The waning moonlight illuminates K?spar S?wyr’s private quarters, casting a blue hue over his white duvet. He sits in his soft brown leather chair with his feet resting on the matching footstool. With his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose and the light of the sigil lamp behind him, he reads a thick, black leather-bound book in his hand.
A soft knock comes from the other side of the door. He rubs his brow, lamenting the consistent interruptions to his reading, yearning for just a moment to read; it took him two years to work his way through volume one of the nine-volume book set ?thalrykk Herst VI had gifted him for his 28th birthday a little over a decade ago. The knocking returns, more forceful than before and accompanied by the husky voice of Gekaryna: “K?spar, I have a request of you.” He sighs to himself; as the head of The Eyes of Our Pale Lady, he knows and is well accustomed to these requests: assassinations, theft, surveillance—all among the highest of high society. He hopes it isn’t another five-year stint undercover with the merchant guild; no matter how bad he feels about leaving Welt fatherless, he finds few things less enjoyable than long nights with a woman he never loved. “Come in. It is unlocked.”
The brass handle turns, and ?nnywella steps in; she closes the door behind her and leans against the wall.
“The Rise and Fall of Agrela [1]? Sorynn was extremely jealous of you when you got that from Father; I’ve been meaning to find a set like yours as a surprise for him when he comes back. I must ask: is it true that men think about Agrela [2] once a day?”
K?spar chuckles. “That couldn’t be further from the truth; all the men I know think about Agrela at least three to four times a day. Back when I was still in the slums, a friend of mine—Hinny—had three of the barmaids at Stytyten’s [3], each fresh off shift, each lusting after him, all but dragging him and the chair away to the first free room.” He pauses in an attempt to build tension. “But the man didn’t budge; the discussion on the battle of Totrewae Grove [4] and what General Warysel [5] could have done differently was far too riveting. Men _love_ Agrela.”
?nnywella tries to hide her amusement behind her cigarette, but behind the smoke her raised eyebrows give it away. “I have had a similar experience with Sorynn—I love my history, and Agrelan history is largely more fascinating than the rest, but the things men will turn down just to discuss it will never cease to amaze me. Now, I have more pressing matters; I need you to go to Styd?n.”
K?spar places the blue silk marker ribbon between pages 120 and 121 [6]; closing the book, he places it on the small table next to his chair. “I don’t kill children,” he says calmly.
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“I am well aware, and you will not be. I want you to go find out who the head chef of the Koeh-Styer family is, if he is part of a guild, and if so, whom does he have any sort of feud with amongst the masters.” She takes a drag. “Assuming there are master chefs or bakers he has feuds with, I want their names and the locations of their shops—preferably the two best.”
He looks at her blankly. “I’m scouting for chefs? really? why?”
“I need two cakes for the wedding of Dyder and Ilsenila, and I want them from the best in Styd?n.”
“You’re plotting something, and I wish to know what it is.”
“That’s need-to-know.”
“And I need to know.” K?spar leans in, staring at Gekaryna through a furrowed brow.
“Then I will tell you when you get back. So if you are that desperate to know, I suggest you leave tomorrow, as I will be having the weddings scheduled for the 17th as well as the 20th of the 11th maiden.”
He runs his hand down his short, pointed beard, slowly pulling it sharp. “Then I will leave at first light. I assume one master for each wedding?”
“Yes, but I will tell you no more. Sleep well, K?spar.” ?nnywella leaves the room.
He reaches for his book but stops, pulling out a gold pocket watch instead and looking at the time—24:21. He stands and begins packing enough clothes for a three-day stay; he knows how guilds work—this should be easy enough.
Footnotes
[1] Written by Cernaran historian Eakhann Gibasan (b. 04/10/3577 EotTS, d. 24/12/3635 EotTS), this is volume two of a nine-volume series detailing how the Agrelan Empire grew in landmass and influence before collapsing in on itself in 2734 EotTS because of the greed, nepotism, and corruption that was allowed to go unchecked in its democratic system. Volume two specifically focuses on the early republic, an era that has been agreed to have lasted from 0719 EotA to 1064 EotA.
[2] The largest and longest-lasting nation in the history of the continent. During the years 0509 EotA to 2734 EotTS (this is argued; some insist that Agrela truly fell in 3510 EotTS) Agrela managed to conquer all the eastern region and 60% of the islands in the inland sea. Their conquest by land to the west was prevented by the _N?benst Mountain Range_; because of this, very few Agrelan artifacts have been found in the _Grand Northern Forest._
[3] Pronounced STEE–TEE–TEN. A tavern in the Commoner’s district of the _Crown Isles_. Opened in 0852 EotG by Hern Tengae (b. 0825EotG, d. 0892EotG). He named the tavern after his nickname for his daughter, Stenn?l Hette Tengae (b. 0847EotG, d. 0912EotG). The tavern is still owned by the Tengae family.
[4] A forested area located to the north of what is now modern Ostal.
[5] Ladyn Warysel(b. 14/02/0918 EotTS, d. 19/08/0950 EotTS)
[6] First chapter of Part II. Focuses heavily on the first succession after unification with the Saceran Empire in 0776 EotA, and the issues that arose regarding properly managing a republic with two primary cultures.
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