Not a moment had passed after they entered the cavern when the battle began. Brigands brandished their blades, and lunged toward them. Alaric charged in with great relish as he swung his blade. Aela, tired from the previous encounter, kept close to Lucullus, helping him with his battles instead of engaging in her own. As a team, they easily whittled down the Diebstahl’s numbers. Lucullus’s shield was large enough that a well-placed block could protect them both, and Aela’s strategic use of fire kept the horde from swarming them.

The previous fatigue turned the battle into a war of attrition, and the bloodbath spread to both sides. There was hardly a new recruit left on the Kampfergilde’s side, but the veterans remained steadfast. When the last of the Diebstahl had been slain, Lucullus was doubled over trying to catch his breath. Aela was taking slow deep breaths, but the sweat covering her face indicated that she felt the battle as much as he did.

“Praise be to the Savra that no other Chaodites were present,” Aela said.

Lucullus tiredly raised his sword. “I agree. If there had been another, I doubt we would’ve survived.”

Without missing a beat, Alaric and Johannes scoured the cavern. Aela followed Alaric, and Lucullus went with Johannes.

Though the general structure of the cavern still remained from the mining days, many rooms had been carved into it, and some areas looked more like the interior of a castle or even a tavern. It was a tall cave, and had many levels full of rooms and walkways. Many such walkways still had the signs of being built for the miners. The most developed of them were near where it looked like deposits of silver once were. Some of the rooms occupied these otherwise empty holes in the cave walls. For a place ran by brigands, it was remarkably well-maintained.

“What is it you hope to find in these mines?” Aela asked.

Alaric looked all around as they walked through the various little rooms. “Something that would indicate where their leader resides. We know they have people in large concentrations around the capital region. We just have to find their hiding place.”

“I would guess maps would be the way forward. I doubt they would give directions in a letter.”

He chuckled. “Very perceptive. Though I do believe they would give vague hints in the letters, I don’t think anything obvious would slip through. But the maps always stay at their outposts. Rarely do they ever leave the table they’re laid on.”

“We’re looking for a map room, then?”

He nodded.

“Even with this whole cavern cleared,” Lucullus muttered, “I still don’t trust the silence. There’s far more to these mines, surely, than what we’ve covered. Thieves who have yet to face the sword.”

Johannes patted him on the back. “I don’t like those prospects either. But our attention is chiefly toward getting what we came here for. If we truly strike gold, we may even find the information you’re looking for.”

Lucullus looked at him. “What I’m looking for?”

Johannes nodded. “There was a Chaodite here. Could be more. If one was sent here, and he had such power, I don’t doubt that their superiors have a direct line of communication with this place. It’s the perfect place. I’m quite surprised they didn’t ever try to take it from the Diebstahl.”

“Maybe they saw the benefit of keeping the Diebstahl in such a powerful position.”

Johannes shrugged. “Possibly. I imagine they also have a bigger fish in their net.”

“I pray that fish in their net turns into a sword in their throat.”

He sighed. “I can tell the Chaodites have affected you deeply, Lucullus.”

Lucullus looked up from searching a chest. “That’s the truest statement there ever was.”

“You’ve never spoke in much length about your past.”

“It’s for a good reason.” He paused for a while, staring deep into the chest before closing it. “Some of the details are better unsaid.”

“I just have to wonder what could have brought you down the road of the Savra, and to fighting Chaodism. What was the starting point?”

Lucullus bowed his head and sighed. “If you really want to know, I will tell you. But not a word of this shall be spoken to anyone.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “With Therapevo, Aeras, Fotia, Nekrotomeio, and Fantasma as my witnesses, I shall not utter a word of it. My lips shall be sewn shut.”

“The man I owe the most for my belief in the Savra would be…” His hand quaked a little as he opened a drawer. He took a deep breath. “Decimus.”

“A close friend?”

“Yea.” He wiped sweat from his forehead. “He always sought the truth. When it came to investigating corruption and conspiracy in Lucium, he made no exception. But that had its consequences.”

Johannes looked down. A grim expression swept across his face. “I know how ruthless the Chaodites can be. They have a way of making men turn on each other. Even the man watching your back in battle can suddenly be the one to put a knife in it.”

Lucullus’s heart skipped a beat. “You’ve experienced it, too?”

“Betrayal? Of course. I once knew someone who turned away from the Savra. They became seduced by Chaodis and his empty promises.”

“Did they ever try to kill you? Have you arrested?”

Johannes shook his head. “Worse than either of those two. But I wish to keep silent on that. The only thing I can say is that if you struggled to keep your composure in that room where the Chaodite dwelt, then just know that it was a comparable experience.”

Lucullus shuddered. “What a dreadful image. I was never sacrificed on an altar or brought near one by a Chaodite. But that wretched snake kept me from avenging Decimus’s death.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Wretched snake?”

“His name,” Lucullus clenched his teeth for a moment, “I can hardly utter it, is Tullius.” He punched a hole in a nearby desk, and shook his hand until the pain subsided. “It’s like you said, ‘even the man watching your back in battle can suddenly be the one to put a knife in it’. We were working together on the investigation to find the murderer. We were friends since birth. The last time I saw him, I wanted to kill him. I tried with every bit of strength I could muster to kill him. To repay the blade in my back with another. But it wasn’t enough… The coward had an army helping him to fight me.”

Johannes stared intently at some letters he found to avoid looking at Lucullus. “My heart is troubled greatly to hear such things.”

“Mine was, too.” He took a deep breath, and let it out with a loud sigh. “The part of my journey which really set me on the right path was what happened while I was in a cell… Let’s just focus on finding whatever we’re supposed to be looking for.”

“I understand completely. We can speak on it more at some other time, if you wish.”

In silence they continued. After some time of searching, they regrouped with Alaric and Aela to discuss their discoveries.

Alaric triumphantly held up a large map with a grin. “Ha! Wir haben es getan!”

Aela leaned over to Lucullus. “We found a map that has several key locations. We just need to figure out which one holds their leader.”

Lucullus responded, “We found a few letters that might be of interest to all of us. Perhaps they could help with that map.”

Johannes looked over and motioned for Lucullus to hand over the letter.

It has come to my attention that our most valuable treasure shall arrive soon in your abode. The ones who shall deliver this shining jewel to you are not of our ilk. When they shall enter, you are to honor them as you would to me. One of them will be sojourning in the long room for a time. I have already approved of this, so do not trouble him. He will likely request some things for his worship. Stones and people, except those with us, are all to be gathered at his request. A few days behind their arrival I have sent a caravan to collect the prize. Until that caravan arrives, you are to keep her secure. If the prize is destroyed when my caravan comes, the ones responsible will be given over to our guest in the long room. As I write this, there is a change of plans in where my caravan is to go with the prize. Some disturbances in the outer islands have caused worry among our friends. They have entrusted their goods to The Hand. Do not let the prize be as a butchered swine left at my door. I have promised them that my house shall be a safe haven. By my orders, the lieutenant and at least four men of his choosing are to accompany this caravan. It’s far too dangerous to leave such a job only to the paltry guard that I can spare.

- P

Alaric smirked. “Das Hand!” He pointed to a small hand drawn over Inselhauptstadt on the map.

Aela whispered to Lucullus, “At least we know the city. But Inselhauptstadt is a large city. It could be anywhere.”

“I agree. But I have an idea where to look.”

Aela stepped back and looked at him curiously.

“I’ve infiltrated a den of thieves before.”

She sighed and shook her head. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.” She called to Alaric to get his attention, then turned back to Lucullus. “Where should we look?”

“The sewers.”

She held back the urge to vomit, and relayed the suggestion to Alaric.

He nodded and called out to his men. “Lass uns gehen!”

Lucullus looked at Johannes. “Does that mean we’re going to the sewers?”

“Yes.”

“What are we to do about the rest of the mines?”

Johannes waved his hand dismissively. “We can deal with the rest of them at another time. I just hope we don’t encounter more on the way out.”

Aela interjected, “I can cast some lightning at the entrance to cave it in.”

Lucullus gave her a worried look. “Do you have enough strength left for it?”

She nodded. “Devotion to Aeras has many benefits. One of those is great stamina in Mystiko.”

Tullius slowed his pace as he approached the grand doors leading to Sabina’s court. He was eager to complete his mission from the Archduchess, but sacrificing court etiquette was a line he couldn’t cross. Certainly not if he was the courier of such an important letter. Upon approaching her throne, he knelt down and held up the letter. All eyes in the court were on him, as they would be with anyone delivering a letter to Sabina. Some of the curious onlookers whispered among themselves about what the letter could be.

Sabina descended the steps from her throne and took the letter. “Rise, Sir Tullius.”

He did as commanded, and waited for her to continue.

As she read the letter, a smile crept across her face. “You have done well.” She turned to look for her son. “Pontius.”

He ran up to her. “What do you need, mother?”

“Come with us. We must discuss some things in my chamber.”

The three of them moved quickly to her chamber, and relaxed on the formalities and stiff posture as Sabina closed the door.

“The Duke seemed hesitant, at first. It would seem that someone is spreading rumors about you, Archduchess.”

She chuckled. “Of course. I would be surprised if no one was.”

“Are we here to discuss the coalition?” Pontius asked.

“Indeed, we are.” She laid the letter on her bed. “The Duke’s support was the last piece that I needed to guarantee success in my proposal at the next council.”

“Mother, it appears as though Cicero is determined to undermine such proposals.”

She laughed. “And why do you say that, son?”

He pulled out a letter. “This was intercepted by my men.”

She took the letter, read it, and scoffed at it. “That half-bred mutt thinks the Kyrios can help him?” She took a deep breath and composed herself. “Son, I need you to go to Bol.”

“To Bol? What would we want with those scaly merchants?”

“I don’t intend to trade for goods with those misers. I know it’s not your specialty, but your brother is busy, and I need someone to assist my ally in some diplomacy. You remember Cain?”

He nodded. “The Shah of Bol? What about him?”

“His realm is a mess. Of his three wives, he has only had a child by Jezebel. One of the other two is pregnant, but his luck with children is worse than Titus’s attempts at leading a country. He fears that someone may attempt to usurp him.”

“Sounds more like I need to kill than to talk.”

She sighed. “The words of a fool,” she muttered to herself. “I need you to figure out exactly what is going on. Try to avoid weakening Bol too much in the process. I need Cain, but his help is useless if he can only stay in power while the world around him burns.”

“It may come to that.”

She let out a bigger sigh. “If he is that hopeless, find a more profitable house to ally with, and help them secure the throne. If I am to depose Titus, I must avoid befriending fools.”

“I get the point, mother.” He bowed and went for the door.

“Before you depart,” she interrupted, “take these.” She handed him a few scrolls.

He looked down at them, then back at her.

“They are for Cain to read.”

Pontius shrugged and left the chamber.

Sabina turned her attention back to Tullius. “I believe it is time to show you what I promised.”

“You mentioned something about secrets.”

Her eyes began to glow a little. “Only the most well-kept secrets. It is something Lucium has not seen in a long time.” She spread out her arms as if to welcome someone in big hug. And at once, a ring of fire appeared around her. Round about the fire changed into many colors.

Tullius took a step back. “Spells?”

Sabina chuckled. “Not like the ones you see from those Dasosan sorcerers.” She raised her hands, and the ring of fire turned into a column. “This is the power I was taught many years ago when I visited Bol. Their secret god bestows these great spiritual powers only on those who have opened their eyes to the ways of the hidden realm.”

As the flames disappeared, Tullius jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He turned around to see Sabina behind him.

“With limitless potential, this power is beyond anything Lucium has ever known.” She began to float a few inches off the ground. “Of course, this amount of power comes with a cost. But I believe Lucium’s crime problem can become a solution…”

“Is it possible for me to learn this power?”

She smiled, and looked into his eyes. “With patience.”