Timothy plodded into his room, exhaustion seeping into his bones. The hearth greeted him warmly, and the sofa looked like the perfect place to be.

He looked at the red furniture fondly and forced himself away. He plodded to the desk even while the exhaustion circled him like a pack of wolves.

“Think she went to sleep?” Kamal asked, yawning and slumping onto the couch near the hearth. He pulled off his cloak and used it as a makeshift blanket.

“That’s what I want to do,” Dwight said, dropping into a chair limply.

Timothy yawned and nodded. “I’ll do the same shortly. I just need to process the Hassan development.”

“He’s baron now,” Kamal said, sprawling on the couch and closing his eyes. “I can’t believe it.”

“That’s the problem. He’s here. But he can’t be baron and be here. We’ll need a temporary one,” Timothy huffed and looked at his desk. He yawned. The growing exhaustion was not helping.

“Shit,” Dwight muttered. “I didn’t think about that. He can’t even run it. That’s going to piss him off.”

“Exactly.” Timothy rubbed his brow. “And he’s in my territory. So, now I have to missive the duke and ensure that portion of the territory doesn’t fall into anarchy. That’s going to cost me troops.” He groaned and leaned back in his chair.

Kamal snored in reply, and Dwight looked enviously at him.

Timothy sighed, picked up a quill, and scrawled out a message.

Dwight stood and paced. “About the trials and the loot. I think we need to make a policy.”

“We will work on it together,” Timothy replied. “But I can barely think right now. I need some rest. That night was miserable.”

Dwight frowned. “Riley took the experience. She’s ahead of us.”

“We’ll figure it out later. I’m exhausted,” Timothy said, dunking the quill in the inkwell and lightly tapping off the excess.

Dwight stopped pacing. “What duchy will you give Riley?”

Timothy looked up. “I’m unsure. If you’re interested, escort her to the fifth-week gala. That’d save me some trouble, and I approve.” He turned back to his letter to the duke.

Dwight walked over to the chair. “She’s strange. So bookish, but then she goes in the dungeon, and I see something else.” He took off his gear and plopped into the soft chair.

Timothy nodded and finished his letter. Then he looked at the pile of papers. “I’m leaving the criminal stuff for her.”

“Do you think she is one? An assassin or thief?” Dwight leaned back in the chair.

“She clearly has connections and training from them.” Timothy paused. “And she was claimed by the seekers, so it is possible. I’d have to ask. Lucas would know. We could ask him.”

“Lucas gives me the creeps,” Dwight complained, shuddering. “It was like he was looking at my soul. Even the gods didn’t feel like that.”

“That gets better with levels,” Timothy replied, dripping wax on the letter and pressing a stamp onto it. He rang the brass bell on his desk and placed the letter in the basket. “I’m getting some rest.” He stood and headed for his bedroom.

Dwight didn’t bother heading to bed; he laid back and drifted asleep.

~~~

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Princess Lily paced in her room, walking back and forth on the soft rug. She looked out at the red drapes and crackling hearth. Then she looked at the group that was gathered. “Does anyone suspect our involvement?”

Olivia shook her head, her black hair waving softly. “They all blame Hassan. It’s perfect.”

Lily huffed. “But we still have the Riley problem. Tier two cleared? And at this level?” she questioned in an exasperated tone. “They’ll get a large boost. He’ll lead me by at least six levels now.”

“If I may, princess,” a nondescript brown-haired boy said with a growing smile. “Your current plan just needs a few alterations, and we can send her a message.”

Lily spun toward him and nodded.

“We have the thieves switch their first target.” He grinned and leaned back in his chair. “They’ll send an obvious message.”

Realization spread across Lily’s face. She clapped and spun, her red dress flaring around her. “I’ll make you a baron!” she said cheerily, grinning at the boy who had come to solve her problems.

The boy bowed. “Thank you, princess. I’m honored to help.” He stood and walked to the map. “Now, we will need to do this correctly. If you provide the funds, I would hypothetically be able to aid you. And it is just a donation, not payment; you will remain in the clear.” He winked and gestured to the duchy that contained Hassan’s new barony. “She has friends there.”

Lily clapped. “Of course. You are a treasure. You must tell me your name when it’s all done.”

“Of course, princess,” the boy replied, bowing slightly.

Olivia frowned. “Are you certain about this, princess? I don’t know about him.” She frowned at the unknown boy.

“Nonsense.” Lily waved at her and turned back to the map. “He set the ball in motion. Now, we press the attack.” She gestured and looked at the boy. “I do think this duchy will be the next to fall.”

The boy nodded. “Things to consider. I can’t promise or commit to them, of course.”

Lily laughed. “Of course.” Her smile grew. “Now, can you solve the Riley problem? How much would it cost me to have her removed?”

The boy frowned and considered. “It will be blatant. And you just asked. That will be difficult to circumvent.”

“Of course, you will refuse my request.” Lily winked. “But what’s the going rate of such a thing?”

“It will be difficult to find someone. The guards here are designed to protect you.” The boy shook his head. “It would cost far too much.”

Lily scowled at him. “Come now. You just handled the baron beautifully. There must be a way. My brother will get ahead. That must stop.”

“I will do some research and call in some favors.” The boy paused and turned toward her. An eager glint shone in his blue eyes. “Though there is another option that may be better for you. Talk to your parents. Get them to rearrange the groups so she is with both of you this weekend. Then, take an even split instead of just the attuned.”

Lily considered it. “Why is that better?”

“She clearly has skills. You could use them and reach a higher tier by the end of the academy.” The boy raised his brow. “Isn’t that a better option?”

“And we could try to get her to join us,” Olivia added, nodding in approval. She looked at the boy. “Good ideas.”

“Yes, I agree. I’ll speak with them.” Lily smiled and straightened her dress. She pulled out some makeup and carefully applied it.

Finishing, she turned and looked at the boy. “Do what is necessary, future baron. We have a kingdom to win and problems to solve.”

The boy smiled, stood, and walked out the door. Lily followed, striding toward the throne room. She had requests to make.

~~~

Winston glowered and kicked the floor. Level two. They cleared level two. I could have done it. He huffed angrily and then paused. I need to be back in the group. Turning, he walked out of his room and down the polished hall of the palace.

Standing in front of another door, he knocked.

“Go away,” Hassan called. “I did not do it.”

“It’s not that,” Winston called and reached for the doorknob. It rattled. Locked. Come on. “Let me in. We need to chat.”

The door swung open, and Winston walked into the room. He walked inside and looked at the disheveled boy. Hassan’s black hair was messy, and exhaustion lingered around his eyes.

Winston shut the door and locked it. He walked over to the desk. “I need a competent group and don’t want to wait for it. How is yours?”

“It’s okay. I need to get rid of two,” Hassan replied. “That’s why you are here?”

“How close to E-tier?” Winston asked. “You’ve had two runs.”

“I’ll get it with this one,” Hassan said, raising his chin. “We cleared some of the second level.”

Winston nodded. An okay backup, but not great. It’ll cost me to wait for them. He studied the boy. “You did speak with the guild, correct?”

Hassan sighed. “I’m not doing this again. I’m innocent.”

“No. It’s not that. I need a competent assassin,” Winston replied.

Hassan’s brow raised. “Why?”

“Because I need Riley out of the picture, and I don’t think you want to pay her ludicrous fee either.” Winston’s smile spread. He took a seat at the desk. “Where and how do I contact them?”

Hassan paused. “Are you sure?”

“We just saw a baron fall, and she’s not a noble, just a distant bastard heir. Let’s free up some of your debt and solve a problem.” Winston gestured to the other chair next to the polished desk.

Hassan smiled, walked over, and took a seat. “I think we can arrange something.”