Ean froze, his mind reeling from the spy's shocking revelation. It had never occurred to him that rival spies might meet and become friends, let alone marry. He was still grappling with the fundamentals of spycraft, and now he found himself entangled within an international web of deceit. The very spy he needed the most from had divided loyalties, casting suspicion over everything she reported.

He scrutinized the woman's every gesture, every subtle shift in her expression since they'd met. The warmth that initially had put him at ease now felt like a calculated deception to mask her dangerous secret. Why reveal such a vulnerability to someone she barely knew? Perhaps she and her lover were responsible for his master's death and now were targeting him? If this was the trap he'd been worried about, perhaps he could turn the tables.

Ean leaned back, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "If the king found out, you will surely be imprisoned, and your husband executed." He shuddered at the visions his mind conjured up. "Why should I risk being punished as well to help you?"

"I took a leap of faith to trust you which is why I confessed to our crimes." She scanned the park as if looking for someone. "It's not our king I'm afraid of, at least not right now," the woman replied grimly. "I believe the Emperor of Brindle has learned of our marriage and sent an assassin to eliminate my husband."

Her words shocked Ean again. "Are you certain? How do you know there is an assassin looking for your husband?"

The woman explained how, two nights prior, an assassin had tried to kill her husband after they visited family in Brindle West. They had only just managed to defeat the assassin before fleeing back through the border gate. Ean knew the body would have surely been discovered by now, putting the couple in even graver danger.

"You will be safe as long as you stay in Argonia," Ean assured her. But even he knew the limits of that protection.

"Until war breaks out," the woman said darkly. "Then the Emperor's assassins will be free to cross the border."

Ean recognized the grim truth in her words. If open conflict erupted between their nations, no lines on a map could shield them from the Emperor's wrath. But perhaps they could turn this situation to Argonia's advantage until that day came. "Are you willing to continue to serve the kingdom?"

"We both love Argonia and will spy for our king," she said resolutely, "but we have conditions."

"I sympathize with your situation. However, both countries are about to go to war." His voice pitched up. "Violence has already broken out here and you're telling me, your handler, you'll only do the job under certain conditions? I may be new to the job, but I report to the king and you report to me. This is not a time to be setting conditions, especially after boxing me into corner so I have to stick my neck out for you."

She placed her hand on his and waited for him to regain his composure. "No offense intended. Of course we want to prevent a war, but we've been targeted. Would you prefer conditional spies who are alive or dead spies?"

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Even in his agitated state, he knew her logic was sound. She was an intellectual match he was inexperienced with. She'd won his begrudging respect, but also revealed herself to be a different type of threat than he anticipated. "What are your conditions?"

"Our only condition is we be given a Letter of Safe Passage, signed by the king. We need to be able to flee at a moment's notice."

Ean took a moment to size her up. Her eyes, though fearful, projected an inner strength. She was no timid soul. When she spoke, her voice held conviction but also weariness.

What they were asking for wasn't just for protection, but immunity from their actions. He was the spymaster. The one in charge, and she had yet to prove useful to him. He leaned closer, his gaze narrowing as he fixed the woman with an unwavering stare. "Before we discuss anything further," he said, his voice low and measured, "I need you to tell me what you know about the protests and demonstrations happening here."

"You have to promise you'll plea our case to the king and secure the letter." She looked into his eyes. "I want to trust you, but the information you're asking for is our only bargaining chip. No offense, young man, but you're only risking your reputation. We're risking our lives."

Ean bristled at being called a kid, but again could see her position was stronger than his. He said, "You're right. I am young and you've placed more trust in me than I deserve after just meeting each other." He met her gaze. "Know this, the king has placed his full faith in me and what I know of him is he is fair and just. I give you my word, I will secure those letters if you can help me stop the escalating tensions."

The woman considered his promise briefly before speaking again. "There are genuine grievances on both sides of the border. It has always been that way. What is new is agents provocateurs have come in and stirred up trouble. We have also noticed numerous outsiders attending the protests."

"Outsiders and agents provocateurs? Who are they working for?"

Her grim tone did not lift as she replied, "Someone known as 'The Man In The Purple Hat' is pulling the strings. We haven't learned who he works for. Although our leaders talk peace, both sides are busy sharpening their swords for war. Somebody is looking for an excuse to use them."

Her words were foreboding. Dark forces seemed to be at work beyond what was apparent. Her suggestion the dark forces could be Argonian was troubling. If so, either the king was playing him for a fool, or someone was acting without the king's authority. No wonder the spy wanted to meet in person.

He told her solemnly, "I thank you for your service and will speak to the king on your behalf when I relay this information to him."

She thanked him, picked up her groceries, and disappeared into the crowd.

Ean's mind was like a novice swimmer managing to keep their head above water but convinced they were about to drown at any second. He had entered the park prepared for a physical confrontation from ambush or a double-cross. She had proven he came mentally unprepared. A forbidden love affair threatened by assassins. A plea for the king's amnesty. Finally, the revelation that Argonians were being manipulated by a puppet master.

Any single one of those revelations would have been earth shattering. The fact she had delivered all three would have seemed inconceivable an hour ago. Hurrying back to enlist Samuel's aid, Ean couldn't help but grin. She had done all that and earned his respect without ever revealing her name to him. Truly a professional spy.

SIDE-QUEST ADDED: SQ-02 Obtain a Letter of Safe Passage for the married spies

QUEST COMPLETED: Q-019 Meet with the Argonia North spy

CLASS RANK INCREASED: Spymaster +1 (7/12)

LOG ENTRY ADDED: Spycraft - Double Agents