We settled into the Short Step Inn for the night to let Nadia rest. Her health was back to full but she was exhausted from the ordeal. Nadia let the townspeople know that they could renounce Eter without the same penalty she suffered if they wanted too. Her ranking in the army and going against an order from her King was the cause of the severity of hers.

While we ate I listened as Nadia filled Risco in on everything that had happened since the frameworks' arrival. Risco had retired shortly before the war with Norx began and had chose not to re-enlist in the army. He seemed to be angry at Eter and the army for something that had happened. Nadia told him about how the King had changed and what was happening in the city in more detail than her previous letter could have.

“The King was always power hungry, he was just scared of ruining his reputation. All that man cares about is what people think about him, he will do anything to seem more powerful and in control.” Risco said in disgust.

“I’m sure it feels good to gloat but we have bigger problems than your ego Risco.” Nadia answered in frustration. “Will you help us? You still have contacts among the city's nobility.”

“Bah. Fools are probably loving the increased power that comes with being connected to the King.” He replied and shook his head. “I will travel with you to Etes and see for myself what is happening. I can’t convince anyone from all the way out here.”

“How long do you need?” Nadia asked him.

“I can be ready to leave tomorrow, not much to do around here after the soldiers finished their work.” Risco answered sadly.

Nadia turned to look at me and spoke, “we are about forty miles from Etes out here. If you leave now you can make it before daylight. I will draw you a map of the tunnels that you can use to get through the walls without being Identified. As well as the names and safewords of people I trust that can help you.” She hesitated before continuing.

“I would stay far away from your old home, Sylar. The King is surely watching it and everyone you knew or interacted with for signs of you. You will need to stay discreet to avoid detection from his cronies. I believe that you are strong enough to take anyone out in a small environment but you can’t fight his entire Kingsworn.” She said.

“I understand. Just give me as much information as you can to help me when I get there. What will you be doing?” I asked her.

“I am going to visit the rest of the towns on this side of Etes and try to rally as many people as I can to fight against the King. We need pressure from every city and town to force the council and nobles to act. They will not move against the King if they believe that he remains in a powerful position.”

“We have a few members of the first army scattered throughout the area waiting and preparing to move. We hope to gather numbers big enough to force them to close the gates to the city and receive the siege peacefully. From there we can negotiate the King’s surrender on the outside and in the public’s eye while working from the inside to destabilize his reign.”

“When you get into the city head to the crafters district. I have a friend in place at one of the smithies called the Mangler. His name is Ruben and he can help you hide. When you approach the counter in his store ask for he who mangles, it's an old joke between friends that he will know. Tell him about us and whats happened, the information will be valuable to him and buy your protection.”

“Once you make it in and get to the Mangler you need to lay low. Your mother is likely being held in the King's personal dungeon in the palace. He will want to keep a close eye on her assuming he is truthful with his motives. The Kings dungeon is above ground in one of the palace wings, Ruben may be able to help with more information. I have never been to that part of the palace so all my knowledge is old and secondhand.”

She hesitated before continuing, “one last thing, you can’t bring your companions with you. They are far too conspicuous for the city.” She went silent after that and waited for me.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Yeah we already discussed that. Marci will fly back to the forest before I make it to Etes and Van will return whenever he feels like it.” I said, not letting the silence linger. Van was sprawled out on the floor after eating his fill of vegetables for dinner. Marci was perched on my shoulder but her eyes were closed, she felt asleep.

“Before I leave I want a chance to explore that apothecary for supplies.” I said and looked over to Risco. We had already agreed on this before and I wanted to make sure he wouldn’t change his mind.

“Of course. I’ll make you a deal, you make us health potions in exchange for whatever you want. I don’t know the values of those types of things so I’ll have to trust you. Be fair to us, we don’t have the resources of major towns. Raimus' wife....hasn’t been taking it well. I don’t know if she will be there or not. ” He said.

“I will take a look and let you know. Where do you want me to leave the health potions that I craft?” I asked him.

“Just leave them in the shop. No one is going to steal them out here.” He answered.

I finished my food and left the Inn. I was anxious to get started on the journey to Etes but needed to pace myself. I had no idea what I was walking into and wanted to be as well prepared as possible. I went through my notifications next but there was nothing exciting. Neither Van, Marci or I got enough experience from the Kingsworn to level.

The apothecary door was unlocked and the smell of ingredients hit me as I entered. The air was stale and dusty but there was enough light filtering in to see. The shelves were full of different types of plants, powders and liquids. I looked around for any kind of recipe book when a voice startled me.

“Who are you? Come to kill the rest of us?” A middle aged woman was leaning over the countertop. She stared at me for a few moments before taking a deep drink from a cup.

“My name is Sylar, I just wanted to see what you have. I am a friend of Risco’s and helped drive off the Kingsworn. I can pay you or trade with you, I can make a small number of potions.” I offered, and approached the counter. The smell of alcohol hit me as I neared her. There were dozens of bottles littered around the counter.

“Trade huh? What good will it do when the King can kill us all whenever he wants.” She mumbled. She turned to me again and shrugged “hell take a look around. Let me know what you want.”

“I was hoping you would have some potion recipes. I only know a few of them, I wouldn’t even know how to use most of these ingredients.” I answered her honestly. A boy had walked out from one of the back rooms to join the woman. He looked to be around thirteen or fourteen with a small and slight build.

“Can you teach me? Can you teach me how to make potions? Father was trying but...” The boy had spoken up and then trailed off. Tears formed in the corner of his eyes.

“His father was the only one in town that had the alchemy skill. He was trying to teach it to a few of the townspeople but no one got the skill.” The woman said and pulled the boy into a side hug.

“I am sorry but I don’t have time to stay here. I need to get to Etes soon, my mother is there and she's in danger.” I explained. “Have Risco send word to Arthur in the mine, he will know what that means, we have several people there that have learned the skill. You may be able to travel there and learn it, it's not too far.”

“You speak for them in this?” The woman asked.

I hesitated and thought about it. “I do.” I answered.

“Take a look around and pick out what you want. We also have a couple of guides you can read if you want.” She motioned around the room.

It took the better part of an hour with the shopkeeper's help to pick out what I wanted. I had the ingredients to make a couple dozen health potions and hallowed lights. I read over the guides and managed to successfully craft each one after a few tries with my portable kit. Being able to craft with my portable kit meant being able to store it in my inventory for the health potions, the rest would have to be physically stored unless I used the table back at the mine.

I met back up with Van and Marci outside of the wall on the west side of the town. I said my goodbyes to Van over our bond. He radiated frustration but also friendship and love. He pounded on his chest and let out an ear splitting roar. I pounded my chest in return and held his eyes for a moment until he turned and started back to the forest. Marci gave a sad chirp and settled in on my shoulder. I turned around and started walking towards Etes. It would take me about six hours at a fast jog to make it before the morning.