Black Steel: A Tale of Fire and Mind

They rode east in comfortable and familiar silence under the cold light the late spring moon cast. Crickets were chirping, the background noise just enough to mask their horse’s hooves. Fireflies were landing on their skin and they had to swat them away, else they’d bring attention to themselves. They followed the agreed path to Rachdale, a stock breeding village between Boatwright and Mountmend that stood upon a low, yet broad hill. At the hill’s foot stood the smallest of farms and their destination.

There they would report of the information they had gathered during the time they delved into the seaside city’s affairs, so further action could be taken by people more suitable. The assassins had done their part in the region, it was time for someone to capitalize on the situation.

Once under the cover of trees, Maxwell was the one to break the comfortable silence. “That was reckless.” He simply stated, rushing his horse to match his sister’s.

“It was a distraction. Hardly anyone will question its origins.” Seraphina reassured him shrugging. He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’ll need a new pipe.”

In their own clothes after the briefing with Martin, he started patting his shirt pocket. He came up empty. “Really? My pipe?” He wasn’t sure why he bothered. She hardly ever said anything without meaning it. “Ugh, you don’t even need it.”

She chuckled. “True, but if they look into the fire, now something can point to them and their own fault.” She said and shook her head. “Come on, Max, If you’d looked closely, you’d seen the guard above the stables uses a pipe like yours. I thought it all.”

He grunted. “When did you even put it there?”

“Earlier today when you were getting the uniform. Just after that guard’s shift.” She shrugged. “Just an extra precaution.” He knew her well enough to not get fooled. She was as smug since he could remember, the fact she was right more often than not fed to it, even if she feigned indifference. “Paid off, didn’t it?”

He shook his head. “Still. There are many eyes and ears in any city and we spent much time here. You shouldn’t have risked it." His reasons were sound, but he knew just as well as she did that without her initiative, they would be in quite a predicament, with poor choices ahead of them. Staying within the city walls raised their chances of discovery and then not only could a fight prove unavoidable putting them at risk, but their mission would fail. The Boatwrighters wouldn’t blame Mountmend and so their hard work would’ve been pointless.

She didn’t say any of those things to him though. Instead she nodded, a fickle of fire played along her fingers. “Next time let’s not base our escape plan on my innocent, mindless girl act. I’d rather kill something.”

They shared a laugh and settled back into their usual soundless ride. The time passed by quickly, as the siblings kept their ears open for any noise out of the ordinary forest background, but there was nothing. No sound of danger, of pursuit. Animals in the woodland around them, their horses’ hooves across the muddy path and their ragged breathing soothed their ears and worries.

When they broke out into the farm fields, they used a spyglass to check the area for imperials, even though a hive like Rachdale tried to get rid of imperials as soon as they’d come. They found none, as expected, and resumed their ride to the farm. Darius was already expecting them. He led them into the stables, where they dismounted and left their animals to the young man’s care before they walked into the house without disturbing the night silence.

Rigby sat in a rocking chair by the fireplace waiting for them. “Ah, finally. I was expecting you sooner.”

“Blame the dawdler.” Seraphina said in disgust and took a seat on the floor right next to the embers. “Took him two hours longer than usual to get to the tavern.” She grunted. “Another hour in the ambassador’s company and I’d kill him myself.”

Rigby scratched his grey beard. “Ahh, yes, I’ve heard the ambassador’s a little…handsy.”

“A little?” Seraphina laughed. “A lot, actually, but I could ignore that. Those jokes, though? Nothing funny about them, they drove me crazy.” She huffed, annoyed.

“We all know how difficult that’s to do.” the old man said, which brought a chuckle to both him and Maxwell, who’d gone straight to devouring the meal left for the siblings on the nearby table. “Good, Max?”

Maxwell nodded and swallowed hard. “Give your wife my best. This is delicious.”

Rigby chuckled. “I will, I will. She’ll be glad you enjoyed the stew.” Maxwell nodded. Rigby turned to Seraphina. “And you? Not hungry?” She didn’t react, just stared absentmindedly at the flames. Rigby looked at Maxwell. “I trust all went according to your plan?”

“The result, yes. We had to adjust it a little at the end.” Maxwell answered plainly. He didn’t want to disclose any more details. “Um, Master Rigby…you might get some complaints from Martin. Be prepared.”

“Don’t tell me you did anything to his horses. I won’t hear the end of it.” Rigby pleaded. Neither sister, nor brother provided any words as the young man who had greeted them came into the room. “Oh, my boy, good thing you came. Are their horses fully stocked for their long journey?”

“Yes, father, of course. I hope you find everything to your liking my lords.” Darius answered, a certain longing evident as his eyes moved to Seraphina.

“We appreciate anything you can provide.” She answered and his eyes lit up. Poor boy. She got up and made her way to Maxwell’s rucksack, from which she produced a small notebook. “Let’s get down to business. I’m eager to put as much distance between us and the Boatwrighters as possible before they find his corpse.”

“Ever the professional, my dear. Are you two sure you’ve rested enough?” They nodded. “Very well. Tell us then, what have you uncovered?”

“As you suspected, the Viscount’s stocking up more food than he lets on. He’s made people carve into the mountain, just south of his hall.” Seraphina stated and opened the notebook to a map of the city to give them a visual.

“Isn’t that where the servants’ quarters are?” Darius interrupted thoughtful. “He’s not making more room for them, is he?”

“It is and he’s not. That’s just the reason he provided to any officials who questions the constructions. ‘More jobs will be available for the everyone’, he preaches.” Seraphina shook her head at the memory. She and Maxwell had been present when he made the speech just as he greeted the Mountmend ambassadors in public. The lies he’d spewed and the ease the people bought them had made them sick. “I went in there myself and witnessed the storage.” She reported troubled. “The problem comes with its location, as you can see. West stands the mountain, south lies the endless sea and the city itself completes the circle.”

“You snuck in, so could we.” The lack of experience on Darius showed. His youth and naivete as well. Maxwell initially thought he couldn’t have seen more than sixteen cycles, but they’d learnt the boy was eighteen. The youngest of his siblings and the one to stay behind with his father.

“You could.” Maxwell said and Darius’s chest puffed out in pride. “But how do you plan to sneak out the provisions?” The boy’s face fell. “From Sera’s assessment and the accounts of some patrolmen I befriended, that cavern shelters barrel upon barrel of ale, long withstanding fruit and vegetable, not to mention the carts of preserved meat.” He put in as his sister nodded. "Nothing’s ever left to rot and the hall always get the freshest food, but through restocking there’s plenty in that storage."

“Don’t forget that they’ll most likely close the gates once they discover the kid.” Seraphina added. She started tapping on the map. “We tried to find an alternative approach, but unfortunately, by our estimate the only plausible way for a successful raid lies in the sea, though I cannot fathom how you could hire a ship with a trustworthy crew and captain.” She concluded and sat back down.

Rigby sat in thought, his fingers resting upon his grey beard and digested the long-awaited information. He didn’t like his options, any more than Maxwell and Seraphina did. “I’ll have to discuss it with our people in Hollow Grove. Maybe together we’ll work around the difficulties.” It was obvious they didn’t agree, but they voiced no objections. “What of the men the Viscount’s gathered, Maxwell? Do their numbers correspond to my fear?”

“Yes and no. There’s some heavy recruitment going on, but not for the purpose you feared.” Rigby visibly relaxed and waited for him to continue. “The Viscount considers our people in Hollow Grove insignificant. Not to mention that the river between our forest and his city gives him a better sense of security. ‘He won’t be raising a small army for a bunch of bandits’ were the words of a officer, middle rank, after some drinking and smoking.”

“What is he afraid of then? A coup? The other lords in the city aren’t a threat from what we know.” Darius intervened as Seraphina shook her head.

“I think, my boy, that it’s Mountmend he’s wary of. Isn’t that right?” Rigby asked and the siblings confirmed it with a nod. “Then your contract proves more important than we originally perceived.”

“But it also creates problems. Your operations in the realm might get hindered, you should be careful.” Seraphina looked outside. “I believe it’s time we get going.” Seraphina said and both siblings got up. “You’ll find everything we just told you in greater detail in the notebook. We made a copy to bring back home.”

They both went to Rigby’s side and shook arms. “Have a safe journey, my friends. Till next time.” They shook Darius’s hand as well before moving to the door. “May the elements guard and guide you.”

“You as well, master Rigby. Thank you for your assistance.” Maxwell said and they returned to the stables.

There they found their horses fully packed for the days to come. It had taken them all winter to reach Rachdale and then they had been moving hastily. Since their only hurry was to get as far away as possible that first night, it would take them at least as much time to get back, but the animals could only carry so much.

With a wave to Darius, they galloped southeast. The landscape between Rachdale and the forest deep within which their destination crept consisted mostly of flat grasslands and peaceful villages making their ride swift and easy. By the time the sun made its timid appearance, they had covered a good ten thousand paces, but they didn’t dare pause. The chance of them being followed was minimal and easily discovered in the open plain, but they’d agreed beforehand that their first stop would be a village more than half a day’s ride away.

It may not have been a hive of Shepherds, but since that village didn’t answer to Boatwright, being part of different realm instead, news wouldn’t travel as fast there. They spent two nights at a small inn to mostly ease their minds as no matter how efficient they believed themselves to be, none could ever be too careful. Not only did no one pursue them, but no news of the murder reached the village. So they moved on.

◊◊◊

Summer passed and they still rode on. It wasn’t until early autumn that they reached the edges of Crookwood, a seemingly endless area of thick boscage, given its name by the nearby villagers due to the number of criminals often seen enter it. It was common secret that there was an establishment somewhere in it, big or small none other than its occupants knew, but whatever attempt had been made to find it had been unsuccessful thus far. Unless a part of the League, anyone who risked entering Crookwood never made it back out.

The siblings had spent most of their lives under the cover of its thicket and as such knew their way through it. They made camp half a day’s ride into the trees, close to one of the rivers. It had been the first night since winter they felt at ease, so much so that both slept, not bothering to take turns to watch.

They awoke to loud screams coming for the northeast, close to the river. “What the…?” Maxwell exclaimed gripping his double-edged war axe, while Seraphina, bow over her shoulder, tried to calm the horses. A wildcat’s roar filled the air.

“Probably a straggler, attacked by the animal. We’re not that far deep yet.” She assessed calmly. She seemed as annoyed as he felt at how careless they’d been.

“Maybe it’s someone we know. Unfortunate enough to encounter the wildcat.” He didn’t wait for her response. Instead he rushed off towards the screams’ origin.

He came on a small blood trail. A predator himself, he effortlessly tracked down his prey. He found them struggling, one to survive, the other to satiate its hunger. The man was on his back on the ground, the wildcat on top of him, its claws digging into his shoulders as he held a spear across its mouth keeping it at bay.

Maxwell didn’t spare another thought. He charged at the beast knocking it off the man. It ran off, so he turned and knelt next to the man assessing the situation. An ostensibly broken leg, along with the wounds on his shoulder were the most serious injuries. Suddenly, he heard behind him first the purr, then the roar of the wildcat before it pounced. A whooping sound passed his ear and the animal’s body crashed before his feet, an arrow lodged in its eye. A moment later another found its chest.

“We’re getting sloppy.” Seraphina said riding towards her brother. She knelt next to the stranger herself and tried to decipher who he might be, but more importantly whether he was friend or foe. “I don’t recognize him, do you?”

“No, but we’ve been gone long. We shouldn’t leave him.” Maxwell answered and continued to work on stopping the bleeding in the man’s shoulder. “You know he’ll die if we do.”

“We kill people for a living. Are you really that concerned?” He didn’t answer and applied more pressure. “Here, let me put him out of his misery.” She said and took her favourite black dagger out.

Maxwell thrust his hand out quickly to stop her. His reflex action made his other hand press right on the wound and the man screamed again, hardly remaining conscious thereafter. “We’re taking him back to Bandville.” Seraphina didn’t listen, she went for the kill. Her brother stood in her way.

“He’s a liability. We can’t risk it." She said trying to evade the big brute. Her speed, while undeniable, couldn’t help her get past his bulk. Not without hurting him in any way. Before she could move a muscle, a water stream from the river knocked her back. For a brief moment there was so much anger in her wet features that most men would cower back in fear. But Maxwell wasn’t one of those. He held his ground. “You dare use water on me?” She yelled.

“Scan the area for signs of his company if you want…” He suggested ignoring her outburst. He ripped part of his sleeve and covered the wound. “…but we’re taking this guy with us, so deal with it. I’m going to gather our things and when I come back I’ll bandage him up properly. You’d better not hurt him.”

Gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, she made no move towards the man. Rather, she stayed on the ground until Maxwell returned with his own horse and their stuff. Then she stood and going to her brother shoved him. “Never again.”

He nodded and Seraphina did indeed run a perimeter to ensure the wildcat’s victim had been by himself in the area. Maxwell bandaged the man and secured him on his horse, patiently awaiting her return. A while later she resurfaced troubled. “Anything amiss?”

“I found where he took shelter. There was a poorly drawn map of the woods.” She answered and threw him the sack she had discovered. “I recognize the handwriting. It’s Albero’s.” His ears perked up at the name. “If you’re so set on bringing him along, I think we should push on to Bandville with no stops.”

If she was right about the handwriting, and he didn’t doubt her, the man on his horse was probably a case of Albero’s successful recruitment. “A full day’s ride without any stops? It’d be impossible even if he weren’t wounded. We’ve pushed the horses enough already.”

She knew it of course, alas she couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread that overcame her when they were awoken by screams only a short time before. “I don’t like it.”

“Nothing either of us can do, Sera.” He said, got on his mount and they rode on. The man was still unconscious. They were uncertain if it was due to fright or blood loss.

“Max, we let our guard down…” Seraphina uttered looking ahead. He was bothered as well, but she always took things a bit more seriously than him. “It’s chance alone it didn’t cost us.”

“Be grateful for it and move on. We just reached familiar ground after nearly three seasons. It’s natural we let up.” He tried to comfort her.

She nodded lightly. “Not home yet…” She breathed to herself. “Where do you think we should rest?”

“The caves by the waterfall where they trained me? They’re almost halfway and we’ll be safe.” He suggested holding tighter on the sleeping form in front of him.

“Too humid...” she said in disgust “… but a safe option. I’ll lead on.” She declared and they picked up the pace.

They reached the caves just before nightfall, their trek imbued with silence and tension, both reflecting on the events of the day. Once inside the cave, Seraphina prepared a small fire to keep their bones warm and made some supper, while Maxwell carried the delirious man and their things inside. Their horses he tied to a tree close to the cave’s entrance where they would take shifts to stand guard.

They wrapped blankets around the man and placed him as close to the fire as possible for he couldn’t stop shivering. When they were changing his bandages, they noticed that his wounds had become infected, which explained his high fever and subsequent aberrant state. They tended to him as well as their supplies would allow before one went to stand watch and the other slept.

In the morning they strapped the man up on Seraphina’s horse that time and continued forth towards home, their pace quick for they weren’t sure how much time they had before their unexpected addition succumbed to his injuries. Halfway there they encountered the familiar faces of two hunters who were just returning home as well. The siblings sent them ahead to warn the healer her assistance was needed since their horses were more rested. The hunters nodded and rushed their horses on. At the town’s gate, the healer and her apprentices were waiting. There were smiles and quick questions regarding their health before they took the reigns of Seraphina’s horse and led it to the infirmary, leaving the siblings to take care of their own business.

They had at long last reached Bandville. The locals had given it its name, because they believed it was infested with vicious outlaws. There was truth in the presumption as almost everyone at Bandville had been evading the authorities before they’d settled down in the town, but that had only been because they were running for their lives. And while there were vicious people there, the theories were again slightly off. Only the empire and her people were targets of the people’s animosity, not the common folk.

In reality, Bandville was a refugee community, which had conceived the idea of a resistance, later forming the League of Shepherds. With the passing years they had managed to expand beyond the borders of Crookwood to most of the empire. There was no greater longing among the people than overthrowing the cursed thing, but no such chance had arisen. Still, they kept the name of Bandville for their home, as they liked it deterred people from looking for them.

The siblings were greeted with cheers and warm gestures by everyone they found on their way to the pavilion. It was time for dinner, so it was packed. With a bow to the council’s table, they joined their friends in meal and merry time, finally able to relax, and answered every question asked no matter how ridiculous.

They ate, they laughed, they danced, but when the councilmen waved them on, they excused themselves and followed the elders to the hall. They gave a full account of their dealings in the west since the winter past, leaving nothing out. Their telling lasted hours, but there was no moment they didn’t have the elders’ full attention.

When they concluded, one man stood and ready to speak. “So you found no signs of Albero, save the hastily drawn map?”

“No, your worship. Though, it’s hard to imagine Albero sent the man ahead with only a map. Something must’ve happened, something kept him behind. Only the man can tell us, if he makes it through that is.” Maxwell answered respectfully.

“Very well. Great job as always. You’re dismissed, free to go get some much-deserved rest and leisure.” Another of the council offered and they bowed again before leaving.

“Aren’t you coming?” Maxwell wondered as his sister started towards the houses, when his own destination had been the pavilion.

“Not my thing, you go on. I’d rather get reacquainted with my bed tonight.” She resumed her walk then, but soon turned. “Oh and Max?” She waited for him to nod. “Don’t bring any girl back home tonight. I need my sleep.” She commanded and went on. He shook his head smiling and returned to the crowd. Late that night, his feet carried him back to their family’s house; alone, obeying Seraphina’s command.

The siblings easily settled back into the quiet side of their life. No more riding all day, nor staying at inns. They didn’t remain vigilant every moment of every day, wary of everything and everyone around them. They stayed in one place and slept in their own bed. They were around people with the same goals and struggles, away from the clutches of the empire.

They didn’t spy on targets while acquiring information, they preyed on animals during hunting. They didn’t blend in with people they despised, they joined their own people. They hunted for their community. They cooked for them. They constructed new homes. They took their place in the guard rotation. They supported Bandville any way they could like everyone else.

In their spare time, they honed their skills in the training grounds and recharged in the company of their peers. The swords, axes, crossbows, bows and mauls of the day gave their place to laughter, dancing and ale in the evenings. And under the cover of night, they would practice again, away from most eyes, further developing their concealed natures. The ones they kept secret and avoided showing at all costs.

Two days after their return, a little girl, the healer’s granddaughter, sought them out during dinner to inform them the man they’d brought with them had escaped the danger and had woken up. He had his bearings and could finally accept visitors. The council suggested the siblings be the first to talk to him, preferably Maxwell who defended him from the wildcat, so as not to frighten him. With no signs of Albero so far, the Shepherds needed to know what had transpired and how he’d come that far.

On the third day, after their breakfast and morning chores, Seraphina followed Maxwell to the healer’s hut. She refused to stay behind but agreed to keep her distance. They entered the hut and found the man in the last bed, concealed from view by a curtain. He tried to sit up when he saw them approach. He winced and fell back. He squinted at Maxwell. “I remember you. You saved me.”

“All in a day’s work, friend. I just gave that cat a little shove.” Maxwell replied shaking the man’s arm. “I’m Max and this is Seraphina, my sister. What do we call you, friend?”

“Derrick.” He nodded his head. “I owe you my life, thank you.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes and stepped closer. “We found a map in your things. Where did you get it?”

Maxwell touched her shoulder and she felt him press harder than he needed. “Sera, don’t be so harsh. I’m sure Derrick here will tell us his story.” He said and grabbed a chair before sitting next to Derrick’s bed. “You were pretty hurt when we found you. Must’ve been through some hardships, huh?” He relaxed back in the chair, placing his arms behind his head. Seraphina stood on the other side, at a distance and observed.

Derrick nodded. “Quite a few. A man named Albero drew me the map. Old, white and frail guy?” He started coughing. “Can I have some water?” Seraphina, who happened to be standing next to the table, filled him a glass.

“Albero, huh? Yeah, we know the man. Good friend and teacher.” Maxwell said and looked at Seraphina. She nodded. Maxwell spoke to Derrick again. “So you’re one of his guys in Wallowdale then?” Maxwell asked. “Sera, aren’t they expected back in winter?”

“Late winter.” Seraphina said.

Wallowdale was a city west of Crookwood. The forest was part of the realm Wallowdale’s Viscount oversaw. It was the most peaceful realm in the land and that served as reason to create the League’s headquarters there. The city itself was a three-day ride away from the edge of Crookwood. Seraphina and Maxwell had passed through it twice the past cycle, but Albero should be nowhere near it. He conscripted in the realm of Ashbourne in the north, not Wallowdale.

Derrick coughed again. “I don’t know anything about that. He found me in Ashbourne.” Derrick replied and drank more water. At least he had his facts straight. “I was taking back the food my masters stole from me, but they hunted me for theft. Albero found me hiding and offered me sanctuary. He said there were people like me here.”

“Many.” Seraphina said and eyed her brother.

“Most, really.” Maxwell nodded. “So then he sent you here?”

“Sort of.” Derrick said and took another sip. Seraphina came closer and filled his glass again. “We set out together mid-summer. A fortnight back, he said he had to leave, drew me the map in a rush and walked northwest. I must’ve read the map wrong because I got lost, the wildcat attacked me and you know the rest better than I do.”

“He walked? You didn’t have horses?” Seraphina asked at him closely. Maxwell was scratching his knee. A nervous tick he had since they were young. He seemed as troubled as she felt.

“No, we didn’t, fair lady. We couldn’t afford them.”

Maxwell intervened before Seraphina spoke her mind. “You say he walked northwest?”

Derrick nodded. “I have a very keen sense of direction. The stars never lie.” He answered confidently.

Seraphina shook her head. She spoke before her brother could stop her. “Yet you got lost.” Derrick’s face fell.

They would’ve asked more questions, but the healer reappeared at the door. “I don’t like that cough, he needs some rest. You have all the time in the world to talk. Now get back to your chores, you two.”

◊◊◊

Without a contract to accomplish, Seraphina and Maxwell went on with their everyday life in Bandville. At the councilmen’s insistence, Maxwell added visits to the healer and Derrick to his schedule. He was to keep him company and get to know him, help him feel at ease. For that reason, they banned Seraphina from those visits. Maxwell was more likely to uncover more information through socialization than her.

One night during dinner, as she was eating her supper and socializing, Maxwell came and sat down with Derrick on tow. After two fortnights in bed, he’d healed, but he still wasn’t putting his full weight on the foot he’d hurt. From personal experience, Seraphina could tell it was more a result of fear than pain.

Maxwell introduced him to anyone he hadn’t already met and when his eyes reached Seraphina, he nodded smiling. She waved at him. At her suggestion, one of her friends disappeared for a brief moment and when he returned, he had tankards in hand, as many as he could carry. He passed them along, just as the music begun and the people started dancing. They drank on, thrice they had to refill their cups, watching the merry dancers.

At some point, Jane, the girl Maxwell always seemed to go back to, came over and pulled at his arm. He gave in and let her lead him to their people and sway to the music. Everyone but Derrick got up to join them, but after just one step, Seraphina staggered and fell back into her chair.

With a slurring laughter, she waved the rest on and remained behind with Derrick. He came to sit next to her. “Are you okay?”

“Fiiiiine. I’m just fine.” Seraphina said chuckling and lifted her tankard.

“You lost your balance there.” Derrick tried to lower her hands. “Maybe it’s best you stop drinking?”

“Maybe…” She pushed his hand back and drank. “…but I do what I want. You wanna stop me?”

“Guess not.” Derrick laughed and raised his arms.

Seraphina put the tankard down with a bang and lifted her arms, swaying them in tune with the music. She kept her eyes closed, but soon heard Derrick sigh. She opened them to find him watching the people in awe. She laughed. “Not what you expected when Alberto talked you into joining us, huh?”

“Dancing around with no care in the world? Definitely not.” He laughed too. “I was told there’d be criminals here, thieves and murderers.”

She pointed at herself. “Here’s one.” Then she looked at her people. “All in the name of our loved ones, so we won’t lose any more.”

“You’ve lost people to the empire?” He asked and moved closer.

She nodded absentmindedly. She turned to the table and lifted her tankard to her lips again. She wiped her lips of the drink and sighed. “Can’t let the empire take everything from us, so we seek joy in the little things. We have our troubles here, but we resist the despair.”

Derrick nodded and raised his glass of water her way. Glass and tankard clang before they drank. “Think you can overthrow the empire?”

She snorted. “Got any idea how to kill the centuries-old bastard that rules it?” He shook his head. “Folks say that he can’t bleed, that he’s not even human.”

“Divine, that’s what they say.” He added. “Some worship him thinking he’ll provide them longevity too.”

“We know.” Seraphina nodded, clenching her fists. “As long as he lives, we have no chance.”

“What’s the point then? Why resist? Why die fighting?” He asked.

A little girl came to her, offering her and Derrick flower necklaces. “For moments like this.” Seraphina smiled as the girl put it around their necks and ran off. “Besides, it’s better than letting them slaughter us as pigs, don’t you think?” She lifted her tankard to her lips once more.

Her brother came up behind her then, wrapping his huge arms around her tenderly. “Getting my sister drunk, boy?” He asked as she placed her hands on his forearms.

“She doesn’t need any help, trust me.” Derrick laughed.

Maxwell looked at her tankard. “True.” The siblings said in unison and laughed too. “Just watch it. I wouldn’t take advantage of her in this state if I were you.” Seraphina shook her head and kissed his scruffy cheek.

“You have nothing to worry about from me.” Derrick quickly said. He placed his fist over his heart and tapped twice. “On my honour.”

Seraphina squeezed Maxwell’s arms. “Oh, I’m not worried about her, but you.” He winked and with a kiss of his own on her cheek returned to the dance floor.

“I’m guessing you’re used to cutting people’s advantages? Perhaps, rather… violently?” Derrick asked swallowing hard.

She chuckled. “Something like that.” She rubbed her eyes, yawning.

“Is Max an earthy too?” Derrick asked all of a sudden.

“Sorry?” Seraphina said, her yawn cut short.

He leaned in across the table and whispered. “Is your brother an earthy too? Like Albero?”

She got up and wobbled to sit by his side. She leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Nope, not a Basher.” She chuckled. “He’s a Douser.” He seemed baffled. “Water.” She explained and put a finger on her lips. “Shh, it’s a secret.”

He brought his finger to his own lips. “Safe from me.” She leaned against him, sneaked her palm into his. “What about you?”

She nodded towards the fire in the middle of the pavilion, just as she made it flare up. “Scorcher…” She breathed in his ear and sent sparks to his palm, just for a moment. Maxwell looked her way, but she waved him on. “Help me home?”

“I thought I shouldn’t take advantage of you, remember?” He teased, but stood anyway.

“Now you know what’ll happen if you try…” She trailed off yawning. She almost fell again, but he caught her. Laughing, he picked her up and followed her directions to her and Maxwell’s home. He took her to her room, tucked her in and left as soon as he could, not daring to touch a single piece of her clothing.

As she’d expected.

She stood and went for her bow.

He waited for hours. He had to. Until the merry folk of Bandville succumbed to sleep or their desires. Until the only ones left awake and vigilant were the patrolmen he’d been studying for days. He knew that they’d see anyone approaching, but there were blind spots someone could use to get out undetected. He had to rush before the guard rotation, else he’d miss his chance that night to escape and bring back information to his superiors.

He was almost to the wall when his leg gave out and he fell forward, his face deep in the mud after the morning’s drizzle. He turned to look at his leg and found an arrow stuck on the back of thigh. He was as shocked as was his body. Before he felt the pain from the wound, he fell back in the mud. Another arrow had struck him, at the neck. He must’ve screamed.

He struggled to breathe, but he could feel his airway blocked. His blood and the arrow. A hooded figure appeared before his eyes. The hood came down and he saw it was Maxwell. “I warned you. Guess you misunderstood…”

“Of course, of course. Get well soon, Derrick.” Maxwell wished and the siblings departed.

“Tell me you saw it too.” Seraphina said and Maxwell nodded. “None of it makes sense. They couldn’t afford horses? Lombard should provide them.”

Maxwell nodded. “Albero just left him in the forest with a map? Only if there was danger.”

“And northwest too? Why northwest?” Seraphina, far more relaxed then than in the infirmary, said exasperated.

“Say everything Derrick said up to this was true…” Maxwell offered on their way back to the council. “The councilmen said his wife got murdered in a village northwest while we were gone. Could it be he went to investigate?”

“She was killed in spring. Why go now? Besides, it’s too far. A season by horse. If he was on foot…” She trailed off.

“We go back to the ‘not making any sense’ part. Much more sensible to bring Derrick here, grab a horse and provisions and then set out.” He thought aloud. “Maybe the Elders will understand better than us.”

“Maybe. But I still think something’s off.” She said shaking her head.

“Or you’re just being a pessimist, fair lady.” He mocked ruffling her charcoal hair, back to her usual spiky do after her recent haircut.

She knocked his hand away and elbowed him in the side. “Not everyone thinks with their crotch, Max.”

“You should. It’s fun.” He winked and sprinted away before she hit him again. Seraphina rubbed her temples and caught up to him. “All jokes aside, we could use that in our advantage.”

Seraphina groaned. “Why does it have to be me? It’s always me.”

Maxwell laughed. “Sorry, I don’t think I’m his type.”

She huffed and looked at her feet. “We gotta find other ways.”

“It’s the easiest we got, sis.” Maxwell touched her shoulder and rubbed. “I don’t like this any more than you, trust me.”

“I know…”

◊◊◊

The Bandville patrol heard the loud thump as Derrick’s body hit the ground and came to investigate. They heard the scream and rushed. One ran to wake the councilmen. While Maxwell was kneeling over Derrick, Seraphina pulled her arrows out of his thigh and neck, wiping them against his clothes. Her brother snapped his neck as the guard reached them.

“Lady Seraphina!? What have you done? The elders…” the frenzied man started but she cut him off.

“I’ll explain myself to those I need to. It was necessary.” She said and put her arrows back in her quiver. They waited for any of the councilmen to come. “We need to talk.”

A brooding elder came forward with a torch and cast its light on Derrick’s dead body, lying by her feet. “Seraphina, what is the meaning of this?” The man had always been against those to hinder her and Maxwell’s rise in the ranks of the Shepherds. At their father’s insistence, no doubt.

“We need to talk…” Maxwell quoted her, adding. “…in private. Sooner rather than later.” Before there were any objections, the siblings walked away towards the council hall. There, they waited until all councilmen who’d awoken took their usual seats. Five out of twelve they were, their uncle Barkley among them. All five were barely awake, two still under the ale’s influence. Maxwell cleared his throat. “Derrick was with the empire, an officer most likely.”

Despite the hour and their state, some gasped and some shouted in outrage. Barkley asked them to settle down. “Do you have any proof?”

“He used the standard imperial gesture, two taps of his fist over his heart. It’s military, only officers use it, not stallholders like he claimed to be. He’s been prying since he could walk around camp and today, thinking I was drunk, he kept asking me about our beliefs, how we resist the empire.” Seraphina said, but she knew it was mostly circumstantial. “And if that’s not enough for you, he knew Albero was a Basher.” That caught their attention. “Unless, of course, you believe Albero would tell a man new to our cause about Elementals when he wasn’t one too.”

Among the quiet stares of the Elders, one broke out of her reverie and asked. “Did he ask about anyone else? Or only our dealings?”

“I believe what he found here surprised him. The propaganda seeded in him spoke of vicious people, but when he saw who we were, it troubled him.” Seraphina informed them. While pretending to drink from her tankard, she’d seen brief moments of comprehension in his eyes. Had another been in her place, Derrick might’ve been alive and they’d try to convert him to their cause. But Seraphina wasn’t one to take chances. It’d cost her dearly once. Not ever again. “Besides why we fight, he asked about Maxwell and I.”

“Did you tell him anything?” The woman pressed.

“I did. I gave him something worth reporting. He already had our location. I figured further information on the existence of two more Elementals would make him go back to report. It was a gamble, but Maxwell and I stayed close to ensure there would be no problem. I killed him before he could run his mouth.”

There were nods around the room. Her reasons were sound. “Then Albero is truly lost to us. We should send a search party to where you found the imperial. Perhaps the boy behind the alias and Albero can be found. Their bodies, at least. We should retrieve them and pay our respects.”

“Unless it was all made up and Albero sold us out. He’d been quite depressed of late and it’s his handwriting on the map.” An Elder said.

“We’d be receiving reports on the deaths of our people throughout the south. Especially Elementals.” The woman said and shook his head. “No, there must be some truth in the imperial’s words. The best tales come laced with strands of truth.”

Barkley clapped his hands as people nodded. “Alright everyone. It’s been a long night, full of ale and excitement. How about we get some sleep and approach the matter with full attendance and cool heads in the morning?” He asked and the yawns showed their agreement before anyone voiced them. He walked alongside the siblings to their family home. “Did you really have to kill him, Sera? We could’ve learned something from him.”

“We thought about it, but after Sera told him about us, our hands were tied, uncle.” Maxwell replied.

Seraphina huffed. “The moment father brought us here when we were just five, you and Aunt Mirabelle taught us to keep this secret. Twenty cycles later, you want us to endanger that secret?”

Barkley sighed, looking at his feet. In that moment, his years of struggle, of pain and loss showed in the strain of his face. “No, you’re right. There’s a reason this information stays hidden. We can’t give our people hope when even us Elementals don’t know how to burn down this wretched empire. We can’t repeat past mistakes.”

Maxwell gripped his shoulder, stopping their walk. “We will, uncle. Somehow. At some point. Maybe not in our lifetime, but there’ll be better days for the people.”

Seraphina touched his cheek. “You once told us if we lose faith in our cause, we’re doomed. Don’t turn on us now, old man.”

Maxwell chuckled. “She’s right. You time as a roamer may have passed, but we need your guidance and the council’s.”

“I know, I know.” Barkley put one arm over each of their shoulders and they kept walking. “Forgive my weakness. Sorrow fills me this time of autumn. There are moments it gets under my skin a little deeper than it should.”

“We can’t let them haunt us.” Maxwell said to both of them.

“Sometimes it’s easier to let them, my dear nephew.” Barkley sighed again. “But we have to fight on.”

“Till the very end. We can’t disgrace their memory with our surrender.” Seraphina promised and brought her necklace to her lips.

It was a small thing. The string held a cyanic stone, no bigger than a finger, shaped in a waterdrop with small markings, bright red as if flaming embers, at its core. It belonged to her and Maxwell’s mother. Their father, who used to be a miner back in their birthplace of Larcbust before the League took over their lives, had found the sapphire while working but withheld it from his masters. He sculpted it as best as he could into its current form and gave it to their mother as a wedding gift. A perfect representation of them both; the scorching anger of their father quelled only by the fluid endless love of their mother.

Water and fire united.

Her words remained unreturned and they resumed their walk home. Each went to their rooms soon after. She climbed in bed, sure Derrick would haunt her dreams. Taking a life affected even trained assassins.

◊◊◊

When morning came and the Bandvillers heard of Derrick’s identity, fear and uneasiness spread. It’d been the first and only successful attempt of the empire to reach Bandville, even though it was through Maxwell’s and Seraphina’s aid that Derrick reached the camp alive. No one blamed them, though. Perhaps because it was they who uncovered the truth and neutralized him and the threat.

The council ordered a search party, starting with the spot the wildcat attacked. In a cave northeast, they found four bodies thanks to dogs. Animals had mauled them and the corpses had already rotted beyond recognition. The only clues to their identity were their clothes.

One they could tell was Albero due to his distinctive green tunic and brown cloak. He never parted with those as his late wife had knitted them for him. Two were dressed in uniforms bearing Ashbourne’s crest on their sleeves, several of their bones broken. The last was naked but for his breeches. Another Ashbourne uniform laid nearby.

They deducted that Derrick and his fellow officers had followed Albero and his new recruit, the almost naked boy, until Albero had realized they were being followed. They figured Albero had drawn the map for the boy and had tried to deal with the officers, but they’d got the better of him. At least Derrick had for the other two were dead, with most of their bones broken as if the Basher had rained rocks on them. Derrick must’ve preyed on the boy, robbing him of his clothes and map after he’d murdered him and he’d stashed them all together in the cave.

Then the siblings had come upon him and brought him to Bandville.

They took the bodies of Albero and the boy south, at the beach where they buried their dead. There was a small service for them, words of gratitude for Albero’s lifelong efforts in the League, words of sorrow and regret they hadn’t met him for the lost boy.

For Derrick and his comrades, they prepared a special resting place. They carried their corpses to the north side of Crookwood, a three-day ride, so vast was the forest, and put them alight to carry across a message: don’t enter our woods.

At Bandville, the patrols doubled, the pavilion didn’t fill up as people preferred to group together in their homes. There was a sense of dread thick in the air, no singing, nor dancing. Autumn passed like so, even though there was no other signs of the empire advance on them.

Come winter, the people reassured themselves the immediate threat had passed. The folk of Bandville were safe. The League of Shepherds could resume with their dealings in the area. The council could send the roamers out on contracts.

Maxwell and Seraphina took on one of those contracts. The League’s guild leader in Ashbourne had sent word, requesting assistance after Albero never returned to his post. Seraphina disagreed with taking on that job, the memories of that place still haunted her after six cycles, but at Maxwell’s insistence they had to face it, she yielded.