The Ascendant Wizard

The carriage rolled to a slowed stop under a large arch made from stone and wood, decorated by overgrown ivy.

Lamps burned softly along the path, their flame contained so as not to spread toward the nearby trees and grass. The Brenle's house was city-born but had a design more suited for the country; low walls, overgrown greenery, and surrounded by trees rather than stone.

Today, Morena had taken up the invitation and decided to pay Lady Brenle a visit. She traveled alone this time, accompanied only by the driver and a single warrior. Adolf had matters to handle at the estate.

She made her way over to the large doors of the estate, and before she even reached them, they swung open wide. Lady Brenle herself was waiting, dressed in a plain gown of deep green, the emerald pin still nestled at her shoulder.

Morena took a second to observe the lady before her.

She looked exactly as Morena remembered, yet somehow different, more striking in her own home; perhaps it was because of her casual attire.

Her hair was a pale blond, falling in soft waves that caught the light. Her skin was pale and smooth, her features carved with a precision that made her beauty feel almost artificial.

She dressed plainly for a noblewoman, a gown of deep green that left her shoulders bare and clung softly to her frame. A single emerald pin at her chest caught the light, but it was the curve of her neckline that demanded more attention than the jewel ever could.

Morena's eyes lingered on it for a second longer than she would like to admit, but the call of the woman snapped her eyes into focus.

"Lady Ravenscroft."

Brenle greeted, her smile carrying warmth as she stepped forward.

"I'm glad you came. I was beginning to wonder if my letter would be ignored."

"I don't make a habit of ignoring letters that are written directly."

Morena lowered her hood and stepped past the threshold. The air inside was warm from the burning fireplace and braziers hidden away, scented faintly with lavender.

It was like stepping into a greenhouse, the flowers that decorated each corner of the house giving it a unique scenery. There was no clutter, no banner or overdone portraits, just the simple decoration of wooden furniture and floral touches.

"You have quite the taste in decoration. Don't like clutter?"

"Thank you. I prefer it that way."

Brenle's voice was casual, though her eyes lingered on Morena as she spoke.

"Too many nobles hide their insecurities behind decoration. I'd rather not hide. Plus, don't you agree that the flowers are lovely?"

She reached out then, fingers brushing Morena's sleeve, motioning for her to follow, but she didn't remove her hand until Morena shifted slightly.

"This way. I thought we'd sit somewhere more comfortable than a hall."

They crossed to a wide room where the walls opened into a window overlooking a garden. It was early noon, and that caused the air that drifted through the open windows to hold a hint of coldness, the music of birds setting a nice atmosphere.

A low table had already been set with wine, tea, and sugared fruit.

Morena glanced outside for a moment, enjoying the view of the garden, before taking a seat. Brenle poured the wine herself, sliding the cup toward her.

"You've had a busy week, please do drink some. It's my favorite wine."

Brenle spoke as she poured some for herself as well.

"I hear that the church has been running rampant, their inspections, and even houses turning on one another. This must be troublesome for you as well."

Morena let the cup rest in her hand and hesitated for a second. At first she contemplated not drinking it, just like she had done at the meeting, but that wouldn't look good.

She got away with it there because it was a large chamber with multiple people—no one paid close attention to her—but here, not drinking while being directly next to Brenle would be rude.

"I'm sure you've had your fair share as well. The church has caused many issues for all of us."

Brenle's lips curved faintly.

"You're not wrong. I paid them off for a while, but they're already getting antsy. If only I were like you, where I could simply deny them entry."

Her eyes lingered on her for a moment.

"I like that about you."

Morena raised a brow.

"You hardly know me."

"That's why I invited you."

Brenle leaned her elbow on the table, chin resting lightly against her hand with a blatant smile on her face.

"I'd like to change that."

For a moment, the room was filled only with the faint splash of water from the fountain. Brenle broke the silence first.

"The previous night you looked as if you had a plan, as if you could tell what they were intending to do. Do you care to share?"

Morena took a long sip from her cup, allowing the wine to flow down her throat smoothly, the taste fruity. When she was satisfied with the taste, she lowered the cup.

"Curiosity can be dangerous."

Brenle chuckled slightly at her words.

"So can honesty. But both are more interesting than silence, wouldn't you agree?"

Morena didn't answer at once. She studied Brenle instead—the way her shoulders stayed loose, the way her voice carried confidence without being raised.

She was playing at something, but Morena couldn't tell what. She couldn't tell what confidence she had to carry her tone in such a way.

"You're bold."

"I prefer direct."

Their eyes held for a moment before Brenle leaned back again, sipping her wine.

"Tell me, Lady Ravenscroft, what is it you want right now? For yourself, not for your house. Just you."

Morena's brow narrowed as she looked at her with a plain expression.

"You ask as though you expect me to answer."

"I would hope you do, perhaps..."

Brenle replied smoothly. She leaned slightly forward, her hand brushing across the table until her fingertips grazed the back of Morena's knuckles.

She didn't grab her hand, nor did she hold it—just a brush against her flesh before retrieving it.

"But if not... then perhaps I'll guess."

Morena didn't flinch at her touch, but she did move her hand back, wary about her intentions.

"And what is your guess?"

Brenle tilted her head.

"That you want the same thing I do. To stop having to worry about the actions others are taking, without having to calculate every move you make. To be in a room where you don't need to play at masks."

Morena held her gaze, her dark eyes staring into the lady's green hue.

"And you think this is that room?"

"I think it could be."

Brenle said. Her voice dipped lower, almost a murmur.

"If you let it."

Silence stretched between them again. Morena shifted slightly, leaning back on the seat with an unbothered expression.

She didn't deny Brenle's words, though.

Brenle smiled faintly, reaching instead for one of the sugared figs. She broke it cleanly in half and set a piece onto Morena's plate.

"Do eat, tell me how they taste. I made them myself."

She said with a cheerful tone, happy to show off her cooking skills.

"You'll think clearer with something sweet."

Morena glanced at the fruit, then back at her.

"You cook, Lady Brenle?"

Brenle's laughter was soft, low.

"Didn't expect a noble lady to be able to cook?"

Morena waved her hand.

"Not at all, I just didn't expect you to make something today."

"I made them just because I knew you would be coming. Oh, and please, don't call me Lady Brenle, that's my family name. I would prefer it if you just call me Ella."

"Ella? Then I must insist, instead of calling me Lady Ravenscroft, just call me Morena."

Morena replied with a slight nod. Most nobles didn't like being called their first name unless they had close ties. If she could form ties with House Brenle then it could be very beneficial for her house.

Especially with the issue of money rising soon; House Brenle had a lot of coin, while her house had the men that House Brenle lacked. If they could join forces, it could be an alliance that even the church couldn't ignore.

At the very least, if they could come to an agreement, then they would both be able to benefit greatly from a united front. The church wouldn't be able to easily interfere, and they would be able to gather more useful allies that shared the same thought.

"So, tell me Morena, you accepted my invitation, but why did you come here today?"

"Shouldn't you be the one telling me that, Lady Ella? After all, you were the one that invited me today."

Ella chuckled at the quick reply.

"Still with the 'Lady'? Just call me Ella, there's no need for all that. I invited you today to get to know you, as a person."