The alley was typical of Bismark. Vivid murals, paint and colour were splashed across all the buildings and walls. Even though this didn’t seem to be an affluent area of the city, it still looked like it was a vibrant district. As they walked, Orchid traced the formation lines that were laid underneath the pavement and Rat kept her senses on their pursuers. He’d probed her about what the vines uses but was only met with silence. Although he wasn’t sure of where he was right now, he felt that the alley they were currently in was deserted enough to finish their business.

“Are they still there?” He asked quietly.

“Yes. I can sense another person accompanying them as well.”

“We know you’re there! Go and ask your lady to meet us so that we can get this over with.” He shouted. Leaning against a wall to show confidence he smiled and closed his eyes.

“They left.” Rat said after a few moments. “I think they get the idea.”

They didn’t have to wait long before the woman from the Auction house showed up with a dozen guards in tow. She looked at the cloth in Rats hand and swallowed, eyes burning with greed before moving towards them.

“I see that you’ve changed your mind. I won’t hold your insolence from earlier against you and will offer the same deal as before. Twice whatever you payed for it.” Her attitude appeared to have softened with her exposure to the Banner mercenaries and Orchid smiled at her.

“I don’t think you understand, Lady. This is not a deal. I just don’t want you to harass us, so I’m going to deal with you right now.” Orchid straightened from his slouch and sauntered towards her. She backed away hastily and her guards moved to intercept him.

“I wanted this to be peaceful, but you just want to ignore my honesty.” She hissed and pointed at them. “Hand that plant over right now and I still may consider letting you leave with only a few broken bones.”

Her guards stomped forwards, while drawing their weapons.

“Wait!” Orchid called with his palm facing them. “Don’t take another step forwards or you’ll regret it. Do you really think I’m alone here?” A rustling from the rooftops preceded dull thumps as Jensen’s squad dropped into place around him, ready to fight.

“I wasn’t so naïve as to think that, boy.” The woman was like a snake, constantly hissing her words when she was irritated. “I wasn’t able to get more of my own guards but I found a pleasant alternative.” She backed out of the alley and called someone over.

“I agree to your price. Deal with these fools.” She triumphantly stamped her foot and stood to the side.

“Whoever you may bring Lady, they won’t be enough.” Orchid dropped into a stance and started to draw mana, hands starting to glow a deep purple. Behind him Rat put down the case and he could feel her presence fading and shadows darkening throughout the street.

The sounds of marching suddenly echoed throughout the alley and the Bannermen tightened their grips on their weapons, moving closer together. A squad of soldiers trooped around the corner and formed ranks at the end of the alley. Their armour and weaponry was standard armament for the regular forces of the nation and Orchid frowned at this sudden change in their distribution of forces.

I didn’t think she had enough of a background to make the army move and somehow still not know who the von Hohenzollerns are.

The troops that faced them seemed well trained and professional.

“Let these brave soldiers handle those rogues, men.” The lady called her guards back and strode to stand beside the tall figure that led the squad.

“We won’t kill anyone lady, but like we promised we’ll take back your property. Now, hand the stolen goods back you thieves.” The voice of the leader boomed in the small street and made Orchid wince at the volume.

“Who’s the thief? That lady next to you wants what is rightfully ours.” Orchid shouted back. He felt upset when his own voice appeared like a squeak in comparison to the roar that had just deafened him. The Lady’s guards slowly slunk away and Orchid prepared a spell targeting the first rank of soldiers. “I don’t want to hurt soldiers of the kingdom, so just back away and we’ll leave you alone.”

“We will not be threatened by thieves, so hand the …. Lieutenant?!” The leader did a double take and quickly removed his helmet and saluted.

“Corporal Geist?” Orchid was so surprised that the mana he had drawn became unstable. The spell he was casting started to slip out of control and he looked down at the mana currents spiralling around his hands. Chanting a few words in haste he completed the spell and channelled the sparks of lightning into the ground below him. The shadows slowly melted away and Rat started giggling at the sight of the corporal.

“Corporal, are you getting paid to accost me?” Orchid growled.

“No, sir!” The corporal stood at attention, trembling in terror. The soldiers quickly imitated him and fell into their parade formation, chests out and backs ramrod straight. The lady and her guards watched the soldiers in slack jawed surprise. Orchid looked at them and realized that his new plan was now worthless. He couldn’t possibly threaten a noblewoman with his own soldiers standing and watching. He turned to the lady and called her and Rat over to him. The lady hesitated for a breath, but now that she knew he was in the military, things were different. There would be no way she could threaten him and he wouldn’t be able to extort her either.

“Well, I think that this entire episode should come to an end here.” He said.

“I really would like that plant.” The lady whispered in reply stressing the word ‘really’ heavily.

“That really isn’t possible.” He removed the cloth and dispelled the Manipulation of Air that was beneath it. The woman breathed deeply and sighed in resignation. Her fist clenched and she stepped back.

“Great plan.” Rat’s giggling continued unabated. Orchid just glared at her in response.

“Then I’m sorry that things had to reach this point. If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to leave this entire series of events as a memory.” The lady looked so defeated that Rat’s giggling exploded into huge gusts of wheezing laughter. Orchid just waved her away and sat on the pavement next to the molten slag that his spell had created.

“Geist. I’m not going to make this difficult for you, but please don’t do anything like this again on your days off.”

The corporal crouched next to him and apologized before walking away with his soldiers. The lady was already long gone and Rat was still exploding in fits of laughter. She wheezed the words ‘great plan’ whenever she had enough air in her lungs. Orchid was getting irritated with her laughter but he slowly fixed the paving by melting the nearby stone tiles into a big smooth surface over the burn.

That looks close enough. Not worth doing any more either.

“It really isn’t that funny you know.” He grumbled to Rat as he dusted himself off.

“Yes, it is.” She wheezed. “Two plans that came to nothing in one day. This is going to make you crazy for a long time.”

“Yes. Yes, it is. Can you not tell the rest of them?” He already knew what her answer would be and her expression confirmed it.

I didn’t get anything out of this. Not even a chance to get some money from some crazy noblewoman. This is not going to be a fun journey anymore.

* * * * * *

Ilse was sitting on the wagon beside him as they moved south. Two weeks out of Bismark, their journey had slowed as they were plagued by a series of heavy rains that forced them off the Highway. He’d asked the Sergeant and discovered that although the highway was stable enough to travel, it was always safer to wait out the rains as they only lasted a few days.

Like he had expected, his friends went out of their way to tease him about his failed plans and despite his attempts at maintaining his calm, he’d thrown a tantrum and run away. He’d shut himself away from everyone and focused on carving. They were currently trundling along the highway after the storms had abated the night before. Ilse had joined him shortly after they had set off today, sitting quietly beside him. He’d ignored her at first, but realized quickly that she had something on her mind, but wasn’t willing to talk about it freely. They’d sat in silence for some time, before she spoke.

“I’m sure that everyone’s laughter has driven you to this Orchid, but this is not normal behaviour.” She was holding another of his failed attempts at carving. “I’m not even sure what this thing is.”

“It’s a cat.”

“No, it’s not.” She pointed to the floppy uneven ears and misshapen limbs as she held it up to the light.

“I’m still learning. This is practice.” He said defensively, going back to shaving away at his newest attempt. This was going to be another cat and he was confident that it would be much closer to reality than the last three cat carvings. “Why are you here anyway Ilse? What do you want?”

“Why can’t I spend some time with my morose friend.” She smirked.

“Don’t try and fool me. You sisters are just too alike in your actions. This is just like when Anna came before.” Another sliver of wood fell to the ground as he shaped the cats back.

“I’m worried about Justain.” She didn’t try and deny her ulterior motives. Compared to her twin, Ilse was always straightforward in her actions.

“What’s wrong with the cry-baby?” The cat was starting to take shape and Orchid could feel that it was becoming more realistic with every slice.

“Nothing’s wrong with him. I just realized we’re heading into a possible war zone and he’s a prince. His enemies both within his family and the Illati would be more than happy to remove him from the line of succession.” Ilse was staring at her open palms, voice shaking at the thoughts she was describing.

“This isn’t like you. Did Anna say something to you again?”

Ilse turned her eyes away and nodded gently.

“Don’t think so much, you two sisters shouldn’t take on each other’s fears as well. His family won’t move against him unless he does something stupid. The Illati are always a threat, but do you really think he’ll be sent anywhere dangerous?”

“But what if he is?”

“Who can order a prince around against his will?” Orchid stopped carving and looked into her eyes. “Listen, Ilse. There’s no need for you to worry. He’s going to be the next King, we’ll make sure of that.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better.” She whispered.

Orchid leaned back against the wagons seat and stared out into the sky at the drifting clouds. He thought about the dangers they could face and dismissed them from his mind.

I’ll become just as moody as her.

“You’ll be his queen as well of course. The Professor will follow in his father’s footsteps as chancellor. Anna will find some nice person to annoy into marriage and focus on her alchemy and herbalism. Rock will be happily married to Rat and take over his Grandfathers Barony. Everyone will live happily.” He smiled and could see Ilse gathering herself from the corner of his eye.

“I notice you haven’t mentioned yourself in that glimpse into the future.” She jabbed him with her elbow and he hissed in pain.

“Ouch. I’m not sure what my position will be. Maybe I’ll take over the Archivists or work at the Academy.” He shrugged.

“No woman that you’re interested in?” Her voice was clearly insinuating something.

“No, of course not.” He replied with a rude gesture, grinning at her teasing.

“You seem to be spending a lot of time with Rat these days.” She remarked airily. Orchid glared at her and put his carving down.

“She’s a good friend and that’s it.” His soft tone was threatening.

“It seems you want it to be more.” She became serious and wasn’t the least bit intimidated by him.

“No. She and Rock are perfect together and have been for a long time. I just enjoy spending time with her as a friend. Her sense of humour matches mine.” He went back to his carving, slowly shaving away and shaping the cat.

“You can’t lie to yourself about your feelings.”

“I’m not lying Ilse.” He sighed and waved his knife in frustration. “I don’t think I like her the way you like Justain. I won’t deny that I’ve been fascinated by her recently, but that’s only because she enjoys carrying out my schemes more than the rest of you. She only has eyes for Rock and I won’t betray my friends just because of uncertainty.”

“You’ll regret missing out on your feelings. We only have so many days to enjoy someone’s company.” Ilse looked off to the front of the column where Justain would be. She sighed and slid off the wagon, patting his shoulder on the way.

“It’s not regret. She’s just fun to be around. All you couples are just filled with thoughts of love and flirting. There’s no reason that we can’t just be friends!” He shouted at her back.

They just don’t understand. Especially those sisters. Everything has to be about love.

I don’t have time for a relationship.

* * * * * *

“So, that’s Florenzi fortress.” Justain breathed in awe.

“Almost ten miles of mana reinforced masonry spanning the entire pass. It’s the single greatest defensive installation in the kingdom. The entire southern command can be stationed here in times of war, and they say the town nearby is the best place to buy military equipment outside of the capital.” The Professor explained, pointing out the massive wall and buildings that they could see even from this hill dozens of miles away. “It will still take us the rest of the day to reach there, but we should be inside the fortress by nightfall.”

“Well, this horrifying journey is over now. Break out the banners!” Orchid called out and troops scattered to unfurl their company banners and get into formation.

“Forward!” Justain ordered from his horse, waving his sword and led his unit along the highway towards the fortress.

“That was really dramatic.” Orchid murmured.

“You’re just jealous.” The Professor smirked and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s head down. I’ve really missed my books. There should be something worth reading down there.”

Orchid grunted in acknowledgement and went back to join his unit on the last stretch of their march.

That felt like it took forever.