"You did what?!" Valerius asked as they walked through the streets the next day. Azara's head pounded, and she was feeling the effects of last night's 'fun'. She knew she would recover quickly, a perk of her heritage, but for the moment the hangover was terrible.

"He looked like he had been drinking a little too, maybe he won't remember?" she replied. She hoped the response would be met well, though she knew it wouldn't be.

"A knight of the Order of Silver drinking? Really? I guess they keep whores in the Empyrean Vault of Aethera for the Magi to enjoy too?" he replied, sarcastic.

"Val - just, be nice," Irinia interjected. "Azara, is it really that big a deal?"

"Yes, it is. I honestly don't remember too much...but I think he is also hunting this dragon."

Valerius hurried his pace as they walked. "Of course he would be. Kasper, how much longer till we get to the place?"

Kasper pointed up ahead to a market stand on the street they were walking.

"There, and remember, you have to let me do the talking," Kasper said with a smirk as they approached. Azara wondered how Kasper was even walking today, but the boy seemed to be fairing about as well as she was. Joakim was still feeling the effects though.

Kasper walked up to the stand. The man tending it was selling different types of cloth. but as soon as Kasper approached he abandoned the stand mid-conversation with a customer, and motioned for Kasper to follow him. They walked out of the street, and into a small alley between two buildings. Then, they were directed into a door in the side of one of the buildings.

Once inside, they found themselves in the backroom of some kind of business. Azara noted that there was a lot of wood piled in one corner and that there was the distinct smell of baked bread coming from other places in the structure. The rest of the building must have been a bakery of some sort. In the room, there was a round table, and at this table two masked men and a masked woman sat. The man who had been tending the stall motioned for them to sit down at the remaining chairs, though this left Azara and Joakim standing, as there were only three spots.

The stall keeper then left, without saying a word, to get back to his work.

"Well, we are here," Valerius stated, after a couple of moments of silence.

The man and the woman were e silent, and Kasper glared at Valerius, before he addressed them.

"You have to eat what you can find, even if it flies," Kasper said. "We are the customers."

"Indeed you are." the man in the middle of his two compatriots said. "Welcome, fellow Hawk. Just as promised, we have the map you requested and the information."

"And I have your payment," Valerius replied, and set a pouch filled with coins on the table.

"Very well." said the masked man, though he did not seem interested in speaking to Valerius. He reached into his own pack and produced a rolled piece of paper. It looked worn and old, but in good enough condition. He then addressed Kasper again. "What I will tell you now you must remember well, as I am not going to write it down, for fear of it being found out. The first, is that the Dragon's Eye is in the Catacombs of Dreifregis the II. That is what this map leads to. The second, which is more sensitive, is that Issawast declares that they would-”

He looked up at Azara, and narrowed his eyes. “Was she supposed to be here?”

Valerius was about to respond, but Kasper spoke first."

“I can vouch for her,” Kasper replied. “She is a member of the Ignis Evigan. We’ve done business with her before actually, just under a pseudonym.”

They had? Azara thought. While it was true she had made some deals in the past with shady individuals in Ursulam, an organization by the name of the Hawks had never been part of any of that.

“Very well.” The man said and then continued. Panic crossed Valerius' face, and Azara could see him looking at Kasper in shock, as if searching for answers. None came, and the masked Hawk continued to speak. “Issawast will turn upon the king at your request, our efforts in the Veyorn lands were not in vain, and they too have begun to prepare. Anything else?"

This was treason. They weren’t hunting a dragon, they were planning a revolution. She looked over at Valerius and their eyes met. She felt anger boiled up inside her alongside excitement.

On the one hand, she loved it. There was so much that could be gained from a civil war, a revolution, and more. She could truly get back at the king for refusing her offer. She felt almost hungry, just thinking about it.

On the other, he hadn't told her any of this. She had come along on this journey out of pity and curiosity, and nothing more. She wasn't fully prepared to help overthrow a king, and that wasn't part of the plan.

"Do you know if your agents leaked any information at any time, or gave up what they were doing?"

"We understand your concern, but I assure you, our agents are never caught and have staunch loyalty to our services rather than to lords or nations." the man responded. At that moment, he glanced around, and for a second his eyes met Azara's.

And that was when Azara saw it. A change in the man’s soul, a blotch of darkness darker than the rest of his heart. He was going something now we which truly regretted, which even he hated.

"Valerius," Azara whispered, leaning down into his ear. ", they are lying. This a betrayal."

"How can you tell?" he asked, but failed to keep his voice down.

"Just listen to me!" she hissed.

"Nonsense, just be quiet," he said, and he did not whisper it.

"What is this girl on about?" The female Hawk sneered. "Who is she anyway?"

“As I said, she is trusted.” Kasper insisted, though he seemed very unsure of that statement now.

"And they've ambushed us here." Azara hissed in Valerius’ ear.

At this Valerius stood up, knocking over the chair he was sitting in. "What do you mean ambushed?"

He didn't get to finish that statement, as the three people sitting opposite them were on their feet in a moment, knives in hand. The door was bashed in, and soldiers began to pour in. They were all too slow, and by that time Azara had raised her staff into the air and slammed it back onto the ground. The effect was similar to that which had occurred on the road, except this time it was much more forceful.

The blast disregarded Azara's companions for the most part, but blew everyone else off their feet, tore the doors from their hinges, and lifted part of the roof off the building. Then, Azara grabbed Irinia and pulled her along as she ran outside.

"Come on people, we are leaving! NOW!" she shouted.

Her head was still pounding, and it was even worse now, but she knew that they had to hurry. At this point, there were probably a lot more soldiers outside. She was correct, and as she exited the doorway the alley was lined with soldiers. They must have been expecting resistance.

"Irinia! Blind them!" she said, before raising her hand up and producing a blinding light directed at the soldiers to her right. Irinia did the same to the men going down the other side of the alley, and though her light was not quite as bright, it was still quick and effective. Rather than focusing on new magic in their lessons, Azara has shown Irinia how to use the magic she had learned in different ways - and much faster. Such as a mage light, done quickly and with great intensity, to create a blinding effect.

Valerius and Joakim exited the building. Valerius had his short-sword drawn and Joakim his mace. They both charged down the alley, cutting down the blind soldiers as they went.

Since the soldiers were still recoiling from the bright flashes of light, Azara decided to close off the alley from the opposite direction. She mentally reached out to the fires inside the bakery. Using fire that was already burning was a faster and more energy-efficient method of creating a conflagration than just creating the fire herself. Usually, this was how normal mages would wield fire magic, and she also considered it beneath her most of the time. However, at this moment she needed a lot of fire quickly, and the ovens of the bakery would provide that.

Once she'd found the fire, she channeled her presence to grab hold of it and enhance it. Then, she pulled it into the alley and across it.

A wave of fire poured through the building. It roared out into the alley and across it into the building there. Timbers, boards, kindling, and coal were ripped into the alley along with it, creating a wall of fire. Azara did not pause to see if her handiwork was effective in dissuading the soldiers on that side of the alley from continuing, and instead turned and fled with her companions as fast as possible.

They rushed through the streets at a near full sprint, causing some to turn to look at them with odd gazes. Azara took this time to shout at Valerius.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me about this?" she shouted. "You actually are plotting a coup?! And you dragged me into it? I even mentioned this? I asked about this sort of thing!?"

"I was going to tell you about it! But then you went and got drunk! And I didn't drag you into this, you insisted on being involved!"

"I thought we were slaying a dragon!" she shot back.

"WE ARE!"

“It’s all damned politics! Run or it won’t matter!” Joakim yelled, silencing them both.

Not much more was able to be said anyway, since both of them were running out of breath to shout at one another. Soon they were back at the inn where they were staying, and to Azara's shock, she saw Kasper standing outside already. His clothes were singed and he had the wagon ready beside him. He motioned for everyone to get in.

"How did you get here?" Azara asked as she ran up. Even dragging Irinia along behind her she had been the fastest of the group. Joakim was behind her, and last, running as fast as he could, was Valerius.

"Shortcufph...Out thhe otthher doo...Used other doo... Not important." Kasper gasped out. He gagged from exertion, puking onto the ground, and then spoke again. "Get in, I've got the important stuff in there."

Azara jumped into the vehicle, but instead of sitting down, she rummaged through the few bags Kasper had thrown in. Inside one of them she found the little mirror-like trinket which she usually wore on her waist. It had been foolish to leave this behind, she realized. It wasn't safe to just keep it with her personal belongings anyway.

When Valerius ran up to the wagon, instead of getting in it, he grabbed Kasper and began to shout in his face. Valerius' bloody short sword was still drawn at this time, which caused him to appear ever more threatening. "They sold us out! Why?! What do you know of this!? I thought you said to trust them!"

The younger and less powerful man was more than a little frightened and confused.

"I- I don't know. We have to-"

"That isn't the point!"

"Valerius!" Irinia shouted. "Stop it, he doesn’t kno-"

"He had better know!" Valerius shouted up at her with a glare. The woman recoiled and looked quite hurt by the vicious response.

"We don't have time for this! We have to-" Azara began, but she stopped herself when she saw soldiers on horseback start riding down both sides of the street, surrounding them.

Valerius dropped Kapser then, and his shoulders slumped. his out he'll open as more and more soldiers on horse entered the street and surrounded them. Irinia seemed worried, and Joakim just sighed. On the other hand, Azara glared. The soldiers on horse did not attack but instead chose to hold back, waiting.

Eventually, a single man on a horse approached, the other soldiers parted to make way for him. This man was not a soldier. Rather, he was dressed in expensive clothes and had a decorative sword at his side.

"Ah, prince Valerius. Son of that Veyorn whore. Seems your treason has come to an end." he said. "An unfortunate demise, much less than you imagined in any of your delusions of grandeur I'm sure."

Defiant, Valerius raised his sword to the man. "Governor Orstread, let us just see how heroic it will be. I will not be captured and executed, to be humiliated, I will fight to the death here. However, I have just one request beforehand, I want to know who told you about us, and how, so I may at least curse their name in vengeance."

The governor smirked. "I've long fought the Hawks in this city for some time. Stupid name, those sun-cursed vultures. They complain about the taxes of the king to recruit the commoners, but are really nothing more than gold grubbing slime themselves. I paid some, killed others, and when the urgent messengers of the king arrived, telling me that they had uncovered a potential plot against him - I recruited their aid to find out more. I never had any idea you would be in league with them."

"That isn't true!" Azara interjected.

"And who is this?" the governor asked, looking somewhat confused. "My informants told me there were only four of you at this place last night...and that staff. Wait, is she a mage? Playing with magic and conspiring with mages now Valerius? Another accusation to be leveled against you."

"You will address me directly." Azara replied "I demand the truth. Who really helped you? You'd like to claim you did it, but I don't believe that for a second. Even among criminals there is honor, and among a group that raises its members there is loyalty, promises, and family, I should know. I am a mage of the Ignis Evigan. What ultimatum were they given to blatantly shame their honor?"

The man seemed perturbed, and his tone was mocking as he spoke again. ”And why should I tell you?"

"Oh sun, mother of warmth, lend me your light. Cast out your sorrow, your rage, and you anger." Azara whispered, holding out the small mirror-like device in her hand.

"What?!" the governor asked, unable to hear her incantation.

The small mirror glowed, so much so that soon everyone present had to cover their eyes, and several beams of yellow light shot from its center. The beams were stationary at first, and then moved right and left, carving through the cavalrymen behind the governor like a blade. The beams then vanished and Azara held the glowing trinket steady, as if ready to use it again.

Her opponents creamed and fled. Horses ran, bucked, and let out sharp whines. The pieces from the men who had been cut down were now burning from the intense heat, and the light beams had ignited a few buildings in the background as well. Wherever the light beams had touched the ground, it glowed like magma. Orstread struggled to keep his horse under control, as he looked this way and that in panic.

"And that is only the beginning." she shouted. "Now tell me, you had someone help you. Who was it?!"

The governor did not immediately respond. He was still trying to calm his horse and panic spread throughout his forces. Many spurred their horses and fled. The ones who were behind Azara, down the street in the other direction, began to gallop forward - but diverted from this as Azara turned and pointed her trinket at them.

"It was the Silver Knights!" the governor shouted, as if to spare the men. "They arrived around the same time as the messenger, looking for information I had on an ancient relic. It was an old family map, some treasure hunting relative. I agreed to tell them how to get it if they helped me! They used magic to make the thieves speak the truth, and threatened to dismantle the entire organization with it. They helped hand over every member of the city to me!"

Azara was amazed. That was ruthless for them, and especially so for Konrad. Besides that, what type of magic they were using to force men to speak the truth? That sort of magic was unknown to Azara. Even the best alchemical potions for that weren't one hundred percent certain.

"Very well, thank you," Azara replied. Then she stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment, and lowered her trinket to her side.

The governor then swallowed hard, and spoke, looking around in horror. "May I take my leave of this place now? I had no idea there was a magician among you - much less one who could...who could do this. I have acted foolishly in opposing you prince Valerius, and I would not do so again-"

He didn't get to finish. There was a sudden flash of light followed by a beam of light slicing him in two.

"It was I who you opposed, not this fickle prince," Azara stated coldly.

"Why did you do that?!" Valerius cried out upon seeing the act. "He was surrendering, he could have even been an ally!"

A sharp, mad, and hungry glare from Azara's golden eyes met his innocent blue.

"He would have been a bad ally...I've killed now for your little escapade, little prince, you had best explain a lot. Didn't it dawn on you that things like this would happen when you pulled a plan like this out of your ass, to take over a country!?"

"I've planned this for-"

"No time," Azara responded. "We have other things to worry about. Now stand back."

She then looked towards the center of town and a large clock tower there. She closed her eyes. They needed a distraction, and this would do. She raised the small mirror-like device in her hand. The filigree that covered the mirror began to glow and unravel, creaking as it did so. After this, the mirror slowly split apart, like a flower made of reflective glass. Underneath the mirror, there was a round yellow stone that instantly started to glow and vibrate in the sun's light. The glow grew brighter and brighter, and soon the flowered out design looked like a shining second sun. Azara used her free left arm to support her right arm holding the trinket, and her consecration seal began to appear along both of her arms. The heat was immense, threatening to burn bystanders as they looked away.

Then, with a great cry, Azara released the stored magic, and from the bright glowing stone, a massive beam of fire and light shot outward. It was momentary and quick, like the blink of an eye. It struck the tower, but rather than penetrating through it as the earlier beams had done to the soldiers, it caused an explosion. This explosion was so powerful, that rather than just causing the tower to collapse. it threw it from its foundation, and the clocktower crashed down onto the streets and houses below.

"It’s time to go," Azara shouted. Her shoulders slumped and her body teetered from exhaustion. Valerius and the others were not going to argue with the mage now, and soon they had all piled into the wagon and it was driving down the road at high speed.

It was joined by large crowds of people, screaming and running to get out of the city. They were frightened, worried, and struck with utter shock and horror. The guards could not contain them. They could not check every cart, wagon, or horse storming through the gate to escape the city.

There was no stopping the mayhem of the mob, and it was in this chaos that the group slipped out.