"You're making progress." Othen praised Biechta's attempt at the simple tune.

"You're being kind, my lord. That was dreadful." Biechta chuckled.

"Maybe... but no one ever masters these first steps without a lot of practice and determination. This is just your third lesson.. You'll get there."

"We'll see how much progress I can make while I'm still here, anyway." She frowned.

"Are you having fun at least?"

"I can honestly say... I am. I'm actually enjoying myself.." She smiled. "I don't know the last time I was able to say that before I came here. Thank you, my lord."

"Is it too soon for me to ask you to drop the formalities and simply call me Othen again? We were just making progress on that before..."

"Alright. Othen. Thank you for everything. I've truly enjoyed everything you've shown me since I've been here. All of the arts have been the highlights of my trip."

"I'm glad you've enjoyed them. Now, back to work."

"Yes!" She said enthusiastically as she straightened her already perfect posture and positioned her hand over the keys, determined. Othen had her run through the same short tune several more times.

"Ok time for a break." He stood and motioned for her to follow. "Not only will you have to build muscles and dexterity in your hands, but you'll also need to work on your back. Pianists get a lot of cramps on their hands from extensive use and their backs from sitting in the same position for so long. Make sure you stretch frequently, at least at first."

She nodded in understanding and copied his movements as he raised his arms above his head, clasped his hands together and leaned to his right side. They stayed that way for a time before standing straight again and then eventually leaning to the left.

"This next one is one of my favorite stretches. It just seems to work out all the kinks." She watched as he leaned forward, stretching his arms straight out and waited for her to copy him. "Ok now as you stretch your fingers down toward your toes, you'll start by tucking your chin to your chest and roll your upper back toward the floor first, then your middle then your lower back. Kind of like a wave of cause and effect. And when we come up to reach for the ceiling, you'll start with your lower back first and work your way up until your chin untucks last."

He did the motion and she tried to copy but just didn't seem to be able to do what he was describing. "I'm sorry, I don't think I understand how to do what you're doing." She said quietly, slightly embarrassed as she stood up straight.

"That's ok, I can help you." He said as he walked over to her. "Let's start with your arms straight up in the air, look up to the ceiling. Right, like that. Now, bring your arms down straight out in front of you."

He reached up and gently placed his hand on her right elbow, pushing on it gently until she straightened it. "You want to keep your arms straight so they pull on your shoulder muscles."

"Oh...ok."

"Ok good. So as you bring your arms down straight in front, you bring your head down with them until your chin touches your chest."

"Like this?"

"Yes, perfect." Othen placed his left arm on her upper back as his right arm reached out and extended along her right arm. "Now, you're going to lose your straightened posture. I think that's the hard part for you." He chuckled and she could feel the vibration where his chest barely touched her shoulder. "Start bringing only your upper back down towards the floor by continuing to roll your head down." He placed light pressure on her upper back. "At the same time your arms lower as well."

He turned his right arm to where it was below hers, her arm laying on top of his as he placed his palm under hers. "Don't lower your arm so quickly. They need to stay perpendicular to your shoulders." He applied pressure on her upper back again, guiding her movements with his own body. "Like this."

His hand moved gently to her mid back where he guided her movements before then moving to her lower back, until he was satisfied with her position.

"Now, slowly work your way back up. But in the opposite order." His hand slowly moved up her back as he guided her movements. Eventually they were standing upright again. He slowly let their arms release down to their natural positions but he didn't move his left arm from the back of her neck or his body away from her as he looked up and they met eyes.

They stood there staring at each other for a moment before Othen cleared his throat and took a large step away from her. "Do you think you've got it?"

"I... I think so." She whispered.

"Good. Make sure to do all of these stretches before you go to bed and before and after each time you practice." He turned and walked over to the piano where he pushed the bench to its position underneath and gathered the papers he had displayed for her. "Now that you know some of the basic runs, I encourage you to come by here and practice as much as you can."

"Oh...okay."

"Let's meet again in two days, so you can have time to practice on your own before then."

"I can do that. As long as you don't think I'll be in anyone's way by coming here."

"You won't be in anyone's way."

"Are you sure?"

"This is my private collection, no one else uses it. So yes, I'm sure. You're welcome to come anytime you like."

"Oh?" She glanced around the room again with new eyes. She had thought he'd simply brought her to a smaller room for tutoring so she wouldn't be in the way of all the real musicians. She didn't realize.... "All of these instruments are yours?"

"Yes." He smiled as he looked around the room.

"Are you sure you want me to use these? Shouldn't I be using a more basic, less valuable..."

"Biechta. If I wasn't ok with you using them I wouldn't have brought you here. This is a more private room than any of the others, I thought you would appreciate learning without an audience."

"Oh... you're right. Thank you. So much."

"It's my pleasure. My study is connected to this room just through that door." He pointed and she looked in the direction. "If you do stop by, just let me know if you need anything. If I'm in there, anyway. A lot of times I'm out and about, checking on various projects happening throughout the hall." He reached in his pocket and brought out a key. "Here. Come practice any time you want."

Her eyes rounded. "I couldn't possibly accept this!" She glanced around the room. " I can't disturb you while you're working. And these instruments are so beautiful, what if I accidentally-"

"Please, it's fine, Biechta".



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was surprised it took you this long to show up." Rahn said to the dark hallway when she heard the door close. She was in her bedroom punching on her bag. When she didn't get a response she looked up to find Dom leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed. "I guessed the Lord would be eager for a detailed update."

She turned and began punching the bag again. "Unless you want to stay and spar with me, you can take what you need off the tablet and go on. I don't have the energy for these silent, broody, one sided conversations."

She didn't turn to look when she heard movement behind her. As he removed the tablet from its hiding spot and downloaded her newest notes, she just kept punching on the bag.

She cursed loudly when the bag ripped and beans spilled all over her floor.

He returned the tablet to its spot and then removed his cloak. "Come on," he said, as he exited the room. She followed him into the living room, where she watched him getting into an offensive stance. "On second thought, I don't have the energy for this either."

She turned to leave the room, but he lunged at her. She instinctively dodged enrolled to the side. "Knock it off, Dom. Just take the information and leave."

"No." He lunged for her again. She dodged again, but this time he grabbed her ankle, and pulled her body until she was under him. But she quickly raised her leg, and wrapped it around his side, knocking him over onto his stomach, until she could pull his arm behind his back. Immobilizing him.

"Enough." She said firmly.

"Admit it, you feel better now."

She rolled her eyes as she imagined him smirking under his mask. She pulled on his harm just enough to cause him a little pain before releasing it and standing up off of him, and sitting on the couch.

He went to a chair on the other side of the room and sat. "Tell me what's got you riled up. I know it's about your mission."

"It's just a hunch at this point."

He just sat there, waiting for her to continue

She continued. "They're planning something, I just know it. And I have a feeling it will happen soon. I've made a lot of progress, but I'm not in the ranks yet. It's too soon, whatever they're planning is going to happen before I'm close enough to be let in on it.

She stood and began to pace. "If I could just get wind of what it is, or any details that would be helpful."

"Do you think they'd plan to attack during another major event?"

"It would be the obvious choice, but I don't know what event they'd plan to hit."

"You haven't heard, then."

She stopped pacing and faced him expectantly.

"The premier of this big new production is next week."

"Oh you're right, that could be a good target."

"That's not it."

"No?"

"The king and queen have invited every single lord and lady from all the provinces to attend. They plan to hold a grand feast two days prior."

"Wait, so you're telling me every major target across the planet will all be gathered into one place... not once but twice in the same week?"

He nodded and she began to pace again. "Not to mention the fact that they'll all be under one roof for at least a week."

He nodded again.

"This is bad...." She paced for another few silent moments before sitting and facing him again. "It all makes sense now. While I was staying with them, about halfway through something changed. Like the energy became buzzed with nervous or excited energy. And people just started acting differently. That's why I knew something was happening."

He exhaled loudly. "We need to warn The Premier."

"We don't know anything. What are we supposed to tell them? Surely they already plan on having heightened security with all of that happening. Kahal isn't an idiot."

"Let's hope not." He stood and turned toward the door. "And Rahn." She looked up at him and they locked eyes. "Be careful."

She nodded and he held her gaze for a moment longer before turning and walking out the door, locking it behind him.

The next morning Rahn found a new message from Kahal.

Lana,

I'm glad to hear your spirits are up. Growth is good but make sure you don't change yourself too much, alright? I don't want you to get caught up in everything and lose yourself in the process. I'm happy you're finding yourself and growing, I just want you to make sure the female I care for stays in there somewhere too.

Thank you for the encouraging words about my current pressures to decide on a partner. They mean more to me than you could know.

Speaking of these mischievous ideas you have come up with to ingrain new memories into me, when do you plan to come visit again? I have to admit, I've missed you. Worrying about you and not seeing or hearing from you these last couple weeks has helped put some thoughts in perspective on our relationship. But I want to talk with you face to face.

Thuq.

Lana read the letter a second time, looking for any potential hidden messages in the words she may have missed. These letters were starting to make her feel uneasy. She worried it would all start to feel too real. She reminded herself these were all carefully planned out words from her superior in order to complete a mission. Nothing more. It's not like the future king would actually confide in her or openly flirt with her.

She locked the tablet and returned it to its hiding place. She would have to think of a response later or she'd be late for work. Working two jobs was becoming exhausting. Well, three jobs if she counted her actual profession, the reason she was truly doing all of this.

The rebel group had approved her release back out into the world, with strict instructions that she tell no one what really happened to her and that she still keep up appearances with all aspects of her life before, all while doing work for them.

Meaning she had to keep her street cleaning job while also doing grunt work for the group anytime they saw fit. So far she'd mainly been acting as a courier, both with packages she wasn't allowed to open and sometimes messages. All of the messages had been either extremely vague or seemed extremely benign thus far. She knew they could be using some kind of code, but she hadn't come up with anything yet.

"Hey, Grump. You still selling those rotten apples?" She greeted an older vendor as she started picking up trash left from the night before.

He grumbled. "Disrespectful younglings. My apples aren't rotten." He tossed her an apple and winked at her.

"And I'm not a youngling!" She winked in return as she turned and continued down the street, taking a bite of the juicy apple. She smiled as she thought to herself that she was making one actual friend during her time here. Her and the older male's banter had been the highlight of her days many times.