On a roof, above an endless crowd of revel, a girl sat talking to her mother. Her mother was technically speaking from the chimney her daughter leaned on, but both women were familiar with the affair. Lights danced, people laughed, and a girl told her mom about her day.
Harriett snorted and said, "Alright, mom. It's a deal. How's dad by the way?"
"Incorrigible," Harriett's mom said, "exactly the way I like him. Or, perhaps, you wanted to know about the effect your 'absence' had on him? That would be telling. You must uphold your end of the bargain first. Tell me about this boy."
Harriett fiddled with the ends of her hair and cross-examined her information. Mother wasn't an enemy party, but also didn't need to know everything. Of course, Harriett needed to straighten her mother out about 'love troubles' immediately.
"Fair," Harriett groaned shortly, "It is not 'love troubles'. At least not more than any other guy. I am your daughter, after all."
"A curse and a blessing," Mother agreed, formless in the night, "It is 'Male friend' troubles, then."
"Close enough," Harriett sighed, "You swear to tell me truthfully how long I evaded you?"
"Not a minced word avoiding the answer," Harriett's mom said, "Now go on."
"Alright," Harriett said, sinking down to sit on the roof, back against the chimney, "So… I've been traveling with him for almost three weeks, as well as a pair of sisters. Great people, you'd like them. They probably wouldn't like you."
"Good taste," Harriett's mom sighed, "Although, I do wish that that wasn't the case for so many."
"Well, gee. I wonder, Mom." Harriett said, "It's not like you'll hear if someone says an unguarded word when they pause for a second on a rooftop. Just to enjoy the night."
Harriett's throat tightened and she folded her arms.
"Private words are for the home," Harriett's mom said, "I taught you that, my baby girl."
"I know!" Harriett snapped, then took a calming breath and said, "Anyway, we had an encounter earlier today. Bad one. It was just me and him, and we both almost died."
There was a long pause, filled with concern, logic, and respect. Harriett could almost see her mother's train of thought.
"Hmm," Harriett's mom said, "You must feel quite strongly about him if you were willing to die with him rather than flee."
Dead on, Harriett thought, as always Mom.
"Yeah," Harriett said, "I…well I've let him die once already. We were tunneling in a cave a few weeks ago and he fell through the ground. Into an underground river. There was nothing I could do except wait for help. Pray that my friends would arrive any second. I went out to look for them, but couldn't find them. They only came hours later. I knew he was dead. I…well it wasn't pretty. I was not the graceful little doll you raised."
"Politics is the place for grace," Harriett's mom said, an old mantra, "grieving shelters behind strong words. A strong front until your 'troops' can no longer see you. But he survived? You're not traveling with his identical twin? Perhaps a doppelganger?"
"No," Harriett said, "I tested for Doppelganger in the night. He bleeds red, even if he's unconscious. Besides, he has a unique magical device that I doubt can be replicated."
Harriett paused. She didn't want to tell her mom, but some things were more important than secrecy.
"Don't tell Dad," Harriett said, "And don't act on what I'm about to tell you, okay?"
Her mom didn't answer for a moment before saying, "Have you explicitly promised to keep it a secret?"
Harriett raised an eyebrow. Her mother was making sure that Harriett wouldn't break a promise of secrecy? How…caring.
"No," Harriett said, "Not yet, at least."
"Then go on," Harriett's mom said, "you think you need to tell me."
Last chance, Harriett thought. He's no threat to Stalt. You remember how he reacted. After killing those Wyverns. When you asked him how he intended to use such power. Jasson didn't even consider taking over cities. Yet.
Harriett nodded and said, "All right. This guy…he's strong. Archmage strong. It's inconsistent, and he's pretty innocent about it, but…. Under the right conditions, he's fully capable of destroying this entire city. Or perhaps…we're not under threat at this moment, but I could easily see him destroying an invading army."
Harriett's mother sucked in a breath and said, "Thank you for telling me. It's good that he has not enchanted you to keep this a secret. What… events made this evident?"
"I…don't want to give that away," Harriett said, "I know you'll probably figure it out from what I've said, but at least allow me the pretense."
It was an old game they played. Like playing hide and seek with a child that couldn't stop giggling. Or tag with a toddler, diaper dragging as they squealed. Harriett was a girl giggling as she 'pinned down' her dad, reveling in a playtime victory.
"No," Harriett's mother said, "No, I'm not going to allow that pretense. You deserve more transparency now that you're an adult."
Harriett froze, then said, "Oh. All right. Thanks."
"You're welcome," Mother said, "Recent news has come in that an Archmage named Michael was up north. According to my sources, he defeated that detestable boy Clout. With water magic of all things. Truly impressive."
Michael? Harriett thought, That must be a false name he gave someone. I didn't think he'd be that…covert.
"They mentioned that," Harriett said, "I wasn't there to see it. I suppose that any random Archmage would get your attention, eh?"
Harriett's mother gave a practiced snort, "All right. So it seems your 'male friend' troubles are with an older guy whose power routinely dwarfs yours. Yet you have also been unable to save him when your turn comes. Your frustration has manifested in you lashing out, probably because he didn't notice you. Which is in turn because you were feeling-"
"Mom!" Harriett said, "I agreed to tell you, not to have you dissect me again."
Harriett felt her face grow hot and was glad that her mother couldn't see her. Why did she have to say things like that? He wasn't even that much older than hey, yet her mother phrased it so…
"You wanted the words for it, right?" Harriett's mom said, "I did that for you. Now, do you have a new crush for you to worry your father with?"
"No, mom." Harriett said, "As I said, this guy is a friend."
"You said that," Harriett's mother said, "But that is the boy traveling with you. What about that handsome boy you left in Smill? Scotty, right? He seemed like your type."
Harriett froze, a familiar chill and heat swirling around her back, stiffening her spine. A cross between a child being caught and a girl defending her passions.
Harriett said, "Too far Mom. Too far. You don't have to bring up everything you find."
"Oh," Harriett's mom sighed, "Sorry for that dearie. I'm…still finding a line."
Groaning, Harriett covered her face. How did she find out so much?! Scott?! Harriett herself had less than twelve hours with the guy, but of course, it was 'so obvious'! How?!
Harriett said, "You didn't just 'Hear' about the Archmage, did you? You went in person."
"I suppose I ought to tell you," Mother said, "I went to investigate that Archmage myself. I received the news two days ago, so I popped over for a bit. During my search, I found Scotty preparing to leave, with the town lord crying about losing him."
Harriett found herself leaning into the conversation as her Mother continued, saying, "That town lord told me a lot, and the boy Scotty was cooperative as well. You'll see him here in a week or so. He spoke quite…highly of you. And I figured that you two got along quite well with how dramatic he is."
HE'S ALMOST HERE??!! Harriett thought, We don't even have somewhere for him to stay! I have an extra bed, and I suppose that we'd set him next to Jasson. Or…hehe…
"That's all?" Harriett said, "You figured out I had a crush based only on that?"
"I didn't," Mother said, "But it was a theory I wished to test. I'll let your father know about the new boy. When he does ask you on a date, do bring him by the eastern armory to meet your father."
"UGH!" Harriett flushed, hating how she gave herself away, and said, "Never mind that. I fulfilled my end of the bargain. Now yours."
"Ah, yes." Mother said, "Changing the subject deftly, utilizing an earlier promise."
"How long did I evade you?" Harriett said, "Honestly this time, not like what you've been telling me for years."
Harriett's mother hummed and said, "Truthfully? If you don't count me finding traces of you when you went out for that carriage ride. Or… the evidence of you at the Guild. Or the witnesses over in Smill…I still need to find the driver that brought you back. Apparently, he threw several boxes up for auction then rode back for Smill as fast as he could."
Harriett rolled her eyes. Her mother always had to flex her abilities first.
"Mother," Harriett said, "You said that you wouldn't mince words."
"Sorry honey," Mother said, "To be direct: I hadn't actually found you at all since you left. Just your shadow. Sometimes I'd miss you by mere minutes. I know you're staying to the north of the city, but that's about it. Honestly. And your dad is caught between being worried about you and bragging to his friends."
Harriett's mom put on a deep, thick voice and said, "My daughter is so skilled she can even evade my Wife! Hah! It's been weeks and I still can't sleep at night. Hoho! Now, let us speak of the next victory against the monsters to the south. Bring me the meat!"
Harriett giggled, "Really?"
"Not word for word," Harriett's mom said, "But, yes. I will be telling him that I talked to you. How much do you want him to know?"
"Just that I'm okay," Harriett said, "But I'm not coming home any time soon. Okay?"
"My baby girl is moving out," Harriett's mom sniffed, "Well, just know that you'll always have a room in our house. Your friends too, if you want me to keep an eye on this Archmage."
It would be convenient, if a bit smothering. But…Harriett hadn't been there for the fight with Clout. Harriett hadn't asked for more details but…well she'd suspected. It had been enormous news the week before she left home. The Taste'r house was suspected of course, and Clout attacking Petra and Clara was proof of that.
Of course, the name similarity was a dead giveaway. Harriett used a pseudonym that wasn't even close to her original name, and she had expected the same from Petra. The twin's pseudonyms 'Petra and Clara', as opposed to the names 'Patricia and Clarity'. Terrible pseudonyms for the Heirs of the Golden Shields and Silver Sabers, two ancient houses that reigned supreme below the King.
Until they didn't.
Harriett paused, then said, "I really don't think that that would be a good idea. I'm sure you heard about why that Clout guy was there."
"He was investigating an Archmage sighting?" Harriett's mom said, "Why?"
Harriett raised her eyebrows and said, "You really don't know?"
"Sweetie," her mother said, "I've been otherwise occupied. If I was really curious, I'd have found out. Was it something interesting?"
Harriett paused then said, "You'll probably figure us out if I tell you. Let's just say that…it would be best if you prepared for trouble on capital scales."
A silence of crunched numbers and probably accurate conclusions filled the rooftop. Harriett needed to add more. Anything to distract her mom from the connections that would lead her straight to Reflection Manor.
"Your father will be sad to kill men again," Mother said, "Since we are on this somber note, is there anything else you have noticed? Anything for me to be concerned about."
Harriett scanned her mind for anything else, and said, "Also, on an unrelated note, there are strange monsters here. More than there should be. Stronger than they should be. It might be them."
Mother was quiet for a second before saying, "I see. I have been noticing their handiwork in a couple of places, but evidently I am not searching enough. Is it a natural monster? Reproducing off of the rats haunting a bakery or a body hidden nearby? Or is it them?"
Mother sighed without smoke or allure, an exhausted exhaust of someone with far too much to delegate, "Enough of that. Is there anything else you wanted to tell me about?"
Harriett searched her memory and perked up, saying, "OH! We got kittens! How do I take care of them?!"
"Kittens!" Her mother squealed, making some heads in the crowd below turn, "What colors? What are their names?"
"Pure orange and a tuxedo," Harriett said, "We haven't named them yet but…"