First, D barely lets me into his room let alone someone else. Second, even if he did you'd probably have had to pay him to try anything. Third, even if that was the case I doubt you could afford it. The boy's ruthless when it comes to haggling." Larian ticked off the points on his fingers.

She stopped her act and glanced back at the boy finding him showing the most emotion she'd ever seen from him, all of it boredom. Then back to the mage. 'Wait did he not tell him about last night?'

"What is it you want?" She asked, appearing perfectly calm even if her face was streaked with tears.

"Hmm, I already told you. I'm curious about the way you went invisible. I assume it is an innate ability since D now can do it too. But I was hoping it was a spell, or maybe you had one based on it?" Larian had a pleasant smile on his face which somehow managed to unnerve her more.

"Wait, did you say he can go invisible now too?" She asked incredulously.

"Ugh, D will you show the girl so we can move on." When she glanced at the boy she witnessed him wink out of existence. Well, mostly. Now a hollow set of clothes was sitting there before the boy reappeared filling them.

"Impossible!"

"I know it is amazing, isn't it! I've just managed to convince them we needed some living monsters for training. I can't wait to see what he gets from eating them!" Pena's head was starting to throb. Nothing was making sense. Sitting down at a nearby desk she put her head in her hands as Larian went off on some tirade.

**********

D was sitting at this desk once again working on his ward project annoyed that Larian had wasted so much of his free time questioning the monster girl. In the end, they got little information from her and worse Larian had tried to blackmail her into some of his many plans. D had finally gotten tired of waiting and left them when Pena started to sound agreeable asking for favors in return that Larian seemed too willing to accommodate.

He didn't know what the two schemers were up to; he just hoped they wouldn't drag him into too much of it. He feared that was too much to ask for.

Outside his room the same set of eyes that had spied on the room the night before hardened with resolve before their owner barged in.