“... and that means I’m in line to inherit an Earlship as well as a Baronship.” The man said, his haughty nose-in-the-air pose meaning he completely missed Jessabelle’s pained look.

The man had droned on and on about how his aunt was this and his cousin was that, and how important he was by his association with them. Nothing about his own achievements or anything, however.

Gods, could he be any more boring?

Zovran had thrown this ball and invited them to it, saying that the place would be packed with movers and shakers, and a fair number of merchants besides. Lord Reud had agreed to come, simply to try to entice any other merchants to consider travelling to Srinaber.

So far, however, it’d been a wash.

Jessabelle adjusted her dress, pulling the scandalously plunging neckline back into place. The revealing gown was apparently the fashion at the moment, or so the lady in the dressmaker had informed her. It was a beautiful deep red, lined with glimmering little crystals, and came with matching strings of crystals that she’d weaved through her hair. Jessabelle thought she looked stunning.

Yet still, Lord Reud didn’t look at her.

Suppressing a sigh, she turned back to the man before her, trying her best to pretend she cared what he was blathering on about. Hopefully soon she’d have a polite excuse to slip away and find someone who would prove more useful.

“My lady, would you honour me with a dance?” A quiet voice said from her side.

Jessabelle turned to find Lord Reud standing beside her, one hand behind his back, his other outstretched to her. The very image of a gentleman.

“Excuse me! I was-” The man spluttered.

“I would be delighted.” Jessabelle said quickly, darting away as fast as the constrictive dress would allow.

Lord Reud guided her gently to the dance floor, taking her hand in a firm grip and stepping right into the dance as if he’d done it a thousand times.

Jessabelle flushed and tried to focus. She’d never learnt to dance, though she’d always wanted to. Dance instructors were expensive, and they did not travel to villages like Littlestream, especially not for the prices her father would have been willing to pay. Despite her inexperience, however, Lord Reud was gentle, guiding her slowly through the steps with a firm hand.

And he didn’t complain when she stepped on his foot.

“Have you had any luck?” Lord Reud asked, his voice soft.

“Not much, no.” Jessabelle responded, trying to focus on not tripping whilst also speaking. It was hard. “It’s too close to winter, so no one wants to risk it, not without seeing some returns from someone else first.”

She winced as she stepped on his foot again. “Besides, most of the people here want to talk about who will host the next ball, not about anything meaningful.”

Lord Reud nodded. “It’s a shame, it would have been nice to have a couple more contacts. But Zovran’s network will do, I suppose.”

Jessabelle stepped on his foot again, then stumbled, only kept from falling by Lord Reud’s firm grip. “My lord, would you mind if we stopped…”

Lord Reud smiled. “Of course. We seem to have lost the attention of your admirer anyway.”

Carefully, they eased their way to the edge of the dancing people and out, walking over to one of the many small tables positioned around the edges of the room. As they settled down into the chairs, a footman walked over and placed two glasses of wine before them, before quickly moving off again.

Liquid courage, just the thing she needed. She snapped up the wine and swallowed the contents in one gulp. Lord Reud pushed his own glass towards her, so she swallowed that too, feeling the warm glow it brought rush through her and soothe her nerves.

And then a face in the crowd caught her attention. Two faces, in fact.

Jessabelle spluttered, a spray of wine misting her dress. Face blazing with embarrassment, she dabbed at the spot, hoping it wouldn’t stain.

“What is it?” Lord Reud asked.

“Over there. My brothers.” She said.

They were stood with two women and a group of other men, chatting away without a care in the world. As if they hadn’t stolen everything from her.

Gods, just seeing them made her angry.

Lord Reud’s eyes narrowed as he peered over at them.

“That person with them, who is he?” He hissed.

“Which one.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“The man with the scar.”

Jessabelle looked over the people her brothers were talking with, analysing them. One man amongst the group seemed to be more influential than the others, given the deference they were showing him. He had a scar that ran from his left eye, across his cheek, and spiralled down to the corner of his mouth. And he had the brilliant purple eyes of a mage.

“I don’t know, but he seems familiar, I think.” Jessabelle said.

“He sure fits the description of the Seeker I’m looking for. Did Zovran invite him?”

“When you’re powerful enough in the city, you can just show up to these events without any invite.” Jessabelle said. "So if he's some high up Seeker, he could just waltz in anywhere he desired."

“Your brothers really do seem to be picking some unsavoury friends, don’t they.”

“Please, don’t remind me.” Jessabelle said, burying her face in her hands.

“Come, I want to get an ear on what they are saying.” Lord Reud said, standing.

Together they meandered through the crowds, trying their best to keep their backs to the group as much as possible. Luckily, her brothers and the Seeker seemed entirely oblivious to their surroundings.

“...moving the shipment soon.” She finally managed to pick out. That was the voice of one of her brothers, Merek.

“Payment on arrival, not before.” An unfamiliar voice said.

“But we have costs we need to recoup before-”

“You wanted the contract, not me.” The voice cut him off. “Those are the terms, you can take them or leave them.”

“Of course we’ll take it.” A third voice said. That was Carak, her other brother.

“Good. Just make sure your boats are fully secured with magebane. You don’t want any incidents during shipping, you can trust me on that.”

“We’ve adequately secured them, but if we could get an advance we could-”

“Don’t push me. Just have your boats collect the shipment and bring it here by wintersend. You will be rewarded most generously then, and not a moment before.”

“It will be as you command, Lord Seeker.”

Lord Reud pulled her away, slipping back in the crowd.

“What was that all about?” Jessabelle asked.

“Sounded to me like your brothers are looking for a contract to move mageborn children.” Lord Reud said, scowling. “I’m liking them less and less by the minute. That man is definitely the Seeker I’m looking for, though, so that means the children I’m looking for are also most certainly here.”

“Children you’re looking for?” Jessabelle asked, confused. He hadn’t mentioned anything about that.

“It’s a long story that-” Lord Reud suddenly stopped, and hissed at her. “Look sharp, we have company.”

Jessabelle turned to find her brothers walking towards them. Directly towards them.

Well, that wasn’t good.

“Sister dearest, how… interesting it is to see you here.” Merek said, a wide smirk on his face.

Jessabelle looked at him, her eyes filled with loathing. “Merek, Carak, I have nothing to say to either of you.”

Carak, smirks at her, a mirror of his brother in every way. “That’s not a very nice way to greet your family, after all these years.”

“Family? Don’t make me laugh. We stopped being that when you took my inheritance and abandoned me with nothing.” Jessabelle said, her cheeks reddening with anger.

Merek flicked his hair back from his face. “It was never your inheritance, you stupid girl. You must have done something to father to make him leave everything to you.”

Carak nodded along with his brother. “There’s no way he would have ignored his two sons over a daughter.”

The two women beside them tittered their agreement. The one beside Merek twirled her auburn hair around a finger. “Maybe she’s been hiding her magic, and bewitched him?” She said, her voice high and winy. “Maybe we should go get the Lord Seeker, have him take a look at her.”

Merek smirked at her comment. “What a simply splendid idea, well said my dove.” Turning to Jessabelle, he raised an eyebrow. “Is that what happened, dear sister? Did you awaken some demonic powers and poisoned his mind?”

“I- You-” Jessabelle spluttered, words entirely failing her.

“I think that’s just about enough.” Lord Reud said, stepping forward, his voice full of an uncharacteristic steel.

“And who are you?” Merek said, looking him up and down disdainfully.

“No one of importance.” Lord Reud responded. “And certainly not worth your time. We will take our leave now. Lords, Ladies.” He said, snapping a quick bow before grabbing Jessabelle’s arm and pulling her away.

“I’m sorry, my lord, I just...” She stammered, feeling nothing more than the stupid girl her brothers had accused her of being.

“Don’t worry about it, family is always tough to deal with.” Lord Reud responded, his voice soft once again. “But I think we have everything we want from this place, and I have some preparations to do.”

“Preparations?”

“Yes. I have a few tasks for you. I want you to collect some artefacts from an enchanter I'm having made, and to buy up as much food as we can pack the carriages with. We leave for Srinaber in two days.”

“And what about you?” Jessabelle said, letting him guide her out the room.

“This city evidently has an infestation of Seekers that needs to be cleaned up.” Lord Reud said, his voice once again filled with steel. “And I think I’m ready to play the cleaner.”