Apple found herself in the castle hall as if walking from one dream into another. Moonlight shined brightly through the windows but couldn't illuminate how she got here. Report back to Avalyn, she thought, but there was something else, too; something she mustn't tell him, something she mustn't think about, and she didn't try.

The door to Steward Avalyn's private quarters was rustic and unadorned. Apple rapped her tiny knuckles against the dense slab of wood, summoning the faintest of sounds, struggling to be heard against the cacophony in the great hall. A celebration in honor of Rafael's victory would likely last through the night.

The door swung open, and Apple looked up to see the imposing form of Captain Reynard. The captain was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features and a broad, muscular physique.

Apple hopped into the formal dignity of Arthur Avalyn's office. The walls were scarcely decorated with images of historical significance. One painting, titled 'Wrath of Godfather,' hung on the wall behind Steward Avalyn's desk. It depicted Adam, armored, floating midair, his golden locks flowing angelically in the wind. In tragic and gorgeous detail, the painting conveyed devastation and sorrow, as a massive landmass was being swallowed by the ocean. Eden's molten blood erupted, and massive tidal waves advanced to engulf it all. The Godfather appeared grief-stricken as He massacred countless thousands, but also determined.

Steward Arthur Avalyn sat beneath the painting, looking skeptical. Captain Reynard shut the door and moved to stand at Arthur's side.

"You've been watching Brother Timothy for hours." The steward spoke with gravity, considering each word carefully. Arthur made no secret of his disdain for the monkey. He had an unreserved distrust of all familiars. Still, Lyn needed a translator and companion, and Arthur loved his weird daughter dearly. "What did you observe?" His head tilted barely.

Apple tried to remember the last few hours but couldn't. Her memories were shrouded in a dense fog. Then suddenly, unbidden, words flew from her lips.

"Shortly after his arrival, Brother Timothy spoke with the Godfather in the guest mirror. Then he spent several hours in the castle records examining historical accounts. He was particularly interested in the Colonial Era."

Steward Avalyn leaned forward with a hungry look in his eyes. "What did Timothy and Adam discuss?"

"Timothy had suspicions that a fae had somehow survived the Cleansing and was hiding somewhere at the tournament." Apple was confused. Why would she say all that? Arthur, meanwhile, gave the little monkey his most rapt attention.

"Has Timothy surmised the identity of the fae?" Arthur's voice was deadly calm.

"No. He detected trace evidence of fae spellwork, but there were too many people at the tournament to pin down. Godfather tasked Timothy with finding the fae fugitive, exterminating it, and bringing to justice anyone sheltering it."

Steward Avalyn sat back in his chair and silently contemplated the familiar with unnerving intensity.

"Did they discuss Rafael or a Vulpen Stewardship?" Arthur finally asked.

"Yes. Brother Timothy had great praise for the combat prowess and popularity of Rafael. Godfather was optimistic that the Vulpen Islands would be in good hands." Apple said mindlessly. Arthur sat back in his chair, contemplative but seemingly satisfied.

"Apple." Captain Reynard addressed her now. "I'm told familiars can access the memories of other familiars around Eden. Has any familiar seen Timothy? Are there memories of him? Who is he?"

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Apple closed her eyes and let her mind slip into the Aether. She held the image of Brother Timothy in her mind, then released it into streams of cosmic consciousness that connected all familiars. Memories came to Apple like sudden inspiration.

"Timothy was born in the capital," she told them. "When he was 8, an accident left him a simpleton. After that, his mother gave him to the Church. Timothy joined the seminary as soon as he recovered. That was 30 years ago. It seems he spent most of his life in the same church his mother left him. Most archived memories of Timothy are of him scrubbing floors and cleaning stables."

"That makes no sense," Arthur interjected. "How did a simple peon become an emissary for the Godfather?" He watched as Apple's eyes darted behind her eyelids as if she were dreaming.

"There are no memories explaining his elevated status. Before his arrival today, the last archived memory of Timothy was four months ago, performing janitorial duties."

Arthur and Reynard shared a meaningful glance.

"Thank you, Apple," said the steward. "You're dismissed. Return to Lyn."

The monkey familiar curtsied cutely and retreated the way she entered.

Steward Arthur Avalyn reached into his desk drawer and retrieved a cigar. "You want one?" he offered Captain Reynard.

"Are we celebrating?" Reynard asked with dry insolence as he secured the door. Joyous celebrations could still be heard echoing down the castle halls. Arthur clipped his cigar and lit it smoothly, his cool unshaken.

"Why shouldn't we celebrate? Rafael will be Steward of Vulpex, and Adam hasn't a clue." Arthur sat back in his chair and puffed with satisfaction. "Timothy's on to you, but we can figure that out. Worst case scenario, we kill him and make it look like an accident. I think this is a good day."

"It doesn't make sense," Reynard said. "The monkey said Timothy was some brain-damaged orphan who spent his life behind church walls. Now, mysteriously, he's a good brother with a mirror window to Adam himself. Either Timothy isn't who he seems to be, or the familiar is lying."

"They're probably different people. The monkey confused him for a look-alike." Arthur set his cigar down and rose to walk to his cabinet. He poured two drinks and handed one to Reynard, a stiff honey mead mulled with ginger. "I think our more pressing concern is keeping you a secret," Arthur continued. "We need you far away from Timothy where he can't trace your magic. We'll bring you back after Timothy has been dealt with. There's no need to change the plan now."

Reynard drank his mead and ruminated. "Maybe you're right. It's a lucky thing I wasn't discovered at the tournament, but it doesn't matter what happens to me. If Timothy figures out what Rafael is, what he's capable of... Adam will kill him and trap his soul forever. We lose everything."

Arthur returned to sit pensively on his desk, smoke elegantly rising from his cigar. "We've taken every precaution possible where Rafael is concerned. He's not the one presently in danger of getting us all caught. We need to get you out of sight. Go to Sanctuary. Leave tonight. Inform your mistress once you arrive. Speaking of, have you dreamt of Lilith lately?"

Reynard sighed. "Not for many nights. A dream of her would put my mind at ease. This business with Brother Timothy makes me uneasy. I'll go to Sanctuary, but I won't sit and wait. Let me bring Lyn. She used magic today. I can teach her to control and harness her abilities. It's the perfect opportunity. No one would know."

Arthur's head was swirling, and he steadied himself on his desk. Reynard put his hand on Arthur's hand and addressed him directly. "Original Sin is progressing exponentially. There aren't many humans left who can wield mana." Reynard paused to look at the painting over Arthur's desk, 'Wrath of Godfather,' in glorious and terrifying detail.

"That's what we're up against. Mages are rare enough. We need to know what Lyn is capable of. She could prove invaluable."

Arthur's mind was reeling. Emma died giving birth to Lyn. Their marriage was arranged under the conditions of Vulpex's surrender. He resented Emma for years, but they learned to love each other. When Emma died, Arthur was devastated. As such, he loved Lyn with precious affection, being the last link to his beloved. Letting her go so soon into the harsh and wild world tore at him. But Arthur was accustomed to grief. He knew what they were up against.

"I suppose you'll need mana for the road," Arthur relented.

"If you want," Reynard replied, and Arthur nodded.

"It would be nice... to see her again... before you go," he said softly.

The air around Captain Reynard rippled like smoke over a fire, and in an instant, he was gone, and instead, Emma stood in front of Arthur once more. Tears filled his eyes, and a sad smile broke his lips as she leaned in to kiss him one last time.