The ride to City Hall was short, but they ended up spending twice as long waiting in the queue of carriages. Mister Grey nattered on, mainly talking about nothing. He commented on the city, neighborhoods, and passing people. Despite everything that had passed and was going on, he seemed excited. The heavy carriage shook whenever he moved, just about holding up under the incredible weight.

By the time they exited the vehicle, the man seemed considerably calmer. He instantly transformed from a suave gang leader to a nobleman. Mister Grey’s eyes changed along with his body language and how he carried himself. It was almost as if he were a different person altogether.

Why is he fiddling with his ring?

The pair marched up the marble building’s grand staircase to the giant metal-banded doors that waited at the top, open and waiting. Armed guards stopped them at the entrance. They took Mister Grey’s invitation.

“Surrender all weapons and enchanted trinkets, please,” one of them said. He fidgeted uncomfortably, struggling to make eye contact with Mister Grey.

“Weapons? I’m here to buy weapons, son.” The giant of a man laughed. He held open his coat, showing off his waist. “Do you want to pat me down?”

“It’s procedure, sir.”

“I got it.” A more senior guard said, pushing past his colleague. You get the other one.

“But—”

“Just do it. I’ve dealt with the big guy before.” The man’s expression remained cold, and he appeared unshakeable as he patted down Mister Grey.

Meanwhile, his companion approached Lukas with far more confidence. He patted Lukas down, checking his pockets. The guard found nothing besides a handkerchief. No weapons. No tools. Not even a coin. He brought out a triangular block of glass. It was similar to what the Shadow Seekers had used on him when he first joined.

“What’s that for?” Lukas frowned, throwing up a hand and backpedalling a couple of steps.

“It’s a standard shard scan, sir,” the guard replied, nervous eyes darting toward Mister Grey. “We need to ensure none of them grant identification or appraisal abilities.”

“I wasn’t aware I’d need to reveal my shard abilities—”

“No. Sir. The device only checks for awakened pillars, ranks, and confirms whether any provide abilities not allowed in the building.”

“Maybe we can figure something out,” Mister Grey interjected. “Neither my friend nor I are comfortable—”

“I’m fine with it.” Lukas smiled, stepping forward and placing a hand on the triangle. “You just never know what kind of information might be stolen or is at risk of being exposed.”

“This is City Hall, sir, if shard privacy rules aren’t followed here, where will—”

“Just shut up and scan him,” the other guard grumbled, already done with his share of the work.

Mister Grey appeared anxious for half a moment before returning to his usual relaxed self, smiling politely, and his eyes scanning the entrance hall. The guard studied the triangle’s readings closely. He nodded after a handful of seconds of inspection.

“You’re free to go. I apologize for the inconvenience, Mystery Grey.”

“No trouble at all.”

Deliveries as a courier and then working for Penelope had taken Lukas and the clones all over the city except for City Hall. It was far grander than any Iskander building he had visited. Even the grand hall in the mage’s college didn’t hold a candle to the space. The ceilings were high and the pillars ornate. All surfaces seemed carved from marble. Elegant statues and tapestries surrounded them. The chandeliers and braziers lighting the space also radiated magic.

Mister Grey and Lukas followed the lines of guards and servants. Some stood still, others patrolled. Several attached the pair with trays, carrying beverages and canapes. Mister Grey received options scaled up for his monstrous dimensions. He accepted one graciously and took finger food by the handful. Lukas helped himself with a tart filled with venison tartar and a cracker topped with a raw fatty fish that reminded him of tuna.

“The best chefs in the city compete for a chance to prepare food for the auction,” Mister Grey said, savoring a pair of tarts. A satisfied moan escaped his lips. “Not even I get to eat at most of their tables. Exclusive. High brow. Many come to these things just for the opportunity of tasting their food.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything as delectable,” Lukas replied. It was a lie, of course. However, he knew good food when he tasted it. The freshness, quality of ingredients, and level of skill involved were far superior to anything he had tasted on Fracture thus far. “Mister Grey, enlighten me, please. What’s with the ‘no identifiers rules’? It makes no sense in an auction. I get why they’d be banned in gambling houses, but not here.”

Mister Grey shrugged. “Some sort of moronic honor system? This auction started as a charity. A fund-raising drive for the city’s less fortunate, if you will. The council runs it, and they have their identifiers. We’re expected to trust what they have to say.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“And you don’t?”

“Of course, not,” the man replied. “Things might’ve started that way, but all good things eventually grow corrupt. Rarer and more valuable objects filled the lots. Then, the identifiers started restricting what information became public and selling details to individuals whom they secretly serve. I’m just trying to even the scales.”

“Corruption. Of course. It ruined something nice and charitable, and turned it into something—” Lukas caught himself.

It’s neither the time nor the place for a justice boner. And since when do I care about justice?

“So perfect for us to manipulate,” he continued. “So we’re competing with all the other cheaters.”

“Except your ability is supposedly much better than the council’s identifiers. Kelpie—” Mister Grey paused for a moment. “Kelpie said you identified vestiges. Not a lot of living or unknown individuals can do that.” His eyes narrowed. “More importantly, why didn’t the inspection crystal detect your ability?”

“I expected something of the sort might happen. My magic mentor taught me a few spells, and I’ve been practising them endlessly to fool the bastards.” Lukas held out his hand, and shadows crept out from under his sleeve. “Their toy probably claimed I have something related to shadows.” He grinned. “I’m glad it worked. Was a touch worried, to be honest.”

“I knew it was a good idea hiring you,” Mister Grey said. “We’re cut from the same cloth, Lukas Zaun. Loss. Pain. Nothing slows us down. We keep pushing and striving, no matter what. Progress, survival, and taking care of the people who remain are all that matter to us.” He paused. “Your brother’s beau. Have you spoken to her since her passing? My ratlings told me she’s pretty torn up.”

Lukas shook his head. “She hated me before and probably hates me even more now. Kat didn’t want Elvis delving with me. I’m pretty sure she blames me for his death.” He smiled sheepishly, hoping he was playing the role of guilty and grieving brother well. Lukas worried his delivery could be perceived as callous. “Perhaps I lack the balls to face her. She deserved better.”

“I heard she dumped his sorry bottom, and he lost his job at the smithy.”

“Lover’s tiff,” Lukas said, shrugging. “He had hoped to make it up to her with the earnings from the delve. Sounds like she wasn’t particularly done with the relationship either.”

“I must say, Lukas, your nonchalance and coldness surprise me. Were you and your brother not close?”

“We were. It’s just easier to numb myself to everything and carry on than crumble. Sometimes when walking the streets, I’ll see something and turn to my left to say something, and remember he’s not there. I’ll wake up in the morning with an idea or a dream to share, and he’s not there. Elvis was my forever companion. I’m alone for the first time in my life, and he only way I can deal with it is to be numb. To be angry. To pick a goal and focus on nothing else.”

“Surprising once again. You speak and think like someone significantly older.”

“Apparently, so.” Lukas rubbed the top of his head. “Elvis said the injury changed me. Maybe I’m broken.”

“We’re all a little broken.”

The corridor and their conversation ended simultaneously. Stairs and passages had brought them to the first floor. A giant ballroom lay before them, but instead of tables and a dance floor, there were grand, ornate displays. Each featured a floating metal sign and only contained one article. Small groups of extremely well-dressed individuals moved between them. Uniformed valets followed. Going off just their outfits, there appeared to be more staff present than guests.

Lukas’s jaw almost hit the floor when he noticed a shard as tall as he was. The surrounding decorations included all manner of essences. He was glad when they wandered past it, giving him the chance to scan. Mister Gray paused for a moment to read the sign before moving on, seemingly uninterested in the grand prize.

“Shard of Agriculture,” Lukas read out loud. “Grants abilities related to crop growth, improving their quality, vitality, and potency, and arboreal manipulation. That’s interesting. Someone could single-handedly take care of a small settlement’s food needs with this.”

“Perhaps for an entire city with a couple of ranks,” Mister Grey added. “And perhaps even make significant trade profit over time. There is a lot of money to be made with the shard. I doubt the sign tells us everything.”

“It does not.” Lukas didn’t share what the journal said. There was no telling if their hosts or the other guests had enhanced hearing.

Shard of Arboreal Mastery

Essence of Flowering

Essence of Sunlight

Essence of Rain

Unlike the market stores, the sign undersold the shard’s power. Lukas could think of a million reasons why. People would bid fiercely for a shard that would make them profit, but there was a limit to how much they’d be willing to spend. However, a shard that affected all plants, enhancing growth, toughness, and quality, and also allowed control of it, had great potential in battle. The user could easily take command of a forest.

Lukas had to increase his pace to catch up with Mister Grey. He had slowed while checking the essences decorating the display. Keeping up with the giant was already a significant effort. Each stride covered three times as much distance as that of an ordinary man, and Lukas just about reached average height.

The following display contained another shard. The shard looked more like a rippled dome than the standard icicles that Lukas was accustomed to. It didn’t surprise him when the sign failed to highlight its power and potency. The Shard of Psionics covered significantly more ground than just telekinesis. He was sure of it now. Smart buyers would stop after reaching a certain crown value. Then the person in the know would swoop in and purchase the product.

Mister Grey casually wandered past several weapons and pieces of armor carrying powerful enchantments. Lukas would’ve sacrificed all of his savings and everything he owned to purchase any one of them, but the giant didn’t care. He only stopped when he encountered a seemingly mundane item: a scratched and tarnished bronze badge. It featured a swooping bird with outstretched claws.

“Badge Of The Aquilla Guild’s Founder,” Lukas read out loud. “Legends say the man discovered the secrets of flight using nothing but intent-driven magic. He zipped around the battlefield, over mountains, and across nations without ever touching the ground.” He scanned it with Inspector’s Compendium. “I believe this bit of valuable memorabilia would intrigue you, Mister Grey.”

The giant man glanced at Lukas and flashed a knowing smile. “It is,” he spoke loud enough for a group of guests nearby to overhear. They wore the same insignia as the badge in different forms on their outfits. “Shards. Weapons of destruction. None of them interests me. I’m merely a student of history, looking to preserve it in my humble tavern where all can see and admire it.”

A couple of members of the group shot Mister Gray a disgusted look before moving on. Mister Grey didn’t pay them much mind. His attention moved to a mask sitting closer to the center of the room. It featured goat horns. Much like the badge, it wasn’t getting much attention from the guests. They gravitated toward the other displays.

I bet that has a vestige, too.