Els sat at a small dining table outdoors facing the large estate gardens. Tall pine trees lined a large green field dotted with statues and fountains. Els had her neck craned around to see the training field where dozens of guardsmen honed their martial skills. She wished she could be over with them. Els was suffering through afternoon tea with her loud aunts. She caught a glimpse of Arthur standing side face with a flintlock pistol in his hand.

"Els," said Isla.

"Sorry auntie I was daydreaming," she said turning back to face her aunts.

"You call it daydreaming we call it spying on the gyrating guardsmen," said Esme eliciting a giggle from the table.

"Auntie don't be so scandalous," laughed Els gently slapping Esme's hand. I wish I could be anywhere else

"Don't be embarrassed we've all been there," said Isla.

They continued with their vapid discussion when Els waved the maid over and asked for another glass of cool water. The rest of them were drinking wine and Els had to try hard to hide her disdain. All the female members of her family did was sit on their hands and drink and eat and sleep. Els had tasted what the world could be like for her and she never wanted to go back. At the earliest polite time she asked to be excused and fled from the table as if she was being chased by a pack of rabid dogs.

Els wandered through the wide corridors of the estate, she went searching for the small library her father sometimes worked in. Praying a silent prayer that her father would be away she arrived at the heavy wooden door. She slowly pushed it open, expecting a familiar hiss to shoo her away. Instead, she was met with silence and an empty room. A large padded leather chair was set next to a small pile of books.

Els inspected the covers, all history books she thought flicking through the stack.

She left them untouched as she turned to the large bookcases. Hundreds of books lined each wall of the small room, some of the covers were worn with use others looked like they had never been touched. Els wasn't sure what she was searching for, thick tomes which concerned family lineages seemed to be the majority of books that her father owned.

Magic, the arcane, is there anything here thought Els as she searched through the books. it was unlikely this small collection would have what she wanted but it would be difficult to get to the city's library with her father watching her like a hawk. She slumped into the chair after a half hour of searching, she grasped the first book on the pile and opened it.

'The Previous occupants of the High kingdoms. The archaeological findings of scholar Seger Lighton' read the title.

Better than going back to my aunties though Els as she flicked through the pages.

She found herself reading about the account of a long-dead man who investigated ancient ruins found in the Gale mountain range. The northeast of the High Kingdom was a barren place with few inhabitants, it was ruled by High Prince Hale Vonstock if Els remembered her lesson correctly. The scholar described giant tunnels carved with intricate symbols and patterns, giant castles carved out of mountainsides.

"It is hard to believe the scale of these works, and if we were to try and recreate these feats of engineering, we would surely be incapable. Whatever strange powers were available to the lost peoples of the High Kingdom were fierce indeed."

She flipped the page and saw a crude drawing of the symbols that were seen, she nearly gasped as she recognised one. A mountain surrounded by thorny vines. The same symbol on the assassins cape. The same symbol the witch burned into Arthur's chest.

Her mind raced, Who had gotten these books out she thought, her father was the only person who frequented this small chamber. Maybe he wasn't so quick to dismiss the truth she thought. Footsteps outside of the door snapped her out of her trance and she shot up. Clasping the book to her chest she opened the door and peered out it, she made sure it was clear left and right before she stepped out.

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She didn't make it back to her room before being cornered.

"Lady Els, I thought you were enjoying supper with your aunts and cousins, so imagine my surprise when I go to find you and you had made yourself scarce," said Madame Shima.

Els' hands quickly shot behind her back, hiding the book from view. "Sorry Madame I wa-" began Els.

"No need for excuses girl, come with me," she said, turning quickly.

"Where are we going?" asked Els.

"If you will not sit with your family then you will assist me with some chores," said Shima sharply.

"I'm not sure father would approve" said Els taking a step toward her door.

Shima stopped but didn't turn her head. "Your father gave me the task of turning you back onto the correct course for a woman of your rank and he will respect whatever decision I make."

As she was talking Els quietly slipped her door open and slid the book across the floor making sure it landed underneath her bed.

"Of course Lady we can go and ask your lord father what he thinks," said Shima still facing away from Els.

"That won't be necessary Madame, I will come and assist you," said Els stifling a sigh.

"Good," Madame Shima said not bothering to cover her own disappointment.

The sky had grown dark before Madame Shima allowed Els to be excused from her duties. She grabbed some food from the kitchen before racing off to her room, she needed to go through the book cover to cover and search for any other information it may hold. She pulled the thick hardback from under her bed and peeled it open. She read and read through the thin pages, searching for anything related to the only image she recognised. All she found was speculation about what sort of power was wielded to create such immense works. Els scolded herself, she had expected the entire truth be handed to her through the pages of this history book.

Of course it doesn't have the answers, I couldn't get that lucky thought Els.

But she knew she needed more information, something she could show Arthur to pull him out of his stubborn denial. She needed to get to the library.

In the morning she insisted on a smaller dress that was easier to move in. After much pleading they relented and wrapped her in lighter more breathable fabric. She stepped out of her room confidently and strode down to her fathers study. Gently knocking on the door she called out softly.

"Father."

"Come in," she heard him reply.

Stepping through the door she was face to face with her father sat behind a thick wooden desk.

"What is it Els?" he asked quickly, not bothering to look up from his letters.

"I came to ask your permission to leave the estate."

He looked up from his work with one eyebrow raised. "And why would you want to leave the estate."

"I want to go to the city library, there are some books I would like to purchase," said Els, standing with her chin up and her shoulders square, her hands crossed at her waist.

Her father said nothing as he stared at her.

"Please father, if I'm to be locked in at the estate then I can at least spend my time learning," said Els.

"And what kind of books would you be purchasing."

"Books on dancing and such" she replied, remembering her old passions.

Her father stared at her in silence, his steely eyes judging her. "Alright then Els, you and Madame Shima will go to the library," he said looking back at his letters.

The largest library in the city was a surprisingly small building. It was a flat rectangle with a sloped tiled roof. Els looked through the window of her carriage as the pulled in front of the entrance.

"The library has been informed of your presence Lady, it will be empty for your browsing," said Madame Shima.

Els smiled at her jailer and waited for their guard to open the carriage door. Shima stepped out in front of her and nodded at the guard and Els followed her out. The Madame quickly took off to the front of the library to speak to its curator. Els turned to thank the guard before seeing who was underneath the helmet.

"Arthur," she said with surprise.

"My Lady," he replied with his usual stiffness.

"What are you doing here I thought from our last talk you didn't want to see me," said Els.

"I don't, but I have little say in what assignments I am given, escorting a troublesome Lady to a library is the kind of work given to the newest recruit," he said closing the carriage door.

"Well this is a lucky turn of events, as you are part of the reason I'm here," said Els.

Arthur nodded.

"There is a book in my father's library, it speaks of impossible ancient ruins, and carved into them is the symbol on your chest. The same symbol of the assassin that you threw off the Ford Bridge" said Els. "And I'm going to find more books, more proof that what we saw needs to be stopped and that we are the only ones who can."

She turned away from him having said all she wanted to say.

The library curator was a kindly man called Wystan who led her to the sections relating to dance. Els chatted to him politely until Madame Shima disappeared from sight.

"Wystan I must confess I'm here for more than just books on dance, I need to find more books relating to the ancient history of the High Kingdom, similar to what was written by Seger Lighton," said Els.

Wystan rubbed his chin meaningfully, "I recall that scholar, he made wild claims about ancient societies using magic. Fanciful reading but I can see the appeal, I will find a selection for you and add it to any you find suitable from here," he said bowing and shuffling off down another shelf of books.

Els ran her hand across the many thick backed books and picked a few with names of dances she recognised from when dancing was her passion. It was only a few years ago but it felt like a lifetime to Els. Madame Shima returned from her business and began browsing alongside Els.

Els hoped she wouldn't notice the bright smile on her face.