When it was our turn on the platform, we were joined by two other parties who were arriving. One group was full of men and women in elaborate green and yellow robes with a tree holding a golden orb inside of it. The second was full of well dressed men and women who were talking animatedly about the benefits of illusion glass over regular glass when designing a conservatory.

  I listened, but was more interested in the lift itself. There was no noise to its movement, and it felt like we weren’t moving at all. But I could see the shaft we were traveling down moving past at a concerning speed thanks to the lights at the edge. I didn’t know what I’d expected, but it felt… natural to me. Which was notable, since Deacon looked like he was getting nauseous and had his eyes firmly shut.

  It took maybe thirty seconds from top to bottom, but when we stopped it was with a rapid decrease in speed, followed by a slow descent to be flush with the floor. There was an elaborate railing surrounding the lift, decorated in gold and red ribbons. As I stepped off, grabbing Deacon’s arm to let him know we had arrived, I took a look around at the entrance hall.

  The spot with the platform was similar to the one above, being open air and leading to a cavernous hole above where the platform came from. I could now see railings up above where guards were keeping an eye on the crowds below. A couple met my eyes but quickly moved past, apparently finding me uninteresting.

  The cavern I found myself in when off the platform was something else though. I called it a cavern, but it was more an ostentatious room with smoothed stone walls decorated in murals that I guessed depicted the surrounding countryside. Towards where I guessed the direction I knew as inner was, there was large set of double doors made of a heavy looking metal. Above it was a giant, glowing circle that emit enough light to fill the room.

  It wasn’t that bright, but as my gaze rose I could see why it was so bright. Above were four mosaics made from material I couldn’t identify. I saw bright flames surrounding a group of heroes fighting a wolf covered in flames. More wolves surrounded it, made from darker oranges and reds. To the side was a large castle where a suit of armor stood atop a wall, a blade wreathed in flames planted tip down behind the parapet.

  Looking right, I saw a dark forest made of dark browns and greens, lots of blacks used to create shadow figures in the branches of the trees, many with bright specks of yellow. A tall, rotten tree stood in the center with a terrifying skull staring down from the branches on high, great skeletal wings stretching out from the body barely visible behind it.

  To the right of that, stone tunnels decorated with rainbow hues were depicted. Men and women stood in a grotto of water that glowed with incandescent light. Shadowy figures that mirrored them spread out on the other side of the water, wielding weapons of light that contrasted their dark forms.

  The final mural, completing the dome, was a large city with tiered walls. As the city rose, each tier of walls brought nicer homes. Atop was what could only be described as a palace, with a crown atop the highest tower. There was something… wrong with the mural though. There was darkness just out of sight, and it wasn’t shadows cast from the light. Almost like something lurked, hidden within the walls and streets.

  “I thought there were only three dungeons in the region?” I asked, looking over at Deacon, who was slowly recovering after Toren handed him a flask.

  After a few shaky breaths, he nodded before looking up. “Ah, Greathall. I suppose the mural makes it look like a dungeon, doesn’t it?” He considered the masterful construction and then shrugged, “A little much, but I suppose the Duke can afford it.”

  I shook my head and followed the crowd as the lift brought down another group. I hadn’t even noticed it go back up. Things moving that fast should not be that quiet. I thought as we walked through the large metallic doors.

  Beyond was a long hallway leading to an open set of double doors. There were more doors on either side, a few also open with people visible within. The walls were decorated with glowing stones in the shape of a flowering rock. Everyone was dressed in their best attire, and I looked down at myself before shrugging. I liked my outfit, and that was what mattered to me, even if it was more subdued than the finery surrounding me.

  Toren patted my shoulder, “I see a few colleagues I need to talk with. I’ll catch up to you before the dancing starts.” He then veered off into the rooms.

  “He knows people here?” Deacon asked me.

  I shrugged. “I’ll be honest, I don’t really know much about what he does. When we talk every week, it’s more about my issues with occasional anecdotes from his past.”

  He stared at me as we walked before nodding, “I suppose that makes sense. We all have our own lives.”

  We walked in silence, the hall being rather long and the various paintings I saw as we walked depicting men in battle or posing dramatically in armor looked interesting enough for me to pause every so often. “It kind of makes me wonder what Grimoire gets up to on his days off.”

  “Probably enjoying a good cup of tea with a book. He seems the proper type.” Deacon responded, looking at a painting with several people who seemed to share Grimoire’s complexion.

  “I’m not so sure…” I said, some doubt in my voice as I tapped my chin in thought. “He’s taught me most of what I currently know. You don’t typically pick up those skills to serve someone, do you?”

  He tapped me on the top of my head, and easy feat for him being taller than me, “That’s literally what a body guard does.”

  I rubbed at the spot and we kept moving, “Hey, you know what I meant.”

  Deacon nodded, “I do, I just wanted to give you shit.” He sighed looking into his coat pocket where he kept his cigarettes. “Hope I they have a smoking room or something. I do not want to do this night without buffing up.”

  I looked at him curiously. “What do you use?”

  “A mix of tobacco, bright eye, cerebrum shroom spores, and some mint weed. Helps with alertness.” He looked over at me, “Why, you want one?”

  I nodded as we stepped through the doors at the end of the hall, “I don’t want to do this thing sober, so the least I can do is smoke.”

  Deacon laughed, “I didn’t realize you liked to drink. I’ll see what I can do.”

  When we entered what I was guessing was the main hall it was massive. The decorations were more cloth and temporary magical lights than paintings and murals. There were two rather impressive statues near a set of twin staircases that led up to another door, but nothing else to distract from the man standing at the top of them, leaning over a railing.

  He was dressed in a subdued purple and blue so dark it almost looked black from the distance I was from him. He had shoes that shined like polished marble and deep black hair trimmed and swept back to appear dignified. A small circlet adorned his forehead, resting above his brow. Bright yellow eyes surveyed the crowd with a slightly amused smile framed by a perfectly trimmed beard and mustache.

  Our eyes locked for a brief moment, but his expression never changed. He simply continued watching as the crowd poured inside. Only seconds later, Deacon had guided me through another set of doors and we were in a large ballroom. I turned to look behind me before turning to Deacon, “Who was that?”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “If I had to guess, Duke Faren.” He guided me to the side, away from the larger crowds and towards one of the tables filled with finger foods and various drinks. “Seems well dressed enough, and I doubt anyone else would be standing there putting on a performance like that.”

  “Performance?” I asked as I looked over some of the tiny foods.

  “Why else would you stand in a spot where everyone can see you as they walk in?” He grabbed a fluted glass and sniffed the contents before taking a sip. The bard made an appreciative sound.

  I considered Deacon for a few seconds and grabbed a glass that had been next to his. I took a sip before sipping it and frowned. It was fruity and sour, but incredibly sweet. “Why is Toren the only person who has good drinks?”

  “You mean the paint thinner?” He made a disgusted face, “I don’t know how you enjoy that.”

  Even as we bantered, we were both moving and looking around. The room was massive, and the crowd barely covered half of it, even being as spread out as it was. Above was an arched ceiling that had chandeliers hanging down from it. Instead of providing light themselves, they spread little motes throughout the ballroom, providing plenty of shadowy nooks that upon closer look held guards in dark uniforms, holding large staves with long straight blades at one end.

  “Lady Danielle! Is that you?!” I heard a high pitched voice call out from nearby. I turned and saw a woman in a dress made of pastel blues and yellows that seemed to change locations as she moved. She was taller, as pretty much everyone seemed to be, and her blonde, curly hair bounced as she moved. “Oh, what are you wearing?! It’s rather drab, don’t you think.”

  I side eyed Deacon before putting on a smile, “Sorry, I had an incident I’ve been recovering from that damaged my memory. What was your name?” I was direct, which was what Grimoire had instructed me to do. Something about not being adequate enough at subtlety for anything else.

  The woman gasped dramatically, “How could you ever forget me?!” She pouted, but taking a moment, the act vanished as she reconsidered me. “You aren’t joking, are you?”

  I blinked rapidly, “Why would I joke about something like that?”

  She waved a hand dramatically and rolled her eyes, “Oh please, you were always making weird jokes. Usually something from your books or some weird idea you’d get.” Sighing, she held a hand out ot me, “Lady Aria Germaine.”

  I felt my brow furrow at the name I recognized. “I… did not know he had a daughter…”

  Aria let out a high pitched giggle, “Oh, if it’s an act, keep it up. I’m not his daughter, I’m his wife. Well, one of them.”

  I took another second to look her up and down. She couldn’t have been much older than me, “Uh… okay. Were we close?”

  “Hm?” Aria asked, having stepped past to grab a drink of her own, “Oh, no. You and my sister hate each other, and I’d usually stir the pot, so to speak.”

  Deacon leaned in close, “Careful, she’s being a little too open.” I nodded in agreement.

  She twirled and motioned to her dress, “Enough of that though, what do you think of my dress?”

  I looked her up and down. “It’s beautiful. The way the colors seem to move make you seem…” I paused to think of a way to phrase it, “Not quite real. If that makes any sense.”

  Aria lit up in a bright smile, “And no comments on how it makes my breasts seem larger or my waist smaller. You really have lost your memories.”

  I looked at Deacon and he shrugged.

  “Is this your new bodyguard?” Aria said, sidling up to him. She moved to put a hand on his arm that wasn’t holding a drink but froze a second before she did, moving it to his shoulder and giving it a light squeeze. “He’s handsome. An upgrade from that wall of metal that called herself an adventurer.”

  “Thank you, my lady.” Deacon said, raising his glass to her.

  Aria frowned as she looked past me. She turned it into a fake smile directed at me. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve a few other people to talk with.” Before I could say anything else, she was gone.

  I watched her go and was about to say something when Deacon’s eyes flicked over my shoulder. I turned to face the new issue.

  “Lady Danielle, so good to see you here.”

  Captain Severn was approaching me, walking next to a younger looking man. They were both dressed in fancy uniforms with gold trim and a few medals pinned to their chests. The younger man had more than Severn.

  I took a closer look at him. He was as tall as Deacon and carried himself with the confidence of a military professional. Despite how he looked, there was a hint of grey in his brown hair, though it was hard to make out. While both of them carried swords on their hips, The hilt of Severn’s companion had gems inlaid in the hilt and pommel. On a whim, I briefly flicked Mana Sense on. The sword was a beacon compared to the rest of the room, despite the large amount of mana circulating the place.

  I put a smile on my face, “Captain Severn. I’m so glad I caught you this early. You made it sound like you’d be stalking me at every party if I didn’t make an effort to check in.”

  Deacon choked on his drink, coughing into his hand to try and clear his throat. The man at Severn’s side gave the captain a stern glare. I watched Severn’s smile went brittle.

  I let him sweat for a moment, “And that’s for your guards not cleaning up after their search.” I turned to the other man, “I am not sure if we’ve met before.”

  Severn was turning an interesting shade of pink as his companion chuckled, “I understand your situation. I read the reports. My name is Lucious Thyme, Councilor of Local Security.” He held out his hand.

  I took it in my own, shaking once before letting go. “A pleasure.”

  Lucious looked between me and Deacon, “I must say, I was not expecting to see you here with one of the heroes from the Grave Wood breach.”

  “Hardly a hero.” Deacon said through barely concealed irritation. “Lost my arm and didn’t fix the problem.”

  “You and your team killed a Tier 3 Boss that was about to escape. Level somewhere in the three or four hundreds.” Lucious shook his head and put his hand on Deacon’s shoulder. “Even losing an arm, you should be proud. I’m told you were responsible for stalling it.”

  I turned to look at Deacon, raising an eyebrow. “Really now? How come I haven’t heard about any of this?”

  “The better question is, why is the good councilor spilling secrets like cheap wine? We wore masks for a reason, Councilor Lucious.” His response was pointed, and accusatory. “Not much point in them if everyone knows.”

  Lucious didn’t even bat an eye, “It’s one of the worst kept secrets of the…” He looked thoughtful, “Grand Festival, was it? The overall organization.”

  I interrupted before Deacon could respond. “Councilor Lucious, I couldn’t help but notice your sword. It looks well made, is it magic weapon?”

  The three men seemed thrown off, and he looked down at the sword strapped to his hip. “This?” He put his hand on the pommel, “Just a few enchantments. Sharpness, self maintenance, and the like.”

  Liar. My thoughts must have shown on my face, because he laughed, Severn joining in. “What of yours? I didn’t know you could use one.”

  I looked at the rapier Grimoire had found to match with my outfit. The polished steel of the guard looked good with my outfit, and I knew enough to use it in a pinch. “Something my butler found for me. I’m not that skilled with it. Just enough to know where the pointy end goes.”

  “Ever thought of training with the guard? You wouldn’t have to join, but I’m sure some of the layabouts would get in gear if it meant trading blows with a noble.” He laughed, “Even if for the wrong reasons.”

  He reached out to pat me on the shoulder as he calmed down, but I took a step back, causing him to stumble. Lucious recovered and straightened himself. “Sorry, I don’t really like being touched.” I said as a sort of apology.

  “Fair, fair.” His pleasant demeanor had slipped, though. “I guess we should leave you to mingle, right Severn?”

  He nodded, “The other councilors will be waiting for us in the fireplace lounge.” His eyes hadn’t left me the entire exchange and I was doing my best not to feel creeped out about it. “You have a pleasant evening, Lady Danielle. Sir Deacon.”

  They slipped away and I started walking in the opposite direction, Deacon in step beside me. “We should cancel our plan.”

  I nodded, “Probably.”

  “But you won’t.” He observed.

  “Not yet. He’ll be busy.” I responded.

  We made it to another table with finger foods and I grabbed some kind of pastry with a chocolate drizzle. I ate and sipped at my drink as we watched the crowds. “Is it me, or did he seem… weird?”

  Deacon shook his head, “Not to me, but I’ve never met him. I’d say trust your instincts.”

  “I thought I wasn’t supposed to send people through furniture.” I quipped.

  The bard didn’t acknowledge the joke. “He’s watching for something.”

  I drained the rest of the glass. I took a few minutes to consider the problem before sighing. “Nothing we can do about it. Let’s get this over with.”

  We set out to mingle.