The tunnels beneath Istus were a complex series of interconnected alleys. Mauve, disguised in the appearance of the elf, Esteban, held a small candle close to the map.

“I guess the big red dot here is the headquarters of the organization. We’ll have to cross several tunnels to get there,” stated Mauve.

“I’ll stick close to you but I’ll stay in the shadows,”May said.

The little assassin shrouded herself with shadows and she disappeared in the darkness surrounding the light of the candle. Mauve kept walking until he heard the voices of two people chatting, one of a woman and the other of a man. What they were talking about was indiscernible. Mauve gulped and approached anyway.

“Okay May, stay back. I’m going in the chamber,” Mauve whispered.

He stepped into the dimly lit chamber and extinguished his candle.

“Hey, hello everyone! How have you been?” asked Mauve jovially.

“Oh hello! You must be Esteban the elf! We haven’t seen you around lately,” replied a young woman dressed in exotic clothes. She looked like one of those foreigners hailing from the north west of the continent. Either Akadia or Narima. 

There was a young brown-haired boy sitting near the lady, who was standing. He looked quite broody.

“Oh, look it’s the elf,” said the young man after staring at Mauve with untrusting eyes. “What do you want?” he said rather rudely.

“Oh I’m just passing by… um.. I ‘m sorry I don’t even recall your names,” replied Mauve.

“Oh that’s okay! I’m Aisha and the boy is Florian!” said the young lady as she smiled brightly.

Mauve smiled back. She was quite sympathetic but the bad faith the boy had in him dampened the atmosphere.

“I don’t think you should be so buddy-buddy with an elf Aisha. This race reeks of deceit. You should not be so trusting towards them,” said Florian.  

Mauve was a bit saddened by that remark. He was already being prejudiced.

“Oh don’t worry, Esteban is different and has a noble cause!” replied Aisha.

“By the way, Master Shalk was looking for you. I think you should meet him,” she said. “Follow me!”

Mauve followed Aisha as they walked through a series of dimly lit tunnels until they reached their destination. Mauve was apprehensive. He feared the master already. A young man with green eyes, black hair and gray skin left the main chamber followed by an orange-haired dwarf with a squared beard. They crossed Aisha and Mauve without even saying a hello. It was a pretty strange and glum encounter and Mauve thought the two were not in a mood to talk. 

“Master Shalk,” Aisha called out. “Esteban has returned and is here to meet you!”

From the depths of the chamber, a man with an eminent figure rose from a throne made of stone. His body and face were darkened by the dimness of the surroundings but as he approached his appearance was revealed. He was a man in his late forties, with platinum blonde hair and ice blue eyes and he wore a fine ensemble of royal blue cloth. He looked at Mauve and smiled, lifting his face and gazing haughtily at the shapeshifter, the reflection of the dim blue lights hitting his angular jawline for a rather impressive effect. He was a man of class from one of those high societies. What could he be up to with that organization? So many questions coursed through Mauve’s mind about the nature of that man and his goals. But none could be answered right now.

“Ah, Esteban, there you are. I was starting to think you would never come back,” started Shalk.

“Yes master. I am sorry for my absence. I was busy planning my next move,” lied Mauve.

“Oh, but you need to work with the organization. I created it for a purpose now, haven’t I?” said Shalk sharply.

“Oh, y-yes!” stuttered Mauve briefly.

“I already have a mission ready for you, Esteban,” said Shalk. “Florian!”

The middle aged man snapped his fingers as he called out the young man’s name. The boy named Florian appeared in a puff of smoke at the heed of his master’s call. Mauve could tell that he was a weird magic-user. He’d never seen this kind of trick before.

“Yes, master Shalk,” said Florian.

“You and Esteban will be going on a mission to Flor tomorrow,” stated the master.

Florian eyed Mauve from the corner of his eye.

“Why him?”he asked puzzled.

“Because he is a shapeshifter. We have to put his ability to good use. Therefore he will be shapeshifting as princess Goldie. As for you Florian, you will just play your part and pretend to be Goldie’s lover. The king of Flor will be disgusted and that will be enough to cause dissent among the ruling and the common class,” explained Shalk.

“What?! There’s no way I’m acting like the princess’ lover. And I’m not gonna act like that towards an elf of all things!” complained Florian.

Mauve wanted to snort but resorted not to.

“It is an easy task, Florian. If you really want to destitute king Flor that is,” said Shalk.

 “Alright…” replied the boy begrudgingly. 

Mauve went to his quarters for the first time. It was a very small room with a little lamp by the bedside. He felt tired and closed his eyes. He had to be ready and fit for tomorrow. While it felt sudden, he was almost thrilled by the idea of new adventures. Compared to his otherwise boring life at Velli castle, he had come to develop a taste for new and exciting trips and excursions.

***