Nico gathered with the rest of the party into the ballroom. The ballroom glittered with gold and jewels. Massive chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting a warm glow over the venetian canals. Councilman Antonio held court in the center of the room, surrounded by sycophantic nobles vying for his attention.

Nico leaned against a marble column, surveying the room with a bored expression. These fancy speeches were not his idea of a good time. His hand drifted to where the hilt of his sword would be, a nervous habit he'd developed after years of training. The ballroom felt packed once everyone came inside, Nico guessed there were around one hundred and fifty people at this party.

Councilman Antonio stood up in front of the crowd banging a fork against his glass.

“Just wanted to start by saying thank you to everyone for coming tonight, I always look forward to the Doge Palace Ball every year. Unfortunately this year, the Doge himself could not make it tonight, but he did ask that I make sure everyone had a great time. So feel free to take the tables and paintings on your way out” The crowds laughed.

A flash of silver in the crowd caught Nico’s eye. Nico stood up from the column and started to look around. It looked like a piece of long metal attached to someone in the crowd.

Antonio continued.” The Council and the Pillars would like to raise a glass to all our knights. The past year has been rough for our citizens. The Holy Roman Empire attacks our borders constantly. Our streets are hiding criminals and gangs. Yet our citizens sleep peacefully at night knowing Venetian Knights protect them. To all our knights, thank you for serving your Kingdom and we continue to ask for your sword, Cheers!”

All of the guests raised their glasses and cheered, causing Nico to lose sight of the silver metal he saw. Antonio stepped down and approached Nico. “Will you follow me for a second Sir Nico?”

“Of course councilman” Nico replies. Antonio leads them to an empty balcony overlooking the Grand Canal.

“So about your promotion tomorrow..” Antonio fiddled with his hands, not looking at Nico. “ The Council has decided to postpone the promotion.” Antonio turned to look at Nico. “ We believe that promoting you to Knight Commander now would be sentencing you and the men under you to an early grave. You're reckless and impulsive, Nico, ruled by your emotions instead of logic. How can we trust you with the power and responsibility of a commander when you lack the discipline and clear thinking required to wield it?"

Nico was too stunned to speak, he couldn't keep his balance and fell back a step. Anger, confusion, and sadness hit him in waves. “ I— I do not understand. I completed every requirement. Completed every mission. My whole life is about being a knight.” Nico’s face started turning red as his voice got louder. “ THIS IS UNFAIR! HOW CAN YOU JUDGE ME WHEN NONE OF THE COUNCILMAN ARE ON THE BATTLEFIELD?!”

Antonio placed a hand on Nico’s shoulder. Wind blowing through his sandy gray hair. “ I am sorry Nico, but you are just not ready to lead yet. Countless times during your missions you failed to work with other soldiers. Every knight you worked under has called you reckless towards yourself. Even tonight during your duel in the courtyard. You let that Florentine knight slice your ear just to get him close enough to disarm him. You have no regard towards your own safety. Imagine having men follow you? What would happen to them?”

Nico’s head dropped to his chest. Those words hurt, but felt true. How could he lead anyone if he was willing to get hurt just to complete his mission. Maybe there is more to being a knight than fighting. Nico lifted his head towards the sky trying to fight back tears, when he saw the flash of silver again. This time he could see what it was. It was a silver dagger attached to the hip of a hooded figure sitting on the roof. Nico straightened, his heart pounding. An assassin!

The assassin jumped from the roof and landed on the balcony railing behind Councilman Antonio and lunged, with a dagger aimed at the man's back. Nico surged forward, pushing Councilman Antonio and grabbed the assassin's arm, yanking them off the railing. The dagger clattered to the floor. The assassin whirled, eyes flashing behind its black mask, and slammed a fist into Nico's jaw. Pain exploded through his skull. He stumbled back, vision swimming, as the assassin snatched up its dagger and bolted for the balcony doorway. As the assassin ran into the hall, two daggers flew from the cloak and struck the two guards watching the hallway.

Nico shook off the stars clouding his vision. He couldn't let the assassin escape! He ran through the doorway, running up to the fallen guards and grabbing one of their swords. He then charged after the fleeing figure, shoving past shrieking ladies and shouting men standing in the hallway.

The assassin glanced over his shoulder, noticing Nico's pursuit. They hurled a platter of fruit at Nico, the heavy silver dish clipping his shoulder. He gritted his teeth against the pain and kept running, ducking under grasping hands and around confused dancers.

The assassin burst through the doors leading to the courtyard, Nico hot on their heels. Revelers scattered before them, screaming and clutching at each other.

Nico's boots pounded on the cobblestones as he chased the assassin through the courtyard. They vaulted over a hedge, tumbling to the ground on the other side, and came up running.

His heart raced as he pursued them between rose bushes and fountains, the cool night air sharp in his lungs. The assassin was fast, but Nico was faster, his Crestborn abilities giving him an edge.

He launched himself forward, grabbing for the assassin's hood. His fingers brushed black fabric and when he had them, yanked the hood back. The assassin stumbled but stayed on their feet.

Nico smiled grimly, gripping his sword tighter. The assassin would pay for attempting to harm Councilman Antonio. This was going to be an interesting fight.

The assassin spun to face Nico, pulling two wickedly curved daggers from the sheaths on their belt. Their eyes glinted behind the mask as they adopted a fighting stance, blades at the ready.

"You're making a mistake, boy," the assassin rasped. "Walk away now, and I'll spare your life."

Jackson scoffed, raising his sword. "That’s great advice, I'll make sure to follow it next time I cross swords with an assassin. As if I'd let a coward like you threaten someone's life and get away with it."

The assassin circled, dagger at the ready, waiting for an opening. Jackson turned with them, sword held low and ready. He would not underestimate this foe. The Councilman's life hung in the balance, and failure was not an option. The assassin struck like a viper, darting forward in a flurry of slashes and jabs. Jackson deflected each blow, but only just, driven back by the assassin's speed and skill. His arm throbbed from the impacts, each strike jolting him down to the bone. For a second Nico thought he saw actual sparks traveling up the assassin’s arms and disappearing upon every strike.

The assassin lunged again, a flurry of slashes and thrusts. Jackson blocked them all, but he was being pushed back step by step. His injured arm throbbed with every parry, slowing his reflexes. Nico knew he shouldn't use any crest powers unless he was planning to pass out from exhaustion. He also left his elementium sword with the guards earlier. He could only grab a normal sword from that killed guard he ran past earlier .He would have to win this fight with his sword skills alone.

When a strike glanced off his guard and sliced his arm, Nico seized the opportunity. As the assassin's dagger arm extended, he lunged forward inside their guard, punching them hard in the chest. The assassin gasped, stumbling back. Nico pressed the attack, raining blows with the hilt and cross guard of his sword. The assassin blocked some but not all, grunting with each strike.

The assassin retreated a few paces, eyeing Nico warily. They were both injured now, the fight turning into a contest of endurance. Nico took the chance to catch his breath, waiting for the assassin's next move. His doublet was in tatters, and he could feel blood soaking into his shirt sleeve again from the cut on his arm.

With a shout, the assassin attacked again. But this time, their strikes were slower, less precise. Nico parried and riposted, his sword flashing out to open a cut across the assassin's chest.

The assassin stumbled back, panting. "It seems...I underestimated you," they ground out.

"Surrender now," Nico said, "or next time I won’t leave just a flesh wound."

The assassin held its guard but Nico could see their body tensing up. The assassin took a heavy breath and suddenly their body stopped bleeding. Steam started pouring out of all their wounds.The assassin made painful grunts. Their body was now healed.

For a moment, Nico thought the assassin would keep fighting. But then the assassin shook their head and lowered their daggers. "You win," they muttered. "For now."

Before Nico could move, the assassin turned and sprinted across the courtyard. They flung themself up and over the high stone wall, disappearing into the night. Nico started to give chase, but a wave of dizziness overcame him. He looked down to see blood dripping from his arm onto the cobblestones. The cut was deeper than he'd realized.

Nico layed there for a moment, chest heaving. He had driven the assassin off, but at a cost. His arm was bleeding freely and his body ached from the fight. But the Councilman was safe. He had succeeded, if only just. The sounds of panic from the ballroom washed over him as he sat there, catching his breath and waiting for the ache in his side to fade.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Nico took a breath and stood up. He should check on the councilman. Deo and his father would want to know what happened. Nico started making his way back to the balcony. He passed the two killed guards from earlier, now being covered in cloth and taken away. Nico’s head started to race. What if him stopping the assassin could help his case for promotion? Pretty sure a near death experience would help anyone see clearly. After having his life saved, councilman Antonio can not deny he had what it takes! Maybe he would even get a medal for bravery.

Nico entered the balcony to find a medic checking Antonio’s head with two guards beside him. Antonio turns to see Nico with panic painted on his face.

“Guards! He is right here. Arrest him! He attempted to kill me!” Antonio demanded, pointing towards Nico. The two guards grabbed Nico by the arms and removed the sword at his waist.

“What? I did not try to kill you. I SAVED you from an actual assassin.” Nico explained as the guards grabbed his arms. Nico ripped his arms away and rushed over to Antonio. “This is a misunderstanding! There was someone behind you with a knife. I stopped them!”

Antonio stepped back as fast as he could.

“Please councilman, you have to believ—” THUNK! Nico’s vision started to go dark. The ground was getting closer. His head was ringing. The last thing he saw was the guards pick him up from the floor and started dragging him away.

The next morning, Nico awoke to his head still pounding. He groaned, every bruise and cut from last night's fight throbbing in protest. He opened his eyes to a thick and cold stone wall. He rolled over and saw three more stone walls surrounding the room. His head started to clear up enough to realize this wasn’t his room. Hay fell out of his toffee brown hair as he stood up. Definitely not his pillow either. He tried to rub the aching knot he felt at the back of his head and found his hands were chained together. This place was definitely a prison cell.

As he walked around the cell, he examined everything in the cell. The cell had four large stone walls with a metal door. There was one window cut out of the west wall above the hay pile that made the bed. The window was small but enough to see that the cell was at sea level with the Grand Canal. Under the window was fist sized dents into the stone. Whoever did that must have been insanely strong. Nico realized this cell was not just any common cell. This was a fortis cell, a specialty built cell to contain Crestborn and Jolt Berserkers. With triple reinforced stone walls and three foot thick metal doors, it didn't matter how enhanced or strong their crest abilities were, nobody was breaking out. Nico has seen these cells many times before but never imagined having to stay in one.

The memories from the night before started to flood Nico’s head. He gritted his teeth, rage simmering in his chest. Whoever framed him for attempting to assassinate Councilman Antonio would pay. He had saved the pompous windbag from a real assassin, and this was how he was repaid—accused of attempted murder and being thrown into prison like a common thief.

Nico approached the small cut out of a window. He couldn't see much as the waves of the canal splashed against the outside prison wall, small amounts of water finding its way into the cell. Venice was known for being unique compared to other cities. She was the only city that Nico knew of that was fully surrounded by water. The only way in or out of Venice was either by boat or the one bridge connected to the mainland. It was named the Grand Bridge but it looked more like a Roman aqueduct repurposed as a road.

The city did have layers like more cities do. Business ran along the Grand Canal and all its intersections. As you go closer to the richer part of town, the noble district, the land would start to go higher above the water. The Doge Palace and surrounding Noble houses sat at the highest point of the city, with guard towers and garrisons surrounding them all the way down the hill. Nico once called it Doge’s Castle because of how it felt getting past the walls and guards but his father corrected him fast, the Doge is not a king and therefore he does not live in a castle.

Small canals replaced all roads and only small bridges connected the many districts together. The city had two larger main canals. The smaller one was called the Grand Canal that snaked through the whole city. The Larger one ran along the outside of the city, simply called Venetian Lagoon. Boat races and building contests were frequent and rivaled any festival in scale and excitement.

Nico peaked over to the right of the window to see the tower.

Standing tall at the southeastern side of the city was a Roman made tower called Mors Tower. It was an enormous old tower sticking out of the water from a time long ago. This tower was so tall you could see it from the mainland miles away. It was bright white with two blue lines that zigzag across the surface all the way to the top. Near the top the tower had two arms that came out the sides forming a cross. Nico’s Teacher said that some Venetian historians believed all the Mors Towers across the kingdom were made long before the Romans claimed this land. Nico often fell asleep during that part of class and couldn't remember what the purpose of them was.

His thoughts faded as he heard two guards approach the metal door. “ Hands on the wall prisoner!” Nico walked up to the west wall and stood there with his hands on the wall. The guards entered and started patting him down. The left guard was taller than the right one and looked like the one in charge with his large sword at his waist. The right guard looked younger and healthier. One hand was gripping his sheathed dagger waiting for Nico to make a move.

“Looking for gold?” Nico asked as the left guard patted his sides..

“Shut up. You're late for your trial.” The right guard said.

Nico cracks a small smile “ Wouldn’t be the first time I was late. But at least this time it's not my fault.”

After they finished searching him, the guards grabbed Nico and started dragging him out of the cell. The prison hall was just more stone walls void of light from the lack of windows or lanterns. At the end of the hall was another metal door. As they made their way, he started to recognize the decorated hallways and paintings of famous people. Nico knew exactly where they were taking him. He was being taken to the council chamber.

As they approached the Council chamber, Nico took a deep breath. Stay calm. You can do this.

The guards shoved him through the towering wooden doors. Nico blinked at the sudden light and noise that assaulted him. The entire Council was there, all five members glaring at him from their carved oak thrones

He walked deeper into the ornate council chamber with a grim sense of foreboding. The council members were already seated behind a long table on an elevated dais, looking dazzling in red velvet robes and caps. As he stood in the center of the council chamber, bruised and bandaged, facing the disapproving gazes of the five council members. The head guard started to present the charges against him.

Councilman Antonio, pale but unharmed, sat in the center. His eyes were hard as flint as he gazed at Nico. On his left was councilman Zeno. He was a chubby middle-aged man who would often host cooking contests once a year at his inland villa. His jet black hair had streaks of white and his mustache matched.

On the right of Antonio was his father. Nico kept shooting looks at his father but he could never meet his eyes. Cassian would only look at the crowd that had gathered and the papers in front of him. Nico couldn't remember the other two councilman’s names. He didn't spend much time talking to them since they were in charge of merchant and naval issues, nothing that involved the Knight’s Order. Councilman Zeno stood up just as the head guard finished his statement.

"Knight Cornaro," Councilman Zeno began, "you stand accused of conspiring to assassinate Councilman Antonio during last night's ball. How do you plead?"

Nico took a deep breath, praying the Council would at least listen before passing judgment.

"Not guilty," He said firmly. "I did not attempt to assassinate councilman Antonio nor was I working with any assassin. I fought to protect Councilman Antonio from the true attacker. But I am being framed to take the fall for this failed attempt of murder."

Whispers rippled through the gallery. Nico kept his gaze fixed on the council members, refusing to be intimidated.

Councilman Zeno silenced the crowd. “ We have Councilman Antonio’s own words that you attempted to throw him over the ledge and slammed his head into the stone railing.”

"We have witnesses who saw you running away from the balcony." Councilman Antonio said. "And they saw you kill the two guards and take one of their swords.”

How could this be? Nico gritted his teeth, anger simmering in his chest. He just saved his life and now is being framed for it! Whoever meant to frame him for this, to destroy his reputation and have him possibly executed, they would not get away with it.

"Who are these witnesses? Surely they saw two people leave the balcony, the assassin who did kill those guards and myself who chased the assassin down." Nico said after collecting his thoughts. "I was attempting to stop the assassin from killing Councilman Antonio, not aid him."

"Where are the witnesses, Councilman Antonio?" Cassian asked.

“It does not matter who or where they are, I have their written testimonies right here.” Antonio waves a piece of paper in the air but it was too far away for Nico to see what it says.

Cassian continued. "Well Sir Nico, do you have any evidence or clues to help identify this assassin or support your claims?"

Nico hesitated. In the heat of the moment, he hadn't thought to look for clues identifying the assassin. "No," he admitted. "But I swear on my honor as a knight that I am telling the truth."

The council members whispered amongst themselves. Councilman Zeno's face started turning red as he argued with the rest, his voice rising from a small whisper every other sentence. Nico could not hear what they were saying but could tell his father did not like it. His father kept shaking his head repeatedly disapproving anything they said. Finally after what felt like an hour, Councilman Antonio rose, fixing Nico with a cold stare.

"Sir Nico Cornaro, The Council has voted and found you guilty. You are stripped of your knighthood and sentenced to death by beheading at dawn."

Nico's knees nearly buckled. This couldn't be happening. He was innocent—he didn't deserve to die! As the guards walked towards Nico to haul him from the chamber, a voice rang out. "I object!"

Nico turned to see Sir Deo Costa pushing through the crowd. The honored knight marched up to the Council table, eyes blazing. "This man is innocent. I will stake my honor and reputation on it."

Councilman Zeno frowned. "On what grounds do you make this claim, Sir Costa?"

"I have known Nico Cornaro since he was a boy," Sir Costa said. "He is many things—brash, reckless, foolish at times, and I mean really foolish, maybe even borderline dumb.”

Nico cried inside, silently thanking Deo for ensuring he gets beheaded.

Deo continued. “But he is not a murderer. Someone has framed him to take the fall for their crime."

"Why should we listen to you over what the council has decided?" Zeno demanded.

Sir Costa drew himself up proudly. "In my twenty years of service, have I ever lied or misled this Council? My word is my bond. If Nico is truly guilty, let him face redemption. Why waste a capable knight when we can use him? I demand he gain redemption by completing the Grand Labors of Service. And should he decide during any part of his labors to quit and run away, I will personally hunt him down and kill him.”

Murmurs rose at this suggestion. Inspired by the stories of the legendary hero Hercules, labors of service were often incredibly difficult or dangerous missions often reserved for the most skilled Knights. Though a rare and old tradition, it was still allowed under Venetian law. If Nico could complete this labor and return, it would prove his innocence and devotion to Venice.

Antonio paused for a moment. "The Council will consider your proposal, Sir Deo. Return Nico to the cell for now." He banged the gavel. "Court dismissed!"

The guards dragged Nico back to his prison cell, but for the first time since his arrest, hope flickered inside him. At least he wasn't about to lose his head. But what were the labors going to be? Why would anyone frame him? Why couldn't his father stop his execution?