Kint blinked, waking up to a setting sun for the second day in a row.

This time, however, he was home.

The Inspector smiled, enjoying the familiar warmth of his Government issued housing.

He looked to his left, to find Elsha sitting in a chair beside him, analyzing the image of his wife on the bedside table.

The woman wore a black suit with a black tie. Mourning attire.

“Elsha.”

Kint greeted tentatively.

She looked at him, a small smile gracing her lips.

It faded quickly.

“Hello, Kint.”

The Dowser gave a cautious smile of his own.

“How– How did I get here?”

The last thing he remembered was passing out in the domed room with Sh’Geel standing over him.

“A couple of holy men brought you back after healing your wounds.” She said, voice monotone. “Or so they told me.”

Kint grimaced.

“You met them?”

She sighed.

“Yes… After a busy morning… It looks like the church has the run of the place now.” She commented, “They’re a funny lot. Much less morally pliable than the priests I know.”

He gave a half hearted chuckle, before asking the question that plagued his heart.

“And Nessa?”

Another smile.

“She’s in her room. I’ve told her you need rest.”

Kint sighed.

“Good. Good…”

The silence lingered, tension building.

There was so much unsaid between them. It had only been a day, but so much had happened.

None of that mattered, really… Only one thing mattered. One decision he’d made…

“Look, Elsha, I–” He paused, fidgeting with his hands. “I wanted to–”

She cut him off.

“It’s fine, Kint. I understand.”

She gave a wan smile..

“Elsha, I tried t–”

“Kint. It’s fine.” She repeated. “I was late. You had to get on with it. Another thirty minutes and the whole thing would have been up in flames.”

Her tone was harsh, hurt.

Elsha did not know how right she was, but Kint wasn’t going to point that out.

She let out a dejected sigh.

“I just–” The girl paused, meeting his eyes. “I wish I meant more to you…”

His heart dropped.

“No, Elsha… You do.”

“Kint…”

She sighed again, annoyed.

“You used me.”

The word hit like a brick.

“No, I–”

She cut him off again.

“You wanted to play the game for– I don’t know why. And you used me to do it.”

She shook her head, betrayal in her eyes.

“I trusted you.” She whispered, voice hoarse. “I went along with your plans and your scheming. I let you use my connections and my fucking family name.”

Kint saw tears welling in her eyes.

“Then… the minute I ask for a little trust in return… you disappear.”

She snapped her fingers.

“Couldn’t wait for thirty bloody minutes.”

“Elsha, I–”

She glared at him, shutting him up.

Her eyes were wet with unshed tears.

The silence held as his partner gathered herself.

…

“You know, In the Ignatium, the first thing they teach you is that everything is a game.” She began, voice full of gravity.

“School is a game, conversations are a game, politics is a game, life is a game….

There are rules… but you quickly learn that no one enforces them.”

She rubbed at a scar on the back of her wrist.

“So everything becomes about power.” She whispered. “Nothing is sacred. It’s all coercion and leverage… If you can take it and get away with it, it’s yours.”

She paused, giving him a meaningful glance.

“I played the games very well at first. Made my father proud.”

She looked down.

“But one day, I did something I couldn’t take back… and I regretted it.”

Elsha grimaced.

“That made it hard for me to keep playing… Can’t win with a conscience you see… so I stopped.”

She shook her head, musingly.

“Unfortunately, what they don’t teach you in the Ignatium, is that just because you stop playing, doesn’t mean you get to leave the game. And if you don’t fight… things just… happen to you. Bad things…”

Her eyes were sad.

“First it was kids at school… Then it was my brothers… then my father, trying to teach me a lesson.”

Her voice was quiet as a whimper.

“It got so bad that I left, coming to the districts where there were no games. I tried to find a place as far from the halls of power as possible. Somewhere I could feel safe again…”

She looked up again, meeting his eyes.

“And I found that, with you.”

Kint’s brow furrowed, sorrow gripping at his chest.

She looked down again.

“But now you’re playing too…” She muttered, shaking her head, incredulous. “The one person I thought would never...”

She snorted a laugh.

“How wrong I was.”

She sneered at him.

“Turns out you're a natural. And more than that, you seem to enjoy it… Just like they did.”

She blinked, stunned at the revelation.

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She shook her head again, going silent.

The quiet carried for a long while.

Elsha’s sadness and disappointment permeated the room.

Kint didn’t know what to say.

He did not see a way to salvage this.

“Anyway.” She groaned, pushing herself up to stand.

“I’ve decided to start playing the game again.”

She gave him a smile that did not meet her eyes.

“I’m not sure who I’ll side with in the chaos to come. But I’m sure someone could use my talents.”

She turned, making her way to the door.

“I’m certainly not going to wait around for you to start happening to me too.”

…

Kint flinched as the front door closed.

He sat up in his bed, staring out the open door, into the front hall.

…

Elsha was… Gone… Likely forever…

She had obviously cared for him far more deeply than he’d ever imagined. He could not understand that… Kint could not understand why she might find safety in someone like him.

He felt guilty. Guilty for never being able to fully trust her, second guessing her intentions to the very end.

The Dowser gave a deep sigh.

A lot had happened in the last day. He’d resolved so much within himself.

But to lose his friendship with Elsha…

It was a devastating blow.

…

But he had to keep moving.

He gritted his teeth, pulling himself out of bed.

Kint put on some clothes and made his way to his daughter's room, knocking on the door.

A sweet voice called from the other side.

“Come in.”

He opened the door, and there she was.

Sitting in the corner of the room beside the bed, was his daughter, curled up on the floor, reading a book.

Nessa looked up as he entered.

She met his eyes, and smiled.

Her gaze hit him like an arrow through the chest, warmth and joy pressing into him.

He walked over to her, having to focus to keep from running.

The Dowser leaned down and embraced his daughter.

“Hi Papa.” She whispered.

Kint let out a deep contented sigh, breathing in every ounce of her essence.

“Hi Sweetheart.” He replied.

The Inspector pulled away reluctantly, giving his daughter a once over.

She was whole, intact, healthy, and smiling.

He smiled back, looking down.

“What’s that book you have there?” He asked, “I don’t recognize it.”

“It’s about Kraven the Blade.” She said excitedly. “His adventures on the Hinsford pass and his time in the Nycian wars.”

Kint raised an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you a bit young for books on war?”

Nessa looked away sheepishly.

“Kaycee said she’s read all ten volumes.” She replied, as if that was explanation enough.

He let out a somber laugh, thinking of Elsha.

“What else did Kaycee show you?”

Her face lit up with excitement.

“It was amazing Papa!” She exclaimed. “They had all sorts of magic and toys. Boots that could make you fly! And a dog with paws this big!”

She showed him with her hands just how big.

Kint’s smile grew. Marveling at how she found the same excitement for flying shoes as she did for a dog with large paws.

“That’s great, Sweetheart.”

“It was so wonderful, Papa. I wish you could have seen it.” She sighed, contentedly. “I would love to go again.”

Nessa glanced at him with those big innocent eyes. The question in them was clear.

His smile faltered.

The sound of the door closing as Elsha left echoed in his mind.

“I–I don’t think so, Nessa.” He said apologetically. “Things are going to be a bit different with Elsha and Kaycee going forward.”

Nessa’s brow furrowed with concern.

“Did something happen?”

Kint grimaced, unsure of how to continue.

“I– Elsha and I got into an argument.” He stammered, “I don’t think we’ll be seeing her around as much anymore.”

The girl’s face grew sad.

“Oh…” She muttered.

Then her jaw set in an odd expression.

Nessa looked up at him, eyes full of worry.

“Is everything alright, Papa?” She asked. “Some things happened yesterday at the square…”

Kint’s heart sank, seeing the memories of violence in his daughter's eyes.

He hadn’t been there. She’d asked him to protect her the day before and when she’d needed him, he hadn’t been there.

The Dowser reached out, hugging her close.

“Oh, Sweetheart. I’m so sorry you had to see that. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

He leaned his head against hers.

“But, don’t worry.” He soothed. “Everything is going to be alright. Everything is going to be different now. We’re going to be okay.”

He felt some of the tension in his daughter fade.

“Okay Papa.”

There was a knock at the front door.

Kint froze, gripping Nessa tighter.

Another knock.

It was loud, a heavy hand coming from a steep angle.

The Inspector took in a calming breath.

He knew who this was.

Kint stood, letting go of his little girl.

“Stay here.” He said, tone brooking no argument.

He closed the bedroom door on his way out.

Kint arrived at the front door and took another calming breath before opening it.

A giant of a man stood there, fading red sun casting ominous shadows across his dark face.

“Sh’Geel.” Kint greeted.

“It’s Gile, actually.” The priest corrected.

Kint gave a smile that did not reach his eyes.

“Gile, then… Won’t you come in?”

He gestured to the living room.

The hulking man smiled, moving past him toward the sitting area.

The large priest had done away with the purple and black of House Vorva. He now wore the white robes of the Prophet’s church, a golden sash swinging at his waist. Kint clocked the golden ring of a Vice Scepter on his right hand.

That was new, and concerning.

“No gift this time?”

Gile sat gingerly in the same chair he had on his previous visit, letting out an unenthusiastic laugh at the joke.

“Would you like something to drink?” Kint asked.

“No. I can’t stay long.”

The Dowser nodded, moving to sit across from the giant man.

The Vice Scepter cleared his throat.

“I’ll get right down to it, Master Kint.” He began. “Dutchess Alendria has seen fit to give me, and by extension The Church, control of this District. And as its new caretaker, I must be sure of the… dispositions… of those who reside within it.”

Kint raised an eyebrow.

“Congratulations.”

Gile’s face was stern.

Kint knew he shouldn’t antagonize this man, but he couldn’t help getting a little payback for being manipulated by him before.

The priest continued.

“Certain events have led me to believe that you might not have been completely honest with me last night.” Gile stated. “That you may have led me astray to suit your own ends.”

The priest gave him an accusing eye, observing the Inspectors reaction.

Kint’s face was a mask of apathy, giving nothing away.

“You seem to have made out pretty well, all things considered.”

“Just so…” The large man grimaced.

He thought for a moment before continuing.

“You know, when I made the decision to push you down this path, I was not sure how… capable… you would end up being. Grayson told me a few things but…”

He raised a cautious eyebrow.

“But when I saw what you did in that lab…”

He trailed off.

Kint grimaced.

“Not all those bodies were mine.”

“Even still…” The priest replied, “You’ve proven yourself a dangerous man, Master Kint. A man of consequence. Which means I must deal with you as such.”

He leveled a serious gaze at the Inspector.

“I need to know where your loyalties lie Inspector.” He stated. “Will you join me in this holy endeavor?”

Kint leaned back in his chair, surprised.

He hadn’t expected this. To be brought into the fold of the Church was not an option he’d thought available to him.

How should he respond?

The Dowser sized up the priest again, confirming that he had no chance of defeating the man.

Knowing what he knew of Gile, he decided honesty was the best course.

“All I want is to keep my family safe.” He stated. “I won’t cause you any trouble. I just want a quiet life for my daughter and I.”

Gile stared at him. Face severe. Eyes penetrating.

The priest's gray eyes lingered on his own for a long moment.

Then… he smiled.

A boisterous laugh burst forth as the hulking man shook his head ruefully.

“Ahh, I knew I liked you, Kint.” He grinned, pushing himself up from his chair.

“You will have my protection, Inspector. As long as you remain in this district, neither Echrus nor Crecius will touch you.”

The Vice Scepter turned, making his way to the door.

Before he hit the hallway, he paused.

“But, if you do anything to cause me trouble.” He cautioned. “If I ever get a whiff of a problem from you. The consequences will be swift, and decisive. Do you understand?”

Kint nodded.

“Good.” Gile smiled. “Then have a nice life, Master Kint. With any luck, we’ll never meet again.”

The door closed.

Kint let out a sigh of relief, wiping sweat from his brow.

He sat there for a long while, wondering what changes a man like that might bring to District 13.

There was a click, and a creek of hinges as a door opened.

Nessa peaked her head around the edge of the frame.

“Is everything okay?” She whispered, worry etched on her forehead.

“Everything’s fine, Sweetheart.” He smiled. “Everything’s gonna alright.”

His daughter smiled, her concerns fading.

He gestured for her to join him.

She ran up to him, hopping up on his lap with a thud.

Kint grunted out a breath of exertion.

She leaned in, smiling, hugging him tight.

A familiar sense of warmth filled him, spreading from her hands to his back, penetrating deep into his chest.

Serenity, joy, Love. They cascaded over him like an ocean current.

…

But was it real?

…

He pulled back, looking into Nessa’s beautiful eyes, his reflection clear in those dark pools.

The Inspector smiled.

It didn’t matter.

THE END

PS - (There is an epilogue coming after this, as well as more Kint Stories to come if you want them.)