337 B.C. - Idgard

If everybody loves you, something is wrong. Find at least one enemy to keep you alert.

-Paulo Coelho

Five months.

Five, long months. That much time had passed since the Second Years had started learning law. Alexandra was as good as any barrister, but her head felt strangely conceited and thick with all of that. Her eyes stung in the mornings, when she was supposed to wake at three, as she spent the nights reading. There were huge dark circles under everyone's eyes. Only for Master George it seemed like everything was going good.

In a way, it was good that she was acquainted with Kane. Otherwise, the Council would become unbearably dull when Mark Fannel left for trials. Like now. But Kane, was more than he let on. He was a seasoned teacher and had apparently taught law to his whole year, too. Everybody seemed to like him - even the newest first years couldn't help warming up. And he was the Spy of the Espionage - because he agreed to spy for anybody who did his detention in his place. As a result, sometimes, they didn't have to sit in the burning weaponry and read law. All this happened right under Master George's nose - and the best part was that Alexandra got clients to Kane.

They were running a corrupt business inside the Council. 

But what was life without a little risk? Alexandra was sure Liam wouldn't have minded - and if the emperor himself didn't mind, there wasn't much need to worry. Kane had once suggested that they "clean the dormitories for anybody who pays for it". Alexandra had humbly asked who would do the cleaning. When he had replied that she would, of course, he had received a near-fatal whack on the face with the stout law book.

She was very sure nobody would pay for her cleaning. In fact, those poor souls would have to demand money from them for their destroyed rooms. But because Mark Fannel and Kane Alden were two of the most sensible and skilled people of the Espionage, their acceptance had helped Alexandra's position. When Alden invited her to the fifth year table, nobody gawked any longer. In fact, they asked her if she liked dagger combat. To which the answer was always "yes", indubitably. She knew there was no looking back now - she would earn all their acceptance. Even their stern teacher's, because there was a soft interior to him somewhere beyond the hard crust.

She wondered how Liam had got the idea to put her in this place. Whatever the reason behind that maybe, one thing was crystal clear: his split second decision had set Alexandra into the life of her dreams. A place where nobody cared if boots were muddy or hair was undone, where all that mattered was skill and knowledge, where everybody was a warrior and where almost all "important" things happened. Equal parts of terror and calm - tests and parties - bullies and friends.

Maybe the bullies were not a part of her dream ... but she couldn't possibly have everything.  And now, after Watson's outrageous comment about her, they had severed all communication links. If she passed any of her year-mates, even if they smiled tentatively, Alexandra looked away. Maybe it was a little harsh, but Watson hadn't even apologized. Unless he did, none of them existed for her. 

Alexandra knew Watson would strike back. Definitely - and that was why she was taut as a bowstring in their last class.

It was two weeks before the term ended, and the last class was when their exams were announced. Alexandra had absolutely no idea what the test would be. If it was something like combat ... well, that would then be fine. But some part of her knew it wasn't. It was something much bigger.

Master George looked strangely serious. Meaning, even more serious than usual, which was quite unnerving. He frowned at them as they assembled for the class. It seemed as if he was wondering whether they would live another week or not. Beside him was a bowl with folded bits of paper. Alexandra didn't like the sight of it. Her instincts said that there was something dangerous written in those chits. The seven of them stood around him, their hands crossed as they gazed intently either at the teacher or the bowl.

'Ahem.' Master George finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence. 'Congratulations all of you, for completing your second year. I hope you all have taken law seriously, because now you are going on your first trials. Yes.' He confirmed. It was their turn to frown as he continued.

'But no, it is not outside Idgard. It is a very simple trial each, things you should have been able to do without any training. Yet, you have two whole years of tutoring which places you in a better position. Now the point is, there are citizens who are - suspicious. They hold important jobs and they seem to be behaving strange all of a sudden. We suspect, they have been in contact with some hidden Anti-National elements, or that they have committed some crime- which they need to hide.

'Our trusted spies have reported these and hence the accusations are unquestionable. Each of you, will be sent to one-one such citizen. What you do after that, is your choice, your way. A free rein. All you have to do is get us proof - either of that citizen's guilt, or of his innocence. Your words alone, on the other hand, will not be enough. You have to get proofs. Because the law asks for them. You all know the law. Specific information is here on the chits. Mark my words, some trials here, are much more difficult than the rest. It will be best that you do not complain.

'A final thing: at most, you have two weeks. If you cannot do anything in two weeks - that remains to be seen. It highly depends. But it will, of course, be in your favor to hurry up. However-! No pressure. Come on now, pick up your chits. Think what you will do. Take whatever you want with you - as long as it belongs to you. And none of you belong to the Espionage Council for the duration of this test. And the situation, let me stress upon you - is very much of a do or die situation for you. Yes, do or die. I don't care if that sounds like animal cruelty!'

'Animal cruelty?!' Watson repeated, looking around wide-eyed.

'He's talking about you,' Alexandra replied, in a snarl. Paul and Hans snorted, but they went back straight-faced upon receiving Watson's burning glare. Why they accepted him as a leader, was itself a mystery to Alexandra. Nothing seemed so very special about him - other than the fact that he was quite competent. Leaders ought to be people like Master George and Liam - not like Watson!

'COME ON, PICK! Or do you want me to do so?!' Their teacher asked, cutting through Alexandra's musings. Scared that he would really proceed to chose, they all lunged for the bowl at once. Alexandra picked up a crumpled chit and withdrew it. She unfolded the parchment slowly. Inside was a spiky, neat handwriting she did not recognize.

TRANSITORY TRIAL #41A

CITIZEN: Court Barrister

NAME: David Frawdley

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: Leaves his house at 5 in the morning, returns at 5 in the evening, shuts all doors and windows and stays inside for the next twelve hours doing something. Acts very secretive. Keeps all doors and windows locked, while leaving, a practice that was earlier absent. Was quite normal previously. Has extreme workload.

#79
Alpine Street
Second Cross Eleventh Turn

Idgard

GOOD LUCK, YOUNG AGENT-IN-MAKING!!

Alexandra had just finished reading it when she felt a familiar cold dread creep into her. The sure feeling that someone's eyes on the back of her neck and the usual, tightening up, wary feeling spread through her. She turned behind to check -

Just Owen and Hans waving farewell. And why would they stare at her? Though, the feeling had been pretty intense. Alexandra had a sweeping look of the council and shook her head. She had a Barrister to find. And she didn't need the chit anymore - Alexandra had the address committed to memory. And she knew Idgard well, anyhow. She crumpled it up and threw the bit of paper behind her back.

She then ran back to her room, picked up her cloak, fastening it on. The room seemed strangely homely now - after so long of staying in. Of course she was going to return to it - at the earliest. Alexandra looked around for something else she could take. The Doveland Royal Ring: there was no question of leaving it behind. Alexandra had no idea why she was still keeping it, it would have just been better to throw the thing into the fire. But somehow, it mattered too - if she hadn't been wearing that, she would have had no identity with Liam too. Princess Alexandra would have faded forever. And she was attached to it now in a silly way. Maybe, she would put it somewhere one day and forget about it completely But for then, Alexandra slipped the gold into her inside pocket. She picked up a scroll of parchment, stuffing it above the ring. A quill with some ink tablets that had to be dissolved into water to form ink. She pulled out her dagger from below her mattress and strapped it to her waist. 

Alright, Spy Alexandra was ready for flight!