Lord Commander Ardovar Verrier sat and looked Florencia straight in her eyes. But the man was tired, his eyes droopy, and his shoulders were slouched. The pipe sat beside him on the black leather mat extinguished.

“A few days ago, I received information from an old acquaintance of ours, Derakleon Achaities. I believe the two of you have met before?”

“We've met, yes,” said Florencia. “But we have never worked together. His work in the Szell Counties is most impressive, though.”

“Especially in their northern provinces,” Jace added in, as he had been silent and unaddressed for the entire time.

“Indeed,” Ardovar agreed and turned to Florencia again. “His Order is under a heavy weight lately, and they are asking for some help with some matters. Have you heard from the village of Scorro?”

“Only by name. It should be somewhere in our midlands?”

“Correct, two days’ travel from here. Scorro is a rather unremarkable village, by all accounts,” Ardovar said. “Though the latest news is that the Fieso family is building one of their trade offices there. They must know something we don't."

“If the Fiesi family has an office there, then it’s not that unremarkable,” Florencia said.

“True, hence my confidence that this will be only a trivial matter,” Ardovar said. “The tip I received from Mr. Achaities says that one of their person of interest, a person called called Vranik, might have escaped there. I need you and Guardian Vialisios to go to Scorro, and look if there are any hints of this… Vranik.”

“Is there more information?” Jace asked. “Who is this person we are looking for? Is he male or female? Dangerous? What is the motive?”

“Mr. Achaities said nothing more,” said Ardovar. “Such hints based on rumors are vague, at best. I expect little to be found there. Scorro is in the middle of our country, and well-guarded by the city guard, and most definitely under the Fiesi protection. I see no way how a person of interest from Szell would hide there or make any trouble. I'm certain of it, but we do need to check. The Acrisius Order of the Szell Counties has helped us much these past years, and it would benefit us greatly if we returned the favor."

“So we three will travel to Scorro?” Florencia asked, hinting at the obvious thing not discussed—my fate.

“No,” Ardovar replied firmly, shaking his head and his eyes on me. “Florencia, you will take the lead on the investigation with Guardian Vialisios. As for Jonas Espian, I will take him under my custody again. Sofia and I need to ask him more question regarding Veneiea. Remember, Florencia, he is still in the keeping of the Lodge."

“I—” Florencia said, but her voice broke. “I can’t have that.”

“What?” came the dry answer from the Lord Commander.

So it will come down to violence again... I thought, and tightened my fists into a ball. My joints cracked and a power emerging from my heart. The world became just a little bit brighter, and I saw in the darkness of the shadows everything clearly. I was ready to pounce the moment I sensed danger.

“No! Wait,” I heard Florencia’s voice in my head. “Please, I’ll handle this.”

“Very well,” I replied in thought. I saw Ardovar’s gaze dart between Florencia and me, but he remained silent. I kept my focus sharply on the words which would follow and hesitantly tried to expect what he might do.

“Florencia, it is most necessary for Mr. Espian to stay at the Lodge,” Ardovar said, but I was surprised to find a weakness in his voice, which I had not heard before. Was he tired, or playing a game?

“Ardovar,” Florencia said, and stepped forward. “I promised to guard Jonas and keep him safe. He's not under any threat if he comes with me to this mission. I promise. You can trust me."

"He..." the Lord Commander mumbled, but trailed off before finishing his thought. Ardovar then slouched back into the chair and took his pipe, and lit the tobacco with the metallic awl-like object. Its entire length was engraved with tiny fine symbols and had a small orange jewel on the tip. I felt Ardovar focus his thought singularly on the jewel. The curious thing then began to glow a fiery white, and the tobacco was quickly lit. Sweet, thin smoke filled the room once again. He sat in silence, contemplating deeply, and smoking.

"Miss Regalla, the Veneiea investigation is turning sour," said Ardovar. "The Royal Advisor himself is demanding explanations, which I do not have. Mr. Espian is one of the few that I can—”

"Have you tried—” Jace began, his voice rising excitedly as if he had some grand idea to share.

But before he could finish, Ardovar interjected, his tone sharp and dismissive. “Thank you. If I wanted your input, I would have asked for it.”

He turned again to Florencia.

"Miss Regalla, you are forcing my hand. Think of all the years we've worked together. Why can't you trust me with Jonas? Why can't you let this go?" He pronounced my name as if I was a most vile criminal, meant for the galleys.

"Ardovar," said Florencia. "This is not whether I trust you or not. I do trust you. We've worked together for almost twenty years. But Jonas means the world to me. Please understand. I can't part with him, I'm sorry. Please trust Jonas' safety to me, I'll keep him safe. You can count on me."

Florencia and Ardovar stared at each other firmly. My heart pounded in my chest, and my palms were dripping with sweat. I was ready to leap into action the moment I saw the slightest hint that Ardovar might want to capture me again. But not this time. Now I was strong again, and was sure I would break the man before he could do any harm to me. Here, in this dark office, was only Ardovar Verrier, alone with his thoughts. Nobody else.

The Lord Commander turned his head towards the tall and heavy curtains that were in front of the narrow windows that overlooked the high street. He sighed. “Very well, then so be it. I thought we can be... I now know where you stand, Warden. Take Mr. Espian with you to Scorro and keep him by your side. Never let him out of your sight. When you come back, we shall see how this will unfold.”

I heard Florencia breathe out in relief and thank the Lord Commander, almost joyous, but Ardovar wasn’t amused in the slightest. He leaned forward and looked down at some documents in front of him, and said: “I have commanded a carriage to take you to Scorro. It is already waiting in front of the building. Please make ready your gear and leave at once.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I have some of my equipment back at my apartment,” Florencia said. “I need to get—”

“No, grab some from the Lodge. You must go now,” Ardovar said dryly, and handed her a leather binder. “My assistant has prepared a dossier with all the information Mr. Achaities has given us. On your way there, familiarize yourself and do what you do best. Good luck.”

The Lord Commander’s final two words were so forced and disingenuous that I almost laughed out loud.

“That will be it,” Ardovar Verrier said, and looked towards the door, extended his arm and it unlocked itself with a low squeak. He was now calm and collected, different from before. There was no more weakness there, nor any hesitation.

Florencia and Jace both bowed and then left the room, with me following closely behind. As I closed the door, I felt a weight had just been lifted from my shoulders, but doubt had crept into my heart. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was, but the Lord Commander still made me uneasy. While Florencia appeared content, I noticed that Jace’s face was wrinkled with concern.

We reached the grand hall again, where Jace turned towards us and said: “I don’t like this, Warden. Not one bit. I feel a warning in my heart.”

“Your heart does not mislead you, Jace," said Florencia, her voice steady and calm. "Can you imagine if Rainier Pitties of all people is breathing down your neck over what happened in Veneiea? I don't think there's anyone else's attention I want less than him. And it's obvious that Ardovar doesn't have answers over what happened. He's nervous and hasn't slept in days. But I trust that he'll figure something out."

"I hope to have your conviction, Flo," I said and saw Jace turn his head away in discomfort. I did not trust Ardovar one ounce, and thought it would only be a matter of time before he tried to take me again. But I would never again allow myself to enter the gates of the Cappesand Academy. Ardovar would have to come and hunt me down.

We went down the deserted corridor until we reached the massive staircase.

“I’ll get my things,” Jace said. “Shall we meet at the carriage?”

“Yes,” Florencia said.

I hastened my pace to keep up with Florencia as she marched ahead and into a room on her right. I found her in a square-shaped chamber, which was stocked with all kinds of equipment meant for missions. It was filled with backpacks, oilcloth capes and coats, well-maintained boots, and some simple weaponry—daggers and shortswords displayed on a weapons rack. I also saw some dried travel food and many more closed wooden crates.

To my left, by the door, I saw an older man almost dozing off, seated behind a massive desk of dark wood, and a tall and wide cabinet behind him. He politely acknowledged Florencia and kept an eye on her as she filled two backpacks with the gear she thought we would need for the mission.

“I would prefer my own equipment, as this is of rather average quality,” she said. “But Ardovar needs us to go now. Besides, Scorro is only a few days’ travels away, and we won’t need survival gear.”

Before exiting the room, she turned to the supply aide and asked for funds for the mission.

How much?” The older man asked, his face weathered and wrinkled. He wore small, rounded glasses on his nose and his eyes were narrow from lack of sleep.

“A hundred cuenos and ten argnos,” Florencia said.

“Argnos?”

“Silver coins. Hundred to one with cuenos,” she said.

The man retrieved the coins from the bottom drawer, recorded them in a thick ledger, and after signing, we were on our way. We returned to the grand hall, where Florencia pulled me aside and led me behind the staircase. There only a narrow bench was set.

Florencia looked into my eyes and asked: “Jonas, what do you feel about all of this? I’ve been rushing through this, believing you are alright. But are you? Why are you even coming with me?”

I felt under her spell again, as she stood there in the dim light. Her golden hair seemed to radiate in a soft glow, styled into a simple bun that accentuated her elegance. My heart raced, and I felt a sudden wave of nervousness wash over me, but she sensed it and her lips curved up into a smile.

“I’m only coming along because of one reason,” I said and hoped it was enough.

It was, and we kissed again.

Everything faded into the background. The curved stone steps, the intricate carvings on the balustrade, the people upstairs going about their business, none of it mattered. Florencia was all that mattered. Her lips were so warm and wet and filled with a need that was impossible to resist.

She was intoxicating, and I grabbed her waist and pulled her tight against me.

“What has gotten into you, my dear? Did the past days not satisfy your desire?” she sang happily.

“Not at all, my dear,” I said, trying to match her mood. “If anything, it only made it worse.”

“Then you truly are in trouble.”

We heard coughing from close by.

“My apologies,” Jace Vialisios said. “But we should go.”

Florencia almost jumped back in surprise and said while coughing: “Yes, yes, of course. Come, Jonas, let’s go.”

I suppressed a smirk as I made my way toward the exit of the grand hall, where Jace stood and waited. He had come back all geared up, his frame weighed down by his overstuffed backpack. I looked down and saw him wearing a different pair of leather boots than before. These were meant for traversing wildlands—rugged and heavy, they looked.

Despite this, he had not changed his new light-blue shortcoat, and I had to admire the striking appearance of it. The coat was a work of art, with its deep red and orange lining contrasting the exterior. And on his belt I saw hang a sword—the bastard sword Florencia mentioned a few hours earlier. It was, to me at least, the most unimpressive piece of weaponry, a rather short blade, hidden in a brown scabbard, but its black and worn handle was long enough for two hands.

“It’s my father’s,” Jace said, noticing my expression. “Nothing special, but it gets the job done.”

As he spoke, I noticed a silver medallion hanging from his neck, with a design that was unlike anything I’d seen before. It was shaped like an eye, but with a flame in the center, and the silver was intricately engraved with markings that I felt drawn to. I couldn’t explain it but found it odd, and I would’ve said nothing, kept it to myself, but Jace noticed my gaze. He took the medallion between his fingers and showed it to me.

“It’s the Eye of Eki,” Jace explained. “But I added some engravings on it to make it look nicer. It’s just something I enjoy doing when I have some free time, or when I can’t sleep and have to get my mind off work. I just let my mind wander, and this is the result. I quite like it.”

I nodded and said it looked nice. Then we went back to the courtyard, where Florencia was waiting for us. The coachman tended to the horses and made everything ready for the upcoming journey. Jace and I loaded our backpacks into the storage compartment at the rear of the carriage. We all then climbed into the cramped but comfortable seating, and with a sudden jolt and the neighing of the horses, we were off at a trot.

It was a strange turn of events for sure, but Florencia and I had been dancing around the topic for a few days already. I could tell that she felt a strong sense of purpose in her work with the Lodge, and I didn’t want to be the one to hold her back from that. As much as I knew her work dealt with dark matters, my heart was at peace with it and even filled with a sense of excitement and adventure.

The carriage quickly left the Cappesand Academy and turned onto a major boulevard of Bessou, where a new day was dawning. The streets were waking, as the first sleepy laborers, merchants, and craftsmen all came from their homes and into their places of work. We saw horses and carriages appear on the streets, and more people beginning to go about their daily routines like it was merely another day.

We went on. In the distance, I saw the tall church with the clock tower we had passed with Florencia when I was first released from captivity. Across the boulevard, we passed by the town hall, a massive and wide H-shaped building where the Lord Mayor did his work, and where Jace’s father worked. And as the carriage made a turn to the right, just before we left the city, I caught a last glimpse of the Jewel of Thei, glittering in the morning sun.

Two colossal towers guarded the entrance and exit of Bessou. Almost as tall as the jeweled tower of Cappesand, but many times wider. Its entire length was adorned with the flags of Lienor, the royal coat-of-arms, the family crest of the Lord Mayor’s house, and the flag of Bessou itself. It was a grand entrance to a grand city, and I felt humbled as we passed through the towers. Florencia said that they were the same ones a young Florencia and Jonas drove through many years ago when they arrived in the city for the very first time.

Life outside the city borders was not lacking in busywork, the entire city was supported by miles of farmlands, small villages and workshops, and sawmills. And as the day went on, and as the wheels underneath us kept creaking, our journey had begun.

But little did I know it would be a very long time before we would set foot in the city again.

And when we did, much would have changed...