Chapter 266: Driftpost.

Lieve wasn’t particularly proud of her decision that led to her being bedridden for four days – the time till the next steamrunner to Driftpost was scheduled to depart. Even a light concussion was still a concussion, and the worst part about hers was that she got it voluntarily.Lee decided to let her be for a while, and spent the days exploring Stonegate.

His nostalgic feelings after seeing the first train in several lives had long vanished. Turns out it was the only technology that existed in Hollowreach. It wasn’t discovered here – it was gifted by the overlord so that the people could transport the lanarite ore from across the world.

On one hand it was disappointing, but on the other Lee discovered something more advanced than steam engine he already knew about – protective formations. It was what allowed steamrunners to actually function on the surface despite the frequent spatial storms.

The runemasters were the most respected profession around here, with the second being the steamrunner technicians. They were basically artificers, but focused on one aspect of the craft, and that was enough for them to have positions of demigods in the eyes of the regular citizens.

Of course, the unshakable title of the local god belonged to Lord Van Graaf. Every day Lee witnessed the elemental lord personally opening the Stonegate’s rift gate to receive large amounts of food supplies in exchange for lanarite ore. He personally supervised the process, including meeting the new arrivals – the migrant workers who were approved to come and become rich here.

Lee wasn’t certain how the system exactly worked, but didn’t care about that part. He was more interested in Lieve’s husband. The man didn’t have to keep the rift open for half a day like elder Wang in the Nethermoon sect used to do on occasion, but he did it daily and the regularity surely had to be tiring.

More importantly, contrary to elder Wang, Lord Van Graaf was young and handsome – he looked like he was in his late twenties. Apart from few of his trusted men, also likely elemental lords, he was the only one not wearing pelts like the regular people, showing off his good looks.

No wonder all maidens of the world were throwing themselves at him. And no wonder half of Stonegate thought that one of those ladies has killed his wife while the other half cheered for the tragedy.

Lee considered whether he should stay here and try to get his hands on a high quality spatial spark. Obviously he didn’t intend to betray Lieve’s trust, but he didn’t really owe her anything. In the end, after considering all pros and cons, he decided to accompany her, and twelve days later, they arrived at Driftpost.

***

"I guess this is it!" Lieve said after they were finally alone.

She sounded relieved, but Lee wasn’t sure if it was because she was about to meet her friend, or because they were finally out of the steamrunner. Once again, they had an unlucky draw and two chatterboxes had joined them in the compartment and Lee’s ears were still ringing from all the talking they did. Traveling with bored people was surely painful.

"Do you know where she lives?" Lee asked.

"Sure!" She said, and a faint smile crossed her face, "I’ve visited Sanne few times. Let’s go!"

Driftpost was smaller than Stonegate, but just as busy. And also – dim and cold. Supplies brought by the steamrunner were distributed around the hub, and from the looks of it, the locals were preparing for a larger party to celebrate its arrival.

Of course, the celebrations didn’t have anything to do with drinking – everyone was basically an alcoholic anyway. The festive part was the sumptuous meal of relatively fresh vegetables and meat people would get tonight.

Sanne didn’t live in a house or a mansion. Her, or rather – her parents’, residence was carved into the wall at the far edge of Driftpost. Broad windows, set in three vertical lines, hinted at the luxury within, and the two guards stationed at the entrance indicated this was the home of someone important.

Indeed, Teulings were the overseers of Driftpost and reported only to Van Graaf. And since Driftpost was the largest hub, except for Stonegate, they were the second most influential family in Hollowreach.

Seeing they had finally arrived, Lieve’s eyes lit up, but before she rushed to the guards, Lee stopped her.

"Why don’t you send her a message?" He asked.

"What?" Lieve was confused.

"Let’s go!" Lee ignored her confusion, and pulled her away.

His inner alarms kept going off, and he couldn’t tell why.

It was likely because they were about to enter a place with only one exit – and act that by his old criminal standards, was recklessly careless. On the other hand, it was possible that one or more elemental lords resided there. Even before Lee stepped inside, he felt trapped like a rabbit in a tiger’s cage.

"What are you doing?" Lieve protested Lee’s iron grip, "It hurts!"

"You can be angry at me afterwards." He said, "I don’t give a fuck!"

"I’ll scream if you don’t let me go!" She whimpered as Lee gripped her elbow even harder.

"Feel free to do so, Lady Van Graaf!" He snickered, but she froze in her tracks, shock all over her face.

"Seriously?" Lee got also slightly shocked, but for a different reason, "Do you really think that after spending over a month with you I won’t figure out who my companion is? Do I really look so stupid?"

"What do you want?" She asked. Her voice wasn’t anxious, but cold.

"I want us to not die." Lee honestly said, "Something’s off, and I can’t explain it. If I’m wrong, so be it, I’ll apologize later. But since I’m kind of helping you, we’ll do everything properly."

He knew she longed to finally get to a safe place, but nothing about Hollowreach was safe. Their first meeting was already deadly dangerous, and theoretically they should’ve died in the spatial storm. Lee wasn’t sure if she was bringing him good or bad luck, but for now she was still alive. If he was mistaken – great! He would get the spatial spark as a reward and that’s it! If not, the real troubles will only start.

Lieve didn’t argue with him. For two days she let Lee do his thing – investigate, make plans b and c, and rent two rooms in separate inns. She did consider it paranoid behavior but blamed herself for that. If it weren’t for her high-profile status, he wouldn’t be in this situation.

Only on the third day Lee allowed her to write a message, but he delivered it personally to the Teuling residence. He gave it to the guard at the entrance, and left to join Lieve on the roof of the inn they stayed at. It was the highest vantage point he could find in the hub, but it was sufficient for their needs.

The cave ceiling was barely fifteen feet above them, but below, in the dusk, they could see the street and the small plaza in front of the largest inn in the hub. Like the Teuling residence, it was also carved into the cliff, with only one exit, and it was perfect for Lee’s plan – he made Lieve mention in the message that it was the place she was currently staying at.

Unnoticed, they patiently waited in silence. Over the last two days, Lee had already gotten used to Lieve not saying a word to him, and even kind of enjoyed it. She was clearly upset at him, but he couldn’t care less, especially because of the sight below.

"Why?" Lieve whispered, and as Lee glanced at her, he saw tears sparkle in her eyes.