The guards dragged Nico down the dimly lit stone corridor, their armor clanking with each step. His wrists rubbed raw from the cold metal chains binding them, and his shoulders ached from being wrenched behind his back. The guards shoved him into his cell. Nico stumbled but caught himself before hitting the floor. He whipped around, ready to say some choice words but the door was already slammed shut. Nico listened to the guards footsteps fade down the hall until silence filled the prison, broken only by the occasional drip of water and the scurry of rats.

He sank down onto the floor and leaned his head back against the wall. Who had framed him, and why? It didn’t make sense.

You’re smarter than this, he told himself. Think.

But his mind was too clouded by anger and fear to reason through the mystery. All he could see was the series of events in the council chamber, and the faces of his friends and family twisted in shame and sorrow. He shook his head roughly, biting back a shout of frustration. No. He wouldn’t fail. He would complete these labors, no matter what it took. No matter who he had to destroy in the process.

Justice would be served.

He paced the length of his cell like a caged wolf, his hands clenched into fists. Weakness and fear had caused enough harm already. If he'd been faster, stronger, braver, he could have saved his sister. If he hadn't faltered in the eyes of Councilman Antonio's, he never would have lost his promotion. If he was more focused on everyone’s safety instead, he could have stopped the assassin earlier and not be stripped of his knighthood in the first place.

He halted, leaning against the wall as a wave of shame and self-loathing washed over him. Antonio's harsh words from the night before echoed in his mind: "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 ground his teeth, torn between the desire to prove Antonio wrong and the fear of failing again. He couldn't stomach the thought of his father’s disappointment if he botched this chance to redeem himself. His sister was gone, followed by his mother shortly after. He only had his father left. The thought of losing him because of his own actions caused Nico’s stomach to turn.

Hours passed before the sound of the clank of the prison door opening shattered his brooding. He straightened as footsteps approached his cell, and the same two guards from earlier came inside.

"The council has reached a verdict," the shorter guard announced. "You will undertake ten labors to clear your name and prove your worth as a knight."

Nico swallowed hard, his mouth gone dry. Here was his opportunity, but now that opportunity felt too large to swallow? He stood there for a second to steeled himself and met the guard's gaze steadily. "I accept."

The head guard snorted. "As if you had a choice." He unlocked the cell door and yanked it open. "Now come. The Council is waiting to give you your first labor.."

Nico emerged from his cell, pulse racing. Fear and doubt warred within him, but he shoved them aside. He would not fail. Nico followed the guards out of the prison and through several hallways into the main hallway leading towards the Council Chamber. At the end of the hall, a man stood gazing out a stained glass window, hands clasped behind his back.

The man was wearing a green tunic with vertical red stripes. The man turned when Nico got closer. Nico recognized him before the man spoke.

"Leave us," Sir Deo said to the guards with a wave of his hand. They bowed and exited, entering the Council Chamber.

Sir Deo continued, "I've heard that the Council agreed to the labors, and I thought it best to come and offer you some guidance."

"Guidance?" Nico scoffed, anger started flaring in his chest. "What kind of guidance can you offer me when I'm stuck trying to prove my honor, accused of a crime I didn't commit?"

"Ah, but there is always wisdom to be found, even in the darkest of times," Sir Deo said gently. "You must remember that failure does not promise the end, but merely opportunities for growth."

Nico’s anger simmered down and a smile broke out. “ Who knew you would become such a scholar in your old age? You really are starting to sound like one of those boring books in father’s study.”

"Oh really? Who knew you would never get wiser as you entered manhood. Where has your recklessness led you?" Deo asked, a note of disappointment in his voice.

Nico flushed, dropping his gaze. "I did not try to assassinate Councilman Antonio," he said. "I saved his life."

"And yet here you are, stripped of your title and honor, about to undertake impossible labors to prove your worth," Deo said. His tone softened. "I know you did not attempt to kill Antonio, boy. You have always had a strong sense of justice, however misguided at times."

Nico's head snapped up, eyes wide. "I knew you believed me!"

"Of course." Sir Deo sighed. "I also know you must have a storm of emotions going on right now. But do not let fear rule you, Nico. To be a great knight, you must have courage in the face of uncertainty."

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Nico swallowed hard, thinking of his failure to protect his sister and the shame he believed he brought to his father. "What if I falter again?" he asked quietly. "What if I cannot complete these labors?"

"You will not falter if you do not give in to fear and doubt," Sir Deo said. "I have failed many times in my life, but I never gave up.”

Deo lifted his tunic and pointed to a scar on the left side of his stomach. “ I got this while trying to stop a small riot in Udine. Impaled by a farmer’s pitchfork and I dropped to the ground crying in pain. I laid there thinking I was going to die. I was panicking, worried that I would die so far from home. Now I could have given up and just died in the middle of that dirty street, but I instead steeled my emotions. I pulled the pitchfork out of my body, grabbed a nearby torch and burnt the wound closed. I did not leave until I finished what I was there to do. This is the mark of a true knight: perseverance and courage against all odds."

Nico stared at his mentor for a moment, taking in the wisdom of his words. Deo had always been there for him. Being his father’s right hand man meant Nico saw him all the time. Deo had become an uncle to him. When Nico learned Deo was going to be training his class at the Venetian Crest Knights Academy, He knew Deo would make sure his skills were second to none.

Slowly, seeds of determination began to take root within him, pushing aside the doubts and fears that had plagued him since his arrest. If Sir Deo could overcome such a harrowing ordeal, then perhaps there was hope for Nico, too.

He placed a hand on Nico's shoulder, eyes with a sparkle of kindness. "You have the makings of a great knight, my boy. Do not doubt yourself. Believe in your abilities and stay true to your purpose. You will prevail."

"Besides," Deo added with a small smile, "you always did have a knack for getting into – and out of – trouble."

Nico stood a little straighter, determination igniting within him. Sir Deo was right—he could not fail if he did not give up. He would face these labors without fear and prove to all that he deserved to be a knight.

"Thank you," he said, inclining his head to Sir Deo.” Now I just have to complete ten near impossible labors, great.”

The older knight smiled. "Or I can just impale you in the stomach ten times?” Deo laughed. “Now go, and trust in yourself. Soon we will be celebrating your freedom."

Nico turned and marched into the hall, Sir Deo's words echoed in his mind. He was ready to face the first labor. Nico stood before the council, shoulders back and head held high. His heart burning to prove his innocence and worthiness to be a knight once more.

A crowd of solemn faces stared at Nico as he stood before the Council, their expressions betraying a mix of curiosity and suspicion. At the head of the table sat Councilman Antonio, his lips pursed as he scrutinized the young knight.

"Ah, Nico," Councilman Zeno said, stepping forward with a nod. "We have been discussing your situation, and an opportunity has presented itself."

"An opportunity?" Nico raised an eyebrow, glancing uncertainty at the council members.

"Indeed," Councilman Zeno continued. "There is a mission that requires someone of your particular talents. Former Knight Cornaro, the council has deliberated and agreed upon the first of your ten labors. Succeed, and you will be one step closer to proving your innocence and regaining your knighthood."

Nico's heart raced at the prospect, but he couldn't deny the wave of fear that threatened to engulf him. "What is this Labor?"

Councilman Antonio leaned forward, gaze piercing. "You must travel west to Lake Iseo, near Milan, to investigate and put a stop to the ghost of lake Iseo that has apparently turned cruel and started terrorizing the local village. Do this, and complete your first labor.”

Murmurs rose from the crowd. The ghost of lake Iseo was a known story to even those born in Venice. It’s said that the ghost helps grow the land around the lake and helps the harvest be insanely plentiful. But if you ever make her mad, lightning will strike you where you stand. Lake Iseo was close to the Bergamo Alps, mountains that helped create the border of Venice’s land. Nico was not familiar with the region but he didn't worry. He thought of Sir Deo's words and steeled himself. He will not fail.

Nico stepped forward and dropped to one knee. "Councilmen," he said, his voice strong and clear, "I accept the labors you have set before me. I will journey across the land and complete each task you require - no matter the challenge. And when I return, victorious, the truth of my innocence will be proven once and for all."

Antonio's lips curled into a sneer. "We shall see. Guards, take him away to prepare for the journey."

They gave him one hour to leave.

Nico first stopped at the armory to recover his armor and sword. Crest Knights did not wear fully plated armor like other common knights. Fully plated armor often restricted a Crest Knight’s ability to move at full speed, Nico himself was able to outrun a galloping horse at full speed. Any extra plating for protection dropped his speed to that of a horse’s trot. More armor on the arms often limited Crest knights from swinging their swords at intense speeds.

Nico’s armor included a red brigandine chest piece, a doublet hiding overlapping metal plates underneath. His family crest, the House of the Lion, was sewn on the left side of the chest. The shoulders and arms lacked any additional plating. Most Crest Knights left their arms exposed to help make sure their crest marks were more visible to everyone. Nico’s own Crest mark was on his left arm. The mark matched almost exactly like his family crest. Nico asked his mother once why they were the same, her only reply was it was to show the power behind the Cornaro name.

After Nico finished putting on his armor, next came his sword and the belt holding his scabbard. Nico looked over the blade to make sure it didn't have any new dents along the edges. He knew the staff would often play with new swords when no one was looking. Once they even broke a brand new sword that one of Nico’s friends purchased that same day. It took all of Nico’s strength to just keep his friend from jumping over the counter and killing the front counter guy.

He ran his hand over the dark wood hilt and rubbed the gemstone pommel. This sword was a gift from his father, his present for graduating from the academy. His father had it custom made with the highest quality elementium and had the blacksmith install a gemstone his mother used to wear into the pommel. Nico was glad to see it again and slid it back into its scabbard.

He made his way out of the Doge’s Palace grounds and Straight towards the Grand Bridge, the only bridge leading out of Venice and into the mainland. Nico looked around at the surrounding buildings. He watched as people went about their day. Gondolas racing across the water lanes. Larger ships sat in the Grand Canal being unloaded of their treasures. He had a feeling he wouldn't see his home for a while.

As Nico started crossing the Grand Bridge, he began hearing the sound of two horses galloping, growing larger behind him. Nico turned to see Sir Deo riding on one horse and holding the reins of the other.

“Care for some company?” Deo asked as he approached, slowing the horses down to a trot.

“ You’re allowed to join me?” Nico asked, confused. ” I thought these Labors were for me alone?”

Deo slid off the horse and turned to Nico “Oh, I’m definitely not allowed to help you, the Council made that clear with me after you left.”

“Oh.” Nico’s face dropped looking at the ground.

Deo hit Nico’s shoulder in jest. “But your father did task me with a mission in Como, about a day’s ride past Iseo. So, it looks like we will be traveling together!”

Nico did feel better that we wouldn't have to travel to Iseo all alone. “That's great, but the guards at the stable would not give me a horse. How did you get one?”

Deo laughs. “You asked?” He tapped his horse and started galloping down the bridge.

Nico smiled as he mounted his horse and began riding down the Grand Bridge towards the mainland.