374, 11th of the winter season, morning, Inn, the industrial city of Forge

  The sun shone through the window, gently heating the interior of the room, a singular, large bed with a line of pillows down the center, the clock on the wall rhythmically ticking. Rosario rolled over the edge of the bed, falling with a thud on the floor, causing him to jolt awake. He sat up and scanned the room, the light hurting his eyes. “What time is it?” a voice from the other side of the room said. “Half past ten, we slept for 12 hours”. He pulled himself up onto the side of the bed, pulled his socks off the nightstand, and pulled them onto his feet, followed by his boots. Senarre, sitting in the corner of the room, said, “Sleep well?” He stood up, rubbing the back of his neck. “You slept in the damn near middle of the bed, and with the pillows in the supposed middle, I barely had a sliver of bed!” She rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever, anyway, what's up for today?” Rosario reached over to the side of the bed and picked up his sheathed sword and slid its strap over his head and shoulder letting it come to rest on his back. He left the jacket he had bought from the armorer hanging from the foot of the bed, his black ratty cable knit sweater rolled up to his forearms. “We've got a few days to kill until the big guy gets back, so I figure we'll find a library.” Senarre frowned and said, “We doing research or something? We should see the city. I wanna see the festival, I talked to the bartender last night, it's apparently a festival held by the different arms of foundries and companies in forge, I wanna see if they got any cool new toys.” Her voice had the pitch of an ecstatic child on its birthday opening presents.

  Rosario, stretching while yawning, said, “I want to see if any of my brothers' couriers have left something at the dead drop.” Senarre stood up from the chair in which she was sitting, the movement caused Rosario to reanalyze her “where's the jacket and sleeved shirt and the guns?” She was now wearing a half-length brown leather jacket with a black turtleneck sweater underneath, accompanied by a pair of blue denim pants and boots that were far more decorative than her usual attire. “Do I seem like the type of person who goes without?” she reached under the back of her sweater to pull out one of the revolvers, “Where's the other?” she raised her sweater to the front, showing it tucked snugly in the waistband of her pants. Rosario's eyes were wide, “noted”. He began walking towards the door to the hall when she grabbed his shoulder and said, “We need to get you some new clothes.” He stopped in his tracks, “Let me check the first dead drop, and then we can do something after.”

  374, 11th of the winter season, morning, Industrial City Forge Public Library, the industrial city of Forge

  Senarre sat bored on the floor, legs crossed, staring at Rosario on top of a ladder, shifting through books on a tall shelf. “You sure we’ll find what you're looking for in a stupid kids' area of a library?” A woman walked by with a child in tow. Senarre said, “No offense.” The woman gave a forced smile and waved, walking off into the depths of the library. “I found it. Can I hand it down to you?” Senarre shook her head, and Rosario handed down a thick book, “A compilation of Dreynas tales and legends? I used to love the one about the elven sisters as a kid.” Rosario, climbing down from the ladder, said, “You see something of yourself in the story or something?” She stood up and began walking to a table. “kinda, when I was a kid, Pa told me I could be anything I wanted to.” She placed the book down on a table, pulled out a chair, and proceeded to sit down. Rosario walked to the other side of the table and did the same while saying, “I'm gonna guess you wanted to be the queen ?” She smiled and said, “nah, I wanted to have friends as they did; they united all of the tribes under one banner, I guess part of that kind of came true in some way.” He cut her off, “Is it cause the first head of the Lorea was among those who allied with the sisters?” She shook her head with a smug expression

  “I'm not the head of the house, I don't remember her name, but legend within the Lorea family says the use of both the scabbard in combat is descended from when she battled the elven swordswoman sister, apparently the first head of the Lorea was enough of a swordswoman to almost match the sister” Senarre had an expression halfway between a smug and interested on her face “its amazing what you can learn from having a direct source” He opened the book and began flipping through the pages “not a direct source just a distantly related source, like im pretty sure shes so far removed from me descendant wise wed barely count as relatives” he stopped flipping through the pages and landed on a story featuring a set of cards on the page art “the story about the cards?” Senarre said, “I didn't like that one all that much, got bored, not enough spice.” Rosario looked up at her, “I'm gonna guess that spice in this context means ultra violence?” She placed her hands in the air and turned her head to the side. “I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.” Rosario looked down at the book and placed his hand on the page with writing on it, allowing the mana in his hand to flow into the page. In an instant, the words changed.

  “The king of diamonds flees home with his men in tow; the other suits in the house remain where they lie, with the exception of the king of spades, lost and alone. The king of diamonds, driven from the house, prepared his men, for they would be instrumental in the coming night and subsequent dawn. Then, one fateful day, he received a letter from the forlorn king of spades. Ecstatic at the communication, he reached out to warn the fellow king of the treachery from within the dealer's table. The king of diamonds urged the king of spades to prepare for a storm on the horizon. He told him of a place where he might find the Empress to shine in the night with a flaming feather. He sent the king of spades off on his journey, reminding him to never forget his wits and to always remember his fellow suits.”

  “That's not the normal version of the story, so I guess that's what we came here to get?” Rosario shook his head in affirmation, “Looks like it, Ryvr uses the cards to refer to clan Lorea often. If I understand this correctly, he's telling me to beware of treachery and to look for something, or someone called the empress to find more information.” He scratched his chin in thought. Senarre, also turning over what he had just told her, said, “I don't know of any Royal Empress, but I know of Empress heavy industries and a restaurant that sells really good Xiao long bao.” he scratched the back of his head and said “If Ryvr is leading up an army id put my money on manufacturers, can't sustain a war effort without supplies and id like to say that an airship manufacturer is likely to help out in exchange for combat data on their ships” Senarre smiled smugly and said "I guess that means we are going to a certain festival then” she stopped talking for a second and added “right after some Xiao long bao though cause im hungry” Rosario said “its too early for lunch its only eleven fifty-five” Senarre stared at him with an expression that said “this is non negotiable” and then proceeded to say“We skipped breakfast its time for an early lunch”

  374, 11th of the winter season, Noon, Empress Noodles and bao, the industrial city of Forge

  “Nainai!” Senarre called out after walking into the restaurant that was yet to open, Rosario trailing behind her. A small, old human lady with streaks of black in her greying hair came running, “Sūnnǚ!” she called out, nearing Senarre and hugging her. She pressed her face into Senarre's chest, “You are gone for long, long time. Last time you were here, you were this tall,” she held her hand out to the height of about her shoulder. Rosario stood confused, unsure of whether to introduce himself or to just let whatever was playing out in front of him run its course. The little old lady held her hands on Senarre’s shoulders, looking her up and down.“You are big and strong now.” She took her hands off of Senarre’s shoulders and leaned in for another hug. She let go of Senarre and turned to look at Rosario, quietly looking him up and down and saying, “Sūnnǚ, have you finally snagged a man?” Senarre smiled and said, “No, Nainai, he’s a friend.” The little old woman said, “Where is your Papa?” Sennare said, “He’s out on business; he will be back in a little while.” The little old woman said, “Come, come.” The little old woman led them to the back of the restaurant, past the kitchen, and to the stairs to the attached apartment on the second floor.

  The three of them arrived on the second floor, landing in a small living room connected to a residential-style kitchen. A woman, taller than the little old woman but still shorter than Senarre, with black hair tied into a bun, was cutting meat on a cutting board. The little old woman said, “Jiawei, look who came to visit.” The woman, Jiawei, turned, put down the knife, and moved to see the visitors. Her eyes went wide, and she stood up and ran over, hugging Senarre and saying “Jiějiě! You finally came home.” She turned and looked to Rosario, “And you brought home a man, I didn't think you had it in you, how did you get him, drag him screaming out of his home?” Senarre’s eyebrow twitched, and then she let out a long breath.” He's just a friend, travelling with Pa and I for a little bit,” the little old woman said. “Sūnnǚ, what brings you back to forge? You haven't been back in a long time.” Senarre smiled and said, “We were in the area for business, so I decided to stop in.” The little old lady pulled a chair out from the circular table in the center of the dining area, gesturing for Senarre to sit down. “Are you and your papa still in the same line of business?” The little old woman pulled another chair out, gesturing towards Rosario to sit down. Senarre said, “To her, we always are,” the woman called Jiawei said to her, “Are you hungry Jiějiě?” Senarre shook her head and said, “Yeah, you have any Bao ready?” The little old lady walked over to a steamer pot on the stove, “First batch should be ready now.” The little old lady with a towel wrapped over her hand brought a small bamboo steamer to the table and placed it down, pulled off the lid, allowing steam to escape.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “You and Papa need to leave the line of business and settle down, go do something else that doesn't put you in dangerous situation so much,” the little old lady said as she put down circular spoons in front of the two at the table Senarre tapped Rosario on the shoulder and whispered “do you know how to eat Xiao long bao?” he whispered back “No” She told him “like this” she picked up one of the buns with the circular spoon poking it with a chopstick and proceeding to drink the soup out from the inside and then taking a bite out of it. He imitated her to middling success. He said to her, “Who are these people?” She thought for a moment and said, “kinda my grandma and sister.” Rosario’s face bore a shocked expression, and “these people are your family?” She held her hand out and waved it side to side and said, “Kind of, they are my family in the same way that Paulida is my dad.” The woman called Jiawei stopped and said, “It's true, the only reason she speaks half as well as she does is because my Nǎinai used to be a very strict tutor.” Senarre stopped eating the bao on her spoon and reached in for another. “When I was maybe eight or nine, Paulida tried to put me in school, but I couldn't fit in with elven students or human ones.” She touched the tips of her ears. Jiawei leaned in and said, “When her Papa brought her here for the first time, she got kicked out for beating the ever-loving shit out of another student who insulted her ears”. The little old woman who was walking around the kitchen leaned in and said, “Language.” Jiawei stopped and said, “Sorry, Nǎinai.” Jiawei looked back with a smug expression and said, “My little Jiějiě used to hate studying. Do you remember when Nǎinai used to get out the ruler?” Senarre laughed and said, “Yeah, I remember, just thinking about it makes my As- butt hurt.” Rosario forced down a laugh.

  Jiawei turned to look at Rosario and said, “Jade eyes, are your intentions with my little Jiějiě?” Senarre looked at her, her face showing frustration. He said, “Look, don't get the wrong impression, her and Paulida are helping me with something right now after my situation is fixed, I'll likely be gone, I mean, I've only known her and Paulida for like two weeks tops.” Jiawei looked unsatisfied with his response but let it go “very well.” she turned to look back at Senarre “what are you doing today Jiějiě?” She responded “we woke up late and then went to the library we are planning on going to the weaponmakers festival later and perhaps to get my companion some new clothes” Jiawei said “do be careful Jiějiě there is much uncertainty in the cities right now after that stuff in dreynas on the broadcasts the other day senarre reached down to her waist and dinged the ring around her finger on the metal of the revolver tucked in its holster inside her waistband “i always bring protection” she said attempting to sound cool Jiawei laughed and said “Jiějiě you are just as bad at trying to sound cool as you were then” Jiawei deepened her voice mimicking the slight rasp in her sisters voice and said “my name is Senarre, fastest hand on the continent” causing Senarre to blush in embarrassment.

  Senarre said to both the little old lady and Jiawei, “We really must be going; we still have business to attend to before the day passes us by.” The little old lady and Jiawei led the pair down the stairs and out to the front door. The little old lady stopped and said, “ Sūnnǚ, if you need anything, and I mean anything, while you are here, Jiawei and I are here.” The pair bid them farewell and walked down the road, boots crunching in stale snow.

  374, 11th of the winter season, afternoon, Fairgrounds, the industrial city of Forge

  The sound lost itself in the crowds, the sound of voices bleeding into a homogeneous noise. Rosario and Senarre walked, seeing the booths of all sorts, ranging from children's games branded with arms companies on the side, with titles like “blast the baddie” or “Lil Longshot,” blended with others that more closely resembled entire standing exhibits displaying the newest weapons behind glass cases, the crowds were abundant humans of all types could be seen blending in seamlessly with elves and even a few beastfolk. Rosario was scanning the booths for anything remotely titled Empress, while Senarre had different priorities, her eyes wide, spying any and all weapons along the contents of the booths. Somewhere along the walk through the booths, Senarre acquired some fruit on a stick covered in a reddish brown sauce and powder. “What's that?” Rosario asked. Senarre, while chewing, said, “Fruit covered with sauce and chili lime powder, want some?” He looked at the confection hesitantly before saying, “Sure, why not?” He took a bite of the crunchy, fruity, spicy, sweet confection. “Pretty good,” Senarre said between another mouthful, said, “yeah, right?” They walked through the crowds until coming across a booth resembling a shooting range, featuring a large empty lot as a range, as if the fairgrounds came to a sudden halt, a man in a tophat with a handlebar mustache and a cane in his hand said “Step right up, folks try one and all hit all the targets and take her home”. A large rifle with a long barrel and a hardwood finished stock sat on a table resting on a bipod. A small brass-cased bullet sat next to it. It caught Senarre’s eye, and she turned, practically pulling Rosario along by his sleeve.

  The man with the tophat said, “Step right up, test your skill, hit all the targets, and take her home.” He pointed his cane at Rosario, “Test your skill, hit all the targets leading up to the kilometer, and the one out past to take her home.” Rosario said, “Umm, I'm not too much of a marksman-” before he could continue, Senarre hit him on the back and said, “Take a shot.” The man handed over a rifle similar to the one on display and said, “Alright, the aim is to hit all five targets to win the prize rifle. Hit three, and you get a voucher for a free meal from the food court. Hit four, and you get a plushie.” Rosario assumed a ready position, bringing the rifle up to his shoulder and closing one eye before looking down the glass sight on the top weapon. The reticle looked like a proportioned cross with a circle on the meeting point of the four lines. He fired once the shot pinged off the first target, and it fell over. He pulled back the bolt with two fingers and pushed it forward with the palm of his hand. He fired a second time, the shot skimmed the edge of the second target, it wobbled in place for a second, and stood steady. He repeated the process again and again, but the shot flew off to the left, only grazing the target. The man with the top hat shouted, “ Game over, better luck next time!” Rosario handed over the rifle and shrugged while saying, “Oh well,” and tried to walk off. He was promptly stopped by Senarre pulling on his sleeve, “Hold my fruit.” She handed over the stick with the fruity snack on one end to Rosario and said to the man in the tophat, “My turn.” The man said in a mocking tone.” Gonna let your admittedly tall woman do it for you? The man said, “Ready and go.” Senarre picked up the rifle, looking down its sight with both eyes open, and pulled the trigger. The first target fell over. She pulled the bolt back and slid it forward in one smooth motion. The second target fell over, then the third, and then the fourth, followed by the fifth. The man in the top hat stood with his eyes wide, jaw dropped, he said, “How did you?” he said again rapidly, “the game's rigg-”” Senarre, with a smug look on her face, said, “Games rigged, you guys set it up to be impossible to win by making it pull a little right, oh and by the way what do i feed the new baby?” the man with the tophat said Reluctantly “.338”

  The pair continued walking through the fair Senarre, a childlike smile on her face and a large rifle wrapped in bandages on her back, along with a stuffed unicorn. Her prize drew the attention of passersby. They walked past a large building advertising Empress Heavy Industries, then took a small walk through a museum that showcased the company's founding, current products, and future plans. Rosario turned to Senarre and said, “This looks like it was a bust.” Senarre said to him, “Should we head back to the inn and go back to the drawing board?” he shook his head, and they began to walk out of the exhibit when a woman in a pilot's jumpsuit with a harness stopped him. She had brown skin and eyes of gold-yellow; her hair was black with streaks of orange and white on the top of her head, and she bore two cat-like ears on top of her head, resembling those of a tiger. Rosario looked down at the name on the patch on the left breast of her jumpsuit, which said “V.Parker.” he said to her, “hell-” She cut him off, talking towards him while looking at him, “jade eyes, black hair, halfkin woman at your side, you must be king of spades” she reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope and said “mana print open in absolute private”

  374, 11th of the winter season, Night, Inn, the industrial city of Forge

  “Good whenever you read this, brother dearest. My deepest apologies for not sending you a direct message last time, but I'd personally rather have you come in contact with one of my agents. Just the fact that you are reading this means that Parker accomplished her task, and allows me to speak directly with you. I have a large request for you,” Senarre interrupted, “wow, looks like your brother actually carries himself like a noble.” Rosario held out one finger and said, “Just wait.” He continued reading the letter, saying out loud, “I have a large request for you, brother. I intended to make the journey to Forge, but your circumstances have led to a new possibility on my board. I have dealings with the Empress Heavy Industries. I have agents planted within the corporation, like the magnificent Miss Vina Parker, and through these agents, I have arranged the purchase of ships and armaments from this company, among others. Due to the circumstances plaguing this great nation of ours in the current time, my request of you is instrumental to the short-term sustenance of my operational success. I have arranged a meeting between Empress Heavy Industries in the city of Forge to discuss the purchase of a few ships to be delivered to my possession. Humbly request that you be my emissary; your woman can go too, if you'd like, but you must dress for the part.” Senarre cut in again, “I don't see what you mean, he sounds very refined to put it simply.” Rosario said, “Wait till you hear this next line then.” He picked the letter back up and began reading again, “I have arranged for a tailor who is under my employ to outfit you with clothing appropriate to the occasion. Because I know you have no sense of fashion, brother dearest, and remember to carry yourself as the etiquette coaches taught you, I expect you to check in with the Weaver and Sons tailor before the 13th because the appointment with EHI is for the 13th.” Rosario frowned. “Well, shit, I have to see to this now.” Senarre was sitting on the edge of the bed holding the rifle that she had won from the Scam artist. She was rocking the weapon, “I'm coming with you,” she said. Rosario pinched his forehead, “You don't have to. I can do this alone,” She smiled, cradling the weapon in her arms. “Nope! I literally cannot turn down the opportunity to tour a weapons plant.” He frowned and said, “It's gonna be more board rooms than test ranges.” She smiled and said, “I've literally placed bets on smaller odds before I'm coming with.” He let out a sigh and said, "Fine, well, head out tomorrow morning, cause he only gave me two days to do this.”