His breastplate clinked as the constant gallop knocked him from side to side. Steam rose from the steed’s nose, the trees whooshed by, and the lonely tradesmen of the road gave way to him and Melodra.

“Think we’ll meet Devina soon?” Tillon asked, the wind almost silencing his words. “I guess we should worry more about the townsfolk. She’ll deal on her own,” he answered himself.

Sure, there was still time, but they were far past the point of comfort. Without a doubt they could make it in time, but Tillon couldn’t make the show he needed and return fast enough.

This plan’s already useless, he thought, one eye on the road. Already not sure if we’ll even succeed. I can’t put my mind to saving those peasants and looking out for myself…

“Splitting up could be a great idea,” he said. “Sure, we’d divide our strength, but if we do it right… are you even listening?”

The lips under the shadow of Melodra’s green hood didn’t move.

“This is not the time for playing around!” he said. “Just answer me!”

She nodded.

“Okay. So…” he trailed off.

Damn, you could make the greatest plan from the best general feel like a disappointing waste of time.

Tillon sighed and they rode wordlessly, the beasts howling in the forest.

A few minutes later, they passed a dead horse on the road.

“Fresh kill,” Melodra spoke after a dozen gallops.

Thank you, Tillon cherished her words. Then, he frowned. “Fresh kill?”

He pulled the reins, turned around and approached the dead animal on the road.

Blood’s still crimson, still flowing; it’s eyes aren’t even closed.

Damn it, she’s right again.

How do you even see things like this?

This steed does look familiar, but... it doesn't have a medallion.

Tillon hopped out of the saddle. He walked to the dead horse, his left gripping his revolver, his right taking his knife out of his belt. He counted under his breath and cut a piece off the horse’s skin.

“N of J,” he read the tiny black tattoo on the inside and turned to Melodra. “You know a steed that’s name starts with N?”

Melodra shook her head.

Everyone these days call their animal Wild or Trickster...

“Bloody footsteps go there,” she said a second later.

Tillon turned and stumbled back a few feet. Indeed, a trail of maroon went beside the street for a while before winding into the forest. “Damn. Should we follow or just leave it?”

Melodra shook her head again.

Tillon climbed up his steed and sighed. “Alright, we gotta a lot of riding ahead of us.”

***

These weren't the days when he could roam Company’s Heart and hear his footfalls' echoes or his heartbeat's thump. As he walked towards The Headquarters--the massive castle in the center--the streets buzzed with rumours, whispers and plots. Company squads passed and riders dashed in every direction

Tillon felt weird knowing that, likely, most of these people would become his mortal enemies in not so long. Though he couldn’t be sure. Maybe everything will calm down. Maybe Guardian will seize this opportunity. Maybe someone else will get cocky.

I don’t care what happens, I just want this stupid waiting to end, Tillon thought, turning off the main road, into an alley.

Monolithic buildings with numerous floors and immaculate decorations lined that street while thousands upon thousands of people travelled through it.

Long ago, Tillon had loved that main road, found awe in it, but as more people flooded Company’s Heart, it became nothing, but a crowded mess. The alleys were something different -- they winded confusingly, went through tunnels in some areas and could lead a clueless newcomer into the grips of the crime world. Tillon had been one of those newcomers, though after a few weeks of dangerous wandering, he could navigate the secret passages better than the normal streets.

He turned right, descended underground and emerged on the other side of a massive marble building. A decade ago, he couldn’t fathom why anyone had built such massive things. Yes, during those days Company’s Heart was turning into the center of the continent, but there was no way people would need buildings that almost pierced the clouds, right?

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Tillon turned left and left again then went straight until the alley narrowed to a seemingly impassable point. He needed to step sideways and take a deep breath to struggle through. He got back to the main street, right in front of the headquarters. Six towers loomed around it, cannons sticking out of their every wall. Those cannons were like a thousand eyes that judged everyone's every move.

Even though the experience of traversing the city center was weird, Tillon adapted to it. Everyone in Company’s Heart had to. In an alternate world where he wasn't in the Swords of the Guardians, the city would've broken him down.

All those madmen turned us into crazies as well.

In the large crowd that always shuffled around The Headquarters, most of the people were companymen. Out of that massive group of green tunics, one stuck out: it ran towards Tillon.

A messenger boy stopped in front of him, caught a breath and handed him a scroll. “Read it right now!”

Tillon raised an eyebrow then opened the paper. “‘You must know of the situation that’s going on in…'” he skipped through a majority of the text until his eyes caught the interesting part. “‘So I want you to represent the Swords of the Guardians in the Villered meeting. You shall bring Devina and Melodra with yourself. You don’t see it, but you work perfectly with them.’”

Tillon furrowed his brow. At first, a weight fell on his shoulder, but then excitement replaced it. He didn’t want more work, but he realized this was the shot he needed. All those years of waiting and subtle positioning led him here. A moment later, frustration came to the mix too.

“This is amazing news,” he said. “But do I really have to go with those two? I work perfectly with my squad, yet he assigns me with Melodra and Devina again.”

The messenger boy shrugged. “Guardian’s words, not mine.”

Tillon clenched the scroll in his hand. “Going to go and get him to--”

The messenger grabbed Tillon by the shoulder and shook his head.

“Ah.” Tillon sighed and turned on his heel. He’s in a bad mood. “When is that meeting happening, anyway?‘You’ve got forty eight hours to go to Villered, help those fools find the minds they lost by showing that their idea is a heap of garbage that'll get them killed, and get back to Company’s Heart,’” he read and his eyes widened.

Forty eight hours.

That’s… no… maybe?

It’s possible, but also… pretty damn intense.

Tillon stood for a moment, wondering what to do. Thoughts rushed through his mind and he couldn’t give attention to a single one. He shook his head, nodded to messenger and sprinted towards the barracks.

***

“Sun’s down,” Tillon said after another gallop joined in. “What did you find?”

“Followed the trail of assassins down half the region,” Devina said. “Thought it was related to the King’s Conspiracy. Ended up leading me to some sorcerers’ ritual. Gotta a lot of info from them.”

King's Conspiracy? Haven't heard those words in years...

“They’re related to this situation?” Tillon asked. “And most importantly: did you kill them?”

This matter might be more complicated than it seemed.

“Apparently, that bugger, Third, wanted to craft some magical weapons for his army or enhance them for the battle. I didn’t fully understand what he wanted...”

“Oh, powers that be,” Tillon cursed. “What did I tell you, Devi?”

“They were damn sorcerers! What was I supposed to do? Just leave them--”

Melodra took the hood off her head, letting her silver hair shine in the moonlight. “Good choice you made. Coming back before we enter Villered, I mean.”

Devina flashed a grin. Tillon sighed.

“I admit she’s right,” he spoke. “We will need strength entering that den of madness.”

Devina’s grin dropped. “Here it goes again.” She grunted. “I’m the dwarf so I gotta do the fighting…”

“And what is wrong with that?” Tillon took his green hood off too and ran a hand through his drenched, amber hair. “Be proud of it: I see what you are best at and assign duties accordingly. You wouldn’t send a corp of scouts to the frontlines, would you?”

“Well, maybe I’m looking for some change!”

“You knew damn well what you’d be getting yourself into when you joined the company.”

“You’re speaking of joining the company on one’s own will?” Devina scoffed

“Ironic,” Melodra finished her words.

“Point taken. I understand you. Enough. We have to focus. We need to prepare, plan and prepare more. I have a feeling this isn’t just going to be a petty game like we thought.”

I believed I was ready, but damn... I'm just a clueless child.

At least I can pretend I know what I'm doing.

“We’re the queen in this game, if we don't blow our heads of the second we walk in there. What makes you even think we have a chance of failing?” Devina asked.

Melodra grinned.

Damn, how does she understand me-- everyone, in and out?!

It’s starting to get on my nerves.

“In simple terms,” TIllon said. “Overkilling it might be beneficial.”

“We’ve got orders. We don’t need to do anything more than the old man says,” Devna spoke.

Melodra opened her mouth, but Tillon pierced her with a sharp gaze.

You’ve stayed quiet for most of your life. Please, just don’t say a word now too.

“See, there’s something in it for us,” Tillon slowly formed his words. “I think you’d be interested, Devi.”

The dwarf nodded. Go on.

“I don’t know how you didn’t see it, but an easy contract isn’t just an easy contract. It’s an opportunity as well. A chance to show what you can to the old man. Many easy contracts later, he’s definitely gonna give you something. Something to show for.”

Devina smiled. “Maybe you do have a point.”

She obviously loved the idea and would’ve thought of it herself if not for the two instincts conflicting within her: surviving orders and proving herself every shot she got. Usually, survival won and restrained her full potential.

Their conversation ended as the eroded walls of Villered came into view. It wasn’t a big town, but it wasn’t any less important than Company’s Heart or King’s Hand. The town’s significance gave it massive walls, but also destroyed them through conquerors looking to get the hub of diplomacy for themselves.

They rode up to the gate and a squad of soldiers emerged.

“Past nightfall, Villered doesn’t let any travelers in or out.” The five of them raised their shotguns.

“Swords of the Guardians,” Tillon said and pinched his green tunic.

The men stood confused, then the realization hit them and they moved away. The gates started opening.

“I think you’re late,” one of the soldiers spoke as Tillon, Melodra and Devina passed.

“Only unimportant people are ever late,” the dwarf said.

Oh, powers that be, I hope you’re right.