We made excellent time on the run back, passing the miners and soldiers who had left before us. Many gave us bewildered looks and confused shouts, but we didn't have the time or the will to explain. My heart was a jackhammer, not from the physical exertion but from all the possibilities running through my mind. Sam was in Fayne. How did he find us? Did he escape, or did Liana send him? What is he going to say? None of us spoke for the duration of our run, but I knew the others were thinking the same exact things.

The guards at the gate to enter the city let us right through once they saw our Guild emblems, and we hurried toward our Hall. I didn't bother to knock as I entered Nerzhyn's office. My eyes went wide at the scene in front of me.

Samuel was bound in some runed manacles and was seated on a chair with two guards standing on either side. Nerzhyn was in her elf form and in the middle of speaking to Sam when we barged in. His posture was relaxed, although I could see fear in his eyes.

"It's good to see you three alive and well. Where is Telovir?" Sam asked, not hiding the concern in his voice.

"I informed the Silswords. They sent someone to fetch him. He should be here soon," Nerzhyn answered.

"What happened, Sam? How did you find us? What's going on?" I asked frantically as Cass and Leo shouted their own questions.

"Calm down. Calm down. Let him explain," Nerzhyn instructed.

"This man is a friend. Are the restraints really necessary?" Cass asked.

"They prevent any use of magic, so yes. We need to be extremely careful here," Nerzhyn answered sternly.

Samuel took a deep breath, "It's alright. Please, sit. We need to talk."

That was an understatement. I had to resist the urge to yell out every question that was racing through my head. The three of us sat in a chair facing Sam. I was bordering on a panic attack as I waited to hear what the man would tell us. Cass fidgeted in her seat, and Leo was sweaty and pale.

"I'll start at the beginning. Liana was furious that you escaped. She never intended to let you go, and I managed to hide the fact that I aided you. I claimed Telovir stole my amulet and led you through the hidden passage. You made the right decision to run. The winners of the Games were never freed. The Bainmourths just kept using them in one way or another. As mercenaries, guards, trainers, housekeepers, and anything else they needed," Sam explained.

"I figured as much but Sam, how did you find us?" I questioned, interrupting his story.

"Gareth, he's a friend of mine. He met me at Cragtree outpost to inform me of where he'd taken you," he answered.

"The merchant who gave us a ride?" Cass queried.

"Yes, he's a good man. I always intended to try and get you out of that arena, but your actions forced me to improvise. I reached out to Gareth to make sure he was the one who helped you escape," Sam replied.

"Alright, so you ran and have come to warn us that Liana's searching for us? If she attempts anything, she invites the Guild to Larell to dismantle her whole operation. They know of our situation, and any mysterious death or disappearance would immediately lead the Guild to her and her uncle," I remarked.

Sam had a strange expression on his face when he responded, "When Hector was killed, it set off a chain reaction of catastrophic events. Dozens of previously enslaved champions, assassins, guards, and mercenaries were no longer bound by Hector's brand. I suspect some secret group among the enslaved had been planning for years for this eventuality. It was too efficient for there to be any other explanation. Lord Bainmourth employed two other mages that used powerful control rituals. They were eliminated quickly and quietly on the night of Hector's death. The rebellion gained hundreds of soldiers overnight. You were probably already on the road when the Lord's estate was raided that following afternoon. The Lord deployed his personal guard. These were his loyal guards, not paid mercenaries or enslaved men and women. The battle was terrible, costing both sides many lives. I don't have all the details, but someone from inside the estate killed Lord Bainmourth, and the defense fell apart after his death. The guards and anyone remotely associated with the name Bainmourth fled the city in fear. Everything was looted and plundered, including the family fortune. Then, the estate was burned to the ground."

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"Fuck," was all I could manage to say. I expected some blowback from Hector's death, but I never expected it would topple the whole regime. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy that the bastard was dead. I did worry about the regular citizens in the city, though. Would they suffer because of my actions?

"And Liana?" I questioned Sam, fearing the answer.

Sam sighed, "I wish I could say I knew. She had become unhinged after your escape, growing more and more paranoid. She did have a spy near the portal when you exited, and your misdirection was great. I think she believes you're in Relinda. She and a few guards remained at the arena, but most fled once they heard of the events in the city. I ran as well. Many knew the Bainmourths employed me."

"Why wouldn't Liana warn her uncle of Hector's death?" Leo inquired.

"I don't know, honestly. She may have been too afraid to tell him, underestimating the ramifications. She may have wanted her uncle dead so she could take over the family business. Hell, she might have just been too pissed off to think clearly," Samuel suggested.

"I know you helped us, Sam, but why should we trust what you're telling us now?" I implored. I felt terrible about asking him that, but it had to be done.

Sam asked one of us to remove his shirt. I was puzzled at first. What would that have to do with anything? Cass stood and used a small knife to cut the shirt off him due to the restraints. His right arm was horribly scarred. I had only seen scars like that once before.

"Hector branded you, and you attacked him," I declared.

Sam merely nodded. I remember wondering why he always wore long sleeve shirts in the desert. I assumed he was just used to the heat, or it kept him from becoming sunburned. It was hardly the strangest thing in my life at the time.

"I won the games many years ago. Just like you, they promised us freedom. They had Hector brand me that day. I was a Cryomancer, and I was also young and angry, so I launched an ice spear at Hector's face. The feeling of having your Runes stripped away is something beyond pain. It was agony in its purest form. All that power just... gone. The spear never even reached him before it dissolved." Sam's eyes had gone glossy, and he stared off into the distance as he recalled his story. I remember the pain Hector was in as his Runes burned away. I guess killing him had been a mercy.

I looked at him with a new understanding of the man, "I'm sorry I doubted you, Sam. It just... doesn't feel real. Can I ask, why keep working for the people who did that to you?"

Sam frowned, "I had two choices. I could go back out into the world, helpless and alone, or I could stay and help others avoid the mistakes I had made. I decided to stay and hoped I could help the others who came into that gods-forsaken place."

"Do you know what Liana will do? Does she have a plan?" Leo interjected, a hint of panic in his voice.

"I'm not sure. I left before she had one. I doubt she stuck around the city, though. They would certainly have killed her. She's a smart woman. If she is being logical, she will take what coin she has left and find some quiet city to settle down in," he answered.

"Or she can hire a band of mercenaries or assassins to hunt us down," Cass rebuked.

I rubbed my forehead and tried to ignore that possibility for the time being. Could we please have one thing go our way for once? Ever since arriving, every day had been a struggle. Even since our escape, the threat of revenge kept me constantly looking over my shoulder. There's even a chance she was killed during the rebellion.

"What will happen to the city now that its ruler is dead?" I asked.

Sam leaned back in his chair, "I can't say for sure. This is the first time a Bainmourth isn't in charge since the city was founded. Other smaller players in Larell may clash for the figurative crown. The rebellion may even take control. Considering word hasn't reached here yet, someone is keeping a lid on it."

There was a knock at the door, and Telovir entered with a confused look. When he saw Samuel, his face lit up. He rushed over, and they immediately began talking excitedly. Nerzhyn ordered one of the guards to remove his restraints and fetch him a new shirt.

"Why don't you all catch up? Sam, you may stay in one of our guest rooms for as long as you like. Cass, Leo, Alex, come turn in your contracts," she ordered.

We handed them over, and Nerzhyn passed us each our reward of 25 Gold.

"You three are ordered to rest for two days. No exceptions. You've all been through a lot. Take some time to decompress," the commander instructed, "You're safe within the city, and I will not let anything happen to you. I will inform Telovir's commanding officer that he is under orders from me for the next few days. In the meantime, I'll send my best scouts to Larell, the arena, and Relinda." Nerzhyn stated.

Cass and Leo walked over to join Sam and Telovir. I hesitated, approaching Nerzhyn.

"I appreciate it, Commander. You always know what to do to help settle my nerves," I told her. I truthfully felt at peace in her presence. She was a safe harbor in the middle of the storm that was my life.

"Go, be with them. I'm here if you need me," she replied with a smile.

I walked over to the four others, "What do you say, guys, some drinks in the Hall? First rounds on me!"