Petr's whimpering continued on the long walk back to their headquarters, Jessamine leading the furious march with Kaid lingering in the back, keeping his distance. Kaid felt his heart ache with slight sympathy, glancing at the completely shattered wrist that was now discolored due to the damage. But for a man to be so provoked to slam his fist into a stranger's guts, presumably due to the man's horrible bias, maybe Kaid shouldn't feel much guilt. Kaid could still feel the residual chills at how easily Jessamine could do such a thing, as if penetrating their mind was easy and even easier to make a man's wrist implode or vomit his own blood.

"Stay here," Jessamine commanded, entering the large stone building. They were in a large courtyard, Kaid noticing many other guards in the area stopping their afternoon activities to see what the commotion was about. All their eyes seemed glued on Jessamine, who no longer wore her head covering upon exiting the city. Whether they were all glued to her beauty, or rarely got the chance to see her here, she certainly had this area at high alert and attention.

"What the fuck was that...was that him? Her? That couldn't have been the Empress," Petr whispered over to Kiev, who didn't seem phased much by the situation. If anything, the young blonde-haired lieutenant looked irritated at the incident, for different means than Jessamine. No doubt these men knew their superior well, and given they were the same age, probably raised together despite the differences of rank.

"Shut. Up," Kiev demanded, glaring at the two men. Petr looked shocked at the reaction, meanwhile the other still stood there silently, his face pale and crossing his arms across his chest as a form of comfort.

They stood there in silence, the rest of the courtyard slowly getting back to their business. Kaid watched as some studied maps in their hands, others sparred each other with practice swords. Kaid was more focused on the sparring, watching the footwork and movement of the trainees. Despite their young age, each movement was precise, and their training well regimented. They were skilled fighters, which only reiterated what Jessamine stated in regards to war: Vitross would win on numbers and their ferocity alone.

While their fighting skills were spectacular, it seems they had other skills necessary to work on as well.

Jessamine walked out, still in a slightly furious stride with a man behind her. He wore nothing but a white training shirt, the v-cut exposing the silver hairs matching his slicked back hair, unlike his son's hair which clung to his ears. By the appearance, age, and wisdom that graced him, this had to be Eden, the commander in charge of the guards. He was smoking a cigar, which only enhanced his relaxed demeanor as it seemed he was a very laid back kind of commander. During war, a man like Eden was reliable for victories, during peacetime however, he was more of a hindrance.

"Sir, please, I can explain everything. It was just a misunderstanding," Petr immediately stepped forward, which changed Eden's behavior to one of serious frustration.

"Lieutenant Kiev, did Petr and Barnett show up for the briefing this morning?" Eden glanced at his son, who straightened up slightly when the conversation was directed towards him.

"No. The two were absent from the briefing which discussed the arrival of the new palace patron: Kaid, along with the new high security measures given their escape from Caladin. I was on my way just now to find them and brief them myself when this incident occurred," he answered simply.

"Where were you two this morning?" Eden snapped his eyes towards the lowly guards. They seemed very hesitant to answer, knowing that they had now missed an important briefing that could have prevented this entire nightmare.

"The uh...we had a late night at The Chivalry. We woke up late and went straight to duty," the other spoke. From the look of Jessamine's unimpressed face, Kaid didn't figure their excuse for being late made it justifiable. If anything, it made their stance look even worse.

"Kaid, I apologize we must be introduced under such circumstances. Will you please describe what happened?" Eden had to turn his attention away from his undisciplined subordinates.

"I purchased this shirt, apologies, I put this shirt on the palace tab, as directed by Empress Jessamine. I believe Petr and the other guard overheard the interaction and proceeded to corner me to start asking questions. They asked my name, which I gave, and due to the lack of a proper last name, I was punched in the diaphragm. For what reason, I cannot say. I was polite and responsive. They then assumed I had stolen not only the shirt, but the ones I wear on my body right now. Lieutenant Kiev then arrived to assess the situation before..." Kaid paused, glancing at that shattered wrist. They all seemed to understand the confrontation was short, as Jessamine had used her Oblivion rather quickly.

"Had we known, we wouldn't have-"

"That seems to be the problem we are overlooking, isn't it?" Jessamine stepped in, her voice slightly taught as she seemed to withhold having to scold the man, "Had you not known he was my delegate, my security detail for the time being, you feel as if it were necessary to beat a man who was being entirely honest to you. If your idea of guarding this city, guarding myself and my ideals, means beating people into interrogation, what do you think my citizens will think?"

"Empress, I assure this incident-"

"This isn't a sole incident, though, is it? Kassandra has told me the statistics of your systematic issue, and now I must tell it to you in person given I don't think you've been listening, Eden. I cannot stand here feeling safe around the men meant to protect me, when I know they are the same people many citizens may fear of running into. This is not the first isolated incident where my guards result in getting answers with their fists and not their words," Jessamine interrupted, "and the system isn't working, is it? Misconduct statistics, robberies, assaults...all still on the rise in the lower districts. Does it sound to me like this system is working?"

"No, Empress, it does not. We have implemented the demerit system for Guards, but you must know that recruitment is low. I cannot expand your safety by removing guards, when there is nobody to take their place."

Kaid didn't have to wonder much why recruiting could be so low at the moment.

"Excellent, let's implement this demerit system then. Three demerits for disorderly conduct and abuse of authority, four demerits for conduct against palace personnel, one demerit for failure to arrive for a security briefing. I do believe that is eight demerits in a season," Jessamine calculated, seeing the two guards eyes widen, "I do believe there is a cap at ten demerits a season. I hope for your sake, Eden, this is their only incident so far."

"No, Empress please! You can't do this. I only just started two years ago. I am young, I've made mistakes, but I promise to be on my best behavior. Please, don't you believe in second chances!?" Petr immediately begged, tears streaming from his face, like a child who just got berated by his parents. Kaid wouldn't dare to admit how slightly entertaining it was to see this man, who had used his status as a means of abusing power, to now be on his knees begging the only person capable of saving him. And she was also the only one with the will to doom him.

"Petr has already had four demerits this season. This will strip him of his title, all Guard belongings, and status the position holds," Kiev exhaled slightly, knowing he would be the one to escort his childhood friend away from his livelihood, "Barnett has a single demerit on record, and therefore is totaling at nine demerits. I will be overseeing his patrolling and reporting for the rest of the season, and issue punishment to make sure he is not enabling this kind of behavior ever again."

"Thank you, Kiev," Jessamine spoke, this time much more calmly and grateful that at least Eden's son had a good head on his shoulders. While he could always be a bit of a quiet one, Jessamine did appreciate his extreme discipline in following policy. Eden, on the other hand...Jessamine couldn't wait until he decided to retire. But knowing the man, he would refuse a retirement if he knew Jessamine desired it. Eden was one of the few outspoken among the Council that was not pleased at her coronation.

Petr's attitude shifted upon realizing there was nobody here to support his mistake. Kaid felt like stepping in, given he did believe in second chances, perhaps keeping him at nine demerits like the other guard...and then he opened his mouth again.

"Seriously, Kiev? You're going to let this spoiled bitch just walk all over you and tell you what you can and can't do?! How hypocritical, from a woman who's entire reign exists upon power grabs and murdering innocents. When Vitross finds out the fraud that you are, the only worth you'll have left is being a tight whore for some rich man to fuck!" His fear now turned into the desperation of insults, as if getting the last horrible word across would solve his problems, if not make it worse.

At that, Kaid tensed up from the insults, feeling his own fist ball slightly, his thumb tightly tucking underneath his palm. But he soon quickly felt a wave of calmness, wondering if Jessamine was the one pushing such emotions, or just his conscience kicking in. The more he learned about Jessamine, the harder it was to distinguish his thoughts from what could be her own.

"Must I break the other wrist too?" Jessamine replied coyly, glancing at the healthy wrist still cupping the damaged one, "I'd advise you to pay a visit to Cadize, but seeing as you're no longer a guardsmen, you've lost that privilege. And if you had stopped paying for whores, pretending under the fantasy that they're me, you would be able to afford to pay Cadize to fix that wrist. I know for certain you can't afford to fix both wrists."

Petr's lips twitched, embarrassment and shame overcoming his desperate rage to end this on his terms. But he knew at the moment, and he should've known from the very beginning that this would never end on his terms. To pick a battle with Jessamine was a death sentence, both figuratively and literally.

The amount of blackmail that resided in that woman's head was horrifying. Yet, Kaid believed the only way these power hungry, selfish, and demeaning me would ever learn would be through thorough embarrassment. Just like in Caladin, sometimes wrists needed to be shattered, their illusion of power broken, before they realized they are just like everyone else.

"I will escort him off the premises," Kiev spoke, nodding at his father and the Empress before grabbing his former colleague by the arm to drag him out of there. This time, he went without much of a fuss, still clutching that poor limp limb. Barnett took the moment to bow his head as well, a silent apology before dismissing himself as well. He was lucky to still be wearing that sword at his hip.

Eden sighed, taking another whiff of that cigar before turning to Jessamine, "Now that is another man I will need to replace."

"Quality over quantity, Eden," she reminded him, which caused him to slightly grunt.

"Kaid, would you be interested in becoming a Guard? You seem like a strong lad," Eden asked, which seemed to surprise both Kaid and Jessamine. From the surprise on her face, it looked like a terrible idea.

"I...I suppose I haven't exactly thought of it. I haven't exactly settled just yet in Vitross. Though, I must admit, your training looks quite extensive and interesting," Kaid spoke, knowing he was interested in getting to know more about it. He definitely was not interested in the political schematics that seemed to be going on here, but he had a feeling that he could learn a thing or two here. Besides, if Jessamine truly needed a Guardian, Kaid would need to learn how to use a sword.

"Well, feel free to stop by anytime if you would like to join us. Consider it an apology on my end for today's incident. Should you ever wish to attend training, we meet here every morning at dawn. We'd fit you right in and could use someone like you. I heard extensively of your assistance in Caladin. Lady Jessamine was lucky to have you," Eden bragged slightly, as if already wanting to recruit another young soul into this place. Kaid had to admit he would be a bit out of his league. He was older than these young men here, never touched a blade before, but it may just give him a slight upper hand at impressing Jessamine.

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

"I will have to think about it," Kaid didn't reject the proposal just yet.

A familiar, unwanted presence entered the courtyard that seemed to have everyone on high alert. Payne walked confidently, his stride aggressive but not extravagant. He always walked with a purpose, but never looked to be in a rush. He would've blended in with the surroundings if Kaid hadn't sensed the uneasiness caused by his horrible presence.

"Shit," Jessamine whispered, just loud enough for Kaid to hear. There goes keeping that secret of going into the city not escorted.

"Thank you Eden, I will take it from here," Payne smiled deviously, Eden eager to remove himself from this drama and go back to finishing his cigar. Kaid at the moment wished he knew how to smoke just to get out of this situation too.

"Spare me the criticism and briefings, I know what you're about to say," Jessamine spoke before he could get the first word, "I needed a break after Caladin. I don't need to explain my decisions to you."

"I'll remember that for when a reckless decision gets you killed, and I'll have to berate your corpse," Payne retorted, which made Kaid tilt his head in frustration. How he got away with speaking to her like that, Kaid wouldn't know. But it seemed to shut Jess up very briefly.

"The fault is mine. I requested a tour of the city and she happily obliged," Kaid corrected, in which both Payne and Jess stared at him with narrowed, frustrated eyes. Payne didn't like the fact that Kaid stepped in, which became an excuse for her negligent behavior. Jessamine didn't like the fact Kaid would lie for her, and so much without hesitation.

"Vitross's security is under scrutiny after the notorious escape from Caladin, and the Empress decides to spend the afternoon strolling the city because her rescuer asked for it. How charming..." Payne almost wanted to roll his eyes, "I need to speak with you, alone, Kaid."

That surprised Kaid, given he didn't want to be anywhere alone with this man. He didn't trust Payne, and never would. Kaid also didn't trust himself around Payne. The man had completely violated his thoughts, his very body to obtain information. Then again, did that make him so different from the woman who stood beside him?

Jessamine said nothing but did offer Kaid a glance, one that spoke of staying out of trouble as she walked away towards the courtyard entrance, waiting for their conversation to finish. Jessamine knew by now that if Payne requested to speak to someone, he wanted it to be alone. But she wouldn't dare walk away out of sight, knowing the last time these two were in a room together, Kaid's lungs were full of more water than capable of handling.

"She will not appreciate you taking the blame for her. I do not need your dishonesty, Kaid, it means nothing to me and only reestablishes my low opinion of you. A word of advice: do not enable her behavior. The woman you met in Caladin is not the same Empress that stands before you. This empire's entire survival depends on hers. I will not allow some foreign newcomer to come in and start changing things and making my work harder," Payne said assertively, almost on the verge of berating, "I will do whatever it takes to protect her. If you ever give me a shred of doubt you will be the death of this empire, death of her, I will end you before she can even plead your innocence. I know everything there is to know about you, Kaid. I don't need to infiltrate your mind to know you admire her.

"Do not distract her. Stay out of our affairs, find a hobby. Read those thousands of books, fuck a million whores, I don't care. You stay out of her way, you stay out of my way, and you do your own thing. You may contort the natural order of time to your will, but if you even think about violating the order of how this empire is run, I will make you regret that you ever shocked me with that damn stick. Do I make myself clear?"

Kaid felt he could only say one thing, and that was the answer he needed to hear. Kaid didn't need to give Payne another reason to hate or despise him, let alone be berated like this for all to see. Kaid needed to keep his composure and understand where Payne was coming from. He was from a whole other world, where he never had control, and now he was in one where it felt like freedom was at his fingerprints. The world had limits, this empire had limits, and so did Jessamine. Respecting those boundaries, for now, ensured Kaid could be left off Payne's watchlist.

The mention of the shockstick surprised Kaid, but he didn't dare to express it. So, it was true. He had reversed time for a split second but it did not reverse his memory. He couldn't just control time, but pull it backwards into his bidding. It was something he had never done before, yet at that moment, it felt like he had done it with the confidence of doing it hundreds of times. Vitross wasn't the only thing new he would have to learn and understand. There was plenty about himself he still needed to know.

"I understand," Kaid nodded, staring the man directly in the eyes. If a man could be so full of hate, violence, and power, it would be him. However, if Jessamine still put her trust in him, Kaid had to acknowledge that. This man had been here for quite some time, and despite whatever happened to get Jessamine in power, he was resilient in wanting to keep her there. Kaid would have to withhold judgment until he figured out whatever happened. He just had to keep following Cadize's advice.

"Excellent. Glad we can understand each other," Payne spoke, his hand reaching to grip Kaid's shoulder, his thumb tightly digging into his collarbone, "I get the feeling you and I will get along very well."

By very well, he meant hardly ever having to speak to each other. That was something Kaid could actually agree on. One thing was for certain, though, Kaid wasn't just going to sit back and decay here. If Jess needed his help, asked for it, needed a break from her duties, or someone to talk to, he would not deny her that.

What Payne was saying was to avoid even thinking about being her Guardian, and right now, Kaid was very damned certain he should at least consider it, all out of spite for Payne, and out of friendship for Jessamine.

Kaid and Jessamine walked back quietly, walking up the long steps which were almost getting Kaid out of breath. It was just another nudge that maybe he should be training, gain endurance and strength, since walking these stairs seemed to give slight annoyance to his lungs. It also could have been that today had been a very long day, and perhaps his body needed rest. Still, there was nothing better than getting his heart racing and blood pumping after the grievances he faced today. It helped to clear his mind, only slightly.

"I do not want you ever covering or lying for me like that," Jessamine spoke, irritation laced in her voice. It was clear she was very serious about it. It was a boundary she was quick to establish and she didn't want Kaid overstepping it. Maybe she was just an independent soul, one who wanted things done her way and mostly done herself, which was highly likely. But Kaid was wondering if there was more to it than that.

"I know," he nodded, knowing Payne had already told him the same thing just in another manner, "I was only trying to help, after you helped me."

"You must understand: if you lie for me, lie to the wrong person about me, that puts you in danger. The less ships in my storm, the better," she reminded him. She seemed to be repeating what Payne had stated, perhaps just in a nicer way. Payne said it to protect her, and she was saying the same to try and protect him. Jessamine had enemies, and the closer Kaid got to her, he'd become a target too.

Jessamine knew by now that someone could try and use Kaid to get to her. She liked to be in control of leverage, and with Kaid, that control was slipping away the more time spent with him.

A silence brewed for a moment as they got to the top, Jessamine taking the moment to glance over the darkened city covered by the gray clouds, the way the blackness of the sea reflected the minimal sunlight trying to breach through. It really was a beautiful place, and what seemed to be filled with beautiful people too. Jessamine cared for her home, cared for the people here. But this place also had a darkness to it too, and Kaid could only hope it wasn't infectious.

"I never asked, are you alright?" Jessamine finally looked over at him, the hardened tone and face from earlier now relaxed as she seemed the faintest worried about him.

"Yes. I've been hit harder than that. Not entirely sure if it was worth a completely destroyed wrist," Kaid glanced back at her, letting her know that he would've been fine with a less severe punishment. Kaid was so used to no accountability, he wasn't sure how to feel about the severity of her decisions. However, it seemed this wasn't the first incident to grace an innocent person.

"A man believes his thoughts to be the safest of all places because they believe it to be untouchable. It is the one, true space a person can reside in without judgment, because men like that will never judge themselves accordingly. In the darkness of our thoughts is where we can be. Not be who we aren't, but be our true selves," she spoke from experience, "sometimes we all need a reminder every once in a while that there has to be something to keep us in check, or someone, other than the phony religions people use as an excuse for their inner thoughts and actions. I didn't shatter it because he punched you...I did it because of what he thought of you."

Kaid took the moment to think of her response. It was a weight tied to her ankle. Her mind craved the answers and secrets of others, but it withered her soul in the same process. How many vile things did she have to hear, over and over again, before she lost her mind? What kind of things was Petr thinking of that deserved such wrath, especially in regards to him?

"How do you do it? How can you know for sure that their thoughts are fact? What if you only caught a glimpse of an idea, or their character?" Kaid asked, not accusing her by any means. She didn't seem the type to break a man's wrist, make Caladin guards slit their own throats, if she didn't have a wider picture of reality.

"Well, how do you do it? Control time?" Jessamine asked in return, her own curiosity getting to her. Oblivion all stemmed from the same point of origin. No matter the kind of power or belief, it worked similarly in all beings that possessed it. Oblivion was a whisper heard inside a storm. Those who learned to listen for it unlocked its true potential.

"I...I suppose it speaks to me. I always thought that maybe I felt safe when I was able to control time, so anytime I remotely sensed danger I reached out to it. Whether I reach for it, or it reaches for me, it's all the same pull of the unknown. It can come as easily as snapping my fingers. Once you learn how, you don't have to think about the action, it just happens."

"You're not the only one it speaks to. At the beginning it was uncontrollable. I had to be in everyone's thoughts, in their heads to feel like I truly understood them. I wanted to know their feelings, motives, motivations, everything that made someone tick. And then one day I made a mistake, I took it too far by wanting everything I could possibly get from one person. It backfired. The best of people is that thin line, the in between of who a person shows themselves to be and what they think. I focused on everything outside that line instead of within, and with practice, it eventually came naturally. Instead of sifting through the dull sands of people's thoughts, fantasies, or aspirations, I can find their core drive: the cornerstone that holds it all together. Only then, do the other things begin to make sense.

"I saw Petr's withering, decaying cornerstone the second I entered his fragile mind. Everything else came easier: his lust for power and control, his bigoted thoughts and desires, and his sexual fantasies that view women as an object rather than an individual of affection. Hopefully, this moment will completely collapse his cornerstone and he will be forced to make a new one. I can only hope, for his sake, he creates a better one."

Kaid thought for a moment, fascinated just how complex Oblivion could be. It was more than just magical powers. It entangled with the every invisible fabric of humanity to create this grand picture nobody could see. The only way to try and understand it was to hone in his own Oblivion, and hope not to lose himself in the process.

"Is it bad to ask what my cornerstone is? Or will that affect the way it's built?" Kaid asked curiously, wondering what Jessamine saw when she reached for that tiny place his core beliefs and purpose was held.

"You don't have one. That's what interested me the most about you," she answered, seeing the slight surprise on his face, "it's not a bad thing. If I had known you to lean towards a corrupt soul, I wouldn't have asked you to help me escape. You had very kind, optimistic thoughts for someone in prison; it felt like poetry to me. Still feels like that to me, your thoughts being a burst of fresh air in a toxic wasteland. Only now, I hear it from your lips and not from your mind."

"Is it safe to assume there is always time to change and adapt my nonexistent cornerstone?"

"It is. The best people are the ones constantly strengthening and building it. You will build yours within your own time, and given you can control that, I think it will be sometime soon," she smiled softly, looking back over at the view.

To Kaid, it felt like he would never get used to the view, like a new beginning. For Jessamine, she knew it was a view she wouldn't see for quite some time. There was plenty of work to be done. Her accomplishments would come at the cost of having to separate from the man beside her, for the time being. And maybe with how Kaid would hold time as his hostage for his own safety, she was beginning to cling to him for her own.

It was a dangerous precedent to fall prey to, and for whatever reason, Jessamine couldn't convince herself against it.

"Thank you, for letting me give you a show of the place. I think I needed a moment to reevaluate what makes this place home, to me and so many others. I hope one day you can call this place home too," she whispered softly, moving close to grip his hand, squeezing it tightly for the briefest of moments before letting go.

"Thank you for escaping your duties momentarily to do so. I think I learned more from you than I would have Bridger, that's for sure," Kaid couldn't help but return that infectious smile, "I hope I didn't keep you away from anything important."

"No, not for too long. In this very moment, this was important," she replied, leaning close and the softness of her lips met his jaw, just above the freshly shaven beard that momentarily pricked her fair skin. The soft kiss felt like just a glimpse of a second, and Kaid was too stunned in the moment to freeze time and savor it. Maybe not every moment called for time to stop.

Jessamine walked away, not wanting to say anything else and hoped the action alone could somehow thank him for all he had done in the past forty-eight hours, and everything else beforehand. She couldn't thank him enough for getting her out of there in one piece but also giving her the peace afterwards.

Kaid had been rescued from that wretched prison known as Caladin, with her slight assistance. Jessamine was beginning to think maybe she had been the one needing the rescue instead.