Since I had no idea what I should do with this unexpected situation, I started by taking the girl with me to buy food. She seemed happy when I said I might be able to help her enter the castle later.

“What is your name?” I asked her.

“Name?” she asked and paused, “I am called Primera because I am the first.”

“The first?” I asked.

“I don’t know what it means either. That is just what I was told,” Primera told me.

Something seemed a bit off with that answer. If she had something to do with Alvis it made sense that she would be a little odd. It seemed I was right to judge her as someone important, though.

“Do you want something to eat?” I asked her as I opened the door to a shop famous for its meat pies.

“Can I?’ Primera asked with shining eyes, “What do I have to do?”

“Just tell me about yourself,” I told her, “You don’t seem to be from Tethia. Where are you from?”

“How did you know?” Primera asked with eyes.

I smiled slightly and stepped up to make my order. I ordered a few for Storm and one each for myself and Primera. Once I had the pies I guided her out of the store. “Let’s just say it was a hunch,” I answered, “So, where are you from?”

Primera frowned at the repeated question. “I… I don’t think I am allowed to tell you.”

“I see,” I replied. Chances were she worked for an enemy country. Was it Kalorvia? I had to be cautious in my approach since there was a chance she was a slave.

“Cassandra?” Storm broke in, “I didn’t expect to see you out here.”

As he approached Primera ducked behind me and Storm narrowed his eyes.

“Good timing,” I replied, “I was looking for you. I bought you some snacks.”

“Snacks?” Storm asked, his interest immediately shifting back to me, “What kind?”

I held out the meat pies. “They’re still piping hot,” I warned.

Storm took them. “Why were you looking for me?”

“I will tell you later,” I answered, unable to stop myself from glancing at Primera.

He followed my gaze and nodded. “I have something to talk to you about as well,” he admitted, “I will wait in your office. Don’t waste too much time out here.”

Before I even had a chance to answer, Storm disappeared into the crowd. “So cool,” Primera whispered, “I wish I could do that…”

“Hide in a crowd?” I asked.

“No, it was more than that,” Primera argued, “I was watching him closely but I can’t tell what direction he went in.”

I hadn’t really noticed, but then again I knew where Storm was headed so I probably just assumed which direction he was going.

“Since i already met Storm I should probably just take you to Alois now,” I muttered, “He can help you meet Alvis.”

“Really?” Primera asked eagerly, “Let’s go!”

I smiled a little at her excitement and led her to the castle entrance closest to the headmaster’s office. His office was technically in the school section but I found it was a little closer if you went through the magic division. I was eager to talk to Storm and that meant leaving Primera to Alois.

I handed Primera her meat pie in case I forgot and quickly led her along. The castle guards did nothing to stop us as we entered. I often travelled through the magic division so they likely knew me well and with my position I was free to bring whoever I wished into the castle.

As we walked through, Primera looked around with eyes full of curiosity. “Where are we going?” she asked.

“We are going to the headmaster’s office,” I replied.

“The headmaster’s office?” Primera asked, “Is Alois there?”

“Yes, but it is also where Alvis works,” I explained, “You needed to come inside to see him so I though it would be best for you to wait for him there.”

Primera nodded. “That sounds right. Thank you!” She shot me a bright smile.

I was starting to have doubts. Was this really the best course of action? At the very least I should warn Alois of her possible status as an enemy and as a slave before I left her there, but I didn’t want her to know my thoughts on the matter.

I reached up and touched my communication charm. I had been told that it would work fine with just thoughts but I had always talked allowed through it. It was probably habit from using a phone in my past life. Sometimes the life I thought I had mostly forgotten came back to me in strange ways like this.

“Alois,” I thought, concentrating on sending a message to him.

“Yeah?” He replied instantly.

It was fairly effortless, to my relief, so I continued. “I am bringing by a little girl who claims she must speak to Alvis. Just be careful. I think she may be from an enemy country. I don’t know what she intends to do but the chances are she is being controlled by someone.”

“Got it,” Alois answered. This time he sounded a little tired, “Try not to raise suspicion, right?”

“Yes,” I confirmed.

When we arrived at the headmaster’s building Alois was waiting. “I will take things from here,” he told me.

Primera was slightly startled. “Are you Alois?” she asked nervously.

“I am,” he replied, “I am also Alvis’ apprentice.”

“Oh,” Primera said and followed him inside.

I turned and went to my office where Storm was waiting. Now that I was alone I started to wonder what Storm wanted to talk to me about.

“Storm?” I called as I opened the door to my office.

He looked up from his last meat pie. “So slow,” he complained, “so what did you do with the kid?”

“I am having Alois look after her for now,” I replied, “Is something wrong?”

“You could say that,” Storm mused and stretched. “I was a bit surprised when I saw her. That girl was clearly trained to be an assassin, but whoever did it was a clumsy fool.”

“What?’ I asked in shock.

“That’s not all. I feel powerful nightmare magic coming from her,” Storm warned, “She’s dangerous.”

It took me a few moments to take in Storm’s words. “Are you certain?” I demanded.

“Absolutely,” he replied.

“I will make sure to warn Alois,” I sighed.

“Good,” Storm said, seeming satisfied, “So what was it you needed to talk about?”