It was surprisingly hard to keep her mind returning to the cruel scene Mila had left behind. Perhaps she should have taken it to herself to free the world of those sinners.

After all, Mila doubted those people had ever taken a life. Not like she had. Once they woke up from the heightened feelings, they would remember their hands being bloody.

Or perhaps not. Perhaps those who took lives would take solace in the fact that they were not alone in their act, that they did what was right, and that they took back their dignity and pride.

Mila did not know. And she didn’t want to. After stealing a new cloak and discarding the old one, she was back on the path to find Andrew. Her trail was erratic and meandering. Every time she visited one of Helly’s hideouts, she learned Andrew had been here and had already left.

But there were just a few places left to check. And finally, Mila was where she needed to be.

Mila looked towards the cold but bright sky where Mr Crow was circling, then back at the building, much like the others - old, in disrepair and needing a new coat of paint. Only people avoided this one. They kept a healthy distance from the place, afraid of walking too close.

Then Mila knocked and waited. It didn’t take long for a wretched man who looked more like a rat to open the doors. He looked at her, trying to understand what she was.

“What? What ya’ want from me?”

“I am looking for Andrew.” Mila looked behind the man to see a couple more playing cards. “We have something important to discuss.”

“Who?” The rat man stuck a finger in his ear and cleaned it.

“Do not make it harder than it has to be.” Mila didn’t buy the man’s act. “A male, taller than you, with dark skin-”

“Don’t-”

“Let her in.” A new person appeared. Mila recognised him as one of Helly’s advisors. “We didn’t expect so many visitors.” He rubbed his forehead while waiting for Mila to enter the shack. “I’ll go get your friend.”

Before the man could leave her behind, Mila stepped behind him. Her unwilling guide’s shoulders sagged, but he didn’t object to Mila’s presence. He led her down a passage to a large underground room.

There, Mila noticed Andrew almost immediately. He was standing side by side with Helly, who had her arm around his shoulders. She was excitedly speaking while Andrew nodded or shook his head in response.

Mila’s guide left. She glanced around before walking towards her friend. The place was dirty and freshly made. Workers kept digging holes and showing large crates into them.

“Ah!” Helly smiled when she saw Mila coming closer. “Just the girl I wanted to see! Teeny told me a lot of interesting things about you and your plans!”

“Teeny?” Mila looked at both of them. Andrew was a good bit taller than Helly was. The name didn’t fit him.

“Not a word,” Andrew growled at Mila. He pushed the animated Helly away. “And it’s Andrew. How many times do I have to repeat?”

“Teeny is much better. Your friend has a nickname. You didn’t. I made one. Simple as that.” Helly explained.

“Teeny?” Mila repeated with a raised eyebrow.

“Shut it, Blood-Sponge.” Andrew returned.

“It’s-” Mila almost corrected him. Almost. Mila felt that damnable label would stick to her even harder if she had. “Never mind. A wave of panic is starting to wash over the city.” Mila continued. “Isabel went back to see to Kanna’s and Vatim’s safety. I came to get you. We must discuss how to proceed.”

Mila turned around, assuming Andrew would follow, but…

“Wait.” Andrew stopped her.

“Is there something else?” Mila, with exaggerated slowness, faced the pair again. She didn’t want to waste time here. It was already a commodity they were short of.

“There is.” Andrew looked at Helly, who beamed a smile. “Helly wants to work with us.”

“She does.” Mila hadn’t forgotten the alliance offer and the attempt to bribe them.

“Not that.” Andrew hurried to explain. “She wants to help us with breaking into Mortimer’s father’s mansion.”

“Why?” Mila tilted her head. It was a curious offer.

“I need something from there.” Helly opened her arms. “Something my Granpa’ lost, and I think it is in that house. No, I am sure it is!”

It was vague. Mila pursed her lips as he studied the woman. There was a lot to gain from Helly’s assistance. “And what would that ‘something’ be?” She prodded for more information.

“I am not sure.” Helly pulled out a pendant with a small pendulum attached. It swayed for a moment before pointing in one direction. “I just know where it is. And that it is a weapon.”

“Interesting.” Mila studied the magical device. She was clueless about how such things were made. “Is this the reason you are in Stilag?”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Helly pushed the pendulum back under her clothes. “Yes.” She didn’t reveal anything else. “So, how about it? Teeny already agreed, but how about you?”

“He did?” Mila was surprised. She looked at Andrew, who sent a spiteful glare back. He didn’t appear to be happy about it.

But for Mila… It was honestly a relief. She had worried about how to get Andrew to commit to their cause. He had been surprisingly hesitant to do anything despite being the closest to Kefo and Tiff.

It begged the question - how had Helly managed to do it so fast?

Mila decided to leave that question unanswered for now. Isabel had better chances of getting it out of Andrew anyway. “Fine.” Mila nodded. “We can tentatively work together. However, there is much to discuss before we commit.”

The assurance that it was a weapon helped Mila to make the decision. Finally, things seemed to move in the way she wanted. The situation was still terrible. But with Helly’s help on the table, their chances of succeeding had gone up considerably.

“Of course,” Helly nodded. “I still need to give final instructions. I should be done in an hour. I’ll go to Naran’s hole right after. I still need to talk with him about escape routes.”

“Fine with me.” Mila nodded and began to move, just to stop immediately. She looked at Andrew, who was not moving.

Despite the constipated look on Andrew’s face, he didn’t budge. “I am staying.” He didn’t elaborate.

“I must ask - why?” Mila didn’t understand.

“He agreed to help.” Helly inserted herself between them. “And I need help now.” There was a slight undertone that dared Mila to challenge the agreement.

Mila looked at Helly, then back at Andrew. Even if she wished to say more, it was clear her friend had made the decision himself. No, she had to say more. “Andrew-”

“Not not Mila.” Andrew bitterly spat out. “I need something from Helly. I promised.”

“And for how long would this promise last?” Mila reconsidered her options. What had Helly promised? What did Andrew want?

The fact that Mila didn’t immediately know irked her. It was abundantly clear now she had not paid close enough attention to Andrew’s matters. It spoke volumes about how good of a friend she was.

Seeing Mila’s hesitation, Andrew’s expression softened. “It’s nothing bad, Mila. I am a big boy. I can make my own decisions. And I’ll be back with you in an hour or two. Right, Helly?”

“Sure thing, Teeny.”

“Andrew.”

“That’s what I said.”

Now, Mila was even more worried. The ribbing made them both seem closer than Andrew’s facial expressions indicated.

But Andrew had said his part, and Mila could only begrudgingly agree. “I’ll see you both at Naran’s place.” She finally left.

And when Mila was back on the streets, she glared at everyone around her. Isabel would not be happy about this outcome. Not at all.

Looking up, Mila looked for Mr Crow’s silhouette. She soon found him, gave a sign and found her way up to the closest rooftop.

A moment later, Mr Crow landed next to her and tilted his head while cooing a question.

“Andrew has made a choice, and I fear what will come of it,” Mila spoke to the bird. “You have to make sure nothing bad befalls him.” Mr Crow’s chirp turned annoyed. “No, I am not claiming you are slacking in your duties.”

Another series of chirps followed. Mr Crow jumped around and continued to cry.

Mila kept trying to guess what the little bird was trying to say. In the end, it was impossible to tell. She could only keep guessing. “Don’t be like that. Tell the Wolf about it as well. I trust you both will keep a watch on Andrew.”

Mr Crow let out a mocking short song and jumped back into the air. Mila looked after the bird but was blinded by the sun.

And not for the first time, Mila noted how cold it felt. She squinted to have a better look at the shining ball of plasma. It should be warmer. Why wasn’t it?

Mila tried to find a reason for such an unnatural occurrence. There were a few guesses, but it didn’t feel like someone was messing with the weather. It would be pointless to do so anyway. And prohibitively expensive and difficult, too.

Was it something to do with the Gods? Mila looked at where the local temple was. She couldn’t be sure, but had the Inquisition done something?

It didn’t seem right either. At any rate, Mila felt she would have received a warning from the guest inside her head if it was the case.

Who else could it be?

The only two options Mila felt plausible were the Military and the local Nobility.

After standing in the chilly sunlight for a few more minutes, Mila concluded she did not have enough information. She decided to ask Naran’s people to ask around and see what they could find.

Mila started her way back to Naran’s place. She had to inform the man of Helly’s soon visit. Her plans had to be changed. She had to speak with Mortimer as well.

At this pace, Mila doubted they would be able to wait until dusk. The strained peace was unravelling too quickly.

And the sudden commotion deeper in the city proved Mila’s conjecture correct. She looked in the direction of the screaming and the rising smoke.

It wasn’t close. Mila considered checking the situation, but another fight broke out closer to where she was. Her legs carried Mila closer to that one.

As Mila landed on the edge of a three-story apartment building, she found a procession of people heading towards the same direction she had to go.

Mila studied the small army. More than fifty armed men and women marched while exchanging crude jokes and violent remarks.

Their passing resulted in people being trampled, abused and killed. Their leader - a woman in full metal armour wore a grim expression. Ahead of her ran three men who kept freeing her path.

These were not guards. Neither were they the Military. Perhaps it was some Noble’s private force, but if Mila had to guess, it was a move by one of the local crime lords.

Something about the way these people freely engaged in violence told Mila they were used to it. They enjoyed doing it.

Mila looked ahead of their path. It was where Naran’s power base rested, wasn’t it?

“Oh, no.” Mila had a realisation. Not only were they a problem, but they were her problem.

But the procession had moved past. Mila followed. She tried to grasp the strength these people held. And it spelled bad news.

Now the question was - could she thin them out without engaging them directly.

The few throwing knives on her body told Mila her chances weren’t good. Some of the people among them were dangerous. She couldn’t fight them head-on. Especially the woman at the front.

Yet, Mila decided to try. She couldn’t get them all, but perhaps she could force them to retreat.