The two servants deposit the red carpet on the ground and roll it out, covering the pedestal and the pavement all the way to the edge of the plaza. Duke Meria makes his horse stop and throws a glance at the crowd.

He slowly steps down from his horse, one of the servants walks up to him and takes his cape off his back. Lady Lance and Master Amand don't join him, they and a few other Nobles walk to the side.

The Duke steps up to the pedestal, the background noise filling the air dies down as people turn their full attention to their ruler. He grandly raises his hands, calling a quiet crowd to silence.

I scoff, he probably trained the movement to call for attention and did it despite not needing to. He holds the position for a long moment while the column of archers spreads out in ranks behind him.

“Citizens of Meria!” He speaks up, the voice isn't loud but it reaches every corner of the plaza. “We are under siege from villainous creatures who attack our grand Izla without provocation!”

The crowd grumbles, most have heard the rumor that Nobility did, in fact, strike first. Duke Meria frowns but continues.

“These Rykz will reach our walls within a day and a half. When they do, what will they find?” He asks rhetorically. “They will find a city united behind its ruler!”

The exclamation is met by some cheers but those who do are so few in numbers that they only highlight the lack of effect that his words have on the people assembled here.

“Our great Kingdom is under attack. Caeviel needs your support, it needs your strength!” He continues, those words receive a warmer reaction from the crowd, but little more than murmurs of agreement. “Which is why, under the King's seal, I declare that conscription will be extended to anyone able to carry a weapon and who does not fulfill a task essential to Meria.”

A loud deafening exclamation arises, shouts and protests from the thousands affected by this new edict. I turn to Roisia.

“Can he actually pay for that?” I ask.

“No. He shouldn't be able to even pay half of them, much less arm all those who lack a weapon.” She replies. “This concerns at least five thousand residents, on top of all the peasants that have yet to be drafted.”

The Duke raises his hands and lowers them slowly, calling for attention. It takes a few minutes but, eventually, they settle down.

“It is needed for our very survival! The Rykz are numerous, so much so that they are akin to a plague that will ravage our fertile plains if they are not stopped right here!” He says gravely. “I understand your fears, my people. I sympathize and I promise that you won't starve while defending our walls. You will be well fed and your first payment will be in hard iron, a weapon to defend your very life against these creatures!”

The crowd is shaken by the admission that the Rykz are here in more numbers than previously disclosed. A worried mutter courses from mouth to ear, punctuated by frightened cries. They don't seem to be reassured by the fact that they will be given arms. Understandable considering most don't want to fight, if they did they would have already enlisted. Yet, they know that they have little choice with the Rykz at their doors.

“Give us silver!” Someone shouts.

“What about my house?!” Another asks.

Duke Meria's expression shifts, it turns hard, and even harder as more questions about pay arise. His discourse visibly not having the effect that he expected.

“Enough!” He roars. “We are the front-lines of this war, sacrifices must be made for the good of Caeviel! We unite or we die!”

“What about the rebels?!”

“Rebels have been dealt with appropriately, and they will be in the future.” The Duke seethes, glaring at the crowd as he loses control. “As my subjects, I expect you to defend Meria but that is not enough, a special tax will be raised for the duration of the war.”

A wave of fury courses through the plaza. The mass of people shifts as the most aggrieved move to the front. Duke Meria raises his hand and the city guards step in. They raise their spears, ready to strike with the blunt end.

“We are not slaves!” The shout pierces the clamor and is soon picked up to be repeated in an angry chorus.

Roisia steps back as those close to us glare at her. I step in front of her, glancing at them as I shake my head. They relent, turning their anger towards the city guards.

“What do they mean?” She asks. “He isn't enslaving them.”

“Not only is he avoiding the question of their salary, which people definitely notice, but he isn't even giving the weapons for free. He expects them to pay for their own conscription.” I reply flatly. “They all have families to feed, children who still depend on them.”

I make my way to the carriage, climbing on top of the roof it to have a better view of the plaza. Roisia watches me with a tense look on her face, moving right next to the door and using the vehicle as cover.

The men at arms surround the pedestal, raising their round shields in a defensive formation. The archers behind them knock arrows with round wooden tips and draw their bows.

I feel a cold sweat at the back of my head as I observe the soldiers prepare to beat the protest down. My gaze meets my Lady's. She shakes her head negatively. What does she mean?

“I command you as your ruler.” Duke Meria utters, extending his palms towards the crowd.

Almost immediately, golden glowing streams emerge from people's chests. They leave their bodies and gather over their heads to form a massive flow sphere.

The commotion dies down within seconds as the vast majority is affected by his command. Frightened by the massive amount of energy gathered over their heads.

The void shakes in fury. These oaths were taken in exchange for protection, not to be used as a way for Nobles to impose their will on the population.

“I am disappointed. Where is your pride? Izla Meria is your home, defending it is an honor!” The Duke admonishes.

“Then why didn't I see you on the battlefield?” I yell as loud as I can, angry to my core. The void howls along. “What right do you have to oppress your own subjects when you don't even risk your life for them?!”

“My Liege unites us, his life cannot be risked on the battlefield.” Lance replies, her voice obviously enhanced by a construct.

Her response cuts me short. She disagrees with this, I can see it in her expression. She'll resent me for this but I can't stand by and let them do this. I turn to the crowd, surprised by how many eyes are fixed on me, how attentive they are.

“You are not Caeviel Nobility!” Duke Meria intervenes hurriedly before I can say anything. “You have no right to speak here!”

“The Lake's blessing isn't meant to be used as a threat!” I address his subjects, ignoring him. “Do you not swear fealty in exchange for protection? Do you not pay taxes for the same reason?”

“We do!” Some respond.

“Yet they provoked the Rykz' wrath and now hide behind you when consequence knocks at our doors!”

“Show your face and prove your lineage if you wish to speak on these matters!” Lance calls out in a hard voice.

“I am no Noble.” I reply, laughing. “I am a low-born, like all of you.”

My words stun everyone present, my Lady included. A deafening silence floats over the plaza but it doesn't last long as the people explode in a loud clamor, the name 'Red Dwarf' is repeatedly called out.

“Liar!” Lance exclaims but her voice is drowned by the noise.

Her accusing eyes find mine. I look away, catching sight of the Duke when he extends his hands up towards the flow sphere. He splits the mass of energy into hundreds of strands. He then shapes them into large needles that he makes hover over our heads. The air all becomes thinner until a burst of wind suddenly fills the depression.

My Lady makes her way past the men at arms with Master Amand to reach the Duke. Not quickly enough to stop him from aiming three of the constructs at my torso and launching them.

I hunker down and present my left profile, bending my left arm to cover my heart and head. I assemble a hardening construct, activating it just as the first needle grazes the side of my abdomen. It pierces flesh to exit at my back and plunge into the carriage's wood.

The other two impact my arm, digging in a little but ultimately stopped by my construct. I dismantle them both before the Duke can do anything more with them. I then deactivate the hardening construct and weave a healing construct over my belly, using my hands to press on the wound.

The more aggressive, those gathered at the edge of the crowd earlier, cry out in shock. They advance, clashing with the city guards who don't hold their blows as they beat the protesters back with the blunted end of their spears.

I feel the rip in my body as my own blood flows out in small jerks that match my heartbeat. I stand up with difficulty, I need to stop this from going any further. I'll need to trust that she'll be able to read my intentions.

“Now is not the time to riot!” I yell out in a shaky voice. I take a deep breath. “Now is not the time for violence. Now is the time to stand tall! Now is the time to hold your ground and say 'No!'”

“I will not tolerate any defiance to my rule!” Duke Meria speaks up, lowering his hands.

The needle constructs follow his movement, lowering by a fraction. The crowd panics, they scatter as they try to escape the area under the projectiles. But their only way out is blocked by the city guards so they charge and push against them despite being beaten back, triggering the start of a chaotic melee.

The archers release their bow strings and the wooden arrows with round rips take flight, darkening the sky for a moment. What have I done? They land, injuring several hundred people and most likely killing dozens.

“Let them disperse!” My Lady's voice finally pierces through.

I jump down from the carriage, ignoring the intense pain coming from my injury when I impact the pavement. I push Roisia into the carriage and then point the driver towards the line of city guards blocking the street.

“Go.” I order him.

I don't wait and assemble a lightning construct with all my remaining flow, charging the air between us to guide it. I activate the construct, shocking a dozen of them with blinding bolts, enough to clear the way.

“Stand down.” Master Amand thunders. “I will not allow this in front of Emperor Rasaec's Temple!”

It seems to have an effect as the Duke's archers don't release another volley of arrows. The carriage rushes past me, leaving the area with a flood of people following behind. I meld into the escaping crowd, throwing a look over my shoulder.

The Temple's doors are pushed wide open and dozens of Templars in leather armor march out, they interpose themselves in-between the escaping population and the city guards.

As I run out of the plaza, I hear many voices all around me, speaking the words to rescind their oaths to the Duke. Committing treason in broad daylight. The needles floating in the air are still there, intact and unaffected. He retains control over it, but won't be able to do this again with such an effect.

Once at a safe distance, I stop in front of a stone building and climb up on its wall to overlook the plaza. Scattered all over are people, some injured and bleeding, others completely immobile. Victims of my arrogance. I thought I could force the Duke to change his mind, to listen at least. What idiocy.

“You'll pay for this.” I mutter between my grit teeth.

I let go of my grip, letting myself fall to the ground. My injury feels like agony, flaring with every beat of my heart. I limp into an alley. Some peasants call my name out but I turn away, unwilling to face them. I make random turns, going as fast as I can and doing my best to lose anyone who could be following.

After a while, I finally find myself alone. I take my tight leather outfit off and throw it aside, I grab my mask and slip it inside my shirt. The blood and wound won't look odd considering what happened.

I engage in a street and head south towards the brothel. I pass by many others who also ran from the plaza. Few are injured, from bruises to broken bones. A peasant walks past me, his left eyeball is burst and oozing a clear white liquid. A familiar ball of nervous guilt expands inside my throat.

These events make no difference. No, they might be in my favor. Nobility will be further discredited with this. I must carry the weight of this and keep going until the Izla is free. Too late for regrets.

I get past several soldier patrols, escaping notice thanks to my simple clothes and the fact that a lot of people are injured. The Duke has to order my arrest at this point.

I reach the southern part of Meria, there are no city guards here so I hurry into a shady alley and put my mask back on before heading towards the brothel.

Roisia's carriage is parked in front of it. Her driver looks at me, worried, but he doesn't say a thing. I walk into the building and make my way upstairs, two steps at a time. I barge into the office, finding Roisia helping Cecil pack her bags.

“Where are you going?” I ask, heading up to my chest.

I open it and take out the shirt that I ripped apart to bandage my shoulder. I tear a long strip of cloth and wrap it around my waist to press on my injury, tying it in a knot.

“Hiding. This changes everything, Elizabeth. Duke Meria may very well decide to declare martial law and confiscate whatever assets he needs. My connection with you puts me at risk of being targeted.” Cecil explains.

“There are already soldiers patrolling the streets.” I tell her.

“I prepared a warehouse, just in case something like this happened. We can get there from this part of Meria.” She replies. “Unless you have a plan to get out of this one?”

“I do not. I hadn't considered that he would make such demands and escalate so quickly. I got caught in the moment, I didn't think it through.” I admit shamefully.

“This is the second time that you attack his power. I should have seen this coming, I knew he could react like this when pushed too far.” She says. “I was too focused on the rest of Nobility and forgot about the one on top.”

“Between the Rykz, the mainland faction, and you, I'm not surprised the Duke felt the need to cross lines.” Roisia comments. “You should leave the Izla, Mother, stop associating with her.” She glares at me.

I pause, taking note of Roisia's slip. I shrug and go through the chest to find a fresh shirt, replacing this one because of the large red stain. I check my sleeve glove. The needle constructs didn't pierce very deeply but a few drops of brown viscous blood dribbled out of the tiny holes in the leather. I discreetly wipe them off as the two keep arguing.

“I can take care of myself, besides, the dock-master owes me several favors. If you want to help, then go back to the castle and find out what's going on.” Cecil replies sharply.

“No good can come out of this for us.” Roisia says stubbornly. “She admitted herself that she doesn't even have a plan!”

“Then what's yours? Tell me, how are you going to hold the walls? Are you going to fight an unending tide of Rykz or are you going to put up a token resistance and sail away with the rest of Nobility when you inevitably fail?” I ask sarcastically.

“If you didn't interfere today, there would be thousands more to defend the walls by tomorrow.” She replies in a scathing tone.

“You're wrong, Rosie.” Cecil says softly. “The city was already on the brink of revolt, announcing a new tax would have caused a riot anyway.”

“Besides, what do you think a few thousand untrained fighters would do?” I continue. “There are ten times more Rykz on the Izla than there are humans in Meria.”

Roisia falls silent, unable to find an argument but visibly put off-balance by my arguments. I turn away and start fitting my hard leather armor on, throwing the chain-mail over my shoulders once I'm done and fastening the belt around my waist. I take hold of my hammer and make it spin on itself inside my hand a few times.

“The city will fall, Lady Roisia.” I utter calmly. “If you won't help me, at least consider the lives of everyone in Meria. This war was started by Nobility, you have no right to ask the rest of us to die for the King's greed.”

“I... I don't...” She stutters. “What if they betray you? What if they lied?” She finally asks.

I shudder, recalling that my Lady called me a liar. I'll deal with that when I meet her.

“That's always a possibility.” I admit. “But they haven't deviated from their objective so far. I trust that they won't do anything that puts the captured Princess at risk. Let's be realistic, the best case scenario is that you succeed in holding the walls for a few weeks, costing so many lives that the Izla will likely never recover.”

Someone knocks on the door, interrupting our conversation. Aisha walks in without waiting for an answer, looking agitated.

“Idali just came by, there are several squads of soldiers on the way here. They're being slowed down because people are blocking their paths but we need to go now, Madame Cecil.” She speaks quickly. That name sounds familiar.

“Take this.” Cecil pushes a rectangular chest with her feet, grabbing a jute sack. “Elizabeth, are you coming?”

“Don't have many other options. Templars might join the hunt after all.” Maybe Lance will too.

I tighten my grip over my hammer and take hold of the chest, throwing it over my shoulder. We make our way downstairs as a group, Cecil leading us.

She gives Roisia a quick hug and she leaves on her own, headed towards her carriages. The three of us make our way through the brothel's kitchen. Cecil pushes a tapestry aside, revealing a backdoor.

“If you would, Elizabeth.” She points, stepping aside.

I lay my shoulder against the wood and start pushing, hearing something scrape against the pavement behind. Once wide open, an alley is revealed to us with a stack of crates dissimulating the door from the outside.

I find my way around them and wait for Aisha and Cecil to join me. We head towards the eastern part of Meria, taking the shadiest streets possible.