Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Nineteen: Threads of Purpose

A few days passed uneventfully within the fortress. The regular rhythm of life resumed, with guards and inmates falling back into their usual routines. For Clorinde, each day felt like a calculated step forward, carefully balancing her mission with the need to maintain her cover. But beneath the surface, the tension was slowly building, like a coil wound too tight.

For Wriothesley, the days were filled with the usual responsibilities that came with managing the Fortress of Meropide. He had kept a close eye on the situation, particularly on the two new recruits he was convinced one of whom was Clorinde. But it wasn't until one particularly surprising interaction that the pieces began to fall into place.

Wriothesley was in the middle of a conversation with the head guard, who was explaining the need to send one of the new transfers back to the surface. "We'll have to send her back this evening. She doesn't fit in at all. Always arguing with her superiors," the guard said, frustration evident in his tone.

"Ah yes, I think I heard her being reprimanded once quite some time ago," Wriothesley responded with a nod. "Do what you must to keep order in your ranks."

"Thank you, Duke," the head guard replied with a respectful nod, finishing the discussion as Wriothesley prepared to return to his office, his mind already shifting to other matters.

As Wriothesley walked back to his office, he mulled over the implications. That meant the troublemaker transfer was clearly not working with Clorinde. Not that Clorinde would ever work together with someone so unprofessional and incapable of blending in. Now, all that was left to determine was whether Clorinde went by the name Madeleine or Claire, and if she was working together with the other new recruit.

They really needed to add faces and resumes to the list of names for the transfers. Who even thought it was a good idea to just put the names on a list without any information about the personnel joining them? It was a security risk, plain and simple. Wriothesley frowned as he considered the implications—how easy it would be for someone to slip through the cracks without proper identification. He made a mental note to change that system immediately; it was something that needed to be addressed without delay.

As Wriothesley made his way through the corridor, he was approached by a woman. She was tall, with chestnut hair neatly tied back, her uniform perfectly fitted, accentuating a figure that was both strong and graceful.

"Duke Wriothesley, I presume?" The woman's voice was warm, her smile even warmer as she approached him. Her eyes, a striking shade of blue, held his gaze with an intensity that was hard to ignore. "I've heard so much about you."

Wriothesley offered a polite nod, taking in her presence. "I don't believe we've met before."

"I'm Madeleine," she said, extending her hand.

The name "Madeleine" instantly rang a bell in Wriothesley's mind. She was one of the new recruits. That meant Clorinde's codename must be Claire. Now, he just needed to find out if Madeleine was working together with Clorinde.

His interest in the conversation piqued, Wriothesley offered her a more engaged smile. If Madeleine and Clorinde were indeed working together, there was a chance she might pass on a message or inadvertently reveal something in their conversation.

"Madeleine," he repeated, shaking her hand with a firm grip. "A pleasure to meet you. What brings you to the fortress?"

Her smile widened, warm and inviting. "I'm following in my father's footsteps," she explained. "He served here for many years, and I always admired his dedication. It felt natural for me to continue the tradition."