Gerda’s cheeks were flushed, highlighting her white freckles on the bridge of her nose.

She’d appeared very in control up until Julian got within arms length. He’d only done so to hand over the assassination certification, but as soon as he was in front of her, one long green ear twitched, and she blushed.

And the way she had tensed told him that if he didn’t give her space, she might try to run away like last night.

He didn’t want to let her go, so he'd withdrawn.

“Let’s start,” Julian waved the offending papers from his seat across from her. “With your assassination orders. These are reserved for the governing class in Nilheim. Servalt I could expect to not follow the rules, but the Assembly wouldn’t approve an order like this unless you were a higher up in the Dark Horde.”

The troll sighed, a surprisingly long-suffering sigh. “That’s because I am.”

“You are?” Julian held back amusement at her aggrieved expression, barely raising one eyebrow.

“I’m registered as an elite.” She explained, “King Keith found out how many bridges I’d captured and told me I could only keep them if I made…concessions.”

“I see.” Perfect, an elite meant that she was over level forty. He could work with that. “How many bridges do you control?”

“Lady’s secret.” She smiled, showing off her long lower canines. He wanted to return the smile but resisted. He chose a nod instead.

While he was curious to learn more about the troll, now wasn’t the time. It was back to the business at hand. “So, regarding a statement.”

Gerda crossed her arms in front of her, stating firmly. “I arrived, found my seat, someone shot at me. The end.”

Julian had to stop himself from outright snorting. How was she this amusing? Even John, who gave concise reports without any superfluous detail, wasn’t that succinct.

“That reminds me.” He didn’t know why, but the more guarded she became, the more he felt an urge to tease her. “Since you aren’t a civilian, I didn’t need to make that apology earlier.”

Her ear twitched again. “And I didn’t need to stop you from getting poisoned. But here we are.”

The perfectly returned comment paired with her clip tone sent him over the edge. Julian stifled a laugh with the back of his hand. “Yes, here we are.”

Gerda’s mouth hung open slightly as she stared at him in shock, and Julian felt a sense of accomplishment. She’d left him off balance and confused last night; so it was only fair that he returned the favor today.

Knowing it left her off balance, and for that reason only, he let himself give in and smiled directly at her. “Do you know about the list?”

“I do.” Gerda said as she sought to regain some semblance of composure.

Julian surmised, “Which is how you were prepared for the arrow–”

“No.” Gerda interrupted, shaking her head. One long dark green braid slid over her exposed shoulder and pooled in her lap.

It was a momentary distraction. “No?”

“I found out about the list after I was shot at.” She corrected him. “I caught the arrow because it was an easy catch.”

“An easy poisoned catch.” He reminded her.

She countered, “I didn't touch the poisoned part, you did."

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His smile got bigger. “And here we are.”

“Here we are,” She repeated. “I’ve given my statement, so may I go now?”

He didn’t want her to leave yet. His instincts were telling him that he needed her for something. They were missing a piece of the puzzle and if he just pushed…

“The Blackfog spies are in my duchy.” He said, choosing the direct approach. “They are targeting you and others. Do you know anything?”

Gerda opened her mouth, probably to say that she knew nothing, but closed it again. She gave him a thoughtful look.

When she finally did speak, it wasn’t what he’d expected. “The Spring Ball.”

“What about the Spring Ball?” Julian asked.

Gerda gently tapped her chin. “When Marquess Chadwick kidnapped the Heroine of Justice and the Dark Lord… he also kidnapped a Blackfog spy.”

“So?” Julian didn’t know where this was going.

“Well, the Marquess Chadwick was directly under Duke Lector, who was working with the Blackfog spies.” She said, “So, why would Chadwick have kidnapped the spy?”

“... because he didn’t know that the spies were working for the duke?” Julian said, pointing out the obvious.

"Or." There was a glint in her eyes as Gerda offered an answer to her own question, “because the Blackfog spies wasn't working for Duke Lector.”

Julian argued. “Your own kingdom was invaded by the duke with their aid.”

“After the Spring Ball.” Gerda said. “Before that, Servalt was using contract mercenaries and both Assassin Guilds, but no Blackfog spies.”

He frowned, considering her words. “Alright, I’m listening.”

“Do I know anything about the Blackfog spies, you asked.” Gerda held up her fingers as she listed, “Who are they? They are an intelligence agency that operates around the entire continent. What are they? As I understand it, they were just an information broker up until recently. When? They changed after the ball and are suddenly hands on, hiring mercenaries, and trying to hurt people. Where, doesn’t help us, because they are targeting people everywhere except the Empire of Sands. But we’re not even going to consider the Empire as an enemy because?”

“The Queen.” Julian answered immediately. It was well known how the Empire was experiencing one of it's most prosperous reigns in history and had done so by disbanding half of the army back into the working class so that they could keep up with supply and demand for their trade.

“So why did the Blackfog spies change? Because something happened at the Spring Ball.” Gerda concluded. She stood up from her seat and Julian was a heartbeat behind her. She said, “Look into what changed at the Spring Ball and you’ll–”

She stopped short in the middle of her sentence and Julian waited. She’d obviously thought of something.

“Look into what changed at the Spring Ball,” Gerda repeated, slower, “and we might figure out their motive.”

He waited still, expecting her to continue with her thoughts. But they remained hidden. Instead, Gerda nodded politely at him and said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, my friends are waiting.”

She was headed for the door; she was leaving. Julian chased her after her.

“Wait,” He told her. She paused at the door and looked back at him. It was the same as last night all over again, but this time he had the upper hand.

“You are being targeted.” He reminded her, “Which is why I’m going to assign you a guard during your visit.”

“Respectfully,” Gerda said. “I refuse.”

Her eyes were fierce and fiery, and he liked them.

“Gerda.” He spoke her name softly. “I really do appreciate you uncovering that spy and saving me from poison, so please don’t take this as me laughing at your abilities. Accept my guard while you’re here.”

“The fact that your sister can’t beat me should’ve already confirmed my abilities.” The troll snapped, but it seemed like her mind was somewhere else.

She was looking at a notification.

Julian was impressed; his sister was a battle loving adventurer who could solo some dungeons.

“Besides,” Gerda shook her head, “You have enough problems on your hands. You can’t spare the guards.”

At that moment, a red flashing message popped up on his notification screen. John had sent him an emergency message using his [Party Chat] skill that resembled the interface used by party members to communicate while dungeon delving. He could only do so when he was within a certain range, and thanks to his shadow clone skill that was now.

Come to the Hall of Inventions

You’re going to want to see this…

Julian read the note twice, but that was all John sent.

He turned on the troll, “How did you know?”

“Know what?” She looked up at him with big innocent eyes. “If the city is full of Blackfog spies, you can’t afford to have one busy following me around shopping. Isn’t it obvious?”

A whistle blew off in the distance, loud and shrill.