I awoke thrice in the middle of the night to cough and retch. If it weren't for the third blanket Vikiana gave me and the blaze she kept feeding through the night... A crooked smile stirs my lips. I may very well have not awoken a fourth time.

I reach for my reserve, noticing that I've only one portion left when there should at least be two considering the growth of Leomi's access. That means I'm in bad enough shape that my survival instincts made direct use of flow. I get up and start packing, pushing my trembling body.

“Are you well enough to travel?” Vikiana asks.

“No problem, my cold simply got worse.” I reply with a grunt.

“Is this endeavor one to precipitate your own death?” She directly questions.

“What would you do if it was?” I ask, curious.

“Help.” She replies fiercely. “My daughter, the Lake only knows why, values you. I will not let you pointlessly end your life in her arms to cause her pain.”

“Hhm.” I exhale. “I wouldn't be in such a hurry if I had enough time to wait for Amand in Meria.” I honestly tell her.

Vikiana nods sharply and seizes me four portions of energy from her flank that she hands over to me. I swiftly use them to start healing. We then depart on foot together, she guides her horse by the bridle.

As the sun rises over the mountain in the east, the Rykz city appears around the large lake ahead. I make it a game to count the Templars in the streets, arriving at two hundred when I stop. The Order is evidently scattered throughout the valley.

“Don't tell Leomi about the deadline.” I suddenly speak up.

“Of course not.” Vikiana snaps back. “The last thing we need is for her to get involved and feel guilty for failing to prevent either of our deaths.”

“But we do need to tell her the rest.” I note.

“Not before I determine you are worthy to be with my daughter.” She replies with a hard voice.

I hold my tongue because I disagree. The woman's plan seems to be to tell Leomi once she's made a decision about who will die while mine is to ensure Vikiana never finds me of enough value to give up her own life.

That means I'll need to tell Leomi in secret before we leave the Izla so that the two can talk. It'll be difficult for Vikiana's opinion of us not to improve considering your plans for Jessica Freepath. It wouldn't be practical to conceal I am Freepath, and it would be detrimental to our cooperation with Leomi if I don't build up my reputation.

There are dozens of carriages gathered on the plazas around the lake, those that the workers used to pour Grikyz' food in the lake's water. A quick assessment tells me that there are too many for them to merely hold their supplies. They likely contain the weapons and armors that were taken by the Rykz. Good, Amand will know exactly how much the Order owes me.

Nahl and his patrol catch up to us as we enter the city. He tries to drag me to an Alemplar because I supposedly look shaky and pale but I refuse so he settles for inviting us to lunch.

I agree but feel regret as he leads us to a long building which served as Rykz barracks instead of cooking for us, joining a good hundred Templars and Semplars already standing at the tables for lack of chairs.

Vikiana melds into the crowd while I remain with Nahl and his squad. She catches up with her brothers and sisters as is natural but I notice that there are some who turn their backs on her. It annoys me that they would treat my love's mother like this but Liz manages to hold me back until she returns.

“I don't understand why they resent you.” I speak up.

“Same reason as you, really. The fact I acted on my own means I bear the ensuing deaths on my back. Not to mention I knew more about what went on in the institute than most, some think I kept things from the Order and the Emperor.” Vikiana utters in a low voice.

“At least you acted and achieved something, what did they do?” I comment without caring about the volume of my voice.

She makes a grimace as the hall falls utterly silent. I dip my spoon in the tasteless gruel and ferociously bite down on it. I watch Nahl from the corner of my eyes as he raises his hands and lowers them in a sign of appeasement.

“So, how did the two of you meet?” Nahl asks quietly, but his voice travels through the hall because no one is speaking.

“We met.” I reply shortly. “Vikiana did what she had to for her family.” I add, addressing the room as I keep eating. “Even if she made stupid mistakes, she's done more than any of you.”

Tone down the rhetoric, Jess, we don't want to win points with her. I'm dissing Templars, she neither likes nor agrees with me. Vikiana gives me a look of warning as a few temple guards turn away from their tables to stare at me.

“What, any of you disagree?” I question confrontationally.

“Everyone has lost people and made sacrifices.” Vikiana tells me with a sharp tone.

“I'm sorry, did I hurt their feelings?” I ask sarcastically. “The point of you is to protect people, is it not? You don't get cuddles for failing to maintain the order you so adore.”

“A few hundred Templars could never have fought the Rykz back, Miss.” Nahl speaks up, looking down at me with a saddened expression that further riles me up.

“Your excuses don't mean shit to those the Izla has buried. The Order failed in its mission, just as much as Nobility has. That is the reason a Council rules these lands now and why Hospitaliers are more welcomed than your temple guards.” I say, raising my head to run my gaze over the room.

“We all take our failure very seriously, Miss Jessica.” The voice arises from behind me. “There is no need for you to remind us of the extent to which we have let Izla Meria down.”

I turn, finding Master Amand standing at the door. He has shadows under his eyes and wrinkles at the corner of his mouth. The fact he could recognize me at a glance from behind sends a chill down my spine.

“On the contrary.” I reply, pushing an evil chuckle down. “The fact that you are still here patrolling means you yet fail to understand how the Rykz think.”

“Who is she, Master?” A muscular man asks with a dark expression.

“Vikiana.” Amand says, redirecting the question to her.

“This is Jessica Freepath, Alex.” Vikiana replies with a long sigh. “The woman who stayed behind to lead the Rykz away from our tracks during our escape.”

“The hand under Elizabeth Vil's bloody gauntlet.” Master Amand adds softly. “I've been meaning to meet you.”

A deafening silence fills the hall. Many of the Templars rock on their feet at the revelation. The faces they make are diverse but all these expressions have in common that they are difficult and heavy.

“So have I.” I grunt, taken off-balance by the overall lack of hostility directed at me and the guilt in some eyes. I didn't exactly plan for all this to come out but at least it doesn't seem like they're going to immediately tear me to pieces. “You going to take me to task for the E.Vil I wrought on these lands?” I ask theatrically, mouth shifting into a smirk. Hey, you don't get to take sole responsibility for what we did! Don't worry, I'm sure they haven't forgotten about you.

“You were far from the only one to serve the Rykz, but one of the most dangerous and elusive.” Amand replies ambiguously. “Would you do me the favor of educating us as to how the Rykz think while you finish your meal?”

I give him a stiff nod. You had to mouth off. I lost my temper. You better not screw up and tell them too much. I know, can't know too much or too little considering they definitely know I'm the one who brokered the deal for the Rykz' retreat.

The Templar Master walks to the other side of the table and stands in front of me, waving away a Semplar who tried to give him one of the room's few seats. I eat a few more spoonfuls of gruel as I think.

“How did you sneak Rykz inside Meria's walls?” Amand suddenly asks.

“Bribes and barges.” I reply, pretty sure he already knows. “The rest was simply a matter of using the Duke's own secret passages to infiltrate Elizabeth into the castle.”

“Which should not exist, much less be such a badly kept secret they were revealed to invaders before the defenders found out about them.” Nahl mutters resentfully.

“Things didn't go to plan for any of us.” I reply with a shudder as I recall Duke Meria shredding Rykz and soldiers on the rampart.

“Elizabeth Vil's leash is notoriously dangerous to hold.” Master Amand comments with a quick glance at Vikiana.

Did he think I was talking about your rampage during the battle? Obviously, but I feel a bit resentful he thinks it was my idea to execute the officers we captured. I didn't tell you to decapitate and catapult them, and we hadn't sisters back then so there isn't much point in splitting hairs about actions we took together.

I throw a calm glance around the room, hiding how tense I am at the fact that a hundred swords could be drawn against me if I don't give the right answers. Luckily, Liz seems more interested in spectating than going insane.

“You're looking in the wrong places.” I tell Amand. “The Rykz' main escape tunnel will be inside or near the city and large enough to allow a Queen to use it.”

“We've searched every building.” He replies calmly. “Any insights as to what we could have missed?”

“Did you use scanning constructs on the well-fields?” I ask. He shakes his head. “Each should give out a humid draft that comes up from underground, if they don't then it means the passageway is already blocked.”

“There may be an underground lake or river.” Vikiana speaks up.

“Alex?” Amand turns to the burly man.

“I haven't felt anything when I went there, but it wouldn't help even if I did because there isn't enough relief in the terrain for there to be a hidden tunnel.” Alex replies.

“Scan the fields anyway.” I tell them. “They could have used a large slab of rock to hide the tunnel's entrance which workers then covered in dirt. Those Rykz then escaped by climbing down the wells or using smaller tunnels they destroyed behind themselves. It's what I would have done to delay you.”

“They should be aware we wouldn't risk an underground pursuit.” Master Amand contests with a frown.

“Wouldn't you do it anyway in their place?” I question.

“No, it would be too big of a project for a retreat when I could simply collapse the tunnel. But I can see why the Rykz would conceal it instead since their workers are tireless, if not to keep their pathway to the Izla open then to waste our time.” Amand replies. “Get started on scanning the well-fields, Alex.” He orders.

“She could be misleading us to further waste our time and energy.” The man notes darkly.

“It's up to you to decide.” I reply with a shrug. “I don't know where the tunnel is so I can only narrow it down for you, it could even be under the lake.”

“Your attitude and the fact you are so eager to help is suspicious.” Alex replies with a frown.

“Should I act like a scaredy-cat?” I ask with a scoff.

“I trust Miss Jessica would not have returned our equipment if her purpose was to hinder us, Alex. Actions speak louder than words and hers have shown that her people's lives matter more to her than honor.” Master Amand declares calmly as he gazes back at me. “I do respect you even if I will never trust you.” He tells me in a straightforward manner.

“Because I betrayed the Empire?” I ask, inclining my head to the side in curiosity before swiftly stopping because it is a Rykz gesture.

“Because your morals are lacking. The means do not justify the ends.” He replies with a sharp voice.

“You must find it unfortunate that the Order as a whole does not behave with such honor. Elizabeth Vil had quite the story to tell.” I counter with the same tone, implying that I know of Vikiana and his involvement with the institute.

“The Templar Order is honorable towards those who act honorably.” Master Amand utters firmly and without hesitation, clearly taking Vikiana's side. It takes me a moment to decide whether to get into a philosophical argument or follow through with my plans.

“I do respect the Order, Master Amand.” I finally decide to say. “That is why I returned your gear and didn't refuse to share my opinions.”

“Was it not that you sought forgiveness?” Alex asks. He doesn't sound mocking but definitely wary.

“For what?” Emffrey intervenes as he walks in, surprising me. “Achieving what we were all unable to do with fewer sacrifices?” He asks sarcastically. I relax slightly as it doesn't seem he wants to expose me as Elizabeth Vil, but at the same time I grow angry for fearing that he would considering he owes me his silence. “None of us should presume to have the right to judge her, and you know why that is.” He utters harshly, implying that the Order brought the Rykz to Caeviel.

“Emffrey.” Master Amand barks, obviously warning him to keep silent.

“Yes, Emffrey.” I concur with a chuckle. “What was it you said about personal responsibility again?” I ask rhetorically. “That one has a personal responsibility to have the capability to save oneself. I get it now, if someone I barely knew and couldn't help asked to be rescued at my detriment, I would probably laugh in their faces.” I note.

“...” Emffrey opens and closes his mouth like a fish on dry land, stunned that I would confront him after he took my defense.

“But what you expected of me back then wasn't that; you expected of me to be captured and perhaps die for your escape.” I speak up without care for his feelings because I am in the right and he should know so without the shadow of a doubt. “The weight of your guilt must be impressive if it changed your mind to the point where you take my side at this juncture.” I utter with a flat tone.

“I, I was indeed wrong.” Emffrey utters with difficulty but then bows in apology without showing a moment's doubt.

A good fifty Templars make queer expressions, while the rest are divided between amusement and disapproval. Amand is tapping the table with a thoughtful expression. Vikiana seems so stressed she looks a decade older, not that it changes much considering she never appeared old.

“Did you come here seeking forgiveness?” The Master asks.

“I need none of it, do I? As you've said, there were plenty of people in the Rykz' service and you've arrested none as far as I am aware.” I reply, returning my arm to the inside of my large winter cloak.

“You are quite unlike these people.” Amand notes.

“Well, as unwise as it is for me to say...” I start as I take a step back.

“Careful Jessica.” Vikiana interrupts to warn me.

“I am worth much more alive than dead to you in the short term.” I continue, ignoring her. “And those are the only two options because I will fight if you try to capture me.” I finish, setting my hand on the longsword's handle.

The room fills up with the ruffling of tabards and hard leather armors, Templars reaching for their weapons while the Semplars slowly draw away from me. Master Amand raises his hand to tell them to hold off.

“Is your intention to defy the Emperor's authority?” He asks with a quiet but tense voice.

“It is merely my desire to die with a weapon in hand as a warrior rather than hanging from a rope as a traitor.” I calmly respond, applying a lightning-armor-piercing construct to the blade even though they would likely disrupt it.

“I can assure you that, if condemned, you have earned the right to die under an executioner's axe.” Amand tells me with a hint of humor. “But I do not think you deserve it so I will not act against you unless I am given direct orders to do so.”

“Good to know.” I note, relaxing my grip on my weapon's handle.

“Why did you come here, Jessica Farmer?” He asks intently.

“Jessica Freepath.” I correct. “And I would prefer to have this discussion in private, more specifically without her present.” I point to Vikiana who frowns in response.

“Very well.” The Master nods and holds his palm out towards the exit. “Leave your weapons behind and we shall speak.”

I hold his gaze for a while, trying to assess whether he is serious or setting a trap to capture me. He doesn't flinch or show any sign that he's preparing to stab me in the back. I give up trying to figure it out and step outside while unbuckling one of my belts.

I make my way to Vikiana's horse and put away the weapons by attaching them to the liangi's case. I quite enjoy the thrill of openly handling the proof that we are Elizabeth Vil under Master Amand's eyes. After all, he wouldn't just let me go if he knew. I don't think it's merely paranoia on my part if I believe Vikiana's ultimatum.

Once I'm done, I lift my cloak to show I am no longer armed and follow him to a nearby house guarded by four Templars to settle near a fire. He lets me ponder for a long while about what I'll say without rushing me.

“Could you do me the favor of keeping what we'll discuss from Vikiana?” I ask.

“If it doesn't concern her, then it does not.” Amand replies flatly. “I do not hold the habit of running my tongue about the Order's business.”

I hope she will think I'm trying to bribe the Order with their gear and information or blackmail them in some way but, even if she does, her misunderstanding won't hold for long if she keeps stalking me.

I'm starting to think that my friends are right. Of course we are, you suck at being E.Vil. I'm going to need to do something very stupid to convince Vikiana I'm unworthy. Leave that to me. That's not reassuring. It isn't meant to be.

“I want eight Templars.” I tell Master Amand.