Selenia’s house was… fine, I guess? It was rather antiquated even by my standards, but the tea she had served was lovely. She just handed me the key to Building #18, saying that she was glad she didn’t have to take care of a mostly empty workshop.

  I nodded, and immediately left. She shook her head, stating the same sentiment of mayflies always being in a rush. But I had just arrived here, and I wanted to see my friends!

  As soon as tea was over, and the small amount of biscuits consumed, I dashed out the door to find Maddy’s shop. It didn’t actually take too long, since, of course, she had set up near the city centre again.

  What was unexpected was spotting Noel, sitting hesitantly at a bench nearby. His face was locked on the door, and his fingers interlaced together.

  I had worn the green dress I bought with Jazzy and Melly a few days ago, which meant I didn’t have to deal with the clicking of heels. But the city itself was so noisy compared to Oakheart. Here, people talked by shouting and yelling, and the smell of the air was putrid and overbearing, mixing artificial scents to overpower the smoke. I missed the country air.

  I slowly approached Noel from the side, and although I wasn’t being noisy, I expected him to notice me. He didn’t even twitch, eyes remaining locked at the storefront. I followed his gaze, and all found myself staring at Madeleine.

  And she was talking to a man!

  His beard was ridiculous, and the clothing he wore just grabbed attention. They both were talking angrily at each other, but the way his face looked was very familiar. Madeleine wasn’t from Evergreen or the Phoenix Lands, which was obvious in the way she carried herself.

  This man looked incredibly similar.

  “I didn’t know Maddy had a brother? I thought a [Witch] only had sisters?” I idly remarked.

  Noel jerked upwards, eyes wild and posture broken. His head frantically turned to the side, before the fear was replaced with a smile. “Kid! Good to see you here, you look better. Good speech last time, sorry I didn’t have time to say anything. Got dragged here right away by – “ he paused immediately, biting his tongue.

  “By Addy,” I finished for him, and his eyes shot down. “Who’s the guy?” I motioned towards the window.

  Madeleine’s head turned violently to the side after the man indoors ‘said’ something, I assume. His mouth was moving through the window, but I didn’t have the type of hearing that could hear through glass and ambient shouting.

  Her eyes met with mine, and she raised a hand which stopped the man inside from his conversation. I smiled happily, and instinctively, I reached down to grab Noel’s arm. He was tense, far too tense, but his muscles softened, and then eased into my grip. I dragged him, though I knew he was letting me, towards Madeleine. She moved away from the counter in her shop and rushed out!

  Noel was moving so slowly, and felt like sap pouring out of a maple tree. “Hurry up, Noel!” I impatiently said, before releasing his arm and avoiding some pedestrians getting in my way.

  The door opened, and I grabbed Madeleine as she grabbed me. I wrapped my arms around her back and she pushed her head into my bosom. “Chérie! It’s been too long! And your hair is Angry Farm Girl Rouge again!”

  Her hand slid up to my long strands of braided hair, and her pale fingers coiled against the strands. “I know!” I exclaimed. “My Goddess let me!”

  Madeleine’s eyes furrowed at that sentence, and her posture straightened as she examined my hair. “Your Goddess…”

  “Nyla,” Noel interjected, his eyes moving past Madeleine towards her brother? He looked like her, but was wearing not clothing I’d associate with a witch.

  “Oui, Nyla, of course, salaud,” Madeleine began, but Noel seemed to cringe at the word. Never seemed to bother him before. “She let you change your hair? Non, non, come on inside, ma chérie. Maman will brew you some tea, and introduce you to my new friend.”

  I looked over at the man. “Is he your brother?”

  Tarskel immediately began to laugh. His voice was harmonious, and was so melodic. It was the type of voice Lady McReer would pay money for to come perform during the Winter Feast. “Told you, chatte.”

  Madeleine glared at him, but… it was the same glare Melissa and I would shoot at Adrian when he was being annoying and stupid. Her face came to look at mine, and her warm, soft palms rested against my cheeks. “Ashley, that is very rude. He looks nothing like me! This man is uncouth, does not bathe, and has the most atrocious accent imaginable.”

  “I absolutely do bathe, chatte!” Tarskel immediately responded, mock annoyance in his voice. I would definitely listen to him perform, but… his accent sounded a lot like Madeleine’s? Except it was just a bit more refined.

  “You both sound exactly the same,” I admitted. “And you look very similar.”

  “And so do you and Adrian,” Madeleine shot back, but that was wrong. Adrian looked nothing like me – I had red hair! Though, Tarskel had blonde hair, and Madeleine had black, so she did have a point.

  “Just to be clear, you’re admitting Tarskel and you are like Ashley and Adrian then,” Noel said, mirth in his voice.

  Madeleine’s eyes shot away from mine and angrily stared at Noel. Her pale cheeks became pink, and Tarskel just began to laugh. I turned my attention to him, and nodded.

  “You must be the fille Madeleine speaks so highly of. I do not see the resemblance, but the pleasure is mine, demoiselle. Tarskel De La Nicaea,” he gave a rather overgracious bow, and then offered me his hand. Unlike others though, his hand was towards the sky, palm exposed.

  So I stared at him. This was new. I wasn’t going to touch his hand either, but I had no idea what I was even meant to do.

  Madeleine’s attention shifted away from Noel, and then towards me. She released me, and took my hand and placed it atop Tarskel’s. His fingers clasped against mine, and he raised my hand towards his lips.

  Oh, he was doing this. I guess I am a Lady now.

  He gave the back of my hand a kiss, and released it. I looked at Madeleine. “Say your name, chérie.”

  “Ashley Hart! Um… pleasure to meet you, Mister De La Nicaea? Are you rel–”

  “Non! We just established this! I am from La Croix, Madeleine La Croix!” She angrily, playfully shouted. “He is from Nicaea! We are not related, chérie!”

  I nodded. “So is he your boy–”

  Madeleine’s fingers quickly raised to the sky, and I found my mouth getting heavy and shut. I could still feel my lips, and that, thankfully, was enough. I scowled at Madeleine, who released the tension. “Inside, Ashley, pigs. I’ll make some tea.”

  “Actually, Madeleine, could I talk to you alone inside while you’re making the tea?” Noel asked slyly, and Madeleine’s attention shifted to him.

  “Of course. I figure you had something important to tell me since you’ve been sitting on that bench for the last few days just staring at me.”

  “Chatte, he’s just as allured by your striking figure as I am,” Tarskel said. He was a lot like Adrian, always saying the wrong things at the wrong time. There was nothing about Madeleine’s figure that was striking! She was slender and curved. Aywin had a striking figure; smooth, slender, and tall.

  “I can assure you, I am not, [Bard],” Noel dryly responded. Right, Noel was married to Aywin.

  I opened my mouth to ask after Aywin, but then I looked at the crowd. I knew Ophelia knew, and I think Jasmine suspected it, but I wasn’t sure about Madeleine or this man.

  “Oui, let’s get it over with. What cursed words will you vex me with this time, [Druid],” Madeleine wearily stated.

  She pushed past Tarskel to enter the Cat’s Second Cradle, and it was very, very cramped. “I liked your place in Oakheart better, Maddy. You had books! This place seems so… boring.”

  “I knooow!” Madeleine cooed back. “I miss my home too!’

  “Jasmine made my house a real place! When you get back, I’ll make you dinner.”

  Madeleine glanced at me as she walked to the back with Noel. “I recall you not knowing how to cook?”

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  “I’ll ask Ophelia to make it!”

  “You’re still seeing that vam— vapid woman? We’ll catch up in a bit. Tarskel, be a good boy and look after ma fille, oui?”

  “Yes, Mademoiselle,” Tarskel said, and turned towards me. Noel and Madeleine closed the door, and I stared at Tarskel’s face.

  “So,” he began, not letting the silence rest. “Madeleine tells me you are a [Farmer] and a [Cryotheurge]?”

  “Y-yes,” I hesitantly responded, quickly looking around the room. Madeleine was gone, Noel was gone, and Madeleine’s – not brother – was here. I stared at him closely, before realizing I was looking at his eyes and glanced away.

  I moved to the shelves to pick up a potion, feeling the glass against my fingers and its weight. I put it back down, and then moved around to just find something – anything.

  Tarskel followed. I couldn’t lose him, and I had to wait for Maddy. “How do you like it?” he asked.

  “It’s… it’s… okay?” I slowly responded, looking at another potion. Another cheap healing potion!

  Tarskel said nothing this time, and didn’t follow. “Did I do something to offend you, demoiselle?”

  “Um – no, it’s… not that? I can’t ignore you since you're Maddy’s brother and I don’t know what to talk about since I don’t think you care about my garden? Why would you! It’s a garden! Well, it’s more like a farm,” I began to blabber on.

  “What do you grow?” he asked.

  “Oh! I grow lots of vegetables. My favourite thing are carrots, but I’ve been trying to move onto bigger crops. Madeleine is helping me sell them!” I quickly responded.

  Tarskel looked at me, eyes scanning my face for a moment. “Why do you like farming so much?” he asked, which made me stop to think.

  “Pa and Ma did it! I had to go home from Kuronos Academy here to go back, and It’s just… relaxing, you know? It's the one thing I can manage.”

  “Ah! I know that feeling well. I am a [Ministrel] or a [Bard], and I find singing and storytelling a way to do that too! Have you ever heard any of the harvest festival songs?”

  “Yes! I love Flora’s Ode during the fall har–” I paused in the middle in the sentence. This seemed familiar; too familiar. My eyes narrowed down. “Did you just Observe-Add-Bridge me?”

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  “You know! Observe a detail, add a detail of your own, and bridge the conversation?”

  Tarskel said nothing for a second, but then gave a small laugh. “Are you not good with new people, demoiselle?”

  Heat rose to my face. I pursed my lips and quickly tried to find a way out, but Tarskel approached me. His hand raised up and I flinched. His eyes caught mine, and he lowered it. “I was going to pat your shoulder, Ms. Hart, but I do know how it is. Not everyone made under Amaril was made to be a social person. Someone is teaching you how to talk?”

  “Yeah! My friend Ophelia and Jasmine are. I guess Madeleine is too.”

  “Fantastique! I’ve met many new people, and I know it’s difficult at first,” Tarskel began. “If you feel uncomfortable – “

  A loud scream came from the back, and Noel quickly dashed from the door. A bolt of lightning flew by him striking against the glass window and immediately shattering it.

  I immediately ducked down, and Tarskel moved to cover me. Me! A peasant!

  Wait, no, I wasn’t a peasant. I slowly picked myself up to look at Madeleine staring angrily at Noel, and her finger sparking electricity. Tarskel’s eyes were forced open, as he stood in the middle.

  “Move, gar?on. This is between me and the salaud,” Madeleine growled. Noel, for his part, stared her down. He wasn’t aggressive, but his eyes looked around like a fox searching for an exit.

  “What is this about, madame?” Tarskel stated, his voice calm and narrow.

  “Nothi–” Madeleine said.

  “Her sisters,” Noel interjected, which clicked for me.

  “Both of them?” I immediately responded, and Noel nodded. I turned to Madeleine. “You can’t kill him, what’s going on Maddy?”

  She growled, before lowering her finger. She looked at Tarskel, then at me, then at Noel. “You trust me, right, chérie?”

  I slowly nodded.

  “Tarskel, she is the [Necromancer] that was sent to kill Bazerie. Come into the backroom.”

  The backrooms were less impressive than the one at Oakheart. There wasn’t any goods here, and it was mostly just a small landing before the staircase to where Madeleine lived. There was no tea or baked bread like I was expecting, and also, I was the only one who had taken a seat. Tarskel was looking at me and Madeleine, but Madeleine’s eyes were firmly affixed to Noel.

  Noel stared at the wall.

  The silence was getting to me. I turned to Tarskel first. “So Maddy told you?” I tried.

  “I will admit, demoiselle, I was expecting someone more…” his hands waved in the air.

  “Noble, Vampiric, Confident?” I responded to him. He nodded. “Yeah, Ophelia tells me I have to get used to the role. It’s kind of hard,” I admitted.

  He let out a breathe. “Demoiselle, how old are you? Am I wrong to think you are the youngest in this room?”

  I turned to Madeleine and Noel, but they were both staring at their respective targets. I shrugged, and turned to Tarskel. “I think so? I’m not sure how old Madeleine is - “

  “32.” Tarskel stated.

  “Or Noel.”

  “41.” He continued.

  “Or You.”

  “34.”

  I didn’t react. “Well, I’m 18!”

  Tarskel groaned, and turned to Madeleine. “Madame, the [Necromancer] is a petite fille . Oui?”

  Madeleine’s attention turned away from Noel, and went to Tarskel. “Hmm? Oh, yes, she is still young. That is why I am mentoring her.”

  His voice dipped. “And… she is the one that –”

  Madeleine’s eyes turned to Tarskel, and then looked at mine. She let out another exhale, and slowly nodded her head.

  Tarskel stayed silent, but then his hands CLASPED against my shoulders! “Magnifique! What Drama! What a story! I will, of course, keep your secret, Death’s Daughter, but I mu–”

  I shoved him off and jolted up, tossing the chair I was sitting on to the side. “Don’t call me that!”

  My screech broke Madeleine and Noel's stare-off died in the air, and even Tarskel backed away. Madeleine quickly turned her attention to Noel, and he nodded.

  “Ashley. Breathe. Slowly.” His attention shifted towards the two. “I get you two don’t know what happened, but for now, let’s not bring up Lyric Bay with her. Tarskel, I will tell you what you need to know from official sources and the li–”

  “Like how my sister is with that [Archon] now, salaud?” Madeleine spat out.

  Noel’s eyes narrowed at Madeleine. “Yes. Like that. But is it time to bring that up when your ‘protege’ is…” he didn’t finish his sentence, and Madeleine dropped her scowl.

  “Fine!” she reluctantly agreed, before turning to Tarskel. Tarskel sheepishly looked away, before opening his mouth.

  “I understand, desolee, demoiselle. If you ever wish to share, I will listen – and I will not make it a story unless you wish it. Bu–” He began, but then decided to close his mouth.

  I stopped panting, and nodded. My hands stroked Noel’s fingers, before I released him to upright the chair I knocked down.

  I then took a seat.

  Madeleine watched me for a moment longer. Tarskel took the seat beside me, but, since he was Madeleine’s brother, I didn’t really mind.

  “Your sister is with an [Archon]?” I repeated.

  Noel blinked, before realizing what I had asked. “Not just ‘an’ [Archon], Ashley. She’s with um…”

  “Your boytoy.” Maddy finished for him, annoyance creeping in her voice.

  “Addy?” I responded. “What is an [Archon]?”

  “I do not know. He told me he was offered a gift by Amaril, but couldn’t explain much. His role is now considered an [Archon], which is a role the Church isn’t fond of! He even has a Sanctum-Venator working for him as well, and…”

  “My sister, Benzine,” she coldly finished.

  Noel nodded. “Which is why I’ve come here. I want to… you know..”

  “That’s great!” I exclaimed, standing up again. I mean, I wasn’t too pleased to be reminded about Lyric Bay, but it seemed like the people I cared about was doing well. “Your other sister is alive, Noel can uncurse the third, and Addy is an [Archon]! Maddy do you have any–”

  “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing, Ashley,” Noel began. “I’m…” he began, but didn’t finish his thoughts.

  I stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

  He did not.

  He turned his attention to Madeleine. He took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. “But yes, I wanted to help you with Evangeline. I talked to Danu and I know what you must do to free her.”

  “Speak,” Madeleine commanded.

  Noel laughed. There was no humour in it, just dry exasperation. “Kill Bazerie, and discover what happened to an elf named Lyranil.”

  My lips scrunched. I swear, I heard that name before. But on the other hand… “Sounds like it's pretty much what we were already planning to do?”

  Madeleine let out a breath, but smiled. “Yes, yes it was. But an elf? I am not a seeker of mysteries.”

  “You’re not,” Noel said, but his attention shifted to Tarskel. “Your ‘brother’ is.”

  Tarskel was still staring at me, but when his nickname was called, he popped up. “Of course! Though I had some questions myself,” his attention rapidly returned to me. “Your underworld, does it need a secret keeper?”

  “Um…” I slowly eased back in my chair away.

  “She will, yes,” Noel said.

  Tarskel nodded. “Then I’m on the case!”

  Madeleine shook her head, before walking over to kiss my cheek. “I missed you, chérie. I'm sure you have other things to do as well. You should unpack and enjoy your first day here, before getting lost in work.”

  Her attention then shifted to the two. “Both of you, out. And gar?on, I want to hear news about this elf the next time you’re here. And you, Sal… Noel. Thank you, at least. But why?”

  Noel’s eyes met mine. He kept his mouth closed and inhaled through his nose, before letting out a fast exhale. “It’s very hard to explain.”

  I glared at Noel. He was ignoring my questions about Addy! There was an easy way to fix that, however.

  “Well, I guess I know where I’m going next. Tarskel! Want to show a demoy-cell to the Inquisition?" I added, frustration rising in my voice.

  Noel let out another slow breath. “You really shouldn’t, but he didn’t tell me to prevent you from visiting. He’s also… not an [Inquisitor] anymore.”

  I stood up and copied Adrian’s way of saying goodbye. I raised my hand in exit, and slid out of the door. Tarskel gave the two a shrug, and followed behind.