A Simple Conspiracy in Plain Sight

Fresh snow had blanketed the town of Carlsbad in a thick layer. At dawn, the Cattle and Horse Mages hired by City Hall had melted the snow on the main roads. The hot water flowed into the sewers, then emptied into the river.

A cordon had been set up around the sewer outlet. The ice was thinner there, so skating was forbidden, but that didn't stop the anglers from breaking holes in it.

Since the railway had reached the town, and the Duchy of Weissen had designated it a retreat for government and military officials as well as a capital of the arts, it had been transformed in a remarkably short time.

Now the streets were lined with shops, their display cases filled with curiosities from faraway lands. Merchants, travelers, officers, and artists came and went, while the streets echoed with languages from different countries.

Count Marcin stood behind heavy velvet curtains, lifting one edge slightly. His gaze passed through the cold glass, first settling on a street performer dressed as a clown below, then sweeping over the crowd watching him, and finally coming to rest outside a teahouse in the distance.

Madame Weissen entered the teahouse with Grand Duke Wessen on her arm, followed by several officers from the Guard Regiment.

One of them caught Marcin's eye. Over the next little while, the officer glanced this way every few seconds.

Two minutes later, a man who looked like a tourist entered the inn. He left a moment later.

Marcin paid no mind to Grand Duke Wessen's guards looking into his background. After watching for a while, he stepped away from the window and sat down on the sofa, pondering a question.

"Is Grand Duke Wessen an idiot?"

He suddenly asked.

Behind him, his butler replied, "My lord, what gave