Mouse waited in the rafters until the last knight apprentice left the storehouse. He knew the guard rotation and routine, since Taiga trained recruits once upon a time. Mouse never liked working in the capital, but all that suffering finally paid off.

Once the door clicked closed, and he listened as the apprentice said their thanks to the guard, he slid down from the wooden beam, swung his legs down to soften the landing, and let go, dropping into an abandoned pile of straw. He forced back a retch at the stench of mold and grime.

Humans were disgusting. Leaving a pile of ruined targets and practice dolls in the back of a musty warehouse was only something a human would do. He shivered the disgust from himself. Why Taiga liked these gross creatures was beyond him.

Well, Taiga would say ‘like’ was the wrong word. But from Mouse’s perspective, the amount of shit Taiga put up with could only be tolerated by liking them. He considered a moment. Maybe a few humans were tolerable. The knights in their squad when they fought on the frontlines at the western border were decent enough. For humans, anyway.

Mouse rolled off the straw, dipping behind a shelf. He listened for any keen ears outside that may have heard him. Nothing stirred, and he hurried along the backside of the shelf to a barrel of wooden swords. He looked them over briefly, before sliding two out and stuffing them into the back of his tunic.

Taiga told him: two good swords. Their own swords were confiscated since they bore the emblem of Lanria’s knighthood. Surely, two magical Anrix swords in replacement of the ones they’d lost would be fair. Taiga would surely be pleased.

He secured the wooden swords in his shirt before sneaking back behind the shelf. He swung a rope over the main support beam and tied a loop up to the top. When ready, he pulled himself up the rope, and back into the rafters. Untying the rope, Mouse slid out a small open window. He glanced around to see no one in sight before dropping onto several piled bags of grain he’d placed there during the night.

He rolled to his feet before sprinting off. Most of the recruits and apprentices were training this early in the morning, but some guards may already be up and readying for the day. Once a dozen or so meters away, he slowed and casually walked out of the training grounds.

He nodded at a couple guards on their rounds, and headed towards the main palace. To the right of it stood the stockrooms, where supplies and goods were delivered daily for the castle ground’s needs. A covered supply wagon stood, and Mouse bee-lined towards it, hopping into the back through a flap in the fabric.

Taiga sat upon a box, greeting him with a smile. “Did you get it?”

Mouse nodded, pulling the wooden swords from his shirt, “they’re good, right?”

“What are those?” The smile slipped from Taiga’s face, his eyebrows scrunched together.

“Anrix swords. You said good and well, these are as good as our old ones so—”

“Mouse,” Taiga put a couple fingers to his brow, rubbing them. He only did this when he was annoyed.

“What?”

“Infantile Anrix swords? These could take years to fully grow.” Taiga sighed, picking one up and sliding his hand across it’s wooden blade.

“But they’re Anrix swords,” Mouse countered.

“And months to a year to show a metal blade.”

“But they’re Anrix swords.” Mouse pointed out, in case Taiga missed it.

“What are we going to fight with until then? And considering the rarity of Anrix swords, not just anyone can have these. If we’re trying to lay low as normal humans on a journey—”

“But they’re Anrix swords.”

Taiga paused, shooting a glare at Mouse. He shrugged in response. The queen forcibly took their grown, matured Anrix swords and likely handed them off to nobles who supported her to decorate their mansions with. The witch had no right.

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Witch?

That wasn’t the right word. Bitch. The queen was a bitch.

Stealing a couple Anrix swords in exchange for the ones she took was only fair. He’d never get back the magic sword he’d honed into a dense metal capable of knocking the head of an enemy clean off. Its weight made it near impossible for a human to lift, and its damage devastating. Its touch drove lava into the flimsy flesh of humans.

Ah, the memories.

“I know you’re pissed she took your sword, too,” Mouse mumbled, “it’s only fair.”

Taiga sighed, “fine. Did you at least grab a few metal swords for the interim?”

“The what?”

“Until these grow their metal.”

Mouse did not. He shrugged. “It’s not like we actually need to fight and Guardian Spirits.”

“The mission—”

“The Guardians aren’t corrupting. That’s impossible. That bitch is lying. She probably just wants to chase us out.” Mouse’s voice rose more than he expected. He bit his lip, quieting.

“I hope that’s the case.” Taiga’s gentle tone eased Mouse’s shoulders. “But we need to be prepared for anything, right?”

Mouse looked away. Taiga said nothing a moment, before calming his tone more, “A lot of lives, not just humans, are at risk if something made the Guardians sick. We have to do anything we can, alright?”

Mouse slid his thumb over the wood of his sword. “Yeah, fine.”

“You are ready, I take it?” The woman’s voice irked Mouse. The queen.

He whirled around to see the figure pull back the cloth of the wagon. Her silver hair, gems embedded above her brow and below her lips, the furs draped loosely over thin skin. Her cloak made of the finest of silks shined slightly in the light before daybreak. A tight smile met his gaze. He returned it with a frown and slid his Anrix sword behind the crate he sat on.

“We are, your majesty. I apologize,” Taiga focused her to himself, making a bow, “I didn’t expect your presence.”

“I wanted to ensure your departure from the grounds was left unnoticed.”

Mouse scoffed. As if the line of guards behind her and her overpriced cloak wasn’t the most suspicious thing here. Taiga smiled, unwavering from what his real thoughts must’ve been.

“We are ever so thankful for your grace. We are ready to depart whenever the driver completes his deliveries. Our plan is to head east once we leave the capital city.” Taiga spoke with enough countenance to join the royal courts, though Mouse knew he’d hate it.

“Hmm, I see,” the queen hummed the words, reaching into her cloak.

She revealed a wooden box, stained with care and age. The queen held it carefully in her hand, pulling the latch free and opening it with the other. Inside displayed two necklaces, gold chains spun into a rope and dangling a caged purple gem. Only the centermost of the gem laid bare from imprisonment.

“A gift. From the treasury of my ancestors. Do take great care of them.” She eased the box forward, prompting Taiga to accept it.

“I… don’t understand, your majesty.” Taiga stumbled the words out, hesitant to take the gift, despite it already placed in his hands.

“Gems which negate corruption. As your journey will lead you into the depths of such dark magics, it is only fair I give you a way to defend in such terrain.”

Mouse hated the flowery way she spoke. What did she even mean, ‘negate corruption’. He’d never heard of such rocks, and according to Taiga’s expression, neither had he.

“They will protect you from corruption. They may not be powerful enough to negate all effects. But they will keep their wearer alive. And I believe for this mission, that is vital.”

No shit, staying alive was important. He huffed, though settled his breath as Taiga shot him another glare. Fine, he’d behave himself. It’s not like either of them could die of corruption anyways. If these rocks were so valuable, she should’ve kept them for herself.

Taiga made another bow, pulling the box to himself. “We appreciate your generosity and care.”

Content, the queen nodded with a satisfied smile. “Be safe, stay strong, and remember; the people of Lanria are the highest priority.”

She closed the cloth, and stepped back. Her voice carried her last words, “your sacrifice is engraved in my heart.”

“Sacrifice?” Mouse jumped up. What the fuck did that mean?

“She means being exiled. Since the mission is taboo. Relax.” Taiga kicked Mouse’s boot, his eyes drawing from Mouse to his seat. Mouse breathed out his annoyance, and slumped back onto his crate.

“You two ready?” A man from the other end of the wagon called out. The driver’s seat creaked as the man loaded onto it.

“We’re good to go,” Taiga called. He handed Mouse one of the necklaces. Lowering his voice, he added, “just wear it for now? Having extra protection won’t hurt.”

After a click of his tongue, Mouse took it, and shoved it into his pocket. “I’ll put it on later.”

The cart jolted, and the wheels crackled the pebbles beneath it as the cart started forward. They’d hide here until they were safe outside the walls of Pall. Once the capital was out of sight, Taiga and he would journey straight to Leryn Forest, and to the Guardian Spirit who raised him.

Wait a little longer. I’ll see you soon, Pnendua.