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Kaeya suppressed the urge to sneeze.
The white body of Dragonspine loomed overhead, its top obscured by swirling clouds. Even here in the foothills the air was frigid. Each inhale was almost painful, the chill stinging his nose. Kaeya may have had a natural resistance to the cold, but even he had to be careful in a place as dangerous as this.
An hour prior he had been riding side by side with Albedo. Silent but good company. He had split away from the expedition team once they reached base camp, having his own agenda to follow. His hand clutched around the warming bottles in his coat pocket.
Albedo had given him directions to his laboratory before they parted ways. Kaeya had committed it to memory. The sooner he finished up here, the sooner he could relax.
Kaeya tied off the cloth mask. The reflection in the ice before him was that of a treasure hoarder. A rather convincing disguise if he did say so himself. His usual eyepatch was replaced with some old bandages and his long hair was tucked away into a hat. He had even gone so far as to drink a spiced tonic that changed his voice, giving him a rougher edge.
He hid his pack in a hole he’d dug, laying the cryo mirror over it. With a wave his hand the mirror shifted and melded with the frozen dirt around it, appearing to be no more than a frozen puddle. After tucking his vision into his belt, he walked off towards the treasure hoarder camp.
“Hey you! Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be wandering around without a heat source out here? Get over here, idiot.”
Kaeya, feigning the effects of sheer cold, nodded his head shakily as he stumbled over to the man who had gotten his attention. The treasure hoarder pressed a warming bottle into his hands.
“T-thanks.”
“Archons, you sound awful. New around here?” the larger man threw a large burlap blanket over him. Kaeya drew it closer around him, hating every second that the rough material was touching him. He nodded again.
“Yes, I was sent over from Springvale.”
“Springvale, eh? Nice and warm over there. Didn’t they tell you anything about Dragonspine?”
“Not much, just that it’s cold,” Kaeya scoffed. “This is a bit more than just cold.”
“That it is. Get warmed up by the fire, you’re no use to us if you’re half dead.”
“Yessir.”
A hand came down and shoved him none too gently towards the center of camp. Kaeya stumbled towards the cooking fire, internally grateful for the warmth. It was an act, but he wasn’t lying about the cold.
As he stretched out his hands towards the blissful warmth, he scanned the camp. Kaeya frowned slightly as he realized that there were very few people around. Only the guard he had spoken to and two others remained. Considering the size of the camp and the information he had obtained, there should be far more people here…
Footsteps from behind drew his attention.
“Clean the dishes in the river, they said. It’s an easy job, they said,” the treasure hoarder grumbled. “I don’t think I’ll ever get the feeling in my hands back.”
They dropped the sack of newly cleaned pots and utensils and took a seat near Kaeya. Their fingers were red and trembling as they brought them as close to the fire as they could without burning themself. Seeing that Kaeya appeared in better condition, they nudged him slightly with an elbow.
“Mind making some coffee? I’m freezing.”
“No problem,” Kaeya said, already unloading a pot from the bag. He let the silence drag on for a bit, waiting until the pot was set and filled with water. The treasure hoarder seemed to have relaxed more, fingers no longer stiff and red from cold. Kaeya made a show of looking around the camp. “Should I make enough for everyone?”
“Just those of us in camp, no telling when the rest of the crew will be back.”
“Back from what, exactly?” Kaeya asked casually, measuring out the right ratio of coffee to water.
“Just how new are you…most of the team left this morning, heading for the Favonius settlement further up the mountain.”
Kaeya nearly froze hearing those words, but managed to carry on his task smoothly, “Oh, must’ve slipped my mind. Remind me again what the mission was for?”
The treasure hoarder sighed, “We got word that the lead researcher may have information on ancient treasures hidden on the mountain. They’re trying to…retrieve this information.”
Kaeya hummed thoughtfully as he poured a small vial of something reminiscent of honey into the pot, stirring thoroughly, “I see.”
The scent of fresh coffee drifted through the camp, drawing everyone towards the fire. Kaeya happily set about filtering the coffee and pouring cups for everyone, passing them out once enough cups were poured. They drank greedily, the warm drink chasing away the bitter cold of the mountain.
Kaeya too held a cup, but not once did he bring it to his lips.
No one remarked on the full cup in his hands. No one could. After only a few sips, the treasure hoarders’ bodies dropped to the ground, each one deeply asleep. Kaeya smiled and poured his coffee back into the pot. Albedo’s sleep potion worked even more efficiently than advertised.
Albedo… Kaeya quickly set about binding the treasure hoarders’ hands and feet, then tying them to each other. He divested them of any weapons he could find, then left them tied to a post near the fire. He wasn’t cruel enough to leave them without warmth.
Though, he had no problem freezing the ground beneath them. He’d like to see them attempt to get up and move around.
But no time for that. He left the camp quickly, hardly slowing down as he came to the spot where he’d hidden his belongings. The hat and bandages practically flew off but he didn’t bother changing anything else. With a snap of his fingers the cryo covering his bag shattered into a fine dust.
Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he put fingers to his mouth and let out a series of piercing whistles. A beautiful blue roan came trotting out of the brush, stopping patiently in front of him. Its curious eyes looked at him, as if asking what all the hurry was about.
“Albedo’s in danger,” Kaeya said shortly, swinging himself up and onto her saddle. A light tap of his heel to her side set her onto the trail. “Let’s go.”
Kaeya urged the horse to greater speeds where the trail was easily visible. But the higher they climbed, the more the snow piled up, obscuring their way forward. The horse’s pace slowed to a walk as she picked her way through. As much as Kaeya wished to move quickly, he was happy to leave the horse to pick her own way. Especially with one side of their trail dropping away to a sheer cliff.
The footprints left behind by what Kaeya assumed to be Albedo’s party was covered by signs of a second group. The treasure hoarders. By the looks of things, there were at least eight of them.
Eventually, Kaeya came across a rather unstable bridge built across a gap in the rock. Just on the other side, Kaeya could see the light of a fire bouncing off the rocks. That and a slightly deeper shadow were the only indication of the cave that Kaeya was certain held Albedo’s camp.
Kaeya tested the bridge’s integrity himself before calling the horse over, unwilling to set her onto a dangerous path. She followed his lead calmly even as the wood shifted and creaked loudly beneath her hooves.
He left her near a rare patch of grass. She settled for picking at the sparse vegetation, turning her tail to the wind. There was no sound coming from the cave, only the lonely flickering of a fire on its rocky walls. Kaeya eye narrowed at what he found there.
Books, tools, work benches, and anything not tied down was scattered haphazardly across the stone floor. Kaeya walked a bit farther in, looking for clues that would tell him what happened. Scuff marks from a boot, a misplaced raven insignia. The treasure hoarders were undoubtedly there.
However, signs of a fight were missing. It seemed that, at the very least, Albedo and company weren’t in the cave when the treasure hoarders made their moves. His breathing came easier knowing that.
Still, an abandoned and overturned camp wasn’t a good sign. So, where had everyone disappeared to?
The story the overturned cave told showed how the two parties just missed each other. But there was something off. Kaeya stared blankly at the scene as he pieced it together. What was bothering him?
There! A footprint out of place. Someone had come back after the treasure hoarders left. He knelt down for a closer look. The tread and size were familiar. It was Albedo.
The print was at the entrance to the cave, with no signs that he had gotten further than that. Kaeya followed Albedo’s path out and to the left, off onto an old pathway that continued up the mountain. He considered taking his horse, but thought better of it. Her dark winter coat would stand out too much for what he needed to do now.
Albedo had tracked the treasure hoarders along that path, the rest of his company of knights and researchers in tow. Kaeya wasn’t sure what he would find at the end of this path. At the very least, he was glad that Albedo hadn’t been ambushed.
He wondered how the alchemist would deal with the situation. Would he take on the treasure hoarders in combat or negotiate? Kaeya had seen Albedo with a sword in his hand before, though he’d never watched him use it. He was certain that Albedo was capable of protecting himself, at the very least. Kaeya supposed he could leave combat to the other knights on his team, but they were at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. Other than Albedo, he didn’t think the researchers had much in the way of combat training.
It was the familiar hiss of swords colliding that brought him from his thoughts. Negotiations had failed, if there had been any to begin with. Kaeya picked up the pace.
There was a clearing in the trees. The researchers were huddled together by the tree line, watching with fascination. Kaeya frowned, realizing that all of the knights assigned to the expedition were also at the tree line, standing protectively in front of the researchers. He could still hear the sounds of combat, but he couldn’t see what was happening. Even so, he could tell one thing.
Albedo…was fighting alone.
The group turned at the sound of his footsteps, wary at first until they recognized him. They parted to give him space as he rushed past them, concern evident in his voice.
“Why is no one helping him?!”
“Well, sir,” one of the knights said, cowering slightly, “I’m fairly certain that we’d just get in Captain Albedo’s way.”
Kaeya scanned the field, quickly spotting the alchemist. It only took a moment to come to the same conclusion his fellow knight had.
Most of the treasure hoarder party had been dispatched prior to Kaeya’s arrival. They lay groaning in the snow, nursing bruised wrists and battered bodies, unable to stand after being taken down so systematically. Because of course Albedo would approach a fight the same way he approached his research.
Albedo’s sword work was almost textbook, aside from a uniquely elegant flair. He was cold, composed, and silent . The image of a lone, elegant swordsman surrounded by exploding golden flowers was both beautiful and chilling.
There were only two treasure hoarders left now and they were breathing heavily, their forms sloppy. They stood in a field pulsing with geo energy, a creation of Albedo’s no doubt. Albedo rushed the one closest to him. The treasure hoarder blocked his attack, but it didn’t matter. The moment Albedo came into contact with him, a geo flower burst forth and sent his opponent sprawling. He wisely decided to remain down.
Albedo flicked his sword towards the final treasure hoarder. The man held his spear in front of himself, but his hands were shaking.
“Last chance,” Albedo said. His voice was void of emotion. Flat. Cold. It sent chills up Kaeya’s spine. “Return it to me and you won’t end up like the rest of them.”
The treasure hoarder seemed to steel himself and rushed to make the first in a series of poorly planned moves. Albedo easily stepped out of his way, using only the point of his sword to slash at the man’s ankles as he passed by. Just enough to draw blood. Slowly, deliberately, Albedo carved tiny painful slashes into the treasure hoarder’s joints. All the while deflecting or dodging his opponents attempts to fight back. Until, finally, the man could no longer hold his weapon. It dropped uselessly to the ground.
The treasure hoarder dropped to his knees. Albedo allowed his sword to disappear in a shower of geo gold. He gripped his opponent’s collar and hauled him to his feet.
“Where is my notebook?”
There were certain things that Kaeya would never feel. But if he were able to feel them, he was certain he would be feeling them now.
Albedo’s voice had dropped an octave. The treasure hoarder reached into a pocket and produced a small, leather bound notebook. Kaeya thought it looked familiar somehow. Albedo grabbed it and casually dropped him. Without the alchemist’s support, the treasure hoarder simply fell into the snow.
Kaeya gave a low, impressed whistle. The sound shocked Albedo out of his reverie. Kaeya swore the alchemist blushed upon noticing him watching.
“Impressive work,” the Cavalry Captain said as the other knights set forth binding the fallen treasure hoarders’ hands and feet. “I never knew you were so…formidable.”
“Ah, it’s nothing really,” Albedo shrugged. Looking back at the scene he had created, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “I might’ve gone a bit overboard.”
“From what I saw, you gave them plenty of chances.”
Albedo sighed, “They were being ridiculously stubborn over nothing. If they’d just done what I’d asked I would’ve let them go.”
Kaeya leaned over to see the book in Albedo’s hands, “What exactly did they steal?”
Albedo frowned, “That’s just it. I have no idea why they took this.”
He handed the notebook over to Kaeya. The knight looked over the book. It really was familiar somehow. The moment he opened it, he realized why that was. And then he laughed.
“Oh no, this is priceless!” he clutched at his stomach as he laughed. Albedo just shook his head, amused confusion on his face.
“Really, I never expected the treasure hoarders to go this far to steal a book of poems written primarily by a child.”
“To be fair, a collection of poems written by the famous Spark Knight, the Cavalry Captain, and the Chief Alchemist is a priceless piece of work. Perhaps they have better taste than we give them credit for.”
“P-poems? No that can’t be right…" The treasure hoarder closest to them stared wide eyed, not believing his ears. “No, it was supposed to be a code leading to an ancient treasure…”
Albedo raised an eyebrow, flipping open to a random page, “ Fish, crabs and treasure | my special spark is hidden | no one will find it . What part of this is a code leading to ancient treasure?”
There was no response to that other than Kaeya’s continued laughter. The treasure hoarders were escorted away by the expedition’s guard. Kaeya was certain that he’d never seen treasure hoarders so quiet before.
Albedo turned to Kaeya, “You completed your mission faster than I expected. Did it go well?”
Kaeya nodded, “It went smoothly, the potion worked well.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“As it turned out, the plans I’d overheard were actually related to this incident. That’s why I got here so fast.”
Albedo’s eyebrows shot up, “Oh?”
Kaeya winked (blinked) at him, “But as it turns out I didn’t need to worry so much. You’re far more ruthless than you look. I don’t think what happened here today could be considered proper procedure.”
This time Albedo’s blush was unmistakable. His ears turned bright pink and he looked away.
“Extenuating circumstances,” he mumbled.
“Beating up the people who stole your little sister’s gift is very cute of you.”
Albedo gave him an unmistakable look, Please, as if you wouldn’t do the same or worse.
Kaeya just grinned at him.
The alchemist turned on his heel and headed off in the general direction of his camp. Kaeya followed behind him, a wolfish smile still on his face. Having witnessed this new facet of Albedo made Kaeya greedy to discover more. He was endlessly fascinated and surprised and challenged by this partner of his.
His scheming mind worked overtime as he helped tidy the lab. The other researchers caught glimpses of his expression as he worked and steered clear. The Cavalry Captain was openly plotting, and they wanted no part in it.
Kaeya was going to have fun with this. He hoped Albedo would as well.