Acutely aware of Cealia's presence, Liris let out a slow breath and leaned back in her chair while Hern did the exact opposite.

"Oh, is that all?"

Liris suppressed a smile as best she could. Despite Hern’s attempt at humor, this was crazy. She was tempted to pinch herself, just to be sure. Shooting a glance in either direction, it seemed neither of the other two women appreciated the joke. Anrsa's finger froze for a moment before resuming its pattern of taps.

"I'm glad you have a strong grasp on the situation. I have full faith that both of you will be completely prepared ahead of schedule."

"I was being sarcastic."

"As was I."

Like a drawn bow, tension stretched between them. Cealia extended an olive branch…and her hand.

"I do believe you will excel, Hern. You as well, Liris. And while there will be many challenges along the way, you won't be thrown to the Brume. Both Anrsa and I are here to guide and train you, in our own ways."

Anrsa appeared confused but allowed the metaphorical bow to be unstrung nevertheless.

"Of course. If I thought this an impossible task, why would I have either of you participate in the first place?"

"Well said, Anrsa. Just the fact that both of you have been given this opportunity should indicate our trust and hopes for your future."

Liris and Hern stared at one another. Clearly, they were in agreement...everyone around here was insane. Likewise, they both seemingly arrived at the same conclusion. Hern was faster to voice it.

"What happens if we are caught? I suspect Jelnoth would not take kindly to its secrets being uncovered."

Anrsa's tapping paused again, causing Cealia to wince. Did she know what was coming?

"A predicament, to be sure. It all depends on what exactly they are trying to hide, if anything. As to your question...well, I'm not sure. You would be imprisoned. Probably. We won't be able to negotiate for your release so...don't get caught?"

"You won't be able to negotiate? Or do you mean, you aren't willing to?"

Several expressions flashed across Anrsa's face, none of them reassuring. So that's how it was then. Being cut off from all aid wasn't that surprising. As an old man had once told her, better the copper in your pocket than an iron in your 'friends'. Who could she even call a friend? Why was Cealia looking at her? Oh... Liris clamped down on her emotions, willing her face to stone.

"Negotiations aren't so simple. Unfortunately Hern, the accords we have with Jelnoth and the other cities prohibit certain amounts of leverage. We could request your release, but what would they receive in return? If such a request is denied, what are we to do? Most of the time, it would be cause for war, or at least a skirmish. However, if we've already scheduled combat, there's nothing to escalate. Certain lines aren't supposed to be crossed. But have no fear! I have personally met their council, which I'm sure, would be understanding in the hapless event that you were discovered. We're speaking in hypotheticals and worrying about events that will likely not happen. I understand such matters are concerning, however remote their occurrences may be. Fear is actually quite good in this case. You can use it as motivation in your practice and training to guarantee the successful retrieval of information."

Anrsa nodded in relief at Cealia's rescue. Turning to inspect Liris, the relief faded as it was clear the words hadn't been taken as reassurance. Liris clamped down harder. Hern seemed fine, but he was hard to read. Well, his placid expression was. Flitting back and forth between random points in the room, his eyes gave it away in the end. They slowed and he began to speak. Before his question could be vocalized, Cealia hastened to continue.

"I realize the two of you may not be aware of what's at stake. Doubtless, you have heard of wars before and seen their outcome impacting the streets. As of late, we haven't had the best record against the other cities, Jelnoth in particular. Every loss is accompanied by a tribute that must be sent to the victor."

She paused and shook her head sadly.

"It's ten percent."

Ten? That was outrageous!

"Ten percent of all food and iron produced for that year. That is the limit since a loser can not be challenged again until the next year. Such a steep price still has a large impact, specifically on the poorest and helpless of our citizens. Equally, winning brings large rewards and pushes a city toward true prosperity. That is the risk. Typically, several years go by without a declaration unless some grievance needs to be settled. In minor matters, other percentages are acceptable and are absorbable. Jelnoth has declared war three times this year, having won the first two. Despite this, they sent us a declaration a month ago. Now is the time to rise to the occasion. We must know why they are so desperate. This is your chance to help all of the people here in Naerell. Especially those less fortunate among us."

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Trying her best, Liris could still feel the heat rising in her face. The stone on all sides intruded on her awareness, exacerbating her agitation. Half on instinct and half with strong intent, she escaped via the only avenue available.

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She promptly hit the ground, that was, if the shards counted as ground. It didn't hurt...much. Could the air be thicker? In any case, throwing her hands out was enough to regain balance. For the first time, the vastness was comforting. Cealia's prying eyes couldn't reach her here. Maybe 'mind' was more accurate. For all she knew, this place was incredibly dangerous and it was only a matter of time before the void absorbed her. It was safe for now and that was her only concern.

Liris let down her walls. Or more accurately, let them fall with a crash. Every suppressed thought, guarded feeling, and shunted doubt came rushing out at once. She could practically feel it in a physical sense. Resting her hands on the shards, she grimaced at the sharp edges. Gingerly, she lowered herself down until she was staring up at...more nothingness. Having her weight distributed across her whole body caused the shards to blend together. They didn't hurt any longer, only a slight tingle here and there. Up above, below, wherever it was, small lights twinkled in dizzying patterns. Liris closed her eyes and let the rush, internal and external, take her.

How stupid were they? How stupid did they think she was? Manipulation and condescension were more painfully obvious than if Cealia had presented her a sign reading, 'nothing I say is genuine' every time she stepped into the room. Anrsa was just dumbly smart. Or was that all a ploy as well?

She clenched her fists to avoid piercing them in frustration. Tension flowed up her spine, sending shakes through her limbs.

They dared to use the well-being of those who lived in squalor against her? Her?! They who had looked at many streets and broken people but never seen them? Pretending, arguing, sympathizing as if they knew? Had their stomach ever churned, eating itself to the point where grass looked appetizing? Had the cold stone sucked the life from their bodies every night? How many times had she given in to sleep, doubting she would wake? Those base needs were the worst of it, but people were a close second. When the conditions were bearable, that's when people's true natures were revealed. Violence, theft, betrayal, and countless examples of each one.

The urge to bash her hands into the shards rose. Liris could feel her body crying out for some release but she held firm. Her shaky breaths, equally as sharp, were the only sound in the stillness.

How she hated them for using all those people against her. Worse, she would let them. So many faces sprung to mind. It didn't matter if they were old or young, kind or twisted. Each told a story of suffering...a suffering she had a chance to alleviate. Her soul wept in dissent. Was it her responsibility to help those the rich and powerful kept suppressed? Did they not stand with more to gain from these wars? Why could it not be someone else?

She yelled at the abyss, mania hiding along the edges of her scream.

Why weren't Ekard or Anrsa going out to fight? Why pass it along to someone else when so much was at stake?

"I don't want to. They can't make me."

The words spilled out, but she knew them to be lies...and truth. She didn't want to...she would anyway.

"I could escape. Hide deep in the mines. Find someone to take me in. Refuse to move. I could surrender in the first combat...they deserve to lose."

But what of the people? That was the tether holding her to...life. All those people who would be harmed. She couldn't turn her back on them.

"If only I could turn away. It would be so easy."

Standing before whatever fighters Jelnoth sent out, stabbing herself with a dagger, watching as the entire council looked on in horror. It would almost be worth it. Were that she was cynical and courageous enough to take such a stand. Nobody deserved to be subjected to this torture.

"Maybe when I fail anyway, that will be enough. Me? Succeed at spying and duels?"

She laughed harshly. The sound grated on her ears.

How likely it was to step through a door using this ability, only for it to be a fake one. Would she be crushed inside a stone wall? Or another person? Caught at sword point while reaching for confidential diagrams? Or in the fights... she could handle injury, even death, if the cause was good enough…but others would be relying on her. One misstep could mean a blade found its mark. She could picture it now, Sema's face warped in unimaginable pain. Hern's a rictus of disgust and betrayal. Even Ekard's in righteous furry. All because of her.

"Wretch that I am, better for me to have fallen at the pillars."

It was too late for that. The die had been cast. The wringing of her soul continued to build. Hate, rage, fear...all pooling and condensing together. Her heart cried one last lament. This wasn't fair, wasn't just! All those people could fend for themselves and live or die by their own hand. She bore no responsibility to this city, it had long since abandoned her. She had every right to spit in the council's faces. To burn the entire Spire to the ground, if such a thing were possible. Could anyone who had experienced what she had, judge otherwise?

"But I must."

Knowing it deep down, this whole time, hadn't made it any easier to accept. The searing pain within remained. Each moment that passed did see it subside, or more accurately, morph. Aching now, it was still intense.

Could this be a good thing? Some purpose for life that she so desperately wished for? If so, why the struggle? Shouldn't she have come to terms with her lot far sooner? In the end, it was logical. By chance, she had the ability, and ability, to make a difference. Yes, it would increase the riches of those who needed it least, but some would make it to those in need. Even keeping their lives from worsening was worth the cost, however high it be.

Liris sat up and opened her eyes. There was a new weight on her shoulders, on her heart. At least this one had been her choice. The vista before her looked the same, albeit a little blurry. Wiping her eyes, Liris collected herself. Everything was bundled back up, her face became a mask, and she inhaled.

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