Category: Promise to the Magic Heart

This young officer exhibits exceptional potential, the likes of which are rarely encountered in the service. It is through her superior command and tactical acumen alone that this battalion has emerged intact from the recent engagements with the Kingdom Hussars. Lieutenant Ela Madrigal demonstrates an almost uncanny knack for maneuvering the enemy into positions of great disadvantage. This strategic brilliance has afforded her troops the opportunity to vanquish the foe piecemeal or, when circumstances have demanded, to execute a masterful withdrawal in good order. I am unequivocally persuaded of her merits and do most earnestly recommend her advancement to the rank of senior lieutenant. Furthermore, it is my firm conviction that her appointment to my staff would be a boon to our shared cause and an asset of the first order. – Colonel Rael Parn, commander of the Black Rocks Battalion, three days before his death

PALLUS

Princess Illana stormed into the Golden Observatory with Sonya, Pallus, Morelli, and Rin in tow. General Lopanes and his staff snapped to attention, but they shared confused and uneasy looks. Colonel Umbretti, the senior Republican liaison officer, was the only one in the room who looked unperturbed by the sudden appearance of the princess.

“Your highness, I thought you’d taken ill. I’m very pleased to see you’re feeling well enough to join us,” General Lopanes said, walking up to Princess Illana. Rin moved next to the princess, staring at the general with murder in his eyes.

“I believe the rangers were tasked with scouting for the army. Perhaps you should see to that,” General Lopanes said in a dismissive tone.

“The Purists infiltrated my personal guard. The Heroes here as well as Ranger Morelli stopped them before they harmed me,” the princess said.

“Your highness, you can’t believe that the Purists infiltrated the Capitol Army,” General Lopanes protested. “We’ve been out of the city for training for the past several weeks.”

“General, as of right now, everyone who has not proved themselves to me is under suspicion,” Princess Illana said. “I will directly observe your actions to ensure that my city is being properly defended.”

“I understand your highness, but if you insist on being here, perhaps we should also invite the Chancellor and the Suprema,” General Lopanes said.

“If you want to fetch your patron and his partner, then feel free to do so,” the princess said. “You will tell me what is happening in my city now.” The general looked confused as to whether he should be indignant, angry, or frightened by the princess. Pallus walked between the two of them.

“You, inform the Chancellor that his presence is needed,” Pallus ordered one of the junior staff officers. He pointed to another. “You, go ask the Suprema. General, how is the army progressing against the Purists? Do you need the assistance of the volunteers? I’m afraid we’re standing down the Crystal Guard until we can ascertain if there are other traitors among them.” The intervention gave General Lopanes a chance to get his feet back under him. As the son of his patron, Pallus was a desperately needed bridge between the Chancellor and the infuriated princess.

“If you will join me at the viewing crystals?” General Lopanes said, motioning to the large amethysts. “Upon the Capitol Army’s attack, we routed them back through a good segment of the outer city, but they found their backbones and set up a fierce defense at Blom Square.” Pallus swept the crystal across the current battle lines. Most of the Capitol Army was in the square pouring fire into the Purists’ defenses. The Purists clustered their musketeers behind breastworks stretched across the Boulevard of Light. Spear and sword armed Purists kept the Capitol Army from flanking through the side streets. How had they thrown that up so damned fast? It wasn’t there when Rin dragged him off to go rescue Sonya and the princess.

“What are those?” Princess Illana asked, pointing at the center Purist tower. The lattice-work wooden structures reached fifty feet. At least the one in the main Purist camp and the western tower managed to reach that height. The eastern one was burning.

“We don’t know, your highness,” General Lopanes answered.

“I asked Kurt to investigate them,” Pallus asked. “It looks like he took down–” Pallus’s voice died as he saw the smoldering wreck floating in Lisandra Bay. Pallus looked back at Colonel Umbretti. The human gave Pallus a grim nod of his head.

“What’s the matter, Pallus?” Rin asked.

“I asked him to investigate those towers,” Pallus answered. “The fastest way to get to the Purist lines was across the bay on a Republican ship.”

“Sweet Goddess,” Princess Illana breathed, as she saw the wreckage of the Silk Trader. “What happened? How did they do that?”

“We don’t know, your highness,” Colonel Umbretti said, “One moment, the Trader was unleashing its broadside against that tower, and the next it exploded in fire.” The colonel turned to Rin. “I’m sorry, sergeant, but I doubt there were any survivors.” Princess Illana grabbed Rin in a fierce hug and murmured softly to him. He stroked her hair but didn’t show any emotion.

“Kurt’s dead?” asked a weak voice from the stairwell. Marteen staggered into the Observatory with help from Selene and Robar. His shirt was gone, and his chest was covered in bandages. Red splotches where the blood seeped through gave Marteen the look of someone stricken with pox.

“What are you doing here?” Sonya snarled at Marteen before looking up at Selene. “Why did you bring him here?”

“We didn’t bring him here. He came here all on his own. It was either come with the stubborn bastard or let him kill himself by going alone,” Selene answered.

“Sonya, is Kurt dead?” Marteen asked.

“We don’t know,” Rin answered. “I can still feel him in the medallion, but I can’t see how he survived that.” Pallus recoiled from Rin’s matter of fact tone. Rin was always the most passionate of them, even when he was being an idiot. This calm Rin worried Pallus.

“First Ela, now Kurt,” Marteen said, collapsing to the floor. His face was a mixture of fury and sadness. Sonya and Selene were by his side. Robar looked at wife with an impassive face, but there was anger behind the man’s eyes. Pallus was sure his own mirrored Robar’s. Of all the pain Marteen put both women through, why did they always rush back to him the moment he showed any vulnerability?

“Ela’s not dead, Marteen” Rin said.

“What are you talking about?”

“Ela was not killed by the Purists,” Rin said. “She joined them. She’s the Edess Kul.”

“You’re lying!” Marteen bellowed. He tried to stand up, but Sonya and Selene managed to force the swordmaster back to the ground. “It’s impossible! Ela wouldn’t do something like this! She wouldn’t kill so many innocent people!”

“She tried to kill me. Or don’t you remember that night?” Princess Illana asked, coolly. Marteen stared at the princess as if she just slapped him. Sonya and Selene glared at the princess. Pallus cleared his throat and waited as everyone looked over at him.

“Marteen, this battle feels like one of Ela’s traps on a much larger scale,” Pallus said, “Jevin always said Ela was the best tactician he’d ever seen.” Pallus turned to General Lopanes.

“Sir, I recommend we bring the rest of the Capitol Army through the gates as fast as possible. We’ll need them to deal with whatever Ela springs on us.”

“Yes, of course,” General Lopanes said, “Major Hikoy, get through the gate and tell Colonel Malliey to execute Case Dark.” The major saluted and sprinted out of the room.

“Case Dark?” Princess Illana asked.

“It’s a plan to quickly mass the Capitol Army back into Lisandra as well as any Frontier Army or noble levies we can get our hands on,” the general explained. The old elf looked over at Colonel Umbretti and smiled. “We planned it in case of an invasion from one of the human nations.”

“I will politely not comment,” Colonel Umbretti said.

“General! The towers!” shouted a lieutenant. Everyone looked out at the towers. Pallus didn’t see anything.

“Why are they glowing?” Princess Illana breathed. Pallus looked harder at the center tower. Yes, there was a very faint glow surrounding the tower. The lieutenant must have very good eyes to pick it out.

“What are you talking about?” Rin asked.

“Rin, can’t you see the glow?” Princess Illana asked, “It’s almost as bright as the sun.” Rin shook his head.

“Your highness, I only see a very faint glow around the towers,” Pallus said. Several of the others agreed. The humans and one of the staff officers couldn’t see the glow.

“Interesting,” Robar said.

THROOM!

Pallus heard just an instant of the incredible sound before his hearing was reduced to ringing. It was worse than when Rin fired off his damned guns. For a moment, Pallus thought he was blind as well, until Rin struck one of those new matchsticks. The small flame lit up the Observatory. Pallus felt relieved that he wasn’t blind when he realized the Observatory was completely dark – in the middle of the day.

Then came the screaming. As lamps were lit, Pallus saw Selene on the floor screaming and thrashing, her dark eyes filled with terror. Sonya and Marteen were by her side trying to soothe her. Pallus saw their lips moving, but their voices were too low to hear. Robar, to Pallus’s surprise, was not next to his wife. Instead, he was walking around the Observatory studying the walls. Everyone, from the veteran army officers to the lowly stewards, looked somewhere between scared and uneasy. Even the humans looked worried.

“And the trap is sprung,” Pallus said.

Be it hereby declared and ordained, that no practitioner of the magical arts shall dare or presume to employ the lifeblood of any living creature in the casting or working of enchantments, spells, or other conjurations. For such an act grievously transgresses the natural order, mingling the sacred essence of life with arcane forces, thereby diminishing the immortal soul of the victim, rendering it incomplete and maimed in the life to come. Whosoever shall be discovered in willful breach of this solemn prohibition shall forthwith suffer the gravest penalties. The offender shall incur immediate and irreversible excommunication from the Grace of the Goddess of Light. Thereafter, the said transgressor shall be subject to summary execution, and their mortal remains shall be desecrated as a sign and warning unto all who might entertain similar abominations. – Inscription found inside the ruins of the Liopasto

ELA

Tyrell followed Ela to where their fellow Acolytes were waiting for them. Surrounding the Acolytes were the sixty members of the Faithful. Half wore red armbands while the rest wore black. Ela protested the colors. The Red and the Black were Cull’s minions – and they failed to stop the others from rescuing the bitch. Palin argued the link to Cull was important. The former cleric failed, but his failure brought the rise of the Purist movement. The others agreed with Palin, and Ela trusted her friends’ judgement. These friends wouldn’t betray her.

“Everything is assembled, Tyrell,” Tanus said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes. It is time to finish this.” The group split as Tyrell and Tanus walked across the Purist camp to the base of the ruined tower. Tyrell assured her the towers were helpful, but not critical to their plans. She knew he was lying. Well, not lying exactly. More the reassurance one gives a lover that everything will be fine when a new obstacle arises. She trusted him that he could still do what needed to be done.

Just in front of the ruined tower was a square about ten feet on a side drawn into the ground. Standing inside the square were four naked men. From their tattoos, they were early members of the Purist movement. These men were who could be trusted to be loyal, but not with any real responsibility. They were perfect for this part of the plan.

Amar stepped into the square and drew the Gray Dagger. Ela recoiled involuntarily as the blade came out. The ancient weapon was one of the artifacts Tanus brought back from his time wandering the Badlands. He said that one morning he woke up with the Gray Dagger lying beside him, wrapped in parchment explaining its purpose. If the parchment was to be believed, the Gray Dagger was created by human sorcerers during the Daemon War to amplify the humans’ magic and turn the daemons’ magic against them. Amar already proved the dagger’s capabilities by using it to destroy that human ship. Amar walked up to the first man.

“Thank you for your sacrifice,” Amar said. He whipped the Gray Dagger across the man’s throat. Amar grabbed the man, holding him up as the blood poured down his chest. Tyrell and Tanus held their hands up to the gash and cupped some in their hands. They walked to one side of the square, chanted in barely audible tones. They dribbled the blood in the dirt. As they did, the blood thickened into what looked like a red cable. Satisfied, Tyrell and Tanus turned back to Amar. He walked to the next man and repeated the sacrifice. To their credit, none of the sacrifices flinched or cried out as the Acolytes harvested their blood and lives.

Once the square was outlined with red, Tyrell, Tanus, and Amar joined Ela and the others outside the square. Wiping his bloody hands on the Gray Dagger, Tyrell pointed at one corner of the square. The red line smoldered. It reminded Ela of one of those fuses on the human cannon. Such a small bit of fire for such a large event.

“The ritual is now in motion,” Tanus said, “It is time for us to go into the city for the purification of the Crystal Blood.” The Faithful kneeled as Tanus and Tyrell chanted again. The world around them shimmered as the spell took effect. The Acolytes gathered in front of the kneeling Faithful. Ela stepped in front of her friends. She motioned for the Faithful to stand.

“You have your orders,” Ela told the gathered Faithful. “Move silently and swiftly into the city. Once on Aponte Hill, we will find our brothers who have secured the Crystal Blood. Then we will purify her. By this time tomorrow, we will be setting the empire on a new path to regain its soul.” The Faithful kept their stoic masks, but Ela saw the gleam in their eyes.

“Faithful, follow me.”

Of the three gods said to preside over the intelligent races, it is the Goddess of Light who stands out as the most visible, the most tangible force in the daily lives of Her followers. Her presence is unmistakable; She empowers Her clerics with Grace to heal, comfort, and perform works in Her name. It’s small wonder, then, that the elves—so enamored as they are with Her divine constancy—find themselves baffled by humanity’s peculiar allegiance to the Protector. For unlike the radiant and ever-present Goddess, the Protector embodies the very essence of absent governance. No flashes of Grace here, no divine interventions – just a handful of scripture and a heavy reliance on human interpretation to muddle through. And yet, what truly complicates matters is the dwarves. Ah, the dwarves and their God of Iron—a deity swathed in secrecy. While the elves debate and the humans theologise, the dwarves do what they do best: close ranks and say nary a word. Try poking at the mystery of the God of Iron, and you’ll find your questions answered swiftly—not with words, but with a fist (or, worse still, a blade). In the end, while the Goddess of Light’s Grace dazzles and the Protector’s stoic silence perplexes, it is the God of Iron who remains the great unknowable force. And perhaps, for the dwarves, that is precisely the point. – Scholar Temin Temi, excerpted from the foreward of “Revolutionary Thinking on the Nature of Divinity.”

KURT

Kurt’s eyes fluttered open. Sharp pains in his back and side mixed with the collection of aches picked up over decades as a soldier, farmer, and adventurer. Pain was good. Pain meant he was alive. Groaning, he looked around. He was on a cot in a large tent. It was dim, but he could pick out the outlines of candelabras and privacy screens. Kurt slowly put together the last few things he could remember. Riding out on the Silk Trader to find out what the Purists were doing with those big towers. One of the Acolytes on the beach. The explosion that threw him into Lisandra Bay. The last thing Kurt could remember was sinking below the water. Whoever plucked him out of the bay bound his ribs and treated his other wounds. His armor, weapons, and clothes were nowhere to be seen. Kurt sat up on the cot. Movement brought more pain and an odd clinking sound. Kurt looked down. His leg was manacled to a heavy iron spike driven into the ground next to his cot.

His legs quivered as he stood up, but he managed to keep his feet under him. Gingerly, Kurt hobbled to the end of his chain – about a yard away from the spike. That was about halfway to the curtain dividing Kurt from the rest of the pavilion. He shuffled back to his cot and sat down. If the Purists rescued him from the sea and treated his wounds, they wanted him alive. Better to rest and get as much of his strength back as possible. It was maybe another ten minutes when two Purist soldiers strode through the curtain. These two had the hard look of veterans. They swept the room with their eyes before taking up posts at the entrance.

“First the son, and now the father,” said a tantalizingly familiar voice. The Edess Kul walked into the room. Her metal mask gleamed in the little light of the tent. Kurt looked at her for a long moment as his mind replayed the words and the voice. It was like a word on the tip of his tongue.

“Rin was here?” Kurt asked, “How did you survive that encounter?”

“The moment I told him about our people inside the Crystal Palace, he couldn’t leave fast enough to go to her side.” Kurt was so shocked to hear the Purists infiltrated the Crystal Palace, he almost missed the venom in the last words. That was the last clue he needed.

“Why do you still hate Rin, Ela?” Kurt asked. He surprised himself with how calm he managed to keep his voice. His mind was still grappling with the sudden realization the woman he thought dead was leading the enemy. Ela chuckled and motioned for the two guards to leave. They hesitated for only the briefest of moments before walking back through the curtain. Ela undid the heavy metal mask. She looked much as she did the last time Kurt saw her, right down to the wild look in her still-living eye.

“Do you know he told me that he thought of me as a sister?” Ela asked, the venom thick in her voice. “What brother does this to his sister?” She motioned at her dead eye. “What brother forces his sister to–” Ela bit off what she was about to say. Kurt didn’t need her to finish the sentence. He knew the moment Ela broke. The moment she was forced to put a shaft into Ral’s back to stop her soulbond from handing the princess back to Cull.

“Ral’s death wasn’t Rin’s fault. Or Illana’s fault. It wasn’t your fault either. The only person to blame for Ral’s death is Ral. He betrayed us. He betrayed you. He made you kill him,” Kurt said. Ela let out a primal scream of frustration.

“It was all of your faults! All of you pushed him to come with us!” Ela screamed, “He told you over and over that he shouldn’t be there, that he should go back to Lisandra, but none of you listened. She was just too precious, and that bastard Jevin manipulated me into joining his precious crusade because he knew Ral would follow me. I don’t even know why I joined.”

“You know why, Ela,” Kurt said, and gave her a sad look. “Because you wanted to save your people. Because you knew only Illana’s return would keep this empire from tearing itself apart.”

“Her!” Ela spat out. “I lost everything because of her!” Ela’s living eye bored into Kurt. For a moment, he was sure Ela was going to lash out. Instead, Ela wrapped her arms around herself and paced. Kurt heard her muttering something under her breath. It sounded like the same phrase over and over again, but he couldn’t make out the words.

Guilt flooded Kurt as he watched Ela. Ral broke her heart with his betrayal, killing him broke her mind, but it was their fault Ela was the Edess Kul. Instead of helping her heal, they locked her away. Oh sure, they were following Selene’s advice, but Selene wasn’t her normal, compassionate self at that time. Their cleric was grappling with her own broken heart from Marteen choosing Sonya over her as well as guilt from not saving Jevin from Ral’s poisoned dagger. None of them knew how to care for Ela, so they talked themselves into believing it would be best if Ela went away.

“Ela, dear, what are you doing in here?” asked a man’s voice. A human walked into the room. Shafford.

“He made me remember!” Ela half-shouted at Shafford, pointing at Kurt. “I don’t want to remember anymore.”

“Do you want me to take it from you again?” Shafford asked.

“It always comes back,” Ela cried into Shafford’s shoulder. “It always comes back.” Shafford stroked Ela’s short hair as he crooned to her. Ela stopped crying as her breathing slowed to a more relaxed pace. Shafford looked at Kurt and the dwarf recoiled from the sheer malice in the man’s eyes.

“Ela, we need you,” Shafford said, handing Ela her mask. “It’s almost time. You need to be ready.” Ela shook herself and then stood up straight. All outward signs of her madness vanished in an instant.

“Of course, my love,” Ela said. She gave Shafford a quick kiss on the cheek before donning her mask and striding out of the room. Shafford stood in the center of the room, regarding Kurt as if he were a particularly disgusting pile of sheep dung.

“When Rin showed up last night, and she didn’t have a breakdown, I thought I finally managed to banish the horror from her mind,” Shafford said. “I’ve worked so hard to mend her mind from what you did to her.” Much to Kurt’s surprise, there was true compassion in Shafford’s voice. Kurt was sure Shafford and the other Acolytes lied and manipulated Ela into becoming the Edess Kul.

“Do you really think you’re helping her by making her forget?” Kurt asked, using the same parental voice he used anytime he caught Rin doing something foolish. Kurt didn’t think Shafford could get any angrier. Kurt braced, but instead the human stood very still. The look of anger left the man’s face.

“Every time the memories break through, it hurts her more. I don’t know how she deals with the agony. Perhaps instead of suppressing it, we should excise the memory, instead.” Shafford’s sudden smile sent chills down Kurt’s spine. Rage turned to delight on the human’s face as Shafford mentally explored the idea.

“That just might work. Once we have the princess in hand, we will let Ela kill the girl. Perhaps, kill all of you as well. Let her cleanse her memory with blood.” As if he forgot about Kurt’s presences, Shafford spun on his heel and strode out of the room.

“Thank the Protector, I thought he would never leave,” came a whisper behind Kurt’s cot. The dwarf leaped out of his cot as a figure rose out of the shadows. The figure stretched before taking a step into the light. Kurt plopped down on the ground in surprise as the dirty face of Major Agnelli emerged. The human looked like he crawled through a muck pile.

“What are you doing here?” Kurt asked, in a low voice.

“Originally, I was just going to see if I could get some information on what trap the Purists were laying for the Capitol Army. Then I heard they captured a Hero of the Empire. I thought it was the sergeant, so I came to take a look,” the major answered, picking up the chain that bound Kurt to the iron spike in the middle of the room.

“How did you find me?”

“I saw them dragging you in,” Agnelli answered, tugging on the chain. “Elves, in my humble opinion, tend to be overly confident. It makes them miss little things. Like noticing someone skulking about their camp. Here’s your belongings, by the way.” Major Agnelli dropped Kurt’s clothing, his ruck, and his sword. He walked over to Kurt and looked at the lock on the manacle.

“We need to get you out of here. Something big is about to start. It sounds like they expect it to win this battle for them.”

“What?”

“I don’t know, but it sounded like it was some kind of magic,” Agnelli answered. The ranger inspected the lock and tugged at it a couple of times. “I might be able to break this lock open with a bit of gunpowder. I hope you’re ready for a very exciting escape.” Kurt grabbed the ranger’s wrist.

“Wait, there’s a quieter way,” Kurt said. He didn’t want to do it. He really didn’t want to do it. The dwarf grabbed the manacle, closed his eyes, and dove deep into his mind. It was a very long time since he walked down this hallway in his mind. Finally, he came to a dingy iron door with streaks of rust. Kurt braced himself and opened it.

The struggle was immediate and violent. It was always a struggle. Kurt hadn’t practiced for this fight since shortly after Rin came into his life. The force refused to be restrained and pushed against him harder. Just as Kurt feared he would lose the struggle, an opening emerged. Kurt grappled and forced the god in his mind into submission. With the struggle won, Kurt demanded his god grant his request. An instant later, the manacle surrounding his ankle melted off and pooled at his feet. Kurt quickly shoved the god back behind the door in his mind. Kurt stepped away from the melted metal as he panted. Struggling with the god always left him exhausted.

“What under the Protector did you just do?” Major Agnelli asked, his eyes wide with shock.

“The God of Iron…agreed…to help…with the…manacle,” Kurt managed between pants.

“Why didn’t you just do that before?” Major Agnelli asked, his tone somewhere between fascination and annoyance.

“The God of Iron…isn’t what one…could call…benevolent,” Kurt said, feeling his strength returning. He took a couple of deep gulps of air. “He’s not like your Protector or the Goddess.”

“Oh. So why did he help you now?” Major Agnelli said, helping Kurt into his clothes.

“Fought him for the favor,” Kurt answered, pulling on his breeches. “Maybe if the dwarves had a nicer god, like you humans, we would’ve had a very different outcome when the elves invaded our lands.” Major Agnelli chuckled at the comment as he held Kurt’s shirt out. Kurt tugged on the cotton shirt and then bent down to pull on his boots.

“Your clerics must be very strong,” Major Agnelli said as he moved up to the door. The human drew a pair of thick-bladed daggers long enough to be short-swords. He held his right dagger normally, but the left was in a reverse grip. It was eerily similar to how Ral used his daggers.

“Dwarves don’t have clerics,” Kurt said, “Wrestle with the God of Iron too much and He’s going to win – and once is all He needs. Then, you’re nothing but a thrall for him.” The human cursed softly.

“Well, Hero Volker, if you’re ready, I think it’s time we left the hospitality of the Purists,” Major Agnelli said.

“How are we going to do that?” Kurt asked. “I’m not like you or Rin. I can’t move quietly.” The ranger poked his head around the curtain, strode past Kurt and looked out from under the edge of the tent.

“I wouldn’t worry too much. The camp’s almost deserted,” Major Agnelli answered.

“We need to hurry,” Kurt said, hefting his sword. “If everyone’s gone to this ritual, then it’s something very bad for our people.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

One aspect of Cull’s early successes that warrants closer examination is his exceptional talent for recruitment, particularly his ability to bring influential figures into the fold of his cause. Much of the existing historiography has focused on the role of Cull’s cadre of fanatics, who were instrumental in his overt confrontations with the Heroes. Similarly, attention has been given to his calculated use of the enigmatic agents known as the Red and the Black, both in orchestrating the infamous Night of Fire and Blood and in their pivotal roles during the climactic confrontation with the Heroes. However, these analyses often neglect the broader infrastructure underpinning Cull’s ascendancy: the extensive network of covert sympathizers he cultivated over the years. This network, composed of individuals from various walks of life, proved indispensable to his ability to influence events from behind the scenes. Cull demonstrated an extraordinary proficiency in forging alliances and subverting loyalties, integrating key figures into his conspiracy with a precision that suggests a deep understanding of human motivations and vulnerabilities. Indeed, a review of accounts from the Heroes’ perspective reveals the extent of Cull’s success in this regard. It appears, almost hyperbolically, that every third prominent figure had some allegiance to Cull, whether overt or covert. This pervasive reach not only facilitated his manipulation of events but also compounded the challenges faced by those who sought to oppose him, underscoring the multifaceted strategies that defined his campaign for power. – Scholar Grel Tamar, excerpt from “Examination of the Traitor Cull”

RIN

Rin stormed into the Imperial Suite with Morelli and Pallus right behind them. The sitting room was completely empty. Even the servants were gone. A sudden wave of fear filled his connection with Illana, but he couldn’t tell where she was. She was alive. That fact allowed him to keep his sanity.

“What under the Protector’s gaze is going on, Pallus?” Rin asked, in a barely controlled tone.

“I don’t know. She was supposed to be here with Lady Sonya and her guard,” Pallus answered. Rin stormed towards Pallus, but the elf didn’t even look at him. Rin wasn’t sure if he was impressed or enraged further.

“Sweet Goddess,” Pallus said as the thought struck him. “They went to the Iron Room.”

“Where?”

“Lieutenant Vol must have taken Sonya and her highness to the Iron Room,” Pall answered.

“Why would they take them to this Iron Room?”

“It’s a fallback position if the Crystal Palace was ever under siege. A place the Guard could hold out.”

“Why would he take them there?”

“If there were more Purists than he felt his group could take on and keep the princess safe.”

“So, where is this Iron Room?” Rin asked. Pallus pointed at a part of the wall.

“I was wondering why the carpet was scuffed there,” Morelli said. “Secret door?”

“Yes,” Pallus answered, as he walked over to the wall. He eyed the young ranger cautiously. Facing the wall, Pall pushed in a pair of the crystal bricks. A segment of the wall melted away to reveal a small passageway. As the three stepped into the passage, the crystal bricks above them lit up just enough for them to see. After ten meters, the passage ended in a tight spiral staircase.

“The Iron Room is below. Follow me,” Pallus said as he strode quietly down the stairs.

“Protector’s blood, move!” Rin urged impatiently.

“Rin, if you are correct, it won’t do Sonya or the princess any good to rush into an ambush,” Pallus replied, with a touch of annoyance. Rin grimaced. Pallus was right, as usual. As the trio exited the staircase, Pallus led them down a side hall. At the end was a large steel door. A pair of Crystal guards stood at attention in front of the door.

“Open the door Devin,” Pallus ordered. The two guardsmen traded looks and Rin’s instincts screamed warning.

“Lord Pallus, would you please return to the Observatory?” Devin pleaded.

“I gave you an order guardsman,” Pallus said, gripping his sword hilt. Devin and the other guardsman drew their swords, but Pallus was already moving. He closed with the second guardsman and slammed the pommel of his sword into the man’s throat. Pallus slipped under Devin’s strike and drew his own sword. The ring of steel on steel filled the hallway as Pallus deflected the strike. Pallus rode the blade down and with a flick of the wrist, knocked Devin’s blade away. Without hesitating, Pallus drove his sword deep. Devin screamed in pain and tried to flail at his former commander. Pallus contemptuously batted aside the guardsman’s blade before slashing open the man’s throat with a single sweep of his own sword.

“Are you done playing with them?” Rin asked.

“You could have taken that one,” Pallus observed, pointing his sword at Devin as the man gasped and bled out.

“I’m not going to shoot at a man standing in front of a big metal door.”

“What’s the problem with that?” Pall asked, pulling a heavy key from Devin’s belt pouch.

“I’ll explain the concept of a ricochet after Illana and Sasha are safe,” Rin said.

“Stop calling her Sasha,” Pall said, “Her name is Sonya. You’re not helping her be who she needs to be.”

“What under the Protector’s Gaze does that mean?”

“Just stop calling her Sasha, Rin.” The iron door slid into the wall revealing a long curving hallway. Three elves in Crystal Guard tabards and holding long halberds sprinted into view.

“Well, now. Who under the Goddess are you three?” Pallus asked, in a mocking tone. Rin took that as a cue, shouldered his rifle, and shot the center elf. In the blink of an eye, Pallus was between the other two elves. Two quick slashes and both were lying in pools of their own blood.

“Are you going to take all day reloading that thing?” Pallus asked, as he nonchalantly walked down the hallway. Rin and Morelli trotted up next to him.

“Those three weren’t part of the princess’s guard?” Morelli asked.

“Those three weren’t even in the Crystal Guard,” Pall answered. “I fear Lieutenant Vol is a traitor and staffed the princess’s guards with fellow conspirators.”

“Brilliant deduction, Pallus. Someday you could be a patrol constable,” Rin retorted.

“Which of us killed more traitors in the last few minutes?” Pallus replied, coolly, “And did so without deafening us and alerting our opponents?”

“Are you two always like this?” Morelli asked. Before Rin could reply, a half-dozen elves in heavy armor clanked into view. The armored elves drew their swords and formed a semi-circle.

“Work the left,” Pallus ordered. Rin snapped his rifle to his shoulder and shot the far-left elf as Pallus charged the next in line, ducked under the elf’s slash, and cut open the inside of the man’s thigh. The next tried to flank Pallus, but Morelli touched off of his grapegun. The elf slumped to the ground bleeding from a dozen holes. Pallus stepped into the fourth and severed his arm before kicking the man’s legs out from under him. Pallus was about to take on the fifth man when a red blur savaged the elf with a flurry of stabs. Sasha turned her fury and knives on the last elf, who just gaped as Sasha skewered him with a long, thin dagger.

“It’s good to see you relatively unharmed,” Pallus said. Her dress was torn and blood-spattered. A nasty bruise was forming on her right cheek and her wrists were raw and bloody. She looked ready to kill the next Purist they came across.

“Your guards have no clue how to bind prisoners,” Sasha said.

“I’m no longer sure they are my guards.”

“Whoever they are, they fortunately don’t know how to properly search their prisoners either.”

“Glad to see you’re back in form, Sasha,” Rin said, handing her a sword.

“Did you have to let everyone know you were coming with that thing?” Sasha asked, pointing at the rifle.

“It made sense at the time.”

“How many are with Princess Illana?” Pallus asked.

“About a dozen or so more,” Sasha answered, unlatching the breast plate from a guard. “Pallus, help me with this.” He carefully draped the plate over and tightened it into place.

“I was worried about you,” Pallus said as he ratcheted down the fastenings on the breast plate.

“I’m fine, Pallus. Just a little worse for wear,” Sasha answered. She looked up at him. “You’re not going to do something stupid like telling me to stay here or go back to the Imperial Suite?”

“Why would I do that? You’re too good of a warrior and too stubborn of a woman,” Pallus answered, “Would you try and be a bit careful since you don’t have your normal armor and sword?”

“Since you asked so nicely.”

“We need to move before they kill Illana,” Rin said.

“Vol is not going to kill Illana,” Sasha said. “He needs to take Princess Illana to the Acolytes for purification.”

“That’s not what Ela said,” Rin replied. Sasha froze as she was strapping on a pair of bracers.

“What do you mean ‘that’s not what Ela said?’” Sasha asked.

“Ela’s the Edess Kul. She’s one of the Acolytes.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I saw her last night. She told me I needed to get back to Illana before her people killed her.”

“Let’s not let them,” Sasha said, picking up a sword. The four walked down the corridor. After another twenty meters, they came to a dead elf with several stab wounds.

“Your handiwork?” Rin asked Sasha. She nodded.

“They didn’t find the dagger strapped to the inside of my thigh,” Sasha answered.

“Why there?” Morelli asked.

“I’ve been forced to wear dresses and gowns for the last ten years. It’s the only place I can stash a proper weapon.”

“I’ve never seen you carrying there,” Pallus said.

“It’s not like you were looking that hard at the time,” Sasha answered. Pallus uncharacteristically blushed.

“How do you walk so naturally with a blade strapped there?” Morelli asked.

“Practice.” Sasha turned to Rin, “Just so you know, I taught Illana how to carry one there as well.”

“I’ve never seen her carry one there,” Rin said, “At the moment, I just wish she had something more than just a dagger.”

“I think I have a spare box pistol I could give her when we’re done here,” Morelli said. “I think it’s just the right size for her hand. I won it from a prostitute back in Marei City in a dice game.”

“Why would you even consider giving the princess something you received from a prostitute?”

“Why not? She said she used it on more than one of her customers that got too frisky.” Pallus stared at Morelli for a long moment before continuing down the hallway.

The Iron Room was a large circular room some twenty meters across. The normal crystal walls were sheathed in sheets of burnished steel. Light globes at regular intervals along the wall bathed the room in soft light. At the far end of the room, Illana was sitting on a smaller version of the Imperial throne. She looked unharmed – thank the Protector. He felt her anger burning in their connection. Lieutenant Vol was standing at Illana’s left in full scale mail. Five more crouched in front of the throne behind heavy tower shields with crossbows. To the right and left sides of the room were half-dozen strong teams of guardsmen. Rin stepped in front of his friends and trained his rifle on Vol. Pallus, Sasha, and Morelli fell in on his flanks.

“Drop your weapons and surrender,” Vol said, “Even you are not fast enough to take out five crossbowmen before they cut you down, Hero Acciaio.”

“You might be surprised.”

“Do you want to make Princess Illana watch you die after the two of you have just reunited? If you surrender, I will ensure you stay with the princess until we hand all of you over to the Acolytes.” Rin lowered the rifle and locked eyes with Illana. He felt her confidence and her trust.

“Fine, Vol,” Rin said, letting his rifle clatter on the ground. As Vol and his troops relaxed, Rin’s hands dropped to his side and flicked his duster aside. The revolver was in Rin’s hand before his mind registered the weight. He kept the revolver at his waist and held down the trigger as his other hand repeatedly slammed down on the hammer spur. The Iron Room reverberated with sound as Rin gunned down the five crossbowmen in one stream of gunfire. All five elves were lying on the ground without having fired a single bolt.

Morelli touched off his grapegun as Sasha and Pall attacked. Rin spun towards one of the guardsmen just in time to sidestep the elf’s slash. Rin cursed as the elf quickly recovered and attacked again. He didn’t have time for this. He needed to get to Illana. Rin stepped into the elf’s lunge, letting the blade bounce off his duster’s thick denim. Rin’s shoulder flashed with pain, but Rin ignored it. Rin pistol-whipped him with the barrel of the revolver. The elf’s eyes rolled up into his head before slumping to the ground.

“Stop!” Vol yelled. All battle ceased. Satisfied he had everyone’s attention, Vol stepped down off the dais. The elf pointed at Rin.

“You act like the princess’s champion, so why not prove it? Let’s you and I finish this in the traditional way. Single combat.” Rin glanced up at the princess. Illana gave Rin a predatory smile, which warmed and chilled him at the same time.

“Fine, but let’s hurry this up,” Rin said. As soon as the words were out of Rin’s mouth, Vol charged. The elf moved fast in the heavy armor. Rin snatched his rifle off the ground, but Vol was on him before Rin could bring the weapon to bear. Vol slashed down, forcing Rin to block with the rifle. The wood stock splintered as the sword bit deep. Rin ducked under Vol’s next swing and shoved the rifle butt into the elf’s midsection. The elf gasped and backed up a few steps. Rin dropped his rifle and drew his scimitar.

“You are going to fight me with your sword?” Vol asked, with a malicious amusement in his voice, “I’ve been trained by both Heroes Parn and Madrigal. Do you really think you have a chance against me?”

“Can we get this over with? Illana’s giving me her impatient look again.” Vol’s face went puce with indignation at Rin’s nonchalant tone. Rin barely managed to knock the Vol’s slashing blade away. Rin let himself be pushed back as he watched Vol’s pattern. Elven sword work was a set of patterns – dances – that worked to anticipate and overwhelm an opponent’s defenses. Most elven swordfighters knew three or four different dances. Masters may have a dozen in their repertoires. Marteen was so fearsome because he knew nearly fifty different forms and could switch between any of those patterns fluidly and flawlessly. Marteen taught Rin several during their time on Kurt’s farm. Not that he planned on using any of those.

Rin stepped into Vol’s attack with a pair of lightning parries. The sudden attack forced Vol to shift dances. In that fraction of a second, Rin drove in hard. He pushed Vol’s blade away with his own and stepped up into Vol’s face. The elf was so shocked at the breach of traditional dueling etiquette he never saw Rin draw his knife. Rin drove the knife into Vol’s side. Vol blinked at the unexpected pain. Rin twisted the knife before yanking it out and punching Vol in the throat with the handguard. Vol stumbled back. His sword clattered to the ground as Vol grabbed at his neck desperate to breathe. The room went still as everyone watched Vol flop and thrash as he slowly suffocated. Rin ignored Vol and casually reloaded his revolver.

“At least finish him so he can be at peace,” Pallus said

“I don’t owe that traitor a damned thing. Not even a quick death.”

“You are a barbarian.” With one fast sweep of his sword, Pallus slit Vol’s neck. Vol went still as his blood pooled around him.

“The rest of you, drop your weapons,” Sasha ordered, having to shout for everyone to hear her. The remaining guardsmen let their weapons fall to the floor. Sasha motioned for the prisoners to line up against the wall.

“Morelli, bind them,” Pallus ordered. The younger ranger walked up to the Purists and touched off his grapegun. Three fell to the ground as Morelli drew his revolver. The last five prisoners died in a quick series of gunshots. Pallus and Sasha stared at the dead in shock, but Rin didn’t feel any of that from Illana.

“Are you insane?” Pallus screamed at Morelli. “Even in the Republic, they don’t just execute prisoners without a trial!”

“They were traitors and fanatics in league with the forces laying siege to the city. We have no duty to keep them alive, much less try them,” Rin said.

Illana stood up and walked down to Rin. She gently caressed his cheek. All the panic and rage he was fight since confronting Ela evaporated at her touch. She was safe. He could feel whatever was between him thrum with pleasure. Illana pulled Rin’s head down to hers and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek.

“I knew you would come,” Illana said. Her warm eyes suddenly turned stormy. She pointed at the bodies against the wall.

“Do not do something like that again without asking me. Murdering prisoners goes against Imperial law. I cannot be seen flouting that.”

“I understand, your highness.”

“Good, now escort me back to the Observatory. We are taking back my city.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

A Mareian finds a thousand uses for a boat—and, on occasion, the same ship sees them all. – Old Mareian proverb

KURT

Kurt bit back bile as the ship heaved again. He thought river boats were bad, but this ocean-going was so much worse. How did sailors do this for months at a time? He gripped the railing as the Silk Trader rode another swell. Looking around, Kurt cursed at sailors walking with ease around him.

“Pleasant day for sailing,” Captain Marnel boomed as he walked up to Kurt. The tall, burly man was one of the hairiest humans Kurt ever laid eyes on. Thick black hair seemed to merge seamlessly with a beard that would have done a dwarf proud. Even his arms looked like they were covered with a black pelt.

“How can you say that?” Kurt grunted.

“Lisandra Bay is always so calm this time of year,” the captain said.

“This is calm?” Kurt managed to reply while keeping his guts from rebelling. Captain Marnel let out a hearty laugh. The man laughed like he wanted the God of Iron to hear.

“Don’t worry, Hero Volker, we’ll have you across the bay to whatever that is in no time,” Captain Marnel said, pointing at the rising wooden tower. The tower dominated the hills to the east of the city. Despite the tower’s crude construction, the Purists managed to get it up to fifty feet and were still building. It could be an observation tower, but the location didn’t make sense. It wouldn’t be able to see far enough into Lisandra. And why were they building four?

Sailing across Lisandra Bay was much faster than trying to sneak through the city. Smoke from fires hung over Lisandra like a miasma. The booms of cannons and muskets drifted out over the water. At least Rin was back behind the Aponte Wall. Kurt was so relieved when he felt his son’s pulses moving through the city. When Kurt looked back, the captain was gone and one of the junior officers was standing in his place. The boy looked little more than fifteen years old. From the easy gait, Kurt wondered if the boy was born on a ship.

“Hero Volker, the captain asks you join him on the quarterdeck,” the officer said. The boy looked little more than fifteen years old. From the easy gait, Kurt wondered if the boy was born on a ship.

“Where’s the quarterdeck?” Kurt asked. Sailors used too many strange terms. Kurt wondered if how they talked shouldn’t be considered another language. The look on the boy’s face clearly said he didn’t understand how anyone would not know where the quarterdeck was on a ship. He pointed at the raised section at the back of the ship. Kurt suppressed the temptation to pat the boy on the head before trudging along the deck and up the stairs.

The ship was maybe five hundred yards from the east end of Lisandra Bay. The captain was looking at something on the coast with his spyglass. Whatever it was, it made the captain lose his characteristic smile. That alone sent a chill down Kurt’s spine. Wordlessly, the captain handed his spyglass to Kurt and pointed at a pair of figures standing on the edge of the bay. Kurt brought the spyglass to his eye. Kurt recognized one as an Acolyte, but he couldn’t remember the man’s name. He was the one who was that traitorous Lord Kalen’s associate before disappearing. Amar Haltis. The other elf was dressed in the brown shirt and trousers of a Purist soldier.

“Why are they just standing like that?” the captain asked.

“I doubt it’s anything good,” Kurt answered. His combat instincts screamed something was wrong with the pair, but for the life of him, Kurt couldn’t figure out what.

“The reverend says the bones are worried,” the captain said, as if Kurt would know what that meant. The captain took the spyglass back from Kurt and looked at the Acolyte again. After a moment, he thrust the spyglass at Kurt.

“I don’t like the idea of putting you ashore near those two, Hero Volker,” Captain Marnell said. The captain shouted in rapid-fire Mareian to his crew. Kurt understood most of the words, but he had no idea how they fit together to form coherent orders. What did tacks have to do with sails? What did a heel have to do with ships? The crew clambered up the ship’s tall masts and ran about the deck. In a few minutes, the ship slowly turned away from the edge of the bay. The captain was aiming at a more southerly point to land Kurt.

“Sweet Protector!” the ship’s first mate swore. Kurt snatched another sailor’s spyglass to see what happened. The Purist soldier was laying in red-tinged sand. The Acolyte pointed a bloody dagger at the ship. A dull thump shook the ship. Hundreds of splinters rained down on Kurt and the crew. Heavier wood shards struck him like fists, but none penetrated his armor. From the screams, some of the ship’s crew weren’t as fortunate. Kurt stood up and surveyed the damage. Two of the heavy beams were on the deck. Sailors were being dragged from under the wreckage. Blood splattered the deck. Kurt looked up at the center mast and saw the highest sails missing.

Captain Marnell barked orders over the screams. Something about going to a star on board and running guns. The dark-haired first officer saluted with his uninjured arm and rushed into the bowels of the ship.

“What are you doing?” Kurt asked.

“You didn’t see that?” Captain Marnell asked, his bushy eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

“See what?” Kurt asked.

“Purple lightning from that tower! It hit the main mast” Captain Marnell answered. Kurt was sure he would remember seeing something like that. Then again, something tore the beams off the main mast.

“What are you going to do?”

“I can’t run from lightning,” Captain Marnell answered, and gave Kurt a predatory grin, “In that case, the only thing to do is fight!” Cheers rose up from the crew as the captain yelled the last part.

“Fight? At this range?” Kurt asked.

“I might have a dozen or so ten-kilo guns belowdecks,” the captain said, before quickly adding, “Strictly for defense against pirates. They range out a good thousand meters or so.” Kurt tried to do the math in his head but was quickly frustrated. Why did humans have to use such screwy measurements? Why couldn’t they use perfectly good Imperial measurements? Was a kilo the same as a pound? Kurt couldn’t remember.

The bowsprit exploded. Not as many splinters, but thick ropes lashed out in all directions. The captain gritted his teeth as more of his sailors screamed in pain or wouldn’t scream ever again. Kurt was deafened as the Silk Trader opened fire. Kurt gripped a railing as the ship shook from the thunderous roar. The entire side of the ship was encased in thick black-gray smoke. As the ship sailed away from the smoke cloud, Kurt raised the spyglass. There were several large, ragged holes in the wooden tower. Dozens of Purists lay around the tower unmoving, while more ran around with bloody wounds. If this was what a Republican merchant ship could do, what would one of their naval vessels do?

The last thing Kurt heard was a booming explosion before the deck heaved under him and threw him into the water. Kurt thrashed to get his armor off before it dragged him to the bottom of the bay. Stars exploded in his eyes as something heavy and hard hit him on the head. He looked over to see part of the mast floating next to him. There was blood smeared on the wood. Was it his? What happened to the ship? He rolled over to where he thought the ship should be. The dwarf glimpsed the Silk Trader burning furiously before the blackness consumed him.

Chapter Thirty-Six

How dare you say Trennis did not deserve the title of Hero! Because he wasn’t there when we went into the cave? We would not have made it to that cave if not for Trennis. Not just because he selflessly sacrificed himself to save us from those bandits Cull paid to kill us. Do you think it was only because of Selene we knew where to go? Selene knew the prophecies, but Trennis knew people. He knew who to ask and how to ask to get the information we needed to find Cull. Beyond that, it was Trennis who kept us together during the dark times. He motivated us, comforted us, counseled us. He kept the boys from killing each other on more than one occasion. – Lady Sonya, overheard in heated discussion with Lord Fal

PALLUS

Pallus watched the battle raging through Lisandra’s Outer City. General Lopanes and his staff were pleased with the steady advance. His formal training told Pallus he should be pleased as well, but his instincts were telling him something was wrong. Pallus moved the viewing crystal back and forth to different parts of the battle, hoping to find what was bothering him.

“Not happy with the course of events, Colonel?” Colonel Umbretti asked. Pallus considered the Mareian officer. Umbretti was reputed to be smart and insightful. He might see what Pallus was missing.

“Call it the professional paranoia from commanding the princess’s guards,” Pallus answered, dismissively. “With everything going as we expected, I keep waiting for the nasty surprise.”

“You think those things the Purists are building are part of a trap?” Umbretti asked, motioning to the wooden towers.

Pallus started to answer but was cut off by crashing sounds from the stairwell. Pallus felt Rin coming up the stairs through their medallion. Why was that fool here? And why was he making such a ruckus? Then came the unmistakable sound of someone clubbing one of the sentries just outside the Observatory. The officers in the room tensed and hands went to weapons’ hilts. Rin stormed into the Observatory with Morelli a couple of steps behind. Both men were dirty and bedraggled, but there was fire in their eyes.

“Rin, where have you been?” Pallus demanded. “Princess Illana was terrified something happened to you.” Rin stalked around the Observatory.

“Rin, what are you doing?” Pallus asked.

“Where is Illana, Pallus?” Rin asked. Pallus’s eyes went wide at the cold lethality in the human’s voice. He remembered hearing that same tone the night Rin put an arrow into Ela’s eye.

“She’s not here,” Pallus answered.

“I can see that. Where is she?”

“The Imperial Quarters,” Pallus answered, “She wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed there this morning.” For the longest moment of his life, Rin said nothing. As Pallus looked into those cold eyes, fear went down his spine like a serpent. Without another word, Rin spun on his heel and walked out of the room with Morelli right behind him. Almost against his will, Pallus followed him.

“Rin, what under the Light is going on?” Pallus asked as the trio marched across the courtyard to the palace.

“We ran into the Edess Kul when we went to capture Shafford,” Rin said.

“What? Why didn’t you kill her?”

“Because she told us the Purists have people close to Illana. They have her and they’re going to kill her.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Pallus said, “The Edess Kul lied to you.”

“Ela’s never lied to me before,” Rin said. “I don’t think she’s lying to me now.” Pallus nearly stumbled as he realized what Rin said.

“Ela? What are you talking about?” Pallus asked, “That’s impossible. The Purists killed her. We buried her.”

“I don’t know who you buried, but it wasn’t Ela. The Purists didn’t kill her. They recruited her. Think about it. What does this battle feel like?” Pallus stopped and thought. Suddenly, his misgivings about the battle came into sharp focus.

“Goddess damn it all. It feels like one of Ela’s traps. Make them look at one thing while you go for your real objective,” Pallus answered, flatly. “What are you planning to do?”

“Find Illana. Kill anyone who tries to stop me,” Rin said.

“Some of those might be my Crystal Guard,” Pallus said.

“If you don’t want me to kill them, then order them to stay out of my way,” Rin replied, his voice just as dangerous.

“And if I stop you?” Pallus asked. Rin stopped and spun, which caught Pallus by surprise.

“Do you think I would hesitate to put a bullet in you?” Rin asked. “The only reason I haven’t is because I promised Trennis I wouldn’t kill you unless I was damn sure you needed killing.”

“He made me swear the same thing,” Pallus said. The two men stared at each other for a long moment.

“Sergeant, we don’t have time for this,” Morelli said, breaking the stand-off.

“Fine,” Rin spat out.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Over the past year, our casualties inflicted by the Purists have risen markedly. Initial hopes that the Purist element had been eradicated have proven to be unfounded. The recent decrease in their activity coincided with the emergence of an individual known as the Edess Kul. The true identity of this figure remains unknown; however, our limited intelligence suggests that he is responsible for the significant enhancements in the Purists’ tactical operations. While the capture or elimination of Edess Kul is of paramount importance, it is unlikely to yield an immediate reduction in the effectiveness of the Purists’ assaults. Intelligence indicates the presence of a robust leadership cadre within the Purists’ military structure. It is of utmost urgency that we deploy every available Territorial Army regiment to this region if we are to dismantle and neutralize this insurgency. As much as it is difficult to admit, it may also be prudent to seek the assistance of the Mareian rangers. Their formidable record in dealing with similar operations is well-documented. Even the presence of a few advisors could significantly bolster our efforts against this threat to the Empire. – Communique from Colonel Mi Dalan, 10th Territorial Regiment, to General Youl Jo, Commander Territorial Armies

ELA

A familiar peace settled over Ela as she slid the black leather hood over her head. Following her ritual, Ela took a last look in the mirror before placing the metal plate over her face. As she fastened the mask, the memories of her old life were pushed back in her mind. The pain of losing her one true love. The betrayal of those she once called friends when they sided with the bitch against her. Putting on the mask let Ela channel all those feelings in her goal to destroy the person responsible for her pain. Ela buckled on her sword belt. She wasn’t the sword dancer Marteen or Pallus was, but she was among best among the Purists. She looked back at the mirror. Yes, she was the Edess Kul, and this day she would finally deal with that bitch Illana.

The Faithful guarding her tent saluted as the Edess Kul stormed out. The Faithful were her elite. All were veterans of the Reclamation War. All mercilessly drilled with the new muskets until they were the equal of any Republic or Kingdom soldiers. The Faithful were the core of the trap the Acolytes were going to spring on this day. Her forces would crush the Capitol Army and whatever was left of those ragtag defenders that bitch managed to throw together.

Two of the Faithful flanked Ela as she made her way through the camp. Both didn’t bother hiding their scowls. The Faithful were not happy about being ordered to let Rin and his little friend slip into her tent. Ela was ecstatic when she learned Rin was back in the Empire. After the bitch, Rin was the one person she wanted to suffer. Everything was coming together even better than Tanus laid out when he explained the plan all those years ago…

Tyrell stood with the other Acolytes halfway up the central tower. Workers swarmed over the wooden tower. The Prior overseeing the construction assured the Acolytes all four towers would be completed in time. Ela motioned for the Faithful to wait at the base of the tower. The less people on this monstrosity, the better. As she walked out onto the platform, the Acolytes moved to open a clear walkway. She looked out at Lisandra. She hated this city. She hated it the first time she came here. She hated it even more now. The smoldering fires in the city warmed her.

“As we expected, the Capitol Army returned in force,” Tanus said, handing Ela a spyglass. “The Chancellor is nothing if not predictable.” The mask made it harder to look through the spyglass, but Ela managed to focus on one of the skirmishes. Her musketeers were trading fire with the green-uniformed soldiers of the Capitol Army. This was probably the first time elves used muskets on each other in battle. Finally, the elves would break free of the chains binding them since the Daemon War. The Purists would bring that same freedom to the dwarven lands and the human lands. All peoples, purified of their destructive traditions, forged into a new harmony with each other and the world. This battle was just the next step in that goal.

“Everything is going to plan,” Tyrell said.

“Part of the plan was having our people in the Crystal Palace seize the Crystal Blood and hold her for purification,” Remi said. “Why did you alert the Heroes to our insiders?”

“It’s a gamble,” Tyrell said.

“The Faithful could have just killed them,” Tanus said.

“We would have lost too many of the Faithful accomplish our goals. Rin was terrifying with a bow. He will be even worse with those new guns the humans are using,” Ela said. “Rin may get back in time to stop our people. If that is the case, we have other means to ensure the bitch ends up where we need her.”

She turned back to watch the battle. Tyrell stepped closer to her. Ela frowned beneath her mask. Normally he was very careful not to do anything that would even hint at their relationship. The other Acolytes knew, of course. The Acolytes kept no secrets from each other. Still, none of them wanted to find out how the common Purists would react.

“Why are you standing so close?” Ela asked.

“Rinaldo Acciaio,” Tyrell answered.

“What about him?” Ela asked. Her scar ached with familiar pain.

“It’s the first time you’ve encountered any of them,” Tyrell answered. “You played your part beautifully last night, but we both know that you weren’t ready to confront one of them.” Ela gripped the railing and took slow, deep breaths.

“Why are you bringing this up now?”

“Because you refused to talk to me when we were in private, and I don’t want you to lose control today,” Tyrell said, a hint of concern in his voice. It was the most he could show in public. Ela looked at her lover for a long moment.

“I am in control. The Capitol Army is falling into our trap. We will end this day celebrating over the corpses of Illana and Rin and the rest of the so-called Heroes,” Ela said, through gritted teeth. The pain grew. It felt like Ela’s head was going to split at the line Rin’s arrow drew on that horrible night. The night they all chose the bitch.

“You’re not in control,” Tyrell said, “I can feel my spell fracturing.” Ela’s hand darted to the hilt of her sword. The pain was horrible. She wanted it to stop. Blood would make it stop. Tyrell put his hand on the small of her back. The pain lessened as he reinforced the failing spell in her head.

“You’ve done what’s needed for the moment. The troops saw the Edess Kul. If you’re suffering, please go back to your tent. Tyrell can join you there after a discreet time,” Tanus said.

“Yes, we can direct our people for the next few hours,” Remi assured her. Ela looked at her fellow Acolytes. The camaraderie she felt for these men was very different than what she had with those who betrayed her. Different, but just as strong. She didn’t need to pretend to be invulnerable with them. They knew her problems, but they tried to help her instead of just locking her away in some castle hundreds of miles away.

“Thank you,” Ela said, and strode off the platform as though it were her idea. She turned to one of her Faithful guards.

“Send a runner to Prior Jutus. He needs to withdraw faster if we’re going to have the Capitol Army in place at the proper time.” The Faithful saluted and sprinted away. Ela walked back to her tent at a leisurely pace. It wouldn’t do for the common troopers to think anything was wrong with their revered leader. The thought buoyed Ela as another wave of pain wracked her. The Purists revered her. They didn’t care the rest of the world thought she was too broken to be allowed in proper society.

Her tent was deserted except for Tyrell. She dismissed her Faithful guards and stepped into meeting room of the tent. Tyrell waited patiently as Ela removed the mask and hood. He smiled at her with a hint of lust in his eyes. That warmed her. Ela was surprised the first time she saw that look, and even more surprised when she let Tyrell seduce her. Ela was still unsure about why she let this human into her bed. It was different than with Ral, but there was something comforting about being with this man.

“How bad is the pain, love?” Tyrell asked as he took her head in his hands.

“Manageable, but getting worse,” she answered. “Why is it hurting so soon?”

“Seeing Rin fractured the spell worse than I anticipated,” Tyrell said, “Damn that man for doing this to you.” Ela surprised by him by chuckling.

“What is so amusing?”

“I always think of Rin as a boy,” Ela answered, “It’s strange to hear you refer to him as a man.” She couldn’t stop the groan of pain.

“Sorry, love. Let’s get you fixed up,” Tyrell said. He drew a knife from his belt and opened a cut on the top of her arm. He let the blood well up before dipping his finger in. She felt him trace blood along the scar.

“This will be worse than normal,” Tyrell said, looking deep into her eyes, “I need to clear away the old spellframe before setting the new one.”

“Do it,” Ela said. The blood on her face and arm burned as Tyrell used its power to amplify his own magic. He murmured in Old Republic and the world went black.

The dream began. First the cave. The bitch on the table surrounded by Ela’s traitorous friends. And Ral. Her love. Her soulbond. Something was wrong in their connection. Something Ela never felt in the years she and Ral shared the bond. But she couldn’t focus on that. They were surrounded by Cull’s Red and Black. Almost two hundred against nine. Cull was talking. What was he saying? Ela couldn’t remember. She remembered holding the arrow on the Black leader. Anguish and sorrow from Ral flooded their bond. Ral stabbed Jevin in the back. Their leader went down from the poisoned blade. Ral grabbed the bitch and sprinted towards Cull. No one could do anything. No one, except Ela. She moved her arrow just six inches. Pain flooded their connection as the arrow sank into Ral’s back. He dropped the bitch. Ela couldn’t believe what she did. She shot her soulbond. She expected anger and betrayal through their connection. Instead, all she felt from Ral was love and forgiveness. And pride? She couldn’t handle that. She shut all of it away, knocked another arrow, and started killing Cull’s fanatics as Rin ran towards the bitch on the cavern floor.

Ela’s eyes snapped open as the hated memory faded. The odd sensations of Tyrell’s magic crawled through her mind. It didn’t take away the memories but pushed them into a small part of her mind where she didn’t have to deal with them. Tyrell’s face was suddenly in front of her.

“I’m sorry love,” he said, “From the way you were thrashing, it must have been bad.” Ela thought about it for a long moment.

“Yes and no,” Ela said, “Painful, but it made me remember exactly why we must purify this city.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

I’m often asked how we survived our journey to rescue the Crystal Blood when we were often outnumbered by our enemies. Most of the time, it was Hero Volker who noticed we were about to walk into an ambush. There would be some tiny clue that anyone else would miss. A leaf on the trail. A scent that didn’t belong. A sound that wasn’t native to the land. Ela was our tactician when we were laying ambushes, but Kurt was the one who found those laid for us. I asked him many times why he was so proficient. He never answered me. His silence made more sense upon our return to Lisandra, and I stumbled onto the rumors of his younger years. I could never confirm his involvement with dwarven independence, and I would never jeopardize my friendship with rude questions. – Colonel Pallus Parn, lecture at Imperial War Academy

KURT

Kurt crouched behind some rubble as the Purists fired another volley. Musket balls whipped around him. From the screams of pain, some of the deadly little metal balls found Capitol Army soldiers. Major Agnelli stood up and fired at the Purists. The senior ranger was nowhere near as fast as Rin, but his aim was just as deadly. The street filled with the gray, foul-smelling smoke as the Capitol Army soldiers unleashed their own volley at the Purists. As the smoke cleared, Kurt saw the Purists retreating. The Capitol Army soldiers advanced up another street.

“What’s wrong Hero Volker?” Major Agnelli asked.

“Is it just me, or are the Purists a bit too organized in their retreat? Especially doing so in the face of the sudden return of the army?” Kurt asked. The major pondered while the pair jogged behind a Capitol Army platoon.

“That could be training. After all, the Edess Kul is supposed to be very good,” Major Agnelli answered as he crouched down. The Purists and Capitol Army soldiers were forming lines for another skirmish. He waited as Agnelli took aim and fired. A Purist slumped to the ground. If the elves learn anything from this battle, Kurt hoped it was how even more deadly the humans were since they fought during the Reclamation War. From everything Kurt gleaned from the previous day’s fighting, the rangers killed many times their own number.

“The way this battle is going is bothering me. Like we’re missing something.”

“You think they’re laying a trap?” the major asked as he reloaded his rifle.

“They gave up their forward positions too easily,” Kurt answered, “They could have turned those building into gristmills for the army. Instead, they pulled back with very little fighting.”

“Your Capitol Army raked those buildings with several volleys of canister before sending in their own troops,” Agnelli pointed out, “That does tend to take the fight out of most men.”

“Soldiers, yes. Levies, definitely. Fanatics? From my own experience, they are rarely so easily dislodged,” Kurt said. The major mulled over the dwarf’s words.

“You may have a point,” Agnelli said as he fed another cartridge into the rifle. “You need to tell Colonel Parn your suspicions. Maybe he’s seeing something from his vantage point that we can’t from down here. I will go forward and investigate on my own.” The two men shook hands before separating.

Dwarves, despite their stocky builds, were fast runners. They didn’t have the long gaits of elves or humans, but they could pump their legs like the pistons of a human steam engine – fast and unstoppable. It was a trait the dwarves used to great advantage when the elves invaded their homelands. If the dwarves weren’t outnumbered by an order of magnitude, they might have thrown the elves out instead of just fighting them to a standstill. One of the legacies from the War of Annexation was elven soldiers learned to get out of the way of a running dwarf. Cries to clear a path echoed as Kurt sprinted up the street to the Aponte Wall. It was at the immense crystal structure where Kurt was brought to a halt by Selene.

“What in the Goddess’s Grace are you doing here Kurt?” Selene asked.

“I need to talk with Pallus. I think the army is walking into a trap.” Selene led him to a wooden gate arch. It looked remarkably like the one Selene used to bring them to Lisandra. From the pulsing crackles under the gate, it was active.

“When did this arch go up?”

“Robar and I put it up this morning. This will take you to Eldar Court,” Selene explained. “It’s too far for messengers to run between the Crystal Palace and the Aponte Wall. Be careful when coming out so you don’t knock down any of the army’s runners.” Kurt nodded and trotted through the gate. He swallowed hard as his stomach twisted from the rough gate magic. Getting his bearings, Kurt screamed at the army personnel around him to get out of his way. Even after years of being in the elven lowlands, Kurt still had the muscle memory for furious climbing. The guards at the top of the Gold Spire leapt out of the way as he charged into the Observatory. Nearly a dozen frowning faces turned to look at him as Kurt skidded to a stop.

“Why are you here, Kurt?” Pallus asked, pulling the dwarf off to the side. “You’re supposed to be assisting the army down there.”

“Pallus, the Purists are leading the army into a trap. I can feel it,” Kurt said. Pallus pressed his mouth into a thin line.

“I need your opinion,” Pallus said. He pulled Kurt over to a viewing crystal. Pallus pointed at the Purists’ camp east of the city. The Purists were building a wooden tower. Kurt swept the crystal to the other camps. Similar structures were also under construction.

“Pulling back so they can grind the army against those?” Kurt asked.

“They look too fragile to be fortifications. I doubt they would be able to stand up to cannon fire. Maybe the Purists have some new weapon requiring those structures.”

“If that was the case, why wait until now?” Kurt asked.

“I don’t know,” Pallus answered, “I advised the general we need a closer look at them. The general doesn’t think they’re important enough to waste resources investigating them.”

“So, what do you need?” Kurt asked.

“Could you take a closer look at one of those?” Pallus asked. “I have a similar suspicion that the Purists are about to spring a trap, but I need more to take to General Lopanes.”

“I wish Rin was here. He would be better for that,” Kurt said under his breath as he looked out at the city.

“As much as it pains me to admit it, I wish he was here as well,” Pallus said. “Unfortunately, we must work with what we have, not what we wish we had. Excuse me.” Pallus walked over to the group of staff officers. Kurt walked over to the map of Lisandra spread out over a large table. Red and green wood blocks marked the Purist and Capitol Army positions. He studied the map for several minutes trying to decide the best route to one of the Purist constructions.

“May I offer a suggestion, Hero Volker?” Kurt looked up to see one of the Republican officers standing next to him. The man was older with more white in his hair than black. For all the wrinkles, the man’s brown eyes were sharp.

“Of course,” Kurt answered. “You are?”

“Colonel Umbretti, formerly of the Twelfth Legion. I overheard your discussion with the colonel. If I was asked to investigate those towers, I would go to the docks. From there, I could take a ship across Lisandra Bay to this tower.” The colonel tapped the main Purist encampment. Kurt pondered the suggestion.

“What about these cliffs?” Kurt asked, pointing at the maps. “Climbing those would be difficult.”

“Why would you need to climb those cliffs?” Umbretti asked. “Whatever those structures are, they can’t be good. I would just confirm they aren’t some kind of hospital and then ask the ship’s captain to destroy them with cannon fire.” Kurt’s eyes went wide as he fully understood what the human was offering.

“Those aren’t just merchant ships, are they?” Kurt asked.

“Per the Treaty of Friendship and Trade, the Mareian Republic cannot bring commissioned warships into Lisandra Bay without the express permission of the Diet,” Umbretti answered with a sly smile. It reminded Kurt of the smiles Rin used as a child when he was up to no good.

“Of course, those merchantmen in your harbor may also be naval auxiliaries. Just in case there’s a repeat of the Night of Fire and Blood.” Umbretti’s eyes twinkled dangerously. Umbretti slid a slip of paper to Kurt.

“This is very generous,” Kurt said, reading the note.

“The Republic has always considered itself a friend to the dwarven people. Even if we couldn’t always provide tangible proof,” the colonel said. The human officer walked back over to the elven staff officers as Kurt hurried back down the stairs.

Chapter Thirty-Three

The Great Northern Kingdom was always a land shaped by its environment—a kingdom of frost and desolation, forged in the image of its bleak tundra. Its dukes, stern and uncompromising, embodied a chilling practicality, veering dangerously close to outright cruelty. But this was a cruelty with purpose: the rigors of the taiga, they believed, demanded a certain severity. And so, as their disciplined armies surged out of the frozen woods into the endless steppe, they brought with them an order that many, weary of chaos, grudgingly accepted. For the feuding towns and scattered bands of the steppe, the Great Northern Kingdom’s rigid hierarchy must have seemed a welcome antidote to the violence of anarchy. Yet peace, as history so often teaches us, rarely comes without a price. Insurgencies flared from time to time—idealistic cries for freedom in a land where survival itself often drowned out such lofty notions. But the kingdom’s unyielding rulers proved adept at quashing rebellion, their iron grip tightening each time danger loomed on the horizon. It was during these uneasy moments of reasserted dominance that the kingdom was at its most vulnerable. Power, after all, is never more precarious than when it appears most secure. It was against this backdrop of fragile stability that a shadowy figure emerged—Lord Tyrell Shafford, a man of obscure origins and even more obscure motives. A minor noble from the kingdom’s lower peoples, Shafford seemed an unlikely candidate for upheaval. And yet, as the annals of history remind us, revolutions are often fueled by such unassuming figures. How Shafford assembled his band of conspirators remains a mystery. What we do know is that, one fateful night, he and his allies breached the impenetrable Keep Diwen and carried out an audacious massacre—eliminating the King of the Eastern Reaches, nearly all the archdukes, and their families. The audacity of the act would have been astonishing enough; its consequences, however, were catastrophic. With the kingdom’s leadership decimated, its populace turned not to introspection but to civil war. Whatever secrets Shafford held, they died with him—or rather, were buried beneath the chaos he unleashed. The Great Northern Kingdom, it seemed, had not been conquered from without but shattered from within. – Marcus Regelli, writing in “Reflections of Modern Times”

RIN

“Is it just me, or was sneaking in here too easy?” Morelli asked. Rin grunted in agreement. The pair snuck into the edge of the encampment just before dusk. It took them a few hours to find Shafford’s tent before hiding in a small supply tent. Rin pushed his exhausted mind to think over Morelli’s words.

“The last Purist camp didn’t impress me with the quality of their guards. Maybe that’s how they all are,” Rin said. They were so close to Shafford. His tent was only a few meters away. Rin wanted to deal with Shafford and get back to Illana.

“Maybe, but I’m not liking this.”

“Just keep your grapegun handy in case we need to shoot our way out of here,” Rin said with a smile. “I can’t kill them all by myself.”

“Whatever you say, Sergeant,” Morelli said. Rin recognized the tone of a junior not openly disagreeing with a senior. “How are we going to get into Shafford’s tent?” Rin peeked out of the supply tent. He studied the scene for several long minutes.

“There’s a single guard on the tent,” Rin said. “I’ll take him down quietly. You go in with your grapegun. Don’t shoot unless necessary. We’ll snatch Shafford and smuggle him back to the embassy. If we have no other option, we’ll kill Shafford and gun our way out.” Morelli looked skeptical but didn’t object. Wordlessly, the two snaked out of the supply tent.

Rin butt-stroked the guard with his rifle. The guard collapsed with a satisfying thump. Both rangers scanned the area to make sure they were still undetected. Satisfied, Morelli slipped into the tent as Rin dragged the limp body just inside the tent’s main flap. Pulling a few short lengths of rope from his belt, Rin hog tied and gagged the guard. Lanterns hung from the tent’s crossbeams. Just inside the flap was a meeting room with camp chairs placed around a large brazier. Opposite the flap was a thick linen curtain. Behind that was probably the sleeping area. Rin slung his rifle and drew his revolver. He parted the curtain just enough to allow Morelli to slip through before following him. A single candelabra provided faint light, leaving most of the room darkened. Shafford was sitting up in a large bed with a bemused look as Morelli kept his grapegun trained on him.

“Shafford, you stand accused of eighteen counts of murder most foul. You are bound under the Codex Juris to answer the charges. Any resistance by magic or violence will be met with deadly force.” Rin paused as he finished the formal words of the arrest and gave Shafford an evil smile. “Please resist.”

“I win the bet, dearest,” Shafford said to someone in the darkness. Rin spun at the female laughter coming from the shadowed corner.

“I will glad pay after we’ve finished our work,” the woman said in a husky voice, “I will admit he surprised me. The Rin I remembered would never place his duty above his love. He has grown up.” The elven woman stepped into the candlelight. Rin nearly dropped his revolver. Her lithe, athletic form was barely covered by the sheer robe. Her strong beautiful face was marred by the angry, red scar from her left ear around her face and ending in the milky whiteness of her dead left eye.

“That is because you do not understand Mareian rangers,” Shafford said, amused, “They have a deserved reputation for being a determined lot.” He unconsciously stroked the creasing scar on his head.

“I won’t doubt you again on such things, beloved.” Rin finally found his voice.

“Ela? How can you be here? You were killed by the Pursits,” Rin said as his mind raced to catch up with what his eyes were seeing.

“Killed? No, liberated,” Ela said with a malicious smile. “They freed me to take up to my new role.” She held up the black mask in her left hand.

“The Edess Kul,” Rin said Ela let out a hauntingly familiar peal of laughter. The sound shook Rin to his soul.

“Such a wonderful disguise,” Ela said, “Not even my dear brother recognizes me.”

“He thinks you’re dead!” Rin shouted, “He grieved for you. I grieved for you. You were our sister! How could you be working for the Purists? Be in bed with him? He’s a sorcerer and a murderer.” Ela’s face contorted in sudden rage.

“You dare call me sister? After you did this to me?” Ela shouted, pointing at her dead eye.

“What did you expect me to do?” Rin shouted back. “You were holding a knife to Illana’s throat.”

“It’s her fault Ral is dead!” Ela said.

“How? Ral betrayed us. He betrayed you. He broke your mind when he forced you to put that arrow in his back. Not Illana.”

“You’re too blinded by that little bitch to see the truth. She’s cursed. We were on the wrong side, and Trennis, and Jevin, and Ral paid the price.” A slow smile spread across Ela’s face. “Now, it’s her turn to pay.”

“I’m not going to let that happen,” Rin said, placing the front sight of his revolver on Ela’s good eye.

“Are you sure you want to do that brother?” Ela asked, twisting the last word with hate. “Kill me and the guards outside will cut you down before you can save your precious Illana.”

“What do you mean about saving Illana?” Rin demanded, his stomach clenching. Ela and Shafford were too calm.

“Why do you think we allowed you to come into our camp?” Ela asked.

“To kill us? No, you would have done that already,” Rin said as he contemplated Ela’s words. “Shafford knew someone was coming for him after the murders. You figured it would be me. You would need something to hold over me so I don’t kill the two of you.” His stomach plummeted in terror. “You have people inside the Crystal Palace.”

“I told you he was bright,” Ela said over Rin’s shoulder to Shafford. “He always picked up my lessons faster than any of the others.” Ela turned her attention back to Rin.

“Before I came in, I sent the signal to them. They should have Illana in their custody. If they don’t see another signal from us in a specified time, they will kill her.”

“So why didn’t they just kill her instead of capturing her?” Morelli asked.

“They need her for Cull’s ritual,” Rin answered. A memory flashed into Rin’s mind. Illana on the stone table waiting to be sacrificed by Cull. She looked so forlorn, just waiting to die. Rin never wanted to see that expression on Illana’s face again.

“Close enough,” Shafford said. “Cull didn’t understand the prophecies as well as he thought.”

“But you do?”

“Yes,” Shafford answered.

“And if your infiltrators kill the princess, doesn’t that ruin your plans?”

“It would be a setback.”

“So, why don’t we just kill you and then go rescue the princess?” Morelli asked.

“You picked a good one for your partner,” Ela said as she gave the younger man a predatory smile. It sent chills down Rin’s spine. He never saw such an evil look on Ela’s face. Not even when she was holding a knife to Illana’s throat.

“This tent is surrounded by our best followers,” Ela said, “If either of you shoot, they come in and kill the both of you. You’ll probably kill us and a lot of them, but you will die. Then, our people will kill her.” Rin barely controlled his rage. He needed to focus. Ela smiled wickedly at Rin’s expression.

“Or we let you leave, and you can try to save your precious princess,” Shafford offered.

“Morelli, lower your weapon,” Rin said after a long moment. He looked hard at the woman he once called sister.

“This isn’t finished Ela. We will stop you.” Rin turned back to Shafford. “How did you know it would be me?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out who managed to give me this?” Shafford asked in response, tracing the pink crease across the top of his head. “Imagine my surprise when I found out it was you? I have so many reasons to enjoy what is about to happen to so-called heroes.” Rin knew there was something behind Shafford’s words, but he didn’t have time to beat it out of the man. Without another word, the two rangers retreated out of the tent and made a mad dash back to the Crystal Palace. Rin prayed he would get back in time.

Chapter Thirty-Two

In a significant development, representatives from both the Diet and the Mareian Republic convened today to sign the Treaty of Friendship and Trade. This landmark agreement is the result of months of meticulous negotiations following the Republic of Marei’s petition to the Diet for the opening of trade routes within the Empire. The Treaty grants the Republic of Marei limited trade opportunities at the port of Lisandra. In exchange, the Republic has committed to curbing the smuggling of illegal goods into the Empire. Additionally, the Republic will provide essential materials and advisors to assist in the modernization of both the Capitol and Territorial Armies. Notably, the Treaty stipulates that all goods will be channeled through elven trading houses, presenting substantial opportunities for the Lisandra merchant community. This arrangement is anticipated to bolster the local economy and strengthen ties between the Mareian Republic and the Empire. The Chancellor of the Diet hailed this accord as a milestone in fostering economic cooperation and enhancing security measures within the Empire. – Announcement from the Diet on the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Trade

PALLUS

Pallus studied the Outer City from the Golden Observatory. With the Barrier raised, the view was like looking through orange-tinted water. A large swath of the Outer City was glowing from the remains of the fire. Stopping the blaze required destroying dozens of buildings to make a firebreak. The damage was only going to get worse when the Capitol Army attacked in the morning.

Pallus turned as he heard the boots stomping up the steps. The first man to emerge was General Lopanes. The commander of the Capitol Army was a tall man with salt and pepper hair that complimented his lined face and sparkling dark eyes. There was a small hitch in the general’s stride from where a human musket ball shattered then-Colonel Lopanes’s hip during the Reclamation War. The clerics at the time did their best, but the wound never healed properly. Behind the general were the commanders of the Capitol Army’s four standing regiments and the general’s small staff. Finally, two Mareian advisors joined the staff officers.

The treaty reopening trade between the Republic of Marei and the Jeweled Empire required the Republic to assist in the “modernization” of the Imperial Army, including advisors to teach how to use all the new weapons. Pallus was surprised at how quickly the Mareian diplomats agreed to the Empire’s terms. Then Rin returned carrying those metallic cartridge weapons. Pallus wondered if his father realized the Mareians used the treaty to dump their now-obsolete weapons – and obsolete officers – onto the Empire. At least the two advisors were competent in how to manage a musket-armed army.

“Well, Colonel Parn, your cobbled-together force performed far better than I thought possible,” General Lopanes said, walking over and shaking Pallus’s hand.

“Thank you, General,” Pallus said, managing a small bow at the compliment. The volunteers and constables held the Purists a few blocks from the Aponte Wal, but at great cost. Three-quarters of the volunteers were either dead or so badly wounded they may not survive the siege. The casualties among the constables weren’t much better. Only those forces Pallus kept on the Aponte Wall took no losses. Even the rangers lost two of their number in the fighting with several more seriously injured. Not counting the missing Rin and Morelli.

“We should be able to sort this out in a day or so,” General Lopanes said. “I’ll have fifteen thousand fresh troops ready by dawn, with the rest of the Army forming up during the day. I doubt this Edess Kul can stop four times her number.”

“With respect, General, that may be more difficult than you expect,” Pallus said.

“Explain,” the general said, walking over and looking out at Lisandra.

“From what the constables and volunteers have reported, the Purists’ lead elements fortified these buildings here and here,” Pallus said, sweeping his hands over several blocks in front of the Gold and Silver Gates. “Clearing those will be difficult.”

“You may be right,” General Lopanes said. “Gentlemen, start revising based on the colonel’s input.” Pallus went back to watching Lisandra and half-listening to the discussions between the senior officers. The clanking of heavy armor on the steps of the spire brought Pallus’s attention back. Two Crystal Guards tromped into the observatory, followed by Princess Illana, the Suprema, the Chancellor, and Major Agnelli.

“Your highness, we weren’t expecting you here,” Pallus said, mildly. By the impish smile on the princess’s face, she heard the underlying Why are you here instead of in bed?

“Her Highness decided she needed to see for herself what the Army is planning,” Chancellor Parn said, with perfect neutrality. “As the leader of the Diet and the Sacellum, the Suprema and I decided it would be best to have one briefing instead of several that would just take up the general’s valuable time.”

“Thank you, Chancellor, but I’m capable of answering Colonel Parn myself,” Princess Illana said, in a warm voice that belied the flashing anger in her eyes.

“Of course, your highness,” Chancellor Parn said, tonelessly. Pallus noticed his father didn’t actually apologize. The Suprema ignored the entire exchange.

“Lady Sonya would have come with us, but she’s with Hero Madrigal at the moment,” Princess Illana said.

“What is his condition?” Pallus asked, keeping his own consternation out of his voice. From the smug grin on his father’s face, Pallus wasn’t as successful as he hoped. Damn it, why did Sonya always rush to that man’s side after he broke her heart so many times?

“Not good,” the princess said, giving Pallus’s arm a comforting squeeze. “Selene was barely able to save him. Sonya’s keeping watch on him so Selene can help with other wounded.” Pain haunted Princess Illana’s eyes. “We have so many wounded. So many dead.”

“Rin?” Pallus asked. Princess Illana bit her bottom lip and squeezed her eyes shut.

“The sergeant hasn’t returned,” Major Agnelli answered. “My best guess is Rangers Acciaio and Morelli are taking advantage of today’s events to sneak into the Purist camp under the cover of darkness.” Pallus bent down next to the princess.

“I wouldn’t worry yet, your highness. Knowing Rin, he’ll show up a little worse for the wear, and wondering why everyone is fussing over him,” Pallus said in the most comforting voice he could manage. She arched a skeptical eyebrow in a manner she must have picked up from Rin.

“You despise Rin,” Princess Illana said, coldly. Pallus saw the strain in the princess’s eyes. Damn it, the princess was so pale. Why wasn’t she in bed?

“Yes, I do. I also spent two years fighting alongside him,” Pallus said. “I trust his abilities. I also know how he feels about you.” The princess nodded slightly.

“Your highness, you honor us with your presence,” General Lopanes said, bowing deeply. “Our plans are still in the infant stages, I’m afraid.”

“A brief overview would be fine. Plus, the major may have some insights,” Princess Illana said, motioning to Agnelli.

“My staff and I would gladly accept any suggestions from you Major,” the general said, nodding to the Mareian. The general was very good at maintaining a professional demeanor, but Pallus was his father’s son. The barest hint of disgust flashed through the general’s eyes. The general led the princess over to the viewing crystals, but the commander of the Capitol Army shot covert looks behind him to the Chancellor.

“I’m surprised you let the general talk with the princess,” Pallus said quietly to his father.

“After the fight your little militia put up under her banner, I didn’t have much choice,” Chancellor Parn said, with a hint of genuine respect in his scornful tone.

“Pity,” Pallus said.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, son,” the chancellor said, “Her actions were a setback, not a defeat.” The chancellor smiled maliciously. Pallus mulled over the possible schemes until a small cough brought him back to the present. Pallus looked over to see Princess Illana waiting patiently in front of him.

“What can I do for you, your highness?” Pallus asked, with a slight bow.

“Pallus, will you escort me back to the Imperial Quarters?” Princess Illana asked.

“Of course, your highness,” Pallus answered. The two walked down the staircase side by side while the Crystal Guard followed them.

“It was fortuitous the Capitol Army decided to return early from their exercises,” Princess Illana said, her voice neutral. “I suppose someone managed to get a message out, but I am surprised by how well organized they were coming back to Lisandra. It’s almost as if they were planning on when to show up.”

“Yes, your highness,” Pallus said, as he prayed to the Goddess the princess didn’t press the issue further. He wouldn’t lie to her, but that didn’t mean he wanted to bring about the fall of his House. The Goddess must have heard his prayers, because the princess didn’t speak again for the rest of the walk.

Chapter Thirty-One