12

Clara was sitting in front of a large glass cylinder. In the centre of the cylinder was floating a small gelatinous form. In front of Clara was a small screen with gauges erratically spinning up and down. She was holding a pad in her hand and was scribbling some notes every few minutes, seemingly understanding what the dials represented.

Finishing, she took out a small boxy tape-recorder and started recording. “The subject seems to be coming along nicely. There is no indication that doctor Khostra suspects a thing, it’s good then that he isn’t too familiar with my personality or he might have been suspicious of my behaviour.

“The entity shows the expected amount of growth, although this will not be of much use to my current situation I can see this being the key to overthrowing the mainland.

“So far nothing unexpected has occurred from my experiment, but I am hoping to learn something new by next week. If it doesn’t show the desired amount of growth I will have to harvest it and try again. Something I would like to avoid since the animus is quite fragile while adapting to a body.”

Clara looked at Teresa leaning against the wall from the side of her eyes then continued speaking. “I will also need to uncover how best to make use of its inherent traits. I would be a poor choice, not only would I not be able to display the appropriate amount of empathy I am not certain of my ability to maintain enough distance from the subject either.

“Although I myself am not a good choice taking into consideration the importance of the subject I hesitate to leave it in the hands of someone I do not have complete trust in.

“So I was thinking of leaving it with Teresa, a child of sorts, or should this be considered a pet? But until the subject’s vessel has fully formed I will not have to make this decision. This concludes Log 3 dash 2.”

She clicked off the recorder then switched tapes since the last was full. Much of the animation process was still new to her and the beginning was filled with her theories and observation, something that was only the prerequisite for her actual project.

This would be all the time she would have to spend on this for today. The rest of the day will be spent planning and waiting…

Waiting for the other clans to make their move.

While Clara had all of her pieces out and on the move it has not escaped her attention that the other clans have been very quiet lately. It might be that they’ve finally come to see her as a threat and she also has the sinking suspicion that it wasn’t just one clan after her head anymore.

When she had been younger there had been her father to take the attention away from her and her abilities. But now that she’s exposed herself, and the other clans have finally seen the power the Harcourt clan wields she was going to need to fight each and every other clan brave enough to stick their head out.

And if they were willing to band together against her?

That was an unlikely but all too possible reality for her. So she needed to plan for that eventuality.

“Do you think he’s awake yet?” She asked Teresa.

Teresa nodded, but kept silent. Much too busy staring at the shining blob to respond properly.

“I call it the Ashkeria project.” Clara said as she rested her hand over the cylinder, feeling a bit proud at Teresa staring at it in such wonder.

Teresa seemed to be coming back to herself, she looked at Clara then said, “There’s magic leaking from it. Quite a bit for something that small.”

Hmmm. Clara took out another instrument then twisted a nob on the side to dial up the sensitivity. The instrument lifted as it scanned the ambient mana in the surrounding until she pointed it towards the blob, causing the sensors to go haywire.

“Interesting.”

But at the end of the day there was nothing she could do with a blob, no matter how powerful, if it wasn’t even able to think for itself.

She decided to leave. She stood and tapped a button. The cylinder sank into the floor and a heavy duty door came out of the opening to seal it shut.

“Let’s go.”

They were walking down the corridor when Clara came to a conclusion on the strategy she would be using.

“Teresa, what is the status of our sleeper agents.”

Teresa was well prepared for her question, “They’ve been relaying plenty of intel.”

“Is there any movement yet?”

“No none of the clan’s seem to be going against us yet.”

“I want our agents to start digging deeper. Tell them I want information on the clan leaders as soon as possible. Any movement and any correspondence with outside forces.

“Also, the one we have working within the Maribara sect…”

“Yes, he is still functional, no abnormalities detected yet. Although there have been numerous probes for suspicious behaviour.”

“Alright then, I want the Maribara sleeper to awaken, now is not the time to act passively. I don’t need a clairvoyant to tell me that we’re going to be battling against the other clans. I’ve made enough moves that all of them should know I’m serious about claiming the island.”

“What do you want him to do.”

“…Have any suggestions?”

“I’ve heard Shadow’s report on the Sage Guild’s handler. I think there’s numerous reasons to suspect the Maribara are involved in that, since they’re the only ones with mages powerful enough for that…”

“I agree, and you’re thinking of using this to our advantage?”

“Yes, since they see fit to use their Leashed, I’m sure that they won’t mind us borrowing a few for our own use.”

“Would our agent have the authority for that?”

“No, but this is something we can offer our assistance in.”

“I’m listening.”

“Well, you remember that cultist that Yuller brought in right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“The information we got from him wasn’t worth much, but learning how they managed to control such a large amount of people in such a short amount of time was pretty interesting.”

“Yes, that is quite something, for them to show up so unexpectedly, with such a large number of people. I’ve always just thought they were hiding for a long time… But you’re saying they really did come out of nowhere?”

“Yes, I’ll spare you the details, but it’s enough to say that the people that were running around and shooting civilians weren’t living anymore.”

“I’ll read the report later. You think we can replicate their method, and you think we can use it against the Maribara sect? Are you planning to control the Leashed like that?”

Teresa shook her head wryly. “No, even if I could that would be meaningless. Unlike you, I spend the whole day listening to and handling intelligence reports. I know how the Leashed are kept and how they are managed.”

Teresa gulped, seeming guilty for some reason. “I even admit I feel a little sorry for them. I would never wish such a fate upon anyone. But this is the fact of reality that we could do nothing about… Until now…”

Teresa looked at Clara expecting a rebuke. Clara remained silent so Teresa decided to continue.

“The Leashed are bound to follow the orders of the council, the council itself decides on a representative who signs a blood oath never to disobey the council. So the Leashed are in actuality nothing more than the pets of their pet. The methods they use to control the Leashed are long and tedious, but its solid, and almost inescapable. Previously, if we were to destroy the Maribara sect we would have no choice but to kill them, since they would’ve even refused to eat without being ordered. Truly, the Leashed have been turned into nothing more than puppets.

“But now, if we can somehow capture the handler of the Leashed, we can use this method and make the handler free them. Perhaps we might even save some of their lives at the end of the day.

“Moreover, this will be a devastating blow to the Maribara, So much of their sect depends on the Leashed,”

Clara shook her head, “This isn’t likely to work, there are simply too many of the Leashed, and how many handlers do you think there are. Also, have you considered that the Maribara council might have countermeasures in case someone tried to steal their property? I know that if it was me, I certainly would never have been comfortable with so many mages around if I couldn’t disable them at a moment’s notice.”

Teresa nodded, slowly deflating, “Yes, I’ve thought of this. And it is also because of the solution I came up with that I feel a bit hesitant.”

Clara tapped her on the shoulder, “Alright let’s hear the rest of it then.”

Teresa took a deep breath. “For the reasons mentioned, I have come to the conclusion that the best chance to strike would be when they are preparing to launch an attack on us.”

“…And you’re certain that we could gain control of the Leashed?”

“I am certain. In addition, I’m confident that by then, with my direction, the sleeper agent can work his way close enough to the Leashed that we can start analysing them for any magical bindings or tech hidden on their bodies.”

Teresa smiled wryly, “The good news is that we won’t have to wait long for them to attack us.”

“You’ve received a report?”

Teresa nodded and slid her hand over her comm-ring, then pointed the gem at the wall.

The gem shot out a projection towards the wall. It displayed an image of a group of elderly men dressed in elaborate clothing walking hurriedly across a road.

“They seem to be going somewhere in a hurry don’t they.”

“Yes, this was take from our agent, he was busy training when they suddenly caused a disturbance among the soldiers.”

Clara hummed, “Do you think it was wise to send one of our most talented to spy on them?”

“The risks are there but Argus knew what the was at stake. Additionally, we went through every precaution we could to make sure he would not be suspected.”

Argus was a boy that Clara and Teresa grew up with. He was talented enough for her mother and even her mother’s mother to take notice of, but it was unfortunate that his fate was not within the clan but rather outside, fighting each day to ensure their safety.

“I still think it was a stupid idea.” Clara didn’t have any feelings regarding the agent, she only argued with the rational in sending away someone that could be such a large asset for the clan. But it wasn’t like she could bring him back after becoming the clan defacto head, that would only put him in more danger. Until the day came that he completed his mission and returned to their side he would have to keep waiting.

“What about the devices on the road?”

Clara said a word and the projection changed. It showed a convoy of limousines riding across the street and the other cars pulling over to the side, no matter how congested the road their way was unobstructed.

This was the pressure that came along with being the number one faction within the Meritocracy. In the eyes of the public the matter was unquestionable. Who held the most power over the land? Who was the one that forced them to pay tribute?

The Maribara, that was who.

Clara didn’t for a moment believe that thing would go as smoothly as Teresa spoke of. And even if they did manage to extract the Leashed from their holders it wasn’t like it would be the end of the Maribara either. They were the tower that blocked all advance for her. And she still wasn’t confident she would be able to climb over them.

“They’re going to the metro… Do you think.”

“Yes, I’m receiving reports that the other clans are also on the move.”

“Why would the Maribara join them? For what reason do they have to interact with those lower clans?”

Teresa chuckled at Clara, “You seem to not understand the pressure that you’ve placed on the other clans. Even the number one has to step aside when it comes to who holds the most surprises. And the thing I think is really causing the Maribara’s hesitancy, is the fact that none of the clans can say with certainty that they’ve uncovered all of your tricks.”

Teresa sighed, and looked up wistfully, “I suppose I’m also to blame for this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m simply too good, there are no spies within the clan, I can say this with certainty, any spies found are immediately illuminated, any people that are within positions of power are first thoroughly checked for loyalty to the clan. Even if it was between them and their family they wouldn’t hesitate to side with the clan.”

This wasn’t very pleasant to hear. “We’re sounding more like a cult the longer you speak, Terr.”

“Heh, that might well be. But it’s also the truth, and all of the clan members are in agreement of these measures. Let me rather put it this way. Deciding between clan and family, would be the same as deciding between family and family. Of course even the family of those in power are regularly vetted for their loyalty.”

“You know what this sounds like?”

“Like paradise?” Teresa asked with a wide smile.

“No, it sounds a never ending hell of expense. How are we even affording all these spies.”

“Hah, you’re mother said you would be like this.”

“This has nothing to do with…” Teresa pressed a finger against Clara’s lips.

“Quiet. It’s not right to worry so much, The costs are astronomical yes, but they also keep us safe and they ensure that we can trust those we rely on. And that is something worth more than any expense.” Teresa said, then took away her finger.

“…” Clara stopped what she was going to say, then closed her eyes and took a deep-deep breath. She opened her eyes and looked at Teresa, then she asked, “Did my mother tell you to say that?”

“No, it was your father.”

“They’ve been conspiring against me I see.”

Teresa chuckled, “We are all on your side Clara, we know that you have a lot of things to do so we want to make it as easy on you as we can. This was decided on a long time ago and it was a responsibility which was passed down to me on the death of the previous spy-master. The costs are astronomical true, but the advantage it affords us, especially now, is something much more valuable. I could have went with another strategy, but I knew that you would never be able to shine in such a situation. It’s enough for you to worry about treachery from the outside. Let me be the one to worry about our people.”

Clara sighed, but it was true, she couldn’t really argue with the logic, and she couldn’t really argue that she’d be much too stressed if the situation was different.

If she didn’t have superior intelligence compared to the other clans, then how could she ever use her intellect to her full advantage?

“Very well, I want you to start moving our agent within Maribara. There are only four days before I was home free, but it seems the clans are not content with giving me the time.” She said, feeling partly disappointed that things wouldn’t be easy and partly joyous that things would be interesting.

Chris Telmera opened his eyes. He sat up from the couch he had been lying on and rubbed his eyes. As if he’d been asleep for a long time.

“Master, you’ve woken up.” The Gorian sister said as she rushed to tend to him, straightening his clothes and patting his red hair into order. I guess the horns and the hair come from Zardan, that red creature. It was even able to see me, even though I was looking from the future. Just what is this power that I’ve inherited?

“Of course I’m awake. Did you doubt my visions for even a moment?”

“Master, don’t try to fool me. We know that most of the time you’re only guessing, if the Kalusa-deian did not know this of much of the clan we were in service to, then we wouldn’t have been worth much as guards.”

“You aren’t worth much as guards in any case. I want you two to stay away from danger, do you understand me?”

“Yes, whatever you say master--- It’s good to see you awake. There was all this smoke and you fell asleep and then I had to hit Raduk again because he was starting to act up.”

“Was not,” Raduk, The Gorian sister’s brother, called out.

“Don’t talk back to me boy!” She snapped at him. Her voice took on a matronly air

“Yes sir!…” Raduk stood to attention, before a moment later he came to and scowled as he jumped at her and shouted. “Why you!”

She stuck out her tongue and looked back at the boy fawningly.

“So master, see anything interesting in your vision?”

The boy seemed to ponder this. He hadn’t really seen anything shocking. Well other than the fact that He’d seen some of the clan founders, but there was something else. The grand plan that Harcourt had mentioned. Right before he left she’d said, ‘I will always be there.’ Was that perhaps a clue as to this grand plan of theirs?

He still needed to talk to Clara Harcourt. He was certain that she knew more than he did. And she had also hinted that he might be able to ally himself with her.

“Let’s go.” He said to his guardians.