The Mark II

'Three possible entrances.

Enter through first floor, east wall. Exit through west.

Guard rotation, nine bells. Wait five minutes, then move out.'

"What are you drawing?" Reyn plopped down next to her, running a comb through her curly hair. "Is that a phallus?"

"What? No.." She tilted the paper. "Oh, damn. It is.

"So how'd it go with the lady you met last night?" She shoved the plan into her pocket, changing the subject.

"Ugh, terrible," She threw her comb onto the bed. "She didn't even realise I was flirting. Men are so much easier."

Alexis hummed. She couldn't really relate to the princess.

"How was your date?"

"Remind me to never take Markus dancing."

Reyn laughed, "Was he that bad?"

"He just stood there, judging everyone," she huffed, embarrassed, "He said I looked like a chicken."

"Oh, honey." The princess leaned over to hug her neck. "Let's ditch the men and run away."

Alexis snorted, "A few more years and I just might."

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'What do I know about the archivist?

Arden.

He's a loner. He doesn't keep servants around. He started working here recently after the last guy croaked.

And he knows everything about Zillah.'

Alexis slowed her pace outside the court. The king was in a meeting with the other officials. One was absent.

'Yeah, definitely worth checking out.

Especially if he has ties to my Noah.

I mean, Noah.'

She shook her head, walking faster.

'That was weird.'

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'7....8...9... Here we go.'

On the ninth chime, Alexis slipped into the shadows, blending seamlessly with her surroundings.

Markus's schedule was accurate. The guards patrolling the area began moving south, away from the archivist's three-storey.

She pulled out her dagger, heading for the east wall.

*************

'Am I forgetting something?'

7...8...9.

The bells chimed as Noah finally realised.

"The papers!"

The boy dug out the newly bound book from his satchel, clutching it to his chest as he ran to his employer's house.

'I hope he won't mind.'

***********

'Who lives like this?'  Alexis wondered as she picked her way around books and clothes strewn across the floor, perfectly aware that she, in fact, lived like this.

She approached the stairs, tightening the gauntlet on her arm.

She had laced the contents of the jug Noah was bringing to Arden with a draught she kept with her.

It was hard to do it in the short hug but it was worth it.

Sleeping marks are the easiest.

In contrast to the treasurer's extravagant mansion, the archivist's dwelling was much more humble.

Alexis moved slowly in the dark, careful on the creaky floorboards. She was in a library, the shelves collecting dust and books in equal measure with maps rolled and stuffed wherever they would fit.

'Where's all the nasty?' She clicked her tongue impatiently as she moved further up the stairs into the attic.

Through the light streaming in from a small porthole window, Alexis could make out a desk and more stacks of books.

'Creepy study. Jackpot.' She drew closer to the desk. There was no dust on its surface; it was used recently.

She opened a book, half-heartedly scanning the pages.

'Either I'm dumb or it's in a different language.' The fact that she couldn't distinguish the two was a giveaway.

She was about to put it back when a note slipped from it and landed on the floor.

'Damn.' She bent over to pick it up, glancing at the words inside. Her heart jumped to her throat.

Before she could process it, the sound of glass shattering came from the ground floor, followed by a voice she'd know anywhere.

"No."

She leapt towards the stairs, sprinting to him.

**************

'Oh, the door's unlocked..' The boy looked at the book in his hands.

'I'll just leave it inside then.'

*************

Alexis stumbled, banging her knee on the banister. She swore but didn't slow down.

The front door was closed again, the vase next to it lying in pieces.

Signs of struggle.

Breathing heavily, she turned the corner into the living room, the scene before her hitting her like a blow to the neck.

Arden was standing in the middle of the room, his dirty blond hair matted around his forehead. His usual erudite look was replaced by one of madness.

He clutched Noah closer to him, pressing a shard of glass to his neck.

"You're not as quiet as you think you are." He bared his teeth at her on what was supposed to be a smile.

Noah's breath came in short bursts as he struggled in the taller man's grip. He stiffened when he felt the shard at the base of his throat.

"Arden-" Alexis raised her hands slowly in front of her. "You don't have to do this." She hoped her voice was more steady than she felt because her insides were being crushed in fear.

He ignored her. "The, uh-" He motioned to her mask. "-Take it off."

Eyes never leaving them, she reached up to lower her mask, registering the shock and terror in Noah's face.

"The hell? You're just some little girl playing dress-up." Backlit by the fireplace, she could see his hands stained red with blood. She wasn't sure whose.

"Arden. Just let. The boy. Go." Her words were laced in desperation as she ran a list of scenarios in her head.

None of them looked good.

Hands still raised, she took aim.

"Sorry, kid. Loose ends and all. I-! He was cut off, letting out a scream as a projectile burned into his face, just below his left eye.

"That was a warning." Her eyes flickered to Noah, who trembled in his grasp, eyes mirroring her fear. "Let him go. Now."

"You bitch!" He spat, tightening his grip. "Now you just pissed me off!"

The first drops of blood to fall were Noah's.

The next were Arden's as her dagger left her hand.