Daybreak:Volume 1 Chapter 9 - Revision history

Aorii at 04:15, 2 January 2022

2022-01-02T04:15:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:15, 2 January 2022
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	It wasn't an assured ticket back. But with no alternative answers, it was also her only shot. Except the price for it...		It wasn't an assured ticket back. But with no alternative answers, it was also her only shot. Except the price for it...

	"P-please," Marina knelt down and begged as tears streaked down her soft cheeks. "If you can get your master to drink it --even just coating his chalice with it will work-- my master's men will be able to smuggle us out of the country once their task is complete."		"P-please," Marina knelt down and begged as tears streaked down her soft cheeks. "If you can get your master to drink it -- even just coating his chalice with it will work -- my master's men will be able to smuggle us out of the country once their task is complete."

	Kaede felt a cold, metal vial press into her palm. She slowly wrapped her delicate fingers around it as though it was precious and fragile. Meanwhile, her own emotions and thoughts lay in utter chaos:		Kaede felt a cold, metal vial press into her palm. She slowly wrapped her delicate fingers around it as though it was precious and fragile. Meanwhile, her own emotions and thoughts lay in utter chaos:
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	"S-she can be used as long as she has some t-trust in me, enough to give her hope. B-besides, I told her that we worked for a duke within the Empire. This way, even if she t-tells, we could at least use her for disinformation."		"S-she can be used as long as she has some t-trust in me, enough to give her hope. B-besides, I told her that we worked for a duke within the Empire. This way, even if she t-tells, we could at least use her for disinformation."

	The groundskeeper sighed. There were indeed nobles in the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie who opposed their crown princess' betrothal --even a matrilineal betrothal-- to the scion of ~~Field~~ Marshal Moltewitz. This wasn't just a red herring. It held the potential to redirect Weichsel's anger towards Rhin-Lotharingie.		The groundskeeper sighed. There were indeed nobles in the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie who opposed their crown princess' betrothal -- even a matrilineal betrothal -- to the scion of Marshal Moltewitz. This wasn't just a red herring. It held the potential to redirect Weichsel's anger towards Rhin-Lotharingie.

	"We'll need to ensure that she understands there will be consequences, immediate and deadly, should she dare to betray us. Have her carry out the task this Sunday afternoon. The following holiday will see the dorms thinned out once all the nobles with nearer estates leave for their homes. Once our target is unconscious, she is to come to the dormitory keep's exposed roof at dusk and raise her hand as the signal. If the information checks out, the others will reveal themselves and make their move. But if anything even looks like a trap, she'll be dead on the spot."		"We'll need to ensure that she understands there will be consequences, immediate and deadly, should she dare to betray us. Have her carry out the task this Sunday afternoon. The following holiday will see the dorms thinned out once all the nobles with nearer estates leave for their homes. Once our target is unconscious, she is to come to the dormitory keep's exposed roof at dusk and raise her hand as the signal. If the information checks out, the others will reveal themselves and make their move. But if anything even looks like a trap, she'll be dead on the spot."
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	Pascal couldn't have known what she did, but he also grew up in a courtly atmosphere of hiding daggers behind smiles. Kaede knew she had all the worrisome signs, even more so because they shared the familiar link. Yet he still placed his faith in her, unwavering. Because that was what one did for a dear friend, for a true partner.		Pascal couldn't have known what she did, but he also grew up in a courtly atmosphere of hiding daggers behind smiles. Kaede knew she had all the worrisome signs, even more so because they shared the familiar link. Yet he still placed his faith in her, unwavering. Because that was what one did for a dear friend, for a true partner.

	It was a goodwill that she had to return in kind. To do otherwise would not only be impolite and inappropriate. It would have violated her core belief, her personal --and far more pragmatic-- variation of the saintly golden rule:		It was a goodwill that she had to return in kind. To do otherwise would not only be impolite and inappropriate. It would have violated her core belief, her personal -- and far more pragmatic -- variation of the saintly golden rule:

	''Do unto others as they would do for you.''		''Do unto others as they would do for you.''

Aorii at 00:46, 27 June 2021

2021-06-27T00:46:49Z

Aorii at 18:40, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T18:40:42Z

Aorii at 17:19, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:19:42Z

Aorii at 18:05, 14 November 2020

2020-11-14T18:05:17Z

Show changes

Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2020-11-14T16:46:30Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

Show changes

Aorii: P-D edit

2016-02-13T20:13:12Z

P-D edit

Show changes

Aorii at 05:44, 1 December 2015

2015-12-01T05:44:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:44, 1 December 2015
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	"Probably m-mine. I can think of nobles spying on one another or keeping tabs on their rooms with surveillance spells, but I'm just a lowly servant below their notice. The walls here may be thin, but all of the other servants are out busy at this hour. Should be fine as long as we keep quiet." She then turned around towards the kitchens' rear: "please follow me."		"Probably m-mine. I can think of nobles spying on one another or keeping tabs on their rooms with surveillance spells, but I'm just a lowly servant below their notice. The walls here may be thin, but all of the other servants are out busy at this hour. Should be fine as long as we keep quiet." She then turned around towards the kitchens' rear: "please follow me."

	''~~It is~~ usual for a maid to know even that much?'' Kaede wondered. ''But then, they would be wary of working under watchful eyes; it only took one incident to leave a lasting lesson among the service staff.''		''Is it usual for a maid to know even that much?'' Kaede wondered. ''But then, they would be wary of working under watchful eyes; it only took one incident to leave a lasting lesson among the service staff.''

	The wide hallway behind the kitchen connected directly to the outside. On one wall were doors leading down to storage cellars, some of which Marina introduced as magical 'purification' rooms housing foodstuffs. The other side held two gateways that linked to the servants' quarters, segregated by gender. These proved no different from old boarding schools' dormitories, with each room furnished in a utilitarian manner: two to four bunk beds lay against exposed stone walls, and a writing desk or two stayed close to the glass windows.		The wide hallway behind the kitchen connected directly to the outside. On one wall were doors leading down to storage cellars, some of which Marina introduced as magical 'purification' rooms housing foodstuffs. The other side held two gateways that linked to the servants' quarters, segregated by gender. These proved no different from old boarding schools' dormitories, with each room furnished in a utilitarian manner: two to four bunk beds lay against exposed stone walls, and a writing desk or two stayed close to the glass windows.
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	''But then... will I even have another chance?''		''But then... will I even have another chance?''

	''Still, isn't this premeditated murder!? Even if my hands don't draw blood, I'd still an accomplice!''		''Still, isn't this premeditated murder!? Even if my hands don't draw blood, I'd still be an accomplice!''

	Pascal's selfishness might have ruined her old life, caused all her recent problems, and put her in this dilemma, but there was no way Kaede believed that he deserved to die for it.		Pascal's selfishness might have ruined her old life, caused all her recent problems, and put her in this dilemma, but there was no way Kaede believed that he deserved to die for it.

Aorii: 2nd full edit

2014-05-03T15:49:22Z

2nd full edit

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 3 May 2014
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	"How could... why did you decide that on your own!?" the chief groundskeeper snarled again, this time in the dark confines of a storage cellar.		"How could... why did you decide that on your own!?" the chief groundskeeper snarled again, this time in the dark confines of a storage cellar. "Our role is to observe and provide those killers info, not to get involved ourselves!"

	The maid was sniffling with tears running down both cheeks. But he wasn't fooled. She had been raised for subterfuge because their master recognized that her naive appearance cried easily when under pressure, a feminine trait that often disarmed others and made them underestimate how capable her mind was even under duress. It was unusual, the way emotional turmoil didn't stopper this girl's thoughts the way it would for normal people. Plus Marina was intelligent and resourceful to begin with.		The maid was sniffling with tears running down both cheeks. But he wasn't fooled. She had been raised for subterfuge because their master recognized that her naive appearance cried easily when under pressure, a feminine trait that often disarmed others and made them underestimate how capable her mind was even under duress. It was unusual, the way emotional turmoil didn't stopper this girl's thoughts the way it would for normal people. Plus Marina was intelligent and resourceful to begin with.
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	"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her gaze back onto his turquoise eyes.		"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her gaze back onto his turquoise eyes.

	"That is a stupid question," Pascal replied without an instant of hesitation. ~~He repeated:~~ "You are my familiar; of course I trust you."		"That is a stupid question," Pascal replied without an instant of hesitation. "You are my familiar; of course I trust you."

	Kaede wasn't sure how much would have changed had he not said that, or had he hesitated, or...		Kaede wasn't sure how much would have changed had he not said that, or had he hesitated, or...

Aorii at 06:09, 19 January 2014

2014-01-19T06:09:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:09, 19 January 2014
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	"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her gaze back onto his turquoise eyes.		"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her gaze back onto his turquoise eyes.

	"That is a stupid question," Pascal replied without an instant of hesitation. He repeated: "You are my familiar, of course."		"That is a stupid question," Pascal replied without an instant of hesitation. He repeated: "You are my familiar; of course I trust you."

	Kaede wasn't sure how much would have changed had he not said that, or had he hesitated, or...		Kaede wasn't sure how much would have changed had he not said that, or had he hesitated, or...

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:46, 27 June 2021
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	''Can I even trust her? Compared to Pascal?''		''Can I even trust her? Compared to Pascal?''

	She quickly decided that was a stupid question.		She quickly decided that was a stupid question. Pascal might not always treat her with the respect she wants, but he did take his responsibilities seriously. Kaede could reliably expect support, protection, and shelter from him. She was less sure about that from someone else.

	''But then... will I even have another chance?''		''But then... will I even have another chance?''

			The answer to that was 'unlikely'. It has become clear to Kaede that while many nobles didn't like Pascal and would be happy to take advantage of any situation to make him look bad, they also weren't interested in a direct confrontation given the potential political repercussions. They certainly had little reason they would help a mere 'servant commoner' like Kaede.

	''Still, isn't this premeditated murder!? Even if my hands don't draw blood, I'd still be an accomplice!''		''Still, isn't this premeditated murder!? Even if my hands don't draw blood, I'd still be an accomplice!''

	Pascal's selfishness might have ruined her old life, caused all her recent problems, and put her in this dilemma. But there was no way Kaede believed that ~~he deserved~~ to ~~die for it~~.		Pascal's selfishness might have ruined her old life, caused all her recent problems, and put her in this dilemma. But there was no way Kaede believed that murder in cold blood was a justifiable response.

			''But what other choices do I have? Even Pascal said that the only way to cut the link, to sever my connection to this world, was through the death of one of us...''

	~~''But what~~ other ~~choices do I have? Even Pascal said~~ that the ~~only way to cut the link, to sever my connection to this world~~, was ~~through death.''~~		The other voices in her mind objected, crying that even this presumption was a gamble, as the backlash that Marina downplayed might simply kill her anyway. However before Kaede could take any of them into account, it was her voice of conscience that yelled the loudest:

	''How is murder ever acceptable just for my own gains? For a mere chance of returning?''		''How is murder ever acceptable just for my own gains? For a mere chance of returning?''

	Kaede squeezed the vial in her hands. She was certain that ~~the~~ answer should be obvious. Yet she was nevertheless unwilling to close the other door.		Kaede squeezed the vial in her hands. She was certain that her answer should be obvious. Yet she was nevertheless unwilling to close the other door.

	"How do I know that your master and his men will keep their word?"		"How do I know that your master and his men will keep their word?"
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	He could have cast her out from day one when she committed assault, yet he stayed up to watch over her when she was ill -- even if that was also his fault. He wasn't always thoughtful. He swayed between impenetrable composure and lashing out with childish tantrums. But in the end, Pascal always upheld what he saw as his personal responsibility with a steely grip.		He could have cast her out from day one when she committed assault, yet he stayed up to watch over her when she was ill -- even if that was also his fault. He wasn't always thoughtful. He swayed between impenetrable composure and lashing out with childish tantrums. But in the end, Pascal always upheld what he saw as his personal responsibility with a steely grip.

	Had the circumstances been different, Kaede would have loved to work with such a man. He had a potential for visionary guidance and reliable management. He ~~would make~~ an admirable leader, a boss she would be proud to follow, to even consider a personal friend.		Had the circumstances been different, Kaede would have loved to work with such a man. He had a potential for visionary guidance and reliable management. He might even become an admirable leader with a little more maturity and growth -- a boss she would be proud to follow, to even consider a personal friend.

	"Companion and partner, huh?" Kaede repeated with the hint of a smile. ''Isn't that what a good friend is?''		"Companion and partner, huh?" Kaede repeated with the hint of a smile. ''Isn't that what a good friend is?''

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 1 June 2021
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	"S-she can be used as long as she has some t-trust in me, enough to give her hope. B-besides, I told her that we worked for a duke within the Empire. This way, even if she t-tells, we could at least use her for disinformation."		"S-she can be used as long as she has some t-trust in me, enough to give her hope. B-besides, I told her that we worked for a duke within the Empire. This way, even if she t-tells, we could at least use her for disinformation."

	The groundskeeper sighed. There were indeed nobles in the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie who opposed their crown princess' betrothal --even a matrilineal betrothal-- to the scion of Field Marshal Moltewitz. ~~However, he and Marina actually worked for~~ a ~~northern governor of~~ the ~~Holy Imperium, executing a direct mission from their Imperator~~.		The groundskeeper sighed. There were indeed nobles in the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie who opposed their crown princess' betrothal --even a matrilineal betrothal-- to the scion of Field Marshal Moltewitz. This wasn't just a red herring. It held the potential to redirect Weichsel's anger towards Rhin-Lotharingie.

	"We'll need to ensure that she understands there will be consequences, immediate and deadly, should she dare to betray us. Have her carry out the task this Sunday afternoon. The following holiday will see the dorms thinned out once all the nobles with nearer estates leave for their homes. Once our target is unconscious, she is to come to the dormitory keep's exposed roof at dusk and raise her hand as the signal. If the information checks out, the others will reveal themselves and make their move. But if anything even looks like a trap, she'll be dead on the spot."		"We'll need to ensure that she understands there will be consequences, immediate and deadly, should she dare to betray us. Have her carry out the task this Sunday afternoon. The following holiday will see the dorms thinned out once all the nobles with nearer estates leave for their homes. Once our target is unconscious, she is to come to the dormitory keep's exposed roof at dusk and raise her hand as the signal. If the information checks out, the others will reveal themselves and make their move. But if anything even looks like a trap, she'll be dead on the spot."
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	She would do almost anything to wake up from this dream.		She would do almost anything to wake up from this dream.

			Except it wasn't a dream. She couldn't wake from it. She was stuck in this world whether she liked it or not. All she could do was to make the best of it.

	"Tell me Pascal, what am I to you?" Kaede turned her gaze away.		"Tell me Pascal, what am I to you?" Kaede turned her gaze away.
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	"You are my companion and partner that, by the grace of the Holy Father, will be with me until the end of my days, or..." his voice dropped low, "at least until we come across a solution for your return."		"You are my companion and partner that, by the grace of the Holy Father, will be with me until the end of my days, or..." his voice dropped low, "at least until we come across a solution for your return."

	Kaede was almost surprised by that. He had managed to keep it in mind after all, however begrudgingly.		Kaede was almost surprised by that. He had managed to keep it in mind after all, however begrudgingly, however hopeless the task might seem.

	Almost, because the slightest hindsight told her that his answer should have been expected. She had only known Pascal for ~~twelve days~~, yet within this time he had upheld every promise he had made to the letter. Even, especially, that night when he invoked his nobility against his own superiors in her defense.		Almost, because the slightest hindsight told her that his answer should have been expected. She had only known Pascal for two weeks, yet within this time he had upheld every promise he had made to the letter. Even, especially, that night when he invoked his nobility against his own superiors in her defense.

	He could have cast her out from day one when she committed assault, yet he stayed up to watch over her when she was ill -- even if that was also his fault. He wasn't always thoughtful. He swayed between impenetrable composure and lashing out with childish tantrums. But in the end, Pascal always upheld what he saw as his personal responsibility with a steely grip.		He could have cast her out from day one when she committed assault, yet he stayed up to watch over her when she was ill -- even if that was also his fault. He wasn't always thoughtful. He swayed between impenetrable composure and lashing out with childish tantrums. But in the end, Pascal always upheld what he saw as his personal responsibility with a steely grip.
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	"Companion and partner, huh?" Kaede repeated with the hint of a smile. ''Isn't that what a good friend is?''		"Companion and partner, huh?" Kaede repeated with the hint of a smile. ''Isn't that what a good friend is?''

	There was no way she could contribute to killing someone who only wished for that. Even if she managed to return to her old life, she would not be able to live with herself. Her conscience alone would destroy her future -- that was something far worse than this situation could ever be.		There was no way she could contribute to killing someone who only wished for that. ''Even if'' she managed to return to her old life, she would not be able to live with herself. Her conscience alone would haunt her life and destroy her future -- that was something far worse than this situation could ever be.

	"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her eyes back onto his.		"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her eyes back onto his.
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	Pascal couldn't have known what she did, but he also grew up in a courtly atmosphere of hiding daggers behind smiles. Kaede knew she had all the worrisome signs, even more so because they shared the familiar link. Yet he still placed his faith in her, unwavering. Because that was what one did for a dear friend, for a true partner.		Pascal couldn't have known what she did, but he also grew up in a courtly atmosphere of hiding daggers behind smiles. Kaede knew she had all the worrisome signs, even more so because they shared the familiar link. Yet he still placed his faith in her, unwavering. Because that was what one did for a dear friend, for a true partner.

	It was a goodwill that she had to return in kind. To do otherwise would not only be impolite and inappropriate. It would have violated her ~~central~~ belief, her personal --and far more pragmatic-- variation of the saintly golden rule:		It was a goodwill that she had to return in kind. To do otherwise would not only be impolite and inappropriate. It would have violated her core belief, her personal --and far more pragmatic-- variation of the saintly golden rule:

	''Do unto others as they would do for you.''		''Do unto others as they would do for you.''

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:19, 10 April 2021
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	"Probably m-mine. I can think of nobles spying on one another or keeping tabs on their rooms with surveillance spells. However I'm just a lowly servant below their notice. The walls here may be thin, but all of the other servants are out busy at this hour. It should be fine as long as we keep quiet." She then turned around towards the kitchens' rear. "Please follow me."		"Probably m-mine. I can think of nobles spying on one another or keeping tabs on their rooms with surveillance spells. However I'm just a lowly servant below their notice. The walls here may be thin, but all of the other servants are out busy at this hour. It should be fine as long as we keep quiet." She then turned around towards the kitchens' rear. "Please follow me."

	''Is it usual for a maid to know even that much?'' Kaede wondered. ''I guess they would be wary of working under watchful eyes. It only ~~took~~ one incident to leave a lasting lesson among the servants.''		''Is it usual for a maid to know even that much?'' Kaede wondered. ''I guess they would be wary of working under watchful eyes. It only takes one incident to leave a lasting lesson among the servants.''

	The wide hallway behind the kitchen connected directly to ~~the~~ outside. On one wall were doors leading down to storage cellars, some of which Marina introduced as magical 'purification' rooms housing foodstuffs. The other side held two ~~gateways~~ that linked to the servants' quarters, segregated by gender. These proved no different from old boarding schools' dormitories, with each room furnished in a utilitarian manner: two to four bunk beds lay against exposed stone walls, plus a desk or two close to the glass windows.		The wide hallway behind the kitchen connected directly to outside. On one wall were doors leading down to storage cellars, some of which Marina introduced as magical 'purification' rooms housing foodstuffs. The other side held two doorways that linked to the servants' quarters, segregated by gender. These proved no different from old boarding schools' dormitories, with each room furnished in a utilitarian manner: two to four bunk beds lay against exposed stone walls, plus a desk or two close to the glass windows.

	Marina pulled Kaede into a small room just barely large enough to fit two sets of beds and still cram in a table. Clothes, including girls' underwear, hung off a horizontal bar just above each bed.		Marina pulled Kaede into a small room just barely large enough to fit two sets of beds and still cram in a table. Clothes, including girls' underwear, hung off a horizontal bar just above each bed.
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	''I swear this is the last one...''		''I swear this is the last one...''

	"No, you're not. I borrowed a thought detection ~~spellglyph~~ from Pascal," she bluffed with her sternest expression. "Of course, he doesn't know what it's for. But I can use it well enough to know that you're lying to me."		"No, you're not. I borrowed a thought detection rune from Pascal," she bluffed with her sternest expression. "Of course, he doesn't know what it's for. But I can use it well enough to know that you're lying to me."

	The maid stiffened into a board as her glassy eyes grew wide, finally giving Kaede a sign of what she sought.		The maid stiffened into a board as her glassy eyes grew wide, finally giving Kaede a sign of what she sought.
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	"H-he'll know anyway... you're his..."		"H-he'll know anyway... you're his..."

	Kaede sighed. She wasn't sure how she would manage if her gamble had proved wrong. But now, it was time to stop waving the big stick and go back to speaking softly. Interrogation wasn't exactly twentieth century foreign policy~~, but~~ persuasion was persuasion.		Kaede sighed. She wasn't sure how she would manage if her gamble had proved wrong. But now, it was time to stop waving the big stick and go back to speaking softly. Interrogation wasn't exactly twentieth century foreign policy. However persuasion was persuasion, even if it bordered on blackmail.

	"Pascal promised he will not intrude upon my senses without asking. If nothing else, he's a noble who values his pride and sense of honor. I trust him to keep his word on that, and I promise your secret is safe with me."		"Pascal promised he will not intrude upon my senses without asking. If nothing else, he's a noble who values his pride and sense of honor. I trust him to keep his word on that, and I promise your secret is safe with me."
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	"My m-master has an excellent Wayfarer -- a teleportation expert. I-I'm sure he could arrange something."		"My m-master has an excellent Wayfarer -- a teleportation expert. I-I'm sure he could arrange something."

	Kaede remembered that Pascal had also sought the aid of a Professor specializing in it. She realized that the key to returning home probably laid in the wormhole-like effect of teleportation. Pascal also said that something kept her from being 'banished', cast back into her world of origin, and one of the possible causes was their familiar link.		Kaede remembered that Pascal had also sought the aid of a Professor specializing in it. She realized that the key to returning home probably laid in the wormhole-like effect of teleportation. Pascal had also said that something kept her from being 'banished', cast back into her world of origin, and one of the possible causes was their familiar link.

	It wasn't an assured ticket back. But with no alternative answers, it was also her only shot. Except the price for it...		It wasn't an assured ticket back. But with no alternative answers, it was also her only shot. Except the price for it...

	"P-please," Marina knelt down and begged as tears streaked down her soft cheeks. "If you can get your master to drink it -- even just coating his chalice with it will work -- my master's men will be able to smuggle us out of the country once their task is complete."		"P-please," Marina knelt down and begged as tears streaked down her soft cheeks. "If you can get your master to drink it --even just coating his chalice with it will work-- my master's men will be able to smuggle us out of the country once their task is complete."

	Kaede felt a cold, metal vial press into her palm. She slowly wrapped her delicate fingers around it as though it was precious and fragile. Meanwhile, her own emotions and thoughts lay in utter chaos:		Kaede felt a cold, metal vial press into her palm. She slowly wrapped her delicate fingers around it as though it was precious and fragile. Meanwhile, her own emotions and thoughts lay in utter chaos:
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	''How is murder ever acceptable just for my own gains? For a mere chance of returning?''		''How is murder ever acceptable just for my own gains? For a mere chance of returning?''

	Kaede squeezed the vial in her hands. ~~Though~~ certain that ~~her~~ answer should be obvious, she was nevertheless unwilling to close the other door.		Kaede squeezed the vial in her hands. She was certain that the answer should be obvious. Yet she was nevertheless unwilling to close the other door.

	"How do I know that your master and his men will keep their word?"		"How do I know that your master and his men will keep their word?"
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	The groundskeeper sighed. There were indeed nobles in the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie who opposed their crown princess' betrothal --even a matrilineal betrothal-- to the scion of Field Marshal Moltewitz. However, he and Marina actually worked for a northern governor of the Holy Imperium, executing a direct mission from their Imperator.		The groundskeeper sighed. There were indeed nobles in the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie who opposed their crown princess' betrothal --even a matrilineal betrothal-- to the scion of Field Marshal Moltewitz. However, he and Marina actually worked for a northern governor of the Holy Imperium, executing a direct mission from their Imperator.

	"We'll need to ensure that she understands there will be consequences, immediate and deadly, should she dare to betray us. Have her carry out the task this Sunday afternoon. The following holiday will see the dorms thinned out once all the nobles with nearer estates leave for their homes. Once our target is unconscious, she is to come to the dormitory keep's exposed roof at dusk and raise her hand as the signal. If ~~our~~ information checks out, the ~~rest of us~~ will reveal ~~ourselves~~ and make ~~our~~ move. But if anything even looks like a trap, she'll be dead on the spot."		"We'll need to ensure that she understands there will be consequences, immediate and deadly, should she dare to betray us. Have her carry out the task this Sunday afternoon. The following holiday will see the dorms thinned out once all the nobles with nearer estates leave for their homes. Once our target is unconscious, she is to come to the dormitory keep's exposed roof at dusk and raise her hand as the signal. If the information checks out, the others will reveal themselves and make their move. But if anything even looks like a trap, she'll be dead on the spot."

	"I-I understand. I'll inform her tomorrow."		"I-I understand. I'll inform her tomorrow."
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	"Are you alright? You've been... conflicted, confused even, since early morning," Pascal voiced as they returned to the dorm room after dinner. His ~~focused~~ eyes turned around and met Kaede's with deep concern.		"Are you alright? You've been... conflicted, confused even, since early morning," Pascal voiced as they returned to the dorm room after dinner. His turquoise eyes turned around and met Kaede's with deep concern.

	...Or was it suspicion? She couldn't tell. She already knew that it probably wasn't possible to hide her emotions from their 'passive link'. Her sense of guilt was a dead giveaway.		...Or was it suspicion? She couldn't tell. She already knew that it probably wasn't possible to hide her emotions from their 'passive link'. Her sense of guilt was a dead giveaway.
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	Almost, because the slightest hindsight told her that his answer should have been expected. She had only known Pascal for twelve days, yet within this time he had upheld every promise he had made to the letter. Even, especially, that night when he invoked his nobility against his own superiors in her defense.		Almost, because the slightest hindsight told her that his answer should have been expected. She had only known Pascal for twelve days, yet within this time he had upheld every promise he had made to the letter. Even, especially, that night when he invoked his nobility against his own superiors in her defense.

	He could have cast her out from day one when she committed assault, yet he stayed up to watch over her when she was ill -- even if that was also his fault. He wasn't always thoughtful. He swayed between impenetrable composure and lashing out with childish tantrums. But in the end, Pascal always upheld what he saw as his personal responsibility with a ~~steel hand~~.		He could have cast her out from day one when she committed assault, yet he stayed up to watch over her when she was ill -- even if that was also his fault. He wasn't always thoughtful. He swayed between impenetrable composure and lashing out with childish tantrums. But in the end, Pascal always upheld what he saw as his personal responsibility with a steely grip.

	Had the circumstances been different, Kaede would have loved to work with such a man. He had a potential for visionary guidance and reliable management. He would make an admirable leader, a boss she would be proud to follow, to even consider a personal friend.		Had the circumstances been different, Kaede would have loved to work with such a man. He had a potential for visionary guidance and reliable management. He would make an admirable leader, a boss she would be proud to follow, to even consider a personal friend.
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	There was no way she could contribute to killing someone who only wished for that. Even if she managed to return to her old life, she would not be able to live with herself. Her conscience alone would destroy her future -- that was something far worse than this situation could ever be.		There was no way she could contribute to killing someone who only wished for that. Even if she managed to return to her old life, she would not be able to live with herself. Her conscience alone would destroy her future -- that was something far worse than this situation could ever be.

	"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her eyes back onto his ~~turquoise gaze~~.		"Then, Pascal, do you trust me?" Kaede locked her eyes back onto his.

	"That is a stupid question," Pascal replied without an instant of hesitation. "You are my familiar. Of course I trust you."		"That is a stupid question," Pascal replied without an instant of hesitation. "You are my familiar. Of course I trust you."
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	But her path was clear now.		But her path was clear now.

	Pascal couldn't have known what she did, but he also grew up in a courtly atmosphere of hiding daggers behind smiles. Kaede knew she had all the worrisome signs, even more so because they shared the familiar link. Yet he still placed his faith in her, unwavering. Because that was what one did for a dear friend, for a true partner. It was a goodwill that she had to return in kind. To do otherwise would not only be impolite and inappropriate. It would have violated her central belief, her personal --and far more pragmatic-- variation of the saintly golden rule:		Pascal couldn't have known what she did, but he also grew up in a courtly atmosphere of hiding daggers behind smiles. Kaede knew she had all the worrisome signs, even more so because they shared the familiar link. Yet he still placed his faith in her, unwavering. Because that was what one did for a dear friend, for a true partner.

			It was a goodwill that she had to return in kind. To do otherwise would not only be impolite and inappropriate. It would have violated her central belief, her personal --and far more pragmatic-- variation of the saintly golden rule:

	''Do unto others as they would do for you.''		''Do unto others as they would do for you.''