Elara opened her her eyes and looked at the decorated ceiling of her room. She could faintly hear the sounds of people beyond her room, most probably coming from the floors below. It was already mroning she surmised, though her room remained close and dim. The bob of light floating yesterday, that she had cast was distinguished. Only the Magical lamp remained, lighting the study table with a yellow hue. She remained, thinking of last night, her eyes darted toward to the study table again. She could not hear the whispers any longer, but maybe that was just because of all the other noises reaching her ears.

She sat up, rubbing her legs against each other. Her dress was sweaty, and stuck to her body. She gathered her messy hair and took deep breaths. “It's fine now…hmm…,” she looked towards the mirror, “I need to clean myself up before those maids prop up”. She quickly headed to the personal bathroom attached to her place.

Once out, wrapped in a fluffy towel she stood before the mirror. She slowed opened it, making her right side face the mirror. Their it was, on her hip. A purple hexagonal mark,it was darker now, since it wasn't active. It felt as a Tattoo on her near soft skin, tracing her fingers around it, she couldnt feel any texture from it. She went to the desk, fetching the Empty Grimoire from her bag. The burning sensation returned as soon she as she held the Grimoire in her grasp. She undid her towel by the side again her eyes closing watching for any changes. The mark glowed, the glow pulsating. “A headache, I picked from that ruin…oh my curiosity…why, do you punish me as such?” she mumbled to herself putting down the grimoire.

Knock! knock!

Two knocks resounded on the door, as she clad her final garments for the day. Putting on her knee high leather boots she opened the door, poking only her head out. The same maids as yesterday were present.

“My Lady, you are awake…we were here an hour ago but…”, one of them, the shorter one trailed off.

“—you were most likely asleep. We didn't wish to disturb hence retreated. But you did not use the bell to call us, hence we arrived to wake you up.“, The other continued. They both looked at Elara, a bit comprehensive of what she might say to them.

“I am sorry I was truly not awake. You need not worry, I have groomed myself and I am in no need for your assistance.“ Elara said, forcing a perfect smile. People that worked such jobs usually felt uneasy if they were asked not to do it. She was a bit worried the amidst might press the issue.

“But My Lady we were assigned to you. It will be bad for us if we report to our supervisor that you denied us again.“,the shorter one said her tone a bit urgent. The other nodded profusely in response

Elara contemplated. She could not hold them too long lest everyone grew suspicious and started asking questions. She was sure they wouldn't find anything about the secret but, if Gyrus knew she was acting queasy, he will definitely throw difficult questions her way.

Elara relented with a sigh, and opened the door completely. “I have sweat a lot in my sleep, I would appreciate if you could the sheets,“ turning back into the room, she thought for a while,”also I would like one of you to clean my dress, it is sticky now.“, She finally turned to the maid to see their reactions. The maids looked at each other and got to work. The shorter one retrieved the dress from her, “I will clean it and bring it your room, by evening.“ She bowed and went out of the room as the other maid busied herself in changing the sheets.

Elara quickly put on her robes, which were essentially an uniform for wizards like them and checked her bag for any essentials she might need later. Her bag was endowed with an enchantment that let her store much more than it could possibly hold, if it was normal. She then was going to pick up the comb, but the maid beat her to it. After all the grooming she needed, or after the maid did all that she could, her work was done and the maid finally excused herself.

“I remain away from my home for these reasons…being waited on is unpleasant.“ She mubked finally checking for her essentials in her bag. She was ready to head outside, Gyrus was likely already waiting for her back near the gates. She briefly thought of leaving the grimoire behind but,a mysterious connection told her she shouldn't. The thought vanished soon.

Exploring the now newly familiar sanctum, the hallways and other areas largely overlapped with designs of other sanctums of the Order she had visited. She feasted her eyes, remembering all the important rooms and gates of the building as she made her way to the front gates.

She could see beyond the Warded Glass doors, Gyrus was already waiting in his familiar suit, outside the Sanctum. However there were two other groups present, armed men wearing the same kind of armor and protesters, that had been there yesterday. The armed men surrounded the protesters, not giving her much vision into what was happening.

Gyrus saw, Elara approaching and opened the gates before she could. “Good morning, My Lady. I hope you had a good night's sleep. You look wondeful as always.“ Honeyed words she was used to, left the middle aged man's mouth.

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She wanted to complain of her nights sleep but could not.

Elara's attention shifted to the other two groups beside them. People on the road ahead went about their work without bothering themselves with the matter. Gyrus advised that they find out what this was about since the protesters were getting increasingly agitated. Elara nodded in agreement and approached the guard with the cloak, standing behind his companions, presumably their leader. As she lightly tapped on his back, the man turned around, his face contorted with surprise.

"What?" the man exclaimed, his voice laced with irritation, a common thing in guards. He was fair-skinned and weathered, his eyes carrying the weight of experience. His cloak bore the insignia of the local guard. The man was completely entranced. Under Hypnosis, some might have said. Elara rubbed her forehead, tired of this nehaviour that became common in men around her. Only after Gyrus shook his shoulder did he manage to squeak out a confused "Huh?" He quickly dusted off his clothes, ensuring he appeared presentable, and then bowed deeply to Elara.

"My Lady, you must be Magrave Norman's daughter," he said, a cheery smile spreading across his face. Elara, was accustomed to such recognition, however she was still worried about how he came to know her. Gyrus blinked his eyes intentionally signaling her without words, they had been spied upon. She then acknowledged his words with a polite nod and asked about the commotion.

The guard captain tried brushing it off but relented when Elara pressured him. They were protesting because the Order did not take their request of getting rid of Treants that had infested the forest they depended on. A few days ago, their village was attacked and dozens of their men died, while more were injured. They come here demanding compensation and justice, given that the Order did not take their request.

Treants were giant magical creatures, that had face like features om their trunk,and their branches and roots morphed themselves to serve as limbs. Born when there was overabundance of mana inside a tree that had lived for very long. They quickly became corrupted if there are other monsters in the vicinity, whose mana, reacted in ways that made the treats more violent. They were only weak to fire magic,and could only be taken down by by massive forest fires or capable wizards with fire affinity and spells.

Elara, then questioned why the Order had not taken the request. To which the Captain replied "The compensation offered was very low, because of which even though the order requested their wizards to do it, they did not." He stared the protesters who were slowly removed from their place one by one by the guards, there was some pity in his eyes

Elara's mind quickly connected the dots, and she realized that Ormazz might have also come here to investigate this very issue and not because he was kicked out. She thanked the guard captain for his honesty and turned to walk away, but he insisted on traveling with them. Elara, determined to carry on independently, politely refused his offer. However, the captain was unyielding.

"Lady, I implore you to allow me to accompany you," he persisted. "The protesters have likely enlisted the aid of local underground bosses, and they are known to ambush wizards who wander alone. With two others guarding you, it would be safer." His words were injecting that he was worried. But Elara knew from the tone of his voice, he just wanted to accompany 'her'.

Gyrus, ever the loyal guardian, interjected, stating that the lady only required his protection. The guard captain wagged his forefinger, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, as he countered, "Ah, but it's not just about protection, my good sir. You see, these protesters have most likely provided information about any wizards they find alone, and it seems they've had their eyes on the both of you. It's a trap, I tell you. They won't risk their scheme failing."

Elara and Gyrus exchanged a knowing glance, jointly deciding, that the captain was indeed annoying. They sighed in unison, silently agreeing to his proposition. They had a plan in mind, and perhaps this captain needed a lesson in underestimating their abilities.

For the rest of the day, Gyrus herded them through the city, deliberately luring a group of the hired gangsters that had been trailing them the moment they started going deeper into the more brusk regions of the city. The guard captain remained vigilant, though visibly perplexed, as they led the unsuspecting assailants through the bustling streets. However he himself did not knew of the goons that had followed them so far. Finally, finding themselves in a narrow alley, they halted and waited, hidden from view.

The guard captain, still bewildered by the situation and the Duo's odd behaviour drew his sword. The goons appeared soon after,cleanly cutting off their escape routes as they considered this to be a quick victory. “There are 14 of them my Lady…” Gyrus said, his tone was relaxed but his eyes vigilant, his arms were hovering near his sword ready to confront the incoming goons. The guard captain also gulped readiying himself to fight with his life.However, before he could make a move, Elara stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with smugness. With a swift motion of her hands, she unleashed a combination of wind and ground magic ,'Entrapment each' a 3rd tier ground spell, and 'Tempest' a 2nd tier Wind spell, effectively pinning the assailants to the walls of the alley. The captain watched, his jaw dropping, as Elara displayed her formidable magical prowess.

As the confined goons struggled against the magical restraints, the captain quickly regained his composure and sprang into action. He worked in tandem with Gyrus, delivering swift and precise strikes to render the assailants unconscious, ensuring they posed no further threat.

“You are not half bad. I like that you, understood something was to happen as soon as we entered this alley”. Gyrus said, not removing his eyes from the now unconscious assailants.

Elara stepped back, her breathing steady, and surveyed the defeated adversaries. She turned to the guard captain with a quirked eyebrow,her smile screamed 'what do you think of that?huh?!'. She spoke,her tone laced with amusement. "Do you still think I require protection, Captain?"

The guard captain now had his face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and awe. He smiled awkwardly and raised his hands in surrender, a gesture of both apology and admiration. "My bad. Please forgive my earlier assumption." His flattering tone was gone.