Thalia’s POV

  “How many times do we have to repeat this?” sighed Brie, rolling her eyes as she leaned back against her delicately carved seat. “I was injured because I made the dumb mistake of exploring a half-collapsed building. That attracted Shadow Lott’s attention, and he reprimanded me before going back to his duties. I saw him the next day because he wanted to check on me. That’s it. That’s all that happened. Do you want me to write this down? Or are you going to ask this a fourth time?”

  Even though she’d been here for the last couple of hours, hearing her friend speak to an Inquisitor with such a tone was still making her shoulders tense. Sure, they were siblings. And clearly, the man wasn’t actually taking offense to the tone as far as she could tell. But it still rankled a little. And while at the start of the meeting the interaction would have made her heart hammer in her chest, by now, Thalia was just content to politely smile and nod, as casually and calmly as she could manage while she prayed for this day to be over.

  There would be reckoning later, though. Oh yes. Thalia wasn’t a stranger to keeping secrets, with all the strangeness of Miles’s first appearance a decade ago, so she didn’t begrudge Brie keeping such a big one to herself, especially considering they had only known each other for a year or so. But the mage would answer for it. The next time they sparred, Thalia would not hold-out as much. For now though, she just had to weather whatever was happening and wait.

  Her gaze flicked to the letter Talon had written. There wasn’t much else she could do anyway. Brie had a good grip on the situation, so Thalia was fine maintaining her introverted aura and keeping to her corner.

  She wasn’t good in these sorts of situations anyway. A fight? Monsters? She was right at home. Knocking fools out was easy. It was straightforward. But this?

  She refrained from shaking her head and instead, she glanced at the exaggerated shock of the Inquisitor as he put a hand on his chest. While the barbs and sparks between the siblings had lessened in intensity, they were still taking pot-shots at each other.

  “But, I thought you missed me!”

  Instead, Brie just crossed her arms and glared, to which the Inquisitor just shrugged, a sheepish smile on his lips.

  “Well, you’re gonna have to get used to seeing me. While I’m working on this assignment, you two will be working for me. Which means staying in this hotel.”

  Thalia’s guts twisted. That didn’t sound good. How about her mom? How about Miles?

  While she tried to keep her alarm off of her face, she wasn’t sure how successful she had been. In any case, the Inquisitor didn’t stop his explanation.

  “After which, and I swear, you’ll be free to leave. In the meantime,” he paused as the doors to the kitchen swung open, “you should make the most of it. Get some experience. And once this was done, I’ll be recommending you two to whichever Guild or House you wish to join once you pass your Delver’s Exam. For your trouble. How does that sound?”

  That caught Thalia’s attention a little, and clearly, it did the same for Brie, because the latter ignored the plates being arranged in front of her and lowered her hands, eyes narrowed. “You’re serious?”

  It wasn’t enough to lessen the dread Thalia could feel crawling down her back. Especially when she considered why the Inquisitor wanted to keep them around. Was this because he didn’t trust them? Was it because he wanted to lure Miles? Was it because he believed the events of that night were odd?

  It was really hard to know the man’s motivations. He said he just wanted to make contact, but was that all? Thalia couldn’t tell. She wasn’t equipped to be able to and with how casual the man was being, she really didn’t have much to go off on. But with Brie’s question, that changed.

  At first, it looked like he was about to answer with a joke or something light, but then his brows twitched, and for the first time since she had met Brie’s sibling, Thalia felt that something had slipped under the facade.

  There was a small lull, interrupted only by the shuffle of the servant. It was just a second. Maybe two. But a beat later, there was a knock on the door. The servant made to head toward it, only for the Inquisitor to stop her with a raised hand. “I’ll get it,” he said as he got up. He began heading toward the door, then he stopped midway and turned his gaze to Brie, he cocked his head a little, a small frown on his brow. “Do you actually think I was going to pack and ship you to the family? Did you think I was going to behave like them?”

  His tone made Thalia shrink. There wasn’t much hostility in his words, but something slipped through the words and before she knew it, a wave of roiling anger buffeted the room and for a moment, Thalia’s mind flashed to the first time she had sensed Miles’ presence. His had been overbearing. Heavy. But in a way, it had been somewhat neutral but this…? The Inquisitor’s presence felt like she was surrounded by judging faces and piercing eyes, bearing down on her and for a moment, she felt all of her secrets had been exposed. But a fraction of a second later, the feeling disappeared, as if it had never happened, and an apologetic smile spread on the young-looking man’s face as he shook his head. “Sorry. Slipped up a little there. And don’t worry. I got your back, little sister. But I know you two aren’t telling me the whole story, and you don’t have to. It’d make my life easier, and it’d go a long way toward me letting you two leave—after you promise that you’d visit while I’m here, of course. But so long as you don’t tell me everything, I’ll need you to hang around. We have to do things by the book and trust me, this here is the preferential treatment. Still, at the end of the day, I’m not here to ruin anyone’s life. Just give me a little chance, alright?”

  And with that, he swung the door open to reveal his receptionist they’d seen earlier and behind him—

  Thalia’s eyes widened, but Brie’s hand clamped on her wrist and gripped her hard. Thankfully, the servant had already headed back to the kitchen so unless the Inquisitor had eyes behind his back, no one should have noted her reaction. As for the receptionist, he was too busy reporting to his boss.

  What is he doing here?

  Thalia wanted to signal to him to leave. To get away from here. But she couldn’t do anything but listen. Anything else might give something away.

  “Sir, a Courier has arrived for the two jobs we’ve posted.”

  “Already?”

  Talon seemed a little taken aback by the news, but Miles only gave him a respectful bow. “Greetings, Inquisitor,” he said, before looking up and smiling. “We try not to keep important people waiting. A swift response is good for reputation… and good for business. And it does help that both assignments are for the same city.”

  The Inquisitor was still for a couple of seconds, then he chuckled and glancing back, he gestured at the letter he’d written earlier flew up and into his hand.

  “Well, I’m glad I made your job easier, then. Parris, here’s the letter for the assignment. Everything else is ready?”

  “Yes, sir,” promptly answered the receptionist.

  “Good. Set the Courier up, then. And you, sir…?”

  Talon trailed off, and Miles nodded. “Torchbearer Miles, sir.”

  “Torchbearer Miles,” the Inquisitor said, reaching out for a handshake, which Miles casually returned. “I’m Talon Ironvault. Do this job well and… keep in touch. I could use someone of your talent. Here.”

  Talon reached into a pocket and pulled out something shiny Thalia couldn’t make out, which he handed to Miles. “Ask for me in any Registry office. They have ways of getting in touch. We can talk more, then.”

  “I will keep that in mind, sir,” Miles answered noncommittally.

  With that, Miles said his goodbyes and followed after the receptionist, while Talon kept staring down the hall for a few seconds before he turned back toward them. “Huh. That was unexpected,” he said after a moment before he shut the door and briskly headed toward one of the side chambers, while Thalia finally turned to Brie. Both shared a look, but neither said anything.

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  What was Miles up to?

  ***

  The door shut behind Miles as he purposefully but calmly walked down the hotel corridor. His thoughts were churning as he considered how he should proceed, but he didn’t let any of his concern show on his face. He smiled and bowed his head when the receptionist handed him what he needed to deliver and after confirming they had no more need for him, he made his exit with a pep in his step.

  Of course, he threw the Inquisitor’s token in storage. The stasis-effect and isolation should kill any potential divination magic from tracking it. He’d seen its likes in the past, and while none had been enchanted, he wasn’t willing to risk it.

  A few seconds later, he disappeared into the crowd and after dipping into an alley, he quickly put on a travel cloak and joined the crowd once more, using some inane chatter with the merchants to check behind him a couple of times and once he confirmed he wasn’t being followed, he made his way toward the alley in which he had left Hazel, only to find her sitting with her legs crossed against the wall. In her lap, a cat was dozing off and seeing him approach, she shushed him with a finger on her lips.

  Suffice it to say, Miles had no time for her shenanigans. But he did keep his voice low.

  “I didn’t see where Lott was, but Thalia and Brie are in there. The Inquisitor’s an Ironvault. High 20s. Some sort of Seeker, most likely, but I can’t tell which.”

  While Miles had never encountered this specific member of the Great House, he did clash with the faction a couple of times, especially when he’d been hanging around Quinn. Breaking into secure coffers and running heists was absolutely the sort of activity that would put him in conflict with one of the specialists in private and business security, and while he had kept his last series of loops mostly clean, the Ironvaults would definitely be one of the factions who’d take it upon themselves to capture him if they had the chance.

  It’d do wonders to their slipping reputation.

  The cat stretched, and Hazel scratched it under its chin. “That’s unfortunate. What’s the plan?”

  Miles casually paced, hands behind his back as he considered his options. While he had not heard either of his names mentioned through his short visit to the Inquisitor’s temporary fiefdom, the officer was most likely here for his secret persona. He had arrived here less than a week ago with a considerable splash, and seeing that Lott and the girls were in there, their activity ever since his return must have been noticed and/or reported. In fact, even his own appearance might have been noted. But no one had stopped him on the way in or on the way out, so maybe no one had gotten access to that tidbit?

  Still, the situation was a little precarious. The two personae were a little too close at this moment and sooner or later, he might attract some scrutiny. Summoning the assignment slips, he eyed them for a second while the sound of the market continued in the background as he paced.

  But then, an idea began taking shape, and Miles paused. There was maybe a way to create some more separation between himself and his secret identity. A pretty straightforward one that would only be possible to see through if someone knew about the capabilities of the Custodial Room. Which no one did aside from himself and Hazel.

  “I’m going to go see him,” Miles finally said. “But before that, I need to set a couple of things up.”

  Hazel silently cooed at the cat as she rubbed its belly. “Sounds good enough. Need my help? Or should I make myself scarce?”

  Miles scratched his chin for a second, eyeing the wall in front of him. He’d need to keep the room at the Inn, and he needed to keep the key active. But he’d need another couple of wardrobes, just in case.

  “I’ll send you to the garden. And I’ll be using the mask, so feel free to relax in there. Maybe check in on the plants?”

  “Good call,” the witch said as she cradled the cat and got up to her feet. “You sure you don’t need help?”

  She gave him a knowing gaze, and Miles understood her concerns. But he still shook his head. “I got it under control. And I’ll be using a Ghostshade Draught, so entry and exit should be quick.”

  “Oh?” she said, brow raised before her lips pulled into a wide grin. “Feeling rich, are we?”

  Miles grimaced. “Well… it’s that or walk through the main door or risk alerting the wall’s enchantments. Which I’m sure are there. I’ll be heading down soon, so I’ll have time to concoct a few more. The elixir itself isn’t that hard to make. It’s just the damn wraith-eels that are hard to get a hold of.”

  Hazel chuckled, dangling her fingers above the cat who tried to grab a hold of ‘em. “Well, seems like you got things figured out. Just find me a door and I’ll take this little girl here and wait for you in there.”

  Miles stared at her, then at the cat in her lap for a second before he sighed and glanced around until he found what he was looking for. A few yards away, there was a side door to one of the nearby stores. An employee entrance. Slotting the key into the wood, he swung the door open, ushered Hazel and her new cat into his Custodial Room, and shut the door behind him before closing the door and severing the connection by removing the key.

  But as he did, he looked down at the iron-wrought key, and frowned. There was something he hadn’t considered.

  Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the alley. It’d be easy enough to test, and he didn’t need to dwell on it right this second. “I guess we have a cat, now,” he grumbled, scanning the crowd. Shaking his head, he turned left and made his way toward the Crafter’s District. “First stop, a furniture store. I need some wardrobes.”

  ***

  With three new mundane wardrobes in his storage, Miles quickly headed back to the inn in which he was ‘staying’ and extended his stay by a few weeks. He would have loved to find some that were enchanted to be more resilient or less inconspicuous, but those would be either custom jobs or he’d have to get them somewhere deeper in the Dungeon.

  The innkeeper was more than happy with the news, quickly pocketing the gold coins before escorting Miles to his pristine, cleaned room. Once the door was shut behind him, Miles locked and used the same wardrobe he’d come through and entered the Custodial room.

  There was something he wasn’t sure of, and he had to make sure of it first.

  The last time he’d been in the Custodial Room, there had been a ghostly doorway to both the wardrobe in the Dungeon and the one he just used. Two exits out of the Custodial Room. One active, one dormant. But where had the doorway to their old home gone?

  He hadn’t paid attention to that question the last time he’d been in here, but now that he used yet another door—the employee’s entrance in the alley—he wasn’t sure what he was about to find.

  Back into his private space, Miles flexed his will and summoned all the doors he could summon, but only one showed up. One that had been only a few yards away from a small silhouette in the distance.

  It was the door to the alley. Which meant…

  “Only the last two exits are remembered,” Miles mumbled as he rubbed the back of his neck. He bit his lower lip and grimaced, then he turned and left. He was going to have to keep that in mind.

  Less than an hour later, Miles was standing in front of the checkpoint leading to the Dungeon Gate. There were a few delvers ahead of him. Some new. Some on a job. And with his very realistic ID in hand as well as two officially stamped assignment slips, he was let through with only a raised brow at the job rating. But the guard at the gate didn’t care much about who did what job, so he was let through.

  Four hours later, Miles found a crevice into the canyons leading down, put one of the wardrobes down and made his way back up to the surface through the inn exit, confirming on the way that the alley exit had disappeared before pulling a pale, glowing flask out of his storage and downing half of it.

  A cold, dreadful numbness spread out of his stomach, quickly engulfing all of his body as well as a couple of inches out of his skin. With a quick change of clothes, he put on a sleek, form-fitting suit, donned a bonnet under which he hid his hair and put on the Mask of Embers. Though this time, he didn’t let it flare out. Instead, he shaped the obfuscating fire into a pale corona of steel-gray flames that muffled his features and with this, Miles the Courier, the one who had been seen with Lott, Thalia, and Brie was officially and provably inside the Dungeon.

  It was maybe not the best shield to craft for his new identity, and the alibi might be see-through, but it will have to do.

  This fixes my issue. But even if I resolve things with the Inquisitor, he’s still holding on to Lott and the girls, he resumed as he opened the window. He couldn’t break them out, as that would immediately make them into suspects. He’d need to figure out a way of keeping an eye on things but right this second, he wasn’t sure how best to achieve that. But he’d figure it out.

  With a pulse of mana, Miles activated the effect of the draught, disappearing from sight, then left through the window.

  It was already dusk, and the streets were getting darker, only alight with whatever remained of the daylight and the soft glowing enchanted lanterns. It helped hide his presence, so once he was a block or so away from his inn, he disable the invisibility to save on his elixir and without wasting any more time, Miles hurried toward the Prince’s Rest.

  He had a meeting with an Inquisitor to get to.

  I feel like this chapter might be a little weak, but that could be me, and i don't want to delay it any further. Let me know if there are issues or if the pacing is off, I'll take note to fix in the future. Fresh eyes would help.

  12th of December. See you soon!