Harpy’s Nest looms before me. The iron-rich stone they built the fortress with gives it a streaky deep red color, like a harpy’s nest dripping with the blood of a fresh kill. It sprawls loosely along the base of the mountain range, shaped more like a wall than a traditional round or square fortress. The most exceptional features are the watchtowers which extend far into the sky and hold up observation decks. There are five, one in each corner and a fifth in the middle that sits far lower than the others; probably for surveying the Nest itself.

I’d like to claim that the sky is full of dark clouds, thunder, and the screech of harpies, but it’s a calm day today. Besides, they have monster wards to keep harpies from actually trying to nest there; this close to it I can feel the magical repulsion, although it’s only at the level of dissuasion. An especially determined harpy could probably still do it, although they prefer to nest on cliff sides or within the boughs of ancient trees.

It cuts an imposing image, other than the wide-open front gate. It’s more likely a gesture of carelessness than welcome, but I suppose walking in is better than trying to explain why I’m here. Oh yes, you see, I just need to take something from one of your recently added prisoners. Oh? Who am I? Don’t worry about that, I’m just a Magis passing through on an errand. That would definitely go over well and not look suspicious. It’d be bad if they checked my identity. Even slackers like them wouldn’t be incompetent enough to overlook that.

Although, there is a rather inconspicuous way to get in: I just have to play dress-up.

For someone of my skill level, sneaking into the storeroom and snagging a spare standard uniform is the work of mere moments. Unlike many of the other places I’ve been, there aren’t many magical inhibitors around here, likely since it would interfere with some of the artillery they have stationed on the walls. Plus, it’d be a waste to put complicated restrictions on such a low-rank, low-security fort. They wouldn’t store anything here more valuable than the weapons or supplies themselves; if they were smart, that is.

Well, their lack isn’t my problem. Actually, it’s to my benefit right now.

The inside is much cleaner than I expected, given the reputation. I thought I’d see more guards bumming around, but almost everyone I could see was watching doorways, patrolling, or doing some kind of administrative task. At worst they were a bit slouchy, or sluggish, but they were still making at least a half-effort. Then again, I was able to just walk in through the front gate, so… there’s probably more wrong here than I can see.

While I walk openly, scoping out the layout, I’m careful to keep my wisp partner and her lantern tucked into a small sling I wrapped under my dull yellow uniform cloak. The reality of wisps is that they exist to guide, and thus, are not susceptible to magic meant to disguise or mislead. Trying to hide the glow of her flame would be like trying to extinguish the sun; the best you can do is physically cover it up. Any spell I could use to hide her would dissipate the second she decided to push through it. At least the old-fashioned way is reliable. Maybe after everything is over, I’ll try making a spell that works on wisps…

My meandering brings me to the place where I sense the most complicated spells; the ones I assume are to keep prisoners in their cells. Prison focused spells always feel a bit funny; like a giant crab-trap, they welcome you in, but they’re tricky to escape. Usually, there are talisman-passes around somewhere that negate that effect for the individuals holding them, but those would naturally be kept in a secure location.

Now, I could find them and steal one, but I could also just walk in and ask. Since, I work here now, as far as they know.

I approach the man at the desk, immediately noticing that his uniform is clean and pressed. He’s also wearing a few pieces of armor, polished to a shine, and sitting perfectly upright. A suspiciously well put-together officer with the bearings of a knight; not the sort you’d expect to find in Harpy’s Nest. And yet, no knight’s crest in sight…

“Excuse me, sir, but I require an entry talisman. I need to question one of the prisoners about some intel we just received.” His eyes remain steady, though I can tell he’s suspicious. However, instead of questioning me he holds out a hand.

“Your papers?” His voice is far more controlled than I thought it would be. However, his muscles are tensed under his skin, belied by the stiffness in his gestures.

“I don’t have any, the information is too urgent.” I try, hoping he’ll let me pass.

“Without the proper paperwork, I cannot grant you a pass, no matter how urgent.” No dice.

“It’s a matter of life and death for many lives.” I say, because it’s the truth. To his credit, he hesitates, but ultimately shakes his head.

“Please fill out the proper forms and return.” He proceeds to shuffle around in one of the drawers, pulling out a thick stack of paper. There must be fifty pages in that pile, surely not all-

He pushes it towards me. I sigh, thumbing through it.

There are a lot of blank spaces.

Alright, new plan: stealing.

You know, when they say stick to what you know, there’s a good reason for that. Magical breaking and entering is much easier than the amount of legwork I’d have to do to put believable lies down on the forms I’d been given. It was tempting to make up some names, but that desk guy seemed like the type that would actually check. Not returning at all would be more in character than trying to fake it.

Well, there’s always crime.

I just need to make an opportunity.

A distraction of some sort.

You know, I think a giant snake would do nicely.

By the time the sun set, I had found a secluded area and crafted a colossal snake replica from magic and dirt. In other words, a simple golem. Since it only needed to last a few hours, I didn’t need to worry about using special materials. It doesn’t even need a spirit to act as a core, like a long term or natural golem would. So really, I suppose it’s a giant puppet. Either way, if I gave it a chunk of magic it’d writhe around on its own, pulled along by the larger leyline flows in the area.

Rather, it’s only possible to be so hands-off about it because the leyline flow is strong here. Anywhere else it would be too heavy at this size, no matter how much magic I put in. All I have to do now is release it and in the dark it would look like a random monster attack. They would only know the truth after, and by then it would be too late.

I grin beneath the light of the half-moon.

I’m inside the walls when the snake hits them, crashing through.

Whoops, I grimace, I meant for it to tumble over. Must have put a little too much magic in it.

Pandemonium ensues. People shouting. Signal fires being lit. Someone blows a horn.

I take a moment to watch them scramble around, preparing to subdue a giant clay doll. Meanwhile, it thrashes around, it’s less destructive after losing momentum to the wall. The wall that’s now a nice red-streaked pile of rubble. At least the dust adds to my cover.

Then I duck into the shadows, weaving my way back to the prison building. The desk is empty, as expected. I yank open the only drawer that’s magically reinforced, planning to break it, but find it’s unlocked already. Huh… okay then. I don’t dwell on it, snagging one of the two passes inside.

I cross to the left side where the door down to the cellblock is and open it. The stairs are elongated and slightly curved, twisting their way down to the sublevel. They’re easy to run on so I dart down them, not keen on wasting any time. Although, it sounded like things were ramping up on the surface more than I’d anticipated. I didn’t think a clay snake would give them so much trouble… well, not my problem.

The cells seem like your standard fare, complete with three solid walls and some bars, all enhanced and protected by magic that explodes if you tamper with it wrong. A gruesome method to use on average people, if you ask me, even if they’re criminals. Then again, blowing up might actually be nicer than Edelweiss’ evisceration tamper clause. Except that this one was clearly done by a more competent Magis and would’ve taken far longer to get through unless I only cared about myself.

Regardless, I’m here now, so all I need to do is find my dorklings.

Hey! My dorklings-!

I’ve rounded the corner to the sight of a man dressed in a strangely conspicuous inconspicuous outfit escaping with my quarry. All his clothing is pitch black, which doesn’t blend in at all in the softly lit corridor. He’s even wearing a cloth tied around his face and head, though it’s wrapped badly enough that bits of scarlet hair are sticking out. However, the most ridiculous part is the luxurious flowing cape around his shoulders with a fluffy fur-lined collar, also all in black.

I sigh, announcing my presence.

“And where exactly, do you think you’re going?”

They froze for an embarrassing amount of time.