Eliza left the apartment block with her escort trailing closely behind her. She let out a deep sigh and brushed her short brown hair out of her face. She grasped the strap of her guitar, making sure it rested securely on her back, her bag and crossbow attached to her hip. Time had escaped her while she had enjoyed the easy conversation with Julia; she should have left hours ago. She glanced at the paladin next to her, he was a tall human male, extremely easy on the eyes and wore shiny plate armor. She tried to remember his name, it was something like Tamir or was it Taz? It mattered not, since she’d most likely get a different paladin tomorrow. Her father had become extra protective of her lately since she had been targeted multiple times since she’d return to her home city, Highbridge. She understood his concerns, being his only daughter, but it was stifling. She was lucky that he allowed her to study with Julia, and that was only because she was a powerful wizard.

Letting out a sigh she walked the familiar streets home. It was a busy night for eateries and bars by the looks of it, she wished she could join in, but with the threat out there she had to behave and go straight home. She lit a smoke as she stepped onto one of the wide bridges that crossed the giant chasm that ran through the city; a remnant from the Cataclysm that had occurred over five centuries ago. It was remarkable what the city had rebuilt itself into.

There were multiple bridges at varying heights that supported buildings, flats and commerce. There wasn’t anything else like this in the known world.

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as she felt like she was being watched. She looked around to see if there was anything out of the ordinary, but did not notice anything apart from the usual admirers and looks of infatuation she was used to. Thankfully no one attempted to talk to her or convince her to join them for a drink, that may have had something to do with the paladin’s menacing aura keeping people away.

‘Eliza...’ A sickeningly sweet voice whispered into her mind which caused Eliza to go into a coughing fit, having inhaled her smoke the wrong way. Thumping her chest, she wiped the dew from her eyes before she looked around.

“Are you okay Lady Eliza?” The tall paladin asked her.

“Yes, just breathed in wrong.” She smiled at the man and continued walking.

‘Aww are you that excited to hear from me, sweetie?’ There it was again, this time she was prepared for it and could choose to ignore them this time.

‘You’ve been productive. Taking down cultists, bringing over two thousand dark elves to the surface, it’s exciting.’ Eliza’s eyebrow twitched as the onslaught of whispers continued, she tried her hardest to not respond.

‘I know you can hear me.’ The voice oozed with seduction, Eliza licked her lips before taking her final drag of her cigarette, she placed the butt in a nearby bin. She considered if she should get a pipe, it would make smoking tobacco much easier and provide less of a mess. Though maybe she could find one in her home, her father seemed like the type of person who would have a collection of pipes and kiseru.

‘You know I don’t like being ignored, Eliza.’ Their voice came through again, this time there was a hint of anger to it.

‘Gods can you not take a hint?! Leave me alone.’ Shit, Eliza had not meant to respond to her mentally, her incessant yammering annoyed her.

‘Would you like to say that to my face, preferably over dinner?’ She sounded amused.

‘No, Rin. I would not like to.’ Eliza decided it would be easier to respond curtly than to keep ignoring her, thankfully she was almost home and she would not have to hear her much longer.

‘Why are you behaving so coldly to me, Eliza? All I want is you and no one else.’ Rin responded to her. Eliza was sure if she could see her face she’d have a pitiful expression on it.

‘Goodnight Rin.’ Eliza walked through the front door of her home, a strong sense of magic radiated from it as she felt her mind shielded from any unwanted messages. Eliza glanced at the paladin who seemed to be at ease now that they had arrived at her father’s property without issue, unaware of the conversation she just had.