Rose grunted as she struggled to push a cart through the hallway. It was stacked with heavy tomes from the reference center. This was her third trip lugging books from the far side of the building to the common area for the Jury Pools. She stopped pushing and stretched. Rose had expected her first day to be more focused on learning the ropes and less on manual labor. All the deliveries in the world were still better than sitting through another of Mr. Egger’s stodgy and uptight orientation lectures. Somehow, Jun and Dagon had managed to undersell the Foreman’s level of cantankerousness.
To be fair, Mr. Egger ran into Rose in front of a room she technically had no reason to be heading into, which was also not the agreed upon meeting spot; not exactly the best first impression. Still, if Jun’s speech brought the fun, Mr. Egger’s screed provided and equal or greater dose of no-nonsense severity. He had even managed to make the department picnic sound like work. Mr. Egger’s was terse, antagonistic, and surly with everyone she had seen him interact with; yet she still felt there was something different in how he dealt with her. She felt an extra layer of disdain from the moment she introduced herself as a Juror.
“About time you’ve returned.” Jack Eggers waited impatiently as Rose hauled in the books. “Let’s hope the people who requested these still have time before their case is due.” Jack said. His mouth was pinched as he watched Rose push the cart to the center of the room. His slender frame meant that pointy elbows stuck out as he stood with his hands on his hips. “We know Juror thirty-six won’t as you grabbed the wrong volume of Conjure Case Law.”
“Sorry, the librarian filled the order and-”
“Above all else, a Juror is to be observant and thorough. You predecessor knew that, perhaps you’ll do right by your badge and bother to learn it as well.”
“Of course. Sorry.” Rose said. The morning had been dreadful since Jack took over Rose’s training. Still, she held on to the hope that she could outlast his attitude and earn at least begrudging respect.
“That simply will not do. It may be proper with someone of your station, but I will not be talked to in that way regardless of bloodline. Do away with him.” The voice said.
“I have a new job for you, hopefully you can handle it.” Jack said.
“I was actually hoping we could get a start on more Juror focused work.” Rose said hopefully. Jack stared at Rose for a moment, then straightened his vest.
“You came aboard as a Juror today correct?” he asked. Rose nodded. “As far as we can tell, it has not become yesterday, but it is indeed still today, correct?”
“Yes.” Rose said with a hesitant nod.
“And I am the Foreman of the Jury Pool to which you belong, thus in charge of handing out assignments correct?”
“Yes.”
“It would seem to me then, taking into account all available evidence, it still being the day you officially became a Juror, and the fact you receive your workload from me, everything I have you do is indeed work for a Juror. Am I incorrect?”
“No.” Rose muttered.
“Splendid. It seems I’ve managed to meet your request. Perhaps you will now fulfill mine.” He handed her slip of paper. “Give this to the parcel office and bring the exchanged files to my office. If it is not beneath your station, Juror.”
----------------------------------------
Rose tapped her fingers on the counter as she waited for the parcel woman to return. The office was a farther walk than the library, but Rose would have made a trip ten times further if it meant not needing to push that heavy cart.
“Does this not bring you joy?” the voice asked. “Based on your skull shape and poor posture, labor suits you. You have the wide brow and flat feet of a jument.” The voice paused. “Look it up.”
“Such a curious, and insulting way of speaking. Could that be what led you to wind up a ghost? Speaking of insulting what was that about my boss earlier?” Rose asked.
“You couldn’t sense his blood?” The voice replied. “Coursing through him is haut sanguine. Old stock of a well born status.” Rose frowned. If that were true, Jack should be rubbing elbows with the other old and prominent families of Aesos. Few nobles chose to work among the rabble. None would work with the so called plebeian government; there was an unspoken agreement of opposition. There were innocent reasons Jack could have found himself working with the Jurors, but as far as Rose was concerned this was another fact which made him quite suspicious.
“Here you go.” Rose looked up. An old, Elven woman smiled at her, holding a small metal container.
“I think it’s just supposed be some folders” Rose said.
“This just arrived. Figured you might as well take it too rather than make a second trip.” the parcel woman said. Rose hesitated, then took the package. She had a point, this would save her time, and might give her bonus points for taking the initiative.
“You know what? I think I will.” Rose said slowly nodding. “Thank you...Klara.” Rose read from her name tag.
“Okay...right. Sign here and be off then.” Klara said. Rose signed the form acknowledging completion of the mail pick up. Rose studied the container as she walked to the Juror offices. The box was surprisingly light. The material it was made of was thin but sturdy. The container was one continuous smooth square of dark gray metal, except for a thin seam where the lid connected.
“I get a weird feeling from it. See what’s inside.” the voice said.
“No.” Rose said.
“She gave you an extra package. What if it’s the wrong item and you lumber up to there all proud only to be completely embarrassed with the wrong item? They’ll take away your book cart.” the voice said. Rose sighed. She knew none of that was out of genuine concern, but she also couldn’t deny the truth. The last thing Rose needed was to be chewed out by her boss for not being able to even retrieve a delivery properly. She looked around and pried the lid off of the container.
“What is that? I’m think I’m going to be sick.” the voice said urgently. Rose studied the contents.
“I mean I don’t like Eel chips either but-”
“The paper, girl. What is that?” The container held various foods, but underneath the chips, Rose could see the edge of pale gold paper. She pulled it out of the food and revealed a sealed scroll.
“It’s a spell. Why was it was in Jack’s lunch?”
“Get that...atrocity away from me. I’m going to be sick.”
“You can’t get sick. You don’t have a stomach. Or anything else involved with being sick.” Rose turned the scroll over. It appeared like any other spell she had seen, except for a more intricate, and presumably stronger, seal. “Do they not have spells where you’re from?” Rose asked.
“You call that spellcraft? Ha. I wonder if I can make you vomit in my stead.”
“Stop that.” Rose said quickly. “Puttel Sorcery is a top three spell engineering firm.”
“I can see the second rate runes used in that so call spell from here. It’s nearly unpronounceable. I forbid you from touching it further. Drop it this instant, girl.” the voice said.
“Spells aren’t spoken-oof.”Rose was still looking down at the box when she felt something strike her shoulder. The force, and surprise, of the hit caused her to stumble backwards and lose hold of the container. “Sorry...” Rose started to apologize, expecting one in return, but as she steadied herself, she saw only a man in a suit walking away without even a glance back in her direction.
“You would stand for such insolence?” the voice asked. Rose looked in the direction he went and shook her head.
“I’m not trying to get in a fight with a coworker on my first day.” Rose said. She hastily began to gather everything from the floor. She hesitated then quick swept the chips back inside the container. She slipped the spell into her pocket then frowned. Rose reached into her pocket then began to pat herself.
“My badge is missing. That guy stole my badge!”
Rose rounded the corner in a huff. She had practically sprinted through the hallway to keep up with the alleged pick pocket. He was several paces in front, and didn’t seem to even notice the sound of Rose running after him. She finally caught up when he stopped outside of the artifact repository. The few employees roaming around had begun to disperse by the time Rose marched over to him.
“Hey! You stole my badge and don’t you dare try to deny it.” She said. The man turned to look at her. It was the same man she had seen earlier in the cafeteria. He raised an eyebrow.
“You sure? Seems to me like you should probably keep your badge with you.” he said.
“Obviously. Except I don’t have it because you took it.” Rose said. “Give it back at once or I’m going straight to security.”
“If I stole your badge, it would mean I don’t belong here, and when you returned with security I’d be gone. Doesn’t seem like a solid plan.” He said and shrugged. Rose clenched her draw.
“Then I’ll call with MIRA. And guard you myself.” Rose said as she poked him in the chest. Up close, his height and general size seemed much more of an advantage compared to Rose. Still, she contemplated how she could physically take her badge back if necessary.
“Good. There’s apparently a crazy person I’ve never met before accosting me over their misplaced badge. I want security here.” He replied. Rose narrowed her eyes.
“What are you an attorney? Just give me back the badge.” She spat.
“Nope. Not an attorney. Attorney’s aren’t allowed in this building. If I’m here, I must be allowed right?” He said, a smirk on face.
“Clearly you broke in somehow.” Rose said, her voice betraying her frustration.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“I mean, one of us here doesn’t have a badge. Maybe you’re the one who had to break in here.” The man reached out and patted Rose on the arm. “I’m teasing you. This happens all the time. Probably just overlooked it earlier.” He tapped her jacket pocket. Rose kept her eyes on him, face scowling, as she blindly reached inside of her pocket. Her eyes went wide as she felt the badge. The man gave her a knowing, but still condescending smile. “See? Happens all the time.” He winked and turned to the artifact repository entrance. He pulled out his badge and and pressed it against the door. The gate swung open.
“This isn’t my badge.” Rose said flatly. She stared at the badge in her hand. It was shaped similarly to her own but instead of a Juror number or any of the insignia, it was blank; it also had a soft, sliver glow. She looked up and the man stared back at her, his head tilted to one side.
“Huh.” he said, then darted into the room pulling the gate closed. Rose practically jumped as tried to quickly grab the gate and hold it open. She managed to gain a grip on one of the bars and pulled it back just enough to slip inside.
The inside of the repository was a far cry from what Rose had imagined. The concealing darkness seen from the outside completely vanished. Rose could clearly see the hallway outside as if she were looking through any normal barred gate. The walls were adorned by torches with bright magenta flames. The result light wasn’t flickering shadows and the limited visibility of fire, rather the room was lit as if the sun shined directly above. Rows and rows of shelving extended high into the ceiling and filled the room as far as Rose could see.
“It makes sense to me now. You are an interesting creature.” the voice said. Rose ignored it and looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of her fugitive.
“I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.” Rose felt a tap on her shoulder and she jumped. She turned to and saw a large troll standing in front of her. He was more than twice Rose’s height and bulky; Rose silently marveled at whatever tailor managed to make a suit which didn’t rip with his every move. Like all other trolls in this era, his horn was stubby, hidden partially under short golden hair.
“You scared me.” Rose said.
“I was expecting you, but not so soon. I was working the front desk when someone came in and left this for you.” The troll opened his massive hand revealed her badge. “He said you dropped it outside and would be picking it up shortly.”
“Thanks, uh...”
“Orok.”
“Thanks Orok.” Rose said.
“You should really be more careful.” Orok said.
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Rose eplied. She walked towards the shelves, but Orok stepped in front of her.
“He’s in the way. Destroy him.” the voice said.
“Anything else I can help you with?” Orok asked. He rocked back and forth.
“Yeah, which way did that guy go?”
“Down the middle aisle.” Orok said. Rose nodded and took one step forward, but Orok blocked her again. “Would you like a tour?” He asked as he tried to bite down his smile.
“Not really.”
“Oh. It’s just it can be confusing in there...and I made some neat changes to system...and I put a lot of work into the welcome presentation...” Orok looked at the floor. Rose sighed then smiled.
“Who cares?” the voice asked.
“It can be helpful to be nice to people.” Rose said under her breath. “Maybe just the short version now and then I can come back for the full experience.” she said. Orok lit up.
“Oh you have to, there’s audience participation, things get a little introspective, plenty of tips and tricks, and I don’t want to spoil it, but maybe a musical number.” Orok tapped his snout. He rubbed his hands together. “Okay, the cases of shelves go on for a really, really long time. There are directories periodically spaced to help you find what you’re looking for and a way out. Downstairs are the new arrivals, from the DMA, and items ready to leave are in the annex.”
“Great.” Rose said.
“Oh and you can use the empty shelves on every rack to summon any items tied to you specifically. Time saving measure I added. Otherwise you can view any of your deposit on your shelf.” Orok looked at Rose expectantly.
“What a very smart and helpful addition Orok.” Rose replied. Orok smiled proudly. Rose shook his hand and took off.
“Be careful! There’s very old and dangerous items in there!” Orok shouted after her. “Ah she’ll be fine.”
Rose had started strong in her search, running with determination and clarity in her mission. Now she wandering through the shelves in attempt to find the way out as much the mysterious man. The repository was a befuddling room. The magic which allowed it to house so many items created a sense of disorientation. Even when she tried to turn around and head back the way she came, Rose still found herself lost.
There was one other issue which compounded her inability to return to the front: the deeper Rose ventured, the stronger she felt the pull of something calling out to her. Rose felt like a fish being slowly, but insistently, reeled to shore. It unnerved her.
“I don’t know why you’re trying to fight it. I feel it too. We must go to it.” the voice hissed. Rose wanted to get further from whatever the source of the feeling was, but her legs propelled her forward. She grabbed on to a nearby shelf in order to force herself to stop walking.
“I’m sorry but based on current experience, mysterious entities speaking to me haven’t worked in my favor.” Rose said.
“This isn’t my ideal either. You’re no prize yourself, pig.” the voice said.
“The phrase is prize pig.”
“I said what I said.”
“You don’t even know if whatever it is could harm you.” Rose replied.
“I do know this much, we’ve arrived.” the voice said. Rose blinked. She was standing in front of a shelf with glass case like all the others, except this case was obscured with a dark tint. The placard in front of the case read ‘Juror number nine, case 15633503 Cloak of Speed.’ Rose didn’t remember when she started walking again, or for how long.
“Check it.” the voice said. Rose tried to pry the case open, but it refused to move. She searched for a release and came across a slot in the same shape as her badge. She placed her badge inside and heard a whirring sound, followed by clicking. The locks on the side of the case disengaged and it lifted partially. Rose fully opened the case. Sitting on the shelf was a neatly folded green cloak with a faint silver glow.
“Seems to be a false alarm. Unless you’re cold, there’s nothing here.”
“Focus your clumsy eyes girl.” the voice. “I’ve learned you can see through glamours, just like with fake badge. Concentrate.” Rose looked at the cloak again the silver glow began to dim and cloak began to disappear. She gasped.
“Is that why when my neighbor claimed to have Brutalis the Archer at his party, I was the only one who could see it was just his dad in disguise? Ah, I ruined so many parties...” Rose said.
“Focus you fool.” the voice said. Rose looked back at what was formerly the cloak. In its place was a tarnished silver tiara with a jewel in the center. “How gauche.” the voice said.
“I don’t know, I think it could look nice.” Rose said. She felt her left hand almost floating towards it and picked up the diadem before she realized what had done. Rose shivered as a jolt ran through her.
“There is little surprise to be found in that.” the voice said.
“I don’t need your sass lady.” Rose said. She froze. Lady. The voice had just sounded distinctly feminine. It didn’t sound like her own, the voice was still unfamiliar, but it sounded far more human. There were more inflections, and it sounded closer.. It hadn’t always been that way, but Rose could no longer remember it sounding any different.
“You recognize it too.” the voice said. Rose raised her right arm. Rather, it was raised for her. Normally when the voice tried to make use of the limb, Rose felt only a slight twitch; now it was entirely out of her control. Rose felt her breath catch as a small chain of red particles flowed between her fingers before popping into multicolored sparks.
“What’s happening?” Rose asked. Her eyes darted back and forth.
“True magic dear” the voice said.
“I don’t have magic ability.” Rose said. Alarmed.
“I am no longer bound by your limitations little one.” the voice said. “There is far more to magic than your scrolls.” Rose watched as her right arm pulled the spell from her pocket. Her hand glowed as she crumpled it in a haze of purple smoke. Rather than dissipate, the smoke began to coalesce around her fingers. The voice caused her hand to begin to shape the smoke; a long vertical line with three sharp angles sticking out. “That is a real rune. The whip which commands the forces of magic to acquiesce to my will. Far more than the paltry sorcery you find in your so called spells.” the voice said. Rose’s hand pushed into the smoke rune. She felt another jolt and a black flame shot forward before splitting in half and arcing upwards, then back towards Rose. The flame exhausted as it reached her.
“You can’t use magic with out a spell scroll. This doesn’t make any sense.”
“I feel myself returning. Weak as this body is, I shall make use of it.” the voice said.
“I’m already making use of this body.” Rose shouted. The voice laughed for the first time. It gave Rose chills.
“Silly girl. Gaze at this power and tell me who is in control.” the voice said. Rose’s right arm extended straight out and she watched with bated breath, waiting to see what would happen. And then she continued to wait.
“Is this the magic?” Rose asked.
“No...I...hang on.” the voice said. Rose brought her arm back in and examined her hand for any damage. “Stop that. Put the arm back out. I’m showing you my power.” Rose continued to check over her arm and felt the familiar twitch of the voice trying to take control. However, this time it was weaker than normal and a failed attempt. Rose look back at the tiara and shook her head.
“No no no no.” She said. The tiara had turned an ashen gray and had begun disintegrating in her hand. “Oh Myr.” Rose said. She tried to hold it together as best she could, but the crumbling continued.
“Ahem. In regards to the previous events, clearly we got a little heady from the magic and we both acted a bit rash. Obviously we shan’t speak of it again.” the voice said. It sounded weaker, but had otherwise retained all the changes.
“We?” Rose asked. ANNOYED. She watched helplessly as the tiara completely crumbled, leaving only dust and its jewel.
“Perhaps your superiors will grant a swift punishment.” the voice said. Rose sighed as she wiped the dust from the gem which had once adorned the center of the headdress. She flipped it over to clean the back side and gasped. Rose dropped the jewel and took a step back.
“Is that-”
“My office. Now!” Green smoke billowed past Rose, but the fury in the voice yelling was unmistakable. Rose quickly shut the glass case and turned to see Jack’s face twisted in rage.
“That can’t be good.” the voice said.
----------------------------------------
“I can’t say this is good.” Mr. Hoots said. He sat forward at his desk, wings partially obscuring his face. Despite seeing him under worse circumstances than first time they met, Rose was thankful, to see him. There was no mistaking the severity, but Mr. Hoots had remained calm and even a bit reassuring. This, in stark contrast to Jack who paced the room enough to wear the floor down. Rose had finally gotten the chance to see what happens when you should take his ill temper personally. It was not pleasant.
Rose sat across the desk from Mr. Hoots with an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had briefly stopped at Jack’s office long enough to be upbraided before arriving at Mr. Hoots office. Since then, Jack had been quietly stewing in rage while Mr. Hoots tried to work through the situation.
“This is a catastrophe.” Jack finally said. He marched over to Rose. “This has been the biggest-”
“Jack.” Mr. Hoots said. He held up a wing. The door opened and Siobhan walked into the room. Mr. Hoots looked at her. She shook her head.
“I checked. Even if we could get another appeal, the client couldn’t handle it...” She turned to Rose who would have taken being locked in a room with ten Jacks over seeing the look on Siobhan’s face.
“We’re looking at a possible intruder, and a case we can’t reasonably get out of assigned to a first day Juror.” Mr. Hoots said.
“I checked and found no reports of any suspicious activity. This person, if they existed, got in and out unnoticed.” Jack said.
“What about Orok?” Rose asked.
“The description you gave matches about half the people who work here. The repository keeps logs of who accessed the room by badge, not level of suspicion. All we have is your entry.” Jack groused. Rose narrowed her eyes and looked away. She hadn’t been alone since Jack retrieved her from the repository, which meant no opportunity to mention what she had witnessed in the cafeteria.
“Right. Question....Jack. What exactly was an appeal spell doing arriving for you through the mail.” Mr. Hoots asked. Rose looked up, relieved to not be the center of questioning for once.
“I couldn’t tell you.” Jack said. “Mayor’s been throwing appeals at us to see what sticks. Probably thought he could slip one by the filters.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.” Siobhan said. “I don’t know how it ended up there, but I trust Jack enough.” she said.
“The real question is why was the spell activated?” Jack said looking at Rose.
“We tested her before the interview. She has no magic abilities.” Siobhan shot back. “How it happened is another mystery, but she cannot do it.” Rose looked at the ground.
“Whoops.” the voice said.
“Every answer leaves the door open for twice as many questions.” Mr. Hoots said. He leaned back in his chair. “There’s nothing to be done. The only path is forward.”
“You can’t be serious. This is going to force us to play their game.” Jack shouted. Mr. Hoots snapped his head around with coldest glare Rose had ever seen. Jack shrank back. Mr. Hoot fixed his glasses and turned back to Rose.
“What I tell you now cannot leave this room. Understood?” he said. Rose nodded. “We are in a precarious position. This appeal puts us in the middle of two feuding poles of power.”
“Who are they?”
“They mayor and the nobles.” Siobhan said. “It’s an escalating political war and the outcome of the appeal tips the scales.”
“My hope was to get our house in order before we were forced to be involved. Now it appears we’re diving right into the deep end. Or you are, rather.” Mr. Hoots said.
“All this over an appeal?” Rose asked.
“The appeal will determine the balance of the judiciary.” Mr. Hoot said. “I’m telling you this now so you can go in with your eyes opened to the reality of the situation. You will need the courage of your convictions, and to prepare for...virulent opposition.”
“So what’s the strategy? What do you want me to do?” Rose asked. She looked around the room. Jack scowl seemed to be permanently fixed upon his face. Siobhan watched Mr. Hoots with determined eyes.
“Uncover the truth, Rose. As always. Deliver justice with vigorous determination in the face of peril, and we’ll deal with the fallout when it comes.” Mr. Hoots stood up. “Congratulations, Juror number nine. You have your first case.”