Riniock was jolted awake the next morning by the senior maegi assigned to their escort. He blinked groggily, finding the man’s stern face mere inches from his own.

‘Sir?’ Riniock asked weakly, still disoriented by the abrupt wake-up. ‘Is something wrong?’

The senior maegi snapped his fingers in front of Riniock’s face. ‘Arch-Maegi Karthen wishes to see you.’

‘Did he say why?’

‘No,’ the senior replied, shaking his head. ‘Get dressed and follow me.’

Riniock quickly threw on his casual clothes and followed the senior maegi through the castle. They ascended to the highest tower, climbing winding staircases until they reached a door flanked by two imposing stone statues.

The senior extended his arm, halting Riniock in his tracks. As if sensing their presence, the statues raised their stone weapons, slamming them together to block the path.

‘Cyrtaib Hornuk!’ the senior commanded.

With a deep rumble, the statues lowered their weapons and withdrew, the wall behind them groaning as it shifted to reveal an entryway.

‘What kind of password is that?’ Riniock asked, his curiosity piqued.

‘Go inside,’ the senior replied curtly. ‘The arch-maegi is waiting for you. I’ll be here when you’re finished.’

Riniock stepped inside as the heavy doors groaned shut behind him, sealing him in.

The office was nothing like he had imagined an arch-maegi’s sanctum to be. There were no towering bookshelves, no cluttered desks filled with scrolls or arcane instruments. Instead, the space was adorned with an overwhelming collection of taxidermized magickal beasts and monsters. Dozens of glassy-eyed creatures – each grotesque or majestic in its own way – filled every corner, frozen in lifelike poses.

‘Weird hobby, wouldn’t you say?’ a voice remarked casually.

Riniock turned to see Arch-Maegi Karthen emerging from behind the preserved body of a geoseri – a massive black-scaled lizard native to the Yawning Tunnels.

‘I’ve always admired magickal creatures,’ Karthen said, his tone thoughtful. ‘If I must slay them, I do. But whenever possible, I spare them. They’re remarkable, after all.’

‘That’s…an interesting perspective,’ Riniock replied cautiously.

Karthen began pacing, leaving the geoseri’s looming form behind as he closed the distance between them. His eyes, sharp and assessing, locked onto Riniock’s.

‘Have you ever strolled through the town?’ Karthen asked, his tone shifting to something more conversational.

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‘Once, sir,’ Riniock said, thinking back. ‘When I was a child. Though I imagine the town looks quite different now.’

Karthen chuckled lightly. ‘It does indeed.’

A brief silence followed. Karthen studied him, his expression sly and unreadable, whilst Riniock found himself caught between curiosity and unease, unsure of the arch-maegi’s intentions.

Riniock cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. ‘Sir, may I ask why you summoned me so early this morning?’

Arch-Maegi Karthen’s expression shifted, his sharp gaze cutting through the question. ‘Tell me, Riniock, what is your relationship with Linry Lotrielle?’

A cold sensation ran down Riniock’s spine. He blinked, caught off guard. ‘Pardon?’

Karthen resumed his leisurely pacing, his hand brushing against the fur of a nearby taxidermized beast. ‘Last night, a member of the Ikshari delegation approached me. She requested permission to visit the town before returning to her province.’

Riniock opened his mouth to respond, but the arch-maegi continued, cutting him off. ‘Before I could arrange an escort, she eagerly suggested you for the assignment.’

Riniock froze, his thoughts spinning. ‘She…vouched for me?’

‘Precisely,’ Karthen confirmed, his tone sharp and deliberate. ‘So, I’ll ask again – do you have any unresolved grievances with her, as you did with Irgod?’

Riniock quickly composed himself. ‘No, sir. I’ve interacted with her a few times, but always on amicable terms.’

He forced his voice to remain steady, though his thoughts raced. From what Karthen said, it appeared he wasn’t aware of the full scope of his dealings with Linry. Perhaps the arch-maegi suspected her motives stemmed from vengeance for her fallen peers, rather than any deeper connection.

Karthen stopped pacing, his tone thoughtful but edged with implication. ‘It’s a risky proposition, and I won’t downplay the danger involved. Still, would you be willing to accompany her into town?’

‘Sir?’ Riniock’s confusion was genuine, though he could sense there was more to the request.

‘I need to observe her actions,’ Karthen explained, his voice lowering slightly. ‘There are…suspicions I must confirm.’

Riniock’s pulse quickened.

He understood now – despite the investigation’s official closure, the arch-maegi hadn’t given up. If he suspected Linry or someone from the delegation, this could be an attempt to expose them.

‘You think she’s connected to the murder,’ Riniock said plainly, testing the waters.

Karthen’s eyes widened slightly, but a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. ‘Perceptive of you. I won’t deny it – I suspect her, or someone among the Ikshari, to be involved.’

Riniock tilted his head, feigning contemplation. ‘I had a similar thought, but I wasn’t certain,’ he lied, masking his unease with a calculated tone.

‘Impressive,’ Karthen said, nodding in approval. ‘It seems my confidence in you was not misplaced.’

Though outwardly calm, Riniock’s mind raced. The arch-maegi’s suspicions placed Linry – and perhaps himself – on precarious ground.

‘Then I must accompany her,’ Riniock declared, his tone resolute. ‘If your suspicions are correct, we need to uncover the truth.’

‘Excellent,’ Karthen replied, nodding. ‘To ensure your safety, I’ll assign a security detail to accompany you.’

‘I wouldn’t recommend that, sir,’ Riniock countered, his voice calm but firm. ‘If the Ikshari delegation is involved in the murder – and given my prior encounters with their disciples – they’re likely on high alert. If they notice anyone shadowing me, it could tip them off.’

Karthen paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he considered Riniock’s reasoning. ‘A fair point,’ he admitted. ‘How about this – I’ll have someone tail you from a distance, keeping out of sight. They’ll remain inconspicuous but close enough to intervene if needed.’

Riniock inclined his head in agreement. ‘That would work.’

‘Good. That settles it, then,’ Karthen concluded.

‘Yes, sir,’ Riniock replied, though a flicker of doubt lingered in his expression.

Karthen caught the hesitation and raised an eyebrow. ‘You seem unconvinced. That’s good – caution suits you. Prove yourself on this task, and I’ll have something worthwhile waiting for you when you return.’

‘I’ll do my best, sir,’ Riniock said with resolve.