The Shadow in His Footsteps

Adanita stood a few meters away from him with her back turned, holding two bloody swords.

The thick liquid was dripping off of them, and her sky blue coat was dyed in scarlet.

He looked down, and he could see a large zweihänder on the ground, just out of reach of an injured hand. He could see a broken crown, its shimmering form fading away slowly. He could see the soft purple hair, soaking in the shallow water.

His own blood. His own brother.

Adanita turned around, her hair dyed almost black from the dried blood stuck to it. Behind her appeared a man in a business suit, along with two thugs in tracksuits, spreading out to surround him. She tightly gripped her swords and charged at him, and he fell through as ground suddenly gave way.


Drowning...



Rosamund woke up with tears in his eyes. He was trembling.

His brain was getting creative. Two nightmares for the price of one, isn't that right? Why wake up only frightened half to death, when you could also imagine a lovely scene of the Pirate Queen killing your dear brother for the second time?!

Oh, this wasn't fair. To Adanita, or to himself. It was a duel, it was a fair duel. She said so herself - and he had no reason not to trust her. When it came to the Codex or to code duello, she followed both to the very last letter. And this time, Lilac won't have a reason to challenge her, and she will have no reason to fight him, and no reason to kill him. He will be fine, he will be safe. Rosamund will make sure of it. He'll kill her personally, if need be-

No.

Calm down, cry it out. He hugged his pillow and curled into a ball, quietly weeping.

He could stay like this for a bit.

Just for a bit...


In time, he began to calm down. Just count all the things you need to do, and you immediately forget about stupid nightmares, right? Gods, he will be a workaholic in both worlds, won't he.
Right, so, the letters were given to Teodolit, who promised he'll see to it that their spymaster sends them to Hipparcos. He also met with Adanita and she said she had some time free for him tomorrow in the afternoon. Meaning, he had another day to prepare a proper presentation of his arguments for her.

Meaning, it was time to get up and get to work. The future rests on this, after all.

Honestly, what made everything worse was that bad things in the future weren't just a possibility. Thanks to Adanita, he knew the price of his failure. It was stressful in a whole new way.

And that's just what he was right now. Stressed, he decided while he was washing up. The anger he was feeling was irrational. It didn't make it any less real, but it was unnecessary. Just another thing to manage, right? He got dressed and slammed the cabin door open, revealing a-

A what?

His mind drew a complete blank at the person in front of him. They wore a simple black hat with its rim wider than their shoulders were, a fluttery black cloak, and black scarf that hid their face. Not that they needed it, they were shorter than Rosamund, and thanks to the hat he could barely see much else of them.

After a moment, they jumped backwards, with throwing knives appearing between their fingers. He was too shocked to react to it in any appropriate manner - did Adanita only hire complete weirdos?! They even wore black clothes and black gloves under it all. Washed out, somewhat, but the color was still - ah, wait, the knives. Right, reaching for his flintlock could lead to him getting stabbed, this was too close range to react even though they put distance between them. Besides, taking out a gun was not a way to deescalate the situation. Dealing with the startled and armed stranger required tact.

"I apologize," he calmly said. "I didn't mean to frighten you. Do you happen to be the one following me around whenever I go to town?" He wasn't an idiot.

"Y-yes."

Hang on. Hang on, just a bloody moment. This alto voice, prone to cracking. Those janky movements, as if they weren't fully used to being in their body. That stupid fashion sense that no sane human would wear to a costume party, let alone in daily life. The person he was speaking to...

...was a teenager.

He slammed the side of his fist into the door. Child labor laws do not exist yet, child labor laws do not exist yet, child labor laws do not exist- ah, he scared them again. They let out a quiet meep, raising their knives defensively. Oh, he will strangle Adanita when he meets her. No, no, hang on, he had to stay calm. The concept of a teenager didn't even exist yet. Adanita said she already served on a ship when she was thirteen. Besides, this wasn't his first meeting with working children, although in all fairness, the pages and drummers he saw working weren't taught to wield knives. Staying calm. Keeping in mind the world and the time period. And the country. Which reminded him, where were the children in this city?
"I apologize once again," he said, still keeping a calm voice. "I thought of something just now. Don't mind me, please. Do you need something from the cabin or were you here to spy on me?"
"...spy," they quietly said.
"Brilliant."
"Heard y' cryin'," they added.
"Magnificent. I presume you'd not be kind enough to not let the Queen know?"
They gave him an awkward shrug.
He sighed. "We got off on the wrong foot, I believe. You caught me - well, I caught you at a bad time. I'd like to apologize again," he said. They didn't really react to that, they were still on guard. Right, when you're used to violent people all around you, you don't really calm down when someone starts talking. Instead of asking them to lower their weapons, he instead undid the belt that held his flintlock and tossed it on the deck. Actions speak louder than words, don't they?

Ah, they do. Their pose relaxed a bit, and after a few more seconds, they finally put the knives away.

Rosamund let out a tired sigh. He can handle this miniature spykid. He supposed they could've been given worse jobs around the town, tailing him was nothing in comparison. He was quickly calming down. After all, he figured, on Earth they had children working in the mines before the labor laws. Younger kids than this one, too. Just a job of following him was nothing in comparison. Even if they looked suspiciously adept with those knives. "Teodolit gave me some money for today," he said. "Would you like to go and grab a meal together?"

The oversized hat moved. That was a nod! Alright! Progress!

"I'll just take that flintlock there and put it in the cabin before we go, alright?" he asked.
Another nod. Good. He picked it up and tossed it into the cabin, closing the door behind him.

They put even more distance between them. Were they intent on following him from behind, as they were supposed to, even though he caught them? It seemed that way. "We can't quite hold a conversation like that," he said.
Another shrug.
"What is your name? I am Rosamund," he tried.
"I know," they said. They mumbled something in return, and he couldn't quite catch what it was.
"Tiktik?" he asked. "Is that your name?"
They grabbed onto the rim of their hat and pulled it downwards. That looked like an embarrassed reaction. Did they hate their name or something? Ah, teenagers... Though, he supposed with the environment they lived in, they could just change their name. He turned away and started walking. Nobody would attack him with a kid in his entourage, right? He won't be needing that gun, right? Paranoia was seeping into his tired mind, and the cloaked and well-armed figure following him wasn't helping.

After a few quiet moments, the spy trotted up to him, catching up. They had to walk quickly to keep up with his speed, so Rosamund graciously slowed down for them. "I was gonna look through y' papers," they said. "But y' were awake, so I couldn't."
"What are you looking for?" he asked.
"I'm worried. Wha's in those letters y' sent?"
"Oh. An order to arrest the Captains that were sailing into that storm after your Queen," he said. "And in the other one, I told my brother to come to Hipparcos." Hardly some secret to keep, even if they talk to others about it. "How would you have found out what was on the letters, if you had the chance?"
"Coal. If y' pressed papers 'n' all when writing. Woulda left a trace on paper under, aye?"
"Very clever," he said.
"I told Nita she oughta ask y' what was in 'em," they said. "She said she shouldn't, but I can't just let y', y'know. Send sensitive info out."
What a darling. "Don't worry about it," he said. "I'm not interested in endangering this place."
The oversized hat nodded again and fell behind. Did it take all bravery they had to ask him those questions?

He sighed and sat down at an outdoor table of a tavern. Still on the main street, where he mostly stayed. He didn't want to go explore further, lest he encounters a mage and angers Teodolit. Or some less than friendly pirate. But really, there didn't seem to be any children around, aside from his little stalker.
They awkwardly stood there for a moment, before they decided to also have a seat across from him. The keeper showed up immediately and took their orders. Rosamund was feeling blessed - Tiktik didn't order any alcohol.
"How old are you?" Rosamund asked.
"Dunno. Fift'n or sixt'n maybe."
"Were you following me every day or?"
"N-no. Just two days back. Yesterday I had another one do it."
"Another spy?"
"Aye," they said.
"Are they all children?" he asked.
"Nah. Some are, when I need ears in th' city."
Aha. "Are you the spymaster?" he tiredly asked.
They grabbed onto the rim of the hat again, pulling it down. There we go. He let out another sigh.
"Say, where are the other children anyway?" he asked. "I haven't seen any around the town."
"We don't let 'em near docks and main streets. Most families live on th' outskirts or not too close to where cannons an' battalions come to first. Orphanage's also outside the town. Easier to run away."
"I see..." What a life.

The keeper brought them some bread, cheese, and meat, along with their drinks. On Rosamund's request, the man even added in some apples. A proper breakfast, or a brunch. It must've been closer to ten in the morning by now.

"How did you become the spymaster?" he asked.
A shrug. "One before died," they said.
"When did that happen?"
"Dunno. Few- few months ago."
"Were they also as young as you?"
"No. She was old. Older than you."
"Did she die of old age, then?"
"Nah. Cannon."
Right. Somehow, this conversation was draining him faster than usual.

Tiktik shuffled under the hat in a way that suggested Rosamund that they removed the scarf from their face. Not that he could see it, but they could now freely eat, which made him happy. They didn't seem starved, from what he could tell. Just lanky. But teenagers needed more nourishment anyway.

Rosamund continued eating in silence, his curiosity sated for now. The teenager also seemed to prefer it that way.

He wondered how they ended up here. Were they a local all along? Do they go on missions out of town? No, no, he wasn't going to ask all that. There was no need to, for now. He decided instead that he will take a day of actual rest. A day where he won't do much at all, and in the afternoon he will go to the cabin and finish preparing for tomorrow.

"Would you like to go on a walk with me?" he asked. "I'm not feeling well today, but I worry I will anger Teodolit if I wander off too far."
"Mm."
He decided to take that as a yes. After another cup of tea. He also decided that.
For the nerves.

Tiktik had an astounding amount of patience, he was genuinely impressed. They sat in silence, barely moving after they finished their meal. He didn't doubt they were awake, they just had true makings of a spy in them. Sneaky little teen. Aside from their outfit, that is. Sneaky, except the outfit. He wondered if those clothes were just a ruse. They must've been dressing appropriately when on the job. They couldn't be standing out more like this. He also wondered if that outfit was too hot for the weather they were in. Tropical sun combined with black... Well, if they get a heatstroke, he could probably carry them to Teodolit. Then, somebody will take care of them.

"Would you like to lead the way?" he asked, getting up.
"Aye. Where'd you like to go?"
"Nowhere too crowded, please. I'd like some peace and quiet."
"Aye." They hesitated for a bit before deciding to trot next to him again, so he walked slow enough for them to not have to put that much effort in it.

To be honest, he enjoyed the silent walk with only the chatter from the town in the background. Tiktik seemed to be finding it a bit awkward, though. If they try to start a conversation, he decided he will participate properly. He was too tired to start, though. He'll leave it to the kid.

And it surprisingly took them a while. Tiktik first led them uphill, where they reached the manor. They skillfully hopped over the brick wall surrounding it, before awkwardly climbing back on it and offering him a hand.
"Isn't there a gate here somewhere?" he asked.
"It creaks. Don't like it."
They were allowed to be here, weren't they? As in, Rosamund specifically, right? On one hand, teenagers generally had a very vague concept of things being permitted, but this one was already promoted to the position of a spymaster. Surely they wouldn't go and break the rules around here, when Teodolit said it was their job to keep the order? Surely.
He accepted the offered hand, looking for a footing himself. They were surprisingly strong and managed to pull him up a decent amount. Both of them found themselves on the top of the wall, and Tiktik just hopped off, holding onto their hat. Rosamund followed more carefully.

"It's a nice garden," they said. "It's nice to walk here."

Ah, they truly took his request to heart. There was a heavy scent of seaside herbs and plants. The garden wasn't very well maintained, so the plants were overgrown. There were numerous weeds poking through thick lavender that bloomed almost a meter tall. He could see several bushes of laurel in the distance, as well as more basil, oregano and rosemary. They grew spices here, he realized. Intentionally or not. But, not only spices. Roses were climbing up the manor walls, in full bloom. Common ivy spread over the trees and bushes, threatening to overtake them. The decades old cobbled pathways through the garden were left to fight a futile battle against moss and grass. He let Tiktik lead them next to a bush of blackberries, and they picked a few, ignoring the prickly thorns that their cloak stuck to. They seemed to know where they were going.

They continued walking around the building. Behind it stood an absolutely stunning tree, a weeping willow. Its long branches reached all the way to the ground, and silvery leaves shimmered in the sunlight. There was an old bench under it, the wood already rotting and mossy, but it seemed sturdy enough. Rosamund sat down, while Tiktik climbed the tree to about five or six meters above ground.

Quiet and peaceful. Rosamund was grateful. He carefully leaned back and closed his eyes, enjoying the light shade of the tree.

"Why were y' cryin'?" they asked suddenly.
"I had a bad dream," he replied.
"Why were y' angry?"
"I wasn't angry," he said.
"Aye, you were. You slammed the door. Twice. Thought you were mad at me or somethin'... but then, when I said I was gonna dig through your papers, y'didn't react."
Rosamund opened his eyes, tiredly looking up. Kid was sensitive to emotions, it seemed. "I wasn't mad at you at any point. I wasn't feeling well. I apologize for startling you, and for slamming the door."
"Mm. Alright." They were quiet for a bit. "So, you were angry at the nightmare?"
"Something like that, yes."
"What were you dreamin'?"
"You are asking too many questions. I do not want to answer that."
"I- I'm th' spymaster..." they mumbled.
"Right. But you should have more tact. There are ways to make people want to tell you everything they know. I can teach you more about interrogation later."
"Thanks. I just, yknow, sneak about and listen in, mostly."
"Is that so?"
"Mm."

Peace and quiet... Rosamund closed his eyes again.

"I'm small. I fit everywhere," they awkwardly explained a minute later. "And- and when I'm not wearin' all this, people don't even know it's me. Nobody notices me, 'cept Nita an' Teo." Their voice grew quieter by the end, again.
"I'll be sure to pay attention, then," he promised.
"Mm."

Quiet again. It occurred to him that they, perhaps, didn't have too many friends. It occurred to him that they, perhaps, enjoyed the conversation that he worked very hard on keeping reasonably pleasant for both parties. He supposed he could entertain them a bit more. There was no need to open his eyes though, was there?
"May I ask for advice, spymaster Tiktik?" he asked, using a very official voice.
"Um, aye? I mean. Depends."
Heh. They didn't expect that, did they? "There is a man working against me," he said. "He holds a somewhat high position for a man as young as he is. I presume he got it because his mother works in the Admiralty. That man is a Vice Admiral, you see."
"Mm. Khamil, aye?"
"Yes." They were well-informed, it seemed. "While I am sitting here, twiddling my thumbs as I consider my next move, he may already be sending reports to Her Royal Highness, Queen Sarmia the Second. Reports that are a complete fabrication, corroborated by false witnesses, which state I am to blame for the damages on his ships. How would you go about looking for evidence of my innocence?"
"Mmm... Do I get to think on it?"
"Yes."
"Is this why you wrote in your letters to detain those Captains? Are they the liars?"
"Yes."
"Do you plan to use that proper interrogation on them?"
"Yes. But if it comes down to his word against mine, we are both in trouble. I don't plan to risk it on a proverbial coin flip, I need something decisive," he said.
"I'll think on it... Do I - do I get a reward?" they asked.
"Certainly. You may ask for anything," he said.
"Aye?"
"Yes."
"Mm. D'y'wanna go somewhere else?"
Were they bored already? "No, not really. I'd like to rest here for a while, please."
"Mm."

He could hear them climbing around the tree. A quiet thud, and footsteps walking away. They were still nearby, surely. They were his personal shadow these days, after all.

Nice, warm day...


Oh, he fell asleep. He could tell by how much the sun moved when he opened his eyes. It was a welcome nap. He felt so, so much better. By now it would be, what, early afternoon? He pondered the time, carefully stretching his arms and legs. Tiktik was gone, and after a brief consideration he decided he wasn't worried about that. They lived here for long enough to become the spymaster, they were fine. He was sure of that.

He got up, deciding to grab a meal on his way back to the cabin. He left through the metal gate - Tiktik was right, they screeched abhorrently - and made his way back to the town. He had a nice meal, although it was fish stew again, and then climbed back on Vivienne.

In the cabin, he stumbled upon Adanita, asleep on the couch. She took her boots off and left them by the door (he almost fell over them), and she used her coat instead of a blanket.

It seemed they both had trouble sleeping, her on the solid ground, and him on her ship. He mentally sighed and quietly moved about, trying not to wake her. His efforts were successful, she was in deep sleep. He dug around her cabinets and found a bottle of high quality wine, as well as two crystal glasses.

He set them all down on the the small table by the couch and poured some into the glasses. He sat down on the armchair with a glass in his hand.


He could wait.



He had all the time in the world.