“The notable and distinguished seem to be the ones pulling the strings, but in truth, it's those that dwell in the realm of secrecy, murder, and lies that truly command us all.”
-Samuel Ruthwyn, Itheri Innkeep, Calastore
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“Sir, the plan failed.”
“What!?” I shouted back in fury. I simply couldn’t stand another failure at such a critical time. Nations were on the brink of war, and I had to do what I could to prevent it.
“Our spies in the Itheri and Alor governments have been found out, the ones in Aloreh are to be executed tomorrow, however, Ithero has allowed two of our most respected spies to keep their heads, for now.”
I grumbled in response. Such a complete and utter failure like this would most certainly devastate my overall goals.
“Sadly, I fear their discoveries may have actually caused the opposite effect of our original intentions.” My aide continued on. “Now both nations believe it was the other that orchestrated the operations, and we can’t speak out about it without exposing ourselves, can we?” He almost seemed to be genuinely asking a question for once.
“Of course we can’t, that’ll bring focus to us, and we’d be on the chopping block within days.”
He nodded to my answer, unsure if what I said was the right move.
“You know, this will most certainly exacerbate the situation.”
I waved him off, my gloved hand hiding all of the damage from my long years alive.
“I know, I know. Just, let me think in peace. I must plot a new course of action.”
With that, my aide nodded in respect, and left the room, making sure to shut the heavy oaken door behind him as he did.
Now alone in my stone walled chambers, I started to think.
My master did warn me that I could not directly alter the timeline without his aid, yet I thought that I could still do something to prevent this... nonsense from occurring. I was wrong, dead wrong, and I played into it. Those visions were, so real, so vivid, and so devastating. I simply couldn’t sit by and let it happen, but knowing that it would happen anyways, and being unable to do anything about it, made my stomach churn in disgust.
If only Llyrrh hadn’t accidentally damned me to this fate, I wouldn’t have to worry, now would I? Maybe it amused her, or maybe she simply didn’t know, but that supposed ‘god of order’ had made my life a living torment. All because I believed and respected my master over her.
It had been years since I last saw my homeland, the place where I was born, but now even the memory of that long gone and forgotten realm seemed to have left me. All because of that damned goddess.
I sighed, covering my face in my hands, as I continued to contemplate my next move.
First and foremost, I had to extract my agents without any witnesses. Secondly, I had to find a way to minimize the damage between the two superpowers of Aloreh and Ithero. Next, I had to replace the spies I had with newer, better agents, and less of them. Finally, I’d have to consult my master for further council.
This was not going to be easy.
I sighed once more, standing up and out of my uncomfortable wooden chair and away from the ornately decorated desk before me. Walking to the center of the room, I sat down, crossing my robed legs under one another as I did so, and attempted to get as comfortable as possible on the cold stone floor.
Closing my eyes, I started to breathe deeply, until my mind was clear, and I had finally entered my trace.
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