"Magic brings many wonders to the Empire. Of course there are the Mages who wield the highest of magics with unparalleled skill, creating masterworks to support, protect and delight the subjects of Her Eternal Majesty. However, more important but perhaps less obvious is the vital work done by the vastly more numerous Adepts. These men and women, often specialising in just one or two spells or Schemas, are the lifeblood of the Empire. How can the Great Cities support populations of hundreds of thousands? Adepts' work on the growing and storage of food. Why do Trevayn's streets shine bright at night? Adepts maintaining the witchlights. How do the Empire's armies crush more numerous foes? Adepts supporting Her soldiers or fighting among them."

Two Thousand Years of Empire by Jahangir Amini

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Magic flared and Lord Rasce flinched. When he pulled his hand away there was blood on it, but Ester was more interested in the waves of runes spiraling across the iron doors. Some sort of blood test? It was complicated, however it worked. There must be gold behind the iron in the door too. Something like that was far too complex to renew on a regular basis.

After a moment the doors groaned and began to open, powered by yet more magic. It was an impressive security system, although Ester couldn't help wondering how easy it would be to subvert it. The easiest way might be to fool whatever it was that read the blood. The right spell, interacting with it at just the right time might…

The doors came to a stop with a clunk, breaking her train of thought.

"Come my lady. Come." Lord Rasce headed inside and Ester hurried to follow him. Was it a good idea to be alone with the man? She dismissed the thought, he was obnoxious, not dangerous and she was a Mage. She was about to reach into her satchel and pull out the Schema when she truly registered what was around her.

The Outer Vault was a huge chamber, high ceilinged with a floor that sloped gently downards. The walls were covered in shelves, some with books on them, others with chests or artworks or simple objects that Ester had to assume were Schemas. Dotted around the chamber were tables and plinths, half covered in more Schemas and other items, along with large chests containing who knew what. The Academy had more of course, but she wasn't sure it had a single room quite like this.

Ester jumped as the doors slammed shut behind her.

"Impressive, is it not?" Lord Rasce smirked at her. "I shall show you around, but of course these are only the lesser treasures of House Marcni. Here you would find only the least of our wealth. There are four more vaults below this one, each containing ever more valuable treasures, although I fear any tour of those shall have to wait for another occasion." Ester couldn't help but wonder whether he even had permission to go into them.

"It is very impressive." Ester wasn't even lying. What she wouldn't give for an opportunity to get her hands on the books and Schemas in here. Not to keep, just to borrow until she understood them properly.

"Indeed, now let us find somewhere for you to leave your Schema and then we can enjoy a tour together."

Ester suppressed a shudder. He sounded far too excited at the prospect. "Is there no system for where things should be?"

"Oh yes, but I leave such trifles for Sir Numna. He is the family's archivist after all." That seemed practically negligent. Would Lord Rasce even understand her explanation of the Schema?

"Shall I just leave it here then?" Ester headed further into the vault and pointed to a table that had some space on it.

"That would do nicely I am sure."

She pulled the gold plate out of her satchel and laid it on the table and couldn't help sighing in relief. It really had been heavy. "Shall I explain how it is meant to be used my lord? It is more complex than most."

"Later, later! Now that you are unburdened you should see some of the treasures we have." He started on past the table. "Now if you see here, this is a fine Schema." He pointed to a statuette of a nude woman. "It… sprays water in fascinating patterns." Ester was fairly sure that wasn't the case from her quick glance at it. Was he trying to impress her? Had he just picked it to be suggestive?

Lord Rasce pressed on. "This chest contains gemstones from all over the Empire. That one I believe is simply coin. Much duller, but perhaps more useful." He laughed at his own joke.

Despite everything in the vault, Ester was already starting to wonder how much longer she'd have to put up with Lord Rasce before she could plead urgent business and make an escape, when something caught her eye.

"What is that my lord?" She pointed to a pair of open doors.

"Ah, that is the doorway to the Second Vault of course. You would no doubt be amazed at some of the treasures there. Those in the First Vault pale into insignificance compared to them"

"Are the doors meant to be open?"

"Of c…" Lord Rasce stopped talking. A moment of blessed relief that was marred by Ester's growing worry. "No…"

Without another word he hurried towards the doorway, almost breaking into an awkward run. After a moment Ester headed after him. If something was wrong then she might be able to help and, if not, she was at least a bit curious to see what was in the Second Vault.

It wasn't as big as the first, but it was still bigger than a room deep underground had any right to be. Once again, treasures were scattered across it.

"Oh fuck." Lord Rasce's profanity pulled Ester's attention back to him. A horrified expression was painted across his face. On the far side of the Second Vault another set of doors stood wide open. But between them lay a prone, squirming figure. Tied up she thought.

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"Fuck!" Lord Rasce swore again before breaking back into a run, Ester following behind him to the prone figure. Her attention was on whoever it was on the floor, but through those doors the Third Vault beckoned, almost calling to her. Lord Rasce bent down, with some difficulty, and yanked a bag off its head to reveal a sallow faced youth whose cries were muffled by the gag in his mouth. A moment later that was pulled off too.

"Ow! Did you have to be so rough." His whiny voice immediately set Ester on edge.

"What the fuck are you doing here Cerve?!" The unctuousness was completely gone from Lord Rasce's voice, replaced by something between panic and anger. "What has happened?"

"That bastard! I thought Jarin was my friend. I thought he understood me! I'm going to have him killed for this! Him and his two servants! Release me at once uncle and tell the girl to summon the guards!"

"Great Spirits boy! Tell me what happened! Do you want your father to have you exiled?!"

That seemed to get through to Cerve. "It was Jarin and his servants. I was showing him the outer vault and then he ambushed me. It hurts!"

A horrible thought occurred to Ester. "His servants, what did they look like?"

"Did I not tell you to fetch the guards girl? Just because you are having a liaison with my uncle does not mean you can speak to me like that."

"Stop being such a fucking idiot and answer the Mage's question boy!" Lord Rasce spoke before Ester could. "You are already in deep enough shit without making it worse."

Cerve glanced between them and then chose whining instead. "Untie me uncle, I want to get away from here. I am in pain and they are dangerous!"

Ester was almost tempted to start swearing the way Lord Rasce had been. With a deep breath she reminded herself that that wouldn't be helpful and neither would slapping Duke Marcni's son.

"Basch." She focused her mind and the ropes holding him in place fell apart. As he started to get up she leant down, bringing her face close to his. He met her eyes petulantly for a second and then looked away. "You are free, now tell us what the servants looked like and what happened."

Cerve glanced to his uncle for support and got none. "Fine." He sighed theatrically. "A tall, well-muscled blonde man and a maid, dull looking too. Not even a pretty face let alone good t…." He trailed off under Ester's stare. The witch fit that description, she'd been completely non-descript. Was the blonde the one who'd ambushed her?

"What about this Jarin?"

"He is slim, somewhat pale, but with curly hair." That could be the man she'd seen in the Starfall Palace, different, but not so different that a minor glamour couldn't produce the same result.

"I think it may be the Golden Shadows." That got her a blank look from both of them. Were they truly that insulated from the real world?! "A group of thieves who target nobleborn." It was difficult to keep the impatience out of her voice.

Cerve paled more, if that was possible, and so did Lord Rasce.

"What did they do Cerve? Do you know what they want?"

"I do not know uncle! I thought Jarian was my friend! I was just showing him the outer vault just like you were with this g… Mage." Ester seriously considered doing something unpleasant to him.

"Look," she needed to take control of the situation. "It does not matter what you knew or did not know, they are there now. What did they do and how long ago?"

Cerve leant away from her slightly. "They put a knife to my throat and made me open the Second Vault, then they went looking for something. I think… I think they found it. They took it, but then they started looking at the doors to the Third Vault. Jarian and the woman were examining them. They argued, with the blonde one. I tried to stop them and then they tied me up."

"What did they argue about?"

"I don't know, some stupid rubbish about a job." Ester looked away from Cerve and through the doors. She wanted to go after them. If she could only catch them then it would be such a coup! The urge was difficult for her to control, but someone needed to go and get help and she doubted she'd be able to open the doors to get out without destroying the whole ward Schema. Neither man seemed to be able to think properly at the moment, so it looked like she'd need to take charge.

"Alright." She took a calming breath. "They need to be stopped before they get away with whatever it is they want. Are there any other exits from here?"

Lord Rasce shook his head. "No," he hesitated. "Not that I know about. Even I do not have access to the deepest parts of the Vaults." The admission seemed to pain him, but at least was taking things seriously rather than just trying to impress her.

"Fine. So there might be." Ester looked at the youth who still hadn't gotten up. "Lord Cerve, you can open the outer doors, correct?" He nodded. "You go back and tell the guards what has happened. Lord Rasce and I will pursue the thieves. Between us I expect we can apprehend them."

"But…" Cerve's protest was cut off by Lord Rasce.

"Do as she says Cerve. If we can at least capture these thieves then perhaps you can escape without too much punishment."

Cerve looked like he wanted to protest, but eventually nodded and hauled himself to his feet, somehow managing to look put upon as he did it. Ester didn't bother watching him go. She was already heading deeper into the Third Vault, towards the fourth set of doors. The urge to get down there and catch the Golden Shadows was almost overwhelming.

Lord Rasce hurried after her.

"Can you open the doors?" She didn't want to try breaking through them, but the Golden Shadows must have gotten past them somehow.

"No, I can only go to the Third Vault." So how had the Golden Shadows bypassed the wards she could feel all around her? She doubted Cerve would be allowed where his uncle wasn't.

As they approached the doors, another pair made of thick, plain iron, seemingly identical to the others, magic flowed out and across the two of them. Ester recoiled as she felt it touch her, but for a moment nothing happened. Then, with a long, slow creak the doors opened.

"They should not do that." Lord Rasce sounded half bemused, half terrified. He made a move to start inspecting the doors for signs of sabotage. "They truly should not do that." They needed to keep moving though. The thieves might be getting away. The more time they wasted the more likely she was to miss her chance to catch the Golden Shadows!

"Come on! We can work out the whys later." Ester sped up, almost jogging towards the dark opening. She needed to catch the thieves. She needed to get down there as fast she could.

As she stepped between the doors Ester hesitated. She knew she needed to get to the thieves, but there was something… Something tickling away at the back of her mind.

With an effort she dragged her thoughts away from the Golden Shadows. They were the priority though. They had to be!

In the Academy… She thought back to it, her mind suddenly sluggish and reluctant. What was it…

"Lady Mazar?" She ignored Lord Rasce. This was important, she needed to focus. Pranks? No. Illusions? Almost. Great Spirits… Ester blanched as it came together. Too close!

She closed her eyes and forced her thoughts together, emptying her mind of anything other than herself and her magic. It was hard. Harder than it had ever been, but bit by bit she managed, building a mental wall around her consciousness.

When she opened her eyes again she could see the faint strands of rune studded magic reaching out to her from the doors and walls. The urge to pursue the thieves was gone.

The magic was complex, insanely so. But she could work enough of it out. She could at least see what it did even if she wasn't quite sure how. Any magic user would be urged deeper and deeper into the vaults, drawn like a moth to a flame. Presumably they just went forward until they were trapped, to starve or wait to be captured in the deepest vaults with no idea why they went there. And she'd nearly been caught like a fly in a spider's web.

Was that what had happened to the Golden Shadows? The real reason they'd pressed on. Or were they still on their hunt for the Marcni family's treasures?

"Lady Mazar?" Lord Rasce sounded worried.

She held up a hand to silence him. She needed to think. The sensible thing to do would be to go back to the outer vaults and wait for help. However, she already knew the Duke wasn't keen on her and if the thieves actually had an escape route then he'd probably blame her for letting them escape. Cerve had already gone for help. That settled things. Even if they did end up trapped, it wouldn't be for long. She'd need to be careful, but she'd go on.

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