I got a flu shot two weeks ago and suffered a bad allergic reaction. Fun times. Anyways, I apologize for the long delay in this and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Part Seven

Four days later…

"So, this is what I found," Oboro said, handing Daunte a list. "Based on the investigating I did, you should be able to find suitable recruits in the northeast portion of Winter Hill and in K'alak'i Patieba."

"K'alak'i Patieba?" Daunte asked, looking up. "Does this mean Tidur is willing to join us now?"

"Why not pay the town a visit and see? Also…" Oboro leaned across his desk slightly. "There have been rumblings from the Dark Chasm. I couldn't get close enough to find any more details, but I think we should look into it."

"We should be there anyways, liberating the Dark Chasm," Daunte said harshly. He shook his head. "Oboro, would you mind doing me another favor?"

"Certainly, Daunte."

"I want to know if Zander is okay. He undoubtedly met up with the other survivors of Agameru, but would you mind looking for him?"

"Well, truth be told Lord Caesar already asked me to find him and thus far I've had no luck. But I will certainly give it another try."

"Thank you. Let me—" Daunte reached into his pocket for some bits, but Oboro shook his head at him. "There's no need, Daunte. Lord Caesar already paid me for the task so I intend on seeing it through."

"A-All right."

"Oh, there you are Daunte." A soldier suddenly came into Oboro's office. "Lord Bearyl has summoned you."

Daunte looked at the soldier with surprise before glancing back at Oboro. "I-I'll talk with you later," he said, bowing slightly.

Oboro nodded, smiling in his strange way. "Good luck."

Daunte followed the soldier out of Oboro's office and upstairs towards the war room. He almost wished that Felicity and Roen were with him so he wouldn't have to face Bearyl Lutis by himself, as they had returned from their mission just yesterday. But he tried to remain calm as he was announced into the war room.

"Ah, there you are," Bearyl greeted him. At least Bearyl didn't look angry with him but he also didn't look inviting. Behind him Varnaz remained at the table, but Caesar came down to join Bearyl in greeting Daunte. "I'm lifting your suspension, Daunte."

Daunte was surprised. So soon? I was suspended for much longer for helping the Falenan royal family!

The surprise must have been clear on his face, because Bearyl then said, "We need every man we can get. You're no use to us if you're just sitting around here doing nothing."

"T-Thank you, my Lord," Daunte said, bowing.

"I'm sending you on another recruitment quest," Bearyl told him, folding his arms over his chest. "Gunther has told me you have quite the power of persuasion, so I'd like to see that be put to good use."

Daunte nodded eagerly. "I understand, sir." This will allow me to go and look for Zander myself!

"But I want you to bring back some actual recruits this time," Bearyl told him sharply. "People who can actually fight, Daunte. I already have enough stragglers in my Army, I don't need any more."

Daunte snapped his teeth in irritation. He'd brought back two merchants on his last recruitment quest, and Bearyl had been pleased with that fact. In private, at least. In public he had no problem emasculating Daunte for not bringing back anyone "useful".

"Having soldiers is always useful for an army, my Lord," Caesar spoke behind Bearyl. "But there is always more to an army than that."

"I'm well aware of that, Caesar." Bearyl looked at Daunte. "Do you understand your orders?"

"Y-Yes, my Lord." Daunte hesitated for a moment before he gathered his nerve to speak. "I—"

"I already know what you're going to say Daunte, and I'll give you the same answer I've given you before; we don't have the manpower to liberate the Dark Chasm." Bearyl turned and headed back to the table.

Daunte's breath hitched, and he frowned deeply. "M-My Lord, there are over three hundred children in the Dark Chasm! I-If you're worried about your numbers, then they can help you!"

"It's too risky Daunte, and would be impractical at this time to pursue. Besides." Bearyl adjusted a figurine on the map. "I have no need for a motley crew of broken teenagers who can barely stand."

Daunte saw red, and almost advanced upon Bearyl in his fury. But a shadow fell over him blocking his path. "You have your orders, soldier, so be on your way."

Daunte glared at Varnaz, but his anger slowly cooled. Varnaz was glaring at him, but the Lieutenant General had a guarded distance from Daunte. After a moment he turned his back on Daunte and joined Bearyl at the table.

"Allow me to help you assemble your group, Daunte." Caesar spoke in low and calming tone as he approached him. He took Daunte by the arm and led him away. "With everything that happened at Agameru, discretion is the best option." He suddenly leaned in close to Daunte to whisper, "Let it go. It won't be much longer."

Daunte looked at Caesar with shock, but the strategist greeted him with his usual lazy smile. "So, who would you like to bring with you this time?"

Daunte opened his mouth but then clicked it shut. He heard that right, didn't he? What did Caesar mean?

"It won't be much longer."

But he knew there was no use asking him in front of Bearyl and Varnaz, so he swallowed thickly and said, "I-I would like Roen, Felicity, Gunther, Allise, and Jantu—"

"I can't spare Jantu this time," Bearyl called over to them. "He's going to be running some drills with the soldiers. Choose someone else."

Daunte didn't know who else to choose. Cairoh and Gusoku weren't fighters, and last he checked neither was Liron. Maybe this was what Bearyl meant about recruiting fighters?

"Ah…" Daunte rubbed his hair awkwardly. "T-Then, it will be just the five of us this time."

"All right, I'll go ahead and summon them here. But be careful while out there, okay?"

Daunte nodded jerkily. "T-Thank you."

"So it's just going to be us five?" Allise asked, stretching her arms over head. "We should be careful, then."

"C-Could we stop by Agameru?" Felicity said.

"I know how you feel, but there's no point in going there," Gunther said grimly. "Our scouts said that there's nothing left of that hamlet but scorched earth and corpses. Apparently the Sheikh has people watching the area to see if anyone comes back. We'd be doing more harm than good by going there."

"...I see." Felicity's shoulders drooped in disappointment.

"I'm sure we'll still hear some news on the road," Roen said.

"Before we leave, I would like to speak with Jantu," Daunte said. "I would like to do some training."

"Now that you mention it, I could use some training myself," Roen admitted. "I would like to develop my defense skills a bit."

"I'll see if Jantu can raise my technique a little higher," Felicity said. "Having the Kite Rune has helped my accuracy considerably, but there's always room for improvement."

"While we're on the road, we should look for a magic trainer," Allise said as they headed downstairs. "Having a combat trainer is very useful sure, but those of us who use magic need to be able to develop our magic skills."

"Magic trainer?" Daunte asked.

"Jantu has experience as a combat trainer, which is why he can train us to improve our physical skills," Gunther said. "However he cannot train anyone with magical affinity. We would need someone with enough experience in magic to train magic users in improving their spellcasting."

"The incantation skill for example allows you to call forth a spell from your rune faster," Allise added. "As of right now my incantation level is around 'C+'. If we get a magic trainer I'll be able to use my Pale Gate Rune quicker."

"I'll definitely keep that in mind," Daunte said. He glanced down at his True Rune. "I'd like to be able to develop my magic skills to properly use this."

"There's trainers in the cities too right?" Roen asked.

"Yes, but having a trainer exclusive to your Army ensures your skills are being properly honed," Gunther said.

"Ah!" Jantu greeted them as they approached. "I'd heard the five of you are heading out on mission. Forgive me for not being able to join you."

"It's all right," Daunte told him. "We were just wondering if you could develop some of our skills a bit?"

"You've been focusing a great deal on agility and stamina," Jantu said. "I can train you to raise your agility to grade 'B', but as for your stamina I can only raise it to a 'C' at this time. In order to raise either any higher I require some training books."

"Training books?" Felicity asked.

"Unfortunately I've not fully mastered the art of combat training," Jantu told them. "With the right training books however, I'll be able to increase my own skills in the field."

"Then we'll be on the lookout for such books," Daunte said.

Roughly a half-hour later they set off from the headquarters with much more polished skills under their belts. Except…

"Daunte, you've been focusing primarily on your agility and stamina," Allise said. "While those are good traits for a boy your size, you should also try developing other areas of combat training. Also, you might want to converse some of your "points", so to speak, for a magic trainer as well."

"I think I know why Daunte is focusing on agility and stamina," Gunther said smugly. He grinned toothily at Daunte. "Are we going to Baltas first?"

"Good grief," Allise huffed, rolling her eyes.

"I would actually like to go to K'alak'i Patieba first," Daunte said over his shoulder. "Oboro told me I could find potential recruits there."

"Did he mean Ms. Tidur and her daughters?" Felicity asked hopefully.

"He didn't say for certain, but I hope so too. He also said I could find a recruit in the northeastern part of Winter Hill."

"That's awfully vague," Allise said. "Doesn't he realize how many kilometers Winter Hill covers?"

"We might as well check in that region first and then head to K'alak'i Patieba," Roen said. "With any luck we'll find the recruit there on the first try, but if not we can look again on our way back."

"That's a very fair point." Allise smiled at Daunte. "So, we'll cross through Winter Hill and hopefully find the potential recruit, and then arrive in K'alak'i Patieba. After that we'll head to Baltas, and cross back through Winter Hill if we didn't find our potential recruit in the first go."

"Well then let's head out," Gunther said. He slid an arm around Allise's shoulders. "Don't worry, my Lady, I will protect you."

Allise casually shrugged his arm off. "I can take care of myself, thank you."

"Hopefully we don't get yelled at for these recruits," Roen grumbled.

The group searched the northeastern section of Winter Hill for three straight days for the recruit Oboro had mentioned. Unfortunately Oboro's "hints" had been very vague about the individual's whereabouts. Daunte felt foolish for not asking Oboro for more information—like what their recruit looked like, or what even their gender was.

I'm not very good at this, am I?

Once the three days were up they decided to give up and head to K'alak'i Patieba. Their supplies had diminished during that time and they were all exhausted. Having just the five of them was also an adjustment. However they did benefit from running around fighting monsters in Winter Hill. Daunte himself was certain he build up enough skill "points" to increase his agility and stamina even more.

Hopefully it's enough to keep up with Desiree. She might be a dancer, but she moves very quickly. If she knows how to fight we could certainly use someone quick on their feet.

As they neared K'alak'i Patieba however, Daunte's eyes once again rove the horizon to the east. His chest tightened, and without realizing it his feet started guiding him in that direction. "Daunte, wait!" Felicity called after him. "Where are you doing?"

Daunte stilled in his tracks. He squinted at the horizon, seeing a dark hilly-shape amidst the Rocky Plains. "…That's the Dark Chasm," he said softly.

"Oh," Felicity said, her tone going quiet as she followed his gaze.

Roen came over to stand at Daunte's right. "It's still surreal, isn't it? Sometimes I feel like I'm back there. I-I mean, I deserved the punishment but—"

"Nobody deserves such a punishment," Allise said softly, her fingers curling tight around her arms. Daunte remembered that she'd also been sentenced to the Dark Chasm, though her sentence had been significantly shorter than theirs, but her experience couldn't have been any better.

"Guys, I know what you're thinking, and I know I will never be able to relate to what any of you suffered there," Gunther said behind them. His tone was soft, very coaxing. "But the five of us can't simply storm the Dark Chasm. We're grossly outnumbered, and even if we succeeded in killing a few guards there would still be more where they came from. And Sheikh Nuori would surely bring her forces down here from her Garrison to restore order. And then what do you think would happen to the children there?"

A shrill scream suddenly ripped through the air, causing all five of them to flinch. The sound was muted, as though it had crossed a great distance. It had undoubtedly come from the Dark Chasm.

"Let's go to K'alak'i Patieba," Gunther pleaded with them. "We won't help anything if we die like this."

"…Yes," Allise said finally, turning away. "We need to think rationally. We'll liberate the Dark Chasm when we have a sufficient enough Army for it."

"I have no need for a motley crew of broken teenagers who can barely stand."

Daunte hadn't told anyone what Bearyl had said, but he could guess enough from their leader's words that even if they did have sufficient forces to liberate the Dark Chasm that the Liberation Army leader would not do so.

I'll get them out of there. I wish I could do it now, but I WILL get them out of there!

It was midday when they arrived in K'alak'i Patieba. The small town was still bustling with activity, still oblivious to the sheer hell occurring just kilometers away. They walked past Kin's trade stall—who was still complaining about the high price of rice—but Daunte also noticed that the gossip surrounding them had a…surprising topic.

"Everyone was killed? Even the children?"

"They allied with terrorists—"

"How could the Sheikh kill children?! Original Sin dictates that they can work off the sin in their bodies! How could he deny them that chance to redeem themselves?!"

"Lorik Varra is a damned fool—"

"—not fair that he is alive when so many of his people died!"

"—should've been deposed long ago."

They found the combat trainer in town, who was able to raise Daunte's skills to exactly where he needed them. Good. Now I can try and approach Desiree with her dancing.

Roen went to the magic trainer however to improve his skills with his Fire Rune, as did Allise. Gunther and Felicity stayed with Daunte however to improve their combat skills. Daunte wanted to better his magic skills as well, but found he had insufficient amount of "points" to do so.

Well, I'll just have to keep training and building my points.

"Oh!" Felicity gasped. She pointed to a pair sitting at a table at an outdoor café. "Aren't they—?"

Daunte followed her gaze and quickly snapped to attention. He rushed over to the couple sitting at the table. "Nash! Sierra!"

"Yo," Nash said cheerfully, waving.

"You guys are still here?" Gunther asked with confusion. "I would've thought you would return to Harmonia after Lord Bearyl kicked you out!"

"Well, my mission is not yet completed," Nash laughed forcefully, rubbing a hand through his blonde hair awkwardly. "I can't just show up empty-handed after all this. Again."

"In addition, there are no ships leaving the country," Sierra said brusquely, folding her hands on the table. Daunte noticed that both Nash and Sierra had a cup of teas, and a plate of teacakes, but neither had been touched. Gunther casually reached out and took a cake. "The Theocracy banned travel after the fiasco with the Falenans. So alas, we are stuck here until this damned war is over." She looked at Daunte. "Either when you win, or when you are crushed and all of you are summarily executed."

"You're certainly cheerful," Roen said sarcastically.

Nash leaned forward across the table. He was no longer smiling and looked completely serious. "I hope the five of you realize you're on a sinking ship."

"Is that so?" Allise said. There was a slight challenge to her tone.

"It couldn't have escaped your notice. The populous of Nagarea doesn't exactly have a high opinion of your Army, plus you soldiers deserting daily. You leader of prideful and narrow-minded, completely incapable of accepting constructive criticism and completely incapable of seeing the bigger picture."

"Well, you certainly speak your mind," Gunther said.

"What he saying is that you're not going to win this war," Sierra told them bluntly. "With your low morale, abysmal public opinion rating, and a self-involved leader, I'm actually surprised that you've all lasted this long."

Daunte swallowed thickly. He didn't like being told that they weren't going to succeed. He wanted to make things better for Nagarea, and he wanted to protect Arin. But things…certainly weren't looking promising.

"So for the time being we'll be wandering around here," Nash told them. "I hope for your guy's sake that you'll be successful."

"They'll only be successful if they remove that idiot from command," Sierra grumbled.

"We should be on our way," Allise said. "I'm glad you two are still in good health."

"Thank you," Nash told her.

Daunte noticed that neither Gunther nor Allise said anything to defend Bearyl and casually walked away. He hesitated for a moment before addressing the couple. "Take care of yourselves."

"My offer still stands," Nash told him. "It won't help anyone if you get hurt—or end up dead."

"What offer?" Roen wondered.

"I appreciate the offer, but my answer is still no," Daunte told Nash.

"All right," Nash said, shrugging. "I'm certain we'll see you guys around."

"What did he offer you?" Felicity asked Daunte after they walked away.

"He wants me to move to Harmonia," Daunte said. "Where I'm pretty sure the government will use and my True Rune as they see fit until they have no more use for me."

"Maybe we shouldn't go near them anymore?" Roen said, looking over his shoulder nervously. "If he's trying to get you to up and leave like that."

Daunte shrugged. "I'm not interested, and he's only following orders. It's fine."

"Guys!"

Their heads snapped up at Allise's call. They hurried over to where Gunther and Allise were standing. Daunte recognized the building before them as Tidur's inn, but the state of the building caused him to freeze in his tracks.

The front door was still hanging on its hinges, but it was broken clean in half. Every single window they could see on both the first and second floor was broken, and the side of the building was dented deeply. It almost looked like somebody had driven a heavy cart into it.

"W-What is this?!" Felicity gasped in horror. "Who did this to them?" all around them, the citizens of K'alak'i Patieba went about their business as though nothing was out of the ordinary.

They carefully moved inside. There was muddy footprints on the floorboards and scorch marks on the walls. The front desk had caved in down the center. "Ms. Tidur?" Daunte called out. There was no response. He craned his neck and glanced down the hall. From what he saw in the hallways and in each room, not one piece of furniture had been spared. Splintered wood and broken plates littered the floor. He looked down the other length of hall and froze. There was a thick handprint smeared on the floor. It was dark brown, with a tinge of red. It looked like…

"Ms. Tidur!" Daunte shouted frantically.

"Who is it?" came the call from down the hall.

Daunte nearly collapsed in relief. They ran down the hall until they found themselves in a small bedroom. It was most likely Tidur's bedroom. The woman in question was folding clothes into a suitcase, and Ciana was idly sitting on the broken bed. The room was also in shambles and the windows were broken. Tidur forced a smile at them as they came in. "Oh, hello. It's been a while. How have you all been?"

"Ms. Tidur, what happened?!" Felicity exclaimed. "A-Are the three of you all right?"

"There was a bloody handprint on the wall!" Roen said, looking at each of them closely.

"We were not harmed," Tidur reassured them. "This all happened just last night. That handprint was most likely caused by one of the people who cut themselves smashing our windows. It's no longer safe for us to be here, so we're packing what we can and will be departing shortly."

"…Tidur," Daunte said at length. He walked around the bed to stand in front of her. "T-They found out, didn't they? That you gave us refuge and that we stopped by here to speak with you?"

Tidur shook her head. "Actually, that…has nothing to do with this."

"It's not?" Roen asked. "But then why would they do this to you?"

"It's because of my father," Ciana said bluntly.

"Ciana!" Tidur reprimanded her in a soft voice, quickly standing up.

Everyone turned to gape at Ciana, but the little girl simply shrugged. "We all heard what Papa did to Agameru. Some people felt like they deserved it, but most people here are very angry about it. They thought Papa went too far, and—"

"—and word got out that I was his estranged wife," Tidur confessed softly. She tossed the veil she'd been folding haphazardly into her suitcase. "And well…needless to say they blame us as much as they blame my—the Sheikh for what happened in Agameru."

"That's outrageous!" Gunther snapped. "How are any of you responsible for what that bastard did?!"

"Please don't use such language in front of my children!" Tidur snapped, hurriedly covering Ciana's ears. "People act irrationally when they're upset, but—"

"This is all Dad's fault!" the group jumped and turned to see Esther standing in the doorway. She looked furious and was on the verge of tears. "O-Or no—that's not my father! I don't know who that man is, but he's not Dad! He's a monster wearing his skin!"

"Esther." Tidur raced to her oldest daughter's side and tried to soothe her. "Please don't be upset—"

"Why, Mom?! Why can't we ever escape him?! We're on the other side of the country, but every evil thing he does keeps following us! I just don't understand, Mom!"

"Esther—"

"What happened to him?!" Esther was becoming more and more hysterical as the seconds ticked by. "Why is he like this, Mom?! He wasn't always like this! We used to have tea parties together, and he used to laugh and be happy! He used to—" she furiously shook her head. "H-He didn't ever…I don't understand why he's acting this way now!"

Daunte couldn't conceive of the idea of a monster like Sloan Faakhir participating in tea parties with his daughter. It didn't seem possible. He'd seen Sloan's brutality, both in the present and in Tidur's memories. A man so…vicious wouldn't play girlish games with his daughter, would he?

But the Sheikh also saved Tidur from an arranged marriage when they were younger. This is all so strange…who is the real Sloan Faakhir? The monstrous bastard who abused his family and slaughtered an entire hamlet? Or the brave young man who fought a grown adult for Tidur's hand, and who apparently had tea parties with Esther?

But…But it ultimately didn't matter why Sloan had these two sides to him. His hands were still stained with the blood of the innocent people of Agameru. Nothing would ever change that.

"I was thinking of going up into Sheikh Umed's provinces," Tidur said. She continued folding clothes and setting them in her suitcase. "He's an honorable man who I'm certain would ensure we wouldn't be harassed."

"Sheikh Umed helped Dad reclaim his Garrison," Esther pointed out. "What's to stop him from turning us over to Dad?"

Tidur sighed shortly and straightened. "We don't have many other options, Esther. Sheikh Nuori doesn't have the political skill to protect us, and I would never set foot inside of Sheikh Hale's provinces! Ah." She forced a smile at Allise. "No offense, Lady Allise."

"None taken," Allise said. "I have no association with that man anymore. But while Sheikh Umed may give you protection, he may also hand you back over to your husband if he asks for you."

Tidur snorted humorlessly. "That will not happen."

"You don't know that," Gunther said. "Miss, it's not safe for you to stay here, but you cannot trust that Sheikh Umed's honor will protect you!"

"Don't you think I don't know that?!" Tidur burst out with frustration. She wrung a hand through her hair. "I…I don't understand any of this. He isn't…he's not the man I fell in love with. I know that and that's why I left him. I needed to protect myself, and I needed to protect my daughters. But how am I supposed to do that? I can't fight—the whole state of my inn is proof of that! But what else am I supposed to do?! I…" she trembled and slowly sat down. "I-I even tried to reach out to my parents, but they didn't…" she shook her head furiously. "I don't know what to do…"

"Mom," Esther breathed. Seeing her mother so distressed was enough to calm her down and she quickly rushed to give Tidur a hug. "I'm sorry, Mom! I'm sorry I keep complaining! I don't mean to be a bother, I swear!"

"Sweetheart, you're not a bother. Don't ever say that!"

Ciana said nothing, and didn't visibly react to Esther and Tidur's distress. After a moment she climbed off the broken bed and joined her mother and sister in a group hug.

Daunte looked at the others, and saw the emotional distress in their faces. He calmly approached the family and knelt down. "Come with me."

"Eh?" Tidur looked up. Her beautiful eyes were bloodshot. "Come with you where? What do you mean?"

"Join the Liberation Army," Daunte said. "They will protect you from the Sheikh's wrath."

"B-But I told that I'm not a soldier. And my daughters—"

"All of you are welcome," Daunte reassured her. "You can help us get organized, Tidur. A-And Esther." He looked at the teenaged girl. "You have a real talent for decorating windows. You could design something special for us at the castle."

"And me?" Ciana asked him. "What can I do?"

"Uh…" Daunte faltered, not knowing how to tell such a small child her worth in an Army. He finally settled with, "Just be you, Ciana. That's all that matters."

Tidur dabbed at her eyes with the edge of her veil and slowly stood up. "It's not safe for us to be here. And truthfully, I don't know if we'll be safe under Sheikh Umed's watch. I-I don't know what sort of value I could have for the Liberation Army, but if you would have me I will gladly join."

Esther stood up as well. "I know what you people are, and that you do terrible things. B-But he…my father did terrible things, and with the blessing of the Theocracy. I will never support a government that would authorize such brutality. You will have my support as well."

"Mine too," Ciana said bluntly. The child did not mince words.

"Excellent!" Gunther cheered. "Three recruits at once! Good job, Daunte!"

"Would you mind waiting while we finish packing?" Tidur asked them. "We would like to accompany your group. It wouldn't be safe for the three of us to travel alone."

"I agree," Allise said, looking to Daunte.

Daunte nodded. "Take as much time as you need. We're going to Baltas next, and then we're going to go to Winter Hill, so I hope you don't mind being on the road for such a long period of time."

Tidur smiled at them. "I have a wagon, so we'll follow behind you closely."

Tidur and her daughters gathered what they could salvage and loaded it into a wagon. There was only enough room on the seat for the three of them, but Daunte was fine with that. As they departed K'alak'i Patieba he noticed that Nash and Sierra were no longer around. They must've left before us.

Despite their suddenly large entourage, the residents of K'alak'i Patieba didn't give them a second glance. Daunte assumed they were happy to see the Sheikh's family leave that they didn't care who they left with. But Tidur and her daughters were in noticeably higher spirits after leaving their broken inn behind. Daunte felt terrible for them because they'd obviously invested a lot of money and care into that small business, only for it to be completely destroyed. They didn't deserve that.

I will make sure they will be taken care of at headquarters. But Daunte himself wasn't sure how he would keep that promise.

They crossed north through the Rocky Plains and on towards Baltas. The trip reminded Daunte strongly of when he'd left the Dark Chasm with Felicity, Roen, and Surya and it once again made him miss his friend. He hoped he would be able to see Surya one day, but it didn't seem likely.

Just don't think about it. Just focus on the present.

They reached Baltas almost two days later. Within the outskirts of the town Tidur declared that her daughters and she would remain behind, out of sight with their wagon. "I might be recognized here. Sloan brought here once for a wedding anniversary. The townsfolk were so happy about our arrival that they greeted us with a parade."

Daunte was once again puzzled by these…oddly human gestures Sloan displayed when he was such a horrific monster, but he said nothing about it and nodded. "We won't be too long."

"I wouldn't worry. We're too close to a human settlement to be ambushed by monsters."

"I'm going to take a nap," Esther declared, climbing into the back of the wagon. Ciana was busying herself in the wagon seat playing Cat's Cradle with red string.

They headed into town, letting the security check their forged identification books, and turned their attention towards the tavern. "So, you're going to try out-dancing that feisty beauty in there?" Gunther said, rubbing his hands. Allise scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"I don't think I can out-dance her," Daunte said. "But hopefully I can keep up with her for once."

"Granted if she chooses you for dancing again," Roen teased him.

"Move along!"

Daunte looked over his shoulder. He stiffened as he saw a soldier knock down a man covered in a tanned cloak. The man in the cloak actually looked taller than the soldier, but did nothing to defend himself as he tumbled into the dirt. The soldier laughed obnoxiously at the fallen man and walked away.

Daunte hurried over to the man and knelt down beside him. The man's hood fell into his face, making it impossible for Daunte to see anything but the man's five o'clock shadow. But he saw that the man's clothes were tattered. "Are you all right, sir?" he asked him.

"I'm fine," the man responded. His voice was raspy, but his tone was soft. Daunte and Gunther helped the man to his feet and the man shook the dirt off his clothes. "Thank you for your concern, sir."

Daunte felt awkward to have this obviously older man defer to him, but he forced a smile. "I-Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I haven't slept in a bed in over a month," the man said softly. His gloved hands pulled his tattered cloak tighter around himself. "If you can assist me with that, I would be grateful to you."

Daunte knew that the man was asking him to pay for a night at the inn. He didn't know the rates at the inn, but he wanted to help the man in some way. So he smiled and reached for the man's arm. "I'd be happy to. Let's go to the inn and I'll pay for you to have a room."

His arm gently landed upon the man's forearm, and Daunte was shocked to feel it thick underneath his touch. His hand squeezed very slightly, and his vision suddenly blurred. He blinked rapidly as bile surged into his throat. W-What? What? What is this?

"Daunte?" Felicity asked with concern.

"L-Let's go to the inn," Daunte stammered, forcing the nausea down. He didn't know what suddenly brought this on. He didn't know this man—he knew that he didn't know this man. But touching the man invoked something very uncomfortable inside him.

I-I'll hurry and get him to the inn.

The innkeeper wasn't happy with the man's disheveled state, but stated the nightly rate as 75 bits. Daunte debated upon how many night's he should pay for the man, as the innkeeper stated he could pay for up to a week. When the man stated he would move on within three days, Daunte paid the innkeeper 300 bits. He wanted to make sure the man was well-rested and wouldn't feel pressure to leave quickly.

"I'm grateful to you for this," the man told him. "What is your name?"

"Daunte," Daunte told him.

"That's a good name. I…do not have a name. Or if I do, I don't remember it. I've been called 'La'Ahad', so you can call me that too. I can't thank you enough for this."

"…La'Ahad?" Daunte tested the name. "You don't need to thank me. Just take care of yourself."

La'Ahad nodded and followed the innkeeper up the stairs towards his room.

"That was so kind of you, Daunte," Allise said. Her tone wavered, as though she was genuinely touched.

"All I did was pay for his inn room," Daunte said defensively. "I-I mean, I could've done more for him, like get him a new pair of clothes or some food or—"

"But you did something for him," Felicity said. "And you did it without being told to and without expecting anything in return. It's very admirable."

"I think Lord Bearyl really needs to give you a promotion," Gunther said as they left the inn. "Imagine the morale boost our soldiers would have knowing a kid like you—who has virtually nothing—made a gesture of good-will for a complete stranger."

It felt odd to Daunte that they gave him so much praise for doing something so simple for someone who needed even more than someone to pay for their inn room, but he said nothing more about it. "L…Let's go to the tavern."

As luck would have it, their timing was perfect because the familiar music was building up the moment they crossed the threshold. The patrons rushed towards the stage and Daunte found his shoulders being seized from behind. "Hurry, before she chooses someone else!" Gunther was shouting over the cheers, pushing Daunte straight towards the stage.

Desiree was already sauntering onstage by the time they pushed enough people aside for Daunte to get into view. She danced in her familiar elaborate fashion, and her agility and stamina made Daunte feel woefully inadequate. Oh Nagar, I'm not ready! I'll never be able to keep up with her!

Desiree spun around gracefully before she suddenly pointed…at Daunte. "You!"

"Aw dammit, not again!" a patron wailed in obvious heartbreak.

"Get a room, you two!" another shouted.

Gunther was already hoisting Daunte onto the stage, and Roen hurried over to help as Desiree moved over to pull Daunte towards her. "Ready to show me how much you've improved?" she whispered to him.

Daunte wondered how on earth Desiree could've known he'd been trying to develop his agility and stamina to match hers, but instead he nodded jerkily. "Y-Yes."

Even with the extra training, the added skill, Desiree was still very quick on her feet. And there was the simple sad fact that Daunte had no idea how to dance. He tried to keep up with her but looked like a flailing idiot compared to her natural grace. It made him feel even more foolish than the other times where he stood up onstage gawking at her.

What was I thinking? I don't know what the heck I'm doing!

It seemed like an eternity, but the song ended. To Daunte's utter shock the entire tavern exploded in cheers. Everyone was clapped, and outside of some lewd shouts nobody was heckling him. He was honestly stunned. They…They thought I did okay?

Desiree suddenly grabbed his hand. "Come with me," she said in a playful voice.

Daunte gaped at her, but didn't resist as she pulled him towards the curtain into the backstage area. Several hoots and catcalls followed them.

"That was incredible!" Desiree squealed. She threw her arms around Daunte. "It's so refreshing to find someone who works so hard to improve themselves! To what do I owe this honor?"

"Uhhhhhh…" now that he was alone with her and faced with the prospect, Daunte felt nervous. He gently pushed her away and gathered the nerve to continue. "W…Would you be interested in joining me?"

"Joining you?" Desiree asked. "For what?"

Rather than give an impassioned speech, Daunte quickly told about the fact that he was looking to recruit her for the Liberation Army. To his shock, Desiree looked thoughtful about the proposal. "I have noticed that things have gotten much worse in recent years. Disappearances, harsher taxes…it's made so many people miserable, and I dance to make people happy." Desiree smiled at Daunte. "I've seen your dedication, and I know I can rely on you. Very well; I will join the Liberation Army."

Daunte was positively shocked that Desiree was so willing to join him, when all he did to gain her favor was just improve his agility and stamina. But he nodded quickly. "We're honored to have you."

"I'll need to gather my things, but I'll meet you there. Where is your headquarters?"

Daunte gave her directions and she smiled. "Well, then I'll see you there!" she kissed him on the cheek and hurried off.

"There you are!" Gunther laughed when Daunte resurfaced. "How did it go?"

"She agreed to join us," Daunte said.

"Really? Just like that?" Felicity asked disbelievingly.

"We should leave," Allise said abruptly. "Now."

"Why?" Roen asked fearfully. "Is this a trap?"

"Oh no," Allise said cheerfully. "But once these patrons find out we just stole that girl from them, they'll surely kill us."

"You have a point," Gunther said. "Let's leave. Now."

On the way out of Baltas they stopped by a trading post and bought all the rice they had. Daunte still didn't understand the concept of trading, but he hoped that the sale would help bring the price down at a later time…and make Kin feel less morose.

They didn't see a hair of Desiree after Baltas, but they were confident they would meet the dancer back at headquarters. So they collected Tidur and her family and steered the party back towards Winter Hill to look for that supposed "recruit" that Oboro told them about.

Two days after arriving in Winter Hill, they were still searching.

"What exactly was Oboro talking about when he told us to look here?" Gunther complained, looking at their surroundings and seeing nothing but flat plains for kilometers around them. "Those were pretty vague directions to tell us where a potential recruit was!"

"And yet we followed them," Allise said softly.

"Now, Suna!"

The group jumped at this shout. It belong to the voice of a young lady—possibly a teenager. Gasps and shouts of shock rumbled through the group however as a golden form suddenly rose into the air twelve meters away. The shape was rapidly beating small wings, the 'whooshing' sound filling the air. As the form rose higher, a human shape rose from a kneeling position and held their arms out to the form. "That's it, Suna! You're doing great!"

"I-Is that a dragon?!" Roen exclaimed, looking at the others. "Like, a baby dragon?!"

Daunte quickly looked at Gunther and found the older man was already looking at him. Realization had dawned on him as well. "It's them," Gunther said. "The dragon and girl we saw some time ago!"

"How long ago was that?" Allise said.

"After we went to Kõrkus to rescue the princess."

"And you didn't mention this to us at all?!"

"Hey, we did mention it to you! You just didn't believe us!"

"I want to see the dragon," Ciana said suddenly. Without another word she scrambled out of the wagon and ran towards the dragon and the girl, Esther following close behind. Tidur sighed and shook her head before following her daughters.

The rest of the group hurried over to the girl with the dragon. When they got close enough Daunte noted that the blonde-haired girl looked to be around his own age, possibly a year or two older than him. Her hair was short and she was wearing a unique sort of red headband that looked like two dragon wings were growing on either side of her head. She was dressed in yellow armor that didn't seem practical because it showed off too much of her body. The girl didn't notice their approach as her red eyes were focused on Suna, but Daunte noted that her eyes weren't crimson like Sierra's but more of a burgundy color. When the girl grinned, she had a fangy smile and she laughed heartily.

"Fantastic, Suna!" the dragon dropped into her arms and she hugged it tightly. "You're doing so well! Pretty soon you'll be big enough for me to ride you!"

"Excuse us," Daunte called out to her.

The girl shrieked in alarm. Suna immediately reacted to her mistress's shout and roared. But as Suna was still a small dragon, the sound only ripped through the air and was barely powerful enough to stir the wind. The girl let Suna go and readied a spear, while Suna took a protective stance in front of her. "Who are you?! What do you want?!"

"Hold on there, little lady," Gunther said, raising his hands defensively. "We're not here to harm you. We're just interested in your dragon."

"I-Is it real?" Esther asked. Unimpeded by the girl's threatening stance, she knelt down before Suna with Ciana. Within seconds the girls were teasing the small dragon as though it were an oversized puppy.

"Well, I'm not surprised you're interested in Suna," the girl said, her tone suddenly becoming haughty as she lowered her weapon. "Suna has been able to do amazing things that most adult dragons take years to do!"

"I-Is the dragon safe?" Tidur asked, watching her daughters with apprehension. "You've seem to have, ah, domesticated it."

"It's to be expected of Dragon Knights, of course. We train our dragons from the time they hatch, and by the time they grow up they're our loyalist allies. But who are you people?"

Daunte went around introducing everyone, ending with himself. "And who are you, miss?"

"Me?" the girl struck a pose with her spear. "I'm Sharon, daughter of Milia, the commander of Toran Republic's Dragon Knights. Speaking of which, where are the Dragon Knights of Nagarea?"

The group stared at her blankly. "D…Dragon Knights?" Felicity asked softly.

"You know, the fleet who breeds and trains dragons! I've heard all about your Dragon Knights straight from Toran!"

Daunte looked at Gunther. "We have Dragon Knights in Nagarea?"

"There are rumors there was a fleet of Dragon Horse Knights here in Nagarea during the time when the Sindar race settled here," Allise said. "But with the rise of the Nagarist Order…well, you already know what happened to the indigenous dragon horses here. Even so, that was over a thousand years ago."

Sharon's face fell. "Wait. There are no Dragon Knights here in Nagarea? None at all?!"

"The only dragons we have are monsters," Roen said. "Otherwise the dragon horses are extinct here."

"Damn it all!" Sharon shouted. She wrung her fists towards the heavens in fury. "I got myself stranded here for nothing!"

"Stranded?" Daunte echoed.

"I came here following the rumors! There were so many rumors in Toran that I thought for sure that it was true!" Sharon stomped her feet in frustration. "But then I ran into trouble the minute I got here, and we've been running ever since! And my potch is worthless here, so we've been scavenging for food like animals! And I've been working so hard to better Suna's flying skills so she could fly us home, but she's still too small to carry me! I went through all of this for nothing! Oh, Mom's going to kill me when she sees me!"

The group watch Sharon flail her arms around and scream in anger. Suna watched her mistress in silence, but there was clear distress in Suna's bright eyes.

After a few moments, Daunte coughed awkwardly. "W-Would you like to come with us, then?"

"Huh?" Sharon paused in her flailing and ranting to look at Daunte. "What do you mean?"

"We're members of Nagarea's Liberation Army," Daunte told her. "We're fighting the people who've been after you. We could certainly use the assistance of a Dragon Knight for our Army, and well…you both would have a safe place to stay at our headquarters until you go home."

Sharon lowered her arms to her sides. "What exactly are you guys fighting for? I know nothing of this country or your politics."

"Long story short, an ex-assassins group has taken over the government and has manipulated our religion to enact inhumane and brutal laws to force us into submission," Gunther said. "If you fight with us, you'll be fighting to stop these people."

"Hmmm…" Sharon seemed to give it a lot of thought. She knelt down in front of Suna. "What do you think, Suna? Should we join them?"

"Wait, your answer hinges on what the dragon thinks?!" Roen exclaimed.

"Wait, you can understand dragons?!" Felicity also exclaimed.

Suna responded to her mistress with a series of grunts, ending with a brief yelp. Sharon smiled and picked Suna up into her arms. "Suna trusts you, so I will trust you. From this day forward I, Sharon of the Dragon Knights, hereby pledge my support to your Liberation Army!"

Daunte nodded and shook her hand. "We're off to headquarters now so you're welcome to join us."

"I'd be glad to. It's been such a long time since we've traveled in a group!"

"Good, we got a skilled knight," Gunther muttered to Allise. "I'd like to see his Lordship complain about this!"

"Would you like to go on ahead of us our join the group?" Daunte asked Sharon.

"What do you think? I have no idea how to get to your hideout, so I'm definitely joining you!" Sharon grunted as she lifted Suna a little higher in her arms. "Her range is pretty short, but Suna can breathe fire now so she'll pull her weight too!"

"Wow, really?!" Roen exclaimed. "She can really breathe fire at people?"

Sharon made a face. "Well…maybe her fire is only strong enough to light a camp fire, but she's still pretty tough."

Daunte couldn't help but smile. I'm bringing back quite a crew this time.

Indeed, all of headquarters was rumbling over the new recruits when Daunte and the group got back. Tidur took one look at the barracks and quickly set about organizing them, with help from her daughters. Esther had a few complaints about the style of the windows of the headquarters but otherwise worked alongside her family.

There was considerable apprehension within the Army over having the estranged wife of a Sheikh and his daughters as new recruits, but nobody could complain about the quick results they produced just from within twenty-four hours of their arrival. Then there were those who were too busy drooling over Tidur to care about where she came from, or the fact that she was still technically married to a complete psychopath.

Desiree's presence also was a morale-booster, even though the dancer was disappointed by the lack of a stage for her to perform on. But she soaked in the attention she received from the soldiers around her and danced wherever she could.

Sharon on the other hand…people didn't quite know what to make of her. As the Nagarean religion taught that dragon horses were demonic, most didn't know what to think of Suna. But her compliance in the face of her mistress certainly fascinated those around her, and as it would turn out, she wasn't entirely a stranger to everyone in the castle.

"It's certainly a surprise to see you here, Sharon," Caesar greeted her. "Is this the golden dragon that caused a stir?"

"Of course," Sharon told him, ruffling Suna's head. "But what are you doing her Caesar? Last time I was in Gregminster, Apple said you returned to your studies in Harmonia."

"Well, in my experience I've found the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty." Caesar folded his arms over his chest. "Speaking of which, why exactly are you here? Did you run away again?"

"No!" Sharon snapped at him. "I was following a lead about a group of Dragon Knights here in Nagarea! Sadly, it turned out to be nothing more than rumors, but I don't regret coming here!"

Caesar arched an eyebrow at her. "So…Lady Milia sent her one and only child, and a Dragon Knight Cadet, to investigate an unsubstantiated rumor on an entirely different continent?"

Sharon flushed deep crimson, and hugged Sun to her chest protectively. "Just mind your own business!"

"Hey, I'm not complaining. You were a formidable fighter during the Second Fire Bringer War, and I'm sure you're even more formidable now with a dragon at your disposal. But since we're already dealing with the Theocracy's Army, the last thing I need is for the Dragon Knights to bring their full wrath down upon us because you ran off again."

"Oh, just go awa—"

"Although, I wouldn't complain if the Dragon Knights threw their support behind us—"

"Just buzz off, Caesar!" Sharon threw a pillow at him.

Daunte observed all of this with some mild amusement. The mood had changed in the castle, and it didn't seem so tense. It felt good that he had a hand in improving morale, however small his contribution was.

He jumped slightly as someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around. Oboro was standing there, and he wasn't wearing his usual smile. The anxiety in the older man's face distracted Daunte enough to not dwell on the fact that he hadn't heard Oboro approach. "W-What's wrong?"

"We need to talk," Oboro said tersely. "Lord Caesar, I must have a word with you!"

"Of course," Caesar said, immediately snapping to attention. He left Sharon to fawn over Suna and hurried over to them. "You look so serious, Oboro. I take it the news isn't good?"

"I'll explain everything in Lord Bearyl's presence. We must hurry."

A hard lump quickly formed in Daunte's throat as he hurried up the stairs after Oboro and Caesar. "D-Did…Did you find Zander?"

"I'll explain everything in the war room," Oboro said over his shoulder. "It's best if his Lordship hears about it first and foremost."

"Yes, that would be wise," Caesar said, though his tone sounded bland.

Bearyl was in the war room speaking with Varnaz, Gunther, and Allise when they arrived. "There you are, Caesar," Bearyl greeted them. "We—"

"I have an urgent report, my Lord," Oboro said, thrusting a piece of paper at Bearyl. "I've found Zander."

Bearyl blinked once, and then twice. "Who?"

"The Agameru refugee," Oboro reminded him. There was an underlying dark tone to his voice that made Daunte jump slightly. "I found his location."

"Why should this concern me?" Bearyl gave the report to Caesar and headed back to the war table. "And who gave you the command to look for that boy? I think I've made it very abundantly clear we have no association with that lot anyone."

"Oh, but you should care my Lord," Oboro responded. His tone was lighthearted, but there was still that unexpected dark edge there that instinctively made Daunte nervous. "The boy was arrested by Sheikh Keiran Umed's soldiers and is currently being held at the Sheikh's garrison."

Daunte's stomach twisted up and he looked at Caesar. The strategist did not look surprise, and his carefree smile faded from his face. He looked at Gunther and Allise who both looked shocked and upset, but Varnaz's face was unmoving.

Bearyl looked up from the war table. His face was similarly unmoving. "Well, he can count himself lucky it wasn't Sheikh Faakhir's men who arrested him."

Daunte gaped at his leader. Does he really not care about what could happen to Zander?!

"My Lord, we have a precarious situation," Caesar spoke up suddenly. He sauntered up to Bearyl in a leisurely fashion, but his face was deathly serious. "I hope you realize that Zander knows the location of this headquarters. What's to stop the Sheikh from torturing that information out of him?"

Bearyl's head snapped up and his expression quickly filled with alarm. "That…That's a very valid point. That child does know our location, and could easily give it up under duress."

"I do not believe Sheikh Keiran Umed would torture him for information," Allise spoke up. "That is not his style. He is a very honorable man. He would never torture a prisoner for information."

"But Zander could still just as easily give up our location," Gunther pointed out. "Especially with what happened when he came here."

"What are you implying, Gunther?" Bearyl barked at him, advancing on his subordinate.

Gunther, however, stood his ground. "My Lord, you casted that child out in a tactless, cruel manner. I fully believe he would sell us out to save his own skin if for nothing else than payback!"

Bearyl's nostrils flared as he glared straight into Gunther's unflinching face. He looked away then and glared at everyone in the room. No one said a word. Even Varnaz did not come to his best friend's defense.

Daunte himself completely agreed with Gunther. We're in trouble.

Bearyl walked away from Gunther and rubbed a hand over his face. Then he abruptly turned back around. "Gather the troops. We need to organize and act before the Sheikh does. This will require us to attack his Garrison with everything we have."

"I agree," Caesar said, stepping forward. "If the Sheikh has our location, we'll need to move fast and silence him before he spreads the knowledge. It may also do us some good to rescue Zander from their hold. We can consider it a gesture of good-will towards the people of Agameru."

"That boy will think he's so clever, giving us up," Bearyl snarled, gesturing angrily with his hand. "But I won't give him that satisfaction. I'll show them all exactly why I'm a force to be reckoned with!"

Daunte wondered if Bearyl just filtered words he didn't want to hear. He seemed more fixated on making a statement and proving his might than about the fact that the lives of everyone at headquarters was at risk. And they wouldn't even be in this position if it weren't for Bearyl!

Why do I continue to follow this man? If the Sheikh attacks this castle, Arin's life will be in danger. And if the Sheikh finds Tidur and her daughters, he will most likely ship them back to Sloan Faakhir. That eradicated an entire village and killed indiscriminately. What would he do to the family that had to use legality measures to get away from him?

Daunte didn't want to think about it, but the thought spread through him like poison. What do I do? Mom…what am I supposed to do?

The entire Army was assembled in the front courtyard less than an hour later. Daunte found himself standing between Oboro and Gunther behind Bearyl as their leader looked out over the Liberation Army. Despite there having been no official announcement yet, word still spread regardless and Daunte saw apprehension and fear in the faces of the men and women standing below them.

And in just a handful of faces however…Daunte also saw derision, directly pointedly at Bearyl Lutis. Daunte wondered if these same people similarly blamed Bearyl for their current predicament.

"Soldiers!" Bearyl called out, raising his hands for silence. "It is time we make a stand! Sheikh Keiran Umed has taken an innocent child hostage at his Garrison! The child's name is Zander—a survivor of Agameru! Our corrupt government shows their cruelty and evil with the terror and pain they've inflicted upon this one boy! It wasn't enough to destroy his home, take away his family—no! Now they torture him in mind and body, all for their sick amusement! We cannot allow this to stand!"

Daunte gaped at the back of Bearyl's head. Wait a minute. We're attacking the Sheikh's Garrison to preempt any attack on us! Yet Lord Bearyl is selling our attack as a rescue mission?! How can he stand there and LIE when he doesn't care about Zander?!

"There isn't a moment to lose!" Bearyl continued. "While our enemies lie in wait and plot, we will arm ourselves and march upon the Sheikh's Garrison! We will rescue Zander, and take a strategic holding and secure a lasting victory! We will fight, and we will win! For the of this Army, and for the good of our nation!"

The soldiers below cheered, and much of the apprehension and fear left. But Daunte was still gaping at Bearyl, who continued to shout and pump up his forces. Isn't he going to tell them about the very real threat that Zander might sell us out?! It's not just Zander who's in danger—ALL of us are in danger!

He looked at the others standing beside him. Both Allise and Gunther wore grim expressions, Varnaz revealed nothing on his face, and Caesar wore his usual lazy smile. Except the smile was twitching violently.

Caesar stepped forward to speak. As was expected of him he only encouraged and supported Bearyl's plans, and the crowd below cheered them on even more. But Daunte didn't pay attention; he looked back towards the castle. He thought of Arin, Tidur and her daughters, and the other recruits he had brought back. He'd brought them here on the pretext that they would bring change and be safe, but…

We're going to march upon the Garrison, but he's not acknowledging the fact that this castle may be invaded. Arin is danger—everyone that I recruit are in danger. I brought them here, under the command of an irresponsible, egotistical idiot and they might die! What do I do?!

He turned back around, not hearing Caesar's words of encouragement, and ducked this head. I…I must fight, then. I must fight with everything I have in this upcoming battle. If we're not successful, then they're going to kill everyone here. I must protect them! My recruits, the untrained civilians, and most importantly Arin! We have to win!

He clenched his hands into fists at his sides and ducked his head. He squeezed his eyes shut…so he did not notice the glow the Rune of Restoration gave off.

The cell was dark. Zander could barely make out the cracks in the ceiling.

"I brought you your lunch." It was the same squire who'd brought him his food every day. The other soldiers had called him "Lanny". Lanny propped the tray up on the tray stand that was waist-high in the cell door and gently pushed it in. "You've barely eaten anything since you were brought here. You're going to make yourself sick."

"Why don't you just kill me and be done with it?" Zander demanded, quickly sitting up. "I've already lost everything—there's nothing you can do to me now to break me any further!"

"We didn't attack Agameru," Lanny countered. "You cannot blame us for the actions of you heretics!"

"SHUT UP!" Zander hollered. He yanked his shoe off and threw it at Lanny. But since cell door separated them, the shoe did not reach Lanny and instead hit the food tray. Lanny jumped back at Zander's lunch spilled all over the floor. "Don't you ever call me a heretic! Is that how you loyal believers sleep so well at night, that I deserve everything that's happened to me because you think I'm a heretic?! My parents are dead, I've lost my home, and now I'm here like a caged animal! You have NO IDEA what I've suffered!"

"Lanny, what have I told you about antagonizing our prisoners?"

Lanny snapped to attention and Zander stiffened with fear as Sheikh Keiran Umed came down the stairs and into the small hallway of the prison cells, closely followed by Mihr. Zander knew that this wasn't the same Sheikh who slaughtered his family and friends, but he still trembled with fear when he saw the familiar uniform.

"Y-Yes, sir," Lanny stammered, saluting. "I apologize, sir."

"Please go back to the kitchen and ask the cook to make another lunch for this boy. And you are to tell her why she has to make another lunch."

Lanny went pale in the face but he hastily nodded. "Y-Y-Yes, sir." He took off running up the stairs.

Zander vaguely wondered what sort of person the cook was that she terrified the squire, but Keiran then approached his cell and Zander flinched back. "Young man, you have my condolences for what happened."

Zander gaped at him for a long moment before he sputtered violently. "C-C-C-Condolences?! We've lost everything! So many of my people died! You people did this to me!"

"I did not participate in the attack on Agameru," Keiran said softly. "Lorik Varra betrayed our country, but I do not endorse wholescale slaughter of unarmed civilians for the mistakes of one man. It is a disgrace and such actions are dishonorable."

Zander choked out a humorless laugh. "S-So you're saying that the other Sheikh is without honor?!"

"Yes."

Zander was stunned by Keiran's blunt answer and gaped for a moment. Keiran continued. "I have no intention of bringing harm to you, Zander, but as a Sheikh I am compelled to hold you here. And I am compelled to ask you for the whereabouts of your people."

"I have no idea," Zander shot back.

"No, I believe you do know," Keiran said. "But hunting down the people of Agameru is the least of my concerns. My focus is on something far greater: your allies in the Liberation Army."

Zander choked, and suddenly shrieked with laughter. He fell back onto the bed and hugged his sides. His laughter vibrated off the walls, but it was a haunting sound that visibly spooked the guard on duty.

Keiran and Mihr, however, were unmoved. "The Liberation Army surely knows where you are now, but they have sent us no ransom requests. They don't seem to think very highly of you, so I don't see the value in your loyalty to them."

"L-Loyalty?!" Zander spat. The laughter quickly quelled and anger snapped through him. He jumped to his feet. "I have no loyalty to those bastards! They abandoned us to die, and then threw me out when I tried to gain help from them! I begged them for help, but Bearyl Lutis refused me! He doesn't give a damn about me, so why should I give a damn about him?!"

"That's an excellent question," Keiran said. "But since you admitted that you went to the Liberation Army for help, then you also admit you know where their hideout is. Correct?"

Zander stilled. He realized he said too much, and had played right into Keiran's hands. Is…Is this why he kept me? To press me for information about where the Liberation Army is?

Zander closed his eyes, but quickly regretted it. Behind the lids he saw the images. Burning houses, dead bodies…the smell of blood and charred wood. Sheikh Sloan Faakhir barking out orders to spare no one, to kill everyone—that's monster unflinching, unfeeling expression as he killed person after person…

And Bearyl Lutis allowed it to happen. And did not care about the aftermath.

"Allow me to make this easier for you," Keiran said. "I was speaking the truth when I told you I don't care where Lorik Varra is, or the other survivors of your hamlet. What matters to me is finding the Liberation Army. If you tell me where they are Zander, then you're free to go. I'll give you a new horse, new clothes, and a pack full of food and supplies. And we won't follow you. How does that sound?"

Zander slowly approached the bars and grabbed hold of them. He looked up into Keiran's face. It was obscured by the hood, but he saw nothing devious in Keiran's dark blue eyes. "Y-You won't follow me?"

"I won't follow you. Do I always keep my vows, Mihr?" Keiran asked the other man.

"Yes, you do," Mihr replied.

"You see?" Keiran looked back at Zander. "It won't bring your family back, but you have my word that my forces will not come after you or anyone from Agameru. Does that sound fair?"

Zander hesitated for a moment, before he nodded. "I-I'll tell you where they are."