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Fri 24th Jan 2025 07:44

89. A small trip

by Lady Leticia Scarlet-Bloesembhel Voetdhel-Montaneus

The missive came unexpectedly, delivered to her during the interlude of the play. Scarlet glanced at the neatly tied ribbon, a rich purple striped with silver running down both edges, wrapped around a small bag of mixed nuts and seeds. At first glance, it seemed innocuous, but half the seeds weren’t for eating. They had another purpose entirely. Her breath hitched. This wasn’t a trivial request. Purple and silver meant family business, the kind that brooked no delay. Silver at the edges meant this was priority, double meant doubly so and she would be required to drop everything for this request. The scattered seeds were a message in themselves, each unusual addition signifying something different, something perilous. It also irked her that they were mixed with candied nuts, as if to mask the weight of what was being asked of her. Whatever awaited her, it wasn’t something she could ignore, even if she wanted to.
 
Sliding out of her seat before the second act began, Scarlet moved silently, her departure unnoticed in the general chaos of the theater. Outside, the late afternoon sun hung low, casting golden light through the narrow alleys. She ducked into a shadowed side street and shifted seamlessly into the form of a barn owl. Her sharp green eyes transformed into the wide, golden gaze of her new form, the speckled dark brown of her feathers blending with the dimming light. With a powerful flap of her wings, she lifted off, flying low over cobblestone streets toward her office.
 
By the time she landed, dusk had begun to settle. Scarlet shifted back into her natural form, adjusting her coat and neckerchief as she stepped inside. The quiet hum of activity greeted her, Karmela and Mr. Porter were already waiting, along with two others she didn’t immediately recognize.
 
The table was set with the tools of their trade: ledgers, maps, sealed envelopes, and a thick folder stamped with a subtle but unmistakable emblem of her family’s rivals. Scarlet’s gaze narrowed as her eyes landed on the names in the open file. These weren’t strangers. She sighed, pressing her fingers briefly to her temple before crossing her arms.
 
“What are the next steps?” she asked, her tone calm but edged with resolve, bracing herself for the answer.
 
Karmela stepped forward, her movements fluid with the control only a monk could possess. “The Eel and the Wolf are arranging transportation. The cargo will be moved by tomorrow night.”
 
Scarlet froze for the briefest moment. Kaðlín, the Eel, and Brana, the Wolf—both carried reputations that preceded them, even among her network. Their involvement meant this was significant. “Transportation to where?” she asked carefully, her tail flicking once, betraying her unease.
 
Mr. Porter, ever observant, noticed the movement and gestured toward the map spread across the table. “We’ve located the source of rot in the assembly line.”
 
Scarlet’s green eyes followed his hand to the map, which outlined the trade routes of her father’s family’s allies. The location circled in deep red ink wasn’t just any warehouse—it was a hub, a key artery for smuggling and illicit trade, concealed behind layers of false contracts and front businesses.
 
“And by ‘rot,’” she began, her tone sharp as her gaze locked on Mr. Porter, “you mean we’re shutting them down entirely?”
 
Mr. Porter’s faint smirk was all the answer she needed. “The Eel believes we can stop the bleeding before it spreads further.”
 
“And the Wolf agrees,” Karmela added. “Once the cargo moves, we’ll be in position to collapse the entire operation.”
 
Scarlet’s hand lingered over the folder as she absorbed their words. “Collapse the operation” wasn’t just business—it was sabotage, a calculated strike to cripple her rivals’ finances and sever the resources propping up her father’s family. But this wasn’t just about money. This would be seen as a declaration of war.
 
Scarlet straightened, keeping her expression neutral as her mind raced. “And the risks?”
 
Karmela hesitated, but Mr. Porter responded smoothly. “Minimal, assuming everything goes as planned.”
 
Scarlet smiled thinly, though her tail flicked again. “When has anything ever gone as planned?”
 
A quiet ripple of laughter passed through the room, but Scarlet didn’t join in. Her stomach churned, and it took all her willpower not to retreat to the nearest waste bin. She steadied herself, turning her focus back to the map, tracing the route with a steady finger. “We’ll need to ensure the fallout doesn’t lead back to us. No loose threads.”
 
“The Wolf will handle that,” Karmela assured her. “Her team is thorough. And, if I’m reading the subtext right, our mentor is assisting.”
 
Scarlet nodded, though unease lingered in her chest. She couldn’t afford any mistakes—not with so much riding on this. If they succeeded, it would be another blow to her father’s family, another step closer to reclaiming what had been stolen from her. But if they failed... Scarlet pushed the thought aside.
 
“Very well,” she said finally, straightening her posture. “Proceed with caution. I’ll expect updates as soon as the Wolf and the Eel make their move. Use whatever resources you need from me. Drain them all, if necessary.”
 
Karmela chuckled softly. “With all you’ve amassed, this won’t even make a dent. You should be proud, things are moving smoothly because of your acumen.”
 
Mr. Porter snorted. “I thought the Colonel was the only monster.” He offered her a teasing smirk. “It’s a compliment. You really are her protégé.”
 
Karmela and Ciel ribbed him playfully, their laughter lightening the mood for a brief moment. Scarlet allowed herself a small smile but stayed silent.
 
The conversation shifted back to logistics, but Scarlet’s mind wandered. Her forest green eyes drifted to the missive still resting on the table. Family business, indeed. But whose idea had this been? And why now? Was her mentor finally able to act? And when had she managed to slip free of her "chains"? As her team debated strategies and timelines, Scarlet rubbed the cool surface of her necklace absently.
 
One more step, she reminded herself. Just one more step.

Continue reading...

  1. 01. Settling in
  2. 02. Fist Fight at a fancy Ball
  3. 03. It's a Lion not a 'Cat'
  4. 04. Patron's tea and dance
  5. 05. The escort job
  6. 06. Update: Today's purchase list
  7. 07. Escort for Bella and the Loot King
  8. 08. Sirens and a chase in town
  9. 09. Got abducted again
  10. 10. Jams and Jellies
  11. 11. New Dog
  12. 12. Guards in the Trees
  13. 13. Temple Visit
  14. 14. New Pup & Outing
  15. 15. Training exercises
  16. 16. Fighting over an idol
  17. 17. Jobs galore
  18. 18. New stationary
  19. 19. A small visit
  20. 20. Slaps and shows
  21. 21. Today's meal
  22. 22. Homesick
  23. 23. Lanterns in the sky
  24. 24. Baby in the park
  25. 25. The Heist
  26. 26. Update: Guild
  27. 27. Mines and Traps
  28. 28. New clothes
  29. 29. I made Journeyer!
  30. 30. Investment shopping
  31. 31. The Pit (fights)
  32. 32. Ghosts of the past
  33. 33. Unexpected ending in a Play
  34. 34. Today's meal
    https://www.worldanvil.com/hero/journal/1aa083c5-ae1f-4624-a724-197a3f8704e3/view
  35. 35. Spies and secrets
  36. 36. Wanted: Three Hand Gang (WED)
  37. 37. Well it's official
  38. 38. Hags and stones
  39. 39. Death and visitations
  40. 40. the shell game
  41. 41. Anger and plots
  42. 42. The jobs so far
  43. 43. (Doodles)
  44. 44. Meetings and Partings
  45. 45. Double checking
  46. 46. An office Scene
    8/01/2023
  47. 47. An(other) office Scene
  48. 48. Paperwork
  49. 49. Behind the curve
  50. 50. Notes and notation
  51. 51. Cake and notes
  52. 52. Paperwork on the high seas
  53. 53. Pics and notes
  54. 54. A small talk
  55. 55. Small notes
  56. 56. The Dressmaker
  57. 57. (food)
  58. 58. Notes
  59. 59. Putting the clues together
  60. 60. Notes
  61. 61. Tea cakes (& slights)
  62. 62. Updates
  63. 63. Board Meetings during battles
  64. 64. Updates
  65. 65. Field command
  66. 66. I am okay
  67. 67. Mountains of paperwork
  68. 68. Needed Vacation
  69. 69. A note
  70. 70. An update
  71. 71. Dissapointment
  72. 72. Notes
  73. 73. Journal entry
  74. 74. Ledgers
  75. 75. Food
  76. 76. An update
  77. 77. A thought
  78. 78. Basking in Dusk's light
  79. 79. A note
  80. 80. A letter home
  81. 81. A dream/a journal entry
  82. 82. An update
  83. 83. Working long hours
  84. 84. A dream, a memory
  85. 85. A meeting
  86. 86. The ride home
  87. 87. Reflections
  88. 88. Paperwork
  89. 89. A small trip
  90. 90. The journey there
  91. 91. Fitting in
  92. 92: Finding your voice
  93. 93: New plans made
  94. 94. (the missive)
  95. 95. Nursery planning
  96. 96: New spell gem
  97. 97: Shuffling

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.045 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 17:14, May 30 2025