Scarlett sat on a bench at the edge of a thin, lush wharf, cradled by the natural beauty of the Rising Isle. Before her, one of the Isle’s countless waterfalls cascaded gracefully into the network of waterways that weaved through this place, painting a picturesque view.

Behind her loomed a tall structure reminiscent of a lighthouse, though it likely had a more arcane purpose, considering where they were. Its long shadow provided Scarlett with a peaceful retreat from everything else. Except for Fynn, who hadn’t left her side much since arriving on the Isle and was currently meditating by a moss-covered boulder nearby, she was completely alone.

That morning, her meeting with Grand Wizard Hartford had unfolded mostly as Magister Penney had predicted, with Gaspar presenting the ‘compromise’ Scarlett had been informed of the evening before. Perhaps to the man’s surprise—Scarlett wasn’t sure if he was aware of her contact with the Magister—she promptly laid out her own conditions. ‘Demands’ might be too harsh to call them, but they were extensive, encompassing a detailed list of various rare materials, services, and concessions that she honestly doubted the council would accept without significant pushback.

To Gaspar’s credit, he managed to maintain his composure, even as the tension between them grew palpable while he read through her terms. It seemed like he could act professionally when the situation called for it.

Following that meeting, and lacking any immediate commitments until the council gave her a proper response, Scarlett and the others had headed over to the Arcanum Spire to further delve into their research on the Zuver and the Anomalous One. Despite their efforts, as on the first day, progress was minimal, and after several hours of making little headway, they decided to break for lunch.

While Rosa and the rest eagerly sought out one of the eateries popular with the local wizards, Scarlett preferred less crowded spots and opted to dine alone, which was what brought her here. Hugbert had recommended it to her the evening before.

Not that her choice of food really lived up to the view. To make things simple, she’d decided to try one of the locally produced staples called ‘Everlasting Biscuits’, which were apparently designed to sustain wizards through prolonged stretches of research. For something that was supposed to last you for most of the day and sounded like it would taste like cardboard, the biscuit was surprisingly palatable. It just couldn’t compare to the culinary delights Scarlett had grown accustomed to back in Freybrook. Unless she needed to, she probably wouldn’t be trying one of those again.

Apart from her lacklustre meal and the council-related affairs with Gaspar, she’d also spent some time in the early morning catching up with information from the empire. Direct communication with Beldon was impossible on the Isle, but the man still managed to send her letters—which were a pain to decipher—that gave her a general run-down of things.

His latest missives detailed the ongoing search for the Countess’ whereabouts and some unsettling discoveries that had recently been made involving a certain count in Ambercrest. She also learned that the preliminary investigation into Anguish’s Citadel had finally concluded, and it had been officially declared a failed manifestation attempt by one of the six Viles. Scarlett didn’t know what the overall reaction to this news would be, but from what Beldon reported, it was being spun as a crisis averted through the valiant efforts of the Dawnbringers and Duke Valentino’s forces, so there probably wouldn’t be any widespread panic.

She was thankful that the incident hadn’t drawn too much public attention to her as well. She assumed that some of the more important figures in the empire were aware of her involvement, but hopefully, she would remain a minor footnote even in their minds. It was better for her if Raimond and the Dawnbringers received the bulk of the credit.

Other than Beldon’s updates, Scarlett received a letter from Evelyne, discussing matters relating to the fief and the other preparations that were underway under the younger woman’s charge. Evelyne had apparently left Freybrook the previous day for Autumnwell to confer with the Withersworths and other influential figures in the city. Scarlett assumed this meant Evelyne would have some good news to report on her return. Lady Withersworth had always seemed positive about working with them, and the old noblewoman would probably be able to help Evelyne in ways she couldn’t.

Scarlett’s thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of another person, who suddenly sat down on the bench beside her. Turning, she recognized the dark purple hair ending just above the shoulders, the gold-rimmed glasses with thin chains dangling at the ends, and the familiar emerald robes with gold accents.Stolen novel; please report.

Senior Wizard Yamina looked straight forward, seemingly entranced by the view.

Scarlett glanced over at Fynn, noting his watchful gaze on the newcomer.

“It appears these encounters are becoming a recurrent occurrence,” Scarlett remarked after a few seconds, breaking the silence. “Rather coincidental, would you not say so?”

“Coincidental?” Yamina echoed, looking at her with a raised eyebrow and a curious look. “Whatever brought that notion into your head? I thought my interest in you was quite overt.”

Scarlett stared at her, momentarily taken aback by the candidness. “…Most would not admit that so openly.”

Yamina gave a light shrug, her eyes returning to the scenic landscape. “Fitting in has never been my strength.”

Scarlett studied her for a couple of seconds before also looking ahead. “It appears we share that trait.” After another brief silence, she continued, “What, then, drives your interest in me, if I may ask? I doubt the council assigned you to follow me.”

“I heard about you from an acquaintance of mine.”

“And which acquaintance might that be?”

“Warley Godwin.”

Scarlett’s brow furrowed slightly.

She supposed that made sense. She recalled Godwin once mentioning an associate skilled in divination and analytical magic who had helped him in crafting a device to analyse Scarlett’s ‘precognitive’ abilities. Was that Yamina, then?

“And who are you, precisely?” Scarlett eventually asked, cautiously examining the woman from the corner of her eye.

“Senior Wizard Yamina,” came the response. “Yamina Ward.”

Scarlett looked over at Fynn. “Is she speaking the truth?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

She frowned, confused.

That couldn’t be right. She had been sure that the woman was one of the Isle’s arch wizards in disguise. If not, the rationale behind most of her actions seemed puzzling. Could it be a half-truth of some kind, maybe?

Yamina’s attention shifted to study Fynn, a discerning expression on her face. “So you are a Grehaldrael.”

The frown on Scarlett’s brow deepened. Had Godwin disclosed information about Fynn?

“What has Dean Godwin shared with you?” she asked, her tone edged slightly sharper than intended.

The wizard shook her head lightly. “Hardly anything, actually. He’s been suspiciously taciturn, in fact. But I have a certain sense for these things. A vocational hazard, one might say. I might be no Augur, but I pick up on things.”

“…And what, exactly, is it that you have picked up on?”

Scarlett was trying to figure out who this woman could be if she wasn’t one of the Isle’s three arch wizards. There were no significant NPCs from the game who matched Yamina’s description or position, as far as she was aware. Her title of ‘Senior Wizard’ suggested she wasn’t anyone particularly important, but her manner and apparent relationship to an imperial arch wizard like Godwin implied otherwise.

Scarlett considered bringing out the [Orrery of Dissonant Convergence] to gauge its reaction to the woman once more, but she was hesitant to do that right now.

“Oh, I’ve noticed several intriguing aspects,” Yamina said, amused. “Your discovery of the hidden chambers beneath the Astral Sanctum, for one. It has made it clear why Warley has taken an interest in you. Even if that were all, I would still be keen to meet you.”

“But there is more? What other reasons did you have to seek me out as you have? I assume our encounter in the Arcanum Spire was also orchestrated by you.”

Yamina tilted her head to the side slightly. “Intellectual curiosity, you might say?”

“That does not tell me much. I would appreciate a more straightforward answer.”

“Hmm? I thought that was rather direct. My apologies.”

“I will not take offence if you tell me your intentions directly.”

“Well, to speak with you, evidently.” The woman went quiet for a bit, as if considering what more to say. “You’re rather thorny, aren’t you? I can see why you and Gaspar might find yourselves at odds. Your personalities are rather divergent.”

“Should I infer from your words that you are here to critique my character?” Scarlett asked.

Yamina hesitated, adjusting her glasses. “No, though it seems I’ve done so inadvertently, despite that. I suspect this is one of the reasons they often try to keep me away from foreign dignitaries.”

“So you are indeed not here on behalf of the council.”

“Certainly not. They would have more than a few choice words for me if they learned of this.” The wizard cast a quick glance at Scarlett. “However, I understand you’ve already mentioned my name to Hugbert.”

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “…Then he is aware of your identity, after all.”

That meant Magister Penney hadn’t been completely honest with her about Yamina. Not that she’d thought he was, but it was clear she had also misunderstood Yamina’s true identity.

“He probably believed withholding my identity was the best way to not get me caught up in the politics,” Yamina said. “He has a tendency to be overprotective, even when it’s wholly unnecessary.”

Scarlett studied her carefully. Initially, she thought the woman was disguising her actual age, but if appearances were to be trusted, Yamina wasn’t much older than herself, perhaps in her early thirties. Yet she spoke about some of the Isle’s most prominent wizards—not to mention Dean Godwin—as if they were close friends.

There was definitely something about her identity that Scarlett was missing.

“But I’ve veered off topic, haven’t I?” Yamina continued. “There’s a wealth of topics I wouldn’t mind discussing with you, Baroness. However, first I have a proposition.” She faced Scarlett squarely. “Would you be interested in exploring the Veiled Library?”