I sit up and slam my hammer down on the floorboards, calling the warriors who are trying to pursue Lance out of the window back. One extends its shield out to help me stand. I gratefully accept and make my way to the bookshelf hiding the secret passage.

It's just as well that she didn't let me reveal myself in the end. I shouldn't let a momentary disruption of my plans destroy our chance to be together by exposing my identity to Templars or tell her the truth without the ability to keep her in place and listen.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

I stumble in the library. The pain from the punctures in my legs intensifies but my limb almost immediately injects more of the cool substance and I manage to regain my footing.

I hear the temple guards break through the door behind me and hurry to slide the heavy shelf aside. I then push the first Rykz through, the column follows it downstairs. As they pass by me, I tap their backs to make them go faster.

Once about a hundred of them go by, however, the Templars fighting with the back-line are audibly getting closer. I step into the passage and wait for another fifty to pass before stopping the rest by pointing my weapon at the battle.

I slide the bookshelf back into place before slamming my hammer down on the rails allowing it to move, destroying the mechanism. I make my way to the front of the column as quickly as I can, which isn't very fast with my injuries.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“Keep quiet.” I utter.

The tunnel is barely wide enough for two Rykz side by side, the only reason I'm able to reach the front is that they flawlessly move aside to let me pass. There isn't any light in the passage, which isn't an issue for me.

I keep marching monotonously, realizing after a while that the warriors aren't making breathing cries anymore. I never hear the Templars force their way in or catch sight of torches following behind, which isn't a good sign for me.

The fact that they're not pursuing could mean many things. There could be an ambush on the other side which makes fighting Rykz in the tunnel unnecessary but they would need to know where this leads.

Or it could be because the temple guards have other priorities like taking care of Cecil's group. Or my Lady advised against it which is worrying for different reasons because she wouldn't send me into an ambush after all she said.

As the march drags on, I worry that I'm taking much too long. I consider accelerating my pace but I'm already going as fast as possible without worsening my wounds, which are already going to be a hindrance if I have to fight the Duke head on.

I reach a flight of stairs and a stone wall at the end of the tunnel. There is just as much dust here as there was at the entrance, no one has used this passage in a long time. My perception of time skewed by the darkness and the muted pain distracting my thoughts. I find myself unable to estimate how much time has passed.

I look for a lever or something to open the way, but my heat sense is unable to give me any clues. I use a fire construct and scrutinize the stones, finding that one of them is slightly misaligned with the others. I press on it.

Click. Gears gripe and the wall slides away quietly. On the other side is a small antechamber with wardrobes and coffers. There are no guards. I push two warriors to walk in ahead of me.

There isn't enough space in this room to contain all the Rykz so I make my way to the thick oak door and open it just slightly to throw a look in. I find a bedroom. It's so large that I could fit our entire house in it. I stumble at the thought that brings Father to the forefront of my mind.

I'd done my best to avoid lingering on his fate because I blame myself for what happened, I know that I am more than partially responsible. Gloom and shadows drag me down, I grab the door frame to support myself. I'm so sorry.

My limb injects more of the cool substance from its tendrils, sadness and self-blame are drowned out by it. I grasp at the feelings and try to stop them from fading away, failing. No! I regain control and experience relief despite myself. Am I already a monster that cannot stay in touch with humanity?

I grip my hammer in anger and walk into the room. Two men at arms enter my range of detection. They're in the hallway, standing on the other side of the bedroom's door. I hold my hand out to tell the Rykz to hold behind me and move as quietly as possible to avoid rustling my chain-mail.

“I'm telling you I heard something.” One of them whispers.

“It's suspicious, there shouldn't be anyone else in this wing apart from a few Counts.” The other agrees.

I stop moving, hugging the wall, waiting for them to step inside with my weapon raised and ready. They take hold of their swords but don't pull them out of their scabbards, turning to open the door. The hinges creak.

The man leans in to throw a peak and I bring my hammer down on the side of his face, restraining my strength. It hits and he crumbles to the ground. The second immediately unsheathes his sword, putting some distance between himself and the door.

“Intruder!” He calls out with a weak voice.

I rush out of the bedroom and swing my hammer at his head before he starts yelling. He ducks and avoids the hit but fails to block the knee I bring up, smashing his nose.

“Argh!” He yowls.

I bring my elbow down on the back of his head and he falls unconscious. I check both sides of the hallway. Finding no one, I drag the two unconscious men at arms into the bedroom and tie them up with bed sheets.

I take the map Cecil gave me of the castle's room arrangement and manage to find my location on it. I then turn to the waiting Rykz and signal them to follow me in the hallway, they pour out to reform their ranks behind me.

I lead the warriors through a few corridors towards the Duke's throne room, located right beside his apartments. A servant in a butler's outfit crosses in front of us, carrying a copper platter of food.

He freezes on the spot, eyes open so wide that they seem to be about to pop out. His hands shake a little, the porcelain plate vibrates on the metal, making noise.

“Shh. Calm down. You're not in any danger.” I speak up.

“You're Lady Elizabeth.” He says, suppressing the trembling in his hands.

“I am.” I nod.

“I swear I followed Lady Lance's instructions to the letter.” He whispers urgently. “Master Meria is unaware that she diverted his orders for your capture. He's in the throne room right now, speaking to her.”

Of course, my plan failed in the worse way possible. Fuck. I take a deep breath and make my resolve. This is the final hurdle, a test for her. She'll have to choose. Without her guilt for what she did to me influencing her decision. With her feelings for Elizabeth Vil, whatever they are, clouding her judgment.

“Don't touch that knife and the Rykz won't attack you.” I tell the butler.

“I won't.” He says, cheeks pale.

“Do you have a key for this door?” I ask, pointing at a random door with a keyhole.

“I do.” He replies.

“Hand it over.” I tell him. “You'll be safer inside and I would rather not knock you out.”

“Me neither.” He nods hurriedly.

He hands it over along with a ring of other keys, I push him inside and lock the door behind him. I then move out towards the Duke's chambers as they should be empty right now.

Unfortunately, as I turn the corner to it, three men and one woman at arms enter my range of detection, giving me some advance warning. I swear and pounce forward before they can react, assembling lion's step constructs to close the distance.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“Intruders!” Their sergeant yells.

The Rykz follow behind, losing ground but not much. I swing my hammer and break through a woman's hastily raised defense, smashing her thoracic cage. Her chain-mail completely ineffective.

The officer runs away, or leaves to sound the alarm, while the other two keep their nerves in front of the charging warriors and attempt to strike me down with their swords before the creatures arrive.

I easily avoid their attacks despite my weakened state, they seem slow and unpolished compared to the way my Lady did battle, without hesitation or pause in the face of a physically stronger opponent that could end the fight in one well-placed blow.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

I weave past the two soldiers, before they can bring their swords around, and pursue the sergeant, burning through the last of my reserves to catch up. I do so within a few tens of seconds, throwing my weapon at his back with all my strength.

“Intrud. Ugh!”

The spikes on top of the hammerhead go through his back and he falls down, rolling a few times on himself before stopping dead. I recover my weapon and verify that no one heard the alert.

I don't see anyone, but that's not conclusive. I walk back to the warriors, who already slaughtered the other two without a single loss, no doubt overwhelming them with numbers.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“Silence.” I urge.

I signal them to split with my hands and the Rykz spread out in three groups, two block the hallway while the last follows me inside. The vestibule is empty but the door to the living room is open.

I walk in, there is a woman standing with her back to a luxurious door that has a white cloth backing. She is watching me, hesitating, her dress is white and light blue, the Duke's colors, but she wears no jewelry. Another servant.

“Did you warn them?” I ask.

“N, no.” She stutters. “I'm not allowed in the throne room.”

“Go hide in a bedroom, don't try to pick up a weapon or run and they won't attack.” I assure her.

She nods hesitantly. She side-steps away, keeping her back to the stone wall. I walk up to the door, turning my back on her to take my helmet off and lay my ear on the white cloth backing. I detect another door behind this one and men at arms aligned against the wall to either side.

I use a trickle of flow to enhance my hearing for a few minutes but only catch a few unrecognizable muffled sounds. I set my helmet back on my head and slowly turn the knob, cracking this first door open just slightly.

The one behind is covered in light blue cloth. I discreetly walk in the space between. I manage to discern those discussing aren't in a state of alarm, they didn't notice a thing of what just happened outside. I press my helmet against the door's backing and listen closely.

“... received is insufficient, Duke.” Master Amand says. “I have no doubt that the Emperor sent all that he could, and it is consequent, yet the fact that the flow expended most of its energy to travel here from Kruzser makes it so that what we have received remains too little to hold Meria.”

“Since when have Templars been cowards?” The Duke asks spitefully.

“We will put our lives on the line to defend the Empire, Duke.” Amand replies stiffly. “But your subjects have taken no such oath.”

“Emperor Rasaec has not done such a thing in seven centuries, Amand!” He shouts. “He ordered your Order to help King Cenwalh's institute, and this only reaffirms my belief that he means us to fight these creatures off!”

I pause, taken aback by the revelation. The Emperor took part in this?! That cannot be true, there must be an explanation. Cenwalh must have lied to Emperor Rasaec about his intent.

“If my Emperor wanted us to do battle until death ensues, he would have ordered as much. Since he gave no such command, we can safely conclude that this flow was specifically sent because there are no phalanxes available.” Amand argues. His tone is fatigued, the Master doesn't seem to hold much hope of convincing the Noble.

Emperor Rasaec is doing all he can to help. Even He is not infallible. I shake my head and keep my attention on the conversation.

“We cannot hold the wall, my Duke.” My Lady speaks up. “The Rykz are relentless in their assaults, they outnumber us by more than fifteen to one. Their infiltration of the northern quarter is unmistakably an advance party whose goal is to sow chaos as a prelude to an attack. You must make a decision now, my Duke.”

“Enough! Give me solutions instead of telling me the same thing over and over again with different words. A week I've suffered your constant nagging, Lance!” The Duke rebukes. “Amand, did your Templars at least deal with this issue?”

“We've dealt with fifty warriors in the southern sector while at least twice that number escaped underground. The Rykz raiding the northern sector have been more difficult to corner, they've split in squads and forcing us into dozens of skirmishes. Twenty harvesters and a hundred scouts dead so far, Duke.” The Master reports. “We've suffered minimal losses.”

“How could you allow these creatures to dig tunnels inside my city? You've assured me that the runic construct would detect them long before they got close to my walls.” Meria accuses.

“I believe that they used the docks to infiltrate the city, my Lord.” Lance says.

“Then what kind of passage did they use to escape?” The Duke asks nervously.

“I believe one previously dug by smugglers but I do not know.” My Lady replies tensely. She's lying, there is no way she missed the Duke's crests in the mansion.

“Of course she doesn't!” A man exclaims. “My Duke, put me in charge of the defense, the Countess has failed. She is too young for the task.”

“Count Marec, what kind of glorious strategy do you propose to put in effect this time?” Edusa asks sarcastically. “Perhaps boarding a ship to courageously escape to the mainland?”

“Silence, Lady Edusa. You may speak once you've earned a title.” The Duke rebukes sharply.

“I'll have you know that my actions ensured that peasantry held the line while your precious Countess lost her castle!” Marec replies venomously.

He's the Noble I met in the truce tent, the one who spoke of glory gained in battle. It was a mistake not to kill him that day.

“Peace, Count Marec.” Meria says. “That will be all, Master Amand. I will let you go back to your duties while I discuss this with my subjects.” He dismisses.

“Duke Meria.” The Masters says.

I hear Amand depart towards the far side of the throne room from me. There is someone tapping their fingers on wood, stopping abruptly as soon as the Templar Master closes the door behind himself.

“Count Marec, go to headquarters and tell Commander Morgan that he is to do everything possible to hold my walls until morning. Advise him well and not a word to the Order.” The Duke commands.

“My Lord!” My Lady protest. “What do we have to gain by delaying the innevitable?”

“The quickest transports will arrive back from their crossing to Port-Odo by then. We'll be able to transfer enough troops to take it over and hold until King Cenwalh's troops arrive with that damn creature. It is my last... our last hope.” He explains. “Lance, you are to escort me with your young followers to the Temple. I will retrieve the flow Emperor Rasaec sent us and use it to galvanize my army.” He pauses. “And enforce discipline if necessary.” He adds darkly.

“I w...” Leomi starts but stops. “Those aren't honorable methods, Duke.”

“I expect you to uphold your oath of fealty, Countess. As long as I live, Izla Meria lives on.” Duke Meria declares in a hard voice.

The only response his words receive is silence. Flesh suddenly slaps wood and dozens of soldiers move at once, swords unsheathed and chain-mails bristling as they move into combat stances.

I seize the doorknob, ready to rush in but stopping myself for now. I want to know more about the situation, about her choice. Will my Lady do the right thing even under threat?

“Thrin made me realize one thing, Lance.” The Duke utters firmly. “They're all looking at my throne with envy. Yes, even you, Countess. I can see it in how you've distorted my orders to suit you ever since this war began. You smelled blood in the water, and the other sharks did too. Yet while you abused my trust, you remained a valuable and loyal subject while the rest schemed for pieces of my wealth. Even Urnan dared maneuver to obtain a title for his daughter of questionable origin.” He recounts with a bitter laugh. “Now, think very carefully about your answer. There is room for a skillful warrior such as yourself at my side, but I have no more patience for one who questions my rule.”

Please show me that you are who I think you are, my Lady. I don't know what I'll do if you fold here. Probably kill you. I check my flow reserves, finding that I only have about as much as what two normal people would have.

“How you've changed.” Leomi comments sadly before correcting herself. “No. You were always such, were you not? You refused to listen when Mother and Master Amand advised you against fighting this war, you said that the Izla was strong and that it was too soon to give up. When we lost the battle in the plains, you called for trust in Caeviel. When a hundred thousand Rykz besieged our walls, you hid like a child who ran out of lies.” She takes a deep breath. “I've been blind, naive. I refuse to take part in this.”

“So be it.” The Noble utters.

“I'm sorry, Yvonne, Edusa.” Leomi says with resignation.

“Kill them all.” Duke Meria orders.

As he speaks the words, before the men at arms can obey, I kick the door wide open and rush in. I throw a wide backhanded swing at my left, smashing the skull of the soldier standing there against the wall.

I then spin around to launch an almost identical strike to the one on my right who fails to assess his situation in time to save his own life. Lastly, I allow myself to scrutinize the throne room while the warriors flow in, passing on either side of me, forming the beginnings of a shield wall.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

There are fifty men and women at arms wearing chain-mails, their long swords and round shields already in hand. This isn't going to be an easy fight. They seem to realize what's happening all at once, those closest to their Lord gather around him while the rest form defensive lines.

Marec isn't reacting yet, caught completely off-guard. Meria, on the other hand, is already shaping a golden flow construct from his large oak throne. Luckily, he isn't in armor but in ostentatious court clothes.

Leomi, Yvonne, and Edusa are standing in the middle of the room, surrounded but not in immediate danger. Their weapons are drawn and the two young woman are moving to cover my Lady's back and left side.

“Leomi!” I call out.