I turn around, walking straight back into my abandoned building through the front door, not bothering to hide. I finish what little gruel I have in my cooking pot and put it all away inside the chest, lifting it with my left limb and holding my hammer in my right hand.

I head out, observing my surroundings. I spot a someone looking at me from a window, the person is a split second too late in hiding. Either they spread eyes all over the area or someone knew I was here but didn't want to attack me. I make my way south at fast-walking pace, towards Madame Cecil's brothel.

Those I come across while crossing the run-down shady part of Meria are the same type as usual, people with unremarkable clothes lurking in shadows, but this time there are more of them with hands over their daggers.

This part of the city is definitely agitated, I can see it in their eyes as they stare at my helmet, they're afraid. Something must have happened. I step up my pace, hoping that Cecil will be there.

I turn a corner, finding the familiar looking flaking red paint on the brothel's facade. There are three armed guards at the front door, wearing thick leather outfits and carrying swords. I walk up to the muscular one in the middle, letting my hammer hang at the end of my arm, to my side, not threatening.

“Is the Madame here?” I speak up.

“The boss has been waiting for you since the murder yesterday morning.” The bulky man answers.

Murder?! I pause. It can't be my Lady, the old man spoke of her this morning so she must be fine.

“Who?” I ask.

“Architect Mathew, don't know anything more.” He replies, stepping aside to let me in.

That architect is the one in charge of digging new wells that Ferrand, that peasant in Alana's tavern, spoke of. Back then, Jacub suggested that we poison Castle Lance's wells, that's not a coincidence.

I step inside the brothel, half noticing that there are very few people inside and a clean floor. No party last night? That's odd. I hurry up the flight of stairs, finding the man who was dressed in a frivolous butler's outfit the last time I was here. He is guarding the door to Cecil's office with a long sword and a leather armor of lower quality than mine.

“Good morning, Lady Elizabeth.” He bows slightly, smiling. “You look... colorful today.” He adds, glancing at my bloody helmet.

“And you look dressed up, congratulations.” I reply, amused.

He opens the door for me. I enter the office, finding Madame Cecil having tea with a woman wearing bright blue clothes along with a red scarf and undershirt. At her side is a thin rapier next to a parrying dagger, recognizable because of its wide guard and thick blade.

The woman stands up, she is a tiny bit taller than me. Her shoe's soles are probably thicker than mine. She has free dark hair and brown eyes, her traits are refined, elegant.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Elizabeth. I am Lady Roisia Urnan.” She bows to half waist.

“I am glad to make your acquaintance, Lady Urnan.” I nod, bowing as low as she did. I straighten back up.

“Roisia.” She utters firmly, staring at Lady Urnan.

“Fine, I'll take my leave.” She says. “You better tell me all about this later.”

“Maybe.” Cecil replies. “I'm not doing anything your father wouldn't do.”

“That's not reassuring.” She frowns but departs anyway, closing the door behind herself.

I take the seat in front of the desk, laying my hammer and the chest on the floor.

“What's going on?” I ask.

“You want the bad news or the worse news?” She answers with a question of her own.

“The worse.” I groan.

“Two thousand professional soldiers arrived by boat yesterday evening, they seized housing in the south-west quarter of Meria.” She says, tapping her desk with the tip of her fingers.

“That many? How?” This complicates things, but not so much.

“The coastal Lords gathered their troops under Count Odo's command, expecting their castles to be reinforced by Caeviel's army in time.” She explains. “The Count himself is in Meria with his soldiers, he ordered the beating of a few protesters and that put an end to the altercations.”

“The Duke isn't doing anything?” I ask.

“He can't refuse the help and he has to give them a place to stay. The barracks against the walls are already filled to the brim. There are more and more refugees streaming into the city with nowhere to sleep.” Madame Cecil sighs.

“Speaking of which, the new water wells and architect Mathew.” I mention.

“He and his two bodyguards were ambushed on the way back from a construction site, murdered in cold blood.” She says with a worried expression. “The news shook Meria yesterday, water supply is a touchy subject for everyone and there is a rumor that plans were stolen. These things aren't common, especially when the victim is under protection. Most of my usual clients were too spooked to show up last night so I've had to hire three swordsmen myself.”

“I suspect the mercenaries I told you about the other day are responsible. They suggested poisoning wells before.” I say.

Fenyz is more likely to have sent them with that objective, Celyz has a wider perspective on the conflict. She didn't want to act too ruthlessly, fearing that it would hinder talks and perhaps threaten her sister's safety, Cetyz.

Wait. They don't have to poison every well, only the army's water supply. Celyz might agree to that since that would weaken Meria's defenders while leaving the workforce relatively intact.

“What are you thinking about?” Cecil asks. I notice that I've inclined my head unconsciously.

“You said that plans were stolen.” I note.

“It's only a rumor but I believe it, architects carry their schematics and drawing tools because they often have to adjust them as their projects are confronted with reality.” She explains.

“And I assume you didn't find the mercenaries?”

“I didn't.” She shakes her head.

“I think they're going to steal soldier uniforms and try to poison the barrack wells.” I tell her.

“Why are you telling me?” Madame Cecil asks, frowning. “Isn't that good for the Rykz?”

“It is, but not for me.” I take a deep breath. “Meria will fall but every Rykz that dies in the siege will be one less laying foot on the mainland and that means that fewer people at risk in the long run.”

“Playing both sides of the field yourself, I see.” She comments.

“The point is to make Caeviel negotiate, not for the Kingdom to lose.” I pause. If Cecil hasn't found the mercenaries, she probably won't until it's too late. “I need to talk to Lady Lance.”

“One moment.” Madame Cecil goes through a pile of messages and takes one out, untying the string holding the paper shut. “Countess Lance is currently inspecting the construction sites near the western wall, you should be able to find her without too much trouble since she has a sizable escort of Nobles with her.”

I close my fist, trying to calm myself as I already feel giddy about seeing my Lady with information that helps us both. Patience, I still need to find out where the Lordling's at.

“Any news about Lord Patrick?” I ask.

“He's been using proxies to make his moves, hasn't left his mansion in days. I'm trying to pry some information out those who joined him but they're rightfully paranoiac about anything they reveal and I can't ask obvious questions or show too much interest.” Madame Cecil makes a grimace. I keep a level stare on her as she takes a sip of tea. “However, I do have some indirect knowledge of what he's been up to if that would satisfy you.”

“That's good enough, tell me.” I lean forward, interested.

“He's gathered a decent power base, around fifty Nobles but only a handful with a title no higher than Baroness.” She ponders for a second and I glare at her. “Fine, he obtained the support of several wealthy merchants, I won't give you their names, by promising future rewards and using his growing influence to hand out supply contracts.”

“Why were you reluctant to share that?” I ask, frowning.

“Because I'm moving on one of his siblings and Count Thrin, his father. I need a little more time.” She replies.

“I can give you until tonight.” I tell her. I didn't plan on telling Lance until the mercenaries were dealt with anyway. “Maybe tomorrow.”

“It'll suffice.” Madame Cecil nods, she then glances down at the chest on the floor. “You got evicted?” She asks with a teasing smile.

“Too many people knew where to find me.” I shrug. “Do you mind keeping it for the day actually?”

“I don't, just put it behind the desk.” She says.

I get up, lifting the chest and placing it against the wall behind her. I then head towards the door, picking up my hammer as I pass by the chair. I stop before stepping out.

“How far did you spread the information I gave you about the Rykz' numbers?” I look over my shoulder, hand on the door handle.

“All of Meria has heard the rumor by now.” She replies.

“Good.” I nod.

“They would have had to reveal that news anyway but it won't benefit them if they're confirming what everyone suspects.” Madame Cecil comments. “It'll only put light on the fact that they hid this as long as they could.”

“I'll try to deal with the mercenaries.” I open the door and exit the office.

“Don't forget Lady Edusa!” She calls out from her desk, laughing.

Damn, I did. I'll just lose quickly, be done with it. I make my way downstairs, leaving the brothel and heading west. Cecil said she's investigating construction sites, so probably one of the new wells.

Once I exit the run-down southern part of Meria, the attitude of those I come across changes. Streets clear out in front of me, people let me pass on their own, often stopping to observe me walk by.

I keep going, helmet held high. I come across a patrol of city guards who actually step aside. I notice after a while that peasants are more deferential towards 'Elizabeth Vil' than the rest of the city's population, but there are more of them in proportion.

The others might be more skeptical and their view of Nobility probably taints the image they have of my alter ego while the peasants benefited directly from the truce. This entire war is a mess that should've never happened.

A few black-clothed soldiers watch me as I pass by a house that they're occupying. Their gazes seem hostile, but that might be paranoia on my part. The assassins sent after me wore similar clothing, perhaps Count Odo is closer to the mainland's faction than Cecil thought.

She told me that coastal Nobles want time to assemble a fleet and so the truce works in their favor, but if the King is reinforcing the coast with Caeviel's army, then they might have changed sides.

This is giving me a headache. I can't follow all the scheming and backstabbing. To my left, at a crossroad, I spot construction workers escorting a carriage filled with large wooden beams that have runes etched into them.

I make a turn and follow them, curious. My Lady might not be overseeing the construction of a well after all. As I approach the western wall, I decide to make a turn into a deserted alley. I'm a bit too obvious with all the eyes following me.

It'll be easier to find her if I overlook the area from a roof anyway. I walk up to a tall stone building with many windows, slipping my hammer's handle between my chain-mail and hard leather armor.

I start climbing. Clunk. Clunk. I repress my giggle at the sound of the hammerhead hitting the back of my helmet and adjust it on my back. I throw a look inside one of the windows, finding a well-made bed and night table. Ah, this is probably an inn.

I keep going, encountering little trouble lifting myself up to the fifth floor and then the roof with my left arm being as strong as it is. The clay tiles on this roof are rough, my boots find more purchase than on smoother ones.

I cross to the other side, looking over the buildings. I quickly find a clearing at the base of the western wall, guarded by dozens of soldiers. It's the construction site Cecil told me about, no doubt. I can see hundreds of workers and at least ten carriages filled with wooden beams.

They're carefully building large square shapes with the timber, five meters in size. They look like the base of something. I glance up to the wall, finding a large crane on rails. Those are siege weapons, supported by runic constructs.

I glance around the clearing, searching for my Lady. I find a group five horses tied to pickets near the inn I'm standing on. Maybe she's inside... I turn around and come face to face with Lady Edusa, holding her sword in hand and wearing a chain-mail and leather armor.

“Spying on us in broad daylight, really?” She utters with an angry frown.

“How'd you...” I start but notice the opened hatch behind her. “Well, good morning Lady Edusa.”

“Take your hammer out.” She replies coldly.

“Look, I wasn't trying to.” I try to argue but she slashes the air between us, cutting me off. “I have information for Lady Lance.”

“Don't care, don't trust, don't believe.” Edusa falls into a stabbing stance.

I grit my teeth and assemble a lion strike as I grab my hammer, taking it out. As soon as my weapon is held in both my hand, she attacks. The point of her sword flashes forward towards my chest, at such a speed that I don't have the time to avoid it.

I activate the lion strike and use the handle to deviate the blow, following through with a quick jab, both movements accelerated by the extended construct. Edusa steps aside, easily avoiding and throwing a counter slash that I ignore, letting it hit my chain-mail to focus on assembling another lion strike and two lion's step.

“Why don't you let me talk to Lady Lance? We can spar later.” I speak up, parrying another blow.

“Because your voice is weird when you speak of her, and she trusts you too much for her own good.” Edusa takes a step back and falls into a diagonal slashing lion strike stance. “Let's see if your hammer is as sturdy as it looks.” She grins wickedly.

I look closer at her weapon, noticing a faint golden glow. The assassin that attacked me had a blade like that, but it was more intense. I don't want to find out what this construct will to do my hammer, I'll have to... Shit! I jump back, avoiding her sword by a hair.

Edusa took advantage of my distraction to throw the slash, the blade was too quick to follow. However, she doesn't stop there and keeps slashing at me. Pressuring me, after being forced two more steps back, I stop. I'm too close to the edge to keep retreating.

“This is getting.” I jump to the side. “Dangerous, Lady Edusa.” I finish.

“Then fight back, coward.” She frowns with a dissatisfied expression.

She can't maintain this pace forever. I activate the lion's steps and leap closer to the center of the roof. I turn to face her again and raise my hammer overhead, preparing to activate my lion strike.

Edusa's left hand starts glowing golden as well, the same palm strike construct that I've seen my Lady use several times. Not as dangerous as her sword. I focus on the weapon, fearing the construct on it since I saw it rend through stone. It should dissipate once it hits something.

I can't dodge forever, I should face it on my own terms rather than risking another wound. I attack first, activating my lion strike and throwing my overhead blow as soon as the blade enters my hammer's range. Edusa reacts instantly, slashing upward towards the hammerhead, so quickly that she must be using a lion strike.

Clang. Both weapon impact head on, the weight of mine blows her sword away but Edusa maintains her grip on it. I start pulling back my hammer, relieved to see it wasn't cut through.

She rushes forward, entering my personal space and throwing a strike with her glowing left palm, aiming at my stomach. I take a step towards the hatch and harden my muscles as I wait for it to hit.

The impact throws me back over a few meters, just as planned. I land on my feet and ignore my panicking lungs who are calling for air to assemble a lion strike while keeping my eyes trained on Edusa. She's already running, her sword held high but no longer glowing.

“Enough.” I utter as a warning, activating the construct and swinging my hammer in front of me at full power.

She stops short, startled by the whooshing that my weapon produces and how close she came to stepping into its path.

“What the fuck!” She exclaims with wide eyes.

“Girl, you had your spar. You should be aware that I cannot really fight back without risking the truce, so what is the point of this?” I ask, annoyed by this thoughtless Noble.

“You broke your word.” Her youthful face turns confused. “This is a matter of honor, how can you not know that?”

“I have more important things to worry about than your honor, girl, the Izla is at stake here.” I reply, failing to control my anger. “Provoke me further and I will throw you off this roof.”

“You sound like the Countess.” She groans. “And what's with the weird pronunciation?”

Fucking Nobles, what's up with their priorities? I take a deep breath to focus on my objective.

“I'm simply angry, Lady Edusa. I have no desire to fight you to first blood.” I tell her, remembering that this is the rule among Nobility. “Consider this a draw or a win, I do not care.”

I turn around, making my way to the hatch. Counting on her so-called honor to prevent her from attacking. That and my reflexes. I hear Edusa follow behind me soon after, dragging her feet on the tiles.

I check my hammer's head before climbing down the hatch. There is a one centimeter cut in the dull metal where she hit it. That's about what I expected considering the other sword glowed three times as intensely.