Princess Roxene rose from her stool with fluid grace, apparently satisfied with both the transaction and whatever additional information she'd gathered during their conversation. From her sleeve, she withdrew a small card made from what appeared to be enchanted silver, inscribed with symbols that shifted slightly when viewed directly.
"In case you acquire additional materials of interest," she said, offering him the card. "Present this to any member of the Royal Guard, and they'll arrange a meeting."
Astra accepted the card, immediately noting its substantial weight and the complex magical auras surrounding it. This wasn't simple contact information—the amount of enchantment work represented was considerable, suggesting the card itself held significant value beyond its stated purpose.
"I appreciate the opportunity to do business, Your Highness," he said, offering a respectful nod that acknowledged both her rank and her newfound partnership.
"Likewise." She paused, glancing once more at his bandaged hand. "Take care, Astra. The capital can be dangerous for those carrying valuable things."
There was something in her tone—not quite a warning, not quite advice—that made him look at her more carefully. But her expression had already returned to its previous mask of royal composure.
As Princess Roxene prepared to depart, the crowd that had been maintaining its careful distance began to shift nervously. A figure in royal guard colors appeared at her shoulder—when had they arrived?—and fell into step with practiced precision.
Marcus finally seemed to remember his burning meat, frantically flipping skewers that had begun to char beyond salvation. His hands shook slightly as he worked.
"Word of advice," Marcus said quietly once the princess had moved beyond earshot, his tone carrying the weight of someone who'd learned hard lessons. "Cards like that aren't handed out casually. Whatever you did to impress her..."
"How do you mean?"
Marcus glanced around nervously, then leaned closer. "The kind of exclusive that comes with opportunities and dangers in equal measure. It can be your chain, or your freedom. Depends on what she really wants from you."
Astra turned the silver card over in his fingers, feeling the way its enchantments responded to his touch with subtle warmth. "And what do you think she wants?"
"From someone who survived Wild Rok and carries perfect elemental stones?" Marcus shook his head. "Nothing simple, friend. Nothing simple at all."
They made small talk about the town's changes and recent events, but Astra could sense the vendor's continued unease. After a while, he glanced toward the darkening sky.
"I should find an inn before they're all full for the night."
"Of course. Safe travels," Marcus said, though his tone suggested he doubted Astra's immediate future would be particularly safe.
Astra left a few coins on the table—more than the meal was worth, but less than the information had been valuable.
"Thank you for the meal. And the advice."
As the sun set behind the ancient oak's sprawling canopy and the academy district settled into evening quiet, Astra found himself holding a fortune in gold and a card that represented possibilities he was only beginning to understand.
His plan to start fresh in the capital had just become considerably more complicated.
But for the first time since returning to the city, he felt like the future held genuine promise rather than mere survival. Sometimes the most dangerous opportunities were also the most worthwhile.
And Princess Roxene had definitely qualified as dangerous.
---
The carriage swayed gently as it carried Princess Roxene through the cobblestone streets back to the castle. Elena, her personal maid, sat across from her with a troubled expression that had been growing deeper since they'd left the academy district.
"Princess," Elena finally spoke, breaking the comfortable silence. "What would happen if the nobles saw you sitting with a commoner like that?"
Roxene didn't look away from the window, but Elena caught the slight tightening around her eyes.
"I'm afraid that they would use it against you," Elena continued, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "The court already whispers about your... unconventional nature. This would only give them more ammunition."
"Who cares what they think?" Roxene's tone was sharp, more emotion bleeding through than she usually allowed. "I've been searching for stones of that quality for months. I've placed orders with every reputable merchant in the kingdom, even posted bounties at the Adventurer's Guild. None of them—none—have brought me what I requested."
She finally turned from the window, her dark eyes reflecting a frustration that had been building for far too long.
"I need those stones for my academy project. The theoretical framework I'm developing requires materials of absolute purity. Without them, months of research becomes worthless."
Elena shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "That man is suspicious, Your Highness. There's no way a commoner should possess elemental stones of that caliber. The neutral stone alone..."
"His bandaged hand," Elena added, voice dropping further. "He's clearly hiding something."
Roxene's lips curved into a faint smile—not entirely pleasant. "Perhaps he stole them."
"I don't believe so," Elena countered immediately, her analytical mind taking over. "If they were stolen, he would have sold them on the black market for a fraction of their value. Quick disposal, no questions asked. He wouldn't have been sitting so openly in the academy district, casually displaying them to anyone who asked."
"He mentioned the Wild Rok region," Roxene mused, her fingers drumming against her knee in a rare display of restless energy. "Though he was frustratingly vague about specifics."
Elena's eyes lit up with understanding. "Your Highness... what if he found something more substantial? A deposit, perhaps? An untapped source?"
"Now that," Roxene said slowly, "would be an incredible asset for the kingdom."
"Exactly! Which is why I don't understand..." Elena leaned forward, her confusion evident. "Why didn't you push him harder? Offer a substantial reward for information about the location? Surely a former guard could use the coin, especially if he's truly planning to start a mercenary company."
"But Your Highness, think of the opportunity—"
"Patience," Roxene interrupted gently, though there was steel beneath the silk. "Patience serves far better than haste, Elena. You see, I'm not particularly interested in simply throwing money at problems. The royal treasury hardly lacks for funds."
Elena blinked in confusion. "Then why pursue this at all?"
"What I need is Astra's trust. Without it, he won't truly cooperate, and cooperation built on coercion crumbles at the first sign of pressure." Roxene's voice took on the tone she used when explaining complex magical theory. "Mining operations require enormous investments—logistics, equipment, labor, security through dangerous territory. Eventually, he'll realize he needs substantial backing."
"But Your Highness," Elena said carefully, "how can you be certain he'll approach you? What if he finds other investors?"
Roxene's smile turned slightly predatory. "Because I've made sure he won't find them easily. A word here, a suggestion there—nothing that can be traced back, of course. The merchant families know I have an interest in elemental stone suppliers. They won't interfere with my potential acquisition."
Elena's eyes widened slightly. "You've been... discouraging his other options?"
"Not sabotaging," Roxene corrected. "Simply ensuring that when he's ready to accept partnership, I'm the most attractive option available. The difference is important, Elena. I haven't harmed him—I've positioned myself to help him when he needs it most."
She paused, watching understanding dawn in Elena's eyes.
"Eventually, Astra will realize he needs substantial backing for such an enterprise. When that moment comes, he'll approach me not because I forced his hand, but because partnership serves both our interests. The difference between coercion and cooperation, Elena, is that cooperation lasts."
As their carriage crossed the castle's drawbridge, Elena nodded slowly. "What would you have me do, Your Highness?"
"When we return, go to the Royal Archives. I want everything we have on him—service records, family background, place of birth, commendations, disciplinary actions. I want to know exactly who Astra is before our next meeting."
The carriage came to a smooth stop, and a line of maids and attendants immediately formed, bowing deeply as Princess Roxene stepped down. Elena followed, already mentally cataloging the research she would need to conduct.
"Oh, and Elena?" Roxene called softly as they walked toward the castle entrance.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Next time we encounter him, I suspect it will be under very different circumstances."