I startle awake, still sitting on the steps. I'm uncomfortable but feel overall in better health than I was yesterday. My migraine is gone, not that I should use my head like a mace anytime soon, and my fingers are merely itching.

I remove the bandage and splints around my broken bones to ascertain whether they healed. I open and close my fist, finding that there are no issues. Still, I should be careful because I won't always have Uhla and almost Duke-level access to mend my fractures.

I pull flow from my reserve, which is full with almost six portions, and assemble the three constructs for my heart with a portion each. I then lift my umbrella to throw a look around.

There are a few dozen groups spread around the plaza, which is a decent crowd for my purposes, especially since most are of low birth like dockworkers and farmers who rise with dawn unlike most of the city.

I refrain from checking windows for Huan Thrin's scouts, even though it would be useful to find out whether I've calculated correctly, because I've learned my lesson not to stare unless I want someone to know that I know after being ambushed.

It wouldn't do to fail so close to success. I rise and stretch before turning to leave. I pause as notice two Templars guarding the Temple's entrance, both men are staring at me with odd expressions.

“I didn't snore, did I?” I ask with a grin.

“Master Amand told us not to disturb you last night, I don't think he expected you to sleep on the steps.” The one of the left tells me with an amused smile.

“They're very nice, you should be proud of your brooming skills.” I tell them jokingly.

“Are you having breakfast at the Temple, Miss Freepath?” The other Templar asks politely.

“No, I'm late but thanks for the invitation.” I reply and head off.

I pick a street that runs parallel to the Temple and head down it, running across people on their way to pay their Due. I step into a tavern and order a serving of cow milk to a barman who surprisingly pledged himself to me.

He gives it to me for free with profuse thanks for the banquet and my sacrifice for the Izla. I arrange my umbrella to hang on my half-shoulder and seize the tankard of milk.

I extricate myself before things get weird, especially since I sure wouldn't have given up my arm for the Izla. It could be argued I gave up my breast and health for the Kingdom but that would involve quite the twisted reasoning considering my motivations at the time.

I use alleys to loop around the Temple while staying as much out of sight as possible until I reach the back. I slip into the shadow the structure projects to the west and stay close to the wall as I approach the plaza. Once I'm near, I hide behind one of the buttresses to wait for a sign that my lure worked.

After all, even if Huan Thrin could hold back his faction because I sat there waiting, he wouldn't be able to convince them that my departure is a trap if he figured it out.

As I patiently drink my milk, I experience a strange sensation in the back of my mind. I recognize it as what I felt when Leomi's jay sought me. A few minutes later, I spot Vikiana wearing a hard leather armor reinforced with steel strips.

She's headed to the plaza with a bag hanging on her shoulder. Leomi sent her but didn't come herself. She trusts you more than me after all. I move to put one of the buttresses between me and her.

“I assume that's my armor you're carrying.” I speak up as she walks past it.

She turns to me with a slightly surprised look on her face, apparently she hadn't expected to find me hiding here. Vikiana walks up to me without a word and drops the bag at my feet, the clinking confirms the contents.

“You cannot fight as you have in public.” She tells me, revealing that the people closest to me have some clue of what I'm about to do.

“You wish to tie my only wrist behind my back? Now? At this juncture?” I ask, my anger at her request seeping through.

“For my daughter's sake, I cannot fall to the Order.” She declares. “Do you understand?”

If it's revealed that I'm Elizabeth Vil through my attitude and style, then Vikiana will get dragged into it regardless of the promise they gave her that things would be solved if one of us died.

At the same time, if I do something drastic and bloody that turns the Order against me, then she's saying she would protect me which would multiply our problems because every Templar would be after us.

“I do.” I tell her with a dark tone.

“Then do not fight as you always have.” She repeats.

“Is this how you wish for me to die?” I question because she seems to think I'm going to start a battle even though I'm not. “To leave your daughter free with a story to change the world?” I press.

“Perhaps.” Vikiana replies flatly. “What happens today is up to you.”

I look to the sky and wonder whether my gamble will pay off. Liz and I suddenly burst out in laughter. After all, today's events will merely facilitate my ultimate victory so there is no need to take it too seriously even if people don't respond to me and I fail.

“Go back to Leomi, Viki. This is my show.” I tell her.

“Do you want help putting it on?” She asks while pointing at the bag.

I hesitate and decide to agree because I don't have that much time before I need to go. She helps me strap my hard black leather armor, the riveted chain-mail, the cuirass, the arm-guard, and the shin-guards.

“Don't die.” Vikiana tells me as she fits the helmet on my head.

“Not planning to.” I tell her with a cocky grin.

We finish by fastening my weapons back around my waist and me hanging my umbrella back on my half-shoulder. I grab my tankard and leave her here, out of sight, to directly head back to the steps because I can hear carriages rolling in the distance.

I swiftly climb the steps of the Temple and return to my place right in front of the entrance to sit down cross-legged, surprising the two Templars who make awkward faces. They seem to have guessed what my presence here means.

I turn to the east to drink my milk as I watch the sunrise and dozens of carriages stop on the other side of the plaza. I don't bother turning to look, the low born crowd's silence is enough to tell me that Huan Thrin and his faction are gathering there.

They've no doubt realized that they were baited here at this precise moment when the city is gathering to pay their Due. Thrin probably decided not to press forward because there is significance to the fact that the Due is voluntary now.

It wouldn't do to underestimate him now so I decide to wait for them to approach so as not to cause a chain of events I won't be able to control. This confrontation marks the beginning of my fame so there is a rhythm to follow so that I do not become infamous instead.

Nahl and Uhla soon walk out of the Temple but remain in the entrance. They likely heard from the few who saw me as they came in because none other has had to guts to do so since the Nobles arrived.

Master Amand's absence, and that of the other two Masters, is significant in the sense that they would have come out if they wanted to suppress either side. Satisfied that the prerequisites to my victory are here, I finally turn to gaze straight in front of me.

Huan Thrin is a hundred meters away with his back turned to me as he faces twelve Nobles who each lead a handful of followers that appear to be high born as well. The leaders are all wearing ceremonial swords at their sides and hard leather armors with chain-mails covered in tunics with their houses' crests.

Their followers have a more eclectic appearance, from officers, to merchants, to warriors, to artisans. Tuala Hakarth is among the leaders, which is a relief because I know how to push her buttons. I notice one man with a sigil on his coat that shows he represents Avery Colby's guild.

This group definitely holds non-negligible power in Izla Meria but it does not matter much to me because the dozen Noble house heads are my opponents, the rest will disperse once those are dealt with. The fact they came in full gear was likely meant to show how serious they are about this Arbitration.

Huan Thrin talks to them for a couple of minutes before turning around to head for me. The group follows him in ordered ranks with proud expressions and chins held high. The slender Lord stops in the middle of the plaza and raises his hand to call for a stop.

Tuala isn't the only one who seems angered by my presence and the fact they have been told to stand where they are but none break rank to berate me, a surprising show of unity for a faction of Nobles. Especially from that Hakarth who left in a fury last night, which was likely both planned and genuine.

Thrin continues alone, his blue eyes fixed on me as I lazily take a gulp of milk. I can hear people running over to the plaza from the side-streets to spectate the confrontation. The noise made by their feet as they hit the pavement is similar to that of an army marching.

Huan's fingers are twitching, the only sign of his nervousness at the situation. I casually finish my milk just as he almost reaches the bottom of the steps. I rise and hold my umbrella in place with the tankard. A wave of excitement arises from the crowd, causing a shiver in the air.

I leap down, aiming so that the Thrin has to stop if he doesn't want me to land on top of him. He does and courteously places his left palm on the pommel of his longsword. I crouch upon hitting the pavement to absorb the impact.

I crook my head up and sideways to look at him who is glancing down to me. I slowly push myself up with a wicked grin on my face that causes Huan's expression to finally stiffen.

“You're right on time.” I speak up and flip my tankard upside down. “I just finished breakfast.”

My words cause a few mocking laughs. The fact that someone placed a sound construct over the area again irks me because it tells me my guess last night was wrong and Huan's scowl means he isn't responsible. In fact, he likely suspects it's my doing.

“How about a show of manners first, Miss Freepath.” He proposes politely.

“Dame for you.” I correct without letting him steer the conversation to avoid confrontation. My retreat is an impossibility at this point, the sooner he realizes this, the better. “I recall not being your acquaintance, Lordling.”

Huan makes a puzzled expression as he attempts to figure a way out of this. Smart of him not to attempt to use a losing hand like accusing me of having committed lese-majesty, which is equivalent to treason towards Izla Meria, by treating Nobility as I am.

“A nickname I gave your brother, Patrick, around the time I broke his arm for angering me.” I explain, publicly exposing this dark history he is no doubt aware off to eliminate his diplomatic options. “I ended up sending Elizabeth after him but she forgot to take his insignificant head. All is well, though, yours is there so it'll do fine if you stand in my way as he has like a weed.”

“Are you threatening to kill me?” Huan asks with narrowed eyes.

He opens his mouth to keep leveraging my blatant disregard of the law but pauses as he notices my widening grin, likely realizing his emotions led him into the path he tried to avoid.

“I'm telling you that I'm keeping an eye on you because it wouldn't be the first time the Thrin house attempts to sell the Izla out for its own benefit.” I utter flatly, causing a subdued clamor.

Thrin grits his teeth. He is definitely aware that he can't pin his brother's betrayal on me, even though he can likely prove it, because it would bring further attention on the event which isn't to his benefit at all. Not to mention my work for the Rykz saved the Izla so, ironically, it can't be said I betrayed the Izla.

“Every Noble present today has remained on Izla Meria to fight!” Thrin declares loudly and with his chest held pridefully. “We personally rode against the Rykz on the plains before Castle Lance and held Meria's western wall!”

He locks eyes with me. He is challenging me to bring up the slaughter of peasantry in the plains and Duke Meria's behavior, no doubt because he's prepared to bring up my role in the background of these events.

“It doesn't matter that you Nobles remained to fight.” I utter flatly, startling him. “Nobility's titles and privileges exist because you are meant to protect those under your rule. You have not. Your attempts count for naught in the eyes of those who died because of it.” The clamor grows so loud I have to keep yelling to be heard even with the sound construct. “When lives hang on your shoulders, when children count on you, there is no room for failure and no apology will ever suffice to make amends.”

“You and Lance are weakening the Izla by trying to get rid of us.” Thrin utters for me only, taking advantage of the noise. “We closed ranks around Countess Lance when it came time to surrender, yet you only challenge us!” He bellows, likely trying to attack what he perceives to be the source of my confidence and influence by calling me a hypocrite, and turning this into a Court argument.

I smirk at this slender blue-eyed man, looking upon him with pity one reserves for defeated prey. Huan frowns but that's it, showing that he doesn't understand where he went wrong. I wait for the arguments that people are having over my logic to die down.

“How disappointing, I gave you Nobles weeks yet you still do not understand who I am.” I speak up. “Are you not educated? Did you not investigate me?” I ask rhetorically, causing confusion all around me because my story is well-known by this point.

“The fact you hold the ear of the Council, the Hospitaliers, and Countess Lance's faction does not mean you can do whatever you wish!” A Noble leader erupts.

The perfect response causes me to giggle while both Thrin and Hakarth wince. Even Tuala has enough sense to tell that this is the answer I was baiting but didn't expect to receive.

“I was the lowest of the low with not a single head of cattle to my name, a peasant with dirt for floors and a mere pickaxe to plow. Since then, I have dealt with both Rykz and Nobility who stood to cause the death of my kin!” I cry out with pride, looking up to the sky with my tankard raised high. “I was Baron Buton's subject. It would make me a subject of your family by law if the Izla returned to what it was.” I finish, looking back down to a paling Thrin. “Do you believe a being such as I will allow your lot to succeed?”

“...” Huan keeps his silence.

He is aware that I've set my foot down with this and that I won't move from where I am now that I've set a base to gather support from like-minded people in the crowd. A move he cannot match because his faction of proud Nobles wouldn't allow it.

“By your own admission, you have no status. Stand aside, peasant.” Tuala Hakarth utters with a fierce tone.

I throw her a glance, finding her with her left palm on the pommel of her ceremonial sword as well but with a more aggressive stance than the Thrin. Her relative calm means she knows what I'm doing but plans to cut through anyway.

Unlikely Huan Thrin, she thinks her side strong enough to win this fight. Which isn't exactly wrong since it hasn't started so it's difficult to tell what will happen, but is short-sighted because forcing their way like this puts them in sharp opposition to the Council when they tried to gain Arbitration.

I assume the divergence originates from a difference in purpose. The fact that Thrin hurriedly conceals a grimace confirms that this was less a mistake on their side than a natural consequence of the cracks in their faction.

“I am not Elizabeth Vil, I have true patience.” Liar. “But you're in my backyard now and, unlike her, I have an overarching goal which means I have to deal with my opponents in bulk.” I utter with a wicked smile as I wiggle my tankard.

Huan Thrin tenses while the Hakarth draws her sword without further ado and slowly walks over. People gasp and cry out at the sudden escalation. More than a few throw insults at Tuala for being so short-tempered, which further infuriates her.

Oddly enough, her anger turns her cheeks pale rather than red. I take it to mean she's acting with the same cold-blood she relied on to decisively retreat after I defeated her in the alley with a similar tankard.

“I received less training in the sword than even a Semplar does before they apply to the Order.” I declare calmly as I run my eyes over the crowd. “I have received fewer lessons in pen and ink than a child born of bourgeoisie.” I continue while staring at Thrin. “I received fewer lectures about flow than a Noble.” I utter as I lock onto Tuala. “Yet, in these three arts, I am superior to any of you in every way.”

My boast gives her some pause, but not enough to stop advancing because this has become even more of a matter of pride for her. I smile at what's to become of her. The Thrin would definitely not fall for my tricks but he's not my opponent.

“Out of my way, Lord Thrin.” She barks. Huan moves aside with a dark look on his face. “Use your flow, I'll match you in quantity.”

She draws a single portion and applies an armor-piercing construct to her sword, showing a fierce expression as she closes the distance. I reach to my broadsword with my tankard still in hand and assemble a lion strike.

She narrows her eyes, getting ready to counter my move. Panicked cries arise all around us as she closes in, accelerating to a jogging pace. Thrin tries to grab the back of her tunic as he likely realizes she isn't going to wait for me to draw my weapon.

“Stop!” Nahl cries out at the same time as Huan does.

“Don't! She all but spelled out it's a trap!” The Thrin adds.

Tuala is so focused she doesn't seem to realize that she's attacking an unarmed woman. I lash out with a backhanded lion strike when she's but three meters away, releasing the tankard at the apex of my speed.

The Hakarth's eyes grow huge from surprise as the rather heavy wooden projectile flies straight at her face. She still manages to panically slash up and cut it in half with a lion strike of her own. Unfortunately for her, both pieces still hit either side of her head, throwing it back.

“Kinetic strike!” I exclaim with a huge toothy smile.