Prince Timothy drummed his fingers on the heavy oak table inside his office. A large bank of books sat on two walls. A hearth crackled in the back. Furniture lined the walls, and tension hung in the air like the smoke outside the castle. He turned and watched the servant bow and leave. The door clunked shut, leaving him with two other boys.

“Anyone else?” Timothy asked.

The boy with short, black hair and a long nose nodded. “Yes. The future mayors are terrified to get involved, but we’ll work on them. Some of the future barons are still on the fence.” Kamal pulled out a folded piece of paper and put it on the desk. “These were the ones we noted. Riley is the strangest case. Are we going to make her go solo on Friday?”

Timothy took the paper and rapidly skimmed it. “Recruit them. Force them to pick a side. As for Riley, did you get confirmation?” He turned to the boy with long, brown hair.

Dwight nodded. “Yes. I also told Randalf to shut it.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and tossed it on the desk. “She advanced over forty levels from a single run. She was in there for roughly three days but died fighting wraiths.”

“So, she likely killed things, consumed crystals, and then went out in a blaze of glory?” Timothy asked.

Dwight nodded, leaned back in his chair, and grabbed a goblet. “Yes. And she clearly killed many of them because the place of power wasn’t reported as destroyed.”

“In return, the gods let her keep the experience earned. Everyone knows that can happen,” Kamal said, grabbing his cup and sipping the ale inside.

“And the rumors about her birth?” Timothy asked. “She was a bastard child, but is now the only heir left after that unfortunate turn of events?”

“Correct,” Dwight said.

Timothy nodded and considered. He’d acted more quickly than he’d planned, but that wrinkle was too large to ignore. “She took notes like an aspiring mage. But she could buy - oh. She grew up with nothing.” He leaned forward and smiled at his two closest allies.

“She clearly enjoys magic.” Dwight smiled. “I’ll ensure Randalf doesn’t overstep.”

“Good. I’ll have a parcel delivered to her,” Timothy said with a growing smile. “It would be best to have her loyalty.” He reached out, picked up his cup, and drank. Setting it down, he looked at the two. “Prepare for the run on Friday. I need someone willing to go with her, someone we trust and who can afford to lose the week if we judged incorrectly.”

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Silence hung in the air. Both looked at each other.

“I’ll do it,” Dwight finally said. “I need to know if a neighboring baron is that capable.”

Timothy nodded, reached down, and picked up a piece of paper. He rapidly scrawled out a message and then rang a bell.

A servant entered moments later. Walking forward, she took the outstretched paper and nodded. “Of course, your grace.” She walked silently from the room, closing the door behind her.

Timothy turned back to the two. “Now. Who is wavering, and who can I leverage against my sister?”

~~~

Roger walked away from the palace walls. “Gods watch over her.” Taking a breath, he prepared himself for the upcoming meeting, masking away his emotion and preparing for the inevitable fury.

Stopping at a rundown cottage, he knocked, entered, and took a seat. Then he knocked twice and waited for the guild master to show up. She’s going to be pissed. Roger sighed. Shame we lost the old one.

Minutes stretched by. A cowled figure swept into the room and took a seat.

“Hello, Althea,” Roger said with a deferential nod. “It has been a while.”

Althea pulled back her cowl, revealing vibrant, angry green eyes. “Indeed.” She folded her hands together and shot him an icy look. “I assume that Riley’s at the academy?”

Roger nodded and ignored it. “Yes. If someone puts out a bounty, inform me. She looks like a human female with blue hair, and she’ll likely be stopping by.”

Althea rested her chin in her hands. “Why not bring her? I wish to meet her.”

“I have informed her. She’ll come when ready,” Roger replied.

“Did you tell her I was here waiting?” Althea glared at him.

“I am sorry, Althea.” Roger looked at the angry elf and sighed. “Perhaps I should have taken a better path.”

“Perhaps?” Althea erupted. “Perhaps? You should have brought her to us when you found out, not sent a letter a few weeks ago!”

Roger frowned at the elf and decided to change the subject. “I need information regarding the stability of the country. Riley will be pulled into it quickly.”

“Things are quite unstable,” Althea replied. “The prince and princess are vying for power. It will ripple through the nation. But that isn’t important. When do I get to meet her?”

Roger ignored the question. “The front?”

“Increasingly active. Shorove is testing it. They will pounce on any weakness.” Althea leaned back in the chair and shook her head.

“I am sorry, Althea.” Roger frowned. “Will you keep an eye on Riley? I worry.”

Althea laughed. “As if you could stop me.” She stood. “Anything else this evening?”

“Can’t we put it behind us?” Roger asked. “She is my daughter.”

“Roger, you have slighted both me and the entire elven nation by not revealing this fact sooner.” Althea shook her head.

Roger paused and looked at her in confusion. “The entire elven nation?”

Althea glared back in response.

“Why the nation?” Roger asked again.

She scoffed. “No. I will not tell you of the elves or any foreign matters. You have lost that right.”

Roger huffed. “I apologize, Althea.”

“The only reason I’m speaking with you is her,” Althea stated, walking to the door. “And I will set my own meeting if she doesn’t show soon.”

Roger stood and rubbed his brow, abandoning his other plans. “I’m looking for some work. Real work.”

“I’ll keep an eye out.” Althea pulled up her cowl.

Roger pulled on his cloak. “I will visit Riley, tell her to visit, and journey to the front. I’ll be back within ten days. Please keep an ear out for her.”

“That, I will do.” Althea nodded and vanished in a burst of green. Roger sighed and walked out the door.