The next morning, Mauve woke up very early. He had to go to Flor today. He’d never been there before  and wondered how the environment and people looked like in that little kingdom. He yawned and rose from his bed and stretched his arms and legs. During his sleep his appearance had shifted back to his original self, so he had to be very cautious about it. He quickly changed back into the elf. Instead of wearing his default red suit he now had a long yellow robe, the one the elf used to wear.

“Hey, Mauve,” whispered a little voice.

Mauve jumped out of fright. May was hiding in the dark little room. She had appeared and removed her shadow shroud.

“Good morning, May,” greeted Mauve after letting out a sigh of relief.

“Morning,” replied the young girl. “I heard what the leader of the organization said yesterday. So you’re already going on a mission?” said May.

“Yes, I don’t really know how things will unfold,” said Mauve. “But I have to go along with the organization’s plans right now, I don’t have a choice.”

“I’m sorry if you have to do this. It’s my fault,” expressed the young assassin sadly.

“It’s alright, May. I believe everything will be just fine! Don’t worry,” reassured Mauve. 

Mauve patted her head.

“You stay cautious. I’m leaving but I’ll be back!” said Mauve.

“Alright, Mauve. Good luck and be careful,” wished May.

May covered herself in shadows and slinked back into the darkness while Mauve headed out to meet Shalk and Florian again.

***

A few minutes later, Mauve entered the main chamber where Shalk usually held his meetings with the grey members. As he stepped in, Shalk’s voice boomed and greeted him. He jumped at the power of the master’s voice but greeted him back.

“Salutations, master Shalk,” said Mauve. “I am ready to head to Flor.”

“Let us wait for Florian,” said Shalk, to which Mauve nodded.

A few minutes later, Florian stepped into the chamber. He looked groggy like he did not sleep well last night and greeted the master as he tried to shake off his sleep.

“Yes, I hired a carriage for the two of you. Head above to Istus city. The transportation is near an old textile shop called “Amaline” in the shopping district,” stated Shalk.

“Yes, master,” uttered Mauve and Florian in unison.

And the two acolytes left the chamber and headed up to the city of Istus.

Near the textile shop "Amaline", a small carriage was waiting for Florian and Mauve. It was not modest but not too luxurious either. Anyway, they would have a comfortable trip to Flor. The driver hustled at the arrival of the two young men and mounted the carriage.

“Alright, get ready and get in, Flor should be about an hour away,” said the driver.

Mauve and Florian took their seats. When they were properly settled, the driver whipped his horse and they headed out for the roads that led to Flor.

***

During the little trip, Mauve and Florian remained relatively silent. There was some tension between them from their innate distrust for one another. They crossed a lake and a forest and like the driver stated they saw buildings in the distance after approximately an hour. It was Flor. It had pretty solid and intricate architecture with arched structures and windows made of colored glass, which were very pleasant to look at.

“So this is Flor? The neighborhood looks pretty luxurious,” remarked Mauve.

“Wait till you see the slums,” said Florian bluntly. “I don’t think your remark would hold any water.”

Mauve frowned and squinted at the boy’s rudeness but let it go. He was not in it to start an argument right now. 

“Alright! It’s time to get off!” declared the carriage driver as he halted his horse. “I’ll be staying in Flor district until you finish your task.”

And with that, Florian and Mauve got out of the carriage. Florian pointed in the direction of a very vast garden. 

“We’re heading there,” said Florian to Mauve.

“Huh, why?” asked Mauve curiously.

“The princess takes morning strolls in Flor gardens. You’ll be able to see her there and copy her appearance,” said Florian.

“Ah, yes,” agreed Mauve.

The duo hid behind a gigantic tree and peeked at the entrance from behind it. They heard a young girl humming a tune as she neared the decorated entrance of the garden. She was holding flowers in her hand and was accompanied by two guards as she held the skirt of her expensive flower blue dress with her other hand. A golden pendant dangled from her necklace. It must be the princess, Mauve thought.

“Did you have a good look?” asked Florian.

Mauve nodded and as the princess left with her guards, he took her appearance, his features softening. He now had big round baby blue eyes and wore a sophisticated hairdo of pale blond locks while wearing the blue gown and gold pendant. Florian was quite impressed even if he held back this sentiment.

“Alright, lend me your arm,” said Florian. Mauve held his arm and they entered the beautiful gardens of Flor. He was blushing for some reason which puzzled Mauve a little. After all, the princess was quite beautiful, thought Mauve. It felt so strange to look like a woman.  

As the fake couple strolled down the gardens, Mauve used the opportunity to ask a few questions.

“Anyways, Florian. Why do you serve Shalk?” asked Mauve.

“That’s none of your business,” said the boy as he frowned.

“Ah, okay,” replied Mauve, disappointed. 

As they walked, people could not stop staring at them. The common folk and aristocrats in the surroundings were befuddled by this unlikely pairing.

“Look, it’s the princess. What is she doing with a filthy commoner?” questioned a nobleman in clear disgust.

People started talking in ushered tones as they passed by.

The atmosphere was very unsettling and tense as all eyes were on them so Florian and Mauve decided to leave for a more quiet corner in the gardens. As they reached a lonely spot, Florian, who was very embarrassed by the shame he and Mauve were subjected to for their ridiculous parade together, let go of Mauve’s arm and held his forehead.

“I’ve never been so ashamed in my life. I had to let go of my honor for this silly mission!” uttered Florian.

“Hey, at least it’s done. I think the rumors will spread fast enough. We should leave Flor,” suggested Mauve.

“Shh..” hushed Florian while placing his index finger over his lips.

Florian’s eyes scoured the place. He felt that they were being watched and followed. There was someone in the corner he could not see. So he stuck his hand underneath his coat and took out a stick that was longer than him from it. Mauve was startled. That had to be one of Florian’s strange magical faculties. 

Florian lifted the stick and was about to hit it in the dark corner that troubled him when a big hand abruptly grabbed it. Florian was shocked as a very broad and muscular man with a bald head came out of hiding while holding his stick. He hit Florian with it and sent him flying into a tree trunk. The brown-haired boy slumped to the ground in pain. Mauve was about to shout when another man placed his hand over his mouth while a third one grabbed his arm. They tied a piece of cloth around Mauve's mouth to prevent him from making any noise as he struggled and his words were muffled. The bald man then grabbed the fake princess and lifted her over his shoulder like a sack. And the trio of kidnappers left.

“No. the elf!” thought Florian as his vision blurred and he fell unconscious.

*** 

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