Chapter 12: Midnight Mirage

Gareth stalked through the Hall of Echoes, a shortcut he liked to take on his way to the dorms. The dim light of the chandeliers cast long shadows on the ancient tapestries and portraits that lined the walls. Each face seemed to watch him, silently judging his every step.

When he walked past a group of first years, he offered them a reassuring smile and a nod, which they returned in kind, happy to be acknowledged by an upperclassman.

Emerging from the hall, he cut through the Enchanted Garden. Looks like it’s ghost butterflies tonight, he thought. Other than that, Gareth barely registered the serene beauty around him. He stopped briefly to speak with a gardener who was tending to the glow flowers. "The garden looks beautiful as always," he remarked, his tone friendly. The gardener nodded appreciatively.

He encountered an astrology professor at the base of the Observatory tower, looking up even as she made her way to the building. "Good evening, Professor," Gareth said, his voice respectful. "Any interesting celestial events happening tonight?" The professor, pleased by the interest, shared a litany of celestial movements and their astrological significance. Gareth nodded thoughtfully, despite the fact that he had no interest in astrology. Beyond their beauty and the slight terror they inspired as they watched from the heavens, he didn’t put much stock in portents or intimations of destiny. “I’m afraid I must leave you, Professor. Be sure to let me know when the red star will fall from the sky. That certainly would be a bad omen.”

“But the red star will never…Ah, I see. A joke. Ha ha.” Her tone was awkward, like someone who wasn’t quite sure how humor worked, but could more or less guess when they were supposed to laugh. The professor waved him off, her smile genuine and warm.

When he reached the door building, he could see through the window that a group he recognized were gathered around a table. Gareth ruffled his hair, then stepped into the common room. They were delinquents whose families could at least afford a room on the first floor. They were a group he sometimes used to fish for rumors and gossip. They were playing a mundane card game with real money, despite the rules against gambling. As he passed them by, they called him over.

"Oy! Garr! Fancy a round with us again?"

Gareth thought his name was Pippin. But it might be Johnnie or Freddy or Tibalt. So he used the nickname he used for these occasions. “Nah, Ace. I’m too beat up from last night. Next time.”

Another one in the group wagged his eyebrows. He made a lewd gesture, joining his index and thumb to make a circle, then penetrating it with a finger in his other hand. “One of them nights, eh?”

Last night, Gareth had gone to bed early, as he did most nights. His life was anything but a relaxing walk in the park. He needed his beauty rest. “You know me too well. But, a gentleman don’t kiss and tell. But, mmm, you know.”

“Oh ho! I see. You’se a gentleman.” Ace shot Gareth a sly grin and winked. “In that case, you best get to bed.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Gareth took the lift, feeling the shift in his demeanor as he prepared for the next interaction. He was tired, but he couldn’t rest until he did the thing he was least looking forward to tonight.

Reaching his apartments, Gareth stepped into his luxurious yet understated living space. Tastefully decorated with dark wood furniture and plush carpets. For a precious minute, he could wear no mask, and stand empty and alone. What was left, though, he wasn’t sure. The thought put a sour taste in his mouth. He walked over to the mahogany bar cart, decanting his favorite drink, the Midnight Mirage, into a crystal decanter. The exotic drink was darkness and moonlight, stars in a glass.

He checked the ornate grandfather clock, noting that the time for his meeting had arrived. Crossing the room, he paused to look at his painting of the Masked Hero. A story for children, his father might say. A man in a half-mask, a black cloak and a rapier at his hip, standing over a cliff and gazing upon Silver City, his charge, his calling, his home.

Gareth swung the painting open, revealing the hidden safe. He inputted the combination without even needing to look, and retrieved the tablet of farsight.

The tablet of farsight activated, only a few moments after he retrieved it. And Gareth poured mana into it to bridge the connection.

Lord Alasdair Ra’Sinclair’s imposing visage filled the screen. A long mane of golden hair streaked with white framed a face as implacable as a stone fortress. His eyes, cold and calculating.

"Report," his father demanded, his voice a low growl.

Gareth maintained a calm exterior, matching his father's coldness. "I've integrated myself into Isolde's friend group," he began. "It isn't very broad. There's only another student, Cassian, who she spends time with. It seems she has romantic feelings for him. As of now, it isn't clear if the feelings are mutual."

His father's eyes narrowed. "What is this…Cassian's surname?"

"Varn."

His father's eyes grew unfocused as he searched his memory. "Varn. I'm not familiar with the family. What are his origins? Is there anything remarkable about him I should know?"

"He arrived late to the academy. Sponsored by a professor that has since gone on sabbatical. Recently, he went from being unable to cast magic since his arrival to becoming highly adept at healing spells. He may have been hiding his abilities, but I believe he was as surprised as everyone else. As for his origins, he has thus far been reluctant to go into detail. My assessment is that he is ashamed. Perhaps even hiding something."

"Very good. Continue to profile him. Report anything else unusual."

"Yes, Father. As you command."

"Anything else of note?"

"The three of us have registered for an expedition to the Forest of Whispers. Just as you predicted, Wyrmbane has been well trained in Seraphian combat magic. My estimation of her abilities is that she is at least at the Soldier level."

"At first year? That is concerning. Continue as you have. Do not let me down. For Eldara."

"For Eldara."

With that, the connection abruptly ended. Gareth stared at the tablet for a few moments before returning it to the safe. His father never bothered with pleasantries like goodbyes or praise.

Gareth took the decanter and walked out onto the balcony. The cool night air was a welcome feeling. He stared up at the stars while he drank, enjoying the pleasant burn and the warmth that followed. The irony of his favorite drink, the Midnight Mirage, wasn't lost on him. It was a perfect reflection of his life—an illusion of chaos and order. The quiet of the night was his only companion, as he emptied glass after glass, until there was nothing left.