Manipulation

Silvi's Coffee Shop was quieter than usual, with Luna handling the shop's business for the day. Ignatius was engrossed in his book research, surrounded by stacks of ancient texts and scrolls. Clair had recently started helping him. Her keen mind and sharp insights made her indispensable to his work.

"Here, Ignatius," Clair said, handing him a rare manuscript. "I found this reference to the lost city of Eldoria. It might have the information you're looking for."

Ignatius looked up from his notes, his eyes lighting up with appreciation. "Thank you, Clair. This is exactly what I needed."

Clair smiled, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "I'm glad to be of help. There's so much more we can uncover together."

Christie and Ayla, who accompanied Ignatius to the library, exchanged wary glances. They had noticed Clair's growing influence over Ignatius. The way she treated them with disdain.

"Are you sure we should be trusting her?" Christie whispered to Ayla as they followed Ignatius and Clair to the library.

Ayla's green eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure, but Ignatius seems to value her contributions. We need to keep an eye on her."

As they arrived at the Misty Cove Library, Ignatius wasted no time in diving into his research. With Clair by his side, he suggested ideas and pointed out relevant texts.

"Look, Ignatius," Clair said, pointing to a passage in one of the books. "This mentions an artefact that could be connected to the lost city. It's worth investigating."

Ignatius nodded. "Good catch, Clair. Let's see if we can find more references to it."

Christie and Ayla, feeling sidelined, busied themselves with their research. They couldn't shake the feeling that Clair was trying to isolate Ignatius from them.

"Here, Ignatius, take a look at this," Ayla said, handing him a scroll she had found.

But before Ignatius could respond, Clair interjected. "That scroll is interesting, Ayla, but this one here might be more relevant to our current research."

Ayla's expression tightened, but she said nothing. Ignatius, unaware of the tension, nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Clair. We'll look at that next."

Hours passed, and the group continued their research in relative silence. Clair's behaviour towards Christie and Ayla became more dismissive, and her tone became condescending whenever she addressed them.

"Christie, could you fetch that book from the top shelf?" Clair asked, her voice laced with irritation. "And please be careful. These are delicate texts."

Christie bristled at the tone but complied. Retrieving the book and handing it to Ignatius. "Here you go, Master."

"Thank you, Christie," Ignatius said, giving her a grateful smile.

Clair continued to dominate the conversation, her ideas shaping the direction of Ignatius's research. She seemed to relish the control she had over the situation, her influence growing with each passing moment.

The strain between Clair and the others became more palpable as the day continued. Ignatius was engrossed in his work and remained oblivious to the underlying tensions.

"Clair, this idea you mentioned about the artefact. It makes a lot of sense," Ignatius said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. We should explore this angle further."

Clair's smile widened, a triumphant look in her eyes. "I'm glad you agree, Ignatius. Together, we'll uncover the secrets of the lost city."

Christie and Ayla exchanged glances, their unease growing. They couldn't deny Clair's intelligence and contributions. But her disdainful attitude towards them was becoming harder to ignore.

"Let's take a break," Ayla suggested, her voice strained. "We've been at this for hours."

Ignatius looked up, realising for the first time how much time had passed. "You're right, Ayla. We could all use a break."

As they stepped outside the library, the tension eased. The fresh air and the sounds of the bustling town were a welcome respite from the intense atmosphere inside.

"Clair, you know your stuff," Ignatius said, his admiration for her evident.

Clair's smile was polite, but there was a sharpness to her gaze. "I want to help. There's so much we can achieve together."

Ayla and Christie walked a few steps behind, their conversation hushed.

"We need to find a way to show Ignatius that we're valuable to his research too," Ayla said, her green eyes determined.

Christie nodded. "We can't let Clair push us aside. He needs us."

As they returned to the coffee shop, the atmosphere was charged with unspoken words and unresolved tensions. Luna greeted them with a warm smile, unaware of the day's events.

"How did the research go?" she asked, her eyes curious.

"It went well," Ignatius said, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "Clair had some incredible insights. We're making real progress."

Luna's smile faltered, but she recovered. "That's great to hear. We'll make sure to support you in any way we can."

Clair's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she took a seat. Her presence commanded the room. "Thank you, Luna. For your support."

Christie and Ayla exchanged glances, their resolve strengthening. They wouldn't let Clair's disdainful attitude drive a wedge between them and Ignatius. They would find a way to prove their worth and ensure he recognized their contributions.

As the evening wore on, the group gathered around a table to discuss their findings and plan their next steps. The camaraderie that had always defined their interactions felt strained, but their shared goal kept them united.

"We're on the verge of a breakthrough," Ignatius said, his excitement palpable. "With us working together, we'll uncover the secrets of the lost city."

Clair's smile was enigmatic. "Indeed, Ignatius. There's so much more to discover."

Sensing the underlying tension, Luna placed a reassuring hand on Christie's shoulder. "We'll get through this, Christie. Together."

Christie nodded, her determination unwavering. "Yes, Luna. We will."

**************

Ignatius sat in Misty Cove Library. Surrounded by towering shelves filled with ancient texts and scrolls. He had been searching for hours. Hoping to find any information about the mysterious Cain. But his efforts had yielded no results. Frustration gnawed at him as he sifted through yet another dusty tome. Only to find it devoid of the answers he sought.

Needing a break, Ignatius stood up and stretched, his muscles aching from hours of sitting. He decided to explore another section of the library. I'm hoping a change of scenery might spark some inspiration. As he rushed around a shelf, he collided with someone, sending them both sprawling to the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Ignatius exclaimed, bending down to help the person he had bumped into.

The woman he had knocked over was Regina, the mayor's secretary. She had fallen back on her bum, her dress falling over her head. Ignatius's eyes widened as he noticed a tattoo on her inner thigh—a silver raven. Regina sat up, closing her legs in embarrassment and adjusting her dress.

"I'm so sorry," Regina said, her cheeks flushing. I didn't see you coming."

Ignatius pretended to pick up a book, trying to hide his surprise. "No, it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention."

As Regina stood up, Ignatius's mind raced. "That tattoo... I've seen it before in a police report," he mumbled. Two years ago, he wrote a murder mystery. He had used Queens Town police as his muse. Searching for inspiration, the police chief gave him old unsolved cases to study.

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. Regina was the Silver Raven—the notorious thief at large with a bounty of twenty thousand gold coins on her head.

Regina, oblivious to Ignatius's revelation. She dusted herself off and gave him a polite smile. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Ignatius replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind. "Thank you for asking."

Regina nodded, leaving Ignatius to grapple with the shocking discovery. He mused. Who knew she was an elf with white cotton panties and thigh-high stockings? Humans were notorious for thievery, but elves were supposed to walk a higher moral ground. Regina was an anomaly, for sure.

Ignatius's thoughts raced as he tried to process the implications of what he had gained. The Silver Raven had been a ghost, a shadow that eluded capture for years. And now, she was right under their noses, working as the mayor's secretary.

He would keep this a secret for now. She might have changed her ways, wanting a normal life. He needed more information; he would not implicate her. He did not need the coins. His coin pouch hanging from his belt felt heavy. How could he get rid of them without suspicion, he thought?

He wanted Luna and Elysia to have the coins. How to Give them Thirty-four gold coins with the Mithrilen emblem on them. He did not want them to know that his eldritch blast rewarded him with a gold coin for each kill he made.

He could give it to his household as a reward. How did such an infamous criminal end up in John's employ? He was a human. Did they have a past? Or was there another explanation?

She did not look like a criminal. There must be a wealthy person behind it.