Venice Craven

There was a knock on the door that started to rouse me from sleep. Moments pass before another knock, a little unsure this time. I waken, though none too happy, avoiding answering till finally another knock is issued, this time a voice calls out: "Miss Venice?" I reply, but take my time climbing out of bed and finding one of Tal's longer shirts to wear, it reaches down to just above my knees. When I open the door enough to peek though I'm greeted with an unsure smile from a low ranking guard, as if suddenly remembering some instruction he dips his head in a very respectful bow before holding out a package wraped in cloth. "Miss Venice, Captain Taliesin gave orders that this be delivered to you," a pause, "at his room." The guard wears a goofy grin for a moment but quickly remembers himself. "He said to deliver this along with his apology for not being able to deliver it himself, but as he was returning a situation developed which demanded his immediate attention."

His message and cargo delivered, I nod and close the door to the sound of his footsteps leading away and out of the boarding house. The package has been hastilly wrapped, it seems from the outside to be a collection of things, though the shape is odd and doesn't give any clue as to what could be inside. I put the package aside for the moment and find some better clothes to wear (again, stealing Taliesin's, but he wont mind--he never has) then return to the mystery. Taking the time to unravel the package, fearful of damaging something inside, or perhaps wanting to prolong the excitement; perhaps some gift Taliesin has sent for me? But what I find is no gift, at least not in the traditional sense.

The package contained four unique items. A journal, I instantly recognise it as being my own; a saber and cane, the owl head on the hilt of the cane is easy to identify, Acerbe's; and the fourth item is a note. I examine each item for a moment, tracing my fingers over the sword--it has been recently cleaned, though there are specks of dried blood on it still. But I don't linger long before turning to the note.

"Don't do anything rash." One of the final lines echo inside my head. Rash..? What would be rash? What would not? Air. I need air. To breathe.. yes. No. There is someone posted in the foyer. A guard? To watch? To imprison? Concealment, no.. a spell. A simple incantation. Easy for me. And yet so few have mastered it as I have. My arrogance, it has always gotten me into trouble- not today though. Just a little air. I should leave him a note. He will worry... No, I will not be long, just a few hours. Okay, a note. Quickly scribbled on the back of his.

"Errands to run.
I promise I will not do anything rash.
I promise to think about it throughly before execution.

~ Venice"