Hi everyone!

Thanks for being so patient, you guys are truly the best! The long awaited chapter is here! I had a lot of problems with this one because there was so much going on and I wanted to do right by these characters.

Some tips first! Onitone, is a genderless/gender non-binary character, I use "they" pronouns throughout, but I'm aware that a lot of gender non-binary people use other ones, iI mean no disrespect. So feel free to tell me your favorites!

Enjoy!

Wren stood at the top of the building counting down in her head. Dark silhouette against darkening sky. She cracked her neck and watched a group of soldiers enter the back of the Raway house. Wren turned and grabbed the edge of the roof. Pushing off the edge she swung herself out and hung suspended in space before she swung her feet back in at crashed her boots through a window.

The glass smashed and Wren flew in and looked up. The second floor of the Raway house was supposed to be a shelter for the homeless. But the darkly lit second floor was actually a base for Jones to nab the homeless and force them into slavery. The free kitchen was merely a front to figure out who was the most at risk and poor. At that moment four soldiers were leaning over a gaunt homeless man and trying to put him in shackles.

The group looked up as Wren crashed through the window glass flying everywhere.

Wren darted forward and immediately sliced open the two closest to her. Their bodies fell away as Wren leapt and kneed the third in the face and spinning smashed the fourth's nose with the heel of her hand. She knocked the third one out for good with a sharp kick and cracked the back of her knife on the fourth's skull.

Wren stood and looked around. There were two other people huddled in the corner. Wren sheathed her knives and nodded to them. She didn't have time to help them further however, since there were still dragons to take care of downstairs. Wren strode over and opened the door.

"Tie them up." She said to the man who was sitting on the floor, "Please."

The man nodded and she smiled.

Wren looked both ways before putting her hand on her belt and running down the stairs. She reached the bottom of the stairs and was faced with three kitchen workers. They all stopped and looked up in surprise at the girl with blazing gold eyes.

"If you're not with Jones, stand down." Wren ordered.

They all froze and backed away meekly, trying to fold themselves into the tables. Wren was about to walk past them to the front of the building when she saw one of the kitchen hands. A girl with a purple bruise spreading across her collarbone. Wren cautiously came closer and looked at it. It seemed painful and swollen.

The girl's eyes darted from Wren's face to her hands. She flinched when Wren frowned. The kitchen hand had brown hair and freckles across high cheekbones. Wren reached over and shoved some ice into a bag.

"Here." Wren handed it to the girl. "Ice it."

The girl took it in her shaking grip and pressed it against her bruise.

"Stay."

She nodded and Wren headed to the door of the kitchen. Wren pushed the swinging doors open and strode through. Wren immediately spotted the enemy.

"Hey! Who are you?"

Wren swiveled to see one of the servers pointing at her.

"I'm here to stop people from getting kidnapped."

The man turned white and recoiled.

Wren didn't wait for him to speak again. She grabbed him and smacked his head against the counter.

Some of the food recipients gasped but Wren ignored them. She grabbed the next server and threw him over her shoulder and turning round housed kicked the oncoming third. She twisted the second's arm and with a pop his shoulder dislocated. He screamed and Wren let him go.

Suddenly from the back the five soldiers burst into the room and that's when the people started screaming. They all knew what dragon soldiers looked like.

Wren frowned and knocked out the last server with an elbow to his face and turned to the soldiers.

Wren pulled and threw a knife and it stuck in the first one's chest, breaking the group's momentum as the lead collapsed. Wren pushed off a table to her right to change directions and the already discombobulated group couldn't handle the sudden shift and they wheeled around. Wren threw a knife at the furthest soldier before diving in. The soldiers had all turned to see the second soldier go down with a knife in his throat. Wren took the opportunity to dash in and take out the back of the third's knee and turning to dodge a sword swing she completed the turn and cut through the fourth man's neck. The last soldier standing suddenly found himself alone no longer surrounded by his comrades.

With a slither Wren appeared behind him and held a knife to his throat, "Drop it."

The man immediately dropped his pistol and Wren quickly disarmed him of the rest of his weapons and knocked him out.

She turned to the homeless people. None of them had fled, in fact in the confusion the line that was outside had all crowded inside, curious to see what the fuss was about.

Wren projected her voice over the din, "This kitchen is not safe. Jones has been using it to kidnap people for slaves." She shouted, "Here is your proof." She gestured to the soldiers on the ground. "It is time for the people to rise up and take back your city." Wren said. She gestured to the kitchen, "This house is free of Jones now, it is up to you do decide what to do with it." Wren turned and saw the mother and Racqui. She frowned and walked over to them.

"I thought I told you not to come here anymore."

The mother trembled, "I'm sorry, we needed food…"

"No, don't apologize. I'm glad you're both safe." Wren smiled, "Hi Racqui."

Racqui tugged on Wren's hand, "Are we going to get food now?"

Wren nodded, "Yes." She turned back to the mother, "Mistress. Can you see to it that the food is distributed?"

The mother's eyes widened, "Me?"

"Yes. I know you're up for the task." Wren smiled kindly, "and that you will be fair."

The mother smiled, for the first time since Wren had seen her, "Thank you."

Wren nodded about to leave.

"Where's the boy?" The mother asked, not seeing the taller boy who had accompanied the girl earlier.

Wren paused, "He's… not here right now."

The mother nodded, "I see. Racqui wanted to say thanks."

"I'll pass the message along." Wren smiled at Racqui. "I'm sorry but I have to go."

The mother looked at the girl, "You really are doing it. You're going to take down Jones."

Wren blinked and faced the woman again, "I'm going to try."

The mother grabbed Wren's arm, "Please, let us help you. You've done so much for us."

Wren shook her head and eased herself out of the woman's grip, "Thank you, but I've already put you in enough danger. You can help by turning this place around."

The woman sighed, "Then will you give me your name? The name of the girl who will save us."

For an almost indefinable moment Wren wasn't sure what name to give her. She wanted to say Minerva, the version of herself that had been pure, and happy and the name two parents gave their daughter. The best version of herself, the version that Wren knew deep down had died years ago. Wren was the only thing that was left, Wren who had been through fire and pain, through hardship and tragedy. Who had found Silver, who had lived aboard the black Erebos, the name that had gone through the laughter and the loss. The name Micky, Dante, and Tamai knew. The name that had met Jim Hawkins. The name that was her and had to be accepted with all its goods and bads.

She smiled, "It's Wren."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left.

Wren paused a few meters away from the house to direct a family to the kitchen. She helped the old man wrap himself in an old dirty blanket when she felt eyes on her back.

"I thought I told you to let me handle things." Wren directed her question to the shadow behind her. "What happened?"

"Why do you assume something happened?" Silver stepped into the light.

"Why else would you be here?" Wren tied the old man's blanket, "to visit me?"

Silver shifted uncomfortably.

"Thought so."

"I see you're working hard." Silver indicated the house.

"I am. And also short on time. So if you would cut to the chase please Silver."

Silver rubbed his head, "Well to put it plainly, Jimbo's been caught."

There was a second of silence from Wren, "huh." She put her hands on her hips and looked down, "Hmmm…" She scuffed her boot on the ground and let out a long sigh that sounded like her breath was passing through sandpaper. "Hmmmmmmmmmmmm…" She looked up at Silver and clenched her jaw. She looked down again and finally released her breath and landed on, "Alright."

Silver was mildly surprised by the length of her sigh, "You going to get him?"

Wren shrugged, "Don't know."

"You don't know if you're going to rescue him?"

"I don't know how he manages to cause so much trouble."

"Trouble indeed." Silver nodded.

Wren looked at Silver, "I thought you were supposed to be looking after him."

Silver looked up at the sky, "He's a fast runner."

"Hm." Wren tilted her head, "Yes he is."

"He got caught looking for you."

"That's only to be expected." Wren quirked her mouth, "And where is he now?"

"Jones is holding him on capitol hill."

Wren nodded, "He's trying to lure me in."

"More or less." Silver confirmed,

Wren dusted her hands "What are the chances he'll break out by himself?"

"You can't be serious."

"It's a real question." Wren looked at Silver, "I could break out by myself."

"You've got seven years of extra experience. Don't compare him to you."

Wren hummed almost like she was making a thought in her mouth. She turned, "Let's go get our amateur rebel."

People always said that strategizing was like playing chess. And while the metaphor made sense it was more like playing chess blindfolded. Neither side knowing for sure where the other had moved. Playing with incomplete information. Jones had some really nice pieces. Five buildings, marble, late Kurtuyum era. Ten-foot fence, iron, decorative spikes. Three dozen guards armed to the teeth. A small fortress on top of a hill. There was about a ten-meter distance of empty ground from the fence to the surrounding small shrubs at the back, the front faced the city with a long asphalt road.

Wren and Silver watched from the safety of the tree line, counting guards and finding weak points.

Wren checked her equipment and noted the guard pattern.

"He's probably got a sniper up in the tower." Silver muttered.

Wren nodded, "Yeah, and I'm thinking Jim's in the mayor's building." Wren tilted her head toward the large white building located in the center with the most guards surrounding it. She glanced at the sun starting to sink.

"What is it?" Silver frowned, "You have somewhere to be?"

Wren smirked, "I've got a date with some rebels at sunset."

"Do you now? That's… surprising."

Wren looked at Silver, "Why is that?"

"I didn't think you'd be working with other people."

Wren raised her shoulders, "I'm just giving them a chance to help, if they want."

"Oh." Silver continued to look at the complex on top of the hill.

Wren glanced at him, "What?"

"What?" Silver asked.

"You wanted to say something." She adjusted her belt.

Silver pressed his lips together and lifted his hat, "Well…" He frowned, "that's not usually how we do things."

There was a pause, "Maybe it's how I do things." Wren said quietly.

Silver looked up at Wren who was standing, her back to a tree peeking at the hill.

"Hey look." Wren nodded to the road leading up the hill.

Several carriages came up the road and a few well-dressed figures got out and entered the middle building.

Silver squinted, his mechanical eye zooming in on the entrance, "It looks like… there's a party."

Wren grinned, "That's interesting."

"Yeah, there's more coming too. Looks like a big deal." Silver frowned and unfocused his eye, "I wonder what he's thinking."

"He doesn't disappoint that's for sure." Wren watched creatures in sparkly dress exit from their vehicles.

"I think he's underestimating you." Silver frowned.

"Maybe." Wren crossed her arms and tapped a finger on her arm at random intervals, thinking.

Silver settled back again, "So what's the plan?"

"Well since there's such a convenient distraction I'll circle around to the west and hop the fence there. You'll be on standby. I'll find the bait and get him out, that's objective one."

"What's objective two?"

"reel in the big fish."

"That's pretty risky."

"Well, I'll make sure puppy eyes is safe first." Wren stated.

Silver looked at Wren, "Wren, are you sure you have a plan?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure it's going to work?"

Wren sighed, "Why can't you just trust me Silver?"

Silver frowned, "Because you're not telling me anything little bird."

"Maybe I'm not telling you anything because I know this is how you'll act."

Silver frowned, "I'm just looking after you. I don't want you to get hurt."

Wren laughed, "Like you care about me getting hurt. You didn't care until Jim was caught, then you started caring."

"No, I knew you could look after yourself. Jimbo cannot. There's a difference."

"What's the difference Silver?" Wren asked, "You say I can look after myself, then you say I can't look after myself. Which is it?" Wren asked.

"Don't you use that tone of voice with me young lady."

"Jim and I are the same age, why are we different? Just help me understand Silver." Wren plowed on. "Are you going to treat me like a kid or not?"

"That's not the point Wren." Silver frowned.

"Oh, it isn't. Then what is?"

"This is too personal." Silver said, "You are way too close to this to make rational decisions. It's messing with you. You're pretending like it's not, but it is."

"Of course it is. But we've handled personal jobs before. This is no different."

"But you're being reckless. I know you, and you aren't reckless. You went in without a plan, which you've never done. And you're scrambling around like your desperate and careless, without an exit strategy." Silver pointed, "Don't tell me this is the same."

Wren glared at Silver, "You can't say that to me Silver. Didn't you ever think I wasn't reckless because you were? You were the one who jumped into things without thinking, you were the one that didn't have an exit strategy, you scrambled around and the rest of us had to do what we could to back you up." Wren snapped, "You just assumed that we could over power everything."

"We did."

"No we didn't." Wren said, "Look at us!" She held out her arms, "We're the only ones left Silver."

In the darkness of the forest, where the light of the moon couldn't reach them, they both stood very much alone. The truth of the two of them, faded stars.

Silver looked away, "Talking about them is a cheap shot little bird."

Wren lowered her arms, it was. She pulled out a piece of paper, "Here." She handed it to him. "Everything you need to know is on here."

"I don't know why you couldn't have given this to me earlier."

Wren sighed, "I wanted you guys to have deniability if it didn't work. But it seems I've dragged all of you into it."

"That much is obvious."

Wren looked at him, was that necessary? "I've outlined everything in there."

Silver nodded, "But of course you'll make it back and you won't have me run all around the city."

"I don't know."

Silver looked at Wren, "What do you mean?"

Wren smiled softly, "You said so yourself Silver, this is different." She looked away, "It's new and different. So I don't know."

Silver stared at Wren waiting for her to crack a joke, but she didn't. She simply stood and looked at the hill top with an immovable silence and mute stillness.

"You know Wren, if you don't think you'll make it out." He rubbed his chin, "maybe you shouldn't go."

Wren chuckled, "Well I kind of have to. That's the crutch of the problem isn't it?" She shrugged, "Don't worry I'm a professional. I'm not letting all that work go to waste." She rolled up her left sleeve and tugged at the edge of the bandage still wrapped around her arm. The knot came away and the rest of it easily unraveled. What was left was smooth, with the faintest pattern of the meteor on her upper arm under her skin. "That took long enough."

Silver nodded, "It doesn't look too bad."

"Better than I thought." She lifted her arm and turned it in the faint moonlight to see it better. She paused seeming to stare up at the tower, "Well, it's time to go fishing."

Silver paused for a moment, "Good luck little bird."

Wren smiled at Silver and then turning walked away. "Thanks Silver."

Jim grunted as he got thrown through a curtain. He hit the carpet and it gave him a nasty burn. He shook his head and got up, his hands and knees stinging.

Jones chuckled, "Did that hurt?"

Jim spat and struggled to his knees glaring at Jones.

"Looks like it did." Jones smiled, "Cricket, take off his handcuffs." The mayor went and sat down in his plush velvet seat.

Jim frowned but let the large quiet man take off his handcuffs. They were removed with a click and Jim stood up and immediately started planning his escape.

"There's no use trying to escape." Jones said from his chair looking down over his hall as people started filing in.

Jim flinched and looked at the reptile who didn't even bother turning around.

"So while you're here why don't you get comfortable." Jones gestured the chair next to him, "It's quite the view."

Jim looked back at the exit but noticed the shadows of two body guards standing outside. He turned back to Jones and the lizard man motioned him over.

Jim glared at him suspiciously but knew he didn't really have a choice in the matter. He slowly walked around the chair and sat down.

Jim stubbornly looked away from the mayor sitting next to him. Every nerve on edge but trying his best to appear bored. Years of trying to look like he didn't care finally paying off. But it was getting harder as the silence stretched between them. He didn't think he'd meet his fate at the hands of some evil mayor. A supernova or a black hole maybe, but after surviving both of those it seemed a little silly to be captured by a mere crime lord.

"What a lovely night." Jones sighed.

Jim barely held down a wince.

"I admire your bravery Jim. Most people would be begging for their life by now. But you haven't said a word." Jones didn't show any hint of good humor, "I was very irate earlier, but now that I have you and everything has fallen into place, I'm in such a good mood."

Jim remained resolutely silent.

"What do you think of this place, it's nice isn't it?" Jones gestured to the lavish furnishings around them in their little balcony box.

Jim ignored him.

Jones glanced at Jim, "I'm not a bad guy you know."

Jim's brow furrowed.

"But clearly you think otherwise." Jones stood up and went to the balcony, "You should've seen this place, years ago, before I fixed it." He stood with his hands clasped behind him surveying the crowd, "It was crumbling. There was nothing here. Homeless people on every corner, you couldn't walk down the street without getting robbed. The crime was so bad even the empire gave up on this place."

"You didn't fix it." Jim said to his back, "You've kidnapped and killed people. That's not fixing it."

Jones glanced at the boy behind him"Maybe to you. But without sacrifice there can be no change."

"You've ruined hundreds of lives."

"I'm merely carrying out the Lord's plan." Jones turned back to the view, "It is He who says that the strong will live and the weak shall perish. I am simply his humble servant."

"So you don't think killing is wrong?"

"Who am I to say what is wrong and what is right?" Jones asked, "But it is undeniable that I have made something of this foul place." He walked back to his seat.

Jim shut his mouth, it was clear he was trying to reason with a psychopath.

"You don't believe me, but no matter," Jones waved Jim's derision away. "the unenlightened don't understand."

"You're a murderer."

"And so is your friend." Jones said simply, "She's brainwashed you." Jones smiled, "It's not your fault boy, she's a demon in a girl's skin."

"Wren isn't a demon."

"Of course she is." Jones smiled, "You call her Wren. But I'm the one who gave her that name. You don't even know her real name and yet you trust her so."

Jim shook his head, "That doesn't matter."

"Of course it does, you just don't want to admit it." Jones looked at his nails, "There's an old legend about the Wren. Wren is considered the King of the birds. But she achieved that title through trickery and cheating, she could only win by riding on the backs of those who are stronger and faster than she is. And so it is. She needs to deceive those stronger than she. But she can't if people are on to her little tricks. She nearly had me once too." Jones rubbed his scared face.

"She'll stop you."

Jones put his hand down. "I very much doubt that. I have you, it's over already."

"She won't come for me."

Jones smiled, "I'm afraid she already has. We caught sight of her in the woods arguing rather loudly with a fat old man." Jones smiled, "She should know better than to argue during a stake out. She couldn't resist the bait in the end."

Jim's eyes widened.

"I'll make sure to give her your regards." Jones got up from his seat enjoying the look on the boy's face. "You stay here and enjoy the view. I must go mingle with my other guests."

Jim watched Jones as he left and as he exited one of the body guards entered and focused his small dark eyes on him. Jim frowned, What an absolute prick. Wren I hope you know what you're doing.

Wren dashed across the open space and without stopping easily hopped the fence. She landed and rolled checking to see if she had been spotted. No alarms yet. But it was only to be expected after all. Her dark clothes would conceal her in the fading light. She even had a dark handkerchief to cover the lightness of her face. She was calling on all her years of experience sneaking around and breaking into places. It was a little too familiar. Wren made sure the handkerchief was secure and nudged it higher so it rested right under her eyes. Wren got up from her crouch and dashed to the tall City hall standing prominently at the top of the hill.

She chose her entrance point, an unlocked back window, and snuck in. She hoped over the sill and looked around. The window belonged to a dark office, normal and innocent looking enough. But anything associated with Jones was far from innocent. She stood in the dark room looking around and listening. Waiting to see if anyone had noticed her entrance.

The soft sound of insects and night creatures called to her from the open window. The faint rustling of leaves, the safe darkness, and just a hint of past nights under open sky. It's gentle pull, whispering of open spaces and beautiful escapes. Just outside, easily reachable if Wren just turned away from this imposing man-made confinement of marble and mortar.

Wren frowned and shut the window.

The smell of paper and ink hit her now, coming out from under the smell of night air. The scent of heat from a solar crystal rather than fire. Wren drew a knife from her belt, heavy and sure. She eased the door open and stepped into the dark hallway. Her soft soled boots didn't make a sound. But it was strange, the way sounds bounced around in the hard stone hallway. She could faintly hear the party happening, echoing off the walls even though it was so far away.

Wren snuck down the hallway carefully. She didn't know where they were keeping Jim. In the darkness she heard voices coming toward her and she blended back into the shadow of a doorway.

Two guards were sneaking away, taking a break for a smoke. They quietly joked with each other laughing about something.

Wren stepped out of the shadows and wacked one on the back of the head and grabbed the other and pulled him into an empty room. The guard yelled through her hand and she held her knife to his neck.

"Quiet."

The man instantly shut up. He was a police officer wearing his uniform, his badge shone in the half light.

"Jones brought in a boy recently, brown hair, blue eyes, bit of a rebellious streak. Where are they keeping him?"

"What? I don't…"

"Answer the question." Wren added a little pressure with the tip of her knife.

"He's with Jones. They got him on a balcony right in the main hall." The man quickly gasped, "That's all I know."

Wren pulled the knife away, "Thanks."

The man breathed a sigh of relief.

Wren swiftly knocked him out and pulled his partner inside. She stripped them of their weapons and left them tied up in the cupboard. She hefted both of their batons and decided she liked their weight. Adding two batons to her small armory: over a dozen knives of various lengths and weights, a few cherry bombs, a long wire in her belt, and her ribbed arm guards. She also had a small backpack strapped to her. The ties crisscrossing across her chest to keep it tight. She almost brought her Circonian sword but decided light and fast was the better way to go.

In the darkness of the empty stone room she could feel the chill seep into her bones. Wren could feel that numb anger creeping over her. She gripped the bandana at her face and squeezed her eyes shut trying to take deep breaths to calm down her inexplicably racing heart. She knew this coldness but couldn't afford to have it seize her right now. If she was going to pull this off she needed that smile back on her face to alleviate the weight bearing down on her shoulders. Taking another shaky breath Wren ripped the bandana off her face and forced her muscles to pull up the corner of her mouth. It felt fake but it would do for now. I'm coming Jim, you'd better not be dead.

Jones stood in the center of room basking in his own glory. Surrounded by the rich who looked at him with fear and envy. Half the room shone in gold and crystal. The other half darkened into rich shadows of brocade and silk.

The mayor himself was in green brocade brighter than his skin. Intricate embroidery layering around the jacket and hems. Patterns of dragons and fire curling around his sleeves. Gold buttons on his jacket over a white silk shirt. Deep red leather dress boots with gold finishing. His scales were oiled and buffed to shine in the light, he had given them a final polishing before he came down. He also wore white gloves covering his scared hands and a decorative sash in cream silk. A gold braided belt with an ornamental gun and sword, both in polished gold.

Trumpets blew a fanfare and the doors swung open. In the center of the door way stood a grand figure in red silk.

Jones kneeled down on one knee. His stiff suit creasing in the middle. He touched his forehead in a respectful gesture.

"Honorable Ambuge Martique welcome to Nesoi." Jones bowed his head.

The old Ambuge with his large flame shaped hat slowly proceeded forward with great pomp and circumstance. He was a large luminescent being with skin like opal. The colors flashed across his milky skin. He nodded at Jones with a deep sense of propriety.

"Blessings Blake Jones, The Daisethai give you much thanks for your generosity. You are a true follower of the Daisethai."

Jones stood back up. "You honor me lord." He motioned to the large throne behind him on a raised dias, "Please."

The Ambuge sat.

"And allow your men to partake in some refreshments to replenish themselves after your journey."

Ambuge Martique nodded and gestured to his men.

The pope's entourage broke and joined the other guests. A lot of red joining and seeping into the crowd.

"Thank you again for coming Ambuge Martique."

The robed man nodded. The Ambuge was the leader of an collection of churches in the Daisethai. The positon of Ambuge was responsible for the administration of churches in a large area. One could tell he was an Ambuge by the burgundy hems on his robe. Regular priests had yellow hems.

"Please Blake Jones, tell me what the Daisethai can do for you. You sounded very urgent on the phone." The Ambuge's voice was surprisingly high and light.

"I wished to show you how much I've spread the word of the Daisethai. And how much good it is doing in this place."

The Ambuge nodded along.

"And soon all dissent against the word of god shall be snuffed out. I wanted to show you our crowning victory against the heathens. As we speak my men are burning out the resistance."

"I see."

"And once this place is cleansed I was hoping that the church would assist this mission on a larger scale." Jones put his hands behind his back.

"You certainly know what you want Jones."

"I merely want to help the church more if am able."

The Ambuge nodded almost smiling, "Your service has certainly been spectacular. Tell me more about these rebels."

"If you look at the balcony lord you will see that I've captured one."

The Ambuge looked up to where Jim was sitting, boyish and brave. The ambuge liked what he saw.

"And what are you planning to do with him?"

"Right now I'm using him to lure in a little pest that's been trying to interfere with my business for a while." Jones snuck a glance at the Ambuge, "But afterwards I'd like to give him over to you, so that the church can condition him to the true path." Jones noted the expression on the Ambuge's face, "If you'd like lord."

Ambuge Martinique smiled a little wider, his eyes staring hungrily at Jim perched in his little box. Jim happened to glance down and immediately jumped in surprise. He hadn't expected to be stared at so intently. He looked around and shrunk back so that only the top of his head could be seen. He didn't like the way the Ambuge's iridescent eyes tried to possess his.

"Ah. Ambuge Martinique if I may introduce you to Captain Buchanon and Mrs. Buchanon, as well as father Laurence who is the head of the local church." Blake Jones gestured to the three who had bowed in front of the Ambuge.

Martinique slowly lowered his gaze onto the three who had their heads bowed in respect waiting for his release.

"May you be blessed."

"blessed are you." All three touched their foreheads.

The Ambuge rose out of his seat, "I will discuss this matter later Jones. I wish to mingle with your guests and partake in some of these refreshments."

"Of course Lord." Jones bowed and touched his forehead.

Jones glanced up at his bait who looked like he was shaking. Jones smiled, all teeth, come and get him demon girl.

Jim glared at the party going on below him. He had seen the people of Nesoi starving in the streets and yet this place was drowned in gold, and dripping in silks and tapestries and all the luxuries you could imagine. The people merely nibbled at food that could feed the entire town for a week. It was almost ludicrous how much money was being thrown about. They had truffle ice-cream and caviar in crystal goblets. An entire roast boar that had only the thinnest pieces of the thigh sliced off. It made him sick looking at it all.

Jim glanced at the dais and immediately met the gaze of the Ambuge. His eyes were wet and hungry and Jim instantly shuddered and tried to shrink into his seat to avoid his gaze.

I have to find a way out of here.

"Come on, I'm pretty tough Cricket."

Jim turned around surprised by someone's soft voice. A large lupus brushed the curtain aside, his fur shiny and surprisingly dark.

"Ah, look, he's so little I'll be fine."

The large body guard, Cricket, glanced at Jim who was peeking at them around the back of the chair. He seemed to be convinced of Jim's helplessness.

Jonathan smiled and walked over to Jim. "Jones told me to watch the little rebel for a bit. You two go ahead and get some food."

Cricket gave Jonathan a look.

Jonathan laughed, "Go ahead, you guys are missing out on the frog legs."

That seemed to win Cricket over, he grunted and got his brother and both of the looming shadows left.

Jim glared suspiciously at the lupus.

Jonathan smiled and kneeled down in front of the boy. "My name's Jonathan. It's nice to meet you." He smiled pleasantly.

Jim frowned.

"Act angry." Jonathan continued smiling pleasantly, "I'm with Wren and I'm here to get you out."

Jim kept the surprise off his face and continued to glare, "Do you know where Wren is?"

"According to the guards she's here to get you back."

"Is that true?"

"I don't know." Jonathan admitted, "But I doubt she'd leave you here like this."

As much as Jim wanted to deny it, the chance that Wren would rip through the party to get to him was rather high. "Do you know her plan?"

"Not all of it." Jonathan smiled, "She's rallied the resistance to fight. I'm guessing you helped."

Jim looked down, "I didn't do anything."

Jonathan shrugged, "I doubt that."

"Is the resistance here?"

"No. They're on standby. But I heard you got captured so I rushed over." Jonathan explained.

Jim narrowed his eyes, "You seemed pretty chummy with those body guards."

"I've been working as Jones's assistant bodyguard for years, and sneaking information to the resistance."

Jim kept the smile down but it stayed in his voice, "So you're a spy."

"More or less." Jonathan liked this kid, he didn't seem the least bit frightened. "Not a great one though."

Jim decided to trust this Lupus a bit, he had clear and honest eyes. Besides he doubted he had any better plans for escape. "So should we get going?"

"We can't right now." Jonathan said, "Even though Cricket and Salamander are gone there's at least two snipers with eyes on us. Getting you out isn't going to be easy."

"Figures." Jim quirked his mouth, "Are you sure Jones won't get suspicious with you talking to me?"

"I've built up a reputation as an interrogator. And I think he's a little distracted by the party."

Jim nodded, "So what is the plan?" Jim asked.

"To be honest I don't have one. Our best chance is wait for a distraction." Jonathan sighed, "We're up to our necks in guns and enemies. Once we're out of the building I've got a friend who will get you away safely. But getting out will be hard." Jonathan smiled, "we'll have to wait for our chance."

Jim shouldn't have felt his heart fall so much. Still he was in a much better position than he had been a few minutes ago. But he was worried, if they waited too long the distraction would be Wren busting in to retrieve him. Jim would have to think of something before that.

Morph peeked out of Silver's collar and looked around.

"She's gone Morphie." Silver pet the blob with his finger, "Don't you think it's about time for you to stop being so afraid of her?"

Morph blew raspberries and slid out onto his hand.

Silver smiled, "Do you think you could find Jimbo for me?"

Morph chirruped.

"He's in the big building. Be sneaky okay?"

Morph smiled and gave a bob like salute. He floated off of Silver's hand and darted toward the hill.

Silver smiled and watched him go. He didn't like Wren going in there alone. He doubted that she wanted to go in alone. But, Silver looked down at his metal leg, he'd be no help to her. How had he let himself get so useless? When had he gotten so old?

Silver suddenly heard a rustle of leaves behind him. He turned around to see a rather bright glint of silver pointing at his face.

"Shite."

Jim tried to take deep breaths, he wasn't panicking but he could feel the tension in his neck and the heat on his ears. This wasn't the kind of nervousness he needed right now. He needed the mind focusing, acute nervousness that he knew so well. The one that made his stomach numb and his hands steady.

He took a few more breaths, probably audible to the Lupus pretending to stand guard behind him. He had told Jim what Wren had said to the council and Jim knew that the Lupus couldn't be making this stuff up.

Jim tried to keep his mind from wandering to the worst-case scenario. He as Jones's hostage unable to do anything and Wren broken and bloody fighting to get him back. Jim shook that image from his brain. It wouldn't come to that. Wren was too smart for that, and Jim much too resourceful.

What if she doesn't come for me?

Wren must know it's a trap. So what if she just left him. If he was useless to get caught surely, she didn't need him. It would be better if…

Something wet slid into his lap.

"Murp."

Jim looked down and nearly broke out into a grin, "Morph."

Morph grinned and shushed Jim trying to look secretive.

If Morph was here that meant that Silver was close by, and if Silver was close by Wren was definitely on her way.

"I'm glad you're here Morph." Jim whispered.

Morph rubbed Jim's hand careful to keep out of sight.

"Is Silver here?"

Morph nodded.

"And Wren?"

Morph nodded.

"Is she inside?"

Morph paused and then shrugged.

Jim pressed his lips together. He needed to know how much time he had to make an escape plan.

"And everyone else are they safe?"

Morph nodded.

"You wouldn't happen to know any escape routes would you?"

Morph sadly shook his head, he'd snuck in through a tiny vent and little Silver couldn't fit into something like that.

"Do you know anything about snipers?"

Morph tilted his head and shaped himself into a small bird.

"That's a snipe morph."

Morph melted back into his pink blobby self and looked up at Jim inquisitively.

"Oh! look who's back." Jonathan said loudly, "How were the frog legs?"

Morph slid into Jim's pocket as Cricket and Salamander grunted an answer.

Jim didn't turn around and just kept observing the party, waiting for inspiration to hit him and a small blob in his pocket.

Jones felt very relaxed, his spirit was light for the first time in a while. He had allowed himself one glass of champagne and had even cracked half a grim smile in everyone's general direction.

One of the guards discretely slid up to him, opening the shell around it's face, "She's infiltrated the building sir."

Jones smirked, "Excellent, and the fatty outside?"

"He's gone. We put a tail on him, but he seems like he's not doing anything important."

"Very good." Jones took a sip of his champagne, it was a very rare and delightful vintage. Bubbly with a delicate fruity taste that coated his tongue. Well, it was a little too fruity for his usual preferences but he didn't mind at the moment. "Pull in most of the outside guard. We're going to trap her like a rat in a maze." Jones knew that it was much easier to get into the building than it was to get out. Wren might have thought that she had infiltrated the building, but truth was he had let her. She thought she was just beginning her rescue mission, but truth was it was already over.

Jones raised his glass in an empty salute to his absent foe. He would be disappointed if she didn't make it to the party, after all she had a reputation to maintain as a monster of legend. If she died too soon there would be no fun.

"What's her progress look like?" Jones asked.

"She's at the first circle sir." The guard hesitated, "She hasn't killed anyone either. And no bullets."

Jones raised a scarred eyebrow, "Is that so." He sipped his champagne. A monster with morals? Or arrogance to the highest degree? Either way it would end soon. "This might be interesting." Jones said almost amused. He'd caught many rats this way. Most of them didn't make it past the first circle. Thieves, murderers, usurpers, had all tried and failed to get to him here. Lured in by sweet promises of power, money, and revenge, but eventually all of them got trapped. The building wasn't that hard to navigate, but it was also impossible to get to the center without meeting a greater portion of his forces in strategically arranged places. Enough sniper lookouts and empty spaces to make it nearly impossible to sneak through, and enough narrow passageways to repel an army. It was the perfect defensive stronghold.

A little bird trapped in a cage and not quite aware of it yet.

Jim had been keeping a very careful eye on Jones. The man looked smug. Well even more so than a minute ago if it were possible.

Jonathan eyed the boy seeing the thoughts tumble over each other in the kid's head.

Jim tried to guess what Wren would do. Maybe she would smoke the place out, No that's too risky. He was nearly certain she'd come to get him first. She wouldn't want liabilities laying around. She had to know where he was first. Either she'd get the info from a guard, or she would spot him. If she spotted him that meant she could see him, and if she could see him that meant he would be able to see her too. If there was one thing he could claim to be good in that was spotting things. Jim shifted a little higher in his chair after having thought that part through. Even if he was more exposed, this way she'd be able to see him more easily. He was entirely visible to at least half the room, the only thing he was completely invisible to was the door beneath him and a small part of the party. He just had to hope she didn't come in through the front door.

What tricks has she got up her sleeve this time? That was the hard part to figure out. She wouldn't walk in without a plan, surely, she was much too smart for that. But then again, his capture wasn't part of the plan. She had acted somewhat irrationally before in response to his capture, with the golden tiger and subsequent battle. But she had been drunk then and relaxed and rather flippant about the whole thing. But that was when she still had her super strength, she was weak now. Not weak, just comparably weaker than she was before. Jim amended the statement even though none of his thoughts were out loud, even in his head he couldn't disgrace Wren by calling her weak. Even so, without that super strength he didn't think she'd be able to pull off the same blind cheerfulness. So then how would she pull off this rescue? He had no doubt she could. She was Wren after all, the very laws of probability could bend at her will. Jim tried his very best to spot the snipers, but he had only seen one. Which was probably on purpose. In order to lull him into a sense of security. They let him see one obvious man wearing black and standing in the shadows of a balcony directly across from him, the gleam of a rifle barely visible in the darkness.

As he kept drawing up blanks for Wren's plans, he realized he didn't really know all that much about her. He felt intimately aware of how she thought and how she acted, but just a few nights ago he had heard stories of a Wren that was completely foreign to him. Stories of friends who knew each other so long they could move in tandem without speaking. Of teamwork ingrained into their bones, of brotherhood shared without blood. It didn't bother him, or it wouldn't have; after all he was reasonable, he knew his two months of time with her wasn't comparable to the years she had with others; but, he didn't even know her favorite color. Or her favorite season, or the size of her shoes, or a million other little things he should know if he wanted to claim to know her. Did she like dill? Does she have allergies? Oh god, what if he had fed her something she was deadly allergic too? Jim tried to talk himself down off the deep end his thoughts wanted him to jump off of. What face does she make when she's daydreaming? He paused. Does she even daydream? He realized he was getting away from the main problem here and that his brain was trying to escape from its current predicament by thinking of something else, but he wanted to know. Not the big things, those would come with time if she let him, but the little things, the little things that people knew about each other. Jim shook his head, you want to think about little things? Think about the little things that will get us out of here.

Guards on the balcony, guards down below, undoubtedly more guards in the halls just out of sight. Jim couldn't see the sniper across from him anymore, he must've found a better hiding place. Jonathan glanced at Jim who was staring intensely.

"What are you looking at kid?" Jonathan's voice taking on an unfamiliar edge, he glanced at the balcony across the way.

Jim sat back in his chair and glared, "You're ugly mug. Fuzzy."

One of the big body guards let out what sounded suspiciously like a snort.

Jonathan smiled showing more fang than was necessary. "These hairless rats are a pain in my ass. Cricket I'm taking a piss." He walked away.

Cricket nodded not a hint of amusement on his face.

Jim didn't watch him leave but he was fiercely curious on why Jonathan was leaving at that moment. Maybe he had a plan? Or was he checking something out? But Jim couldn't ask he merely put a comforting hand on the blob in his pocket and pet what he thought was Morph's head.

"You. Stand up."

Jim startled, the big guard didn't wait for him to stand he just grabbed Jim's arm and pulled him out of the seat.

Jim got dragged down the stairs and roughly shoved into the ball room. He wheeled around for a moment before a scaly hand grasped the back of his neck.

Jim managed not to flinch despite everything in him screaming.

Jones chuckled, "This is Jim. Our latest, acquisition." He forced Jim to turn around.

Jim came face to face with the opal man and he wanted to cover his eyes. It was much too bright down here. The shimmering jewelry and bright gold flashing lights in his eyes.

The Ambuge clasped his hands behind his back and smiled. "It is good to start them young." He smiled. "Will you join us?" He smiled kindly.

Jim guessed he didn't have much of a choice as the bodyguard shoved him after the two men.

The boy stumbled after them. A few of the guests looked at Jim out of the corner of their eyes, there was some pity, but more relief. Today wasn't their day, it was his. He wondered how awful things were that would allow a ballroom full of people to feel relieved for a boy to get thrown under a bus rather than them.

"Jones, you promised excitement." The Ambuge smiled slightly, just the corners of his mouth coming up

Jones had them pause in the middle of the room, "It's coming soon I promise sir." He smirked at Jim who tensed up getting ready to protect himself from whatever Jones had planned. The guard stepped up behind him, pressing in annoying close and Jim stepped up further.

Suddenly the entire room was plunged into darkness.

"There we go." Jones sounded unbelievably smug.

Jim didn't even pause to think, quickly he crouched and kicked out where he knew the guard's kneecap was. His foot connected with a crack and the man yelled and collapsed, his knee dislocated. Jim got to his feet and turned to make a run for it. Just as he seemed to get away in the dark a claw seized his arm and hauled him back.

"You're a quick thinker." Jones hissed in his ear. "But I wouldn't try that again." Jim struggled and Jones gripped his arm tight enough to hurt and probably cause bruises. Jim bit his lip. He tried not to cry out but those claws hurt. The cold metal of a gun rested easily on his shoulder.

Everyone around them nervously murmured. Confused and scared, the guards took up ready positions.

"Jelly, lights." Jones ordered holding Jim against him eyes almost glowing in the darkness.

Warm solar lamps came on, dimmer than the abundance of chandeliers from before, but enough to reach the corners of the room.

"Perhaps, we should clear the room if we're expecting unpleasant company." The Ambuge suggested with a tone stronger than a suggestion, after all if it came down to violence he didn't want worshippers to see him spill blood.

Jones frowned, he didn't want that much confusion and movement happening when an intruder was already in the building. "I don't wish for the guests to get injured moving around in the dark your holiness."

The Ambuge nodded, fair enough.

Jim tried to wiggle just to be more comfortable but Jones kicked him impatiently. The Ambuge's guards surrounded him in a protective bubble. "How exciting."

Jones had two guards flanking him but he let the rest line the walls. His eyes flicked to the exits wondering where the brat was going to come from.

Jim looked around as well, no matter what Wren had planned he couldn't imagine it would do well against the thirty soldiers in this place, and the unknown numbers hiding in the shadows. Plus the Daisethai guards and snipers.

Jones frowned. Left? Right? Behind? front? A balcony? A disguise? How is this going down Wren?

Jim clenched his jaw, Below? Ambush? He froze. Oh.

Wren walked out onto the balcony just above the door, as bold as anyone possibly could be. It was the same balcony Jim had been on earlier.

Straight on, alright. Jim wished he could say he hadn't expected it.

"There!" One of the guards shouted.

"Wren." Jones narrowed his eyes in disapproval.

A murmur started up in the crowd. They saw the young girl standing up in the balcony, much too young, and much too small to be the demon from the tale.

Wren swept her eyes over the room, every eye turned up to her.

"Anyone who doesn't want to die, leave now." Wren's voice echoed in the large hall and the look on her face didn't leave room for questions.

The people immediately started edging toward the exit but were unable to leave and unable to stay. Caught behind Wren's immense presence and their ingrained fear of Jones.

Jones glanced at the guests and made a decision to keep control of the situation, "If you are a guest, leave at once." He ordered.

Immediately everyone crowded for the exit.

"Why don't you come down." Jones said evenly.

Wren looked vaguely annoyed but then she smirked and grabbed the long velvet tapestry hanging on the wall beside the balcony. Stepping off she easily slid down the tapestry and landed on the marble floor with poise. Tossing the banner behind her the fabric flicked back against the wall as she straightened to stand, the room emptying of guests, flowing out like water from a tipped glass.

Soon all that was left were empty plates, broken glasses, and a heavy tension you could cut with a knife.

The guards eyed the girl wearily, watching for any sign of attack. She looked much too confident surrounded by a small army. Wren approached Jones slowly and stopped about fifteen feet from him and Jim. A distance everyone felt was the closest she could get without being an immediate danger while also close enough to speak at a normal volume.

The Ambuge was standing behind Jones and just off to the right surrounded by his retinue. He watched with mild interest. He imagined she'd be taller. The girl couldn't be older than seventeen, but her bearing spoke to eons of experience. She was wearing a slim dark shirt and dark pants. Dark boots, paired with an array of weapons, knives, a gun that according to the guard hadn't been fired. On her back, a small backpack that was more straps than pack.

Jim frowned, where is that shirt from? He'd never seen her wear anything darker than deep yellow. The shirt looked like a dark blue, it was a good color on her, but it made her look sharp, and hard, and more than a little foreign. He never thought she was soft in off white, but certainly not this harsh, like she was cut out of obsidian. His eyes flickered to the gun on her hip, he'd never seen her use a gun before. He had never even seen a gun on her person. Jim glanced at her face, it was smirking but it looked a little disengaged from the rest of her.

Wren's eyes flashed gold flickering like fire in the solar lamp light.

"You didn't think you could sneak in here and grab him did you?" Jones asked.

Wren smirked, "Not really." She shrugged, "If I could it'd be a little boring. So let's get this party started shall we?"

A few of the guards blinked in surprise, she seemed rather, nonchalant about this whole thing.

Jim smiled to himself.

Jones frowned, "Party." His face was calm but his voice was slightly incredulous.

"Look, I've got bigger fish to fry, so if we get this over with quickly we'll all be better for it." Wren sighed. "First I'd like you to let my friend there go and then we can negotiate your surrender."

Jones looked annoyed, "I don't think you understand your position here." He gestured to Jim.

"Oh, I understand it perfectly well Jake Bones." She frowned, "Blake Jones." She pointed. "My bad." She waved her hand, "You've taken my associate to get my attention, yes?"

Jones seemed to be thrown off a bit, he'd been confronted with anger, with fear, with hatred, and revenge, but this was new. He couldn't read her face, her gold eyes were as impenetrable as the day he named her, which made her smile all the more off putting. Jones decided to try and take control of the conversation again. "I'm surprised you made it through all my guards, nobody's gotten this far yet."

"Really?" Wren sounded genuinely surprised, "Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, you haven't had any real competition around here for a while."

Jones frowned annoyed, "Do you want to get to the point?"

Wren put up her hands, "You were the one who wanted to chat." She reached behind her.

Everyone immediately lifted their guns and pointed it at her in a movement so violent Jim was surprised bullets didn't start flying immediately. His heart almost jumped out of his mouth and he nearly ran over to Wren and smacked her for being reckless.

Jones pulled Jim in front of him, "What are you doing?"

Wren frowned at all of them, "Someone's tense. I'm getting something out of my backpack."

Jim really wanted to smack her now.

Jones frowned, "I should just shoot you now."

Wren smirked, "You could. But I highly urge you not to." She reached behind her again casually. Everyone tensed up. She pulled out a holobook and held it up for everyone to see. "You guys afraid of a book?"

Jones narrowed his eyes. "A book? What do you think that'll make me do?"

"Ah, well, this book isn't for you particularly." Wren said shifting her eyes away from Jones and landing on the Ambuge.

The Ambuge raised an eyebrow.

"You are Ambuge Martinique I presume."

"Perhaps." The Ambuge eyed her with amusement.

Jim's eyes darted to Wren, he had no idea what she was planning. He winced as Jones gripped his arm tighter.

Wren smiled and shifted her grip on the tome, "Then you'll want to look at this." She tossed the book so that it spun across the floor and flipped open at the Ambuge's feet. The projection popped up and whatever it was that everyone was expecting it wasn't. All Jim could see was a chart of scrolling numbers in glowing blue.

The guards around the Ambuge were about to jump the book weary of a bomb, but the Ambuge gestured for them to pick it up.

The nearest guard handed the book to the Ambuge and the Ambuge looked the numbers over carefully.

Jones eyed the book suspiciously, "Lord, don't play into this brat's hands."

The Ambuge held up a hand to silence the mayor and read over the chart.

While everyone was preoccupied with the book Jim glanced at Wren, her face was disagreeing with itself again. The slight smile on her lips was wobbling like it was taking a lot of effort to keep it up. She didn't look afraid but she didn't look angry either. It made him a little uneasy.

"What is this?" The Ambuge finally asked.

"Those," Wren walked a few paces to the right to lean against a chair, "are Jones's accounts for all his illegal doings."

Jones's eyes dilated and he glanced sharply at Wren, "You lie."

"I truth." Wren folded her arms, "But that's not the good part, turn the page."

The Ambuge obliged and pictures of young boys popped up bright and clear, their names underneath reversed for everyone looking on from the opposite way.

The Ambuge instantly paled, the luster and color draining from his face.

Jim looked sick and a look of pain flickered across Wren's face for a split second watching Jim's horror. It couldn't last for long though.

"What is this for?" The Ambuge asked looking as nonchalant as he could refusing to shut the book to show his innocence. The sweat that was pooling on his forehead though said otherwise.

Wren eyed the Ambuge like a test subject, "Those are some of your…" She tilted her head trying to find the words. She turned her eyes back on him sharply, "sexual assault victims, all of whom are underage you disgusting pedophile." The danger in her voice was clear.

Everyone's heads whipped around to Wren whose eyes looked like they could turn the Ambuge into ice. Jim tried not to shudder, the Ambuge had touched him earlier. His hands had been on his face.

The Ambuge looked like he wanted to faint. Half of the guards eyed him, they all knew the rumors.

Wren's voice cut through the unease with a high laugh. "You don't look so good there you deplorable piece of shite." She tilted her head, "Don't worry, it gets better on the next page." Wren said with an almost sadistic smile.

The Ambuge was sweating now, he didn't want to flip the page, but at the same time he couldn't stay on the page he was currently on. He glanced at Jones, who looked unperturbed. The boy, who glared at him something close to pure hatred. The girl merely looked amused but her eyes were cold like hardened gold.

Swallowing the Ambuge flipped the page. The slowly scrolling pictures vanished replaced with another chart, white this time.

Jim frowned, this seemed like more of the same. It didn't seem to punctuate any more than those boys scrolling past like the ending credits of a horrible movie.

The Ambuge visibly relaxed.

Jones however, frowned deeply.

"Those are the accounts of you two skimming from Daisethai funds and some truly impressive tax evasion." Wren shrugged, "And the details of your crimes against humanity, illegal slave trading as well as mass genocide."

Jones glared at Wren, "You call this evidence? I know for a fact that your allegations are pure conjecture."

Resting her chin in her hand Wren leveled her eyes on Jones with impunity, "I admit that you are very thorough. And it took a lot of time but eventually I found those old chambers you used, the ashes and bones thrown into the harbor, and the orders of gas from years ago." She shrugged, "Even you must know that killing that many people will leave evidence. No matter how careful you are." She straightened, "And not to mention the fact that half of the town remembers your turn as a genocidal tyrant."

Jones snarled and pointed his gun at Wren his anger immanent. "That's enough out of your insolent mouth. Guards, take aim."

The guard raised their weapons.

Jim tensed, Jork, jork, jork. Wren!

Wren sighed, "Surely you don't think killing me will keep all this a secret will you?"

Jones narrowed his eyes, "Silence heathen!"

"I'll have you know that if you kill me this information gets sent to the imperial navy, multiple government agencies, the Daisethai, and a few other pervasive hunters who would love to have this information. So I'd think twice about taking a shot." Wren said blandly. Her face completely bored.

"You're bluffing." Jones growled.

Wren looked off, "Ironically, I never bluff. Funny how that is." She clapped her hands, "So now that you are aware of your position, I can talk about the terms of your surrender."

The Ambuge stiffened.

"I know it's very tempting." Wren gestured, "But if you kill either me or my friend here this information will go to people you don't want to find it. And then you'll be caught, tried and hanged. Make no mistake you will be." Wren said cheerfully. "So here's what I suggest. You both leave this planet and never come back, then live your lives as virtuous hermits making up for your crimes by doing good deeds." She laughed, "Of course this is all up to you, but if you don't I will reveal your dirty secrets and you will be captured and killed." She looked at both the men neither of whom looked so threatening any more. "I understand that you cannot be held accountable for each other's decisions, so if only one decides to leave I will only reveal information about the other, sound fair?" Wren smiled at both of them convincingly like the way a snake smiles at a mouse.

"I-I-I can't." The Ambuge stuttered, "You can't."

Jones frowned, his yellow eyes quickly darting around the room. It didn't look like she was bluffing. Somehow Wren had gotten her hands on his books, so what to do now.

Wren felt nothing. Just a numbness that refused to go away. Her limbs felt like lead. She didn't want to move. She didn't care. Wren was floating, detached as a spirit. All she could say was, oh. Oh, to this, Oh, to that. Oh, there's a gun, Oh, there's a chair. Oh, Jim. Then, ah. The trembling started. Ah. Jones's image trembled at the edge of her sight. Ah, I'm going to kill that son of a bitch.

The Ambuge was panicking behind Jones, "Jones, we're going."

Jones whipped around, "Stand your ground Ambuge Martinique."

"What do you think you can do? We're done for." The Ambuge trembled. "Why did I have to get involved in this?"

"Calm down sire."

"You said you'd take care of this! This little girl! You said she wasn't a threat!" The Ambuge pointed. "But she had this!" he held up the book, "And she just walked in without a care in the world!"

Jones growled, "I am not leaving. I have everything under control."

It was strange. Jim felt like he'd seen this before. He looked over at Wren who saw his glance and mouthed some words at him, Hi snake eyes.

Jim raised an eyebrow, snake eyes? He mouthed back at her, Is this the plan?

Wren shrugged and made a sort of 'more or less' movement with her hand.

Jim tilted his head, Are you really going to let him go? He asked with an inclination of his head and concerned look.

Wren's face fell silent for a bit unreadable.

Jim watched, unsure if he had missed the cue.

Then Wren shifted, subtly almost imperceptibly, just the slightest change of her eyes that sent a clear thought ringing through his head. No.

In the meantime the Ambuge and Jones were getting into a heated argument.

"The Daisethai will not stand for this. They'll kill us both!" The Ambuge's voice was rising higher.

"They would never!" Jones thundered, "They know who is virtuous and who is a heathen! The Daisethai protects their true worshipers! God will protect us!"

The Ambuge wailed in despair.

"God is great! He is all powerful, more powerful than this witch!" Jones pointed, "Ambuge Martinique we must rise above these baseless accusations!"

The Ambuge moved his hands away from his face shaking, "Do what you want Jones, I'm leaving."

"We must stick together." Jones insisted, "If she divides us, she wins." Jones spat. "Do not let this worm cloud your judgement"

"It is not clouded, she has everything!" The Ambuge pointed desperately, "If this gets out, we're as good as dead."

"It won't. I'll make sure of it."

"And how can you be sure?" The Ambuge snapped. He shook his head, "I don't have time for this. Renaldo, let's go." He started to move off, the round of guards moving with him.

Jones looked like he was ready to burst into flames but instead he closed his eyes and seemed calm, which if you knew him meant it was time to start running. He gave a nod to one of his henchmen.

Immediately all the guards blocked off the exits facing the Ambuge's guards.

"Stop right there your holiness." Jones said quietly.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I will be taking charge of this situation, stay until this is over." Jones turned back to Wren.

The Ambuge stiffened, "How dare you! I am a Ambuge! You dare talk to me like that you common cur!"

"Remain calm sire, this will be over momentarily."

Wren smiled as Jones leveled his eyes on her.

"Impressive." She said still watching from her place fifteen feet away. The Ambuge screaming abuse in the background.

"If you thought this was enough to get me rattled you've underestimated me." He pointed his gun at Jim, "Now, drop the charges or I will shoot your young man here." He said coldly.

Wren looked genuinely surprised.

Jim merely frowned, "You don't get it do you?" Jim said annoyed.

Wren sighed, "You can't blame him Jim, he's been a big fish in a small pond for too long."

Jim nodded, "That makes sense. I'm disappointed honestly."

Jones frowned and smacked Jim hard enough to make the boy see flashes.

"Ow." Jim managed to only sway a bit.

"Enough." Jones snapped, "I've had enough of your childishness."

Wren cracked her neck, "You're the child here guppy." She said calmly despite the gun being very near her puppy eyes. "You don't gain anything by killing him." Wren said, "Which you should've known if you bothered to expand out of your comfort zone a bit." She said cocking her head, "But now you're swimming with sharks guppy. And we play by different rules." She gestured, "I've given you a very, very, favorable way out of this situation. Take it."

Jones spat, "I don't think so. You've left us a way out because you're bluffing."

"No, it's because I'm on vacation." Wren said flippantly, "If I wanted I would've killed you in your sleep and gotten it over with. But that's no fun." She shrugged. "I do love the chase." She made a motion like the casting of a line.

"What the jork." Jones narrowed his eyes, "You're not making any sense."

Wren was reeling in her fish now, "Well that's because you still think that you're the fisherman and Jim's the bait."

Jones looked at Jim, "If you insist on speaking in metaphor." Jones shoved Jim, "Then you've already taken the bait. And now I'm done with your insanity. Guards." He said coldly. "Take aim."

The Ambuge whined in protest.

Wren put down her invisible rod, "Oh guppy." She turned to him, "I'm the bait."

Jim grinned.

Jones frowned, "what?"

Suddenly from the multiple exits people poured out and jumped on the nearest soldier they could find. The entire hall was immediately thrown into chaos.

Wren pulled her gun from its holster just as Jones pulled Jim in front of him. Wren quickly raised the gun as Jones aimed his, protected by his shield. Wren didn't hesitate and as both came guns came into firing positing she immediately fired off a shot.

Jim sucked in a breath barely able to register that Wren had actually fired, but he didn't have to worry. The gun in Jones's hand practically exploded and the lizard man yelled as his hand crunched from impact. He recoiled and screamed gripping his hand.

Jim stumbled away his heart kicking into a gallop.

Wren turned and immediately fired two shots at the dark balconies which clearly hit the two snipers as two rifles dropped from the sky. "Jim!"

"Wren!" Jim enveloped her in hug. Loving the feel of her hair on his cheek and her breath on his neck. He swiftly pulled them out of the way of gunfire and breathed a sigh of relief.

Wren returned the hug gripping him tightly, missing his weight and his eyes and his warmth, "Are you okay?" She whispered refusing to let him go, "Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?" She asked nearly breathless, but that might have been from Jim's crushing hug.

Jim shook his head, "I'm okay."

Wren held his face looking into it. His eyes blue and pure and beautiful like sapphires. She had almost lost those eyes.

The battle raged around them, members of the resistance fighting with Jones's guards and the cacophony of sound echoed around the hall.

Yet above it all.

"You imbeciles! Help me!" Jones roared holding his injured hand.

Jim felt Wren still and he pulled away. "Wren?"

Wren wasn't looking at him anymore, her eyes had grown cold so much so that it chilled him. Jim wanted to retreat he was so scared. It squeezed his chest and he felt a sharp stab of pain. Jim gripped her arm, "Wren?" The temperature in the room plummeted. The warmth that he felt before sucked out of him.

Wren didn't even glance at him, "Stay behind me." She said quietly pushing him behind her moving toward Jones.

"Wren wait." He heard that tone in her voice, the one that had always trembled on the edge of his consciousness but didn't hear until now.

Jones saw her coming and looked so scared he probably pissed himself. "Stop!" He tried to scoot away, "Get her! KILL HER!" He shouted.

His two body guards looked over raising their swords.

Wren fired two shots easily and both the guards screamed and gripped their legs. They fell away and Wren stepped in front of Jones and raised the gun.

Jones's eyes widened at the sight of the girl who looked so still and immovable surrounded by chaos. Her face impossibly cold.

"Stop! Wait! Please!" Jones raised his hand pleading, "You can't! YOU CAN'T! Please!" He begged pathetically. "I'll give you anything you want! Just-don't-" Jones sniveled.

Wren ignored his pleads and cocked the gun.

"No! no! You can't." Jones's eyes were huge against his scarred skin.

Wren looked at the sniveling man that she had feared so long and couldn't believe so many people had died because of one pathetic creature. How disappointing. She curled her finger.

Jim stepped in front of Wren, "Wren stop."

Wren looked through Jim. "Move."

"No." Jim put his hands out, "You can't kill him Wren."

"He deserves to die." Wren said refusing to lower her gun.

"Maybe." Jim said, "But it's not up to us. You don't need to."

Wren glared at him, "Get out of the way." Her words sounding like lead.

Jim shook his head, he was so afraid, so afraid that if Wren gave into the cold he would never get her back. She looked so alone, so foreign to him. "I can't." He reached out, "I know I don't understand what he did, but…" he stepped toward Wren, "You're better than this. You are better."

Wren narrowed her eyes, "I said, move."

"No." Jim took her hand and pointed the gun at himself, "You can't do this to yourself. I won't let you."

Wren grabbed his shirt and pushed him out of the way impatiently and aimed.

Jim grabbed her hand and forced it to point at his chest, "Wren."

"Let go."

"No."

"I SAID LET GO!" Wren shouted, "Or I will go through you!" She seemed to have snapped.

"I can't." Jim held her arm.

Jones trembled on the floor and Jim stepped between them once more.

"You don't understand." Wren shook her head eyes gleaming, "How could you possibly understand?"

Jim watched her coldness crack and what was showing through made him want to cry.

"I've done so many things Jim. So many- Things you'll never have to do!" her voice cracked, "So many things that I didn't want to do. You grew up in a house, with food, and a mom and school, and safe. Things that I wanted Jim! That I can never have! Because he took it away from me!" Wren shouted, "That he took away from everyone! "I am not good, I am not better. Why should you expect me to be? When nobody else is?" Wren tried to push him off, "Who gave you that jorking idea? I can't be who you think I am! And I'm tired. I'm so tired of everyone thinking I'm better. I'm tired of people trying to make me better. I'm tired of everything! This is the best I can jorking do! And I still can't control anything! I can't do anything!" Wren glared at him eyes bright and desperate. "Now move! I've waited seven years to kill him and you are NOT going to stop me!" Her hands started trembling. "This is my choice! Mine! Get out of my way!"

Jim's eyes were steady, shining her own reflection back at her.

"JIM! MOVE!"

Jim shook his head and took another step toward her.

Wren punched him in the chest with her other hand, "Stay away from me!" She punched him again, "Stay away!" her hits bounced off his chest and she hit him with her fist beating at him but he didn't move. "Jim! Jim. Let me go. Please." Wren looked down, "I can't let him get away again. I can't. I can't…" her eyes teared up. "I can't." her fists stopped, "I'm so close. Why is there always something in the way?" She covered her face, "Why is there always something? Why are you doing this to me?" Her breath was hitched, "Why?" Her voice came out broken. "Why?" She dropped the gun and broke into tears. "Why…"

Jim let go of her.

Wren seemed to dissolve into tears. "I just.. want this to be over." Her voice wavered and dipped barely audible. "When is it going to end?" She pressed her hands to her face.

Jim gently enveloped her in a hug holding the sobbing girl to his chest.

Wren sobbed her cries muffled in his chest but he could feel them. There was so much to cry for and it hurt. It hurt so much.

Wren cried, because she couldn't do anything else. Because there was nothing left for her to feel. Encircled by Jim's arms she couldn't be afraid, defeating Jones she couldn't feel anger, confronted by kindness she couldn't be cold. So all that was left was sadness, so deep and old that it nearly choked her as it came out. Wren shook and covered her mouth trying to muffle her sobbing. But the grief only pressed against her palm instead of her lips with unrelenting force. She trembled as it fought to burst out and she tried to swallow down the majority of it again.

Jim felt her trying to hold in the toxin and he held her tighter and whispered into her ear, "Let it out Wren."

That was all it took to push her over the edge. The tears poured from her eyes and she let out a sob that was littered with shards of painful memories. Standing in Jim's arms, surrounded by battle Wren cried her heart out.

Jim held her as she trembled and took in hitched breaths only to let them out wailing. He rubbed her head just to remind her he was there. He pressed his cheek to her head and tried to anchor her as she weathered the storm. Every so often he could feel her starting to slip away and he would firmly grip her tighter, almost as if he was keeping her spirit from disappearing. It seemed to push her back into her body with force and she would renew her crying with a little inhale.

Eventually the tears ebbed and the anger that had kept Wren moving drained from her limbs and she leaned limply against Jim and relied on him to keep her upright.

"You're okay." Jim said softly into her hair.

Wren blearily blinked her eyes, looking up at the lights that were hazy and breaking into rainbows. She took a breath smelling the stars and earth in a specific combination that was distinctly Jim. She sniffed too tired to really do anything.

Jim hummed feeling peace settle into her bones. She felt soft, and pliable, and he was acutely aware of how he had practically enveloped her. He relaxed a bit knowing the worst of it was over.

Wren stirred and muttered into his chest, "I'm sorry."

Jim shushed her.

"I'm really sorry Jim. You were almost killed and I left without you." She looked up at him, tear filled eyes unbelievably large and shining with something he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Are you mad at me?" She asked.

That seemed to strike something in Jim and he frowned, "Absolutely." He looked away, "But I can't gorram talk about it while your crying now can I?"

"You can if you want." Her voice was soft, too tired to care about a lecture, "I deserve it."

"You're ruining this." Jim grumbled smoothing her hair.

Wren tiredly leaned against him, "What?"

"I'm comforting you but still trying to stay angry you inconceivably inconsiderate idiot."

"Oh." Wren laughed tiredly.

Jim growled, "And, if you thought crying would make me forgive you easier than you're wrong."

Wren pull her face into a relaxed smile, "I'm glad you think so."

"Oh don't give me that. When we get back I'm telling you off." Jim muttered, "I'm pissed."

"As you should be." Wren agreed. "But I am sorry."

Jim pulled away a little, "I'm not going to let you manipulate me with your tearful sorrys. So shut up or I'll yell at you now."

"Is that so?" A little bit of life returned to her voice. "I'm looking forward to a good lecture from the king of propriety." She tapped his chin.

"Stop that."

Wren chuckled and lazily caressed his jaw. "why?"

"Wren."

Wren could see his blushing through her eyelashes and she turned and gently placed a kiss on his hand a little too tired to think straight. "Sorry."

Jim nearly jumped out of his skin and pushed Wren away from him heart racing. "That's it, if you want a lecture you'll get a damn lecture!" Jim gruffly made Wren sit on the ground, putting a safe distance between them, "Alright, listen up Wren. Just because you are emotionally compromised there's no excuse for being a butt and leaving me behind, especially when you promised we were in this together. I mean I get it. This guy is a complete monster but glorpak Wren, I was worried," His gestured were exasperated, "We're friends, and you just disappeared in the middle of the night. Ohhhhhh," he drew out the noise, "I wanted to punch you in the face. But I was really worried too. So worried! I mean you should've seen your face! I thought you were just going to unravel at the seams! I know I should've just trusted you but how was I supposed to do that when I see you crying in the middle of the night?" He threw his hands in the air, "I'm not saying you can't do it, but you could've said something! I wanted to help!" He started pacing, "And then you guys told me all that stuff, I didn't know what to think! It was like you were saying goodbye or something. Like you didn't care if you made it out! Does that make sense?"

Wren nodded kneeling on the floor.

"And Silver was being super cryptic! I know he knew where you were and he wouldn't jorking tell me! And then I got captured! And I am NOT a jorking damsel in distress! I could've saved myself you know!"

"I know." Wren affirmed.

"And you could've told me what you were planning. If you did, I wouldn't have freaked out so much." He turned, "That's a nice shirt by the way. It's a good cut on you. But this is what I mean! I didn't even know you owned a shirt that was darker than yellow! What else don't I know? Do you own any shoes beside boots?"

"Uh."

"Don't answer that!" He growled, "I mean you gave me a bandana and everything, does that really mean nothing to you?"

"Karwi. Why is this Midaang yelling at you?" A kid appeared next to Wren and gave Jim the side eye. "What did you do?"

"Ornesfi chimba." Wren rubbed his hair, "I'm glad to see you're alright Finch."

Finch blushed, "Yeah of course I'm fine."

Several kids crowded around Wren and clambered over each other to check her. But they mostly looked up at Jim in awe.

"You're tall."

"Are you her boss or something mister?"

"Glorpak you sure know how to give a scolding don't ya?"

"Just like my ma. But she uses the paddle."

Jim blinked at the kids who were crowded around Wren small hands holding onto her, big eyes looking at him.

Wren smiled and wrapped her arms around the smallest kid who was sitting in her lap, "Everyone this is Jim. He's my partner is crime." She had this soft look on her face while she looked at him that made Jim blush.

Jim fixed his face, "And who are these munchkins Wren?"

"These are my mischievous marauders." Wren gestured proudly.

"Mischievous Marauders!" The kids cheered.

"Good job guys, you did good." Wren made sure to pat each of them on the head.

They all laughed and kneeled down next to Wren and bowed their heads in Jim's direction, "Our deepest respect sir!" They said in unison.

Jim was so confused. "Thank you?"

"These guys helped me gather some info and do some sneaking. And I told them about you so they might worship you a bit." Wren grinned.

The kid in her lap raised his hands, "Puppy eyes!"

Jim jumped, "You told them about me? Why?" He pointed, "This kid knows that stupid nickname you gave me!"

"Puppy eyes!" All the kids shouted.

Jim put a hand over his face, "What did I do to deserve this? I'm a good person. Right?"

Wren chuckled and got up, the kid sliding from her lap. She took Jim by the back of his neck and pulled him forward so that their foreheads were touching, "Yes, the best person I know."

Jim nearly had his straight face scared off as his heart hammered away in his chest. "Don't think you can distract me with these kids. I'm still mad at you."

"Mhm." Wren smiled her eyes soft, "I'd be disappointed if you weren't, but I've got some business I need to finish first." She rubbed their foreheads together and squeezed his neck gently, "I promise we'll talk about it after. Okay?"

Jim nodded.

"Thanks for being understanding." She smiled and then released him. "Alright little rebels, let's go."

Jim staggered away the blush reaching his ears.

The kids watched them with anticipation.

"I thought you guys were going to kiss." Finch said blandly.

"You'd like to see that wouldn't you chimba." She grinned ruffling his hair.

Jim coughed, "Yeah, no that's not happening.

Finch scrunched his nose, "No way, that's gross." He stuck out his tongue. "Ew."

"It's not gross Finch. You'll see when you're older it'll be all you want." She pecked him on the forehead. "There."

Finch made a sound of revulsion and wiped his forehead. "I will not!" he shouted blushing, "You're such a weirdo!" He trembled in outrage.

"I want one too!" A little girl jumped up and down.

Wren bestowed a small kiss on her head and then sniffed her hair, "Oh Rafiki, you need a bath."

"Yep!" The girl grinned.

Wren laughed. "Alright come on guys."

"I want one from puppy eyes!" A few of the kids shouted.

"No."

"Puppy eyes! Puppy eyes!" The kids chanted.

Jim sighed, oh for Burchen's sake.

"Excuse me sir." A rebel tapped him on the shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Jim nearly sighed in relief, "I'm fine, thank yo-" He jumped, "Glorpak! Are you okay?"

The man was bleeding profusely from his arm. "I'm good!" The man grinned enthusiastically. "It's an honor to meet you. Jim right? You have my sincere gratitude." He shook Jim's hand enthusiastically. "I'm so glad I get to meet you in person!"

Jim nodded, "Uh, thanks." He looked at the man's arm, "Are you sure you don't want that taken care of?"

"Don't worry, I don't feel a thing."

"I think that's called shock."

"Jim. I'm taking Jones."

"Uh, wait Wren." Jim paused wondering if he should step in. "I uhhh…"

Wren picked up Jones who was trussed up like a turkey and smiled. "I'm just going to turn him over to Jonathan."

Jim gave the bleeding rebel to another to make sure he got medical attention.

Jonathan found them, "Jim, you're okay!" He rubbed Jim's cheek with the side of his snout that wasn't covered in blood.

Jim took the nuzzle with minimal grumbling. "Nice to see you too Jonathan."

Jonathan finished his nuzzle and looked over to Wren, "Thanks for the distraction Wren."

"Thanks for the backup." Wren nodded and, "I have a gift for you." Wren held up Jones who glared at all of them.

A low growl instantly started up in Jonathan's chest and he pulled back his lips and bared his teeth.

Jones started cursing at them through his gag his yellow eyes trying to incinerate Jonathan on the spot. Clearly he wasn't happy to see Jonathan had betrayed him.

"Why didn't you kill him?" Jonathan snapped.

Jim jumped.

"Jonathan wait-" Wren held up a hand.

"Wait? I've waited for seven years!" he snapped, "I'm done waiting! He doesn't deserve to live! Give him to me I'll kill him myself."

Jim took Jonathan's arm and held him back. "Jonathan!" Jim winced as the strong wolf threatened to rip his arm out.

Wren stopped him, "Jonathan, He should face the people he's hurt."

Jonathan stopped struggling.

Wren said pausing with a quick glance at Jim, "We're better then this."

The rumbling ceased as Jonathan looked at the pitiful man Wren was holding, his reason fighting to hold down the urge to bite Jones's neck in a satisfying spray of blood and screaming. The reason he'd been fighting for so long. He let out a dusty breath, "Very well." Jonathan grit out, "Yes." Then he grinned, "I hear the prisons on Riogan are terrible."

Wren nodded, "They are." The way she said it sounded a little too sure for Jim to be comfortable.

Onitone came up to them, "Jonathan, we rounded up- what the hell is he doing still alive?" Onitone yelled. "You didn't kill him?" They shouted unsheathing their swords.

Jonathan lifted Onitone away while they screamed.

Wren looked pained as Jonathan rubbed Onitone's head with his chin making soothing hums.

"Shhhhh… Shhhhhh." Jonathan nuzzled Onitone's hair.

Onitone tried to slow their ragged breathing as Jonathan held them from behind. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."

Wren dropped Jones as he snickered and turned to the rebels. "Get all the prisoners down to the jail. I need you to announce to the people that Jones has been defeated. Kyle, right? Can you take stock of the injured?"

The people Wren gave jobs to scattered.

Silver smiled from the shadows.

"Good job little bird." He smiled.

Wren looked up as if she had heard him, and maybe she did. But she smiled, thanking him for his help with the look on her face. She had always been his ace in the hole, now he was hers.

Silver nodded back and faded into the night, he'd see them after everything died down.

"What do you want us to do Karwi?" Finch asked.

Wren turned back to her helper, "Half of you go and gather the people from the Southside,a```` they should see this."

Half the kids darted away.

Finch looked up at Wren, "Wren."

"Yes?"

"You… Thanks for coming back for us." Finch rubbed his head. "You didn't have to but, you did."

Wren kneeled, "Yes, but I should've come sooner, I'm sorry I let this happen."

"It's not your fault Karwi." Finch became thoughtfully silent, "You were part of the first year of recruits right?"

Wren thought for a moment and nodded, "I think so." She responded to a rebel's question. "What about it?" She turned back to Finch.

"You know… Everyone from the first wave, they're all dead now. You're the only one who made it out."

Wren chewed on this piece of information, "I see."

"I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad, I just want you to know why everyone thinks you're a legend, you're the last survivor. It's just kinda crazy, you're so old."

Wren knew Finch was trying to be nice but, I'm old?

Jim laughed behind her and Wren glared at him.

"Wren. We're good now." Jonathan spoke up.

Wren looked at them, "Onitone…"

"Yeah, I'm fine." They nodded and took a deep breath, "You did good."

Wren tilted her head, "Actually it was Jim's idea."

Onitone turned their eyes on Jim and smiled, "So you're Jim. Nice to meet you."

"Same to you." Jim smiled. "Are you with the resistance too?" He asked.

Onitone looked off to the side, "Uh, Well I'm actually resisting the resistance right now."

"Wait. What?" Wren raised her eyebrow.

Jonathan rubbed his head, "Well, I couldn't convince Atigan, but I brought anyone who wanted to come, which thanks to you guys was a lot of people."

Wren crossed her arms. "So he finally stepped up to the plate." Wren said to Onitone.

"I know, I've been telling him for years but he wouldn't listen." Onitone sighed, "What am I going to do with him?"

"That's pretty cool." Jim muttered to himself.

"You think so?" Jonathan perked up.

"Uh." Jim jumped, "Yeah. I do." He pressed his lips together, "I mean you're a double agent and a rebel leader that's pretty impressive…" He looked off to the side.

Jonathan grinned, "Thanks Jim. I appreciate it." Jonathan gave him a small nose nudge.

Onitone let out a guffaw, "Don't let it get to your head Jonathan!"

"I won't. I won't." Jonathan waved a paw. He looked around at the ruined ball room, "Let's finish cleaning this place up."

The rebels ripped the banners off the walls and moonlight streamed in through the skylight. The lamps giving off a soft glow. They stood in the center of the ballroom surrounded by carnage yet lighter than they had ever been.

Wren looked down at Jones who was trying his best to worm around and frowned, "Do you mind if I take him for a moment?" She asked Jonathan.

"Go ahead." Jonathan said with almost revulsion. "Make sure you bring him back."

Wren nodded, "You'd better come with me."

Jonathan looked grim as Wren grabbed Jones by his collar and dragged him toward the doors. Jonathan and Onitone followed anyways.

As Wren walked toward the doorway she could feel the cool air of night brush on her face and fill her lungs. Sounds of darkness permeated the air calming her thundering heart. The burden she dragged behind her seemed so much lighter. Wren reached the doorway towing nearly an entire decade of pain and unbelievable sadness behind her and she stepped out into the open.

Wren was greeted by over a hundred upturned faces looking up at her from her place at the top of the stairs. Jonathan and Onitone emerged behind her and Wren gripped her handful of wounded tissue and raised it into the air as everyone watched.

Wren took in a deep breath, looking larger than she ever had, eyes shining like twin stars, "NESOI!" Her voice vibrated through the air. "WE HAVE DEFEATED THE DRAGON!"

There was a moment of silence as the words echoed across the yard, hundreds of eyes turned to the small girl holding their burdens aloft. Then the hill top exploded with a roar of victory so loud the moon trembled.

Jim could feel it in his bones, shaking the ground he stood upon, and swelling in his chest till it almost burst. Jim wanted to step into the light but for some reason his feet wouldn't move. For some reason he felt like he couldn't join that roar of victory that was created from so much shared experience that he wasn't a part of. And the way Wren was standing at the top of those steps barely flanked by Jonathan and Onitone she seemed untouchable somehow. Dark hair waving in the wind, moonlight creating an ethereal being out of her. But then she stepped out of it, Jonathan and Onitone stepping up to fill the gap. She turned around looking human again and smiled and Jim holding out her hand asking for him to take it.

The advanced navy arrived not thirty minutes later, huge ships in blue and gold descending on the docks roaring engines and imperial stature. Jonathan was there in front of a crowd of rebels and city folk, Amelia standing next to him seemingly unfazed at being part of a coup flanked by the doctor. They had both helped secure the navy's support. Jonathan and Onitone turned Blake Jones over to the admiral that took him into custody. The Buchanon's were taken as well, apparently the navy did not take well to captains that accepted bribes from criminal warlords that committed crimes against humanity. Jonathan gave the records over for prosecution and anyone who could see the admiral's face knew he was impressed. He shook hands with Jonathan and nodded to Onitone. Atigan standing angrily in the background. Jonathan thanked the navy man graciously and the navy promised to offer more support to the small backwater planet. He then turned to Captain Amelia shook her hand and they spoke quickly to one another. It seemed that Captain Amelia was held in higher regard than anyone expected.

Jones was taken away in a ship that also carried away much of the fear the people had, leaving tired elation in its place.

There was celebration in Nesoi that night, light and drinks spilling out into the streets as the entire city rejoiced, the story of Jones' defeat spreading faster than the wind. Phrases and snippets were told so quickly in an hour nearly everyone had at least a patchwork of the story. In even less time the shops had thrown open their doors and an impromptu city-wide party commenced.

"So, about that apology." Jim looked at Wren from across the table pinning her to the corner she was trying to disappear into.

Wren glanced up at Jim and immediately looked back down at the table too afraid to meet his furious eyes. Wren took a deep breath, she wasn't used to apologizing but decided to try her best. She twisted her hands together heart beating rapidly inside her chest, she took another dep breath, then another, and another holding the last one hoping what came out was right. "I'm sorry."

"Explain to me what you were thinking." Jim crossed his arms.

Wren blinked and looked up at him confused.

Jim's expression stayed expectant waiting for an explanation.

"What I was thinking…" Wren started. "I guess- I wasn't…" She admitted.

One of Jim's eyebrows raised.

"I mean, I was kind of scared." Wren shrunk a bit, "That fire scared me a lot. And I'll admit I was emotionally compromised and out of my depth." She paused, "I wasn't sure if I would succeed so I wanted to make sure you guys were out of harm's way. So I left."

Jim stayed silent watching Wren as she rolled words in her mouth.

"I also didn't want you to see me do bad things." Wren admitted, "It sounds stupid, but I wanted you to believe that I was as good person." She said, "And if I took you with me I might make you a bad person too and I don't want that."

"I hate you so much."

"What?" Wren turned to him.

"I swear to kurchak, Wren you're not a bad person, listen to yourself." Jim crossed his arms, "You were literally trying to protect me the entire time." He held up a hand when she opened her mouth, "No, I don't agree with how you tried to go about it, but I know plenty of people who've never broken the law and are absolute monsters. I've broken the law plenty of times."

Wren gasped, "You have? Wait. What?""

"Oh, yeah, I've gotten arrested plenty."

Wren shook her head, "That's… no. You?"

"Obviously."

Wren looked appalled, "Whatever for?"

"Mostly flying in restricted areas, and getting into fights." Jim nodded.

"Wait, you can get arrested for that?"

"What planet have you been on?" Jim asked. And then realized, "Right." He sat back, "Yeah, they were going to send me to JUV for my next offense."

"JUV… That's."

"Oh. Juvenile detention." Jim looked up trying to find the right words, "A jail for minors."

"Just for fighting and flying?" Wren asked, "That's basically all the navy does. It seems pretty stupid to go to jail for a job.

Jim chuckled, "Maybe the navy wants a monopoly on the market."

"It's a conspiracy." Wren nodded. "Jim, I know I made a mistake." She reached out and raised his hand to her forehead, "I don't intend to make it again. Please forgive me."

Jim swallowed, "I forgive you Wren." He grinned, "As long as you promise to never leave me out of something again."

"It's going to be hard to unlearn all the things I've learned, but I'll try, I'll try my best. I promise." She lowered her head even more.

Jim watched Wren's bowed head open and vulnerable to anything he wanted to throw at her. "I know you still have secrets Wren."

Wren tensed keeping her head lowered waiting for his ambush.

"But they are yours. I won't ask for something you aren't willing to give." He raised her forehead and smiled, "But maybe one day, if you want, you can tell me."

Wren stared in wide eyed wonder at the boy sitting across from her, forgiving her transgressions with unconditional kindness. "Jork Puppy Eyes, you're going to make me cry again."

Jim smiled and held her face, "Well don't. Tonight is for celebrating! You did it!" He grinned all sunshine and rainbows.

Wren lifted her face out of his hands and sat back, "Yes, we did."

"What, you're not happy?"

"I am." Wren gazed out the window, "I just can't believe it's over." She smiled, "I feel tired and old, and there's still so much that needs fixing."

Jim frowned, "You're still young Wren. Like they are." He nodded to the people partying in the streets, "And you have a long future ahead of you to fix things that need fixing."

Wren nodded, "I still can't believe he went down with such a sloppy plan."

"Sloppy?" Jim asked, "I thought it was pretty good."

"I had to pull it together last minute. Give me an extra day and it would've been masterful." Wren shrugged, "I mean I actually had to shoot someone." Wren grimaced, "That never happens."

Jim pointed, "See, explain that to me. I've never seen you shoot before so I assumed you just sucked, but you're actually amazing! Silver said you never even held a gun before."

"I did for a bit." Wren explained, "Just to learn. But then Silver said not to, so I don't." Wren said, "But I've seen you shoot too, you said you never held a gun before then, so what's up with that?"

Jim shrugged, "Beats me. Movies maybe?"

"There you guys are."

Jim and Wren both looked up, not expecting company since everyone was out dancing in the streets.

Jonathan sat down next to Jim with a sigh, Onitone plopped down next to Wren.

"What are you guys doing here?" Onitone asked.

"I should ask you the same thing." Wren said, "Shouldn't you guys be reveling in your victory, people should see your faces."

Jonathan waved his hand tiredly, "There's time for that later."

Wren frowned in disagreement but let it go.

"How are you guys feeling?" Jim asked.

"Tired, and relieved," Onitone smiled, "And still in shock."

"We've been fighting for so long I don't know what to do with myself now." Jonathan said half jokingly, but too seriously to be ignored.

Onitone and Jim looked at their hands, unsure themselves.

"You do what all soldiers do." Wren looked out, "Live in the peace you've won… or find another war."

Jonathan looked at Wren, "And where is your next war Wren?"

"Not here." She smiled, "And not for a while."

"You could stay," Onitone said quietly almost too afraid to ask, "You could stay and help us rebuild."

Jim looked at Wren waiting for her answer.

She shook her head, "I can't." She said with finality, "This place isn't mine any more, I don't recognize it." Wren looked out the window.

"But Nesoi needs you. You pulled us together, you could keep us together." Jonathan said.

Wren shook her head, "No, I'd just be in the way, they must build up themselves or they will just fall again." Wren knew that these people would just cling onto her as their messiah, they needed a leader, not a savior. "Legends and reality don't mix well."

Jonathan understood that.

Wren smiled, "I don't wish to burden you guys with the results of what I've done. It's harder to make something than to destroy it."

Onitone grinned, "Well it's not like you've completely left us without options, the blue tails are here. They'll bring in some money and help." She was referring to the imperial navy, they were often called blue tails because of their uniformed blue tail coats.

"Hopefully we can strike a deal with them to build infrastructure; schools, roads, hospitals." Jonathan groaned, "I'm already stressed out."

Jim put a hand on his shoulder in consolation.

"You've been awfully quiet Jim." Onitone noticed, "What's up?"

Jim jumped hoping he could fly under the radar, "Nothing."

"Speak your mind Jim." Jonathan gave the teen his attention.

"No. I was just-" Jim pulled on his nose, "I just feel a little weird saying anything as an outsider."

"Seriously?" Jonathan jumped, "He's serious?"

Wren shrugged, "Don't ask me."

"Jim, you helped us, even though you are an outsider." Onitone explained, "You're the reason any of this even happened."

"No, that was Wren." Jim pointed, "She's the one that made everything happen."

"The people you freed were the ones who gathered everyone tonight." Onitone waved their hand, "You gave us the courage to do what we needed to do."

"Again. That was Wren." Jim insisted, not seeing what they were getting at.

"When you were captured, you weren't scared in the slightest, I've never seen anything like it." Jonathan said, "You literally stared down death and didn't even blink."

"Yeah, because Wren was coming for me." He looked at them, "I think you guys are overestimating my part in all this."

They both sat back in exasperation, "Is he always this selfless? Or is he just thick headed?"

Wren smiled, "Don't worry, he'll come around." She looked at Jim from under her lashes and Jim had a sneaking suspicion she had a part in all this.

The door burst open and all four heads turned.

"Jonathan! There you are!" One of the rebels Wren recognized from their underground lair came in, "You promised to do a speech."

Jonathan winced, "Surely they don't need one."

"I disagree." Wren grinned.

"So that's why you're here, you ran away." Jim pointed.

"I did not." Jonathan protested, "I merely wanted to make sure you guys were okay."

Onitone got up and took Jonathan's arm, "He'll be right there."

"Excuse me?" Jonathan sputtered.

Jim took Jonathan's other arm and grinned, "He just needs a few minutes to gather his thoughts."

Wren stood and looked out the window noting the people piling into the square, "Not too many minutes though, they know where we are."

"How'd they find us so fast?" Jonathan asked.

"So you were trying to hide." Jim grinned.

"It's okay Jonathan, you're a natural speaker. Let's just comb your fur a bit." Onitone ran a hand over his hair fluffing it.

"Guys, I can't do this. I'm not the right guy for this." He dug his heels into the ground.

"You led the rebellion, of course you're the right guy." Jim said pushing him, "Now come on."

"I can't! I worked for Jones, I was his right hand man for years, there's no way-"

"You were a double agent." Wren stated, "Come on Jonathan."

"I still did stuff. I really don't think, I could face people knowing what I did."

Onitone sighed and stopped pushing, "We've all done things Jonathan. My hands are dirtier than yours, but this is what we fought for." They straightened his jacket, "A new beginning. Without blood."

Jonathan blinked watching Onitone with their clear eyes and shoulder length dark hair. He glanced at Wren and Jim who smiled encouragingly. He took a deep breath and pushed a hand through his fur, "Yeah. Alright. Okay."

Onitone kissed Jonathan's snout, "You got this."

Jonathan looked like he was ejected into space, "Uhhhhhh… Mhm." He nodded and toddled to the door.

Wren's raised an eyebrow.

Jim smiled and let Jonathan go, shuffling away in a daze, "First time?"

Onitone held their face. "He's so shy." They smiled blushing a bit, "You have to make the first move with that type."

"Focused on the job?"

"Yeah."

"Oblivious?"

"Yep."

"Tragically good looking from all angles?"

"Oh god yes." Onitone put a hand on their chest and turned to Jim.

Jim nodded, "Sucks doesn't it?"

"Sounds like you have experience." Onitone grinned.

Jim picked up his jacket and gave Onitone a look, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Onitone raised an eyebrow, "Here I thought Wren was the forward one."

"She is." Jim slung his jacket over his shoulder.

Onitone sighed and walked out after Jonathan.

Jim stopped by Wren, "you coming?"

"Wow." She stared after them, "That was a surprise."

"A surprise?" Jim raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't know they liked each other." Wren smiled.

"You didn't know." Jim asked incredulously, he could spot that from a mile away.

"There weren't any signs. But it's sweet."

"You think so?"

"They're a good couple." Wren nodded.

Jim looked at her for a moment too long, "yeah." He nodded to the door, "You coming?"

"Just… give me a minute." Wren turned away from the door.

Jim nodded he put a hand on her shoulder, the only way he could think to comfort her, and quietly left.

Wren watched him leave and sighed. She turned away from the door after hearing loud cheers. Inside the inn it was empty, and quiet, and dark. The barkeeper was gone, off to join the merriment outside probably. Little slants of lamp light came in from the window with shadows passing in and out of it. Wren found three full shot glasses abandoned on the table. She picked one up and contemplated it. Raising it slightly in the air she smiled, Here's to you. She tipped it quickly into her mouth. It tasted like – regret. Wren smiled and picked up another, Here's to me. She took the second with barely a grimace. She picked up the third and looked at the liquid in the glass. She could see a flickering reflection in it, not hers, but there was something nice about how the colors and light slid around the glass. Holding the glass aloft she made a toast to her lost friends and said a final goodbye to the past.

Here's to tomorrow.

Wren took her medicine and swallowed.

The crowd was deliriously happy. A kind of disbelieving relief that constantly verged on the edge of tears. Instead of crying they were all cheering as loud as they could.

Jonathan just finished speaking, he couldn't remember what he said, but he knew he was finished. The people around him were cheering really loudly. He looked around, were they cheering because of what he said, or because he was done saying it?

Onitone pat him on the shoulder grinning from ear to ear, "That was great Jonathan."

"Really?" He looked bewildered, "Okay."

Everyone was cheering around them in a circle, the lights were so bright it might as well have been day. Jonathan decided to just go with it and waved.

Jim smiled leaning against the door. Jonathan and Onitone had ended up by the fountain; Jim however stayed by the door and watched the proceedings with pride. Jonathan was a good speaker. The cheering started all over again, singing too.

Quietly, the door beside Jim opened and Wren stepped out. Jim wrinkled his nose, do I smell alcohol?

Wren winced at the bright light and noise that contrasted the quiet stillness of the inn. She noticed Jim first and smiled, both of them reveling in the anonymity, glad to have all the attention directed away from them, neither were good with it.

The cheers suddenly faded out into silence.

Jim's face snapped back to attention.

Wren felt chills and she quickly turned around and took a step back.

Everyone in the square was staring.

Wren stared back.

The people seemed to be waiting for something, always waiting silent and watchful.

Wren couldn't run, and she couldn't just stand there either. That left only one option, Drawing herself up, Wren took a breath and walked into the crowd.

People instantly parted shuffling away like the rustling of leaves before the wind. A head of black hair passing through their ranks. The crowd closed in behind her, watching and waiting. Watching and waiting. It was like she couldn't be touched, like she was an otherworldly being that would turn them into ash if they got too close, but they were too afraid still to be far away from her. In the lamp light she almost glowed as she passed through them.

They watched and waited, silent, reverently watching and waiting.

It was incredible to watch, an entire square bathed in golden light, full of silent, awestruck, liberated people parting like the inevitable parting of civilizations to time. Silent shuffling. Watching, waiting. Rapturous watching and waiting.

Halfway into the crowd there was a break in the silence.

A general rumbling, like a building wave.

From the rumbling popped, "Msindi."

Wren whipped around.

"Msindi!"

"Msindi!"

Several voices said as if it were a blessing or a prayer.

Soon the entire crowd was repeating it as if it would save them, like it was what would anchor their small unimportant planet in the universe.

Msindi, msindi. Hundreds of voices called.

The first person to kneel and bow their head to the ground was a young woman whispering the chant in reverence. She looked poor and hungry, yet she bowed her head to the girl that had survived.

Soon, hundreds of people followed touching their heads to the ground. More and more people bowing like grass in the wind. A breathless, wonderment hanging in the air, as if they were all witnessing something impossible. Msindi rose from them and hung in the air, exalted and honored.

Msindi.

Jim watched, watched as they chanted a name he didn't know.

Msindi.

Watched as they bowed, leaving Wren the only one standing.

Msindi, msindi.

Watched as Wren looked around her in confusion.

Msindi, our savior, Msindi.

Watched as her confusion turned into anger.

Msindi, Msindi! Msin-

"ENOUGH!" Wren's voice rang out like a shot across the square.

The chanting cut off immediately.

The silence hung so heavy it hurt.

Wren glared at the people surrounding her, bowing to her, submitting to her.

"DO NOT BOW TO ME!"

Most of everyone looked up, Wren stood above all of them, eyes glowing and burning with fury.

"I am not your Msindi!" Wren turned, "I am not a person who you can bow to! You no longer bow to anyone!"

Everyone stayed where they were.

Wren stomped over and yanked a woman to her feet, "There is no Msindi! There is no one who will save you! You must save yourselves!" She blazed like an explosion. "You revere no one! You worship no one!" Wren turned, sweeping her gaze across the bowed heads.

"All people are people! AND ALL PEOPLE ARE THE SAME!"

The people kneeling at her feet in reverence flinched.

Wren finished looking around her hoping they understood. She hoped her harsh words would show them their power.

They wanted to believe in a savior, they wanted to believe that some people were just braver, stronger, better then they were, that if there was bad in the world, someone good would come, flying in on beams of light, wielding justice and compassion as their weapons to vanquish evil.

They wanted to believe in Wren, Wren as a symbol, Wren as a creature that was good and only good. A being so holy and unreachable, she was untouchable by mortal men. A saint who could shoulder all their responsibility and pain, who would not break or bend. An angel who would never sink to their level, a creature created purely to destroy evil.

But none of that was true. Wren was a person, who made mistakes, who was weak, who had run time and time again until she couldn't run anymore. She wasn't a paragon of virtue, she never had been.

There was no Msindi. No absolute savior. No champion to deliver them from evil.

There never was one.

There never will be.

But maybe that was better.

Because now they could stop looking to someone else to save them. They could look to themselves, they could look to each other.

And that was so much better than waiting for a flawed girl with clipped wings to bring justice that she had never seen.

Jim suddenly appeared next to Wren.

Wren started in surprise, she looked up at him wondering what he wanted.

Jim smiled and taking her face he gently rubbed his chin and cheek in Wren's hair, just the way he'd seen Jonathan do. He made sure the nuzzling was gentle but thorough. He finished and pulled away grinning at her messy hair that now floated around an adorable face.

Wren was red and she looked so confused, which was something new for Jim. He so rarely caught her off guard.

Jim chuckled holding her face, "Jonathan! Can't you do something about this? They're making Wren nervous!"

"Ha!" Jonathan barked, "You think they'll listen to me?"

Onitone laughed, "If they did it wouldn't have taken so long to get rid of Jones!"

Jim grinned, "Hey Wren, what is Msindi?" He asked bright eyed and curious, "Is it your real name?"

Wren recovered halfway to smiling, "Absolutely not. They're calling me their savior."

Jim frowned, "That's not fair.-"

"That's what I was saying."

"-You barely did anything." Jim finished.

Wren gasped, "I did a lot!"

Jim shrugged, "You just stalled as far as I'm concerned."

"I was the mastermind!" Wren argued, "It was hard!"

"I'm sure it was, all that thinking must've been super difficult." Jim teased and then ran.

Wren bolted after him.

Everyone stood up looking bewildered, their salvation turning out to be a seventeen-year-old who tackled their other guardian angel to the ground, laughing like an idiot. Maybe she was the most human out of all of them.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review