Alaric slunk into the study, where he found Elara and Kethryll peering through the slightly open door into the ballroom. He padded over to the armchair. Holding onto the armrests, Alaric began to lower his aching body onto the soft leather cushion.

“There you are,” Elara looked over her shoulder.

“Come on, while everyone is outside.” Alaric groaned as he straightened. Pops and cracks reverberated down his spine. He closed his eyes for a moment then let out a sigh. He opened his eyes to see that Elara and Kethryll had already left the room. Muttering a string of curses, Alaric followed.

The ballroom was deserted, its grand chandeliers casting a soft glow over the polished floor. Sheer curtains were drawn along the glass wall, causing all the guests outside to look like a clumped blur, their attention focused on the duke. Alaric couldn’t make out what was being said, but the sporadic gasps from the crowd suggested it was something important. He edged closer to the glass doors, straining to glimpse the scene outside.

“Alaric,” Elara hissed from across the room.

Alaric waved her away, and then his shoulders slumped.

“Fine.” Alaric huffed, then moved away from the curtains.

Kethryll opened the door that led to the kitchen and slipped inside. Elara's stern expression sped Alaric’s pace. The two passed through the doorway and soon caught up with Kethryll.

“Do you know where you’re going?” Alaric asked, trying to keep his voice low.

“Yes, yes,” Kethryll dismissed him. “Follow closely. Here these stairs.”

Alaric followed up the narrow staircase. Presumably, they were mainly used for the house staff as the well-worn steps lacked polish. Wear marks on the walls ran up the walls at a consistent height, evidence of people trying to avoid a collision while crossing paths.

“Tell me about the seals, Kethryll,” Elara called out. “What makes these different from the ones that have already been used?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Kethryll looked over his shoulder at Elara. “Some months ago I was commissioned to create a Royal seal for the newly crowned king.”

They reached the landing top of the stairs and paused before a closed door. Alaric grabbed Kethryll by the shoulder, stopping the artist from opening the door.

“Newly crowned?” Alaric pushed past Kethryll and opened the door. “That was ten years ago.”

“Well,” Kethryll shrugged. “I’m a bit behind, so what?”

Alaric entered the hallway. It stretched in an elegant symphony of polished mahogany and opulent rugs, their deep reds and golds whispered of history. Alaric set off to the right.

“Anyway,” Kethryll turned left. “These seals ratify anything from charters and decrees to treaties with other kingdoms. In fact, he could secede his lands from the Crown and ratify his own kingdom. Well, it would at the very least muddy the waters of legitimacy long enough for the duke to consolidate his power.”

Alaric threw his head back and sighed before turning around and following his two companions. He could feel the aches in his body being replaced with frustration that had been bubbling under the surface since he agreed to this mission.

Elara gasped. “Effectively making the bearer of the seals the most powerful person in the kingdom.”

“Precisely, my dear.” Kethryll stopped and turned to her. “Who did you say you work for again?”

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“Lady Isabella,” Elara said as if talking to a toddler or forgetful grandfather. “Of Ashbourne Keep, remember?”

“Ashbourne Keep,” Kethryll tapped his chin with his index finger. “Are you sure, lass? I know you from…somewhere.”

Kethryll's eyes became slits as if squinting at Elara would force his memory to return.

“As that line ever worked for you?” Elara folded her arms.

Kethryll huffed.

“Enough,” Alaric, his patience fraying like an old rope, stepped between them. “We don’t have time for this. Where is the office?”

“Office?” Kethryll blinked, momentarily disoriented, then looked around as if seeing the hallway for the first time. “Oh, right. It’s just here.” He pointed to the door directly in front of them, the heavy oak adorned with intricate carvings.

“Finally,” Alaric sighed. He turned the handle. Locked. Alaric jiggled the handle. Still locked. Alaric dropped to a knee and stuck his hand into his magical pouch.

Elara rolled her eyes, her exasperation evident. “You could have mentioned that sooner.”

“I was getting to it,” Kethryll said.

Alaric muttered under his breath searching for lock-picking tools he knew he had in there, somewhere.

“Move,” Elara pushed in front of Alaric. “We’ll be here all night.”

Lock-picking tools appeared in her hand. Alaric groaned as he got to his feet. He saw flashes of white and pressed his hand against the wall to steady himself. He was about to admit that he hadn’t fully recovered from the fight when his vision cleared. There was an audible click of the lock, and the door creaked open.

“Nice work,” Alaric said.

Elara ignored him and pushed the door open. Alaric followed Elara into the office, and Kethryll shuffled close behind. The office was smaller than what Alaric assumed it would be. Bookshelves packed tight lined the walls on his left and right. A mahogany cabinet and a chest of drawers were next to the door. A large wooden desk with two oil lamps and an oversized scroll occupied the centre of the room, and the wall beyond that was a giant glass window. Elara was already rummaging through the desk drawers by the time Alaric moved over to the window.

“Lady Isabella,” Kethyrll mused. “Lady Isabella…Ashbourne Keep. There’s an Ashbone Keep. There are five different Iron Keeps. Ashbourne Keep…Lady Isabella. Hmm. That’s not it. It will come to me.”

Alaric looked out to see that the outdoor reception area was below. Guests milled around. But where was the duke?

“We have to hurry,” Alaric turned back to see Elara pull the draw out of the desk and tip it out. Papers, a letter opener and all sorts of bits and bobs fell onto the desk. Elara swiped the drawer’s contents off the desk and flung it to the ground. She moved to the next draw.

“Everything okay?” Alaric placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Shut up,” Elara tossed another draw. “And keep looking.”

Alaric’s hand shot back to his side.

“I’ll check this cabinet,” Kethryll cleared his throat.

Kethryll jumped back as Elara’s eyes snapped to the cabinet. She raced over, almost knocking over Kethryll, and started searching the cabinet.

“Don’t worry, Elara,” Alaric stepped up to the desk and picked up the scroll. “We’ll find it. It’s gotta be in here some—."

Alaric cut himself off as he started to read the scroll, and then he couldn’t stop himself.

“Rest assured, young lady,” Kethryll slowly backed into the wall and bumped into the bookcase. “We’ll find it and make sure the proper authorities are notified. Including Lady Isabella, whom you are in her employ. Isn’t that right, Alaric?”

Alaric kept reading. Elara started snapping off shelves, looking for hidden compartments.

“I said,” Kethryll started edging closer to Alaric. “Isn’t that right, Alaric?”

“Huh?” Alaric didn’t bother to look up. “Did you write this?”

“What?” Kethryll frowned.

“Are you two idiots looking?” Elara growled as she started on the chest of drawers.

“Of course, my dear,” Kethryll flinched at every snap of a wooden drawer.

“You didn’t write this?” Alaric continued reading.

“No. I didn’t,” Kethryll took another step closer. “Why? What is it? Does it refer to anyone we know, or should I say, don’t know? As in, someone isn’t who they claim to be? That share a striking resemblance to a talent of unmatched beauty and thievery?”

“Huh?”

Elara tore at the books on the shelf and trampled the discarded ones underfoot. Her frantic search was nearing a crescendo. She ripped the spines out of the tombs in a vain attempt to reveal potential secrets.

Alaric strained under the weight of the words and instantly regretted not learning legal terms. But why would he, it's not like he had a lot of free time in his extended life to be bothered with such things.

“You look befuddled,” Kethryll leaned over the desk and palmed the letter opener. “Too many big words?”

“Yes, actually.”

Books crashed against the wall.

“What are you reading that is more important than the immediate danger your best friend is in, Alaric?”

Elara let out a blood-curdling scream.

“Looking for this?”

Alaric dragged his eyes from the scroll to see the duke blocking the door.

In his hand was the royal seal.