What Comes Next
Eventually, Adelaide found herself back in her shared quarters to wake Plum. She’d slept in long enough, and Adelaide needed her.
Waking Plum was as difficult as ever, but Adelaide eventually prevailed. Meeks protested nearly as much as Plum did, but Adelaide eventually had the two up and moving.
Brandon brought Plum to the mess and showed her how to get breakfast—by this time, lunch, though Plum still insisted on coffee.
The two sat facing each other across the table, as Plum eagerly gulped down coffee and started in on some bacon. Brandon felt strangely lighter than normal, and he found himself grinning as he watched Plum eat.
She glanced up and met his gaze, and her cheeks colored slightly.
“What?” she asked sheepishly, looking away.
“Nothing,” Brandon answered, suddenly feeling his own cheeks color as well. “I… suppose I am just feeling optimistic. ‘Tis been a rather good morning.”
“What happened?” Plum asked, resuming her breakfast.
“I spoke with Theoderic,” Brandon answered.
“That cranky paranoid lowborn?”
Brandon snorted. “Yes, him,” he replied. “Though there is far more to him than that.” He raised an eyebrow conspiratorially. “Laszlo told me that he was… like me, if you get my meaning.”
Plum’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Really,” Brandon nodded. “So I… I told him.”
Plum’s eyes went even wider. “And?”
“It went well. Better than I could have hoped, really. He is wonderful, Plum. He was nothing but supportive and offered his help in the future.” Brandon beamed. “And he is going to help me learn to fight with my dawn magic better, too!” He was practically bouncing in his seat. “‘Twas wonderful.”
“You seem rather excited about this,” Plum said, a mischievous grin dancing across her face. “If I did not know better, I would think you have a crush, love.”
Brandon felt the blood rush to his cheeks.
“I am not- I just- you-” he stammered. Plum laughed, and reached across the table to give his hand a squeeze.
“‘Tis all in jest, love,” she said, and hesitated. “I am glad it went well.” She quietly went back to her food, uncharacteristically not jumping on the chance to tease him further.
“Are you alright?” Brandon asked softly.
Plum glanced up at him and sighed. “I-”
She was interrupted as the door to the mess swung open suddenly. Adamas, Laszlo’s second-in-command, stood in the doorway. He entered the room, moving smoothly and efficiently, with no wasted movement. It almost seemed like he was floating, or gliding, instead of walking. His gait reminded Brandon of the time he and Plum had slid around on the ice of the frozen river behind the Keep one winter—soft and smooth, and just a touch quick enough to be slightly unsettling.
Adamas glanced around the mess, his shockingly purple eyes searching keenly about the room. He met Brandon’s eyes, and Brandon flinched. He felt as though Adamas was seeing straight through him.
“There you are!” he said warmly, a wide smile on his face. He sat next to Plum, across the table from Brandon, without invitation, and leaned in, just a little too close.
“How are you settling in?” he asked. His demeanor made Brandon think of the time that Meeks had cornered a mouse, but seemed more interested in watching its every move than anything else.
“‘Tis comfortable enough,” Plum answered. Brandon glanced at her, and saw that she’d slipped one hand under the table—no doubt to grab her wand if needed.
Brandon swung his foot and gently kicked Plum’s leg. Plum met his eyes, and Brandon shook his head, as subtly as she could. Plum’s shoulders visibly relaxed. Adamas’s eyes flicked back and forth between the two, and Brandon thought he noticed his grin grow a fraction wider.
“Indeed,” Brandon said, still looking at Plum. “‘Tis more than serviceable, Mister Adamas.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Adamas replied. “I’d not want our new comrades to be uncomfortable.” He grinned again, and there was an almost playful glint behind his vibrant purple eyes.
“‘Tis truly a kindness,” Plum said sardonically. Brandon kicked her again, and she huffed.
“Is there aught we can do for you, Mister Adamas?” Brandon asked, putting on his best Vermillion smile.
“Aught you can do, indeed,” Adamas replied, his lips still curved in a smile. “You know, I hold in high esteem those who aspire to hold truth and justice in esteem. Doubly so when the lie would give them every benefit.” He cocked his head. “You two have given up every privilege of the nobility to be here.”
“‘Twas the only thing to do,” Brandon answered, choosing his words carefully.
“Indeed,” Adamas answered. “Though one would be surprised at the lengths some will go to preserve that privilege.”
“Privileges mean little in the face of such disrespect.”
Adamas raised an eyebrow. “Disrespect is not the word I would use.”
“Nonetheless, disrespect was served.”
“Perhaps,” Adamas mused. “But respect is earned, not freely granted.”
“Then I hope we can earn the respect you assume we deserve,” Plum said, inclining her head in mock deference.
Adamas laughed, a high, clear sound that reminded Brandon of a musical bell. “Indeed,” he replied. He turned his gaze to Plum and regarded her keenly “You have a sharp tongue indeed, young Miss Plumeria.”
“I thank you, sir magician.”
“No thanks are necessary. I only hope the blade cuts true.” He leaned forward again. “Laszlo wishes to speak with both of you,” he said abruptly. “I believe he plans your first escapade as members of the Law.”
Brandon felt a spike of adrenaline shoot through him. This was exactly what he’d been waiting for.
“Where shall we meet him?” he asked excitedly.
Adamas chuckled. “Once you have finished eating, return to the meeting chamber. We shall await you there.” He stood, and paused before turning to leave. “Oh, and, Lord Vermillion?” Brandon met Adamas’s eyes, still crinkled from a smile. “Be sure you remember whence you came.” Brandon felt a chill run down his spine, and Adamas turned and left the mess hall. Plum looked to Brandon and raised an eyebrow. Brandon shrugged.
“I know not what he meant by all of that,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “But Laszlo has a mission for us!”
“Indeed,” Plum answered simply. She picked her cutlery back up and continued eating, as if nothing had happened. Brandon noticed a slight wrinkle in her brow.
Brandon let his smile fall. Probably best to let her be, for now, he thought, and he let her finish eating in peace. Once she was done, he smiled brightly at her.
“Come,” he said, already standing to leave. “Let us discover what comes next.”
Brandon led Plum towards the meeting chamber. He found it easily, and felt a burst of pride that his earlier explorations had paid off. The door was ajar when they arrived, so Brandon gently rapped the doorframe before entering.
“No need to knock, friends,” came a familiar voice from inside the chamber. “‘Tis open.”
Brandon entered at Laszlo’s words, and Plum followed close behind. Laszlo was seated in his same place at the ring-shaped table, and Adamas and Theoderic sat a few seats away. There were dozens of papers scattered across the table, and Brandon thought he could pick out letters and missives—some in Laszlo’s spidery hand—alongside schematics and diagrams of a castle he didn’t recognize.
“Ah, Prince-Magician! Miss Plumeria!” Laszlo called, standing to greet them. “Thank you for coming. Please, sit,” he entreated, gesturing towards a pair of empty seats opposite him, inside the ring.
“Thank you,” Brandon said, and took one of the chairs. As Plum sat next to him, he had a brief flash of concern remembering the last time he’d seen someone seated inside the ring of this table. He couldn’t help but be unsettled, especially once he noticed Adamas’s still-unnerving gaze trained on him and Plum.
Laszlo smiled warmly at Brandon, his moustache quirking upwards, and Brandon felt some of his tension melt away.
Laszlo sat back in his seat.
“Now then,” he began. “I have a mission for you.”
Brandon sat up straighter. Straight to the point, then, he thought excitedly.
“Do you remember,” Laszlo continued. “What the mission assigned to Alonzo was before he betrayed us?”
Brandon paled, remembering, but nodded. “He was to attempt to recruit the Prince-Magician of House Citrine.”
“Close,” Laszlo answered. “He was never intended to recruit him, but was there simply to gather information. The recruitment was to come later.” He grimaced. “Regardless, circumstances have changed. Alonzo found that young master Caliburn is sympathetic to our cause, but he is now kept under house arrest.”
Brandon nodded. He was slightly embarrassed to have gotten the details wrong, but the rest was not news to him. “So what does that have to do with us?” he asked.
Laszlo grinned again. “We need you to break him out.”
Plum laughed out loud, and Brandon gaped for a moment. “You want us,” he said slowly. “To infiltrate the Golden Hold and spring a Prince from house arrest?”
“Yes,” Laszlo answered simply, still grinning. He leaned forward and steepled his fingers, and the smile dropped from his face. The lightning crackle scar across his face almost seemed to be dancing in the candlelight. “Brandon, I believe that you are uniquely qualified to help us with this task. Correct me if I am wrong, but you have met the Prince-Magician, yes?”
“I- once, and it was over a decade ago!”
“That is still more than anyone else in the Fifth Law. Additionally, you are well-acquainted with the ways of the court, which will be a great asset considering our plan.”
“Oh, Radiance,” Plum murmured, pressing a hand to her temple.
Laszlo grinned yet again. “House Citrine is hosting a ball in four days. According to our spies, ‘tis to announce the engagement of the Prince-Magician. Your job will be to infiltrate, make contact with Caliburn, and formulate a plan of escape.”
Brandon sat in his chair, silently stunned. After a moment, Plum barked out another laugh.
“Why not?” she mused, running a hand through her hair. “‘Tis not as though we just escaped that hell.”
“‘Tis not that,” Brandon protested. “I… quite enjoyed the balls. Or parts of them, at least.” Plum scoffed, but Brandon continued. “‘Tis only… I’ve no notion of how to infiltrate a palace and spring a lordling from captivity.”
“Do you not?” Laszlo asked, a twinkle in his eye. “It seems to me that you have done exactly that.”
Brandon paused. “Well- I…” he trailed off, and glanced down at himself sheepishly. “That… is fair.”
“You won’t be alone, either, kid,” Theoderic said, and Brandon jumped. He’d almost forgotten that he was there.
“I’ll be heading this mission,” Theoderic continued. “I may not look it, but I have lots of experience with this kind of thing. I’ll help you through it.”
Brandon floundered. “I am… honored that you think so highly of me,” he eventually said slowly. “But I am not sure that I can do this.”
“I believe,” Laszlo said. “That you are the only one who can do this.”
Brandon looked back and forth at the rest of the people in the room—his comrades. Laszlo’s stare was intense, while Theoderic seemed to try to seem friendly. Adamas’s wordless stare made Brandon feel like a specimen under glass, and Plum was doing her best to look bored. Brandon found no help from any angle, and he felt his shoulders tense and bow inward as he shrunk in on himself.
“I…” he hesitated again. “Very well. If you think ‘tis best.”
Laszlo beamed. “Excellent!” he exclaimed, and then leaned back in his chair and clapped his hands together. “I knew that I could count on you, Prince-Adept.” He slid a paper across the table to Brandon, who glanced down at it and quickly skimmed the information. It seemed to be an outline of relevant information, both about House Citrine’s Golden Hold and about the people and problems they were likely to encounter.
“Read through that when you have the time,” Laszlo suggested. “It should prove to be of great help.”
“Right,” Brandon answered, still unsure. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Theoderic answered. “We’ll need a day for travel, and then time to prepare and gather intelligence.”
“I know that you have just arrived,” Laszlo interrupted. “And I am truly sorry to send you out so soon.” He smiled gently. “But this mission is of the utmost importance.”
“I understand,” Brandon said. He was sad to be leaving already, but…
“Do I get a say?” Plum asked wryly.
Laszlo laughed. “Of course, Miss Plumeria. If you wish for a different assignment, we can send the Prince-Adept on his own-”
“No,” Plum interrupted. “We go nowhere apart.”
Laszlo nodded. “Of course. I suppose that is between the two of you then.”
Brandon glanced at Plum. She sighed, and shrugged. “Very well,” she said eventually. “I suppose there is naught else to do.”
“Excellent,” Laszlo said again, standing. “Then I believe you have some studying to do.”
The next morning, Brandon, Plum, and Willam—accompanied by Meeks and Julien, of course—made their way to the entryway into the headquarters, as instructed. Theoderic was waiting for them, as well as Liana, who rolled her eyes in Willam’s direction but said nothing.
“Right,” Theoderic said as they approached. “That’s all of us, yeah?”
Brandon nodded. “‘Tis everyone listed in the briefing. Is this really enough for this sort of mission?”
“What,” Liana asked, smirking. “Are you not confident in our skills?”
“I’ve no doubt you are more than skilled, Miss Grace,” Brandon replied carefully. “‘Tis my own ability I question.”
Liana scoffed, but Theoderic cut in before she could reply.
“We’ll be more than enough, kid,” he said. Brandon noted that he again used “kid” instead of “lad” or “lass” like he had before he knew Brandon’s secret, and a burst of appreciation bloomed in his chest.
“More would attract too much notice,” Theoderic continued. “You said you read the briefing, yeah?”
“Yes,” Brandon replied. “But the details were… rather vague on how we should approach this.”
“Aye,” Theoderic said. “It’s up to us to figure out those details.”
“Right,” Willam replied hesitantly. “So, any ideas?”
“Some. But I’m working on it. You all should think on it too. Let’s go.”
He led them through the tunnels and the darkened, shuttered interior of “Glorious Garments”—the shop where Brandon and his companions had first met Minerva. Theoderic rapped out a rhythm on the doors to seal them tight, and he nodded approvingly as Brandon felt a wave of magic from the door.
They stepped out into the city, and Brandon was immediately hit again with the claustrophobic rush of city noise. He instinctually reached out for Plum’s hand, and she took it wordlessly. Liana raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Brandon spent most of the walk out of the city trying to remain calm, and barely succeeding. They passed by the fountain square again, and Brandon was happy to see that the blind girl he’d given a coin was not present—hopefully, she’d found a warm place to stay, at least for a little while.
As they made their way to the city gates, Plum stopped in her tracks. Her grip on Brandon’s hand suddenly tightened as the others kept walking, not noticing the pair stopping.
“Love,” she said, nudging him. “Is that who I think it is?”
Brandon stopped and glanced in the direction she was looking, and he felt his blood run cold. Down the road and across the way was the chillingly familiar armored form of Sir Kieran, his mother’s knight.
Kieran was accompanied by several other knights, and they were in the process of roughly interrogating someone small. Brandon’s chill turned to white hot fury when he realized that it was the little blind girl, and he took a step towards the knights without realizing what he was doing.
Plum pulled him backwards. “What are you doing?” she hissed.
“Someone has to stop them,” he replied lamely. the color rushing to his face. He knew it was reckless, but…
“Why do you think they are here, love?” Plum asked, pulling him into a nearby alleyway. “They are likely searching for us. If we confront them, they will take us back to your mother.”
“But ‘tis our fault! We have to help her!”
“‘Tis not like they will hurt the child,” Plum insisted. “Even your mother’s knights are not that boorish. But they are speaking to her, and ‘tis a bad sign for us.”
“But-”
“Look,” Plum said, gesturing. The knight had released the girl, and headed off in the direction of the fountain square. “See? All is well.”
Brandon made to step towards the girl, but Plum stopped him again. He glanced back at her, irritated.
“At least let me glamour you until we are out of the city,” she asked. “Please.”
Brandon flushed, and then sighed. “Very well.” He stepped back to Plum and let her begin casting a simple glamour spell. She hesitated.
“How should I make it look?” she asked softly.
Brandon flinched. He hadn’t even thought of that. “I… suppose that it should be… not a woman. For now, at least.”
Plum nodded and squeezed his hand. “Understood.” She finished casting the spell, and Brandon felt the blue mana wash over him. He glanced at his reflection in a nearby window, and saw himself as a rather unassuming young man, with mousy brown hair and a crooked nose. Plum shrugged, and then cast another glamour to disguise herself as a similar looking woman.
“We can be siblings,” she suggested, shrugging again. “My blue magic is rather unpracticed, but they should hold well enough to get us out of the city unmolested.”
Brandon nodded. “Let us find the others.”
They headed down the thoroughfare, in the direction that the others had left. Brandon spared another glance towards the girl, who seemed relatively unbothered, all things considered. She scampered off down the road, and Brandon found himself smiling.
The others were not hard to find. Theoderic stood out, even in the press of the crowds, and they quickly caught up. They’d stopped moving, and Willam and Theoderic were scanning the crowd for Brandon and Plum.
“Willy,” Brandon said, tapping him on the shoulder. “‘Tis us.”
“Brandon?” Willam asked, startled. “Are you glamoured?”
“Yes. My mother’s knights are in the city searching for us.”
Willam paled, and Theoderic grunted.
“Right,” he said. “We’d best hit the road, then.” He turned, and headed off towards the gates. “Come along.”
Brandon hesitated only a moment, glancing back towards where Kieran and the girl had been, before turning and following Theoderic out of the city.
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