The morning began with breakfast. Marrion arrived and announced her reassignment with brevity. She passed Mazarin a sealed folder containing preliminary details for our next operation. She did not make eye contact. Her departure was abrupt, masked as professionalism. I did not move or comment, caught between the discomfort of her leaving, the belief that I had driven her to it, and the quiet resentment that I was affected at all.
The group separated shortly thereafter to prepare for departure later in the evening. Enoch inquired about access to a workshop and went off to build.
Charles later brought us into his room to examine his firearm and a workbench he received from Belladonna Vorynth. He stated plainly that he met her on the day of the funeral, slept with her, and agreed to carry the weapon she offered and kill with it. Most of commented on the cursed appearance of the weapon. NOTE: Visual confirmation indicates that all of Charles Brand’s ammunition is engraved with the name Aldrich.
Mazarin procured several magical charms from a local vendor.
I updated Mother regarding my imminent departure while Celeste trained. Mother stated I am welcome to return to the household in the future, should my path allow it, but that she has been too lenient with Celeste. Celeste’s training should have mirrored my own in rigor and consequence. For the first time, I voiced measured doubt regarding the practice of Pruning. Mother responded by citing my survival of the ambush and the death of Fischer Valantis as evidence of its efficacy. I had no immediate rebuttal. The absence of reprimand and the approval of my skill, was unexpected.
Shortly after, Celeste faltered during a bout and moved to be Pruned for the error. She did not look toward us. I left a note beneath her door as my goodbye.
We departed Conscriptus by train that afternoon. Our new handler introduced herself en route: Ainsley. Her demeanor was assertive, favoring pressure over collaboration.
The assignment is a retrieval operation. Target: Professor Emeritus Alderdice, wizard, loyal by prior record, and a long-standing faculty member specializing in arcanotech in the Aetherforge at Vaelin University of Arcane Enhancement. Recent intercepted communications suggest ideological drift and possible collaboration with insurrectionist elements. The object of interest is a briefcase secured in a floor safe within his office. We were given explicit instructions not to open it.
Timing is critical. The professor has deviated from his routine and barricaded himself inside his office, accelerating the timetable. We are to proceed tonight using credentials provided by Ainsley, leaving as small a footprint as possible.
Prior to departure, Ainsley ordered us marked with arcane tattoos that would allow direct mental contact. For the first time in some time, I felt fear. Not of pain, but of permanence. To be marked without consent, upon a body that is, for now, wholly mine. I resisted the order. She did not yield. Instead, she threatened retaliation against Enoch’s people. I complied under coercion, but I felt a fury of which I rarely allow to take hold.
Upon reflection, her conduct suggests authority asserted rather than possessed. Performance and threat are poor substitutes for true power.
Current Places
- Conscriptus
- Katharis Manor
- Rail Station
Recap Video
https://youtu.be/FCW7Eyq1V2M?si=K3Cu5IpKg7NBt61f
If video is not available below, click link above to watch on YouTube directly