“You're right,” I initially agreed. “Words don't mean much on their own. We should focus on their actions instead. But I would say demons are quite capable of determining their own course of action.”

To my surprise, Aleph did not try to talk me out of my conclusion. However, he spent several minutes re-reading the edicts as if looking for a loophole, going so far as to page through the rest of the ramblings.

“It would seem these newer demons don’t have any qualms about killing humans, either,” Nora noted, her eyes on Aleph. “You said before they’d rather torture for their animus, but perhaps that’s more of a personal preference.”

I’m sure I made a face at that, and while I can’t describe what it looked like exactly, I was sure my nostrils flared and my lips curled. “Isn’t that what got them into trouble in the first place?”

Nora shrugged. “We do bad stuff too, even when we know the consequences can be worse than the crime. All I’m saying is we can’t overgeneralize with old observations about our enemy, especially now that their fearless leader is dead and gone.” She tapped the book. “Ultimately, even these edicts are… eolithic.”

Eolithic?

“Try again,” I muttered, wishing I had a dictionary. “Without the forced alliteration!”

“Archaic?”

“It passes, but you came close to using too many syllables again. I can only handle so much, you know.”

“You’re doing great,” she replied, waving her hand. “If I were the boss, I’d give you a raise.”

“Comp time, too,” I demanded.

“How about an all-expenses-paid vacation?” she asked, then froze, realizing business-backed travel wasn’t a perk I’d consider now. “Uh… oops.”

I stood up with a sigh. “That was too far but accidental, so no foul.”

Aleph also rose from his chair, gingerly picking up the book with broad hands. “May I hold onto this?”

“If you want,” I answered with a bit of hesitation. “I was just going to leave it behind.”

It did not spark joy for me.

“Thank you,” he said, slipping it into his knapsack. “Even outdated, it may yet still be of use.”

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With the summer sun holding court late into the evening, we were able to squeeze in yet another official discussion with the Order of White outside the city. Our party had grown with every rendezvous, and knowing this would be my final chance at collegial conversation, I brought both Captain Corwin and Prince Mito along for good measure. The usual party also accompanied me, but they rode a little farther behind.

“I know you will act dutifully,” I said to Corwin as we headed out of the south gate on horseback. “And far be it from me to tell you how to do your job, but you might want to put your visor down for a bit.”

He turned, his narrowed eyes burning. “Whatever for?”

I coughed. “So no one can see the open scowl on your face. You look like you’re about to get into a fight with a certain someone—or someones.”

His lips twitched, but he curtailed his retort with a sigh. “I will set aside my emotions,” he promised, rubbing his cheeks as if to put them back into place. “It will not be necessary to hide my visage.”

“It would just undo all the effort you put into your hair if you did.” Prince Mito chuckled.

Corwin turned red. “Protocol dictates I observe an appropriate level of physical cleanliness. You overly assume my grooming habits are some form of… of…”

“Courting attire?” His Highness suggested with an evil little smile.

“Stop picking on him. He’s already flustered!” I admonished. “You could even stand to take a page out of his book.”

Prince Mito pursed his lips. “Just what are you referring to?”

“You need a haircut,” I replied, pointing to his bangs. “It's in your eyes now.”

“But Emmy likes long hair—”

“HA!” I shouted in victory. “So, you’re the one focused on courting!”

Prince Mito, much to my disappointment, didn’t deny it. “I’ve always found her quirks to be charming. I suppose I hadn’t realized it until now.”

“Oh…” I said, deflating. “Yeah… I’m going to miss her…”

I was going to miss them—all of them. Swallowing hard, I turned away before they could glimpse the fear and sadness in my eyes. “Let’s pick up the pace, Aurum. We have negotiations to conduct!”

I don’t want this memory to turn sour… My last full day in Chairo, surrounded by my friends.

Faith, now in the shape of a small buckler attached to my left arm, played a soft, uplifting rhythm. It was more subtle than overtly cheerful, with woodwinds carrying the melody.

"Thanks," I whispered, grateful for the distraction.

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“Half of the regiment will remain here in service to Chairo,” Captain Sonea stated, nudging half of the white blocks on her battle map westward. “The rest will accompany us through Porta. Along the way, I’ll disperse a few battalions to fortify towns on our route and beyond.”

“The Order of Blue can care for Ecclesia,” Corwin replied, his tone stiff as he slid some of her white blocks across the lines into Porta, pulling silver ones from his headquarters in Arx Argenta.

Captain Sonea met his gaze with a steady, unfazed expression. “Captain Corwin, given the clear and present danger, I’d strongly recommend accepting our aid.” She paired each of his silver blocks with one of her white ones. “Joint training would benefit—”

“Ours will teach yours a thing or two as well!” he cut in, flushing crimson from his ears to his neck. “We’re not the only ones who’ve learned new ways to fight demons!”

Relias cast him a warning glance but remained silent.

“I never said otherwise,” Captain Sonea replied, continuing to position her blocks within Porta. “In fact, I was about to say it would benefit all involved.”

“Only if they don’t jump to conclusions like their captain,” Jessamy added in a biting tone. “Arrogance just leads to idiocy.”

Corwin glared at the salty sibling briefly, his face softening as his gaze flicked back to the Captain of the White. “You’ll forgive my zealousness, Captain. I simply cannot understate how proud I am of those who serve our Order.”

Captain Sonea nodded, gracefully forgiving him. “Indeed… I, too, am awed by the spirit those under my command demonstrate.” She then glanced at me. “Chosen One. I believe it best to leave my sister here even though she does not serve in any formal capacity. Therefore, I would also like to leave Lieutenant Selric in charge.”

Nora sniffed. “Wasn’t he a ‘sir’ yesterday?”

Captain Sonea smiled with just one corner of her mouth, her hand moving to cover it before it became wider. “After much consideration, I believe his role in our parlay meets all requirements for a field promotion.”

Nora’s eyes narrowed, but I gave her shoulder a tap. “Don’t forget, we pretty much did the same thing before entering Chairo,” I advised before leaning in. “Unless you want him to come with us.”

“Congratulations on your promotion,” she murmured in his general direction.

“Don't forget to inform Captain Armand," I reminded both leaders. "I want you to work with the Order of Blue as well."

Relias, who had been studying the map, glanced up. “And what of your plans for Alban, Captain Sonea?”

Ex-captain Alban had been permitted to stay during our deliberations, but he had not spoken since revealing how Chairo had stripped him of his position. With all eyes on him, he focused on the ground at his feet, not even letting the sound of his breath escape him.

“Why, my plans would be your plans, Your Holiness,” Captain Sonea stated. “Provided they are born of his earlier enlightening confession.”

Relias managed a contrite smile. “I strongly believe he is owed a rather sincere apology first. As for official absolution, I would gladly offer it myself, but I fear it impossible even for me to reinstate him as Captain at this point.”

“I would not wish such a Purpose again, truth be told,” Alban admitted with a sigh. “A captain is preceded by their reputation, and I doubt I would ever wield amity in a meaningful way again, no matter how vocal my reprieve is.”

“You… lost your ability to use your amity?” I asked, the hairs on my arms standing on end. “Just because a few other people blamed you for what happened?”

Alban nodded, his eyes still downcast. “Most of it, yes. I can summon a light show here and there, but nothing meaningful enough for combat.”

“Military Advisor?” Relias questioned. “It is my conviction that Vicar Thomas and the General Assembly must be fully apprised of all matters transpiring along our borders. And I hold that none are better suited to such a Purpose than yourself.”

Alban finally looked up, his eyes brimming with tears. “That would mean… I would be permitted to enter Chairo… would it not?”

Relias nodded, his voice soft with reassurance. “I think you would find it difficult indeed to inform them otherwise.”

Uncomfortable at Alban’s display of emotion, Captain Corwin stepped a little closer to me. “I am unable to accompany you, Captain Lightbringer, but perhaps I should send my lieutenant…”

Before I could thoughtlessly accept, Aleph coughed behind me.

“While I appreciate the truly kind offer,” I said, adding just enough formality to soften any possible objections. “I must decline. Lieutenant Fianna has been investing efforts in restoring relations with hybrids, and I would not call her away from such a sacred duty.”

It was clear he wanted someone on the inside to watch Captain Sonea, but try as he might, no names surfaced as a result of his internal struggles. “I will leave the matter of escorting the Chosen One and her retinue to the battlefront to you, Captain Sonea,” he said firmly as he saluted.

Captain Sonea returned his salute. “We’ll head out starting noon tomorrow,” she agreed.

“May Euphridia watch over us all,” Relias added.

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It took hours to return to my quarters. Within almost every hallway through the temple, I encountered someone wishing me well on my journey. Some were expected; Lieutenant Fianna, for one, must have received conflicting orders, ultimately deciding to talk to me in person.

“I’ll make sure to include Roderick in daily discussions,” she assured me after I told her I favored her service in Chairo. “If he simply cannot come for some reason, I’ll make sure he sends a competent delegate.”

Father Titus waited in yet another shadowed corner.

“You want me to oversee these deeds?” he asked, holding the papers to my lands as if they were somehow alive. “Me?”

There were other priests higher in the hierarchy, but Father Titus had shown interest in the hybrids long before there was any reward for doing so.

“I trust you,” I replied. “More than the others. I wanted to give them to Roderick himself, but I don’t think he’s ready to accept them yet.”

Even Vicar Thomas went out of his way to bump into me. “Tell me, Chosen One. Would you agree that Father Irijah has shown humility in the face of imposed leadership?”

What was this? Was it some sort of professional reference?

“Um… Yes, I believe so,” I answered slowly. He had changed significantly since I first met him, even before the attempt on his life.

“And I may quote you saying as such?”

I eyed him suspiciously. “Did you ask Relias for permission for whatever you’re scheming about first?”

The Vicar smiled. “Yes. This endorsement is by the book, Captain.”

I took a deep breath. “Father Irijah has exhibited all the necessary qualities of a humble but passionate leader, and I cannot see anyone else leading the General Assembly at this time with such diligence as he.”

“Now let us hope I can convince him of that very same idea,” Father Thomas murmured, pulling the coward out from another room where he had most certainly been listening in. “I told you she has long since forgotten your transgressions!”

“I was so rude…” Father Irijah confessed, guilt written all over his face. “Back in Amantia, when I saw the Royal Sanctuary… I just… lost it…”

I suppressed a yawn. “Stressful situations bring out the worst in everyone, me included. So, stop worrying about the past and focus on the way forward.”

Easy to say, but hard to do.

Even a few knights stopped me on my way up the stairs, offering their encouragement. Some assured me I’d be more than a match for even the most fearsome of foes, while others swore to defend Chairo with their last breath in my absence. While their words were meant to be comforting, I ended up taking them in the opposite fashion. Hopefully, I could get them out of my head before retiring for the night.

With a weary sigh, I eventually opened the door to my room, only to find Nora standing in the middle of it, her hair frazzled as a pool of liquid gold boiled at her feet.

I rushed over. “What happened?”

“Master Landon’s staff!” she cried, gesturing wildly at the mess. “I was just trying to light a candle with it, but…”

I sighed again, watching a few gold bubbles pop. “Congratulations. You definitely voided the warranty.”

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