My head hurt. Again.

  I was still lying face down though so at least the light wasn’t penetrating directly into my skull, so that was nice.

  But this felt like a worse hangover than drinking with Grandpa Toren.

  I decided to try and remedy it the same way, starting with trying to cast Heal.

  It didn’t work this time.

  “Aw, fuck.” I groaned and rolled over…

  Right off the bed.

  “AH FUCK!” I yelped out as I hit the floor. And now the light from the window was in my eyes. And a few stars that probably weren’t actually there.

  Slowly, I used the bed to clamber to my feet, grunting from limbs still heavy with drug induced sleep. “Never… again…” I muttered under my breath as I struggled to a full standing position.

  When I was finally standing, I looked down at myself. I was still in my clothes from yesterday, and worse the ones I ordered yesterday probably weren’t here yet. Did I really want to wear the same thing I had on last night?

  I decided to ask myself that question again after I used the bathroom.

  After a quick trip and a few minutes of quiet contemplation on the porcelain throne, I decided I didn’t care enough to change. The fact that my limbs still felt heavy had nothing to do with the decision and no one could prove otherwise.

  I did manage to stumble my way down the stairs after doing the bare minimum to make myself look presentable. I’d found a ribbon that I used to tie my hair up into a tail behind me. A little water splashed on my face took care of the rest. Like that, I made my way to the kitchens.

  The maids were still nervous, but one said they’d have breakfast and coffee ready shortly. I nodded and headed out to the dining room where I collapsed in a chair. I was joined soon after by Calmar and Porter.

  Calmar looked about how I felt. None of us said anything, Porter respecting the sacred hangover procedure of being quiet until at least breakfast was served.

  We ate in relative silence. I drank almost an entire pitcher of juice by myself after the coffee, and by the end of it all I felt mostly normal. Calmar was looking better too, so that was good for him.

  Porter cleared his throat, “I just got word from Elayne. She’s refusing to come back.”

  I shrugged, “You two planned for that, though, right?”

  Calmar sighed, “Yes, but now it’s going to take weeks instead of days to find someone.”

  I thought about it, “And hiring adventurers every time I go out isn’t a good idea.”

  “No, it’s not.” Porter said, shaking his head. “Unfortunately, you’ll be stuck mostly to the house until we can find a suitable replacement.

  I let out a huff of air and leaned back in the chair. “Can’t be helped, I guess. We have other guards, right? Can’t one of them work?”

  Shaking his head, Calmar responded, “We need a certain presence here at all times. Right now we’re running lean on guards thanks to a few laws recently instated by the council.”

  My brow furrowed and he explained further. “There’s concerns from Head of Local Security about the nobility trying to undermine the guard. They’re constantly accusing the Head of Nobility of letting noble houses and lords form standing armies within the city.”

  Porter snorted, “Like the Head of Local Security doesn’t abuse his own authority.”

  Calmar smacked his arm with the back of his hand, “Just cause it’s true doesn’t mean you say it out loud.”

  I smiled, “So, personal bodyguards are exempt?”

  Calmar held a hand up and wiggled it back and forth, “Kind of? We’re allowed up to ten personal guards and servants. Household guards and servants are restricted to twenty.”

  Porter looked at Calmar, “And what he’s leaving out, is slaves are restricted to fifty.”

  I looked at Porter and something in my expression made him look away. Considering the disgust I reflexively had at the word, I wasn’t surprised, “So. We’ve only got a little over twenty people.”

  Calmar nodded, “Father took his own guards, and left only Grimoire from his personal staff when he went to the estate.”

  My fingers drummed on the table as I thought, “I guess that means I get left alone to learn what I need to. Could be worse.”

  There was a relieved sigh from Calmar, and I raised my eyebrow at him. “What, thought I’d fight about it?”

  “A little. You were really determined to go out yesterday.” He said as he started to get up.

  “I’ve still got an appointment with Ember, the tailor. But otherwise, I got what I wanted.” I got up as well.

  “When is that?” Calmar asked, curiously.

  “Midday. I’ve got the two adventurers from yesterday coming again today to take me there, but I’ll probably head right back after.” I explained.

  Calmar looked at Porter, “What do you think?”

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  Porter shrugged, “You need to get out of the house, and if she’s fine with it I don’t see why we couldn’t…”

  Calmar looked to me, “Want some company? We can stop for lunch somewhere while we’re out.”

  I thought about it. About the conversation from last night. I noticed the nervous glance he gave to Porter. I shrugged, “Why not? With or without the adventurers?”

  He seemed to almost shift as he relaxed from my answer. “We can go with them. Make it a party.”

  I nodded, “Alright. Paige will probably have my delivery from the other tailor with her, so I’ll need to get changed before we leave. I’m going to try and get some reading done before then, if that’s alright.

  Calmar deflated a little, but nodded, “Alright. I’ll see you when we head out.”

  I left, and as soon as I got back to my room, I closed the door behind me and frowned. The Calmar from last night and the one from this morning were almost too different. Am I reading too much into this?

  Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I picked up one of the treatise and started going through it. I’d figure out more about the Rosecrest family as things went along. Though if I ever get a chance I’m slamming Danielle’s head in a door. Well… if I’m not in it.

  Ignoring the potentially self-harming thoughts, I started reading.

  I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew there was a knock at the door. “Lady Danielle. Miss Dagger has arrived.”

  Hurriedly, I picked the book up from my lap and wiped any drool from my face. “Let her in!”

  After a few minutes, Paige opened the door and looked around, “Wow. Not what I’d have pictured for you.”

  The rogueish woman had a large sack over her shoulder and wandered over to check out the bookshelf. “Tendrils of Love? I haven’t heard of that one… but you have The Lusty Praetorian?! This is the hardback, only a thousand of these were made.”

  I blinked, “How does everyone know what’s on my shelf but me?” I got up, making sure I had a bookmark in the treatise I was reading for when I got back to it.

  “What?” She turned to look at me. “You mean you haven’t read any of these?” She seemed disappointed.

  I shook my head, “Not since…” I hesitated, trying to find the best way to put it, “Well, I need to refresh my memory of them.”

  “Oh, fair.” She nodded, accepting that answer. Instead, she set the bag on my bed, “Here you go, ten everyday outfits in a few colors.”

  I started going through it as she explained. “Five of each black and brown pants. Then two red, brown, green, white, and black shirts. Underwear for them all too, though I think she misjudged your chest size…”

  She held up what I assumed was supposed to go over my chest and I could fit my full fist in one of the cups. “Yea… I’m not wearing those.”

  “Do or don’t, the harpy included them.” Paige said, holding up another than was smaller, but still too large for me. “Though she could have tried harder.”

  I shrugged and took a set of clothes and went my closet to change. With my hair tied up, the simple black pants and white shirt looked rather good on me. It wasn’t as good as the outfit I took off, but I also hadn’t expected much from Paige’s mother, so I got what I paid for.

  When I stepped out, Paige let out a low whistle. “Nice. You actually look like a person now, instead of someone wearing a costume.”

  I rolled my eyes and sat down to put on some boots, “Thanks, that’s pretty much how I feel.”

  We headed downstairs where Frank was in low conversation with Porter and Calmar. I didn’t know what they were talking about, but they stopped as Paige and I got down to the foyer. “Seems like a lot of people to stop by a tailor.” I joked.

  Porter let out a puff of amusement but otherwise said nothing. Calmar looked embarrassed but motioned towards the door, “Shall we?”

  I didn’t need much more encouragement, so I led the way to the door. A servant held it open for us all as we left and started down the road.

  The trip was… uneventful. When we got to Ember’s, he was eager to show me a number of sketches. I motioned Cal to join me and he seemed to especially like the sketches that formed a mini skirt around he jacket that Ember was convinced he could make look like rose petals. I wasn’t as sold on it, but did really like the thorny vines along the sleeves of the jacket.

  Satisfied, I pulled out three green crystals I’d made in the pocket of my pants as we walked. Cal looked at me curiously, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he looked back towards Frank and I made a mental note to smack the mage upside the head.

  Instead, we left and Porter then led the way to a restaurant nearby. They, apparently, specialized in sweet and spicy pork and bird dishes. Apparently, one of the forests near the Flame Fire Fields hosts a number of wildlife that is enhanced with the attribute. Something in my head said that wasn’t why, but I couldn’t place how I knew that.

  Once we were all settled down in a private booth, I looked right at Frank, “So, how much did you wind up saying?”

  The mage didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed, “Everything about what happened yesterday. He’s the client, afterall.”

  Paige smacked his arm for me. I didn’t even have to ask, which made me smile. Frank winced and rubbed at his arm.

  Porter cleared his throat as Calmar ordered for us, “To be fair to Top Hat…” He looked at Frank who had a decidedly sour expression, “That was part of the contract.”

  I rolled my eyes, “I’m not mad that you did it. I’m mad you didn’t warn me you would.” I said, speaking to Frank.

  He looked at me with suspicion. “Why should that matter?”

  Paige smacked him on the arm again, “So she could mention it first. This is why I handle the people and you handle the clerical work.”

  “Will you stop that?!” He complained, rubbing his arm again and glaring at Paige. “Why should it matter how they learned about her making crystals? It’s not like it’s anything too terrible.”

  I groaned and Calmar looked around to make sure the waitress had actually gone. The look he gave to Frank after was, honestly, a little scary. “If you want another contract anywhere in this city, you will stop talking about it.”

  Frank shut up.

  With a sigh, he nodded towards where the waitress had left, “It’s not a big issue, but it’s also not something we want everyone knowing.”

  Porter’s mouth twisted into a contemplative frown, “On top of her spellcasting, it makes her a rather popular target should it get out.”

  “What? Scan is not that impressive.” Frank blurted out.

  I covered my eyes with my hand and resisted the urge to kick him under the table. “They didn’t know about Scan either. Just Heal.”

  Paige and Frank both looked at me, “You know Heal?” They said at the same time. It was loud enough that Calmar looked to see if anyone was near again.

  I kicked them both under the table, receiving a rather satisfying ‘ow’ from both of them.

  Cal looked over at me, “We did, actually. Know about Scan. It was on the sheet from Priest Toren.”

  I bonked the back of my head against my booth, “Right, sorry. Keeping things in order is complicated.”

  “Secrets usually are.” Paige said with the seriousness of a sage. It was ruined as the waitress finally came back with a glass full of pink liquid she put in front of Paige and a plate of something fried that made her face light up in glee.

  There were probably other things to discuss. But as the food was passed around, we settled down to start digging into our food. I could at least pretend this was a meal with friends like this. Even if it was still pretty far from the truth, I was at least trying to get there.