Crowds cleared out of Ethan’s path as he made his way down the main road again. His Council robe billowed with decadence and authority, and he stopped for no one. There were stares, whispers, and curious followers in his wake, but the crowd could wait. Business came first.

Ethan sucked his teeth. It’s hardly business, he thought. It’s just a pointless fucking chore. He didn’t have time to deal with Raz’s little obsession. Why waste time taking Amos anyways? He was fine! In fact, under guard in a cell was probably the best place for him, but would that matter? No. Raz was a general and there was no one left to control them. Caleb could, Ethan thought, if he ever left his room. The King’s months-long descent into a recluse had been useful at times, but he was the only one with authority over his generals and Ethan could use someone like that right now. He could’ve used them weeks ago.

Without the King’s oversight, the generals had run rampant toying with whatever this power was. It got Durai killed, assuming Gad really didn’t just murder his brother. Raz only cared about controlling it, and Galahad… Galahad had discovered something. Some new way of using it to control people. And I’m so close to perfecting it, so close to understanding how it’s done. I just need more time. He just needed that damn list. It was more than just their names. It marked how many trials they’d been through, if the trigger was successful, it was nearly everything. He pulled out the sheet of paper from his pocket and peered at the names.

He’d already been to the prison since the attack. The number of dead was… disappointing, but he’d made himself clear with the guards there. If all else failed the silence of those involved had more value than their lives. Of the names he had left only one wasn’t dead or unaccounted for. It’ll have to be enough, he thought to himself. None of this was ideal but his next move was clear. If he didn’t get Amos back Illias would never stop hovering, and he’d miss his chance to learn Galahad’s secret for himself. That was the edge he needed. Eli thought Ethan was playing sides, but there’d only ever been one.

“Councilor sir!”

The street opened up into the plaza ahead, and the scene there had turned into a spectacle. A crowd was swarming near the entrance. Guards kept them at a distance, but curiosity clearly ruled the moment. Amid the sea of gossip and shifting heads one guard had flagged Ethan down and was starting to approach.

“Councilor Dal,” he said as he shook Ethan’s hand. “We weren’t expecting to see you here.”

A sergeant, Ethan thought as he eyed the man’s uniform, he’ll have just enough pull to get me what I need. “I’m not surprised,” Ethan said. “I was just briefed on the situation earlier. I came over as soon as I could.”

“Well, I appreciate the concern but there’s not much for you to do here. We’ve pretty much got the scene under control now.”

“I’m confident you do. The only reason I came is to help speed things along. I understand you caught the man responsible for all this. An Amarian correct?”

“Yeah they got him about a quarter call earlier,” the guard said, motioning back toward the line of guards and barricades. Then he sucked his teeth. “I still don’t understand why we didn’t take that bastard’s head off right then and there!”

Ethan raised a brow. Doubt they had a choice, he thought to himself, but if he’s angry I can work with that. Just have to string him along.

“Sorry sir,” the guard said as he noticed Ethan’s gaze. “Didn’t mean to sound unprofessional—“

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Ethan cut in. “In fact, after everything he’s done I couldn’t agree more.” He nodded his head away from the crowd and the two of them walked over to the side. “But as you’ve noticed not everyone feels the same, and according to my briefing they’re the ones calling the shots.”

“Are you saying they’re not gonna kill this guy?” The guard asked as outrage marred his face. “That’s ridiculous! He killed a dozen men!”

Ethan brought a finger to his lips. “You’re right,” he said as he brought the guard further away. “You’re right, but apparently there’s people in the Hall who think this is connected to the fires.”

“What? Why? Cause he’s Amarian?“

“Because riots are a known tactic of Amarian dissidents, and since that’s the main reason he didn’t encounter resistance getting inside they think—”

“He got into an empty base cause those paper pushers had all our men standing around at some party!“

“Nevertheless,” Ethan said, “with all the damage he did people think he’s the mastermind of the arsons and all the other rebellious activity in recent months, and now they finally caught him.”

The guard scoffed. “He’s no mastermind! The guards who caught him said he was losing it the whole time! He couldn’t plan a trip to Stella’s!” He sucked his teeth. “Council’s just trying to slide its own fuck up under the rug. Typical.” He shook his head.

Angry and disillusioned, Ethan thought as he eyed him again. That’s all I need. Now to just bring it home.

The guard fidgeted beneath Ethan’s gaze. “No… no disrespect of course,” he said. “Everyone knows you’re alright Councilor, even when the other ones aren’t.”

Ethan laughed at that. “You’re a good man sergeant,” he said, patting the man’s shoulder. Then he leaned in close. “But in the interest of doing right when… others won’t, there is something you can do for me.”

“What do you need?” The guard asked.

“To make sure this guy is held responsible,” Ethan said. “You say he’s mad? Well, I don’t want to give him any time to come to his senses and start bargaining for his life.”

“Or time to escape.”

Ethan smiled. “You understand.” He pat his shoulder again. “I don’t have the sway to convince the Council on this. That’s why I want to take it out their hands. Let this become a military investigation before they have time to object, so it ends the way it should. And soon. All I need is for you to let it happen.”

The guard eyed Ethan for a moment. Then he chuckled.

Come on, don’t fight me on this. That was more than enough convincing.

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“You might have more sway than you think,” the guard said at last.

Ethan sighed. Good. So he’ll—

“Someone beat you to it.”

What? “Excuse me?”

“As soon as we got the riot and attack under control we got handed new orders from General Galahad. His man is taking custody of everyone we detained.”

Galahad?! Ethan thought. How? “Who gave you those orders?

The guard looked around then pointed back into the plaza. “He’s right over there. Said he worked directly for the General. A lieutenant I think.”

Ethan looked over to where he was pointing. This can’t be good.

Standing deeper behind the line of barricades was a man in a warriors uniform. The armor and metal plating was set atop a dark long sleeved tunic with matching pants and boots. That’s odd, Ethan thought. Since when do they cover their tattoos? He thanked the sergeant for his time and headed over to the lieutenant.

There were a couple men standing around him, nodding as he pointed and gave out orders. He kept his long black hair combed back and out of his angular face. Stubble grew beneath his chin and around his neck. A mustache crowned scowling lips and bordered a wide nose, but it did little against the large scar cutting down the right side of his mouth. His hazel eyes hid cunning behind a deadpan glare like a sheath holds a knife.

He met Ethan’s gaze. Let’s see what he knows, and if he’s here to stop me.

“Lieutenant,” Ethan called out as he waved at the man.

The lieutenant eyed him for a moment. “Councilor,” he said before shaking Ethan’s hand. “Quite a surprise to see you here.”

“I could say the same to you,” Ethan said. “I heard General Galahad sent you over.”

The lieutenant paused again. “That’s true,” he said after a moment. “Lieutenant Jensen.”

“And why is the head of the Territorial Forces interested in a domestic incident like this, lieutenant?”

“Jensen is fine.”

“Excuse me?”

Jensen moved his hands like he had on his own robe. “Ranks seem a little redundant,” he said. “We both know who’s in charge here.”

I already don’t like this guy. “Jensen,” Ethan said. “I believe the city is outside Galahad’s jurisdiction.”

Jensen almost smiled at that. “What’s your interest in this Councilor? Isn’t city guard affairs Councilor Knowles’s jurisdiction?”

“Public safety is a Council wide issue. Now please, you were saying.”

“Alright,” Jensen said with a deferential nod. “We have evidence Amarian fighters from the plains are being smuggled into the city. They’re radicalizing and training people to fight. We’re looking for someone in particular and the people here might have information. All I’m here to do today is talk.”

“You said ‘we’ have evidence?”

“The investigation is being overseen by the General himself. He considers it a top priority. So, you’ll understand if my concerns take some… precedence in this situation.

I really don’t like this guy, Ethan thought to himself. And I don’t buy his act either. Galahad showing up here can’t be a coincidence, which means he definitely can’t talk to Amos. If he’s just fishing he’ll have found his prize.

“Then you’ll be relieved to hear I have no interest in slowing down your investigation. I’m only here to deal with a single prisoner. The Amarian captured inside the garrison.”

Jensen snorted. “You wouldn’t happen to mean the one who killed over a dozen men, would you? Because that’s the one I’m most interested in talking to.” He eyed Ethan for a moment. “In fact,” he said at last. “I’m hoping he can shed some light on a few inconsistencies I’ve found in the reports of the attack.”

Inconsistencies? Ethan thought. Why’s he telling me this? He met Jensen’s gaze, but there was nothing behind his eyes besides the gleam of a well-hidden truth. Fine. I’ll bite. Let’s play.

“What inconsistencies?” Ethan asked.

Jensen said nothing at first. Then he scoffed. “Interesting.”

Ethan held back a scowl. I won’t give him the satisfaction, but what the fuck is he fishing for? How much does he know?

“For one,” Jensen said. “The consensus seems to be that the Amarian entered alone, but I have witnesses who say multiple masked fighters ambushed them inside.”

Masked fighters? Ethan thought. So they’re still alive... but what were they doing here?

“I also have an Amarian caught with an axe and a sword, a lot of cut up guards, and two bodies I can’t explain. Some stable hand strangled to death out of sight, and a guard killed with an arrow when no bow or archer was found. You wouldn’t happen to have any pertinent information about that would you?”

“None,” Ethan said. I’d rather keep an extra thorn in Gad’s side.

Jensen eyed Ethan for a moment.

So he is looking for something, Ethan thought, and it isn’t Amos. He returned Jensen’s glare almost reflexively. What’re you after Galahad? What do you know?

“Ok,” Jensen said. “That’s alright. In fact, maybe we can help each other.”

“I’m glad you’re willing to be reasonable,” It can’t be this easy now.

“There is just one thing— ”

Here we go.

“I’ve heard some interesting reports about fighting in the woods southeast of the city. More masked fighters. Guards may have been killed. Mixed reports of survivors. Know anything about that?”

Ethan’s heart dropped into his stomach. Fuck! Does he know what I’ve done?! Does he know about the fort?! He fought down the shock before it showed on his face. No. He didn’t say that. He didn’t give any important specifics. He just knows there was an attack.

“No, sorry. I don’t know anything about that.”

Jensen smiled. “Well, if you do happen to recall anything feel free to send an aide for me. I’ll be in Dargas for some time while I work through my investigation.

Great. “Is that a fact?”

“Absolutely. Like I said, the General considers it a top priority.”

“And the guards have been informed of that as well, I take it.”

“As a matter of fact they have,” he said with a wry smile. “Because as I also said, all I came to do is talk… today.” He gave Ethan a knowing glare. “We’ll see what comes later.” He reached out his hand. “Now, you will reach out to me won’t you?”

This fucking guy. Ethan shook his hand with a smile. “Certainly.”

“Certainly.”

With that Jensen started to walk away. “Gentleman!” He called out to a couple nearby guards. “Please escort Councilor Dal safely from the premises,” he said as he turned and motioned toward Ethan. “And tell him he’ll have access to my prisoner in a few days.” He started walking away again. “When I’m through with him.”

The two guards reached Ethan and politely ushered him along. This is far from over, Ethan thought as he strode away, but two things were clear. His day just got a whole lot harder and he was making a trip to the city’s jail.

One way or another. He was getting Amos back.