The back of Arwin’s neck prickled and his shoulders tensed. If someone had bought the street out from under them… “What does that mean?” “Well, normally, it would have gone into a bidding war,” Jake said. “I’m not at liberty to say who made the bids, but I can say the price probably would have gone easily to twenty or thirty thousand gold. Can’t imagine why people would be this interested in this particular share of land for any reason other than to inconvenience you.” The way Jake spoke gave Arwin a second of pause. If someone had managed to buy the street, then everything would have been over and they’d be completely screwed. That didn’t sound like the case. “The way you’ve phrased this makes it sound like said war never happened,” Arwin said. “You’d be correct, though it should have.” Jake cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “I… may have put in an order for the land under the Merchant’s Guild’s name when you asked me to hold it for you. I planned to remove the order when you brought the gold since you promised to get it soon.” “What does that mean?” Arwin asked tersely, hope coloring his words. “They weren’t able to buy it?” “They weren’t, but the guild was forced to,” Jake replied. “The Merchant’s Guild — and all major guilds under the Adventurer’s Guild — have provisions that stop bidding wars over unimportant pieces of land. As long as we put in our order first, the price can only raise by one hundred percent before it caps out.” Arwin’s brow furrowed. “It was 5 thousand when you mentioned it before. That means…” “One small incident, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” “An incident?” Arwin’s eyes narrowed. “What happened?” “Nothing that bothersome. Some idiots nearly started a fight. I threw them out of the tavern.” “A whole group? That’s impressive. Is your shadow magic that much stronger in the darkness? I suppose that’s a dumb question.” “It is stronger, but no. That had nothing to do with it,” Lillia said. She hesitated for a second as worry creased her brow. “I… have other powers. When people stay at my inn.” Arwin tilted his head to the side. “You mean the buffs you get when more people stay over or eat?” Her shoulders tensed and she looked away, studying the wall intently. It was a second more before she responded. “Not those. Anyone that stays or eats at my tavern is beholden to any command I give them as long as they’re in it.” “You’re kidding. That’s one powerful ability. No limits?” Lillia blinked. “I — no, there are. It doesn’t work as effectively on people stronger than me. I hadn’t had the chance or desire to test it out before today. It’s vile.” “It’s a tool,” Arwin corrected. “And it’s a limited one.” “Don’t say that as if mind magic isn’t the most wretched form of power there is in this world,” Lillia said. Her hands tightened at her sides. “I don’t know why the Mesh forced it upon me. It makes me sick. I wasn’t even planning on using it today. It just… happened.” “It’s a tool, and a tool is only as evil or good as the one wielding it,” Arwin said, his tone softening as he put a hand on Lillia’s shoulder. “I take it you just told the offending adventurers to leave?” “Then it’s fine. Your influence ended the moment they left. Anyone eating or staying at your tavern is agreeing to abide by the rules anyway, and you aren’t going to make them do anything they don’t want to as long as they behave.” “How do you know? What if I decided someone pissed me off enough to do something worse?” Lillia asked. She met Arwin’s gaze again. “I’d just prove that I am evil. I’ve already used the power once on accident. It could happen again.” “You won’t use it for anything like that.” There wasn’t a speck of doubt in Arwin’s voice. “We’ve been pawns before, Lillia. I may not know your thoughts, but I know what I’ve felt — and I know that the absolute last thing I would ever do is ever use someone the way I was used. You’d do no different.” Lillia huffed. “I know that. I wouldn’t choose to, but what if it happens anyway?” “It won’t. And if it does, we won’t let you. The Mesh wouldn’t give you an ability that’s so ridiculously powerful that nobody could possibly compete with it. You’re overestimating the control it gives.” “How do you know?” Lillia challenged. “I suppose I don’t. Let’s find out. Use it on me.” Lillia paled and took a step back. “No.” “I’m not telling you to have me throw myself into the wall,” Arwin said. “Just order me to do something simple. The effect probably won’t even be as strong since I didn’t sleep or eat in the inn yesterday. Your power is just a weapon, but an unused weapon is a danger to its wielder and foe alike.” “Godspit. I know you’re right, but why do you have to look at it so logically? It’s frustrating.” “It’s easier when it isn’t my problem,” Arwin said with a chuckle. “Just give me a simple command.” Lillia nodded. Her brow furrowed for a moment and she swallowed. Then her eyes sharpened. “Raise your arms to shoulder level.” Her words came out different to her normal voice, wreathed in a sharp, biting tone of command that dug into Arwin’s mind like barbs. A compulsion gripped him and his arms twitched, nearly moving but stopping before they could. They stared at each other. “Huh?” Lillia blinked. “That’s odd.” “I… right. I’ve got a Title called Indomitable that stops mental effects,” Arwin said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry. I suppose that was a bit of a lackluster test.” Lillia let out a relieved laugh and the tension tightening her back loosened, letting her shoulders drop. “Are you joking? This is perfect. It means I can’t actually control you as long as we’re close in level. If I ever start doing something I shouldn’t, you’re a guaranteed way to stop me.” “I don’t think it’ll ever come to that.” “Just knowing that it can’t is a relief. It’s like holding a ball of raging fire but having a lake right next to me.” “Well, I’m glad to be of help, even though I don’t think I’m really doing anything.” Arwin’s stomach rumbled and he coughed into a fist. It hadn’t been long since he’d eaten metal, but the smells in the tavern weren’t helping.