Selen was seated inside a carriage, with Sir Howard sitting across from her. It had been three days since she had left the North. Jason and his sister had gone to the capital to prepare the next phase of their plan, while she had headed south to handle her part.
"Sir Liam has begun his training as of today. I intend to supervise him myself and turn him into a decent knight before your return to the capital."
"I have no doubt about your abilities, Sir. I know you will make him a good fighter," Selen replied, resting her arm against the carriage window.
Sir Howard was one of the finest knights in the duchy, but if Jason had assigned him as her escort, it was not merely for protection or strength. It was also an excellent way for Jason to monitor her actions while he was in the capital. Sir Howard's loyalty belonged first and foremost to the duke; to him, she was merely a collaborator of his master. That was one of the reasons why Selen had chosen to find herself her own guard dog.
"We have settled his mother in a house with a small farm and assigned a knight to assist her with her daily tasks," Sir Howard added.
A sly smile appeared on Selen's lips. From the moment she had asked Sir Howard to find her a promising young man to become her personal knight, she had already known exactly what kind of person she was looking for. Someone broken by life, waiting for a miracle to save them. And of course, that miracle would be her.
"Very well," Selen replied, glancing at the letters containing the information Noah had sent her about Liam.
Liam's life had been nothing but a succession of tragic events. She had made it clear to Sir Howard that she wanted someone talented, but with a sick loved one. Someone so close to the edge that they would believe in and follow anyone who extended a hand to them. Nevertheless, every good dog needed a leash—and a strong one, like Liam's mother. Keeping her under surveillance under the pretense of assigning her a knight to assist her was the best course of action.
"We have arrived, milady," Sir Howard announced.
He helped her out of the carriage, and cloaked in a cape that concealed her face, Selen entered what appeared to be an apothecary shop with him. They walked straight toward the woman behind the counter.
"We're here to buy a rose," Sir Howard said to her.
She paused mid-writing and looked at them carefully.
"With or without thorns?" she asked.
"With," Sir Howard replied.
The woman sighed and rose from her seat.
"Follow me," she said, pulling aside a curtain behind her to reveal a hidden door.
Selen and Sir Howard followed her into a corridor. She lit a lantern and guided them to a door at the end. She opened it and stepped aside.
"Your guests are here, master," she said before leaving.
They entered the room, which turned out to be a moderately sized sitting room where a man was seated on a sofa, flanked by two men on either side. Selen sat on the sofa opposite him while Sir Howard stood behind her.
"Why don't you take off your cloak?" Noah asked. "It's impolite to speak with someone while hiding your face."
As if that would change anything, Selen thought, though she removed her cloak nonetheless.
Noah smiled and gestured for one of the men to serve them tea.
"So? Were the details about your new little pet to your satisfaction?" he asked, sipping his tea.
"They served their purpose," Selen replied.
"I would have liked for you to bring him along, just to see your taste in men," he said with a mischievous look.
He knew perfectly well that Liam would be nothing more than a knight in her service, yet he still amused himself with such remarks. Selen suppressed the strong urge to tell him to shut up.
"Did you spread the rumor as I asked?" Selen said, changing the subject.
"Yes. I made sure it was known in certain circles that a healing mage is currently within the empire."
He gestured to one of the men, who handed him a stack of papers, which he placed on the table.
"As expected, nobles—even royalty—have rushed to make increasingly generous offers. I've never seen so many zeros on a single proposal since I entered this line of work. If healing mages weren't so rare, I could double my fortune with just one under my control."
He sighed and set his cup down.
Selen reviewed all the offers until she found the one that interested her. She took the paper and slipped it into her pocket.
"I wonder which one you chose," Noah said, gathering the remaining papers.
His innocent expression irritated Selen. She knew very well that he had known from the start which offer she wanted when he spread that rumor.
"Let's talk about the other matter I asked you about," she said, changing the subject once again.
"I'm working on it, but even for me, it's difficult to find people loyal enough for that kind of task."
"And what does that mean?" Selen asked.
He sighed.
"It means I'll need time to find the right individuals for the job you want. In this line of work, it's easy to find anyone to do anything, but…"
He pulled out a gold coin and placed it on the table.
"Everything can be bought—even loyalty. It sounds simple when you say it like that, but there are things that not even all the gold in the world can buy. Proof of that is all these people who made you these offers, ready to spend absurd sums, and yet you chose one of the least appealing ones."
"I understand, but you know better than anyone that time is precious in matters like this. We need to strike at the right moment. Jason is already in the capital for the first phase, so you must have found the profiles we need before I return."
"You're on first-name terms now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We have to be, as collaborators," Selen replied.
"I see he's also assigned you a guard," Noah said, gesturing toward Sir Howard.
"Well then, since we're finished, I'll take my leave," Selen said as she stood.
"I don't think so. We're not done talking."
One of the men moved to block the door, and Sir Howard immediately drew his sword. Selen felt the atmosphere in the room shift instantly.
"What more is there to discuss?" she asked.
"Sit. We'll talk. You haven't even tasted your tea," Noah replied, leaning back into the sofa.
There was a moment of silence as they stared each other down. Selen eventually sighed.
"Lower your sword, Sir Howard. I will have a cup of tea before leaving."
Noah signaled for another cup to replace the one that had gone cold.
"Good," he said with a smile. "I heard the holy war in the North has finally ended, and that strangely, one of the priests brought back to the capital suddenly lost his mind. Black magic, according to the rumors."
"That's correct. One wonders how such a poor man ended up like that. Perhaps he couldn't bear the weight of all his sins?" Selen said before sipping her tea.
"That's odd, because according to my sources, that priest shows no signs of black magic."
Selen knew he suspected her of turning the priest's brain into mush, but she had no intention of confirming anything. After all, he didn't share his visions with her either—why should she reveal her own abilities?
"A mystery of life, I suppose."
He played with the gold coin in his hand, studying it carefully. One minute passed, then another…
"Very well. I'll ask dear Jason when I see him again in the capital."
Selen smiled.
"Do that. After all, it was in his duchy that the poor priest lost his mind. Who knows? Perhaps he knows the truth of the matter."
She took another sip of the rose-scented tea as if nothing were amiss.
"I assume you'll need alchemy to meet the person behind that offer. I can provide you with a young lady for that," he suggested.
Trying to place one of his spies by her side? As if Sir Howard wasn't enough already.
"That won't be necessary. I have everything I need," Selen replied, setting her cup down.
A minute of silence passed.
"Very well. I'll see you in the capital," Noah said, gesturing for the man blocking the door to move.
"Indeed," Selen replied as she stood.
When they returned to the carriage, Sir Howard was the first to break the silence.
"Does my presence trouble you, milady?" he asked.
Selen wondered what he was referring to before recalling Noah's words.
"Do not worry, Sir. I know why Jason assigned you to me, and I do not blame him. I have nothing to hide, after all. And besides… I appreciate your company."
Sir Howard looked surprised, and Selen realized after speaking that she truly meant it. She appreciated his calm silence and strength just as she did Jason's. The only difference was that Sir Howard was easier to be around.
"I appreciate your company as well, milady."