The Rosanne capital and namesake of the duchy was a behemoth of a city built on the bones of an old Zofian stronghold from before the time of King Alm. Flanked by tall walls, it stood as the final point of civilization before a vast maze of canyons occupied by violent flying lizards. The very same creatures that served as the crest and insignia on the flags that Walhart had raised over the city; a reflection of the conqueror's nature.

The jeering of filthy merchants not allowed access to the city swarmed around the troupe's cart like demons to freshly spilled ichor. Soldiers in black platemail with sunken eyes and sullen expressions watched with disinterest as Anna's carts rolled to the front archway.

Everyone had decided to pile into one cart; a snug fit with Nowi snoozing happily on Gregor's lap, nestled up like a cat. Cordelia sat wedged between Gregor and Gaius looking uncomfortable as she had been forced to stow her armor in favor of colorful tight-fit civilian cloth. Despite Olivia and Anjes' words of encouragement, the woman had the posture of a statue and the skittishness of an alley cat.

You'd think the armor was her power, Anje thought. No wonder they put her in the sky. The damn girl would be the worst spy ever.

Olivia was still asleep, tucked away at the end of the cart's seating. She had still managed to do her make-up and clean her dancer attire before promptly falling back asleep. Anje smiled as she glanced at the snoring dancer. Gaius had found a girl with the face of an angel and snored like a grizzly bear. The poor bastard.

Anje peered out the canvas flap from the back of the cart. High walls, too much grey, and a bunch of unhappy people. It really is home.

"How does it look?" Virion's voice quietly called out, cutting through the ruckus outside. "What have they done to my city?"

"Nothing good." Anje ducked back inside, stifling a yawn. "You sure as hell didn't order this color scheme. Looks like someone smeared ashes everywhere."

"We do get ashfall from Demon's Ingle occasionally," Virion conceded. The austere noble kept his hood on and a mask covering his face; a jester's mask that had been salvaged from Anna's supplies. "We must move quickly—"

Anje patted Virion's thigh tenderly. "The city isn't going anywhere. We just have to play the part. Figure out who's in charge, and then we can figure out who is still fighting. Go from there, right?"

"Of course, my love. Thank you for being a steady stream to the riptide of my consciousness."

The cart slowed to a crawl as the shouting of soldiers echoed around, forcing it to stop. Anna's boisterous and irritated voice cut through the cool morning air like a knife, chastising and throwing around accusations wildly. Across from Anje and Virion, Gaius let out a rumbling chuckle. The rogue was fiddling with his knife, trying to open what looked like a candy wrapper.

"You should really eat something else, Gaius," Cordelia said with faint disappointment. "It's a wonder you're not in poor health."

"Naga blessed me with a sweet tooth, and she gave me a body to handle it," Gaius grinned, slipping the red hard candy from the wrapper and popping it into his mouth. "I appreciate the concern, Mom."

The cart jerked forward with a sudden motion; Anje's empty stomach swirled with discomfort. More shrill shouts from Anna tore through the air accompanied by the shuffling of armor and neighs of unsettled horses.

"Should we be worried?" Gaius asked.

"Not likely," Gregor snorted, shifting more upward in his seat. He carefully placed his hands around Nowi to not disturb her position. "It is simple. Entry fee. We have no worry."

Yeah, cause Anna's a cheap bitch, Anje idly thought as she twirled a loose strand of hair around her finger.

The cart jerked forward and then settled into a steady trot. The sound of gravelly earth changed to the steadier, quiet sound of wheels touching down on cobblestone. The chatter of merchants drifted away, replaced by the bustle of industry from other carts rolling, poultry clucking, and distant conversations of townsfolk.

Virion breathed a sigh of relief and clapped his hands together. "Excellent. No troubles at the gate," he chirped. "Straight ahead to Willowbreeze Estate! Oh, I do hope they haven't changed the drape scheme and rugs there. I dread to meet whoever Walhart put in charge of the new Valmese fashion. I imagine them to be whoever told the Plegians that holes were in style."

Anje tried to smile to match his cheeriness, but the smiling mask he wore gave her pause. She wasn't scared of clowns, having known quite a few, but the design of the mask reminded her of a cackling madman.

"So what's this fancy place like, Ruffles? I've been in a few," Gaius said, sucking loudly on his candy. "Not invited or anything, but I've seen my share of swanky places."

"It's the prized gem of Rosanne," Virion said dreamily. "Two terraces, three gardens, a primary and secondary courtyard, and a building fit for the goddess herself. Topped off with a view overlooking the entrance to Wyvern Valley. I scarce remember the days of my youth when the wyverns would flock to the area during the breeding season." Virion elbowed Anje and laughed. "My, you should have seen young Cherche. A pudgy little page pointing to the skies proclaiming that one would be hers."

Anje raised an eyebrow. "Cherche was fat?"

Virion coughed dramatically and waved a hand. "Puberty was quite kind to her. I'd appreciate it if that little sentiment wasn't shared publicly."

"Ahuh. I doubt anybody is going to call Cherche on her past weight," Gaius mused. "Rest assured."

"No dumb nickname?" Anje crossed her legs and frowned. "Not feeling creative?"

"Nah, that's not it. Just don't want to get it wrong and be on the painful end of a little chat."

Gregor nodded. "Gaius has good survival instinct."

"Thank you, Gregor-"

"It okay to admit one isn't strong. Maybe you grow still. Maybe not," Gregor continued. "But Gregor still like you."

Cordelia looked as if she'd been splashed with a bucket of cold water with wide eyes that threatened to bore a hole through the wooden floor. Hunched over, her elbows propped up on her thighs that held her chin up. Anje felt for the woman. In a mishmash of misfit performers, warriors, and nobles, the most traditional soldier stuck out like a sore thumb.

"So, we set up at the estate, get shown the grounds, and then crash a party? I can run with that," Anje said. "Then what? Do we just wait around?"

"Not ideally, no," Virion slowly remarked. "After our performance and investigation of the estate, we'd seek out allies who still resist Walhart's rule and reconvene with Robin. Rumors still float around about a small Chon'sin splinter faction and the resistance in the Rigel duchy that has Walhart's attention. Then of course the merchants of Novis, but we saw how the isles are faring." Virion raised a finger. "But, they still have money. And money is still very useful."

"A legion of mercenaries won't win back a country," Cordelia stated firmly. "It'll need to be reclaimed by those who live there, lest it becomes another occupation."

The cart jostled again, and Anje planted her foot against the floor as they began to go up an incline.

"But people will need help and we're out of options," Virion countered with a wry voice. "If one could call upon the morals of the people and rouse them to their senses, then I doubt someone like Walhart would have risen to power." He leaned forward in his seat, clenching and unclenching his hands. "Do you know why I left when I did, Cordelia? I know the subject has been dancing on the tip of not just your tongue, I'm sure."

I actually don't know other than it was because of Walhart. Anje pursed her lips and folded her hands in her lap as the pegasus rider's eyes stared Virion down.

"No, you've been quite mum on the subject, and while I respect your boundaries, I must say that the enigmatic reason has come across my and a few of the other Shepherds' minds before," Cordelia said calmly. "Shall you elaborate now?"

"Certainly, since we're near the heart of the matter as is, my lady," Virion replied, exchanging a glance with Gregor, who perked up a bit. He cleared his voice and removed the mask, revealing a somber expression and glassy eyes. "The truth of why I left is when I first met Walhart. He was but an upstart from the duchy of Valm," he scoffed a laugh, "pitiful little place, really. But then news flooded us like the spring rains of how he marched down to Zofia. The smoke could be seen beyond Demon's Ingle. I still remember how it just kept rising higher and higher, as if it were a message to Naga herself."

Virion paused, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, considering his next words. Anje rubbed his back and whispered, "Go ahead when you're ready."

A faux smile flashed upon Virion's face for a moment before twisting into a frown. "Walhart invited me to Zofia. For diplomatic talks of all things. To nobody's surprise, it was less diplomacy and more an egregious amount of demands by a tyrant. He showed me Zofia and what he did to the people. I can still remember the smell of the ash piles. Anyone who wasn't killed had been captured. He made an example of them, and said Rosanne would be next if I didn't abide by his terms." A stray tear ran down Virion's cheek. "If I remained, I believe my underprepared countrymen and women would have died sooner, eager to throw their lives away. So, I ran to Archanea at my loyal retainer's insistence. In search of allies to help right the wrongs. And so here we are." Virion wiped the tear away with the billowy cuff of his sleeve. "Will that explanation suffice, my lady?"

"I believe so," Cordelia quietly replied. Her eyes refused to meet Virion's. "Apologies for being...impertinent."

"It is quite fine, really. I'm not Chrom or the Khans of Ferox." Virion adorned the mask once again and sighed. "Just a lush that's in over his head, asking for more help than he deserves. It's right of you to doubt me. How could I fault one of an act I've already succumbed to?"

Anje gripped his thigh and ground her teeth. "But we will make it right. Asking for help doesn't make you weak. I've...come to learn that it simply isn't true. It takes strength to ask."

Virion's masked face turned toward Anje. She swore she could see a glint through the eyeholes and the ghost of a smile hidden through the mouthpiece.

"It's that tenacious wisdom of yours once again helping rouse me from the throes of despair. Thank you," Virion said.

"Always," Anje said, fighting to keep her eyes dry. She hadn't understood all the flippant language Virion spouted, but his tears were enough.

He needed her, and she'd be damned to let him down. Not after believing she could escape the shadow of her past self. It was a duty she so dearly wanted to bear the weight of, but couldn't. Everyone's burdens were their own, no matter how much they were said to be shared.

But she would help carry him, and hopefully, that would be enough.

The lower courtyard of Willowbreeze estate was a lush flatland of verdant grace lined with trees of golden-red leaves that shimmered in the sunlight. The air was crisp and clean like the first bite of an apple. The only blot on the land was the soldiers in dark platemail that marched around the perimeter like wraiths.

After Anna's haggling with the attendants of the estate, the cargo was quickly unloaded and the large circus tent was propped up in the center of the lower courtyard. Some soldiers gladly helped, either out of excitement or boredom from their patrols to set up the scaffolding and wooden poles. Anje didn't mind as it meant Virion and her could relax in a small tent of their own to relax.

Anje dressed in her leotard lounged on a spread-out blanket; rays of red-tinted light pierced through the tent canvas. The stretchy and breathable material was better than the thin leather gambeson and pants she'd been wearing in the summer heat. Beside her, Virion had removed his mask and tinkered with a borrowed sketchbook and quill, writing furiously.

"Going to burn a hole in that book, Virion," Anje mused as she stared up at the ceiling. "Just relax. It's hours before the performance and party afterward."

"Ahh, but my work begins now!" Virion said. He crossed something out and began to redraw a figure. "It is quite the loss I shall not be able to attend at risk of being recognized, but I shall do my part. A complete map of my prior estate is in order for you all."

Anje perked up, propping herself up on her elbows. "You mean complete with secret passages and stuff?"

Virion laughed and licked the tip of the quill before writing again. "You've all agreed to help, the least I can do is set you all up for success, no? I know that wondrous building better than anyone I wager, except for maybe Cherche."

"No...parents? Relatives?" Anje tentatively asked.

Virion bristled slightly but kept writing. It wasn't a subject brought up often. Neither had much care for their past and seldom saw reason to press the question. She felt crazy enough since the first and last time she tried to explain Europe.

"Dead, unfortunately," Virion lamented. "Happened a long time ago. Sickness and disease, but not after I had already become a man. No siblings, but a few cousins I seldom saw." He scratched out another structure on the sketchbook, relabeling it. "If they've not been slaughtered by Walhart, they might as well be dead from joining that tyrant. All except Cherche stood by me, even my own advisors whispered of joining that madman."

Anje felt her heart threaten to leap from her chest. "Do you love her?"

"I do," Virion admitted in a lofty tone. "I love her with all my heart, and I hope that she finds what she needs in this world. Before it's all cinders."

"But...did you ever...you know-"

Virion chuckled. "Wish to court her?" The noble looked up dreamily and sighed. "Perhaps at one time I did. She'd been there for me for quite a long time. Longer than any, really. But, I came to an understanding before I left for Archanea. One that saddened me and made me respect her all the same."

Anje sat up more, fully crossing her legs and looking at Virion. "And?"

He looked over with a melancholic smile. "She said, 'I will await your return, milord.' as she'd always done. It meant well enough, I suppose, but lacked the conviction I've truly sought. That raw desire you have, yet she lacks." He set down his quill and pushed the incomplete map aside. He rested a hand underneath his chin in a thinker's pose. "It was then I realized she'd never see me other than 'Lord Virion'. I just couldn't do it. It would lack...authenticity."

Well, that's comforting, Anje thought, though another stray thought crossed her mind. "But what about sex?"

Virion cackled and slapped his knee. "Oh, that? Remember our little rule?"

Anje nodded. "Yup. If they're hot enough, they've got a chance. And they can't be boring."

"Exactly," Virion said, smiling ear to ear. "One shall not deny themselves the pleasures of the flesh due to the comforts of the heart, no?"

"I think you're just horny."

"And you're not?" Virion countered. "Please. We've both seen Gregor with his shirt off, and how we'd steal the occasional glance at Olivia or Libra. There's no shame in appreciating the more carnal pleasures."

Anje rolled her eyes. "Next you're going to tell me you have a list or something."

Virion cursed under his breath, and then cleared his throat. "Ah yes, a list. How droll."

"I better be at the fucking top, Virion."

Virion scooted over to Anje and rested a hand on her shoulder. He leaned toward her ear; his lavender cologne smelt faded and old. "You're not on it. The love of my life is above such silly lewdness...though if you'd care to sift through what I've collected-"

Anje shoved Virion and began to crawl over him, lunging toward his sketchbook. "Yeah, gimme it. If we're to be together, I need to see who the hell you think is hot. I could use a good distraction right about now."

"I eagerly await your wisdom, milady," Virion cheered. Let me fetch you a fresh quill while you're at it. I have an inkling that you'll have some differing opinions."

The couple moved around in the tent with frenzied haste. In the looming shadow of Willowbreeze estate, the dim sunlight shed new insight as the two huddled closely and laughed and jeered at each other while looking at the list Virion had compiled.

It was a refreshing escape, and before long Anje left to go through her warm-up routine with Olivia. Though one thought failed to escape her mind, no matter how fast she twirled or flew through the air.

At least Virion has good taste. Besides me of course.

Anje finished a backhand spring; a bead of sweat dripped off her chin. Olivia clapped from across the grassy courtyard. The pink-haired woman had traded her usual dancer attire for one of Anna's improvised costumes that matched their color scheme: a deep blue silk dress with frills at the edges of the hem, no sleeves to show off her sleek and toned arms, and an asymmetric neckline that propped up her sizable bust and kept it secure.

"Nice form!" Olivia applauded, jumping up and down a bit. "Smooth and quick, just like it should be. I think you should be ready for the performance."

Anje ran her fingers through her slightly damp hair. "Not the performance I'm really worried about. Jumping through hoops of fire and doing flips is easy."

Olivia giggled and skipped toward Anje. "Easy for you to say. Not everyone has practiced until their fingers bled." She twirled around Anje; the edges of her dress brushing up against her shins. "Besides, it's just a party right?"

"Easy for you to say. All you do is gotta act all cute and let all the men and half the women look at you all googly-eyed."

"You could try the same." A hint of red made itself known on Olivia's cheeks. "Smile and wave, you know?"

Anje plopped onto the soft grass and groaned. "Oh, I do try." She gave Olivia a knowing look and gestured toward the woman. "And then someone says something stupid or some shit."

"You could always...ignore it?" Olivia gently said. She offered a hand to help Anje up, but the acrobat quickly yanked the dancer down to her level. A small yelp escaped Olivia's lips as she crashed beside her in the grass. "Careful, please! I don't want stains on the dress!"

"You'll be fine," Anje casually remarked with a dismissive wave of her hand. "But you said ignore it?"

"Yes."

Anje blinked. And then blinked again. "How the fuck do you do that."

Olivia tapped her lips and hummed under her breath. "Well...uhh, you just don't reply and rise to the taunts, you know? Just look pretty and smile."

"Yeah, that's the hard part. I'd much rather just put my thumbs in some nobles' eyes. Make 'em squeal a bit."

"Anje!"

Anje raised her hands in defense. "Not that I would! I just feel that way. So I respond instead. Using my words and whatnot. You're the one who told me to communicate better, and this is the compromise."

"You are incorrigible." Olivia sighed and roused herself to stand up. She fluffed her hair and brushed off the blades of grass that stuck to her knees and shins. "Have you picked out an outfit for tonight?"

"Virion is on it. Needs something to keep him occupied, so he's browsing whatever Anna has left in her dusty old bins," Anje said. "I told him to surprise me. Just that it has to be tasteful for a fancy event."

"Is it wise to let him pick your dress?" Olivia's gaze settled on Virion and Anjes' small tent across the courtyard and shuddered. "I couldn't imagine letting someone else pick out my outfit."

"He's the best-dressed person I know," Anje replied, leaning side to side to stretch out her back. "He'll pick the perfect outfit that walks the line between discreet and sex appeal. I'm sure of it."

A low horn blared from the main tent, and Anje and Olivia sprung to attention. Shouts from Gregor's rumbling tone filled the yard. It was time to go through the full rehearsal.

"Talk to you after the party?" Anje asked.

Olivia nodded and waved as she began to walk away. "Of course. You'll have to tell me how you and Gaius fare. Just return him in one piece."

Yeah, no guarantees about that one, girly, Anje idly thought. He's bound to be the one to say something stupid.

The performance had gone off with much fanfare, though a rigidity had settled over the courtyard denizens like a thick fog. Soldiers roamed every corner, nobles that blathered about more effective ways to jail folks, and a no show from the lady of the estate, with her large box empty.

Anje splashed water upon her face. She had finished up her myriad of tricks and flips, and the party fast approached as the sunshine waned and the need for candlelight rose. She scooped another handful of water and took a sip.

Still fresh. Anje glanced over her shoulder toward Cordelia and Olivia; both women managing their evening preparations with their own methodical approach. Good. Don't need someone chewing me out from drinking from the cleaning bowl. Damn thirsty.

The changing room in a sectioned-off part of the large performance tent was a scrambled mess of clothes strewn about. The smell of perfumes mixed with sweat and oil filled the unventilated air, forcing Anje to take shallow breaths lest she cough.

"Has anybody seen the ribbon?" Olivia threw her hands up and let out an exasperated growl. The woman had changed her dress twice over half an hour, flipping between a cream-colored Feroxi dancer outfit and a more traditional Valmese ball gown she'd had Anna requisition for her. "Anybody?"

Anje wrinkled her nose and splashed her face again, letting the cool water drip off her chin. Virion had already delivered, managing to not only find a proper Rosannean dress but hem it to her height as well. Draped over the arm of a wooden chair beside the acrobat, the dark green dress was a sleeveless cut with a halter top neck that hugged her figure tightly, though Virion had the foresight to cut slits up the side to provide extra mobility if and when needed.

"Check inside your bin?" Cordelia pointed toward the growing mound of clothes in the center of the room. She fiddled with her modest indigo and blue ball dress: a reflection of her Ylissean heritage. "I'm sure it's in there. Somewhere."

Olivia nodded and dug into the pile of clothes like a starving person in search of food. "I...don't...see-aha! Got it!"

"It's starting soon, and I know the guys are ready," Anje said, drying her hands off. She whipped around and placed her hands on her hips. "Should we go over what we're doing again?"

"Sure," Cordelia winced, "but do you mind putting on some clothes?"

"Working on it!"

Anje sighed as she grabbed the dress and quickly wriggled her way in, feeling a bit claustrophobic. Unlike her leotard, the dress clung to her in a slightly unnatural fashion, not like a second skin. There was a different practicality in mind from the start, and it had less to do with flips but just as much performance.

"It's on. Are you both happy?" Anje groaned, brushing her hair out of her face. "You sound like adolescent boys that have never seen a woman in her bra and panties."

Cordelia coughed into her fist and winced. "It's just a bit improper, yes?" She looked to Olivia for support, and the dancer nodded vigorously. "See? We can be a bit more, um, civil about our dangerous plans, don't you think?"

Anje sat in the chair and began looking around for a hairbrush. "Fine, fine, fine. Have it your way." Anje paused and took a deep breath. "So, Gaius and I will use Virion's map to investigate the study on the top floor. We'll be able to slip out during the music performance from the westside bathroom. Apparently, it has a window, so we'll scale the wall."

"Up two stories?" Olivia asked.

"Yup. The brickwork has some gaps, so we should be able to free climb it. Virion did it as a kid a bit."

"Right," Cordelia confirmed, "and Gregor and I will mingle with the crowd. Acting as your alibi."

"And I have to play flirtatious and single," Olivia groaned. "I don't like this plan. Why did we decide again that you would be the one with Gaius?"

Anje scoffed. "Because I'm not afraid of heights like someone. Plus, you can't turn into a dragon so you're not a good backup plan in case we need a quick escape." She winked at Olivia. "Just be you and cozy up to the higher-ups. Let the wine flow and they're bound to say some stupid shit."

Cordelia crossed her arms and looked at the ground with a furrowed brow. "I don't like this plan. We never did things like this in the Shepherds."

"Because it's espionage and sabotage," Anje looked at Olivia for confirmation. "I said that right, right?"

"Yes...where'd you-"

"Virion said it was spy stuff," Anje interjected. "Anyway. We do this, figure out who's resisting these assholes, figure out how to contact and team up with 'em, and maybe burn some shit on the way out."

"Clever and chaotic," Cordelia mused. "It does have Virion's touch. Let's just hope security isn't too tight upstairs. Any noble's house is bound to be guarded."

"That's why I'm bringing the meat shield."

"Anje," Olivia warned.

"Sorry, I meant the one person who can crack a safe."

Anje shifted in her seat, reaching for the black flats near her feet. They slipped on easily enough, albeit a bit snug. Something she'd ditch during climbing.

"Anyways, will we be ready in about 30 minutes?" Anje began brushing out the tangles in her blonde hair. "I should be ready by then. Just need to not look like I've been rolling around."

Cordelia and Olivia nodded and went silently back to work, preparing themselves for the party. The plan was in place, and now it was just another performance.

It was time for an encore.

The front double doors of Willowbreeze estate were wide open, leading into a lavishly decorated main hall with wreaths weaved across the ceiling. Magnificent sculptures of wyverns dominated the center of the room, and a simple rope cut off access to the switchback-like stairs leading to the upper floors.

The soldiers standing guard in their half-plate were also a gentle deterrence for the more curious guests.

Anje hooked her arm around Gaius as they waded through the crowd. He had settled on a golden cuirass with black breeches topped with a feathered cloak and circular black hat with a single feather sticking out. Gaius itched at his ear as his eyes darted around like a rabbit being stalked.

"Stop acting jumpy," Anje whispered in Gaius' ear. "It's just a bunch of rich assholes."

"Yeah, but this is the first party like this I've been invited to," Gaius quickly whispered back. "I'm just taking it all in."

They walked through the threshold to the ballroom, each of them flashing the armored guard a waxy smile before returning to scowls.

"Oh, get over yourself, Gaius. It's a fucking party for putting people on sticks and burning down their homes. I wouldn't be too proud."

Gaius scratched at his chin and nodded. "Truth to that, Thorn. Maybe we make some extra coin before we do the thing, eh?"

"Too risky," Anje replied.

"How unlike you. Figured you'd jump at the chance to stick it to these folks."

"Yes, by doing what we came here to do." Anje led Gaius toward the refreshment table and nodded to a well-dressed servant in a red tunic. He nodded and poured them each a glass of wine. "Now grab me the wine."

Gaius hesitated. "Drinking on the job?" he whispered.

"I won't tell if you don't tell," Anje said. "Now hurry, I'm thirsty."

Gaius took the glasses and gave the dull-eyed servant a curt nod. He turned toward Anje and gently gave her the wine. "Knew there was something I liked about you."

Anje took a small drink, holding the almost purple wine in her mouth a moment before swallowing. It had a rich and sweet flavor with a hint of dryness at the end that begged for one to continue to nurse the drink like a newborn. Anje happily took a second gulp.

She wiped her mouth with her fingertips, careful not to smudge her maroon lip paint. "And here I'm still searching. C'mon, let's walk around a bit and look like we belong."

The duo brushed shoulders with a few other lavishly dressed patrons as they slowly waded their way toward the center of the dance floor. Couples swayed back and forth in a rhythmic yet lazy motion, and Anje and Gaius stepped in turn, joining the wave with Gaius' hand placed on the small of Anje's back and their other hands clenched together tightly. Both smiled sickeningly sweet at one another.

"Seriously, though. This can't all be because I'm interested in Lady," Gaius said. He pulled Anje close against his chest as a couple scurried off the floor from behind Anje. "Like, we're pretty similar ain't we? Street rats like us should be as thick as thieves."

Anje separated from him and rolled her neck a bit, letting her honey-colored locks roll over the tops of her shoulders. "We might be a little similar, but one of us is actually doing something about it. And you've yet to prove you're not a camel."

Gaius shook his head and whistled in a low tone. "Really gonna say that out loud, eh, Thorn? I thought you were better than calling me out on my Plegian roots."

I didn't even know you were, Anje thought, tilting her head. Did they have camels there?

"It's a bit of humor from my old country, " Anje replied. She furrowed her brow and kept her eyes alert for other dancers and guards' positions around the outer ring of the circle. "It's a bit like the food we had in my country."

"Just as sour as you?" Gaius chuckled.

"No." Her voice was ice. "Because not everyone gets it, you idiot. To each their own, or whatever the hell you people say."

Gaius' nose wrinkled and his pressure on her back lifted a bit. "Yeah that's fair, but-"

"Attention those of Valm!" A loud voice boomed across the ballroom.

Anje and Gaius looked at each other and shrugged before stepping past a few people for a better vantage point of the commotion. Anje swore she saw Olivia through the swarm of people talking to some strange white-haired man that looked vaguely like Robin, but as she squinted her eyes it wasn't so. Just someone of similar stature and hair that seemed to be talking her ear off, despite the calls for silence.

People stopped in place and began to shuffle out of the way of the foyer doors as a few soldiers paved the way for the guests of honor.

Two stepped through the doorway as suffocating quiet fell on the crowd like a lead blanket. One, a young woman with long silvery hair and high cheekbones wearing a silvery shawl over a revealing violet dress that made no effort to hide her plentiful and pale cleavage. She looked annoyed as if everyone else was late, and not her and her corpulent companion.

The figure beside the lithe and dainty figure was a grotesque opposite. Anje didn't know what that pile of flesh with a face stuffed into red and black robes was, except for attractive. From how they wore exaggerated makeup and wore a smile that seemed to stretch their face just a little more than comfort.

"Fucking hell." The hair on the back of Anje's neck raised. "They put two goddamn mages in charge."

"How can you tell?" Gaius asked.

"Just look at 'em. How they move. Their dress." Anje gestured toward the duo that inspected the room. "Definitely mages."

"Citizens of Valm," the silver-haired woman spoke. Her tone was airy and held a hint of accent reminiscent of Virions: the practiced voice of nobility. "It does me great honor for you all to gather here tonight in this wonderful estate. Commanders, merchants, nobles, and patrons." She paused as if to allow the crowd the privilege to chew on her honeyed words for a moment. Her eyes scanned like a hawk, locking onto Anje's glare for a moment, narrowing ever so slightly, and then moving on. "While I may not be strictly from Rosanne, as I am known as Sonya of Zofia, do understand I am a child of Valm. The very same country we all hail from."

"Indeed!" The fat one blurted out in a scratchy and high-pitched voice. "We do this for our exalted leader, Walhart, and his goal of unifying Valm."

"Of course, Excellus. How quaint of you to comment on what we already know." Sonya bristled and sent the other mage a scathing look that made Excellus shrink back into their neck fat. "A toast will be held later, but for now, please treat yourself to the desserts and festivities. Music shall begin shortly."

Sonya turned on her heel, refusing to glance at her fellow mage as the sound of her heels clopped against the hardwood floor. With a flick of her wrist, a masked Valmese knight stepped forward and stood beside her, talking in hushed whispers.

Anje elbowed Gaius in the ribs; a small wheeze puffing out from the rogue. "That's the guy who delivered the note. The one with the mask."

"Alright?" Gaius quizzically replied. He opened his mouth to continue, but Olivia squeezed herself in between the two.

"Hey, you two!" Olivia announced in a very cheery tone. The panic in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by Anje. This was a cry for help. Around Olivia's side came the white-haired man Anje had spotted earlier, wearing dapper cloaks of black and purple in a similar style to the sack of potatoes in human form she'd seen earlier making announcements.

"Uh, hey Lady, how's the party!" Gaius slowly asked, glancing between her and the newcomer. "Friend of yours?"

"Nya ha, oh yes, this is splendid!" He quickly shook Gaius and Anje's hands. "Your friend here, Olivia? Great listener. She said I should meet you all. Name's Henry by the way."

"Yes, why don't you chat with Anje a bit?" Olivia suggested, hooking her arm around Gaius. "Gaius and I can get some snacks before the music picks up, yes?"

Gaius nodded along. "Oh yeah, that sounds good. Cya in a bit!"

Those fucking-DAMNIT. Anje scrunched her face and withheld the screams inside her head. She forced a smile and regarded the peculiar man with a curt bow.

"Nice to meet you, Henry. Maybe let's go to the side where we won't get in the way of the dancing and whatnot?"

"Oh, that's a great idea! I'm usually all left feet, hahaha!" Henry cackled, holding his sides. He wiped a tear from his eye and sighed. "Yeah, but not really. I have a few right ones as well. I like variety."

Anje walked past Henry and tilted her head to the side, rolling her tongue around in her mouth as if trying to digest the strange verbiage.

He's all kinds of bad news. Olivia is so dead to me, leaving me with some weird-looking Robin look alike. He seems to be just as weird too.

"So," Henry said, leaning against the stone wall. "You think if someone stared at the sun long enough their eyes would melt?"

"Uh, maybe?"

Henry pursed his lips. "But if you had to guess?"

Why?!

"Sure then. You'd probably catch fire, die horribly, and turn into some mush or some shit," Anje rattled off. She paused, seeing Henry's eyes bulge. "You okay there?"

"By the gods...you speak my language," Henry muttered in awe. "Quick, say more words!"

Anje put her hands up and frowned. "Demand more shit outta me and I'll stab you in the throat, little man."

"And I'd cough out blood as I collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain as you would drive the knife into my vitals, again and again, right?"

"Yeah, and-" Anje blinked. She looked around Henry, who looked behind him with her, but only other dancing nobles and soldiers were in sight. "Okay, are you fucking with me? Who are you?"

"Oh. Well, I'm Henry," Henry said matter-of-factly. "Sorry if that wasn't clear. Would have been awfully rude, wouldn't it?"

I've finally gone crazy. This is the moment and nobody else is around to help me, Anje thought. And it's all Olivia's fault.

"Hello?" Henry waved a hand in front of Anje's face. "Are you still there?"

"I think I've finally gone mad," Anje softly said. "This. This right here is insanity."

"Well, at least there are two of us, right?" Henry chuckled. "I too remember the day I went mad. Everything else just started making sense, you know?" He giggled to himself again. "Of course you do. Of course."

Anje brushed past him, her lips unsure to laugh along with him, cry, or shout belligerent questions. Remember the mission. She turned back to the patient man and mustered her friendliest smile. "I'm going to the ladies' room. Wait right there?"

"Sure thing! Don't fall in and get blended into tiny little fleshy bits!"

Anje moved across the dance floor as harmony between fiddles and drums began to rise above the commotion of people. Her legs carried her as quickly as fast as would be considered socially acceptable toward the entrance to the western wing, following the signs to the restroom.

Down a vacant hallway with the sounds of the party dying off, Anje dashed up toward the closed restroom door. She tried the handle and cursed when it was locked. She gave it three rapid knocks.

"Open up, I've gotta go!"

"What's the password?" Gaius' voice came back.

"Fuck you and let me in," Anje huffed out.

The door unclicked and creaked open. Gaius was leaning against the counter where the washbasin lay with a lollipop in his mouth. He looked over to Anje and gave her a smug grin.

"Took ya long enough, Thorn. You ready to stop gossiping with the local weirdos?"

Anje rushed inside and closed the door, locking it behind her. "I've changed my mind."

"But, I checked the window and we should all be-"

"You can keep Olivia. She's dead to me. I just had the worst if not weirdest conversation of my life."

Gaius' mouth opened and the lollipop nearly fell out. He stared for a moment before busting up laughing, clutching his sides. Anje didn't have the energy to be flustered or angry. Henry had already thrown her off too much.

"That's what was on your mind? Wow. Are you good though? Like, physically, cause we have climbing to do."

"Probably the best thing for me to do right now is something physical," Anje conceded. She slipped off her flats, letting her bare feet touch down on the cold oak floor. "Ready when you are."

Gaius undid the internal lock and opened the casement-style windows outward, letting the chilly evening air seep into the manor. Anje felt goosebumps form on her arms, chiding herself for not wearing something warmer. Gaius gestured for Anje to take the lead, and she hopped up on the window sill, immediately feeling around for handholds with her calloused hands.

"Couple ledges to grab onto and a few breaks in the walls. Shouldn't be too hard. Just follow my lead." Anje began to clamber up the cracked wall and cast one last look down at Gaius. "Oh, and if I catch you looking up my dress, I'll kick you right in that dumb face of yours."

"Aye, Thorn. Have a little faith in me!"

Anje turned back to her task as her fingers searched for another ledge. Her legs and arms were tense, the light from the sliver of moon and distant torches from the western courtyard made it look like two shadows were slinking up the walls. The courtyard below was a lush expanse of poofy shrubs and a few decorative fish ponds.

Only a few handholds crumbled away as the two continued up to the top floor of the estate, and then perched around the side of a large hallway window. The inside of the hall torch sconces adorned the walls and cast faint yellow light on the doors across the way. The window before them was large and arched; not meant to be opened but purely decorative and for allowing light to enter.

"I don't see any guards up here…"

"Good," Anje replied. She dug out a dagger from underneath her dress, tied neatly to her thigh, and struck the handle against the glass. "Guess I'll have to hit it again."

"Really?!" Gaius cried out. He looked down and wobbled a bit, trying to steady himself on the precarious edge. He lowered his voice to a harsh whisper. "Maybe we could find a quieter way in?"

"No time. Quick smash and grab is what we're here for." Anje reeled back for another attempt. "Shield your eyes from the glass. Might be messy."

The glass shattered on Anje's third strike, and Gaius hopped inside first. He turned back and held out his arms to catch Anje; she now regretted not bringing her shoes now that part of the floor was littered with tiny shards. Gaius let her down after getting a few healthy steps away from the carnage.

"Three down and to the left, right?"

Anje nodded. "If Virion's map is correct, that should be the main study. Hopefully, they didn't change it around."

They crept slowly down the hallway, listening intently for the shuffle of soldiers, but not even idle chatter or sounds of the party reached the upper floor. As they faced the golden embossed door that Virion had marked on the map, Anje felt her heart thrum wildly in her chest. This is what they were here for.

"Allow me," Gaius said. He placed his ear against the door and gave Anje a thumbs up. He slowly rotated the handle and cracked a smile. "Not even locked."

Gaius opened the door and Anje stepped through the threshold immediately, dagger clenched in her fist. She froze as she entered the study. It was a large room with a roiling fireplace, shelves upon shelves filled with volumes of thick texts, and a large redwood desk situated in the center of the room with stacks of paper upon it and a few alembics and other alchemical equipment that Anje didn't recognize.

And a person sitting on the desk with their legs crossed, arms crossed over a purplish book, and a wicked smile upon their face.

The silver-haired woman.

"So predictable," Sonya muttered, rapping her nails on the purple-covered book she held in her lap. "Took you long enough."

She raised a finger and a coil of purple miasma sprung forth, barreling toward Anje. She immediately dropped to the floor and winced as the ball of energy soared over her head. Gaius cursed something unintelligible as the bolt of energy slammed against the wall, but Anje didn't hear him collapse to the floor.

He must've got out of the way. Anje snarled and sprang forth toward the newly-appointed Duchess of Valm. I'm going to gut her. Right here right now.

The woman smiled and didn't even uncross her legs as Anje dashed across the room. As she neared and raised her dagger, she felt her right shoulder give way to a sudden weakness. That weakness quickly shifted into pain that spread quickly to the rest of her body. The feeling of a thousand splinters and needles within her joints and muscles writhed as she collapsed to the ground in front of the desk; her neck swollen and bleeding.

"I can't believe you were right." Anje's mind was in free fall. It was an annoying voice she'd heard. "Hiding behind the door was a clever bait, milady."

Sonya hopped off the desk. "Of course it was. I knew there would be foul play here, and it'll please Walhart to no end that we're securing up the last little threads of resistance."

Sounds of crunching and a whoosh of wind echoed out from the hallway.

Gaius. He ran.

"Go investigate that!" Sonya snapped. "Must I do everything around here you miserable pile of spoiled manure. No wonder Validar sent you so far away."

"Apologies, milady," Excellus grumbled, followed by the sounds of heavy footsteps leaving the study.

I can hardly feel my muscles. Everything aches. She's a mage and a bitch. Anje groaned as she tried to get her arms to move, but nothing came of the effort except a small pool of drool dripping from her mouth.

"Oh, I wouldn't try that if I were you." Sonya's proud voice echoed out. She hopped off the table and circled Anje like a vulture. Sonya knelt and turned Anje's head so that they could look into each other's blueish eyes. "Excellus may look like a sack of shit. Act like one too, but they are a capable dark mage."

If only I could bite her nose off right now. Standing over me and gloating.

"We'll continue this conversation when you've got your wits about you, yes?" A purple light began streaming from Sonya's palm and her lips twisted into a predatory smile as she placed her palm on Anje's cheek.

Anje's eyes bulged as the light became brighter and the pain intensified; a wrenching feeling washing over her stomach but she lacked the strength for even that. The edges of her vision began to darken.

Sonya leaned over Anje, her lips brushing up against her ear. "Welcome home, mother."

A/N: Alright, and that is a wrap on Arc 1 of Valm! Next up: Interlude 2 where we check in on a few other happenings in the world before seeing what Anje has really gotten herself into. What are your predictions that will be happening? I've got about 4 PoV's planned for the interlude, and I think they'll be pretty fun. No repeats from the last time either! Should be out in about 2 weeks as I'm trying to grind out an internship and the end of a program at the moment.

Also, a shout out to UDTimburrhog for beta-ing this chapter. Much appreciated and many thanks!

For more quality fics from tons of other talented fanfiction authors, writing advice, memes, or if you want a place to chill and/or bug me, come stop by the Fanfiction Treehouse Discord at discord . gg / 9XG3U7a

Until next time, cya!