Like the growing storm, boulders smashed into walls while snow flurried on Friday morning. Riley yawned and rubbed her eyes, looking out into the courtyard before walking down the passage to the dining area. Sweet, sweet freedom! She walked inside and spotted Lucas. Walking up, she sat next to him and checked her progress.

[Your base level has advanced: 276 → 287!]

[Assassin (C) has advanced: 194 → 198!]

[Bard (C) has advanced: 194 → 198!]

[Ranger (C) has advanced: 219 → 223!]

[Spell Thief (C) has advanced: 194 → 198!]

[Noble (D) has advanced: 254 → 256!]

[Infiltrator (E) has advanced: 67 → 77!]

[Enchanter(F) has advanced: 53 → 63!]

[Alchemist (E) has advanced: 132 → 140!]

She smiled. I’ll hit C-tier soon, thank the gods. Taking a deep breath, she stretched and looked at Lucas. “Thanks for letting me get a break. I was getting ready to throw a shield at you.”

Lucas laughed. “I could tell. You had that evil glint in your eye.”

“It’s exhausting.” Riley huffed and crossed her arms. “Not to mention forcing me to use the chamber pot with guards watching.”

“You had a dozen assassins visit. It was necessary.” Lucas turned, his eyes glowing slightly. “Roger’s back again.”

Riley looked up at the soldier, who handed her a plate. “Thanks.” She turned. “I can go out today, right?”

Lucas nodded. “Yes, but bring guards with you. Your father would be best.”

Riley ate the morning porridge and tried to ignore the terrible taste. Guess we’re out of good food. Forcing it down rapidly, she looked up at the group who walked in.

Roger walked over and sat next to her, yawning widely. “Should you be out here?”

Riley looked at her porridge and thought about throwing it at him. “I can’t stay in that room every day, Dad. I will run away.” She forced herself to eat another bite. “How was the mission?”

“We’ll see if they take the bait.”

“Bait?” Riley asked.

Roger winked. “We got someone to pretend to be you and escorted them away. Hopefully, they’ll bite, and we can take the fort today. That’s the plan. Travis will call for your auras. Save your mana; we’ll use it to take the fort.”

Riley turned. “Where’d you find someone who could look like me?”

“A seeker.” Roger looked over as Travis walked up.

Travis handed him a bowl and sat. He looked at Riley. “Should you be out here?”

“I will throw this porridge at you,” Riley said, loading her spoon with a large glob. “I’m not staying prisoner in that room.”

Travis chuckled. He turned to Roger. “Think it worked?”

“That’s the hope. They saw us leave.” Roger turned towards the sound of boulders and ice smashing into the wall. “I’m unsure if this is a ruse or not.”

“Did they move others here and weaken the others?” Travis asked.

“As far as I can tell, yes,” Roger replied. “I think they’ll push.” He started eating.

Riley looked at her bowl of mush. Don’t taste, just eat. She forced herself to shovel it down while listening to the sound outside. I want to play the lute. When can I do that? She looked around the room and sighed.

“Music, I am sorry. I’m trapped within this place.

A little moment’s all I need to sing about your grace.”

Riley looked up as a girl in leather armor took a seat next to Lucas. Her hair was brown and on the shorter side, coming to her chin. Her green eyes gleamed.

There’s something about those eyes… Did I see them before? Riley turned her attention to her food and rapidly worked through faces.

Lucas turned and smiled. “Hello, Nicole.”

“Hello, Lucas.” Nicole turned and smiled. “Hello, Lady Riley. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Riley said, looking back at Lucas. “May I ask?”

“Riley, meet my sister, Nicole.” Lucas smiled.

“We’re not really siblings. We grew up together,” Nicole said. “And then we got adopted by the same woman.”

Riley slammed the shock away. She was in the castle. That’s where I saw her. She smiled.

“Nicole’s here to be your handmaiden,” Lucas said, looking at Riley.

“I see. Does your mom know?” Riley asked, her smile curling up.

“It was her idea,” Nicole replied with a grin.

Travis chuckled. “You’re lucky, Nicole. I think she’s the only lady in the kingdom that’d let her handmaiden talk.”

Riley scowled at him. “Welcome to room arrest, where we’re stuck in a horrible stone room.”

Reaching over, Roger patted her on the shoulder. “It’ll be fine. You know the value in this.”

Riley sighed and ate, shoveling the food into her mouth. Finishing, she looked out the door. Snow shot by the door, driven by the wind. The door swung shut.

“Did they magic this storm?” Riley asked, looking at the group.

Travis shrugged. “We’re unsure, but you can bet we’re doing it.”

Riley grabbed her bowl and stood. Nicole took it from her and walked across the room.

“Be careful, even here,” Lucas said.

Riley slumped. “Am I back in my room?” Her question was met with nods. Dropping in her chair, she lay her head on the table and looked around the room.

Nicole returned. Travis finished his meal and walked out. Lucas’ gaze swept across the room, burning through everyone.

Riley turned. “How did you like growing up with that?”

“I got used to it,” Nicole said, sitting in the chair. “It was a bit of a game to see if I could hide things from him.”

Wait. How good of a liar is she? Does she have a deception skill? She has to, right? Riley studied the brown-haired girl. Her leather uniform was tidy. A sword and knives were on her belt, along with some other contraption.

Riley stared at the gleaming metal barrel and the wooden handle. Her eyes went wide. “You have a gun?”

Nicole swallowed. “Yes. I have a flintlock. It doesn’t work great, but I’m trying to figure it out.”

“Where’d you get one?” Riley asked, peering over at it. I want one.

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Nicole took another bite and pointed at Lucas.

“Where’s my gun?” Riley asked, spinning toward him.

Lucas chuckled. “Perhaps we’ll find another one.”

I should have gotten the student class. I could have combined it with Alchemist or Enchanter. Riley paused and considered ways to sneak a run. It would technically be possible if she snuck back with the right disguise.

“I don’t like that look,” Lucas said.

“Just thinking.” Riley mused on it. I couldn’t be seen. The fort would topple.

“Ominous.” Lucas stood. “I need to take a look outside the wall. You need to get back.”

Riley groaned. “Do you think they’ll send more of them?”

Lucas shrugged. “It’s not worth the risk.”

“I’ll take her,” Nicole said, chuckling and standing up.

“No offense, Nicole, but you lack the skill required.”

“Fine. I’m going.” Riley stood, and a whistle rang through the air. Sitting back down, she waited. Light flashed under the door, and thunder boomed repeatedly.

The building and ground shook, growing in increasing intensity. The sound of screeching metal filled the air. There goes the gate.

Riley looked around the room. Soldiers tightened straps. Lucas and Roger walked toward the door, and Riley sat there while her table emptied.

“Does this happen often?” Nicole asked, pushing her hair behind her ears.

Riley nodded and pulled her cowl tighter. “Yes.” She sighed and watched the soldiers stream out into the yard.

“We should get you to your room.” Nicole frowned and stepped closer.

Riley watched the room empty, soldiers rushing to position. “Can’t we just look?”

A crooked smile spread across Nicole’s face. “Well, I do want to see it. There’s just one problem: you. They’re targeting you.”

“I’ll be stealthy,” Riley said, scowling at her.

Nicole leaned closer. “Just be someone else for a minute. Come on, Riley. I’ve heard stories.”

“What?” Riley asked, instinct taking over.

Nicole winked. “Come on. I know.” She winked, and her brown hair was a shade lighter. Her hands flashed. “Althea says ‘hi.’”

A smile spread across Riley’s face. Grinning, she triggered Assume Disguise, and her form shifted. She felt herself get shorter. Blonde hair piled on her head. Pushing back her cowl, she winked and walked to the door.

Opening the door, Riley looked out and saw the gate lying in the yard. Pieces of stone littered the area, and soldiers filled the breach. Beyond them, an army charged. Spells snaked back and forth between the two groups.

Riley walked up to the remaining portion of the wall. Conjuring knives, she smiled and waited while Nicole nocked an arrow and walked up the steps.

Shouting filled the air. The wind gusted, and arrows flew, pelting down like the snow. So it begins.

The wind suddenly shifted, sending the snow flying into the enemies’ faces. Then it jerked back. Mages started wrestling with it. The gusts swirled here and there. Riley watched another volley of arrows shoot out. A streak of water brought them crashing to the ground, and the song of steel on steel began again.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 287

Bard (C)

Level: 198 + 1

Dominating Presence D Enemies within sixty meters of you lose 10 strength, 10 dexterity, and 10 speed. You may use inspiration to boost the range and the effect temporarily. Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount. Restoring Presence C Subjects regain 1 stamina and 1 mana every half hour; their healing is augmented by 25%. Allies within 50 meters count as subjects. You may use mana to send out a burst of healing. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect. Empowering Presence D Your subjects gain +10 strength, +10 dexterity, and +10 movement speed; allies within twenty meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.

Assassin (C)

Level: 198 + 12

Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight. Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 for a minute. Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant. Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Spell Thief(C)

Level: 198

Predatory Sight D Your perception and insight are boosted by 25. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for 10 seconds. Spirit Blade C +1 level to assigned class. Manifest an ethereal blade of psychic energy that will vanish after thirty seconds or six seconds after being thrown. Costs one stamina or one mana to manifest a blade.

Pretty D Your appearance is nice, but it could be so grand. Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty. Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.

Ranger(C) Level: 223 Inactive. Noble (D)

Level: 256 Inactive. Enchanter (F)

Level: 63 Inactive. Alchemist (D)

Level: 140 Inactive. Infiltrator (E)

Level: 77 Inactive. - -

Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies. Conjure Potion D Create a potion. Cost varies based on the potion type and requirements.

Dexterity 1181 Strength 574 Speed 428 Intelligence 772 Charisma 803 Stamina 784 Mana 1170 Inspiration 486