Kint straightened his shoulders, adjusting his tie.

He checked the mirror, pushing hair behind his ears and running fingers across a smooth shaven face.

"You look good Papa." Nessa noted.

She was waiting by the door, offering up two gleaming apples for his lunch.

He took them, smiling.

"Thank you sweetheart." The Inspector replied, secreting them away in his cloak pockets.

He grimaced, adjusted his tie again. Kint had forgotten the pressure it created on his throat when worn correctly.

But he needed things to be different today. He needed order and control. Nothing could be left to chance when stepping into a hurricane.

"Ready to go?" He asked, glancing at the girl.

She nodded, opening the door.

Elsha and Kayce were waiting for them at the end of the yard.

"You're looking bright today, Kaycee." Kint complimented.

She wore a dress of exhuberant flowers.

"I've always been bright, Inspector." The girl chastised, "I'm just dressing to match."

He gave Elsha a raised eyebrow.

She drew a stark contrast to her niece, wearing a dark inspector's suit.

"She's more dangerous every day." Kint joked.

"We make them that way in the Ignatium." Elsha replied.

"I've seen it." Kint grunted.

"Master Kint."

A small voice cut in, to his right.

"Auntie El, tells me that you visited The Ignatium yesterday."

"Yes." Kint replied, hesitant.

"And you survived?" Kaycee asked.

"I did." He smirked.

“Good.” She nodded. "Now that you’ve seen it is not so terrible, you can allow Nessa to come and visit me for a sleep away."

Kint glanced at his partner.

She shrugged.

He looked down at Nessa, who seemed offended.

“You went to the Ignatium?”

"I was going to tell you, but…" He trailed off.

Nessa’s face softened. She took his meaning.

"It’s okay." She said. "But… as an apology, could you let me have a sleepaway with Kaycee?"

The Inspector sighed, closing his eyes.

"It couldn’t be safer." Elsha assisted.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"She'll be fine." She assured, her expression earnest.

Kint made a show of considering it.

"Fine." He grumbled. "How would this work?"

All three girls gave him astonished looks.

"Really?" They said in unison.

----------------------------------------

The two Inspectors parted ways with their young charges, the details of the sleepaway sorted.

"That was unexpected." Elsha commented.

"I don't know." he pondered, looking up at the Shrouded sun. "Maybe I’m just in a giving mood today."

"I'm not complaining." She replied. "That girl needs a little excitement in her life. She's too rigid."

Kint grunted a laugh.

"I mean, you were only in The Canopy for half an hour and look what you did." She teased. "Imagine what sort of trouble your daughter will get into witha whole night up there."

"I'm regretting this decision already." He grumbled.

The conversation died down as they walked.

Elsha tried to spark some small talk, but Kint wouldn’t have it.

He was focused.

They turned a corner, arriving at Kelseen Square.

The Inspectors paused.

There were two large crowds before them.

Squabbling merchants to the left, and factory workers and laborers to the right. Hundreds of people all packed into the square.

Kint bit his lip.

With class tensions rising, the size of these two crowds was concerning.

The two groups were close enough to rub up against each other.

Kint watched as a bookish merchant shuffled into a stout laborer and was immediatly knocked to the floor by the man's density.

The merchant stood sharply, but the heat of his temper was quickly quelled by the challenge in the laborer's eyes.

"My mistake." He muttered, scurrying away.

Kint noted deep purple circles around both of their eyes. Most of the Kadenites in the square had them.

"Looks like Him and Hal have finally caught on." Elsha noted, pointing toward HQ.

He glanced over to see the twins questioning a some laborers, by the HQ steps. One of them aggressively gestured toward a sheaf of paper in his hand.

"They’re not having much luck." Kint commented.

The twins were getting the same abrassive look the clumsy merchant had received.

The Inspectors turned as a silence washed over the crowd.

A figure in purest white robes rose above their heads.

There was a podium today.

When had they had time to set that up?

"We got our crier back." Elsha noted.

She was right. Kint recognized the slender Preacher. It was the young man they’d been listening to for the past six months. Before he’d been switched out yesterday for the old man.

The youth seemed different today. There was a bearing to him, a presence. The crowd stilled under the gravity of his gaze.

The preacher lifted a hand, the rustling tension of the crowd settled.

Even the merchants grew quiet.

The young man stood, letting the silence gather weight.

He looked around. Then, slowly, raised a fist.

"Restraint." He said, voice echoing across the square.

"Chaos." He raised his left hand, an open palm.

"Restraint… Restraint is the guiding Principle of the Prophet. It is the secret power that marks every Kadenite's life. It is the holy charge that keeps us together…”

He stared across the courtyard.

“Restraint." He repeated, shaking his fist.

"Restraint... is a concept of such power… that the Prophet weaved it into every Tenet."

He opened the fist, splitting his five fingers apart, raising the open hand above the crowd.

He pointed to his smallest finger.

"The First Tenet, 'For the good of all'.” He quoted, “'Restrain' yourself from personal pleasures so that ALL may benefit."

He pulled that little finger down, pointing to the next.

"The Second Tenet, 'Peace is found in Calloused hands.'”

He stalked across the stage.

“'Peace'.” He repeated. “Not happiness. Not Pleasure. Not Power. 'Peace' is the goal. And to have it you must restrain yourself. Put your hands to the plow in support of your community… that is Peace."

He pulled the second finger down.

There were nods from the laborers.

"The Third is obvious." He stated, pulling that one down.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"The Fourth, 'Stewardship over the blessings of today, to protect against the Miracles of tomorrow.'”

He looked down examining his hand thoughtfully.

“An interesting word ‘Stewardship.” He commented.

“It is not enough to cherish our blessings.” He shook his head. “We must be stewards of them, protect them. Like a shepherd protects the flock."

He scratched his head in exaggerated confusion.

“But miracles?” He questioned. “What does the Prophet mean when he speaks of miracles?”

He cast his gaze around the square, searching for answers.

“We live in a world of Miracles.”

He gestured to the city around them.

“Magics and technologies abound. All built on what the Prophet gave us.” He paused. “So what does he mean by ‘miracles’?”

He looked at the crowd.

“You all know them, right?”

The people nodded.

“It’s the easy fix. The something from nothing, deals with no strings attached.”

The crowd muttered in acknowledgment.

"We must protect against these miracles... we must show 'Restraint'."

He closed his final finger, leaving only his thumb remaining.

"The Fifth..." The words were only whispered, yet they carried across the courtyard.

"It should be obvious... I shouldn't even have to say it..."

He paused at center stage.

"Any one of us could be struck with 'Sin'." He said, solemn. “It is ‘Restraint’ that keeps the Rot from our doors.”

He clasped his thumb to the other fingers, shaking his fist.

"'Restraint is the Bulwark of Man, Chaos the Aether of Destruction.'" He spoke the Prophets Third Tenet.

Murmurs of approval rippled across the crowd.

The Crier waited for the silence to return.

"When I look around this crowd, I see men and women with stalwart faces and calloused hands." He noted. "I see stewards over hard won blessings.”

The man shook his head.

“But, I see anxiety as well."

A rustle went through the square, like windblown leaves.

"Frustration... exhaustion... I see a hundred days of sleepless nights etched in your eyes."

Kint’s eyes widened at the words.

The rustling of the crowd grew louder, the Crier speaking their unvoiced concerns.

"I see Chaos." He punctuated.

"I don't like where this is going." Elsha said, concerned.

Kint glanced over to the twins. They were watching intently.

"Let's move in closer." Kint grunted, stepping cautiously into the crowd.

Elsha followed.

"But how?" The Crier asked. "How can such a crowd... such a blessed group... Who shows restraint in every movement... How can there be such Chaos when every single one of you is a Bulwark against it?"

There was exasperation in his voice.

Kint could feel the tension rising. He pushed harder, trying to get to the front.

"I'll tell you how..." The man continued, "The Chaos... It does not come from here. It comes from the outside... It comes from above!"

He shouted the final words, pointing an accusatory finger at the Stalwart Tree.

The crowds restless murmurs rose, voices shouting, telling the man to stop, or to go further.

"Oh Fuck." Elsha exclaimed.

The crowd shook with agitation.

"We have to arrest him.” Kint stated. "Come on."

He pushed further in, they were only three rows away.

"Every day you work tirelessly at the behest of our lord. Making his ‘miracles’ while the foundations crack beneath your feet! Chaos is creeping from below! Restrain yourselves! Fight back, before it’s too late!"

Kint finally broke through to the front, moving around to the stage stairs.

The crowd was raucous. Blaming the Lords for anything was a capital offense. One could be punished for even hearing it.

"Salvation is coming, Kadenites.” He spoke with fervent passion. “Heed its call."

Finished, the Crier turned calmly to meet the Inspectors.

"You're going to have to come with us." Kint shouted.

"Of course, Inspector." The man said, holding his hands forward.

Elsha clapped metal clasps around them.

Kint pushed the man in front of them, toward District HQ.

People shouted at them as they passed.

"Who are you to question our Lord!" A Merchant Spat.

Elsha pushed him back.

"What do you know that we don't!" A large laborer asked, trying to push through. He caught a fist to the gut.

"Save us!" Came the word of an elderly woman.

Climbing the marbled stairs, Kint turned to Elsha.

"I need you to keep the Twins off us for a bit." He shouted.

She looked confused, but nodded.

Elsha opened the doors, and Kint pushed the man inside.

The noise dulled to a low hum behind them.

He moved quickly, grabbing the Priest by the robes and pushing him firmly downstairs toward the holding cells.

He heard doors open above as Him and Hal burst in.

Elsha cut them off.

"The Fuck are you doing, bitch? Move." Hal commanded.

"Not this time boys." She replied. "We got to him first, we get first crack."

"What does that mean?" Himbult questioned. "He has information about our case."

"Sorry kids... you'll have to take it up with Fezzi."

Kint could hear a growl from both twins as he moved down another level. Despite their harsh words, neither man had the wit to argue with the beautiful Inspector.

He let out a breath as he heard Elsha’s feet coming down the stairs behind him.

They were in the clear. For now.

----------------------------------------

"What are we doing here, Kint?" Elsha asked, closing the door to the interrogation room behind her.

He grimaced, not quite ready to reveal his motives.

“You’ve got ten minutes before Fezzy gets here.” She sighed. “Hope it’s worth it.”

"Fair enough." He nodded.

Elsha moved off to the side. Leaning against the windowed walls. Observing. Weighing him.

He’d have to explain things to her sooner or later, but for now…

Kint looked across the steel table, meeting the unconcerned eyes of the Crier.

He had combed over dark hair, and a sharp chin. Blue light from crystal lamps above brought eerie shadows to the lines of his face.

The tight skin around his cheeks moved as the young zealot smiled.

"You're exactly as I imagined." The young man stated, excitement in his eyes.

Kint raised an eyebrow.

"You know me?"

He glanced at Elsha, her eyes were wide with intense concentration. Watching them like a cat.

"Of course." The Crier replied. "How could I not? You’re the only man who's heard every one of my sermons."

Kint could feel Elsha's eyes burrowing into his back.

"You're a little more… zealous than you used to be." He grumbled.

"The word finds us all at different times…” The young man grinned. “Didn’t you know?"

Kint’s eyes narrowed.

"And whose word are you listening to, boy? The Sentinel?"

The crier chuckled, shaking his head as if he'd heard a joke.

"Oh no.” He chuckled. “The Sentinel is an Inspiration, to be sure. But the Prophet’s word sings to me now."

“I’m sure it does."

There was passion in this man’s eyes. It bordered on insanity.

"Your 'inspiration' is causing a lot of problems in my District." Kint noted.

The young man cocked his head.

“Is that what you’re worried about, Inspector? In times such as these? A couple jokes shared among the Kadenites?"

Kint ground his teeth.

“It’s more than that and you know it.”

“But it’s not the most important thing, now is it?”

"You're right." He confirmed, “Your little speach today is a far greater headache than some silly notes."

“More words, Inspector.”

The crier shook his head.

“You and I both know, that words are a weapon, only when the conditions are right.”

“Your words seemed pretty effective out there.” Kint growled.

The preacher grinned.

“Exactly.”

The Inspectors frown deepened, a theory itching at the back of his brain.

“So why are the conditions so right?”

The Crier leaned forward.

“Their eyes.” He whispered.

“Thair eyes?”

He nodded.

“It’s all playing out behind them, and beneath them… can’t you see it?”

“Dreams…” Kint muttered.

The Crier nodded.

“They raise the fog to Shroud our sight.

But the Truth is in our dreams.

Pray you forget before you wake.

A journey into shadow awaits.”

Kint’s brow furrowed.

“What does it mean?”

The man smiled, a knowing smile.

“Be careful, Master Kint.” He whispered. “Villains far greater than you or I are at play here.”

“Kint!”

There was a banging at the door.

“Open this door, Kint.” Fezzeline shouted.

“Make your decisions, Inspector.” The Crier continued, “You don’t have much time.”

Kint’s eyes narrowed.

What does he know?

"What are you doing, Kint." Fezzy’s voice was muffled behind the door. "Open this door right now!"

Elsha obliged, letting the huffing man in.

Sweat dripped from his forehead as he stumbled through.

Regaining his composure, the mayor pointed a finger to the door.

"Out." He said, face full of anger.

The two inspectors did not argue.

The sneering twins passed them as they exited.

Fezzeline closed the door, shooing them down the hall.

"Now stop." He said, freezing in front of the stairs.

They turned to face him.

"What am I doing here?"

He made an exasperated gesture toward the interrogation room, face lined with accusation.

"Fezzi..." Elsha hesitated. "It's part of--"

"The mission? The Black Seal?" The mayor cut in, raising an eyebrow. "Arresting blasphemers, obstructing your fellow Inspectors... That's all part of your mission, is it?"

The Inspectors were silent. The tension building.

"It's my fault." Kint spoke up, "I wanted to stick it to the Twins, that's all."

Fezzeline’s eyes narrowed.

"I thought we could solve the Sentinel case before they did. Get under their skin." Kint continued.

He looked away, ashamed.

"They've been spreading rumors... saying I’m a coward... It got under my skin."

The mayor stared, face a mask of intensity as he digested the words.

"And did you solve it?" The man asked.

Kint shook his head, dejected.

The Mayor's cheeks reddened, blood heating

Then, abruptly, he sighed.

"This is killing me..."

His face slackened.

"Public unrest... rogue criers, The Sentinel…”

He shook his head.

“Problems are stacking and I can't solve a single one."

He looked down to his feet, shoulders slumped.

"And now this…”

He met their eyes, disappointed.

“Petty grievances from a man I thought I could trust…”

His face reddened again.

“You lay your grievances at my feet when the District is crumbling around my ears!"

His voice exploded through the dimly lit hall, breathe coming heavy through his nose.

"You're killing me Kint." He finished, resigned.

Kint opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t know what to say. He’d never seen the man like this.

A twinge of guilt tickled at the back of his mind.

Before he could respond, the Mayor stiffened his jaw, pulled himself together.

"The Black Seal.” He asked, “Is it done?"

Elsha moved to answer, but Kint cut her off.

"Just one more thing to tie up."

His partner glanced at him, skeptical.

The Mayor's brow furrowed.

"We need to stop by the Crematorium." Kint explained. "Just to check the box. That's all."

The large man’s lip twitched in irritation.

"Fine." Fezzy spat. "Just get it done. I want this thing settled by end of day."

"Of course." Kint bowed, turning to the exit.

Elsha followed quickly behind.

"What are you doing?" She asked, voice anxious.

"I'm not sure yet." Kint whispered. "There's something I need to check out."

He felt guilty for lying to the Mayor. But, the Crier’s final words still rang in his ears.

He needed to make a decision.

What that was, he wasn’t sure.

But the answers were in the Crematorium.