“I’m coming in,” Shannai calls before appearing in the room.

“Come on in, I guess.”

“So I’ve got good news and bad. Oh, that looks good. Tomato bisque?”

“Yes. Ugh, You can have only a spoonful.”

“I spoke with Pear to track down a lead, and it looks like a group of extremists looking to kill you. Probably blew their best chance.”

“Huh. Why kill me?”

“Mmm, that is good. Something about you being an abomination.”

“Who would want me dead?”

“We don't have any ears in their organization, an ancient cult with a touch of religious fervor. I’m sure you know of the Kanto mountains. It’s as north as you can get, and they don’t make much noise, so no one knows why they want you dead.”

“Do they have ties to anyone?”

“Nope. None that we know of, but your assailant messed up. The grunts put a giant foot in their asses by attacking me. You should be fine as long as you stay at the academy.”

“Great. At least I have this bathrobe. What is this thing made of?”

"I know what it's like; you have to knuckle through. Here, let me see. It is bamboo fiber.

"So soft. Are we still going to dinner?"

“If you don't want to, then I understand.”

“Should I? Is it safe?”

"Oh yeah, no one would make a move at the Emperor's estate. We might also dig up some dirt if you come."

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“Perfect, here is your outfit. Get cleaned up.”

Pulling on the garment takes little time, and placing some makeup on my less-than-fair skin even less. Exiting the bathroom lands me in Shannai’s reproach. My hard work brushes away as she leads me down to a carriage waiting for us while muttering about fixing messes.

Upon entering the lobby, six burly but well-dressed figures flank us. I make for my rapier before Shannai soothes my arm with a nod. Her control and poise solidify into steel, commanding the room of wealth to stare at her. On the street, we approach a wooden fortress, six feet tall and at least ten feet long, with runes covering every surface. Inside is a cocoon of dark green lining. It would have been spacious without the six scary people staring like statues.

“I’ve seen these around the city, but what are they?”

“I told you they are called holds. Essentially, it's a fortress on wheels; runes run it, and before you ask me, I’ve no idea how the runes function.”

“Hmm. probably an axle rotated by the repelling property. Possibly the power is ambient, but the system seems too weighty to be supported by that, even with the reduction allowed by the wheels—”

“We have little time to inform you of an abbreviated noble history while I fix your makeup.”

“I thought I did a good job.”

“You didn’t. Before, you were an oddity, and now you might be of interest to the court. Stay still and close your eyes.”

“You’re wiping too hard—”

"You're welcome. Firstly, the Emperor's direct lineage heads the five high noble houses. Do you already know this?"

“I know the Emperor is always a Sirius, and the speakers are figureheads, right? I know all the speakers, too.”

“Correct, they do not have hard power, but their soft power is unrivaled. The hard power is senators in the High and the Common houses, elected and can not be from a—”

“I know how the government works; I’m not an idiot.”

“Did you know that the elected officials need the nobility to help with funding and campaigning?”

“I did not. That doesn’t happen in the north.”

“You may think they are figureheads, but the nobility acts as a ruling class with extreme limitations on what they can publicly do, such as the inability to be elected. We will stick to the high families because no one else could have pulled this off. Sadly, we can not rule out Sage as it is multifaceted. I can handle looking into that, though.”

“Oh shit, I am bait at this thing?”

“Hey, who are we helping here.”

“You’re right, do go on.”

“Sage and Hilltrope have always been close while Finvin acts subordinate to the Sirus house, and Kirk is a bit of an outlier.”

“Yes, well, we get one representative in each house; we never consider it much.”

“But you all voted for someone who you trust in, someone who works hard for you. Your voting laws are also inclusive, and votes count directly.”

“Oh? Like the voter suppression stuff.”

“In part, several systems allow for discounting votes, also basic things like underserviced areas. Take yourself, rather educated for a farmer.”

“Yes, I know of this. My father often called Odin’Kirk the last defender.”

"They aren't infallible but are the least corrupt of the high nobility. It will be the last place to sniff around, though we can be more direct with them."

“Tonight?”

“Yes. What do you know about manners and formality.”

“Hmm… The titles are Emperor, Speaker, High Noble, Senator, and Noble. Respectively, the manner will be a full, half, and slight bow.”

“When do you kneel?”

“A manner of station, of which I have none.”

“That, in itself, is the most terrifying thing about you.”

“I will not be here for long enough for the culmination of that.”

“Oh, leaving soon?”

“We will all have to find somewhere to go eventually.”

“Good, offer no information. I’ll be talking, but be brief if anyone addresses things directly. Also, you will be kneeling to me tonight.”

“So unsure of my ability?”

“Only assured in mine.”

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

“After we enter, there will be a few speeches, during which you should pay attention to the people around you for someone who might be too interested. I will take you through the rounds after we settle. Keep to me, and do not stray.”

“Sr.”

As soon as the carriage stops, the guards, who had until then stared out of angled holes, file out. I try to get out after them, but Shannai stops me with a hand. One of the guards calls out, and she stands, motioning for me to get out.

“Follow the guards. I have to get ready. Most importantly, don’t talk to my family. Okay?”

“Uhh, how will that work?”

“Act like this all makes you nervous, and you are happy to be here. I will sing you some praise, and you will shy. Act like I graciously allowed you to accompany me to this function to woo you.”

“So magnanimous. What am I wooing to?”

“Pear is out there. He will show you the rest of the way; go.”

I nod and exit before she can disappear, or at least to my knowledge, with guards surrounding the exit. Behind them and in front of me is Sr Pear standing straight enough to bolster a louse black robe. He has an unusual hairstyle, bald on the top, with a ring of gray hair around his head. I have seen many people on the way to balding, but rarely in such a fashion.

“Hello, Vesh’dan. I am Pear, if you will, follow me; much to do.” He introduces, turning on a heel and moving briskly, gaits sure and long.

“What bai—”

“Hush your tongue until we are in the powder room.”

I hush, following in step with him to the back entrance of a giant building. I had just noticed it. Wait, this is a castle. Royal shit, is this the castle? The Emperor's. Shannai had said it was an estate, but I didn't think it was the estate. The Agate Palace is immense, but this is the back entrance. Still, I can make out five towers at least fifteen stories, parapets of the off-white roof crest in a flying crow, and the Wall is a complimentary sandy cream. There are hundreds of windows, and it's too much to take in before we enter the back door.

Staff bustle around, filling the narrow hallways with platters or garments. The smell of roasted cauliflower is the only distinct from the mingle entangling our trek. Pear jogs through as the bustle splits before him. After several flights of stairs, we reach a door leading to a wider hallway. Buttresses and paintings decorate its length along a golden yellow rug. I check my shoes, and they are all good. I take them off. Carrying my shame, I follow him to a door and into a large room. A body-length mirror made of wealth sits against the back wall, and a wardrobe is on either side. Once the door is closed, they start talking.

“You’re question?”

"This is the Agate Palace, right? And what is my role as bait? Oh, Creation, what did she do to my face?"

“Yes, it is. I cannot help you with the makeup, though it is in fashion. As for your role, that will be a bit tricky.”

“Great wind up, let’s see the pitch.”

“This function is a formality, a harvest festival where the nobility and government show off their stock, a useful stage. Shannai will be showing you off as a serf. It is a kind of endorsement, but nothing she endorses will be a family stance, more a vote with an argument wrapped around an asset.”

“Where do we start?”

“Upon looking into this situation, I have found two solutions to be the most likely: either a high family is after you for the precedence you set at the academy, or one person of great importance is against you for some reason.”

“Let’s see, I get the first one, but I'm more interested in the second.”

“It hangs on them knowing and caring about you but being unable to do anything about it.”

“That’s— Hmm.”

“Someone sufficiently skilled could have done this; it would explain everything, but we have no connections.”

“So we are focusing on the first?”

“Correct. If a member of the Sage can control you, then your existence poses less of a threat. Moreover, you and your kind become a resource.”

“Clever, but how does that help us find who attacked me?”

“You miss the bigger picture. It will either solve the problem or incite your foe to act again.”

“That act being murder?”

“Forcing someone else to move into our hand?”

“Our?”

“We will set a trap.”

“And if they don't?”

“Problem solved.”

“Why am I safe at the mage campus?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“You are not, but no one will kill you there.”

“Okay.”

“Stay here until I get you.”

“Will do.”

Pear leaves, alone yet again, with little else in the room to distract myself. I collapse into a lotus form to enter my mind palace. The relay has given me an idea: creating a device to communicate with another. The concept is simple, but adapting it to a link without a direct connection is challenging. Another medium must connect the two. Perusing my athenary yields, two references to a mana field produced by a transference rune. I can use a compass to view the effects. As I do, the range could be better. I mess with the transference rune and add several inductor runes to amplify the field, but it has little effect. I need to figure out how to receive the signal and convert it to a readable form.

Picking apart the rune formation in the relay I'd examined offers little information. There is one transference rune, which is only connected when the relay presses down. I still need to include something. A knock comes at the door, pulling me from my sanctum. Approaching the door, I notice a small transparent lens affixed to its center. Looking through it yielded nothing. I may be doing it wrong.

“Who is it?” I call.

“Come now, child, we are on a tight schedule,” Pear calls.

I drudge through the journey until a two-story door that stands apart from the rest. I stare up at it, stepping forward to see how the joints support such a massive door, some sort of infusion technique—

“Hey, over here, please do not wander,” Pear calls from a door to my left.

“Sure thing.”

“Please avoid that manner of speaking if you can help it.”

“Sr?” I prod.

“Are you ever serious?”

“When there is food to consume,” I gruff.

“Yes. If you can behave, and useful information.”

They blur together after enough ornate silver filigree, marble buttresses, and original paintings. They are magnificent and distinguishably variable, but still. The opulent impudence sickens like a too-sweet taste. My eyes seek Shannai first while four others mill about in coordinated outfits, another four attending the room. I walk to Shannai and smile, lifting a hand in greeting after kneeling. The high-waisted modified line gown she wears plays at dark purple. It is modern, with room for flowing, accented by the silver leaves wrapping her earlobes.

“You look handsome.”

“As do you; that robe is growing on me,” Shannai compliments.

“Who is your friend, Shannai?” The person wearing a wreath interrupts.

"This is my friend from the academy, Vesh'dan. Vesh, this is my family: my house speaker, Sage, her partner Conor, daughter of Murphy; my uncle Lir the fifth of Sage, his partner Noah, son of house Byrne," she introduces, gesturing to each in turn.

“It should be a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” I slip, performing a half bow to the room and a full bow to Speaker Sage.

"Should—" The Speaker starts before Shannai comes to my rescue.

“Vesh just passed the first bimester and is at the top of the class.”

“What are your studies in?” Conor asks.

“A little of everything.” I abstain.

“Did I see you at the tournament?” Noah asks.

“I was there.”

“Yes, the one who crawled across the ground—”

“That was me.”

“Good enough to get him accepted into the mage academy.” Shannai rescues again.

“It appears so, a rather good showing, in my opinion,” Lir adds.

“Speaking of which, how are your studies going, Shannai?” Speaker Sage asks.

“High Mage Pyllius is a cactus, but he has skill.”

“A cactus?”

“Abrasive, dry, a cactus.”

Before the Speaker can reply, Conor intercedes, “Bear his prickles to drink—”

“Excuse me.” Pear interrupts, opening the door. “The emperor has arrived.”

We file back into the hallway, standing in four groups facing the grand door, second to last, just before the Emperor. Their skin is pale, with full red lips and hazel eyes. They are wearing an empire-waisted gown weaved of gold, though I try not to stare. The open door spills roaring applause as Shan grabs my arm.

The ballroom is a marble dome with a map of the Empire on the panels. The central dance floor has hundreds of tables surrounding it, each with twelve chairs. Shannai pulls forward as someone announces the House of Sage, and we are standing atop the sea of attention, crashing against my knees to waver their constitution.

Our group split in half as we descended the stairs on either side of the entrance. I focused all my attention on not falling, but Shan had my arm, and I kept upright. As we reached our table, which stood in a prominent place near the front, the Emperor and their family emerged. The latter descends as the former remains, along with the speakers. The room quiets once the speakers are seated on the stage and the Emperor speaks.

"Kin of my country. We have prospered for another year, toiled in our labors to reap the rewards. Among our achievements is raising Creations' Quota to fifty million," they hold for responsive applause, "We are here to celebrate those victories claimed for the betterment of all. On this harvest day, we will acknowledge our struggles to empower the future of this Empire." Another pause, another applause. "There are those that I will specifically recognize, a few of the many heroes who comprise our true strength. As always, I will start with our speakers; first, from the illustrious house, Speaker Sage,"

"We have seen prosperity through adherence. Our conduct has honored Creation, so they honor us with continued existence. In the south, those laborers have meant sending more to the Wall than others, as is our responsibility with more people. We must stand against the threats there, not letting our eyes stray from mitigated doom. Our candor on this comes when our population growth has slowed, and we might soon have to call on others to fill this role in part. Our crops still grow, and our rain will still pour, so we have much to be grateful for. Let us remember those things and the sacrifices made to ensure them. Now, I will yield the floor to my fellow Speaker of House Hilltrope. Blessed art thou, and blessed is the fruit of thy mind." Finishing with a short bow before exiting, passing Speaker Hilltrope.

“The select few are here, the power our kingdom has to offer. At the same time, we sit here, evil amasses at the border. In Hilltrope, we have been preparing for this to answer the call by speaker Sage. Currently, we have nearly two thousand troops moving to the border. They will pass the capital in several months, and I will be partitioning provisions from many here to help facilitate their passage. We will also be calling an enlisting campaign to boost our numbers. Of course, many of you are aware of this and will be voting on a provisional license for a multi-kingdom force. I implore you to approve this and help to ensure our continued safety. Now, to speaker Odin.” They finish abruptly.

"I shall not follow the example of my peers, as I don't see a threat to our border. In truth, we all know that this call to arms is gilded fear-mongering, tarnished from overuse. Instead, I endeavor to inform you about the real threats we face. Unrest builds because we forged a seasonal labor system that is essentially a debtor prison a thousand years ago. This practice has become the embodiment of corruption, using its fruit to infect us. We face a rising level of inequality, a deepening of divides that solidifies the footings of bad actors and all that wish to continue hoarding power. My words fall short, for you are creations of this system, but I speak to others who might see my words as brave enough to inspire. Thank you," they end with a full bow to half-hearted applause, many looking up while I clap my hands raw.

“As always, bold words from my peers in the north.” The Emperor— complements?

I lost interest as they moved to Finvin and awarded medals earned in service to the Empire. I consider entering my mind palace, though I should keep my focus here. The prospect of listening to this entire ceremony is impossible, so I ask Shan about the ominous speech by speaker Odin. She elbows me for my trouble, glancing at the table full of her family.

The next option is an hour of messing with the transference rune formation in my mind palace. Varying the field produced is trickier than increasing the gauge. Coming up short confirms the problem as one of power. Someone touches my shoulder, which catches me unaware of my surroundings.

“You could not sit through that? You couldn't last one night in my shoes.”

“Those platforms? I’m fine with my practical wedges.”

“Could be naked under that for all it matters.”

“I am naked under this.”

“Huh?”

“Was I supposed to wear something under?”

“Probably. Anyway, we will have to make the rounds. Here is the show, and my deviously won surf. Keep quiet, be humble, and be respectful. If you don't know what to say, give me a worried look, and I will play it off.” She commands as I kneel in affirmation, obsequiously deep, for the room.

“You are catching on.”

The following fifty interviews went like this, bleeding together through repetition. Shannai will introduce Sr Such And Such, the owner of something impressive. That may not be fair. Of a few, they play the part with reluctance, either that or wretches sheltering under pretense. For my part, bowing appropriately, I will greet their act with my own, a veneer lackered with a submissive demeanor and some stuttering for polish.

She boasts of my accomplishment, and upon hearing this, they clam up. I try not to take offense, but the ubiquity gets to me. The majority placate the act, saying, ‘I might have a few plebs who can do that.’ There might be a few people I owe an apology to.

After Shan pitches me, we will have to listen to theirs. Several ask for support on upcoming propositions, some ask for introductions to Speaker Sage, and a few even introduce their own “assets''. She takes it striding, allowing everyone to leave the interaction feeling accomplished while not receiving anything worthwhile. The mold shatters as we approach Senator Revaldi from the third district in the eastern city of Finvin.

"Ohhh is— is da Pleb yur showin' aroun'? Stock doesn' look too —burp— buulky," the inebriated senator slurs.

"You forget yourself, Senator. Vesh'dan is my guest," Shan grits out, grabbing my arm.

"Sweetheart, he looks like a scared little thing. I want one. Can I have a cute little mage like that?" An affectionate person croons from the Senator's arm.

“You’ll have it an anythin ya desire ma lave," The Senator spits his words onto her adoring expression.

“It was lovely to see you, Senator Revaldi, but we must be going.”

Shan gets a few steps before the oaf is ready to object. Unfortunately, their objection was of the physical variety. They put a hand on my shoulder to stop our retreat, with cologne stinging under an onslaught of Vodka. His grip is so forceful that I react. I am into the movement before I know what I am doing— Instead, Shan is there grabbing the Senator's hand and mine, halting my throw. If she were a second slower, I would have assaulted a senator.

“We really must be going. Good day, Senator.” Shan cools with the same demeanor she has held all night.

“Sorry,” I squeak once we are clear.

“I get the feeling,” Shan reassures, “We haven’t gotten much; your presence hasn’t perturbed anyone.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“Now we speak to Odin.”

The Last warden isolates himself from the majority. I gape at the figure from my fairy tales. His iconic white hair braids three segments grown well below the chest. The robes of a speaker are crimson, and he fills them out thoroughly. The drawings of him in the papers never captured the smile. Shannai pulls me as I stop moving. But I get the practice down before we are in front of the mountain of a being.

“Good speech, Sr.” Shannai compliments, entirely bowing for the first time.

“Was it not too on the nose?”

“Not at all, more a testament to what we should be, as you always are.”

“I appreciate your kind words, young one. Who’s this with you?”

“Yes, this is Vesh’dan, future High Mage.”

“You boast,” I accuse.

“You don’t have to bullshit with this one.” Shannahi corrects.

“They are one of mine, from Williow’s grove, if I'm not mistaken.”

“You aren’t— you know of the grove?”

“I have been there. I try to visit every province under my banner; how can one lead without doing such?”

“By putting their other foot forward,” I offer.

“Is that the nature of things, will all fall under foot to ambition guised in charisma and common sense?” Speaker Odin ponders aloud.

“Some wars will never end. It is the resolve shown in such where I find solace,” Shannai rebukes.

“Wise one, what has given you such insight?”

“Friendships with wiser ones,” She teases.

“If I may ask, why are you fighting this war?” I add.

“It is my job, the calling of my forebears, and I must do what I can to better my people.”

“Would it not benefit them to empower yourself?” I ask.

“It would, but with the rise of mine comes their consolidation. I will consider mine to be the most powerful kingdom. My powers are inferior to that which oppresses all of us, and only with the nature of my fellow Kirkians can we be successful.”

“I see. If I am not being forward?” I hedge.

“Speak truthfully.”

“I came to the capital with a seasonal worker's son who told me there is inequality in our education system. That those born to workers are damned.”

“I’ll need more clarity on your question.”

“Is there truth to this? I have always seen our way as fair, or at least allowing for fairness. I have seen that other places are less accessible, but I have yet to experience that fully.”

“Our problem lies with general education and the lack of access to other resources, worsening with larger and less integrated populations. We try to implement measures to negate these factors' effects, though some fall through, which is all a direct cause of the primary issue: money. Wealth, therefore progress, is hoarded. Our system is to maintain this, to stifle people for the sake of order and hate, but mostly out of ignorance. As all true evil is born from.” Odin finishes with a sorrowful lilt.

“He certainly did. I believe he fell in with a group of bandits.”

“A group practicing banditry,” Shan corrects.

“Huh?”

“You cannot label people so broadly; their actions carry weight, as all of ours do, but you also cannot define them by one aspect of themselves,” Shan continues.

“I see, but that seems counterintuitive.”

“Exactly. Intuition is counter to understanding; seek instead to be mindful,” Odin adds.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Have you heard anything about Vesh in your inquiries this afternoon?” Shan asks.

“A few mixed reviews, well weary of the change he represents, with smaller groups being either hostile or on board. I have yet to hear mention of anyone who might have been behind that attack.” They finish with a look at Shan that I don't catch.

"Thank you for your time, Speaker. We must return to our inquiries."

“As you will,” Odin releases.

“Thank you for your time and your service.” A genuflection follows my words, conveying my respect.

“You are a kind child, a gifted fruit of cherished trees.”

“That was stupid,” Shannai whispers, hustling me through the ballroom.

Shannai led me into the large doors we had entered from and down the hallway. I lose the trail in the awe of meeting a figure I have heard about all my life. The most admired of my father's heroes, a vanquisher of corruption, Odin’Kirk is nearly a sacred name. A person caring and wise, but there is a weary rhythm under that. Knowing of strife makes it noticeable.

“Where are we going?” I ask as I slip my revelry.

“We should probably cut our ball short.” She brushes.

The small, well-decorated lounge has three padded chairs. I look at Shan, and she's staring at the Wall, specifically a painting. In it, a young blonde person with brown eyes looks out the window, a smile untoned by stresses, yet youthful defiance lingers in the arch of the back.

“That was stupid. You shouldn’t play your hand so openly here. Your petulance is opposition.”

“I know how to toe a line. No one of our dispositions can go without. I play more openly because I can.”

“That must be nice.”

“It is… Would you like to talk about it?” I offer.

“It is not something I talk about.”

“Well, know I am here if you do.”

“Thank you… That is my sister,” She starts after a few minutes of silence.

“Oh, is she at the wall?”

“No… may have died there four years ago.”

“May have?”

“Everyone said she did, but I don’t believe them. They're all liars, willing to regurgitate anything fed to them.”

“What do you believe happened?”

“I think she went past the wall to see what's on the other side.”

“Would you want to know?” I ask after a pause.

“You can not be serious. I swear you throw me off every time. Are you serious?”

“Can I trust you?”

“Why would you think that you can?”

"I am not unobservant. I can tell you were to spy on me, that you blew that first day intentionally. You were to invite me to this function. But I don't know what you are willing to do."

She rests her chin on her hand and looks at me. The sting of her gaze is intimidating, but it’s meetable. Her brown eyes have an earthy quality that opens your guard. Something under the pressure of her glare pulls you to look into the sun. She is telling me the truth, and I can see it there in the slight twitch of vulnerability or the furrow of indecision. Among all these treasures, a true gem crystallizes.

“I want to, too,” I risk, taking the first step.

“Ha,” Shannai guffaws before bursting into nervous laughter. “I guess that's why we were trying to get into the officer training program.”

“You would be willing to?”

“Fuck yeah? I planned on going alone anyway. Why do you want to go?”

“My mother is out there somewhere.”

“Oh? So we have that in common. What do you think is out there?”

“Everything they have told us, it’s just not a threat like they portray. Everyone out there is like us.”

“Even the destructive races?”

“Especially the destructive races.” I defend, considering the Goble-kin I’d met.

“This is great! Once we graduate, we can go down to the Wall and even farther.”

“I have to leave in six months.”

“How the fuck are you going to do that?”

"I am not sure. I can pass the mage exam by clearing the fifth level of the Labyrinth. From there, I can get everything needed in time, but I am still unsure how to get through the Wall."

“Why must you leave so soon?”

“That is harder to explain…”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah…”

“You’ll have to trust me a bit more than that. I mean, considering what we are discussing, what could compare?” Shannai insists, looking confused.

“You asked. In short, a time-transcending entity warned me that I would die if I didn't leave by then and that many people would die. They said I would know this too in time, but I’m unsure,” I relent after a while, crossing my fingers.

“The fuck are you talking about?”

“Honestly, I don’t understand much more about that aspect. Even telling someone adds a layer of surrealism that throws me off.”

“Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t get involved.”

“Wouldn't blame you.”

“You’re supposed to be convincing.”

“I prefer enthusiastic participation.”

“Fine, let’s fucking do it.” She jokes.

“We can talk about specifics later.”

“I concur.”

"Reel it—" I am interrupted by thunder shaking the Wall, which prevails into silence.

“What is that?” I ask, finding Shannai’s face in unmasked horror.

“I don’t know.” She whimpers.