Dawn was a peculiar moment as far as magic went. At least the kind she practiced, which didn’t always match perfectly with the school that Haylich’s mages followed.
The closest person to her brand of casting was little Jean, the genius mage who lived cloistered in her mentor’s high tower and who had contributed almost as much as Leonard to ending the Incursion. Without her, the locals would have never developed a style of casting that could work on the Void, and considering the significantly stronger-than-average Incursion, they would have probably been overrun in short order without Leonard and Jean.
Not that Amelia would have cared. The only reason she was putting so much effort into this shithole of a country was that Leonard was dead set on bringing it kicking and screaming into the light, and she had long decided she would do her best to make his desires come true. Even if that meant shifting between shadows to infiltrate a tiny town at the rear end of nowhere.
Emerging from the darkness of an alleyway, Amelia scanned the surroundings. As her spirit said, no one was around yet. The people of Thelma had reacted like ostriches to the lockdown. Their hope that the storm would pass without damaging their lives was foolish, but then again, they didn’t know better.
Satisfied she wasn’t about to blow the operation on a rookie mistake, Amelia settled to wait for her contact, ensuring to keep [Unseen Presence] active at all times.
She only had to wait five minutes before a figure appeared at the other end of the alley, smoothly moving in the sparse light.
Her heightened senses pierced through the darkness and unerringly tracked the woman’s movements. Her contact possessed generous curves, luminous red hair, and attractive features, if not particularly refined. Her ears were slightly pointed, hinting at a distant non-human ancestor.
image [https://i.postimg.cc/GpH0vTtR/persimmon0-voluptuous-redheaded-alchemist-female-meeting-a-shad-5e2e8dfb-f275-460d-b866-2e601178332a.png]
She knew the woman to be Lia’s old apprentice, Jessica. The blasted hobgoblin had smirked when she asked for specifics, but Amelia didn’t need much snooping to find out her occupation.
Jessica was the matron of the Sparkling Ruby, a successful brothel close to the noble district of Thelma.
Amelia allowed her skill to fade, letting the woman spot her lingering in the shadows. They greeted each other with a subtle nod before silently moving through the maze-like streets of Thelma toward the Sparkling Ruby. The brothel, nestled discreetly on a narrow side street, exuded a charm that belied its purpose. Its facade was painted a deep, rich burgundy, with delicate gold trim around the windows and door. The sign above the entrance, featuring an elegantly scripted name with a ruby motif, swung gently in the early morning breeze.
As they entered, the interior revealed an atmosphere of subdued opulence. Thick, plush carpets muffled their footsteps, and the air was perfumed with a blend of exotic spices and floral scents. The main hall was adorned with plush velvet curtains, ornate chandeliers that cast a soft, warm glow, and tasteful artwork that added an air of sophistication.
Jessica led Amelia past the main receiving area, which was quiet at this early hour, into a more private room designed for discreet meetings. It was comfortably furnished with a large, cushioned settee, a low table set with an elegant tea service, and walls lined with shelves filled with books and curiosities.
Once settled, Jessica poured tea for both of them, her movements practiced and graceful. The steam from the cups mingled with the dim light, creating a serene ambiance. Jessica’s demeanor was calm, but her eyes held a sharpness that spoke of a keen mind used to navigating the complexities of her trade and the intricacies of Thelma’s social strata.
“You must be Lady Amelia then,” Jessica finally said, “Lia told me you were beautiful, but I didn’t understand how true those words were. You’d make a fortune.”
Amelia blinked before allowing an amused smile to spread on her lips. Usually, people were either too intimidated by her history to talk to her, or so taken by her charm that they ended up making fools of themselves.
It was surprisingly refreshing to be told she’d make a fine whore.
Trusting in her constitution to handle any poison that could have been placed in the tea, Amelia took a sip and was happy to find that not only was it not deadly, but it was perfectly pleasant. It had a fresh floral peach aroma, the mark of a locally produced brew.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Once she was done savoring the first sip, she answered, “I am. I currently serve as the Minister of Intelligence for the Revolutionary Government and have been sent here to prepare the ground for the army's arrival.”
Jessica should have known that much, but like most prostitutes, it was hard to tell exactly where her respectful demeanor stopped being faked and began being real.
“It was about time something happened. Things here in the south have been allowed to fall apart for too long. To be honest, if the Hero didn’t rise up, I’d have given it another year before a sufficiently charismatic adventurer got together enough people to rebel. It just wasn’t sustainable.” The redhead commented, earning an approving nod from Amelia.
While she wouldn’t say most people in Alpar were stupid, they were definitely not interested in politics. And while Leonard could hold such a discussion, he always concentrated on finding solutions. Having someone to share her observations with would be nice, so she made a note to visit the woman occasionally to get a fresh perspective on things. Amelia was aware enough to know she was a bit self-absorbed, after all.
“That’s right. Even had we not been the ones to rise, someone would have. But since we are, it’s my job to ensure things go as smoothly as possible.” Amelia replied.
Jessica hummed, taking a delicate sip of tea, “Which I suppose means you are here to eliminate those who stand a chance in opposing you, right?”
“It’s good that you are quick on the uptake. I will eliminate anyone who poses a danger to the revolution and, if possible, guide the locals in rising up themselves.” Amelia explained.
Jessica nodded, her expression serious as she set down her tea cup. "The people here are mostly downtrodden and have lost much hope. Stirring them to action will be challenging," she admitted.
Amelia leaned forward slightly, her voice firm. "It doesn't really matter whether they participate actively or not. The mere presence of the Hero guarantees our victory. However, having the slaves rise up would certainly make things easier for everyone involved - and better for them in the long run.”
Understanding flickered in Jessica's eyes, a sharp intelligence that spoke of her ability to see opportunity even in the direst circumstances. “You are giving us an opportunity," she responded, her tone shifting to one of resolve. "An opportunity for those here to earn favor with the Revolution. To shape what comes next despite the minor role we will play in the future.”
Amelia nodded, pleased with Jessica's quick grasp of the situation and her willingness to act. "Now, tell me about the obstacles we face here," she prompted, eager to get down to specifics.
Jessica leaned back, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she organized her thoughts. “I’m sure you are already aware of the few decent fighters we have, so I won’t bore you. As far as our chances to direct a slave uprising, the most significant threat comes from the head priest and two mages," she began, her voice lowering despite the privacy of the room. "They are the local slave market’s bosses. While their death won't immediately release the slaves, it will certainly destabilize the control the masters have, making it easier to break those collars later.”
Amelia absorbed this information. She could solve the problem by herself. But she was curious to see what Lia’s old apprentice would come up with. "Their death?”
"It's feasible but tricky," Jessica replied, her expression turning calculating. "They are well-guarded and mostly move within the upper echelons of society here. However, they frequent this establishment to partake in my girls, making them easily accessible at their most vulnerable. Of course, this would mean my death should your army fail to take Thelma.”
Amelia wasn’t surprised at the revelation. She had seen priests do much worse things than get their jollies off. What she was interested in was how high Jessica’s price would be. And if she was smart enough to understand, she couldn’t haggle with her like she would with anyone else.
Jessica met Amelia's assessing gaze squarely. "If I'm to risk everything," she said slowly, her voice steady despite the risk involved, "I need assurances. Assurances that my girls will be taken care of, that they will have a future in this new world you're building.”
Amelia nodded thoughtfully, appreciating her forthrightness and protective instincts. "Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated, and I respect the stakes for you and your establishment," Amelia replied. "You have my word that your girls will be given an opportunity to start anew with the full support of the revolutionary government. They will be free from exploitation and will receive education and training to help them integrate into whatever new paths they choose to pursue. Or, if they want to continue in this line of work, they will be allowed to do so unmolested.”
It was something she had discussed with Leonard. In one of the increasingly rare moments of downtime, she had asked what he wanted to do with the seedier professions once they established control over the region.
Leonard was an idealist but not a foolish one. He, of course, wanted to put a stop to crime, but he knew that to succeed, there needed to be much better economic conditions for the lower classes. And that some single women without a family would always choose the oldest profession in the world to fall back on.
Jessica considered Amelia's promise, searching her face for any sign of duplicity. Finding none - Amelia’s assurance carried the weight of her position, and the disparity of power made deceit unproductive - Jessica let out a slow breath, and her decision was made. "Then we have an agreement," she said, extending her hand across the table.
Amelia took it, her grip firm. "We do. Now, let's discuss the specifics of how we can eliminate our three problems. It would be better if they disappeared quietly. I could kill them in their residence, but that would raise the alarm that we have infiltrated the town.”
Jessica nodded, releasing Amelia's hand and sitting back to strategize. “If nothing changes - and I doubt it will, as even with the lockdown, they kept their habits - they’ll be here this evening, as usual. My girls are discreet and can slip something into their drinks without being noticed. We’ll take out the guards and put them in a sealed room until the siege is broken.”
Amelia listened intently, her mind already running through various scenarios and contingencies. "I'll be here as well, in the shadows," she added. "Should anything go awry, I'll intervene. But your plan sounds solid, and with the element of surprise on our side, success is highly likely.”
Jessica's lips thinned in a determined line. "After tonight, the power dynamics in Thelma will shift significantly. The nobles will be vulnerable and more willing to abuse their power openly to try and keep things from escalating, especially when they realize their hold over the slave population has weakened.”
"That's the opening we'll need to incite the larger rebellion and secure the town," Amelia concluded. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
She had already completed the scouting of the town, and her summons had marked those few slaves whose will hadn’t been broken and who were powerful enough to motivate their fellows. Amelia doubted it would take much once they realized their chains weren’t there anymore. People yearned for freedom, and she’d gladly ensure they received it. She just had to impress upon them who exactly had granted them that privilege.