The journey from the cells throughout the castle was an excruciatingly long one.

For one, I had no idea where we were going. Secondly, many questions pounced back and forth in my mind like a rapid dog, finding no answers at the end of them. The guardswoman no longer had a grasp on me, simply guiding me through the twists of turns of narrow hallways and feet-achingly slim staircases. We had encountered no one, and there was limited décor on our path, so I could only assume we were going a back way. How special I felt.

The stone walls of the castle were cracked around us, much more damaged and older in comparison to the treated ones outside that most citizens saw daily. There were even spots that moss had grown through, curling around the few carved windows that peeked out into the world. The sun shined down into these holes, allowing me to catch the rare sight of the sun during the beginning of autumn amid Mount Ivory.

It made me feel strange.

Silence remained a comfortable third party in our company, surrounding us both. Finally, as though it would never end, we came to a halt at the top of the staircase. The stone wall that stopped us was smoother, much like what I was used to seeing in the city. The guardswoman stepped closer, pressing her hand to a block that gradually sunk in as she pushed her weight against it. The wall shuddered briefly before grinding upon stone, dust dripping down from the ceiling as it did.

I coughed, blinking rapidly. “Thanks for the warning,” I snapped, beginning to fiercely rub my eyes.

The guardswoman did not speak, though I heard a huff, as though I was the annoying one. Please.

She stepped forward and I stumblingly followed, trying to get the ever increasingly rough shit out of my eyes. I opted to have limited vision with red spots, though once they did not fade, I realized it was because the rug beneath our feet was a bloody one, then simply a faded maroon dye. The light from outside shone brighter in this location, as I came to quickly realize by the cool breeze that swept through.

To our right, multiple protruding balconies overlooked the courtyard and down the large hill, where the town of Mount Ivory laid. The homes were bunched together from this view, not much unlike how it actually was, and I could see the town square busy with tiny people. Even furtherer down, I could see the villages outside the city walls, and even furtherer towards the beginning of the forest, fields mixed with greenery and farming land. Arawonian banners threatened to hide the sight, waving rapidly as the wind began to pick up. It was as though summer had never left, lingering around as long as it possibly could. It was beautiful, if for a moment. I was constantly rushing through town for my own business, leaving the city to procure my own contracts, doing all of my own things for the Society that I rarely had the chance to stop and take a breath.

The guardswoman was not as intrigued as I was, continuing just a bit further ahead. It barely took a few steps to catch up, spotting the large double doors to our left.

I had not been in this part of the castle, in very few spots I had been in, of course. Alvis restricted the area off for much of the Society, especially after the continuous threats from the guard and intense searches for my fellow thieves in the city. In his words, they needed something to prove to the people that they were in control. Desperation.

The guardswoman halted in front of the doors and turned on her heel towards them. Without addressing me, she opened the right one. Expectantly, her eyes drifted towards me with a narrow gaze, as if to say Well?

I felt hesitant, though the look seemingly pulled my feet forward. Stepping through the door, it did not take long for it close behind me, echoing throughout the huge room.

It was larger than Alvis’ office, though smaller than the Queen’s Hall. The ceiling curled upwards until it tipped once more in the middle into a piercing triangle above the large table that sat below. Large, thick curtains blocked out the sun as best as it could, though the light still peeked through on the opposite side of the wall. Multiple book cases lined the encasing stone, only stopping to my left in order to make room for an unlit, carved-out fireplace. A lion roared above, showing off its bare, gray fangs. Lanterns and candles were lit all over, brightening the place up nicely. It revealed a woman sitting at the head of the table in front of me.

Queen Zara stared at me with a startling gaze, hands clasped in front of her, placed nicely next to a silver goblet and large serving of food. The smell erupted my senses, making my mouth salivate as I eyed the various plates that laid before her. Much nicer than the soupy oats.

Her slender hand darted out, waving to the empty chair next to her. It was wrapped in gold and silver jewelry like snakes. “Please, Braithe. Have a seat.”

Her voice was commanding. I truly had no choice.

Like before, my feet listened to the demands of another and guided my body to the chair next to her. As I did so, I felt the bunched up lockpick press sharply against my thigh in the loose trousers pocket. I resisted the urge to reach in and fiddle around with it.

Up close, I could see the texture on the Queen’s dark complexion, the lines that creased brown speckled eyes, and individual curls that twirled down to her shoulders. A natural, ageless type of beauty. She wore a maroon-colored gown, visibly dusted with golden dashes, just barely catching the flame flicker of the lantern so that it shined at the right moment. In her vicinity and with my eyes away from the food itself, I also caught a glimpse of the crown that sat upon her head. It made me just as hungry to count the rubies carefully placed in each individual golden indention. Mala would have a field day uncovering those bad boys.

“Are you hungry?”

She nearly made me jump as I was already counting the figures in my head of how much coin Badune’s Crown was worth. It reminded me that I was, indeed, hungry. “…yes.”

Once more, she motioned, this time toward the dishes before us. “Eat, then.”

Different types of meats, rolls, roasted vegetables, broth, jam, butter, and wine laid across the table. Fit for a Queen. I almost drooled staring at the bunches of food and drink, though I swallowed deeply. It didn’t feel right. What Queen dines with a thief?

Unexpectedly, she reached out before me, gently grabbing a roll with her hand. Queen Zara bit into the roll carefully, chewing it slowly. As she did so, I began to realize without the smell of feces around that my stomach was attempting to cave in on itself. I watched her and she made eye contact with me. Another wordless Well?

Reaching out, I snatched a roll myself and began to munch on it. Alvis would be disappointed. But, if she was going to kill me, it probably would be quick anyway. What royalty wishes to dirty their nice clothes with a blade, after all.

As I began to scarf down food, the Queen rolled the ball of bread in her hand, watching me intently.

“I am sure you have questions, young Braithe.”

I felt like a savage downing my food like this, but it had been a few days since I had eaten well.

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Three days ago, I set off on my journey. Stole from her cousin. Came back to Mount Ivory two days ago. Luis was ready to with the shackles at the gate. Another day, I’m in a cell. In that order. Much of my time had been spent with adrenaline and annoyance, so, yeah, I was hungry for food and information.

The bread I was gnawing on got stuck in between my teeth, helping me decide that this was the right time to question the Queen. Placing the bread down on the empty plate before me, I looked at the woman. Eye contact was difficult with her—she certainly gave me the shivers. “Why did you bail me out?”

Queen Zara let out a sigh, humming for a moment. “…you are a talented young woman. I wish to see it come to fruition.”

I knew people didn’t like the Queen, but I didn’t know she was a borderline madwoman. “…what?”

Her empty hand dropped onto the table gently, a lengthy nail grinding against the fabric laid across it. “I have a contract for you, my dear Braithe.”

Contract? My mind went blank for a moment. “Alvis deals with the contracts.”

“I have spoken to him.”

My breath caught in my throat. So, the Society did come through.

I straightened up, my attention now fully on her words. “So, you’re a client?”

“That is what it means to have a contract with your company, no?” The Queen sat down her barely eaten bread, laying her arm on the wooden cut of the chair. “I need you to retrieve something for me.”

It didn’t sound like it would be a stroll through town.

When I did not reply, her dark eyes glanced up at me. “In order to understand my request, I must be thorough in what you understand,” After a brief pause, she continued, “Arawon has made a peace treaty with Diamore.”

My mind went blank. For a moment, I felt frozen; for a moment, I wondered if she had put a hallucinogen potion into the bread. Then, all I could say was—

“Why?”

Queen Zara did not stutter or stumble. She did not speak as though she owed me an explanation, but a statement in what must be done.

“Arawon has been at its knees too long. It is time to rebuild what the people deserve,” Once more, she paused, offering me a moment to speak. When I did not, she continued, “The peace treaty includes many things. Land, negotiations on borders, returning their soldiers and vice versa—” I visibly shuddered, “—just to name a few. One inclusion is the information on an artifact.”

The Queen pushed herself up from her chair; a continuation, not an interruption. “This item is important to our culture, our society. Tell me, Braithe. Have you ever heard of the Orb of Kosmat?”

It sounded vaguely familiar, as though something I heard as a child either in a rant from a priestess or folklore from Alvis. “Nothing in particular,” I admitted.

She gracefully and slowly walked over to the bookshelf on the far side of the wall, plucking one from the top shelf. “The Orb of Kosmat is legend to be the first weapon of our Great Creator, used both carelessly and wisely by all of the gods—including our Immortal Badune.”

Turning to a particular page, she returned and placed the hefty weight in front of me. An ancient sketch of a sword laid drawn on the faded page, which tanned deeply at the corners. Even still, I could make out the intentions of the artist—the sword was long and sharp, the handle thin enough to be swift and thick enough for a warrior. One thing stood out, however—the large, bulbous circle that was implanted in the middle of the hilt and blade, blending the two together. It could have been a gem, silver, gold, even a rock for all I knew. Brown and darker brown weren’t exactly telling colors.

“…this is the Orb of Kosmat?”

Queen Zara hummed once more, sitting down in the chair.

Still reeling from her revelation about the peace treaty with Diamore, I shook my head. “I…how am I supposed to find a legend, Queen?”

She gazed at the book briefly before making eye contact with me. “As I said—information. Diamore has provided an invaluable resource to your journey. You just need to add your skills to the mix. As for the request, what questions do you have?”

The Queen was certainly blunt and to the point, wasn’t she?

I swallowed, looking down at the book again. The drawing was obviously old, due to the faded, rough sheet of paper before me. The closer I looked at it, even the book was falling apart. It seemed unreasonable. I stole from the rich. I wasn’t sent out on missions of treasure hunts in dark caverns and ancient burial grounds. Just the ridiculous thought of walking skeletons made me shiver.

Out of all the questions I had, though, one weighed heavy on my tongue.

“Why do you want this Orb of Kosmat?” I quickly added, “If I may ask.”

Silence erupted the air. For the first time, it seemed the Queen did not have a ready answer. “Did you follow my late husband, Braithe? King Aldwind?”

My own silence must have revealed my feelings.

“Well, many people feel the same,” she said. I wanted to believe there was a hint of sadness in her voice, though I could not be sure. “He was a man with many intentions when he was first crowned. He made promises to end the ongoing war with Diamore—end the fighting once and for all, after all these centuries of pain and torture…only to fail.” A hint of bitterness laced her tongue.

I understood little of royal politics in Arawon, as much as Alvis thrived in it. From what he had told me, the Queen was the daughter of a former Councilman, leader to many military groups. He died a few years ago, after the Prince and her got married. She was renamed after she was crowned alongside her husband, as is expected of non-pure royals, to Queen Zara for her family’s consistent strength matching that of Badune himself. A high honor, so I hear.

“I wish to succeed in his place,” she spoke. “I am Queen Zara. Though many wish to dethrone me, I do have a duty to fulfill… Even if I am a place mat for my daughter.” There was no sadness in her tone this time around, a lingering feeling of agitation surrounding her words. “Though it is not known to the general public, the Orb of Kosmat used to be a symbol of balance and prosperity in the land of Arawon. It is said to contain the wisdom of Iir, strength of Badune, magik of Xanthe, and the breath of the long-forgotten Raoul. While this may be a tool from the past, I believe it could certainly help our present. Our people in coping with the destruction that has befallen us.” She paused, “The Church of Iir has advised me of its power. That finding it and placing it in its rightful place would indeed bring that same past of balance and prosperity to our land.”

Her gaze is fierce as she stares down at me, as though daring me to challenge her.

It wasn’t that I denied the religious teachings of the Church, or that magik was not useful. But it was quite hard to believe a sword could change things. I wondered if Queen Zara had ever seen the burning fields of the Risen Plains or heard the screams of people burning inside of buildings. If her father ever divulged the horrors he had seen. Would her father say that the blessings a bygone God could fix the treachery bestowed on those below her station?

I did not challenge her.

“What of payment?”

Queen Zara tilted her head up, breathing deeply. “Hm… I have promised Alvis to…disregard the previous sins of his Society. To remove several of the Commanders’ intentions towards your company.”

She said it so casually, yet I was dumfounded. I knew she was the Queen, of course. I knew she had power. Yet…for everything to be forgotten? Just like that? To have her dogs stop sniffing at our heels? It seemed too good to be true.

“What would you ask of me? As…a third party, I suppose.”

Her question seemed empty and overflowing at the same time. Anything? The Queen had her reach, and it was obviously far. I still had questions. About the treaty. The Orb of Kosmat. How this would affect the Society. Still, I had no inkling that she would actually tell me anything. The rich were just as much rats as we were.

My gaze drifted up to the top of her head, the rubies shining amidst the lanterns above.

She reached up, tapping one of the gems lightly with a raised eyebrow.

While I did not feel excited about questioning her authority on obviously what she knows more of than I do, I felt confident in my ability to sway her on my future treasure.

Leaning forward, I licked my lips at the prospect of a new item in my collection. I could feel the glint in my eye shine. “Well…you see, if I’m going to be saving Arawon in my adventure for this…Orb of Kosmat,” my voice was slow, carefully choosing my words, “I feel as though I need proper payment for my endeavors.”

Queen Zara’s hand fell, lips pursed. “…” The silence was excruciating.

And then, just when I felt like maybe I had gone too far, she nodded. “Fine.”

“You have a deal, Braithe Blackhart.”