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Tue 27th Aug 2024 10:37

79. Basking in Dusk's light

by Lady Leticia Scarlet-Bloesembhel Voetdhel-Montaneus

Scarlet's heart hammered in her chest as she tried to focus on the reports in front of her, but the cacophony outside made it difficult to concentrate. Every hammer strike, every curse muttered under breath, was a necessary part of fortifying her defenses, yet the noise amplified her nerves. The imps, diligent in their tasks, chittered amongst themselves, their mischievous laughter occasionally cutting through the din—a strange comfort in the chaos.
 
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on the inked words on the parchment. The figures and status updates blurred together as her mind wandered back to last night. The soft scrape on her windowsill, the chilling silence that followed, and the way her breath had caught in her throat when she realized just how close they had come. The plan had worked, but only just. If not for her foresight, if not for the countless nights spent drilling every possible scenario into her mind, she might not be sitting here now.
 
Scarlet's fingers tightened around her necklace, the smooth, cool surface of the pendant grounding her thoughts. She closed her eyes and recalled, "It’s all part of The Plan," she whispered again, her voice steadier this time. She had to believe that. The Plan had been in motion for years, carefully crafted, each piece meticulously placed by her, her mentor, and her aunts. They had anticipated every move, every counterattack, every possible outcome. But even the most well-laid plans could unravel in the blink of an eye, and she wasn’t sure if she'd remain intact enough to play her part.
 
She opened her eyes and set the reports aside, rising from her desk to stand by the window. The courtyard below was a hive of activity, yet beyond the bustling workers and stacked supplies, she saw the shadows creeping in as the day began to fade. Night was approaching, and with it, the final challenge. Her hand rested on the star scroll roll, bound in an ebony cover and strapped to her side, the familiar weight a reminder of her training, of the countless hours spent preparing for this very moment.
 
"I won’t fail," she muttered, her gaze hardening as she watched the sun dip lower. "I’m not like her. I’m not like mirror me. I won’t lose everything."
 
The words hung in the air, a silent vow. Scarlet knew the coming hours would test her resolve, her cunning, and her strength. But she had no choice. She had to survive the night, for herself, for her family, and for the future they had fought so hard to secure.
 
With a final glance at the preparations below, Scarlet turned back to her desk, determination steeling her nerves. The work wasn’t done, and neither was she. There was still time to make sure everything was perfect, to ensure that when the fourth group came, they would be met with more than just traps and tricks. They would face the full force of everything Scarlet had to become.
 
And they would not leave her alive. But she would meet their assassination attempt with an execution. Only one group would leave this house alive, and she hoped it would be hers.

Continue reading...

  1. 01. Settling in
  2. 02. Fist Fight at a fancy Ball
  3. 03. It's a Lion not a 'Cat'
  4. 04. Patron's tea and dance
  5. 05. The escort job
  6. 06. Update: Today's purchase list
  7. 07. Escort for Bella and the Loot King
  8. 08. Sirens and a chase in town
  9. 09. Got abducted again
  10. 10. Jams and Jellies
  11. 11. New Dog
  12. 12. Guards in the Trees
  13. 13. Temple Visit
  14. 14. New Pup & Outing
  15. 15. Training exercises
  16. 16. Fighting over an idol
  17. 17. Jobs galore
  18. 18. New stationary
  19. 19. A small visit
  20. 20. Slaps and shows
  21. 21. Today's meal
  22. 22. Homesick
  23. 23. Lanterns in the sky
  24. 24. Baby in the park
  25. 25. The Heist
  26. 26. Update: Guild
  27. 27. Mines and Traps
  28. 28. New clothes
  29. 29. I made Journeyer!
  30. 30. Investment shopping
  31. 31. The Pit (fights)
  32. 32. Ghosts of the past
  33. 33. Unexpected ending in a Play
  34. 34. Today's meal
    https://www.worldanvil.com/hero/journal/1aa083c5-ae1f-4624-a724-197a3f8704e3/view
  35. 35. Spies and secrets
  36. 36. Wanted: Three Hand Gang (WED)
  37. 37. Well it's official
  38. 38. Hags and stones
  39. 39. Death and visitations
  40. 40. the shell game
  41. 41. Anger and plots
  42. 42. The jobs so far
  43. 43. (Doodles)
  44. 44. Meetings and Partings
  45. 45. Double checking
  46. 46. An office Scene
    8/01/2023
  47. 47. An(other) office Scene
  48. 48. Paperwork
  49. 49. Behind the curve
  50. 50. Notes and notation
  51. 51. Cake and notes
  52. 52. Paperwork on the high seas
  53. 53. Pics and notes
  54. 54. A small talk
  55. 55. Small notes
  56. 56. The Dressmaker
  57. 57. (food)
  58. 58. Notes
  59. 59. Putting the clues together
  60. 60. Notes
  61. 61. Tea cakes (& slights)
  62. 62. Updates
  63. 63. Board Meetings during battles
  64. 64. Updates
  65. 65. Field command
  66. 66. I am okay
  67. 67. Mountains of paperwork
  68. 68. Needed Vacation
  69. 70. A note
  70. 71. An update
  71. 72. Dissapointment
  72. 73. Notes
  73. 74. Journal entry
  74. 75. Ledgers
  75. 76. Food
  76. 77. An update
  77. 78. A thought
  78. 79. Basking in Dusk's light
  79. 80. A note
  80. 81. A letter home
  81. 82. A dream/a journal entry
  82. 83. An update
  83. 84. Working long hours
  84. 85. A dream, a memory
  85. 86. A meeting
  86. 87. The ride home

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.042 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 01:42, Nov 15 2024