The room was silent as the revelation sank in. Furstin smiled thinly and folded her shackled hands. Tanzik, Allena, and Lura knew that she was planning on sending a courier to surrender but didn’t think she had done it so quickly.

King Hárkast sighed. “When?”

“Oh,” she said as she looked up in mock thought. “You know, I must say, in all the excitement, I seem to have forgotten.”

“Daughter, you’ve already lost. Don’t make this any harder than it already is.”

“But I do wish to make it difficult, father. Because when we surrender, the Empire will have a safe and direct line straight to Stormhall. And your honor prevents you from reneging on that agreement. And if you did, they’d lay siege to the city and win. And you’d show everyone in Cyfandir how little your promises mean.”

The king looked furious but kept calm. “Then I’ll send someone to stop them.”

“Oh, but who? Who could you trust enough to send? How do you know who’s still loyal to you and not to me?”

Hárkast turned away so Furstin couldn’t see the dismay on his face. Tanzik felt a stirring in his heart and stepped forward. This sounded like exactly what he was waiting for, a chance to hinder the Empire’s expansionism. “Your Grace, if I may, my name is Tanzik Albard. I’m a former soldier of the Katavy Empire. You have my word that I am not loyal to them and will do what I can to fight against them. Though Serevar is not my home, I came here by choice and will fight to defend her people.”

“You would swear yourself to me instead?”

He paused. “With respect, Your Grace… no. After everything I’ve been through, I will not swear myself to anyone ever again. Freedom is more important to me than institutions and people are more precious than kingdoms. I’ll remain unsworn to any ruler.”

The king smiled. Allena stood by Tanzik. “My name is Allena Alva, and I too am unsworn. Serevar is my chosen home as well, and I’ve lived her for many years. I’ll do what I can to protect her people.”

Lura stepped back. “Great, so happy for you, we’re all unsworn here. Death to the Empire and all that. But uh… I’ve got business to take care of, so count me out.” She began to walk away.

“Very well,” Hárkast said. “You’ve already done more than expected. Once things settle down, you’ll be rewarded accordingly.”

“Mmm, sorry what?” Lura turned on her heel to face the king again.

“Since you’re unsworn to me, this is above the normal expected duty, so you’ll be paid a fee.”

“You would place your trust in mercenaries?” Furstin asked derisively.

“I’m not a mercenary,” Tanzik said. “You can keep the reward, Your Grace, I’m just doing what I feel is right.” Allena nodded in agreement.

“Ah ha, that’s great for you, sir, very great,” Lura said, squeezing her way through Tanzik and Allena. “But I have debts to pay and if you’ll pay me to stick it to the Empire, that’s basically my dream job. Lurala Habod at your service.”

“Even soldiers are paid a salary, so I will reward you for your work,” Hárkast said. “Vakta, see to it that they have supplies and fast horses and send them out at once. Then…” He sighed heavily. “Then we need to clean this mess up.”

“Oh,” Lura said, disappointed. “Yeah, I’d love to be able to sleep in a real bed first.”

“We don’t have time to waste. Make sure you’re ready, get something to eat and drink, and head out as soon as you can. When you return, you’ll have a seat at my table and gold in your pockets.”

“You’ll never catch up to them,” Furstin said.

“And take my daughter to the dungeons.” He reached out and put a hand on Vakta’s shoulder. “You’re the only person I trust to do this. Until I can vet the rest of the guard, I’m relying on you.” He gave his secret son a knowing look.

Vakta flushed with pride and nodded. “Absolutely, Your Grace. I’ll see it done at once.” He took Furstin down the stairs with the other guards to lock her up and make preparations.

“It’ll take an hour or so before we put things together. Once you’re ready, wait for us at the city gates when you’re ready, but don’t take too long.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Tanzik said with a bow. Allena and Lura bowed as well, and the three left.

***

“Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve got business,” Lura said as they gathered the rest of their gear on the way out. “I’ll meet you at the gate.”

The area outside the tower was chaotic. Guards were gathering in groups trying to take control of the situation. Everyone was shouting over each other trying to be heard. Furstin had made a scene as she was led to the dungeons and tried to rally support one last time. But Hárkast had stepped outside as well to speak with them. He didn’t have enough support to stop the conflict immediately but was at least able to prevent any further bloodshed.

The fire had been put out, but there was still a lot of smoke, which complicated matters further as it was hard for anyone to see anything. Tanzik and Allena went to one of the guardhouses and laid down to rest.

Lura quietly stepped around the throngs of guards and left the castle. She made her way toward a dingy smoke-filled tavern called the Haunted Haunch a couple miles from the castle. She smiled as she took in a deep breath inhaling the familiar smells of beer, tobacco, and old stew.

“Well look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” said a heavyset older woman with a dirty apron. “The usual, Hab?”

“Put it on my tab, Värda. Where’s Olrick?”

“Pah,” she said as she waved her hand dismissively. “You still owe a quarter crown from your last visit. Settle up and I’ll tell you.”

Lura leaned on the sticky counter and narrowed her dark eyes, giving Värda an intense look. “I’m on borrowed time and don’t have the patience for your nattering. Got a lucrative job lined up and I can pay you with interest when I return.”

Värda spat on the ground and slammed a mug on the counter for another patron. “You’re trouble, girl. And in trouble from what I hear. I’d hate for the Rooks to get involved.”

Lura clenched her jaw. The Rooks were a group of scoundrels she had worked with in the past, and she knew how ruthlessly they operated. If she was on their bad side, her life would get exponentially more difficult. “Who do you think I’m working for? I’ll give you a full crown when I get back.”

She grunted. “He’s in the back with the sheep. Settle up within a month or you can find another hole to hide in.”

“Wasn’t so hard, was it?” She stepped away from the counter and walked away.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Her heart was beating faster. It had been a long time since she had to twist someone’s arm and didn’t like the idea of burning any bridges in Stormhall. Or crossing the Rooks. She went out back behind the tavern and saw an older man with a pitchfork moving some grass from a bale on a cart to the ground for the sheep to feed from.

“Olrick, I need a favor,” she said.

“Good to see you too, Hab. I seem to remember you being all out of favors.”

She smiled innocently and shrugged. “You know I’m good for it.”

“Yes,” he said as he sat down on a stump while the sheep fed. “Eventually.”

“I’ve been stuck in Komstadh for months, it wasn’t really my fault.”

“Not my concern, Hab. I had to hire someone else and my client was less than thrilled. Way I see it, you already owe me.”

“I need to know what this means,” she said, holding her iron coin out to him.

Olrick picked it up and took a close look at it. “Symbol on the back looks like a rune of some sort but I wouldn’t know what language. Not sure who the face on the front is supposed to be either.”

“But you know someone who knows.”

“I might. Question is, what am I getting out of it?”

“I’ll owe you a favor.”

“Two. Big ones. And I’m calling them in now.”

“Now’s not a good time, Olrick.”

“You want a referral, you can make time. You cost me a client and you’re asking for a referral, that’s not cheap.” He got up and walked to the door to the tavern, setting the pitchfork on a tool rack under an awning. “I’m sure you know all about the coup in the castle.”

“I’ve heard of it. And I have it on good authority that old King Hárkast has regained his throne.”

“That’s news to me. But this makes your job easier. There are some buildings and parts of the castle damaged by the coup, and I’ve got a friend with a grudge against the mason’s guild and started her own business. Ordinarily the throne would give any reconstruction contracts to the guild, but I’ve got a vested interest in my friend landing this contract.”

“Want me to bend the king’s ear?”

“He wouldn’t listen to you. But I’ve got a copy of a fake contract with Furstin’s signature and seal forged on it. I was going to have someone try to convince her that she signed it but forgot. But that would’ve been very risky. Now it’s simple, all you have to do is plant this in the king’s study somewhere. Hárkast has a sense of honor, so if he thinks his daughter made a new contract, he’ll honor it to avoid breaking the throne’s word.”

“He’d break ties with the mason’s guild for a promise his daughter made?”

“I’m sure he’d make it up to them somehow. But this one contract will be enough for my friend to get her foot in the door with enough coin and credence to rival the guild. You do this for me and I’ll arrange an introduction.”

“You said there were two favors?”

“Yeah. After this, we’re done. You don’t come back to the Haunch ever again. I only work with dependable people.”

Lura stiffened. It was a painful blow, losing a contact as valuable as Olrick. She tried to keep her composure. “Isn’t that a little harsh?”

“You cost me a profitable business relationship. I’m giving you a chance to make things right and leave on good terms, so no. It’s not harsh at all. Especially considering this hurt my name enough that I had to turn to the Rooks.”

Lura forced a smile as a sickening chill crept through her stomach. “If that’s how it is,” she said. “I’ll be back soon.”

***

Tanzik and Allena sat at a table in the castle’s great hall and finished a meal of roasted chicken, fruit, and some spiced wine and felt much better than they had in days.

“You ready?” Tanzik asked. Allena nodded and they got up and began to leave. “I know you don’t like using your magic, it looks like it took a lot out of you.”

“It does. And I don’t. But I’m glad we’re all okay.”

“Just out of curiosity,” he said as they walked out of the hall, “why don’t you like it? I think it’s incredible that you can do it.”

“It’s… complicated.”

“That’s all right, you don’t have to explain. You’ve been very quiet, so I just wanted to check in on you.”

“That’s kind of you. I don’t mind sharing, I just don’t fully understand it.” She hesitated for a moment. “Magic is divine power, and when we mortals use it, it’s like we’re stealing from the gods. Or at least that was how it was explained to me. That’s why I don’t like to use it. It’s a desecration of something holy, a piece of the divine we were never meant to have.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”

“It was my choice.”

They made their way out of the castle and walked for a while. They saw Lura headed their way.

“There you are,” Tanzik said. “We were headed toward the gate. Did you finish your business?”

Lura didn’t look up, but kept walking. “Yes, I just need to grab something I forgot in the castle,” she said as she passed them. “I’ll meet you there.”

“She’s lying again,” Allena said once Lura was out of earshot.

“What is it with you two?”

“She’s hiding something. I know I was too, but I’ve come clean. I saw her get everything she had.”

“Allena—”

“I’m going to talk to her, I’ll meet you there.”

Tanzik sighed and shook his head. He understood their mutual mistrust, but wasn’t interested in getting involved. He walked toward the gate, but the further he got, the more he realized he should at least make sure they didn’t kill each other. He took a deep breath and turned around.

***

Lura entered the north tower and walked quietly up the stairs as she kept an eye out for guards. The door to the study was open so she stood with her back to the wall and peeked around to see if anyone was inside. She did see one guard sitting on a chair facing the window.

She quietly stepped inside and walked to the far edge of the room. She placed the forged contract in between a stack of other documents and letters, careful to not rustle the pages. She quickly left the room, breathing a quiet sigh of relief as she started down the stairs.

“Find what you were looking for?” A voice said as she neared the bottom.

Lura’s heart skipped a beat and she turned around to see Allena following her downstairs. “How did—”

“You’re not the only one with soft footfalls.”

Lura panicked for a second, but her fear was replaced with anger. “What I do is none of your business and I’m tired of having to tell you this. If you want to do something about it, do it. If not, get out of my way.”

“We were in a tight spot when you demanded I come clean. All I’m doing is the same.”

Lura leaned closer, her voice barely audible. “No one makes demands of me. Today has been bad and I won’t have you making it worse.”

“Lura, I want to help you.”

“I don’t need your help”

The door opened and Tanzik walked through. He saw them in each other’s face looking angry. “For gods’ sake, you two.”

“I was right,” Allena said. “She was sneaking in the study, she didn’t leave anything behind.”

“You don’t know what you’re meddling in,” Lura said, exasperated.

“Look,” Tanzik said, his voice hardening and his face stern. “I’ve had enough of this, okay? I like you both, you’re good people. But something needs to give. Allena, if you can’t trust Lura even after she’s given up as much as she has to be here, then you need to leave. And Lura, if you can’t get along with Allena and be a little more open the way she has with you, then you need to leave.”

“Who put you in charge?” Lura said.

“I did,” he replied. “Because neither of you seem capable enough of putting your mistrust or your anger aside for long enough to keep Serevar from falling into Imperial hands. You don’t know what the Empire is capable of like I do, you haven’t seen what I’ve seen.” He paused for a second as he began to choke up.

Allena crossed her arms, hurt that someone she trusted and thought trusted her had given her an ultimatum. Lura was annoyed and just wanted to walk away.

“This is more important than all of us,” Tanzik continued. “I’m doing my best to have your backs, but I need to be able to trust you to have each other’s. If you can’t, then who has mine?”

“I don’t need this,” Lura said and brushed past Tanzik.

“But we need you,” he said.

She stopped, a slight pang of sadness shot through her heart. She had never heard anyone say that to her before. She turned around. “No you don’t.”

“Yes. We do. You’re the fastest and most precise person I know. In the courtyard, you took down all the guards even though you were weak. All Allena or I could do was keep them occupied. You’re smart, insightful, and you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. And what we’re doing needs someone like that. Needs you.”

She eyed him suspiciously, trying to gauge his motivation, but the nagging thought scratching at the back of her head told her he was being genuine.

“And Allena, you were one of the only people in Violet Shoals who made me feel welcome, like I could make a home there. And even though you ran from home, you’ve done nothing but put yourself in harm’s way for us ever since you left. You’re brave and selfless like I’ve never seen before, and even if you didn’t know magic, there’s no one else I’d rather have at my back than you.”

Allena blushed fiercely and lowered her head as she brushed her hair back out of her face, crossing her arms tighter as she tried to avoid meeting his piercing grey eyes.

“So stop this. If we’re going to work together, we’re fixing this. Now. And if not, it’s been an honor serving with you. I’ll be at the gate.” He moved toward the door to leave, frustrated with the situation and a little surprised he opened up like that. As he reached for the door, Lura reached out her hand to brush his away from the handle.

“You really feel that way?”

“I do,” he said.

“I know. I… just need to hear you say it. Never really had a friend before so I don’t know how to trust people.”

“Sorry if I’m being harsh, I just have to take this seriously. You don’t know what the Empire has taken from me.”

“Well, I’d like to know. And in return…” She blinked away a tear that began to well in her eyes. “I think I’m in trouble, Tanzik.”

His eyebrows creased with concern. “How bad is it?”

She swallowed and cleared her throat. “Potentially fatal.”