Seren slid their caestus rings back into their pocket and shook out their hands. The rings made their fingers hurt and feel stiff. But it was always exhilarating to use them. Their heart was pounding as if they’d been on a ride at the local fair.

It was hard to slow down enough to check their binder and know where they were going next. It appeared to be another place in the fall district. They wound through the working farms and smithys to a broken down old manor that stood alone on the walls of the district. Seren smiled, old lady Lorelei was… eccentric. Or more accurately not at all connected to reality in anyway. Another job that really wasn’t expected to yield results but less because she refused to pay and more because her delusions had no real grounds in reality and the situation she was in.

Seren knocked on the door and waited. Counting out to twenty five before knocking again. The door opened and showed the elderly woman dressed in her elegant rags.

“I just cannot get good help these days.” The woman sneered and rolled her eyes. Finally looking at Seren and lighting up. “It’s that lovely Winters child.”

“Seren, and it’s a pleasure to see you again, Lady Lorelei.” Seren sashayed in a graceful curtsy for her. The old woman gasped and clutched her pearls.

“Don’t tell my other guests, dear. But you’re my favorite.” Lady Lorelei said. “But where are my manners?! Come in, my child, come in!” The lady stepped aside and let Seren into the dilapidated house. It probably was a sight to see once upon a time. At least inside, it made Seren feel comfortable.

“I beg forgiveness for my butler, I have no idea where he’s run off to.” Lady Lorelei flounced around the sitting room. “Please take a seat. Ophelia?” Seren sat on the faded sofa, knowing full well there was no Ophelia in the house whatsoever.

“Ophelia?” Lady Lorelei called again to the empty house. “Oh where is that lazy girl!?”

“Don’t be too harsh on her, my lady.” Seren said, pulling out their binder. “I happen to be here on business. I’m sure we can agree such a lowly peasant has no business hearing such matters.”

“That is so true my dear.” Lady Lorelei sat herself into a loveseat across from the sofa Seren sat on. “I certainly wouldn’t want to reveal the secrets of my marvelous success.” Seren smiled at the dust that fell from the cracked ceiling. Wishing they could see the world as Lorelei saw it.

“So. How satisfied are you with the services rendered this month?” Seren said. Pretending that the account was ongoing and not severely default. Seren learned that if you wanted to talk to Lorelei, made a lady strictly through her own insistence, you had to play along with her.

“Not at all, I’m afraid.” Lady Lorelei said with a deep frown. “I find the servants disappearing at all hours, abandoning their work. This place is falling apart and I have seen no one coming to repair it.”

“I’m very sorry about that.” Seren said. Pretending to write something in their notes.

“I’m almost beginning to believe you’re trying to pull one over on me. What am I paying you for?” Lady Lorelei huffed at them.

“I understand your dissatisfaction.” Seren nodded. “I am fully willing to settle your account and we don’t need to renew your contract.”

“I agree that is exactly what is required here.” Lady Lorelei said, lifting her skirts so she could cross her legs.

“Very well. Let’s get this account settled.” Seren put their binder on the table open for Lady Lorelei. She gasped dramatically and clasped her pearls again.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“This is highway robbery!” She cried. “How do you expect me to pay that?! After what horrid service you’ve rendered?”

“I understand your concern.” Seren nodded sympathetically. “The price was negotiated prior however. Services were rendered and now the bill must be settled.”

“You cheeky little thing.” Lady Lorelei hissed. She shook her head and stood up. “I’ll settle this. Just you wait.” Seren took their binder back and waited. Wondering what the old woman would give them this time. Lady Lorelei returned with a purse, still mumbling to herself about how unfair the world was.

“Right, right. Now let’s see…” Lady Lorelei opened her purse and counted something out. Seren didn’t hear a single sound from the purse. Nothing like money anyway. “Here.” Lady Lorelei held out a fist and Seren held out their hands and the Lady dropped a bunch of various buttons into it.

“There. A handful of mag coins should more than cover it.” Lady Lorelei said. Shutting her purse again. Seren smiled at the handful of buttons that was worth a single cor if pressed.

“Sure is.” They said dropping it all into the bag. “Should I come to check on you again next month to discuss whether or not we will draw up another contract?”

“I’m not certain yet. Perhaps I’ll shop around.” Lady Lorelei said.

“All right, fair enough. I’ll drop by next month to check up on you then and see how you’re faring.” Seren stood up and brushed off their clothes.

“Sounds lovely, I’m sure my resourcefulness will surprise you.” Lady Lorelei said with a smug smile.

“It always does, my lady. It always does.” Seren agreed. Lady Lorelei showed them out of the house and Seren laughed to themself at the buttons in their bag. They checked their binder to look at their next stop. It was in the Autumn district, so Seren left the Spring district. Hitching a ride on a passing wagon to save themself some time.

They stopped at the garden store front. Looking at all the tools and seeds in the shop window before walking in. Ringing the bell as they entered the door.

“Just a minute!” A voice from behind the counter called. A person came through the door and their eyes narrowed at Seren. “Oh. You. Well, I knew this was coming.”

“Does that mean we can make this nice, quick and painless?” Seren asked hopefully.

“Yeah,” The garden shop owner nodded. Opening their cash register and counting out some bars. “Here, this should be more than enough.” Seren approached the counter and took the four bars. Impressed by the stl ingt as well as the irn ingts.

“Yeah. This about covers it.” Seren said. “If you have another stl, which I know you do, you should drop by tomorrow and close your account.” The owner’s cheeks grew red.

“Is that what I’m down to?” The owner asked.

“More or less..” Seren said as they did their math. “Yeah. That should do it.”

“Can I just give you the stl now and let that be the end of it?” The shop owner asked.

“Unfortunately not.” Seren said, “but you should find it easy enough to close your account. Well. I’m sure I won’t be seeing you again so, goodbye!”

“Yeah, bye.” The owner waved slightly annoyed. Seren left and checked the binder. Their stomach rumbled, Seren looked up at the clock tower from inside the King’s Ransom beyond the steamworks. Finding it just after noon. Seren looked around the road until finding a little food cubby. They ran over to it and looked over what the menu served. They ordered themselves a melty sandwich with fries and boba tea and sat at a picnic table to eat.

Seren picked out one of the books on the fae history and read while they ate, though the book didn’t bring any satisfaction from reading it. Instead making their head and eyes hurt slightly from reading it. They gave up reading and went back to their binder. Pleased that they only had two more stops before they were done for the day. They cleaned up their spot at the table and carried their tea with them as they headed for the next stop.

They stepped up to the local holy grounds. They doubled then triple checked their binder to make sure they were at the right location. Seeing no way they could be mistaken, they walked through the gates and towards the biggest building. They didn’t even make it before someone saw them.

“Welcome child, is there something we can help you with?” One plain clothed person asked.

“Yeah, I’m looking for someone by the name of Appleby?” Seren asked, checking their binder again.

“Oh, he’s this way. You must have business with him.” The person directed Seren to follow and they entered the building.

“I do.” Seren said, finding the high vaulted ceilings echoey and intimidating. “Is he far?”

“No, not very.” The person said before stopping at a pair of double doors and knocking at them.

“Come in.”