Later, Relma paced restlessly within the cell as she thought about what to do. At least it was fairly large, with rough stone walls and straw on the floor. There was one window with bars, and one could see the branches of a tree out it. Estela sat at the far end, arms crossed and hair falling in front of one eye. The silence lasted until; finally, Estela sighed and looked up. "You should just give him the sword."

"What?" said Relma. "How can you say that?"

"Oh, come off it, Relma!" said Estela. "You're a terrible fighter. You've lost just about every fight you've ever been in."

"I defeated Ham Hawthorne in the Tournament of Kings," said Relma defensively.

"He was angry, half-drunk, and overconfident," said Estela. "And he still almost crushed you." Estela had a point. But it was a point that was aimed completely off the mark. "Well, I don't see what it has to do with not giving up the symbol of Harlenor Reunited to Anias."

"Do you really think the Lords of Gel Carn are going to tolerate this?" asked Estela. "We can just come back later with an army and take it back."

Assuming such an army could be gathered. And it would still be a breach of trust. "Lightning Trail is a symbol, Estela. If I hand that symbol over to Anias, I am handing over everything it represents. And anyway, Elranor wouldn't approve."

Estela stood up and brushed the hair out of her face. "Have you talked to him about this?"

"No, but it seems the sort of thing he would disapprove of," said Relma. "Though I suppose I might be wrong. I should pray.

"What are you even worried about?"

"We're prisoners, Relma," said Estela as if that made things obvious.

"We're prisoners who Lady Pandora the Sorceress has a vested interest in," said Relma with a shrug. "Do you think Anias will be able to hold us here? We don't have to do anything. Pandora will do something any minute now, and the whole scheme will come tumbling down.

"I don't think Anias thought this through very well."

"Do you even pay attention?" asked Estela. "Lady Pandora hates clashing with nobility. If she makes a scene here, it could have serious repercussions."

Relma shrugged. "I never said it would be obvious. It's not as if I'm expecting her to transform Reginald into a bear, kick in the doors, and murder all the guards. She will probably transform Lord Anias into a snake or something.

"She'd have to be a monstrous egomaniac to do that. And Aunt Pan is more sensible than that. No, she'll do something subtle as soon as she finds out about this.

"We'd better make sure she finds out sooner," She paused as a thought occurred, and she saw a bird on the branches. "Well, we've got a window." She made her way over to it and reached out at the bird. "Hello there, come here."

The bird leaped down to land on her finger. Estela scoffed. "Oh, so now you can talk to birds." Relma shrugged. "I don't think I can. Talk less in the sounds. I understand what they mean by reading their spirits.

"Excuse me, could you go to Pandora? You know her?" She heard a chirp. "Good, go and tell her that the Heir of Kings is being held captive. Go now."

The bird flew off. With that done, Relma thought about what to do next. After a moment, he made her way over to the door and looked through the bars. "Excuse me, guard."

The guard glanced back. "What is it?"

"What's your name?" asked Relma.

"I'm not here to talk with you." said the guard.

"Can you take a message to Lord Anias for me?" asked Relma.

The man paused before turning to her in full. "I'm listening."

"I heard that there was a boy in the dungeons," said Relma. "He burned his hand while trying to steal something. I was hoping to heal him."

"Why do you care?" asked the guard.

"Well, I believe even thieves deserve to be healed of their injuries," said Relma.

The guard sighed and glanced at one of his fellows. "...Anis, go to Asus and ask on her behalf." Anis ran off. Relma turned and walked to sit down next to Estela. The knight frowned at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting out of the cell," said Relma in a low tone. "People have no reason to take me seriously, and I'll be able to get a look at the castle."

Estela nodded. "...Right."

The guard came back, and Asus was with him. Asus opened the door and stepped in. "Lord Anias has given his permission. Come with me."

And so Relma was led away. So she began to talk. "...So, how long have you served Lord Anias?"

"Twelve years now," said Asus. "I trained in Magicora in my youth. I was forced to flee the city thanks to the machinations of my enemies. Anias pays me well, however."

"And do you feel alright about helping him keep his guests captive?" asked Relma.

"Morality isn't real," said Asus. "People do whatever they think they can get away with. Those who try to hold to ideals end up dead or poor."

"No, they don't," said Relma. "I'm neither. And so are plenty of old people I know."

"You're young and stupid," said Asus. "Spend a few years doing mercenary work to keep food on the table and then tell me you'd never do anything 'evil' for pay."

"Did you?" asked Relma.

Asus sighed. "Yes.

"I had to do whatever jobs I could get. Anias pays me well, and I have a stable lifestyle in his service. That's all I ask."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Relma.

They walked in silence and eventually came to the cell. A soldier was standing guard there and saluted. "Sir Asus."

"This girl is here to see the boy," said Asus. "Bring her to the cell."

"Yes, sir." said the man before opening the door.

Relma was led into the cell and saw a brown-haired boy covered in bruises and lying in the straw. He'd suffered a lot more than a burned hand since his attempt at theft. And Lord Anias was every bit as much of a thief. There was an irony there.

"Is this him?" asked Relma.

"Yes," said Asus.

"Who are you?" asked the boy as Relma approached.

"You don't need to be afraid," said Relma, kneeling by him. "I heard you got hurt. I can help."

"My hand is still aching." said the boy.

Relma touched the boy's shoulder and channeled the will of Elranor. She felt his injuries and fought against them, soothing the pain. Little by little, the injuries disappeared. But the burn on his hand was harder; it seemed to cling to the flesh. Relma felt sweat drip down her brow as she tried to fix it.

At last, it was gone.

"There, it should be fine now," said Relma. "Where did you get these bruises?"

"The guards," said the boy, "they beat me. They said I was a filthy thief. But... but all I wanted to do was see inside."

"Ironic, isn't it?" asked Relma. "They mistreat you for being a thief. But I'm only here in this cell because Lord Anias is trying to steal something from me." She made her way out with Asus, who eyed her.

"This is all very kind of you," said Asus flatly as he shut the door. "He'll hang today."

"What?" said Relma. "Why?"

"He tried to rob a knight," said Asus with a shrug. "Anias chose to hang him."

"But Estela said she didn't want him to hang," said Relma.

"Estela is not the Lord Culhorn," said Asus. "Of course, he may consider a pardon in exchange for an act of goodwill."

"He's killing a child so that he can add a sword to his collection," said Relma. "For a crime that he is committing."

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Asus flatly. "Give him Lightning Trail, and the boy will be pardoned."

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Relma remained silent for a moment. If she gave up Lightning Trail, he might live. But wouldn't it be far worse if she did? She couldn't submit to this blackmail, not for anything. "I... I can't! I can't! It isn't mine to give."

"How unfortunate," said Asus. "Take the boy."

The men entered the cell and pulled the boy out as Relma watched in horror.

"What's going on?" said the boy. But no one answered as he was dragged away.

"This is wrong," said Relma. "You must know that!"

"It's ordered," said Asus.

"Orders or not, your soul is yours to damn or save," said Relma, feeling suddenly detached and furious. Asus seemed very small all of a sudden. "Do you think Elranor will accept that excuse when you stand before his throne?"

"No, please!" said the boy. "I wasn't going to steal anything, I swear it! I swear!"

The guard hit him. "Shut up, brat!"

Asus' expression flickered with conflict for a moment. His gaze seemed vulnerable for a single instant. Then he scowled, and his expression hardened. His heart had been hardened, and he would follow through with it. His choice was made; she could see into his soul. "If you want to save the boy, you will yield Lightning Trail to Lord Anias."

Relma found herself led in a blur through the halls, then to a balcony overlooking the gallows. A noose had been tied, and people were gathering. Lord Anias stood there with armed guards. Asus was behind Relma, fingering his knife with doubt. But it needed to be stronger.

"My people, today, we will see justice for a most serious crime," said Anias. "This boy, Richard Aucust, was caught attempting to steal from the noble Lady Estela—a knight who travels in the company of the Heir of Kings.

"Today, we will see the punishment dealt to this heretic."

"You can still save him, you know," said Asus, doubt in his voice. "All you have to do is agree to yield the sword. Then I will send a signal to stop the execution."

"I've already told Pandora what is going on here," said Relma, appealing to his pragmatism. "She'll be on her way soon."

Fear opened his heart again as Asus shifted. But the promise of future rewards and the fear of losing what he had closed it. "Lady Pandora is in no position to stop us. The spirits are working against you by the will of Lucius. Spirits that are only too willing to work for me.

"I observed that much. It's why Lord Anias is risking this."

Then, the crowds began to murmur. Gradually, they parted as Lady Pandora emerged, looking far larger than before. Something about her radiated power. "Lord Anias, what is the meaning of this?"

Anias smirked, or so Relma guessed. It seemed like something he would do. "Lady Pandora, I see you are here to observe justice done."

"I've observed more than that," said Pandora. "Where is the Lady Estela and her squire?"

"They are guests within my house, of course," said Lord Anias. "This is merely a demonstration. Now I must ask you to stand back and allow justice to be done."

"How is this justice?" asked Lady Pandora. "Lady Estela specifically said that she wanted no harm done to the boy." Why was Relma thinking of her as Lady Pandora? It was like she was someone else right now.

"Whatever she wants, he has violated my laws, and so, barring some miracle or pardon, must die," said Anias.

"Aunt Pan! Help!" called Relma down toward her. Why hadn't she called for help before?

"She cannot hear you," said Asus. "The spells within this place prevent any words from carrying through to the outside."

"What are you after by this, Anias?" asked Lady Pandora.

"You wound me, Lady Pandora," said Lord Anias, voice cold. "Carry on with the execution. Now."

As the boy was dragged to the noose, Relma found something furious within her awaken. Gradually, it was fitted around his neck. "Please! Please don't hurt me! I didn't; I didn't-" Asus had let go of her. Relma turned around, grabbed his knife, drew it out, and stabbed him in the leg. He screamed and fell as Relma leaped onto his chest. "Arg! You little bitch, how dare-"

She put the knife to his eye. A cold fury was on her, and he must have seen it. "Listen to me carefully, Asus. You will signal Lord Anias that I've agreed to your demands. Or I'm going to cut out your eyes.

"I never want to kill anyone, so this is the next best thing. And you can be healed later. Understand?"

Asus shuddered, looking as though he'd seen a ghost. "Yes."

There was a brilliant flash of light above them. No doubt that was the signal. "So, it appears there has been a sign from Elranor. Very well, Lady Pandora. Consider the boy pardoned." Relma felt sick all of a sudden. She had hurt someone, nearly stabbed out his eyes. It had been cruel and horrible and unforgivable. Asus grabbed her arms and threw her off. Throwing her onto the floor he wrestled his knife around from her in a fury.

Relma saw in him a horrible fury born of greed. He was angry at the pain he had suffered. Angry at the humiliation she had dealt to him. Angry at possible punishment. But most of all, he was enraged by the money he would lose.

"You miserable little brat!" Asus snarled, humanity fleeing from his face as he raised the knife. "Threaten me, will you!"

And then a poleaxe went to Asus' throat. He stared, and Relma looked up to see Fayn standing there. "Excuse me."

"Fayn?" said Relma.

"Still naive then?" said Fayn.

Then she surged forward, and Asus' head fell off his shoulders. It rolled to the edge of the balcony as his body spewed blood. It collapsed to its knees, then fell on the ground. Relma scrambled back, horrified. She hadn't wanted Asus to die. If he'd lived, maybe he would have become good.

Fayn's reaction was understandable, even justified. But...

"You didn't have to kill him," said Relma.

"Do you think this axe was meant for hugging?" asked Fayn. "Come on; we've got to get out of here."

Relma shook her head. The situation had escalated. "No, it was really stupid. Before, all we did was deceive Anias. Now we've killed one of his subordinates. And Asus could have been useful after waking up." She followed Fayn. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Cin'Dar kept track of your location by the fires on the walls," said Fayn. "He told me where you were. Anias shortchanged me and only gave me half of what I was promised. So I went to save you and spite him. Now come on, we've got to get Estela out of here."

Guards ran down one hall toward them. "The prisoner is free!"

Fayn raised her axe, and the flames shot from the torches to bar their way. "That should hold them for a time."

They moved through the halls. Periodically, Fayn would block off halls to keep guards from following them. Several more guards who tried to block their way were disarmed in moments. At last, they came to the cell. Several guards were slammed about a bit by the flat of Fayn's axe. The rest ran.

"Here we are," said Fayn.

"So are we going to pick the lock or-" began Relma.

Fayn raised her axe and brought it down on the lock with a flash of fire. She cleaved right through. The door swung open as Fayn stepped through. "No. No, we are not." Estela stood up. "Fayn?"

"Estela, glad to see you here," said Fayn. "Come on. We're getting out of here."

"Not without Lightning Trail," said Relma.

"We can't get Lightning Trail," said Fayn. "Anias and his guards are headed straight for it."

"Then we'll just have to get there first," said Relma. "Where is it?"

Fayn sighed. "...Fine, it's in the Great Hall. Come on."

Estela snatched up a sword from one of the unconscious guards, and they ran. They heard or saw no sign of the guards as they did so. Then, ahead of them, they heard Anias. "Where is Asus?"

"No word from him, sir. It seems that the Heir of Kings escaped after he gave the signal," said a voice. "She's probably going to make a run for it."

"It is of no great concern," said Anias in a cheerful tone. "Now that she has yielded authority over Lightning Trail to me, I may add it to my collection. It shall be my greatest prize yet."

They reached the Great Hall and saw Anias approaching the wall. On that wall was hung Lightning Trail. It was flashing in the light, seeming to glare with anger.

"With respect, sir, you should be careful," said a man. "The servants who touched the blade were burned. We've had to handle it with gloves until now."

"That was when the Heir of Kings held it," said Lord Anias, drawing off his gloves. "Now, it is mine." And he reached out for it.

Relma realized that if he took Lightning Trail, he would die. Someone else would have let it happen, but the memory of Asus' death was in her mind. Everything he could have been, all the good he might have accomplished. It was cut short — all for one moment of mercilessness.

Relma ran forward. "No, wait!"

But it was too late. Anias took hold of the sword, then there was a flash and a scream. The old man fell backward, his skin blackened, and smoking, and Lightning Trail spun from his hand. It landed point down in the flagstones before Relma. She felt sick and thought she was about to throw up as she checked the body.

"...Lord Anias?" asked a servant woman clad in white.

"He's dead," said Relma.

"Seize them!" said the guard from before.

"For what?" asked the servant.

"...Killing Lord Anias," said the guard after a moment.

"They didn't kill Lord Anias," said the servant woman. "If anything, she tried to stop him from touching it."

"Well, still, she's an intruder," said the guard. "Our orders-"

"Our orders came from Lord Anias," said the servant woman. "He's dead. This means this place will go to whoever in his family is closest by blood. He didn't have any sons."

"But shouldn't we take them into custody?" asked the guard.

"She's the Heir of Kings," said the servant. "Her sword kills people other than her who touch it. As long as Anias gave the orders, I was willing to follow them. But I'll not be held responsible for heresy."

"Is it heresy?" asked the guard.

There were several contemplative murmurs at this. "I think so," said the servant woman after a moment.

"Which means Anias' lands may well be forfeit to the church," said the guard. "Damn it, where is Asus, exactly?"

"He's dead," said Relma, feeling miserable.

"Did you kill him?" asked the servant.

"No," said Relma. "I threatened him with a knife into telling Anias I'd given up Lightning Trail. Then he got free and tried to kill me. Then Fayn chopped his head off from behind."

More contemplative murmurs. "...Meaning Asus was probably guilty of heresy as well," said the servant woman.

"Alright, that's it. I've had enough," said the guard. "I'm washing my hands of this whole nonsense. Take the sword and get out of this village. Best do it before people start asking inconvenient questions. I'll let Steward Benarus or someone in authority decide what to do about this mess."

"You're taking all this pretty well," said Estela.

"Anias paid his dues on time, at least to us," said the guard. "But he wasn't exactly pleasant company. And anyway, what am I supposed to do? Kill you and your friends, then Lady Pandora, before being hung by Benarus?"

"Good point," said Estela. "What's your name?"

The guard sighed. "Anagoth.

"I'll remember that," said Relma. "Um, where did Anias put Estela's blade?"

"It's by the door, waiting for her," said Anagoth. "He wasn't planning on stealing anything. Just extorting you."

A door opened, and Ham Hawkthorne rushed in. The big man was clad in reddish armor and held his sword in one hand, freshly bloodied. His helmet was off, and he was coated in sweat. and he walked with a limp before falling to one knee. "Anagoth! Anagoth! Where are Anias and Asus?"

"Anias is there," said Anagoth. "Asus is somewhere else without a pulse. What is it?"

"Dead? Damn, it all! The woodsmen have reports for us," said Ham. "A huge force of satyrs is heading to the castle as we speak. They'll be here at any hour. I had to fight a dozen of them on my way out and narrowly got out." He looked to Relma. "Milady, what is going on here? I didn't even know you were here."

"It's a long story," said Estela. "We'll tell you later."

"Focus," said Anagoth. "Rally the men." Then he looked at them. "Estela, Fayn, you've deprived us of two swords today. Kindly replace them."

"He's right," said Relma. "We've got to help."

"Heir of Kings-" began Anagoth.

"My name is Relma," said Relma.

"Do you have any skills?" asked Anagoth.

"Well, I'm a decent fighter," said Relma. "But I can heal people. I'm better at that."

"Good," said Anagoth. "I'll place you behind the lines to heal the wounded. You'll be of use and won't get killed there. Kindly go to Lady Pandora and your other companions. Ask them for help. I expect we'll need their help soon."

"Right," said Relma.

Only once Relma was out of sight did she allow herself to throw up. She'd wished she'd had a chance to talk with Ham in better circumstances.