“Welcome, Enforcers.” Lord Orlein stepped forth and bowed his head with respect as the four horsemen dismounted. “Your presence brings relief.”

Two of the enforcers seemed rather unassuming. They had the same brown hair and eyes, were dressed the same and had the same, bored look on their faces. Nobody who walked past the Castor twins would think them to be anyone of importance.

The only woman in the group of four seemed only a handful of years older than him and his classmates. Her fiery red hair was only long enough to reach her chin. She had freckles on her cheeks, and a thin scar above her left eyebrow. Her eyes were a fiery red like her hair and were gleaming with excitement. Unlike the others, she wore her uniform – black as the night.

The fourth enforcer was the tallest of all of them. He had short black hair, a hawk-like gaze, and a scowl on his face which Midhir assumed to be permanent. He was an imposing man, with his wide shoulders, stern gaze, and the numerous scars decorating his arms and neck.

“Greetings, Lord Orlein,” the tall man spoke with a stern voice. “I’m afraid there is little time for pleasantries, shall we go inside? I’d like you to inform us of everything that has happened so far.”

Lord Orlein nodded. “Of course, Lord Aulorn. Please follow me,” he led the man inside, but not before shooting Alistair a meaningful glance.

The young Orlein heir stepped forward in a hurry. “Enforcers, please come with me, surely you’d like to hear what my father has to say.”

One of the Castor twins shook his head. “No need, we will tour the city – make sure no trouble arises.” Without giving Alistair a chance to speak, they walked off. Even the way they walked was near identical.

Alistair turned to the fourth enforcer. “Will you join my father?”

The woman shook her head. “No, there is no need. Victor will hear what he has to say. In the meantime, from the report I read, I understand that your four were at the centre of the events?”

Alistair nodded. “Yes, us and Lonan.”

“Lonan?” The woman tilted her head.

“Lonan Eirdre,” Midhir spoke up. “A historian who was summoned here as an expert.”

“Indeed, my father asked for his expertise. Unfortunately, he was captured and dragged into the Old Growth by the terrorists,” Alistair hurriedly explained.

The woman pursed her lips. “There was mention of that in the report. Very well, young Lord Orlein. Please show me to my quarters, and in the meantime, explain everything that happened.” She paused for a split second, glancing at the others. “I will visit the three of your later, so please don’t leave the mansion for now.”

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The window to Lord Orlein’s study was wide open as always, and the raven sat upon a branch overlooking it.

“You endangered children!” The tall man with black hair hissed through a tight jaw. “What were you thinking, Cormac?”

“What did you want me to do?” Lord Orlein shrugged. “The Empress herself ordered me to send them – they aren’t just children anymore, Victor, they’re warriors. All four of them are formidable, even Rianne admits that!”

“I wanted you to keep your own son safe,” The man’s voice raised slightly. “And my daughter!”

“They are safe. They made it.” Lord Orlein shouted. “I sent them to the forest to rescue the historian accompanied by troops. The only thing they did alone was descending to the caverns one of them discovered below the city, and only because he had already killed their guardian!” He waved his hand in anger. “Did you come here to shout at me, Victor, or to hear what happened?”

The other man drew a sharp breath before pausing. He breathed out a sigh with closed eyes, then breathed in again. A few moments passed before he spoke again, with a much calmer tone. “Fine, explain what happened.”

Midhir sat in his room, watching the barrier above the city. It’s blue light didn’t seem quite as odd anymore – it was almost calming. He had gotten used to it a bit, enough to comfortably sleep beneath it at least.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again. The weight on his shoulders hadn’t quite lifted yet. He was constantly aware of the barrier. He could drop it whenever he wanted or change it a little. It felt like it was still his responsibility to keep the city safe, despite the arrival of the Enforcers.

His gaze drifted off as he remembered how uncomfortable or surprised everyone seemed to be when they arrived. Arwen just glared at Cait, while Willow had grown pale as a sheet of paper. She looked like she’d seen a ghost and left without a word as soon as Cait and Alistair had departed.

With a sigh, he shook his head. He didn’t quite understand why she was quite so surprised. It was common knowledge amongst the nobility that Lord Victor Aulorn – the Lustrous Blademaster – was an enforcer, and a leader of the organisation a that. Did she truly not know that? Or was she just surprised to see him?

A knock on his door startled him. He breathed in, but before he could speak, the door swung wide open.

“Well, well, well!” Cait walked inside with a proud stride. Her lips curled up in a smile as the startled Midhir. “Look who’s here!”

She opened her arms wide, walked up to him, and gave him a big hug.

“Missed you,” she whispered with a smile.

Midhir hugged her back. “Glad to see you Cait.”

A moment later, she stepped back, looked around the room and whistled. “I swear my quarters at the castle aren’t as nice as these though.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “And that is a lie – you just commandeer my sister’s room when you’re back home.”

Cait giggled. “Yeah, true.” She threw herself on the bed. “I miss her too. I’ve been gone for months now.” She sounded tired. “I wish we could go back home right now,” her voice was but a whisper.

Part of him agreed. After everything that happened, he wished he could just go back home.

She suddenly sat up. “Say, do you mind if I take a look at you?”

He felt his heart sink. “I was going to ask you to do that.”

She nodded, brushed her somewhat messy hair back, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. When her eyelids stirred open again, a crimson light cast a glow over the room. She looked at him.

“By the sun.” Her voice was but a whisper as her face turned pale.