Daniel wondered if the pains in his head were the beginning of the throws of insanity. Like dark waves, troubled and heavy thoughts ravaged his mind.

He knew he was a pawn. He had known it for five years. He had suspected it even longer. His lack of favor in his own Faction had robbed him of much of the ego other Lordlings suffered. (But was it truly ego if a young Lordling did well and was praised for it, and thus felt secure in their own person?)

“We were set up. Someone is trying to resurrect the Dungeon. I have no choice but to brave it. There will be other designs to force me to proceed. In direct contrast to the Game, the Law of Fae is mute there. I must survive three rounds. And a Dungeon so reviled that the Fairy King himself destroyed it. Is the Game already over?” He mused. He had seen his Lordly Father’s displeasure firsthand. But he doubted very much he would survive seeing the animosity of the Fairy King of the Seelie Courts.

“Actually, Lordship…” Kenton said, forgetting that Daniel was now a servant. “I don’t think even the Watchers know.”

Daniel didn’t correct him, so surprised and hopeful of that news. “I have been observed all day by those reviewing this Game. Even if an ally views it, I cannot count that everyone will keep mum.” That was the rule he knew, secrets were too heavy a burden to share. When there was a benefit to be had, betrayal was expected.

“They can’t see here.”

“What?”

“Those…respectable High Fae who like to watch and spy. The Stable doesn’t like them spying. As far as my mentor knew.”

Daniel wanted to ask more questions, as he realized the Game was still somewhat muted, and the Law of Fae was dulled. It was believable that this was true. “How trustworthy was your mentor?”

“She was a Midling Fae, but she was a daughter of a High Fae.

That was unexpected. “She was unable to gather power?”

Kenton nodded. “You see that. Normally there are a few generations before those who can’t gather power start working, but…Sorry, that’s unrelated. She told me, that one time she had me tied up over a pit of snapping crocodiles, that no one could see us, and she wouldn't get blamed even if I died! So afterward, I investigated a bit...sorry, rambling again. But truly, there are places in the Stable no one can see, for a myriad of reasons. It’s dangerous because more bad things can happen here. But it is very different to view directly here, and some rooms, like these, are all but impossible to see. I’m a mapper, kid. It’s what I do. Or did. Because I retired. But the Stable dislikes spying, and it has a big grudge against any of the king’s hands. Ever wonder why you won’t see high-level enforcers here?”

Unexpected protection. Someone had left Daniel in a world of trouble, and set up an ally, knowing that there would be blind spots. Valuable information indeed.

But it only deepened Daniel’s feelings of being set up and led around like a tool or a puppet.

Daniel rubbed his neck.

Another secret. He already had too many.

The Dungeon was coming back, and the king did not know yet. But someone did know, and either wanted to return the Dungeon, or remove Daniel (And perhaps the entire Red Sword Faction if they truly teased the Fairy King’s disfavor).

While Daniel had few fond memories of Lordly Father, he still felt loyalty to his Faction. He at one point was the Heirling of the Red Sword. While many leaders had spoken against him and tried to assassinate him, there were plenty of ordinary fae just doing their duties, living their lives. He even understood why some had attempted to assassinate him, forcing him to prove his mettle. Others even grew to respect him, especially after his Circle’s rise to popularity.

If the Red Sword Faction was destroyed, the ripples across all the Seelie would be unmeasurable.

Like a wicked wind through a cave, Daniel felt like his spirit was being drawn into the unassuming door that had just moments ago led into the Dungeon. He could imagine the Fear lingering on the other side of the door, hand on the latch, tapping softly.

All of Daniel's training and preparation to understand the workings and the relationships with the Law of Fae would fail him inside the Dungeon. Even now, the Law of Fae still seemed so muted and cold compared to before.

Kenton's confidence that the Stable had places that outsiders could not view did not reassure Daniel. Instead, it made him realize just how deep this had been planned.

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“The world is a stage,” Daniel said, awashed in dread and fear. “The world is a stage, and I but a tool used to move forward someone else’s plot. I must win the Game, and yet I must spend time in the Stable. While in the Stable, the Dungeon will try to grab me and force me to complete it. And this, as well as everything else, may have been arranged by another’s hand.”

As of 10 years ago, someone had given the former mapper a new position. While Kenton was (probably) not a spy, he had been used as a pawn as well. Because of Kenton’s influence, the Red Circle had known more about the Stable than other Circles. And because of Elswith’s nature, he had known even more. All his childhood, Elswith had viewed Kenton’s former occupation as a source of good stories and adventures, when he thought of Kenton at all.

Could he have survived in the Dungeon without his knowledge of the Stable? Kenton was the one who even told the young lordlings about the Eastern Red Room to begin with. Kenton had causally educated them on the safe ways to navigate the Stable, tricks to remember where you were, how to get lost, and more importantly, unlost in the Stable.

Daniel had used those tricks to get back.

And someone had used Kenton’s affable nature to secure Daniel an unlikely ally.

Had all those years been set up? Arranged?

“Puppets,” Daniel said, watching Kenton darkly. “All along, dancing to someone else’s song.”

Depression hit Daniel as hopelessness assaulted him.

How to overcome and survive when every step seemed to be of someone else’s plan?

Outside of doing nothing, as Parcel had done, letting all the games sweep past and over, letting all the power and influence go down the river, saying goodbye to hopes of the future, and instead clinging to the edges of a fraying cloth, it seemed hopeless.

“I’m no one’s puppet,” Kenton answered, friendly tone gone. It was as serious as any war meeting Daniel had ever attended.

Daniel looked back to Kenton. He still looked affable, but there was a determined set to his face, his amber eyes steely like a human sword.

“I’ve survived a long time, Elswith. Sometimes, sometimes, people use you. Sometimes you go along with the flow. Sometimes you even get set back, a long way. Sometimes you have to divert how you were going to get where you planned to go.”

Kenton stood up, throwing the saddle over his shoulder like armor.

“But I chose where I go. And I chose how I get there. Sometimes you get caught up in others schemes. Sometimes you even go through, initially, because you gotta get through, even though it’ll cut and cost you. But all along, I’m doing what I chose to do. No matter how scary it is, no matter how powerful, no matter if I hide from sight or bow low, I’m doing it all because I chose it. Choose your own victories. Even small ones that others discard, that can be enough.” His hand went to his heart.

He held out his hand to Daniel.

“You’re a young kid. I look at everything you know and everything you have accomplished, and it intimates me. But if you would take a word of advice from someone who has worked in the Grant Stable for 137 years: Be your own person. Do as you chose to do. And even if someone orchestras and controls your life, at the end of the day, no strings compel you. Do it because you chose to do it, even if you are so tired, afraid, and bedraggled you no longer wish to continue. Do it anyway. Because that is the one thing, no one, even the Law of Fae, cannot control.”

So Daniel looked at the blood-stained retired mapper. The gray was teasing at his temple, his slight demeanor and frame.

Insanity and paranoia on one side, destruction, and desolation on the other.

“I do not know how I will get through the Dungeon. Even as Lordling Elswith. Let alone a branch of myself.”

“I’ll open the door!” Kenton said. The Law of Fae was immediately unhappy with that answer. Daniel didn’t have to add anything, because Kenton appeased it immediately. “It’s not a crime to get the door for someone! It’s just opening a door.”

The Law of Fae shifted and groaned. The Game, still muted, buzzed in discontentment.

If he was Lordling Elswith still, Daniel would have left that alone.

But Lordling Elswith had enough Favor, Authority, and Influence to handle the situation should things go awry. “If you are with me, and help me in the Dungeon, your fate may be tied with mine,” Daniel said. He swallowed. All those rural places counting on him to survive. Witness. He wanted to grab hold of Kenton’s good favor and abuse it, clutching to it like a griffin’s saddle during aerial combat.

But he could not. “You have Sarah Beth waiting for you.” Kenton’s fiancé had been waiting for him for over 137 years.

Daniel felt hesitation. Dare he truly involve Kenton? Perhaps this was the lack of drive, of commitment to his own cause, that had caused Elswith so much trouble. Perhaps not doing absolutely everything to win would doom Witness and the children.

Perhaps allowing Kenton to leave and not interact with him anymore was the same as self-annihilation.

But this was a piece of himself that Daniel would not, could not break.

“Lord, you even remembered her name?”

Daniel blinked. “How could I not? You mentioned her at least a hundred times.”

Kenton started to smile. “I am going to retire. I’m almost to midling, just a few more years and I’ll have it. And while I’m here, Lord Elswith, I may as well get the door for you. Sarah Beth was always one of good manners, after all. Besides, seeing what you get up to may be worth the additional…occupational hazard.” Kenton shook his hand out again, blue blood encrusted on some of the fingers in a forgotten manner.

Trust.

Kenton trusted Daniel. Kenton knew the risks and was there anyway.

Daniel needed someone to get the door for him in the Dungeon.

Could Daniel trust Kenton?

Well, Cinnamon Girl liked him. That was already a good indication of a quality person.

So Daniel clasped Kenton’s hand. In some strange way, for the first time, they were peers. Just attempting to survive. Trusting each other.

His first ally.

So what if the World was a Stage? What if all his struggles were planned? What if someone had set a trap for him to reawaken the dead Dungeon and potentially bring down the wrath of the Fairy King?

Against all the high treason and machinations of the Seelie Court paled in comparison to the ordinary decency of Kenton.

Daniel said. “I will have to get the door for you, too. This way no one owes anyone any favors.”

“I’d settle if you help me install a ladder. How…are we supposed to get down?” Kenton asked, face turning pale as he looked over the ledge.