Scheming

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Suggested Audio

Candledeep

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Albert grunts, shuffling open the doors of the royal library. His mother, the librarian, offers a subtle but perky smile as he enters.

You're late!

A girl's voice derides him.

Albert startles, his eyes scraping the library to ascertain the source. He spots his childhood friend seated at a desk with a scroll rolled out before her.

Ifani...! Why do you do that?

Albert gasps, shifting his bag to his other shoulder as a smirk graces her features

Didn't I tell you I had a new contract?

Ifani is lithe and wiry, taller than most girls her age, and her skin possesses a warm umber hue. Her bronze hair is braided and spills over her shoulders while her clothes are just as tidy. As usual, she keeps her eyes averted, watching Albert's movements instead.

I've got to keep you on your toes somehow! And don't you normally plan for like...

Ifani pauses to recall

A week before starting with a new client?

her chair creaks as she leans back

And why start up a new one right before assessments?

Yes

Albert's confirmation is gentle but terse, focused on slipping scrolls back into their intended locations

But they insisted I start right away.

Ifani scoffs, eyes grazing the illustrations in the encyclopedia before her.

Another noble slewing demands at you on a whim!

Ifani mocks with an edge to her voice

What is a week or two going to change?

Ifani, you're still a noble too.

Albert reminds her

Am I really though?

Ifani questions, narrowing her eyes and throwing up a hand.

Albert peers at her amid a long pause of exasperation.

Yes

Albert stresses pointedly

Yes you are.

A heavy frown weighs on her face but she waits for him to continue.

Ordinarily, no, a few weeks wouldn't make much of a difference

Albert agrees

But this one is different. She doesn't know the first thing about magic.

What is she, five?

Ifani snickers, keeping track of Albert by watching his feet as he flits about.

No, but- Oh!

Albert suddenly flips around

I almost forgot the most exciting part!

Ifani watches him bounce and tilts her head

She actually grew up in Nippon!!

his exuberance earns a chuckle from Sophia at her desk

She says she'll tell me all about it between lessons! We have so little recorded here-

Where?

Ifani interjects, unimpressed

Nippon, the civilization of the Celestial Archipelago?

Albert reminds her but is met with another vacant expression

The last landmass beyond Yaxiya before Vekaltor's Doldrums?

He pauses to consider her interests, none of his words registering so far

Originators of the katana, naginata, kusurigama...?

Recognition finally washes over her face.

Why would Accian nobility grow up out there?

Ifani questions with a tinge of suspicion and Albert plops down across from her

From what I've heard...

Albert speaks in a near whisper despite the practically empty library

His majesty wanted to begin setting up relations and scoping out the archipelago. Duke Minx volunteered, insisted even on being the one to go, but brought home a secret heir!

Ifani narrows her eyes and whispers back to him with annoyance.

You're tutoring the daughter of Duke Minx and you thought where she grew up was the most interesting part??

She scoffs at him again but then speaks eagerly

Did you meet him when you were there? What was he like?

Albert poorly smothers a laugh and Ifani glares

What

I'm sorry

Albert's shoulders jump as he laughs

I just forgot how much you...

He trails off, Ifani's eyes widening before she scrambles to her feet. Albert glances behind him to see the source and quickly scuffles up as well, bowing.

You're majesty!

Sophia calls out as Ambrose strides into the library, shadowed closely by Ghislaine. She bows appropriately as well and the king glances about the library

What a pleasant surprise! Can I help you with anything today, sire?

He flashes a quaint smile before looking significantly at the children

Oh

Sophia squeaks

Ifani, would you mind running Albert through some exercises? He could use the practice!

Yes, ma'am!

Ifani's responds stiffly.

The two teens bow again before absconding. As they pass by, Ghislaine offers a smile, giving Albert a chill.

Good afternoon, Sophia.

Ghislaine greets her as the door clicks behind them

His majesty would like to commission a new project.

Ambrose looms silently as Ghislaine speaks, watching the both of them. Sophia's mannerisms always reminded of him of a sparrow despite having no such magic form, the woman earnest and jittery.

Of course!

Sophia chimes with a warm smile

That's what I'm here for!

Ghislaine glances to Ambrose and they share a nod.

We need you to begin researching a particular topic and organize a formal study.

Ghislaine explains in a pleasant tone

Compile what materials we have here and in the other libraries—you can have them sent here if necessary. Even the vaguest of references may be helpful as it's quite a mysterious subject.

Sophia raises her eyebrows but still scribbles down his instructions

Once you are finished, you are to brief those to be involved on the results and send the most pertinent of documents to my study as well as a copy of the compilation.

This sounds like an exciting project!

Sophia chimes

What is the topic, then?

Shape shifters

Ambrose replies gravely, giving her pause

How to identify them, their characteristics.

That is quite an obscure topic..!

Sophia replies, blinking rapidly

Very mysterious indeed!

She hums to herself before continuing

Do you have a deadline in mind?

We expect results within three weeks

Ambrose denotes

But you are to continue until I am satisfied with the results.

Sophia gapes, speechless.

May-may I ask why this is so urgent, your majesty?

Sophia responds with trepidation

Ambrose frowns at the woman but Ghislaine leans closer to her

This must remain in the strictest confidence.

Ghislaine answers in a near whisper. She nods fervently and listens closely as he continues

We believe there may be shape shifter spies among us from the Continent Beyond!

He watches, with an ounce of delight, as her eyes widen and a gasp passes her lips. Ambrose raises a skeptical brow at his advisor but allows him to continue

It is vital we learn how to identify them and quickly. For the sake of the kingdom!

Ghislaine re-erects himself as her eyes dart about. Ambrose peers at Ghislaine, the pallid man offering the slightest of smiles. Sophia recomposes herself, suddenly resolved.

I'll get right to work, your majesty!

Sophia states, determined

I'll notify you as soon as I have anything substantial!

Ambrose nods his approval before they depart. Ghislaine hears her pulling scrolls off of the shelves before they even exit the room.

Was that wise?

Ambrose questions as they navigate the halls of the castle.

Ghislaine flashes his signature, spurious smile.

As you know, rumors can be a potent weapon when properly placed.

Ghislaine answers, pausing to pique the king's curiosity

If the right people are frightful of shape shifters among us, especially enemy spies, they may take notice and alert us to what we would otherwise never perceive here behind castle walls. If she must stay ever vigilant, she is more likely to err—especially if she is as young as my visions suggests. I'll plant more seeds where most beneficial.

And if the rumors cause her to flee or become too wary?

Ambrose questions, his own distaste for the prospect apparent

Shape shifters are always wary, sire.

Ghislaine responds, suddenly deadpan

And it's nearly too late for her to flee now.

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Myconid Colony

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Lillith lingers at the northeastern edge of her swamp with a companion, appreciating the stars before they set sail. An owl swoops onto her companion's shoulder and drops a small wooden tube into their hand. She waits as they unroll the parchment inside.

"To my dear mother"

they read to her

"Your machinations are proceeding well and the wheel has been set into motion. The fool is eager. The cattle will gather for inspection soon and our net will be readied to ensnare your sibling. With reverence, your faithful child."

He must be eager too.

Lillith chuckles and rises to her feet

His life's work is finally panning out! You'd best ready your disguise, love. Though...

She looks them over

This one will be missed.

And you?

they ask and she watches their features rearrange to become more feminine, more Eluzian.

This time, my best disguise is myself...

Lillith runs her fingers over her own skin

Darling Lily!

---

Tia is knocked flat on her back again, as she has repeatedly for the last hour. Her tutor tsks at her in disapproval.

Your foundation must be firm!

he reminds her, peering over her as if she were some pitiful creature

Again.

What does that even mean!

Tia grumbles, scrambling up stubbornly despite her protest.

Evelyn sips her tea nearby, watching with shrewd eyes. Tia readies herself once again, grasping her wooden blade with both hands and bracing herself once more. She tries spreading her feet further apart this time but her stance is still awkward and uncertain. She grips the sword with her hands too close together, quickly finding herself in the mud again a moment later. Tia wonders if the man sought to humiliate her. Evelyn sets down her cup and glides to Tia's side.

That is quite enough!Tell me,

Evelyn announces, helping Tia to her feet. She questions the tutor with a steely gaze

How is she to know how to fortify herself properly if you give her no example? Clearly we need a more intuitive instructor

the man ruffles but Evelyn doesn't allow him the privilege to reply, narrowing her eyes into a scathing leer

You are dismissed!

Offended but outranked, his face red as he gives Evelyn a curt bow and makes his way out.

I don't think I'll ever be any good at this...

Tia complains breathily with a subdued expression and perches on the edge of the fountain

I'm not sure what I'm going to be good at.

My dear,

Evelyn replies in a high tone, standing before her with poise

Swordsmanship, like many other skills in life, is something that takes time, practice and repetition to master.

I just don't think I have the talent...

Tia derides herself

Talent is no substitution for hard work!

Evelyn states, dismissing the thought with a wave of her hand

Of course, instinct and reflexes are still rather important.

The General, um, Martin, did say I had good instinct.

Tia states tenuously but Evelyn seems intrigued

We were attacked by bandits and I shocked one of them when they were about to reach Dad.

Tia explains and her eyes fall to her hands again

I haven't been able to use it again, though.

We do not expect you to learn everything overnight, Tia.

Evelyn reassures her

And wielding your aura in a dire situation, without any training, is a good sign of natural inclination!

The tutors seem to disagree.

Tia gripes with a scowl

Most of them act like I've failed before I even begin.

That tutor was ghastly!

Evelyn answers with exasperation

Most of them are accustomed to students who have been training since they were very young, if not to teaching only children. You are nearly a young woman already!

Children are learning how to use swords?

Tia questions, aghast. Evelyn offers a wan smile.

When the means are available,

Evelyn explains

We begin this education as soon as children are physically able. Here in the capital this is particularly prevalent. My children began lessons once they turned five

Tia blinks, imagining her father wielding a wooden sword as a toddler

I am still, and likely always will be, frustrated with him for depriving you of these advantages! Not everyone has the means to prepare their children in advance.

Prepare for what?

Tia questions, squinting at Evelyn who purses her lips

I enjoy learning to be less helpless but why would wealthy families prioritize learning how to fight?

Tia can see Evelyn's desire to answer, the explanation bubbling in her chest, but she bites the words down in restraint.

I'm afraid,

Evelyn answers slowly, her words popping with frustration

That is a conversation you must have with your father. It isn't my place to do so.

she pauses to frown

He shouldn't drag his feet like this!

Everyone's dancing around the heart of something

Tia states in a cool tone, her displeasure apparent

You can be perceptive.

Evelyn sighs

You're going to need to be! You deserve the respect of knowing the truth and you ought to respect yourself far more as well!

Tia glances up at her grandmother with an ounce of shame and Evelyn takes Tia's hands in her own.

You stifle yourself for the comfort of others but the world would benefit from your passion, sharp tongue and ferocity. Of course, having the power to make your own way would certainly help!

Evelyn chuckles and eyes Tia's ragged appearance

With that in mind...

she continues, smoothing out the material of her dress

Let this old woman find you a more suitable teacher. Perhaps I should drag your father out here!

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