Rattan maintained his facade of the weary hero until he reached the privacy of what was once Kaelen's personal chamber. A deep, shuddering breath escaped him as the weight of the performance lifted. He was so consumed by relief that he failed to notice the room was no longer the ransacked ruin he remembered.
Deep in exhaustion, Rattan fell into a profound sleep. It was then that the Phantom seized the opportunity, subtly weaving more of Kaelen's memories and mannerisms into Rattan's mind, perfecting his mimicry.
A week later, Rattan awoke, and the first things he did were a series of unconscious movements. His body moved on its own, checking the seals and wards he now instinctively knew protected his home. Kaelen had been no mage, but his understanding of magic far surpassed most. Drawing on these new memories, Rattan began to inspect his chambers, then the entire mansion. He meticulously checked every magic circle, ensuring each was intact and untouched.
