The first thing Cassian saw when they approached Deadwood was the towering iron mining structure that stretched out above the small town. A confusing series of stairs and walkways connected a handful of lifts that were constantly moving to and from the amethite mines. The huge charcoal building with blue trim sitting atop the structure was impressive and clearly designed utilizing modern architectural trends. At least ten chimneys spewed dark smoke into the mountain sky, and as they got closer the smell of it stung Cassian's nostrils. Maker! How do these people live with that odor?

Bizarrely it appeared to him that the town had been hastily built into and around the frame of the mining facility. It kind of looks like a bunch of wooden boxes haphazardly stacked on top of each other and connected by shoddy ladders and pathways. It felt like a strange juxtaposition to Cassian, as if the mining structure and the town were one giant entity and yet utterly disparate. I guess it makes sense that the town was built in the shadow of the mines. Dirty men walked to and from the mines while laughing children ran around playing.

“Home sweet home!” Shouted Reinhold, grinning with arms abreast. “Come on boyo, let's go see my wife, she runs the Brass Blossom, finest tavern in Deadwood. I’ll buy you an ale an show you around.” Reinhold put his arm around Cassian and guided him over to the shanty town beneath the mining complex.

As they walked through the town men and women doing chores all greeted Reinhold warmly. A soot-stained bald man poked his head out of a second floor window and waved at his friend “Hey pal, how was the fishing trip?”

Reinhold pulled a rope proudly from his bag that had ten gigantic trout tied to it. “It was an absolute beaut of a trip. Fish were biting and it’s always a dream to get some clean air in the ole lungs. Fresh fried trout at the Blossom tonight. Tell your family!”

“We’ll be seeing you tonight then! Dotties fried trout is out of this world!” The bald man’s face lit up as he disappeared back into his home.

Cassian observed the people who called the town home. They were dressed in ill-fitting9 clothing and looked like they didn’t bathe regularly. They seem so happy despite living in these conditions. Their homes and shops aren’t much more than shacks but they seem perfectly content. It’s tough to wrap my head around.

The Brass Blossom Tavern was a plain wooden hut like all the other buildings beneath the mining complex. But planter boxes under the windows filled with beautiful daisies gave the simple shack an inviting charm. With the sun beginning to set candles and torches began to paint the town in a flickering warmth. Cassian noticed a man in a military uniform high overhead lighting the lamps on the exterior of the mining building before disappearing back into an ornamented iron door. All of the windows on the fancy building were covered by dark curtains. I wonder what’s going on inside that office that requires so much privacy. Cassian squinted his eyes considering what secrets the building might be hiding.

Reinhold clapped Cassian on the back. “You can take that mask off lad. Probably be more comfortable for ya.”

Cassian looked at the big man for a second. “Won’t the townsfolk grab their pitchforks when they see my eyes?”

“Nonsense. My people are accepting and if your with me none of them will make trouble for you. You have my word.” Reinhold nodded at the prince and flashed his goofy grin. “Go on then.”

Cassian reluctantly removed Luna’s mask and tucked it into his cloak. He looked side to side self consciously worried about what people would think. But no one seemed to stare at him or bother him in any way. Reinhold led him into The Brass Blossom. When they had taken two steps into the tavern they were greeted by thunderous hooting and hollering. The twenty or so patrons drinking and playing cards in the pub raised glasses, clanking them together and chanting. “Reinhold! Reinhold! Reinhold!”

Knowing exactly what the people wanted Reinhold reached into his bag and held up the huge trout proudly. The cheering intensified and a tiny woman with an apron ran out from the kitchen, hurdling over the bar, and jumping into Reinhold’s arms. “We’re eatin’ trout for dinner tonight me friends!” Reinhold said before kissing his wife. His proclamation was met by another round of cheers.

The bar patrons went back to throwing back mugs of ale and gambling cheerfully. Cassian looked around the tavern. The dirt floor was covered by rugs with large holes in them and the walls were made from uneven planks with mismatched sewn together fabrics hung up. Looking at the tables, chairs, and bar it struck Cassian that everything in this place appeared to be run down or recycled from its original purpose. Wow. These people are incredibly resourceful and they don’t seem to mind living like this at all. As a matter of fact, they seem happier than most nobles I know. Cassian watched the miners and their families roaring with laughter and sharing what little food they had and he honestly envied them.

Reinhold dropped his bags behind the bar and motioned for Cassian to do the same. “You can put down your bags here and relax.” Reinhold pointed over at Cassian. “Hun, this is me new friend Cassian. Lad, this here is me lovely wife Dotti.”

Cassian set his bags down and reached out to shake her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dotti. Your husband is an incredibly kind man.”

Dotti slapped his hand aside and gave him a big hug. “Nice to meet you Cassian. Any friend of Reinholds is a friend of mine. Why don’t you go take a seat next to Regis over at that table. I’ve got shepherd’s pies just about done in the oven. I’ll bring you out one and a flagon of ale, how's that sound?”

“That sounds too good to believe! Thank you mam!” At the mention of shepherd’s pie Cassian’s face lit up like a furnace and he skipped over to sit at the table. I must have died in that witches cave and gone straight to heaven.

The man sitting next to him, Regis he assumed, was playing a game of cards that the prince didn’t recognize. Regis and the man sitting across the table from him were laughing and shouting as they went back and forth revealing cards. Well, it appears that Reinhold isn’t the only one who doesn’t know how to use an inside voice. A boisterous voice must come naturally from working in the mines.

After a few minutes the two men looked over at Cassian, apparently just noticing him for the first time. “What’s the deal with yer eyes boy-o?” Asked Regis.

Cassia shifted nervously. Here we go, I knew this was a bad idea. “I-umm…have a condition.” His lie was only partially untrue. Honestly he had no idea what was going on with his eyes and so in a way it was a type of condition.

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Regis scratched his head. “Can ya see?”

“Yes, sir. As far as I can tell I’m well.” Cassian closed his eyes and massaged his eyelids. I hope I’m well at least.

Regis finished his ale and slammed down the mug on the table with a grin. “Well then why don’t ya join us for a few games o’ Liar’s Crown?”

“I’d like that sir, but I don’t know how to play that game. I’m afraid I've never heard of it.” It does look like they were having quite a bit of fun though.

“That’s no problem at all, kid. We can teach ya how to play. I’m Regis and this ugly lug sittin’ across from me is Memphis.”

Memphis nodded his head at Cassian, “Ello, pleasure t’ meet ya boy-o.”

Regis and Memphis despite their rugged appearances turned out to be extremely friendly and fun to be around. They taught Cassian how to play Liar’s Crown and the night flew by as they laughed together, ate shepherd’s pie then fried trout, and drank pint after pint of ale.

Cassian revealed the cards in his hand to his new friends, “Read them and weep gentlemen. That's an executioner's triple!”

The two men groaned, covering their faces with their hands,”That’s not an executioner’s triple…it’s a Queen's gambit. Ya would’ve won either way but your hand is even better than you thought!” People gathered all around the table amazed at Cassian’s natural knack for the card game. “Beginners luck is all it is!” Memphis shouted.

Reinhold walked over and put a hand on his two buddies shoulders, “Nay! You two are just terrible at playin cards!” The whole tavern erupted in laughter and Memphis got up grumbling and walked out the front door.

“Thank you so much for saving me and letting me come home with you Reinhold. Your town is truly an amazing place.” Cassian grinned and held up his mug. “To Reinhold!”

All of the patrons lifted their mugs, “To Reinhold!”

Cassian set his now empty mug down and walked over to Reinhold, “Do you guys gather like this every night?”

“Aye we do lad. We work hard in the mines and getting together regularly is a proper good way to unwind. Our sense of community is strong, it’s a big part of our way of life.”

“That’s incredible.” Cassian stretched his arms high over his head. My first impression was totally wrong about this place. “Hey Reinhold, where is the bathroom?”

Reinhold shot him a crazy look. “Where do you think it is lad? Outside of course.” He pointed out the door.

Cassian nodded and walked out of the tavern. When he stepped outside he looked around and the street had become mostly empty now as people moved indoors to stay warm. It was late at night now and only a few of the torches were still lit. He wasn’t exactly sure where he should relieve himself but his stomach was beginning to cramp up. Cassian didn’t want to get yelled at for exposing himself in the street so he walked quickly over to a bush on the edge of the town. This should be a good enough spot. Relief washed over him and he breathed deeply. I needed a night like this after the past few days I’ve had. That's when shouting from across the road drew his attention.

Cassian’s curiosity got the best of him and he decided to move closer to see what was going on. Watching from behind a tall birch tree he saw his new friend Memphis being harassed by a group of guards in mining guild uniforms. Behind them two carriages were being loaded up with unmarked crates. Memphis had his hand up like he didn’t want any trouble but the guards were becoming increasingly more aggressive towards him. I wonder what Memphis did to piss those guys off. One of the guards struck Memphis on the back of the head with a small baton and he fell to the ground. The other guards joined in now and they all started kicking the now prone man.

Woah, this isn’t good. Whatever he did to them, I can’t imagine that he deserves this. I can’t let a defenseless man be murdered. Cassian grabbed the mask from his cloak and slid it over his face. He ran over to where the group of men were beating Memphis. “Stop! Tell me what this man has done to deserve this savage beating?”

The guards looked around at each other, and one of the guards decided to give the prone man one more kick for good measure. “And just who the hell do you think you are, masked stranger?”

“I’m no one important, but I am a friend to this man and I would know what crime he is guilty of.” Cassian looked nervously towards the group of men who began reaching for their weapons and slowly circling around him.

“Get a load of this brave idiot.” The guard looked over at a short man wearing a well made suit and a pair of silver spectacles. ”He wants to know what type of crime his friend committed, boss.” All of the guards started laughing.

Cassian reached into his pouch and discreetly rolled a purple amethite crystal between his fingers instinctively. This must be the auditor that Reinhold told me about, Ingram.

Ingram stepped forward and pointed down at the whimpering man. “This sad fool was stealing amethite from the mines. Stealing the king’s amethite is a penalty punishable by hanging in this country.”

The bloodied man looked up behind bruised and swollen eyes. “I already told ya! I’ve never stolen any crystal! I’m innocent, ya don’t even have any evidenc—”

The auditor interrupted the desperate pleas with a stiff kick to the man’s head. “These inbred miners never know when to shut the hell up.” The guards all laughed.

Cassian was starting to feel his temper build inside of him like a furnace his hand lingered on his sword hilt. “I tried to use my words and give you the benefit of the doubt. But I can tell you find satisfaction in beating on those who can’t defend themselves. Well, let’s see how you like fighting against someone who knows how to strike back.”

Ingram’s jaw tightened and his brow scrunched. “This masked fool doesn't know who he’s messing with.” The auditor smirked, pointing his finger at Cassian, “Kill him!”

Cassian drew his longsword with a fluid movement as the guards charged at him. He opened his palm and tried to draw in the warm energy from the amethite—nothing happened. A mental alarm went off in his head. What the hell! That’s never happened before. Why didn’t the amethite activate? With the guards nearly on top of him he didn’t have time to figure out why he couldn’t activate his shardblood abilities. He dropped the amethite into his pocket and parried a heavy club aimed at his head.

The man whose strike he deflected was now off balance and Cassian brought his sword around before driving it through the guards shoulder. Cassian went to pull his sword free with one hand, but without the familiar strength from the amethite he struggled to yank it free from the screaming guard's shoulder. Jeez! Give me my sword ba—A club he didn’t see coming crashed down into his back sending him hard to the ground. His back burned with red hot pain and his lungs struggled to draw any air. God I hate having the wind knocked out of me! Cassian rolled to the side barely avoiding another club that crashed down heavily. He managed to get back to his feet and duck under another club.

With two hands he grabbed the sharkskin grip of his sword and pulled it free, blood sprayed from the guards shoulder and the wounded man fainted. Cassian brought the sword up just in time to deflect a club and sparks lit up the darkness. Cassian found himself on the defensive. He was outnumbered and the guards were utilizing their military training to strike one after another leaving him no time to counterattack. Each dodge or parry drove him back a step or two until his back was to the edge of the mountain. It was too dark to see it but the sound of a raging river roared far below.

Ingram blew a whistle and a score more guards poured out from the mining building—Cassian gulped. He was now completely surrounded with no reasonable escape in sight as the swarm of guards closed in on him. Well this didn’t go at all how I envisioned it. He tried to come up with a solid plan as quickly as possible but nothing came to mind. The guards had him entirely surrounded now. Well I guess I have to go with the reckless plan.

Cassian turned and jumped off the edge of the mountain. This is going to suck. He fell through the dark for a few seconds and then hit the water hard and was swallowed by the icy river.