Alsaria sat and thought. Fortia’s ret meeting was all but a formal decration of hostilities betweehe words she had said were rgely a bluff, Fortia was a much better ahan Alsaria could dream of being.

  Alsaria needed her own general.

  Good thing she had one in Olympiada.

  Essa upon the great staircase leading up to the higher floors of Anassa’s Prison. She looked to the intruder, then to Anassa, then to the intruder, then back to Anassa, then to the intruder. “Who are you?”

  This… this… girl that had suddenly wandered in stood before their gazes like a deer in the headlights. She stood there, bck hair tied back, with some stupid hat and a brown coat. A notepad in her hands and a smile growing in her face that obviously told of the fact she was just caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Essa turned back to Anassa, even though Of Magid Of Sorcery were close cepts, Anassa was the almost opposite of the woman. Tall, her face sharp like a hawk, her red eyes almost glowing, her hair so dark Essa had been jealous of it since she had met the woman thousands of years ago. The red dress only added to the vain nobility Anassa loved so much.

  Essa oher hand was shorter, her hair flowing in waves, her face more pleasant. And she didn’t bother with dresses unless an occasion called for it. Clothes were enough, the blue cloak was only there because she didn’t want to be a total embarrassment in front of her sister. “I thought she was yours.” Anassa said quietly, her eyes shining and the edges of her lips trying to strain ughter.

  “Who are you?” Essa shouted again. “I’m not going to ask again.” The put some life into the statue of a girl who had intruded on them.

  “I’m a journalist!” The girl cried out, Essa only barely mao stop herself from sighing. “From Norjesk Rikkast! Aina Larsen!” At least she had the decy to bow.

  “And what are you doing here?” Essa took a heavy breath. A journalist? A fug journalist? She uood why Leona had sent her here immediately but this? She had expected… Something more… not fug up duty.

  “I’m writing a story on Arcadia, we want to ence tourism here!” Aina shouted. “I just thought… Well…” She turo the door aed the handle again. “The door en so I just thought that… I mean…”

  Essa turo Anassa. “Why is the door open?”

  “You didn’t lock it.” Of Sorcery replied coldly. “What are you going to do with her?”

  “Don’t even give me ideas.” Essa shut Anassa down immediately, there was no reason to discuss how best to quickly and quietly kill a poor woman who obviously wasn’t the brightest in the bunch.

  “This is a restricted area.” Essa shouted back, she elled her magic effortlessly. Apparently mages would get a sense of euphoria when they casted magic. Essa had been around for too long to feel it. “So I must tell you to stay away.” Aina bowed immediately.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I just thought…” She flicked her hands and pen appeared from her sleeve into her nimble fingers. “But could I have an interview?” Essa heard Anassa chug behind her as she floated the stairs. That was annoying, but this girl… There was no reason to get angry at her, if the door was unlocked then it was her own fault for not cheg. Back when the Divine Library was founded, all she had to do was wag a finger and her mages would know to stay away.

  “I’d love an interview!” Anassa shouted.

  “No interviews.” Essa crushed the girl’s smile. “You’re from Norje, what city?”

  “Osheim.” The girl said quickly, Essa had expected as much, it was the capital. “Why?” She looked down at her feet as Essa’s magitly lifted her up into the air.

  “I don’t want more tourism in Arcadia, this is a pce of education, not some resort.” Essa began and the girl hurriedly nodded along. “Do not write your story, I do not allow it.” Aina still had some fidence left.

  “I… but you’re not… but please? It doesn’t have to be about Arcadia but if you’re a Goddess then anything!” Essa lifted the girl higher. Was she not scared of magic? Or of her Divinity? She supposed a journalist would have some experieh both. The Goddess swung her finger and the doors to the Divine Library opened. “Are you throwi?”

  “I’m taking you back to Osheim. You interview me on the way.”

  “Really?” The girl squealed with so much joy Essa might as well have just promised her eternal life.

  “Really.” Essa said ftly. This is what she had been reduced to. The Goddess of Magic giving interviews to some foolish girl who happeo stumble upon Anassa.

  Sara scowled as Essa dropped her into the Osheim marketpd flew off. She just had to py a stupid airheaded journalistic, all ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ for the entire five flight as Essa had told her of things in the past.

  She would look over her er, maybe the Goddess had made a mistake, but she doubted it. Arascus had set her standards for Divines; he never made mistakes.

  But at least she found Anassa! Every time she tried to steer the versation back to who that woman was, Essa would steer it away.

  Sara pulled out her phone and checked the flight timetables Osheim Iional Airport. Modern teology was a joy ihe flight to Arcadia was in six hours.

  Essa started flying back to Olympiada. Now that Leona’s suspis had been firmed a with, there was no reason to bicker with her domain-sister. No doubt Anassa would start talking down to her about how she should have killed this Aina.

  What a waste of a day.