They had been led through the sewers by more goblins, after they were both blindfolded, much to Kinari’s irritation and Demian’s amusement.

“We not let you find way back!” Said the goblin that was leading them. He had dark cloth covering most of his body including half his face, looking almost like a pile of rags except for one hand poking out, which held a blowgun. “You tell anyone about queen lair? We kill you!”

“Who would we even tell?” Grumbled Kinari as the cloth was tied around her eyes.

Both of them stumbled and groped their way through the tunnels, over trash piles and under rubble while being guided and prodded by their goblin escort. Kinari felt uncomfortable every time the goblins suddenly pushed or pulled her this or that way, and made a mental note to be more considerate to Demian when she had to guide him next time. Being unable to see, and therefore being at the mercy of the one who guided you, really sucked.

“Here!” Said the dark-cloth goblin at last, taking off Kinari’s blindfold. They were in another cramped, dark tunnel filled with rubble. But she could see a pale sliver of light coming from a small tunnel at crawling height. The light would have been barely visible in normal circumstances, but her eyes had adjusted to the darkness after being blindfolded for so long and to them the light let her just barely see the other goblin’s face in the dark. “Go here and you find base. Close to Nelos-thing.” He spat on the ground after saying the name.

“He has a big hidden storage area near his base,” said Kinari, peeking into the tunnel at what was on the other side. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I know this place.”

“So, you know this guy and the place he lives in?” Asked Demian.

“The place he works at, yeah,” she replied.”I’ve been there before. And… I think I have an idea on how to get us there.”

“Well, if you know the place better than me then I’ll follow your lead,” said Demian, looking uncomfortable. “But maybe you can run your plan past me first? Just in case?”

“I got two apples and seven pears.”

The man revealed his cards by putting them on the box they were using as a makeshift table. His opponent glared at the cards, as if willing them to change into different cards that would allow him to win. When they didn’t change from his gaze alone, he changed to plan B.

“You cheating cocksucker!” He shouted at the other player while slamming his own cards on the table. “This is the fourth time in a row! You think I’m gonna sit here while you cheat your way into taking all of my pay this week?”

“There is such a thing as luck,” his opponent said mildly. He remained sitting, but he kept a hand casually resting on his sabre while looking up at the other man, Both were dressed in loose clothes with patchy leather armor protecting their chests. The one sitting had an elaborate bracer on one of his arms, the single expensive article of clothing he had. “Sometimes Ellora smiles on you and sometimes she doesn’t. That’s life, Grennie boy.”

“Luck my ass!” Spat Grennie boy. “Whenever the pot gets big you go on a winning streak! You think I’m not gonna catch on that you’re pulling one over me? Think again, pal!” He punctuated his statement by pulling a battered flintlock pistol from behind his back. He did not point it at anyone, but the act alone caused a stir in both players, as well as the onlookers that were curiously watching the game. There were five men and one woman in total, all of them armed and armored in the same cheap, but effective, fashion. But his was the only firearm.

“Oh, a pea shooter. Does it even shoot?” Asked ‘pal’ while looking curiously at the pistol. There were spots of rust in it.

“Ya wanna find out?” Said Grennie boy. He was glaring menacingly while patting his gun but still did not point the barrel at anyone in open aggression. “You can’t cheat a bullet like you do with the cards, Stefan.”

“You can try a re-match to get your money back?” Suggested Stefan while playfully tapping his metal bracer against the pommel of his sabre. “Just calling me a cheater when you lose is unmanly, Gren. Just take your losses like a big boy.”

There was a noise nearby, the sound of rubble being moved or a rock falling down and hitting another rock. Some of the guards glanced away, but not the two card players, they had other things keeping their attention.

“You wouldn’t know a man if it punched you in the face and then fucked you in the arse, you prissy little shit!” He shouted while he brought his fist on the box-table for emphasis; it let out a hollow, wooden noise. “And like hell am I gonna have you cheat on me and then call me unmanly! If you don’t take that back right now -!”

Another noise, louder, came from one of the tunnels. This time everyone glanced briefly in that direction, squinting at the darkness beyond their few lamps illuminating their makeshift warehouse. There were boxes, sealed pots and jars, even a small sculpture, all tucked away from the prying eyes of any taxmen or militia. The place they were in was safe and dry, surrounded by blocked or collapsed tunnels, with the only way out being a ramp that led up to the street level, where the sunlight peeked through as if coming from another world. One could hear the muffled sounds of the city above, if they were close enough.

Then Gren turned back to the other man and continued: “If you don’t take back what you said and give me my money, you’re going to have an accident in this here place, you shit. You better not - ”

“Hey Gren!” interrupted another of the guards, still looking at the dark tunnel where the sounds had come from. “Think we should check that noise?”

“It’s probably rats!” Said Gran, waving impatiently. “As for you, Stefan! Don’t you dare think - ”

“But Gren!”

“What?!” Shouted back Gren, turning to the other guard again.

“What if it’s a gobbo?”

“Fine! Then you and Marie go check out that tunnel! And if a gobbo stabs you, be sure to shout loud enough to warn the rest of us!”

“What? Why the hell do I have to go?” Protested Marie, glaring at Gren.

“Because I fucking told you to do it!” Shouted Gren. “Why the fuck are you questioning my orders? Do you fuckers think I’ve lost my balls in the card game too? Move your asses! And as for you - !” He pointed at Stefan. Both players continued their arguing while, the other two guard grumbling and cursing under their breath, each grabbed a lantern with one hand and their weapons with the other before trudging down the tunnel to investigate the noise. The other two thugs glanced back and forth from the argument, to the tunnel where the light of their lamps could be seen at a distance. A few moments passed.

“Hey, guys! Come check this out!” Shouted Marie at the group stationed guarding the crates.

“WHAT IS IT?” Shouted back Gren, even angrier at being interrupted again. His forehead was so red now one could see his veins throbbing angrily, even in the dim light.

There was a pause. “You have to come and check this out!” Shouted Marie again.

“Why?! What is it?!” Shouted back Gren. “Did you find anything?!”

Another pause. “Yeah. You have to come here!”

“Fuck’s sake!” Hissed Gren in frustration before shouting, “I’m not going to walk there and leave this post! You two come back right now and tell me what you’ve found!’”

“I’ll go,” said Stefan, getting up for the first time and drawing his sabre. “You can stay here and hide if you want, Grennie boy.”

“What? No fucking way!” Gren smacked the box again. “Don’t you walk away from me, you little shit!” He shouted at Stefan as he calmly walked away from him towards the tunnel. The other two thugs looked at each other nervously.

Gren muttered more curses and threats under his breath, despite Stefan being now too far to hear them. It was hard to see what they were all doing in the dimly lit tunnel, but Stefan and the two others seemed to pull something from the rubble and started bringing it back with them.

As they got closer, they realized Stefan was carrying another person, while Marie and Yavor, the other guard, were escorting another tall person back with them. She was tall, with her hands held behind her back, and as she approached, Gren had a sudden flash of recognition.

“What the… Kinari?”

“Hey Gren,” said Kinari, smiling her usual smug grin at him. Her tusks were menacing as always, glinting in the lamplight. She was even grungier and dirtier than usual, but there was no mistaking that woman with anyone else. She gestured with her head toward Stefan. “So? You and your boyfriend on guard duty again?”

“What the fuck -!”

But his cursing was interrupted by the other one raising his head. He was blind, but he still turned towards Gren and spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Stop what you are doing! Everyone, don’t move or speak!”

And both Gren and Stefan, as well as the thugs guarding the boxes and the ones escorting the two arrivals, everyone went completely quiet and utterly still. No matter how hard they tried, they could not move.

“So glad you could finally come, Sit!” Said Boss Nelos. He was an old man in his fifties, and looked even older with his weathered, line-creased face and balding head from which short, white hair bristled around like a nest surrounding an egg. But he was still in shape, and carried a sword on his hip. with “You’re our welcome guest, of course! Feel free to ask for anything you like, my lord!”

“My visit here will be short,” said the man standing opposite to him. There was a chair, but he refused to sit on it, eyeing his surroundings with disdain. “And I would appreciate it if you would refer to me only as ‘Your Lordship’. ‘My Lord’ implies ownership, and I’m sure you would not dare imply that you own me in any way?”

The two looked at each other, like two cats seizing each other before a fight, before Nelos smiled. “Apologies, m-Your Lordship! Didn’t mean no offense! Promise on Ellora’s grace!”

“You still swear on Ellora’s name even while smuggling and stealing?” The other man quirked an eyebrow in amusement, before shrugging. “Well, despite your crimes a man like you still has his uses, which is why we are having this meeting here rather than in a dungeon. It is time to put this loyalty of yours to the test, for the good of the Adran Kingdom. Be faithful to us and you might yet be forgiven.”

“Yeah, sure!” Boss Nelos nodded. “I’m ready to help the kingdom. Y’know… So long as I can, y’know, keep helping the kingdom afterwards?”

“Your crimes will be excused and we will turn a blind eye to your operations in the future, yes, so long as you do not aid any rebels or royalists. And, of course, you must lend us your aid when needed. Like now for example, we need your help capturing our fugitive.”

“Sure thing, Your Lordship! I already have my men on the lookout! If those two try to smuggle their way out of here, I will know about it!”

“Really? So you have a grip on every smuggler in this town?” Asked the other man.

“Well, nearly all, Your Lordship.” “There’s a few stragglers, but - ”

“If you will tell me their names or how to find them, I will have them arrested,” he replied, interrupting Nelos as he spoke. “You will have a monopoly on all clandestine dealings in this city. A suitable arrangement, no?”

Nelos paused for a moment, realizing what that would mean for his business if the only way to smuggle things out was through his channels. His eyes lit up with greed. “Yes, Your Lordship! Yes indeed! I mean, of course, I am very grateful…!”

“Yes, yes,” the lord handwaved Boss Nelos’ awkward gratitude. “I must also ask if there are any royalists or rebels in your ranks. That you know of, of course. But think carefully before giving me your answer. If we discover you have lied to us, we will be most... displeased.” He emphasised the last word by raising his hand to his side. Flames burst out of his hands, like a torch dipped in oil suddenly being lit. Nelos and his two bodyguards jumped back for a moment, but the nobleman’s guards did not react, staring stoically ahead in the true form of professional soldiers.

“Well… There might be one or two who have said some dumb things, but...”

“Good.” The flames were extinguished as quickly as they had appeared. “We will also capture and interrogate them. We will not be stabbed in the back while in the middle of our search. Any lingering loyalties to the false royal family must be nipped in the bud before we proceed.”

Nelos opened his mouth to protest, but hesitated and closed it again, realizing that arguing with this man was not the best career move at the moment. Normally he would defend his people, but… Well. These were special circumstances, right? Instead he flashed another grin and said, “as you wish, Your Lordship! I’ll give you their names. A perfect chance to clean house!”

“Of course,” replied the nobleman with a small smile of his own. “And you mentioned that you might know personally the other conspirator? This… Suspected spy?”

Nelos nodded enthusiastically. “Tall, strong lady, with green skin and a ponytail? Yeah, that sounds like Kinari alright. I hired her a few times, but never liked her. A real pain in the ass, even for a filthblood. If you capture her, my only regret is that I won’t be able to teach the bitch some manners first.”

“Is that her name?” Asked the nobleman. His armor was decorated in gold highlights and his blonde hair, slick with alchemist paste, almost gleamed in the lamplight. “I might have met her once.”

The commander remembered that face, staring back at him defiantly under the dim light of that barn. A peasant down on her knees in the mud, but still glaring at one of noble blood. The sheer audacity of it surprised him, and made him want to wipe that expression away. Burn it to ashes until nothing remained. How dare she look at him like that? He did burn her, in fact, but she had still lived, didn’t she?

“Should have killed her instead,” muttered the commander to himself. Then he addressed Nelos. “And the description matches. Very well, tell me all you know about this ‘Kinari’.”

The morning sun made Kinari squint as she was dragged down an alley by two strong men on either side of her. Another thug behind her escorted Demian while guiding him. She had her hands tied behind her back, while Demian was gagged as well as bound, and neither could resist as the men pushed them towards the run down warehouse that was Boss Nelos’ current base. A few men were guarding the entrance, large double-doors which were wide open and allowed the workers to load and unload boxes from the warehouse to a nearby cart.

At first, to the untrained eye, this could seem like any other normal warehouse that stored goods until they could be transported to the rest of the city or to a nearby town by carts. But a keen observer would notice this place had more guards than usual. Strong, unfriendly men with weapons and patchy armor that watched carefully anyone approaching the warehouse or loitering nearby. Despite being in a poor part of town, there were no beggars or urchins playing near the warehouse, like fish avoiding the waters on which a shark swims. The average person kept their distance, which meant all the workers and guards noticed when the two prisoners and their escorts turned a corner and approached the warehouse entrance at a slow marching pace. One of the guards moved to intercept them.

“Hey, Gren, is that you?” He asked, when he got close enough. “Aren’t you supposed to be on guard duty at the sewers? What are you doing here with these people?”

Gren looked at him, his face carefully neutral, and said, “we’ve captured two prisoners and we’re taking them to Boss Nelos.”

“Huh,” the warehouse guard took another look at Kinari and Demian. “Hey! Are these the two guys that the soldiers have been searching for all over town? The ones with a reward?”

“Yes,” replied Gren, closing his mouth as an awkward silence hung over them.

Kinari broke it. “Hey, asshole!” She said, looking at Gren. “Don’t you bring us into that warehouse! We’re not going in there!” She pulled away from the guards holding her and they dragged her back and held her firmly. Gren and the other two started bringing in the two into the warehouse, maneuvering past the slightly confused guard.

“Hey, Gren!” He shouted after them. “Just to let you know, the boss has guests. Big people, you know? So maybe just keep them with me for a little...”

“I have to deliver them to the boss in person,” said Gren as he dragged the two further inside. There was no emotion in his voice. The other guard got even more suspicious, and he ran back and got in front of them again.

“And I told you that he’s not taking guests right now! Gren? Are you alright?”

“I have to take these two inside to Boss Nelos,” Gren repeated, his expression still neutral.

A few moments before this happened, in the secret cache in the sewers dimly lit by oil lamps, Demian had all the guards neatly in a row and spoke to them while Kinari covered her ears and hummed.

“Gren, Karl and Bram,” He addressed three of the guards. “You three will escort me and Kinari to the warehouse where your boss works. You will pretend that you have taken us as prisoners, and you will insist on taking us to Boss Nelos personally, and do your best to bring us there. But act as normally as possible while you do so.”

“Yeah, you’ve already told me that,” replied the guard. “Look-”

“Oh great, now the meatheads are having a chat while we sit here and watch,” interrupted Kinari, rolling her eyes. “Hey, sunshine! Is this going to take all day? I have places to be!”

The other guard narrowed his eyes. “You’re that troll-lady I’ve seen here once or twice… Shut it if you don’t want to get your jaw broken! I -”

“Better than sitting here listening to your boring conversation!” Replied Kinari with a grimace. Another one of the warehouse guards who had approached out of curiosity, gave Gren a sympathetic grin.

“Has she been like this the whole way here?” He asked.

“What? Me? Nah!” She scoffed theatrically. “I’ve been a lovely prisoner! A real fucking model of Elloran humility and kindness. Can’t you tell?”

“Shut it, filthblood!” The first guard frowned while taking in the situation, before turning to Gren. “Why do you let her mouth off like that? Couldn’t you’ve gagged her too?”

“Don’t you dare hit me for the stuff I’ve said, you shithead!” Kinari barked at Gren. He turned to look at her, then raised his fist and brought it down one, two, three times on her face, each hitting with a fleshy crunch. When he stopped, her cheek was bruised and her nose was bleeding. She flashed a toothy smile back at Gren, while the blood trickling down her face eased before stopping and the bruises healed before their eyes. Demian made some concerned noises through his mouth gag.

“I’ve heard this filthblood can heal quickly, but still… Damn!” Said one of the guards.

“That’s what you get for mouthing off, bitch!” Said the other guard with a cruel sneer. Kinari responded by smiling back at him, and then spitting blood in his direction. He jumped back, but her spit still hit his chest, staining the armor with its inky black ichor mixed with spit. The reaction was immediate, an uproar of anger from the two guards, both shouting curses at Kinari while she grinned at them and the three guards escorting the prisoners remained calm and neutral while watching the events unfold. The workers stopped unloading the crates to gawk at the commotion while a few more guards had wandered in closer out of curiosity.

“What is the meaning of all this noise?” Demanded a voice coming from inside the warehouse. And out walked a man dressed in well-fitted, fine clothes that were a complete contrast with the nearby workers and thugs. He had a black coat that went to his knees and a breastplate underneath that was also painted in dark colors, with an emblem of a yellow eye in its centre. The rest of his clothes were also various shades of black with yellow highlights, including his gloves, all meticulously clean and expensive-looking. Brown hair framed a pale nobleman’s face that glared severely at the commotion.

Everyone went quiet at this new arrival as he took it all in: Kinari with her nose bloodied, the guards now suddenly quiet and with a surprised expression. “Well?” Asked the nobleman. “What is causing all this noise? Some sort of fight?”

“S-ser! Our boys here have captured the ones you were looking for!” Said one of the guards, quickly moving out of the way and letting the noble see the two prisoners better. The other man first gave them a skeptical look, but did a double-take when noticing Demian’s blank eyes, unseeing as he turned his ears this way and that to try and understand what was happening. His mouth was still firmly gagged.

“What… Could it be?” He approached the blind young man and examined his features. “You’re right, it does look like him! You’ve captured the prince! Ellora’s blessings, we’ve finally captured him!”

“But Gren here didn’t want to let me take them - ” the guard started speaking, before being quickly shushed.

“Never mind that! Bring them in, immediately! But first make sure...” And he personally checked Demian’s mouth gag before nodding excitedly. “Good! I see you did a good job silencing him! You might even be rewarded for this! But it pays to be extra cautious!”

The nobleman pointed his index finger at Demian and from it poured thick black smoke, as a bonfire when doused with water. Kinari jumped forward, but was quickly pulled back by her two guards. So all she could do was stare as more black smoke poured from the noble’s finger and covered Demian’s head so completely it could not be seen. But the smoke was very odd, and didn’t behave like normal fire smoke. For one, it was much darker, and not even the silhouette of Demian’s head was visible through the black bubble of smog. He seemed to feel something was different and tried moving his head away, but the bubble of smoke stuck to his head, even as he moved. Some of the smoke floated up, but most of it moved with his head as he struggled to shake it off.

“You’re supposed to bring him alive!” Shouted Kinari. “You’re going to kill him like that!”

The nobleman in black clothes blinked and flashed her an annoyed look. “This won’t hurt him, you silly creature,” he said, oozing disdain with every word. “Now be quiet or I will do the same to you!”

Demian strained against the guard that held him, trying to move away, but the black smoke bubble still clung to his head. And Kinari realized she could not hear Demian at all, not even any grunts muffled by the gag. That is when she realized what was happening.

The smoke probably blocked sound, as well as sight! That would explain why he had focused on Demian. With whatever this smoke was, he could not use his voice. It was a counter to his powers!

"Bring them in!” The nobleman ordered the ones escorting Kinari and Demian after he had finished making sure there was enough smoke covering Demian’s head. They quietly obeyed.

As they walked inside the warehouse, Kinari saw there were more soldiers posted inside it, and not only the usual collection of Nelos’ thugs. These were armored and trained professionals, some carrying lanced and halberds, others with muskets in hand as they glared at the two prisoners, some of them widening their eyes in realization. There were a lot of them in that warehouse. She could not see Demian’s face, but his body language betrayed confusion and fear.

Kinari suddenly felt a lot less confident about her plan.