Footsteps echoed throughout the dark and stony hall of Herrenberg Castle. The only source of light was with a lantern held in a blether servant's hands as we made our way to the master's chamber. A breeze from outside pushes past a window and puffs around us. I pull my coat tighter around me since I forget how cold it can get up in these mountains.
The simple masked construct is unfazed by the chill. A flash of lightning illuminates more of its light blue uniform and white mask. It then glanced toward me, "It is good you have arrived early, Herr Albrecht."
"The Magistrate chose me as part of the Sworn Cadre for a reason," I replied, "Do you know anything about his summons for me?"
"Nothing more than the utmost discretion was taken. Master Fugue has made it clear to all staff members involved that this matter is to be kept only with them."
Usually if his own staff are out of the loop, then a personal request of his must be afoot. That's the privilege of people in my position. The Sworn Cadre are meant to be personal lackeys to our assigned magistrate and Alistair pays far better just for me to sit and ask minimal questions.
Eventually we arrived to the inner sanctum. Another of Alistair's servants was posted at the entryway but their uniform jacket was scarlet red instead and their mask painted with intricate lines that drip from the forehead and down to the chin.
The servant then opened the door, "Wilhelm von Albrecht has arrived, Master Fugue."
"Bring him in," the Baron replied.
I stepped inside the dimly lit room. The smell of wine and other fragrant chemicals mixed in greeted my nostrils. The only thing I could see was a shining orb hovering behind the master in his study. It illuminated him, the small table in the middle, and the other chair all facing the window where the tips of pine trees barely reached up.
"Any reason for the odd smell?" I asked while making my way over to the vacant seat.
"A failed experiment for now. What you will work with in the future will be far more discreet." A lightning flash revealed a glimpse of his thinned white hair and elegant coat.
"You did mention that I had a new assignment after all."
"Indeed. Particularly with a conjuration professor. One of which that knows the teleportation runes to Vrexen. Such a closely guarded secret ever since the Necromantic War."
"Not one to be so easily convinced, I take it?"
"He is part of the Arcane League after all. His allegiance with their Consulate will certainly bind his tongue of the secrets. But that's while he's in their hands. Your task is to put him into ours. From there, everything begins to fall into place should it all go accordingly."
Light flashes as thunder rumbles above, showcasing a glimpse of the faraway village down the pathway.
"Who is he, exactly?"
"Professor Lucan Eredris from the academy in Regalia. What a convenient time the Ardent season is, especially. The school is closed and the educators are out refining their lessons for the next school year. Would it not also be a strange coincidence for there to be a strange magical anomaly in the far off distance to draw him out? All you have to do is fetch."
