[B2] Chapter 32 — Spies And Threats

Reclining lazily on a couch, his arm draped across the cushioned back support, Hulle found it hard to believe that a girl with such a bloodline could truly be of common descent. But the girl’s guileless and naive manner would be hard to fake so well even were she a spy or actress of great talent and trained from an early age.

Such a contradiction was implausible, unless… she herself didn’t know she was a spy or agent of some kind. The practice of training assassins and spies from birth and then erasing, locking away, or replacing their memories wasn’t unheard of. In fact, he didn’t doubt that Crysellia’s Inquisitors engaged in such methods when it came to the children born to Oathbound of certain bloodlines.

Such a background could also explain the girl’s bizarre combination of excessive natural talent, well-rounded attunements, power, dedicated work ethic, and ridiculously poor skill. But what would be the point of wasting such a valuable asset in Crysellia? Crysellia’s political power was widely distributed to the extent that even should an agent kill the entire High Council, the Greater Houses would just send new representatives.

Kidnapping or acquiring a bloodline would be more likely, but what need would a country already in possession of an orichalum affinity bloodline have for other bloodlines? No, he couldn’t see it. Especially not with a farm dog as a familiar. The more likely explanation was that she was a bastard from a hidden branch family of some secret clan and her heritage was kept from her. A supposition that if true, would make the girl a once in a century lucky find for one of the Greater Houses.

Movement from the expected stairwell caught his eyes, and he looked up to see Ria in her blue summer dress and Elven hairstyle descending behind the monk from before, her familiar at her side. Worryingly, the girl seemed dazed and distracted as she made her way down the steps. He got up and started to hurry over, but calmed when he noted the dog's tail wagging happily.

“Your escort approaches. Will you be fine from here?” he heard the monk saying to her.

“Ah, yes.” Ria nodded. “Thank you for your assistance.”

“Of course. I’ll be on my way then. May you live healthy.”

“You as well.”

Hulle watched the monk head for the temple’s entrance before returning his attention to Ria and closing the remaining distance. The girl’s skin shined with an inner health that was an expected and prized benefit of meeting with Ellnys’ High Priestess, and if that had been the extent of the change, Hulle wouldn’t have been as suspicious about what had happened during the meeting.

Other things were different from before she entered the temple… the colors forming her aura were more defined, and even accounting for the reddening light of the evening, the girl’s hair looked darker and more metallic, and her eyes-!

“Thanks for waiting for me…” she mumbled and looked down, fidgeting with her dress’ skirt.

“No need to mind,” Hulle reassured with a smile as he stepped close and pressed his hand to the base of her chin so he could keep her head still as he examined the change to her eyes. He had noticed it earlier to a lesser degree and had faked a stumble to get a better look without arousing suspicion. This time he made no effort at pretense.

Without a doubt, she had again progressed her bloodline awakening. The veins of gold that had begun encroaching on the rich blue of her irises had extended their encroachment and the parts of the veins nearest her pupils were turning a deep black that no longer reflected light.

Ria initially stiffened in surprise at his touch but was soon blushing fiercely and was again making an awkward face as if she were awaiting a kiss, clearly overcome by his Novidus charm. Laughing would be terribly mean to Ria, so he held it in. Barely.

“Ah, forgive me. It’s rude to act so familiar in public,” he said while stepping back and withdrawing his hand then gave her a concerned look. “You were gone longer than expected. Something happen?”

Her expression adorably went from confused to angry to maybe a smidge guilty as she looked away. “Sorry, Hulle. I’m… not sure it’s something I can talk about.”

Oh? That was unexpected. He glanced at Ranger, who was giving him what could only be the doggie equivalent of a raised brow, then toward where the monk had gone and caught sight of one the priests Verenzio noted following Ria earlier. The priest gave them a friendly nod before passing by to head up the stairs.

“Is it trouble, after all?” Hulle asked.

The girl shook her head, her brow furrowing in thought. “No… or at least not anytime soon, I don’t think?”

Hulle pressed a curled finger against his mouth as he considered Ria’s distracted state. He already knew the girl was terrible at hiding things, so there was likely no rush to press her on it. Decision made, he changed tack. “I already had your purchases sent to the carriage. Want me to take you home?”

“Yeah, It’s been a long day…” Ria readily agreed. “Maybe we can do this again?”

“Sure, I found your company rather enjoyable.”

She blushed again, and even though wary and maybe still a little mad at him teasing her just a moment ago, she took his offered arm readily enough as they returned to the carriage.

Ria’s reactions left little doubt she would accept his interest if offered, and he was slightly tempted. The girl would be powerful under his mentoring, and even if her physical appearance was not up to his family’s usual standards, she was hardly ugly or unpleasant, having her own sort of rustic charm and a way about her that reminded him of how things were… before he learned what cruelty really was.

As entertaining as courting her would surely be, he was fairly certain that it would be a mistake and would interfere with both cultivating her talent and making the most use of the glorious mess such an unpredictable agent of chaos was sure to cause throughout her rise to prominence.

Instead, aiding and benefiting from the girl’s surprise effort to form a connection with Phaelys was a much better option. The possibility was something he hadn’t expected, but that was the beauty of encouraging and embracing chaos within one’s plans—unforeseen opportunities would often present themselves.

Normally, a commoner recently elevated via sponsorship wouldn’t have a sliver of a chance at landing a prominent Vesali for her debut partner. Yet, between the whims of Xander’s Dice saddling Phaelys with a debt of honor and the information about Ria he just made available for purchase, the chance was more than fair that House Vesali would realize how valuable an opportunity was available for the taking and accept.

Hulle smiled a bit. Any misunderstandings on their part about interest from him or his House that arose from his inappropriate manner toward the girl, might even encourage House Vesali to precipitous action. As much as Ria stood out with Orlisi’s efforts, the rumors would surely fly to eager ears.

The day’s events had worked out far better than even his most optimistic expectations. Learning of the Church of Ellnys’ interest in Ria—a church she previously had no relationship with—was quite the discovery on its own and made him even more thrilled about the machinations and events to come, all things he would greatly enjoy causing to go awry.

“Your Holiness, I have come as bidden,” Renner greeted as he approached. He was surprised to see the High Priestess tending the garden rather than meditating on the ridiculous lily pad.

“Good work on acquiring the scrolls. That the ink was imbued with her energy proved helpful to the divinations and is likely what prompted the Oracle.”

The High Priestess clipped a small branch from the tree before her and held it out for Renner to take. “Use this to further yourself.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness.” Just holding the branch in his hands, Renner could feel the condensed life energy contained within. The chance to grow a tree of his own from the clipping was a great gift.

The High Priestess sighed. “I’ve been neglecting my garden for too long, I see. There is much rebalancing to be done.”

Renner was stunned. The harmony of energies and spirituality that he felt from the garden was already a masterwork that must have taken decades to construct. To improve upon it was something he couldn’t begin to fathom.

After making a few smaller clippings on the tree, she motioned Renner to sit with her on a nearby bench. “Tell me what you’ve learned since we last talked.”

“We’ve overheard rumors that Ria is seeking Phaelys Vesali to be her escort for her debut at Asara Vorshan’s party to celebrate the Spring Moon. Though today we witnessed the possible development of a relationship between Ria and a third-year boy who Lendra is almost certain is Hulle Novidus. Lendra tells me the Novidus boy has a terrible reputation and he was quite forward with Ria—to the extent that his chaperone had to stop his inappropriate behavior. Surely, the Vesali boy would be the better choice, should we discreetly disrupt her activities with this boy who might become a bad influence?”

“No. Don’t interfere. Her social climbing might be important in order for her to gain the resources that she needs now and the political connections that she needs for the future. Having two Greater Houses compete over her is a good strategy. It could increase the benefits that she can gain access to.” The High Priestess’ eyes seemed amused at the situation, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before she fixed him with a more serious gaze. “Have you had any success identifying the threat?”

“No, but twice a crow approached her when riding the carriage, and other times a crow has followed the carriage to or from the academy.”

“It could be one of the Houses gathering information, an information seller, ...or the threat is already here in the city.”

Renner nodded. That mirrored the thinking and worry of the team the High Priestess had placed him in charge of.

“Ria isn’t the only one at risk, maybe assigning more priority to finding the other imperiled academy students will allow us to more easily divine something related to the threat,” the High Priestess suggested then asked, “What about the other residents of the Vorshan estate?”

“I have assigned Jeffers to shadow the girl studying at House Astacio’s governance academy, and thus far, other than a pickpocket attempt, there hasn’t been any signs of her being targeted. Lately, excepting for the swordsman, each of the staff and residents have been accompanied by at least one of the estate’s guards when they go out from the estate. The swordsman has settled into a routine of visiting the Reserve each morning, returning before dusk, often in time to accompany the carriage that picks up Ria at the Grand Academy. Scrying suggests that he is meeting with elves connected with the Elder of the Ways.”

“It might be difficult, but see if you can acquire an item from each so I can perform further divinations,” the High Priestess decided.

Renner couldn’t help feeling a bit of pride as he had anticipated the request. He reached into the satchel at his waist and handed over a stack of decorated paper, glittering elegantly.

At the High Priestess’ raised eyebrow, he explained, “A successful divination pointed me to the newly offered stationery. All bear the seal of Ria’s workshop, but the inked decorations are done with different styles and techniques. I was able to identify ones produced by each of the youths from Vorshan’s Hills and one of the maids and have noted the contributing person on each.”

“Oh? Great work, Renner. Your talents were wasted at the monastery,” the High Priestess praised. “Continue to do well, and I will see that you get your own temple to manage.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness.”

After closing and securing the latch on Ranger’s impressive new metal-hinged stone and crystal collar, Ria sent Ranger off to play in the garden below, and led Ana behind the changing screen so the girl could get to work helping her change into her usual evening wear.

Arthur had left a note with the collar saying that since she was rich he got her the nicer 1 gold cost combat one rather than the weaker 5 silver one. Ria couldn’t help grimacing. Sure, she was glad to have one that wouldn’t hold back Ranger’s development of his magic skills, but the only gold coin she had left was melted.

With a sigh, she asked Ana about Jarrel. Jarrel had left his armor in his room the last two mornings, and Ria was a bit worried that he might be doing some kind of dangerous work where he needed to disguise his identity.

Ana set Ria’s cloak to the side and started working on Ria’s hair before answering, seeming relieved to finally have someone to tell, “He arrived back early and has been in his room since. He looked really tired and his clothes were all sliced up and barely holding together.”

“Hmm,” Ria hummed with shared concern but noticed that the maid girl was acting a little odd.

As Ana was carefully removing the flowers from Ria’s hair, the girl kept sneaking glances in the mirror.

“What?”

“Um… your eyes look different from before…”

Really? Ria raised her gaze to her reflection.

Her eyes had changed!!

Her eyes…

A growing sense of dread creeped up from Ria’s stomach as she started coming to a realization.

Hulle was looking at her eyes. He wasn’t trying to kiss her.

How she must have looked awaiting his kiss… So embarrassing.

Whether it was her fault… or Hulle’s… definitely Hulle’s. He could have said something! And that stupid smirk of his! Argh!

How she was going to show her face in front of him at the next team meeting, she didn’t know…

“Is something wrong?” Ana asked, her voice tinging with worry.

“No. It’s nothing to worry about,” Ria insisted, even if all she wanted at the moment was to hide under her pillows. Ria glanced at her inviting bed.

Ana and her mother had probably worked hard on dinner. And Keira was going to want details of the outing…

Ria glanced again at the bed. Maybe hiding under the pillows was the better option after all? No, no. That would just further encourage Keira to ask embarrassing questions.

Ah, crap. Ria couldn’t help letting out a defeated sigh.

“Will it take a while for them to go back to normal?”

“No, I’m fairly sure the change is permanent.”

“Oh…” Ana deflated and seemed unsure what to say, but after looking at Ria’s black and golden ringed pupils for a long moment, the younger girl offered, “It’s pretty. Like a starburst.”

“Thanks, Ana.”

After she had finished changing and Ana left, Ria found herself looking at the small bouquet of contrasting colorful and delicately colored flowers now sitting in a vase on the low table between her two couches. For a prank, Orlisi had put a lot of care into the flower selection.

Ears reddening again, Ria huffed and decided she would check on Jarrel.