“Ferran…”

“Ferran?”

She woke up to find herself resting on a bench. Her head was in Carys’s lap, and her expression softened when she saw her open her eyes.

“Carys?”

“Ferran… You were told to be careful. It was by pure chance that I got hold of you…”

“What happened?” She tried to upright herself, but Carys gently kept her lying down.

“It, would be best not to think about it.”

“But tell me.”

Carys looked up at the sky. “At parties like this… There are some, men and women both… Who enjoy touching and using children like you. My guess is that they used some damp cloth laced with Falsyn flower extract. It’s very expensive, but also very effective at inducing sleep… Just one whiff is enough.”

“I remember… Back where I used to be, in the sewer… The priest would sometimes ask for children to be brought to him… Especially the ones who were not working…” She was interrupted by Carys before she could finish.

“Remember Ferran. Money is power… It can buy even lives. In wars, abuse is common… But also in peace. The decadent nobles can enjoy anything they want, from the finest of wine to the most chaste of people. And nothing. Nothing can stop them from doing this.”

“But… Whoever did this to me managed to sneak up on me without me noticing…”

Carys nodded, her expression turning from gentle to grim in an instant. “I knew it… It’s been bothering me since we arrived here. Soon after we split up… It’s what made me look for you.”

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“I heard some nobles talk about assassins here.”

“Not impossible. We should meet up with the others… Can you walk?”

“Can I take off these awful shoes?”

“… Sure, but carry them okay?”

They walked together towards the main door. She held on to Carys’s hand to not lose track of her. Some others had also taken to the outside to get some fresh air. Servants still walked among them with trays of food and bottles of wine and other fine spirits. A group of young friends were singing together on the fountain’s edge when one of their number fell backwards into the fountain. Immediately, anyone who saw it began laughing as servants rushed to with blankets and assisted the young man out of the cold water.

“Speaking of water… During the last storm… Someone murdered the last of the Watching Ravens… What was his name again… Erus… Elvia… No. It doesn’t matter.”

As she walked, she could feel Carys’s hand tighten around her own, to the point she yelped out in pain. Realizing, Carys eased up on her grip.

“Sorry.”

“You knew the ones they were talking about?”

“You don’t know it…” She began, looking around conspiratorially. “Watching Ravens, was a group of… Well… It used to be me and Rein’s group, but then Rein screwed up a mission… And the others were all killed…”

“Really? How come you and Rein get along so well then?”

“Good question… Deep down, I trust him. I hate what he did, and the suffering he put me through, but he’s a nice guy deep down, and easily, I would have made the same mistakes in his stead…”

“Oh, there you are! We’ve been looking high and low for you…” A little way over on their left, Elistin approached them, along with Tilia, Indas and Farsilden. Her face tinted with concern beneath the regal appearance. “It will soon be time for Sir Radwind’s speech… Hm? What’s the matter?”

“Elly…” We have a problem.”

“I’ve been made aware. Everyone seems to have been exposed to some means of incapacitation.”

“Someone stuck some pill in my pudding…” Tilia looked as dismayed as she was angry about losing a tasty treat.

“Where’s Rein...”

“I’m here. Sorry I was a little busy.” Rein approached them with determination while straightening his jacket. “I had a problem with a masked gentleman on the balcony… Unfortunately, he choked on an olive.”

“We’re all together. That’s good. My lady, we should attend the speech. The rest of you… You are now authorized to open the emergency packs. Keep them hidden, but ready.” Farsilden nodded curtly seeing them already prepared. “Ferran… Put your shoes on.”

“It’s fine Ferran, just walk around without them… You’ve done a good job using them this long.”