“Well done all of you. With the file successfully replaced, I can finally begin to expose my target. I think a little time away for you will be for the best. I’ve arranged a little surprise for you… Carys?”

“Thank you, mistress. We’re going to go see Varsylos.”

“Yaay!” Tilia shouted with excitement.

“Shh… We’re going to go help him with a problem of his… For those who’ve been there, his place is rather… Entertaining, so bring what you feel is necessary… No explosives.” She hurriedly added, which caused the previously jubilant Tilia to jeer.

“Who’s Varsylos?”

“He’s like the greatest trader of all time! He’s the one who’ve made almost everything in my inventory! Well except the explosives, I made those by accident. And he’s also a serious shut-in guy so nobody’s able to glean any information from him… Except, for us! He’s an inventor, trader, smith and former assassin too!”

“…”

“You’re right Indas, he’ll take a liking to Ferran for sure.” Rein smiled, he too looking positively thrilled.

“But we’re only staying a few days. And if the work we’re doing for him takes time, we’ll have to pass on the entertainment, remember you all, work first… Relaxing afterwards.” Carys handed the word back to Ellistin.

“Do enjoy yourselves. I’ve got another big job coming up soon, but the opportunity will require some ripening first. Rein, could you see me in my office later?”

“Yes Mistress.”

Stolen story; please report.

“Good, now go get packed. Also, leave all your gear behind, thanks to that little intrusion into the archive, the guards are extra vigilant. Go in civilian clothes, and do try to dress for the season?”

Before she could utter a word, Tilia had grabbed hold of her sleeve and practically pulled her with her. She followed her back to her room and was firmly placed on Tilia’s bed.

“Now listen here Ferran… The place we’re going to is deep in the mountains. It’s got plenty of lovely snow and even hot water coming out of the rocks!”

“Okay… But why did I have to come to your room for that?”

“… No idea. I just got so excited! Anyway, I want you to help me out. Because I can’t just leave all my things behind… I need to bring at least some firework, so will you help me out? I just need you to carry this cylinder…” Tilia walked over to her closet and pulled out an arm-sized cardboard cylinder, which seemed quite heavy.

“How would I even begin to take that along?”

“You’re smart… You’ll find a way, right? I mean I once carried a pouch of crackling dust in my…” Tilia’s smile faded and she quickly shook her head.

“Anyway, just figure it out okay! Here, now go pack!”

She nodded and left the room carrying the cylinder.

Once inside her own room, she shut the door. Where Tilia kept a lot of items of all kinds in every crammable space of her room, her own remained desolate. Furnished with a bare minimum; A desk, a bed, a closet for her clothes and weapons of choice. She put the cylinder down and peeked inside it. The content appeared powdery, and she decided to keep it inside, concluding it was some ingredient for explosives. Some knocking on her door had her scrambling to hide the item.

She opened the door to find Carys standing outside.

“Hi… Can I come in?”

She nodded. Carys was carrying a backpack in her hand and entered her room, looking around.

“You need to add some things to this room… It’s sad.”

“I like it this way.”

“Right… Anyway. Every fiber in my body is telling me not to, but you can have this…” She handed over the backpack, which turned out to be very heavy.

“What’s in it?”

“Stuff… Things you’ll need for the trip… Some items that I don’t use anymore...”

Um, thank you.”

“Yeah… By the way… If Tilia tries to push you into anything… Never mind. Just be outside when you’re done.”

Carys turned on her heels and quickly left her alone in her room.