Under the cold, clear sky, it was hard to feel any positivity. The whole city seemed to be covered in a thick, heavy blanket of fear and uncertainty.

Mila felt it, too. She followed the small group, consisting of Mortimer, Helly, Andrew and his bonds together with Isabel. She glanced at her girl from time to time. Isabel was still angry. Andrew had refused to clarify anything with her. He even had gotten angry in return for her not understanding why he was acting the way he did.

Which left them in a difficult spot. Isabel and Andrew were not on speaking terms right before the operation started. More so because Isabel’s opinion of Helly had soured rapidly as well.

And Mila understood it all. But the timing was terrible. “Isabel…” She touched her girl’s hand. “This is important.”

“I know!” Isabel snapped back. She then rubbed her temples.

They were outside, trekking through the ruined buildings, safety-searching crowds and areas with local tyrants trying to establish order.

The sun was starting to set. The shadows lengthened but had yet to offer a refuge from searching eyes. And as the secrecy of the evening began to spread, the people grew more restless.

They had yet to turn themselves into their masked identities. There was no need to gather any unneeded attention. The group appeared threatening, but not more than the occasional gathering of thugs. The most unusual thing about them was Andrew’s wolf, who stalked by his side.

Plenty suspicious but not damning on its own. And the wolf’s nose was judged to be too valuable to pass on. The beast would stay behind and guard Andrew, who would control Mr Crow. Their task was to warn infiltrators of any danger approaching.

Mila touched Isabel’s hand again, letting her fingers get a hold of her girl’s palm. While she lacked words, she hoped her presence would help her girl. Mila’s hand was squeezed in return.

“I am fine.” Isabel was petulant.

“Mhm…” Mila didn’t argue.

“Okay, I am not fine. Why is Andrew such an asshole?” Isabel didn’t even bother keeping her voice low.

Which earned Isabel a reproachful look from Mila. “Dear, please, I am willing to listen, but please don’t shout. I hardly think it will make Andrew to hear you out.”

“But it will make him uncomfortable!” Isabel was still loud but did tone her voice down a tad. “So it is a win.”

Andrew glanced back and showed Isabel his middle finger.

Helplessly, Mila shook her head. “You too, Andrew. Don’t be a baby.”

“She started it.” Andrew spat out and turned his back. He even fastened his steps to increase the distance between them.

Isabel uttered an annoyed scream and stomped after Andrew, only to be stopped by Mila not letting her girl’s hand go.

“That won’t solve anything now, Isabel.” Mila hoped Isabel would listen. “You both need a moment to calm your minds.”

“I am calm.” Isabel half-growled, half complained about the injustice of Mila chidding her. “I just want to whack his head with my hammer.” She raised the new weapon and shook it.

It made a threatening sight. Some people on the side hurried to avoid their group. Which made Isabel deflate. Among those who ran away were unfortunate souls lacking in clothes and nourishment.

Seeing some of Isabel’s anger fade, Mila tried again. “We can sort it out later. No, we will sort it out later.” She corrected herself. “But now, it is dangerous to let your mind be clouded. Even if it’s justified.”

“Which it is.” Isabel made sure Mila understood.

“Which it is. So, what will it be?” Mila looked Isabel in the eyes.

Still unwilling, Isabel murmured an agreement. Which was enough for Mila. There was no need to push for more at the moment.

But it left Andrew, who was now talking with Mortimer, determined to ignore the trailing pair. Mila gave Isabel a sign to not follow and quickly gained on her friend.

Andrew noticed her approach and frowned. “What? Did she send you?” He nodded towards Isabel.

“No. I came on my own volition.” Mila hoped Isabel hadn’t heard Andrew. His words would only reignite the anger. “How about a talk? Would you?”

After a few moments of mulling over the offer, Andrew begrudgingly agreed. “Fine, come.” He sped up, and Mila followed. After they were an appropriate distance ahead, he faced Mila. “So? What is it?”

“Only one thing. After we are done today, I hope we all talk this through. There is a miscommunication at work here, I believe.” Mila didn’t push Andrew. He clearly was angry as well.

But the reaction wasn’t what Mila had expected. Andrew’s gaze lingered on her before he averted his eyes. There was no answer.

“Andrew?”

“I… I will.”

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“That did not convince me,” Mila spoke her mind. And before she could continue, Mr Crow fell from the sky and landed on her shoulder. The bird crowed at Andrew, making him twitch.

It took almost a minute of Mr Crow glaring at Andrew before he spoke. “Mila…” He hesitated. “You know I want to get back to my family, right?”

“I do…” And while Mila did, she had thought her friend had managed his expectations, but to bring them up now. “Did Helly promise you something?”

“Nothing concrete,” Andrew admitted. “Small things. Her grandfather's research notes. Some artifacts. Introduction to people she knows who can help.”

It wasn’t ‘small things’ as Andrew had described it. Honestly, it was a lot. While Mila believed it was impossible to go back to Earth, a lot could have changed over the countless years since her knowledge was relevant.

Even with the recent memory Mila had experienced, she felt it was impossible. And it had taught her a lot. Although, most of the stuff had been speculative in nature and highly experimental. So, perhaps…

Mila shook her head. “And in exchange?” These ‘small things’ couldn’t come for free. Mila knew Helly wanted something. She just didn’t know what.

“My help,” Andrew revealed.

It was a vague statement that could mean anything. “Help with what, Andrew? You are worrying me. It is-”

“Stop, Mila.” Andrew interrupted her. “I know what I am doing.” He assured her. “I- I do.”

“Then you are doing a bad job of convincing me.” Mila sighed. “Andrew, I know I am not in a position to say this, but Helly is not a good person.”

Andrew gave Mila a look. “Really? You don’t think I know that?”

“And yet, you are walking right into a wolf’s mouth.” Mila glanced at Andrew’s bond. “No offence meant.”

“Whateve-”

“Andrew, it is not ‘whatever.’” Mila stopped him.

“When did you become a voice of reason?” Andrew grumbled but didn’t argue.

“Am I not always?” Mila raised her chin to profess the confidence she felt making the statement.

“No.” Andrew chuckled. “No, you are not. But, yeah… I guess… It’s hard, you know?” He stated. Mr Crow used the pause in his words to jump on his master’s shoulder. “I… I don’t like it here. I don’t want to get attached to this place.”

Mila nodded. “I can understand. The current situation in the kingdom is far from preferable.”

“That’s a mild way to put it.”

“But there is peace to be found,” Mila spoke.

“Where?”

To that, Mila had no answer. Every time she learnt more about the current state of the world, it revealed more conflict. “Truly, an age of strife.” She finally thought out loud. And Andrew agreed. “But,” She continued. “Due make up with Isabel. She worries about you.”

“I…” Andrew let Mr Crow coo in his ear. “I will, I will.” He finally said. “Just… Not now.”

It had to be enough. Mila knew Andrew was still hiding something from her. But it had to wait. She fell back to where Isabel waited for her.

Mila passed Helly, who was tormenting Mortimer by trying to pick a nickname for him and sought out Isabel’s hand.

“So?”

“Andrew promised to reach out and look for a common ground.” Mila started to speak. She slowly went over what Andrew had revealed to her.

“He told you, but not to me.” Isabel was even more dissatisfied now. At least her anger had almost entirely dissipated.

“It is as baffling to me as it is to you.” Mila found it hard to understand as well.

But it wasn’t like they had time to figure out Andrew’s problems right now.

They had finally reached their goal. Or at least - the walled house from which they planned to stage the raid. Mila walked inside the building and headed for the window. The place had a nice view of the target mansion down the street. Naran’s subordinates had used this house to gather information.

However, while the view was nice, the distance was problematic. The group would have to find their way through several yards and cross a street to get to where they needed to be.

“Indeed, without the cover of night, it will be hard to find our way inside,” Mila admitted. “Or at least, you all would. Would you mind if I took a closer look?”

“Be my guest,” Helly grumbled and fell into one of the chairs.

Mortimer, meanwhile, looked at the mansion with longing. The white, large house was guarded by a two-meter tall wall. Even then, the enormous building towered over the defences. The three storeys made the mansion stand out among the much more humble buildings that surrounded it.

After Andrew made sure Mr Crow was out scouting, he returned to the room and walked next to Mortimer. “Nostalgia hitting hard?”

“It was my home.” Mortimer sadly noted. “I grew up in it. And now… It’s not how I dreamed of returning.”

While Andrew consoled the man, Mila prepared to leave. Isabel would stay here for a moment. “Give me a sign if Viola arrives.” She received a nod from Andrew.

After gently kissing her girl’s hand and telling her to behave, Mila slipped out of the house. In her hands was a faded, dirty and, in places, torn cloak. After donning it, she appeared to be just another unfortunate soul lost in the sludge of Stilag.

Upon exiting the yard, Mila mixed into the roaming crowd. No one paid attention to another girl joining in the sad procession. There were many who looked like her, covering and scared of anyone touching them.

Mila began to walk towards the mansion. The surroundings of the place were deceptively peaceful. The guards at the gate glared menacingly at everyone who came too close. She started to skirt the walls.

Above Mila’s head, Mr Crow did his part. She glanced at the bird, then continued to walk. Just as Barcy had said, the security was tight.

The fact that someone had tried to get in and failed meant there was more to the place than met the eye or Mila’s senses.

Of course, Mila did not know how skilful that party had been, but they had gotten away, so she wagered they had been good.

It took another circle around the premises before Mila had to admit they would have to wait for nighttime. The soulless sunlight allowed too many eyes to notice their intrusion.

That, or a riot.

Mila studied the desperate bodies that milled without direction. They were on the brink of breaking.

But as quickly as the thought came, Mila dismissed it. She had learnt. She wouldn’t have the repeat of Ocheon. Mila will not be the one pushing these people over the edge.

In the sky, Mr Crow’s call found Mila. She glanced up. It was time to head back. Unfortunately, it was too dangerous to act now. But…

Mila looked up at the sky again. She narrowed her eyes. What was this chill, and why was it growing stronger?

The sun had no answers.