After a breakfast of omelets and sugar dusted hot cakes served by a private chef, Alistair and Kanda waited silently for their train to arrive on the outskirts of Ruminara. The older girl hadn’t spoken to him all morning, but it didn’t seem like she was mad. It seemed like she was thinking.

Even so, Ghost could only take so much.

“Felix will know if there is something happening between us,” he said as he took control of Alistair’s body. “We can’t act strange. We must act as normal as possible.”

Kanda crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not acting strange. And by now, you really don’t think I can turn on the charm? I’ve been raised into this lifestyle; my uncle won’t suspect a thing.”

“An assassins’ greatest mistake is confusing confidence with invincibility.”

“Shut up,” Alistair told Ghost as he took over. “Sorry, Kanda. He has all sorts of stupid assassin quotes that he keeps running by me. He wants me to collect them and later publish the quotes in a book.”

Ghost: It would be a bestseller and you know it.

Alistair: No, it wouldn’t.

Ghost regained control of Alistair’s body. “That was just an idea if we survive all this, a book. Maybe with graphics as well about the best kinds of takedowns but make them not physically possible so our ways remain a secret. And my quotes aren’t stupid. Confidence can often be the bolt of a crossbow loaded backwards. See? You can shoot yourself if you’re not careful.”

“Wouldn’t you just shoot the back end first? Have you ever used a crossbow?” Alistair asked.

“It’s a metaphor! And of course, I’ve used a crossbow, even if I feel it is a cowardly way to deal with a mark from afar.”

Kanda started laughing. “Stop, both of you. Actually, continue. Seeing the two of you argue is definitely lifting my mood. Continue.”

Ghost pointed a finger at her. Ziggy, who had been perched on his shoulder, squished.

Squish!

“The slime is right,” Ghost growled. “We are not to be trifled with nor are we circus performers.”

Squish! Squish!

Kanda wasn’t convinced. “You could be with the whole talking to yourself act. Add the slime and it’d be a real act.”

“We aren’t talking to ourself. I am talking to him. But we are a we. Ugh. What I’m trying to say is this isn’t a Professor Yuber situation.”

Kanda, who sat across from him, shifted in her seat. She seemed to be cheering up, the hard look on her face replaced by something a bit more inviting. “Yuber. He’s the Combat Arts replacement, right?”

“He is.”

“And he talks to himself?”

“Argues with himself,” Ghost told her.

Squish…

Ghost placed his hand on the slime’s head and pet him.

Kanda looked at the two curiously. “In that case, maybe he has an assassin born into his body as well.”

“Hopefully not,” Alistair said.

Ghost took over forcefully this time. “I’m not that bad! I could be way worse. I’m a pretty docile assassin, if you ask me. Others I know would have simply taken over completely leaving you trapped in your own mind while we went about our business. Do not forget that I could do that.”

Alistair: Do not forget that I could kill you, kill us, and be done with you.

Ghost: I’m making a point. And don’t explain that part to Kanda. That’s something that only you and I need to know.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Anyway,” Kanda said once Alistair grew quiet. “I’ll behave around my uncle. Hopefully, he’ll just bother us for an hour or so before he lets us go for the day. Is the portal set?”

“Yes,” Alistair said. “To do so, I had to remove the exit point in Solaria.”

“Meaning you’ll need to go back there before we head to the border.”

Ghost regained control. “Correct. I know a way to the Dracolich Empire. Solaria first by rune railpath, set the portal, and continue on toward Marrowstone.”

Alistair: Where your mother lived.

Ghost didn’t respond to Alistair. “From there, it’s to the mountains—I know the way—and to a retreat. There’s one catch.”

“A catch? You mean the fact that you’ve already told me you invited Juno and Zola to join us as we illegally sneak across the Dracolich Empire’s border?” Kanda asked. “I still am finding that hard to fathom, especially with Juno’s status. Zola could disappear and no one would care—”

“We would care,” Ghost told her firmly. “Do not underestimate Zola. She will be a powerful mage one day and we will defend her with our life.”

“Okay. Didn’t expect that,” Kanda said. “I thought she was more of a tagalong.”

“Tagalongs are loyal, and in Zola we have someone who is loyal and smart. Plus, she’s like us.”

“Like us? How?” Kanda asked.

“Zola is an orphan. Like Alistair and me. That’s what I meant. She’s scrappy and cunning, even if she’s trying to be noble and use this opportunity to change the course of her life..”

“I’m not an orphan.”

Ghost laughed harshly at Kanda. “You don’t consider yourself one, but you are. You are no better than us. You were an orphan taken in by your dear Uncle Felix. Your father died in his service, and your mother—”

“I don’t know where she is. I don’t even remember her. I only remember my father.” Even though this statement felt sad, Kanda’s eyes only hardened further. “We should change the subject. We’re almost there, and going in like this is not the way I want to greet my uncle, especially after what happened in Solaria last time.”

“Yes, that. Tell me exactly what you told him again?”

Kanda twirled a strand of her hair as she spoke: “Simple. We were tipped off that Juno’s dad was planning to raid the masquerade. We decided to act rather than warn anyone to protect the Baronblades. Or rather, I did so. I convinced you—Alistair, not you, Ghost—that it would be a way to make us both look good in Kand and Felix’s eyes. It worked. That’s really all that matters. Kang may be pissy, but my uncle has assured me that Kang won’t do anything.”

“Odd that Felix actually bought that explanation, but it does make sense that he wouldn’t want it to seem as if The Unknown Souls were being investigated in some way. If Stonewind and his forces had shown up, that might have been the case. And as any good cutthroat knows, cracks in the foundation often lead to irreparable damage,” Ghost said as the train started to slow.

“Is that another of your quotes?” Kanda asked.

“It is now.”

****

Alistair barely saw any of Ruminara on the ride to Felix’s estate due to the thick curtain covering the window of their carriage. What he did manage to glimpse was a quaint city tucked into the mountains, one with buildings packed together tightly around the city center and cobblestone roads.

Ruminara seemed idyllic, a place he would have liked to explore and relax, not at all a location where he would expect assassins to be holding some sort of retreat.

The horses pulling their carriage worked even harder as they took a hill with an enormous estate on top, one with sweeping views of the wooded city beyond. Felix’s estate had huge inner courtyards from what Alistair could tell, which would provide privacy. There were two carriages there now, their horses being tended to by a man in overalls, the top of his face covered.

“Right this way,” one the masked Baronblades told Kanda as she got out of the carriage.

“I know how to walk,” she reminded him, her attention instantly jumping from the man to Felix, who walked toward them wearing blue silk robes open in the middle, a glass of wine in one hand.

“Ah, Alistair and Kanda,” he said upon approach. “My two favorite Lumina Battledeck mages.”

Kanda forced a grin, one that was almost convincing. “Hi, Uncle.”

Alistair joined her. “Hello, Mr. Bancroft.”

“Please, call me Felix. And do not worry. I have robes for you as well. Matching. Outfits for tomorrow, too.”

“I’m sure he’ll be pleased, Uncle.”

“Yes, he will. Is this all you brought?” Felix asked as he looked over the two of them. He frowned. “No luggage?”

“We’re only here for two days,” Kanda reminded him.

“Yes, I suppose that is correct. And it is a good thing I had the tailor make clothing for both of you. You know how I feel about social appearances. Anyway. I won’t get in your way. Kanda, you know where the rooms are. I’ve put you and Alistair across from one another. No need to change now. I’m aware you all will be doing some adventuring.” Felix sucked in a deep breath through his nostrils as he turned to the forest beyond. “I would join you, but Goran and I have things to discuss. But do be back by supper.”

“Yes, Uncle,” Kanda said.

“And do be ready for some surprises tomorrow once our friends arrive. I’m expecting a very lively evening, perhaps one that won’t be interrupted by Resonant Mana this time, hmmm?” He shooed them away with his free hand. “Now go. I have things to do and I would rather not be bothered by children at the moment.”