Chương 33: Preparations (to discover more)

The next morning a knock on my door pulls me out of my sleep almost before dawn has hit. Now I'm running down the hall, my leathers reminding me how badly I need Velina to fill my order. I can tell there are several people gathering in Aarron's office. Auras are becoming easier to detect now I've realized two elements are involved. If I just lean on water a little more, it's easier to differentiate. Deshan, Aarron's second is back. He's the closest we have to another Prefect-level assassin.

Mithris, the next in line of command is also there. He hasn't been around for a while though; I barely know what the man looks like. So that's two high level Adepts just waiting for these orders. Ellir, Dougrant, Lennick, and Lareny also appear to be there too. If all the information flowing into me from different sources is accurate. That's a lot of people for a run of the mill assignment. Though I guess Xan and I already established that it wasn't a simple mission.

Still, Aarron hasn't activated that cone of silence yet. Considering we'll be there shortly and are included in the meeting, I guess it'd be a waste of energy. My suspicions are aroused regardless. Obviously, if he has that measure of control over it, then he's deliberately been blocking my skills. What on earth is he up to? There's no time for me to dwell on that question. Xan meets me at the juncture of two of the halls, their face grim. Naturally though since they're even less of a morning person. Night owls.

The lot of us. We arrive at the overcrowded office and lean against the back wall. My senses are overloaded right now. There are so many auras in one tight spot, it's as loud as the marketplace of Korrien despite it being silent inside. Might have to avoid crowded spaces until I get this aura reading under control.

"Thanks for coming," Aarron says as if we had a choice. But he dives right into the reason and for that I'm grateful.

"We've received a missive from Sevrin. Sorrishen is having Enclave issues—there's been some unrest from within our own ranks. We're being asked to send some back up."

"Do we have any other details?" Lareny asks, her arms crossed.

"The information we've been sent seems vaguer than I'm used to seeing from Sevrin." That's a very good point. I watch Aarron for any signs of irritation or a show of why he's acting like this information hasn't been manipulated somehow. There's nothing. Not even the twitch of an eyelid. His answer is smooth and prepared.

"That's why I'm sending more than the usual two-person contingent. While it's too obvious to travel with a group, I feel this requires an adjustment. We will send out two delegations. The first will be announced. The second will not. They will arrive at most half a day from each other. For the sake of subtlety and the element of surprise." Mithris moves from where he's propped himself up in the corner. He's a tall, lanky man, in his late twenties with dusty brown hair.

I've never managed to make eye contact with him so that's always been a mystery. He tends to avoid most confrontation with other people who aren't his victims. At least as far as I've been able to tell. He cracks his neck from side to side before speaking in a tone that reminds me of death. Thrilling, welcoming, deadly.

"You're suspicious then? Of why Dendrak is mentioned and not Cedrik?"

"I'm cautious." Aarron corrects the assumption easily.

"There are too many rumors and coincidences not to be. Caution is, after all, one of the trademarks of our work." My interest is piqued anew. Cedrik is supposed to be the Prefect of Sorrishen. Not Dendrak. He's the second. Mithris nods and pauses for a moment before speaking again.

"I'll head out with the green members. Make sure no one tells them we're coming. The element of surprise is useless when spoiled." Aarron's eyes narrow slightly. Mithris is always so deliberate. He's ranked third in the Enclave, and yet always speaks like this—as if he's the boss. Going so far as to repeat what Aarron's directed in a different way though? I'm surprised he's not dead where he stands. He's far too good to chastise though.

And if Aarron didn't exist, I think Mithris might have been Prefect, even over Deshan.

"Thank you for that reinforcement" Aarron's tone holds only the barest hint of disdain. He shuts his mouth to stop from saying whatever else he was going to. He turns to me with a frown.

"Taria and Xalin you'll head out with Mithris. Taria, we're bumping you up to Journeyman right now. You can have a ceremony when you get back." I choke down a laugh. First up, what was that? Secondly—our ceremonies aren't anything grand. I know I'll enjoy a nice roast meal. Still. Journeyman right here and now—is unexpected. It involves a solid pay rise, too. What the hell is Aarron thinking? He doesn't wait for my response or even for me to process what he's said before moving on.

"Lareny, you'll need to take Ellir and Parra with you." I take note of that, hoping I hide my surprise. I've never seen Lareny on a mission before. Not that I think she's incapable, just that I would have liked to travel with her. I've not had much interaction with Parra and he's not here either. He's a recent Adept who joined us from another Enclave. Which one, I can't recall for the life of me.

"Your party," Aarron says, still speaking to Lareny, "will be our initial team. Sending you should shake them up. They won't expect it and might misstep. Communication is key. Whether you resort to our codes that you leave at points of contact or utilize scrying at prescribed intervals—we need to know what the rest are walking into. Keep in mind: we are not letting the Sorrishen Enclave know that we are sending two teams." Lareny nods, but she's more serious than I've seen her before.

"We'll need at least twenty-four hours before we leave. I need Lennick to prep some specific concoctions for us." She glances at me out the side of her eye. Lennick picks up straight where she left off.

"I'll need Taria for the next day or so then. I can't get what I need done without some extra help in such little time." Truth Serum. We haven't replenished it since Aarron took all of it back when we caught the Blood Mages. While not certain, I don't believe he got information out of the captives we took. I frown. It seems I'm no longer blocked from remembering that incident. It's clear in my head again, just like it should always have been. If only I knew how that worked.

Is it something we have to specifically concentrate on to kick the haze? Or is it time limited? I know I need more resources to figure that out. Aarron waves the request away as if it's already a given.

"Cancel the Novice and Apprentice classes for the next two days. That should give you enough time to prep. Until they've all left, I need you to give this undivided attention. This takes precedence." That's the first sign of worry I've seen Aarron exhibit since I handed him over Sevrin's missive. Sensations all around me flood my awareness. We're all on edge, even if Mithris seems more confident than anyone else. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Reading people's moods and inclinations is difficult at the best of times. In such a crowded space it's nigh impossible. They bleed into each other, play off each other. There's an uneasiness to all of the feelings though. It's fraught with uncertainty—with Mithris standing out as the lone wolf, unafraid of what's ahead. Perhaps that's what makes him brave enough to confront Aarron on a regular basis. It's either that or stupidity. I don't think it's the latter.

Still, the whole situation sends chills down my spine and I somehow know we're heading into a minefield. I can't help but recall the warning that fell from Minx's tranced lips. The Blood Sect is everywhere. The what ifs are strong.

"It'll take at least two days riding to get there and that's if you push your horses and Lennick and Taria create the potions to extend their stamina." Aarron looks at each of us. Putting our well-trained horses in danger is something none of us enjoy doing. It only lends to the weight of the situation. He continues once he knows we're all intent on his words. Even Mithris.

"It's not going to be as warm as usual out there on the coast. Not with winter approaching. Stay alert. Report everything." There's a round of nods all around the room. But still, something feels off.

"Go ahead and prep," Aarron says as everyone begins to move.

"Taria, Xalin. I need to see you both for a moment." Not having expected him to call us back, I stop short of leaving. Xan hasn't budged an inch from the wall, but their eyes are following Mithris and Parra who fall into conversation as they leave. It's the first time I've ever regretted not socializing more with my fellow assassins. Ironic perhaps, but nevertheless, knowing more about them would help me interpret the darker auras I feel them projecting.

"Taria. I didn't mean to spring your promotion on you like this, but sending too many Initiates along will cause a slight. So Xalin will be the only Initiate."

"Aren't you the Prefect of the entire order?" I ask, genuinely curious about this. The socio-political ramifications of sending specific people is something I find perplexing. The entire order is under Aarron's direction. Why would anyone sent by him cause a slight?

"It's more complicated than I have time to explain here. Suffice it to say: Prefects are all the highest-ranking members of the orders. When requesting help, sending too many fledglings can be seen as both a sign of insult to the person I'm giving the aide—or else a sign of weakness that I don't have others to send." Aarron's expression is pained, like it's a game he hates playing. Except I know for a fact that politics is one of his best skills. I'm obviously missing something.

"Keeping a delicate balance then?" I ask, trying to trace anything at all in his aura. But I still can't read him at all. He's enigmatic to the core. Something about that tells me he has too much control for a person without magic—and yet, I can't sense anything magical from him. Aarron flashes me a rare smile.

"Balance is something we always strive to keep." I think it's the first time he's outright lied to me. I'm certain of the lie, too. From the shimmer around him, the way the water and ground react. Definitely a lie. That's a skill I'll have to foster.

"Are we done, sir?" Xan asks, politeness oozing from them. They're irritated, that's the only time they're ever this nice. Aarron raises an eyebrow but doesn't bite.

"Mostly. Depending on your performance on this trip, Xan you'll likely be up for your own promotion. There are still a few boxes you have to tick." The surprise passes over my friend's face so fast I almost think I imagine it.

"I'll do my best then."

"See that you do." And now we've been dismissed.

"You're headed to the lab, right?" Xan asks quietly as we walk. I nod, focused mostly on creating a trail from Aarron's office. Perhaps if I'm more specific about what I want the rock to do for me, then it'll work.

"I'm not excused from helping to test the Novices and Apprentices." Xan flashes me a wan smile.

"Don't exhaust yourself creating new and stronger potions." Then they're gone. The lab is empty but for Lennick when I reach it. I stand at the door watching him for several seconds. He's moving around with purpose and I know the ingredients he's picking out are for the truth serum we need. There's also datura extract curing to add into the scrying water. The portable scrying. bowls require more of our distilled potion to help us reach farther with accuracy. But there's something else he's prepping too.

"Are you done watching, or were you waiting for something?" he asks without even looking up at me. This. It feels normal. Like back before all of this magical stuff revealed itself to me. It's just how I would come and help Lennick in my spare time. To spend that little bit more time with the plants and the herbs. Getting my hands dirty so to speak. I miss this. Magic feels like so much more danger than I expected. Myth became my reality. I can't rewind time. That's illogical.

So, I take a step into the lab, decision made in that precise instant. If I can't trust Lennick, then I've misjudged everyone around me. I close the door behind me.

"What do you know about milking the Geistersinner Spider?" Lennick pauses in what he's doing before raising his eyebrows at mem questioningly.

"That's an oddly specific enquiry. Care to elaborate?" Not my finest moment. May not have thought this through as well as I should have.

"The memory altering properties are fascinating."

"And you think you've detected its use?" There's a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. I narrow my eyes at him.

"You already know?"

"Know what?" It takes me a moment to count to five so I don't snap at him.

"I've been having trouble remembering the Blood Golem attack."

"Mhm." That's all Lennick says. But he watches me, like he wants me to piece things together.

"Would the Geister extract cause a cloud of memory disruption? Potentially?" There, I asked it.

"In skilled hands – it's probable." I nod, glad that he confirmed my suspicions, but at the same time I wish he'd given me more information. Instead of dwelling on it, I gather several of the ingredients I'll need from the cabinet, before turning back around to face him.

"He knows, Lennick." My mentor's head whips up and he looks at me, his expression incredulous.

"What?"

"I didn't tell him. But I don't need to tell him. He's always known." I can practically see the gears ticking over in Lennick's head. Just like they do in the clock tower in Korrien. The cogs working together in synchronicity. It clicks in the same amount of time it took me. He's a clever one. Just like me.

"How do you know for certain?"

"It's a memory. Something from my past I didn't recall until recently." That way I don't drag Minx into anything. I told Xan about her without her permission and I already feel guilt for that. Guilt has no place in an assassin's head. Lennick doesn't need to know. My mentor watches me for a few moments before pursing his lips in thought.

"Is that why you asked about the spider?" I shake my head. He nods and continues.

"Has he spoken to you about it?"

"Not yet."

"Then how can you be certain?" I see Lennick's logic, and yet it also makes me wonder.

"Because he isn't the only one whose been aware of it for quite some time. My parents knew too." His expression softens.

"Ah. At least your skills in alchemy make a lot more sense then. If they knew, I can see why your mother trained you like she did."

"As a child, I didn't even realize what she was doing." I'm at the table now. There are so many differing plants spread out. I frown as I place my haul from the cabinet down, and change the subject.

"Truth Serum? Scrying formula…but what are the rest for?" I know. I just want to hear him say it. Lennick meets my eyes.

"Some are for antidotes. Just in case. It might be a part of our order, but we aren't the most trustworthy profession." I find myself smiling. That's the truth. But he hasn't told me what I want to hear yet. Most of all, I want the why. He fingers one of the longer plants. It looks almost lavender like, except it's the wrong color and consistency. I cross my arms.

"This… this isn't an antidote, Lennick. What aren't you all telling us?" A part of me understands that people get information based on a need to know. But if I'm headed into the same situation armed with less information—that's a recipe for disaster in my eyes. It's a bad idea to startle someone who can bury you alive. Aarron should know better. The silence builds on my irritation. I've noticed since discovering this gift of mine that my temper frays a bit faster. I behave more irrationally than I'd like.

There are more instances that generate anger or annoyance in me. My rigid control and thought process get interrupted by the influence of the elements around me. I'll need to watch that, especially when executing contracts. Speaking of which, Aarron hasn't sent me out on any since the Town Hall incident. If I wasn't so meticulous about training my skills and aim, I'd have lost sharpness by now.

"Taria, are you listening?" Lennick sounds like he's been trying to get my attention. That's another difference. I get lost in the elements and in my thoughts far more frequently. These aren't good changes. Being aware of them means I can watch for them though.

"Sorry. Rode a train of thought." I glance at him, placing the plant back on the table.

"What?"

"We're bringing our usual arsenal of poisons, antidotes, and Orwellian Dream, just in case we find someone we need answers from." Lennick flashes me a tight smile. Again, there's more he's not mentioning. Like they have suspicions but don't want to voice them where everyone can hear. But at least he mentioned the name of the actual drug.

"Fine. But if we get surprise attacked and I accidentally bury twenty people alive this time. I'll blame you all for not coming clean and telling me what this is all about." I turn my attention to brewing what we need and condensing the power to levels that are more potent. Lennick is silent for a few minutes. To the extent that I think he's just given up on the conversation. Then he sighs and I wait.

"Any attack you face, won't be concealed in the first place. But for what it's worth, I believe Aarron wants to keep you, Xan, and Parra out of the loop. We all know every single person involved in this Sorrishen ordeal. But you all have a fresh perspective. Perhaps, if you're not apprised completely of the situation, you'll notice something we would otherwise not." I nod. That makes sense.

"It's a wise decision then." Pity for them I'm already certain this has to do with the Blood Sect. Between the book, the secrecy, and the messages Minx's vessel gave me—I feel like the message is crystal clear. I've increased the potency of every single potion I'm mixing. It's imperative I notate the different dosage on this bottle of Orwellian Dream. That's when everything clicks together in my mind. Most people using Dream on a regular basis wouldn't even look at the label.

They'd simply apply the same dosage as usual. But this dosage level is far more lethal than usual. Judging my creations on the surface could easily lead to misinterpretation. We can't judge the situation we're going into based on Sevrin's message, or our expectations. We can't afford to assume anything.