Chapter 1817: Gathering Supremes
With the custom order now finished, Karl added it to the Store’s inventory, in the "Prepurchased" section, so that nobody would sell it, even if someone requested exactly that same weapon.
It normally wouldn’t be an issue, as he was the one that stocked all the Peerless Grade weapons for the store, and he handled almost all the negotiations for them.
But better safe than sorry.
Karl had just settled into the sales spot at the front of the store when a familiar pair of visitors came calling.
"Branch Leader, might we have a moment of your time? We both felt an odd presence here, and the Pack Leader has some questions," Clan Leader Nerissa insisted.
"Yes, I would imagine that you do. If you would like to follow me, I will have refreshments brought."
Instead of bringing them to the back room of the store, Karl led them directly up to the second floor, where Tian and Rue were working on new weapons. Tian was creating generic holy weapons that would grow with their wielder, and Rue was working on the blade for Dana.
"Clan Leader, Pack Leader, this is Supreme Lady Rue, our newest Guild member.
She is an old friend of mine, and through an odd quirk of fate, I was her mentor during her childhood. So, when she found us here, she quickly agreed to join the Darklight Host, and become one of our resident experts on weapons crafting."
The two other Supremes watched Rue finishing the runes that she was adjusting, and then paused as she smiled easily in front of them.
Normally, a strange Supreme in someone else’s territory would be on edge. They did not share well.
But this one looked right at home, and the Pack Leader suspected that despite the difference in power levels, she actually had some level of loyalty or debt to Karl.
"Good day, everyone. I am Rue Gathuzan, wandering cultivator and now a Divine Blacksmith.
I have specialized in making advanced runic weapons and items attuned to the faith of the wearer. It’s a pleasure to meet you both, Clan Leader Nerissa, Pack Leader Blackwood."
Nerissa frowned. "You are quite polite. But I still have concerns.
What is your purpose in coming here?
Are you intending to set up another Clan in the region? The New Home Merchant Clan already has an outpost here in the city, and we would need some sort of notification if that is the case."
Rue waved her hand dismissively. "I tried that once in the past. It’s not for me. I am happy to remain within the Darklight Host. Karl is the branch leader, and I have no intention of changing that. I believe Elder Blackwood understands the urge to be a less active participant in Pack Politics."
The aging Lycan nodded, and Karl noticed that his old injuries really were nearly all healed.
He was near the peak of his power again, a Supreme Ranked powerhouse, no weaker than Clan Leader Nerissa. Of course, Karl also noticed that their scents were intermingled.
They had been closer than simply training in the same room.
The old Lycan laughed as he noticed Karl noticing. "Mind your business, junior. It’s all for the sake of professional growth."
"I didn’t say a word."
Nerissa rolled her eyes. "See, this is why I haven’t been spending time around the Lycans. They’re all going to notice, aren’t they?"
The Pack Leader shrugged. "If they’re in the same room, it’s impossible for them not to."
Karl winked at the Clan Leader. "There’s no shame in it. I’m a married man, and Lady Rue is a widow. It’s not like we’ve never come out smelling like our partner."
At the workbench, the boy that was Tian’s humanoid form laughed. "You smell like Dana all the time, even if you haven’t been together. It’s part of the soul bond."
Nerissa ignored the little fox. "So, you’re just planning to remain here in the background and work as a Weaponsmith? Not to become an active part of the Clan’s public front and known power base?"
"Exactly. It hasn’t been that long since the other regional Clans around my old home teamed up on us. It’s better if I lie low for a century or two, just so my presence doesn’t bring trouble to the Darklight Host.
I may be old friends with the Branch Leader, but my Clan did not go down easy."
"How bad was it?"
Rue’s eyes went vague for a moment as she reminisced.
"I would rate it a seven out of ten."
Rue’s evil smirk gave Nerissa a moment of concern, but the Pack Leader had a sudden insight.
"You are Rue Gathuzan, former Clan Leader of the Gathuzan Clan. Gathuzan’s War Goddess. I didn’t realize that you were a Void Dragon and not a Red Dragon. You killed seven of the ten Clan Leaders of the Orninchar Alliance when they came to claim your territory."
"And my entire Clan paid with their lives. I fled the Valalan League after the battle, and I’ve been wandering since.
I heard that Karl had some interesting things up for sale, and as all my gear was lost in the battle, damaged beyond repair, I came to see what I could get. Then I realized who was running this branch, and agreed to stay on."
Those words caught Rae’s attention.
If there was someone here who had gotten a known nickname for being extra lethal, she needed to meet her, even if the Void Dragon didn’t seem like the bloodthirsty sort.
Unfortunately, she was busy right now, in the middle of a custom fitting to make a new wardrobe for one of the New Home’s Elders. Only when she was finished with that could she head over to the Guild House to chat with their new member.
She should bring the Tessa.
Tessa was an Immortal now, and they both apparently served the Red Dragon. Or at least had a good relationship with her, as Rae seemed to recall that Rue served the Void Dragon.
There were layers to her. Like peeling a carcass or an onion.
