“I’m sorry mother is not available, and this isn't a convenient time to visit.” Marwaan had dark circles under her eyes and bruising on her jaw.

“Oh, don't worry we won't be long. Is your mother not at home, or just indisposed?” Maddie barged past both Viky and the startled Marwaan, stopping short just inside the doorway.

Viky followed in her wake. She hadn’t been to a suite for anyone who called the capital home but wasn’t surprised it didn't follow the same floor plan as those in her enclave. Stepping around a small screen, the front door opened into a reception room that could have housed a whole family back at the Rifts. With its lofty ceiling, ornate mouldings, and dark wood panelling, the style should have been elegant and luxurious. General neglect and an untidy plethora of discarded objects spread over a grubby floor, torn cushions and stained rugs, negated any allusions of grandeur. Someone had decorated the couches with dirty washing and grey underwear hung from a string suspended from the light fixture. Effort had been made to assemble a few items into piles and a couple were bound into bundles.

Maddie had the decency to be embarrassed by Marwaan’s discomfort.

“Mum's been sick, and things have got a bit out of hand. And I’m packing to leave, so you can see this really isn’t a good time.” She picked up a discarded piece of clothing and flicked it over the half-eaten remains of a decomposing meal.

Musty and fowl smelling the atmosphere was vomit inducing. Viky kept her mouth shut. An old lady back in the Whip Makers clan had been bed ridden for eight months with a broken hip, she hadn’t allowed this amount of clutter to accumulate. And Lady Briziit wasn't the only person in the family capable of tidying up.

“What exactly is wrong with your mum? We might be able to help. And you didn't say, is she out?” Maddie blurted.

“You need to leave. Please just go.” Marwaan’s state of agitation increased.

“Not available’ is an interesting word choice. If your mum was sick, it’s unlikely she would be out visiting.” Viky caught the woman’s eye, held it for a heartbeat, before Marwaan looked away. “Is your mother in the suite?”

“I’m not, please, you need to leave.” Marwaan wouldn’t or couldn’t look up.

“You're afraid to lie to me, that’s good.” Viky took a step towards her, avoiding a stray bolster and tangle of, well she didn’t want to think too much about what it may have been.

“Marwaan, we are friends. What’s got into you?” Maddie interrupted.

“Please, just leave.” Marwaan’s voice rose to a screech, she stepped back, clipped a stack of crockery with her slipper. Clattering plates slid from the stack to scatter over the floor.

Maddie flushed, shaking her head as she turned to leave. Viky’s attention had been arrested by the tableware on the floor. A Jiuliing sage green ceramic plate, merited closer inspection. River had gifted her a bowl when she first moved into the enclave and became Jieleen’s life partner. She had also used the plates from the same set at Maddie’s parents’ memorial, and one was still missing. Viky knew very little about ceramics, but had been informed, Jiuliing artisans took pride in creating each set with a distinct pattern. Viky scooped the piece up.

“Put it down, you had no right to touch that.” Marwaan wailed.

“It's a shame it's chipped, River will be disappointed.” Viky had no intention of putting the piece down. It was now evidence.

Marwaan stepped forward, reaching desperately for the plate.

“Please, just try.” Viky felt a smile touch the corner of her mouth as in a fluid motion she assumed a defensive stance.

Marwaan hesitated; her eyes swept the room. Was she looking for backup? A weapon? Or an invisible person?

“I'm waiting,” Viky growled. “And this time I'm ready. It’s only fair to warn you; you don’t stand a chance.”

She was holding the plate in her right dominant hand, but her parent had insisted she learn to wield an offensive and defensive weapon simultaneously. Raising her left, she reached for the aether.

God's Fire leapt in arks to her command. The ever present, crackling, blue strains of raw energy coalesced around outstretched fingertips. Pulled by her will the internal tempest collided with the external force, consolidating into solid form. Blue intensified, becoming a violet shot with bright lightning. Air swirled, picked up small pieces of detritus, scattering them to forgotten corners. An accompanying faint scent of ozone improved the stale odours of the room. The light burst expanded with each heartbeat. Intensifying. She felt Maddie and Marwaan’s shock, morph to panic, but Viky was calm. The eye of the vortex, the centre, controlling the power.

“Bless the Angel, you can Phase.” Maddie squealed with excitement.

“Don't hit me, you can have it.” Marwaan shrieked.

“We also want Isobeel’s body chains back.” Viky said. Holding the energy but halting the buildup and not dropping her hand.

“I, I don't know where they are. I promise. Mum didn't want them in the home, she took them and hid them somewhere else.” Marwaan sobbed. “I'm so sorry I should have never taken them. I didn't know they were so valuable. I didn't even think Isobeel would miss them. You don't understand how hard it's been.”

Viky tucked the plate into a pocket and shifted her Phase Bolt into a better position. It was an impressive display, and nobody had to know she couldn’t release it.

“You took the Chains? Is she telling the truth?” Maddie asked.

Viky pursed her lips. So, Maddie thought she had some inherited yellow fractal power. If she played this right that could work towards her advantage.

“What did you do with Maddie's statues?” Viky shot the question in a low gruff voice and angled the menacing Bolt lower while scanning the perimeter. Wary of anything that may indicate an invisible person.

Maddie also shot a glance around the room, hoping to see her statues, but her eyes kept returning to the mesmerizing, crackling sphere of energy.

“They're already sold.” Marwaan choked.

“You got them out using your parent’s contacts in the Armoury?”

Marwaan hesitated, then shook her head.

“Liar.” Viky said softly.

Marwaan startled. “I'm leaving anyway, please just let me go. I must get away. I hate it here. I'm trapped. Trapped in all this mess, and treachery, and lies.”

“Why?” Maddie asked. “Why, live like this, why do you have to steal things?”

Marwaan sobbed, but refused to answer any more questions.

“Listen very carefully.” Viky thought her low voice sounded quite threatening.

“We want those Chains back. Your mother has one hands breath to return them, or I will go to the Deputized Operative Commanders and the Godmothers tonight. I have enough evidence to make our accusation stand. After she returns the Body Chains, I'll give you all nine days to leave the capital. If you don’t, I'll bring the accusations of both theft and attempted murder to the relevant authorities.”

“Murder, no, we, we wouldn’t do that. Oh, Oh, no. Mum? She said she was attacked. I didn’t know.” Marwaan’s sobs become hysterical, and further information was impossible to obtain.

“Make sure you give your mother my message.” Viky repeated as she dismissed her Bolt and instigated movement towards the front door.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Maddie was rooted to the spot with her mouth open. Viky grabbed her arm as she headed out. Sufficiently stunned, Maddie was quiet for most of the trip back to the enclave.

***

There was a comfort in parchment work. Something solid, once ink had dried, script was a record, a journey that could be traced. And the Coalition loved script work. There was always the potential for a writer to not tell the truth on parchment, but identifying inconsistencies was simple and often with records there was no incentive for inaccuracies.

This had been his forte, language, records and research. Straightforward logic and analysis. Dereniik had held his own physically amongst his teammates, but people skills, integration and interacting with other required a finesse Dereniik had always considered the domain of others. Of course, he had been given instruction with the rest of the team, and passed the exams, but that was why nine-man groups were sent to investigate. There was wisdom in a variety of skills. The discovery of his ability to decern Truth and Lies had been a bonus skill, one only uncovered in the last few rotations and without the help of a mentor or trainer it had not yet developed beyond a basic skill.

Sitting among the sprawling pages, Dereniik selected the required stack and checked his findings. Cross referencing family connections with men serving in the Armoury. Once he was sure of the facts, cursing his inability to move with speed, Dereniik left once again for Viky’s suite.

***

“Are you sure?” Isobeel asked.

“Yes, Marwaan stole the body chains. Viky got her to confess, it was amazing.” Maddie was so excited she hugged herself.

Viky had sworn Maddie to secrecy, so she guessed it would be a couple of days before her Phasing abilities became known.

“But it was Lady Briziit who assaulted me. The attack happened the day after she came here last, and you asked her directly if she'd stolen the body chains. She must have worried I was close to finding out the truth.” Viky said.

“That’s wonderful, now you can think up a clever plan to get them back.” Isobeel grinned.

“Well, thanks for the show of faith, but why do I have to think up a plan to get them back? Why don’t you think one up?” Viky said.

“Oh, I don’t do clever, not that sort of clever anyway. My brilliance lies in being able to get other people to do what I need.” Isobeel smiled sweetly, and laid a delicate hand on Viky’s arm. “You will work out how to get them back, won’t you?”

And Viky somehow felt that she must.

How did Isabel do that?

The warmth.

The warmth of Isabella's touch stirred inside Vicki. If she hadn't been thinking about it was unlikely to have been noticed.

“You. You are using some sort of power, some type of fractal enhanced power, to make me do what you want?” Viky wasn't irritated as much as she was amazed.

Isobeel shrugged, “Maybe, but it's not intentional. I know I always get my own way, but I don't train or do anything. Fractal powers must be trained.”

“What is this?” Maddie asked.

“When Isobeel touches me and makes a request I am compelled to do it, or at least feel a strong motivation to do as she asks.” Vicky withdrew her arm.

“Have you used that on me?” Maddie frowned.

“I guess so, it's not something I think about. It just happens. But you like doing things for me.”

“I don't know how I feel about that,” Maddie said. “I like doing things for you because you're my friend, not because you make me do them.”

“Well, it doesn't matter anyway, there's always lots of reasons why anyone does something and now the important thing is for Viky to come up with a plan to get my Body Chains back.” Isobeel’s smile lit up her beautiful face.

“I already have a strategy. I have threatened Lady Briziit, she has one hands breadth to return the Chains before we go to the Deputized Operative Commanders and to Godmothers. Then, after the Body Chains have been returned, nine-days to leave the city or we turn her over to the correct authorities.” Viky said.

“Is that legal?” Maddie asked.

“I don't know, but it's fair. They are punished, will lose status, but they can live and start a new life. If they have any brain cells, it can be a life that does not involve crime.” Viky said.

“If she returns the Body Chains, I don't care. Do you think she will bring them back?” Isobeel asked.

“It's in her best interest to do so.” Viky said with more conviction than she felt.

The knock on the door made them all jump.

Isobeel called enter, Maddie grinned, Viky stood assuming a defensive stance.

Ly entered; head bowed in respect.

“My ladies, your humble servant intercepted a young servant attempting to enter Lady La’navikyya suite. This scripted message was passed on before they fled.” Ly offered the item to Viky.

“What is it, what does it say?” Isobeel insisted.

Viky took her time, reading the short script twice. “I am to come alone to the head of the stairwell by the library and then will be taken to where the item I seek is hidden.”

“Excellent, are you going to go straight away?” Isobeel reached for Viky's arm, but she stepped away.

“What a pity I wanted to go with you.” Maddie said.

Viky stood, silently working through scenarios. Making plans and dismissing them.

“What do you think Ly?” Viky asked the keen-eyed servant.

“My lady, this humble servant is alarmed. Why does the writer insist you come alone?”

Viky nodded. “Yes, I was wondering about that too. But I have a plan, or at least the start of a plan, would you be happy to help please?”

“My lady, I live to serve. This one would be delighted to be whatever assistance you deem necessary, with of course Lady Maddiisa’s consent.”

“Yes of course, I don't know what Ly that could do I can't, but of course they can help.” Maddie said slightly affronted.

“It’s not just Ly’s help I'll need, but they can move between our suites without attracting attention if an Invisible person is watching. Maddie I will need your help, this is what I think we should do.”

***

The trek between Dereniik’s suite, close to the Cliff face, and the suite Viky and Jieleen shared seemed to have extended in length. He was not used to so much walking. Sighting the cowl pulled over the face of the statue of Kyyl Anderseen from a distance he quickened his step. Dereniik arrived at the enclave out of breath and exhausted.

“I can't find her she's not here.” Jieleen exited one of the suites across the green in a rush, face contorted with worry.

“Is Viky missing? She was supposed to stay at Lady Isobeel’s.” Dereniik asked.

“I've been there, nobody's there. Maddie’s place is empty too.”

Jieleen raced to another door, pounded a couple of times before pushing it open and entering while calling inside. The process was repeated at the next empty suite, also with futile results. Dereniik’s disbelief was all that had stopped him from hyperventilating, but every additional sister’s absence gave him more confidence. It was unlikely the criminal could affect the disappearance or cause grievous bodily harm to so many fit young women. Jieleen’s activity and action eventually prompted attention from one of the other doors, it swung open, and a timid, anxious face glanced about.

“Jieleen, you're back. I have a message for you.”

“Jess, Jess, do you know where Viky is?” Jieleen sprinted to her door.

“Not exactly, come in, I’ll explain.”

Dereniik hobbled over, keen for an explanation as well. The young woman was calm, no evidence of distress or panic. Another good sign.

“My Lord,” The young woman gestured for Dereniik to enter as well. “Be at peace Jieleen, Viky made a plan, and all the sisterhood is helping. I am sure everything is going to be alright.”

“Where has she gone?” Jieleen interrupted.

The reception room was crowded, eight toddlers, three babies and a couple of D’char inhabited the noisy and confining space, but all were content and relaxed. His opinion of the young woman expanded, she had evidently drawn the short straw and been delegated the job of looking after all the little ones while Viky executed her ‘plan’. But if Viky had identified all her co-conspirators with equal proficiency, whatever her plan was she would have at least a chance of success.

“You can skip to the part where she worked out Lady Briziit is the person who attacked her.” Dereniik said.

Jess looked impressed. “Viky gave Lady Briziit an ultimatum, return the body chains within one hand breadth, or she was going to inform the authorities with enough evidence for a conviction. Lady Briziit sent a message back with a servant to meet her at the head of the stairwell by the library and to come alone. Viky thought that would be a stupid thing to do.”

Dereniik was relieved, but the respite was only momentary.

“So, she went alone, but before she left, she rubbed her slippers in Great Tree fruit pulp. And she rounded up the rest of the sisterhood, asking them to follow in half a hands-breadth. River agreed she would bring Amethyst. Then with Amethyst leading them the rest of the sisters could follow at a discreet distance.”

“Amethyst? This is some sort of animal, yes?”

“Yes, Amethyst is a Vorraal, and she's already formed an attachment with Viky and identifies her with food. River and Viky were both sure her following at a distance wouldn't be an issue. Viky knew that Jieleen and you would be returning shortly, so she's left instructions for one of the sisters to stop at each intersection, so when you come along, they can tell you which direction the rest of the party were heading.”

Dereniik could see merit in the plan, although he didn't know exactly how much use a group of young women would be if Lady Briziit was leading them into a trap. One she could escape out of using Invisibility. The woman had shown herself cunning, if she wanted to return the Body Chains why not just bring them? Something else was going on here. But voicing this opinion with Jieleen’s current state of agitation would be counterproductive.

They thanked the young woman and exited the enclave.

“Jieleen, do you have an endurance fractal?”

“Yes.”

“How much timing with your Manipulative Phasing do you have?” Dereniik puffed, unable to match the younger man’s pace.

“A couple of ninety-nines.”

Dereniik was impressed. “Okay, hold up for a heartbeat.”

Unwinding his grip rope Dereniik made a loop, passed it around his waist and after securing it gave the other end to Jieleen.

“I’m going to activate my Drifting, that will make me lighter, you’re going to tow me, and you are going to run. Use your Manipulation when you need to, don’t stop for anyone or anything. We don’t want you exhausted when we reach our destination, you may need to be able to defend Viky when we get there, but we must hurry.” Dereniik leant on Jieleen and tucked both crutches under his left arm.

“Should I be worried?”

“You are going to worry whatever I say, but I hope our rapid arrival with negate that.”

Jieleen was already moving, at a steady ground covering lope. “Negate, is that a yes, or no?”

“Save your breath, keep focused, we will know when we get there.”