Navir walked into Indenuel’s cell, holding two packs that he set down as soon as he walked in. He straightened, then pulled the key out of his pocket before dropping it in Tolomon’s hands. “Unlock him. I have a set of clothes for him to change into.” Tolomon nodded, the mask of unreadability slipping over his face again as he walked over toward Indenuel chained to the table. Navir pulled out two cloaks. “It should be dark enough now that you can slip out of the city. There are men who are expecting you at the back gate with two horses for you to ride out on.” The chains across Indenuel’s torso and legs fell away. “Are you familiar with the city Intanatos?” Navir asked Tolomon.

“Yes sir, about a day’s journey from here,” Tolomon said.

“From my estimates, there is an army of about two hundred that will pass by that city by the time you reach it. I have arranged lodging there for you and will be in communication with one of the Priests to make sure nothing has changed, either on your end, or on the armies. That town has been warned, and is practically a ghost town now, moving higher up into Santollia.”

Tolomon finished unlocking the chains around his arms before quickly unlocking the mask. “Do you have any questions?”

His bodyguard eased the metal plate out of his mouth. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, the spit mixed with blood. Tolomon, his back to Navir, gave Indenuel a look, begging him to stop the arrangement right now.

“No questions.” He started to stand, and his legs quivered dangerously. Tolomon caught him, holding him as he gained his footing.

“Is this going to be a problem?” Navir asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’ll be fine,” Indenuel said, gathering his strength, pushing away from Tolomon. “It needs to be done.”

Navir handed him a change of clothes. Indenuel put it on the table before untying his shirt and taking it off. Navir studied the marks, nodding. “I will assume when you return, they will be darker. I don’t care what shade of red they are, as long as they’re red. You cannot sell your soul.”

Indenuel put on a fresh shirt, smoothing it out to check if the mark could be seen underneath. “I won’t sell my soul. I promise.”

Navir made no remark, simply turned to Tolomon. “I will be personally tracking your movements to Intanatos. I expect a full report when you return.”

“I will leave nothing out, sir,” Tolomon said.

“Do you require anything more in your packs?” Navir asked as Indenuel finished pulling on his pants before getting his shoes on. Tolomon opened the flaps, looking through the materials inside.

“This should be more than enough,” Tolomon said.

“I must stress, men, that you must not be recognized in Intanatos, even as it is nearly empty. Stay indoors, do not go exploring. And don’t forget, Indenuel, you must not leave any survivors in the camp. If anyone finds out it’s you, I will deny my involvement, and you will be left to suffer the consequences on your own.”

Indenuel nodded, putting on the cloak. “I understand.” There was too much at risk to not do this. He needed to protect his friends.

Navir nodded. “Then I shall meet you back here to get the report from Tolomon. You, I imagine, will be deep in the devil’s sleep.” Tolomon put on his own cloak, placing the hood to shade his unreadable face. “Follow me,” Navir said.

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Indenuel put the hood over his own head before taking a pack from Tolomon. They moved swiftly through the dungeon halls, passing many cells. There were no guards. Navir must have something to do with it.

They walked up the stairs and Navir motioned them out of the dungeon and out of the palace. Indenuel took a deep breath of the fresh, evening air.

“I trust you know your way from here?” Navir asked. Tolomon nodded. “Then this is where we part. I will see you later.”

Navir slipped away. Tolomon watched him go before meeting Indenuel’s gaze. Tolomon waited for Indenuel to say something, but he didn’t. His friend sighed.

“I don’t want to travel in the night with you. Demons tend to work better when you’re tired and exhausted, so we’ll travel until the city is out of sight before we get some rest. Intanatos is one day’s travel for a Graduate, but it might take the two of us a little longer, and it’s best to get a head start. Follow my lead if you don’t want to get caught,” Tolomon said before turning toward the wall. Indenuel followed close behind. They were quiet as Tolomon lead him out of the city before they walked through the back gate. As promised, there were two horses there.

“Have you ridden a horse before?” Tolomon asked before mounting. He said it, not like a friend, but as a bodyguard.

“Once or twice,” Indenuel said.

Tolomon nodded, saying nothing more as he waited for Indenuel to get on his own horse before they headed down the southern road. Indenuel spared a backwards glance toward the city, thinking of Inessa. His mind was alive with ideas of how to somehow shake Tolomon off and go see her. He doubted Tolomon would let him. A lot of things had changed between them since Indenuel agreed to put his soul on the line for Santollia. Indenuel rode beside Tolomon, who was facing forward, watching the rode carefully in the dark.

“You clearly have something you’d like to say to me,” Indenuel said. Tolomon continued to face forward, a distinct frown on his face. “Come on. The High Elders are back in the city and there is no one out here tonight. You can speak freely.”

Tolomon shook his head. “You honestly think High Elder Navir would trust us so far out here by ourselves?” Indenuel’s eyes widened before he turned, seeing nothing but darkness behind him.

“Is there someone behind us?” Indenuel asked.

Tolomon gave him a look but said nothing. Indenuel sighed, facing forward again. The reins were in Tolomon’s one hand, the other on the hilt of his sword. “Do you honestly think I’m that dangerous?”

“Yes,” Tolomon said, not needing clarification as to what Indenuel was talking about, his voice hardening. “Yes, I do. And the fact that you don’t realize how dangerous you’ve become is even more frightening.”

“It’s just red,” Indenuel said.

“And the devil will do everything in his power to make it black,” Tolomon said. “You are playing right into his hands. Whatever delusions you and High Elder Navir have that this is going to save Santollia, I will warn you both, this is going to end badly. For everyone.”

“I have no other choice,” Indenuel said, starting to get angry.

“Yes, you do,” Tolomon said. “There is always a choice between the devil and God. Anyone who says there isn’t, is making excuses for their demonic choices.”

Indenuel had a dagger at his throat before he even registered there was a dangerous amount of pain building up in his wrists. Indenuel closed his eyes, breathing deeply.

Kill him.

He’s just a piece of their game.

Get rid of him, go back to Santollia.

Cleanse the city of those High Elders.

Tolomon is the only one standing in your way.

“I’m not… I’m not going to hurt you, Tolomon,” Indenuel said.

“The demons are quite convincing, aren’t they,” Tolomon said beside him. Indenuel opened his eyes, glaring at Tolomon. He still had the dagger to his throat, and Indenuel knew it would be pointless to shove it away.

“Then tell me what I should have done to save Santollia?” Indenuel asked.

Tolomon hesitated, the dagger still a hair breadth away from his throat. “Not taken this devilish deal.”

“Then Santollia will fall, and it will be my fault,” Indenuel said.

“Then Santollia will fall, and it will be the High Elders’ fault,” Tolomon corrected. “Have you learned nothing from your possession with the devil himself?”

Indenuel scoffed. “I don’t remember too much of it.” He knew it was insensitive the moment Tolomon’s eyes hardened. He spun the dagger and Indenuel was positive he’d gotten his neck sliced, but instead Tolomon sheathed it right in front of him. Indenuel touched his throat, not a scratch.

“I remember,” was all Tolomon said before he looked away.

They didn’t say another thing to each other for a long time.