Family system

Hana walked back to her room, her mind already full of plans. The meeting had gone as she expected. The Arbiters were suspicious of her, but their egos and arrogance left them blind to what her plans were. Clara's voice could be heard in her ear as the door to her room sealed shut behind her.

"They'll expect you to leave for Meadowcross immediately," Clara said, her tone even. "What's your plan?"

Hana smirked, stepping toward her wardrobe as she activated the holographic map on the command console. "We'll give them exactly what they want to see, Clara. I'll need to misdirect them if they're watching me this closely. But first…" She reached for a plain cloak that a soldier might wear and slipped it over her uniform. "...I have to prepare something to prepare."

Clara displayed the logistical routes and personnel movements on the map. "I've already identified three surveillance agents tasked with reporting your actions to the Arbiters. They'll follow you the moment you step outside."

"Perfect," Hana murmured, her mind working hard to devise the actions that would work. "We'll make it easy for them. Deploy a decoy carriage and a small troop escort. Have the decoy use the western route—the most direct path to Meadowcross."
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Clara's interface glimmered. "Understood. I'll coordinate with the loyal operatives in the city. What will you do?"

"I'll stay here," Hana said, pulling the cloak hood over her head. "But they'll believe I've left. I want them to believe I am gone while I finish my work in the capital."

Hana moved fast, gathering a small pouch of mana stones and her communicator. She exited her room and headed toward the barracks, where her loyal operatives were waiting.

The decoy carriage rolled through the gates of the Arbiter's castle, its wheels crunching against the cobbled streets. Two loyal operatives, dressed in uniforms identical to Hana's, sat inside, their hoods pulled low to obscure their faces. The small troop escort flanked the carriage, adding a more authentic feeling to the charade.

From the shadows, a tall, lean figure observed the carriage. His eyes narrowed as he took notes on a small parchment. This was Aldric, a seasoned operative tasked by the Arbiters to monitor Hana. He was a cunning man, and his sharp mind had earned him a reputation as a trustworthy informant.

Aldric trailed the carriage at a safe distance, his worn boots muffling his steps. He watched as it turned onto the western road, heading toward Meadowcross. Satisfied, he retreated to a quiet alleyway, pulling out a communication crystal.

"She's on the move," he reported, his voice was low and soft. "Hana's carriage has left the capital, accompanied by a troop escort. She's heading west toward Meadowcross."

The crystal pulsed with faint light as the response came through. "Good. Maintain your surveillance and ensure she arrives at her destination. The Arbiters will not tolerate failure."

Aldric tucked the crystal back into his pocket, a faint smirk on his lips. "Of course," he muttered. "But I doubt she's as loyal as she pretends to be."

Unbeknownst to Aldric, Hana had never boarded the carriage. Instead, she slipped into the hidden passageway network beneath the Arbiter's castle. It is a labyrinth known only to a select few.

"They bought it," Clara's voice whispered in her ear. "The decoy is en route, and Aldric has reported your departure."

Hana smiled as she paused to press her back against the cool stone wall. "Good. That should keep them occupied for a while."

Emerging from the hidden passageways into a secluded city section, Hana adjusted her cloak and seamlessly blended into the bustling crowd. Her work in the capital was far from over, and she couldn't afford any mistakes.

"Let's move to the next phase," she murmured, eyes scanning the crowd. "I need to ensure our operatives in the city are ready."

Aldric lingered at the western gate long after the decoy carriage had disappeared into the horizon. His sharp eyes traced the faint trail of dust kicked up by the carriage. His instincts gnawed at him, and doubts grew inside him, even as the scene before him appeared without any suspicious activity.

"She's clever," he murmured under his breath. "But I'll see through it, eventually."

Turning on his heel, Aldric began the long walk back to the Arbiter Council Hall. The capital city's streets were dimly lit, the faint glow of mana-powered lamps casting flickering shadows. The towering towers of the Arbiter's castle loomed in the distance.

As Aldric approached the Council Hall, the massive iron doors groaned open, revealing the cavernous chamber within. The cold stone walls seemed to leech the warmth from the air, amplifying the chill Aldric felt in his chest as he stepped forward.

Twelve grotesquely bloated figures sat around the U-shaped table, their beady eyes narrowing as Aldric approached. The central Arbiter, the largest of them all, lounged on a throne-like chair that barely supported his immense girth. Rolls of fat spilled over the armrests, his jeweled fingers twitching with irritation.

"Speak," the central Arbiter ordered, his voice a rumbling growl. His triple chins quivered as he shifted, and his labored breathing echoed in the chamber.

Aldric bowed deeply. "My lords, I bring news of Commander Hana's departure."

The Arbiter on the far left, whose bloated form barely fit within his chair, sneered. His sagging jowls wobbled as he spat, "About time. Did she crawl out of her den of laziness?"

The one on the far right, his sausage-like fingers endlessly fiddling with the hem of his stained robe, leaned forward, his small eyes narrowing. "And? Is she truly on her way to Meadowcross, or has she concocted some scheme to delay her orders?"

Aldric straightened slightly, though he kept his gaze respectfully lowered. "I witnessed her departure myself, my lords. Her carriage left the city accompanied by a standard troop escort. It bore her insignia, and the escort followed her direct commands."

The Arbiter to the left, whose immense belly pressed against the table, let out a wheezing laugh. "How convenient. And yet… how convenient would it be for this to be a ruse?"

The central Arbiter raised a hand, causing ripples to cascade down his flabby arm. "Silence," he commanded, his voice laden with authority. He turned his gluttonous gaze toward Aldric. "Do you believe she is attempting to deceive us?"

Aldric hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "My lords, I cannot say with certainty. Commander Hana has always been… resourceful. But the evidence of her departure appears genuine."

The central Arbiter's chin wobbled as he turned his attention back to Aldric. "Continue monitoring her activities. If she deviates from her path or any further disruptions occur, I expect you to inform us immediately."

Aldric bowed once more, his voice steady. "As you command, my lords."

The Arbiter on the far left, his pig-like eyes gleaming with malice, leaned forward. "And Aldric," he sneered, "should she fail us… we'll expect you to deliver her head."

Aldric's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it did not reach his eyes. "I will serve as commanded."

As Aldric exited the chamber, the oppressive weight of the Arbiters' gaze lingered on his shoulders. While the Arbiters were stupid and couldn't do anything good for their people, that did not mean that they were helpless. They could sit here without any worries because the blessing of their god made them strong enough for most fights; they were just too lazy to use that power.

Aldric stepped out into the cold, damp streets of the capital. The decoy carriage might have fooled the Arbiters, but his instincts whispered otherwise. Commander Hana was no fool, and her resourcefulness was both a strength and a weakness. If she were planning something, Aldric intended to uncover it.

With a fast pace, he moved through the cobblestone streets, blending into the shadows. The faint glow of mana-powered lamps lit his path as he made his way to the western gate. Once he arrived, he approached the stables and requisitioned a swift mount, its sleek black coat shimmering faintly under the pale light.

"Keep up with the carriage," Aldric muttered as he mounted the horse. "Let's see how far this plan of hers goes."

The horse galloped through the night. The night air was cold against his face, but his focus remained on his objective. The faint trail of dust and the subtle grooves in the dirt road were his guide.

The trail led him further westward toward Meadowcross as the decoy carriage maintained its steady pace. From a distance, he could see the faint glow of the mana-powered lanterns hanging from the carriage. The accompanying troop escort moved with discipline, and their formations were tight and professional.

Aldric slowed his horse, ensuring he stayed far enough behind to remain unseen. His sharp eyes scanned the scene for any signs of suspicious activity and as he observed, his suspicions deepened. The escort's movements were too weird, their behavior almost mechanical like they were following a script.