Corrine contacts you.

You feel the enchanted ring on your finger begin to pulse. Some part of the demonic magic within tells you it's Corrine wishing to speak to you. Not wanting to be disturbed, or to have Kara walk in on what would surely be a very difficult to explain situation, you take a chair and press it up against the door to your suite, then retire to your bedchamber.

“Edward!” the magical representation of your cousin beams at you, as she spills forth into the room.

“Corrine.” you nod. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I'm on the move.” the noblewoman says, scarcely able to contain her excitement. “With a bit of luck, I should be in Beatha by the end of the week.”

“You should have told me you were setting off.” you slur. The Spider and Madeleine would really get along, it occurred to you.

“There was no need!” Corinne says confidently. “When I wish to do something, I do it, not hesitate or take the path of least resistance. Something you could learn I think, dear cousin.”

“I simply like to know what I'm committing myself to.” you remark. “And I would've liked to have known you'd decided to come.”

“It makes no odds.” the Morlandian remarks. “Not a soul has seen me on the road, unless I wished it. When I get to you, I'll live in the wild, incognito, until you need me.”

As abrupt as her arrival was, you'd be a fool to turn down a woman of Corinne's unique talents, of course. After the sort of things The Spider had accomplished for you, you half imagined she could sneak into any Deanian commander's cabin and slit his throat as he slept.

“Au revoir, cousin.” Corinne says, a certain gleam in her wild eyes. “I'll be seeing you soon.”

Just like that, she's gone.