Kaid adjusted his winter long coat, the ferocious wind flapping it around as he walked through the Courtyard of the Guards. Training outside was hampered given the fast blowing winds and rain, so most of them were either training indoors or avoiding it altogether. This type of weather primarily kept everyone indoors, citizens, merchants, and guards alike. Kaid actually enjoyed the weather, despite being on the verge of drowning in it. He did however hate how the rain curled his black hairs when excessively damp. He walked inside Kiev's office, but not before scraping off any excess water or mud from his boots.

"Kaid, I thought you'd be getting ready for your travels," Kiev stood from his desk, strewn with papers and nautical maps. He was assisting in the travel plans to Arilla as well, more logistics if anything as he would stay put here to keep things in line. He had to handle them because Kassandra was relieved from her duties for the time being.

Kaid and Kiev still respected one another silently. Neither spoke of the duel played into their hands, neither rubbed the salt of victory or loss into each other's wounds. If anything, Kiev was almost glad Kaid had won. He was enjoying his new position and things had improved drastically with his takeover. While he still had slight doubts about Kaid as a Guardian, it seemed Jessamine favored her Caladin partner well...too well. But that's none of his business. He was secretly glad as well that Jessamine was turning things around for the better and maybe that had to do with Kaid.

"I wanted to speak with Payne before taking off and heard he was training here," Kaid spoke, "Jessamine prefers to take control of the packing, anyways."

"She likes to take control of everything," Kiev replied, not negatively, "you sure you want to speak with Payne? You two were practically at each other's throats at the last Council of Jurors."

How could he forget? It had been two months since Christine was taken and Payne wasn't getting far into that investigation, which only hampered everyone's spirits and moods here. Kassandra was practically on the verge of dropping everything and canvassing the entire continent for her. Payne insisted everyone needed to focus on their own duties, and he'd focus on finding the Royal Seamstress. Kaid knew Payne worked in the shadows, so he must know something, but he wasn't working fast enough. Christine might not even be alive at this point. But he wasn't here to talk with Payne about that.

"It should be a quick discussion, nothing more," Kaid answered, seeing Kiev nod hesitantly. He doubted that, but it wasn't his business. Not everyone got along with Payne, then again, the only one who did was Bridger but they were more acquaintances rather than friends. Kiev doubted anyone could really get along with Payne in terms of friendship.

"He's in the padded room, sparring some idiotic Guard thinking he could take him," Kiev scoffed, "just be careful, Kaid."

"I will, thank you Kiev," Kaid nodded, knowing he wasn't one for being careful anyways. Strange how in Caladin, everything felt calculated, that he felt in more control of himself and could be as careful as he liked. Here, everything was much more volatile.

Kiev had been right as Kaid walked into the padded sparring room, seeing Payne, shirtless and grappling a poor Guard squirming on the floor, banging his hand down multiple times to tap out and surrender. Payne released his arm around his throat, a devilish smile on his face, tongue tasting the sweat of his victory. That smile faded upon seeing Kaid, the Royal Investigator standing up, but not before kicking at the Guard in the ass.

"Get out, and don't ever attempt to fight me again. I'd have better training wrestling a mouse," he spat, reaching for his black shirt. Kaid didn't notice until now just how many scars he possessed. His pale skin was littered in them, of various sizes, shapes, and colors. Of course the one that always stood out was the burn across his face, a constant reminder to Kaid. Whether or not he'd know the truth, he wouldn't know. He supposed it didn't matter in a time like this.

"Good morning," Kaid spoke, seeing Payne roll his eyes.

"Spit it out, Kaid," he retorted, not interested in politeness.

Straight to the point, how Payne always was.

"Something has been on my mind for some time. When the incident and investigation with Lilah proceeded, you mentioned you looked through Caladin records for the man that killed her parents. I don't know how you got the information, but you got it from somewhere or someone. I want to know if there's any information on me," Kaid explained. Kaid knew Payne would be busy after this Arillian visit, trying to hunt Christine's captives down. This might be his only chance to ask, to get his information out there. It was poor timing, of course, but it was constantly on the back of his mind. Caladin always was and always would be.

"The Royal Seamstress has been taken captive, you have an important delegation with Arilla this weekend one that could tip the scales of war and alliances...and you're selfishly asking about your Caladin records?" Payne asked, almost accusing him.

Of course Payne would dig at Kaid's insecurity: his selfishness. Was it really selfish? He couldn't answer that for himself and would need to ask an unbiased person, but he felt he'd never know the answer. Why was it any time he asked for something he wanted, something that seemed small, it was thrown in his face as out of character? Kaid had nothing his whole life and felt all he was asking now were simple answers to the burning question in his mind.

"Caladin has records, yes. Why wouldn't they? If they were smart after your escape they would've burned and destroyed all records of you," Payne continued, noticing Kaid's silence, "What is it you're interested in?"

Kaid shrugged slightly, "Everything."

"Come on, Kaid, I need a bit more from you than that."

"I just want to know why. Why would an eight year old boy be sent there? Who would want him there?" Kaid tried to explain.

"Ah...I see," Payne nodded, "you think the answer will change anything? Ever wonder if it was best you don't know the answer?"

"I beg your pardon?" Kaid asked, clenching his jaw.

"You think yourself to be this grand hero, don't you? You rescue an Empress, pull her away from the very hell hole you decided to reside in for thirty years. You become her Guardian by a stroke of luck, you sleep in her bed fucking her every night-"

"That is none of your concern," Kaid bristled, seeing Payne smile, knowing that fact got under his skin.

"It has every concern I need to be involved with. It would be wise not to interrupt me again. You think you can do all those things, have all this power...and it means you're important? Important to this grand illusion designed by Lungor and associates? You're a nobody, Kaid. Your parents were nobody of value, probably war vagabonds, refugees who sold you for a penny. When they didn't know who to give you to, they threw you in the best orphanage they knew. Caladin saved your life, Kaid, prevented the calamity of an unknown childhood. Look at the place as a miracle, not damnation."

"My gods, there is no ounce of love in you, is there?" Kaid asked, feeling his fist tighten into a ball. How could anyone think of Caladin as a place of saving?

"There will always be a need for people like me, Kaid. Decisions need to be made, tough ones that nobody else even wants to get close to touching, let alone make. Maybe one day I was as high spirited as you, always so optimistic, but then life always hits harshest with reality. The second you come to terms with the fact you can't save everyone, the better off you'll be, the less mistakes you will make. And you've made plenty, my boy."

"Is that what you told yourself when you couldn't save Emperor Kristoff?" Kaid beckoned, not realizing the weight behind his words. Payne's words always struck like daggers, Kaid never really able to return the favor, obtain leverage. But somehow, his words hit Payne harder than Kaid intended. It wounded him, deeply. Kaid saw a flash of anger, resentment, and guilt in the man's dark eyes, not a single blink in them.

Kaid knew Payne had been the Emperor's Guardian but he always questioned how he could stand before Jessamine, knowing she was the one responsible for his death. Did he have no choice? Was it better to hold that secret close to his chest for the sake of the Empire? Or were there ulterior motives, like there always were for Payne? No matter the answer, Kaid knew his words struck much harder than daggers, more like being impaled by a spear.

"You know what, Payne? Forget I asked. I think there's only one selfish person in this room and it isn't me," Kaid shook his head, feeling the residual drops of rain water shake away, "rot away in your darkness like a corpse for all I care."

"Like you were asking as if it were a favor, Kaid. Favors are done amongst colleagues, and we both know we don't fit that criteria," Payne retorted, picking up his sword, "and I did answer your question, you were just too stupid and caught up in your emotions to notice. I always like to get to know my subjects before I torture them. Best of luck in Arilla, I've done what I can, the rest is up to Jessamine, given I don't see you being any help."

Of course he'd like to be the one to get the last little dig. Egotistical prick, Kaid thought. Kaid didn't see a need for the conversation any longer and knew he had to move his mind forward, towards Arilla. Jessamine needed his support and he had to stop thinking in the past. He'd deal with Payne again whenever they had to see each other again. Perhaps some distance would do them both some good.

"Oh, before you go," Payne spoke as Kaid was inches from the door, "does it ever make you wonder?"

"Wonder what?" Kaid grunted, not having time for this.

"If you had finished that Trial faster, if you hadn't hesitated...you think you could have saved her? Saved Mara?" Payne asked, delighted mockery in his dark eyes like laughter amongst shadows. Kaid's own eyes darkened slightly, knowing if he didn't leave this room now, a fight would ensue. And if a fight happened, someone wouldn't be leaving this room alive. Kaid postponed the inevitable, letting Payne have this minor victory for now, because overtime it might be the last one he'd get.

The truth was still hidden. Did those words only confirm what Kaid believed to be true, or that Payne indeed read every bit of information about Kaid that was in that file?

Jessamine walked in the steam filled bathroom, feeling the sway of their traveling ship hitting a wave on open water that caused her to lean slightly against the doorframe. She slid the straps off of her nightgown, stepping away from it as she grabbed a towel to add on top of Kaid's. Jessamine admired Kaid's naked silhouette through the steam clouded glass doors before knocking gently, removing him from his morning trance. Kaid opened the door for her, a slight smile on his lips at the fact she'd be joining him. She returned the smile, eagerly stepping in close, skin touching, fingers immediately finding a limb or warm place to grasp out of love.

"Are you alright? You seem distant," Jessamine observed quietly, letting the shower soak her hair which only darkened from the hot water.

"Just...thinking about Christine, hoping she's alright," Kaid answered, knowing there was a lot that weighed heavily on his heart at the moment as they sailed to Arilla. But there were things he didn't want to tell her, not because of trust, but because she already had enough weight on her shoulders.

"She is, she's much stronger than you think. Killing her would mean war. We haven't received ransom yet, but surely they will leverage her for something," Jessamine nodded, her hand resting on his chest, "you did everything you could."

"It should've been me, they played no part in this," Kaid disagreed harshly, Jessamine seeing the pain and guilt in his eyes.

"Kaid, I say this objectively as an Empress, not as your lover, not as Christine's friend...but if they had taken you, with all that you know, it would've been disastrous. Christine was the best of the three that knew little about our policies and strategies. I do not value your life higher than hers, my love, but when it comes to politics and intelligence, you were the bigger target. And if you had been taken..."

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

She fell silent at that, not even imagining the possibilities. The thought of it hurt, dreadfully. No doubt it hurt less than what Kassandra was feeling right now, still recovering from her injuries and the loss of her lover. But it was the type of pain Jessamine knew only fed the very darkness she was desperately trying to fight, to get rid of. If they had taken him, she would have released fury upon this continent.

"How do you stop Blockers?" Kaid asked, wondering what he could've done to prevent this. And given Jessamine's pained look, it was best to alter the conversation slightly.

"Cutting their heads off is a good start," Jessamine bit her lip, "They're rare. Very rare. Payne was looking for one to recruit but fell short. Just like mind witches, when they're powerful and know what they're doing, they're deadly. They tip the balanced scales in their favor. It's what Lungor wants. They want to rule without Oblivion, keep their subjects in line. Yet they keep Blockers by their side to do their biddings."

"Hypocritical," he sighed, closing his eyes slightly as he felt Jessamine soaking his skin with soap, "just like Caladin."

"Is that something you wish to talk about as well, that's bothering you?" she asked delicately, fingers tangling gently into his chest hair before moving to glide the soap across his biceps. Kaid wondered at that moment if she was reading his mind or his face. By now they knew each other very well, capable of reading each other's expressions without use of Oblivion. They could tell when the other was upset, bothered, or perhaps excited about something. Jessamine had promised from the very start she wouldn't use it against him, but if he never could tell, what difference did it make?

"I asked Payne if he knew anything about my files, about me," Kaid admitted, almost shamefully.

Jessamine got on her toes, kissing his lips gently, "It's okay, darling. Don't be ashamed to look into that past, it's normal. What did he say?"

"I'm a nobody. I expected that. I just thought maybe he'd have a name, some kind of direction to look into. I feel like the longer I go without knowing why, the more I just want to go to that place and burn it down," he whispered.

"You are not a nobody, Kaid. I don't know about your parents or your family," she swallowed slightly, "but you're not a nobody, you're a very extraordinary man. And I will be there, Kaid, by your side the day you decide to burn that place to the ground. I promise. I won't let you go through that alone. Just like we escaped together, we can give them hell if you want me there. I know it's something you might want to do alone, but you don't have to. You don't ever have to be alone anymore."

Kaid appreciated her support dearly, knowing she would be there the day he asked. If he asked. Perhaps Payne was right and he wouldn't get any answers, but he was still going to search for them. Arilla was a good place to start, given they threw their prisoners into Caladin. They might know something further into its funding or planning or just any kind of insight into the operations.

"Thank you," Kaid whispered, moving closer to her so the water washed all the soap off his skin, Jessamine pressing herself further against him as close as she could be, not letting even the water pass between them, "I just didn't want to bother you, I know you're stressed about this too."

With Kassandra blindsighted from Christine's kidnapping, their little get-together with the Vitross citizens hadn't gone as splendidly as Jessamine hoped. It did enough to soothe ruffled feathers, but not enough to really make the difference she wanted. And now the scales of war were balancing on these accusations. Months ago, she relished in the idea of making Lungor squirm, to pay for the price for what they had done. Now, she just wanted it all to end because too much was at stake.

"Everything will work out, I promise. I know that because I have you on my side," she nodded, kissing him tenderly, feeling him return it, his hands snaking down her torso, gripping her skin softly,

Everything had to work out. The entire Empire, the entire continent was relying on it, relying on them to make things right. To right one's own wrong meant having to acknowledge them in the first place.

Arilla was cold to the bone. Snow had littered the docks and streets after an overnight spell, the entire city of gold splendor covered in white wet debris. Kaid thought it was beautiful, until he felt the burn in his lungs with each breath or the fact that two layers of his warm kaftan hardly did enough to block out the cold. Cadize had stated how lucky they were that the harbor hadn't frozen over, which meant a treacherous walk across freshly formed ice. Despite its cold beauty, Kaid hoped the weather wouldn't play a serious role in their travel here.

Kaid took a sip of the beige bubbly drink, immediately making a face of disgust. Champagne was another drink he'd have to add to his list of disliked beverages. Given the colder weather, he thought they'd be serving hot drinks but everyone here embraced the cold. Women still wore dresses, draped with fur across their necks and shoulders. The cold didn't bother them, and it didn't seem to bother Jessamine either, who wore a teal colored backless dress and no coat on top.

"Still scanning the crowd, I see?" Cadize walked over, adjusting his black suit cuffs. He didn't really look entirely pleased to be at this evening party, but it was all about appearances. Cadize came with to show off his latest investment, which he still claimed to be a secret until tomorrow. Whatever it was, he seemed proud and ready to reveal it to anyone who'd be willing to pay for further research. It was probably what kept him so busy and locked away in solitude these past several months.

Cadize was a good man, a quiet one, but he had good ideas and even better intentions. Kaid wished he'd give more input when it came to their Council of Jurors but he wasn't one to rock the boat, so to speak. Everyone seemed to leave that to Kaid to clash heads with Payne, even Jessamine.

"Can't be too careful. There's a lot at stake," Kaid explained, knowing Jessamine would agree with Cadize. He needed to calm down, to relax. The last time he let his guard down completely, resulted in the loss of his friend, and the chaos of a mess they were in now.

"Assassination attempts have stopped ever since the one at her birthday celebration. I think it's safe to say they are trying alternative measures upon seeing how competent you are as her Guardian. They will go the more political route, you'll see," he explained, hoping to relax his friend. It didn't seem to work much of course.

"What blackmail do we have against them? Besides the possible Confederation being funded by them, do you know of anything that gives us an advantage?" Kaid asked, seeing Cadize look up at him surprised.

"What makes you ask that?"

"Just a feeling. Payne likes dealing with blackmail. We know that Lungor holds Jessamine's past against her with her father, but they didn't declare war outright at the 'injustice'. Vitross hasn't gone to war either, which makes me wonder if Payne knows something that's causing this stalemate," Kaid shrugged, honestly guessing at this point. He hated how politics was just one secret held over another one until finally one weighed heavily enough to make the entire system collapse.

"When we are young, we are taught our actions all have consequences, good and bad. Think of this political spectrum on a more extreme level, there's no friendships to be won against opponents, only consequences. When Lungor realized the threats of revealing Jessamine's 'truth' did not phase her, they went with another consequence. Persephone didn't phase her either, so they kept digging. Perhaps they believed Christine being taken would result in Jessamine avoiding this Arrillian visit altogether. It hasn't. So they will just find another consequence of a decision until it exhausts them," Cadize hummed, taking Kaid's champagne glass as it didn't seem he was drinking it.

"It reeks of desperation. Which makes me wonder just what consequence Lungor created," Kaid clenched his jaw, knowing he was well in over his head.

"I'm afraid that's above my paygrade, yours as well," Cadize smiled, "do try and enjoy the evening, Kaid. As much as we'd both like our noses to be shoved in a book tonight, we have appearances to uphold."

Cadize walked off, probably to get another drink and Kaid knew it was the last he'd speak with the doctor that evening. His social capacity was thin and he probably consumed half of it talking to the Guardian.

Kaid spent the next hour socializing, which was mostly answering the typical question of where he came from before having to suffer listening to these rich bastards complain about something. These people had everything they could ask for at their fingertips and yet still felt miserable. Meanwhile there were people who lived and died on streets as cold as this, who would be desperate for a gold coin these people wouldn't even notice missing from their stuffed pockets.

He also had to refute multiple inquiries for dancing, which he politely declined. If he was to dance tonight, it was only with one person, but she was far too caught up in socializing as well. She wore her mask well, that fake smile on her lips as she interacted with the people around her. Kaid could tell their conversations exhausted her too, but an Empress had to be polite to all individuals. He wondered how she didn't suffer more, having to not only hear their pointless opinions but also their thoughts. Could she hear numerous thoughts at once? Or just one at a time whenever she infiltrated them? Either way it was still a cacophony, bound to give her a headache this evening.

Kaid knew a decent enough cure for that, though.

"You must be Kaid," a polite voice broke his thoughts, Kaid glancing to find a broad, young man with blackstone hair. His skin was a tad lighter than Kaid's, nose just as broad, and eyes a light brown. His attire was different from the rest, neither the Arrillian gold laced suits nor black and white of Vitross. It was a short tailcoat with slight lace at the edge, with pants just above his waist which looked rather uncomfortable. It looked more like a piece of history rather than modern formal attire, but nobody else seemed to notice which made Kaid assume this was normal.

"I am," Kaid straightened up, "and you are?"

"Vrah Bashir, at your service," the man bowed slightly, "what an honor to stand in your presence, no longer in the shadow."

Kaid almost froze at the words, his brain piercing his words together to discover the mystery behind them.

"Emperor Bashir's son," Kaid observed, seeing the young man nod, "I thought you weren't due to arrive until after our visit. Arilla stated they wanted an unbiased inquiry, meaning you'd explain everything once Empress Jessamine did." That's how it was supposed to go. Jessamine and Payne would give their evidence, receive a possible verdict and return home. Lungor would then answer to their attempt to throw her in Caladin, and whatever happened with that would be dealt with later.

"My father thought it was best to arrive a bit earlier, perhaps avoid this mess altogether. I hope it won't cause any issues. All we want is the truth, isn't it?" he smiled, genuinely at that. Despite the last name, Kaid didn't really receive any inner gut-wrenching feelings from his presence. Not like his cousin Mattias had upon initial observation.

"Truth is told by the victor with an audience, those willing to listen anyways. I'm not sure how people will listen to someone that will imprison any of its non-aristocratic citizens who use Oblivion into Caladin."

"You've seen the chaos it creates when untouched. The only reason Vitross doesn't do the same is because they'd be entrusted to us. I don't think the ego of Emperor Kristoff was able to come to terms with that. Jessamine neither," he hummed.

"Empress Jessamine," Kaid corrected Vrah.

"Tell me, does the name Al-Yami mean anything to you?" he asked, with such urgency as if it had been what he had been wanting to ask all this time.

"Vrah," Jessamine interjected into the conversation, her hand brushing Kaid's backside as she stepped between the men, "I haven't seen you since you were a toddler. You've grown fairly tall and handsome, I do say."

Vrah seemed surprised at the interruption as well, but not for the same reason as Kaid. Vrah looked awestruck by Jessamine, as if he didn't expect her to look that way. Hell, it was how any new Guard or recruit looked at her whenever she introduced herself. It was if they couldn't believe such a beautiful woman could exist outside a man's feverish dreams. It wasn't a grand surprise to Kaid. It was something Jessamine took advantage of when she could, as she should. But, how the hell did Vrah not know what she looked like, yet spotted Kaid out of the crowd?

"Empress Jessamine, forgive me, had I known you were this beautiful, perhaps my father would've sent me instead of my cousin Mattias," he spoke breathlessly, not realizing the sting behind his words.

"How is that bastard, anyways?" she asked, her smile fading.

"Wouldn't know. We haven't received word since he was sent to your birthday party. I don't know why my father decided to send him instead of myself. Had I been sent, well, I assure things would have gone much differently," Vrah blushed.

"Well, you're here now, aren't you? And a week early, no less," Jessamine observed, "you didn't have to interrogate my Guardian to get my attention."

"I didn't know it would. He's a lovely man by the way, where on earth did you get him?"

He knew very well where Kaid 'spawned' from.

"Very funny," Kaid grunted, not happy to just be standing there and talked down on, "cut to the chase, we both know you're not here for pleasant conversation."

"I was before being interrupted," Vrah sighed, nodding, "my father wants a truce. He wants to establish an off-site meeting, just the two of you, to discuss terms."

Jessamine looked surprised, not expecting that at all. It didn't seem like a trick or ploy to pull her away and lure her into danger. It sounded genuine, very genuine, almost like an acceptance of defeat. Jessamine could avoid war entirely, avoid what she was initiated for. The chaotic symphony that she already had planned for was cut short, and it was up to her to compose something entirely new. The fact she was surprised made Kaid wonder if that was never in her plans at all.

"I assume there will be more terms to this meeting before it even begins. Consider me intrigued," Jessamine nodded, doing her best to hide her surprised expression.

"Yes, but those can be discussed tomorrow. I assume you'll be more interested in what I have to say by the afternoon. Enjoy your evening, please. I only wanted to make introductions tonight. Kaid, it was a pleasure to meet you, same to you, Empress."

"Likewise," Kaid clenched his jaw, seeing him dismiss himself from the conversation. He watched him leave, heading straight to the bar. But Vrah did glance back, noticing Kaid's eyes on him. Kaid didn't glance away until he felt Jessamine lean close, wrapping her hand around his gently.

"What did he have to say?" she asked.

"We didn't get very far in our introductions. But it seems genuine that he is here to call a truce. He hinted at it, only slightly" Kaid answered, glancing over at her, "he seems to fancy you, though."

"Should I ask him to dance?" she smirked, glancing over at her nemesis's son, who was charming but certainly not her type.

"Do that and I think this truce will also end up with a marriage proposal," Kaid snickered, knowing the man had done everything he could to pry his eyes off her. Which only made the interaction more interesting and odd than it should've been.

"Ooh," she feigned disgust, "not sure how to feel about marrying into that family. You're right, it sounds like a dreadful idea. Would you care to dance with me instead? I'm in need of a distraction."

"So am I," he sighed, smiling at her before taking her hand to guide her over to the slightest opening in the ballroom.

Lungor wanted a truce, which meant whatever consequence Jessamine was enforcing was working. They could avoid a total war, perhaps establish trade, dismantle the Confederacy...and if Kaid pushed for it, remove Caladin as well. Maybe things were beginning to change for the better. Or it was just the choices weighed more heavily, and both sides were on the verge of collapsing if this agreement couldn't be met.