Noarwin passed under the city’s northern gate where the roar of a river overpowered all other sounds. Mist curled from white water and spread across the slope leading to it. Noarwin navigated the carved path down and then crossed a massive stone bridge over the beast. The mist thickened, blocking sunlight and turning the sky twilight. Trees lifted overhead, their leaves knitting a canopy that grew thicker the further Noarwin traveled. The vegetation, earlier limited to grass, blossomed into glowing flowers and light-bearing bushes. The blue-hue of the wood deepened, and Noarwin stopped when a figure appeared in his path.

“Who enters the Mist Wood?” they called.

“Gavriel Noarwin, a friend of the Mist Dwellers,” Noarwin replied.

“Welcome, Gavriel Noarwin. Your companion is waiting for you.” The silhouette broke and joined the mist. Noarwin's gaze skipped across the immediate vicinity, but the watcher was nowhere in sight. Noarwin crossed the threshold and entered a world detached from the one he spent his days in.

He had entered the High Plane from which magic found its way to all others. He followed its path, careful not to stray less he get lost and then end up in unfavorable company. Glowing runes on stones marked his way, blades of grass bowing over the path in favor of their faint blue light. The fog closed up behind him, his vision no further than six feet ahead. Then he came upon the stone as tall as three men before the trees grew denser. It peeked at a disjointed point, a glowing symbol at the top center.

Captain Fairwind stood before it, reflecting the forest’s glow.

“Arne, I thought I might find you here,” Noarwin said coming to stand beside him.

“It is a good a place as any other to reflect,” Captain Fairwind replied. “What news?”

“I’ve learned from a source there is someone who may have answers. Have the names Daliah, Gessy, Ruby, or Gunilla crossed your sight?”

Captain Fairwind stayed quiet, his one blue eye intense. “She is in the city. I leave her to you.”

Noarwin nodded before bowing as he stepped backward, but Captain Fairwind stopped him.

“It’s time to upgrade, Gavriel. Trade in your saber.”

Noarwin paused at the information but needn’t be told twice. Captain Fairwind’s cryptic command gave Noarwin room to use the methods that suited him and presented a rare opportunity to shop for himself. But the first meant he’d likely have a run-in with Sir Sefu. Not that Noarwin minded. Despite Sefu’s exasperation at having to come after Noarwin for overstepping boundaries the council imagined applied to him, Noarwin and Sefu considered themselves important allies. Especially since Sefu couldn’t stand dealing with Captain Fairwind directly.

Noarwin retraced his steps. He caught sight of the Watcher as he left the mist. It did nothing save remain in place, its ambiguous figure poised to confront those who found the entrance Captain Fairwind had placed there for his convenience. So far, Noarwin hadn’t heard of anyone finding it. Even Noarwin needed to be shown the way. The first time he secretly followed Arne there, he became lost only to have the captain come for Noarwin himself. They'd been younger back then, but not by much.

Noarwin spent his trek considering his options. Perhaps he should include Sefu in on this one? Though Noarwin doubted the Council Guardian would have any leads on a nameless, faceless wizardess. He tread toward the city center anyway. The bridge that crossed over the lower part of the capital carried carriages back and forth. Guards patrolled or traveled to their assigned posts. A very few nobles chose it as their pedestal for parading themselves. Ladies fanned their necks and faces under the proud sun. A few looked faint. Gentlemen in their finery squinted in the brightness and pretended they didn't sweat under their heavy adornments.

Noarwin recognized one young lady, who peeked shyly at him. He sent her a secretive smile, which lit a blush across her face. She turned away, the circlet on her brow catching a flash of sunlight. Noarwin smirked to himself. He’d taught the innocent little thing a trick or two, but he didn’t cross the line. Sweet things like her didn’t need the trouble it would cause. He got the information he wanted from her with a few whispers and strokes, a farewell kiss not quite on the lips too. It had been enough, and the servant who stole from the castle archives never discovered that the young lady who happened to see him at the wrong place at the right time, sent him to prison. Noarwin didn’t target any specific class, though the nobility would argue otherwise.

He passed the castle guard with a wave. They knew his face and his purpose and let him go without stopping him. Noarwin traveled through the expansive courtyards of maze-like gardens and white gravel paths toward the servant’s entrance. From there he trudged up the spiral stairs of the first tower. Heavy violet and turquoise tapestries bearing gold stars fluttered in arched openings to allow ventilation throughout the palace. Eventually, Noarwin popped out in a back hall. He looked left then right and then crossed to the door in front of him. It led into another set of halls, which he followed to a corner of the palace. The turquoise carpet, with a gold-tan diamond pattern, led him over a tiled stone floor. The one he followed opened up to an expansive breezeway that turned into several balconies guarded by columns atop a guardrail of several hourglass-shaped posts. The blue sky spread over a bright horizon as brushstroke clouds reflected a white sun. Noarwin passed under it and the shadows it cast until he came upon a handsomely embellished door. There, he knocked.

“Yes, come in!” a voice called from within.

Noarwin smiled to himself and obeyed. He entered an expansive room, around which the breezeway continued. Several large tables dotted throughout. One showed maps of all known Roes, another displayed a map of the Valador Empire and its neighboring kingdom, Nytvale, which Feri had earlier referred to as The Stride Lands. Noarwin’s gaze lingered on it a little longer than the other tables full of documents, measuring tools, and astronomy implements. It seemed some figures had been placed in a tactical arrangement still under consideration between the kingdom’s borders.

“Noarwin?” A soft, alto voice, which Noarwin used as inspiration whenever he needed to change his, drew up his gaze. A young woman only an inch shorter than himself appeared among the many research items. Her chocolate skin was darker than her twin brother, Sefu’s, and her eyes both silver. Her hair lay in waves down her back and kept pinned away from her face with golden clips. Her sheer and silk dress ribboned around her like a cape and drew in all the lights of purple and maroons. Exquisite embroidery lined the skirt and neckline while a sari draped across her so the long end fluttered behind her. An intricate gold earring cuffed her ear and crossed the side of her face with a gold chain, which attached to a diamond stud in her nose.

“Manjeet.” He smiled and opened his arms, which the handsome young woman entered gladly.

She pulled away and stroked his cheek. “You look tired, Noarwin.”

“Leave it to you to notice my burden.” He sighed dramatically. “I had a visit from your brother.”

Her lovely features drew into a scowl. “What has he done this time?”

“Only obeyed the council’s command of keeping me in line,” he grinned.

Manjeet huffed and turned away. “Those old, decorative warts. Her Majesty has chosen a bunch of self-important fools to council her.”

“You are certainly the only flower among them.” Noarwin went to a counter where he lit a stove to start brewing tea.

Manjeet came up behind him and drew her arms around his chest. “You need to rest, Noarwin.”

He patted her hands. “When there’s time.”

“Should I speak with Captain Fairwind?”

Noarwin laughed and turned to pinch her cheeks. She let him, for he was gentle. Unlike Sefu. “My dove, but though you are sweet, you and I know that man is looking for something, and nothing, not even fatigue, will stop him. Everything I do is a means to his end, and I honestly don’t mind.”

“No. A nobody from the stockade would not deny the man that saved him,” she said, her voice and gaze heavy in meaning.

Noarwin grinned to counteract her seriousness. “You understand me so well. Now. Have a seat.” He brought her porcelain and gold leaf kettle to the table she kept clean for eating and served her.

Manjeet sat down and sighed as she sunk her cheeks into her hands. Noarwin’s gaze flickered to the war table.

“And what is that over there you’ve set up?” he asked.

“You mustn’t spread rumors, Noarwin. We haven’t declared war yet.”

“But there is an intention to?” he asked.

“If Nytvale is involved in the magic towers falling and the depletion of Valador’s magic, yes. The Empire relies too much on mana to make excuses for our neighbors. And the council is adamant that Nytvale is responsible.”

“Is that because they have proof or because it is the land of monsters?” Noarwin asked.

“Are you calling yourself a monster, Noarwin?” Manjeet lifted her cup and sipped it. She sighed. “Your tea is always better than mine.”

“Thank you.” Noarwin sat across from her and took up his own cup. “And yes. Am I not a monster? At least, in the empire’s eyes?”

Manjeet sucked in her lips and looked away. “You know Sefu and I don’t think of you that way.”

“Yes, and I love you both for that among all the other reason I regard you each so highly. Even if Sefu can be overbearing.”

“Ha! He’s not your brother,” she scoffed with an added roll of her eyes.

Noarwin’s tight lips lifted into a small smile. “And what a blessing that is. Now. I have some information I wish to pass on to you, as the only Council Member I trust.”

“Oh?” Manjeet set her cup down and looked at him with all intent and attention as she pulled out a notebook and pen from her dress.

“The moon wells in Waywin are broken,” he began, and she started scratching notes, all emotion detached as she accepted the news. “The white stag was killed by rogues, who are likely connected to the moon wells' destruction. The tree keeper has taken on the stag’s mantle. He is here and has found the first of whom he will rely on to fulfill his quest.”

“Their names?” Manjeet asked.

“I cannot give them to you,” he said.

Her silver eyes flickered up to meet his and narrowed.

“They are currently connected to one of the magic tower’s destruction. I promised to protect them until they could prove their innocence, or I find proof contradicting their claims.” Though he believed in the stag and what led him, Noarwin had yet to decide the exact form of his companion's innocence. As much as he wanted to trust Silas, Feri for being relatable and sweet, and Asinis for his modesty and eagerness to protect her, Noarwin didn't yet.

“Have you informed them of that last part?” Manjeet inquired as if sensing what he kept to himself.

“Is it not implied?” he asked.

“Do you believe them?” she pressed.

Noarwin didn’t answer. Manjeet took a breath and returned to her notes. “What else?”

“A contact has claimed that some woman, whose name and face change, is likely involved with the magic tower attacks. He says she is a part of an organization hoping to liberate the Valadorian Empire of magic. Whether it is to use that power themselves alone or to rid it entirely, he has not considered nor heard.”

“Does this organization have a name?” Manjeet asked.

“He did not seem to know.” A frustrating fact for Noarwin.

“And they and this woman are real?” Manjeet stared at him somewhat skeptical. He didn't blame her. As a council member and a woman who studied the stars, it was her job to ask and prove.

“He thinks so." Noarwin shrugged.

“Do you trust him?” she asked.

Noarwin, his legs crossed, gazed at nothing without offering a word.

“Hmph.” Manjeet tucked her notes away. “I will pass the news to Sefu. Is there anything specific he can use while keeping an eye out for this nameless, faceless woman?”

“My darling," Noarwin sighed and stretched out his arms, "I fall in love with that mind of yours every visit. My contact believes she is poor at magic and so will likely have one or more rings like the ones in my possession. The kind that will alter her appearance. Sefu has seen them.”

“He has. I will give him your message.”

“Thank you, dove.” Noarwin drank the last of his tea and stood. “Now. I will let you return to your work. I have my own to get to.”

“Very well.” Manjeet walked him to the door. “Take care of yourself, Noarwin. Otherwise, I will speak to Captain Fairwind. He cares for you, though he may not express it, and will be frustrated if he learns you have overworked yourself.”

“Then I rely on you not to say anything. Though I respect and adore you, the captain, I fear. I harbor no thrill in being chastised by him.”

“Then actually sleep tonight.”

Noarwin kissed her hand, his fingers lingering around hers as his thumb brushed into her palm. They stood in silence. His gaze studying their linked fingers and feeling the gentle pulse in her wrist. He winced at its subtle flutter then took a breath as if he’d spent that time considering her command. “If my lady wishes.” He spirited away, his coattails trailing behind him in the breeze he created around himself, and he left the most clever and precious woman he knew behind.