— So… Where have you been?
Finnian furrowed his brows at Aellyss.
— Well… In many places. Did… a lot of things.
The half-ljus felt his cold disapproval deep in her bones. So intensely that she instinctively wanted to curl into a ball. But it wasn't only about a feeling. The cold was real.
It was this old witch's half-unconscious authentic way to show his displeasure. And as a subordinate, Ami got used to it. But not her bearer.
Aellyss studied the powerful human being with curiosity.
— Could you be… more specific? — An additional stream of icy words pierced them. — I need a report.
The deadly elegant man raised an eyebrow.
"Code danger. Aellyss, swing, swing… Don't let him corner us. Put on our most confident face."
Amelia. You didn't mention it would kill us if we are incompetent.
"He wouldn't be so wasteful… I suppose. Look! A betraying twitch at the corner of his mouth. Just being a well-known strict Chief… He's glad to see us. Don't freeze! Tell him something."
You tell me what to say. I don't appreciate the local climate.
"Well… I've got…"
— Well… I've got a lot of things to share. But before I begin… I'd like to discuss the situation in Youlle. And I won't tell anything if you freeze me because my mouth won't move.
The Chief's face took on an interested expression.
— You've been to Youlle? That explains the long absence.
— Not yet… Everywhere, but not there. Sorry to disappoint you. I just met Northerners. Not every light brings such encounters... But what they said was even more staggering.
Finnian kept drilling into them with that unbearably probing stare.
— And?
It almost hurts.
"You'll get used to it. And even find some pleasure in it."
I doubt it.
— I'm afraid I won't say anything new. They visited Omill, seemingly. And spoke to Sandra. So I… must request the information first. To not repeat.
Aellyss thoughtfully picked at the desk, just as the Chief Witch's subordinate used to do in life.
It's getting even colder.
"I know, I know… We brought nothing. He's mad. Be patient."
— Now you demand a report from *me*? Without answering my requests? No way. I'm the one demanding here.
— I know! Look. Don't be greedy. I brought you some information, in fact. Just give me some rest. I really want to know what this fuss is about. And I believe you have a clue. Sandra won't spare your nerves.
— Of course I do. She spares our friendship also by not withholding intel.
The prickly ice floes on my skin began to melt, still tingling slightly.
He sighed, finally shifting his lethally sharp gaze away.
"Well. It isn't flowing. But it's fine."
— So. What's happened here? Why is the greeting so cold?
Ami sighed wearily through Aellyss.
That disapproving stare snapped back, boring into their forehead, making Amelia shrink inside. The Head of Witcherium suddenly smiled back softly.
— Now you pretend you care about it… Everything is the same; while you're having a fancy primean vacation there, everyone's still bog-witted here.
— It's not a "vacation", you know it. Besides, you could have retired long ago.
— And leave the Witchium to whom?
— Not to me. I'll burn all the Temples trying to fry Milo on the second light and will be buried in the Main Square up to my shoulders by Sandra so that only her head would remain outside as a warning to others.
— I believe it will be my fate soon.
— But it's totally not my fault.
— You're not helping. You found nothing.
— I'm doing what I can. I have my restrictions. I can't be a good Chief's helper because I just can't, and you can't be so blind as not to see it. I wasn't meant to do the paperwork. It was you who summoned me from beyond to put me on this case particularly. You said I have no right to die or to resign the other way until it is solved. Remember? Reap what your reckless trust sowed. Or fire me if the results displease you. I'm not chilling, you know. I found nothing about our villains; it's true. I hoped I'd accidentally find a clue or something… But I didn't. I found something in Prime. I thought it was important, but considering that Youlle news… It's insignificant. It negates everything that was achieved previously… And it's mighty confusing!
— Should've said so upfront.
— I tried, but I heard nothing but resentment still. And I was freezing. It wasn't cool.
— It was, in fact… Well. Report accepted.
The witches fell silent, exchanging disapproving, probing glances.
Finian, his anger changing to mercy, winced in annoyance, making an irritated gesture with his hand that left a bright trace in the air.
— Some resentment exists… But in these circumstances, not you… I crave good news. Results *are* unsatisfactory. Because it's complex. That… gnaws at me. Honestly.
— No counterarguments.
— Everything goes wrong here... As always.
— Nothing new here.
— Absolutely. Only Milo went wild after Sandra gone to Kantene…
Finian elegantly wrinkled his fine, slender nose. Petty squabbles clearly bored him amid grand stakes. Long fingers drummed irritably on the long-suffering desk.
"Rotting ghouls! This is interesting! Sandra?! In Kantene?!"
— Sandra… in Kantine? Why? I thought it was about to be… swallowed, devoured… or something? What… is she doing there?
— Verifying intel. Assessing Omill's risk. We'll find the details in her next dispatch soon. I hope.
— Splendid…
Aellyss clicked its tongue disapprovingly.
— This mess is long-term then… No quick fixes. Expected.
— You grasp it.
His eloquent glance spoke volumes.
— So. let's synchronize our… somewhat fragmented data. Pool intel.
— Go on.
Ami-in-ljus breathed easier. The most important person on the Mainland no longer seemed irritated. Perfect.
— So… Where to start. As you know me and Kyle – we see Youlle as the root of our troubles. And I personally see Kantine as a root of all evil on the Mainland. But. What I just heard shatters my theory! How can the source create problems for itself?
Finnian sighed melancholically.
— Oh, why not? Created so many so it couldn't outrun them. Humans are their own worst enemies. Don't dig pits for others. Let them dig their own.
— I'm… utterly lost now… I need a new theory. It's so vexing… Tell me what you know. I need something.
Finnian snorted in annoyance.
— Trying to make me your reporter again?
— I have no choice. Want to work or bicker? I'm at a dead end. I need all the news to see where to go next.
He winced again.
— Honestly? I'm tired… And don't want to bicker. Frankly, I'd like to drop to the floor and kick my heels… But status forbids it. As for you… I doubt you go somewhere in the nearest future. Look at yourself. Skinny as death, eyes burning with hungry rage. And don't tell me it's a hunger for intel. You need a rest too. At least to remember what your home, Witchium, looks like. Have some rest and I have some errands for you next. Help to clear some backlog. Wait for Sandra's dispatch. Read the news piled up here while doing it.
— An offer you can't refuse.
— It is. How are your studies? Neglected those too?
— A bit… But I'll catch up. Got tea?
— Fetch water, grab a mug.
After painstakingly extracting some news from the now-taciturn Head of Witcherium over sips of tea, Amelia-Aellyss emerged from the office deep in thought.
Grabbing her things, she trudged wearily yet resolutely toward her room. How glorious it would be to stretch out on a comfy bed in familiar comfort.
"He really wants us to stay. But something's happening in Kantine. And, what's much more important, Kyle is there. Which means we must head to that ghoul swamp too. No rest at home for us."
I can use some rest, actually.
"Then we head to Kantine. It sounds strange, but I agree with Amelia. We should make sure that my lovely city is fine. And will be fine. Witch folly endangers our people again. Should've fled accursed Youlle much farther."
"What we heard raises new questions… Besides the core ones—too terrifying to approach… And Finian wouldn't approve of us fleeing again. But we would do it anyway. At least to graduate on time."
The part-elf reached her room, flopped onto the bed, still full of the clothes she'd left there last time, having packed hastily for her journey.
"Should tidy these clothes. And clean up in here…"
Later. No energy.
"Agreed."
Ah, rest at last. Brief, but earned. Must find Evo, ask it…
…Their eyes slid shut. To the steady murmur and bickering of voices, Aellyss slept.
It knew everything, and everyone is found when you wander aimlessly acting without purpose. It was a steady basis of her investigative approach. And an excuse to go wandering around the Mainland instead of grinding the hard work.
In this light a blissful stroll through beautiful Omill, admiring festive garlands, the majestic Mountain, the soothingly swaying forest on the horizon and visiting several cafés is the best way to a higher goal.