Location: Freehold Estate Garden Pavilion & Ancestor's Library, Arvia Province
Time: Late autumn, Year 2856 of the Lower Realm
Fifteen years old, and Jade had learned that destiny often wore the mask of coincidence.
Four years as Edvard's personal slave. Four years of stolen knowledge and growing awareness. The voice in her head—increasingly familiar now, like an old friend who'd been away too long—had grown stronger with each passing month, bringing with it fragments of memory that painted pictures of distant lights and impossible journeys.
The morning had started with omens she should have recognized. Kitchen Supervisor Marta snapping at everyone over imagined infractions. Mama Dee's worried glances whenever she thought no one was looking. Even the autumn air felt charged with the kind of tension that preceded storms.
"Take the tea service to the garden," Edvard commanded from behind his desk, not bothering to look up from the letter he was writing with unusual care. His penmanship was more precise than usual, each word crafted with the attention of someone documenting something important. "I'll be entertaining my cousin Saphira. Family business."
Family business involving Saphira was never good news. Jade had learned to read the subtle signs over the years—the way Edvard's eyes glittered with anticipation when he had something particularly unpleasant planned, the careful casualness of his instructions that suggested deep premeditation, the smile that never quite reached his eyes but promised suffering for someone.
He's planning something, the voice warned with the precision she'd come to associate with tactical assessment. Body language suggests premeditation. Elevated stress indicators despite apparent calm. Be extremely careful.
"Yes, young master," Jade replied, keeping her voice perfectly neutral as she prepared the ornate silver tray.
Four years had taught her to move through the estate like a shadow made flesh, invisible until needed, forgotten the moment she left a room. It was a survival skill that had served her well—especially during her unauthorized explorations of the library's restricted sections, where old star charts and impossible navigation principles had awakened memories that shouldn't exist.
The silver tea service was particularly elaborate today—delicate porcelain cups painted with scenes of dragons breathing essence-fire, small cakes decorated with crystallized flowers that probably cost more than most vassals earned in a year, an ornate teapot that reflected the afternoon light like captured starfire. Edvard only used the finest service when he wanted to impress someone or when the occasion held special significance.
Ceremony suggests importance, the voice observed as she arranged the final pieces. This isn't casual entertainment. Whatever they're planning has been carefully orchestrated.
The garden pavilion basked in the golden light of late autumn, its white marble columns and silk curtains creating an oasis of luxury amid the estate's manicured grounds. The air smelled of dying leaves and the last roses of the season, touched with the crisp promise of coming winter. And lounging within the pavilion like predators planning their hunt were Edvard and Saphira.
Her sister had grown into her beauty over the years—tall and elegant with the kind of classical features that graced portraits in noble houses throughout the province. High cheekbones and full lips, eyes the color of deep winter sky, hair that caught light like spun shadow. But those eyes held the same cruel intelligence they'd always possessed, perhaps sharpened by years of academy training and careful social positioning.
At nineteen, Saphira commanded respect that had nothing to do with family name and everything to do with personal power. Her essence manipulation had reached impressive levels—rumors spoke of her acceptance into advanced Torrent studies at the provincial academy, of instructors who competed for her attention, of marriage proposals from families seeking alliance with her obvious talent.
"—simply can't allow it to continue," Saphira was saying as Jade approached with the tea service, her voice carrying the practiced authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed. "The whispers are becoming embarrassing. People actually remember that we're related."
Related. After twelve years of slavery, Saphira still considered Jade's continued existence a personal affront to her carefully cultivated reputation.
"Ah, perfect timing," Edvard said with false warmth as Jade set down the tray with practiced precision. "We were just discussing you, dear cousin."
Trap activation imminent, the voice observed with combat-trained alertness. Multiple hostile actors, premeditated scenario. Prepare for defensive measures.
Jade kept her expression carefully blank as she arranged the porcelain cups with movements perfected through years of serving the family's increasingly elaborate social requirements. Years of practice had taught her to become living furniture—present but unnoticed, functional but forgettable, useful but ultimately disposable.
The afternoon sun slanted through the pavilion's silk curtains, casting everything in golden light that should have been beautiful but felt ominous. Birds sang in the carefully tended gardens, their voices carrying over the sound of distant fountain water and the rustle of autumn leaves. It should have been peaceful. Instead, it felt like the calm before battle.
"You see, cousin," Edvard continued with theatrical casualness that didn't mask the predatory gleam in his pale eyes, "we have a small problem. Father has been conducting a comprehensive inventory of the family assets, and certain... discrepancies have come to light."
Discrepancies. The word carried implications that made her blood run cold despite the afternoon warmth. Inventory meant detailed accounting, careful examination, the kind of thorough investigation that uncovered hidden activities.
"Nothing serious, you understand," Saphira added with mock reassurance, sipping her tea with elegant precision. "Just some minor inconsistencies in the library records. Books that seem to have been... accessed without proper authorization."
They know, the voice said grimly. Somehow, they've detected your research activities. This is definitely a setup.
Of course it was. Four years of careful exploration, always covering her tracks, always returning materials to their exact positions, always maintaining the pretense of dutiful transcription. But apparently not carefully enough to escape notice from people who'd been watching for exactly this kind of transgression.
"I'm sure it's just a clerical error," Edvard said with false sympathy, his tone suggesting anything but certainty. "After all, who could possibly be accessing restricted materials without detection? The library is so carefully monitored, with such precise record-keeping."
Except during the hours when she was left alone to transcribe assigned materials. Hours when curiosity and growing fragments of impossible memory had driven her to explore sections far beyond her authorized access. Hours when old star charts and navigation principles had triggered recognition that felt more like remembering than learning.
"Still," Saphira continued with the relentless logic of someone who'd planned this conversation carefully, "Father insists on a thorough investigation. Starting with anyone who's had regular library access over the past few years."
Anyone. But really, only one person fit that description with perfect precision. Only one slave had spent countless hours alone among the family's most precious books and scrolls, trusted with transcription work that required both literacy and discretion.
Standard interrogation protocol, the voice observed with professional detachment. Create anxiety through implied knowledge, wait for the subject to provide confirmation through defensive responses.
The technique was elegant in its simplicity. They didn't need proof of wrongdoing—they just needed her to react in ways that confirmed their suspicions. Guilt was often its own evidence.
"Of course," Edvard said, leaning back in his chair with predatory satisfaction that made her skin crawl, "there is one way to clear this matter up quickly and definitively. A simple test of trustworthiness that would resolve all questions."
A test. Nothing about Edvard's expression or tone suggested it would be simple, and everything about the situation screamed of elaborate preparation.
"The ancestor's library," he continued with casual authority that carried the weight of absolute power. "Our most sacred repository, containing treasures that predate the founding of our clan. If someone were to... clean it thoroughly, demonstrate proper respect for our family's heritage, it would go a long way toward proving their loyalty beyond question."
The ancestor's library. The most forbidden section of the estate, containing treasures that supposedly brought prosperity to the family line. Including, according to whispered stories that circulated among the older servants, a golden tome that was supposedly the source of the family's power and the cause of their greatest fears.
The golden tome, the voice said with sudden intensity that felt different from its usual commentary. Something about it feels... important. They're offering us access to something significant..
But not really offering. Commanding. And almost certainly as part of some larger trap designed to catch her in criminal activity.
"I don't understand, young master," Jade said carefully, choosing her words with the precision of someone walking through a minefield. "Surely such important work should be handled by someone more qualified—perhaps a senior family member or trusted household officer?"
"Nonsense," Saphira interrupted with artificial sweetness that couldn't mask the venom beneath. "Who better than someone who's spent years studying our family's collection? Someone who truly appreciates the value of knowledge and understands the proper handling of irreplaceable materials?"
The emphasis on 'studying' made it absolutely clear they knew exactly what she'd been doing during those supposedly supervised hours. This wasn't a test of loyalty—it was a trap designed to catch her in the act of touching forbidden materials, providing justification for whatever punishment they'd already decided upon.
Classic entrapment scenario, the voice analyzed with military precision. Create a situation where any action leads to incrimination. Refuse the order and face punishment for disobedience. Accept and risk punishment for unauthorized access to restricted materials.
"The Head Housekeeper mentioned that no one is allowed in the ancestors' library without explicit family permission," Jade said, making one last attempt to avoid the carefully constructed trap. "Standing orders state that even cleaning staff require written authorization from the clan leader himself."
"And here we are," Edvard replied smoothly, gesturing between himself and Saphira with a theatrical flourish, "two direct family members giving you explicit permission in the presence of witnesses. Unless you're questioning our authority to make such decisions?"
Questioning family authority was grounds for severe punishment under estate law. But entering forbidden areas without proper clearance was grounds for execution under clan tradition. They'd constructed the scenario perfectly—every option led to danger.
No good choices available, the voice confirmed grimly. They've invested significant planning in this trap. Whatever they're really after, they need you in that library for their plan to succeed.
"I live to serve the family's wishes," Jade said finally, the words tasting like ash and defeat.
"Excellent," Edvard replied with obvious satisfaction, rising from his chair with the fluid grace of someone who'd never doubted the outcome. "I'll escort you personally, of course. Wouldn't want any... misunderstandings about your purpose there or the scope of your authorization."
Personal escort meant constant observation. No opportunity to explore, no chance to examine the materials she'd spent four years learning about through fragments and hints. Just supervised cleaning under the watchful eyes of people who wanted her to fail.
Unless..., the voice mused with growing excitement that felt different from its usual tactical assessment. What if that's not their real plan? What if they want something else entirely?
(What do you mean?) Jade wondered as they prepared to leave the pavilion.
Think strategically. Why construct such an elaborate setup just to catch you touching forbidden books? They could accomplish that much more easily with less risk. No, this feels like preparation for something much larger.
As they made their way through the estate's corridors, Jade tried to read the subtle signs in her captors' behavior. Edvard moved with the confident stride of someone executing a well-rehearsed plan, his hand resting casually on the pommel of his ceremonial blade. Saphira's eyes held anticipation mixed with something that might have been nervousness—or excitement.
The corridors seemed longer than usual, shadows deeper, the very air thick with approaching change. Servants they passed looked away quickly, recognizing the signs of family business that was none of their concern. Even the guards they encountered stepped aside with unusual deference, as if they'd been briefed about what was to come.
They're not planning to catch you in unauthorized access, the voice realized with sudden clarity. They're planning to frame you for something much worse. This whole scenario is designed to put you in proximity to something specific.
The ancestor's library loomed ahead—massive oak doors carved with protective sigils and family emblems that had watched over clan secrets for generations. Beyond those doors lay knowledge accumulated over centuries, including secrets that could reshape understanding of everything she thought she knew about the world.
Including the golden tome that might hold answers to the growing mystery of her impossible memories.
Whatever they're planning, the voice decided with determination that felt like steel, we use it to our advantage. They want to put us in proximity to the artifact? Let them. Sometimes the enemy's trap becomes your greatest opportunity.
The massive doors stood before them like a threshold between one life and another. On one side lay the familiar world of slavery and survival. On the other waited... something else. Something that had been calling to her through fragments of impossible memory and the voice of someone who understood navigation by distant stars.
Ready? the voice asked with anticipation that felt like coming home.
(Ready,) Jade replied with surprising certainty.
And together, they crossed the threshold into whatever came next.
The doors opened with barely a whisper, revealing shadows and secrets that had been waiting for this moment. Whether anyone knew it or not, destiny was about to be unleashed in the heart of the Freehold estate.
Whatever happened next would change everything.