Bjarni Arnorsson trotted across the castle corridors, holding his LiqWatch close to his mouth. The pale face and frightened look weren't common for a brave Militia Commander. His clenched fist trembled while he awaited for the response. The yellow icon seemed to flicker for eternity on his LiqWatch screen.

Hiding his drone in the air duct, he watched the Vardir commanders all along. Since he was an important official with connections, he knew much about the security in this prison and he knew how to get around it. His drone was slightly bigger than a common fly, and it looked like a piece of dust on the radars.

As the yellow icon turned green, Arnorsson hissed to the microphone, "Ermdahr? Are you here?"

"What is going on?" asked Ermdahr. "Your breath sounds like you’re swimming through the Northern Ocean."

Arnorsson quickly looked around with the impression of a thousand eyes staring at him. "I found Andvari. Erilaz and Hefri are in trouble too," he whispered.

"So they got Andvari..."

"Yes." Arnorsson stopped behind a pillar and wiped the sweat from his face. "The other Commanders too."

"How?" wondered Ermdahr, his voice sounding increasingly uneasy. "Erilaz and Hefri weren't in on it..."

Arnorsson glanced behind the pillar. "Things got complicated." He took a deep breath to calm down. Schizing out wasn't his common trait but when the lives of his colleagues were at stake, he forgot himself. "They're in the eastern wing and Ivendir wants to execute them!"

"Damn it!" growled Ermdahr. "What should we do?"

Narrowing his eyebrows, Arnorsson leant even closer to the LiqWatch. "I thought you would figure something out!"

Ermdahr sighed. "Let me think."

"Nevermind." Arnorsson swung his hand. "Do you know how to access Andvari's chamber?"

"Yeah. Find someone who can break the codes. And then uncover ourselves because we don't have any hackers who can do that."

Arnorsson bit his lower lip, forming some angry response in his head.

"Wait," Ermdahr interrupted. "Erilaz accidentally told me he had Andvari's emergency code... And his captains, including me, have a code to Erilaz's chamber," he explained and after a moment of silence, he added, "Why do you need to break in there?"

Arnorsson got himself together. He thought it's very unprofessional to panic and shake like an electrocuted jellyfish. He straightened his back and lifted his head. "He builds some cool stuff.... Little robots, drones..." He raised the corner of his mouth. "I hope he won't be angry if we use it."

Ermdahr grunted, thinking about the plan.

"And," added Arnorsson, "I don't know how much time we have. A few hours maybe." As he tightened his grip, the joints in his fingers cracked. "Go and find the code!" he hissed.

This situation drained Ivendir of all remaining energy. When he entered his chamber, he slumped on his bed right away. He didn't even check if all his weapons are hidden in their correct places.

After a several dozen minutes of flimsy rest, the intrusive visions encroached upon his mind again.

They betrayed me, he thought, wiping his forehead. "All three of them." His heart rate sped up. The Royal Commanders, those who were supposed to fight for the king.

He opened his eyes.

They pledged it!

Sighing with effort, he directed his sight towards the painting on the wall. The realistic depiction of younger King Brymir gently looked at him as if it wanted to soothe his nerves. It worked. The burden seemed to slither down from Ivendir's chest.

True. They pledged. He averted his gaze with the feeling of disappointment. To you.

A few days ago, when the investigation had formally ended, Ivendir decided to preserve the glass from Brymir's helmet. He cut it in the shape of a diamond and framed it. He hung this tiny charm on the frame of his beloved painting. Even though its amethyst surface was scratched, it still reflected the sunbeams like during its glory days.

Ivendir turned to the side and rested his head on his forearms. See, Brymir, he said in his mind, I told Erilaz I don't regret killing you.

As the pulse of illusory pain pierced his nerves, he clenched his fingers on the pillow. The bed underneath him suddenly felt stiff and rough. He grunted as if a real thorn slit his skin. The memories of his cousin's death began to creep into his mind again.

I can't regret it, he told himself, narrowing his eyebrows. I did what I had to do to make this planet prosper and progress. Everything could've been so simple if only you would’ve listened to me.

The tension in his muscles became unbearable. His body trembled when the twinges of anxiety ran through him wave by wave.

He got up. The sudden move made his brain feel like a sponge, and the colourful spots appeared in his visual field.

I told you to try new ideas, build and produce more, make new alliances... When his sight cleared up, he glared at the painting. Just because the current system works doesn't mean we can't improve it.

Ivendir drooped his shoulders and averted his eyes. Some officials were against his candidature for an heir to the throne. They considered him too impulsive, too idealistic and just inexperienced. In short, he was not good enough in their opinion. The rational part of his brain agreed with them.

He slammed his fists on his knees.

"And now I'm here, on the very edge, just because I made one wrong move!" he yelled.

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Slowly exhaling, he relaxed his hands. The previous events sucked his life force out so he had no energy to even get angry at himself.

"The Moryans weren't the honest allies," he whispered, gazing at the floor. "Maybe you were right? Perhaps opening up to the world isn't the right way to go?"

He glanced at the picture. The motionless green eyes of his cousin still observed him. Ivendir hoped it would cleanse his mind and let him break from the circle of pointless thoughts.

"Is there any honest ally?" he asked. "Here and now, where everyone can betray me, just like the three Vardir?"

His eyes opened wider and his pointy eyes moved, trying to catch any unusual sound. The thought he feared the most had come.

Even Thelrim, he added in his mind. Is he going to protect my life for the highest price?

He glanced towards the hall. A barely audible buzz reached his strained ears. Holding his breath and narrowing his eyes, he listened intently. The buzz slowly moved towards the bathroom and fell silent.

A tremendous fright seemed to pound on his stomach similarly to a battering ram. The unreal pain paralysed him. The few seconds of sitting motionlessly felt like long hours to him but he couldn't even move his pinky finger. The thing buzzed again.

This sobered him up and evoked the primal survival instinct within him. With blood swooshing hollowly in his head, he reached under the mattress. He held his breath to focus on this one simple task. He moved his hand with the utmost caution to avoid making any noise. The lack of air made his head dazed but he was too petrified to breathe in.

He felt a cold, hard item and grabbed it. It let him finally inhale the air filled with the smell of fresh greenery. The sound was approaching his room. Ivendir slid the gun from under the mattress. With one rapid move he unlocked it and aimed towards the entrance. All his vital functions stopped for a split-second.

A tiny fly swirled across the hall and landed on the floor. Ivendir exhaled with relief, relaxing his muscles. He giggled without a hint of amusement. His own reaction appeared ridiculous to him.

In fact... he risked three times, he thought, still smiling helplessly. Three times that I could've died.

Ivendir stood up, grunting with effort. His body felt heavy as if it was cast in lead and blood pulsed quietly in his brain.

He can't do it. I know it.

The fly dashed towards the window. It pounded at the glass a few times, whirled in front of the dark blue curtains and lunged outside. Ivendir approached the window. He tapped an icon on the screen next to the window frame. The cogs in the wall crackled softly, and a mosquito net slid down.

He pledged. To me, he assured himself, observing the tree branches swaying in the gentle wind. And to no one else.

He turned around.

...as far as I know.

Sighing, he shook his head. Brymir's painted gaze reached him again. Ivendir turned his head towards the painting and narrowed his eyes. The hopeful atmosphere emanating from the picture reached him too. He directed his sight at the depiction of his younger self. The eyes of fourteen-year-old Ivendir looked so calm and clever, and his relaxed posture was unspotted by fear or anxiety.

Ivendir scratched his chin.

If I'm already doomed, why shouldn't I try to stop being the victim? he wondered. The two cousins in the panting only turned a deaf ear to his musings.

That reminded him of the first assassination attempt he survived when he was fifteen. He had forearm surgery, and he needed to stay in the medical wing till morning. The long, white nightshirt and loose pants made him resemble a ghost. A semi-transparent, bluish substance covered his forearm to help his bones heal up faster, and he held a cup of warm tea in the other hand, gazing at the window. The sun almost completely hid behind the mountains, leaving only a golden glow on Ivendir's face and sharp, long shadows behind him.

The shock he experienced and the medicine he received put him in a daze. His crinkled eyes stared at one vague point and his pupils reacted to the light with delay. His auburn hair was tied in a messy ponytail and a few loose strands hung in front of his face.

The door to his room opened, and the steps behind him sounded louder and louder but he didn't react. He still stood motionlessly without a single thought in his mind.

"Ivendir?" asked Brymir, reaching his hand towards his cousin's shoulder.

Ivendir sprung up with a gasp of fright. The cup fell out of his hand. It clattered, hitting the floor and the tea spilled around it.

"Brymir?" asked Ivendir quietly as if there was a hidden eavesdropper nearby. His hunched posture and his eyes wide open revealed the dread that paralysed him for a moment. "You surprised me..."

Brymir looked at the floor with a worried expression. "Sorry, I forgot."

Ivendir snorted, smiling desperately, and shook his head. "That's so stupid," he said and pointed at the window. "Every time I see or hear something weird, I get scared like a child."

Brymir put his hand on Ivendir's arm. Ivendir only glanced at him but the warm, gentle grip let him feel slightly safer.

"It's not stupid, somebody tried to kill you three days ago," explained Brymir, hiding his concern behind a serene gaze. "You have a right to be squeamish," he added, raising the corner of his mouth.

Ivendir forced himself to smile back but his eyes were expressionless. The mix of painkillers, tranquillisers and regenerating meds stupefied him whenever he made any sudden move or felt any intense emotion.

"I've never seen you be scared before." He tilted his head questioningly. "How do you do it?"

Averting his eyes, Brymir sighed and scratched his neck. "Well... it's not that I'm never afraid. I just..." he began, looking around. "Hm... When I'm afraid, I'm trying to think about the future."

Ivendir rubbed his eyes. Despite the overwhelming sleepiness, he tensed his ears and listened as Brymir continued.

"Fear and bravery are temporary, but their consequences," explained Brymir and shook his head, "they may drag on for your whole life."

Ivendir nodded, even though he didn't fully comprehend his older cousin’s meaning. His eyelids became heavier and heavier, and a dull, monotonous sough filled his head. He propped his chin, directing his gaze at Brymir's face.

"How's your arm?" asked Brymir, putting his hand on Ivendir's shoulder.

"I got some strong regenerating meds... and I'm sleepy," mumbled Ivendir, rubbing his eyes again. "You know what?" He raised his head. "When I get better, I will get a tattoo with the Aeonian Serpent on this arm." He drew a wavy line with his finger over his broken forearm. Looking at Brymir's joyful eyes, he added, "because its whole body regenerates so quickly."

"Good idea." Brymir smiled. "Now I have to go," he said, and his expression gloomed, "I have to check if Erilaz sleeps well."

He wanted to let go of Ivendir's shoulder, but the younger cousin clutched his hand.

"Now?" asked Ivendir in a quiet, feeble voice.

Brymir stepped back and raised the corners of his mouth. "Now, but I'll be back tomorrow."

"Sure..." responded Ivendir. He followed Brymir with his eyes until the door slid shut.

You were always brave. Ivendir tilted his head, staring at the painted Brymir.

He could do better than that. Helvetto was his and he had to make it a better place for everyone. He wanted to take action, since sitting down and glancing suspiciously over his shoulder really wouldn't help him achieve this goal. Brymir was always cautious but he wasn't afraid to take measured risks.

You feared nothing, thought Ivendir, smiling slightly, and I promised to be better than you.

He giggled noiselessly. "Damn it, I am the king of this world," he said aloud. "Me, not some Moryan scum," he whispered, staring at the self-made pendant under the painting. The sun drifted above the roof, heading towards its midday position, so its rays couldn't reach the glass diamond. Its soft, amethyst colour now became deeper and darker.

"You would never let them feed on our resources," added the king, approaching the table. "...and you would never let our people suffer."

Ivendir stood over the table, tensing and relaxing his fingers. His LiqWatch lied in front of him but he still wasn't sure if he should take it. The conversation he was going to have fuelled his fear but he stifled the ache in his stomach and wiped his sweaty hands.

He twisted his mouth and wrinkled his forehead. Helvetto is mine.

He grabbed the device and turned it on. Tapping the icons on the screen, he chose the calling option. Standing with his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed, he waited for the answer. The constriction in his stomach tried to escalate but he clenched his fists and ignored the cold shivers running down his spine.

"Hello, Ivendir," said the voice from the device.

Ivendir only smiled under his breath.

The voice continued, "Do you finally have the payment?"