Riley walked down the street. Bells tolled from the castle. Let the lockdown commence. Not that it’ll do anything. She smirked and followed Nicole down the street to a rundown, horrible cottage.

Sort of gross. Riley followed her inside and looked at the dirty, grimy cottage.

Turning, she searched for a broom, and Nicole pulled her into a side room.

Riley followed down some steps into a cellar. A magical light lit the clean room. A polished table sat there. “What are we doing in your little hideout?”

“We’ll wait a minute and see what happens.”

“Where’d Althea go?”

“To check on things,” Nicole replied, grinning.

“So, what is the plan, or am I running off to the elves after a little revenge?” Riley asked, smirking at Nicole.

“Well, that depends on who you ask,” Nicole said, sighing. “And do you mind? I like being me here?”

“No.”

Nicole’s form shifted to the elf with white hair. She grinned. “My elven name is Neria, but you can call me either. Althea may chide you for it, though.” She looked at Riley, raising her brow.

Riley sighed. “Fine.” She dropped her disguise and looked at her hands. I look a little like Mom. She smiled and looked down at her figure.

“You look good,” Nicole said. “Elves are better.”

Riley rolled her eyes. “Okay. What’s the plan?”

“The council is probably going to tell us to send you to them.” Nicole huffed. “But that’s not nearly as fun.”

“Why do they want me there?” Riley asked. “Because I’m a Spell Thief?”

Nicole nodded. “That’s a big part of it. There is another one I’m not allowed to share until you choose.” She rolled her eyes.

“Just tell me anyway,” Riley said, smirking.

Nicole grinned. “That’s why you’re fun.” She leaned forward. “I don’t even know the full story. I know that the elves made Music mad. They say that when there is an elven bard, it means that she forgives them.” She shrugged. “I don’t know the significance, but it has something to do with elven royalty and the council.”

Riley paused. “Do they have auras?”

Nicole shrugged. “If they do, I don’t see them.”

Maybe it’s that. “And so they want me there to convince me?”

“Probably. Our instructions are to get you there without hurting the odds.” Nicole sighed. “Which has been tricky.”

“Why not tell me?” Riley asked.

“No idea. That’s why I did.” Nicole chuckled and grinned. “Our plan is to make it easier to conquer this place. Any objections?”

“Gods, no.” Riley shook her head. “Unless the elves are going to kill the humans. Then there will be.” She frowned. “Are they? I won’t let them do that.”

“No. Eteln will take the territory. That was the deal they made.”

“Why’d they make that deal?” Riley asked. That’s either too good to be true, or the elves were losing.

“They were losing. Between the blood fields and Eteln, things became dire. I did manage to learn that one. I even visited Eteln once. That’s where I got this thing.” Nicole grinned and gestured to her flintlock. She leaned closer. “I don’t know how to use it. Don’t tell anyone.”

Riley laughed and rested her head on the table. “So, your plan?”

“Spying as a servant again.” Nicole grinned. “I’m hoping to bring this whole thing tumbling down soon, but we’ll wait a second and see how far Eteln makes it.”

Riley nodded. “Can I help?” She smiled.

“Sure. Let’s go see the chaos that you—” Nicole was jerked from the bench by two strong arms. She groaned. “Althea, stop that.”

“No.” Althea hugged her. Releasing her, she walked around the table.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Riley stood and hugged her. “Hello, Althea. How are you?” She let go and stepped back.

“Busy. You wouldn’t believe the number of assassins I had to kill to keep these fools alive,” Althea sighed and smiled. “You look amazing. Did I tell you that already?”

Riley stuck her tongue out. “I don’t know about these long ears.” She reached up and felt one.

“You’ll get used to them in no time.” Althea looked at her with an amused expression. “You look more like your parents now.”

Riley nodded and examined her hair. This color is more fun. “Is the council asking that I leave?”

“I haven’t gotten the message from them yet, but they’d like that, yes,” Althea said, taking a seat. “The city is in lockdown. They’re searching for you.”

Riley triggered Assume Disguise and sat down. “Expected. I assume that I’m getting another wanted poster.” She leaned against the table. “And I’m not leaving until my dad’s back.”

Althea sighed. “Any way I can alter that?”

“Why?” Riley asked. Should I? I could. Turning focus, she pulled up her notifications, willing up the information about people with oaths.

[You have 3218 subjects with oaths.]

Her eyes went wide. That many? She paused and debated it. They might die. It’d be better if we finished it here and helped Eteln move in. The elves can wait. Music probably had her reason.

[She did. They can wait. ~Beauty]

Riley willed the message away.

“Your father is capable, and you do have family there,” Althea said.

“I know, Althea. I know.”

“And they never even knew you existed. If they had, they would have gotten you long ago.”

Riley blushed. “Tell you what, I’ll talk to my father when he gets back, but I’m not letting this group of horrible nobles keep a foothold.”

Althea nodded. “I understand, Riley. Maybe Neria can teach you some elvish. She could use the practice.” She quirked a brow at her.

Nicole sighed. “Not this again. I’ll live in Eteln.”

“You’ll learn it,” Althea said, sighing loudly.

Nicole sighed and turned. “Want to go spy? We can figure out what happened? Then we get some rest.”

Riley nodded. “Let’s. I need to steal a dungeon run tomorrow.” She grinned and triggered Assume Disguise, becoming the maid with curly, black hair.

Nicole snorted, the laughter bursting from her mouth.

“It’s Beauty’s fault.” Riley crossed her arms.

“Servants are supposed to blend in,” Nicole said, her form shifting and changing to that of a blue-eyed servant boy. She winked. “What do you think?”

Riley blinked. “I didn’t expect that.” She smirked.

“You should try it sometime.” Nicole stood.

Riley chuckled. Right. Maybe. She turned and was pulled into a hug.

“I need you to be safe. So, be on high alert. Do not speak unless directly asked. Run if they notice you,” Althea said, squeezing her. “And thank you for all your help.”

“What’s with the hugs?” Riley asked, looking at Nicole.

Nicole chuckled. “She’s been here too long. I think she adopted us because she wanted company.”

Althea sighed. “It gets lonely. Now, be safe. Don’t cause any havoc until we get a read on things. Eteln is pushing in, but I have no idea if this was sufficient.”

Riley nodded. True. We need information. She hugged Althea and then walked up the stairs and out the door. Looking at the snowy city, she journeyed toward the castle.

“If you hear a bell, hide or go inside,” Nicole said, walking close. “Be overly deferential to everyone.”

“I know how to be a servant,” Riley replied, chuckling softly.

Nicole smiled. “I suppose so. Are you really thinking human?”

Riley shrugged. “I don’t know. Did you travel there before you decided?”

“Nope. It just felt right, so I went with it.”

Hmm, did it feel right? She looked down. Or does this feel better? She turned a corner and wove through the crowds. I could try being a boy again, but I don’t think that’s right. She wrinkled her nose and looked at her cohort. A smirk pulled across her face, and she leaned over. “You look cute.”

Nicole spun and flexed. She grinned and leaned over. “You should see the male elf disguise I have.” She laughed.

Riley chuckled and turned onto the main road. Patrols of soldiers were everywhere, walking into buildings and checking for anyone. One looked at her, sighed, and looked away.

Walking up the street, she straightened her uniform and smiled contritely at the palace guards. Insight skills rolled over her, pushing to reveal everything. They slid off her skills.

Nicole paused next to the guards, and Riley mirrored.

“You’re clear,” a guard said, nodding.

Nicole bowed. Riley bobbed a curtsy and headed into the palace grounds.

Walking around the castle, she entered the servants’ door and strode down the halls.

“Mike, you’re back?” a voice called.

Nicole spun and waved at another servant. “Yes. How are things?”

A servant girl walked up. “The royals were all happy because they broke the enemy. That was nice. Now, they’re pissed because the Void Mage broke her oath and ran off.”

Nicole sighed. “This is my friend, Rachel.” She gestured to Riley. “She’s new to the palace but not the business.”

The girl grinned and held out a hand. “Bonnie. Welcome to the palace. It’s not great, but you can get a sil and a meal each day if you play your cards right and check in with the head maid or butler.” She gestured to Nicole. "He’s terrible at it."

“They annoy me,” Nicole said, chuckling.

“They annoy everyone,” Bonnie replied, shaking her head. She turned. “Oh, this girl is new, too. She said that she had a friend attending the academy.”

Riley looked and nearly fell over. She stared at her old friend. “Tahani?”

Tahani’s brow raised. “Sorry, have we met?”

“Once. I’m Rachel,” Riley said, reaching out her hand. Shaking it, Riley bumped out a little sign in her hand.

Shock spread across Tahani’s face and then vanished. “Oh. Good to see you again, Rachel.” She grinned. “I heard some wild rumors this morning.”

A bell chimed down the hall.

“I’ll get it,” Bonnie said, striding away.

Tahani smiled. “Where are you staying?”

“Slums now,” Riley whispered. “How are you?”

“So much for my master plan.”

“Sorry.” Riley hugged her. “I’ll figure out something.” What am I going to do? Maybe we can sneak her out. I could get her a few crystals. “What happened to the hunting plan?”

Tahani shook her head. “They pulled too many guards for the war. It got too dangerous. I’ll try again later.”

Another bell chimed.

“Be safe,” Riley whispered.

Tahani smiled. “I’ll find you after work.” She darted down the halls.

“Old friend?” Nicole asked.

Riley nodded. “Now, I’m going to be bored by a door. I need to know about the war.” She grinned and walked down the castle halls.