“Report 14A42 - Priority: Urgent


    Unconfirmed reports from survivors and refugees fleeing from Abenstadt using the Imperial Pardon have made mention of a demonic incursion within the fortress city. As of now, we have no contact with forces within the city and the siege has also limited the deployment of assets within the region. Should the reports have merit, action should be taken immediately. Current recommended plans include the assembly of a rapid reaction force from the Argent Curia. A small squadron of Inquisitors and Witch Hunters are operating within the region and could likely be called upon to assist as well.”


    - Report on Abenstadt, Desk of Senior Inquisitor Cortineau, Abenstadt Sector


    <hr><hr>


    Princess Lucinia sat alone in the room, Olivia having welcomed Sophie but remaining on guard outside. It felt almsot eerie, meeting Lucinia without her attendant beside her. Like a part of the whole was missing. In fact, as far as Sophie could recall, Olivia had always remained by the princess’s side even when they had all first met.


    The only problem was that Lady Olivia always had a mischievous look upon her face. Teasing or clarifying the princess’s messages every time they interacted. Sophie didn’t know quite what to make of her and what part she really played within their dynamic. What she did surmise was that the Lady was somewhat similar to herself and Eva. Only that, perhaps, she was far more important than Sophie was within the equation.


    The princess sat in front of a window with her legs crossed, her student uniform looking immaculate and barely ruffled compared to Sophie’s own. Her long flowing black hair was at least a shade darker than even Sophie’s own, though far neater and straightened, as befitting royalty. Hearing Sophie approach, she slowly turned to regard her visitor, her sharp eyes and frown making Sophie shift a little uncomfortably despite already having gotten used to how Lucinia usually treated her.


    There was something disquieting behind the princess’s eyes. As if having entered into a conspiracy that could only be known to the two of them. Given their current situation and her words last night, Sophie wondered if that was exactly what was about to happen.


    “Sit.” Lucinia commanded.


    Sophie half heartedly acquiesced, not quite willing to take her gaze off the princess lest she let her expressions slip and give away some hint of what this meeting was about. The princess’s frown only deepened under Sophie’s scrutiny. It’s like she’s disappointed.


    “Princess.” Sophie dipped her head politely, “What… are we meeting for, exactly?” Sophie asked.


    “Tsk.” Lucinia chided as she shook her head. The princess’s expression was nearly inscrutable in contrast to her usually disdainful attitude that was on open display.


    The princess motioned to a spare teacup and pot of tea, her eyes looking almost expectantly at Sophie.


    “Uhh, thank you?” Sophie mumbled as she moved to pour herself some tea.


    As the soft smell of something citrusy, floral, yet pleasant danced their way up into her nose. Sophie watched the orange-brown tea fill the cup, when a thought struck her. Is this her attempt at being hospitable?


    “You knife…” Lucinia paused, glanced around, then sighed, “People like you are all the same. You notice too much.” She growled.


    “Ah-hah?” Sophie chuckled uneasily, well at least she skipped the slur.


    “Whatever the case, don’t just sit there you useless lout. If you have a question, then ask it properly. Don’t hesitate, don’t stutter, ask.” Lucinia rolled her eyes.


    “Huh? But-?”


    “We’re obviously here to discuss the path forward, idiot. Ugh.” The princess shook her head, “Try, again.”


    Sophie winced, temperamental much?


    “Right.” she nodded, “So why are we here? What did you want to tell me?”


    “That’s better.” Lucinia mumbled absently.


    The princess stood up, alarming Sophie as she moved to lean upon the window sill. Looking more a wistful student than a Traxian princess. Her slender gloved fingers drummed gently against the wood beneath, creating a rhythmic little beat.


    “I called you here, because there is something we must do..” Lucinia informed her.


    Sophie took a sip of the tea, awaiting the princess’s next words. Princess Lucinia glanced over at her, a look of determination in the royal’s eyes. The usual disdain for her was present, but there was something else that Sophie hadn’t seen much of, admiration.


    “Or rather, you must do.”


    At that Sophie quirked a brow up.


    “Only me?” She voiced her thoughts.


    Princess Lucinia’s face tightened before nodding, “Yes, you.”


    Sophie set down her tea. Huh? Just me? Isn’t this a-


    “Answer me this… Sophie.” Lucinia quietly whispered her name, “Do you want to protect your friends, the others?”


    A tepid nod, Sophie uncertain of Lucinia’s intentions.


    Lucinia walked towards her, resting her arms upon the table and looked directly into Sophie’s eye, making her squirm.


    “Would you like for them to be mostly out of harm''s way?”


    Another nod. “What are you trying to say? Didn’t you say to be direct?”


    Lucinia reached over to the teapot and refilled her own cup, letting the steam rush across her face before blinking and answering.


    “How very witty of you.” Lucinia tersely growled, “No. I am trying to ask how far you are willing to go. Because I don’t intend on putting more people at risk than necessary.”


    “I mean, I doubt either of us want to get more people hurt.”


    Lucinia pursed her lips, a pained grin on her face, “I don’t mean it like that. I meant that I don''t want anyone else to suffer for our sins.” She paused to catch her breath, her eyes dimming slightly, “I said it before. I owe you and your family a great debt. Especially your sister and the suffering she had to go through. For that, I know it is not much. But have my sincere apologies.”


    Sophie merely grunted, taking another sip of the tea. It tasted bitter. Steeped for a bit too long.


    “That is why I need you here. Something that only the two of us can do so that the others aren’t as involved, aren’t as likely to get hurt, or if things go well, barely a part of this at all. That clear enough for you?”


    “Yeah. But I can’t help but get a little worried.” Sophie admitted.


    “You should be.” The princess smiled before dropping it, “What I’ve got planned… notice how even Liv-Olivia is outside. I mean it when I say I don’t want more people to get hurt than necessary.”


    “How awfully considerate of you.”


    Lucinia seemed none too pleased by her comment judging by the little huff she released. But she didn’t bite back, at least, not this time. Sensing a small lull beginning to develop as the silence between them grew longer, Sophie decided to brave the danger and hazard a question.


    “So why me? Not one of the others? Sophia’s a better sneak-thief than I am, Elaria is better at people. Eva’s a force to herself and Mila’s a calculated inquisitor. Why me?”


    Lucinia narrowed her eyes, the girl taking another sip of her tea, prompting Sophie to do the same. The two set their cups down at the same time, the soft clink of the porcelain on the table reflecting both their sturdiness and fragility in equal measure. Their eyes danced around each other, taking the occasional glance before looking away then back again.


    “If you don’t mind me being direct… then because Sophia has already suffered too much for me to so willingly ask her to sacrifice more. Your other sister is too well known, especially with that dark elf of hers. Your mistress Eva is… well much the same as your loud sister. And I don’t know that church girl that well. You? You’re known, but not that well. More importantly, you and that girlfriend of yours are an open book. Easy enough to trust.” Lucinia explained.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    “Don’t you dare drag Ary into this.” Sophie growled, her hand unconsciously balling up. She cannot. I must protect her.


    “Relax, perish the thought. She never factored into this.”


    How dare she? Ary’s smart, capable, lovely and-


    “That’s probably for the best.” Sophie whispered.


    “Precisely. Now onto the matter at hand.” Lucinia finally leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxing a little, allowing Sophie a brief reprieve from the oppressive gaze.


    Sophie leaned in, ready if not exactly pleased by the turn of events.


    “The people of Arteria aren’t outright rioting, at least from what we’ve heard. So they’re at least passively accepting of this new verdict. Or, the Arterian Chamber has hidden much of this from the public, yes?”


    Sophie shrugged, she didn’t exactly have time to observe them.


    “Say yes.” Lucinia demanded.


    “Yes?”


    “Good. Then we can assume that our first objective is to raise awareness and rally the people. Of which you play the key part. On your way to the guild or to your next commission, mention it. Mention that the Braveskulls are allowed back in, complain that you haven’t been pardoned but they have. It’s not much, but it’ll start a conversation. Beyond that, stir up trouble when you can. Trouble that makes sense, of course.”


    “Fair enough. I think I can get that done. But you said the first objective. What are the others?”


    “Keen, aren’t we?” Lucinia grinned without much mirth, “Next is for us to go canvassing for opinions about this matter. Of which is probably what I’ll let the others do. Not much danger there.”


    Sophie nodded, this sounded reasonable to her.


    “For now, lastly, we’ll need to find a spark to ignite the city. But that’ll mostly come with seeing how people are feeling. And at worst… well, let’s-”


    “What’s the worst case scenario?” Sophie prodded, interrupting the princess and earning herself a scowl of displeasure from the royal.


    “If you must know. And to be fair, I was hoping it won’t come to this, so try your best to avoid it.”


    “Spit it out.”


    Lucinia sighed, “Perhaps telling you to be direct was a mistake.” She grumbled, “Nonetheless, the way to start a fire. To light the city’s passions. Stage a breakout of the Krennonian Arena. Have all those who suffered take a stand and protest. Even the Trinity guards wouldn’t dare attack them, I’d wager.


    “Stars above, Lady Lucinia!” Sophie exclaimed, “The Arena? The people there have already suffered so much!”


    “I did say the worst case scenario.” Lucinia scoffed indignantly.


    “Still! To use those is just as bad as pulling Sophia into this. Stars know how long they’ve suffered in those mines.”


    “And my heart goes out to them too.” Lucinia reassured her, though she doesn’t look like she believes that much, “But this decision will haunt them the most, giving them the most incentive to rail against it. An incentive that I doubt the Chamber has let them know about. Hence why you’re here. You’ve seen what it’s like, and could probably relate to them.”


    Sophie grunted. She doesn’t sound the least bit caring but then again, I suppose that’s just who she is.


    “So what? That gives us the right to use them?”


    “Of course not.” The princess growled, “But they are trapped, locked up in that Arena even now. Why? Only the heavens know. But I’d be willing to bet that it’s because the administration does not want them speaking out. For they are living proof of the Braveskull atrocities. Proof. Besides, why must they be trapped in there instead of being free, hmm?”


    Sophie wasn’t satisfied, but she didn’t have an answer. They were indeed proof. Proof that the horrors she witnessed happened, and that she had rescued at least a contingent of them. Yet at the same time, they were also in confinement, shunted away from the world outside by the powers that be. Why?


    At first she had simply assumed that they wished not to overwhelm the city’s medical centers and thus created a dedicated zone for the survivors. Or so it first seemed when she had gone to visit the pained Keely after her trial. Since then, there had only been sporadic mentions of the survivors in the news. I guess checking up on them would be useful, at least. I hope they’re alright.


    “You don’t have to treat them so callously.” Sophie grumbled, “They could be stuck there for medical reasons…” Sophie’s voice dropped.


    A snort emerged from opposite the table and Sophie glared at her, though the princess just returned her gaze with derision, “You don’t really believe that, do you?”


    Sophie grit her teeth.


    “Regardless. The main thing for you now is to spread rumors and start trouble. See how other adventurers and laypersons react. Remember, you need to be the one to do it. The one that the authorities notice again. Hopefully enough to distract them from other pursuits, albeit for only a little. Forget about the arena folk for now. We’ll handle that matter if the need arises.”


    Sophie just nodded, unwilling to let the insult on her tongue slip out. Though, it was tainted with a faint bitterness of conceding that the princess might not be wrong.


    “Is there anything else?” She whispered with a sigh.


    “For now, that’d be all.” Lucinia calmly replied.


    The two shared a curt nod and Sophie stood up. Neither seemed particularly inclined for pleasantries, sharing one last long glance until Sophie finally opened the door to leave. With a final click, she left the princess back in the room.


    “Why so glum?” Lady Olivia asked from next to the doorway, startling her.


    “Gah.” Sophie squeaked, “Sorry.” Stars above! I forgot she was waiting just outside.


    “It’s alright. Tired?”


    “Well… you know.”


    “Mmm, given everything right now, I suppose I do.” Olivia mused thoughtfully before chuckling, “Lucy give you a hard time?”


    “Hmm? Ah, no… she was trying to help.”


    “Hah. I’m sure she was.” Olivia grinned before gesturing at Sophie, “You off to meet with your friends?”


    Sophie nodded.


    “See you around.” Olivia winked, the girl’s hand already moving towards the door handle to Lucinia’s room.


    “Ah, yeah. See you around.”


    As she walked away, she could feel the noble’s eyes bearing down on her. She shivered a little. I never know what Olivia wants or is thinking.


    <hr><hr>


    Aryana was angry despite being enraptured by her surroundings. She felt left behind. Pushed away as others planned and intended to carry out dangerous things without her. Not that she was looking forward to being thrust into action, only that she wanted to be a part of something. To be a part of whatever was happening.


    She knew it wasn’t the same as before. Wasn’t the same as when the children of the tribe left her alone out of spite or derision. That it was different from how the tribe had seen fit to practically isolate a child in the near wilderness of the Frostwinds. She knew that she was being kept safe because they cared and desired to protect her. And yet…


    For now, she contended herself with two magical creatures vying for her attention. Yana appeared somewhat exasperated by the muteness of their new arrival, trying her best to interpet the little shrieks, clicks, and other assorted noises that emerged from the mermaid. Whereas the mermaid, Sigrid, meanwhile, seemed to have associated her with Sophie’s scent and was both comfortably and uncomfortably close at the same time.


    There was a certain awe-like wonder from her simply seeing what the others had called a mermaid. But judging by its innate curiosity and how it continued to rub its cheeks against her like some affectionate puppy, she knew at least that it was acclimated to human society just quite yet.


    The other occupant in the room, who had quietly explained the plan for them to remain otherwise preoccupied and not involved in a brewing conspiracy, seemed relieved at not being the center of the mermaid’s affections. Hanabi the outlander was busy mixing a few drinks for the gathered party. The ones who were left out of some greater movement.


    “Does it not matter? That you have been left by the latter?” Yana balked at Sigrid.


    The mermaid paused her assault on Ary’s cheeks as it quirked its head sideways, shooting a curious look at Hanabi.


    “Don’t look at me. I’d rather be out there helping out.” Hanabi admitted, “But… you, Sigrid, you’ve just gotten here. And I’d have to agree with Sophie that it’s probably better that you get a chance to explore the world first before being dragged into something… troublesome.”


    The mermaid huffed and let out a shrill trill as if to say, whatever she said.


    “You do not have to agree with the half-elf, especially if you are not deciding things by yourself. And you Aryana? Do you not feel the same disappointment as I, Yana.”


    “I…” Ary paused. Sophie’s decision made sense. But she didn’t like it.


    “Look. If I’m being honest. Whatever they’re going to do is going to get messy. And Sophie might be a resilient elf and then some. But her biggest weakness is the rest of you lot, her friends. You most of all.” Hanabi came to the rescue, pointing a finger at Ary.


    “Ahh… I… heh.” She chuckled a little, Sophie cares about me the most, heh.


    “So easily seduced by love! You might as well be a dove!” Yana exclaimed.


    “That doesn’t make sense.” Hanabi chimed him.


    “I wasn’t talking to you!” Yana fluttered angrily.


    The others chuckled and Ary smiled, grateful for the cheery mood. Sigrid trilled something, Hanabi visibly frowned while Yana practically smirked. Uh oh.


    “See!” Yana beat her chest, “Even the daughter of the sea wishes to lend aid! Though she also understands that she must sit out this raid.”


    “Who said anything about a raid?” Hanabi tutted, “Besides, I want to help too. But like I said, we’d probably end up interfering where we shouldn’t. At most, we can do our best here, get the mermaid, err, Sigrid acclimatized to this place so that should she need her powers, it’ll be an easy enough task.”


    Hanabi looked over and the mermaid looked back. Sigrid did not seem completely pleased at her desire being so readily dismissed. Though she clicked out a soft if reluctant agreement with Hanabi’s words.


    Yana, dissatisfied, launched into another rhythmic rant as Ary tuned the others out. There was truth in Hanabi’s words. The desire to help was present within all of them, though perhaps Yana might just be looking for an excuse to move around more. At the same time, danger was certainly ever present and Sophie had deemed it dangerous enough that Ary and Sigrid should both fall under Hanabi’s protection. So how can we help? How can I help? She mused to herself.


    Her mind thought back to herself. The weakness holding back Sophie. Her eyes twinkled a little. That’s it.


    Against the backdrop of the two arguing around her and the confused mermaid beside her, Ary had an epiphany.


    “Guys. I have an idea. But it might be… just a little dangerous. Will you hear me out?”