The Witch's Relay

Chapter 23: Beyond Reach

Exiting the inn we begin walking towards where I live, the building right across from the Adventurers Guild.

"You aren't feeling any of the dizziness from before?" Kade asks me.

"No, I'm feeling just fine. Whatever happened before must have been a fluke, because I feel perfectly normal right now!" I give him the brightest grin I can. "So you don't have to worry about me!"

He looks down at his feet, definitely hiding something. So you are responsible for this situation Kade?.. Very interesting.. Now what did you do to me that caused me to lose my entire memory of it? It's almost like magic.

Oh? Magic? Keep it together Linda, don't go overthinking things again. Simple solutions are oftentimes the right ones. Although.. That would make perfect sense.

The cogs in my head continue to turn as I go over everything I've learned so far about both Kade and Heather.

Perhaps I should investigate Heather more, since she seems to command absolute authority over Kade, perhaps she is the real interesting one.

"What was it you came over to discuss by the way? You said it isn't urgent, but the way you knocked on the door said otherwise."

I giggle and put my hands behind my back. "A little this and a little that. I wanted to see how you are feeling, but I also want to warn you about the dungeon appearance."

"Warn me about it?" He tilts his head questioning.

"Yes, well, mainly a heads up. There are rumors within the guild that there is a good chance that all A and B-ranked adventurers in a large area will be summoned in order to clear it. When it eventually opens, it will have to be cleared in order to stop a stampede of various monsters, and in that case, Heather is included in the list of those who will be called in for an obligatory quest.

I watch for his reaction, and sure enough, it is simply blank.

"Hmm.. Thanks for the heads up, I'll let her know." He replies casually.

We arrive at my place and we stop outside the door.

"Would you like to come in?" I look at him with a hopeful look. "I baked some cookies lately that you can try.."

"Thanks, but no. I should get back to the inn and Heather."

"Aww, that's too bad. Maybe some other time? I rarely have guests, maybe you can bring Heather?" I smile invitingly.

"Yea, we'll see. Give me a time and date and I might just come." He smiles, a fake smile.

"Well, goodnight Kade." I jump close and swing my arms around him in a hug. I don't normally do this, but it also doesn't contrast my normal behavior in any way. I want to see how he will respond.

Not that I'm planning to, but if he gets comfortable enough with me hugging him, then that would be a perfect time to stab.

He hesitates and takes a step back, but then awkwardly hugs me back.

"Goodnight Linda." He says as we break up the hug and part ways.

I do a small giggle to myself as he walks away and I unlock the front door.

When I enter, two hallways span out from each side, one on the left and the other to the right. Along both hallways are rows of doors, each leading to a room, most belonging to various guild employees, but some are rented by merchants and craftsmens apprentices.

My room is all the way down the hallway at the end, and is larger than most, due to my high standing within the guild as head clerk.

While simple, my room is well organized and decorated quite nicely. I have a double-sized bed, desk, padded desk chair, couch and the floor is blue carpet. The bed and couch are both blue, matching the carpet. In the one corner of the room there is a changing screen, right next to a large dresser and closet. In a second room connected by a doorway is the kitchen and dining area.

Personally I find the decorations to be kind of bland and the color choices to be a bit strange, but it was already decorated when I moved in, and I've simply not felt like changing anything.

I remove my dress and weaponry, and I place my weapons on the desk while draping the dress over the back of the chair. Afterwards I step towards a bucket of warm water standing at the side of my bed beside a small pile of towels. The maids put a new bucket there for me every evening. Grabbing one of the towels I dip it in the bucket and rub it over my face. Today the water is steaming slightly, so the maids must have placed it here just a couple minutes ago. After washing my face I grab a second dry towel and dry my face. With my face clean I proceed to wash the rest of my body. I don't make a habit of using the guild bathhouse, mostly because my weapons will be visible when I undress.

Once all clean I lay down on the bed and try to process what happened today.

Logically speaking. Kade is definitely involved with the missing piece in my memory, however in a fight I am confident that I would win, and since I can read him like a book, he could not possibly surprise me. Since Kade is incapable of taking me down alone, Heather is also definitely involved, and as I know her rank, I know that she could prove to be difficult to fight. However, it is not impossible.

My memories however are an issue, it proves that she has at least one trick up her sleeve that I have no way of knowing how to counter. I have a feeling that my memories aren't gone though, only hidden deep within my own mind, and that it is on its way up. But the more I think about it, the closer I get.

It has to be magic. Somehow Heather, not Kade, is able to hide my memories with a spell. But that would mean that they are the ones to attack the prince's party.. Which means.. Of everyone out hunting for the reward.. I'm the closest.