“Thank you for this, Ignatia.” Floriana said, brushing a stray hair from her face. Before her stood the small stone building that would be her new home and laboratory. The structure appeared very poorly kept; grime covered nearly every surface, the wood framing the doors and windows appeared to be rotting, and ivy had begun to gradually slither up the base. A chimney poked up from the sloped roof, and several grates were placed along the walls for ventilation. It wasn’t much, but it was more than good enough for the alchemist’s purposes.

“Yeah, well,” Ignatia started, frowning. “It’s the last I can do after…” She went silent.

Floriana looked down at her feet. It had only been a fortnight since her previous residence had burned to the ground, and with it, countless ingredients, alchemical implements and research notes. She had managed to save a meager three pages from the blaze. It would take at least a year to make up for everything that had been lost. Fortunately, General Ignatia Varios had been there to help pick up the pieces.

With her military connections, Ignatia had managed to get Floriana this dwelling in the capital of Seloi. It would have been nearly impossible to find a more perfect arrangement. The city’s central position and the many roads leading to it would make it easy to obtain ingredients from all over the country, and beyond. Despite recent events, the alchemist found herself feeling hopeful. She turned to her friend and smiled.

“Hhhrph!” Ignatia’s response was as loud as it was abrupt. A quick expulsion of air, hastily cut off as she pressed her hands over her mouth. After a second, she lowered them, but now she was biting her lip. It was clear that she was making a very concentrated effort not to laugh. Floriana suddenly recalled that her smile looked rather ridiculous. She hadn’t had much practice, after all. Remembering this, she allowed her smile to widen and squinted her eyes.

“Luo’s sake, stop already.” Ignatia chuckled, covering Floriana’s face with her hand. When she pulled it away, her friend had regained her usual, bored-looking countenance. “Good. You go ahead and get settled in. I have some business to take care of at the castle. If you need me… Well, you won’t be able to get into the castle on your own, so just get arrested by the guards, I guess. I’ll come bail you out or something. Sound like a plan?”

“Technically, yes.” Floriana responded in monotone.

“There’s the Flor I know. You’ll have that laboratory up and running in no time. There’s nothing to worry about, trust me.”

“I know.”

“Uh, right. Great.” Ignatia scratched the back of her head, then turned to leave. “Well, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.” The alchemist lifted a hand sluggishly into the air, bidding her friend farewell with quite possibly the laziest wave in the history of Illisia. With that, she turned and headed into her new home.

The building was as unassuming on the inside as it was on the outside, perhaps moreso. The only source of light was what came through the windows, illuminating the myriad of particles floating in the air. The perfectly average wooden floor was completely unadorned save for a slight coat of dust and a small hatch in the corner that presumably lead to a s****. Above was a simple loft. There was a paltry smattering of furnishings throughout the building’s single room; a long table, a bedroll, and a single stool. The walls were all practically identical, the only defining feature being a hearth on the wall opposite the door. Floriana walked over to the table and placed her surviving notes on it.

“Huh.” She mumbled after a few moments, unsure of what to do now that she had finished unpacking.

***

Ignatia’s expression turned sour as she made her way to the castle gates. She hated mornings like this. Cool mist blanketing the ground, a chill hanging in the humid air like an icy veil. Why did everything have to be so… damp? The woman summoned up her composure as she approached the portcullis. The guards standing at the still-open gate came to attention and saluted as they met her gaze. She saluted in turn before entering, heading straight for the garden with purpose in her step. Queen Camilla would likely be there at this hour, and Ignatia urgently needed to speak with her.

By the time the general arrived at the garden, the queen from Maris and her entourage were already there. With an almost inaudible groan, she shuffled toward the group, who had almost certainly chased the good Queen away. As Helena and her muses made off to who-knew-where, one of them stayed behind. That made things easier.

"Excuse me." Ignatia said, approaching the lone woman. After giving a slight bow, she continued. "Please pardon the interruption, ma'am. Have you seen Her Majesty Camilla this morning?"