Oh this can’t be good.

Ethan stood before the city jail, staring at the unthinkable. Guards were littered around the scene, talking to witnesses and keeping people back. The entire area in front of its gate was blocked off, and somehow Ethan knew his day was about to get longer. Please don’t be what I think it is.

One of the guards talking to a witness spotted Ethan, quickly thanked his interviewee, then headed over to him.

“Councilor Dal.”

Ethan glanced at the man. “Corporal.” His rank was easy to spot, just an insignia by his heart. Another square faced, bearded grunt with a blade. If it wasn’t for the lighter strands of hair lining his dark head he’d have seemed like any other guard.

“Messengers were just sent out,” the guard said in a bit of a frenzy. “Why’re you here so soon?” Then he quickly straightened up. “N-no disrespect of course.”

He’s nervous. Ethan thought. Not a good sign. “I’m here on other business.”

“Oh, well uh… business of course is unfortunately closed at the moment—”

“Just give me the report, corporal. What happened here?”

“There… there was a prisoner escape sir. None of us know how it happened—”

You must be joking. “Who was it?”

“The Amarian, sir. From the garrison earlier today. I swear sir, we have no idea what—”

Fuck! Ethan screamed in his thoughts. I can’t even listen to this shit! How could this have happened? It hasn’t been two fucking calls and already this guy escapes? How incompetent can they be?!

“— he said he had help inside. He couldn’t see their face—”

What? Ethan thought. An accomplice? “Who said he had help?”

“Oh… uh one of the men stationed inside. He got ambushed by the Amarian in one of the cell wings, but he’d already been let out. Another guard thought he spotted him with someone else in a cloak leaving.”

“And he didn’t stop them?”

“They got on a wagon before he realized what he saw. By the time he stepped onto the street they were gone.”

Ethan’s mind was scrambling, but he knew better than to show it. He brought his hand to his chin and started to pace. Who could do this? Who would do this? They’d have to know something. About Gad, or Raz, maybe more. Why else would he be worth taking?”

“Sir?”

No, first things first. I need to talk to that guard. “Where is this man? I’d like to talk to him.”

“He-he’s at the clinic. He got beat on pretty badly. Are you ok, sir?”

“Fine. Thank you corporal.” He turned and marched off the other way. I need to get to the clinic, speak to this man, and destroy the violent incident report. Better to not let Jensen find it. If he isn’t already on his way here.

“Seems like you’re having a difficult time.”

Ethan held back a scowl. Illias, he thought. Of course. He turned to face him. He was dressed in the same outfit as earlier in the day. His Traveler’s medallion blazoned over a dark tunic with matching pants and boots.

“Why are you here?”

“I came to get an update on the situation, and discovered the intervention of our… mutual friend.”

Ethan scoffed. “That’s what we’re calling him now?”

“Discretion has its place,” Illias said. “I thought you’d be mature enough to understand that.”

Ethan gave him a dry look. “You never answered my question,” he said. “Why are you here? There’s nothing these men can say that you wouldn’t learn shortly anyways.”

“I came,” Illias said. “Because it seems things have gotten out of your control.” He waved his hand in the air. “First, it’s our friend’s interference, and now this.” He shook his head. “With so much pressure, I worry you may be driven to do something… ill-advised.”

So he came to watch me. And to make sure I know it. “Nothing’s out of my control,” Ethan said. “Not even our… friend’s involvement. Amos is out in the open now. Finding him is merely a matter of time, and I know the city far better than some army drone. His capture is all but assured.”

“So confident with your words,” Illias said. “But your actions tell a different tale, and I’d hate to gamble on how they fare today.” He looked Ethan over for a moment. Then he sucked his teeth. “Unfortunately, I have prior business to attend to and can’t be bothered to correct your every move.” He stepped in closer.

“You may continue this on your own… for now. But understand if the situation gets any further out of hand I will step in, and give necessary supervision to this and all other work in your charge. Somehow I suspect your insubordinate rot has festered deeper than Raz may have realized.”

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Prove it then. “You’ll do whatever you have to if it means achieving your goals.” Ethan brought his hand to his chest. “So will I, and my goal now is to set things right with Raz and to get back to work.” He motioned past Illias. “If you’ll let me.”

Illias said nothing at first. Then he scoffed. “Just get it done.”

“Traveler,” a voice called out. They both turned towards it.

A woman in a cloak and a fraying brown dress came up to Illias. Her long hair was neatly corralled beneath a bright white scarf embellished with dainty purple flowers. She kept a basket sheltered beneath her cloak and a smile under her scarf.

“I hope you’re not too busy,” she said. Then she noticed Ethan. She blushed. “Oh Councilor! I’m sorry! I didn’t notice! I—”

“It’s alright dear,” Illias cut in. “Councilor Dal knows the value of faith—”

Ethan smiled. Of course I do.

“— he hardly minds waiting. What did you have to tell me?”

“Oh! Well, I…I wanted to give you this.” She reached into her basket and pulled out a piece of bread. Then she reached into a small pouch strung to her hip and pulled out a small, bright silver coin.

Her Eglit looks almost new, Ethan thought, but it was really no surprise. The shine of your Traveler’s coin was always a mark of one’s faith. That’s what they’d say around the church anyway.

She placed the coin on top of the bread.

Actually, it had a scratch, glaring on the Eglit’s other side. Perhaps she’s not quite so faithful after all.

“Thank you, sister,” Illias said. “What a wonderful offering.” He took the bread and coin from her. While he held the broken loaf in one hand he inspected the coin with the other.

Illias stared at the Eglit for a moment, then he noticed the scratch on it. He furrowed his brow. “You’ve been troubled sister.”

Wonder lit in the woman’s eyes. “Yes, Traveler!” The woman said with a gasp. “I-I’ve been speaking with Traveler Roe.”

“A good man,” Illias said.

“Yes! Traveler Roe has given me such thoughtful counsel! My family and I value his advice deeply. It’s a blessing whenever he’s in our home!”

Illias gave her a knowing look. “Yet still you are troubled?”

The woman paused and glanced away. Her eyes grew hazy, like she was in another place. “I’ve been… confused lately. Having… strange thoughts. I haven’t been sleeping well.” Then she came back. “Oh, but, Traveler Roe has helped me. He says if I keep to a pious routine the path will reveal itself to me again.”

Again? Ethan thought. Looks like you’ve lost a believer.

Illias glanced at her for a moment. “And it will sister.” He held up the coin to her. “You may see your failings, but in this I see an Eglit given tremendous care, and you were my first offering today.” He held her hands with his. “You should be proud of your faith sister.”

The woman smiled. “Thank you, Traveler.”

Illias let go of her hands but kept the coin. She bowed slightly then placed her hands together in prayer. The motion let a tattoo wrapped around her forearm peek out from beneath her sleeve. A piety mark.

Small wonder, Ethan thought to himself. He was never one for church, far too much supervision, but things like the mark teased a deep instinct in him. That each one was so intricate, yet always unique to their wearer was remarkable in itself, but to be created in a mere quarter call? The wearer themself is said to craft the mark, and there is no training for such an art. It is learned and done in one session. A true miracle, and they happen every week.

Illias bowed his head in return, then slid the coin into his pocket and pulled out another duller coin. He then opened a small pouch tied to his own hip and smeared a black and purple powder between two of his fingers before rubbing the dull coin, coating it even more with an ashen violet sheen. “I hope the day treats you well. And that you find your way again.” He broke off a piece of bread, ate it, then returned the dull coin and the rest of the loaf to the woman.

As he did though Ethan could see he’d scratched the dull coin as well, in almost the same way as the first. Was that… intentional?

“You as well,” the woman said to Illias as she tucked the coin in her pouch and the bread in her basket. “May you bring blessings into our home.”

“And may yours carry me there.”

She bowed again with a smile then dipped back into the crowd.

Illias watched her go. “I’ll have to visit her later.” He paused on that for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and nodded. “It’s good to be reminded of our faith,” he said, returning to his stoic demeanor. “It is our purpose. It keeps us whole.” He looked back where the woman had walked away. “Another piece of wisdom from the church bearing fruit.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. And here comes the sermon.

“Forgiveness is part of the path the Travelers walk,” he said. “And I’ve forgiven many of your transgressions in our time together.” He looked back towards Ethan. “But I feel as though now a course correction is needed.” He pulled out Ethan’s Councilor pin from his pocket. “We will start small,” he said. “It is your duty as a Councilor to have this with you to prove your status.” He handed it to Ethan. “You will keep this on you. At all times.”

This is what he chooses to pester me about? “Fine,” Ethan said.

As he went for the pin Illias grabbed Ethan’s wrist with his free hand and held it there. “This is a test,” he said. “Fail it and I will burn down everything you’ve done, and tell Raz you weren’t worth his time after all.”

“I said fine!”

Illias released him and Ethan snatched the pin away then rubbed his wrist. With all his talk I forget this guy is crazy.

Illias eyed Ethan for a moment and scowled. “Let me know when you’ve found Amos.” Then he walked away.

Ethan turned and started heading the other way. Don’t worry, he thought, as he looked back at Illias. We’ll be done with each other soon enough.

“Oh and just one more thing,” Illias called. He walked a bit closer. “I looked at this earlier,” he said, pulling out his torn-off part of the list. “Your cousin’s name is on here.” He pointed down at the name. “I find that very interesting. Perhaps when I’m through with my work I should have a chat with him.”

This mother— “That’s a waste of time and you know it,” Ethan said. “Shavur doesn’t chat with anyone.” For all your talk you understand nothing, he thought. Shavur is dead to me.

Illias smirked, tucked the paper away, then headed back in the same direction.

I hate that guy. Ethan tried to cool off and walk away, but his anger stalked after him and heated his bones. Fuck! He kicked some dirt on the path. Prick always knows how to get under my skin. That’s what Ethan hated most about Illias, but he wouldn’t let it stop him. He brought his gaze back ahead.

He needed to get to the clinic and shut this guard down before Jensen got there. He pulled out his list again and peered down at the sheet. Fortunate, he thought. That you’re in the same place. He tucked the paper away and headed down the busy street.