I don't know what it is, but there is something about this chapter that's a little exciting to me. It might be because I've introduced some new elements to the story. I hope all those who read this continues to enjoy it so far.

Read, review, enjoy.


Chapter 26: A Soul Trapped

There was a painful throb in the back of Yuri's head as he slowly began to regain consciousness. He was on something reasonably soft. When his eyes finally opened he saw that he was lying on one of the bunks in the Fiertia. Yuri didn't move for a while since he was still processing what happened. He had been in the cave and then…that was it. So how did he end back on the ship?

It was when he remembered that the cave had begun to collapse that Yuri quickly sat up. Where was everyone? Was everyone still alive?

"Good ta see you finally coming around there boss," Yuri suddenly heard Raven's voice. Yuri looked where the old man's voice came from and saw him sitting at the table. "You've been out for about an hour. The little princess nearly wore herself out healing you."

Yuri relaxed hearing that Estelle was fine and was back with them. "What about the others?" Yuri asked.

Raven wore a smirk on his face. "We all made it out in one piece more or less," he answered with a small gesture to his left arm that Yuri just now noticed was in a sling. "We even have that Veal kid with us. He hasn't said much."

"What happened to you old man?" Yuri asked. They were all alive at least. In the end, their mission was a success with a bonus. Before Yuri blacked out, he had thought he made the wrong choice in saving Veal, even though he was in need of saving as Estelle or anyone else did.

"James. That kid is a lot tougher then he looks. If you have to fight him, don't underestimate him. Or Zane for that matter. Damn bastard was better at physical combat then he let on."

"I'll keep that in mind," Yuri said as he got to his feet. Yuri looked over Raven's injuries and then asked him, "Didn't Estelle heal you?"

"I told her to worry about you and Karol. I can handle this this until she's recovered."

"Karol?" Yuri began to worry until Raven pointed at the bunks. Yuri spun around and saw the young guild master sound asleep on the top bunks. His clothing had cuts and some blood stains on them. Any injury he had seemed healed, thanks to Estelle. It was clear that the young man had fought hard.

"Had to carry him out once he took a nasty blast from Zane," Raven answered Yuri's question before he asked it. "It wasn't easy with this arm or with no light after we destroyed the mana collector."

Yuri only rolled his eyes at the old man making himself sound it was a bigger deal then it actually was. However he knew Raven wouldn't hesitate to save any of them in an even worse condition. They may have suffered many injuries but they completed all they set out to accomplish. They saved Estelle, kept the Holy Knights from absorbing more mana, and even rescued Veal who had been a concern for most of them. It was a big win for them. Even though Yuri still didn't understand how they won.

"I definitely don't want to sound like I'm complaining," Yuri started to say, "but how the hell did we even get out of there?"

Another smirk crossed the old man's face. "A true miracle is what happened. The four spirits we converted saved us."

"Seriously? Without anyone calling on them?"

Raven nodded. "I don't know about that, but Undine, Efreet, Sylph, and even Gnome were there. I think Gnome was the one who helped us the most. He kept the mountain from collapsing on top of us while we got out of there. The other spirits got you and the others who were deeper. We all watched with Ba'ul as the mountain collapsed."

It was surprising to hear Gnome helping them. Then again Veal was with them and Gnome must have wanted to keep the kid safe. But that only brought up a bigger question: why did Gnome care about Veal? Was it really because Veal barrowed some of his power? For now they had more pressing issues. "I suppose its wishful thinking that the Holy Knights were buried under all of that," Yuri said out loud.

"With our luck, they probably all survived with hardly a scratch."

"Well of course," Yuri muttered. Yuri had a feeling that they weren't done with the Holy Knights yet. As Yuri started walking out of the cabin to get out on the deck, he said, "Both of you rest up." He wanted to check on everyone else's condition and probably make sure Estelle didn't push herself too much. He was bound to find her passed out on the deck.

"Don't forget about your own state," Raven replied. Yuri was pretty sure he was fine if Estelle used her healing artes. It was very likely she over did it.

Yuri was about to open the door when he heard Ren's voice from behind it. "For the last time, don't heal me. You should worry about the others who are in worse shape. Or at the very least yourself. You look like you're about to keel over at any moment."

It didn't take much to know that Ren was talking to Estelle. He quickly opened the door and indeed there was Ren, looking way worse than Karol with all the bloody bandages wrapped around her torso and had dirt all over her. Next to her was Estelle looking the same as when he found her in the cave. She had been using too many artes and not resting any as he thought. It didn't help her appearance that her clothing was covered in dirt from being underground for a few days. In really made it look like she was sick. But being in the sunlight that was quickly fading had improved her being.

Once seeing Yuri back on his feet, Estelle's face lit up and she clasped her hands together. "Yuri, are you feeling alright?" She quickly asked and seemed ready to cast First Aid, regardless of her own physical state.

With a smile, Yuri replied, "I'm fine thanks to you." This earned him a bigger smile from Estelle. It seemed like he only got hit in the head and probably would have been fine regardless. But thanks to her, his head didn't hurt.

That was when Repede suddenly ran up to him and jumped up at him. His partner was sniffing him like he was seeing if he was injured. Finding nothing wrong, Repede dropped down and wondered away before he curled up. Yuri glanced around Estelle to see Judith not far and sending him a smile. Like Karol, she looked like she went through a tough battle. But overall, she didn't end up too bad like the rest of them. Over to the side was Veal sitting against the side. Sadly, he was still in such a lifeless state. His face was vacant of any expression. Next to him was Rita, who seemed to be examining him.

Just then, Ren walked next to the cabin and sat down against the wall. She looked like she was about to puke. Estelle quickly followed her. "Ren, you're obviously not well. You need to let me treat your injuries," Estelle tried to reason. Ren did look like she was about to be sick. If Ren looked like this, Yuri began to wonder how Xiu came out in their fight.

Ren massaged her brow with on hand and the other wrapped around her legs. "I'll be fine once we get down from this flying whale."

Verius padded over to Ren and jumped on top of her knees. "I'll take care of Ren. Please just take care of yourself."

"But everyone's hurt because of me," Estelle said. They'd all be devastated if someone had died. There was no way she would have been able to forgive herself.

"We all went because we wanted too," Yuri told her. "If you end up passing out or worse because you were healing us then that just made what we did useless. We'll all be fine. That's what matters in the end, right?"

"I guess you're right," she muttered.

Yuri said nothing about that comment. He then looked to Judith and asked, "Where are we heading?"

"New Aspio," Judith answered simply.

"Why there?" Yuri asked again. He had no objection to it. In fact, it would probably be as safe as any other place. At least there wasn't a heavy presence of knights. Even if the Holy Knights did find them, they would be less likely to do anything in a city full of people. They would have to pretend nothing happened if they wanted to keep a public face. After they rest up they should head to capital next so they could inform Flynn all that happened and leave Estelle in his care.

"Because I need access to my lab if we're really going to help this kid you picked up," Rita answered instead as she walked over to them. "I took a look at Veal, and like Ren, his formula has been changed. But it's almost identical to Estelle's."

"So that's why he was able to convert the apatheia to spirits," Yuri muttered to himself. It was starting to come together. But did Dr. Vossler only changed Veal's formula so they would have someone to convert spirits on their side? It also began to raise more questions to the Holy Knight's plans.

Rita nodded. She glanced over at the child and began to explain, "By the looks of it, it looks like the formula is the reason for his state. Somehow it prevents him from functioning normally. Of course that is only a hypothesis."

"You make it sound like he's just a machine," Judith commented.

"Would you really call how he is living," Rita said turning her attention to Veal. "That formula, it's actually a really old one. But I'm going to try to do everything I can to get him back to normal. I'll have a better chance to help him in my lab. Plus, all of us could use a good rest." Her voice matched how everyone else felt. They could all us a few days to sleep.

"Are you going to change his formula?" Ren asked as she looked up at them.

"I wouldn't know where to even approach doing something like that," she answered, understanding Ren's concern. Changing someone's formula had to be painful. Not to mention the side effects that it could cause. "But I won't know anything until I get to my lab and start working." Rita's expression suddenly changed to a sad one. "But there might be nothing I can do. We may have to face facts that he might be stuck like this," Rita added, sound ashamed for saying it. With the way he was, Yuri was hesitant to agree.

"There has to be something you can do," Estelle pleaded. Veal must remind her of herself when she was Alexei's puppet. Yuri also didn't like abandoning this kid to such a cruel fate. He feared they may have to face facts that Veal was a lost cause.

"I…" Rita started to say. But she quickly shook her head. "I'll do everything I can to help him."

"I think his chances are pretty good with you," Judith encouraged.

"I couldn't agree more," Estelle said.

Rita's face began turning red. She quickly turned her back on them and they heard her mutter, "Way to pile the pressure on me. "

Yuri looked over at Ren and saw a rather plain expression on her face as she looked down at Verius who was currently healing her. Then both her and Verius' heads shot up and looked over at Veal. Yuri did the same, only to see that Veal's body began to glow. The girls all noticed it at the same time and were startled by it.

"Damn it. What now?" Yuri shouted. He had a horrible fear that it was another spell that would knock them out of the sky. Veal's current state must not care much about safety if he was going to resume fighting in the air. Yuri was about to run toward Veal to interrupt his spell, or something, when Gnome suddenly appeared floating behind Veal. "What the-"

But Yuri was unable to finish that thought when sparkling lights seemed to jump off the young krityan's glowing body in all directions to take on four other forms of what Yuri could only guess were also spirits. To the right of Gnome was the shadowy spirit Yuri saw being converted down in the cave. The next spirit was just a ball of condense electricity with two large eyes above over what looked like an old blastia core. Another spirit was across from Veal and it looked just like a regular woman, only she had icy blue skin that was covered in strange tattoos and had short black hair. She was wearing a sleeveless white top and a navy skirt that had a slit in the side. And finally the last spirit was a giant golden bird but with two heads. He's converted this many spirits? Yuri wondered. Had there really been that many entelexeia left in the world?

"So these are the people Gnome was talking about?" The blue skin woman suddenly asked out.

Gnome nodded and seemed to be communicating something with the other spirits. "You really do trust these humans, huh?" The woman spirit said after Gnome was finished.

"Are the rest of you spirits?" Estelle was the first one to ask while everyone else was too baffled at the sight of the new spirits.

"That is what Gnome says we are," the two headed bird answered. "The rest of us were made through this child. I was given the name Aska for this new life."

"That's great in all," Yuri started to say, "but why are you appearing to us now?"

"We want you to help this kid," the woman spirit replied bluntly and crossed her arms. It was strange that she kind of reminded Yuri of Rita a little bit.

"When I was made through this child, my new powers had somewhat awaken him from a truly lifeless state," Aska began to explained. "I thought with more power from us spirits it might be enough to fully awaken him. So I allowed those miserable humans to use him to convert more of my former kin. But it seems I was wrong. There has been no change in this horrible state. Please save this child before his soul is forever gone."

"What do you mean by that?" Rita asked.

"Soul…will…vanish…if remained…in state…" the newly created spirit said in a low whispery voice. It almost sounded like the spirit wasn't used to speaking their language. "Then…he will…wilt…"

"How are we supposed to do that?" Rita exclaimed. "Is it his formula? What's wrong with him?"

"If we knew then we would have done it already," the woman spirit said in an annoyed tone. "Just get him back to his sense and our debt will be paid to him." Then she suddenly faded away. Then she was gone.

The dark spirit was next to disappear without another word. The spirit that was a large electric ball with eyes had been looking at Judith the whole time and the two of them seemed to be having a conversation. Judith's eyes were wide and they heard her call its former name, "Krones." It made some inaudible sound toward all of them before it too disappeared. Judith's mood seemed to have lifted in knowing for a fact that Krones is in fact a spirit now and not still an apatheia being used by the Holy Knights. Even Yuri was glad to see that the old creature was given new life.

"Please, save this child," Aska pleaded one last time before he vanished along with the others.

The only one left was Gnome. Yuri quickly walked closer to the spirit. "Thanks for saving us back there Gnome. I don't know how we can repay you."

Gnome remained motionless looking at them, probably telling them something that Verius would have to translate for them. Then the spirit jumped back and he was gone like the rest. Verius then repeated what the spirit had said, "Just save the boy and we'll be even. It sounds like he knew this child before the spirit conversion."

"It is Krones' desire to see Veal back to his normal self," Judith added.

"We can't really ignore a request from the spirits," Estelle told them.

"Or abandon a kid," Yuri said as he looked over at Veal and his emotionless state. It was bad enough he was in that state, unable to say or do what he wanted so he could live a normal life. But now they knew that if they didn't do something soon then Veal would die. "I guess New Aspio is the right place to go." Their next priority was to save Veal.

He looked over at Rita to see the mage deep in thought in trying to figure out how to solve Veal's formula. She suddenly let out a frustrated breath and scratched the back of her head. "Damn it, if only they could have told us more. Now I'm on a time limit."

"If anyone can help him, it's you Rita," Estelle cheered.

"No pressure," Yuri muttered.

"No kidding," Rita agreed before she went back to examine Veal to probably come up with a hypothesis to test out once they reached her lab in a few hours.

/~/~/

Skit: Enemy Targeting

Veal: …

Judith: It's just not right seeing a small child like this. He should be playing with others the same age.

Yuri: Yeah, really makes me want to slug the guy who started all this. Just what the hell were they thinking?

Raven: Just thinking how he's missing his childhood is enough to cause this old man to start weeping.

Rita: You're really laying it on think, aren't you?

Judith: I'm sure he's just concerned like the rest of us.

Raven: Oh Judith, you just understand me so well. Hold me.

Veal suddenly attacks and Raven backs away after crying out. Veal: Enemy detected.

Judith: Oh my.

Yuri starts to laugh: Looks like someone's on to you, old man.

Rita: You know what kid, I think the two of us will get along just fine.

Raven: Great, another one to pick on old Raven.

Veal:

/~/~/

Flynn sat at the large table patiently as he waited for the meeting to start. Lady Nightwood had finally returned to Zaphias. His Majesty, Ioder, was there and Flynn managed to finally inform him on what was going on. Of course, it was all through secrets notes passed by those trusted. Now when Flynn confronted Lady Nightwood, he would have Ioder's support. Sodia and another trusted knight was on either side of Flynn and Ioder had an adviser he trusted with him. The young emperor looked concerned about what was about to transpire. He didn't think they would have to deal with another conspiracy so soon.

The hour was late and the table was filled with candles so everyone at the meeting would be able to see each other's faces. The castle had become eerie at night with only candles and torches to light everything. It made everyone realize what a luxury a simple blastia had been.

Three members of the council came in to attend this meeting (the rest couldn't attend because they're in other cities on council business). Lady Nigthwood was the last one to enter, being none the wiser about what was about to happen. She carried herself well. Nothing about her body language suggested she was planning something against them or she was aware of what was going on. She sat across from Flynn and greeted him with a warm smile. Flynn returned the gesture just to keep up appearances. In just a minute, he would accuse her of treason.

"Very well, we are all here," one of the council members said. "Now, Commandant Scifo, why have you called this meeting that that you couldn't wait until it was a decent hour?"

"Yes, of course," Flynn was slightly startled. He had been so consumed about how this would end that he forgot he would have to talk first since he called the meeting. So he began. "As some of you know, I led some knights and a guild to hunt down the wanted criminal known as Ringing Fox that was later discovered to be a woman named Ren Hurai. While tracking her down, I stumbled upon one of Lady Nightwood's handpicked knights preforming inhuman experiments on people just to collect mana. He showed no remorse for his actions and went as far as to attack me and my companions." Flynn would be ready to answer about what happened to Ren if the others asked. Like the guild wanted her to answer for her crimes first since they did, technically, capture her in their territory. Right now all the attention will be on the Holy Knights. Flynn hoped at least.

"You must be referring to Zane," Nightwood said without any worry in her voice. She was perfectly calm. "His blatant disregard for the laws has me concerned as well. I have every intention of having his actions judged by his fellow knights and let them decide on whether he should even remain as a knight."

"This meeting was called because of a knight's disobedience? Shouldn't they settle this among themselves, instead of calling us all here," Flynn heard one of the council members say to his neighbor. Flynn quickly disregarded what was said.

She playing the role of the superior who knew nothing of their underlings' actions, Flynn thought with slight panic. She was just directing the blame off of herself while looking like she was doing what was right by carrying out judicial actions against Zane. Are her Holy Knights only pawns she was willing to throw away with ease? "I would think more server punishment should be in place, and not just on Zane," Flynn went on to say. "Other Holy Knights have shown the same disregard to the laws and people's safety. There were a few instances when they even tried to prevent my group from returning safely." The other people were whispering and Flynn could hear enough to know that they were beginning to side with him. It wouldn't look good if knights were breaking the law, especially after the ordeal with Alexei.

But Lady Nightwood wasn't fazed by any of it. There was no outward tells of worry. Instead, she looked grave, but not for her own position. "I'm sure you have other testimonies about the Holy Knights' alleged crimes, other than yourself. But right now we have more dire news. Lady Estellise has been kidnapped by Yuri Lowell and his guild."

Everyone else was alarmed by the news. Flynn of course already knew that, so he and Ioder looked skeptical about Nightwood's words. Is she admitting blame to one of her knights so no one will suspect her? Flynn wondered. She would have to since it was the Holy Knights that kidnapped her and Yuri saved her. No, there was more that was going on. So he asked "What proof do you have of this? I know Yuri and he wouldn't do something like this."

"I have an eye witness of the event," Lady Nigthwood answered. She looked back at the closed door and called out, "You may enter now."

The door opened and Flynn's eyes widen. He nearly stood up and drew his sword. But he managed to stay seated and stared at bewilderment at Reaper, the one who really kidnapped Lady Estellise. The Holy Knight's armor was covered in a layer of dirt and was heavily dented. Some of the other members made the comment about why a knight would appear to them in such an appearance. Flynn would have similar issues any other time. But right now, he only feared what Reaper was about to say.

"Reaper, tell them what you just informed me," Lady Nightwood instructed.

"When I ran into the commandant's group, Lady Estellies came to me and requested that I take her back to the capital," Reaper explained. Flynn knew where this conversation would go if he said that never happened and that Reaper was the real culprit. Were you there? Did you see? No he didn't see anything. He couldn't account for her every movement and Yuri was really the only one who knew what happened, and he was being accused. Nightwood might even make the argument that the monsters they fought weren't really James' monsters. Verius was the one who said it and he's in league with Ren, a wanted individual. To the eyes of the council, Nightwood had the more credible witness. Other than kidnap Lady Estellies, Reaper appeared to do no wrong in the eyes of the public.

"What happened to Estellies?" Ioder asked. That was his immediate concern.

It was hard to tell what Reaper was thinking with the helmet on and Flynn wished he would remove it like any knight would when before the Emperor. Maybe then he could get a clear read on the man behind the suit of armor. He said nothing after that question. Flynn was hoping this silence meant guilt and that he might confess the truth.

But then Nightwood turned to Reaper and said, "Go on and tell them what happened."

"R-right," Reaper said, finally coming out of whatever thoughts consumed him. "I was with Dr. Vossler escorting him and Lady Estellies when Yuri Lowell and his guild attacked. I tried to fight them off but…" Reaper trailed off. He didn't say anything until Nightwood stared at him again. "He not only took Lady Estellies but also Dr. Vossler's adopted child, Veal."

"That scoundrel, I knew this would happen eventually," one of the council member said as he slammed his fist against the table.

"He was accused of kidnapping her three years ago. It was only a matter of time before he did it again," another one said.

"He even kidnapped a child, his villainy knows no end. Poor Vossler, he must be beside himself with worry about his child."

"Yes, the doctor certainly is worrying," Flynn heard Reaper muttered in a tone that was just stating something.

Flynn just froze. Was this really happening? Nightwood had managed to make Yuri an enemy of the empire with just her words and a creditable witness. What the hell happened Yuri? He knew for damn sure that he saved Lady Estellies and even risked himself to save Veal. A part of him was happy that Estellies was back with Yuri. She was safe to an extent. It just caused him to wonder what happened during that time he was gone and what Yuri had done. If Flynn had stayed with them, how different would the events play out?

"Wanted posters of Yuri Lowell and his guild should be put up immediately," Lady Nightwood concluded and several heads started nodding, "We must insure the capture of them so we can rescue Lady Estellies and Dr. Vossler's child."

Everyone waited for Ioder to give his final say on this. It was obvious that he didn't believe Yuri was guilty either. So he said the best thing he could have if he was going to continue feigning ignorance of the conspiracy. "Yuri Lowell's group have done a lot for us in the past, we at least owe them to hear their side. So I want them brought back here without any harm done to them. Commandant, will you inform all the knights of this?"

"Of course," Flynn told him. If Ioder hadn't said that, then he would have. Yuri may even be heading to the capital as they speak, unaware that there will be a bounty on his and his friends' heads.

"I would have it no other way," Lady Nightwood agreed which was starting to annoy Flynn. She know just how to play the other council members. "I think we should call this meeting to an end and devote our resources to fending off the monsters and rescuing the captives. If Commandant Scifo has no objections, I suggest we postpone the discussion on the Holy Knight's actions until after Lady Estellies and Veal are safe. Then the commandant can bring his witnesses to share what the Holy Knights have done." She wore a smile that was directed at Flynn and covering her evil intentions.

Other people agreed, even Ioder. Flynn remained silent and formed his hand into a fist out of frustration. She was taunting him. She knew she just made his witness lose all credibility. Flynn realized they walked right into her hand. Even if he got to Yuri first, their words were useless now they were branded criminals. They had to go about this another way. He was so busy with his own thoughts that he didn't hear when some members were criticizing him because he had vouched for Yuri many times in the past. They were probably even considering if Flynn should be involved in this since he judgment might be clouded because his friend was involved.

Everyone started filing out with the meeting over and the councilmembers were discussing what to set Yuri's bounty. Flynn quickly stood up before Reaper left with Lady Nightwood. "Reaper, may I have a word with you?"

Reaper seemed to glance at Lady Nightwood who quickly nodded at the Holy Knight before leaving with the rest.

"Of course, commandant," Reaper said.

He waited patiently as Flynn waited for the council members and other unwanted ears to be out of range. In the end, it was only him, Sodia, and Ioder with the Holy Knight. "Is what you said true?" Flynn asked. He wondered if Reaper's response would be the same without Lady Nightwood around. He may have attack them at the manor but he did warn them about Zane's trap. There was something more to Reaper.

"Lady Estellies and Veal are with Lowell's group," he answered. The knight sounded more truthful this time. Flynn hoped he would add that he lied about the kidnapping. Of course it never came. Instead, Reaper said, "If I may make a suggestion, Commandant Scifo, you should make sure your people find them before the Holy Knights do. Or any of Nightwood's people. Just know that you all need to be careful in who you trust."

There it was again. A warning. Why would he help them? "Whose side are you on?" Sodia suddenly asked.

"I can't answer that," Reaper replied.

"Is Nightwood one of the people we shouldn't trust?" Flynn quickly asked.

"I can't answer that," Reaper repeated. Of course he just answered that indirectly.

"Will you not answer the question even if it is asked by the emperor?" Ioder then asked. "All knights must answer to me and the Holy Knights are no exception."

"I am still unable to answer that," Reaper answered. "If you want my head because of that, then go ahead."

It wasn't a no. Reaper's answers led Flynn to think that maybe he was being threatened for his services. His character would make a little more sense. "Is someone making you do these things?"

Reaper turned his back to Flynn at that moment. "If I was, it wouldn't matter. I am beyond saving," Reaper told them. Flynn was about to try and persuade the knight to their side, when Reaper added. "I must be leaving. What was said here will stay in this room?"

"Fine," Flynn muttered as Reaper nosily left the room with his dented armor. Reaper closed the door behind him, leaving the three of them in the room. He knew it wouldn't be easy to bring up charges against Lady Nightwood, but he never would have imagined that this would have happened and Yuri would be considered an enemy of the empire. Maybe he should have stayed with them. There was no way Nightwood would try accusing him of the same crimes. But what's done is done. He just had to figure out what to do next. What should their next move be to win this battle?

Sodia expressed the same concern. "What are we going to do now Commandant?" She didn't care much about Yuri but Lady Estellies would be in danger if this continued and Nightwood would win.

"We have to play along," Flynn answered bitterly. Otherwise Ioder and the rest of them would be in greater danger. Then they wouldn't be able to help Yuri and the others from this side like they would if they stayed on the council's good side. "A large bounty will be placed on all their heads and we need to make sure we find them first." Flynn wasn't sure if he could trust Reaper's words, but he did have a point. They needed to be the ones to find them first. Then maybe they could all come up with a plan for taking Nightwood and her Holy Knights down…in a legal way of course.

"I hate the thought of hunting them down like they are criminals," Ioder started to say. "But you're right."

"Outside this room, we act like Brave Vesperia is the enemy," Flynn confirmed grimly. He closed his eyes and almost started praying for his friend's safety.

Just then, the doors swung open with another knight panting. "Commandant Scifo, it's an emergency. Someone's broken into the palace and now some of the former commandant's things that were confiscated are gone," he said urgently.

"Damn it, seal all the exits," Flynn quickly ordered. The knight went off to relay that command. What the hell is going on now?

/~/~/

I can't believe I just stumbled upon a bounty that big before anyone else had a chance at it, a young boy with wild red hair thought excitedly as he climbed down from the side of the castle's window. He was only supposed to be on the lookout and either send a signal to big bro or distract any knights that might discover them. But now he's found an easy way for big bro to make a lot of gald.

Owen had been scaling down the castle to rendezvous with everyone when he happened to hear about the knights and some noble looking people talking about putting a bounty over someone named Yuri Lowell. Those people went out in the hall, where the window was cracked open, and Owen heard them say that the bounty might be twenty thousand gald. A grin grew on Owen's face as he thought about his big bro taking down that Lowell guy no problem.

By the time Owen was back on the ground, he heard bells going off. His big brother would be done with the job by now and Owen had to get to the sewers to meet with everyone before the knights came by. The young boy dashed across the grass to the gate and squeezed between the bars like a cat. He then hurried toward the area that was filled with rich people who threw anything away that would ruin their image. Beside a statue was a way to the sewers

He jumped down into the dark sewer and began whistling his code sign to let his companion know he was here. It didn't take long for Owen to see a small light coming toward him. Owen smiled as a blonde headed boy holding a lantern approached him. "Our exit still clear Kane?" Own asked.

"There are just annoying little monsters. No knights," Kane answered as he sat down. "I suppose Hayden and Sorcha are okay? I heard the alarms."

"Of course," Owen said as he crossed his arms. "Big bro probably purposely set it off so the dumb knights will look elsewhere. They'll be here any minute."

Kane didn't say anything. In fact, he looked like he was about to get sick. Kane did volunteered for this job knowing that they would have to use his knowledge of the capital's sewers. Before big bro found him five years, Kane had to live in the sewers and streets because, like all of them, they were thrown away by adults who wanted to hide the fact they had bastard children. Being in Zaphias probably brought painful memories back to him. So Owen decided to distract him. "Aren't you annoyed that big bro picked Sorcha to go with him? She's not as good at fighter as we are."

"Sorcha can hold her own," Kane said plainly. "Besides, she's better at sneaking and lock picking than us. I'm not about to question big brother Hayden's judgement. He does what's best for all of us." Owen may have been scolded but at least Kane's mind was on happier thoughts.

Owen could only grin more. All the kids in their group were illegitimate children with no hope of a decent future before they crossed paths with Hayden. He taught all of them how to survive and defend themselves. He gave them hope for a better life by giving them a place to belong to. Owen would never forget seeing Hayden for the first time in Nordapolica's coliseum two years ago. He instantly desired to be just like him. Hayden was only a few years older than Owen and was in the same boat as all of them, and yet he gave them all a place to belong.

"Yeah, well, how am I supposed to be just like big bro if I never get to see him in action?" Owen half-heartedly complained. He liked that Hayden trusted him with a solo job, but at the same time he was slightly jealous that Sorcha was picked to work beside Hayden.

"You should probably get your priorities straight if that's your goal in life," a voice that belonged to Hayden said.

Kane jumped to his feet and both of them watched as a young man of sixteen and wore a short cape that hid all his weapon underneath it walked toward them. Beside him was a small girl in pigtails and freckles all over her face who had a couple of folios in her arms. Owen scratched the back of his red hair. "Come on big bro, for kids like us we don't have many options."

Hayden approached Owen and then flicked him in the forehead. Owen rubbed his forehead as Hayden muttered, "Don't go putting more limits on yourself."

"It's good to see that the two of you are okay," Kane said with a smile.

"Of course we'd be okay," Sorcha said. "Did you really think the two of us would do any less?"

"Well shiny things do tend to end up in in your pocket and that's gotten us into trouble before," Owen stated to the girl who was younger than him.

Even in the poor light, Owen could see the girl putting on her pouting face. "I don't get in that much trouble," she snapped.

"Will both of you be quiet," Hayden said plainly and slowly started walking away from the light. "We're still in the capital and if you two keep this up the knights might hear us."

They of course stopped talking. But with Hayden's back to him, Owen finally noticed that there was a large broad sword on his back. Although it looked more like those fancy swords rich people bought but never used for actual fighting. "Where did you get that sword, big bro?" Owen asked.

"Big brother just took it when we were looking for the papers," Sorcha answered.

"I thought the client just wanted some research notes from the last commandant," Kane asked. "Why would you take some sword? You always say stealing extra stuff just weights you down."

"It must be worth a lot of gald, right?" Sorcha asked.

"Sorry, I can't say I'll sell it, at least not right now," Hayden answered. His dark eyes looked back to look at the hilt of the sword. "This sword belonged to the former commandant. And since he didn't have any legitimate heirs, I'd say I have first right to it."

"Oh yeah," Owen suddenly said as he remembered what he heard earlier after the talk of gald. "Big bro, I caught wind of a high bounty. It's for a man named Yuri Lowell and it's for twenty thousand gald. He should be no problem for you."

He waited for Hayden's response and the older kid seemed to be in deep thought. The other two looked excited at the prospect of getting that much gald. "Yuri Lowell, huh?" Hayden muttered. "Sounds interesting. I hope I cross paths with him. Now let's get out of here and finish this job finally. I'm ready to be done with it." Hayden started walking to the exit and the other kids quickly followed him. To Owen, it sounded like Hayden was more excited about the fighting this Lowell guy rather than getting easy gald. That wasn't like big bro at all.