The townhouse was basically perfect. It was in a cute and quiet neighborhood within sight of the castle, and it had everything Zach might need. The bedroom was a huge improvement over Riley's room at the castle, the basement could hold plenty of inventory if Zach got into selling physical goods, and the front room was practically a storefront already.

Carlyle explained, "The previous owner, before I bought the place and started renting it out, ran a travel business here. People came to him with ideas of where they'd like to go, and he'd organize the Bridges to get them there. I converted it back to a living room, but it would be easy to change again."

"Ah, alright," Zach said. He was terrible at keeping this conversation going, partly because he was so far out of his normal element.

But Carlyle was an excellent salesman and kept things moving forward. "What kind of business were you thinking of opening?"

Zach fidgeted. He hadn't really put much thought into it. "Um, maybe a consultancy, giving investment advice. That's how I make my money at least."

Carlyle stepped close, clearly excited. His bulk was more than a little intimidating, however. "That's interesting, and I'd love to know more. If you're working at the castle, I can guess who your clients might be. Anything you can talk about?"

Zach was sure that his gold claim wasn't classified, so he decided to stick to that. And strictly speaking, his work with the Princess had been unpaid, or at the least compensated through non-monetary means like food and board. Zach would need to talk to the Princess about new compensation if he and Riley did end up moving out. He refocused to the conversation at hand and said, "My main contract is with the kingdom's expedition leader, a claim to a few gold mines. It pays out monthly based on the gold they excavate."

Carlyle smiled. "Very nice. That's stable income, and that's music to any landlord's ears." Then he stepped back and waved a hand at the fully furnished kitchen they were standing in. "But enough about that. What are your thoughts on this lovely home?"

"It's very nice…" Zach hesitated.

"But?"

But what? Zach thought, Why am I hesitating. It really is perfect, and it's not like I can't change plans later. He only wants a six-month lease. Then he said, "Um, I'd like to talk to my girlfriend about it, hear her opinion."

Carlyle nodded. "Fair enough. But make it quick, since multi-function places like this are in high demand."

"Can you hold it for me?"

The big man hummed to himself, then said, "I suppose I can do that. But only until the day after tomorrow. Unoccupied land is costly."

"That should be more than enough time. Thank you, Carlyle."

When Zach got back to the castle, the staff kitchens had already cleaned up after lunch. If he wanted to eat before dinner, the best they could offer him was a cold sandwich and milk, so he took it and sat by himself in the empty dining area.

Why didn't I just take the townhouse? Zach thought as he ate. It really was everything I wanted, and Riley isn't picky about her living space so I doubt she'd have minded if I grabbed the place. It'd be a huge upgrade over her servant's quarters, for sure.

The more he thought, the more the possibilities narrowed, until he was pretty sure he knew exactly why he hadn't taken the place. And he didn't like the answer one bit.

Zach was afraid of commitment. Of course he was a little flustered about officially moving in with Riley, but he was most concerned about putting down roots in New Albion. It felt as if doing so would close the book on his old life.

And if what Eloise had said was true, about his connection to this world growing too strong, it really might be the wrong move. Zach already had a hard enough time picturing the cars and streets and electric lights of Denver; once he had a real home with his girlfriend and maybe a little shop too, there might be no going back.

Would I give up my world to live here with Riley? he asked himself. Even with the danger of the elves? He could tell himself that his old world was dangerous too, but he knew that it wasn't even close to the same. Denver had never been at risk of foreign attack, and it definitely didn't have to worry about monsters or magic spells.

Zach couldn't answer his own question. He needed time to think, needed to talk to Riley and Evelyn, the two people with the best understanding of his dilemma. And he wasn't sure two days would be long enough.

Alexia closed the tower door behind her, then immediately briefed the Princess, "News of the elves' attack has slipped to the public. International trade dipped noticeably, travel to the fringe towns dried up almost entirely, and a small but significant number of people are selling their belongings and leaving the city."

"Why?" Evelyn asked, a puzzled frown on her face. "It's safer here within the walls than out in the wilds."

Alexia shrugged. "Perhaps. Maybe they are afraid of a large scale assault on the city. It's not impossible, though it is unlikely. The elves just don't have the population for anything so reckless. And subtlety has always been their game."

"In any case," Alexia said, changing the topic, "The kobolds are also taking action. They notified the King that they've closed their borders, even to humans. It seems they're afraid of elves magically disguised as humans."

Evelyn blinked. "Can elves do that? And if so, couldn't they just look like kobolds and get in anyway?"

Alexia shook her head. "No idea. Nobody's behaving rationally right now. Fear has its teeth in everyone. Your father is currently planning an announcement to try to calm people down."

Evelyn stood up. "I'll go help him. My knowledge of the other world might help here. They got public speaking down to an art form."

Less than 12 hours later, Alexia was running through the stone hallways of a barracks near the south gate. A guard ran ahead of her, explaining what he could between breaths. They both had to shout over the clanging of his armor.

"A mage stationed at the south gate spotted her leaving the city with a cart of supplies and a young boy. The mage said something looked off so he went to investigate, and when he got close, her disguise shimmered with mana."

Alexia didn't want to believe it. Apparently the elves could imitate humans well enough to infiltrate New Albion. In fact, they already had. And now they were leaving town. Why?

"The boy, he's an elf too?"

"Yes ma'am. Claims to be her son. And his disguise was harder to crack. Maybe he's more talented, or he's just a quick learner like kids tend to be. Take my son for exa—"

Alexia cut him off. This wasn't the time for idle chatter. "I want to meet the woman first."

The guard came to a stop by a sturdy wooden door, reinforced with iron bars. "She's in here. Two battle mages and three guards are standing by inside, for your protection."

Alexia grabbed the door handle, then paused. She took a slow breath, trying to calm herself. The last time she'd seen an elf, she'd barely escaped with her life. And now she was walking into a closed room with one.

Alexia stepped inside and her first thought was, She looks so plain.

Truly, the elf looked like any peasant woman you might see on the streets of New Albion. Except for her ears and her eyes. The ears were long and pointed, and her eyes a cold and piercing grey, like a stormy winter's night. Her clothes were simple: an apron over a pale green dress with just enough frills to give some femininity to an otherwise utilitarian outfit.

"I assume you know King's Speech?" Alexia said. She sat down in a chair across from the woman, whose hands were bound behind her own chair. The guards and mages stood at the ready a few feet away.

The woman nodded, but said nothing.

Is it fear keeping her silent? Alexia wondered, Or something more sinister?

Alexia cut off that line of thought and tried to relax. The woman wasn't the same elf who had nearly killed Tal. She might not even be a combatant, except for the fact she's in enemy territory.

"May I ask your name? Mine is Alexia."

"I go by Cora."

Alexia smiled. "I really appreciate your cooperation, Cora. I just want some information so I can understand the situation." When Cora nodded again, Alexia gently asked, "Why do you have a young child with you?"

Despite the gentle tone, the question was a grim reminder that her son was in custody somewhere beyond the stone walls of this room. Cora blanched, then started to speak, "He's my son. He's all I have in the world. Please don't hurt him, please."

"But you brought him into enemy territory?"

Cora shook her head firmly. "No, humans aren't my enemies, and it's far safer here than where I fled from."

Alexia leaned forward slightly. The questioning wasn't going the way she'd expected, but it was proving very interesting indeed. "And where was that?"

"The elf lands. Nowhere within is safe for people like my son and I."

"What do you mean?" Alexia leaned closer still.

"We're Weavers. We can use mana to change our appearance. Val—" she suddenly cut off, clamping a hand over her mouth. After a second, she lowered the hand and continued, "Elven leadership wants us in their army. I'd rather die than work for them."

Alexia sat back in her chair and waited a bit before her next question. The elf was getting emotional and these were sensitive matters. She needed to be careful.

"How long have you lived among us humans?" she finally asked. Alexia was expecting somewhere between two weeks and six months, but any amount was worrisome. To not know that New Albion had been infiltrated until after such a major attack? It was proof of a major failure in the kingdom's security.

"Five years."

One of the guards coughed in surprise and a mage muttered, "Mana save us," under his breath. The mood in the room immediately shifted to one of alarm and uncertainty.

Alexia remained stoic. Her fortitude was impressive as always. "And how old is your son?"

"Seven."

"Where is his father, if I may ask?"

The woman looked down at the floor in silence. After several seconds, she finally answered. "He was captured, when we fled together. Under current leadership, desertion is punishable by death. He's almost certainly dead."

"And why are you fleeing New Albion now?"

"We heard about the attack on the kobold diplomats. It's finally started. He's coming, and he will find us if we stay. The wilds are safer."

Alexia nodded. "And you'd be killed for desertion?"

"No." Cora looked back up, her eyes wide and terrified. "After living here this long, we aren't deserters. We're traitors, and he tortures traitors. Horribly. I'd sooner slit my own son's throat than let him suffer that fate."

"Who is this 'he' you mentioned?"

Cora just shook her head and stared at the floor, refusing to speak. Tears fell from her eyes and she soon started to sob. Then she begged, "Please, let me see my son. Please tell me he's okay."

Alexia turned to face the guard blocking the door. "Bring her child. I don't think either of them are dangerous, and we'll learn more if they are treated humanely."

The guard looked surprised, but he did as asked. The boy had been held nearby and it took less than a minute to fetch him. Without his disguise, he looked even less human than his mother. His eyes were overlarge, ears too pointy, and his hair was too fair, nearly white.

"What's your name?" Alexia asked him as he fled to his mother's recently released arms. "I'm Alexia."

The boy didn't speak, but his mother did. She asked, "Why are you doing this? Will you let us go?"

"That's not my decision to make," Alexia answered and the woman wilted.

Then Alexia tried to smile. "But after today, after you share what you know, I will argue as hard as possible for your freedom. Just as not all humans are on the same side, you've proved that not all elves are against New Albion. That's wonderful news, and useful information in the coming conflict."

Cora sniffed back tears. "Thank you."

Don't thank me yet, Alexia thought, I doubt I'll be able to convince the Guard leadership to let two elves go free, especially not with everything you must know about us…