She woke up to find herself still in the water. Her body felt completely relaxed and the stiffness had vanished. Her head however felt heavy, and she could not remember how she had got into the water to begin with.

“Are you finished?” Farsilden’s voice close by made her spin around.

“… I… I am. Sorry. I fell asleep.”

“Silly child… Dry yourself off. I’ve brought some clothes for you. I’ll be waiting in the hall.”

Doing as she was told, she wiped herself dry, and then picked up the neatly folded clothes on the small stool by the door. A simple, comfortable blue tunic, and some pretty but flimsy-looking shoes. She combed her hair and retrieved the three buttons which had been left on the slab. Her clothes were nowhere in sight, but she guessed he had taken them to be washed. Making herself ready, she met with Farsilden outside and together they headed for Ellistin’s chambers.

“Yes, please enter.”

“My Lady, forgive my intrusion, but I have brought Ferran. She has completed her mission and is ready to inform you of the outcome.”

“Ferran! Yes please, do come in!”

She entered the room and the doors closed behind her. Whenever she was in Ellistin’s presence, she had a feeling of shrinking. A complete nothing before such beauty and intellect that her mistress possessed. She bent her knees in reverence.

“I… Have completed the mission mistress. I, am sorry but my memories about the execution of the task you gave me eludes me. Nevertheless, I brought out these three buttons.”

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“Excellent.” Her mistress smiled gently, and motioned for her to come closer. “Would you like some tea, or perhaps a pastry? You must be hungry!”

“Thank you, mistress…” She picked up a small jam-filled cookie and ate it in one go. Only then just remembering that certain manners were required. Her mistress merely chuckled before pouring her a cup of tea which smelled sweetly of fruits. She took a polite sip, ensuring that she observed all the required manners.

“There, you look much better already.” Her mistress beamed at her, and she could not help but blush slightly under the shower of affection. “I’ll give you a moment, perhaps you’ll remember what happened.”

She nodded, and began grinding her mind for information. After a little while the memories began to reveal themselves, and she recounted her process of infiltration, as well as the encounters. Upon reaching the cell and describing the young man, Elistin silenced her with a finger.

“Before you go any further. How do you feel?”

“Mistress? I feel fine... Any reason why?”

“None. Do continue, you just seemed a little pale just now.”

“I found a young man… He said his name was Erinual, and his body was completely broken.”

“He was alive?” Her mistress seemed surprised.

“Barely. He told me his name and to bring these three buttons back.”

“And the young man?”

“He took his own life, though he was too weak to do it entirely by himself.”

“I see…” Her mistress fell silent, contemplating the details. The silence hung in the air and she gestured for the three buttons to be put on the table. She studied them and finally sighed.

“That’s it then. Good work. I’ll give you a few days to relax. I will need some time to prepare the reports for my superiors… You should go eat and rest up a bit more in the meantime.”

She nodded and excused herself, leaving Ellistin as she sat down by her desk and began to write. Out in the corridor, Farsilden was waiting for her. Upon noticing her, he nodded and left her alone. Not certain what to do she began heading for Rein’s room, hoping to get him to teach her some more writing.