Book 14: Taking It All

Soren

I’ve been preparing for this moment. I have one shot, in reality, to do this and succeed. The palace of Moonrise is a fortress–heavily guarded and an absolute maze within, but I’m an expert in my trade, so to speak.

The brown delivery uniform doesn't fit well, but it has to work. I try to keep my shoulders relaxed so I don’t burst through the fabric as I hike the steps to the main entrance of the clinic on the far, backside of the palace while the sun sets over the lake in the distance. Music from the festival continues, never ceasing, not in the week since it began. It’s the perfect cover.

The chaos in the city square just outside the palace walls has been keeping the guards busy and distracted, which means the clinic is quiet and nearly empty as I skirt inside. A long, circular front desk is manned by only one witch in a starched, white nurse’s uniform. She looks up from a tablet, smiling faintly at me as I move toward the counter, reachin