Memoirs 241 - Nice views (Patreon)

Scarlett sat on a bench at the edge of a thin, lush wharf, cradled by the natural beauty of the Rising Isle. Before her, one of the Isle’s countless waterfalls cascaded down into the network of waterways that weaved through this place, painting a picturesque view.

Behind her stood a tall structure reminiscent of a lighthouse, though it likely served an entirely different function, its shadow hiding the serene park that offered Scarlett a peaceful retreat from the rest of the Isle.

Apart from Fynn, who hadn’t left her side much since arriving on the Isle and who was meditating by a large rock nearby, she was completely by herself.

This morning, her meeting with Grand Wizard Hartford had unfolded mostly as Magister Penney had predicted, with Gaspar proposing the compromise Scarlett had heard about the evening before.

Perhaps to the grand wizard’s surprise—Scarlett wasn’t sure if Gaspar was aware of her relationship with Magister Penney—she had promptly laid out her conditions to him. Her ‘demands’ were somewhat extensive, encompassing a list of valuable materials and services, alongside several concessions that she honestly doubted the council would accept without resistance. Regardless, that didn’t matter, since she was planning to negotiate the terms to her benefit anyway.

To the man’s credit, Gaspar had managed to maintain his composure even when reviewing her conditions, even when the atmosphere between the two of them had been tense. Scarlett had to acknowledge that he could act professionally, at least this time, when the situation called for it.

Following that meeting, and lacking any immediate commitments until the council responded, Scarlett and the others had headed over to the Arcanum Spire to perform more research on the Zuver and the Anomalous One. Like the first time, however, they’d made little headway even after several hours of work, eventually deciding to break for lunch.

While Rosa and the rest were eager to try one of the popular eateries among the local wizards, Scarlett preferred a less crowded spot and had opted to dine alone, which is what had brought her here. Hugbert had recommended it to her the evening before.

Not that her choice of food had really lived up to the view. To make things simple, she’d decided to try one of the locally produced staples called ‘Everlasting Biscuits’, which were apparently designed to sustain wizards through long stretches of research. That meant just one could potentially be enough to last you for the day.

Usually, one might expect something with that name to not taste much better than cardboard, but the biscuit had honestly been relatively edible. It just couldn’t compare to the culinary delights Scarlett had grown accustomed to back in Freybrook. Unless she needed to, she probably wouldn’t be trying one of those again.

Apart from her lacklustre meal and the council-related affairs with Gaspar, she had also spent some time in the early morning catching up with information from the empire. Direct communication with Beldon was impossible on the Isle, but the man still managed to send her letters—which were a pain to decipher—that gave her a general run-down of things.

Among the updates, Beldon’s people were continuing their search for the Countess’ whereabouts, and certain crown officials and members of the Followers of Ittar had recently made some rather unsettling discoveries regarding a certain count’s activities over in Ambercrest. Furthermore, the preliminary investigation into Anguish’s Citadel had finally concluded, and it had been officially reported as a failed manifestation attempt by a Vile.

Scarlett didn’t know what the overall reaction to this news would be in the empire, but from what Beldon reported, it was being portrayed as a crisis averted through the valiant efforts of the Dawnbringers and Duke Valentino’s forces, so there probably wouldn’t be any widespread panic.

She was thankful that the incident hadn’t drawn too much public attention to her as well. She assumed that some of the more important figures in the empire were aware of her involvement, but hopefully, she was a minor detail even in their minds. It was better for her if Raimond and the Dawnbringers received the bulk of the credit.

In addition to Beldon’s updates, Scarlett received a letter from Evelyne, which discussed some matters relating to the fief and the ongoing preparations the younger woman was occupied with. Evelyne had apparently left Freybrook the previous day for Autumnwell to confer with the Withersworths and other influential figures in the city.

She assumed that meant Evelyne would have some good news to report on her return. Lady Withersworth had always seemed positive about working with them, and she was sure the old noblewoman would be able to help Evelyne in ways she could not.

Scarlett halted in her thoughts as another person suddenly joined her on the bench. Turning to examine the newcomer, she noted the dark purple hair that ended just above the shoulder and the pair of round, gold-rimmed glasses with thin chains dangling at the ends. The emerald robes with gold accents were also a familiar enough sight by now.

Senior Wizard Yamina seemed absorbed in the scenic view before them.

Glancing in Fynn’s direction, Scarlett saw that the young man was intently watching the new arrival as well.

“It appears these encounters are becoming a familiar occurrence,” Scarlett said after a while, returning her attention to the woman. “Rather coincidental, would you not say so?”

“Coincidental?” Yamina turned towards her, a hint of curiosity lifting her brow. “Whatever brought that notion into your head? I was under the impression that my interest in you was quite overt.”

Scarlett stared at her, somewhat taken aback by the candidness. “…Most would not admit that so openly.”

Yamina gave a light shrug, her gaze returning to the landscape in front of them. “Fitting in was never my strength.”

Scarlett’s eyes remained on the woman briefly before she also looked ahead. “It seems we share that distinction.” A moment of silence passed before she continued, “What, then, might be the reason for your interest in me, if I may ask? I imagine that the council would not have assigned you a task to follow me.”

“I heard about you from an acquaintance of mine.”

“And which acquaintance might that be?”

“Warley Godwin.”

Scarlett’s brow furrowed slightly.

She supposed that made sense. She remembered the man once mentioning an associate skilled in divination and analytical magic who had assisted him in crafting a device to analyse Scarlett’s ‘precognitive’ abilities. Was that Yamina, then?

Cautiously examining the woman from the corner of her eye, Scarlett eventually asked, “And who might you be, precisely?”

“Senior Wizard Yamina,” came the response. “Yamina Ward.”

Scarlett looked over at Fynn. “Is she speaking the truth?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

Scarlett frowned, confused.

That couldn’t be right. She had been sure that the woman was one of the Isle’s arch wizards in disguise. If not, the rationale behind most of her actions seemed puzzling. Could it be a half-truth of some kind, maybe?

Yamina’s attention shifted to study Fynn, a discerning expression on her face. “So you are a Grehaldrael.”

The frown on Scarlett’s brow intensified. Had Godwin disclosed information about Fynn to her?

“What has Dean Godwin shared with you?” she asked, her tone edged slightly sharper than she had intended.

Yamina shook her head lightly. “Hardly anything, actually. He’s been suspiciously taciturn, in fact. But I have a certain sense for these things. A vocational hazard, one might say. I might be no Augur, but I pick up on things.”

“…And what, exactly, is it that you have picked up on?”

Scarlett was still trying to figure out who this woman could be if she wasn’t one of the Isle’s three arch wizards. There were no significant NPCs from the game who matched Yamina’s description or position, as far as she was aware. Her ‘Senior Wizard’ suggested she wasn’t anyone particularly important, but from the way she talked and her apparent relationship with an imperial arch wizard like Godwin, she definitely wasn’t someone simple either.

Scarlett thought to bring out the [Orrery of Dissonant Convergence] to gauge its reaction to the woman once more, but she was hesitant to do that right now.

“Oh, I’ve picked up on several intriguing aspects,” Yamina said in an amused tone. “For one, your reveal of the hidden chambers beneath the Astral Sanctum has made it clear enough why Warley has taken an interest in you. Even if that was all, I don’t think I would have minded meeting with you like this.”

“But there is more? What other reasons did you have to seek me out as you have? I am assuming our encounter in the Arcanum Spire was planned by you as well.”

Yamina tilted her head to the side slightly. “Intellectual curiosity, you might say?”

“That does not tell me much. I would appreciate a more straightforward answer.”

“Hmm? I thought that was rather direct. Sorry.”

“I will not take offence if you tell me your intentions directly,” Scarlett said.

“Well, to speak with you, evidently.” The woman went quiet for a bit as if reflecting on what to say. “You’re rather thorny, aren’t you? I can see why you and Gaspar might find yourselves at odds. Your personalities are rather divergent.”

“Should I infer from your words that you are here to critique my character now?” Scarlett asked.

Yamina hesitated for a moment before adjusting her glasses. “No, though it seems I’ve inadvertently done so despite that. I suspect this is one of the reasons they often try to keep me away from foreign dignitaries.”

“So you are indeed not here on behalf of the council.”

“Certainly not. They would have more than their fair share of choice words for me if they learned of this.” The woman cast a quick glance at Scarlett. “However, I understand you’ve already brought up my name to Hugbert.”

Scarlett’s gaze sharpened. “…Then he is aware of your identity, after all.”

That meant Magister Penney hadn’t been completely honest with Scarlett regarding Yamina. Not that she’d thought he was, but it was clear she had misunderstood the woman’s true identity at the time.

“He probably believed withholding my identity was the best way to not get me caught up in the politics,” Yamina said. “He has a tendency to be overprotective, even when it’s wholly unnecessary.”

Scarlett observed her carefully. Originally, she thought the woman was disguising her true age, but if appearances were to be believed, Yamina wasn’t much older than herself, perhaps in her early thirties.

Yet she was speaking about some of the Isle’s most prominent wizards—not to mention Dean Godwin—like they were close friends.

There was definitely something about her identity that Scarlett was missing.

“But now I’ve veered off topic, haven’t I?” Yamina continued. “There’s a wealth of topics I wouldn’t mind discussing with you, Baroness; however, first I have a proposition.” She faced Scarlett squarely. “Would you be interested in exploring the Veiled Library?”