The cart and their three tied up and gagged passengers made their way gently toward the Guardhouse through Market Street. The little crowd following them was much quieter and sparse than before, an effect of failed trial. They turned into West Work Street to not inconvenience too much the wealthy [Merchants] and their customers. As they came into view of the Main Street bridge, his wandering eyes stopped on the familiar face of Andrea, the [Rogue] who had stolen from Mr Moore at the same place nearly a year before. He saw her smile. The same one she had every time before saying: “You're screwed, coal-head”. He would have released a breath if only he was not gagged.

Suddenly, he felt someone stepping on his foot. He quickly identified Ianina as the culprit, and as he looked into her wide-opened eyes, he understood something was going on. As she directed her gaze toward the front, he noticed a tall woman with half-long brown hair wearing an iron scale mail with a brown cape and leather pants standing in the way about twenty meters ahead. She held a round shield, and a sword was hanging from her belt. Metello couldn't see it, but he knew that a neighing horse's head was embroidered in red surrounded by two white circles on a silver background at the back of her cape. It had recognized Livia, Ianina's bodyguard.

Metello didn't know what, but he was pretty sure something was going on. As the cart arrived ten meters from the [Shieldbearer], she shouted.

“Stop now! I am Livia Gozi, and Milo and Zola Silverstar hired me to protect their daughter Ianina, who is wrongfully detained by your forces. I demand that you release her now!”

The [Commander] of the eight men escort replied.

“These people are accused of treason. Your request cannot be granted now, but you can form a complaint at the Guardhouse.”

“I already went to ask for it, and nothing had been done. I have to demand once more to release the daughter of a noble.”

“Peter, Brenan, Joshua, Clara, go and put her aside. If she resists, you can use force.”

Livia unsheathed her sword, and a fight began. Behind her, Metello could see that four other monster hunters were coming to help her.

“Travis, Joey, Anna, be careful. Distress Cal...”

At Metello's side, a masked person wearing leather armor had jumped into the [Commander]'s back and put a tissue on his mouth and nose. The [Acolyte] had barely the time to turn around and see that the other three were in the same situation before all four of them dropped down. One of the three masked people came to Metello.

“Do not resist. We will take you to a safe place.”

As it seemed they were with Livia, he did as he had been told. The man crouched and lifted up the tired monster hunter unceremoniously. Metello didn't even know if Roger and Ianina were going to follow them when a powerful jump made him fly to the four-meter flat roof of the nearby building. Without waiting, the man ran and jumped from roof to roof as if playing hopscotch. From time to time, the [Acolyte] could catch a glimpse of Ianina and Roger behind them. He managed to understand they were going toward the Poor District Area, but things were going too fast to know more.

After a brief minute, they stopped and jumped down into an open trapdoor. Metello found himself in a room that looked like his first home. When he looked around toward the entrance and told himself that it WAS his first home, he finally noticed Jeffrey coming to him and, curiously, Babayet the [Traveling Merchant]. His eyes went wide. Their [Rogue] squadmate told them in a not so confident manner.

“We don't have much time. Let me take off your gag and explain a bit what's next. You three will leave the city in Babayet's carriage. Your things and your money are already in it down there. We will unlock the bracelets, and you'll have to go. Do you have some questions ?”

Metello could speak for the first time in two hours, but Roger was faster.

“How did you organize all that?”

“That's too long to explain in detail, but I could say I went and found more allies than I thought I could. Another question ?”

This time, it was Metello's turn.

“How is the orphanage faring ?”

“All is good. Some monster hunters and [Rogues] are keeping everybody safe for now. We will leave the city too shortly after you.”

“So, you won't come with us.”

Jeffrey winced.

“No. As I have said, I need to stay with Carl and Isobel. I will help everybody to go to the Windless Alliance. Roger's old crew and Livia will come with us too, at least for the first part of the trip to Bridgetown. So, Ianina, if you still want to avoid your bodyguard, you should go eastward quickly once on the plains. The last one ?”

The bracelets had been all unlocked expertly. Roger opened his mouth with a wide grin.

“Do you remember Jeffrey, when I told you would save our lives and that it was in a pinch that [Rogues] show their true values in a squad? I think you can say now that I was right. Thank you so much, man.”

Metello's eyes moistened as Roger went to embrace the [Rogue].

“So this is a farewell. Thank you, Jeffrey. I hope we'll see you again in the future.”

Metello went to take part in the embrace, followed by Ianina. Babayet's low voice resounded behind them after a few seconds.

“That's enough, youngsters. The way is clear. We have to leave now if you want this farewell to be a happy one.”

As the door opened, and before they went out, Jeffrey said his last words to his former squadmates.

“I will keep my ears open to hear the stories about the Warming Light Protectors.”

Metello was not used to friendly relations. Even less to separations. It had been easier for his heart when he had been alone in the orphanage library. Nevertheless, with tears coming again to his eyes, a smile was plastered on his face as he heard Jeffrey's words. The bully from years ago had been replaced by a friend to which he owed his life. That had needed only a month.

Babayet climbed down the platform quickly, and Metello, Ianina, and Roger followed. The stress and all the other emotions made them forget their tiredness. The three masked people had followed them down to look for witnesses. Babayet's carriage was perfectly placed just down the ladder. It was easy to jump discreetly into the vehicle. As Metello was the last to go in, one of the masked [Rogues] told him from behind in a manly voice.

“Good luck, coal-head.”

Metello turned and froze face to face with the man who had put off his mask and wore now a grin. He recognized someone he hadn't seen since ten years ago.

“Harvey ?”

“Yes. I just wanted to say I was sorry. Not much time for anything more anyway. Go in now.”

“OK. Thanks

He turned back inside, not knowing what to make of it. There was really too much thing going on at the same time for him to understand all of it now. He focused back on the present time as Roger poked him. Inside, there was a narrow corridor to access the front. The back of the carriage was filled with a row of barrels. Some were closed, and some opened ones contained iron tools and a few weapons. In the middle were piles of leather clothes and armors. There was even a pile of raw leather. At the front were some large cushioned chests which usually left enough room to access the driver's seat. But for now, a ladder barred access to it but permitted access to a trapdoor in the ceiling. That was the moment when Metello noticed that above his head were a flat wooden planks assembling. Thus, there was a tiny space between the rounded leather roof and the flat ceiling. The [Traveling Merchant] went after them and whispered.

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“Climb up the ladder. I'll hand it to you to hide once you will all be up there, and I'll close the trapdoor. You have to stay silent until I come and open to you again. Do you understand?”

They all nodded. Metello whispered as Ianina was going up the ladder.

“Why do you help us ?”

“We have not much time to speak about it, but let's just say I hope I can join the Warming Light Protectors.”

“But, aren't you a [Merchant] ?”

“I am, but it's more complicated than that. Keep this talk for when we are outside Ironholes. Go up.”

He joined Roger and Ianina and lay down in the cushioned tiny space where they found blankets and pillows. They stored the ladder in the middle and found themselves in the dark once the trapdoor was closed. They had a little time to make them comfortable before the horses pulled the carriage forward noisily.

It had only been a few minutes since they were in another vehicle on the way to the Guardhouse. A lot had happened, and Metello had had little time to think about it. As they went their way through the streets, listening to the sounds they met, he took the time to realize what happened to them. Mrs Richardson, Livia, monster hunters, and [Rogues] had all cooperated to help them escape, all that thanks to Jeffrey. The orphanage was safe. The orphan winced in the dark as he thought he would be able to say goodbye to neither Mrs Richardson nor Maria. He was even more pained as he realized he would probably never see them again. It was worth it, as long as they managed to get to a safe area.

After a twenty-minute journey, Metello's stress level had come down, and the fatigue was hitting him hard when the carriage stopped. He could once again hear Babayet speak to someone, but as he understood it was the gate [Guards], he woke up fully.

“You can't go out now, sir. There are fugitives in the city.”

Metello heard Babayet reply in a worried tone.

“Yes, I know. That's why I want to leave earlier than I anticipated, brave men. My family is waiting for me near the valley gates, and I worry for them. If you are afraid I am hiding criminals, I assure you it is not the case, and I can let you look inside if you need to. You have the skill to know I told the truth, haven't you? Then you know I didn't lie.”

“Yes, but the orders hav...”

“I know you're doing a tiring job, but in my place, when your family is in danger, what would you do? You know what? I have some well-made daggers in there. Let me grab them.”

The rustle of weapons in their sheaths made it clear to Metello that they had taken hostile stances.

“Let me find them. Where have I... Here they are. Let me show you... OW! What are you doing? Sorry, did I offend you, brave men ?”

“Don't draw a weapon on us, please.”

“No, no! I wanted to gift them to you. As you have chosen to protect the city from criminals, I think you deserve more of a reward than your salary. As a humble [Merchant], I can tell you business would be really different without men like you. Do you want them? One each.”

After a few silent seconds, Metello heard the click of a tongue.

“Okay. You didn't lie until now. I think we can let you pass for now as we have no specific orders concerning [Merchants]. Do you agree, William? We will open the door and close it behind you, so don't laze around, please.”

“Thank you much, sirs! I will pass the message that Ironholes [Guards] are the friendlier I met.”

The carriage went on the move once again. Babayet threw the last thank you as they closed the gate behind the [Traveling Merchant]'s vehicle. Metello released a deep breath. It had been a stressful talk. Once he could no more hear people from the outside noises, he asked his squadmates.

“How was he able to lie to them without being caught ?”

Ianina's voice resounded in the dark.

“I think he simply didn't lie.”

“But he said we weren't in the carriage.”

“No, he said that there was no criminal in his carriage. Which is the case. I've been told about that by our [Specialty Merchant]. He said to me that if you lead the conversation, you can use words to say things that are true, while what the person in front of you interprets of it is false.”

“Wow. Impressive.”

A knock resounded from below, and Babayet's voice followed.

“Are you OK up there? We'll be at the plains gates in around twenty minutes, but I think it's better for you to stay hidden for now. We never know.”

Roger's voice replied a bit too loud to Metello's ear opinion.

“You're right. It's pretty comfy up here anyway, so there is no problem.”

Babayet laughed.

“I'm glad you like my family bedroom. For now, I'll stop talking. See you later.”

Around twenty minutes later, the carriage stopped, and Babayet yelled.

“Josette, Jade, Opale! I have finished with the business here!”

A frustrated childish voice replied.

“You didn't have to yell, dad. We saw you coming.”

“Don't be so mad, Jade. I know you wanted to see the city, but you know we couldn't. We'll stop at Bridgetown for some time on the way to the capital. We'll be in a city fast enough in a few cycles.”

“We go back to Farport ?”

The expectant tone burst into joy at the silent reply. A motherly voice came next.

“Jump in the carriage, Jade. The faster we depart, the faster we'll be there. I want to sleep in a nice bed too.” And a bit louder. “Thank you, nice men, for taking care of us!”

“No problem, Madam. We enjoyed your company.”

With a fake outraged voice, Babayet said.

“What? I hope you didn't cheat on me, Josette.”

A general laugh burst among the [Guards].

“Who knows...”

The wife's comeback fueled the laughs once more.

“Let's go. I don't want jealousy to push me to challenge one of these strong [Guards] to a duel.”

“Sorry, but we have questions to ask before you go. That will be quick. Are you involved in the escape of criminals who took place a few minutes ago?”

“I didn't meet anyone I knew was a criminal in there. I'm not a big fan of their kinds, you know. Being stabbed or stolen are not my preferred hobbies.”

“OK. I will still ask if you have information about someone called Metello, Ianina, or Roger.”

“I think we met them, haven't we, Josette? I think that were the names of the monster hunters we spoke to when we arrived the last cycle.”

“Yes, you're right.”

“And you haven't seen them after that ?”

The woman replied after a small silence.

“No.”

“Fine, you can go. It was nice to meet you, madam, misses. And Sir too.”

A muffled laugh resounded once more.

“Thank you, sirs. Goodbye. Opale, did you light the lamps ?”

“Yes, dad.”

----------------------------------------

A few minutes later, Metello was surprised to sense a divine energy urge, meaning he leveled up a blessing. But he didn't have the time to chant a Prayer of Status. As the carriage was going forward in the dark tunnel through the mountain, Babayet pulled on the reins to stop his horses and halt the vehicle.

“Jade, could you open the bed trapdoor, please. There is a surprise up there.”

“Hum? Okay.”

Metello and his squad-mates waited as the girl worked the trapdoor, and some light came to them.

“Can you get the ladder, mom ?”

Before his wife could stand, Babayet said.

“Ask the ladder to come down by herself. You never know.”

“Are you sure? You don't prank me, are you? Ladder, come down, please.”

As Roger put it down the trapdoor, Metello could see the [Swordsman] face ready to laugh. He looked at Ianina to find her in the same state. It's not as the [Acolyte] could blame them. They couldn't contain their laughs at the girl's reaction that was surprised at first then worried.

“Dad! It came down! What have you done? I think there are people up there, dad.”

“Yes, there are. It's Metello, Ianina, and Roger. Come down now if you want. They will travel with us for some time, at least as far as Bridgetown. I will explain that on the road once they will all be down with us.”

Josette looked at her husband with mischievous eyes.

“So, this was the reason for your look as Michael asked his last question! Be glad to have a beautiful and intelligent wife able to understand her man and not ask him questions too early.”

With a bright smile, he went to kiss her.

“You're right. You are my personal goddess, Josette, and you bless me by your wisdom. But, please, don't call the [Guard] by his name.”

“Why? [Guards] don't deserve names? Anyway, I'm glad you managed to help them.”

While the couple argued jokingly, the three young monster hunters descended one after the other into the cramped vehicle. Babayet stayed in the driver seat with Josette as the two girls went in the back to leave some space for the newcomers.

As Metello was the last one to come down, he greeted each member of the family one by one. After he finished with the two girls at the end, he looked behind them and saw a familiar face coming through the back of the carriage. His eyes went round, and he shouted.

“Maria? What are you doing here ?”