Riley sat in the house and listened to the sound of guards on the street. They shouted at the urchins, banged on doors, and slowly searched cottages.

Rolling her eyes, she stretched and used Alter Disguise, turning into an urchin girl. With a growing smile, she darted out the door and looked down the street.

Half of the guards were standing there, completely bored.

“Waste of time, mate. You’re just pissing off the criminals,” one said.

The woman leaning against him nodded. “Besides, she’ll just kill you if you do find her.”

“That’s a conspiracy,” a guard said, walking from the cottage and straightening his uniform.

The woman scoffed. “Yeah. She escaped, ran off, and avoided the seekers at level one. That means she’s either a god or she just lied. You know, like all master assassins would. Either way, I’m not messing with her.”

“She’s a master thief, too,” a guard added.

The woman nodded. “If she were weak, she’d be located.” She sighed. “This is a waste of time. Let’s get an ale.”

“Agreed,” several guards chimed in.

Riley smiled and walked up to the guards. She looked at them with wide eyes. “Sirs, what are you doing, sirs?”

A guard turned. “Have you seen a teenage girl with blue hair?”

“A mage?” Riley shook her head. “No, sorry, sir.” She looked down the streets. “Is she a criminal?”

“Please,” another guard replied, laughing. “You’re a criminal, or I’m a royal.”

Riley staggered back, looking up and letting her lip tremble. Looking down, she ran down the street, forcing herself to move at a glacially slow run. This is harder than I remember. Darting around a corner, she saw Althea standing there.

Walking up, Riley held out her hands. “Pardon me, my lady. Spare a coin?”

Althea turned.

Riley felt the insight skill wash across her disguise. She pouted a little and held out her hands.

“You’re new,” Althea said, raising her brow. She snatched Riley into a hug.

Riley chuckled. “How’d you know?”

“Gods, you must have been a cute kid,” Althea replied. “And I guessed. The odds were far too low for anything else.”

“What if you got it wrong?” Riley asked.

“Then I’d hug them and take them to the orphanage. There was no downside.” Althea smiled, her brow raising. “You look like your mother, you know that?” She reached into her bag and pulled out a little mirror.

Riley took it and looked at her light brown hair. I have her short nose, her hair, and her eyes. Smiling, she handed the mirror back. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, love. Are they searching?”

“Half-heartedly,” Riley replied. “They think the master thief and assassin lied.”

“As would I.” Althea chuckled and leaned against the cottage wall.

Riley leaned next to her. “When did you find Nicole?”

“Five years ago. They were in a small village, struggling to live. Of course, I had to take Nicole in, and Lucas was like a brother to her. So, I took them both in.” Althea smiled. “It was good for me.”

“Does it happen often?”

“No,” Althea replied, shaking her head. “Not since the wars.” She stared at another building. “The wars that ruined everything.”

“What happened?” Riley asked. “The people here say the elves tried to kill all humans.”

Althea looked down and sighed. “Much of their history is true. The elves grew weary and marched. It took a very dark path.”

“Why?” Riley asked with a growing frown.

“It was long before my time, but the wrong people came into power. They wished to end the spread of humanity.” Althea grimaced. “Fools. As if the gods would allow that level of hate.”

“Do the elves still want that?”

“No. They learned their lesson.”

“Music’s curse?” Riley probed. Is she going to tell me?

“I didn’t know that humans were aware of that.” Althea looked down and raised her brow. “Where’d you hear it?”

Riley shrugged. “A book?”

“Nicole.” Althea sighed. “We were winning. Our people were long-lived and stronger. It was a fight the humans couldn’t win until Music intervened. She descended from the heavens in fury.”

“Gods can do that?” Riley asked, her eyes going wide.

Althea shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s just myth. The gods have rules that I certainly don’t know, but that’s the legend. She descended and cursed us, ripping away the bard and noble class from every elf.”

Riley nodded. “And?” There has to be more.

“And it didn’t stop there. The human royals were bolstered. Their auras were enough to close the gap. We began to lose. Most elves cursed Music for her actions. Her books were burned. Her instruments were tossed on the pyre, and we spread the curse without knowing it.”

“What’s the curse?” Riley asked, looking up at her.

Althea looked at Riley.

Riley smiled back.

“I’m hesitant to speak it, as sharing it outside the forest is forbidden.”

Riley frowned. “Why?”

“It is our greatest weakness. Though I believe some of the human nobility figured it out.”

She looked up at her.

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Althea glanced around and shook her head. “Not here,” she whispered.

“Fine, but someday?”

Althea nodded. “I’ll agree to that.”

Riley turned and looked. She saw a group of guards walking down the lane toward them.

Althea turned. “Now, Melody, what did I tell you about running off?”

Riley looked at the ground. “To not to.”

“That’s right. It’s very dangerous down here. Come along, dear.” Althea turned and pulled Riley along.

She’s good at this. Riley followed her, waving cheerily at the guards.

“See anyone with blue hair?” one asked.

Riley shook her head. “Sorry, sir.” She smiled at him and followed Althea down the streets.

They walked down the road and entered a tavern. Riley walked inside and scowled. Ew. She looked at the muddy floor, dirty tables, and overfilling hearth.

Althea turned and chuckled.

Riley stuck her tongue out, ignored the crowds, and dashed to the corner, grabbing the broom.

Sweeping, she made her way through the room, wiping off the dirty old chairs and sweeping the worn floor. Brushing it out onto the street, she turned and looked at the various patrons, who opted to stare at her.

Sighing, she walked into the kitchen and found Althea speaking with someone.

“…are the ringleaders,” the man said.

“I see. Do I need to handle any others?”

“Those should be sufficient.” The man sighed. “I don’t know how you stand it.”

“It’s not easy,” Althea replied, turning to look at Riley.

The man turned. “She’s new.”

“Yes, her father’s in town,” Althea replied. She turned back to him. “Gods guide.”

“Gods guide,” the man said in return.

Althea turned and walked out the door.

Riley followed her. “When’s Nicole getting back?”

“Soon, I’d imagine. She went snooping.” Althea turned and sighed. “Want to help me save the royals’ skins?”

Riley raised her brow. “Really?”

“Yes. Keeping them alive is a real challenge, and a group of students are spearheading a rebellion.” Althea sighed. “I think you know them.”

“Is it Hassan again?” Riley asked, groaning. I should have killed that horrible guy back in the dungeon.

“Yes. Hassan, Randalf, Winston, and Michelle seem to be the primary agitators. They’ve been putting in anonymous requests.”

“Why not report them to the palace and let them handle it?” Riley asked. “Or why not let them succeed? Can’t we do that now?”

“And let someone competent in power? Why take the risk?” Althea asked, turning and raising a brow. “Lucas will report it, but I need to get him the message.”

Riley nodded. “I can deliver that.”

Althea turned and smiled. She handed Riley a small piece of parchment. “Thank you. I need to ensure we don’t have a rogue who accepted their job.”

“Good luck.” Riley chuckled and darted down the streets. Pausing behind a building, she triggered Assume Disguise, and her form shifted. Maid attire appeared.

Darting up to the gate, she looked at the guards and curtsied. Insight skills washed over her.

A guard studied her. “You’re very pretty for a maid.”

Riley blushed, letting her face turn a vibrant crimson.

“I don’t suppose you happen to be that elusive assassin?” He raised his brow.

“Assassin?” Riley asked, moving closer to him and looking at the streets.

“If you are, Magus Victoria wants a word. Just don’t kill anyone or steal anything.” The guard chuckled.

Riley laughed. “You think I am some assassin?”

The guard shrugged. “No idea. You’re either a servant or her.”

The captain walked up. “Stop telling people that.” He hit the soldier on the head. “I swear, you’re part daft.”

The guard turned. “What? I was just covering the bases without getting murdered. Do you think that Riley doesn’t know they’re searching? She’s not stupid.”

The captain started lecturing him. Riley walked toward the palace. He doesn’t know what to do. In fairness, I get that. She darted around the palace and entered through the servants’ entrance.

Servants turned and looked. Ignoring them, Riley locked onto her disguise and strode confidently down the halls. A few guards turned and looked at her in confusion.

Ignoring them, she moved quickly down the hall and paused beside the throne room. Listening, she heard voices inside.

Popping the door open, she entered and joined the other servants. One with blue eyes turned toward her and raised a brow.

Riley smiled, and Lucas turned. He looked at her.

“Alert.” She held out a piece of parchment.

Lucas walked toward her. “Apologies, your majesties.” He reached down and took the note.

“What is it? Who is that?” the queen asked, looking at Riley.

“Seeker network,” Lucas replied. His frown grew. “We have a report of treason by a group of students.” He walked to the middle of the room.

“Who?” Titus said, standing up with anger in his eyes.

“We have a group plotting to take the throne. Hassan, Randalf, Winston, and Michelle have been plotting. They have been sending out cryptic requests through the assassins guild.”

Titus turned. “Guards, apprehend them. I want them brought in for interrogation.”

Guards filed out of the room. Titus sat and frowned. “It never ends. Thank you, seeker.” He paused and studied Riley. “How long have we had them among the servants?” He frowned.

“We don’t. She didn’t wish to cause a stir, and this is pressing,” Lucas replied. He turned to Riley and nodded.

Riley curtsied and walked to the door.

“I approve of it,” Lisa said, nodding. “Having a hidden seeker among them is beneficial.”

“Of course, my queen. I’ll inform—“

Riley walked out and closed the door. She looked up and down the hall. If he wants to lie about that, I approve. Meandering down the hall, she smiled. There is no way that their insight skills can see me right now.

Walking to a door, she triggered Ambush and scowled. No shadows? Darn it. Sighing, she pulled out lock picks and gently plucked the tumblers, pushing pins down and clicking the lock into place.

Slipping into the room, she looked at the bookshelves. Shame I can’t rob the vault. A crooked smile spread across her face.

She walked out and shut the door. Walking down the halls, she triggered invisibility and turned a corner. Spotting the guards positioned next to a door, she darted forward and brandished her lock picks.

Three? Condemnation. She frowned at the three locks on the door. Turning, she walked away. Someday, I’ll be back for you.

Turning a corner, she dropped invisibility and headed for the city. Hopefully, Dad will show up soon.