Mila couldn’t believe it. Of all people, Andrew should have known better. She shook her head. Mila was currently sitting at the round table in the middle of the Naran’s hiding hole. People were still milling around, going about their shady business.

The rest of the group had joined Mila, even Mortimer, who was still trying his best to appear small and harmless. She thanked Cecilia, who served them tea and took a sip. It was good and reminded her of raspberries, and did well to take off some of the edges from the heightened emotions.

Isabel, who was sitting next to Mila, did the same. Right after, she resumed her anxious movements. She had trouble finding a spot for her arms, so Isabel began poking Mila’s sides.

Barcy was still yapping happily next to Naran, whose smile was becoming strained. The talkative man’s topics of interest seemed to be unending and various.

Granted, they were also useful, so Mila didn’t try to interrupt. She needed a moment to consider what they should do now anyway.

And Barcy was currently talking about the recently arrived Inquisitors from the Empire and the vanishing of the local one, which was relevant to them.

“Mila…” Isabel poked her side.

“I know.”

“We have to get him out.” Another poke.

“We will.”

The fool of a friend had landed himself in a jail cell. The details were vague, but from what Barcy had told, Andrew had gotten into an argument with an army officer, and it had ended in a brawl.

Most of the building had been wrecked. There had been, and still was, chaos on the streets. Isabel’s fire was still spreading under the sweltering sun. People had been injured and worse. Andrew’s stunt had made some of the army’s people move, and they had added to the mayhem.

The City’s Guards had apprehended Andrew. All fault had been put on him, and he had been hauled to the closest cell.

However, the Military wanted to punish their friend themselves, but the local forces fiercely resisted.

The unrest was still spreading above their heads. Mila’s own murders seemed to lay to the side - small and unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

So now, in addition to trying to figure out what to do with Kanna and Vatim, they were also waiting for more news on Andrew. Naran had sent a couple of people to check out Andrew’s current situation.

Finally, Barcy was called by another new arrival and left the table to see what news he had brought.

Naran coughed in his palm. “Now then, while we are waiting, we must decide what to do with you two.” He addressed the two youngest people at the table.

Vatim and Kanna shifted in their seats, clearly uncomfortable by the sudden attention they had gathered. In addition to the tea, both of them had also been given soup, which Kanna was ravenously devouring.

It was also at this point that Mortimer seemed to regain some courage. “Th-they can stay with me.” He suggested, to everyone's surprise.

“Wasn’t your place invaded by thugs just this morning? Is it truly the wisest idea?” Mila pointed out.

That had slipped Mortimer’s mind. His mouth flapped for a moment as he palled. “Oh, no…”

“I am sure we can work something out.” Naran finished his own cup of tea and asked for something stronger. Cecilia quickly brought him wine. “While I am not sure how the wimp plans to provide for two more people, his heart, in this case, is in the right place. Who sent those ‘thugs’ anyway?”

“I-” Mortimer swallowed hard, ingrown the insult. “I am not sure. The area has a new boss.” He explained. “M-maybe you can help?”

“Oh,” Naran’s expression fell. “It’s that bitch again.” He grumbled. “Can’t have a day of peace now.”

“S-so?” Mortimer sounded hopeful.

“Nope. Don’t want to deal with Helly,” Naran suddenly relaxed and took a large sip out of his vine bottle. “What does she want from you anyway?”

“A painting.” Mortimer deflated. “A damn painting from a guard captain's home.” He lamented.

“Sounds like Helly,” Naran remarked. He put down his vine bottle and absentmindedly rapped his fingers against the table. “I can do something about the thugs if they are still alive.” He waited for affirmation that they were before continuing. “But not about the painting. Helly won't let that go. She is damn insistent on small things like that. She values art more than her underlings.”

Another few people arrived and started to talk with Barcy. Mila recognised one of them as the woman who had left to check on Andrew.

“B-but I can’t…” Mortimer stuttered before forcefully stopping himself. He bit down on his tongue and nodded. “I’ll do it. I-I can take care of Vatim and Kanna.”

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“And what about our agreement?” Watched the woman with the news shook her head. The news didn’t appear to be good. Mortimer stared at her blankly, so Mila helped him to remember. “You promised something in exchange for us helping Vatim’s sister.”

That rang a bell. Mortimer’s gears started to grind, trying to figure out how to deal with his promise. “Uh, I, well, I can’t do both.”

“We need the item, Mortimer.” Mila stared at the man like a cat at a mouse.

“W-well, yes, but-” Mortimer gulped. “T-the kids-”

“Don’t scare him, Mila.” Isabel kept poking. “We need to get Andrew first. Another day…” She paused. “No, it does matter, doesn’t it?”

Mila pushed aside the uncomfortable thoughts of Tiff’s and Kefo’s demise. Her reasoning had ruled their survival as unlikely. However, it wasn’t something she wanted to push on Isabel now.

Yes, Mila was stalling. But Isabel and Andrew were no fools. They knew something was wrong. Their choices were strange. Despite rushing towards Stilag, they both now reasoned themselves into stalling.

Well, ‘stalling’ was the incorrect word for it. Isabel and Andrew hesitated to find out the fate of their friends. Or that’s how Mila saw it. Maybe. She wasn’t sure.

And truthfully, they were tired. Mila grabbed Isabel’s finger just as it was about to reach her side and put her girlfriend's hand in her lap.

Despite their exhaustion, all three of them had thrown themselves into trouble. Mila didn’t know what to think of it. But in the end, they did need the map. And Isabel cared enough for Vatim and Kanna to break them out.

It wouldn’t do to push them to the side at this point. “I’ll help.” Mila finally offered.

Isabel looked at her in surprise. As did Mortimer, who appeared as if it had started to rain gold.

“I can get the painting. It shouldn’t be a problem.” Mila felt Isabel’s hand start to caress her thighs. From her girl’s expression, she wasn’t aware of what she was doing to Mila. “If this ‘Helly’ believes Mortimer can do, then it must not be a demanding proposal.”

“You will?” Mortimer happily exclaimed. “T-then-”

“If you promise to take care of Vatim and Kanna properly.” Mila tried to decide if bringing Isabel’s attention to her hand was wise. Currently, her girl’s mood was lifted by Mila’s suggestion. Mila didn’t want to bring it down by making Isabel realise her hand was a bit too high up her leg.

“Of course!” Mortimer promised.

Mila nodded and tried to shift away from the careless palm and electrifying fingers. Unfortunately, Isabel’s hand moved along with her.

Naran didn’t look too sure of Mila’s choice. “Girly, that likely is a trap for Mortimer here.”

These words made Mortimer gape. “W-what? And you only say that now?”

“I don’t care about your well-being.” Naran scoffed. “But the young girl helped one of mine, so it’s only proper I warn her.” He picked up his vine and took another mouthful. “And also, depending on how it goes, I may have a few other targets for you to consider.” His eyes flashed with cold light. “Of course, in exchange for appropriate recompense.”

“While intriguing,” Mila didn’t outright deny the suggestion. It was useful for Naran to see her as a valuable asset. “As it appears, the few following nights will be quite busy for the poor me.”

“The offer stands.” Naran wasn’t upset. He finished his bottle and asked Cecilia for another one. “Ah, it seems Barcy is about to bring news on your friend. Before that, may I offer a place to stay for the night? At least for the children. I’ll send someone to talk with Helly’s people, too.”

Everyone turned to see what Kanna and Vatim would say. While Kanna looked unsure of everything, Vatim at least knew he wanted to stay with Mortimer. The boy had grown very attached to the thief.

Naran spent a moment trying to convince Vatim otherwise, but the boy stubbornly refused to hear any reason. Seeing nothing could be done, Naran finally relented and instructed one of his men to arrange a room for the night down one of the tunnels.

“Now, let’s see what news Barcy has for us.” Naran allowed the talkative man to return.

Mila and Isabel perked their ears. Barcy, now in the centre of attention, looked unusually happy. He coughed in hand before raising his chin to speak.

“So!” Barcy tried to look dramatic.

And it worked - at least on Isabel. Mila’s girlfriend's attention was captured by what Barcy was about to say. She felt her girl’s fingers dug deep into her tight from the tension and worry of Andrew’s whereabouts and condition. Mila tried to keep her expression stoic and prim, not wanting to distract Isabel. It wasn’t that bad a feeling.

“Nilly there,” Barcy bobbed his head towards the woman he had spoken to, “Asked around about your friend.” He paused to appear more theatric. “He has been put into one of the better cells in one of the nearby City’s Guard command posts.”

Mila felt Isabel’s fingers dug deeper. It was really, really distracting. It was a shame to stop her girl’s unintentional teasing, but this could not go on. She regretted allowing Isabel’s palm to stay uncontested for so long, but Mila was somewhat starved for more touches. Now, she was paying for it.

“For the most part, your Andrew is treated as well as we can hope for. The Guards do not know what to make of him. Andrew blatantly contested military personnel, and they think he might be involved with one of the larger Stilag’s sharks. His personal strength and disregard for the Officer serve as proof of that theory.”

Mila gently put her palm on Isabel’s, startling her girlfriend and making her flinch. The sudden movement moved the hand even higher up her leg. Mila involuntary parted her lips but managed to stifle the gasp.

“So, for now, Andrew is kept in relative safety while the Guards ask around and clarify where he has come from.” Barcy happily orated.

Isabel shot Mila a surprised look, only then noticing where her hand was wandering. She glanced down, and Mila felt her girlfriend’s burning hot palm freeze, pressed against her body.

“We have a day before they find out he isn’t from here. Once that happens, he will be transferred to the Military, who are asking for his blood.” Barcy explained. “So if you plan to act, you better do it tonight.”

The naughty hand kept sending thrills through Mila’s body. Her lips parted wider. She struggled to keep her breath even. And Isabel, the dummy she was, hesitated even longer, at one moment even letting her fingers linger pressed against Mila’s private region.

“During the night, the command post is mostly empty. But if you do break him out, the guards will be in uproar and want your heads. I recommend simply bribing them if you want your friend out.” Barcy suggested.

Finally, Isabel remembered the place they were at. She sent a quick apologetic glance at Mila before yanking her hand away from the warmth.

Great, pleasant, and absolutely unacceptable mistake. The palm had been so close that the sudden and rash movement sent passionate ripples through Mila’s body, making her release a heavy breath.

“Ah!” A whisper escaped Mila’s lips, bringing the attention to her.