The Underground Town was incredible. As the carriage moved through its intricately planned underground road system, shops and businesses aligned the road and people moved dexterously,about their business. The place was something straight out of a fairy tale. Why hadn't anyone heard of this? Why hadn't she heard of this?

"Is this a secret?"

"No my lady"

"I mean, is this a secret to the other regions?"

"No. The people of the North simply do not talk about it to outsiders and most outsiders never visit the North during winter, my lady"

They arrived at a junction where the road branched into three. They continued straight.

"Where do the other roads lead?"

"One road leads to a part of the town with inns and another to the craftsmen, although, they aren't quite well constructed due to the few craftsmen and inns in the region."

That's when it hit her. This maid, the maid knew quite a lot for just a mere maid.

"You're not just a maid are you?"

Denise felt it better to confront her. She would still need her to inform her of all the happenings in her fief and her castle.

"No my lady."

"What is your role?"

"I am your maid and personal assistant my lady"

Denise paused. She liked her. She had a cunning tongue, how it would be used would be detrimental to assess.

"What's your name?" Denise asked.

"Patsy, my lady"

"Well Patsy, I hope we can get along."

The maid smiled.

They arrived at a heavily guarded gate. Numerous guards and a magician stood at the gates. They spoke to the coach man and one of the guards came to the door. He opened the door and peered inside.

Denise stared at him passively.

"My lady" he bowed," The carriage will have to stay outside, my lady. Only you and your maid are allowed to pass."

"Alright then" she smiled and got out.

"Could you lead me to Harry Wellington?" she asked

"I will get someone to guide you, my lady" he bowed and ushered them inside a small door in the middle of the massive gate.

A knight came forward this time.

"Greeting my lady" he bowed politely.

"Greetings."

"My name is Sir Redfield and I will guide you"

"Thank you Sir Redfield." she smiled and he led them into the building. She recognized the place once she was inside. They came in through a rather unforgettable entrance the previous time.

It was a workshop. Denise smiled as Sir Redfield opened the door and announced her. She walked in and there was Harry seated on a newer and cleaner desk with his tools and surrounded by the black ore.

"You may leave" she ordered the maid and the knight. They bowed and left, closing the door behind them.

Silence.

"Its safe to talk" he spoke in his Cygan tribal language. It was so familiar and welcoming. Harry had taught her the language should they ever need a secret means of communication. He was oath sworn to her.

"You knew" she replied in the same language.

"The oath did not break" he said and looked at her "How?"

"A curse passed down to my family."

"Switching bodies?"

She repeated the word. It was too difficult for her to understand, except the last part, it was something to do with bodies, that is until he made the motions with his hands and she understood.

"It appears so."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"Survive" she took a seat and opened her purse revealing the papers she had drawn on earlier.

"The duke wants to start a business and take over the economy"

Harry looked at her sharply.

"That is how I can survive, give him the tools he needs to do it and serve as his wife."

"Have you tried leaving?"

"It can't be done. It would end my family. My mother would be the scapegoat."

"I disagree" he said "your mother left the Hildebrands after you were confirmed to be dead.

"What?" Denise was shocked, "Where is she?"

"I don't know. She came to my shop to thank me for everything I'd done for you. She carried everything in a single carriage"

Denise was shocked. Her mother was gone? Disappeared? To where?

"We have to track her" Denise said. She was panicking.

Harry wasn't listening to her. He was looking at her drawings.

"This" he spoke in the Imperial language, "What is this?"

Denise wasn't thinking right. She had to leave and find her mother. She could be in danger for all she knew. Her mother was a frail woman with no capabilities of surviving in the outside world...

"Keep your head girl" Harry spoke in the tribal language, "Don't make mistakes now. You'll find her eventually."

Denise sighed. She was going to find Hildebrand and strangle him.

"Its a communication device. We can use this to reel in the Merchants Guild. Give us workers and suppliers while giving them a product of the century."

"An easier means of communication for the region." they both said at the same time. Denise smiled, it was wonderful working with Harry again but it was discouraging knowing that her mother was gone, disappeared into the wind.

Harry smiled. He took a pencil and began to draw on top of her drawings, adding all the fine and essential details she didn't have on her sketch.

"When can I get a prototype to present to the lord?"

"A week" '

"Okay Harry, I will let you get started."

She left the workshop and the maid and knight were outside waiting for her.

"My lord wishes to see you" the knight said, she nodded and she was led to the office side of the mines. Miners whacked tirelessly around her, some going underground in disheveled clothes and rusted tools. Worker's morale must be terrible.

She walked into the lord's office and there was the man, sitting in his comfortable chair, smoking a cigar and his very handsome face, highlighted by the smoke. It was a tempting situation.

"Colette" he said and she froze. What?

"My lord" she said coming out of whatever illusion he had placed her in.

"Come" he extended his arm and she had no choice but to take it. He pulled her closer and she fell on top of him. His hand went to her waist and his face was on her neck. He smelt like alcohol.

"Care for a quickie in the office, my lady?" his voice was made for this, she thought, seducing the daylights out of her.