We waited until night had descended before we made our way to the gates of Myrin.

Embla had already sent one of her many subordinates ahead to ensure the entrance was left open after curfew, informing the city guard of the arrival of the Princess.

I thanked the Spirit that we wouldn't be given some kind of parade upon arrival. I had seen several of those during childhood. When the King and Queen would return we would be 'politely' asked to appear at the sides of the street so that we could shout and applaud at the bravery of our monarchs and their warriors. Many in the Commons didn't care for those forced celebrations. We just wanted to live our lives and avoid the Nobility at every opportunity. After all, if a commoner has caught the eye of one of the Nobles of the inner city it is rarely for a good reason.

Could I even count myself as a commoner any more? I was an Heir, a legendary Knight, and next in line to ascend the throne of Venos. Even thinking about one day wearing the crown made my mood sour. I wanted to be with Elora, I just hoped that my freedom wouldn't be the price I had to pay.

I felt better when thinking about what Tessa taught me about my family, but now that I was officially accepted as Elora's Knight, people would begin to treat me differently. I was a strange mixture of both now. The commoner who would become King. It truly did seem like something out of a story book.

Elora and I had yet to speak of what being married meant for us. The shadow of Tessa's revelations hung over both our heads and the closer we came to Myrin, the closer we came to the answers we both sought. I wouldn't be sending Elora away this time, not like with Tessa. What would happen next needed to involve both of us. We were together forever now, Bound as one for the rest of our days. If I couldn't share the secrets of my shady past with her, then with who?

The conversation about our future would have to come later. The Hall, the Mentor, Tessa's ominous omen of things to come, all of it. We needed to tackle one problem at a time. Luckily one of them lay ahead in the city I had called home for many years.

It was good to see that Myrin hadn't changed much in the time I had been away. The walls still stood, the spires still shone gold and the barely visible palace near glowed in the moonlight. I had expected something to have changed upon my return, or perhaps I had just thought I would feel something other than nervousness and dread. Relief? Calm?

Those feelings didn't come and all I could do was stare straight ahead at the worn down gates, lit by flickering candlelight. A lot had changed since I had last seen Myrin's high walls. Elora and I had fought Knights, saved the Venosian army and survived the cruel attempt to remove the Bond by the Princess' own parents, yet Myrin seemed the same way it always had. It was home, yes, but it also seemed almost confining to me now.

“Orin? Are you alright?” I turned to the Princess and smiled at her concerned expression.

Elora was just as nervous as I was about seeing the Sister. Our emotions were shared over the Bond and she could feel my unease as easy as her own feelings, if not easier. Apart from that, Elora had her own reasons for being hesitant to return to the city of her birth. Her newfound freedom and independence was new and untested. I knew that she didn't want to return to the gilded cage of the palace and the surrounding gardens. It actually gave me some hope that maybe she would like to join me as I embarked upon my own dream. Nothing would have made me happier than that, to travel the length of the continent and beyond with Elora by my side, but things were rarely that simple. Elora was the Princess of Venos and as much as she hates the restrictions she has faced since she was a child, she also had a great love for her country and her people. She would be great Queen one day. Certainly better than her bitch of a mother.

The Princess' face was lit by the torches carried by her guard, who had hidden the house colours of the royal family beneath long drab cloaks. We still wandered forward in a strict formation with Elora and I at the centre, but now at least we looked a little like traders or travellers rather than the house guard of the most famous face in Venos.

I smiled at Elora, hoping it banished the dread in my eyes. “I'm fine, Princess. Just a little worried. We're finally going to get some answers.”

Elora nodded and expertly moved her horse closer to mine. My steed didn't even move at her approach. Say what you want about the horse, but he really didn't care about anything expect food and being a constant source of annoyance to me.

“I know. I wanted to try and talk earlier but...” Elora shrugged helplessly.

“Embla,” I muttered the name like a curse.

The captain of Elora's guard buzzed around us like an annoying fly, one which had been getting closer and closer over the last few days. More than once I had wanted to swat her, but Elora had told me to patient. We wouldn't have to deal with Embla's obsessive need to protect forever, she had said. I could only pray that was the case.

Embla was a large woman, a warrior born. She was taller than me, with shoulders just as broad. I could attest to her combat ability personally, as I had been on the receiving end of her training weapon quite a few times. She and the other members of the Princess' guard did not like me, that much was plain. I had even heard them discussing theories on how I had managed to pull Elora away from Cellus when they believed I wasn't listening. It was frustrating, hearing them talk about Elora like she was an idiotic damsel, a bumbling maiden who couldn't think for herself. To hear that from the people that were supposed to be protecting her was beginning to grate on my nerves. I had been about to set them all straight before Elora pulled me aside and told me not to. It was better to be underestimated, she had said, that way they wouldn't know what to expect when they had to deal with the real her.

I don't know if I quite believed that, but I had gone along with my Smith's policy. We wouldn't be leaving them at the gates and going our own way either. Elora was the Princess and required protection. For some reason, Embla didn't seem to think I was enough to keep Elora safe, despite doing so many, many times since we had left Myrin. With my greatly diminished abilities as a swordsman, I was finding it hard to think of reasons to argue with her.

“She's just doing her job,” Elora muttered so the rest of her guard wouldn't overhear. “I know its frustrating, but just bear with it for a little longer. Please?”

I sighed, “Don't worry, Elora. I'm glad they're here. I just feel a little... stifled, at the moment.”

Elora grinned, “Don't fear, my Knight. Not for much longer. Almost home now.”

“Yeah,” I looked at the towering walls ahead of me, “Home.”

We passed through the gates of Myrin with no issue at all. The guards at the gate didn't even bow to us but they did stand ramrod straight, so they must have been told who they were. They didn't stop us or ask for us to sign in so they must have at least had an idea.

The sights and sounds of the Commons at night greeted us as we passed under the great arch. Luckily there was not many people out tonight, and those that were seemed to be either blind drunk or destitute.

Despite my initial feelings upon seeing the city, I felt myself relax somewhat as our horses clopped across the broken cobbles. This was home territory for me. I knew every nook and cranny of this place, memorised as an adventurous youth.

I frowned. Even that was uncertain. Tessa had said that an Heir would always seek out danger. It begged the question: Was it truly me who decided to do all those things, or was it my supposedly magical blood? I didn't know the answer, but I hoped to soon find out.

“Princess, are you sure we shouldn't go to the palace?” I hadn't noticed Embla fall back in the formation, her beady eyes examining her surroundings with distaste. Sometimes I forgot that all the guards were Noble.

“No, Embla. We go to the orphanage. That's my order.”

Embla looked frustrated, “Highness, we can't guarantee your safety in this place. There are too many unknowns.”

“Have no fear, Embla,” Elora replied calmly, reaching over and taking my hand, “My Knight grew up here. He'll have no trouble spotting danger, and dealing with it should the need arise.”

I warmed at Elora's praise and gave her a smile, which caused Embla to snort in derision.

“Something to say, Embla?” I asked the woman plainly, her obvious dislike for me causing my empty eye socket to twitch in frustration.

“With all due to respect to the Royal Protector, your Highness,” Embla explained, not looking at me even once, “He is only a mercenary and not that much of a combatant.”

I held back a sigh at that. She wasn't wrong. If I had my eye then maybe I would be able to take Embla in a fight. As it stood, every member of Elora's protectors had seen me throw myself around the place during training, almost looking like an idiot had just picked up a sword for the first time.

Elora was quiet for a moment, her grip on my hand tightening until I winced. The Princess' eyes were fixed on Embla's. Despite the disparity in sheer size between the two, it almost felt like Elora was looking down on the guard, rather than the other way around.

“You overstep, guard captain Embla,” Elora whispered, her teeth clenched, “Sir Orin is not only Royal Protector but also set to ascend the throne as Venos' King. You will apologise and return to your place in the formation.”

Embla tensed, her eyes flickering to me as a seed of worry blossomed on her face. “I, ah... Apologies, sir. It won't happen again.”

“No need for apologies, guard captain,” I replied formally, taking pity on the woman. I too had been subject to Elora's withering gaze more than once. “I know you were only worried about the Princess' safety.”

“Thank you, sir.” Embla mumbled, not looking at me as she bowed from the saddle at the Princess before turning her steed around, riding to our formation's head once again.

Elora relaxed as soon as Embla had turned away, looking at me with a smirk. “You see? Sometimes being underestimated makes all the difference.”

“You really are incredible, you know that?”

Elora immediately blushed. She loved compliments but almost couldn't handle it when she received them. She looked at her saddle and grinned as she squeezed my hand gently, “S-So... any idea on what you're going to say? To the Sister?”

I grimaced, my good mood at seeing Embla put in her place evaporating. “I don't know. I guess just ask her about my parents? We can take it from there.”

“I will say one thing, Orin. Before we arrive,” Elora said, her tone almost hesitant. “You know I have reservations about what Tessa told you. I know you don't want to believe that the Sister was involved, but please remember that she loves you. If the answers we get are anything like what was learned in Paldrum, then they may be hard to hear. But she is your mother.”

I nodded easily, “I know she is. I'm not worried about that, Elora. She was my mother before and she'll be that after. I just need to hear everything, from start to finish. We both do.”

“Agreed,” Elora leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, “You're pretty incredible yourself, you know?”

“Oh, I know.” I grinned, causing the Princess to laugh.

Our journey was uneventful, painfully so. I almost wished that we were attacked. Gang crime had no doubt taken a hit since the wedding, but it would be nice to just fight. To do something that I knew I could do, knew I was good at. Well, before my eye got taken. It would be better than all this subterfuge. I almost felt like a proper Noble with all these clandestine activities.

The last few minutes to the orphanage past me by in a haze. I stared at the ground, letting Elora's guard lead me as we went. My thoughts ran rampant as my mind put me through every worse case scenario. As much as I appreciated what Elora had said, I truly didn't know if what I was going to hear would change my opinion of the woman who raised me. I think that fact scared me more than any other.

Soon the doors were in sight and I got off my horse, letting the reigns fall free and helping Elora down off her pearly white steed. I knew that the guard would care for my mount. Honestly, I wouldn't be too broken up if he wandered off somewhere. Into a nice stew, perhaps?

I chortled at that, the thought relieving some of my tension as I walked forward. My steps uneasy and hands trembling. Elora saw that and immediately slipped her hand into mine, giving me courage both through our Bond and the physical connection.

We walked up the steps and I turned around, noticing the tenacious guard captain standing just a few feet behind us and looking sullen. I gritted my teeth. “Go away, Embla.”

Embla's eyes narrowed, “The King and Queen were insistent that I follow the Princess-”

“Now,” I growled. I was tired, I was frustrated and I was about to have perhaps the most important conversation of my life. The last thing Elora and I needed right now was an overprotective guard.

“Embla. Wait outside, please.” Elora commanded and then, without a backwards look, the Princess knocked on the door.

The guard captain hesitated for only a moment before she retreated back down the steps, standing a small distance away, nearer to her horse. She glared daggers at me but I ignored it and faced the faded wood of the orphanage entrance.

I heard the footsteps soon enough.

The door swung open and, just for a second, I was reminded of when I had arrived in Myrin after four long years away. It all ended here, it all began here. My home.

Light poured out onto the street behind us, illuminating the faces of the Princess' guard, their faces half hidden in the deep hoods of their newly donned cloaks. I caught sight of Elora's nervousness and tried to smile for her sake, but it died on my face as soon as I saw the Sister.

She looked the same as she always did. The robes of her office looked ruffled and stained with ink, a pencil was stuck behind her ear and the deep bags under her eyes told me she hadn't slept well recently. The energy that had been present when Elora and I had left the city had fled her. She looked older, wearing her years more than she ever had before. I noticed the hint of grey in her hair, a symbol of the stress she suffered under on a daily basis.

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I didn't want to add to it. But I had no choice.

“Orin,” The Sister said my name like she was dreaming and she blinked hard to banish her tiredness. “You're back-”

She stopped, her eyes running down the scar that now covered the right side of my face. Shock and horror shone freely as she reached up with grasping hands, one finding my shoulder and the other tracing the reminder of the ass-kicking I had received from Jester.

“Oh, my son,” The Sister choked on the words, tears filling her eyes as she stared, dumbstruck. “What has happened to you.”

I tried to grin but I didn't quite manage it. Everything I had felt since the Severance seemed to come to the fore and before I knew it my remaining eye watered. “Just a bad fight, Sister. Nothing I couldn't handle.”

The Sister said nothing and instead pulled me into a hug, her hand coming to the back of my head as she stroked my hair. I could feel her sobbing body as it trembled against me. I stood stock still for a moment before I wrapped my arms around her and buried my head against her shoulder.

“You foolish boy,” Erin said, her hands shaking, “Why must you do this to me? Every time you come home another piece of you remains on the battlefield.”

“Tessa told me, Sister.” I blurted the words out before I could stop them. My need to know the truth all the greater. I needed to try and say my piece before I lost my nerve. The Sister froze in my arms and the sobbing stopped.

“How much did she tell you, Orin?” Sister Erin whispered. I was gratified that she didn't pulled away from the hug. If anything she pulled me tighter still.

“Not a lot,” I answered honestly, “But enough. She told me I'm special. That I'm an Heir.”

Finally Erin pulled away, holding her hands against my arms as she stared at me with a mixture of elation and fear. “Oh, my Orin. You are so much more than that.”

Elora stepped forwards then, her hands clasped together at her front. She would have been the picture of Nobility if it had not been for her common clothes. “Hello, Erin. I'm happy to see you again.”

The Sister turned to the Princess as though seeing her for the first time. Confusion claimed her expression, swiftly replaced by joy. She released her hold on me and pulled Elora into a hug, something that my Smith happily returned.

“I knew you wouldn't let him go,” Erin muttered into Elora's ear, “Thank you, Princess. Thank you for bringing my son home.”

“He didn't make it easy, Sister,” Elora joked, her golden gaze moving to me fondly, “But I managed somehow.”

“I know the feeling,” Erin chuckled and leaned back to stare at the girl, before her eyes moved to the entourage behind us, her smile fading slightly as though we were missing someone. “Where is Tessa?”

I winced and Elora's face darkened. “As I said, Sister. She told me who I was, but she tried to Bond with me and when I refused, she ran away.”

“You refused her?” Erin's eyes flickered, her smile becoming a hard line.”Why?”

I bristled under her stare,”Why would I? I have no idea what the fuck is going on. She just told me that you and Boldrin have been lying to me since I was a child. What was I supposed to do?”

“Don't swear, Orin.” Erin snapped harshly, “If you knew what that girl has been through you wouldn't be so callous.”

“Callous?” My happiness at seeing the Sister was quickly becoming tainted by my fury. “I should just accept everything she said? I should just be happy to Bond with her after a three minute conversation? A conversation which, by the way, showed that not only has she and Boldrin been lying to me, but my own mother as well?”

“Not to mention she tried to Bond with my Knight without my knowledge or me being present,” Elora said, her own anger with Tessa's actions rising to the surface. “Then she abandoned us without a single explanation. That is something we are both entitled to.”

Erin faltered, the fight leaving her as she looked out into the street behind her. “We shouldn't talk here. Come inside.”

Erin turned on her heel and marched into the orphanage, heading straight towards the nearby dining hall. She walked through the large doors and I was glad to see that none of the children were up. It would be better to get all the unpleasantness out of the way before I saw them so soon.

As soon as Erin closed the doors behind us, she leaned her head against the wood, her breathing shallow and hurried. When she faced Elora and I again, she looked much like her old self, though the tiredness remained.

“First, let me say I'm sorry, Orin,” The Sister said, downcast, “I wanted to tell you the truth. But the more you grew, the more afraid I became. Telling you who you were, about your past and your power would have destroyed you. Would have destroyed the life you had built here.”

“It wasn't your decision to make,” I replied tersely, “I have a right to know everything, and I mean everything, Sister.”

“You are right,” Erin nodded, “But fear stayed my hand. I didn't want to fail you, not like I failed your family. I had to make a choice. I chose you.”

“Chose me over what, Sister?” I asked as Elora and I sat down, the Sister sitting across from us at one of the long tables.

“The Hall. They knew about you when you were born,” Erin's eyes shined as she chuckled, “You were such a happy baby, Orin. You barely cried at at all.”

My heart hammered in my chest and I felt Elora's hand take mine.

Erin smiled, her eyes unseeing as she looked into her memories of the past. “ So happy, just like your father. You were born in a small town in the Ingemar Empire, near the border with the Nariti plains. I served in the small chapel the townsfolk had erected.”

My throat was dry and my hands shook. I was finally learning about who I was and it was almost too much for me to take. I felt Elora grip my hand tighter, the Bond letting her know how turbulent my emotions were.

“The town. What is its name?” I asked slowly, trying to keep my thoughts under control.

Erin's smile faded. It became haunted. “You will find it on no map. It was once called Sulturut. An old name from the Imperial tongue. It meant 'heart home'. It was a special place, Orin. Filled with good and hard-working folk who looked out for one another.”

“Sister. Why is it on no map?” Elora asked quietly.

Erin looked at the Princess, “It doesn't exist any more. The Hall burned it to the ground.”

A shiver ran down my spine. “Why?”

“In the Empire, every newborn is tested for the power of a Smith,” Erin said, her hands gripping each other fiercely on the table in front of her. “It was Imperial mandate. A few days after you were born, a representative arrived to test you and three other children. They were found to be normal. You, however, were not.”

Erin sighed and the energy left her body. “I worked for the Hall back then. They liked to recruit out of the church, especially among the Sisters. We would carry messages for them between various sources and sometimes be tasked merely observing a situation. I assume they thought that no one would attack a Sister on the road, nor would they be suspicious of a Wife of the Great Spirit. They were right in most cases. That was the limit of my involvement. Working for the Hall was considered an honour, a way to serve the Great Spirit's plans. After all, it was the Spirit who created the first Knight and Smith. The church encouraged impressionable young Sisters like me to be a part of it.”

“You worked for the Hall?” I asked, my jaw near dropping at the revelation.

“To my shame, yes. Make no mistake, Orin,” The Sister said, her eyes narrowing, “The Hall's reach extends well beyond their own borders. In every city and town in Ouros you can find at least one of their informants or spies. Secrets are their business and their hold over the Knights and Smiths of this continent is near absolute. I joined because I felt it was my duty. I didn't realise until later just how cruel, how terrible, they truly were.”

I nodded along as she spoke. Already I had too much to deal with. The fact that the Sister worked for the Hall was unbelievable enough. Though, I didn't believe the story was nearly at its conclusion.

“And the church just lets the Hall recruit its own members? Why would they allow that?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

“I don't believe it was for some greater purpose,” Erin snorted, leaning back in her chair. “I learned that the church took coin from the Hall in exchange for information. Possible threats, the happenings of various governments, that sort of thing. The church has always been close the monarchs of the continent and the Hall aimed to take advantage of that. Each of us was sworn to secrecy and sent to various corners of Ouros. I was sent to Sulturut soon after you were born, after word of what you were reached the Hall. Luckily, their priest had passed away a few months before and had yet to be replaced by the church.”

“Of course,” Erin explained, “I didn't know how important that little town would be. I was sent because I had proven myself trustworthy and they wanted as few people to know of you as possible. I knew little to nothing at the time. I later learned it was discovered that you had clear soul flames, the mark of an Heir.”

“Clear flames?” Elora asked with a furrowed brow, “I've never heard of someone with clear flames before.”

“Nor would you have,” Erin smiled “Clear flames are the only sign of an Heir being born. Their souls are malleable, able to take on the Element of any Smith they Bond with.”

“Tessa said I could Bond with other Smiths. That I had received the two Elements I have now from Elora,” I mused, “How do you know so much about them, Sister?”

“Tessa's father taught me, though that was later. I received a letter from the Hall near two months after I had arrived. It said to keep an eye on you. That was all,” Erin hesitated, “I was frightened for you, Orin. The wording of the letter... It was like you were a thing. Not a human being, but some kind of disease. A short time had passed but I was already so fond of you. I looked after you quite a bit back then, as your parents were very busy people.”

“My parents,” My voice cracked, “What were they like?”

Erin smiled and reach across the table to put a hand on mine, “They loved you, Orin. More than you could ever possibly understand. Your father's name was Oban, your mother's name was Helga. They were farming folk and good at it.”

Oban. Helga. I clenched my teeth and tightened my grip on Elora. The Princess rubbed my arm soothingly. My parents had loved me. They hadn't abandoned me like my brothers and sisters in the orphanage. They were taken. They were gone now, Tessa had said as much. I didn't know them and so the pain wasn't there. A feeling of longing, perhaps, but I didn't feel anything at hearing those names. No sense of familiarity, no sense of family. I didn't know how to feel about that.

“I can't picture them,” I admitted as Erin's fingers stroked the back of my hand.

“I know, my son,” Erin replied, her smile not fading, “You were so young when we left there. But they will always be with you.”

“So, they are dead.” I stated. It wasn't a question merely a fact. I knew it to be true. I just wanted to say the words out loud.

“They are, Orin. I failed them,” Erin replied, tears returning to touch the edges of her eyes. “I received a second letter from the Hall a week after the first. This one wasn't from the council, but from a single man. Mastan D'viritazi, Tessa's father. He warned me of what was going to happen, warned me that the Hall was sending it's Vigilant to kill you and wipe Sulturut off the face of Ouros. He told me how special you are and why they wanted you dead.”

Elora gasped when the Sister mentioned the Vigilant but I frowned in confusion.

“The Vigilant are the Hall's mortal guard,” Elora explained, “They are commonly called Knight-killers by the Nobility. Each of them uses Inscribed weapons and armour. They are the hunters of those who go against the will of the Hall, usually Knights and Smiths. I had thought them a ghost story.”

“No, I'm afraid they are very real, and very dangerous,” Erin stared into my eyes. “You know one of them already. Boldrin was once one of the Hall's Vigilant.”

That shook me to my core and my eyes widened, “Boldrin works for the Hall?”

“Used to,” Erin corrected, “He left that life behind long before Sulturut. Changed his name and became a mercenary. I had worked with him once before while on assignment in the Eastern Islands. Boldrin had been working for Mastan for some time when we ran away.”

“That's why Craven called him Gustav!” I exclaimed.

“You saw the yellow-eyed Knight?” Erin asked sharply, her gaze suddenly intense.

“For a short time,” I replied softly, the image of old Brin filling my sight. “He's dead. Elora and I ended him for good.”

“That's good,” Erin sighed, looking more tired than ever, “Perhaps now Boldrin can find some peace.”

“Who was he, Sister? Who was Hammond?” Elora asked. I knew why she was asking. Elora didn't mention the yellow-eyed Knight much but he was the first man she had ever killed with her own two hands. The first time you take human life tends to leave an impression. I knew that better than most.

Erin shook her head, “That isn't my tale to tell. He was a ghost from Boldrin's past and so it is for him to decide whether to tell you.”

“He tried to kill us twice,” I growled, “You said you would tell me everything.”

“I won't tell you secrets that aren't mine to reveal,” The Sister replied, releasing my hand.

“But keeping mine is just fine in your eyes.” I responded sharply.

Erin's face twisted, sadness consuming her, “That isn't fair, Orin. I didn't have a choice.”

“There is always a choice, Sister. Because of you, Boldrin and Tessa playing your games I almost died, nearly lost Elora. You had no right to hide all this from me, no right!” I was angry again, Erin's story was causing my blood to boil, my heart to pound. Not only was the Sister refusing to talk to me about Boldrin and Craven, but she had a direct hand in the deaths of my parents. Did she stand by and do nothing while a home I would never have burned to the ground?

“Orin,” Elora whispered into my ear in warning and turned to the Sister, “Excuse us for a moment, Sister.”

The Princess took my hand and pulled me from my seat. We walked to the other end of the large dining hall, leaving Sister Erin where she sat, tears spilling and sorrow unleashed.

“Orin, you can't lose yourself like this.” Elora turned to me, her jaw clenched. “She is your mother. She loves you. She has made mistakes, she shouldn't have kept secrets, but it is done now. Shouting at her won't help things.”

“Then what would you have me do, Elora?” I asked, nearly desperate even as my anger grew all the more intense. “Please. Please, tell me what to do.”

“Oh, my Knight,” The Princess hugged me, pulling me into her arms as I clung to her like a raft at sea.

“It's too much,” I said, my eye staring at nothing. “I don't know what to say to her, don't know how to react. My parents are dead and yet I don't know enough to even mourn them.”

“I know how you feel, Orin. I can feel your turmoil across the Bond,” Elora pulled back and grinned at me. “But think about it like this. If none of this had happened. If you had known about Tessa, about Boldrin, would we ever have met? Would you have ever jumped onto that stage to save my life?”

I chuckled, “I suppose not.”

Elora grabbed my face with both hands, “Then as terrible as it is to say, I'm glad that it happened this way. Before you, I lived a strange half life. I lived in a cage and was told how to act, how to think. What to do and when to do it. You freed me from that. I know this hurts, I know it is painful. But it will get better. I'll never leave you, I swear.”

I sighed and pulled Elora back into my arms. Suddenly I felt better. The Princess had always had a soothing effect on me, even when we had first met. I had thought it was the Bond at first but that had been proven wrong after the Severance. I realised that she was right. As much as it hurts to hear all these truths now, the Sister was still my mother. I still owed her a debt that I may never be able to repay.

“Have I told you how incredible you are?” I smiled as I stepped back and looked into Elora's golden eyes.

“Once or twice. You are the strongest man I know, Orin. You can do this.” Elora smiled and leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine. The affection was all too brief, but it caused my soul to sing.

We walked back to the Sister, my arm wrapped around Elora's shoulders. Erin smiled at both of us.

“I see you have more than kept your Bond with the Princess, my son.” My mother said slowly, almost as though she was afraid she would set me off again.

“What can I say, Sister. Princesses just can't get enough of me.” I laughed as Elora smacked my chest.

“Have you known many, husband?” Elora had a dangerous edge to her voice, so I wisely remained silent.

“Husband?” The Sister's eyes widened in surprise.

I waved my hand through the air tiredly, “A story for later. I'm sorry I acted like that, Sister. The Princess put me in my place. Would you finish telling me your story?”

The Sister leaned over and took my hands in hers as I sat back down. “Of course, I will. I love you, Orin. You have been my son in all but blood since you were three months old. I'm not asking for your forgiveness before you hear everything. I just want you to know that you can take as much time as you need.”

“Thanks, Sister,” I replied, my smile genuine and heartfelt.

“As I was saying,” Erin continued, “After I received the letter from Mastan, I knew we didn't have much time. When the Vigilant are on the hunt they never stop until their task is completed. Each of them is a killer, each more dangerous than the last. Tessa's father seemed to already know I would help you escape. I had doubts before Sulturut. About the Hall, about my place as a Sister. I knew that I needed to keep you safe and after what Mastan told me it became all the more vital. I tried to convince your parents, to convince the villagers. It took time but I explained everything to them, told them of your power and what you could do.”

“They believed you?” Elora asked incredulously, leaning forward to avoid missing a single word.

“Not at first. But I was very convincing and they could see my fear. One night. That was all we needed. In the morning we would cross into the Nariti plains and vanish. The Hall has no influence among the nomads. I thought we would be safe if we made it across the border,” Erin closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. “They came in the night. Sooner than I expected.”

Tension filled the dining room. The Sister's sorrow was an almost tangible thing and it hit me with a wave of emphatic energy. I held her hands tighter to spurn her on through the darkness.

“I didn't know anything was happening until the screams started. Friends were cut down. Men, women, children. All of them killed in cold blood. The town was small, barely big enough to be called a town at all and not a face I saw I didn't know. I hid as best I could. I knew enough of their methods to keep myself concealed,” Erin sobbed as she suddenly opened her eyes and met mine, “They saved you for last, Orin. Helga hid you inside the house while Oban went out to fight them, but he was no warrior. He was cut down and they set fire to your home. They encircled your house and watched as it burned to the ground before they left.”

Elora's hand was clamped over her mouth as she listened, tears spilling freely. I felt nothing but a deep ache in my stomach.

“Fucking animals,” I whispered.

“They should have checked to see if you were dead,” Erin suddenly laughed, her joy that I survived evident, “But they didn't. Helga gave her life for you, covering you in a damp blanket and shielding you with her own body from the debris. I wanted to bury them but I couldn't. I needed to try and get away as soon as possible. So I took you and ran.”

I suddenly felt a surge of intense feeling towards my mother and father. They had tried to protect me, they had given everything for me and without a single thought for themselves.

“Why would they do something like that? I'm a commoner. I may be an Heir but I couldn't be that much of a threat. Why not recruit me, or take me away for safe-keeping? Why go through with all that... madness?” I asked the question, but I didn't expect a response until the Sister chuckled.

“That's exactly the point, Orin. You being an Heir wasn't the threat. At least, not all of it”

Erin leaned forward and placed a hand against my cheek, her face filled with such maternal affection as a finger brushed the tip of my silver scar.

“You were a commoner, son. That's why you needed to die.”