The Viktor poll will be closing this Saturday, 11/23, at 11 pm GMT. Th results of the poll will be posted at the beginning of the following chapter. If you cannot vote in the poll, leave your vote on a comment and I will count it towards the final total.

Poll #2: Would you like to see Viktor have a romance subplot?

- Yes

- No

Chapter Three: Part One

Honigmilch was the second largest city in the Kingdom of Zelant and the most centralized of the cities. It was the home base of Zelant's many Mercenary Brigades, the Magic Guild, and Mercer Hall—the place where all mercenary jobs were posted. Unlike the other cities of Zelant, leadership was not passed down through birthright. Rather, the mayorship was won through a tournament held every two years. Richard had admittedly entered such a tournament on a whim and had won the mayorship. Though he was lackadaisical about the job, he was well respected by the populace and performed his job well.

Astraea had only visited the city once or twice, as it had a lively but dangerous reputation. Though crime was low in Honigmilch, there were constantly brawls in the streets between rivals Brigades on a near-daily basis. She knew that Brendan had spent a year living in Honigmilch in his early twenties and her oldest brother rarely talked about his experience living there. They traveled into the night to get there, and it was very late. Despite that, Astraea could hear from outside the high stone walls of Honigmilch that the city was still very much alive.

"How will we get inside?" Astraea wondered, looking towards the main gate. There wasn't just guards on duty; it looked like a whole military unit was on duty.

"Oh, that's easy Your Highness," Richard reassured her in a light tone. "Honigmilch has an emergency escape for its bureaucrats. It's how I'm able to sneak in and out of the city to do training journeys."

"And it's unguarded, Lord Richard?" Sigrun asked.

"Of course. Almost no one knows of its existence. But keep it a secret please," he added lightly.

Ferdinand had Viktor's left arm slung around his massive shoulders. Viktor's right arm was tied with a belt to his chest; the stump pointing upwards against his heart. The Kobold warrior hoisted him up and shook him a little. "Stay awake, good sir," Ferdinand said. "We're almost there."

"Good," Viktor grumbled, though his head was dipped forward. "I could really use a drink right now."

"How close is this doctor you mention, sir?" David asked Richard.

"I'll guide you all to Dr. Tieling's clinic," Richard said. "She will most likely be asleep, but she will help us."

"Good," Denzel said. "Hopefully we don't get recognized."

"Oh, that's impossible," Richard said bluntly. "Three Zelantans royals, a ninja, a Kobold, a man missing half his arm, and the mayor himself walking the streets? Everyone's going to notice us!"

"…You didn't mention me," David murmured.

"But at this time of night, everyone will be drunk and partying and fighting," Sigrun said. "Most likely both."

"We should probably get going before he dies," Musashi said bluntly.

"Gee, thanks," Viktor rasped in a sarcastic tone.

Richard led them around the perimeter of Honigmilch to the south wall. Astraea felt the ground dip slightly as they rounded the corner of the south wall. They walked a few steps before Richard stopped. He held up his hand for everyone to stand back and he pulled out a pick. He stabbed into the wall at key points, and the suddenly the wall shifted. A section of the wall thirty centimeters wide swung back into the wall like a door opening inward. Richard grinned at the group. "Follow me, Your Highnesses."

The emergency passage was shrouded in darkness and extremely narrow. Most of the group had difficulty fitting into the passage, left only to slide along the stone wall in a side step. Astraea could not see in front of her, but she sensed Sigrun in front of her and Denzel in back of her. She was comforted by their presence.

"Everyone," Richard called ahead of them. "We're about to meet an intersection in the exit that will lead left or right. When you feel open air, move to the right. If we move to the left then we will be going towards the mayor's mansion."

"So your house," David said.

"True," Richard laughed. "But we want to go to the right."

It didn't take long for them to meet the intersection. As Astraea turned to move to the right, her leg brushed against what felt like a box. Knowing that it was probably a chest she stopped and opened it. Inside there was a smaller box with words carved into the lid. Astraea couldn't see it but she quickly traced the letters to understand the words. Window Set 05. She quickly tucked it into her bag.

The group continued to move, following Richard until they came to a stop at the end of the dark corridor. "Why have we stopped moving?" Ferdinand called out. There was a strain to his tone; he was definitely cramped in the narrow passage.

"I must ask for your patience, everyone," Richard called back to them. "I will open the exit shortly."

Astraea heard Richard stab into the stone wall with a pick again, and then heard the wall shift. She felt Sigrun move on and she moved as well. The group exited the passage but found themselves in even more cramped quarters, though they could see some light. Astraea looked up and saw slivers of light far above them at the top of the shaft.

"We're inside a dried well," Richard announced when the last person came through. "Or rather—this was never a well to begin with. It just looks like an abandoned well."

"Who constructed this?" David asked.

"I don't know," Richard said. "Here—come this way. There's a ladder here."

"What should we do about Viktor?" Ferdinand asked. "He can't climb the ladder."

"Just watch me," Viktor said, pulling away from Ferdinand. He stumbled over to the ladder and grabbed it with his left hand. He started to climb it, but his foot abruptly slipped off the rung and he fell backwards. Both Richard and Denzel caught him before he hit the ground. Viktor looked at the faces around him and grimaced. "No one say a word."

"I'll go up first and look for some rope," Richard said, starting the climb up the ladder. "I'll make sure the coast is clear before the rest of you come up!"

The group watched Richard climb. Sigrun suddenly rested a hand on Astraea's shoulder. Astraea glanced at her oldest sister. "Sigrun?"

"When we get him situated," Sigrun said, nodding to Viktor. "We need to have a family meeting."

"Right," Denzel agreed. Above them, Richard pushed the lid off the well. The night sky was revealed to them, as were torchlights. Richard climbed out of the well and glanced down at them. "The coast is clear! I'll go look for some rope so we can hoist the gentleman up!" Then he disappeared from sight.

"'A family meeting'?" Astraea asked. "What about?"

Sigrun narrowed her eyes at her. "You know why, Astraea."

The mercenary brigades each had their own base of operations separate from Mercer Hall. These were buildings that were five to seven stories tall with apartments for the mercenaries. Though many brigades had thousands of members, the different units were rarely in Honigmilch at the same time. Those resting between jobs could take temporary residence in their respective bases.

"Well, well, well."

From the sixth floor of the apartment for the Couatl Mercenary brigade, a woman in her mid-thirties was seated on the stone rail of her apartment balcony, her legs stretched out on the rail before her. Her amber hair was long and thick; always tied in a high ponytail. She wore a black tank top with light fur-lined armor, and dark low-riding pants. She was beautiful and she was deadly. Everyone knew not to mess with her if they didn't want to be maimed.

But Eartha Riddick, commander of Unit B of the brigade, wasn't poised for attack. She was amused and bewildered by the sight below her. She held a spyglass to her right eye and she had it trained on the Old Well. Old well…everyone knew that it wasn't a well. What kind of well had a ladder going to the bottom? But since the bottom didn't hold anything, she suspected that it was once used as an oubliette.

Though the current activities at the Old Well were very interesting. Particularly since they involved the mayor of Honigmilch himself pulling enemies of the crown out of the well.

"Oh Lord Richard," Eartha breathed, smiling a little. "What sort of a trouble are you getting yourself into?"

She watched Lord Richard and Prince Denzel lift Princess Astraea out of the well, and Eartha choked on a small laugh. "She's smaller than what they said," she mused aloud. "That's the girl who brought down the Great Hall at Eisenblütig?"

Eartha lowered the spyglass. She looked towards the night sky. "Things are about to get interesting around here," she mused.

"Commander Eartha!" a mercenary in her unit burst into the apartment. "Commander—"

"Oh you rude little boy," Eartha admonished him, though her tone was light as she hopped off her balcony rail. "Do you always burst into a woman's quarters without knocking?"

The mercenary flushed with embarrassment and stuttered. "Uh—ah—I'm sorry Commander—"

"Just keep that in mind when you take a girl home with you," Eartha said. She deliberately moved closer and invaded his space. "So. What brings you to a woman's chambers so late at night?" Though she was teasing, she lowered her tone.

The mercenary became increasingly flustered, but she saw from the look in his eyes that he was enjoying her attention. "Ah—w-we got word," he sputtered. "There's going to be a post made at Mercer Hall at sunrise. T-They said the post was made by the Prince himself!"

Eartha smiled thinly. "Which one, boy?"

"Ah—Prince Brendan, Commander!"

Eartha's smile widened. "Prince Brendan? Then we will give that post a lot of attention."

"Ah, yes Commander! That's all!" He ran from her room without another word.

He left without being dismissed. He has a lot to learn.

But Eartha was more amused than anything else. She walked back out onto her balcony and raised her spyglass again. She looked in the direction of the Old Well and saw the…unusual group pulling on a rope that was inside the well. After a few moments a man with black hair emerged. She saw his arm strapped to his chest, and that it was dark with dried blood and shorter than his left arm.

He lost his arm. Did he lose it in the well? Hmm…maybe that well is more dangerous than we all thought.

She lowered the spyglass again and closed it between her two hands. "So, Your Highnesses," she said to the wind. "What sort of chaos of chaos will you bring us all? More importantly…how best can I make money from this?"

The city was indeed lively, but everyone Astraea saw was either blackout drunk or caught in the middle of a fight. Despite them sticking out amongst the ruffians, thankfully everyone seemed too preoccupied to give them a second glance.

"Isn't it a little late for people to be out drinking like this?" Ferdinand wondered.

"It's Honigmilch," Denzel responded, as if that explained everything. Which it did.

Dr. Tieling's clinic was tucked down at quiet street. Thankfully they didn't see anyone loitering about and Astraea saw the sign hanging above her door which identified the building as a clinic. "Hide over here," Richard said, directing them off the road. "Get off the road and don't let anyone see you, Your Highnesses."

The group complied. David helped Ferdinand with Viktor. "Thank you, Lord Richard," Astraea said as she moved with the group.

"You're welcome, Princess." Richard turned his attention to the door of the clinic and knocked on it sharply. "Dr. Tieling?" he called out. "It's your Mayor! Please open yours doors, this is an emergency!"

Almost immediately the window above the door lit up with light. "That was quick," Musashi observed.

"Dr. Tieling's a light sleeper, Your Highnesses," Richard said over his shoulder. No sooner did the words leave his mouth did the window open and a woman in her late twenties leaned out. Her shoulder-length black hair was slightly disheveled, but she had undoubtedly just woken up. She had wide glasses and her eyes were narrowed. She stared down at Richard for a long moment, and then her gaze shifted to the group. Astraea found herself under Dr. Tieling's scrutiny, and it made her shift with discomfort.

It was an uncomfortably long moment before Dr. Tieling withdrew back into her room and closed her window sharply. Astraea felt a pang of alarm, but Richard smiled at them reassuringly. "It's okay, she'll be right down."

A few moments later the door cracked open and the doctor stood there in a gray house robe. "Come, quickly," she called out to them. "Before you all are spotted!"

Astraea gasped in relief as the group hurried into the clinic. They stood in a small waiting room lit by lanterns. "Please help us, Doctor," David immediately burst out. "Viktor—"

"Silence," Dr. Tieling said, holding up her hand sharply. She looked at Viktor, her expression unreadable and her eyes on his wounded arm. She waved them forward. "Come, please."

The group followed Dr. Tieling into the clinic. There were two rows of white unoccupied beds lining the walls. Denzel and Ferdinand carefully laid Viktor on the nearest. Dr. Tieling unhooked the strap that bound his arm to his chest and elevated it. "Do you have the rest of his arm, Your Highnesses?" she asked bluntly.

"Ah—no, Dr. Tieling," Sigrun said. "Bhayankar ran away with it in his mouth."

"Bhayankar?" Dr. Tieling's brow rose in surprise. She looked at the stump. "So this was an animal bite."

"Yes, Doctor," Astraea said softly.

"If it was Bhayankar then we don't have to worry about rabies," Dr. Tieling said. "But animal bites are still prone to infection. And it looks like he's lost a lot of blood. How long ago did this man lose his arm?"

"Hours ago," Denzel said.

"Hours?!" Dr. Tieling exclaimed. Now she looked very shocked. "Have any rune spells been casted upon him?!"

"None of us have healing runes, Dr. Tieling," Richard confessed. "But we have given him every Medicine and Mega Medicine we have found."

"No healing runes. How reckless." She shook her head in disgust but then stopped herself. She looked up placidly at the group. "I do not mean to be insolent towards Reiser royals. I apologize for it."

Astraea knew she could accept her apology or dismiss it. Ultimately she decided on; "Don't apologize, Dr. Tieling. But I ask that you do all you can to save Viktor."

Dr. Tieling nodded and raised her hand. "Kindness Rain."

The symbol of the Flowing Rune rose into the air, and heavy rain fell upon Viktor. All at once the color returned to his face, and the stump admittedly did not look as mutilated as it had before. But it was still in rough shape.

"This will take some time," Dr. Tieling announced. "I will give him as much aid as I can, however the lot of you cannot stay here long. My clinic is very popular with the brigades, and those idiots are constantly coming here seeking tonics for their hangovers. I will do all I can, but I advise that Your Highnesses move on as quickly as possible."

"Should we leave him here with you?" Denzel asked, folding his arms over his chest.

"No," Dr. Tieling said bluntly. "His arm was eaten by Bhayankar. Someone will make the distinction eventually. I will get him well enough for travel, but I cannot house you all here for long. I would say it will take up to two days to get him well. After that…I'm afraid I must ask Your Highnesses to leave."

"No, it will be fine," Astraea said. She bowed to Dr. Tieling, who flinched in shock. "Thank you so much for this, Doctor!"

"See?" Richard said lightly. "Didn't I say she would help us?"

"You owe me for this, Lord Richard," Dr. Tieling told him. Richard stiffened at that.

"Then can we stay here?" Denzel asked, motioning to the beds.

"I would advise against that, Your Highness," Dr. Tieling said. "Most of the mercs use these beds to sleep off hangovers or to rest from brawls or injuries on the job. I have private rooms in the back that you all can stay in. We will need to move this man to one of those rooms as well."

"Ferdinand, Musashi, could you all help the Doctor with that?" Sigrun said. "Denzel, Astraea, and I need to have an important discussion in private."

Astraea swallowed hard, wondering if she should protest or agree. After a moment she nodded. "I understand."

"I would like to join you," David spoke up, stepping forward.

"This is a family matter," Denzel told him.

"I mean no disrespect, Prince Denzel," David said, raising his hands. "But I know what you want to discuss with the Princess, and I would like to be part of that discussion."

"Silverberg, you should focus on caring for your companion," Sigrun retorted. "This is a discussion for the ears of Reiser royals. Not even our assists will be present for it. What makes you think you deserve to be part of it?"

David glanced towards Astraea. "Your Highness?"

Sigrun and Denzel looked at Astraea. She knew she could agree with her siblings or agree with David. She settled on, "I'm okay with David being present."

Sigrun's brow jumped in shock and Denzel frowned. "Why, Astraea?"

Astraea smiled. "Because it was his idea."

Astraea went to a small office with Sigrun, Denzel, and David. Denzel closed the door sharply behind them and leaned his back against the door. David lit a candle on the desk. "Sit, Astraea," Sigrun said, pointing to the chair at the desk.

Astraea complied. "I know what you both want to discuss. And I know you're concerned—"

"Concerned?!" Sigrun echoed. She shook her head furiously and paced the small room. "Astraea—you're talking about challenging the King to Royal Combat! You've been branded a traitor and are making a claim for the Crown! Public perception of us is already chaotic, but how do you think people will perceive this?! We're at war with the Bianca Alliance, and we're being hunted! People will think you are creating civil unrest!"

"Maybe I am," Astraea said. "But I have do it. Father tried to kill me to start a war. He did kill a lot of people, including Milo, Barrett, and Ritta. And when I discovered this, he blamed ME for what HE did! All for his own power! His actions are reprehensible, and he doesn't deserve to lead this country!"

"She has a fair point," Denzel said.

Sigrun gave David a sharp look. "Astraea said this was your idea. Did you put her up to this?!"

"No, Your Highness," David said. "I simply let Princess Astraea know that she has this option. And then we Lady Leknaat appeared, and—"

"Who's Lady Leknaat?" Denzel asked.

"This…mysterious woman who appeared out of midair," Astraea said, not knowing how else to describe her. "She said she was Leknaat, a seer. She also said something about the—108 Stars of Destiny, and that I was the Tenkai Star."

"The 108 Stars of Destiny?!" Sigrun's eyes widened in shock. "Wait—I heard of that! So many wars have been written about that have mentioned the 108 Stars of Destiny!"

"Didn't that happen here once?" Denzel asked idly.

"I read about—" David began.

"Astraea," Sigrun said, grabbing her shoulders. "It—Are you saying that you want to challenge His Majesty to Royal Combat because some woman appeared out of nowhere and said you were destined to do it?!"

"I—"

Sigrun pressed a hand to Astraea's forehead and then checked her eyes. "Are you dizzy? Are you suffering from other hallucinations?"

"It wasn't a hallucination, Big Sister!" Astraea said sharply, pulling away from her.

"I witnessed it as well, Your Highness," David said, raising his hand. "I heard everything the Princess heard."

"But this is…heavy," Denzel said after a moment. "Does this mean that…all these terrible things happened because of fate?!"

"But when haven't terrible events been led by fate, Prince Denzel?" David asked.

Denzel pondered this for a moment before he nodded. "Good point."

Sigrun looked at Astraea for a long moment. "Astraea," she said again. "Do you know how dangerous this is? Royal Combat isn't merely a duel—you are bargaining your very life. Once you make your declaration, you cannot take it back. You must follow through. And…" she shook her head slowly, tears building in her eyes. "I don't think you understand how dangerous His Majesty is."

"But I do know," Astraea said, her tone softening. "He tried to kill me. Multiple times. I know he's capable of many terrible things. That's why I must do it. You can't do it, Sigrun; you already challenged him and lost. And Denzel…" she looked at her brother.

Denzel choked on a laugh and raised his hands. "I have no interest in becoming King."

"So it must be me," Astraea pressed on, looking at Sigrun again. "I have to do it. Brendan can't do it either but Kion or Vahan or Philomena—they sided with Father. Even if they were to challenge him and win, they would still come after us. In order to stop him—to stop this insane war he started with the Alliance—I have to do this. Please…" she rested her hands on her thighs and leaned forward. "Please support me in this!"

The room fell silent for a long time. Astraea kept her head bent forward and her eyes closed. Please…!

It was Denzel who finally broke the silence. "If you're going to challenge that man, I will stand beside you Astraea. Or rather—behind you, as I must since you would be Queen," he said with a laugh. Astraea lifted her head and saw him step forward. He saluted. "Astraea Reiser. I, Denzel Reiser, recognize your claim and give you my support."

Sigrun's breathing was unsteady. Astraea looked at her and saw anxiety and sadness in her sister's face. After a few moments Sigrun swallowed thickly…and nodded. After a few more moments she gave a relaxed smile. Then she saluted as well. "Astraea Reiser. I, Sigrun Reiser, recognize your claim and give you my support."

"Thank you," Astraea said. She stood up and gave her sister a hug. Then she gave her brother a hug as well. "Thank you both so much!"

"Good," David said, nodding and smiling. "So how is the proclamation for Royal Combat made?"

"I know what to do," Sigrun said.

Honigmilch came alive with activity the following morning. Richard had gone back to his residence, but they could hear the commotion from the clinic. "It's coming from the direction of Mercer Hall," Dr. Tieling said. Thankfully because of the commotion

It was decided that the commotion needed to be investigated. Musashi volunteered to go out, but Ferdinand insisted on going as well.

"I can move without being seen," Musashi said. "You will draw attention."

"Are you saying that because I'm a Kobold?" Ferdinand demanded, clearly offended.

"Why don't you both go?" Astraea offered. "You can both go separately for reconnaissance."

"Separately is better," Musashi said, looking to Denzel. Denzel nodded. "Be careful."

Musashi said nothing more. With a quick flick of wind he was gone.

"Are you sure, Ferdinand?" Sigrun asked.

"I will be careful, Your Highness," Ferdinand reassured her.

"If you're followed, don't draw them back here," Dr. Tieling said. "Mercer Hall is northeast from here."

Ferdinand quickly departed soon after. He entered the main road, and knew that he didn't need to wander to get to Mercer Hall. Large groups of mercenaries were running in the direction of the place. Most of them clearly hadn't bathed in a while. Ferdinand hated the smell of unclean humans.

It's amazing how slovenly they can be. How hard is it to pick up a bar of soap and wash their bodies? They don't even have fur to worry about!

He did get stares, which worried him, but most everyone was focused on the goal of getting to the hall. Admittedly he was amazed to see Mercer Hall; a massive three-story building made of red brick with cathedral-style windows. There was a plaza in front of the Hall, where several groups of people were standing around talking and laughing loudly. Ferdinand tried to ignore him and continue on his way.

"Hey! Hey you!"

Ferdinand paused only briefly. The words sounded…pointed towards him. Before he could keep going, a thick muscular arm encircled around his neck and he suddenly found himself in a headlock. "How dare you walk past me, you bastard!"

Ferdinand tensed and immediately wrenched himself loose. He turned to face his attacker, only to come face to face with a giant of a human. He looked to be forty with a large muscular frame, black hair tied in a braid, and an ebony complexion that was marred with scars. But the man was laughing and slapped the palm of his hand against Ferdinand's breastplate. "Don't think you can walk past an old friend without saying hi!"

Ferdinand blinked with confusion. He didn't know this man, but…this man knew him?

"Commander Ignaz!" a scrawny man from a large group called out. "Who's that you're talking to?"

Ferdinand stiffened with alarm but the man—Ignaz—did an about face and turned to the group. "Show some respect, punk! Don't you know who this is?!" Ignaz reached behind him and thumped Ferdinand on the chest again. "This is Lambert! Lord of the Kobolds!"

"Ohhhhh," the group said in unison. Ferdinand meanwhile felt the familiar rage quickly rise inside his body. Again?! I'm mistaken for Lord Lambert AGAIN?!

Ignaz turned to face him with a cheeky grin. "You here on official business, your Lordship?"

"Er…yes," Ferdinand said in strained tone. He was highly offended for the mistaken identity but also relieved that he wasn't truly recognized. "Ah—"

"Don't let me keep you then," Ignaz said, motioning towards the massive doors that were open.

Ferdinand nodded and quickly hurried into Mercer Hall. The main hall was packed with people. It was like an impenetrable wall. "Please excuse me," Ferdinand said. No one gave him a second glance.

There was a brush of wind behind him. "Come," Musashi said, beckoning Ferdinand to behind a pillar.

Ferdinand hurried behind the pillar with him. "I just arrived. Did you find anything out?"

"Enough," Musashi said, and held out a piece of paper. Ferdinand quickly took it and saw that it was a post. What he read made his blood run cold.

ASTRAEA, ENEMY OF THE STATE

COME TO POTSFURT IF YOU DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR ASSIST.