-49-Miriel stood to the side of the plaza, staring at the droves of people crowding like rings around the many performers scattered around the plaza. The landing atop the mound of white blocks was empty, but there were many people seated on its steps.Mark stood beside her, his head twisting and darting to here and there, gawking as he stared at one one place, then another, and another."I've never seen more people at one place, not even at the barricade." He said."Neither have I." Miriel replied."Or people that can perform so many different tricks. Look, that guy just swallowed a sword, and that girl is throwing knives with her eyes blinded.""And you don't seem interested at all. Why is that, Miriel?" Mark asked.Miriel stared at the crowd, briefly glancing at the performers here and there."I saw them all yesterday, that is probably why." Miriel replied."I guess it could be a bit boring for you then." Mark said, eyes fixed to the plaza."Would you like to go closer to watch them, Mark?" Miriel asked."Uh…okay." Mark nodded.They started walking, again, towards the plaza.As they neared it, Miriel stopped."Why'd you stop Miriel?" Mark asked, turning around to watch Miriel.Miriel stared at one part of the plaza, along its sides.As she did, they heard clamouring to the side and turned towards the mound.The pale white blocks were shaking and trembling as the people hastened to descend down the steps.One block after another separated from the mound and floated atop water down one main street. As block after block departed from the mound and swarmed with the rest of the blocks, in their wake, water spouted out of the once-fountain they covered.The people scampered away from the blocks and those that couldn't were hit by the blocks. And when that happened, the blocks merely bounced back or to the sides and rejoined the other blocks along the street.The clamour quickly died a moment after, as the crowd stared at where the water spouting from the hollow fountain - where the mound once stood - and the path along where they floated away. Many clapped and some quickly ran to enjoy the water spouting up and down around the former fountain."Well that was, strange." Mark said, scratching his head."Indeed." Miriel replied."Think that was part of the festival, Miriel?" Mark asked.Miriel pondered for a moment, then shook her head."Unlikely. There are more days in the festival and they have more uses for the mound."'And not many would know what water does to the blocks.' Miriel thought."So, an accident then?" Mark said."Or sabotage." Miriel replied."Hm? Why'd you think that?" Mark stared at Miriel, his brows raised."There is a pipe connecting water to the fountain, Mark. Secured and guarded. It will be no accident if it was opened." She said."Itt seems kind of mild though. Maybe it was just a prank?" Mark asked."Perhaps." Miriel replied.'Or they were unaware of what water would do after splitting.' She thought."Well, I'll go and tell the guards. They'll probably be around here somewhere." Mark said."That is…Fair enough, you go do that Mark," Miriel said, "I will go speak with an acquaintance while you do.""An acquaintance?" Mark said. He stared at the place where Miriel was watching - before the mound collapsed - but recognized no one."I'll return and wait here if I come back first." He added."Alright." Miriel nodded.She watched him leave, then started walking towards one part of the plaza, along the edges. She walked towards a woman, watching the people in the plaza. dressed in a black dress with a brimmed hat on her head. Her braided auburn hair falling down her back."Hello, Aunt Heirell." Miriel said. She stopped beside Heirell and looked towards the plaza."How lovely that I'd meet you here, Miriel. Have you been well?" Heirell said, as she stared at the people."I have," Miriel nodded,"Much better now." "Are you alone here, Aunt Heirell? Where is Uncle Till?" Miriel asked."He has a cold, and sadly has to stay home today," Heirell continued, "And Filliore is off with her friends. The two of you ought to fraternise more. Cousins yet so distant, that will not do.""It is best that we remain distant Aunt Heirell. And I mean with your whole family." Miriel said."Why, how could you even say such a thing?" Heirell stared at Miriel with her eyes wide, covering her mouth with both hands."We caught a snitch at Lerkester a few days ago, along with her associate. They are presently held at our cellars." Miriel replied."What does that have to do with anything? Don't change the subject Miriel! These are completely separate matters." Heirell said, her voice rising as she spoke."I remember how quickly you rushed to Lerkester when my father passed, Aunt Heirell." Miriel said."That is why you wish to distance yourself, Miriel? Because we were quick to help when you needed it?" Heirell asked."And how did you know to come, Aunt Heirell? We had yet to inform you then." Miriel replied."Why does that matter? Someone told us and we came. It might have been too late if we waited for your letter. It is more important we were there, isn't it?" Heirell creased her brows and frowned at Miriel, her eyes watery as she stared at Miriel."And who would do that? Only Uncle Yorn, Louis and I knew, or were supposed to. And they would never tell anyone. Perhaps the servant in the cells might have the answers." Miriel replied, as she turned to Heirell."How are these even related? And why me and not anyone else? You cannot trust the words of a commoner Miriel, they will lie ceaselessly as long as it will make you release them." Heirell said."I do not need their testimonies Aunt Heirell, I am already certain. They are, at best, fortunate additions."Miriel narrowed her eyes as she stared at Heirell."I am unlike my mother, Aunt Heirell. I will not play with you, nor do I enjoy it. If you try anything, I will end it there."Heirell's widened eyes now flattened, as did her mouth. She dropped her hands from her mouth to her front."You may be convinced, but you have no evidence. It could have been anyone else" She said, her voice lowered."Perhaps I do, though it is not hard to forge them if I do not. Her highness does favour me, after all," Miriel said."Threatening, aren't we? That is not particularly nice, Miriel." Heirell replied."No, it is not," Miriel continued, "But it is the mildest of what I will do if you do not stop now.""I should have Lerkester by right now that Magdalene and Albert are dead. It is Fortune's gift to me and I would have it all if it already if not for Magdalene. Albert had no interest to be Baron at all until he met her." Heirell said."They have passed on, and Lerkester is now in my care. You have no right over it, Aunt Heirell. Not one grass stalk or leaf." Miriel replied.Miriel turned to look at where she stood before. Mark had returned and was waiting for her. Miriel turned to Heirell and stared at her."I have warned you, Aunt Heirell. You best pay heed to it."Miriel left Heirell and walked towards Mark, who was turning his head round and round while waiting for her.