Along the way to the bookstore, Yana was already feeling disappointed. The poor state of the road could only mean that both the bookstore and the town didn’t put much value on the business. She was curious about the store but her expectations had been kept at reasonable levels. Still, it would be nice to be surprised.
Fortunately, the trip didn’t take long. Ten minutes after leaving town the three-story building came into view. The Clow was helped out of the coach but proceed alone to the other side of the building where the sign pointed to an entrance. She was ready for an uneventful visit, but all changed once she stepped closer to the door.
An invisible energy field reacted to her presence. Blue waves of power washed her body broking the illusion spell that was disguising her appearance. Yana was shocked and terrified, only her dignity and bearing restrained her from screaming and fleeing.
‘It’s a trap! I knew they would move against me…’ Her mind screamed. The only valid explanation that she could think of involved the family plotting her demise. Once she fell into the trap, losing control of her craft in the process, the court would have grounds to disown her. Angry but frightened, her only doubt was how far they would go with the plot. Would they kill her?
Regardless, there was only one way forward. Walking away now would have the same result but with the addition of shaming her. If she was to fall, she would do it without bowing. Decided and fierce, Yana clenched her fists and entered the bookstore.
***
Anne was having the most wonderful day after waking up to a delicious breakfast prepared by Dorothy. Inviting the dwarf and her adoptive daughter had been a big risk, and so far, one of her best choices. The older woman was a pleasant company who knew when to excuse herself and to never disturb the bookmancer’s job. Young Alanis was also easygoing. The girl kept to herself, focusing on helping Spring with the chores and in her training. So far, everything was working perfectly.
At the bookstore front, things were also moving forward nicely. The adventurers returned to their study-training schedule but now as paying customers, Rick went to the forest to look for a better way through the mountains and should be returning any day soon, Dorgh sent word that he would be coming soon with a finished mystic brew, and if rumors were to be trusted, Asha would be back in a day or two.
Unfortunately, calm days would always precede a tempest. Which started with the magic circle sending waves of warning to Anne. The girl, who was talking with the dwarf about crop options for next year while holding an open book, stopped abruptly.
“Someone is coming… Dorothy, please go inside and don’t come out no matter what you hear.” Anne spoke in a serious and hurried tone.
Dorothy frowned at the request, she wanted to say something but decided against it. She was only a guest, and from what she learned of the bookmancer in the last week, Anne was more than capable of defending herself. Still, the dwarf couldn’t abandon her benefactress, so she hid in the storage room next door and was ready to lend a hand in case of need.
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The bookmancer appreciated the loyalty but didn’t want anyone to get in the way in case things got rough. Instead of staying in her usual position, she walked past the counter and prepared to welcome the visitor with her grimoire at hand. However, what happened next, made Anne stop in her tracks.
A woman, not much younger or smaller than herself, entered the bookstore with stiff movements and a hostile gaze. Her purple hair and eyes left no need for an introduction. A Clow, Anne realized.
The bookmancer started to recall her dossier on the ruler family while coming up with contra measures for a potential conflict. Neuromancy was one of the most dangerous magic crafts, hence the Clows’ domination of one of the biggest countries on the continent. Anne could only curse herself for not learning a mind shield spell beforehand. In case of such conflict, she was counting in a few books and enthons, but all of those were too far from her now.
Anne played dozens of situations on her mind, thinking about effective attacks and defenses. If she could hold off and resist an incapacitating attack until Moruh arrived they would be able to finish the other party, but alone… Then, a strange thought appeared on her mind. The woman was clearly hostile but wasn’t trying to ‘read’ her plans. Was she gathering strength for a single powerful attack?
Yana also stared at the enemy, carefully, while holding some kind of tome. The confidence of the common woman while facing a Clow proved that her previous guess was right. This was a plot to make her stumble into a rebellion and force her to act. Running or losing would both result in victory for the family, either disgracefully disowning her or collecting her corpse while they delivered justice. She thought of countless possibilities, but only one could marginally work. It was a long shot, but she didn’t have any fighting power so it was her only chance.
The Clow stepped forward holding an unfolding scroll.
“By the power of the Clow Royal family. I, Yana Clow, Overseer of the central borderlands, declare you suspect of the crime of treason. By the power of this Royal Decree, you shall be escorted to the Emperor Seat to be judged!” Yana proclaimed the words with all the firmness she could master.
Anne gulped when she saw the purple insignia that gave grounds for the young woman to make the arrest. However, after hearing the Decree’s speech she calmed down. This needn’t be the start of a conflict with the nation’s ruling family. No, this might even end up as an opportunity.
The name ‘Yana’ narrowed her speculations to a well-described character in her Clow records. As a bookmancer part of her craft was recording current events that later would become history, and the royal family would definitely fit the criteria. Therefore, Anne would make paying attention to rumors and secrets one of her ‘hobbies’, and sometimes she even bought or commission more reliable information from a certain obscure guild. ‘Challenges of the craft’, as her master used to say.
Although most secrets and confidential information linked to the Clows were strictly controlled with neuromancy, some important facts still made it to the ears of the bookmancer. Moreover, the current situation involved an infamous member of the family. The rumors addressed Yana’s poor standing in great detail, which could be problematic considering that this information had been spreading with the consent of the family. Many would think that the girl’s mistreatment could a ploy to catch insurgency, but Anne had a different opinion. Having an outcast tied to the family had its benefits.
Anne’s tense shoulders became relaxed as a complete plan formed in her mind. The Clow had overexerted herself, coming to her doorsteps alone and readily revealing her only weapon. Of course, the battle was far from won; she would need to proceed carefully, or else the girl would break. She felt as if the Clows had given her a wonderful present, well wrapped and presented on a golden platter.