Victoria stood proudly between the two parties, while the women around her recovered. Jasmine felt equal parts relieved and panicked. Her mind was still reeling from how Victoria had snuck up on them all. Quinn was in a similar state. She let her guard down and let not one, but two women sneak up on her. She thought the only high-level women were in Fyre or the local Lady's city.
Elincia resheathed her sword and let out a sigh. She rested her off hand on the hilt as she bowed to Victoria. "Miss Victoria. It's a pleasure to see you again."
Victoria's gaze turned to the noblewoman. They'd met several times over the years. Her family was the only other noble family Victoria could respect, so she often relayed information between the Roselines and the Efreits' estate. Victoria returned the bow quickly.
"Lady Elincia," Victoria sheathed her own sword and approached her. "I was shocked to see you give up your seat."
Elincia smiled for the first time. "My sister was far better with the everyday affairs and logistics, that much was clear from our childhood. I tried, but relied on her far too much. It was clear she was the better candidate despite my being older."
"If only the rest of you acted that way," Jasmine cut in without thinking. It was a jab at the nobles, but it clearly pissed off Elincia's retainers. Jasmine held her hands up and explained herself. "I meant it as a compliment. Our Lady would never give up her seat of power."
Victoria chuckled, but her eyes remained cold. "That is true. And we've tried every peaceful way."
"Unfortunately, miss… assassin," Elincia realized she didn't even know Jasmine's name. "The other noble families sold their souls for greed. My family believes in honor above oneself. Lady Efreit believes similarly."
"Compassion above honor," Victoria nodded. "Either way, both families take care of the people they are responsible for. The word used doesn't really matter."
Elincia furrowed her brow. "I would think this fief would be similar, though? Weren't the Lloyd's also that way?"
"Mhmm," Victoria glanced at Jasmine. "But that was before Miss Jasmine's time. Their current Lady has been in power for almost 30 years. She let the Lloyd's land rot while she grew fat with power."
"So I've heard," Jasmine nodded. She thought back to the stories Elizabeth had told her over the years. "Myrtle poisoned her sister. She killed off the only other heir, then her parents."
"Something like that," Victoria nodded. Then she clapped her hands, causing everyone to flinch. "Well, now that we've got the pleasantries out of the way. I think it's time we settle the conflict I interrupted."
All eyes turned towards the passed-out Lamia. Jasmine reached for her knives to get ready for a fight, which weren't in their sheaths. Her eyes widened, and she glanced around at the ground looking for them.
"These are well crafted," Victoria's voice sent a chill down Jasmine's spine. Not only did she sneak up on Jasmine, but she also stole her knives. "Give my compliments to Daphne. She's got an incredible amount of potential."
Jasmine felt powerless for the first time in a long time. She couldn't speak, she couldn't move. All she could think about was the gap in power between the two and the mention of her sister by name. "H-how…?"
"It's my job," Victoria smiled. Though her eyes remained cold. "I know all about your party members, too. Well, except Ursa. Ravians are so hard to track information on."
Jasmine's throat was dry, and she felt like her surroundings were closing in on her. They were in a clearing, yet she was beginning to feel claustrophobic.
"I even know about the magic that affected Miss Mabel," Victoria stood before Jasmine now. It was the first time Jasmine realized that she was taller than Victoria. Not by much, but for some reason, it helped Jasmine calm down. The woman turned and walked towards the other party. "But that information is strictly confidential."
Jasmine felt the familiar weight on her belt. She looked down to find her knives returned.
"Now, why are you here?" Victoria poked Elincia in the breastplate. "I was occupied with my Lady's runaway nephew, but there aren't any high-level contracts out here."
Elincia looked Victoria in the eye. For a moment, Jasmine didn't know what was happening. Then she looked down. Elincia held Victoria's arm to stop her from stealing her sword.
"Bandits," Elincia grimaced. She was just barely holding the woman back. "We're tracing bandits with lycanthropy that have popped up in this area. I thought my grandparents stomped that curse out."
"Only in Riefleheim," Victoria added.
Elincia tilted her head. "What? No, on the continent."
"So you were never told," Victoria chuckled. She turned to Jasmine and gestured with her hand. "Would you like to explain?"
"Our Ravian companion, Ursa," Jasmine said. She felt an immense pressure to speak coming from Victoria. It was similar to the compelling magic from before, but not through magic. More through her sheer power. "She explained the lycanthropy curse as Rava's blessing. To them, it's a sacred power."
"And?"
Jasmine closed her eyes. She didn't want to keep going.
"And?" Victoria repeated.
"She also has lycanthropy," Jasmine shuddered. Immediately, she felt an incredible amount of self-hatred and betrayal. Why was she even talking? "But it's different. It's unlike the savage transformations of those bandits. She looks far closer to actual wolves."
"And far more beautiful," Victoria smiled down at Jasmine. Then she turned towards Elincia. "Any input?"
Elincia blinked. "So that's why they worked with Ravians?"
"Indeed," Victoria nodded.
"So why is it back?" Mabel finally spoke. "Did the Ravians give it to people?"
"No," Victoria shot that down quickly. "It was likely stolen or bought from some defector. Others are investigating that, but the Ravian tribes have sent out enforcers to take care of it."
"Like Ursa?" Jasmine asked. "Is she one of their enforcers?"
"She is," Victoria smiled. "Kind of. The woman herself should explain anything else."
"So wait," Frida spoke up. "What does any of this have to do with this Lamia?"
"Ah, right," Victoria paused. Then she exaggeratedly hit her forehead. She spun and turned towards the speaker. "Back to the main topic. Nothing. I was just curious."
"Course." Elincia shook her head. "Well, since you are here. What should be done about Samira?"
"Nothing from you," Victoria said. Jasmine felt a bit of hope begin to swell in her chest. "I will keep observing this party. If they fail in purifying her magic like Jasmine said they could, I will step in. But until then, I will allow Anthony to try."
"Anthony? The dancer?" Joslyn asked in a bewildered expression. "What the fuck?"
Victoria chuckled. "You forget he was chosen by Anka and raised by Lady Efreit. He's not just a dancer."
"So we let this thing go?" Joslyn persisted.
"As Jasmine stated several times," Victoria focused on the armored woman. "It isn't a thing. And yes. You let it go."
The armored woman took a step back. Jasmine wasn't the only one affected by the immense pressure radiating from Victoria.
"So that's it then?" Jasmine asked in bewilderment. "We go our separate ways?"
"I wouldn't say that," Victoria's smile widened. "You do have very similar goals. And Jasmine's party is brimming with potential. What do they feed you in Restol?"
"Nothing special," Jasmine tilted her head. "Just the normal food."
"Mmm," Victoria pursed her lips. "It can't be a coincidence that a mage like Elsie and one of the Gods' Champions was born in the same town, could it?"
"What kind of mage?" Mabel asked without thinking.
"She can use fire, lightning, and ice magic at the age of eighteen," Victoria said in a smug tone. It reminded Jasmine of said mage to a scary degree. But that feat did make Mabel ponder. "Plus, an assassin that even I have trouble tracking. A white mage with more potent magic before Claire recruited her. Lily's feats are not something I can speak on, though. Hers are hard to observe."
Victoria let her words hang for a moment as she studied the expressions of all the women around her. "And all in a remote village that's relatively young. Don't you think that's far too many coincidences, Jasmine?"
Jasmine didn't have any words. She was too busy digesting what Victoria was implying.
"You said something about Claire recruiting the white mage," Elincia furrowed her brow. "Why would that affect her magic potency? Even for a Champion, that wouldn't affect another's magic."
"Confidential information," Victoria smiled smugly. "Just know that the magic Mabel was affected by plays apart of it."
"So, what?" Jasmine finally found her words. "This whole thing was orchestrated? Were we gathered and born for a reason? Was it the Gods? Elizabeth? Who?"
"Good question," Victoria said while walking towards Jasmine. "I cannot speak for the Gods, but Elizabeth, nor any other humans, did not orchestrate your births. I believe Elizabeth and her wife were also guided to Restol like the rest of you. Whether by fate or by Gods, I am not sure."
"Was it Her?" Jasmine muttered the question. "Did She plan this?"
"Could be," Victoria mused. The spy knew exactly what 'She' Jasmine was referring to. "I cannot say for sure. But my intuition says She wasn't even around until after."
"Then what?" Jasmine shook her head. She was trying to wrap her head around what Victoria was even implying. "What could have possibly influenced us?"
"That is the question," Victoria smiled and looked deep into Jasmine's eyes. Jasmine could see a spark of emotion in those formerly cold, grey eyes. Then, Victoria kneeled to check on Samira. She pulled out a syringe attached to a bag. "This is a very useful tool. It's filled with nutrients she needs. I am not poisoning her."
Jasmine couldn't even stop Victoria if she tried. That much was clear. She watched Victoria poke the needle into the lamia's arm as she pondered what Victoria was saying. "Here, hold this. It works off gravity." Victoria handed the bag full of clear liquid to Jasmine. Jasmine did as she was told.
"Now," Victoria turned towards the party. "Joslyn, Elincia, and Frida. Help me carry Samira."