"Ugh... Argh!" Helia shouted as she struck the wall with her fist. The room she was dim and in-near darkness, only a few candles along a small horizontal space on the walls illuminated the area. The room was empty save for a large pool of water in the center, with a narrow channel connected to a small opening in the wall that allowed water to be drained into the room. The room was made entirely from dark brown stone, the ceiling and the walls were damp and dripping with water.

Helia gritted her teeth as she yelled with rage and struck the wall once more with her other hand. She looked at her hand, the knuckles on her right fist were bruised and began to bleed. Helia sighed. She unclenched her fist and extended her fingers, and a flame sparked alight atop her hand. It did not burn her, as she turned around and walked towards the water. The fire appeared to be on her hand, but it actually floated and was separated imperceptibly from the surface of her skin. She stepped into the pool, walking until she was waist-deep in the cool water. Helia intensified the flame atop her hand until it grew into a small blaze. The flame slowly floated down until it began to sear her hand, with a sizzling noise. "Hngg..." She remarked. Her previously still hand then shook uncontrollably, making her furiously punch down her hand into the water in response.

"Argh!" Helia exclaimed, angrily. She reached up and tenderly tapped the wound on her head. She grimaced and sucked in air through her teeth. The wound was a streak of red that passed through from the top of her forehead and to a part of her scalp. She then looked down at her reflection, faintly illuminated in the water's surface. She observed the wound, and then became furious. "Haargh! Hah!" Helia exclaimed as she thrashed and splashed wildly around her. She then summoned forth a flame in her hand and grasped her shoulder with it tightly. Her erratic breathing slowed and calmed down, but at the cost of her burning herself. Her body was covered with similar burns and scars; some incurred through injury in battle, and some self-inflicted.

Helia then cupped her hands and splashed the cold water onto her face. She then washed the soot, the grime, and the dried blood off from herself with slow and deliberate splashes. She scooped deep into the frigid water and then poured it atop herself, as Helia faced upwards. She then closed her fist around her long hair and wrung out dirt from it.

Helia sighed deeply. She turned towards her armor which was hung and propped up near the closed entrance of the room. In the faint candlelight, it gold and silver shone grimly; like a sinister smile in the darkness. "Hmph." She splashed water towards it, thought it was far off from the mark. Helia stepped out of the pool, she felt heavier with each step onto the ground. She stopped at where her armor and new clothes were laid out for her, and gazed at her reflection in the shining gold and silver. Helia felt like the luster of the cold and lifeless metal mocked her, and she sneered looking at it, and at her own reflection.

There was a chill breeze in the air, and the stone floor of the room was icy to the touch. She shivered slightly at the cold. Though, she soon stopped feeling cold as she used her power. Steam began to float from her body, drying her off and warming her up. Helia then picked up her clothes and donned them quickly. Her attire was far from the luxurious and lavish wear of the other nobles, but clothing akin to what the other knights wore under their armor. Plain cloth trousers, pants and a tunic shirt which were commonplace among the citizenry. The clothes were slightly worn, though were impeccably clean. They were cheap and she had multiple sets of them, though at the request of the nobles, servants and others who were concerned. She did not mind wearing the same set of clothing until it was in tatters. The thing that she truly cared about, and loathed, lay right in front of her.

Her shining gold and silver armor: to those unaware, it would appear to be a beacon and symbol of hope, though it heralded terror to those who beheld it in person. It gleamed like an eerie spirit in the night, and was enhanced by reflecting flames, which were oft nearby where Helia went. She donned it, before exiting her solitary chamber. She walked down a hallway lit by torches and into another long room which had a number of her shadows waiting silently. They were all standing still, and were not standing guard, rather they were awaiting instruction. They did not outwardly display emotion, although their hoods and helms hid their faces. They were like machines, calm and compliant, as any emotion could compromise them from their tasks and make them waver from their duty.

Towering over them was Alfred, donned in a similar obsidian shade of black iron armor. Helia's knights often worked hidden in the shadows, and Alfred would be difficult to hide due to his titanic stature. Though, he would fit right in amongst a forest of towering Dragonwood trees in the night. One who did not fit in comparison to Helia's quiet sentries was a messenger who seemed nervous and was impatiently waiting for her for some time. Helia scanned them from left to right, and then grinned as she saw the expression of the odd one out. "Umm... Princess Helia, the-" The servant remarked before being cut off by Alfred. "Her Highness Helia is... in a disagreeable mood. And..." Alfred said, trying to save the messenger's life.

"I can speak for myself, Alfred. And I've since calmed down since... Since you've seen me in an unbecoming state earlier. Now!" Helia remarked, grasping the messenger's shoulder. They jolted in response, unable to keep their composure in fear of imminent punishment. "Continue." She remarked. "Uh, um... Oh! The uh, the council members are requesting your... immediate audience." They responded. "Understood. I'll be there right away." Helia said with a smile, patting the messenger on the back as she strode forward.

Alfred noticed her uncannily jovial attitude, and his head turned as she walked down the hall. Helia detected this, and turned towards them. "Ah, you lot... Dismissed, you can do as you please, or undertake any other tasks you still have pending." Helia said, dismissively. The shadows bowed one after the other, and then blended back into the darkness and disappeared until only Alfred remained. "Alfred, you can go as well." She remarked. "My duty is to be your direct shadow your highness. As such, I am remaining by your side. If you allow me to insist... By your order, I will be leaving." Alfred replied. "No, you may remain if you wish." Helia said, in unusually high spirits.

She then continued down the hall, with Alfred following. 'She's... unusually jolly. It's not like she hasn't been happy before, but... Contrasting with her behavior when we found her earlier... This is quite a sizable shift.' He thought. "What's wrong Alfred? Is anything amiss?" Helia stopped to ask. "It's nothing, Your Highness. It's good to see you in such high spirits." Alfred said, probing a reaction. "Yes. I'm... Ecstatic." Helia said, her smile widening even more. 'She's had temper tantrums in response to negative events before, and her attitude earlier was to be expected. But what she's like now... Is more worrying. As I do not know what transpired in her sudden absence, or what her thoughts are like now...' Alfred remarked to himself. "Ah, that reminds me. Whatever happened to the... The one who found me earlier?" Helia asked.

"They were... seriously injured, but alive. They are currently being tended to along with the rest of the refugees by the kingdom's knights and healers." Alfred answered. "They survived, huh. Well... That's a problem in and of itself, though it wouldn't be good if I killed them either." Helia mused, only slightly concerned. "Are you worried about them keeping their silence? Worry not, we sent an appropriate messenger to inform them of their tale to tell." Said Alfred. "Let me guess, they were injured from... The fire, no. One of the traitors. Let the blame fall on those who dared to attack us last night. But if he speaks true..." Helia remarked, excitedly.

"They are under surveillance and appropriate measures will be observed." Alfred answered. Helia clapped in approval. "Excellent, I knew the shadows could take care of it!" She remarked. "We live to serve, Your Highness." Alfred replied. "And for earlier... I apologize. I am aware my behavior has been... unbecoming of late." Said Helia. "It is of no concern, Lady Helia. And what happened earlier... was a terrible accident." Said Alfred. "Yes... yes! An accident... Indeed it was..." Helia remarked.

They then stepped out of the cramped underground hallway into the outside. Alfred had to duck to fit in the doorway due to his sheer frame. It was still dark out as they went up the courtyard. The grounds were empty and quiet, once bustling with the King's knights and subjects. The two of them looked up at the tower in which Lodeleth's head council were awaiting. Helia walked uphill towards it with a smile, but she then winced and clutched her chest. "Lady Helia, your wounds..." Alfred said, concerned. "They're fine, I've seared them shut and I've had time to recover already." Helia answered. "But..." "I said I'm fine. Now let's proceed." Said Helia. "Understood." Alfred replied.

They crossed through the grass and entered the building. "Hmph, those council members. Acting all high and mighty in their tower, looking down on me though 'I' am the only true heir to the throne among them. They think that they can just summon me to be their audience, I should be the one summoning them! They think I should be answering to them like I am a child called to be punished because of my misdeeds. Though... I suppose their intent is understandable..." Helia remarked. "Yes, your highness..." Alfred answered. They stepped through the dark and unused building, illuminated by torches on the way to the council's upper room.

"This place was once full of the needy peasantry, sneering nobles, overflowing with knights and guards trying to keep everything in order... It was like a market in the slums, you could not differentiate the animals from the people... Really, it was a mess... But I... miss it. Looking down upon them like ants, at their pleading faces and open palms... Knowing that their entire lives and hopes depended on our whims. Ah, and their completely hopeless and idiotic expressions after they realized we couldn't be the slaves to all of their needs. Ugh, I'm suddenly annoyed at the memory of them... All these cretins begging for gifts and riches, expecting the world without lifting a finger. And if they don't have the ability to provide for themselves... They won't survive in a world where one needs to excel to survive..." Helia monologued.

"Yes, yes, Mistress Helia... Though the council is awaiting your presence currently..." Said Alfred. Helia sighed. "Enough dilly-dallying Alfred, let's get on with it." Helia said, walking forward. "Yes, mistress." Alfred said plainly. Each step Helia made echoed as her metal soles tapped the stone floor, while each step Alfred took boomed through the empty halls. They walked through the dark torch-lit halls and climbed up stair after stair to reach the top floor. "Hmph... Why couldn't they just sit around in the first floor instead..." Helia remarked.

They reached a pair of massive ornate doors, crimson in color and covered in golden plating and embellishments. A large dragon crest was emblazoned on its center, with a split in the middle of the two doors. Two white-clad guardians stood in front of the door standing statuesque brandishing spears pointed upward. "The door?" Helia asked. The two silent figures bowed in synced unison before opening the doors to the council's grand room.

"Honestly, your tasks are to guard and open these doors. You should have opened it once you laid eyes on me. Opening the door to one such as I is a rare honor you know? It could be that you were created solely for the purpose of opening the door for me." Said Helia. "Please, spare them." The elder councilman said, without a shred of concern in his voice. He was sitting in his seat but he had a few stacks of paper on a wooden table he had ordered to be placed down nearby. He rubbed his bald head, and scratched his beard as he one of the papers, not even raising his head to look at Helia. He wore tiny reading glasses, which were foreign on his wrinkled forehead and menacing gaze. He adjusted his glasses as he read through the written reports he had piled up nearby.

The woman to his left Seruvia, was shaking a vial and a triangular glass flask. Both were filled with bright green liquid that bubbled and sloshed around ominously. She had a wide grin as thoughts of revenge welled up in her mind. The old councilman glanced at her with a worried expression. 'I sure hope those things don't explode in here.' He thought as he looked at the strange liquid that Seruvia was fiddling around with. The man to his right was polishing a large axe whilst talking to a group of armored knights. As he moved the heavy armor he wore faintly clinked while the fur pelt he had on him softly rustled.

There was about a dozen knights in front of him, but two were most prominent and the councilman was talking to the duo. Of the two knights, one was a pale black haired woman with a confident expression, and the other was an intimidating man who preferred to stay silent. "Your success guarantees that we have control of this region for an extended duration of time. You two taking point in this mission was vital to its success, Victoria. Liam." The bearded man in armor remarked. "It's been our pleasure Sir- I mean Councilman Argus." Said Victoria. "It's no problem for us, councilman." Said Liam. Argus laughed. "Knightess, you don't have to worry about accidentally calling me that, its what most people called me in the past anyways." He remarked. "Of course, not many would easily forget the contributions of the greatest knight of Lodeleth." Victoria exclaimed. "Yes, but... I'd prefer if you still called me councilman." Said Argus.

"I apologize as well, Councilman Argus." Said Victoria. "No, it is I who has to apologize since we had to do the debriefing here since... Well, look who it is. I'm surprised you're here." Argus remarked. "I've been here for a while now, if you all haven't noticed." Helia said, raising her hands in the air and dropping them to her sides. "We've noticed for a while now, Helia. But forgive us for not waiting for you to start doing our business. This isn't the first time you've missed out on our summons after all..." The Elder Councilman remarked. "Now here I am, Councilman Bertram. Can you now put aside whatever business you're doing and tell me what you bothered to summon me here to do!" Helia cried out. Seruvia put all of what she carried away and looked towards Helia.

The knights stood there and watched alongside the members of the council. Liam had his arms-crossed and couldn't care less about the politics, but Victoria was enjoying the sight. Bertram sighed, took off his glasses, and then turned towards Helia. "I'll condone your attitude, for now. And for what purpose did we summon you here? It's obvious, but on the off chance you don't realize it... What happened when you disappeared?" The elder councilman remarked. He spoke with such softness and quiet but, it was alike dark clouds blocking the sun out before a thunderstorm. In that great rage and power lie just beyond his softly spoken words.

Helia was silent. 'Tsk! Now here's the problem, how am I going to explain what I saw to them. I know its beyond normal comprehension to understand... And knowing them, they'll be doing all they can to get their hands to that other place... No! Its mine, and mine alone!' She thought. "I may have spoken softly, but I believe you heard me. This room has some excellent acoustics after all." Said Bertram. "Hmph, the fact that you're not telling us speaks volumes about what you did..." Argus said, finger pointed towards Helia and voice booming across the room. He then returned in resting his hands on the pommel of his axe which was face-down towards the ground. "It sounds like you've been up to no good.... Maybe you've turned traitor after all?" Seruvia remarked.

"You- You're really accusing me of being a traitor! After all I've done for this kingdom, for you all! You- You wouldn't be sitting in those seats right now if it weren't for what we- What I've done!" Helia exclaimed. "Well, Serafion said things along those lines. And she was right, and you're right, but look at what she turned out to be." Seruvia said coyly. "If you're not what she says you are, then you better give us some proof that you're still loyal to the cause." Said Argus. "Which brings me back to my question. What happened, where did you go, what did you see, and what did you do... When our sworn loyal knights saw you disappear?" Said Bertram.

Helia remained silent. 'If I tell them... I can get their help, and we can prepare for whatever consequences it might bring on the kingdom. But... They'd use the information and get rid of it when I'm no longer there to say it. I don't need help to handle this... And I'll get all the reward to myself.' She thought. "Are you deaf, or are you simply too stupid to-" "I... can't say." Said Helia. "What was that? You... can't say?" Seruvia remarked. "Hmm. So you say." Bertram said, turning back towards his papers. "The fact you say that is proof enough that you'd rather hide the truth for your benefit, and that you are turning against the kingdom!" Argus exclaimed, lifting his axe up and slamming it down onto the ground.

"Me, against the kingdom? You can say anything about me, but being a traitor against the kingdom I am not! I have done everything for this kingdom, not just in my responsibility as heir to the throne but in my all of my actions for it. I've poured my blood, sweat, and tears into keeping this kingdom pure, powerful and perfect, keeping the hearth roaring and the flame burning high! Every action I do is in the kingdom's best interests in mind! I kill, destroy, and agonize, for this kingdom! As far as I'm concerned me and the kingdom are one. I've worked for it like it was my own flesh and blood. And there is no me against the kingdom, only all of you against me and the kingdom!" Helia cried out in anger, forming a fist in her hand and violently threw her hand to the side as if she was throwing something away.

"Couldn't you say the same of Serafion as well? Never mind that, let's put your loyalty aside for now. Ever since you've risen to power you've been useless at best, but wasteful at worst. All that your endeavors have amounted to is draining us of our gold reserves." Seruvia exclaimed. "That's enough, Lady Seruvia. But, you do raise a valid point." Said Bertram. Helia turned towards him in disbelief. "That village you razed to the ground, the traitors that you have let slip time and time again, and all of your personal crusades... They're more trouble than they're worth, and not just with the mess we have to clean up... And you've little to show for it in respect to the agenda of the kingdom." Bertram remarked. "You and your shadow knights have run amok long enough to run your every errand and whim." Said Argus.

"Haven't the knights of shadow been used by you all for the good of the kingdom time and time again? When one of you needs to "take care of a problem", "maintain peace", investigate something outside of the knights' jurisdiction, you use my shadows! And what about Alroc, Siegmund, Endro, and Enjou! They all failed in dealing with the kingdom's threats and hunting down the traitors, so why pin all the blame on me? Lady Seruvia there also failed to capture Serafion, so why isn't she here with me?" Helia exclaimed. "I... I'm working on something new. And I will definitely capture that traitor-ess!" Seruvia responded. 'If I'm not careful, I might be next on the chopping block. I still have the nobles' backing to support me, but a few failures and and I'll end up being too much trouble than I'm worth too.' She thought.

"Yes, yes... Lady Seruvia, of course you will... And Helia, aren't those names you've listed part of the shadow knights so their loss is on you as well? Ah, never mind that. All in the past now, whether we like it or not." Said the Elder Councilman, Bertram. "Which is why we need to refocus, make our goals clear in eliminating this threat once and for all. It should be in our hands and in our terms. From now on, we will be directly dealing with this matter. We, not you Helia. Unless you can bring us the heads of our enemies in short notice, you might as well say goodbye to being part of the council." Said Argus.

"How can you do this! I did your bidding, sat on a throne on behalf of you all. and I was the one responsible for the creation of those shadow knights you hold so dear. And you're cutting me loose because of a few mistakes?" Helia asked. "I believe Councilman Argus here is moving things along a bit too quickly, however... It is true that your sway and your influence is waning, people simply don't like you. And sure a few little mistakes may be harmless... Or it can cost you your life, or the kingdom. We will be taking in the reins to take care of this matter... And this time, we will be taking any means necessary and available to do so." Bertram remarked. "Elder Councilman Bertram, if I may..." Victoria remarked, slowly raising her hand with a shrewd smile on her face.

"Councilman Bertram, pardon her conduct. She is one of the knights and merely outstepped her boundaries-" "I know who she is, councilman. Knightess Victoria has been renowned amongst the force. Her skills, accomplishments, and track record make her interrupting me almost warranted. Almost warranted. But you are allowed to speak, Knight. Show me what you have to say is worth our time." Bertram interrupted Argus. "Well, I was merely going to suggest because that our mission is over, might I ask that we might be reassigned instead to this task instead..." Victoria exclaimed. "Hmm..." The old man scratched at his long gray beard. "Sure. You and your company of knights are on the case. The resources of the kingdom are at your disposal. We expect good results from you, and failure... You can see for yourself what that looks like. Only it will sting much more than this..." Bertram remarked.

"Hmm... Will this mean we're putting them into the shadow order, or they'll pursue this business as part of the official knights..." Argus asked. "Hmm... Let's do it. Lessens the paperwork and the official business that'll go with doing it officially." Said Bertram. 'It's like... I'm not even here! My knights... My kingdom... They can't do this without me! It's my task, and they're not getting somebody else to do it!' Helia thought, boiling with rage. Seruvia raised her hand. "Um... Shouldn't I be considered as well on this? This council has three, no four- Sorry, I forgot about you, Helia. Four members right? Shouldn't I get a vote before this decision is made?" Said Seruvia. "Councilwoman, are you scared of a little competition? Afraid we'll get the job done before you?" Victoria asked.

"I'm... I'm not scared of anything, I simply want to be of one mind with the council in our decisions. Wanting us to be joined in our agreement doesn't mean I'm afraid at all. And why would I be afraid of competition, when I'll be the one to... 'Get the job done' as you put it." Seruvia remarked. "And why wasn't I consulted? Aren't I apart of the council as well? Shouldn't I be considered towards this decision too? But none of that matters, because I am the one who will finish my own task! No need for outsiders to butt in, and no need for you to worry about it Seruvia, as I am capable of doing this first!" Helia exclaimed. "Ladies, ladies... Settle down. Though... It is good that you are competing for your own gain. It just means that you all will be working hard for the kingdom." Said Bertram.

'Hmph, how brazen of him to say that out loud...' Thought Helia. "Alright, then it is such. Knightess Victoria, Knight Liam and their company... Are now tasked with hunting down the traitor Metas, and wiping out of all his allies and co-conspirators. And Princess Helia will be stepping down from the council and will remain the face of Lodeleth and handing over rule to the remaining council members. Unless she sufficiently proves her worth. All in favor?" Bertram asked. "Aye!" Seruvia exclaimed. "Aye." Said Argus. "And Princess Helia? Of course, as a fellow council member we're asking you too if you agree to this decision." Said the Bertram.

"First of all, I prefer Mistress or Lady or even Your Highness as preferable to princess. Though it really should be Your Majesty, as I am the heir to the throne and you all should be bowing to your queen. And... Heh, asking me straight to my face if I agree to you all in stripping me of my position in the council if I don't accomplish my task whilst asking me to agree to have competition. It's a bold choice. And even though my vote doesn't matter. Aye. I accept your proposition, because... I'll win." Helia said, with a smile.

"Hmm... By the way, I almost didn't notice you there, Knight Liam." The Bertram said, glancing towards him. Helia was immediately infuriated. "Councilman Bertram. It is an honor to serve." "Likewise. With you and Victoria working on this... I hope you can resolve this matter quickly. We're losing our forces at an undesirable rate... Three of the top shadow knights lost in such a short time... It really is unfortunate... Good thing you're here to fill up ranks." Bertram remarked. "The pleasure is ours, we will not disappoint." Victoria exclaimed, bowing.

"You better not..." The Bertram remarked. "If that is all, this council meeting is adjourned. And all parties are dismissed." Argus remarked. "Agreed. I'm off." The Bertram remarked. "Yes, yes... Be off." Seruvia waved off the other two council members as she stared directly towards Victoria. She glared daggers while Victoria smirked with great self-satisfaction in response. Helia looked towards the ground with a troubled and annoyed expression. She had her arms crossed and was tapping her foot on the ground. Alfred stood behind her nearby, his stature resembling that of a motionless castle tower. Though, his gaze was following Bertram as he left. Argus followed, though Victoria's knights remained. Seruvia watched as Victoria made her way down the stairs of the room towards Helia.

As Victoria neared the bottom floor, Seruvia stood up and rapidly made her way down as well. She raised the skirt of her dress and walked down the stairs in an awkward fashion, with her heels clacking furiously along on the stone steps. Victoria had a jolly saunter and almost fluttered towards Helia. "Hmm... How am I going to do this..." Helia remarked to herself, deep in thought. "Um... Your Higness... Lady Helia?" Victoria exclaimed. "Oh, what is it soldier? Is there something you need of me?" Helia asked. "Oh, I wasn't expecting you to be so receptive. I've heard that you aren't usually open to conversation." Said Victoria.

"Well, now that you and your knights are under the order of the shadow, it wouldn't be smart if I refused all contact from those in the force under your control. Now, say your piece. I have matters to attend to." Helia remarked. "Well, I've been an admirer of you since your rose to power. Your display of strength was inspring to many-" "Under 'your' control? You may forget that the knights are under the supervision of the true leaders of the country. The council are the ones truly in charge of the shadow knights." Seruvia said. She had made her way from the upper level and was huffing and puffing from exhaustion. "Nice of you to join us Seruvia, but you may forget that I am still part of the council and as such, I am still in control. And don't you know that it is rude to interrupt people? Knight uh..." "It's Victoria." said Victoria.

"Knight Victoria here was making an important statement about my greatness and my rise to power. Frankly, you shouldn't be butting into conversations you aren't included in." Helia exclaimed. "Ha! Soon, all that everybody is going to talk about is your fall from power. Come on Knightess, we have a traitorous wench to hunt down. Let us make haste!" Seruvia exclaimed. "Uh Lady Seruvia, I was just-" "Now, now. Yes, the threat of me losing my position is present... But you know what I do to such threats... I burn them away. And your position is threatened as well. You have power, resources, influence, yes. But we all know that they're keeping you around just because you're the mouthpiece of the nobility! Your power is waning and you know it. Maybe this failure is the catalyst to you getting pushed out, and with your failure... Is my success, and me pushing past you. Knightess Victoria, yes I remembered her name... We're off, we have a former shadow turned traitor to hunt down." Helia said, facing away from Seruvia. "Lady Helia-" Victoria started, but was interrupted once more.

"Don't listen to this petulent princess. She only received her power because of royal succession. Daddy died and now she gets to be the head of the table by process of elimination. I on the other hand, had to earn my position here at this council. Clawing to the top without being the King's daughter." Seruvia exclaimed. "Aren't you a part of the nobility? You said you clawed your way to the top? Hmph, the noble families' gold reserves got you all the way to the finish line. And you were born with that too. No, what clawing your way to the top means is to sully yourself in filth to accomplish your goals. Digging through all the dirt... and the blood... To carve yourself a seat at the top with your own two hands. And best you not forget, there wouldn't be a ruling council like this without me deposing my father. If it weren't for me, you'd still be cooped up in your fancy little room sipping tea, eating biscuits and you having any modicum of power or control simply being a silly pipe dream you think of while taking a break from doing nothing!" Helia exclaimed.

"Without our backing, you'd still be a pretty little princess sitting on your throne smiling and waving, being married off to some greasy... old, fat lard!" Seruvia remarked, pointing her finger towards Helia. "Lady Seruvia, Lady Helia." Said Victoria, politely. "Don't butt in-" Seruvia yelled. "Come on Seruvia, let the woman speak!" Helia exclaimed. "Alright Victoria... What do you have to say?" Seruvia said, sighing. "Before I was interrupted, I was highlighting some of Her Highness' positive qualities, of course you Lady Seruvia are not lacking in that as well." said Victoria. "Go on..." Said Helia. "Alright..." Seruvia remarked.

"Well, Lady Helia has done plenty to reach her position. She mustered you all to aid her in her rise to power because she was so tough, so hungry-for-power and that she had the drive to get it. You counted on her to do her part, and she deposed the king and brought you all as part of a new ruling council. Not just any girl could stand up to their father, who is also the King... And have them killed, and also have the magnanimity to bring the allies that helped them to power. Surely, she could have ruled all by herself right?" said Victoria. "I suppose any other little princess wouldn't have the backbone or the drive to do what she did..." said Seruvia.

"And Lady Seruvia, she had the resources at her disposal already, yes... But she was the one who made the decisions to make her stand above the others, her intelligence, persuasiveness, and influence made her the right pick to be the representative of the rich and powerful nobles. She made the most of her resources, and she is the one who made the push to move her past the finish line." Victoria remarked. "And I suppose that not everything I've ever done I did alone. And there's also a reason why the nobles selected her to be their spokesperson..." Said Helia. Both sides seemed to have calmed down, Helia and Seruvia looked at each other with annoyance but respect. Alfred sighed. 'I was afraid I'd have to step in to separate them again...' He thought.

"Hmm." Helia remarked. "Hmm." Seruvia remarked. "Well then Victoria, let's go-" "Knightess Victoria, we're leaving-" The two of them spoke at the same time. "I'll be on my way now." Victoria interrupted. "Of- Of course, let's go hunt down those traitors." Seruvia exclaimed. "No, we're going to be the ones hunting them down. Let's go." Said Helia. "Ladies, I'm afraid you two and I will be going on our separate ways." Victoria said, with a smile on her face. "Wha- What? You can't do that!" Seruvia exclaimed. "She's right, you can't act outside of your orders... Are you going for insubordination, treason?!" Helia remarked, enraged.

"My orders are to bring in the traitor and all of his allies and cohorts dead or alive. The order comes from the council. My orders aren't to be under you two's beck and call after all..." Said Victoria. "You're making a big mistake disobeying our- my order!" Helia exclaimed. "And all those compliments you paid us- me? Were those just lies to butter me up so you can feel satisfaction from pulling the rug from out under me?" Seruvia asked. Helia and Seruvia looked at each other with a disgusted look before looking back at Victoria. "Councilwomen, please... I meant every single word I've said to both of you... You've done great things and I respect both of you..." Victoria said, trying to calm them down.

"Then why this... This betrayal?!" Seruvia exclaimed. But Helia crossed her arms and had a smile on her face. "Heh." She remarked. "What? What's so funny?" Seruvia said, frustrated. "Aww... That's so sweet." Said Helia. "I'm glad that you think of it that way Your Highness." Said Victoria. "What? What does she mean by that?" Seruvia asked, confused. "Lady Seruvia, what I mean is... As great as you two are, imagine how much greater I'll be when I beat you both?" Said Victoria. "You..." Seruvia said. "And there it is." Helia remarked with a grin.

"And... And you think you can get the job done much faster than me- us? With all of our reach and resources, a lowly knight like you?" Seruvia asked. "Oh Lady Seruvia, if that is as you wish, then I will get the job done as fast as possible. You two have an extended reach, yes. But you don't know that if its boots on the ground experience, I have more than both of you combined... A princess who spent her entire childhood on a cushy throne and all of her on-field experience is terrorizing those who can't fight back, and sending her lackeys to take care of those who can. And when you finally found someone who can fight, you've lost to them. Again and again. And you Lady Seruvia, you'd never gotten into the mud because you're too afraid to get your dress dirty. You may think you've personally gotten your hands dirty already but we all know that's not true. You have your minions do everything and set it up nice and tidy so you can take all of the credit; its like being hand-fed your pastries and claiming that you can cook but all you know how to do is chew and swallow." Victoria insulted, with words teeming with venom.

As Victoria spoke, the two women looked like snakes ready to strike. Their rage was piling up and they merely waited for her to stop speaking for them to dole out punishment. "You... forget being demoted or stripped of your rank. I should have you executed for the way you speak!" Helia said, shivering with rage. She then raised her hands, and bright flames appeared on top of them. "You want to see me get my hands dirty? Consider this a personal lesson on it." Seruvia remarked. As she spoke, she popped off the cork lids on some vials she carried and green flames blasted outward from them. She then spread her arms wide and threw the glass vials away, and the flames in the air coalesced around her hands. Victoria quickly grabbed and brandished her halberd, ready to fight. "My experience on the battlefield dwarfs both of yours combined, and I'm happy to test my skills against to prove it." She remarked.

Victoria looked at Seruvia and Helia, then Helia and Seruvia looked at each other. As soon as the three took a step forward, Alfred stepped in. It was alike a mountain moving into frame, and the ground seemingly quaked with the swiftness of his approach. He stood in front of Helia and held his arm out in front of her. "Don't make a decision this unwise..." He remarked. "Alfred, move aside! I was about to mete out punishment to this insubordinate whelp!" Helia exclaimed. "He's right, fight me at your own peril." Said Victoria. "I was talking to you too, Knightess. And you as well Lady Seruvia." Said Alfred. "Are you going to stop us now?" Seruvia asked. "I will do what I have to to keep this kingdom's peace." Alfred said, retrieving a massive mace from his back. "Hmph..." Seruvia said, before taking a step forward.

"This is enough." Liam stepped in front of Victoria and swept his hand in the air. The nearby candles, torches, and the flames above Helia's and Seruvia's hands went out. Seruvia looked around before stepping back. "Alroc!" She called out, and the feather-garbed beak-masked noble leapt from out the shadows. He jumped in front of Seruvia and raised his rapier. Liam unsheathed a claymore from his back in response. "Lady Seruvia, you called?" Alroc asked. "Hmm. Alroc, nice to see you. How have you been?" Alfred asked. "Oh I'm fine, I've been waiting to sink my talons into worthy prey but they've been eluding my grasp for now. But you're right here, might I try my claws against you once more?" Alroc asked. "Welcome to try old friend." Alfred said, chuckling heartily but raising his weapon. "Victoria... Back off." Said Liam.

"Hmm... Alright! If you say so, Liam." Victoria remarked. She then smiled and lowered her weapon. "You're all still here? I thought you all had some pressing matters to attend to." The Elder councilman said, from the top level of the room. Those in the bottom were surprised and looked upwards, briefly forgetting what they were talking about. The Elder picked up a few papers left at his table. "Uh... Why are you still here?" Helia asked quietly, confused. "I came back because I forgot a few papers." He then started walking. "Also if you're going to fight, do it outside. We'd just had these floors polished." He said as he exited a door in the top level of the room.

"Well, he's right. Catch you later ladies, I have a traitor to kill. Knights, let's go!" Victoria said as she turned around and walked away appearing to be carefree. Liam followed, but he slowly walked backwards facing them before turning around as well. The knights who had been watching all this time marched en masse down the stairs and followed the two knights' lead. "You... You're not going to get away with this! You're just a lowly knight! A maggot from the dirt and now you claim you can gallavant amongst the peacocks!" Seruvia exclaimed.

"From a lowly knight to the top, isn't that what clawing your way up is? Anyways, you two better hurry up if you don't want to lose to someone as lowly as me..." Said Victoria. "You... If I find you out there, I may just kill you." Helia remarked, gritting her teeth in an angry smile. Victoria turned around and said: "You're welcome to try, but then Lady Seruvia is going to get the job done while you're distracted with me. So... May the best one win." Said Victoria.

Helia and Seruvia looked at each other, with Alfred and Alroc standing nearby. "Hmph..." "Hmph..." The two women remarked. "I'm getting the traitors first!" "I'm winning this contest!" Helia and Seruvia said at the same time, respectively. "Alfred, let's leave immediately." Said Helia. "Alroc let's make haste." Seruvia remarked. And the two pairs immediately went to leave, in different exits of course. Victoria, Liam, and the knights marched out from the main exit.

The old manor was spacious and grand, a pin drop could echo through its empty halls. Though few now walked in its once crowded space. Mirrors, grandfather clocks, rows of shelves, long dining tables. Furniture, fixtures, entire rooms and scenes that would have been lying under piles of dust but were kept pristine and untouched. It was like a point of time was frozen, since the last time someone dwelled in this home. The warmth of human connection replaced with a cold emptiness. The entire manor and its decor were of the same rich, dark brown color, making it somewhat dreary. The lamps and candles illuminated the space, leaving eerie sparks that brightened up the darkness like fireflies.

Only two were in this manor, and they were not residents yet caretakers of it. A tall man in a finely tailored black suit was hunched over a table and was using a small brush to clean a few porcelain figures on a small table beside a wall. His hair was black and slicked back, and had a luster that reflected the candlelight. He was neat and had a youthful appearance, and a white tie nestled itself firmly within his coat. "Hmm~" He hummed happily as he cleaned. "Quinton, this side's full of dust too." A stern old woman remarked, pointing to the left side of the room. She was seated in a wooden rocking chair and sipping tea from a delicate porcelain teacup. Smoke was gently floating out from a small teapot on a table nearby.

"But Miss Agatha, I've already cleaned that side. It doesn't mean that I like cleaning, that it means I won't get tired of cleaning only one side... I have other things I want to do." Said Quinton. "Like what?" The old woman asked, uninterested and bored. She was wearing a black dress alike something one would wear in mourning. She had long white hair, like puffy clouds. She had a short stature and her back was slightly hunched. She had a monocle on her right eye, and a cloth veil covering the left side of her face. "Well I have to outside to buy some tea, I'll drink that tea, then I'll clean some other side instead. And besides, what if a speck of dust forms here and there? She hasn't returned for years now." Quinton remarked, now dusting the portraits and paintings up on the upholstered walls.

"You always say that, but you never know-" Agatha was interrupted by the sound of furious knocking on the door. "Is that? No, it couldn't possibly be!" The old woman put down her tea and stood up in excitement. "Sit back down Miss Agatha, you might get a heart attack or something..." Quinton remarked, as he warily walked towards the door. "Relax Quinton, these old bones aren't giving out yet. And if it's an intruder, I'll just give them a good wallop with this stick!" Agatha said, standing up and walking shakily with her cane. 'Who could it be in the middle of the night... If it's not her, then...' Quinton walked slowly towards the door. He let his left hand become slack, and caught a silver dagger that fell from his sleeve. It was ornate and had a marble handle, with a purple jewel in the center. He put his left hand behind him, and used his right hand to swing the front door open.

"Finally. What took you so long..." Helia remarked. But she spoke in a tone of voice not alike someone who was lacking in sleep: tired and cranky, but not too loud. "Oh! Mistress Helia, forgive me for not accomodating to you more quickly!" Quinton exclaimed, falling to one knee and bowing with his hand on his chest. "It's nothing." Said Helia, not having the energy to be angry. "Is it... Is it really you? I- I-" Agatha adjusted her monocle as her eyes welled up with tears. "Mistress Helia!" The old woman rushed as fast as she could and had her arms wide in order to hug Helia. "No hugs. And its Your Highness now, Agatha." Helia said, raising her arms to refuse. She smiled warmly.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I was merely caught up in emotion. Forgive me, Your Highness." Agatha said, forming a modest bow. Quinton stood up and concealed his dagger once more. Alfred looked at the motion with a curious expression. "I knew you were hiding that thing as soon as you opened the door." Said Helia. "Well the one on the other side of the door can know that I'm hiding this dagger, but how are they to deal with it? It's good to have you back, Your Highness." Quinton remarked.

"Hmph, that shows that you still need more training. You're still too predictable. And ah! I forgot, this place is so filthy. Quinton make haste and clean the manor top-to-bottom while I make the Mistress some tea." Said Agatha. Quinton immediately walked off to do some work when Helia interrupted him. "There will be no need for all that. Although... I could do with some your brewed tea..." Helia said. 'Hmm. Lady Helia's speaking with an abnormal lack of pomp. I was worried because she didn't say a word as we made our way here... She just told me where she wanted to go, and she spent the length of the journey thinking. What has she thought about all this time...' Thought Alfred.

"Quick! Quinton, make us another pot of tea!" Agatha exclaimed. "But what about-" "This teapot isn't going to last long for all of us, especially that Sir Alfred will be joining us, yes?" Said Agatha. "I... am thankful to receive your kindness, Miss Agatha." Said Alfred. "Oh, forget about it. You two are guests. So go ahead and take a seat." The old woman said as she sat back down on her chair. Helia plopped onto a nearby wooden chair, sighing. Alfred slowly lowered himself onto a large, grand chair; careful not to put his entire weight into it.

Agatha rested her hands on top of her lap and said: "So, what brings you here? And also, I'm curious on why you didn't speak when you knocked. And why didn't you break the door after knocking twice. You've really worked on your manners since then." Agatha said with a smile. "I'd... love to say I just wanted to visit, but I have my own reasons. And as for why I didn't yell in the top of my lungs..." "Lady Helia was too tired to." Said Alfred. "And if nobody was here I'd only be wasting my voice and causing trouble. To why I didn't just break the door... Well, I thought about telling Alfred to smash down the door but I was thinking the cold would get in so..." Helia remarked.

"It's good that you didn't. But because you didn't speak, Quinton here was so concerned. We thought it might have been an intruder, or worse, a beggar." Agatha said, as she reached for two more teacups in the nearby tea set. "You... really have extra teacups ready at all times?" Asked Helia. "Of course, it pays to be ready. Besides, I always had to be ready. Just in case you and the old master were to come back." Agatha said, pouring them their tea. Helia slammed her fist on a table beside her, causing Agatha to look up, surprised.

"Well my father is dead and he's not coming back! But... I'm here now. So, pass me that tea." Helia said, her tone of voice now resembling her usual way of speaking. Agatha appeared to be taken aback, but complied and gave Helia a cup of tea and handed one over to Alfred. Helia sipped some tea. There was a period of silence as she drank more of the tea. "Ah, your tea always calms me down after a tough day. I remember I used to drink it all the time." Said Helia. "Of course it does, it's made with the kingdom's finest tea leaves after all..." Agatha responded. "But it's all in how it's brewed, and you brew it well." Helia remarked.

"I thank you Your Highness for acknowledging my fine work. And you weren't the only one fond of this tea." "Did you just say something?" Helia asked, looking up from her tea. "Nothing at all, Your Highness." Said Agatha. Alfred had raised his helmet just slightly, enough so that he could sip from the teacup which looked miniscule in his hands. "So, Lady Helia. Forgive me for asking but I've been curious. Why did we pay a visit to your old home?" He asked. "Hmm..." Helia paused for a long time. "I suppose... I wanted to go to a place free from their influence. And most places I stay won't do. Temporary camps, the carriage, the headquarters of the shadows... Too exposed, don't know who I can trust. And I sure as hell am not going back to the castle." Said Helia.

Quinton came back with a tray with a freshly brewed pot of tea. "So are you saying you can trust us, then?" Said Quinton. He set down the tray on a table in front of Helia. "Ha! Trust you all? Well, to a certain extent I suppose. I know none of you would stab me in the back without just cause... And to trust in anyone fully, is to be a fool. But in order to not be distrusted by others though you distrust them, you need to give the appearance of trust. And prepare against them in secret." Said Helia. "Well for whatever reason, I'm just glad you came back home." Agatha said, pouring herself more tea.

Helia looked up and around the house as she sipped from her teacup. "It's a shame. This place is so clean, I almost don't want to use it." She remarked. "Oh, don't worry about it Your Highness. What good is keeping a place clean if you're never going to use it." Agatha remarked. 'I can specifically recall you saying that you'd rather no one occupy the manor ever again than to have it sullied of the dirt of the outside...' Quinton thought. "Are you planning to stay the night?" Quinton asked, smiling. There was nothing malicious about his expression, but his smile appeared to be unfeeling and polite for the sake of being polite.

"I am. Though... I apologize that this place will be used a lot more than you expect." Helia remarked. "Hmm?" Agatha exclaimed. Helia shot up and put down her teacup. "Miss Agatha, ready the meeting room!" She exclaimed. The old woman was slightly puzzled but stood up to comply. "You heard her, Quentin. Lead them there." She remarked. Alfred stood up and lowered his helmet. His face was briefly exposed, though only his chin could be seen. A scar extended from below his lip upwards.

Agatha picked up the teapots and cups, then put them on the tray. She then deftly carried the tray with one hand while supporting herself with her cane in the other. Quinton picked up a candelabra and led the group down the hall. The candlelight faintly illuminated the walls, the eerie light seemingly reawakening the ghosts of the past that lay dormant. Old paintings of the manor's occupants and illustrations of the family, now a reminder of the scars of the past. "Here we are." Said Quentin, as they stopped in front of a long wooden sliding door. "Hmph..." He remarked as he struggled to pull on the door. "Forgive me, it's just a tad bit stuck..." Said Quinton.

"Allow me." Said Alfred, and Quinton stepped back as he walked forward. Alfred put one hand on the handle of the door and pulled the door open, walking along the length of the door to open it fully. They entered the room and Quentin walked in first and lit a candle on the wall with his candelabra. "Hmph, let me do that for you." Said Helia, before walking around the room and swiping her hand in front of each candle and setting them alight.

It was a long and spacious room, with a rectangular table in the center extending along the length of the room. There were a few windows though, they were obscured by curtain for an extended period of time now. Numerous wooden chairs lie empty, the room seeming to be the location of various banquets or meetings of times past. Helia had circled around the room fully, and stopped at the seat at the head of the table. She swiped her hand in front of the table's candelabra, and set it alight. She sighed deeply and put her weight on the table, resting her hands onto it. Alfred, Quinton, and Agatha entered after her.

Agatha placed the tray on the table in front of Helia and Quinton set the candelabra he carried onto an unoccupied shelf. Alfred stopped and stood behind Helia, awaiting commands. "Alfred, bring out my papers." Said Helia, she spoke like she was thinking deeply and was in our thoughts instead of the present. The large knight brought out a wrapped pile of parchment from within his spacious armor. It was a leather pouch bound with rope, and Alfred placed it before Helia, who quickly maneuvered through the complex knot that bound it. She opened it, and a stack of papers poured out. Helia began to read, arrange, and pore over them.

Gold reserves, potential allies, reports on the economic situations of the towns; vital information painstakingly transcribed and jotted down by hand. She mumbled to her self and took an occasional sip of tea, as she continued in her concentration. "Be at your leisure." Helia remarked, waving off Miss Agatha. "In that case Your Highness, I shall prepare your sleeping quarters as you stay for the night." The old woman remarked. "Fine by me." Helia said, absentmindedly. "Hmm... At least the other members of the council have people that do this for them." She muttered.

"Can I help? I am a deft hand at these sorts of matters, I have time to spare while taking care of this place after all." Quinton remarked confidently. "Sure. I remember there were a stack of papers and an ink quill around here..." Said Helia. "I'll fetch some for you, Your Highness." Quinton remarked. 'She's not usually this open to others helping her. She must be too tired to keep up her fire...' Alfred thought. He recalled on how Helia was, hours earlier. Hopeless, defeated, like a wounded dog licking wounds.

"I... Don't have much expertise in this matter, but I'd like to try to help." He remarked. "Fine by me." Helia answered. Quinton came back with blank pieces of parchment, a small bottle of ink, and a quill. Helia began using it to write while Quinton and Alfred helped her organize the papers. "Lady Helia, a question..." Said Alfred. "Fire away." She answered. "Earlier, you seemed keen on capturing Metas and the others in front of the council. I'm... just curious on why you didn't get to hunting them down right away." Alfred asked.

"As much as I... savor the thought of reducing him and the others to cinders by my hand... It would only be a wasted effort to do so. What... do you know of what transpired when I disappeared?" She asked Alfred. "I know not but that you had an altercation with the enemy. And if you desire that it would be all that I know, I will comply." Said Alfred. "Well, a battle did transpire... And suffice it to say that in my present condition, I am in no shape to continue to pursue them." Helia remarked.

"The old you would have turned every stone and would search every nook and cranny for days without rest." Quinton remarked. "Well, a brush with death can change someone, even me." Helia said, lifting her hair up to show the scar on her head. "And besides, I still have the full intention of finding and killing every last one of them. But impatience simply isn't the answer to my problems. While those other idiots run around in circles trying to find them, I'll be waiting patiently for them to rear their heads. And that, is when I'll strike!" Helia said, grasping the air, miming the act of seizing someone. "The condition that I saw some of them in, they will be recuperating for a time. And instead of wasting my time trying to find them, I'm doing this. I have to make a strategy to keep myself in power." She remarked.

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"Lady Helia, are you worried-" "I'm not worried that I won't get the job done." Helia interrupted Alfred. "Then... why the worry, Your Highness?" Alfred asked. "The other council members put me into a position where they can strip me of my rank. That means that they're comfortable enough not to see me as a threat, and I'll use that to my advantage. If I complete my task here, it will be the next thing, or another thing, any reason to cast me down. Once, I had backing, value. Their backing. Their actions today say that they've lost faith in my utility." She remarked. "Lady Helia..." Quinton exclaimed.

Helia started to write on another piece of parchment. "No, its my fault. My distaste in... ugh, politicking and my recent failures put me in this position. But not to worry. I'll use my funds and my connections... To entrench myself and rouse up a following." She spoke louder and faster and her writing pace matched the cadence of her speech. "So I'll make sure that I'm too useful and too much trouble to get rid of. I'll get people on my side, enough people that it would be incredibly troubling for them if something happened to me, or I can use the influence of others as pressure or leverage. And when that happens, I'll squeeze what is rightfully mine and take it for myself!" Helia exclaimed, crushing the quill in between her gauntlet. "Might... I pour you some more tea?" Quinton asked.

Helia sighed. "No, leave it to me. Just fetch me another quill..." She said, disappointed. Quinton complied and left the room while Helia turned towards the teapot. "Lady Helia, might you lighten your load a while? You don't need to wear all of your armor at all times... And might you take a seat as well? Your legs could be tired, we just had a long walk after all." Alfred remarked. "I appreciate the suggestion but, no thanks." Helia said, busily writing something down.

"I was simply thinking that you could be more comfortable-" "Comfortable? You're the one who stands all day under that heavy armor. But have I asked you to take yours off because I know you're uncomfortable? Did I ask you to sit down because you were standing up? No, because it's your job! If you wanted to, you could and you're free to! As am I, and if I wanted to sit down or- or... Take off my armor, I'd do it! I do what I want and no one controls me, and if I wanted to ask you for some advice or your help, I'd ask you! What if... What if an assassin attacks and I'm left undefended? How about- How about you take off your armor, what do you think about that?!" Helia exclaimed, frantically shuffling the papers around and writing down furiously. "Do you hear-" She swung around to see Alfred kneeling on the ground on one knee, with his head facing the floor.

"Lady Helia, I... sincerely apologize. If you cannot... Cannot be at ease even at my protection... Then I have seriously failed you... If I had been there to protect you at every turn... You might have not been in this position, it is my fault. I hope to be the reason why you can feel free from danger. That is why I want you to rest, and why I cannot take of my armor... I do not wish to take your freedom, but I wish to be the reason you can express your freedoms without fear..." Alfred sincerely apologized. Helia rolled her eyes and sighed. "Get up. It's fine. Just don't ask me to take off my armor..." She remarked.

Helia returned to her papers and paused. "Wait, what was the name of that one merchant in that guild again?" She asked. "Bartholomew." Alfred asked. "And, and... that one nobleman-" "Archibald." Alfred responded. "Hmm... Maybe you remember these names more than me..." Helia remarked.

Earlier, Quinton had left the room to retrieve a feather quill. He exited the room and brought a candelabra with him, and stepped through the halls with the intention of going to the storage area to get another quill. "Hmm?" He exclaimed, as he looked up the stairway to the second floor and saw an ajar door. 'Oh, it must be Miss Agatha. She mentioned that she was setting up the Mistress' sleeping quarters. Hmm... I suppose I can make a detour. Though Mistress Helia is impatient, so I have to make this quick.' He thought as he went up the carpeted wooden stairs and entered the door to the second floor. He went down the hall and saw one of the room's door was slightly open.

'Well, it looks like she is in there. To be expected...' Quinton thought. He walked to the door and entered Helia's childhood bedroom. It was like a child's dollhouse bedroom, with a great big bed with a giant blanket and a dozen different pillows. There were multiple closets and dressers, as well as wardrobes and mirrors. All were filled with dozens of dresses and pieces of clothing, and along with the countless stuffed animals scattered across the room made it any little girl's dream. Quinton stood in the doorway, marvelling at the room before him. He had cleaned it countless times ever since he was a young boy in the care (service) of Helia's family.

But now, it felt like an untouched memory of a peaceful time never to be again. He entered the room and looked to see Agatha seated on a chair, somberly staring and reminiscing on her own. "Miss Agatha." Said Quinton. Agatha was surprised and jolted in her seat before standing up in a huff. "By the King! What are you doing sneaking around the house like that, boy? You've almost put in me in the grave, scaring me like that." She remarked, adjusting her monocle. "I was just leaving-" "No, no. Catching me like this... I was merely flustered. Do you need anything?" Agatha asked, cutting Quinton off. "I... was just... checking on you? I suppose." He remarked.

"My, my. Checking on me? I didn't raise you to be this soft, you know." Agatha said, chuckling. "Well, I was just taking another look at this room. And what about you? You said were going to prepare this room for Her Highness, but it looks the same the last time I saw it." Said Quinton. "And there's the boy I raised." Agatha said, smiling. "I said that I'd prepare a room for Her Highness to sleep in, I wasn't specifically saying it would be this one..." She remarked, walking forward and admiring more of the room.

"Oh, the memories in this room. And all around the manor. It feels... disrespectful to do more to this room than try to make everything seem the same as how it was last left..." Agatha remarked. "But it will never be the same again..." Said Quinton. Agatha sighed. "Be that as it may. I just wish we could go back to those simpler and more peaceful days... Those days, Young Mistress Helia would run around the house and make trouble. And... I was still well enough to run after her. Caring for her was not easy... But luckily, the Madam was still here to help care for her. I don't know how she found the time between all her work and the business amongst the nobles, as well as... you know, being the Queen of this land. The Master was barely around, but whenever he was... It was like a warm hearth that soothed the cold manor." She remarked. There was a wistful silence as the two of them remembered the old days.

"But... life went on." Said Quinton. "And reality shattered the peaceful illusion we were all living in... Maybe if the Madam didn't work so hard she wouldn't be... And the Master wouldn't have left and taken Her Highness with him. Don't tell Mistress Helia this, or she would be wrath with me but... I miss him as well." She remarked. "Got it. Your secret's safe with me." Said Quinton. "Well, be off then. I'll be preparing some of the guest bedrooms instead." She remarked. "For Sir Alfred?" Quinton asked. "For both of them." Agatha replied. And as Quinton left the room, the old woman sat back down with a sigh. She retrieved a piece of cloth on her person, and used it to wipe away a single tear that rolled down her face.

Quinton entered the conference room with a small wooden box with a number of half-used and unused quills as well as a few half-empty and untouched bottles of ink. "What took you so long? I'm starting to forget and get mixed up with all these names, I better write them down while I still can." Said Helia. "I took the time to bring you some extra, just in case..." Quinton remarked, walking in and put the box before Helia. "In case I break another quill again? And in case I get into another tantrum and somehow shatter a bottle of ink, is that what you're thinking? Bring another table while you're at it, what if I smash this table in front of me?" Helia exclaimed, angrily.

"Just in case... The quills get worn out and the ink runs out since you have a lot of information to catalogue." Quinton responded. "Well if you think that, then I'll be needing a lot more paper-" "Here it is." He brought out another stack of empty papers from his coat. Helia snatched it up. "You should've had it out in the first place, no point in hiding it from me..." She remarked. "Can I... offer you more tea, Your Highness? If it's a little cold, I can reheat it for you..." Quinton said, putting his hand on the teapot. "No!" Helia cried out, slapping his hand away. "I... Can do it myself." She said, pulling the teapot close to her. "I... understand, Your Highness." Quinton remarked in a somber tone, before going back to attend to the papers.

Helia looked down at her hands which were shaking slightly. She slowly took off her gauntlets and placed them down at the table. She tenderly reached for the teapot and raised it with one hand, and placed her other hand below it. A flame erupted from her hand and almost engulfed the teapot whole. She grimaced and strained her hand, making the flame weaken. After a few seconds of her struggling to maintain a weaker flame, she closed her hand and made it disappear. Helia then refilled her teacup, set the teapot down and took a sip from her cup.

"And by while I still can, it means that I'm tired but I'm not letting you both ask me to rest. I have a lot of things to do tonight, and tomorrow. So I'm working until I can't and I'll stop when I want to- when I need to." Helia exclaimed, busily working. She was expecting a rebuttal and was confused when the two didn't speak up. Helia then turned around. "So... I guess that means you'll be staying in the manor tomorrow as well?" Quinton asked. "I don't know. I'll be out for most of the day tomorrow. Following up on informants and information, checking loyalties, trying to see what I can do to improve my position and my standing... I used to say what I wanted and some servant or worker would do it for me, but since those people are the same ones being used by the others I can't fully trust them anymore..." Said Helia.

"You're worried even the shadows will be disloyal?" Asked Alfred. "They're loyal to the kingdom and the crown. And... that should mean me! But... My power is slipping from my grasp and... When faced with conflicting orders from two different superiors which one will they follow? Are they going to rely on loyalty? On which superior has a higher rank? If they think who's likely to punish them or not? Or are they simply going to abstain from making a choice? Such possibilities make them untrustworthy." Helia exclaimed.

"So, we're going to be going to be moving forward without utilizing the shadows?" Alfred asked. "Not completely. But I'm not going to be using them as much as I'd have... And I'll be keeping an eye out for them too." Said Helia. "Does your wariness include me?" Alfred asked. "Hmm... If ordered by the council, would you turn your weapon against me?" Asked Helia. "Hmm." Alfred brought out his massive spiked mace, and looked down towards it. He was quiet, and this gave Helia pause. A bead of sweat rolled down her face. "Well?" She asked. "If I were asked to turn against you from the council then... I'd commit treason and be on your side in a heartbeat." Alfred said, putting away his weapon.

Helia breathed a sigh of relief. "You should've spoken sooner, Sir Alfred. You've made Her Highness a tad bit nervous." Quinton remarked. "I'm not!.. nervous. I was simply thinking how inconvenient it will be without his help. And Alfred... It's good to see that you have my back." Helia exclaimed. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Helia." Alfred replied. "Well if you're going to be helping us, might you get to work handling these papers or helping us write as well?" Quinton asked. "I'm afraid there are some things even beyond my capabilities. If I try to write I might break a quill or tear a page by accident. Or my hands might smudge the ink." Alfred said, raising his hands.

"Seriously? I think even you might have overestimated your strength..." Quinton remarked, chuckling. Alfred raised his helmet slightly and picked up a teacup. "Well I-" The small teacup shattered in his hands. "Am sorry, deeply sorry..." He remarked. "It's fine, we stll have plenty of unused teacups. Losing one is not a huge deal." Agatha said, at the foot of the room's door. "Pfft." Helia exclaimed, holding back laughter. "Is anything the matter, Your Highness?" Alfred asked. "No, no... Uh... Miss Agatha, good to see you. Have you done... whatever it is you'd say you'd do?" Helia asked. "Yes, Your Highness. I've prepared multiple guest rooms for you and Sir Alfred to sleep in." Agatha remarked.

"You didn't prepare my..." Helia stopped herself. "Would you have liked me to?" The old woman asked. "No, not at all. But... We might not need to sleep in the quarters anyhow... I think we'll be working here all night." Helia exclaimed. Agatha smiled and sniffled. "Miss Agatha, is there anything wrong?" Quinton asked, concerned. "It's nothing. It's just... I know we can never go back to the past but, all the more we need to appreciate the present time we have..." She remarked. "And I'm soft? Have some tea, Miss Agatha." Said Quinton.

"Heh, I'm parched." Agatha said, pouring herself a cup. "Miss Agatha if you're finished reminiscing, could you help us with this? We could use an extra set of hands." Said Helia. "At your command, Your Highness." Agatha remarked. "Hmm..." Alfred inhaled deeply. "I am glad that you have people on your side, Lady Helia." He remarked. "Well... I am too, Sir Alfred." She answered. "And... how much do we owe that merchant again?" Helia asked. "Fifty gold pieces." Answered Alfred. "And what did we do to make those nobles owe us?" "We displaced a small village for the land." Said Alfred. "Hmm, how did you know those were the nobles I was referring to?" Helia asked. "I just know they were the ones you always forget..." Said Alfred. And they all worked at Helia's command for the rest of the night.

In another corner of Lodeleth, the night passed into early morning. Though in some corners of the kingdom, there are those who were unable to fall asleep. Two such persons lie awake in a dimly lit bedroom. A single candle which was nearly burnt out, illuminated the room. It was placed in a metal candle holder on the to and caused the wooden walls and floors to creak eerily. The bed had enough space for two people, and indeed two persons lay under the covers: A woman who lay on her side facing the window, and a man lying on his back looking up at the ceiling. "Can't get any sleep again?" Asked Victoria. "You know I don't usually sleep... Better to spend that time thinking." Liam remarked. "Thinking about?" She asked, turning over towards him.

"All that extra trouble and work that you brought us earlier..." He answered. "Is it troubling for you?" Victoria remarked. "Not really. If it wasn't that, we'd be training or doing some other work... All that this is is more work to do. I just wished you'd consulted with me before you went with the decision to accept the mission." He remarked. "But a surprise is more fun! Besides, I had to take the opportunity before it slipped away. And you're not even bothered with it, right?" Victoria exclaimed. "That makes sense. But..." Liam said, rising to a seated position. "You sure we can handle this?" He asked, before sipping from a nearby wooden cup.

"Of course! We're the best at what we do, right? And our line of work has always been dangerous. We can't improve without hardship and challenge, and where's the thrill in kicking out squatters, guarding some nobles, or knocking down some powerless upstarts. And besides, its only up from here." Victoria exclaimed, sitting up next to Liam. "Up from here?" He asked. "Yeah it's what we always wanted, right? For the longest time, we knew that simply being in the knights wasn't enough. Finally being able to don the black armor, finally being able to do the important work, its what we couldn't do for the longest time! Time and time again, we were denied a chance to do so much more. And that little Sethan gets the chance before us?" She remarked, as she rubbed Liam's back to reassure him.

Their bodies were covered in scars and signs of wear and tear, all earned from their line of work. And yet their experience and hard work had refined their musculature and form to an impeccable state. "Hmm. So this is what it's about." Liam remarked. "Of course that was what it was about! Because our kingdom is losing its best assets left and right, and the position we've been vying towards for years is open; but we aren't even considered for the spot? And Sethan is only being taken into the order because they're using his hoping to use his connections to help catch his brother, Metas! And he too, was one who was allowed to join the shadow knights because of a connection with someone else! And look how that turned out. That is what happens when you get someone not because of their skill or competence but because of their relation to someone else." Said Victoria, falling back down onto the bed with her hands outstretched.

"And now the position is given to someone rightful for the job?" Liam asked. "Yes she is. And you are too." Victoria said, pointing towards him. "So this doesn't have to anything to do with the fact that Metas is the one we're going to be after?" Liam asked. "Well... I mean everything that I've said. Hunting him down is just a little extra bonus..." Said Victoria. "It sounds like you've been waiting to settle the score for the longest time, ever since then." Said Liam. "Since, then huh... It feels like... A lifetime ago. Now... Metas has turned traitor, his sister Asralyn is with him, their brother Sethan's after them. Endro's dead. And uh, that boy... Lert, he's some barracks guard somewhere, now." She remarked.

"I'm impressed you remember all their names." Liam said, with a small smirk. "Well if I purposefully tried to forget the names of everyone I'd met, I'd let my memory dull and miss a chance to sharpen my mind. Besides, remembering people's names is handy if you want to piss them off by purposefully saying their name wrong." Victoria said with a smile. "But you seemed to purposefully not include one name..." Liam remarked. "Whatever do you mean by that?" Victoria exclaimed, rolling over onto her back.

"She was your friend... Don't you at least know where she is? Last that I've heard she was-" "She's a soldier for the kingdom. But all that was of her potential, wasted. Really, what's the point of serving the kingdom if you're not going to up the ranks? It's an insult to the rest of us, and those working hard to better help the kingdom! If she thinks she can waste the kingdom's resources on charity, maybe she should waste her time feeding the poor instead. Like how Flare ended up. So pathetic. And one more thing... That woman was never my friend." Victoria remarked. "Alright... But don't let me keep you up. Go to sleep. Don't mind me." Liam remarked, picking up a pipe on the table. He waved his hand near the candle, and the flame transferred and lit the pipe.

"Why do you think I was awake to see that you couldn't sleep? Because I couldn't either." Victoria said, scooting back to her spot in bed. "Why so? Don't tell me you've been thinking too." Said Liam, before puffing a smoke. "I'm... excited. Is all." She remarked, with a twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her face. Victoria's breathing and heart rate increased. "Mhm. Excited. I wish I could be the same." Liam remarked, looking up towards nowhere in particular. "Just be ready. We'll be going up against our toughest yet." Victoria remarked. "I'll get the job done." Said Liam. "Hmm." Victoria exclaimed. But as she lay, Victoria turned towards Liam once more. "Hey Liam, can I get a puff of that?" She asked.

Liam turned towards her. "Sure, knock yourself out." He remarked, handing her his pipe. She took the pipe, then twirled her pointer finger in the air. A small red ball of flame formed atop her finger and she set the smoldering pipe alight once more. She put the end of it to her mouth and took a puff, then blew smoke into the air. "This is nice, right? We can buy the finest tobacco the kingdom can have." Victoria remarked, handing the pipe back to Liam. He took a puff. "Mhm. It is." Said Liam. The early morning went on. The dark blue sky slowly turned into the pale yellow of sunrise, and not a word was spoken between them in the meantime.

Dawn broke, but the sun's rays could not reach in a certain cold, dark chamber of the kingdom. "Hmm... Hmm..." Seruvia remarked, pacing around the room. She was reading a small book as she walked back and forth, her heels clacking on the cold stone. Two shadow knights stood guard near a staircase that led to the surface. Shelves and shelves of books stood tall around the room. Tables with glass vials, beakers and bottles on top of them ran along the borders of the space's interior. High up on the walls, there were racks and shelves with more research equipment like flasks and magnifying glasses, but also tools such as saws, syringes, and small knives. The use of which bordered the line of medicinal and torture. "Hmm... Maybe... No. Hmm..." Seruvia said, mumbling to herself.

Alroc stood nearby, leaning on a bookshelf with his arms crossed. He was tapping his finger on his arm impatiently, as he watched Seruvia walking back and forth. "How about..." She remarked, walking up to one of the tables. On it, was a small metal plate with a bundle of burning twigs. She mumbled an incantation from the tome in her grasp, and held her other hand forward. The small fire suddenly erupted upward and changed color into a bright, light green color.

"Aha!" Seruvia exclaimed, with a smile on her face. With one flick of her wrist, the flame transferred from the table to above her palm. She pranced excitedly from the table and down the stairs, trying not to trip on her dress. "Lady Seruvia, one of the first lessons in handling one's own flame is not to run around with it active. You might hurt yourself or set something on fire." A bored Alroc remarked. "Don't worry Alroc, I have total control of my- Ah!" Seruvia exclaimed. The shadow knights and Alroc quickly ran to check on her. "I'm fine! There was just a cockroach that passed by, and it escaped before I could incinerate it. Really, I know this place is a dungeon but it should be cleaned from time to time. Maybe I'll order some of the shadows to do some pest control... Anyway, come on Alroc. I want to show you something!" Seruvia said, as she continued downstairs. "As you say so..." He remarked, following after her.

The shadow knights returned to guarding the entrance. They walked past empty cells; large rooms with layers of metal gates that was designed to keep things from getting out. Torches were along the walls, and Seruvia's green flame helped illuminate their path. Multiple stacks of paper lay along the floor, now soaked and unreadable. Within the cells were chains and manacles attached to the walls, and some rooms had tables with metal clasps where the hands, feet, and torso would have been. Some cells had chains torn out from the walls or broken into pieces.

As Alroc and Seruvia reached the end of the long hall, they came across a robed and hooded man in front of a cell covered by a sheet of cloth. A faint, low growling could be heard from beyond the curtain. The man before them had a slightly hunched back, and their face was obscured from view. "Lady Seruvia, might- might you be here to ask about the new breakthroughs in our- my research?" The man spoke in a feeble, shaky voice. "You know that's not why I'm here, gnat. Pull away the curtain! I've something to demonstrate to Alroc here." Seruvia exclaimed. "But- But Lady Seruvia! It would be a waste to destroy our last remaining specimen! We haven't completed our research yet, and there's so much more to learn. I'm sure this information could be made useful to the kingdom-" "Quiet, I'll order you for your opinion when I desire it. Now draw the curtains open, this flame of mine might go out!" Seruvia exclaimed, before turning towards Alroc.

"So, I've been reading up on some of some of the observations that that traitor Serafion left behind and I've found out that these creatures are similar to that... icky witchcraft she's using. And so, I can use it to test my fire to prepare for our eventual encounter!" She remarked proudly. Seruvia then turned back towards the robed man with an annoyed expression. "Why hasn't the curtain been drawn? I've asked for it, and you heard it. So why hasn't it been yet done!?" Seruvia exclaimed.

"I... I won't." The man remarked, he faced away meekly from her but still stood his ground. 'Hmph. Let this farce be done with.' Alroc thought. He stepped forward to remove the curtain himself, but Seruvia stopped him. "No, no. Not you, Alroc. I'm asking this... feeble thing. I ordered him something and he did not do as he was told! You 'researchers' have dedicated time and resources for naught in your experiments! Serafion the traitor made use of your findings to practice vile sorcery! You lot are lucky you were not executed for collusion, and you are lucky you still have a job! Now do as I tell you or you won't be so lucky any longer..." She remarked. "Mercy, Lady Seruvia! Mercy!" The man remarked, cowering in fear. "Do as she asks." Said Alroc. The man then reluctantly pulled a string that drew the curtains open.

"Really... It's from the kingdoms pockets that the people are fed and clothed, what audacity to disobey a direct order from it..." Seruvia remarked. As soon as the curtain was drawn, a figure jumped from the shadows and collided against the metal gate. A snarling beast with hide in the color of night snapped and clawed against the thick metal bars of the cell. The robed man stepped out of the way, and Alroc brought out his weapon. Though, Seruvia stood fearlessly as the beast raged before her. "This creature... It's been quite some time since my blade has pierced through one of its kind..." Alroc remarked.

"Yes, yes. The creatures that stalk the night and are the stuff of the citizens' legends and myths. We've been infrequently plagued by these beasts for years, and even after extensive research and experience, we know nothing about them." Seruvia remarked. "That is why we should keep this specimen alive and not waste-" The robed man remarked. "Speaking of waste, that is what all this effort has resulted to! The funds of the kingdom down the drain and nothing to show for! Instead this research is involved with heretical magic and witchcraft, and should be banned! This beast and all that it stands for is a threat to the kingdom and should be immediately destroyed. Corruption is the only thing any knowledge from this thing can give." Seruvia pompously proclaimed. She stepped forward as she scolded the man.

Seruvia glanced to the side and her flame illuminated the robed man's face just briefly. "Ugh." Seruvia remarked as she jolted back in response to the man's unsightly visage. Recomposing herself, she raised her hand to the air. "Now, dark creature! Burn before the flame!" She exclaimed, and a jet of flame flew from her hands and scorched the creature. The beast writhed and lashed out before burning to ashes. The robed man was dismayed. "Ha! See how it burns! Conventional arms are not this effective agents agents of the dark. If I perfect this, then Serafion has no chance..." said Seruvia. 'Hmm, what a waste. I'd rather to test myself against the beast myself...' Thought Alroc. "Lady Seruvia... Why are we not searching for them right now?" He asked.

"Because! Do you really expect me to be out there amongst the filth, searching for rats in the dirty crevices where they are hiding from? No, that's the job of the shadows. And they're searching up and down the kingdom as we speak. My role is personally dealing with her- them, and delivering their heads to the council on a silver platter. Then, I'll be recognized for my efforts." She remarked. "If you say so. It's likely that they won't be easily found. It could be, that they have already left the kingdom..." Said Alroc.

"Yes it could be, but security's been tightened all across the borders of the kingdom. And the shadows are scrambling to find every hide and hair of them. Even if it is so, we must not let our guard down. We're not letting them off easy. They were just in a battle, correct? All that fuss, and the attack was them trying to make themselves look like heroes but they were in fact bringing that trouble to our kingdom! They probably did something outside that made whomever attacked go to them as revenge. Powerful, magic, or not... It would be unwise to make the trek outside the kingdom immediately, yes? And what the reports say are true, their foes were also crazed heretics using unusual sorcery. They're a sizable group, and if even one of them got injured..." "It would be too much of a risk to move all at once. Which means they're still here." Alroc remarked.

"I'll forgive you for interrupting me since you're right and I think they're not just in the kingdom... I think they're not far from where they are. And... they wouldn't have been able to stay as long as they have in the kingdom without someone housing them. And we have many enemies among our ranks." Seruvia exclaimed. "You're thinking of someone in particular? Someone besides Serafion?" Alroc asked. "Yes. In the past we couldn't catch them and it didn't matter because they were all small fry... Like rats, too small to catch but too small to be dangerous. But I should have known that even something as small as rats can cause an entire nation to fall to ruin. And if they're housing them..." Seruvia exclaimed, before going silent. "Hmph, maybe we should focus our efforts on locating these rebels..." He remarked.

Seruvia turned towards the hooded man in confusion. "Oh? Why are you still here? The beast is dead and gone, you have no more task to accomplish here. Go now, you no longer have any reason to keep wasting the kingdom's resources..." Seruvia exclaimed. The robed man was clearly distressed at the death of the creature. "This... This place, it still needs someone to take care of it. These intstruments... The information, someone must preserve it and study it..." He remarked. Seruvia started walking back and Alroc followed. "Well, then we just need to burn this whole place to the ground." She exclaimed. "Wait, wait! Lady Seruvia, you can't do that!" The man said, running up to her.

"Out of my way, maggot! And no one can tell me what to do except those old geezers, and I'll be ruling after they've gone and croaked." Seruvia said, moving past the man. "Please, Lady Seruvia! The knowledge here, its still useful! All this work, all these rare tomes, all of these advanced equipment, it can still be useful to the kingdom! You... You use some of our research as well, yes? With your flame. You can still improve it! Yes, more research still needs to be done!" The man said, shuffling along to keep up with Seruvia.

"I do, use some of it. But most of this research is exploring into a realm outside the flame and that cannot be tolerated. Serafion dabbled a bit too much and look where that got her. I am setting the line. Besides, all of this morbid information is practically useless and awfully drab. All she uses is darkness and she wears is black... My flames are bright green, like an emerald jewel and not like the ugh... orange that everybody else is using." Seruvia turned towards Alroc.

"Oh, sorry. I know you shadows all dress in black. I know you all dress that way because of sneaking... Moving at night, and... being scary and all that. If it was up to me, you'd all be dressing in bright red, or maybe green or pink! Yes, I think that'll look good on you..." Seruvia remarked. "What... am I going to do now?" The robed man said to himself. "Your business is your own, don't let me tell you what to do... But a piece of advice, you should leave this place before it goes up in flames." Seruvia said. A small mosquito buzzed by Seruvia and she swatted it out of the air. The man was was at a loss for words, devastated as Seruvia casually walked up the stairs with Alroc following her. "You two, grab some of my stuff here. And, this book. Have this place scheduled for demolition soon. I'm done with it, so the kingdom doesn't need it anymore." She remarked, and the two shadow knights bowed in reply.

As they exited the gloomy underground chamber, Seruvia blocked her eyes from the sunlight. Alroc stepped forward and she was shielded from the outside light. They emerged in the back alley of some well-traveled street. Two regular knights walked up towards her. "Any news on finding the fugitives? Or the rebels?" He asked them. "We're sorry to say that... There's no leads yet, as of now. But, its only been a day! And... We will find them." The knight remarked. "What about the 'special operations' knight that went missing. Do you have any leads on him?" Alroc asked. "Negative, as well." The other knight exclaimed.

"Then what are you two still doing here, get on with it! Away!" Seruvia exclaimed, and the knights bowed before marching away to leave. "So, Enjou is still missing... That could be trouble." She remarked. "Do you think he could have been killed by the fugitives?" Alroc asked. "Possibly, but... I'm afraid he hasn't. And who knows if he'll come back to us now..." said Seruvia. "His way of thinking is... Inscrutable. And in all the time he's served the kingdom I haven't gotten a handle on him. If he's turned traitor..." "He might be an even bigger threat than those fugitives. The kingdom went through enough last time just to capture him." Seruvia remarked.

"But I have a feeling he won't. He's a hunter, just like me. And face-to-face with such prey... He might even take care of our fugitive problem for us." Alroc exclaimed. "If that occurs, then that's once less load off our backs." Seruvia said with a sigh. "Where are we going to now?" Alroc asked. "Let's pay a visit to that 'dark well'. It's being managed by a few shadows right now, but I'm hoping I can use my flame to seal it once and for all." said Seruvia. "That place was less of a risk when Enjou was guarding it... Those mysterious creatures might emerge from it. Maybe this time you'll let me sink my claws into it?" Alroc asked. "Well, let's see if it even comes to that." Seruvia exclaimed.

The two walked off, but Seruvia suddenly stopped. "Hmm? I just realized, those beasts could emerge from that well so what we killed wasn't really the last one. But, its not like we're going to tell him about it. Much leaving one of those things alive to give to him. Pfft... Hmm..." Seruvia chuckled, before bursting into a self-satisfied cackle.

In the stairway behind them, the robed man was eavesdropping on the two of them. 'Unbelievable, how could this... How could this be!? I've dedicated all the years of my life in service to the kingdom and... No, no. Surely there must be someone with a cooler head than Lady Seruvia. Yes, yes. I can prove my worth elsewhere... I won't be useless! I won't come back to where I came from!' He remarked, before skulking out of the stairway and slinking into the streets.

In the princess' manor, harsh sunlight peeked through the curtains and shone onto Helia who had fallen asleep on a chair in the meeting room. She slept soundly, and throughout the night she had removed her breastplate and slept while wearing her tunic shirt. Alfred entered the room and his heavy frame creaked on the wooden floor. "Hmm... Ah! Where- Alfred! Why-" Helia exclaimed, surprised. She stood up quickly, quickly donned her armor and tried to find her sword nearby. She searched frantically for a second before realizing that her sword was no longer with her. "Damn it, Alfred! I told you all that I needed to wake up at sunrise because all of the work that we needed to do!" She exclaimed. Agatha walked into the room carrying a silver tray with a cup of tea, a bunch of juicy grapes, sliced white bread, and a plate full of assorted meats. "Your Highness, your morning meal." She remarked.

"Agatha, I don't need that right now! I need to... I need to-" Helia exclaimed. "We've taken care of some of the more urgent business... Mister Quinton is out there as we speak assessing the situation and our standing." Alfred remarked. "I said, I wanted to do things myself!" Helia slammed her fist onto the table. She angrily walked forward. "Not doing as you all are told! Making deals behind my back! You're all worse than useless, you disobey-" Helia suddenly fell to one knee. "Say, princess. When's the last time you had a proper meal?" Agatha asked, sternly. "I... told you... Don't... call me... princess..." Helia remarked weakly, out of breath.

"Then don't act like a petulent little princess. Don't tell me you expected that we didn't notice? Every time you move I can see how strained you walk... You must have cuts, bruises, from the battle you recently had. And this wound on your head..." Agatha placed her hand on Helia's forehead. "Tch!" Helia exclaimed. "You won't let us or a healer treat it... And you stubbornly moving forward isn't a mark of a great leader. It is the mark of a fool who can't lead, and can't trust their subjects and will be left in the dust. Blindly stride forward and you're bound to strike a wall or fall of a cliff. Now... Are you going to let us treat your wounds? Or are you going to eat your breakfast?" She asked.

"Give... me that damn tray." Helia remarked, getting to her feet. "Good girl." Said Agatha. She took the tray, cleared a portion of the table with one hand, and set it down with force. She sat down with similar fervor. "Your Highness, it has been quite a while since I prepared your meal, it might be a bit cold-" Miss Agatha was interrupted by the sound of sizzling as Helia stuck her pinky finger in her teacup. She then grabbed the pieces of white bread and began to toast them with her flame. "Speak, quickly. What have you already accomplished in my absence? I'll be setting off as soon as I'm finished eating. Miss Agatha, I'll need a cup of water." Helia remarked. She tore a grape off the bunch and threw it in her mouth, took a piece of sliced ham, stuck in between two pieces of bread and wolfed it down. "Right away, Your Highness." Said Agatha.

"After we set off at dawn, our first task was to spread word amongst our informants. We stopped at the market, the tavern, and at the gates near the nobles' quarter." Said Alfred. "Those are places I'd rather not visit myself, perhaps it was worth it not to go myself after all." Helia remarked, in between bites. "Your Highness." Said Agatha, handing her a glass full of water and placing a pitcher on the table. She downed the glass. "With my presence there and in speaking the pass phrase, we were able to quickly convince them to act. We were there under the pretense of behind on behalf of the kingdom itself, saying it was just a scheduled check-in." Alfred continued.

"Good, good. Let them be none the wiser. But, they're going to eventually notice that we're doing all this in quick succession in such a short time..." Helia replied. "Yes, and they'll be all the more suspicious when we have the knights move your chests and coffers of treasure here." Said Alfred. "Hmm... Is that such a good idea? The knights won't know, but the other council members will immediately know that you're going against them." Miss Agatha exclaimed.

"Bah, they know how I'd react to a provocation like they made yesterday. Better to prepare in advance and say to them that I will not be trifled with. If push came to shove, they'll seize my assets from the kingdom's pocket. But now that I've taken my share of treasure from them, the worst thing they could do is mount a full frontal assault on this manor. If that happens... Well, I'll entrench myself deeply into the kingdom to avoid that from happening. There will be unavoidable consequence from my supporters but, I want to make sure I'll be like a knife stuck deep in their flesh. Pull it out, and the body will bleed to death." Helia remarked.

"If we can rally enough supporters to the cause, then the threat of civil war might be enough to protect you from political or direct action." Said Alfred. Helia took a sip of tea. "Yes, if the council members order the knights to go against me then I'll need to have convinced them that they're going against the crown, and not that I'm the one who has turned traitor..." said Helia, as she devoured a handful more grapes.

"Respectfully, Your Highness... Your reputation among the knights and the people is... tenuous. And if you suddenly act nice to them they won't believe it. But I think your usual tactics might also put them off." "I don't plan on giving charity, they'll see right through it. And people easily crumble under fear, but that breeds hate and resentment. I'll show them I'm a true leader that they can get behind. Someone they can respect, and that the crown rests on the rightful head. And that will be confirmed with my decisive victory over Metas and the fugitives." said Helia, as she tore through a tough piece of meat with her teeth.

"Indeed. Here is the list of the matters we compiled last night. We've crossed off the ones we've already attended to." Alfred remarked. Helia then rushed through finishing the last of her food, poured herself another cupful of water, and gulped it down. Helia then jumped to her feet. "Agatha!" She exclaimed. "What is it, Your Highness?" The old woman asked. "Directions to the bathroom! Then I'll be leaving!" Helia answered.

"Uh... There's one down the hall, to the left, and then turn the corner or for the one upstairs... Go up the stairs, go past the rooms, and go straight ahead." Miss Agatha answered, slightly taken aback. "Alright!" Helia exclaimed, marching out of the room. "Miss Agatha..." Said Alfred, readying some items for their departure. "I'll take care of the manor in your absence, just alert me of any visitors we'll be expecting." She remarked. "Thank you for your assistance." Said Alfred, stepping out of the door. "And Sir Alfred..." The towering knight stopped in his tracks. "What is it?" He asked. "Take care of Her Highness for me, for us all." Said Agatha. "I will, I ensure it. All I do is for the good of Her Highness and the kingdom." Alfred remarked. "As we do all." Said Agatha, looking wistfully as the knight left.

The midday sun raged on outside. Helia strode confidently, undeterred by the heat. She was kept in the shade as Alfred walked beside her. They were in a field of well-trimmed grass, and walked to a patio to a fanciful mansion. "Lord Warl, we are glad to comply with your request-" "And for the last time, I'm not moving an inch until-" A rosy cheeked, balding middle-aged man sat under the shade and argued with Quinton. The man wore extravagant, puffy clothing with a frilled collar.

His layers of clothing were almost as thick as he was, and made his face drip with sweat. "Ah, Princess! Finally, you've arrived! I was telling your lackey here that I won't make a deal unless you yourself showed up! But it seems like your servant went ahead and decided to act for you. These pesky servants... Getting thoughts of their own; as far as they should be concerned, they are only to do as their master commands them to!" Warl remarked in a most pompous fashion. 'Who does this baldy think he is...' Helia thought to herself.

"Ah, yes. I'll make sure to reprimand him harshly later." Helia said, making it look like her anger was turned towards Quinton. Alfred gave him a look, and Quinton bowed, before walking away. "Reprimand? If it were me, I'd have them killed!" Warl then erupted into uproarious laughter. An elderly man in raggedy clothing then walked in, carrying a large fan. His hands and feet were bound with chains. "Speaking of which, where have you been, slave? I called for you a third of a minute ago!" Warl exclaimed.

"I apologize-" "Another word and I'd have your tongue ripped from your mouth. Now, fan me!" Warl remarked, and the slave began to fan him. "Mister Warl, let's talk business-" Helia remarked, before Warl interrupted. "Princess, princess! First of all, I prefer to be called... Lord... Warl... And secondly, I haven't even invited you for tea yet. Is there... some other urgent business for you to attend to? Like other matters you handled before meeting me? Am I so unimportant to you as to not attend to me first and have your underling speak to me? In that case, our agreement will be cut short before it starts!" Lord Warl remarked.

"No, no. Simply... The journey here was long and we have already eaten and... We know you're a man whose mind is of business, so we thought you'd like to skip the pleasantries!" Helia exclaimed, putting on a crude facsimile of a warm smile. Mister Warl paused for a moment, with a serious expression. He then burst into raucous laughter. "You know me so well! Indeed, I am one with mercantile trade itself! Still... I should really offer you some tea. Maid! Bring them some tea at once!" said Warl, clapping his plump digits rapidly. "Yes, master!" A voice from the other end of his manor exclaimed. "About our terms-" Said Helia. "Take a seat, princess." Warl said, gesturing to a nearby chair.

Helia smiled with gritted teeth and took a seat. "About our agreement-" "Yes; you looked over the terms that I have sent, I trust?" Warl asked. "Yes, I-" "Good, good. I sent it in short notice as soon as I was informed of the matter. The knights have created checkpoints all around the kingdom to help look for the fugitives that have been wreaking havoc. But as a consequence of that, they've been arresting and putting in scrutiny those they deem... suspicious. And as a result of that, my caravans have been halted and the shipments haven't gone in! These pesky guards detained my men all because they didn't have the proper paperwork! But its a waste of 'my' time and money to ensure every single little middleman has some scrap of paper. It's absurd!" Warl, interrupting Helia once more.

"It is quite so-" "This kingdom has no respect for me! I have the riches and rose up the ranks for my status, and yet those sneering nobles laugh at me rightfully proclaiming myself as lord!" "Lord Warl-" "Silence! I do not like to be interrupted!" Warl cried out. "Your tea, sire." The old maid lowered a tray onto the table. "Finally..." Warl then took a sip which made a sound reminiscent of water being sucked down into a drain. "Drink, princess! This tea is the best in the entire kingdom! It's tailored exactly to my specifications." Said Warl.

Helia picked up a teacup, and took a small sip. "Hmm." She remarked, before putting it down. "It is really quite something, isn't it?" Warl asked. "Yes... It is quite... something." Said Helia. 'Tastes like cut grass dumped into sewer water...' She thought. Warl then turned towards Alfred. "Sir knight! Might you try some of my finest tea as well?" He remarked. "No thank you, Lord Warl." Alfred said, raising his hand in refusal. "It is the best in the kingdom! You must try it!" Warl exclaimed. Alfred lowered his hand and simply stared, silently.

"Ah princess, you've wasted enough of our time chatting so let's get down to talking business." Warl remarked, intimidated by Alfred. "Yes... I understand your goods have trouble exiting the walls of the kingdom, and that materials and supplies are unable to enter our borders. Have you tried using... the other channels?" Helia asked. "Of course I have! But, they can't be all sneaked through. These shipments are large in bulk you know?" Warl exclaimed. "And... you want me to use the authority of the crown to allow your goods and materials to pass through?" Helia asked, as she rested her chin on her hands atop the table.

"Very correct, princess." Said Warl. "But, what do I have to gain in exchange for such a favor?" Said Helia. "Is it not enough that our kingdom continues to receive a significant portion of earnings from trade? As much as my pockets are filled, so too are the kingdom's coffers!" Warl remarked. "Yes, it is not enough. The reason why those with missing papers are stopped are to prevent the passage of those who bear ill-intent towards the people. If I am to use my authority to let all those who travel in your name through, what is to stop other unscrupulous entities to use that to infiltrate our kingdom? Or am I myself to oversee every single passage of your carts and carriages to let them pass through? This is a difficult matter to accomplish, you see... And so demands high compensation." Helia remarked.

"Hmm... I know what this is... You want my funds, my resources and my backing to help you in your rise to power. I've always wondered why you haven't seated on your throne as our illustrious queen. You wish to move yourself up the ranks! In that case... Even if my help is not public knowledge, I'm still taking on a big risk, you know? So I believe that what I'm asking is far too small in fact... I believe I can ask more in exchange for my backing." Said Warl.

"How presumptous... But correct. Let me tell you something... You arrange a large number of your shipments... or whatever, to arrive at the same time. I'll let them pass through all at once. And we'll also try to speed up the process in getting your men their papers. Additionally, the borders will return to normal once we capture those fugitives, but. Hmm... It would be quite difficult to do this task without your resources, and as such it might take longer to do it without your help... But the kingdom's borders will remain as is in the meantime, how unfortunate." Said Helia.

"Hmph. You're willing to risk the kingdom's safety to just to put pressure on me? Very well... You have my support. But there is something you must do that will be beneficial to both of us if you are to pursue vying for the throne." Said Warl. "You mean you have something you must have me do." Helia answered. "There's something that benefits us both, or rather will trouble both of us. And only you, have the means to do it." Said Warl. "I'm listening..." Helia remarked. "Well, see... I have a major competitor. He's low-down scum by the name of Anders. He's been stealing the market that is rightfully mine and slowly inching to take my position. Somehow, his business hasn't been affected by the recent lockdown and I fear that this might be the thing that breaches the gap between us, and I must not let that happen!" Warl exclaimed, slamming his fist onto the table.

'It looks like you were just too lazy to do the paperwork he did...' Thought Helia. "In any case, I want you to remove his status as an official supplier of goods for the knights and for the people of the kingdom. If he is to continue as he is, it won't matter if I back you. My position will be diminished, and my power and resources will dwindle! It is a problem for both you and I." Said Warl. "Now, now... Even if I could do that... What acceptable reason could I give to suddenly remove him from his position?" Helia exclaimed, crossing her arms.

"We all know you have certain, uh... Habits." "Pardon?" Helia asked. "What I'm saying is... If you suddenly decide to refuse a man from his position, it is not too unexpected even if it is for a minor reason only... Surely you understand that too, yes?" Warl remarked. "Hmm... I have an idea to create a legitimate reason for that to happen." Said Helia. "So, is that a deal?" Warl asked, outstretching his hand forward. "Deal." Helia remarked, shaking the man's hand. She then stood up and walked away, with Alfred following her.

"Pleasure doing business with you, princess!" Warl exclaimed. "Tch." Helia exclaimed. They walked out of Warl's garden, through his gates to the outside. Quinton was leaning on a wall waiting for them. "Lady Helia, I take it you've finished negotiating. Earlier, all that about reprimanding me harshly was... just said to appease Lord Warl, was it not?" He asked. "Well, I'm considering it. But you'd be put into better use for something else, we still have much work to do." Said Helia, and the three continued walking. "Your Highness, how do you plan to do as that merchant asks?" Alfred asked. "I have a plan... Let's attend to other pressing matters first." Said Helia, with a smile.

The midday sun shone brightly over the battlefield where Grisham's mindless husks battled with Felkin and the others just the night before. Burnt buildings, cracked pavement, deserted and destroyed houses... And most of all, the heaps of corpses. Evident signs of the fierce fighting and bloodshed that had transpired there not too long ago. A woman clad in black armor except a helmet looked on at the aftermath, shielding her eyes from the sun's rays. She and another man in black armor walked towards one of the regular knights. "I thought we'd already given the higher ups a report that states everything we know, what's with the inspection?" The knight asked.

"It's just to make sure, Commander Dreilond." Said Victoria. "That's curious. A group of black-armored knights already came by and said the same thing." Commander Dreilond remarked, looking towards a number of black-armored knights searching through the area. "We like to be thorough..." Said Liam. "Thorough, huh? Say... didn't expect you two and your crew to be donning the black armor..." Commander Dreilond remarked. "Well, a promotion was due sooner or later. And besides, you know we've been always vying for this position, right?" Victoria remarked. "By the way you acted in the force, it was like you're already taking missions from them. Being secretive like you had your own seperate tasks from what was ordered of you... Well, good for you I suppose." Said the Commander.

"Ehem... Back to business." Liam remarked. "Yes, indeed. May I ask a question about last night's attack?" Victoria asked. "Sure. I've already told the knights, the shadows, and the council about everything that's happened, but ask away." The Commander remarked. "Alright, then. Is it true that you had contact with the fugitives? And then, you let them go free? But you recognized them, correct? Particularly the former knight known as Metas. But how did they slip past you? Did you perhaps... Willingly let them escape? Or maybe you were threatened by them?" Victoria asked, cheekily. "Which of them told-" A knight whispered. "Hmm!" Dreilond exclaimed.

"Ah, so you did do that... How interesting..." Victoria exclaimed gleefully. "Hmph. There were... simply more pressing matters to attend to. The other attackers to the kingdom, the safety and evacuation of the people... As Commander, I decided what was best for my troops to do at the moment. I deemed capturing them... A matter to be done later." Said Commander Dreilond. "Your judgement should be under scrutiny then. Were you aware that after you aided the fugitives' escape they made an attempt on the princess' life? You would have aided the enemies of the kingdom in killing Her Highness! If that is really the case then, then... That would be tantamount to treason! You could be stripped of your rank or, or imprisoned! Or yet... Executed." Victoria exclaimed, with a sly grin forming on her face.

The Commander was shocked. "Is... Is that truly so..." He remarked, distressed. "Are you feeling regret over the matter?" Victoria asked. "I shall put it right at once! We will capture the fugitives and end the threat to our kingdom!" The Commander exclaimed. "So, letting them run free is your doing... Well, its not like too many would be displeased by her passing..." Said Victoria. "If you said that in front of Her Highness could get you killed!" A nearby knight exclaimed. "Hmm... What's your game... Victoria, what do you really want?" Dreilond asked.

"It's simple, really. I don't want your apology, or your help. Nor do I want to rat you out to the higher ups." Said Victoria. "Then what do you want?" Said Dreilond. "Isn't it obvious? I want... them. I am merely fulfilling my duty to the kingdom in the utmost manner. I want to know everything is there to know about what they did that day. Every word you spoke about, their every move, every where each of them were spotted or seen... I need all there is to know." Victoria remarked. "Hmph... I don't think I can give all the information you need, but... Let me take some time to prepare for what you've asked..." Dreilond remarked, walking off.

Victoria looked up, breathed in and out and stretched her arms upward. "Ah... Doesn't this armor feel comfy?" She exclaimed. Behind her, Liam finished talking to one of his knights. "It's just the same armor, but in black." Liam remarked. "Still, it's quite dashing. Anyway, what news?" Victoria exclaimed. "I've received of the information that was not disclosed to us before now... We'd best go under the shade, there's a lot to discuss." Said Liam, ruffling through the various papers in his hands.

"Let's." Victoria remarked, as they walked under a nearby building's shade. "Let's see... It all started when Serafion was deemed to be an enemy of the kingdom and she escaped, and all forces were ordered to capture or kill her on sight." Said Liam. "Wait, wait. I thought we had all the information we didn't have access to as regular knights." Victoria exclaimed. "Hmm. Apparently even the shadows don't know. Perhaps only the council knows..." Liam remarked. "Well, we'll get there eventually. Now, what's next?" Victoria asked.

"After that, all was seemingly normal for months until recently. Just a week ago, Metas was sent out as a lone agent to investigate whispers of witches and shadowy beasts in a far off village. But a few days ago, he cut off contact and didn't return from his mission. A few shadows were following him and observing his progress, and they found out from the villagers that he helped a suspected 'witch' from being executed on a pyre." "The savages! So this is what the culture is like in those far off villages. Good thing in the midst of civilization, there's no such thing as burning criminals on pyres in the streets!" Victoria said sarcastically.

"Good thing... Well, Metas was said to be accompanied by an unknown young man with a strange weapon that... could lengthen impossibly past its size." Liam remarked. "Ooh... A relic. The kingdom could use another one of those in its pocket, since most of the relics we have can't be used and Endro well... We know how that ended. Though there are rumors of a relic in the hands of the nobility... So, a foreigner boy with a relic, I'd like to cross blades with a relic someday." Victoria remarked.

"Metas, the young man, and the witch escaped and were chased by a mob. Wherein the witch used... strange magic to help them escape. The next time they were sighted was... At the outskirts of the kingdom in a snowy village. That's when they were spotted once more by the villagers, where they soon encountered Sir Siegmund and fought off a horde of bandits. The leader of the bandits was reported to have strange magic power himself. Hmm... It's a day's ride from the fastest horses back to the kingdom so they couldn't have made the trip on foot. The more we learn about this group, the more troubling they seem to be..." Liam remarked.

"This is... exciting!" Victoria exclaimed. "In the middle of the horde of bandits, they escaped into the forest." "You mean the Forest of No Return?" "Hmm. I suppose so. Well, their next sighting was in that incident where cultists were practicing some dark magic in rundown corner of the city." "They were with the cultists?!" "No, it seems like they had accepted a bounty to hunt them down." "Hmm, maybe posting a bounty for they themselves is a good idea..." Victoria remarked.

"But when they were spotted, the young man with the relic was no longer with them. Instead, he was seen in a different corner of the kingdom. Fighting off another horde of bandits with Sethan and his knights. The relic-wielder disappeared in the midst of the battle. And with Metas' group, the cultists were wiped out, but they soon were in an encounter with the Princess. They fought her off, escaped from the shadows, which brings us to yesterday. Where they had an encounter with more bandits who caused the destruction here, and had another encounter with Helia before disappearing again..." Liam sighed in disbelief. "Hmph, these reports have to be fabricated or exaggerated in some way..." He remarked, meanwhile Victoria was beaming with excitement.

"Even if half of this was true, it means that they'll be difficult to catch, and much more difficult to kill. Are you still sure that we didn't bite off more than we can chew?" Liam asked. "Listen, Liam. Who in the kingdom has better flame control than you?" Victoria remarked. "Hmm... That's difficult to say. But... It's probably me." Said Liam. "And who's the best halberd wielder in the kingdom?" Victoria asked. "Well, not many people use halberds but... It's likely you." Liam answered.

"Then we have nothing to worry about! All of the missions we've had were all too easy. So finally, we have a challenge on our hands." Victoria exclaimed. "Hmm. I suppose so." Said Liam. "Knight Victoria, Knight Liam, the Commander is asking to see you both." One of the other knights remarked. "Good, we were tired from waiting." Said Victoria, following after the knight. Liam followed after them.