So, two-bit baddies are two-bit for a reason. Had my daring escape from generic-crime-scene-number-seven been more interesting than mumbling a sleep spell and cutting some rope I would have definitely had more to say. However, despite my hopes and dreams of meeting a secret final-boss type, in truth he was a predictably underwhelming opponent. Rather, non-magical opponents usually are, except for this one especially resistant and belligerent plant creature that eats naughty Magis apprentices. Or so Teacher Velden used to say.

One liberated wisp later and we were on our way. Down the nearest staircase and back onto the commercial streets beneath the residential area, I followed the massive swirls of energy in the distance to the center of Gold Port.

It should be near midnight, and yet the city was almost livelier than it’d been at noon. Countless lights glowed, sparkled, and burned in the night, a thin magic barrier prevented it from stretching above the high-rises and disturbing those rare citizens that actually slept at night. 

At first glance, it appears safe. If you look closer, you’ll notice the faintly sweet-scented air is a little hazy; no matter how hard you look you’ll have trouble seeing the details of the faces that aren’t within arm’s reach. Even the colors of their hair and clothing feel non-descript despite any obvious affluence. Simply put, no one can tell who anyone else is unless they’re right next to them. It hints at a kind of nightlife that isn’t for the faint of heart.

Now, if I were here to find a person, I could borrow my partner’s ability to see through obfuscation and glamours, but identities don’t really matter here. My goal is only to find and return the fairy-stone, after all. No need to waste time catching ‘bad guys’ or doing other standard heroic things. And so, ignoring everyone else as is polite around these parts, I make my way to the street between the fifth and sixth gates where the shop manager had said I’d find the Edelweiss auction house. While it was unlikely they kept any merchandise on the premises long-term, there is a nonzero chance of a portal between their warehouse and the on-site storage area existing somewhere amongst the many rooms. Afterall, they couldn’t risk carting illicit objects down the roads in plain view. Well, actually, it was more that it was a security risk than because someone might see; this is Golden Port, everyone sees, they just pretend that they don’t.

If all else fails I can just track whoever buys the stone, take it from them, and move on.

Hopefully I can inspect whatever they’ve got without making too many enemies. Then again, what’s a few more when one is wanted by the entirety of the Forsaken Lands and the Royal Capital? I’ve digressed.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be that hard. Far less than trouble than untangling errant leylines or enforcing ethical standards of fae material acquisition and harvesting, like the sort of work Official Magis performed. Hah, sucks to be them. They have to do things the legal way.

It takes about fifteen minutes to reach Edelweiss. The outside is alabaster white, smooth and blocky, sitting only three stories aboveground and sprawling across three lots worth of land. It was an especially opulent boast to build wide rather than tall in a city like this. Granted, the land was likely a bit cheaper further out from the center of town; but its really only cheaper in the token way that some gemstones cost less than others. I wonder how long I’d have to work to afford such a place.

The walls are etched with murals of old legends and creatures associated with wealth. The standard dragons, but also the various shape-shifting animals that are said to weave gold. In honor of one such folk story, the square columns framing the entrance were both embossed with massive cranes that were posed pulling their feathers out into gold thread. It also served as a crest of sorts; in Gold Port, anything marked by a crane belongs to the Gruid family, or so I’ve been told.

Well, time to add my name to one more wanted list.

I slip into the shadows of the ally beside the building and take a moment to feel the spells that are woven around and into the building for protection. All the standard fair, plus a few particularly nasty strands that promised to practice unlicensed surgery on my organs if I dared to trigger their clauses. Too bad that’s almost exactly what I’m here for. If I wasn’t so tired I probably would have considered my options more before deciding to risk it and abruptly poke a hole in the barrier.

Now, if I were a lesser Magis, this is where the triggered clause would have decided I can live without my intestines and promptly deleted them. However, though I be a fool, a scrub I am not. Whoever had put this barrier up hadn’t connected it well to the natural leylines and thus I didn’t even have to hijack the magic flow to block the ripples, I only had to reinforce my body to prevent the barb from piercing me. I made sure to poke my hole through the portion responsible for the alarms, so I didn’t even have to bother with those.

After that, it was almost too easy to drag my security breach over to a window and climb through. Typical, so dependent on magic they didn’t even bother to lock or guard it. Granted, there aren’t too many Magis sensitive enough to find exploitable faulty clauses or connections without testing anything, but it wouldn’t be beyond someone with decent skills and a fae contract partner either. Regardless, it was so careless I was tempted to leave them a note before I left. I mocked it up in the back of my mind as I crept along the corridors.

While I couldn’t use something as complicated as a silencing spell within the building because of the wards against high energy spells, I could use a softening spell on my shoes. Under the lax circumstances it was plenty to keep my movements unnoticed until I crossed into a more populated area.

The floor is carpeted in a striking deep purple with maroon accents drawing an uncomplicated geometric pattern across the surface. The walls are white, but richly adorned with more crane and feather imagery in delicate gold castings, occasionally inset with some sort of red gem. Sure enough, glittering chandeliers made of fairy-glass dangled overhead, even in this place where few would see them. Neutral-scented incense burns lazily in decorative sconces, thin tendrils of opaque smoke drift loosely upwards and disappear before they reach the ceiling. I can hear the chatter of excitable patrons in the distance, although I couldn’t say if they were high from winning bids or from the anticipation of placing them.

Pausing at an intersection, I pull a plain white half-mask from a small satchel-bag on my left thigh. While it wasn’t strictly required here, it also wouldn’t be out of place, and it would make me harder to identify later as it had a more advanced obfuscation effect than the haze settled around the city. Anyone who looked my way would glance over me without focusing long enough to form a memory. I place it on my face and slip into the crowd; no one notices that I’m underdressed. No one really notices me at all.

The building is arranged like a giant courtyard, most of every side faces an open center area which acts as the stage that the various offerings are paraded across. The ceiling directly over the courtyard is made of glass so transparent it gives the impression that there’s no glass at all. I lean against the railing. The night sky is clear overhead, the yellow glowing moon visible in the distance.

“Sir? Sir, you’ve forgotten your paddle.” A young voice calls behind me, a slightly nervous tone trying to get the attention of some likely-drunk patron.

A white gloved hand taps my shoulder, sending a startled jolt down my back. I whip around to face the attendant. A mousy yellow-haired boy sheepishly holds out a bid-paddle to me.

“Excuse me, but I see you’ve forgotten to grab one of these. I’m sorry I startled you.” He smiles nervously, eyes darting to and away from my face. Something about him tingles in my mind, scattering my senses… Ah! He has green eyes that tinge purple at the edges, a sure sign of a changeling: a fae-born child that falls closer to human than even a hybrid does. Naturally, my glamour mask isn’t as effective on him.

I accept the paddle.

“No, it’s fine. Thank you,” I smile, covering over my shock, “I swear I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached.” We laugh together a moment, though my laugh is fake and his is tense. He gives a slight bow and leaves, scrambling back to his station. I turn away, but I note his presence in the corner of my mind.

After all, he would know I was a Magis at that distance, and potentially have the means to identify me later. If I am lucky, he isn’t quite so magically attuned, if not, then I should move faster. The sooner I’m out of this auction house and Gold Port the better.

This close to the center of the building I could feel how the minor leylines were moving through it. While there was none of the swirling sensation that I associate with portals, there was something else of interest: a dead-zone. That had to be a room warded against magic and thus magical perception. It felt like it must be in the opposite wing.

As I go, I pull a flute of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter, nodding briefly. Best to look like you belong at first, if you intend to cause trouble. And I am about to cause so much trouble.

When I get to the other side, I pass my untouched glass off to a random lady and vanish into the hall.

This one is lined with doors. The correct one is surprisingly not the one that says “Staff Only” in fancy script. It’s a plain door that opens into an empty resting room, and beyond that, a tall portrait that sits on the back wall.

Well then, guess it’s about time.

Without ever opening the hidden door, I set the whole room ablaze.