Hooray, I wasn't killed!

*Looks at the ropes binding author*

I was captured though. The cast has demanded I write this chapter or be most horribly punished. As such, I will get this show on the road and avoid their retribution as best I can.

Enjoy!

Gariel

When his vision returned to him, Gaius was glad to find himself in a room rather than a cell.

He also had a shaggy beard and brown eyes staring down at him. "Finally awake, eh 'Sticky Fingers'?"

Gaius groaned. "Larson, a pleasure as always. You ever gonna kill that wombat on your chin or did you decide to marry it?"

The man's beard swished, Gaius knew a grin was under there. "Nah, I'll keep to my drink thanks. You, on the other hand, don't know where you are."

Gaius looked past the man and took in the room. "It looks… like I'm at the Smuggler's Hole. How in Naga's name did you get me from Menagerie to Gariel? Hell, how'd we get in the gates?"

Larson, as Gaius knew him, harrumphed. "You were out cold, it was easy to pass you off as a sack of onions. Didn't cost more than three silver this time."

Gaius would have chuckled, but his face grew serious. "How did you get me then? I was drugged, by that damn innkeeper's buddy at the tavern. Was pretty sure I'd be waking up in chains with some sadist stoking an iron in front of me."

Larson shrugged. "I was in that tavern. Came in just as you passed out, then ran for dear life with you over my shoulder when a bunch of soldiers stormed in. Hate to say it, but they got your blonde friend."

Gaius sat up, testing his arms for any lingering side effects. "Got any idea what happened to the rest of my gang? Three others beside the blonde guy, one's a priest, the other's a knight and the last's a woman with green hair."

Larson hummed. "Lora would know more than I would. Your gear's in the trunk over there, I'll see you downstairs."

He stood and walked out, leaving Gaius to swing his legs out of the bed and stand. He was stiff, as expected, but his body still responded normally.

Nodding, he checked himself for any wounds before swiping a shirt and trousers lying on a table nearby. He'd gone running along the roofs in his smalls before, but now wasn't the time for that particular brand of fun.

They were a little large on him, but the trunk opened easily to show his gear. He took out the boots and leg harnesses for his knives first, finding a few of the blades missing. Sighing, he grabbed the leather cuirass with a single metal plate sewn into it, followed by his bracers and gloves.

Finally, he pulled out his cloak and unfolded it, Yewfelle and the Mani Katti sitting in the cloth.

Gaius wasn't sure why the famous sword of Lyndis herself was in that mausoleum they had been taken to before they came back from the Outrealms. Nor was he sure why the sword had almost jumped into his hand with the bow when the battle was over.

All he knew was that the blade sang in his hand, and he would use it and the great bow to save his comrades. The problem was, he only had so much ammo for Yewfelle and he had maybe a dozen knives. Add in the blades on his braces being replaced with climbing claws of his own design and he was left with few options.

Ok, calm down, he told himself. You don't even know where the others are being held… let alone if they're alive. If they are, great, we have a rescue mission. If not, I kill every last bastard with as much as a hint of authority and suffer the wrath of two grieving women and a very angry Prince. No pressure.

Gaius sighed, his preparations automatic. He didn't even notice the last belt getting tugged into place until Yewfelle and its quiver was slung over his back. Looking around, he nodded, belted the Mani Katti, and left the room.

He knew the hall well, considering he'd been here so many times over the years, but the stench of booze was always something to behold. Coughing, Gaius jogged to the stairs and entered the filthy room that passed for a bar.

A middle-aged woman with greying black hair glanced up from behind the bar, a pipe between her teeth. "Well, if it isn't my favorite candy thief. Heard you got into trouble with the big boys."

Gaius shrugged. "Can't say it's my fault, they're the ones that decided pulling a coup was a good idea. 'Sides, my current employer's a lot better than any I've had."

The woman snorted. "I take that insult personally. I always treat my thieves well."

Gaius smirked. "You never gave out gold coins like they were worthless."

The woman's eyes snapped to him. "So it's true, you're working for the Exalt in Exile now."

Gaius scratched the back of his head. "Is that what Blue's being called now? Man, people come up with titles faster than they gossip."

He walked up to the bar. "Still, it's good to see you, Lora. I hate to break the reunion, but I need info, fast."

Lora puffed a ring of smoke. "You know the rules. Fast information comes at a price, and I ain't letting you drink me under the table for it this time."

Gaius shrugged, gesturing to the empty tables behind him. "Doesn't surprise me, what with the church getting on every tavern's tail. I'll pay; I just need to know where my friends are being held."

Lora stared at him before reaching under the counter and pulling out a bottle of red liquid. "Buy a drink with it. As for your friends, Larson already gave me an overview based on what you told him. It'll be three gold for the information, and another for the sherry."

Gaius rolled his eyes and reached into a hidden pocket of his cloak. "Here's five, so cut the shit and get to the chase."

He slapped the money on the counter, Lora scooped it up before the coins could even bounce. Gaius grabbed the sherry and popped the top, smiling at the sweet smell. "Strawberry? You shouldn't have."

Lora grunted. "It's the only swill you'll drink. My other patrons can't stand how sweet it is."

Gaius snorted at the word 'patrons'. "You actually have customers? That'll be a tale for later, give me the info."

Lora's pipe fell to her side with her hand. "Never seen you so impassioned. Alright, I can give you a name, but that's all I got. Gal's name is Katniss, if that's actually her name, and she's in charge of any and all prisoners. If anyone knows where your pals are, it's her."

Gaius sighed and took a swig of his drink. "It's a start, I guess. I'm assuming she'd be in the officer's quarters, and I know that hunk of rock better than the soldiers."

He stood, the bottle coming with him. "Alright, thanks for the info. Tell Larson he still owes me for that fiasco in Grevis, I'm still chafing"

Lora waved him away, her free hand reaching for a jar of sand on the counter. "Good riddance, get out a here."

Gaius didn't bother watching her purge the bar of his presence, instead climbing the stairs and exiting through the cellar door that acted as the bar entrance. It was evening when he saw the sky, purple and orange mixing in a vibrant hue.

Looking around, he found the alley the cellar sat in to be empty save for a guard Lora hired to look like a drunk. Shrugging, Gaius pulled out his climbing claws and dug the steel into the stone building across from him.

Satisfied with the grip and heft, he pulled himself up and to a foothold. Now came the moment of truth, the claws had dug into the wall easily, but if it took work to pull them out, he'd have to abandon them.

A gentle tug didn't dislodge it, but a sharper one did. Problem was, it made the steel scrape against the stone and the sound made his hair stand on end. Looking towards the guard, Gaius was relieved to see he hadn't noticed the sound. It was pretty obvious when people were pretending, after all.

It would make it a problem when he started scaling and when he got to the top, but that could be worked out later. For now, he did what he did best.

The claws entered the stone and he flew up the wall, sprinting across the roofs as he went.

The nice thing about Gariel, compared to, say, Ylisstol, was that it was built into a valley. That made it so a lot of the buildings had to be squeezed in next to each other, which made it easy to traverse. In the distance, Gaius could see the two areas that were a marked exception from the rest of the city.

The first was the noble district, large homes and some small estates built into the side of one of the mountains Gariel was between. At the top sat the largest manor, where white stone and golden statues shone in the dying light.

It was the seat of Duke Carlen, the one behind the entire rebellion. It rubbed Gaius the wrong way to see so much wealth sitting over the place when the area he left could only generously be called livable.

Then again, it wasn't as hypocritical as the Church.

Since Mt. Prism was only a day's journey from here, the Church of Naga had set up their very own district in the city. Ylisstol may have been the seat of the church, since the Exalt was the head and all, but Gariel came in at a close second.

The hypocrisy came in the gross size of the churches and cathedrals that towered over everything but the noble district. Gold, colored glass, silver, and gems decorated every façade Gaius could see, the most gaudy belonging to the largest of them all.

The Grand Cathedral, original name, towered into the sky. It had two towers that tapered off into an arch that connected them, the symbol of Naga hung between them. Its windows held colored glass that depicted numerous scenes from the church's texts and every edge and corner were wrought in gold or silver while the structure itself was made almost entirely of marble.

For a supposedly humble church, it sure stood out as a show of power.

These weren't Gaius's targets though, far from it. Many a wannabe thief had set their eyes on the grand buildings only to fall into the numerous traps and patrols that kept everything of value protected. Instead, Gaius was heading for a squat, grey building where every patrol that had marched on the streets below him came from and returned to.

Gaius paused on the roof just before his usual vantage point. As he'd expected, there were a number of new additions to the guardhouse, most notably an entirely new wing, but it was separate from the main building.

The reason he knew this? The expansions had required the demolition of the original adjoining buildings, making Gaius's original spot nothing more than rubble. Resigned, Gaius crouched as low as he could and slowly crawled his way to the edge of the building.

He peeked over the edge only to immediately draw his head back when he saw guards just a few feet below him.

Ok, looks like they raised the walls too. Man, I know I've been gone a long time, but this is silly.

Gaius sighed through his nose before peeking over the eave once more. The guards at least kept their heads either forward or down, none of them expecting someone to come from above.

Gaius felt a smirk rise on his face. Why would they expect it? Gariel is a long ways from Ylisstol, Themis, and Grevis. They have nothing to fear.

Yet.

Gaius's smirk vanished, shifting into an assassin's mindset. If he was spotted, every ranking officer would flee and he'd be back to square one. That meant he had to be a damn shadow at all times, lest everything go wrong.

Ok… let's wait on a patrol to come back. The sergeants have to report to the commanders and so on up the line. If they've moved the command center into the new wing, I'll see officers going in and out. If not, they'll be in the main building.

This really wasn't the time for waiting games, but there was no other way. If he jumped the gun too soon and got captured, no one would save them.

For that reason, he dug in his heels and started watching. After a couple of passes and looks to the courtyard, he'd identified officers by the plumes on their helms. The lower ones had solid red, the middle officers had red and blue, while the lone one he'd seen wearing blue had been saluted by everyone.

Nodding, he watched the march of plumes and eventually noted that most were entering and leaving the main building. If he knew anything, that meant the officer quarters were in there.

Now, he just had to cross a higher wall, crowded courtyard, and sneak through the halls of the main building. Said building happened to be a good four floors tall, six carts wide, and three chapels long.

He had a weird measurement system, but it worked.

Anyway, it looked like the guards below him were starting to relax. From his many years of experience, that meant a guard change was coming up.

About time, the sun set an hour ago. Ok…ready…go!

Gaius's legs pushed off from the roof and sent him flying through the air. The wall was… thinner, than he'd thought, so he ended up rolling well beyond where he'd planned to land. Gaius didn't have time to think though, as he had to hide behind a low wall that separated the courtyard from the backs of the wall.

He heard the march of steel go by without pause, a mental sigh of relief escaping him. Had he timed that any later the guards would have been on him. Now, he's pretty darn good, but he didn't fancy taking a whole garrison.

Counting to three, Gaius peeked over the edge and saw the path was clear. Waiting another moment to be sure, he vaulted over the wall and ran for a stack of barrels. Diving into a small divot under the barrels, he observed the area before him and sighed.

There was no cover at all, just flat ground. If he made a break for it, someone was bound to see him.

Weighing his options, he spotted a pile of hay next to another low building. If he had to guess, that was the stable, and they'd restocked for the night.

Smirking, Gaius reached back for an arrow, only to come up short. Sure, he could sneak back to the brazier he'd passed on the way here and light an arrow, but that would waste precious ammunition.

Damn, what I wouldn't give to have some kind of magic. Alright, what do I have that can work as a distraction?

His eyes scanned the area before it came to him. The barrels that lay over his head were likely water, but one of the supports keeping them in place looked a bit worn.

Gaius felt another smirk rise on his face as he slid the Mati Katti from its sheathe. All it would take was one swing…

Metal crashed behind him and Gaius struggled to keep himself from bolting. Judging by the curses coming from behind him, it was just a recruit dropping a load, but Gaius couldn't tell.

Fortunately, the loud sound had drawn the eyes of everyone else, leaving Gaius a small window. Taking it, he ran for dear life. It was a pulse pounding few seconds as he ran, his entire form lit up like a torch from the surrounding light. He could hear and feel every thud, clank, and rattle that his body gave off, fearing that someone would glance over and see him.

A door in the wall started to open and Gaius felt as if everything slowed down.

He could see the grain of the door, how even the boards were, and the glint of the iron bands in the torchlight. A steel boot was the first human thing he saw, followed by the rest of the leg and the hips. Finally, the torso came into view and Gaius knew that this was likely going to be his first kill of the day.

Except, his eyes caught sight of an alcove in the wall, just wide enough to slip through. Taking his chances, he turned his momentum into a jump and rolled through the slip right as voices hit his ears.

"Where is Katniss? I told her to bring me a report on the interrogation hours ago."

The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but Gaius couldn't place it before another voice answered. "I do not know, Commander. She entered the holding cells shortly after you left and hasn't been heard from since."

The first voice, Gaius placed it as a woman, scoffed. "She needs to reign in her sadism. I heard that woman start screaming soon after I left, and I can only hope she didn't kill him. I reserve the right to end my own brother's life."

Gaius blinked, shocked at what he heard. That woman, a Commander at that, was Frederick's sister? Judging by how cold her voice was, Gaius could see why Frederick hadn't tried to talk to her recently.

Wonder why she's a rebel, but I guess I can't answer that question. They said something about holding cells, so let's find someone that knows something.

Nodding, he turned to look down the alcove. The alcove was closer to an emergency passage that led to a simple door at the end. Gaius scooted that way, back pressed as flat as it could go with a bow on it. He tested the door when he got there and found it unlocked.

Testing it, there was no creak from the hinges and Gaius took a peek inside. Much to his bemusement, he heard voices in the darkness.

His face fell flat when he finally realized what was happening. Naga, people will find absolutely anywhere to do this stuff.

Rolling his eyes, he stepped in and silently closed the door. There was a little light coming from the frames of doors lining a wall he could barely make out, and the noises were coming from his right.

If he was going to get information, the best thing to do was take the gift that was given to him.

Tiptoeing to his right, the noises slowly became clearer. Gaius frowned at the sounds, not liking what he was hearing. Deciding to bite the bullet, he felt his way to one of the doors and grabbed an unlit torch from its mount. Using his claws for sparks, the torch lit up instantly and Gaius blanched at what he saw.

He'd take details to his grave, but some poor guy was getting attacked by two women who were… enjoying themselves at his expense and one another's touch.

Mati Katti flashed from its sheathe and pierced the first woman's chest, the tip exiting just under her naked breast. The other woman's eyes widened before Gaius's claws ripped out her throat. He left her to bleed on the floor and approached the man, the Katti sheathed while he readied Yewfelle. "Hey, you know where the holding cells are?"

The man was trembling on the floor, and Gaius could tell by his emaciated frame he was likely a prisoner. "Hey, can you point me to the holding cells? There's a way out of here for ya if you tell me."

The man was still trembling, but he finally spoke. "T-t-the new b-building. N-new prisoners a-a-arrived y-yesterday."

Gaius nodded. "Ok, good, thanks. Follow me, I'll show you the way out."

The man held out a shaky hand and Gaius hauled him to his feet. As Gaius had thought, the man was pale and gaunt, angry red welts from tonight rising amongst old bruises. "You got a name, pal?"

The man shivered, barely able to keep his feet while Gaius guided him. "T-Thomas, I was a m-merchant before all of this b-began."

Gaius hummed, testing the door he'd entered before speaking again. "What got you in the slammer and into that mess? You piss someone off?"

Thomas shook his head. "I d-don't know. I was accused of h-heresy by the High Cleric h-herself."

Gaius frowned, leading the man to the edge of the alcove. "And who, pray tell, is the High Cleric? I've been out of polite society for a while."

Thomas took a shaky breath. "L-Lady Yennis. She was p-promoted recently."

Gaius frowned. "Ok, thanks for the tip. Now, can you run? If you can, you need to sprint for that gate when I say so. When you get there, you'll find the gate unlocked, use it to get out of here."

Thomas stared at him. "W-why?"

Gaius rolled his eyes. "I said I'd give you an escape, and I've done so. Now, ready?"

Thomas nodded, a new determination burning in his eyes. Gaius smirked and held up three fingers, dropping one by one until…

"Now!"

Thomas took off with all the strength he had, ripping across the ground with a speed only the desperately hopeful could achieve. It was just enough, as the poor man was through the gate and on his way out just as another patrol marched by.

Sighing in relief, Gaius looked down the wall to see the building that held his friends.

I'm coming guys, just hold on.

He was really hoping that Nowi wasn't awake by the time he got there. If she was, and the soldiers hadn't found her Dragonstone…

It was bound to get ugly.

-Nowi-

There was no sound.

There was no sight.

There was no touch.

There was no taste.

There was no smell.

Only emptiness.

Nowi's mind wandered the empty expanse that was her skull, vaguely aware of her limp limbs that remained chained and the primal need to breath.

It was just so unfair. She'd finally decided to listen, to put her jealousy aside and hear Frederick out, and he was gone. She'd screamed for what must have been hours, her shrieks echoing through the empty rooms around her.

The sound of metal on stone had made her look up, only to be greeted with a sadistic grin set in a plain woman's face. She'd crowed about what pain she was going to inflict on Nowi, but all Nowi wanted to know was if Frederick was still with them.

The woman, as if sensing the plea, had laughed. Then, she'd dropped the anvil.

"Your precious knight isn't long for this world. I fear I went a bit too far making him scream, but I have you and the other two to bide my time. Ta ta!"

The woman left, shrieking in laughter, but Nowi ceased functioning then. Her Dragonstone was gone, and Vivaldi had been taken from her. There was no way out of this mess, and the last memory Frederick would have of her was failing to speak.

Her last memory of him would be failing to ask for forgiveness.

Why… why do the gods curse me? Kidnapped at birth and forced to wander for centuries, wondering what new torment would be cast upon me if caught. Then, when I think I've found friends, and one I could give my heart to, I lose my head and break that brief chance. Now, here I am, left to rot until the accursed holders decide what to do with me.

A thought broached her mind's fog, a realization.

I… I didn't turn into a child! If they find out what I am…

A hard shiver shook her entire body, images flashing before her eyes. A cold cell, blindfolded, bare to the world as specially chosen men line up to the sow…

Fire raced up her throat and bile spilled onto the floor. She would rather die than be subjected to such a horrid fate. Her purity would follow her to the damn grave.

She panted, spitting the vile taste from her mouth. Nowi was angry now, angrier than she'd ever been before. She wanted to find that sadistic bitch and rend her limb from limb. She wanted to hunt down the Duke and burn him to ash for daring start this rebellion!

She wanted to hunt down Catherine, drag her before her brother's body, and make her bleed.

The anger started to burn the fog of listlessness, a manic bloodlust rising to take its place.

Nowi simply didn't care anymore, not if Frederick was going to leave her, like so many others.

A voice echoed through her mind, a rune carving itself into her forehead. "Child of Dragons, child of Mila and Threon, heed my voice. I am Ozymandias, King of Crystal and Gems, and I come to you offering power. My works have given rise and fall to kingdoms innumerable, and I offer this power to you."

The voice's volume grew louder with every word, becoming a great, all-encompassing thrum. "Swear your name to me, and my power is yours! Power to end your enemies and make thine heart's desire reality!"

Nowi's eyes glowed white, the rune on her forehead nearing completion. Her mind was made up, this would be the end.

She'd drag every last one of these bastards with her.

Then… then she could tell Frederick she was sorry.

For everything.

The rune flashed, its mark complete, and the laughter of Ozymandias resounded through Nowi's skull.

Then, a roar shattered the night.

-Gaius-

Gaius found it almost insulting that his friends were not more heavily guarded.

A bolt from Yewfelle had removed the lone guard standing by the entrance, a ring of iron keys hooked on a stand behind the entrance door. The first level held no one, not even rats, but the second level held Libra and Vaike both.

They were thankfully unharmed minus some bruising and a nasty cut on Vaike's jaw, but it was with heavy hearts that they descended to the third level and discovered Frederick.

The knight was a mess, plain and simple. Welts, bruises, and cuts littered his naked chest and legs, only a simple pair of briefs keeping him decent. When the door was unlocked and his shackles released, Frederick revealed yet more horror.

His back was a solid mat of congealed blood and scabs, some still oozing from the sundered flesh. It was obvious he had been whipped well beyond the point of viciousness and his arms looked to have been slashed by a razor.

Libra finished his examination and rounded on Gaius. "I need a staff, now! Sir Frederick will not remain with us if you do not!"

Gaius nodded, tossing the keys to Vaike. "I'm on it, Padre. Vaike, go get our little lady, she'll want to be here with him."

He didn't wait for a response and ran to the first level. As he'd been searching the cells, he'd come across a storage room that held unusually powerful healing staffs. If he had to guess, it was so that sadist he'd heard about could keep up her fun.

Considering Frederick's condition, Gaius was honor bound to slit her throat. She'd hurt a mate, even if they didn't get on that well, and for that she had to pay.

He reached for one of the staffs, but stumbled as a tremor shook the building. Dust rained on his head and he looked about for a cause. "That can't be good."

Gaius grabbed the strongest staff he could recognize and hustled back down the stairs. When he arrived, he found Libra trying to force water down Frederick throat. "Padre, I found a Mend. Think that'll help?"

Libra nodded. "Yes, bring it here. I can cure his cuts and bruises, but I fear it does nothing for the blood loss or possible infection. We should be thankful none of them are infected, or Sir Frederick would have passed long before you arrived."

Gaius shook his head, handing the staff to Libra. "You felt that tremor, right? Is this area usually rocked by earthquakes, or is that an ill omen?"

Libra sighed as he coaxed the healing magic out of the staff and into Frederick's bleeding form, the flow stopping and skin slowly reknitting alongside muscle and nerves. "I do not know. Sir Vaike has yet to return, and I fear that tremor has something to do with it."

"Guys, we got a problem!"

Speak of the devil, there was Vaike. The blonde berserker skidded to a stop, Armads held in a deathgrip beside him. While Gaius was glad Vaike had retrieved the legendary axe, the panicked look in his eyes was not good. "Vaike, calm down, what happened?"

Vaike drew a deep breath. "Ok, so, I went looking for the pipsqueak when I heard some kind of scream. Sounded like Minerva with a bellyache, so I followed the sound until I found a cell. Problem is, said cell had the wall blown open and a bunch a thrice damned crystal lying all over the place!"

Gaius gulped, feeling a pit open in his stomach, but a strained voice met his ears. "Where's…Nowi?"

Libra brought water to the awakening knight's lips instantly, his voice stern. "Sir Frederick, you shouldn't be talking. I've been able to close most of the wounds and stop the bleeding, but you're too weak to be moved!"

Frederick coughed, but spoke again. "I… know. But… I fear that… I fear that Nowi is in danger. Please, Libra… I cannot stay here anyway."

Libra frowned, his medical logic and priestly empathy battling for dominance. Eventually, his pity won out. "Very well, but you shall be carried between Sir Vaike and myself. Sir Gaius, keep interlopers away as we search for Lady Nowi. Once she is found, we must leave."

Gaius nodded. "Alright, I'll go scout up top. There should have been at least a patrol down here after that tremor and I don't like the silence."

He didn't wait for a response and ran for the stairs. As he ascended the stairs, he slowly heard the sounds of shout and screams reach his ears. Not caring for stealth at this point, he charged through the door and looked around.

Gaius's face drained of blood. "Holy deep fried shit."

-Nowi?-

Rage…rage…rage.

Rage was all there was in the world. It had been briefly sated when it had found that woman, the one that had taunted her, and bit her in half.

That kill just fueled the hunger, the crimson staining unnatural jaws. Wings that should have been incapable of flight took to the air and a hellish roar rocked the sky once more.

She could see the ants below her scurrying away, little taps from arrows attempting to shoot her down. The pitiful attempts were met with a blast of fury, crystals rising to spear those that tried to escape her wrath.

Her eyes found where the ants were scurrying, a truly disgusting temple that spoke of nothing but opulence and complacency. She turned to the temple of sin and her eyes could see someone standing atop the balcony connecting the two towers.

Flying towards the bridge, she pulled up short and stared at the tiny creature. She, for it was a woman, was clothed in great finery, unbefitting one who claimed to be one most holy.

"Oh great dragon," the insect cried, "we beseech you to cease your rampage! We will offer all you desire, so long as you spare these people!"

The dragon stared at the woman, the moonlight and faint fires shining on its emerald hide. The woman was a good actress, but the dragon could see that the woman was pleading for her own life and the life of the conspirators that had fled.

The dragon growled and a voice filled the air. "What I want… is your blood!"

A tail whipped down and crushed the balcony, pulping the woman that had dared tried to approach her.

The dragon's laughter reverberated through the air. "Bring me the rebels! Bring me those that sent my heart to this forsaken place!"

Another roar shattered the air. "Bring me the Duke!"

-Gaius-

To say this situation was bad would understate what was going on so poorly the one that uttered such a phrase should be hung.

Gaius watched as a great dragon of green crystal flew through the night sky, at one point charging to the Grand Cathedral, pausing, and smashing the balcony to rubble with a single swipe of its tail.

Considering he only knew one dragon, Frederick was not going to be happy.

"Sir Gaius, what's happened?"

Gaius looked back to see Libra and Vaike carrying Frederick on a makeshift stretcher. Judging by the bandages, they'd found the same storeroom Gaius had. "Well, we have a dragon flying around spreading death and destruction, the main building over there's a pile of rubble, and I caught sight of a group of knights riding for one of the city gates. Leader had a blue plume, so I assume they were important."

Frederick tried to sit up. "A…dragon? Is it Nowi?"

Vaike grunted. "That's about the size of it. Based on the cell with the crystal and the dragon flying about, I'm guessin' Nowi heard you getting' tortured."

Frederick sighed and laid back. "I thought I heard her voice towards the end. It was before unconsciousness claimed me… and they tried to slash my arm to pieces."

Vaike adjusted his hold. "Then I suggest we go meet the little lady. Seeing you ought to calm her down."

Gaius pointed to the sky. "We'd better get moving then, she's headed for the Duke's manor."

His point was well made and the men took off at a brisk jog, their speed hampered by their injured comrade. Having to dodge pillars holding the screaming dead and crushed buildings was harrowing on its own, but there was one thing that unnerved them more than anything.

The town was silent.

With such a great threat hanging over their heads, one would expect people to be panicking and running wherever Nowi wasn't. Instead, the streets were deserted save for those frozen in crystal.

Gaius shook his head. "Damn, I didn't think the town'd be this bad. It was pretty lively earlier, even with all the patrols."

Libra shook his head too. "It's as if the people here are well versed in hiding. But, why would they have to develop such skills with a seat of the church here?"

Gaius frowned. "I ran into this guy named Thomas when I was sneaking in. He was a merchant that got accused of heresy by the Head Cleric and was being… abused."

Libra growled under his breath. "I will… need to speak with Lord Chrom, when we return."

Vaike added his two coppers. "I like this introspection as much as the next guy, but shouldn't we be picking up the pace? Pipsqueak's been climbing into the sky the last few minutes."

Gaius's eyes widened and he looked to the sky, Frederick's voice taking the words right out of his mouth.

"Oh no."

-Nowi-

None brought forth the Duke and Catherine had long fled the city.

With only one piece of prey close at hand, Nowi was letting her instinct drive her as high into the sky as she could go, eyes locked squarely on the topmost manor. Something told her that this was where the Duke had holed himself up, and she would make him pay.

A vicious grin rose on her crimson stained jaws, her climb complete. Nowi turned to face the manor and began to fall, the power that gave her this form concentrating in the front of her body.

The crystal retracted from the back of her body, revealing pale, soft flesh that even a dull rock could have pierced. Nowi cared not for this, sharpening her focus and speeding up.

The manor grew exponentially, her target a large window that blazed with light. A manic grin stretched across her jaws as her body smashed through the glass, sending shards of deadly glass flying about as her body crushed any bastard that dared to stand before her wrath.

Nowi screeched to a stop before roaring her challenge. "Duke Carlan! Your death has come!"

Oddly, silence was her answer. Looking about, Nowi noticed that the chair in the center of the back wall was askew.

"Coward!" Nowi screeched, her claws tearing the hidden door from the wall and sending it crashing to the marble floor. "I'll have your blood if I have to destroy this entire mountain!"

The passage that spiraled deeper into the rock was too small for Nowi's current girth, but her power sensed this and started shedding crystal until she was small enough to slither through the passage.

Her wings were the first to be shed, along with the majority of her crystal armor. All that remained was thin film of diamond and thicker emerald plates over vital areas, the pale skin of her body easily showing the veins and arteries.

Nowi still didn't care, her claws tearing the stairs and walls around her into rubble as she scrambled down the passage, manic glee filling her at the possibility of vengeance.

Her journey carried her deep underground, only torches providing any form of light. Even those were extinguished as Nowi's crusade wound ever deeper, her claws crushing stone and causing collapses in the small rooms she passed.

After what felt like far too long to her rage addled mind, she smashed into a large, stone room.

There were no other exits that she could sense, the power granted to her finding no other opening in the stone. "Carlan!"

It was strange how dark the room was, only a lonely torch off to the side casting any light. Nowi's eyes narrowed before she noticed a brazier that still held wood in the center of the room.

Her claws scraped stone as she walked forward, the lone spike on her tail striking the stone next to the brazier. Sparks danced from the impact, but the brazier lit almost immediately.

Nowi's eyes narrowed at the oiled wood before turning her attention to the table that sat further into the room.

And the corpse that lay rotting in the head chair.

Nowi's eyes widened in disbelief, rage returning tenfold. "No, who stole it?! Who took my vengeance from me?!"

The corpse was the source of the scent she'd been following down the stairs. The stench came from the flesh itself, so this was no double.

Duke Carlen was dead, and he had been for a while.

The realization made all of Nowi's rage disappear and the form she'd assumed slowly began to fall apart. Crystal clattered to the ground and flesh shrunk as human skin began to regrow. Bones cracked back into place and hair reappeared on Nowi's head until the transformation finally came to an end.

Nowi ignored this, mind going blank. She'd given herself to power for the sole sake of ending those that had made Frederick suffer, but only one had been given judgement. The others had either fled or never been guilty in the first place.

Into this empty mind, a voice spoke. "How heart rending. My power was given for the sake of vengeance, but it seems that mission will yet lay unfulfilled. The bargain was struck, dear girl, and the price must be paid. Forgive me."

Nowi's head jerked up, the feeling of crawling skin making her neck go taut. She could not see it, but the rune on her head that stood as proof to the contract started sliding to the right, coming to a stop over her eye.

The rune shone brilliantly, and the scent of burning skin filled the room.

It held for a second, just long enough for the first prick of pain to pierce the haze of Nowi's mind, before it sped downwards.

Nowi screamed.

-Frederick-

Frederick wasn't sure how long it took them to reach the Duke's manor.

He was stuck on his back, unable to do anything as his comrades carried on valiantly. Even Gaius, who he'd long viewed with suspicion, played the role of guardian with a relish rarely seen.

It looked like Gaius was actually serious about something other than sweets. With this display, he had Frederick's unrivaled approval.

Now he only needed Maribelle's father to approve, along with the Lady herself.

It was a testament to Frederick's own listlessness that he could notice such things. Frederick would gladly admit he was one of the most inexperienced members of the Shepherds when it came to amorous feelings, as he'd spent much of his life dedicated to training or protecting his liege.

Then, a manakete with the heart of a child and the face of a woman had appeared before him.

There's was not an old relationship, but it was as strong as any Frederick had formed in his life. There was just something so utterly charming in the way she did things, in the way she spoke, in the way she sought him out for the smallest things.

It felt nice, to be shown that appreciation. Frederick knew all the Shepherds appreciated his work, but none were as sure to show it as Nowi. She'd even promised him after their first dance lesson was over to make sure Frederick knew he was appreciated, even if she had to do it herself.

Did that change the answer he'd given her, just days ago? No.

It would go against Frederick's very soul to abandon his liege, even if it meant leaving the one he'd fallen for so quickly. But, there was reason for his decision.

Frederick trusted Nowi, and knew that she'd never get herself into such trouble if she could help it. Even then, he'd already sworn to never see such a situation come about, so in his mind, the question was irrelevant.

Then again, considering how much better Sumia had been getting…

Frederick shook his head at the exact time Gaius's face appeared over him. "Oy, big man, we're at the gate. Problem is, well, no one's here."

Frederick blinked. "No one? Not even a token guard?"

Gaius shook his head. "Nope, not even that. Haven't had to slice up anyone for a while either."

Vaike waved Gaius over and passed the stretcher handles to him. "Hold on, I want a look at this myself."

Gaius grunted from the weight, but Vaike walked up to the estate gate and looked inside. Frowning, he ran his finger down one of the bars. "Yo, this thing's covered in rust. Gardens are overgrown too."

Frederick frowned while Libra voiced his thoughts. "That would mean no one has tended to the gardens or gate for several months at least. Yet, I see light in the windows, even within that hole Nowi made."

Frederick coughed, drawing the other's attention. "We can discuss why this is later, we must hurry after Nowi."

Vaike nodded and took out Armads. "Alright, stand back."

He wound up and sent the great axe into the gate, the rusted metal bending with a shriek. Another blow wretched the metal from its rusted hinges, the gate crashing against the stone walkway.

Vaike holstered the axe and took the stretcher back from Gaius. "Alright, let's get in there."

Gaius took a look around, just to be sure, before waving them through. "Pretty obvious what to do from here. Let's just hope Nowi doesn't decide to attack us on sight."

Frederick hoped that as well, if only so he would not be forced to watch as his comrades were forced to do battle with one another. Frankly, he just wanted to show Nowi that he was ok, that she didn't need to lose herself.

It was his wish, considering he'd been forced to hide the true extent of his condition.

Libra may have healed his physical wounds, but Frederick could feel hid mind starting to grow foggy and his heartbeat slow. That sadistic woman had placed a poison of some sort on the blade she'd used, crowing the whole time that not even the most experienced healer would be able to detect it before it was too late.

Frederick would not live to see noon, and he would not see the friends he had made again. So his final, selfish wish… was to reassure Nowi and comfort her.

That was all.

Frederick blinked, mind coming back to reality. "A… staircase?"

Vaike grunted from below him, Frederick now carried over his back. "Well, it was kind of hard to ignore the trail of wreckage that led into the greeting hall and the entire false wall that had been ripped out. We had to ditch the stretcher with all the rubble, but the claw marks tell us we're going the right way."

Frederick nodded tiredly, feeling his energy fall a little lower. If they were close, then he could at least make things right.

Their descent was silent from there on, Frederick trying to conserve the strength he had for the meeting to come.

Finally, after far too long, Frederick reached the bottom of the stairs. Vaike picked up speed and stopped in the middle of the room, voice worried. "Oi, what happened? Who's the old guy?"

Libra's voice answered, even as Frederick's vision started to grow dark. "This is the old bishop of the Grand Cathedral. Gaius found him chained in an alcove and covered in wounds. I've stabilized him, but Nowi… I just don't know."

Vaike grunted before gingerly taking Frederick off his back. "Alright, talk to your girlfriend Frederick, we need her to tell us what happened."

Frederick could barely see, but he still heard a familiar voice. "Freddy? You're… you're alive?"

Green filled his view, followed by a teary face. "Nowi…"

Frederick's hand reached up and stroked her cheek, the rough feeling of a scab greeting his skin. "Your…eye."

Nowi gripped his hand, Frederick barely able to feel it now. "That… that doesn't matter. I made my choice, I'll live with the consequences. I'm just… I'm so happy to see you."

Libra's voice came next, the sound strangely far away. "Wait, Sir Frederick, are you ok? Oh Naga, get me an elixir now!"

Nowi's lone eye widened, finally noticing how pale Frederick was. "Wait, Freddy, you're ok, right? You won't leave me, not again, right?!"

Frederick smiled tiredly, his heartbeat barely there now. He had just enough time to say his piece.

"Nowi… My answer as to why… is because I would never dare let you be captured. I trust you… I trust you to stay out of trouble, unlike Lord Chrom. Your question was silly to me for I would never let such horror … occur."

His hand started to fall away, but Nowi gripped it tightly, her head falling to his chest. "Libra, I can't hear his heart! Do something!"

Her yells were far away from Frederick, darkness nearly swallowing his vision. He had one more thing to say, and he spoke the moment Nowi had looked to him once more.

"Nowi… I love you. Find peace…though I am not there."

Darkness swallowed his vision completely.

His heart stilled and breath paused where it lay.

At last…he knew peace.

At last, he rested.

And with it, came light.

Ch. End

…

I don't really have anything to say here. I fear I've driven the cast away from here and into an ice-cream depression.

Next time, we'll be joining the Clarissa party. Maybe things will go well this time.

Bye.