Previously...
The High Luminarch received a vision of a mysterious healer whose light tore through the heavens and saved the dying. Days later, a miracle happened in Cindres. He visited Mrs. Kirn, whose daughter was healed, and learned the healer was a young woman with blue eyes, glasses, and a single braid.
While searching, Luminarch Revery insulted a girl matching that exact description. The High Luminarch realized too late—she was the envoy. He ordered the paladins to chase her down.
She escaped into the alleys, vanishing before anyone could confirm her identity.
---
Chapter 27: Disguise
The alley walls pressed close around her, stone and shadow swallowing the frantic beat of her boots. Jinn ran. Not aimlessly... no, this city was carved into her memory. Every path, every turn. Her braid slapped against her back. Her breath burned her throat.
"There! She went east!"
"Fan out! Cut her off from the northern bend!"
The paladins were behind her. Fast, but heavy. Coordinated, but not agile. Their armor gave them away with every metallic clank. Jinn darted around a sharp corner, slid under a low arch, then leapt over a tilted cart.
She ducked into a passage barely wide enough for one. Her shoulder scraped the stone. It didn't matter. She had to vanish.
Her mind screamed: You can't outrun them forever.
But maybe... maybe she didn't need to.
She halted in a sunken space between buildings, breathing hard, invisible from the main path. Her fingers trembled as they reached up.
First, the glasses.
Off.
Then her braid.
She tugged the tie free. Her hair spilled out, soft and wavy, framing her face.
She looked into the shimmer of a puddle.
A different girl stared back.
"They're searching for a girl with glasses, with a single braid over her shoulder. Let them search."
Jinn stepped out again, not running, not hiding. Just walking. Calm, steady. Her heart thundered in her chest, but her face wore a neutral mask.
She walked into a wider street.
And almost walked right into a patrol.
A line of paladins.
Too late to turn. Too late to run.
One of them slowed.
"Wait!... Miss!"
Her blood froze.
She stopped and looked at him, brows lightly raised in mild surprise.
"Don't overplay it. Just act normal."
The paladin tilted his head. "Did you happen to see a young woman pass by here? Blue eyes, glasses, braid over the shoulder?"
Her voice stayed smooth. "No. Haven't seen anyone like that."
The soldier blinked. His eyes lingered too long.
Then he straightened. "Ah. Right. Sorry."
A second paladin groaned from behind. "Stop flirting. We're on duty."
"I wasn't! Gods, shut up."
They moved on.
Jinn exhaled, nearly staggering.
I swear my soul just left my body.
---
Adventurers' Guild, Cindres
She slipped through the doors like a breeze, head low, posture professional.
Around her, the main hall buzzed with activity.
"Is she new?"
"Some officer?"
Mayene looked up from the front desk. "Yes? Can I help y-?!"
"It's me, Jinn," Jinn whispered. "Meet me in the lounge. Now."
Minutes later, Mayene nearly tripped over her own feet as she followed her.
In the quiet lounge, Jinn spilled everything. The chase. The insult. The escape.
Mayene gaped. "So that's why you look like that?! I mean... not that you weren't cute before, but now you're like... wow."
"You're not helping," Jinn muttered.
"Oh? So that's the story," came a voice from the doorway.
They both jumped.
"Ms. Lavirra?!"
"You two were whispering. I followed. Also, I saw Mayene sneak off with a suspiciously stunning officer in our uniform."
She stepped in fully. "That uniform's a problem. If they trace it back to us..."
Mayene blinked. "Wait!... just the uniform?"
"Luminarch saw her in it. It might take time, but all they need is a match."
Jinn clenched her fists. "So what do we do?"
Lavirra frowned. "If they use Appraisal, even faint traces might reveal you."
Jinn's eyes narrowed. "Veilroot ash."
"What?"
"We can use it to create a mist. Covers spiritual aura. We just have to spread it through the building."
"Spread? With what?" Lavirra asked. "Some kind of tool?"
"There are flasks with pressure valves, used in alchemy. They can spray fine mist."
"You're suspiciously good at this."
"Didn't pass alchemy. I cheated."
"Charming."
Together, they rushed to the guild's small alchemy room. Lavirra prepared the flask. Jinn guided the steps.
"Crush the veilroot fine. Gently. No burning. We want the scent, not the smoke."
"Got it."
"Now, blend with distilled droproot to bind the essence. It won't last long—but it'll blur aura signatures."
It worked.
A soft mist drifted through the halls. Scented, light. Not overpowering.
In private rooms, incense burned low.
Mayene peeked in. "It won't raise suspicion?"
"Tell them I'm a visiting officer," Jinn said. "Sent to enforce new protocols. For sanitation. And spiritual safety."
"Sounds real enough."
"Incense is easier," Lavirra added. "Lasts longer. No need to spray everything constantly."
"Just hope the Luminarchs buy it."
"For now, rest," Lavirra said gently. "Stay in the guild tonight. Bella will bring things you need."
"Ms. Lavirra, actually... Mrs. Kirn and her daughter are working in the backyard for me. Please tell Bella to inform them too," Jinn said with worry.
"Well then, we will inform them," Lavirra said.
Jinn nodded slowly. But her gaze stayed fixed on the front doors.
---
Morning.
Sunlight broke across the banners hanging inside the guild.
Adventurers chatted. Steel clinked. It almost felt normal.
Until the doors swung open.
"Make way for the Godsworn!"
Silence dropped like a hammer.
Paladins entered first. Then white and gold robes.
"Luminarchs?"
Whispers erupted.
Revery stepped in, eyes scanning the room.
His voice rang sharp:
""We're looking for a girl,"
he said loud enough for all to hear. "
> To be Continued...