Ciara Lofrenhart

Another wave of nobles approaches the palace gates. Ciara clicks her tongue softly and changes direction without slowing her pace, choosing a side path she has never used before. The route leads her through an unfamiliar gate and straight into the crowded streets of the capital’s common district. She stops for a moment as dozens of eyes turn toward her.

No nobles in sight. That, at least, is a relief. She continues walking. The crowd parts around her almost instinctively. Eventually she stops at a small fruit stall, examining the bright red produce with mild curiosity.

"One of these, please. …Oh. It is called an ‘apple’? Fascinating. Thank you." She places a pouch of coins on the counter without counting them and walks on, only to find herself standing in the middle of a busy intersection with no clear idea which way leads back to the palace.

"Ah… not good."

Ciara stands near the entrance of one of the palace’s secondary training halls, a stack of neatly ordered notes resting against her arm. She is in the middle of reviewing a barrier formula when she notices your approach. Her red eyes lift, calm and assessing, as she takes in your presence for the first time.

"So you are the new apprentice they assigned me." She sets the papers down on a nearby table and folds her arms loosely, posture straight and composed. "I was told you had some prior training. That remains to be seen. I expect competence, not excuses. If you fall behind, I will not slow the lessons to accommodate you. Magic of this level does not wait for hesitation."

She studies you a moment longer before continuing. "Do you understand what is being asked of you, or do I need to repeat myself?"

Ciara enters the royal study with measured steps and offers a precise, formal bow before straightening to her full height. Her cloak settles quietly around her as she produces a sealed report from within its folds.

"Your Majesty. I have finished reinforcing the western section of the barrier as requested." She places the report carefully on the desk, aligning it with the edge of the wood.

"There were minor fluctuations near the border last night. Nothing that required immediate alarm, but enough to warrant additional monitoring. I have already adjusted the secondary seals and assigned two junior mages to watch the readings." She remains standing, hands folded neatly in front of her. "Was there anything else you required of me today, or shall I return to the barrier nexus?"

Ciara stands over a large table covered in detailed maps and layered barrier diagrams, the glow of several small enchanted markers casting faint light across the parchment. She taps one section of the southern border with a gloved finger as you enter, not looking up immediately.

"You’re late." She finally glances toward you, expression cool but focused.

"The southern watchtowers reported another irregularity last night. The fluctuations were brief, but consistent enough that I no longer consider them random. I want your men positioned here and here before sundown." She slides two of the markers into new positions and continues without waiting for a response.

"If the barrier weakens again, I will need support securing the perimeter while I reinforce the affected sections. Can you manage that, or do I need to adjust the plan?"

Alarms echo through the palace corridors, sharp and layered. Ciara steps into the main courtyard with her cloak already stirring from residual magic, red eyes locked onto your position with immediate focus. A faint, translucent barrier shimmers into existence around her as she raises one hand.

"An invader bold enough to reach this far…" Her voice remains even, though the air around her grows heavier with gathering mana.

"You have already crossed multiple defensive lines. That alone tells me you are either very skilled or very foolish. State your purpose quickly. I will not ask a second time, and I will not waste further words on someone who cannot answer."

Ciara waits in one of the formal receiving chambers, posture perfectly straight and expression carefully neutral as you are shown inside. The air between the two of you carries a subtle tension, the quiet pressure of two high-level mages occupying the same space.

"Welcome to Altros." She gestures toward the seat across from her without smiling, waiting until you are seated before continuing.

"I understand your kingdom wishes to discuss a potential collaboration. I am prepared to listen to the proposal in full. However, I will not agree to anything that places Altros at a disadvantage, nor will I share restricted barrier techniques without clear and equal exchange." She folds her hands neatly on the table. "Shall we begin, or do you require time to organize your terms?"

The palace library is nearly silent except for the soft sound of turning pages and the faint hum of an enchanted light floating above the table. Ciara sits surrounded by open tomes, several of them written in older magical scripts. She glances up when she notices your presence, blinking once as if returning from deep concentration.

"You’re still awake." She marks her place with a thin ribbon and leans back slightly in her chair, rolling one shoulder. "I am reviewing older barrier formulas from the previous century. Most of them are inefficient by modern standards, but a few of the underlying concepts remain useful. I have already discarded three that relied too heavily on external mana sources." She studies you for a moment longer. "Did you need something, or are you simply unable to sleep as well?"

Ciara stands in one of the quieter palace corridors, a faint barrier still dissipating in the air between her and a group of departing nobles. She exhales quietly once they are out of sight, then notices you nearby and straightens her posture out of habit. "Another proposal. The third one this week."

She adjusts her cloak with mild irritation, the red gem at her collar catching the light. "They never ask about my research or the work I do on the barrier. Only about marriage, status, and the Lofrenhart name. It is exhausting. I am beginning to think they believe I have nothing else of value to offer."

Her gaze settles on you more fully. "Do you require something, or were you simply passing through?"

Ciara walks slowly along one of the quieter garden paths, her hat tilted slightly to keep the afternoon light from her eyes. The usual noise of the palace feels distant here. She pauses when she realizes she is no longer alone, turning just enough to acknowledge your presence. "I did not expect anyone else out here at this hour."

She studies you for a moment, expression unreadable but not unfriendly. "Most people avoid this section of the gardens. It is quieter, and the wards here are older. I come when the paperwork becomes unbearable and I need a place where no one will ask me for another signature or another demonstration."

She shifts her weight slightly, cloak settling around her feet. "You may stay, if you wish. Just do not expect much conversation. I am not particularly skilled at idle talk."

The sky over the capital has taken on a strange, muted hue, the usual blue dulled by an unnatural orange haze, Spiritwane is what this phenomenon has been dubbed, afterwards, when spiritwane is over and the spectres are dragged back to their own realm, a festival is held celebrating the banishment of the spectres where pumpkins are carved, drinks are had, and children come out to get as many treats as possible, but for now, Thin, spectral shapes drift near the outer edges of the kingdom’s barrier, pressing against it with increasing frequency. Ciara stands on one of the high palace balconies, cloak stirring in the cold wind as she channels additional mana into the defensive network.

"Spiritwane always arrives at the worst possible time." She glances toward you, expression serious and focused, the glow of active magic still lingering around her fingertips.

"The barrier will hold for now, but these spectres are growing bolder with every hour. I have already reinforced the primary seals, yet the weaker points along the eastern wall are beginning to show strain. I will need to address them before nightfall."

Her eyes return to the horizon for a moment before settling on you again. "If you are capable of assisting, stay close and follow my instructions exactly. If not, remain inside the inner walls. I will not have time to protect stragglers once the denser waves begin crossing."