“King Cadogan.” Sybil held the sword forward.

A cloud of mist exploded from the sheathe. It twisted about in the air and formed into the shape of King Cadogan. He was still somewhat rotten looking and had trails of mist floating off of him, but he didn't look as bad as when he was summoned by either of them alone. At least he didn't look like a Sybil ghost and wasn't as mummified in appearance.

“You seek my console.” He glared at Veximarl for a moment before nodding his head at Sybil.

“Yes, my lord.” Sybil dipped her head forward bashfully. A shiver ran up her spin as Alessia came up from her and put a hand on her shoulder. It didn’t have any pressure, but it was freezing.

“They have power. Both an elementalist capable of shaping the world around them and an arrow that will break through any and all magic,” she cooed. “Why do you think they have not already taken her by force?”

“Limited numbers,” replied Veximarl. “Even if they could easily overpower us, they don’t want to risk losing any of their own.” He smiled down at Ilsa as the girl grabbed onto his hand.

Cadogan frowned at Ilta before continuing. “Which is why they are seeking to fool you through deceit rather than force. Continue to think as they do. Once you understand what resources they have, you will be able to predict their strategies and counteract them.”

Frederick appeared next to Veximarl. “There is no reason why an elementalist that powerful would live as a slaver. She already had a Moonseed badge, which comes with an estate and salary.”

“That would depend on the type of woman she was,” purred Alessia.

Sybil racked her brain for details concerning the other slavers she had met. “I think she was more concerned about being efficient rather than taking the joy out of her work. The other two were the brutes. If they weren’t already dead, they would have pushed for an attack on the estate to capture me.”

Frederik took this into consideration. “Some slaves have been stripped of free will. It’s likely that she’s been processed and is following someone’s orders.”

“How horrible,” whispered Ilta.

Alessia grinned. “Then it’s all about who has the leash.”

Sybil still struggled to remember details. “I don’t believe it’s the mind mage. He’s cautious. All of their plans have been cautious... Maybe Chi can fix it if something bad were to happen?”

Veximarl disagreed. “Aquifers are far too delicate. An elementalist fixing a ruined ecological system would be like a tailor mending a spider’s web.”

“But she’s a slave,” replied Sybil. “And if the mind mage is to… Then all we have to do is find them. We can stop the whole plan if we can find the right person.”

Cadogan spoke up next. “You already have the information you need to find them. Predict the enemy’s movements and cut them off.”

“It’s someone who is patient,” replied Veximarl. “And cautious. The threat on the aquifers is an empty one. The war is devouring resources. They would spare nothing to save Sybil. A manhunt to execute terrorists who have destroyed a valuable food source is a different story.”

Alessia circled around Sybil. “Then you know exactly what you need to do, do you not?”

“I give myself up,” replied Sybil. “And you can use one of your summons to follow me.”

Veximarl shook his head. “You run away. Their threat is an empty one.”

“But what about the arrows of true faith?” Sybil asked. “I don’t care if they kill Duxton, but if it was you? Or Vincent? It’s about calculated risks, Vex. They’re going to keep coming after me. Maybe they won’t destroy a town, but I don’t think they’ll hesitate to kill my friends.”

Veximarl tensed up. She had a point. “There is a chance that someone at the barracks has been helping them. If that is the case, then they would know to look out for Alex and Rite.” He furrowed his brow. “Cacophony will trail you, but he does not listen well to me.”

Sybil shifted into mist and reformed behind Veximarl. “All we need is you and me. If you cause a distraction, I can stop their archers. If there is trouble, then you can flee on either Cacophony or Martyr. I can simply disappear if I need to.”

Veximarl raised a hand. “Although I am a necromancer, I do not wish to test my limits. There is only so much I can do to ward off death.”

“But you can use the heart to slow down time,” argued Sybil. “This is the safest option.”

After a moment of hesitation, Veximarl let out a sigh. “It will take some time to prepare and for us to travel. Unless we can finalize a healthy plan, I will not allow you to go into danger.”

Sybil smiled widely at him. “Thank you, Vex.”

Cadogan glanced between them both. “Then it appears as though you have your resolution.”

Ilsa squeezed onto Veximarl’s hand as she and the rest of her family began to fade away. “Don’t die!”

Sybil slipped the falchion back into its sheath. There was a chance she would be stripped of any armor and weapons. She’ll keep a utility knife on her and go in her travel clothes.

“I’m going to get changed. Do you mind waiting outside?”

“Not at all,” replied Veximarl. He stepped outside. When she came back out, he began to whisper to her. “You will have to show me the way. I'm not familiar with this area.”

“Well, it’s…” Sybil stopped and looked up at him. Her face contorted painfully as she slowly came to a realization. She then turned around and started walking the other way down the hall. “... We need to go ask for directions.”

Duxton and Shaw were still locked away in the office. Their solution was obvious. Sybil was not allowed to go. Now they had to decide what they were going to do about the slavers, and how they would be punished for thinking they could push the prince around.

The office door opened, and Duxton immediately scowled at Sybil. He gestured to her travel clothes. “No.”

“Vex and I have a plan. I know it’s going to work,” spat back Sybil.

“No,” repeated Duxton.

Veximarl took a step forward. “I encourage you to listen to what she has to say.”

“The issue is moot,” replied Duxton. “No matter what the plan is, Sybil will betray you. You go with her, you die. That is that.”

Sybil put a hand to her chest, “I would never-”

“Forget important details,” interrupted Duxton, incorrectly finishing her sentence for her. “Such as the fact that they have a mind mage. One that will undoubtedly force you to reveal whatever scheme you have been plotting. They will then respond with immediate retaliation and you will live on knowing that you have caused the death of your stupid and gullible friend.”

Sybil took a deep breath. “... Fight me.”

Duxton nearly laughed at her. He settled for wearing a smirk. “You can’t prove anything.”

“I don’t care, I’m just tired of-”

Duxton vaulted over the desk and slashed a magic sword at Sybil’s neck. She was forced to lean off to the side, but blood sprayed through as he cut through her ear and some of her hair. Her whole body shifted into mist and she reformed behind him. The utility knife was aimed at the back of his skull, and a clang rang through the air as a small shield blocked it.

His sword dissipated as Duxton reached around him and grabbed onto her elbow. Sybil saw a flash of orange out of the corner of her eye, and was forced to turn into mist again once she realized Duxton was attempting to pierce her temple with an ice pick.

“Stop this!” Veximarl cried out.

It didn’t bother him that they were fighting in a small space but he didn’t appreciate the fact that both of them were going for killing blows. He glanced over to Shaw, who was staring ahead apathetically. As they moved past him, he took a step back and put a hand to his spear.

What worried Sybil was that Duxton was fighting seriously. She had dueling practice with him at the barracks, and they always seemed to be on level ground. He never used magic, nor did he move this precisely. Duxton wasn’t even breathing heavily, nor had he broken out in a sweat.

Duxton was able to summon and unsummon his magic in whatever shape he desired. He did it without any physical movements or words. That unpredictability made it difficult for her to find an opening. Not to mention the fact that he somehow was able to defend himself even when she went invisible. Turning into a mist should’ve been enough to break his line of sight, yet somehow he always knew where she was.

Something orange appeared in the corner of her sight… Feathers? There were glowing feathers along the walls and ceiling. Every time they moved, the air moved with them, and then the feathers would dance as well. It would’ve been impressive if not for the fact that Duxton was out for her head.

Shifting in and out of mist was taking a toll on her body. Her vision was being blurred with sweat. She was having trouble keeping a grip on her weapon and her legs were turning into jelly. It wasn’t enough though. Sybil needed to prove she had something left to give, and she was frustrated with the fact that Duxton had been toying with her.

Duxton held up a hand. “Stop,” he commanded.

Sybil refused. She lunged forward with her knife, moving past his extended hand as she did so. He grabbed onto her wrist, twisted her arm about her back, and slammed her down against the desk. Bits and bobbles toppled off of it and scattered along the floor.

“... Is that it?” Duxton asked calmly. Sybil let out a growl. “Pathetic…” He slightly turned his head. “Shaw.”

Shaw pulled a handkerchief out from his pocket and used it to wipe up Sybil’s face. It was covered in blood. Duxton let Sybil go so she could clean herself up. She touched her face and looked at her fingertips. There were small cuts around her eyes. How did Duxton manage to do that? Sybil didn’t have time to ponder that for long, as Shaw had already grabbed onto her cheeks so he could manage her wounds.

“One condition,” muttered Duxton.

Veximarl loosened his grip on his spear. “Condition for what?”

“I will allow her to leave on one condition,” continued Duxton. “She must play a game with me.”

The news perked Sybil up. “What is it?”

“Your deadline is dawn. Be back at the estate by dawn, and I will consider you to be the winner.” Duxton then smiled one of his wild grins. “And if you fail, you belong to me.”

“And what does that entail?” Veximarl asked.

Duxton shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet… It likely is whatever is located within the darkest reaches of or dear Sybil’s imagination and then some.”

“Deal,” replied Sybil.

“Sybil!” Veximarl cried out.

She shook her head. “It’s fine. I can make it back in time.”

“Good.” Duxton pointed at the door. “Get out.” Sybil frowned at him. “The moment you walk up to that group, that mind mage is going to ask you all sorts of questions. You will bend to his will and spill all your darkest secrets. That is simply the reality of your situation. I cannot allow you to be a part of our plans.”

Sybil glared at for a moment. She pawed Shaw’s hands away from her face and stomped her way out of the room. After a few moments, the door opened. The three gentlemen shuffled one by one into the hallway.

“I’m happy that we were able to come up with such an elegant arrangement,” said Duxton. Shaw was staring at him in a disappointed fashion while Veximarl was shuffling about uncomfortably. “As with any last-minute plans, we have much to do and little time to do it in. Shaw, I trust you will make no mistakes. Listen well and know this… The only lady they will have as a guest tonight is death.”