Gavin and three chosen Kathiran soldiers escorted Dath, Kedemar, Natalya, and Haeil safely to the coastal city of Bethmüda, in southern Kenrath Province. After the duel the tall blond assassin had picked up his fallen sword, and sheathed it.

"Mattheu! Cantonn! Fetch us seven horses, saddled, and a week's provisions! Make it quick!" He snapped. Two soldiers detached themselves from the ranks of soldiers and hurried off into the forest. The two sides stood, eyeing each other warily until the men returned approximately an hour later. Dath and Gavin had passed the time talking quietly in tense voices. Natalya drew pictures in the dirt. Haeil had lowered himself to the ground, resting his back against a tree. Kedemar leaned against the same tree, crossing his arms over his chest.

Finally, the two soldiers came riding up, leading a string of five other horses. Natalya looked up and gave a glad little cry, climbing to her feet and running to one of the horses. It was Snowspot, her dappled-grey pony. Natalya wrapped her arms around the horse's neck. Snowspot nuzzled her hair affectionately.

Kedemar recognized two other horses in the string: his black gelding and Dath's chestnut mare. Ire stirred in his chest at the assassins' insolence. Dath said nothing, merely took possession of his and Kedemar's horses' reins, passing the gelding's to Kedemar. Gavin picked out one more soldier and gave the rest orders to return to the assassins' hideout. The newest addition to the party was named Jon. He and Gavin took the last two free horses and swung into their saddles. Equipment was checked one more time; Kedemar was pleased to find his possessions were bound behind his saddle. Everything-- his weapons, spare clothing, cloak, and what few effects he owned.

They rode south and a little east, the horses enabling them to make good time and reducing their journey to only four days. To Haeil’s relief, Dath hadn’t given him over to Gavin, though it was obvious that the young dark-haired assassin was still a prisoner and not at all trusted. He rode with his hands bound before him, tied to his saddle pommel. Dath ponied his horse.

Haeil, jolting along in the saddle of a bay gelding, had never felt so alone. He sighed, grateful that his life had been spared, but feeling glum nonetheless. He was the unwanted member of the party, the bad luck companion, avoided as much as possible. Dath was a hard man, seemingly uncaring. Natalya appeared to be terrified of both assassins and took pains to stay away from them both, casting them fearful looks. She flinched away whenever one of them came near her, and she stayed close to Dath or Kedemar.

Kedemar was the only one who extended any kindness to Haeil. When they stopped for meals and night-camp, Kedemar came and slathered cool salve on the sores that the rough rope chafed onto Haeil's wrists. He made sure he could eat comfortably, was warm enough in the chilly nights. The young captain did what he could. Seemed genuinely sorry that Haeil wasn’t free. The young assassin felt the stirrings of something akin to brotherhood between them. Haeil vowed silently that, no matter what, he’d be loyal to Kedemar. His lips moved as he repeated his vow to himself.

"Oh, One-Who-Made-The-Stars, hear my oath and accept it." He whispered as they rode along in the afternoon of the third day on the road. Dath glanced back at him.

"What was that?" He asked. Haeil shook his head.

"Nothing." He mumbled, dropping his eyes from the bounty hunter's intense stare.

Dath narrowed his eyes at the young assassin.

"Hm." Was all he said before turning back to the road.

***

It was early evening when they reached Bethmüda. Gavin left them outside the city.

“This is where we part ways.” He told Dath.

“You‘ll stay close?” Dath queried. “I may have need of you yet.”

Gavin shrugged. Dath grabbed his shoulder.

“Don’t forget, I paid for your service in blood. You’re done when I say you are, understand?” He said tensely. Gavin shook his head, chuckling quietly.

“Careful, Dath.” He leaned close and spoke for Dath’s ears alone. “Step too far, and you may find that there’s nothing under your feet. Your authority only takes you so far.”

He shrugged off Dath’s hand, gestured to his men, and turned towards the horses. He stopped beside Kedemar.

“You could still join us.” The blond assassin offered. “That talent of yours, it’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

Kedemar regarded him cooly.

“I won’t do anything that requires me to kill my friends.” He answered.

“Think about it.” Gavin only replied before turning away. The assassin hefted himself into his saddle.

“Be careful of that one!” He called, pointing at Haeil with a smile. “He may be a traitor, but he’s still one of us at heart!”

Haeil turned his face away as Gavin laughed and he and his men rode off in a thunder of hooves and dust.

***

Because the day was waning, the company made camp for the night in the forest outside Bethmüda. Dath marched Haeil over to a tree and tied him securely to it, covered him with a blanket. Natalya had shot a deer during the afternoon; she now prepared a hearty venison stew for supper. When the meal was ready the young huntress filled a bowl and approached Haeil. He could see fear lurking in depths of her dark eyes, knew the strength it was taking for her to master her fear of him. He wondered if it was just him or all assassins. Probably all assassins, judging by how she'd treated Gavin.

Nat crouched beside Haeil and offered him a full spoonful of fragrant stew. He parted his lips and she slipped it in. He probably could have fed himself, he knew, but he was grateful for her help. His wrists ached with the rope sores that continued to worsen even with Kedemar's ministrations. Not having to move his hands was a relief.

Natalya's hands shook as she lifted another spoonful up. Haeil gave her a reassuring smile. Her lips twitched, and she dropped her eyes. But her hands and breathing steadied. Haeil smiled again. Progress. He counted any friends of Kedemar's were friends of his. Even Dath. Maybe.

“Thank you.” Haeil said after Natalya had fed him. He could tell that it was an effort for her to interact with him. She merely smiled politely as she gathered up the bowl and spoon and moved back to the fire.

Rain began falling as the camp settled for the night. Natalya and Dath tucked themselves into their bedrolls. Haeil shivered slightly and shrugged his blanket farther up around his shoulders, setting in for a long, uncomfortable night. Kedemar took first watch and sat talking with Haeil for a while. That eased the loneliness, for both of them.

The moon had set before Dath relieved Kedemar. Haeil had, by this time, fallen asleep finally, mercifully.

Kedemar immediately fell into his bedroll, and deep, dreamless slumber claimed him quickly.

He woke abruptly to Natalya’s screams. Kedemar bolted upright, unsheathing his sword, as he looked around for the threat. He relaxed slightly when he saw Dath on his knees beside Natalya’s bedroll, holding the girl in a tight embrace. One hand stroked her hair comfortingly. She sobbed into his tunic.

“They’re dead!” She wept. The force of her sobs wracked her body violently. “They’re gone… the river… the canyon… Da and Ma… they’re dead!”

“Shh.” Dath crooned softly, rubbing her back. “It’s alright. That’s in the past now, lass. Shh.”

Realizing at last that there was no external threat and nothing he could do, Kedemar sat down heavily by the smoldering, hissing fire. He sighed. There would be no going back to sleep again for him tonight. Especially not if Nat would have screaming nightmares again. Stars, she'd scared him.

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Kedemar watched silently as Dath rocked Natalya back to sleep, as a father would a daughter, stroking her hair and softly singing a song in a language Kedemar didn’t recognize. When she lay limp and softly snoring in his arms, Dath held her close a moment more, then laid her back into her bedroll, tucking the blanket up to her chin. Then Dath rose and walked back to the campfire, taking a moment to inspect a woozy, slightly crosseyed Haeil. The assassin had banged his head hard against the tree trunk when he’d woken abruptly, his head coming bolt upright, to Natalya’s cries.

Dath gently leaned Haeil's head forward and parted his hair, searching for a break in the skin. There was no blood, so Dath left him alone.

Kedemar watched him as Dath sat beside him in the dirt with a sigh.

“Nightmares?” Kedemar asked quietly.

“For her, yes. Every night it rains.” Dath replied. He considered his next words for a moment before continuing,

“Nine years ago, it rained very hard in Natalya's village. There was a canyon near their home, connected to the sea, and the storm caused the waters to abruptly recede. Her family went out to collect the stranded fish and shells and... well, a flash flood took her parents, brother and sister. She watched them die and could do nothing for them. Three years after that, her adoptive family was killed by a mudslide in a rainstorm as they were traveling home from a market. I found her two years later; she was alone, scared, starving…” He paused, took a deep breath. Haeil listened from the edge of the firelight. “In all these years I’m probably the only good thing to happen to her during a rainstorm. I love that girl like she was my own daughter, and there's almost nothing I wouldn't do for her.” Dath finished.

Kedemar and Haeil digested this in silence, each adding the information to their picture and understanding of the huntress.

The rest of the night passed in silence, but very little rest was gotten by the three men. Early in the morning, they quickly ate and saddled up.

Dath quietly drew Haeil aside as Kedemar approached Natalya.

Nat shot Kedemar an amused glance as he helped her onto her horse. She was clearly puzzled by his tenderness, and was maybe a bit uncomfortable with the attention, but she neither said nor did anything to dissuade him.

“Are you alright?” Kedemar asked with concern, remembering the screams of the night before. Natalya smiled.

“Of course.” She replied. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You seemed pretty distraught last night.” Kedemar said. He paused uncomfortably. “I— I’m sorry for your loss.”

Natalya’s smile faded, and a guarded look came into her eyes.

“Dath told you?” She asked. Kedemar nodded.

"How much?"

"Enough to know why you hate the rain." Kedemar said, his hand on hers. Natalya sighed and looked away.

“Well, it’s as Dath said. It’s in the past. I’m sorry I woke you.” She gently withdrew her hand.

“Don’t be!” Protested Kedemar. “Losing one’s family… family is one of the most precious things in this life.” Natalya caught a note of sorrow in his voice.

“Where’s yours?” She asked gently. Kedemar shook his head, his expression going blank.

“Don’t have one. My mother died when I was born, and I never knew my father.”

“I’m so sorry.” Natalya whispered. Kedemar smiled crookedly.

“Don’t be. Like Dath said, it’s in the past now. We should go.”

***

The streets of Bethmüda were bustling despite the early hour, and for the first time in five days, Haeil was completely free of any ropes. He rode his horse, unfettered, unhindered. He no longer looked like a prisoner, if you didn't count the painful rope-sores on his wrists. But those were covered by his sleeves, unnoticeable. If Haeil chose, he could simply ride off into the crowd. Nobody would be able to catch him. The temptation tugged at him strongly. The magic in the brand on his forearm roiled angrily, greedily, sucking at his thoughts. But his earlier conversation with Dath flashed into his mind.

The bounty hunter had untied him from the tree, pulled him to his feet, then produced a knife. Haeil shrank away. This was it. This was the end of his short, miserable life. But Dath only grabbed his bound wrists and set the knife against the rope. He looked Haeil squarely in the eye.

“I’m taking a chance with you here.” The bounty hunter said. “I want to keep you with us, but if you betray us, do you know what happens next?”

Haeil gulped, white-faced, and nodded. Dath leaned close.

“There will be nowhere you could run that I would not find you.” Then the knife snicked through the ropes, and Haeil stepped away. He took a deep breath, let it out in a rush.

“I swear that I will not betray any of you.” Haeil said solemnly, relieved. And he meant it. With the thought of his budding friendship with Kedemar in his mind, stars, he meant it.

Dath had searched his eyes, seemed to see the truth of Haeil’s words. He inclined his head to the assassin.

“I accept your oath.” He said.

Haeil now looked at his companions riding around him. If he ran now, it would be a violation of his oath. Dath would definitely see it as such. The bounty hunter would hunt him down and kill him without a qualm. Haeil's escape would only cement his reputation in Dath's mind.

Haeil looked at Kedemar. His mind flashed to the vow he’d made to himself. I will be loyal to Kedemar, no matter what. He’d sworn. Kedemar was a man worth serving, worth dying for. Haeil would not break faith now. He’d show them that Gavin was a liar.

Dath’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Go to the Emerald Chalice tavern. I’ll meet you there. I’ve an errand to run first.”

Haeil watched him ride off. The brand on his forearm itched suddenly, and he wondered idly if his comrades knew about Dath’s past.

Kedemar, Haeil, and Natalya found the Emerald Chalice without much trouble, wandered inside.

They found a seat at an empty table in a secluded corner among the crowded tables inside. They ordered a meal while they waited for Dath. Haeil's forearm still itched, and he pulled up his sleeve to rub the cruel scar branded there. Kedemar and Natalya stared at the red scar.

"What?" Asked Haeil, self-consciously. He made to pull his sleeve back down. Kedemar clapped his hand on Haeil's arm, halting his movement.

"Who did this to you?" The young captain asked in a tight voice. He was angry.

"The assassins." Haeil replied, selfconciously. He was uncomfortable with their sudden concern over his well-being.

"Why?" Natalya whispered, reaching out with gentle fingers to trace the sideways 'A'. Showed no fear at all of Haeil now.

"It's how they mark their own. They want you to know that you can never go back to your old life, never escape them. They tether magic to the brand that... messes with your mind. It' s like a compulsion, and it makes you want to kill. By the same tether, they can track you anywhere you go." Haeil answered, his voice quiet with sorrow and something else. Kedemar removed his hand, allowing Haeil to cover his arm. He opened his mouth to speak, but just then Dath walked in, a black-haired man behind him.

Dath surveyed the noisy tavern for a moment before finding his companions. He strode over to them, the dark-haired man in tow.

"This is an old friend of mine." Dath introduced them. "His name is Dannyl of Kenrath." Dannyl's hair was grey at the temples.

The dark-haired man gave them all a polite nod, his gaze lingering on Haeil. The young assassin dropped his eyes, wishing he was anywhere but here.

"An actual friend this time?" Asked Natalya, teasing. Dath smiled, amused.

"Yes. He's the head of the Council's spies here in Bethmüda. If I am right in thinking Jonin fled here, then Dannyl can help us find him."

Natalya's face went blank at his words. Dath gestured to a barmaid.

"A round of drinks for my companions here." He requested. The lass nodded and darted off into the hubbub. After a minute, drinks arrived. Natalya merely played with hers, swirling the frothy liquid around her glass. Dannyl drained his, then rose.

"I'm off to gather what information I can." He said before striding towards the bar. Haeil took a deep breath, fixed Dath with a wary gaze.

"They don't know, do they?" He asked the bounty hunter quietly.

Dath tensed.

"Know what?" He asked.

"That you're--." Haeil began. Dath reached swiftly down to his side, but Kedemar's dagger was suddenly in Haeil's hand. No one had seen him move. He flung the dagger forward, pinning Dath's sleeve to the table and halting his movement. Thunk! There was a rush of movement as both men stood, an awkward position for Dath. Face flushed with anger, the bounty hunter went for his dagger, but Haeil was faster. He grabbed Dath's pinned arm and yanked his sleeve up to the elbow.

There, branded white on Dath's arm, was a chevron with a slash through the middle. The assassins' sideways 'A'.

Natalya stumbled to her feet and backwards, shock and betrayal on her face.

"I've known you for five years, Dath." She whispered brokenly. "When were you going to tell me?" Her eyes searched Dath's for some sign it wasn't true, that it was all a big joke.

"You're one of them?" Kedemar growled. Anger flared in his chest as a sharp pang of betrayal stabbed his heart. Dath... the man Kedemar looked up to and respected above all others... was and assassin?!

Dath sighed, inclining his head. "No, lad. I'm not. Not anymore." He said. Natalya's brow wrinkled.

"Gavin called you an oathbreaker." She whispered, eyes going wide as she recalled the blond assassin's words. "What did you do?"

Dath took a deep breath, let it go. He plucked the dagger out of the table, unpinning his sleeve, and handed it back to Kedemar. Then he sat, motioning for Natalya and Haeil to do the same. They did so, slowly, warily.

"You have some explaining to do." Said Kedemar tersely, his voice tight with pained anger. Dath nodded. He spoke,

"Before I say anything else, I need to tell you that I have a lot of other secrets, some I cannot divulge right now, maybe never. They are mine to keep, and you all are just going to have to trust that I mean none of you harm. If I don't tell you something, you don't need to know it. Now, yes, I used to be an assassin. As for what I did," a faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "I broke an oath. The assassins' oath. It's brutal and cruel. I broke it because, well, I fell in love. My wife and son are both dead now. I became - other things." A shadowed expression crossed his face and he looked at Natalya.

"Have I ever lied to you, lass?" He asked. She shook her head. "And I never will." Dath said. Nat searched his sorrowed eyes for the truth and reassurance. And she found it. The betrayal faded from Natalya's face.

"Alright." She said. "I believe you."

***

Mendenlau stood high on the walls of the city of En-Ged, at the edge of the mountains of Kathiare. He faced the raging sea below, lifted his arms, and laughed. His plans were coming together, his vast fleet was nearly ready to sail and attack Kenrath, and Dath’s company was walking right into a trap they had no idea was tightening around them like a noose. Medenlau idly wondered if Dath had yet found the protector of whom the foretellings spoke. The he shrugged. It mattered not. Within two weeks’ time they would all be dead. Gibethon would be his, and he would watch it burn!

Gavin Fay may have failed him, but the king of Kathiare had other assassins. Ones less loyal to honor and duty, and more loyal to, well, to him. Men who would stain themselves with the blood of whoever Mendenlau wished and not even bat an eye.

Lightning forked out of the night sky and stabbed the sea. Mendenlau raised his arms as if to embrace it, and laughed again. After all this time, life was finally good.