'You really think Mordret is in every mirror?' Fort tried to process what his wife had told them as they hurried through the streets.
'He's in the Mirror Realm, I'm certain of it.' Noble recounted her observations while her husband listened.
'That is…unsettling. So he could be anywhere at any time, lurking in a mirror?' Fort rubbed his forehead.
'Not just any mirror, I am almost positive the Mirror Realm encompasses any reflective surface, at least if the ceiling I saw at Mirage's palace is to be believed.' Noble remembered the warped reality that had nearly drowned her.
'The Daemon of Imagination—Mirage, I mean…you are certain she only brought the Realm of Mirrors to life around Bastion?' The ambassador had not really thought deeply about the implications of the Others since it had happened in Bastion, but this new knowledge evoked a deep sense of panic.
'I think only in True Bastion, or rather, below it. If they were here, I don't think that Mordret would be able to get around so easily.' Noble felt strangely confident on this.
'That's good, I suppose,' Fort relaxed. 'Not that a Saint can peer at anything and travel through some Realm I just learned existed, but at least he doesn't have any Others with him…'
Noble had to agree. One problem was enough to deal with.
'Either way, I think we should clear all our mirrors out of the house…'
Fort furrowed his brow. 'Interesting that you should say that. Rain did that shortly after you left.'
'Oh?' Noble hadn't taken a good look around her house, but she had been avoiding mirrors anyway.
'I thought it was some girlish eccentricity, but now I wonder if that guardian you won't ever mention advised her to do that.' Fort cut his eyes at his wife.
Her lack of response was all the confirmation he needed to know she shared the same belief.
'Well, that's one less task then.' Noble said at length. 'What will you tell the government?'
'I'll send a carefully worded communication advising them of our suspicion.' Fort responded, his brow furrowing.
'Suspicion? But I am certain–' Noble's emphatic plea was cut off by a sharp look from her husband.
'The only way to tell them we are sure is to explain your new Ability. I am not willing to explain that just yet, are you? While this information is interesting, it isn't exactly helpful unless someone can coax him out of hiding. You would out yourself for little gain and bring extra scrutiny should someone from Song discover what you said.'
Fort wrapped his arm around his wife's waist.
Noble didn't like his, but she couldn't argue with his reasoning. The ambassador knew politics and the inner workings of the government far better than she did.
'I will tell them of the Skinwalker attack and my assumptions based on the reports I gathered. It is something I have been meaning to do anyway. I can say with reasonable certainty that Mordret was behind the action and posit that we may be searching for him in the wrong place. If that doesn't gain someone's attention, then I will be more aggressive in my suggestions, but I think that will be enough to earn me a visit from one of the higher-ups.'
Fort glanced at the sky with a gentle smile.
'You mean Saint Kai?' Noble shouldn't have been surprised. When she left, he was tethered to Ravenheart and made occasional stops by her Academy for impromptu lectures.
'Yes, if anyone in the government can get to the bottom of it, it's him.' Fort was sure on this point.
'Just be careful not to lie to him.' Noble felt a small bit of anxiety for her husband.
'I'll be judicious with what I share and how I share it, don't worry.' The ambassador promised.
By the time the couple had made it to their neighborhood, they had settled on the tentative wording for the report. Noble hoped it would be enough without Fort having to reach out a second time.
What if Mordret could do the same in the waking world as the Dream Realm? Then he could be spying on any number of people, both in the government and Valor.
If the government wanted to get in touch with Mordret, it could be to gather information, to form an alliance...or to devise a capture. Noble found all of those options equally plausible.
'I hope they find what they are looking for.'
As for Noble, she was looking for something quite different. That sight came into view as she rounded the final corner and saw smoke lazily billowing out of her familiar chimney.
Noble dismissed The Other's Voice and the Fire Insurance charm.
Having no job left to do, the Bloom fused with Noble's chest in a small trail of sparks.
"Goodbye, Nectar," Fort whispered fondly.
The corner of Noble's mouth tilted upward.
"Are you missing her already?"
"Of course, she and that charm were keeping me warm. Now I guess that honor falls to you." Fort winked.
"With pleasure." Noble pressed her body closer to her husband. "Better?"
"I can think of something even better…"
Whatever Fort was going to say was cut off by the door to their home swinging open.
"They're home!" Blaze yelled over his shoulder as he ushered his parents inside. A beautiful aroma wafted to their noses as they entered their cozy cottage.
"Something smells amazing!" Noble noted the apron on her youngest child.
"Those cooking classes in the Dreamer Academy really came in handy," Blaze nodded.
"Hey! I helped!" Rain called from the kitchen.
"I did what they told me," Brock admitted. "I can cook, but seasoning is more complicated."
Noble looked at the bubbling pots on her stove. "You did all this?"
Her kids all nodded.
"We got your note that you would be back. Blaze didn't want you to have to make dinner after your long trip."
Rain aimed her spoon at her younger brother.
"That's so thoughtful!" The mother kissed the boy on the cheek.
"I set the table!" Brock did not want to be left out of the motherly affection.
"Thank you," Noble floated over to give him a kiss as well.
Rain offered her mother a hug, receiving her share of parental love before pulling the stew off the stove.
Soon enough, the family was gathered around the table, and the meal was placed before them. Laughter was the order of the evening, and like the food, it was served in ample measure.
These people were the reason that Noble had gone through a Nightmare and had risked her life. They were her reason for everything she did, and seeing their smiling faces, she knew all the effort was worth it.
By the time Noble finally headed to bed, her belly was full, and her heart was overflowing.
Weighting her blanket appropriately, Noble was asleep the moment she closed her eyes. For the first time in days, she got real, meaningful rest.
When morning came, Noble found herself in her favorite place: nestled in her husband's arms.
Unfortunately, there was work to do today. After a few more minutes of enjoying the view, Noble reluctantly got out of bed.
Noble's eyes started to swirl slowly. The uneasy feeling that had started yesterday was already beginning to build inside her. With all the emotions around her from the people of Ravenheart, Noble was having trouble with the pressure that brought.
Why were they so much stronger than they had been before? Was it because she was a Saint now? Noble pushed aside the pressure, focusing on the task at hand.
The Awakened Academy needed her. It was going to be a full day.