Wahisietel's second message from Sliske in as many days came in the form of a gaudy-looking purple invitation box sitting patiently on the doorstep to his house in the Upper District. Wahisietel knew it was Sliske because a very cheerful yellow mask attached to the front of the box began to sing to Wahisietel about how much fun the event in question was going to be. It stopped abruptly when Wahisietel removed it from the box and hurled it, spinning end over end, out the door.

He closed the door and stared at the box in his hands. Besides the mask, there was nothing particularly auspicious about it, besides the fact that it obviously cost more than an average citizen made in a year to make enough for all who were invited. His name was engraved in opulent lettering across the front.

A knock on the door almost immediately after he closed it interrupted Wahisietel's increasingly frustrated attempts to pry open the lid, and when he opened the door again, Sliske stood there with the yellow mask in his hand. The mask grinned at Wahisietel happily.

"I see you received my invitation," Sliske said.

"That's curious, as you also seem to have received one from me that I didn't send out," Wahisietel said as Sliske moved comfortably from the doorstep to the large foyer.

"Don't be sarcastic," Sliske said.

"Because it doesn't suit me," Wahisietel finished, sighing. "Yeah, I know. And yes, I did receive your invitation, as well as your own personal touch."

"Ah, yes!" Sliske said, holding up the yellow mask. "You'll be glad to know I included that surprise for you alone."

"I feel all warm and fuzzy inside," Wahisietel said. He glared at the mask, which grinned dizzyingly and called out a cheerful "Hello again!". "So, when is this event?"

"It's in the box," Sliske said distractedly, staring up Wahisietel's stairs as though scrying into the floor above.

"The event?" One could never be sure with Sliske.

"No, you idiot, the time. It's later tonight, if you must know from me."

"And what are we celebrating?" Wahisietel asked. In his opinion, there hadn't been much at all lately to celebrate.

"Why, only the capture of a valuable Saradominist informant, brother," Sliske said. "You should know, you were there."

"You're kidding."

"I never kid." Sliske raised an eyebrow. "What, you don't think such a thing is important?"

Wahisietel sighed, and moved to pick up the box again. It was sealed quite tightly with gold-colored ribbons that Wahisietel suspected might be made out of actual gold. He procured his knife and began to work on the ribbons. Sliske watched idly.

"Has Alifanta given us anything else?" he asked while he worked. One of the ribbons snapped in two and fluttered to the ground, but there were at least four more.

"No. Dagroda has interrogated her further, but she swears that that was all she knew. Which is, of course, a lie, but I do not know what Dagroda is planning to do about it."

"Do you think she's keeping anything very important from us?" Wahisietel asked.

Sliske shrugged. "Couldn't say. I do, however, think it's strange that a disgraced and traitorous Icyene presumably being hunted for her desertion would think to hole herself up in a city that is about to be attacked by a larger invasion force than any it has ever witnessed."

Wahisietel stopped working for a second. "Do you think she's lying?" he asked lowly.

"You don't have to whisper, she's not here. And yes, I do think there is a distinct possibility. However, if she was, she could have chosen to lie about something that could not be so easily proven or disproven."

"You assume everyone is able to come up with lies as well as you are, Sliske," Wahisietel said, resuming his personal crusade against the invitation box.

Sliske shrugged again, and leaned against the wall. "You're right. Perhaps we should ask her ourselves tonight."

"I thought only Wisakedjak was allowed to talk to her," Wahisietel said.

Sliske chose not to dignify this statement with a reply, and instead studied the patterns on his hand.

"Fine," Wahisietel said. "Tonight, then. Maybe something useful will come out of this evening after all."

"Entertainment has a use of its own," Sliske said. "It's good to keep the nobility occupied in times such as these, or they might become bored enough to involve themselves in the war effort, and then all will be lost."

"You have a very poor opinion of aristocracy," Wahisietel said.

"Doesn't everyone?"

"Fair enough." The plan, such as it was, settled, Wahisietel returned to his efforts to open the box.

Sliske leaned forward. "Careful now, don't strain yourself. It would be hideously embarrassing to have to explain to Dagroda that you couldn't attend because you injured yourself opening the invitation."

"This is ridiculous," Wahisietel snarled. Snap. "Could they have made this any more difficult?"

"I don't know," Sliske said. "Perhaps they could have painted the button used to open it yellow so you could see it better?"

Wahisietel stopped, and saw the button in question positioned primly on the upper right corner of the lid. When he pressed it, the remaining ribbons, as well as an illustrative seal on the side of the box, dissolved into magical energy.

"Ah," he said.

"I should leave," Sliske said, smiling maliciously. He started through the foyer, and turned when he reached the door. "I will see you later tonight," he called. "And perhaps we will get to the bottom of our Icyene situation." With that, he flung open the heavy doors dramatically and strode boldly into the open air, leaving Wahisietel alone with the box.

He glared at it where it rested petulantly in his hands. "Shut up," he said.

…

The palace late at night was usually nigh-indistinguishable from the surrounding buildings, but tonight it blazed defiantly with all sorts of lights and decorations, both magical and non-magical. Above the roof, the massive Zarosian emblem, typically a humble part of the stonework, blazed with purple fire. Wahisietel would not be surprised if it was visible from the Lower District.

Tonight, he wore the robes of Pontifex Maximus, a position he'd inherited from Azzanadra in the wake of his disappearance. With most of the Empire's focus on fighting the war, Wahisietel did not think his position commanded quite as much respect as it did in the old days, and most of its power had been delegated to the Legatus Maximus, but it was good to remind the people every now and then why the Empire had grown as strong as it did in the days of old.

A wide circle of attendees had positioned itself around the palace. Demons, humans, and even Mahjarrat mingled about, although there were more humans than any other race. Wahisietel cast his gaze about for Sliske. If they were to enact their plan, they would have to do it quickly, before Dagroda had need of their presence.

"Wahisietel," said a voice from behind him. He jumped, and turned to face Wisakedjak, clad fully in the robes and armor of Legatus Maximus. There was a grin on his face, but it did not reach his eyes. "How are you doing?"

"I'm well, thank you," Wahisietel replied coolly. Almost subconsciously, he set off with Wisakedjak down towards the palace. "Where's Sliske?"

"Somewhere around here," Wisakedjak replied. "I couldn't tell you."

"Perhaps he's inside," Wahisietel suggested.

Wisakedjak snorted. "That'd be a hell of a trick, even for him. No one's allowed inside. There're a couple of burly-looking demons guarding the entrance, and more stalking the hallways like attack dogs. As far as I know, only Dagroda is inside."

"Oh," Wahisietel said. That's going to make our job harder. "Isn't Dagroda going to address the people?"

"He's appearing on the balcony later tonight," Wisakedjak said distractedly, staring at the crowd. "No idea why. I doubt he'll tell anyone anything they don't already know. Not that I'd question his decisions, of course," he added half-heartedly.

They had come to a full stop. Wisakedjak's stare had centered on a young-looking female entertainer, singing a strangely peaceful version of the Empire's current, belligerent anthem.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment," Wisakedjak said.

"Not at all," Wahisietel said hesitantly, but Wisakedjak was already gone, heading towards the singer in what he obviously considered to be a seductive walk.

"He's a little old for her, don't you think?" Sliske asked from behind Wahisietel, causing the other Mahjarrat to jump for the second time that night.

"Yes," he agreed, as his heart calmed down. "You don't think he'll actually-?"

"Nah," Sliske said. "He'll dance with her, give himself an ego boost and her the prestige of dancing with the Legatus Maximus, and then he'll be done."

"Huh," Wahisietel said. "I don't understand."

"Of course you don't," Sliske said. "You don't think in that way. Power-grabbing, and the like. I don't, either, but I do understand Wisakedjak fairly well."

"You don't?" Wahisietel asked.

"Nope. I play with people, sure, but that's just for amusement."

"Playing with people for amusement sounds like power-grabbing to me."

Sliske gave him a simpering smile and seemed about to answer, but before he did a bell tolled eleven times, marking the hour.

"Eleven o'clock," Sliske said. "We should get going if we're going."

Wahisietel took a deep breath. All of a sudden, the prospect of interrogating Alifanta without Dagroda's knowledge seemed far more daunting than it had in his house. "Right," he said. "So, how do you propose to accomplish this?"

"Simple enough," Sliske said. Without warning, he grabbed Wahisietel's arm, and the world turned dark.

Wahisietel yelped and tried to pull free, but Sliske's grip was like steel. "Relax," he hissed. "It's just the Shadow Realm."

Calmness, as well as the growing certainty that something this night was going to give him a heart attack, fell over him. Keeping hold of Sliske, as Wahisietel knew that he lacked the ability to sustain in the Shadow Realm on his own, he looked around.

Where before it was vibrant and all too loud for Wahisietel's taste, the party now seemed muted and slow. Guests walked in slow motion around them, and the bright purple light of the Zarosian emblem came to him in shades of gray.

"I don't like it here," Wahsietel murmured.

"Yes, I know," Sliske said, irritated. "It's only until I can get us into the tower."

"The palace is empty, and guarded," Wahisietel said. "We should be cautious."

Sliske looked at him as though he'd grown a second head. "Do you forget who you're talking to?"

"Never," Wahisietel sighed, as Sliske began to Shadow-walk.

…

Wahisietel was never quite sure exactly what mechanism Sliske utilized to travel through the Shadow Realm, but he did know that it made him feel nauseous whenever he had to make the same trip. While his time in the Shadow Realm never lasted for very long, his body seemed determined to make up for the lack of physical exertion with an intense dizziness.

The trip to Alifanta's quarters was no different. He stumbled into existence in a small, windowless room. Immediately, he dropped to his hand and knees as the floor moved below him.

"Oh, gods," he moaned.

"Get over it," Sliske said in a tone which Wahisietel could not decide was affectionate or not.

"What are you doing here?" A nervous, female voice asked. "What I told you was all I know, I swear."

Wahisietel lifted his head to see Alifanta perched on a bed in the corner of the room. She had assumed fighting position, her wings tucked behind him. The injured wing was still at an awkward angle. As he hauled himself to his feet, she tensed and focused her attention on him.

"Hold on," Wahisietel said in as friendly a voice as he could manage with his head still spinning. "We're not here to hurt you. We just want to… clarify some things."

She watched him, her eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you."

"Tough," Sliske said, and moved forward. Alifanta tensed even further and swung around to face him. "We need to know why you came to this city."

"I told you," Alifanta said, looking confused. Her fighting stance began to relax.

"Remind me," Sliske snarled.

"It's safe here," Alifanta snapped back.

"But not for much longer, if you've given us correct information," Wahisietel interjected. "So, why here? That's all we want to know," he added in a conciliatory tone.

Alifanta stared at them, still half-ready to fight. "Forgive me if I don't quite trust you yet," she said slowly.

"I understand," Wahisietel said, cutting off Sliske. He ignored the glare the other Mahjarrat shot him. "You're a soldier. It must be difficult to know you're in the middle of the capital of what was your enemy just last week. But, know also that we're doing you a kindness in this matter. You have your asylum-"

"For now," Sliske added.

"-and all we ask in return is information, which you yourself volunteered to freely give. So, please, tell us why you're really here."

"And anything else you're keeping from us," Sliske said. He seemed to have reverted to an icy calmness, and now leant against the wall, idly staring at Wahisietel and Alifanta both.

"I'm keeping nothing else from you," Alifanta said, glaring at Sliske, "but there is another reason I'm here."

The two glanced at each other, then back at the Icyene.

"I assume you are both familiar with the Elder Artefacts?" she asked.

Startled, Wahisietel shot a look at Sliske. He seemed unaffected by this question, but for his suddenly clenched fists. "What about them?" he asked.

"Saradomin and Zamorak both believe there is one somewhere in this city," Alifanta said.

There was silence. Sliske finally returned Wahisietel's stare, though his gaze was undecipherable. He glanced back at Alifanta.

"Which one?" Wahisietel asked, trying to keep up the same façade of unconcern as Sliske.

"I do not know." Alifanta seemed to be gaining confidence. "But I know both Saradomin and Zamorak want it, badly."

"And why, exactly, does this make you consider Senntisten a prime place to seek asylum?" Sliske asked. "From what I'm hearing, it seems as though it's is the most dangerous place in the world."

"I intend to tell only Dagroda," Alifanta said stiffly.

"Then pretend I'm Dagroda," Sliske replied sleekly. "I'll shape-shift to look like him, if it'll ease your conscience."

Alifanta glared at him, then sighed. "Fine. If it'll make you feel better. I'm here because I intend to help Dagroda look for the Artefact, and then use it to defend the city," she said. "I'm not an idiot. I know Senntisten is about to be attacked. But if we do find the Artefact, then it'll become safer than it's ever been in the history of the Wars." Her face molded into a glare once again. "Happy? Trust me now?"

"Maybe," Sliske said. "Maybe not." Another shared glance. "But I think we have all we came for."

"Good," Alifanta said. "Now get out of here."

The Mahjarrat complied. "One more thing, sweetheart," Sliske said to Alifanta once they were at the door. "Don't tell Dagroda we were ever here."

"And why not?" Alifanta asked, glowering.

"Because I hold grudges," Sliske said, and swung the door shut quietly.

"Was the threat really necessary?" Wahisietel asked once they were outside the room.

"Not necessarily," Sliske said. "It made me feel better, though."

"Fine," Wahisietel said. He peered down the hallway, trying to see if any demons had already detected them. "Do you think she was telling the truth now?"

Sliske didn't answer. Wahisietel looked at him. His brother's gaze was cloudy. Normally, Wahisietel couldn't tell whether Sliske was thinking anything at all during these spells, but now he could easily tell that Sliske was far more disturbed by this information than he let on.

"It would explain why Saradomin and Zamorak are tag-teaming on this one," he said thoughtfully. "The question is, has she already told Wisakedjak?"

Wahisietel had no time to wonder about this odd statement, as all of a sudden a scream rose from outside, accompanied by what sounded like a discharge of magic.

"Dammit," Wahisietel said under his breath as Sliske seized his arm and pulled them through the Shadow Realm once again.

…

Outside, the guests were beginning to panic. The most hysterical among them were the humans, but Wahisietel saw demons and even several Mahjarrat running around as well.

Forging their way through the crowd proved easy enough, despite the normal swaying of the ground for Wahisietel, as the swirling mass of aristocrats had not yet turned into an exodus, and most parted to allow Wahisietel and Sliske through. Around the center of the lawn was a ring of the most strong-stomached (or morbid) of the guests.

Finally, Wahisietel pushed through the ring. In the center, Wisakedjak stood over a human female. Wahisietel winced once he saw her; she was bleeding heavily from the stomach, and large swathes of her body were burned. Wahisietel feared she was dead, but as he got closer, he could see that she was breathing quickly and shallowly.

"What happened here?" he asked Wisakedjak breathlessly as he knelt down beside her.

"I don't know!" he roared. "I was dancing with her, and then she leaned forward to-" he spat on the ground, as though embarrassed- "kiss me. I merely… reacted… perhaps too strongly than was called for. But not without cause!" He finished almost angrily, as though he were the one being victimized.

"Reacted?" Wahisietel almost shouted. "Reacted? "

"Calm down, everyone," Sliske said, his voice ringing out over the immediate crowd. "Move it along, there's nothing to see here."

No one moved, but they did begin to calm down. The rest of the guests began to focus their attention on the ring of people around the girl. The other races had already calmed down, and some were already beginning to lose interest. Around them, there was still panic, but it was quieting. Or perhaps that was Wahisietel tuning them out.

"What's your name?" he asked the girl kindly.

She looked up at him with wide, fearful eyes. Her breathing quickened even further.

"It's OK," he said quickly. "You don't need to tell me."

"Enerva," she finally gasped.

"It wasn't my fault," Wisakedjak interjected. "It was an automatic-"

"Wisakedjak," Wahisietel said wearily, "shut up."

Wisakedjak fell silent, his eyes burning with indignation and trace amounts of shame.

"It's alright," he said again to the girl. Privately, he wondered what to do. He had no idea how to deal with a dying human. As much as he liked to think he was kinder to the humans than many of his peers, his knowledge of their social customs was lacking.

The girl laid her head back and, without another word, expelled her last breath. The blood had formed a pool around her.

Wahisietel looked up. Besides Wisakedjak, who had trudged off to join the rest of the party, the guests were staring at him singularly. As he met their gaze, they dropped their eyes. One by one, they returned to the party. The non-human races were the quickest to recover, but soon the humans followed, leaving only him and Sliske standing by the body's side.

"They don't care," Wahisietel whispered, craning his neck to look at Sliske. "They don't care," he repeated.

"They care," Sliske said. "Some of them, at least. But they won't show it."

Wahisietel dropped his head back down to the body. In the low light, despite the blood and burns, she looked almost alive. "Help me bury her," he said to Sliske.

There was no answer. Wahisietel looked up at the other Mahjarrat, who was staring at him like a cat. His head was cocked, as though he was thinking about something.

"Why do you care?" Sliske asked finally.

"What?"

"You heard me. Why do you care? You don't know this girl."

Wahisietel looked back down at the body. "Do you not?"

"Care? No, not particularly," Sliske answered bluntly.

Wahisietel did not look up. "I think you do care," he said. "I know you better than most. You don't want to care, because you think it'd be much easier to live life if you didn't care about anything. You do, though. I know it."

Sliske did not answer.

"Are you going to help me bury this body?" Wahisietel asked. After a moment, he looked up. Sliske was gone.

Without another word, he picked up the body, and began to carry it away. None of the other guests looked at him. Above him, the bell began to ring.

As one astute reviewer pointed out, there is some confusion in-game as to whether or not Wahisietel and Sliske are actually brothers. That is to say, they're probably not. I've made them brothers in this story, as Jagex have not totally confirmed it one way or the other. I'm also planning on developing the relationship between them, and my current plan relies heavily on them being brothers.

Anyway! I don't have school currently, so I'll probably be able to update quicker than I have been lately, so… that's good. :P Once again, thank you to everyone reading this story. You guys are LITERALLY the best.