With a flutter of wings and a twist of fog. The girl’s fall came to rest in Ignis’s arms. It was much better than having the child crack her head open on the freshly dyed stone.

Standing the orphan would the girl would have reached his stomach. In his arms, she was a veritable doll. It reminded Lancet of a story told to her as a child. Of a red angled and the kindness, they’d paid a mischievous child. Though there were marked differences.

“You may go now.” She said and waved the gathered nobles away. Old Aubert took her words like a stay of execution. Within moments the wrinkled man was gone his dazed relative in tow.

The Salens made a slower retreat. First Leandra, unsatisfied with having her servants ordered by another had to make her own command. Lancet shook her head and smiled at the woman. Even now the woman clung to propriety and pride. She and her unfortunate niece had to be picked up by her assorted guards and trundled off. It was almost enough to make genuine her smile. If only it wasn’t so tiring. The game had long been played out.

But before she could flee with the remains of her dignity, a quiet voice stopped her. “Was this necessary Lady Leandra?” Ignis’s eyes wandered between the girl and the ring of red.

Leandra’s sour look smoothed into one of bitter frustration. She looked at the angle from her stared in her aid’s arms. ”Actions have consequences Emissary. What would become of the world if such flagrant misdeeds were so simply let go? Not all people are worth the effort of redemption.”

Leandra truly could fashion minor miracles of words when she wasn’t occupied with anger. Though well-spoken Lancet believed the diplomat had chosen the wrong tact. Those words might have mattered if emissary Lux was in doubt, but he was content with the ending and merely watched from the side.

But Igni, he just looked… disappointed. It was a true shame that this was the young angel’s first impression of them. Intriqigue and blood, children made to suffer for the faults of those who should’ve known better. “Perhaps,” he began. “But look at your niece. Look into her eyes. It did need not be now. It did not need to be in this way.”

And so Leandra did. Lancet too was drawn to look.

That single glance told a story. It was rare she saw such haunted eyes. As if the blue of her eyes had been leached and replaced with a bleak dye. Leandra reached out with her essence and ever so gently touched the girl’s spirit and felt ash. Not the joyful fire that should be found in one so young. A deeper search yielded only cold embers.

It was sad. It very well might girls end. Lancet sighed, the faint trickle of amusement leaving her. “Such a shame to see a path cut so early.”

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Leandra became ashen as she realised what Lancet already understood. Lancet wondered if her act had been the final strike, the final straw. How would the aunt fair after breaking their nice

Conversation died the Salens frenzied and darted off The elder serpent cast a long look at the unconscious girl obscured by feathery curtains and moth servant soaked in cooling viscera. Then she placed a pointed stare and bright smile at Lancet. “I do hope you keep my treasures intact. I would loath to see them broken when I come under your care, dear governor.” She chimed sweetly as she was led away. To be chained and bound then shipped to the velvet peaks.

Then it was just Lancet. Lancet and the angels.

Wind past them, bringing sound from the city’s distant heart. Around them, the world was all broken stone and shattered debris. Painted silver by the moon’s light and strewn with red from discarded life.

It was odd to think that the fresh blood marring her boots and the destruction hadn’t made this place any worse. She glanced at the little snake, tucked in the arms of a creature found in fairy tales more often than histories. She walked close and examined the girl. “Where were you that day it rained,” Lancet muttered softly and poked a scale on the girl’s cheek. They didn’t stir, but Lancet felt something. There was a foulness about the girl a sickness that leaked from. A taint. “Oh, you pour thing.” Lancet sighed and brushed aside the building compulsion.

“Govnenorr?” the angel before her hummed.

Lancet took a step back and placed the two angels in her view. “What do you think of this mess, emissaries? I hope it has not spoiled your view of this city.” She said after a time.

“It has been, exactly as I have imagined. Messy, complicated, bloody. Laws are bent at the convenience of the strong. Yet an order still asserts itself, an order that helps those deserving.” Lux’s answer was as emphatic and bright as every other part of him. His low expectation niggled at her but so clear was his conviction and bright his smile, she couldn’t help it as her lips pulled up.

“I’m glad you think so highly of us and shall endeavour to live to your expectations. If it is any comfort most of the empire isn’t so rife with politics ” She hummed and turned before his brightening smile could pull her into a longer discussion. She waited for the other’s answer.

It was measured. ”I find myself uncertain, uncertain and disappointed. I believed the records new and ancient denoting your kind and the humans that came before you gave me wisdom. gave me comprehension but I seem to have come away with nothing more than shallow understanding.” He gazed at the viscera, his eyes taking in every bit of shred of skin and each unrecognizable fleck of meat.” I do not understand you. I do not understand why you who could twist the thoughts and bend the bodies of your fellow mortals would simply break them.” His eyes fell to the girl in his arms. The snakelet was draped in a patchwork cloak, its hems tucked and stitched yet still too big for her. Their expression was an empty one. “I don’t know what led these people to this choice. To this end.”

At that moment a thought bloomed in her.Once it settled she could not dislodge it. It danced and took a life of its own pulling her along. Like the games she used to play.

“Yknow Igni I think she saw me in your mist.” Lux pointed at the snaklet.

“Oh.”

Lancet struck while inspiration still burned within her. “Then would you like a teacher? Someone to show you the ‘why’ of those criminals and the downtrodden. At least until the academy arrives.”

Igni blinked at her and she found curiosity swirling in those mist-filled eyes. She knew she had him. “Yes,” he said. “I think I would.“

“Then it shall be done.” She declared. A hint of mirth spilling from the developing scheme.

“But that is a concern for tomorrow. Let us return emissaries. Let me show you through the streets of my city.” And so they did. The Two angels trailed behind her. The moment felt like a mural drawn to life.

Mist poured from Igni’s wings. Blanketing the floor in sheets and curling tendrils. Wherever it bassed beaten stone returned to its place. What was once shattered was restored. Twisted things were mended. The slum returned to its usual amount of disarray.

It was one less thing to worry about tomorrow. The thought brought a smile to her face. Until she glanced back and noticed the red remained.

Lancet sighed and kicked a rock. Her gaze followed its long arc into the distance.“Let me tell you a story while we walk. About a day the channels overflowed and sewers drank until they vomited up what they were meant to hold. It is a tale a decade old, a tale of rain and transient rivers…”