Grim and Edgar walked up the final switchback to the castle gates and found the portcullis wide open. Hundreds of soldiers filled the courtyard beyond, standing at attention in neat ranks. It looked as if the half the castle guard was assembled. Several hundred soldiers in various states of armament stood in neat rows. Over their heads, Grim saw the Earl.

His father stood on the steps leading into the keep, high enough to for every man to see. Rodger Thorne stared imperiously over his men. Grim lingered in the back by the gate, waiting to see what would happen.

The Earl spoke, “Last night something unprecedented happened and I want to be straightforward with you. twenty-six of our number did not come home.” The man’s nostrils flared. “We don’t know what happened to them, but It’s safe to assume the worst. For the foreseeable future, all patrols will be at double strength, all guard posts will have at least two men, and I don’t want any of you to so much as piss without informing your commanding officer.”

The Earl rested a hand on the hilt of his sword. “You men are the backbone of this city. Without you, we would be lost. And I will do everything in my power to resolve this. You have my word. Our brothers will be found one way or another.”

“Act with honor, Think with clarity, Fight with valor and I assure you we will overcome this. Dismissed!”

As one, the entire courtyard clapped their fists over their hearts and bowed their heads. The Earl returned the gesture and the soldiers fell out, scattering in all directions.

Grim clapped Edgar on the shoulder. “Find Billy and get the men ready. I’m going to speak with my father.” Edgar nodded and turned to the barracks.

The Earl’s eyes were already on Grim as he walked through the crowd of soldiers. Rodger Thorne waited while grim fought the crowd. As he reached the stairs, Grim saluted his father. The Earl returned the gesture and Grim relaxed. “Father, I need to tell-”

“Why were you in the Outwalls last night?”

Grim blinked in surprise and before he could verbalize a response, the Earl continued. “You think my men don’t tell me when you pass through the gates? I think you’d be surprised what I know Grim.” The Earl took a step closer to Grim. “From now on you will not see your-Friends without informing me first. I will not have you traipsing in the most dangerous parts of the city when my own soldiers are disappearing in the night.”

“Worried about me?” Grim asked.

“I’m worried that Longreen will learn of your sympathies and extend that to our entire family. You represent me Grim. Do not make me appear a fool and do not take me for one.”

Grim swallowed. “Yes father.”

“Do you have any important names or places?”

Grim thought of the man in charge at the tavern. Lissa and James knew him and could tell the Earl. But they’d saved his life and if he was being honest he was a growing a little fond of the girl. “Nothing, just managed to get the shit kicked out of me.”

The Earl stared at him for a long moment before turning his gaze to the gate. “There are two things I need you to do today. First, I need you to go to the Forgers guild and get fitted for a suit of armor, you’re a Briar Guard now and you need to look the part. Second, your sister will accompany you to help pick out some formal attire for this evening.”

Grim nodded along to the Earl’s words but froze at the second command. “Wait, what? This evening?”

“Marshal Longreen is hosting a party to commemorate the twenty-first anniversary of the war’s end. And you are coming. Consider it a punishment.”

Grim fumbled for words. “You- can’t be serious. I- I can’t imagine I was invited.”

“You’re a Venaran officer. You have a standing invitation.”

“Please tell me you found a sense of humor and are pulling one over on me.”

“Ask if I’m joking one more time and I’ll make you come in motley and be the entertainment.”

Grim grimaced. “Fine. When should Ilyena and I be back from the city?”

“We leave at sundown.”

Grim nodded. “I’ll go fetch her.”

Grim walked past his father into the Keep but before he entered, the Earl put a hand on his shoulder. “One of your men didn’t come back Grim. Bill Billson. I believe the men refer to him as Billy. I thought you should know.”

Grim swallowed hard and nodded. The Earl released his shoulder and let Grim enter the Keep. Gods he wanted a drink. Grim licked his lips as he walked through the entry chamber and down the hall, barely noticing the guards as they opened the iron door. His mind was trapped in the past, remembering the man who’d taught him to fight. The one thing he’d ever been good at.

Grim shook his head and kept walking up the stairs. There would be time for mourning later. He needed to get through the day first. Take things one at a time. He emerged onto the third floor and went to his room. He washed the blood from his skin in the wash basin, watching as wisps of red drifted in the recently clear water. He stripped his ruined clothing and pulled on fresh clothes from his wardrobe. Divines, it felt good to not be covered in blood.

Grim climbed to the fifth floor and walked down the long hall to his sister’s room. The guardsman patrolling the hall saluted Grim as he passed. Grim nodded in return as he approached Ilyena’s door and knocked against the hard wood.

He waited a long moment outside before knocking again. No answer. Grim shrugged and opened the door. It swung open on noiseless hinges and Grim walked into the well-furnished foyer. Cold stone gave way to soft carpet. Lavish furniture circled an unlit monstrosity of a fireplace. Gold leaf covered everything. the room resembled a miniature of Longreen’s estate. Paintings containing abstract objects and blurred figures adorned the wall. Grim didn’t want to even hazard a guess as to how much the picture of a circle with a triangle in the center cost his father. In fact, he often wondered how he and his sister could possibly be relatives. Where Grim was practical his sister was “refined” as she liked to call it. Grim preferred to call it “uptight.”

It was well past the hour any sensible person would have woken, so Grim walked to her bedchamber door and hammered his fist against the wood. A groan sounded from the other side, followed by the ruffling of bedsheets. Grim tapped his foot while he waited, glancing out the seaward window as the sun gradually rose higher into the sky. He knocked again, even louder than before.

“Who is it?”

Grim didn’t answer. She'd move slower if she knew it was him. Another moment passed before the door cracked open. Ilyena wore a white shift, and stared at Grim with a peeved expression. “What the hell are you doing in my rooms?”

“I tried knocking.” He glanced at the sun again. “I assume father told you we’re going to the market today?”

Ilyena nodded. “Yes. But we have all day. Go away.”

She tried to shut the door. But Grim caught it. “I also have to get fitted for armor and I’m not walking up that damned road to the city twice in one day on your account.”

Ilyena pushed against the door but couldn’t budge it against Grim. She sighed. “Fine. Let me get dressed.”

Grim released the door and she shut it in his face. He turned away from her room and fell into one of the sitting chairs by the fireplace. He was sure he could comfortably lay down and stretch his arms out within its confines. The fireplace before him had more amenities than the average prison cell. As Grim let his gaze drift over it, his eyes caught something in the ashes. He rose to his feet and moved closer for a better look

Grim knelt before the fireplace and pushed away some of the ash. He found curled, blackened parchment with the distinctive hint of words scrawled across it. He tried to grab one, but it fell apart in his hands. Grim cursed under his breath. It was just as well. The parchment was now illegible. He wondered what his sister was trying to hide. An affair perhaps?

Grim shook his head and returned to his seat. Whatever it was, it was his father’s problem. Within a few moments the door to Ilyena's bedchamber creaked open. She emerged, dressed in a white fur shawl over a shoulderless black dress with red diamonds stitched across its length.

“Let’s go,” she said, walking past him to the door.

Grim narrowed his eyes at her as he rose. He’d never seen her get ready so fast. She hadn’t even done her hair up. Grim glanced about the room once more before following her into the hallway, nothing seemed amiss aside from the parchment. Grim put it from his mind.

They walked to the stairs in silence, the guardsman patrolling the halls bowed to Ilyena as she passed. The girl rewarded him with a bright smile which fell as soon as they passed. Grim led the way down the stairwell, servants rushing out of his path as he descended with is sister in tow. As they entered the ground floor, Ilyena spoke. “You’re different lately.”

Grim raised an eyebrow at her. “How so?”

“You’re not face down in the gutters for one.”

“Been too damn busy for that particular pleasure.”

She pursed her lips. “I also don’t remember you getting into half so many fights before now.”

“People tend to want to beat your face in when you kill their loved ones.”

Ilyena let the silence linger a moment as they walked. “It’s more than that though. You’re more guarded than usual. Your hand hasn’t left the axe at your side since you knocked at my door.” Grim grimaced and forced his hand away from the haft of his weapon.

Ilyena met his eyes. “I know people Grim. And I’ve never seen a man wound so tightly.”

“What of it?”

“Nothing. I’m just wondering what will happen when you snap.”

“If you keep badgering me, you might find out be sooner than you think.”

Ilyena smiled. “Have it your way. Whether you want to admit it or not we both know you’ve been rubbing shoulders with unscrupulous types.” Grim bumped his shoulder into hers and she rolled her eyes.

“Couldn’t help myself.”

She shook her head. “Could you be serious for a moment?” She paused as a guardsman stopped by them in the halls, bowing as they passed. “Not everything has to be a joke Grim. They’re going to offer you things and I need you to remember that above all family comes first.”

“Your words make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, dear sister.”

Ilyena narrowed her eyes at Grim while he forced down a mirthless smirk. “Why do you think they want to talk to you, Grim? I’m wondering what that raisin you call a brain cooked up.”

Grim shrugged. “Probably something to do with Longreen.”

Ilyena grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him to a halt. She waited until the hall was clear of passersby. “Or, maybe they approached father with a proposal and he rejected them. Now perhaps they want to offer you the same.”

Grim snorted. “What could I possibly have to offer?”

“Right now, nothing. But if father were to fall ill, and I were to- disappear. That would leave you in an interesting position.”

“What are you trying to do? Entrap me?”

She shook her head. “No. Father wants to keep you in the dark as long as possible, but I want to be upfront with you. Why do you think father wants you in his sight tonight? When was the last time you were ever invited to a social gathering?” she asked, “You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

Grim’s blood ran cold.

“And what are you hoping? That by telling me this, your disappearance might be a little less permanent?”

Ilyena smiled.

Grim kept walking. They emerged from the keep in silence. Fog still hung over the city, but it was thinner from the heights of the castle. They had no sooner stepped outside than a horn blared from the seaward wall. Another joined it. Soon there was a chorus of horns echoing from the castle. Bells began to toll from the city below and for a moment, the constant din of the city fell silent. A heartbeat later, the sounds returned to normal. For most of them, it meant nothing.

Grim jogged from the steps of the keep to the seaward wall. He wasn’t the only one. everyone in the courtyard was heading to the stone stairs leading up to the parapets. Even Ilyena held up her dress up as she rushed to follow in Grim’s wake. The guardsmen deferred to Grim and Ilyena so they were among the first to climb to the top.

Grim leaned out over the ramparts, peering into the fog. Then he saw them, closer than he ever had before. He could pick out the individual men on the red-hued longboats, their black sails billowing in the wind. Five of them circled a large merchant vessel like sharks. Poor souls. He watched the men on the deck get cut down by arrow fire from the circling ships. Those who didn’t die from the volleys hunkered down, awaiting the inevitable.

Grappling hooks flew from the circling ships and as one they closed in for the kill. Grim glanced at the tower to his right. It should be ready about now-

A crack sounded, followed by a whoosh. A flaming ball of pitch launched from its heights and sailed across the sky toward the ships. The guardsmen around him started making bets as everyone held their breath, watching its descent. Another ball of fire appeared from the tower far to his left.

The first ball of pitch began its descent. It looked to be on target. Grim grinned, anticipating the ensuing explosion. People lined the docks far below, all watching and some cheering as the ball fell the final stretch. Grim held his breath and a hush fell across the wall.

The ball of fire crashed into the water next to one of the longships, the ensuing wave nearly capsizing it. The Sorrowmen on board stumbled back to their feet and shot rude gestures at the castle as a collective groan sounded from the wall. Money exchanged hands and then all eyes were on the second ball of fire which had now begun its descent.

The Sorrowmen were onboard the vessel now, hewing their way through the crew and carving a bloody swath to the cargo hold. A crack sounded, and the first tower launched another fireball.

The second ball missed by a wide margin, falling into the bay in a puff of steam. The Sorrowmen were emerging from below decks, their bloody business concluded. As the ball disappeared, many pulled their breeches down and shook their asses at the castle. The guardsmen roared in indignation and yelled encouragement to those manning the catapults.

The Sorrowmen leapt back to their ships, leaving the grappling hooks attached. They took up their oars and rowed with all their strength. The third ball of fire approached and Grim knew this would be the last. The ships would soon disappear into the fog now that they had their prize. The longships fanned out, pulling the ropes of their hooks tight. The merchant vessel picked up speed, beginning to soar over the waves.

The last shot went high, but a cheer sounded as it glanced the sails of the merchant ship, lighting them aflame. The fireball itself disappeared into the sea, but the sails blossomed in flame. The fire traveled down the mast and engulfed the ship. The Sorrowmen let out curses loud enough to be heard from the shore as they cut their ropes. The merchant ship drifted loose, a burning pyre gliding across the waves. As they faded into the fog, the Sorrowmen shook their weapons at the castle.

Grim grinned. They didn’t get a longship, but damn was it satisfying to deny them their prize. He leaned against the wall, watching the longships disappear. As the attackers fled, dozens more ships emerged from the fog and made a beeline for the docks. They’d doubtless heard the horns and sought to avoid a similar fate to the crew of the late merchant ship. Soon, even the flames of the burning ship disappeared as it drifted into the fog.

Grim pulled himself from the wall and looked to Ilyena. She met his gaze with a smile. “That. Was satisfying.”

Grim shared her smile. “C’mon we had best get going.”

They descended the stone steps as the castle returned to normalcy. Grim led his sister to the stables and left her to find her mare. Edgar had assembled the men under his command while he fetched his sister. They stood to attention as he approached and saluted, but he waved them down, letting them relax.

Edgar walked up to Grim. “I can’t find Billy.”

Grim frowned, his good humor evaporating. “He didn’t make it back.”

Edgar’s eyes widened a moment. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out his flask. He took a drink and passed it to Grim. Grim took a draw and handed it back. Edgar tilted the flask and let some of the burning liquor fall to the cobblestones. “Reaper take you well.”

Grim nodded along. “God judge you by the best of your deeds.”

“And Goddess save you, you old shit bag,” Edgar finished.

Edgar clasped Grim’s hand and they embraced.

“I’ll have my mother make an offering.”

Grim nodded and turned to the stable as hooves clacked on the cobblestones. “Get the men formed up.”

Edgar turned to the soldiers, shouting out commands as Ilyena approached atop her mare. The white of her shawl matched perfectly with the horse’s coat that shined even in the bleak lighting.

She looked down on Grim as she pulled abreast him. “Why do you never ride?”

Grim shrugged. “Don’t have a horse and last time I took Demon into town, the old goat nearly gnawed some poor woman’s hair off.”

Ilyena smirked.

“Shall we?” Grim asked, gesturing to the gate.

She nodded and nudged her mare to a walk.