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Forbidden Knowledge	By : Starbug Category: +A through F > Fable Views: 6993 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The Fable universe and all recognisable characters there-in are the property of Lionhead Studios. Any similarities to actual people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The story is written for non-profit personal entertainment

Chapter List
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The moon was low and half covered by cloud as Astrid made her way through the forests of Silverpine, approaching Milldields from a direction that would, on most nights, have required her to fight her way through a score of Balverines. Thankfully the moon was only a slender sliver as she crested the last hill and surveyed her target without the fear of running into anything more troublesome than regular bandits. Lake View Manor had been built on the banks of Bower Lake, atop the ruins of the old Heroes Guild, and was home to the infamous industrialist and hedonist known only as Reaver.

When she had been younger, Astrid had on occasions heard her father talk of the former pirate who had assisted in the defeated of Lord Logan, but he never went into details as to just how. Still, it had been clear from his tone and language that he held the other man in a great deal of contempt, and nearly spat his name when he was forced to say it out loud. But whatever prior sins Reaver had committed, he had reinvented himself as an entrepreneur and business tycoon, using his vast wealth the kick-start the industrialisation of the Bowerstone Docks and the revitalisation of the turned town that into the city it was today. The old King had opposed him at every turn, but Reaver was always careful to keep within the Law, knowing that his former comrade in arms held them sacrosanct, and would never abuse his position or power.

By the time Logan had acceded to the throne, Reaver owned almost every factory and workshop in the renamed Industrial district, and was working on making his domination complete. He found an unlikely ally in the new king, who gave him an almost free hand and the troops he needed to enforce his will upon the workers. It was this oppression that had driven Page to found the Bowerstone Resistance, but even they had been able to provide little information as to the layout of the Manor or what hidden defences it might hold.

Fortunately, Astrid had learnt several new skills since leaving Bowerstone Castle, breaking and entering being one of them.

Dressed in a suit of cloths taken from a female bandit she had captured near Brightwall, she snuck through the gardens towards rear of the Manor with the intent of locating an unlocked window or door through witch to make her entry. Unfortunately, the staff had been diligent in their duty of locking up for the night, and Astrid was forced to make her way up a decorative trellis to a half-open window two stories up. Easing it open as quietly as she could, she slipped through and rolled into a crouching position, sword and pistol at the ready. Fortunately the room was eventually some kind of linen store, with shelves of sheets and blankets piled up on either side, but otherwise empty. Creeping to the door, she pressed her ear against it for any hint of anyone outside, then looked through the keyhole. The corridor outside was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the moon filtering down through the skylight above the main staircase. Turning the handle as slowly as she could, Astrid winced at every creak and click as she slowly opened the door and stepped out into the hallways, eyes darting from side to side for any indication that her presence had been detected.

With no sign that the alarm had been raised, she made her way to the smaller staff staircase at the back, keeping as deeply in the shadows as she could, moving with all the quiet grace of a jungle cat. If the information she had paid no small amount of gold for was to be believed, then the Harness of Hermaphrodite was located in a room at the back of the top floor, along with several other Old Kingdom artefacts Reaver had collected over the years. The trader did not know, however, what security measures someone like Reaver would have taken, only ever having seen the room one when inspecting a piece the industrialist wanted a matching pair for. Still, she was competent on all know locks, both mechanical and the fare rearer magical variety, most of which could easily be opened by her Guild Seal if all else failed. A pair of large, polished oak doors at the very top of the main staircase indicated the gallery, and Astrid could find no indication of any locks, wards or charms to impede her progress, so she slipped through and closed them softly behind her.

The sound of a book snapping shut filled the room far louder than any rifle shot, and the Princess dropped into a low fighting stance, hands instinctively reaching for her weapons.

“I'm so glad you finally decided to make your appearance.” Reaver sat in a chair at the far end of the room, his back turned to the door, a heavy book in his hand and a half drunk glass of wine on a table at his side, “I was starting to get worried that you'd gotten cold feet.”

Astrid's eyes darted around, scanning the shadows for the inevitable army of heavily armed mercenaries, but found nothing.

“David, the trader in antiquities that you spoke to, is a very old a dear friend of mine who always keeps me abreast of anything he thinks I might find interesting.” Reaver put the book down and steepled his hands, resting his chin on the tips of his fingers, “You can imagine my surprise when he tells me that our gallant Princess-turned-revolutionary had expressed an interest in moi.” He reached out for his glass and took a sip, “I have to say, given your somewhat sapphic inclination, which I hate to tell you were always an open secret at your brothers court, I never really expected you to take my interest in any man, let alone myself, yet here you are.” He finally turned his head, only to roll his eyes, “Oh please, do take that ridiculous mask off; I know exactly who you are, and if I wanted to see you harmed, you would never have made it this far.”

Accepting that there was little point in continuing the ware the uncomfortable disguise, Astrid pulled off her hat and mask, standing proudly before Reaver, her hands near enough to her weapons to reach for them should things take a turn towards the violent.

“If you know that much, then you must know why I'm here.” She looked him in the eye, trying to sound as confident as she could before a man who's appetites were the stuff of legend, “Do you have the Harness?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Reaver lifted his cane and pointed towards a mannequin in one corner of the room that was rather obviously supposed to represent a woman, dressed only in the leather and crystal garment she had seen in the book, “The harness itself is not the original; Old Kingdom workmanship or not, it has been a thousand years and even the finest leather only lasts so long before crumbling, more's the pity.” He rose from his chair and walked over to the display, standing before it as if he was viewing the latest masterpiece of a world renown artist, “But the augment crystal is, to the best of my considerable knowledge, to real deal. And given how much I paid for it, it had better be, or heads will roll.”

“Give it to me.” Astrid had her pistol out and cocked in one fluid motion, pointing it directly at the back of Reaver's head, “Now!”

“My dear, all you had to do was ask.” He unclipped the buckles holding the harness in place and held it in his hands, “At a very small price.”

The Guild tattoo over Astrid's left eye glowed brightly with barely contained rage.

“Oh, nothing like that, you silly little girl.” Reaver sighed, “Honestly, I suppose it is my own fault, to an extent; you spend years cultivating a reputation, I suppose you have to expect people to start believing it after a while.” He held up the Harness so the Princess could get her first good look at it, “This was created as a prototype, and can only be used fully by a woman with a naturally high ability with Will. Otherwise it's little more than a hideously expensive trinket.” He slowly walked forward, “I am many things, amongst them an entirely self-educated expert on the Old Kingdom. But there are so working examples of Old Kingdom technology still around, that I am willing to give you one of my prise collection, and all I ask in return is that you put it on and let me see it actually 'in action', as it were.” His mouth widened to a sly smile, “It has to be in contact with your skin...”

The barrel of Astrid's gun dropped to point directly at his crotch, her finger tightening on the trigger almost to the point of no-return.

“Oh please, give me at least some credit.” Reaver's shoulders actually sagged, “As I said, I am many things, but I have never been, or ever hope to be, someone who must rely on rape to fill my, needs.” He eyed the Princess appreciatively, “And while you are certainly an attractive young woman, whom in other circumstances I would very much like to spend a very long time getting to know an awfully lot better, right now my interest in your body are purely academic, I assure you.”

Astrid hesitated; two days ago she hadn't seriously contemplated getting this far, but Elise's unexpected by highly enjoyable visit to Brightwall had set her on the path she now found herself committed to. Reminding herself exactly what was at stake, she put her gun back in its holster and started to undo her jacket.

“Double-cross me, and you'll beg for death.” She warned, her body almost glowing with Will energy.

“My dear, that's the furthest thing from my mind.” Reaver bowed slightly, “Now, would you like somewhere to hang your cloths up?"

To Be Continued...
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Forbidden Knowledge