The Valtorian prince, in the peak of his anger, had ordered the slaughter of everyone in the palace. The massacre left the grand halls eerily silent and the entire kingdom shaken. With the staff decimated, the palace was desperate for new workers. Jana saw her opportunity.
The identity documents of the time were simple, easily forged. Jana created a new persona for herself: Agnes, an orphan with no family ties. Given the dire need for staff, the palace was accepting almost anyone who could work. As long as one didn't have obvious disabilities, the job was nearly guaranteed.
Jana, now Agnes, was skilled in many things, but mundane duties like cleaning, cooking, and serving were not among them. Her lack of experience soon drew unwanted attention. The other servants noticed her mistakes, the awkward way she handled simple tasks, and the frequency with which she broke things.
Somehow, amidst her fumbling attempts at domestic chores, she managed to secure a dormitory room to herself. Perhaps it was luck or the sheer disorganization within the palace, but she was grateful for the privacy. It allowed her a space to think and plan, away from prying eyes.
In her solitude, Jana reflected on her situation. She had escaped one danger only to plunge into another. The palace was a treacherous place, filled with people who could expose her at any moment. She had to be careful, to learn quickly and adapt to her new role.
Every day was a new challenge for Jana. She struggled with tasks that seemed second nature to others. Mopping floors, polishing silver, and serving meals were fraught with mishaps. The other maids, particularly Lady Evelyn, took notice. Evelyn, who prided herself on her impeccable service, was quick to criticize and belittle Jana’s efforts.
"Agnes, can’t you do anything right?" Evelyn sneered, her eyes cold and judgmental. "If you keep this up, you'll be back on the streets in no time."
Jana bit her tongue, swallowing the retort that sprang to her lips. She couldn’t afford to draw more attention to herself. Instead, she nodded meekly and tried harder, her hands trembling with the effort of getting everything just right.
For Jana, sleep was a luxury. By day, she was a maid; by night, she pursued any lead that might bring her closer to the timekeepers or the orb. She quickly realized that she couldn't follow every clue or cover even a fraction of the vast kingdom alone. What she needed was more people. She nostalgically remembered her days of leadership in the Office of Time, where nothing ever failed, and problems were solved with such precision and harmony, thanks to the abundant number of officers. It had been a delight to work for the organization. But now, she had nothing—no manpower, no money, and none of her futuristic gadgets.
Jana understood that she needed money—the foundation of any society, regardless of time or place. Every well-established civilization was driven by a single, universal object: money.
She utilized her knowledge from the future about the past—about murders, thefts, crimes—knowing very well the consequences if she didn't recover the orb and restore everything that was being altered by their mere presence in this era. Both she and the other timekeepers were like viruses in the timeline, causing the future to change unpredictably.
Her name started to be mentioned frequently in the black markets. They called her "The Foreseer." Her skills were so exceptional that some attributed them to mystical powers given by the devil, while others were convinced she had informants in high social circles.
One evening, during one of her secret outings, Jana sat in a hidden resting room she often used to catch brief moments of sleep. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old wood and parchment. She heard the door creak open, signaling the arrival of a client. Quickly, she pulled her veil over her face and stepped forward to welcome the guest.
The man entering the room was trying hard to conceal his noble status, but his perfect features, dark hair, and the fine cloak he wore betrayed him. Every movement he made was elegant and deliberate.
"Good evening," Jana greeted him, her voice calm and composed.
"Good evening," the man replied, his tone equally measured. "I hear you possess... unique information."
Jana nodded, maintaining her composed demeanor. "Indeed. What is it you seek?"
The man hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I need information about Princess Moriana."
Jana's eyes, hidden behind the veil, narrowed slightly. She had anticipated this request eventually. "I can find what you seek and send it to your manor."
The man's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know I live in a manor?"
Jana stayed silent for a moment, her gaze unwavering. "Goodnight, sir," she said, attempting to end the conversation abruptly.
The man, not easily deterred, insisted, "No. I will come to pick up the information in a week. Same place, I assume," he said, handing over a portion of the agreed-upon payment.
Jana considered this for a moment and then nodded accepting the pouch of money. "One week from now it is."
As the nobleman left, Jana's mind raced. She had been prepared for someone to come seeking information about Princess Moriana, but now she needed to know who he was. Despite her confident front, she realized she knew nothing about this mysterious client.
Her business expanded to include high nobility and even foreign dignitaries that besides mundane matters like investing in one ship over another because the latter would sink, or knowing what dress would be the new trend, and if it would rain tomorrow, they were keen on knowing their monarchs' death dates and their own chances of ascending to the throne.
Her network became so successful that she established various front shops throughout the kingdom, ranging from laundries and bookstores to high-end establishments like couture houses and jewelry stores, each with a secret code to get access to the real business. Money was no longer an issue for Jana. The searches for time travelers became more frequent and effective, and with her swift success, her presence began to be mentioned within the palace walls.
In the chamber of lords, the crown prince and heir sat alongside several nobles, advisors, and generals. They discussed how to quell the unrest among the people and the urgency of finding Princess Moriana. Suddenly, a guard captain interrupted to report another pressing matter: the Visionary.
“Your Highness, there is another issue that demands our attention,” the captain said, his voice tense.
The prince frowned. “What is it now?”
“There is a figure in the black markets known as The Foreseer. His information is uncannily accurate, and his influence is growing. We believe he could be a significant threat.”
One of the nobles scoffed. “A common criminal causing concern? Ridiculous.”
“Not just a common criminal,” the captain insisted. “He’s been involved in high-profile thefts, avoiding assassinations, and even advising foreign dignitaries. His network is vast and well-hidden within the kingdom.”
The prince leaned forward, interest piqued. “And what do we know about this Foreseer.?”
“Very little, Your Highness. He operates with a network, each subsidiary having its own 'Foreseer,' making it difficult to track down the master behind them all. But one thing is clear: he has a significant following and substantial resources.”
The prince exchanged a glance with his advisors. “We need to find this visionary. Increase patrols and gather more information. Report back to me with any progress.”
The captain bowed. “As you command, Your Highness.”
The court buzzed with speculation about the mysterious Foreseer, assuming it was a man due to the boldness of the actions. In his chambers, the crown prince sat with his trusted knight, Sir Ealdred.
"Gareth," the prince began, "what do you make of this Visionary?"
"A formidable presence, Your Highness. Their knowledge and reach are unparalleled. But it’s curious the court assumes it’s a man," Garethreplied.
The prince nodded. "Indeed. If we could turn the Foreseer's services to our advantage, we might find Princess Moriana."
"You mean to employ their skills?" Garethasked.
The prince sighed, rubbing his temples. "Prepare for tomorrow night. We leave to meet this person. I know that seeking information about the princess this way isn't proper, but I'm between the sword and the wall. Make sure no one suspects our outing."
Sir Garethbowed slightly. "Understood, Your Highness. I'll make all the necessary arrangements and ensure our departure remains discreet."
Jana, unaware of the prince's growing interest, continued her nightly activities. Meanwhile, orders were being issued for her capture under the name "The Foreseer." The downside of her success was that all her multiple identities began to converge, making her a target for each one, with different factions hunting her down for various reasons. Her only safe identity was Agnes, at least for now.
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