There was a long silence that stretched after Noah's revelation. I had expected it, but it seemed less of a shocked silence than it should have been.

I was shocked, at least. Well, not really. I didn't trust anything to do with the Knights, and finding out they had an internal issue that was threatening to entangle others, well, that didn't feel too far outside the realm of possibility.

"Ser Scarletti, as much as I appreciate you bringing this information to us, we are far from unaware of it. They were suspect from the get-go. The only thing you've given us is enough confirmation to make any action going forward legal." The City Lord said, interlocking his fingers in front of him.

"Of course, as would be completely within your rights. However, the Knights of the Everspring humbly request that we be allowed to deal with these...troublemakers. We are hardly unaware of the missteps and problems caused by the previous Knight Generals, and we suspect that those are loyalists to the old powers within the order." Noah said, trying his best to be diplomatic, I imagine.

"Missteps are an understatement. The Everspring Riots were felt even here, Ser Scarletti. The incident is fresh enough that some of our students are still dealing with the echoes of the trauma of that 'little misstep' as you so banally put it." Walther practically growled this last part. I had never seen him show signs of anger before.

Noah shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He apparently had not planned for this reaction to his news. He seemed like the sort to rehearse entire arguments in the bath, and this entire scenario was not going to plan. At all.

"My apologies. Look, I'm trying to be as diplomatic as possible, but I'm already getting the feeling that that isn't the right tack here. The Eversping messed up badly, but we're trying to get ourselves back on track, burn out the blight of the Old Generals, get back to our actual duties of protecting the World Tree, and purge those elements that loved the corruption. We think those elements are trying something here to sabotage the Harpies petition for joining the Mortal Races, and we have no idea why. Is that better?" Noah sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I had a whole speech and everything prepared, you know."

"We're a blunt people, in Revenstahd. Comes with being from mercenary stock, you understand," the goblin woman, Vect, said with a bit of humor in her voice.

"Aye, and it's making people jumpy. The Knights of the Obsidian Gauntlet caused plenty of trouble while they were here, Miss Marchesi can attest to that, and they're expecting the same from these Everspring blokes. Folks around here have low opinions of the Knightly orders. Many families settled here running from the Sword-Slavery days, the knights forced on a lot of the monster folk before they became Mortal Races. The sentiment is generational at this point." Salandra added, her disdain clear in her voice.

"So you see, Sers, this is why we're not exactly keen on you just cleaning this up nice and quiet. These knights, false as they may be, have stirred up enough paranoia and issues, not to mention whatever the mages are doing with them, and it would be a hell of a moral boost to see them taken down a peg, publicly, possibly messily. In short, what's in it for us to help you out?" The Lord said, almost casually, like someone haggling over produce.

"The Knights are willing to offer support to whatever position you take in the Harpy Referendum." Noah shrugged.

"Not good enough. Not even remotely. The Knights of the Everspring have as much political sway right now as piss in a brass bucket." He replied with a smirk. I barely held back a snicker at that.

"Well, we don't have enough money to offer, but that would be a tawdry and stereotypical bribe, yes?" Noah smiled. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was enjoying this. Maybe he was.

"The city of Revenstahd already has trade routes with Middenveldt, and the defense pacts in plenty. The Knights have basically nothing to offer the city." Lord shrugged casually.

"Maybe not the city, but we do have something your precious Dungeon School will want." Noah smiled confidently. Well, now my interest was piqued.

"What could you all possibly have to offer us?" Walther grunted, but I could see a slight twitch of his eyebrow. Curious? Probably.

"The Knights of the Everspring, along with the Druids, are willing to offer your research teams access to the Root Dungeon." With those words, the entire room went quiet.

Walther's face went through a variety of emotions for a moment. Shock, confusion, anger, consideration, and other less discernible ones.

He sighed, a deep, annoyed sigh.

"Dammit. We need that Lord. We need that badly." Walther said, putting his hand on the Lord's shoulder.

The two discussed something quietly for a moment.

I was, of course, still incredibly in the dark about what anyone was talking about. I didn't remember any mention of a Root Dungeon in classes, and we talked about all kinds of dungeons, as well as most of the important ones. Had it been off limits for so long, the curriculum didn't even bother to cover it?

I had no idea what any of this meant. I saw Noah look at me and wink with a smile. I was getting even more suspicious of whatever he was planning now. Whatever this root dungeon was, it got Walther to cave immediately.

I was also getting nervous about the fact that they were just letting me sit in on what was obviously the kind of meeting the public is never made aware of. I also didn't like that Salandra and Vect kept looking at me, and in a way I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"Ok, very well. We agree to your terms, with conditions. One, you can't go about announcing that you're Knights. You'll have to work undercover. We'll have you pretend to be part of one of the smaller border dungeoneer guilds, looking to supplement your training or something. Walther will handle the details."

"Very well. It'll be easier to act that way, in all honesty. Adhara and I are quite well versed in subterfuge and skullduggery." He nodded, to which Adhara gave a click of her tongue.

"I'm sure. Secondly, we want you to help us with something. We know these rogue knights are tied in with something involving the mages, and we have no idea what they're doing. They're being very good at dodging my spy networks, and that in particular bothers me." Lord continued.

"Done. Mages are butting their noses in back home, too, and we don't care for it either. Theyre planning something, and when knights and mages collude its bad for everyone." Noah nodded. The others in the room did too.

I kept feeling like I was missing something I should know, but I just couldn't find anything to connect this to in my head.

"And now we come to your involvement, Miss Marchesi." Lord turned his gaze towards me. "Hopefully, you will continue to be useful to both the School and the city of Revenstahd."

"Of course, Lord. However, I don't work for free. Ever." I said, folding my arms in front of my chest.

"Not even out of loyalty for your new home, after Burgotova and your blood so coldly cast you aside?" He smiled, trying for a kindly uncle, but only managing slightly better than a slimy merchant.

"Loyalty does not feed or clothe me." I kept firm. If I was getting involved in something shady, duplicitous, dangerous, or all of the above, I was getting compensated, and I didn't give two halves of a damn what anyone said.

"Good girl! We've taught you well!" Walther laughed, slapping Lord on the back, which elicited a string of dwarven curse words from the man.

"You're going to be our 'guest students' guide to Revenstahd. The school, the seedier places, etc. You will also act as backup if they need it." Lord continued.

"And why me?" I asked the obvious question.

"Because you know how to keep your mouth shut to those who don't need to know, you have a good sense to pick who does need to know, and you're too damn stubborn to let something go once you've been paid." Walther shrugged.

He was right.

"Fine. But we're discussing compensation now." I scowled, annoyed at how spot on he got me.

"500 gold coins put towards your little secret postgraduate account, and a personal recommendation letter for an internship with the Kildjan Train Company dungeon unit from each person in this room," Lord said, in a casual way like he was offering something paltry.

It took a lot of willpower to keep my eyes from popping out of my head. Not only did he know about my secret account, but he also knew about my fascination with the Labyrinth dungeons on the train line.

Kildjan Train Company's dungeon team was in charge of clearing the labyrinth dungeons, and very carefully either moving them or destroying them. If what was going on was what I thought was going on, that meant they'd be needing help again soon. Which meant getting my foot in the door with connections for my own company once I got out of Dungeon School. 500 Gold on top of that? 500 Gold would go a very long way to making my dreams a reality.

"I feel like there's a catch. This feels too good." I narrowed my eyes.

"Take it or leave it. If you leave it, of course, we'll have to put you under house arrest till this entire incident has been resolved." Lord smirked at me.

The bastard had me cornered. House arrest, or riches and connections. Ooooh, I hated being played like this, but they had me figured out, which I hated more.

"Fine. Deal. I guess we're stuck together for a while, eh, Scarletti?" I sighed and looked at the Knight with a pitying expression. I couldn't imagine being babysat by a Dungeon School student was high on his list of great things to experience. Adhara, as usual, was completely unreadable.

"I'm honored to be in your care." He gave me a dramatic seated bow. Gods above, below, sideways, and every direction in between, I almost hated him. He was charming, though, and I didn't get the feeling he was a bad person, just tangentially allied with what I considered bad people.

Adhara locked eyes with me and nodded. This was going to be interesting, and I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to make this work.

And then I remembered Myth and her history with the Everspring. Very traumatic history at that. Oh hells, this got even more complicated. Now the money and connections were feeling less worth it.

"If you could excuse us, Miss Marchesi, we have more things to iron out. Miss Firenze will fill you in later." Walther said, and Mewraz appeared next to me to escort me out.

"Well, you all know where to find me." I shrugged and followed the bastetian butler out.

As I left, I found Farina waiting for me in the hallway.

"Well, this got extra complicated. I suppose you know what's going on, yeah?" I said, looking Farina directly in the eye. She only nodded.

"Is this going to complicate your little side project?" I just bluntly asked. Better to get confirmation upfront.

"Of course it is, but this might be a boon rather than a bane." She whispered as she escorted me quickly through the manor.

"I don't suppose you care to explain that for me?"

"Not right now. I'll get in touch." She said as she closed the front door behind me. How the hell we went from the office to the front door that quickly was beyond me. I swear it took twice that long every other time.

No matter. Things were going to get more complicated, and I was damned hungry. Complication can wait until after sandwiches.