Upon returning to the sitting room, Mikiva was surprised to find herself alone. Neither Av’ry nor Jade were anywhere to be seen. She stood for a moment, puzzled, then she heard the voices coming from the balcony.

“You are going to have to pull harder,” Av’ry’s voice drifted in through the open door.

“You could help, you know,” Jade grunted.

“Hey, you offered, don’t whine about it now.”

Mikiva turned the corner to see Jade crouched in front of Av’ry, tugging on his left boot.

“Am I interrupting something?” Mikiva asked wryly.

They both looked up abruptly, only to have the stubborn boot finally come loose and Jade tumble backwards, landing sprawled out on her back. Looking up at her, Jade tossed Mikiva a little wave,

“Hi, Mikiva. Have a good meeting?”

“What in the Void is going on out here?”

“Jade and I were just chatting,” Av’ry replied casually.

Mikiva raised an eyebrow,

“Does your version of chatting always involve someone removing your clothing? On second thought, that wouldn’t surprise me,” she scoffed.

He seemed to blush slightly, though the dim light made it hard to tell,

“It isn’t what you’re thinking,” he replied defensively.

“But it would have been much funnier to let her think it was,” Jade was on her feet again, a little smirk played around the corners of her mouth. “Where’s your sense of humour?”

“Don’t you think she dislikes me quite enough already?” Av’ry replied pointedly.

“True. So, you might as well have some fun with it,” Jaded reasoned. “Catch.”

She tossed the boot his direction. Catching it, Av’ry flipped the shoe over and ran his hand across the sole, examining the surface.

“You two want to tell me what in the Void you’re doing?” Mikiva interrupted testily.

Jade waved her closer,

“Our new friend here,” Mikiva scoffed at the characterization, but Jade ignored her, “Seems to think that I was guessing about those being his footprints on the balcony. He doesn’t think I could tell just from seeing it once. So, I said I would give him a little demonstration.”

Mikiva couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed that the further she got from captivity, the more Jade’s confidence grew. Mikiva walked closer so she could see the worn leather boot for herself,

“Don’t let me interrupt, then.”

Jade moved over to the low balcony rail and stood next to a clearly outlined print made in damp mud where someone had jumped down from the railing.

“Now,” Jade instructed. “If you look at the sole of that boot, it will be obvious. Aside from the significant wear on the soles, which would be common to most footwear, there are a variety of distinctive elements to this print, which are clear even on cursory inspection. For example, on the right side, there are several gouges or scrapes,” as she spoke, she traced her finger down the voids slicing through the marking on the ground. “Same thing on the sole of your shoe. They’re quite noticeable. Best guess, I would say you used a knife to scrape something from the bottom of the shoe.”

“Tree sap. Which, I might add, is very difficult to get out of clothing and hair, especially eyelashes,” he admitted sheepishly.

In response to the curious looks that statement prompted, Av’ry continued,

“It’s a long story, don’t ask.”

Mikiva and Jade exchanged a glance, but neither pressed the matter.

“Anyway, if that isn’t enough for you, there is also the deformation of the heel where it looks like has been melted. You should really be more careful when you warm your feet by the fire,” Jade scolded. “But I digress. When you take all that together with the overall size and shape of the boot, and a few other subtle features, it is pretty clear.”

“You really noticed all that in just a passing glance?” Mikiva leaned in closer to inspect the sole herself.

Jade shrugged, then turned to Av’ry,

“Satisfied?” she asked.

“Not hardly,” he shook his head slowly. “Where did you learn to do this?”

“I didn’t,” she replied. “I just… see it. It’s obvious.”

“That makes no sense,” he frowned.

“Aww, you don’t need to get defensive just because you were shown up by an amateur,” she teased.

“Amateur my ass,” he muttered.

“Well, as much as I enjoy listening to the two of you talk shop,” Mikiva interrupted, “we don’t really have time for this. Jade, K’ivin is expecting you in the map room, and you probably shouldn’t keep him waiting too long.”

“He wants to meet me?” Jade raised an eyebrow. “Alright. Well, any advice?”

“Just don’t let him intimidate you.”

Mikiva knew K’ivin didn’t think too much of Jade, given her background; hopefully he wouldn’t get to her.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“He can try,” Jade relied firmly. “I’m done being pushed around by people in power.”

“Good. It’s the first door on the left. Just… do try to be nice, he is my boss, after all.”

“I make no promises,” Jade chuckled softly as she disappeared back inside the palace.

Once she was gone, Mikiva turned her attention to Av’ry, who had knelt on the balcony to replace his boot.

“Let’s go back inside. You and I need to talk.”

“Oh?” he looked up at her, “Here I was under the impression that you wanted nothing to do with me.”

“Trust me, I can think of plenty of things I would rather be doing,” she muttered, heading back in from the balcony. “But I don’t let my personal feelings interfere with my work.”

“Could have fooled me,” Av’ry followed her inside.

Mikiva rolled her eyes,

“Let’s just try to keep things professional, shall we?”

Av’ry chuckled,

“Fine, I promise I’ll be on my best behaviour,” he grinned broadly. “If you promise to keep any future stabbings… non-fatal.”

He picked idly at the nick that was busy scabbing over on his neck. Mikiva had to admit, first impressions aside, she found it difficult to dislike the man. But just because something was difficult didn’t mean it wasn’t worth doing. She had met his type before and she wasn’t falling for the act. She may have to work with him, but she certainly wasn’t stupid enough to get chummy.

“I make no promises,” she rolled her eyes.

Mikiva crossed the room to K’ivin’s liquor cabinet and poured herself a drink.

“You want something?” she offered.

Av’ry bit his lip,

“I, uh…” he hesitated for a moment. “I shouldn’t. No, I shouldn’t.”

“Suit yourself,” she shrugged, sitting down opposite him. “As I’m sure you have guessed by now, K’ivin thinks that your line of inquiry has merit. He’s instructed me to help you investigate.”

“And to keep an eye on me, I am sure,” he added.

“That too,” Mikiva figured there was no point denying it. “He doesn’t fully trust you, but can you blame him? You are an Esrasean, after all. You come out of nowhere, from an enemy country, claiming you know why they are planning a war, and that you can stop them?”

“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the truth. How much did he tell you?”

“Not much, but I want to wait for Jade before we go into details.”

“Jade?”

“Yeah. I’m hoping K’ivin will let her assist us. She has nowhere else to go, and I do think she could be an asset.”

Av’ry nodded slowly,

“I agree. I didn’t talk to her for very long, but you don’t need much time to see that she is clever, has natural talent.”

“True. And besides that, we don’t have the luxury of turning away willing help. Now we just have to wait and see if the boss agrees.”

Mikiva leaned back, took a sip of her drink and settled in for a long wait. K’ivin was not one to make hasty decisions.

Jade tapped lightly on the door before pushing it open and entering the dimly lit room. A large, elaborately crafted map table dominated the room, but the advisor to the throne was sitting at a much smaller table located in the back corner. As she drew closer, she could see that he was playing chess, alternating between the black and white pieces. Surveying the board, she could tell that he had so far made only a few moves in this game. As he slid the black pawn forward, she took the seat opposite him,

“You wanted to see me?”

K’ivin looked up,

“Ah…” he prompted her for a name.

“Jade,” she replied.

“No family name?” he asked quietly.

“No, slaves in Esrasea are given no family name. I am sure you know that.”

“Of course. Must have slipped my mind,” K’ivin smiled.

“No, it didn’t. You doubt my story?”

“Yes.”

“I suppose that is understandable. But I am afraid I have no proof to offer beyond what I am sure Mikiva has already told you. All I can say is that I am telling the truth. Whether you choose to believe me or not is up to you,” as she spoke, Jade absent-mindedly reached out and moved the white knight onto the playing field.

“Do you play?” K’ivin inquired.

Jade glanced down at the board, to the move she had just made, surprised by her own actions.

“I suppose I do,” she replied.

“Where did you learn?”

She thought for a moment,

“I’m not sure,” she touched her hand to her left temple absently. “I must have picked it up somewhere. From a book, maybe. You know how that happens.”

K’ivin raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment. Instead, he sat back, away from the board.

“Well, perhaps we should just focus on business,” he smiled patronizingly. “I don’t want to distract you.”

“I assure you; I am perfectly capable of multitasking.”

“I have no interest in playing an amateur. And I don’t really feel like giving a lesson right now.”

“Did I ask for one?” Jade retorted. “You know, you’ll get rusty if the only opponent you ever challenge is yourself.”

K’ivin sighed,

“Fine, I suppose there is no reason we cannot continue while we talk,” he leaned back in and slid another black pawn forward a space. “This won’t take long anyway.”

“What is it that you wanted to talk about, exactly?” Jade asked.

“I would like to know what your intentions are.”

“My intentions? Am I marrying your daughter?”

“Mikiva told me that you helped her back at the Carayn estate. Why betray your own country to a stranger?”

Jade laughed,

“Well, no mystery there. I have no loyalty to that country or to those people. To them I was a slave, property. I wanted out. Mikiva could help me, I could help her. The rest was purely business. You got your information; I got my freedom. It was a fair exchange, wasn’t it?”

K’ivin nodded,

“I suppose it was. So that was all? You simply traded information to get what you wanted?”

“For the most part. Frankly, if I were to choose a side in the coming war, I would be on yours, anyway.”

“Why is that?”

“I already told you that,” she sighed. “Based on my admittedly limited world experience, I would always choose a country that does not support enslaving people over one that does. Is that a controversial viewpoint? Freedom is the most precious commodity there is, and so it should be the most zealously safeguarded.”

“I suppose I can understand that sentiment,” K’ivin smiled proudly, the man clearly loved his country. “But what exactly do you intend to do with this newfound freedom? You have no money, no family to turn to. Do you have any plans?”

“Not really,” Jade shrugged. “I’ll figure something out.”

She was concerned with that herself but wasn’t about to admit it to him.

“Mikiva told me that Avrinly sent men after you. How do you intend to deal with that?”

“It will be fine. As you said, I have no real connections. It will be easy enough to disappear and start over somewhere.”

“What if I said I was willing to offer you a job, temporarily?”

“And why would you do that?” Jade regarded him suspiciously.

“Purely business, like you said,” K’ivin replied. “You have information I would prefer Avrinly not get ahold of. Thus, I would prefer that you not fall into her hands. I presume you want the same thing.”

“Of course.”

“Then this can be mutually beneficial. Mikiva seems to think you have a natural talent for intelligence work, she has suggested that you might be able to help on her next assignment. I propose this: you stay with her; she can help keep you safe. If you can help her at all, then that is a bonus. In return, I can offer you a small salary, enough for you to get by. It seems that this would work for both of us, if you agree.”

Jade thought for a moment,

“You want me to stay so you can chaperone me? Determine if I am some sort of spy who has fed you false information. And even if I am not, to keep me, and what I know, from falling into the wrong hands?”

“Basically.”

“Why not?” she chuckled. “I have no other plans. A puzzle to solve, enough money to survive, what more could I ask for?”

“Good. I was hoping you would agree, it is certainly better than the alternative. Talk to Mikiva, she will look after you, help you find a place to stay.”

“And the investigation?”

“Oh yes, that. She will fill you in on that too,” K’ivin replied absently.

“You don’t really believe that I can be of any use, do you?”

“Truthfully? No, I don’t. I have nothing against you, but you have no training and no experience. I can’t see you figuring out anything that professionals can’t.”

“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Jade grinned, slowly sliding her rook across the board. “Oh, and by the way, that’s checkmate.”

Chuckling softly, Jade rose from the chair and strode out of the room, leaving the man staring at the board in disbelief.