"I come bearing gifts," he said, gently hefting the rucksack onto the table. "But first, I must tell you a terrible thing."

They gathered around the table.

"The news is not good, so prepare yourselves." Elio lowered his head. "I have learned that the SDOs left no survivors at the hold."

"What do you mean?" Tansy said.

"I mean that soon after we left, every last man, woman—" he could not bring himself to look at Frank—"and child were put to death."

"What? No," Frank said. "That's... what are your sources?"

"I know it to be true, my friend."

"No," Frank said, vehemently shaking his head. "I don't believe it. Check your sources, Rivera."

Elio silently removed a box from the rucksack. He placed three devices on the table and pushed them toward his comrades. "These will connect to any com tower. Please, do not take my word for it. I only wanted you to hear it from me first."

"Why?" Tansy whispered. "It makes no sense."

"Their stated reason? To set an example."

"An example?" Leila said.

Elio looked at Frank. "For the uprising."

"Nah," Frank said, still shaking his head. "For what we did? For trying to stop Heller? No."

"This is what they say," Elio said. "Though there are other reports."

"If that's... I'm the one. Right?"

"No, Frank."

"I'm the one. You said it yourselves." He backed away from the table. "I'm the one that started it, right? That’s what you said,” he said to Tansy. “They're all… dead? For what? Because of me?”

"Frank—"

"She was just a kid!" Frank pressed his hand to his heart. "Sweet Jesus, what the fuck is happening?"

“Breathe, Frank. Be calm.”

Frank shook his head. Tansy placed a hand on his back.

“Don’t! Don’t touch me. Please,” he cried. “I can’t fucking take it, Elio! Tell me it’s not true. Please.”

"Listen to me, Frank,” Elio said. “I will relieve your guilt, but it will not relieve your grief. Please, sit down.”

Frank remained standing. He looked back and forth between Tansy and Elio, visibly struggling to compose himself.

“There are reports, which I believe to be true,” Elio said. “Terrible reports which state that this has happened at other holds. Possibly at every one where we—" he made a gesture encompassing the group "—are being held. This could not be your fault, Frank.”

"What are you saying?" Tansy asked, panic in her voice. "They're not executing all those people? That can't be right. That—"

"Most likely, they are. Yes.”

"But they can't! They won't get away with it!"

"My darling Tansy." Elio gave her a look such as a father might give a small child. "Who will stand in their way?"

He gave them a moment to process the news, then said, "I am afraid there is more."

"Fucking hell,” Frank said.

"Truly. They will soon enforce a public reporting mandate. Perhaps on this very day."

"What,” Tansy said. “Penalties for not reporting afflicted?"

"Yes, and worse. Also, rewards of coin and even property for our bodies."

"What?" Tansy whispered.

"Yes. Why we are so valuable, I can only guess. We will not be safe, perhaps even among our own."

"I knew it!" Leila cried, smacking the table. She pointed her finger at Elio. "I told you there's no safe place! I'm staying right here."

"My home is safe," Elio said. "At least, for now."

"How? Huh?" she said in an accusatory tone. "What makes you so special, Elio?"

Elio looked at Frank, who held his hand out in an invitation to continue.

"There is nothing so special about me," Elio said. "I only believe—"

"That's a fucking lie," Leila said.

"Leila—"

"No! Either fess up or leave me out of it, okay? You know who I am. You know who all of us are. But you stand here saying 'what is so special about your coffee beans' and act like we are just supposed to trust you?"

"Yes," Elio said without hesitation.

"Yes?" She looked at him, flabbergasted. "That's all you're gonna say?"

"Yes."

"Well, fine," she said, waving her hand. "Go on then and be mysterious. I'm staying right here."

"Nope," Frank said.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"You can't make me go."

"Actually, I can and I will."

"Actually, you can't!"

"If I have to pick you up out of that thing and carry you to Brewerytown, then so be it."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, really?" he said, cocking his head. "Have you met me?”

"I don't consent to you touching me!" She turned to Tansy and pointed at Frank. "I don't consent to him touching me!"

Tansy held up her hands. "I don't control him, Leila."

Leila turned to Elio in desperation. He shrugged.

"You wouldn't," she whispered to Frank.

Frank put his hands on the table and leaned forward. "Try me."

"Frank," Elio said, placing his hands on the rucksack. "Before I begin, I have something for you. I returned to the place where I met Bianca. I believe you were hiding in the back then?”

"You want to tell me how you know that?"

"Eh, no. I returned to pick up something which I had purchased. I found this." He held out a small rectangular card.

"Her ID." Frank said softly. He rubbed the picture with his thumb. "She was always misplacing things."

They gave him a moment.

"May I?" Tansy said, holding out her hand. "Wow, she was beautiful."

"She was that. Inside and out," Frank said, his voice cracking.

Tansy felt a fleeting pang of jealousy before checking herself. "I'm sorry."

"Thanks," he said, pocketing the card. "Question—how did you get in and out alive, Rivera?"

Elio shrugged. "It was nothing. As for what I returned to fetch," he said, "it can only belong to a falconer." He reached in and produced an egg-shaped metal object the size of a football. He placed it on the table and turned it so that a blue glass button faced Leila.

"Will you do the honors?"

She leaned over and pressed the button. With a faint whirring sound, the egg slowly split in half and opened to reveal a gleaming metallic bird with its head tucked into a wing, as if asleep. At its feet lay a watch with a thin glass interface.

"What is it?" Leila said. When he gestured to it, she picked up the watch and fastened it on her wrist. She tapped the screen.

Instantly, the bird lifted its head and unfurled wings with feathers so lifelike that she gasped.

"This is a Kestrel," Elio said. "One of only a very few made."

Frank whistled. "Weren't they outlawed?"

"They were indeed.”

"Why?" Leila asked, never taking her eyes off the bird.

"For reasons of public safety. Though, of course, they remain in use by a certain sector. The Kestrel is made for stealth, Leila. It will follow your commands, and return to you from anyplace you choose to send it."

He reached down and pressed between the bird's back to reveal a small hidden compartment. "You may pass messages and small items. Its eyes are your eyes, through the interface, naturally.”

He lifted a section of the egg and pulled out a pair of supple leather bracers. "Of course you will need—"

She flung her arms around his neck. "It's too much, Elio!" she said, sobbing. "It's too much."

He placed the bracers on the table and patted her back. "It is what I can give you. I hope you will accept it."

"Hell yes!" she cried. "Trust me, I accept. I'm just..." she trailed off, shaking her head. "I don't know. It's too much, that's all. Thank you. Thank you! Wow.”

"You are worth this and much, much more," he said softly. "Now, you must name it. You can only do this once. Think, and choose carefully."

Elio turned to Tansy. "Witch," he said with a wink, "I hope you will accept these gifts." He placed two parcels on the table and pushed them toward her.

She untied the heaviest first and burst out laughing. "Is this—oh my gods—is this a leather satchel? Oh, you have no idea, Elio!" she said, as tears formed in the corners of her eyes. "I was just joking with my mother about this. I told her it was supposed to be all cloaks and leather satchels. The apocalypse. You know?" She sighed. "You had to be there."

"Your mother?" Frank said. "I thought she—."

"Yes. No, she's not alive. I just meant... I talk to her. You know? People talk to their dead parents. It's a thing. This is perfect, Elio," she said, opening and closing compartments. "And it's a crossbody! Oh wow, and the craftsmanship!" She ran her fingers over the impeccable stitching and burnished edges. Then she noticed the embossed detailing on the front flap—her initials centered on a flask. "What? But, how?" she whispered. She looked at him. "How did you have time to do this?"

"I make time for what is dear to me. Please," he said, gesturing to the other gift.

"If this is a cloak, I'm going to—" She burst into tears. "Elio! Is this shantung silk?" She held the beautiful forest green cloth to her wet cheek.

"It is, my dear."

"Green is my favorite color!"

He nodded.

"Elio! How can I repay you?"

"How can I repay you for my life? We have saved one another. Now, I only desire the pleasure of your company for as long as you will allow."

Tansy kissed Elio’s cheek, then slowly pressed herself against his body and wrapped her arms around his neck. Resting her head on his chest, she whispered, "Thank you." As he returned the embrace, Elio caught Frank's eye, the hint of a smile on his lips.

Frank mouthed "fuck you," then shook his head and smiled at the audacity. Leila had his number, alright. Smooth man, winner at life.

Leila petted the Kestrel, which gazed at her adoringly. "What about Frank?"

"Yes!" Elio said. "What about Frank? My dear, courageous comrade with the bold, unlying tongue. I have had the immense pleasure of his company in the past. Do you remember, Frank?"

"Vividly," Frank said, remembering again.

"Mmm, yes. And yet, I think you also forget."

Elio produced a small sleek, black leather case, clearly designed to hold a musical instrument. Like everything else, the craftsmanship was exceptional.

"What's this?" Frank said.

"Please," Elio said, handing it to Frank. "Tell us."

Frank gave him a look of suspicion. He placed the case on the table and unlatched it. He unfolded the case and stood staring down at the contents in silence.

"How?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He searched Elio's face.

"You left it behind."

"But that was so long ago. What, six years?"

"Seven years, in fact. You played for my family."

"That was your family's wedding?"

"It was, yes. My sister," Elio said, grinning. "And when the guests had gone, I saw this beautiful instrument cast aside in the grass. I could not bear it. So I commissioned an appropriate case. Then I waited."

"I thought I'd never see it again. It must have fallen out of my bag. We tried to go back for it, but they wouldn't let us in. Bianca threw such a fit I thought we might end up in a hold," he said, laughing through tears.

Frank reached out and stroked the strings lightly.

"Please, turn it over."

Frank removed the small, slim guitar from its bespoke case and turned it over. A hole the size of a coin had been carefully patched, the seams nearly invisible. "You fixed it?"

"Of course, Frank."

Frank placed his open hand on the polished black wood. "It was my father's."

"You play it beautifully. For me, at least, your music was the highlight of the wedding day. I hope to soon hear you play again."

"Who are you?" Frank said softly, knowing better than to expect an answer.

Weary from grief, his heart full of gratitude, and aching with immutable longing for the thing which he still sought, Frank gently strummed the instrument.

* New Ability: [Resonance] With a skillful strum or harmonious song, the Urban Bard’s vibrations soothe all within range. Allies gain a temporary mood and ability boost, while the Urban Bard experiences an amplified version of their current state. Resonance effects increase with the Urban Bard's performance time. This ability is instant. This ability has no cooldown.

"I felt that!" Leila said. “Ooh, new ability?"

"Elio," Frank sighed. "What have you done?"