"Hey, Nirry, can I crash your date? Or would you rather keep it just you and the lad?" the Master Water Mage asked, stepping out of the mist. Irritation tinged with a hint of tease colored his voice. "I'd hate to be a third wheel."

Blood rushed to Meneurmut's cheeks - and, well, other places - while a frown took shape on the woman's forehead. "Your jokes go too far, Dunlan. Or do you really take me for such an easy skank?"

Meneurmut’s breath hitched as he met the mage’s piercing gaze.

"Of course not, Nirry." Master Water Mage’s voice didn’t show it, but he was furious. "It’s just that seeing you two wandering around at night - forget it, bad joke. Anyway, I spoke to a couple of guys - guess who they saw leave Fallen's Cry."

"How am I supposed to know? There are hundreds of seekers down there... hold on." She stiffened, her gaze snapping to the battle unfolding in the shadows of the Esulmor Gate. "You are saying Rayden called Deckard out?"

"It would be a bloody big coincidence that he came out right now, don't you think?"

Nirry's eyes narrowed. "They managed to subdue the Shadowbreakers pretty easily even without him, though."

"I wouldn't say easily. Besides, I haven't seen Ward and his two shadows anywhere."

"No one has seen Rayden either. Do you think they... they've duked it out somewhere else?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. The fighting has broken out in several places in Castiana. However, all the Shadowbreakers eventually pulled back here. Not, him, though."

"There’s got to be more to this than what we see," Nirry of Lion’s Roar muttered, narrowing her eyes at the brawl at the gate.

"Obviously."

"Asshole," she scoffed. "Ward may be an arrogant prick, but he's no fool. He has to know that after this he'll have to leave Sahal."

"If he is still alive."

"I bet he is. Like I said, he's no fool. He wouldn't confront Rayden head-on."

"And what do you call this?"

"You know what I mean."

"Sure, sure - he would make sure to occupy our esteemed captain in some other way."

While the two from Lion's Roar were enjoying a casual conversation, taking in the battle at the Esulmor Gate like it was a dance show, Meneurmut could barely keep his cool - or even stay on his hooves. What they were talking about was beyond belief. Did Captain Rayden actually fight Ward, the leader of the Shadowbreakers? And what about Deckard? He was a seeker that many Taurus warriors looked up to for his strength and courage - himself included. Was he really out there with the city guards?

Meneurmut couldn’t help scanning the crowd of city guards at the Esulmor Gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. That guy was basically the reason he wanted to join the Castiana City Guards. Sure, he knew Deckard had retired long ago, so it was unlikely he would ever see him at the barracks. But it was Deckard’s decision to leave that had inspired Meneurmut to apply. He saw no future in the clan, no way to earn any respect while being stuck there. If Deckard could leave and make a difference, why couldn’t he?

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So, like him, he was ready to step out, find his own way, and prove all those who made fun of him wrong.

Reality, however, was proving to be a lot tougher. He just didn’t have Deckard’s guts, the courage to jump into Fallen's Cry alone, and joining a company was tantamount to gambling for Terr'den. You could hit the jackpot or end up being treated like a slave. But being a city guard? Now that’s a respectable job. He could work on his magic without worrying about being used or belittled. With Rayden as captain, he was sure of it.

Sure, the city guards didn’t have any Terr'dens, but the way they treated other races was pretty much the same as how they treated humans.

Yet despite all his efforts, the path to becoming one had been repeatedly denied to him.

"Hooray!" Sudden triumphant cheers from the city guards pulled Meneurmut out of his thoughts. The fight had come to a close, at least the one happening near the gate. The archers and mages on the walls were still going strong, their shots and spells brightening the night sky as they targeted the fleeing Shadowbreakers.

"Stay sharp. Secure the area, tend to the wounded," Lieutenant Rhys, Warden Master, boomed. His words were short and to the point, but his voice had a strength that commanded respect. "And collar all these mongrels."

Meneurmut froze. 'Did he just order them to put the collars on...?' The horror sank in, twisting his stomach, but then it hit him. 'They're basically war criminals, now,' he realized, recalling the laws he had tried to memorize in his pursuit of becoming one of the men and women he now watched following the orders.

"Stand further back!"

"Where we can see you!"

"You there, identify yourself!"

The city guards moved like a finely tuned magic tool, restoring order with practiced ease.

"Ah, Lion's Roar - thanks for the assist." A familiar voice snapped Meneurmut's focus to the armored man talking to a woman and the guy he came with. 'Warrant Officer Pinescar?' It took him a moment to recognize him, especially the helmet made it hard, but it was undoubtedly him. The man who had questioned him numerous times for his motives for joining the city guards, only to always tell him: "I'm sorry, but we're not hiring right now."

"Yeah, that goes without saying," Master Water Mage Dunlan said, forcing a grin.

Nirry chimed in, "It's what we’re supposed to do."

"Good, at least someone hasn't lost their fucking mind," Sergeant Pinescar remarked, only to take a moment to rub his tired eyes. "My bad - this night’s been a lot. Again, your help is appreciated. I’m sure Captain Rayden will have a word with your leader about this mess later."

"She'd better," Dunlan said with a smirk.

"Is that a threat?"

"Oh, no. No, no, no Warrant Officer. Just a bad joke on his part. Nevertheless, we'd just appreciate knowing what led the Shadowbreakers to... this. Someone..." Nirry said, shooting a sharp look towards her colleague. "... might have come to a misunderstanding. And no one would want that, right?"

Warrant Officer Pinescar took a moment to size her up. “Right, having a misunderstanding right now would be most unfortunate. That's why I'd appreciate it if you'd step back. The same goes for you," he said towards Meneurmut, freezing. "You joined Lion's Roar?"

"Oh, you two know each other?" Nirry chimed in, sounding all curious, like a kid.

"Yeah, you could say that," Warrant Officer Pinescar replied. "So...?"

"The lad's too weak, a scaredy-cat. Not fit for the Lion's Roar. We caught him cowering in some alley, practically wetting himself."

"Well, that’s not how I’d say it, but it’s pretty much spot on," the Master Hunter woman nodded. "Clan Ironhoof of Taurus sent him here. We simply made sure he would be able to report back."

“Ah, so the Clan of Taurus sent you, did they?” Sergeant Pinescar said, giving Meneurmut a look that made it clear he didn't believe any of it. "Well, good thinking, you two. Again, the city guards appreciate your help, Lion's Roar. Having a dispute with the Taurus, or any Terr'dens, would be most unfortunate, right now. NOW, like I said, please step back and let us do our job. That goes for everyone!" His voice rose, adding to the noise of all the shouting around them. After shooting one last glance at the Lion's Roar duo, his gaze lingered on Meneurmut for a beat before he turned to the other onlookers, clearly ignoring the guards’ orders.