------------ Dangou ------------

“Come on, just one little swing would be enough to put me down.” Ariadne taunted.

Dangou bit his tongue. He knew that if he let this opportunity slide, then the inevitable confrontation that follows would become extremely difficult. However, his conscience would not allow him, at least until he was sure of the truth.

“Why, then?” Dangou asked, regretting his choice already.

Ariadne cackled.

“See, I knew I could trust you Dangou.” She said, “You… have the air of a gentleman.”

Dangou ignored her chatter and asked again.

“Why did you kill those men?” He said, slightly angrier this time.

The mother frowned.

“Why not?” she asked back, “It’s rather fun, don’t you think? To listen to them scream.”

She turned to the kitchen counter, grabbed an untouched muffin and bit into the dough. After letting out a sensual moan of approval, she looked back at Dangou.

“I’m just that sort of woman.” She finished, winking.

As she continued her performance, Eadrid sat trembling to one side too afraid, or perhaps even unable, to speak. Her fists lay clenched on her thighs and her lips bled slightly from the biting. Dangou glanced back at Ariadne questioningly, but the tactless woman ignored it.

“There’s something you’re not telling me.” Said Dangou, sensing that the truth has not yet been revealed, “You’re trained, I can see it. Care to explain why?”

Ariadne faltered, but then quickly regained her composure.

“I see you’ve been staring at me quite closely.” She said, laughing shyly.

Dangou smiled. Finally, there was a lead.

“So you do not deny that there is a story after all?” He said, pressing his advantage, “Perhaps a story linked to your massacre?”

The Siren flinched, but remained unyielding.

“I don’t intend to tell you every single little detail of my life Sir Sheen.” She shoved back, “And I suggest that you stop pressing.”

“I can help you if you tell me the reason Ariadne!” Dangou said, frustrated.

The Siren hesitated, then stared determined into Dangou in the eye.

“You don’t know us.” She refused and shouted back,” Stop pretending you’re here from good will!”

As the conversation reached a dangerous standstill, Eadrid suddenly burst into tears.

“Mum! Why can’t you just tell the truth!?” She blurted, crying openly, “Every time someone comes who can save us, we do this! I’ve had enough of you suffering!”

Ariadne stepped back alarmed, and rushed to the sobbing girl, quickly covering her mouth. Her eyes radiated with saddened fury, yet she did not speak. Dangou turned away as the mother covered and the daughter cried. Though he had come closer to discovering the truth, he did not feel content. The scene behind him only confirmed that this family were not the bloodthirsty murderers that the stories made them out to be. Dangou sighed and waited for the sobbing to die down, then turned back to face his hosts.

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Before he could start, Ariadne quickly raised her hand to stop him.

“Let me put the young one to sleep first.” She said.

Dangou nodded and sat down quietly at the table.

------------ Jericho ------------

A shiver went down Jericho’s spine as she entered the eerily silent town of Oakenbrew. With light footsteps, she traversed the town path, keeping her eyes wide open for threats. As she approached the townhall, she felt a light tap on her shoulder and jumped forward, spinning into stance. Behind her stood a woman, also dressed in Imperial armour smiling cockily. With a quick glance to the face, she immediately recognised the stranger as her former teacher, Elieza.

“It has been a while Jericho.” Elieza said, covering her mouth daintily as Jericho knelt before her, “What is a proud honour knight doing in Oakenbrew?”

Jericho dipped her head.

“Teacher, I am here by request of my owner to retrieve a banished knight.” She replied.

Elieza raised an eyebrow.

“Really?” She smirked, “Strange, because I am also here for a knight, albeit to end his life.”

Jericho frowned as the woman approached slowly.

“You’re also here for Dangou Sheen, aren’t you?” Elieza asked from above.

Rightly confused, Jericho floundered as she stood up and nodded weakly. Elieza sighed and reached forward to cup her chin in her hands.

“As expected, that sneaky Count Sinclair didn’t tell you anything did he?” She smiled sadly, rubbing Jericho’s cheeks, “The man you’re trying to take back to the empire is banished for a reason dummy.”  

Jericho stepped back, moving away from Elieza’s reaching hands.

“Lord Sinclair may be secretive and underhanded at times, but he is never dishonourable.” She replied, confident in her master.

Elieza smiled, then turned stern.

“Think what you may, but I suggest that you do not interrupt me in my mission, young Jericho.” She commanded, “Or else that short life of yours may never become longer.”

Jericho gulped. Her teacher was one of the four Hellcats* of the council of Nobles, the most distinguished female knights in the empire, and Guardian honour knight of Duke Roderick Sven. Though she didn’t believe herself to be much weaker than her in physical ability, in the magisterium of magics however, there would hardly be a match. But the honour of her lord was in question, and so, as an Honour knight, she could not step down.

“I apologise teacher, but I also have a mission I must accomplish.” She said, drawing her sword.

Elieza frowned.

“You raise your sword against a Knight of the Council.” She smirked, “Do you not know of the consequences?”

Jericho held firm, refusing to take a step back.

“As an honour knight, I will not disgrace my lord.” She said firmly, “I must refuse to step down even in the face of unimaginable aversity.”

The Hellcat paused then chuckled.

“Is that the vow of Honour?” She asked, tilting her head.

Jericho nodded weakly.

“Good for you.” Elieza smiled, patting her head, “That was quite a pleasant quote, so I’ll let you live this once.”

“But do not go against me again… Or else.”

The woman then turned and disappeared into a wisp of shadow, leaving Jericho trembling in place.

------------ Dangou ------------

Ariadne returned alone from the backroom with an overbearing frown and red-welts beneath her eyes.

 “So, what is the truth?” Dangou started.

Ariadne smiled tiredly as she poured a cup of tea and offered it to Dangou.

“I, believe it or not, was once an Honour.” She said.

Dangou who had just started sipping the tea, choked with surprise.

“But you’re a monster- “He blurted, then stopped abruptly.

Ariadne laughed heartily, and took a sip herself.

“Yes. Yes, I am.” She said, “And truth be told, for the longest time, I was just a Siren who happened to seduce a valiant soldier.”

“A valiant soldier huh.” Dangou chuckled.

“Yes… He said he loved me, and obviously I didn’t believe him at first” she sighed, thinking fondly of the past, “But he followed me. Even when I did not sing.”

Dangou nodded, smiling.

“He was called to other duties, however, and having a Siren as a bride in his new position was unsightly.” She continued, “So I trained to become a knight.”

 “And it worked?” Dangou asked.

“Yes. For a while.” Ariadne bit her tongue lightly, “Then I used my powers once, and it all crumbled into hell.”

“His family ostracised me, his subordinates disapproved of me and in the end, I was let go.”

Dangou nodded sympathetically. Though he could never experience the injustice she had gone through, he himself had also been banished for love.

“Moving on to Eadrid,” Ariadne sighed, “She, is our child.”

------------ The Siren’s Nest (End) ------------

*Hellcats - A special corps of female knights who claim to be the most powerful in the empire behind the Queensguard.*