------------ Dangou ------------

Dangou put a finger to his mouth and raised his hand to stop her. ‘Keep Quiet’, he mouthed. There was a second intruder in the cavern. Ariadne tensed. Despite her nature, she hadn’t even noticed until Dangou had mentioned such, the new-comer was bound to be high-classed.

Dangou and the Siren listened closely as the pit-pat of approaching feet grew ever so slightly louder, then stop.

“Hello? Anybody home?” Said the voice outside.

Dangou stood up quietly and approached the door as Ariadne slipped silently into the backroom.

“Hello?” the voice asked again, “I know you’re in there buddy, come out now.”

Putting one hand to door, Dangou concentrated and cast Clairvoyance*. The spell turned the door to a one-sided window, allowing him to immediately see the invader. It was a female knight and, she somehow knowing she’d been seen, smiled and stared right back.

“Why hello there Mr. Sheen.” She said, “Would you be kind and open the door?”

Dangou mustered up a nervous grin.

“Sure, why not?” He replied, undoing the latch.

The woman sighed irritably as she pushed the door open and continued to stare Dangou in the eye as she entered.

“Surely you know to hold the door open for a lady?” She smirked and stuck out a hand, “My name is Elieza, Elieza Thorn. Though I’m sure you already know that.”

Dangou shook it.

“Elieza Thorn huh?” He replied, “Sorry to say, I’ve never heard such an… elegant name before.”

Elieza frowned.

“What? How is that possible?” She spat, “I’m one of the Imperial Hellcats.”

Dangou smiled apologetically.

“Sorry, I usually do not delve in the business of lower knights.” He said, on his face, a sly grin.

“Wha- Lower!?” Elieza spluttered, her face flushing to an angry red.

With a sideward glance, Dangou turned to sit down and faced the flustered woman.

“What are you up to Elieza?” He said, “Here to take me back? Here to give me a mission?”

“Or here to kill me?” He finished with a laugh.

Elieza paused, calming down.

“The Empire wants you back.” She said, “The council wants to re-evaluate your punishment.”

Dangou raised an eyebrow, “Well that’s really good.”

“What’s the catch then?”

Elieza laughed.

“There’s no catch.” She smiled, handing over two metal rings and gestured for his hand, “Now put on these shackles and I’ll take you back in one piece.”

The Queensguard clicked his tongue and put his hands behind his back.

“Not so fast lady, at least give me a few moments. I need to clear something up.” He said, gesturing to the room around him.

Elieza frowned and looked around the room, confused as to what Dangou needed to do.

“What is it that you must do so urgently?” She questioned.

Dangou shook his head.

“That’s a secret.” He chuckled.

Elieza sighed, then paused to consider his response.

“Okay…? I’ll allow it. But don’t waste my time.” She said after a while and retreated slowly from the room, closing the door behind her.

------------ Jericho ------------

Jericho sat beneath one of the majestic red oaks of Oakenbrew, considering her paths. It would certainly be difficult for her to return to the empire empty-handed, disappointing her master. However, it seemed even more so to oppose her previous teacher in her mission.

“To continue or not to continue?” She wondered out-loud.

“You should obviously continue!” Said a sharp annoying voice behind her.

Jericho jumped. Even if she was relaxed, she should’ve still felt the presence of another. As she stood up and turned around she scanned the area for enemies, but found none.

“Who are you? Show yourself!” She demanded at the woods.

Suddenly, there was a movement to her right and from the thickets a tiny winged creature flew out. Jericho’s jaw dropped. It was a fairy, in the flesh. The mythical creatures were said to be extinct due to hunting for their extremely sought-after wings, which were said to grant immortality when ground and taken daily.

“Y-you’re a f-fairy?” Jericho stuttered in surprise.

The little creature smirked with it’s tiny, glossy lips, knowing her own rarity.

“That I am!” She proclaimed in a squeaky voice, “Bow before me, filthy human!”

Jericho, who was at an absolute loss for words, obediently knelt before the fairy and dipped her head in respect.

The fairy pause, then looked down at Jericho.

“I-I didn’t actually expect you to listen…” She stumbled, slightly embarrassed.

Jericho froze, then immediately stood up, long black hair covering her face, and grabbed the creature by her wing.

“OW! Stop! Don’t kill me!” The fairy said, struggling in the female knight’s grip.

“How dare you embarrass me.” Jericho said, then trembling, let the fairy go and collapsed onto the ground.

“Oh, I can’t believe I just knelt to a stupid little fairy.” She whispered, covering her blushing face.

“Hey! I’m not stupid!” The fairy complained then stopped as Jericho shot her a glare.

The fairy hovered uncertainly above the sulking knight. She hadn’t intended for this to happen and wondered what to do. Until suddenly, Jericho snapped to attention and looked up.

“What did you mean to continue?” She asked, tilting her head.

“Ah!” The fairy exclaimed as though she had just remembered.

“You should continue to search for Dangou Sheen!” She explained, nodding her head excitedly.

Jericho sighed in despair. Somehow everyone today seemed to know her plans to retrieve the Queensguard better than herself.

“And how do you know about that?” She questioned, tired of the surprises.

The fairy shrugged.

“I happened to hear your conversation.” She answered with a smirk.

Jericho nodded to herself. She thought as much.

“And why do you think I should continue?” She further inquired.

The fairy paused and thought for a while.

“Though I don’t think he’ll need your help… It’s better if you go find Dangou.” She answered.

“Huh? That doesn’t explain why at all.” Jericho said, exasperated.

“You don’t need to know why.” The fairy winked and began to slowly hover away.

“Wait! I’m sick of not knowing anything! Tell me why!” Jericho stood up and chased after the sprightly creature.

The fairy giggled as she flew faster and faster, away from her pursuer. “You’ll thank me in the future! So listen to me okay?” She said, quickly disappearing into the woods.

Jericho floundered for a few extra seconds before she lost sight of the mythical creature completely and gave up.

“Why should I even listen to you!?” She exclaimed at the sky, “I don’t even know your name!”

“Ta-… -m … -in -“

Jericho stopped. It was faint, but there was still the whisper of a voice on the faint breeze that the fairy had left behind. She concentrated on listenning until finally, she heard the full sentence.

“Tam. Tam Lin.” Said the familiar playful tone, giggling, “That’s my name, Jericho.”

------------ The Unravelling (1) End ------------

*Clairvoyance - Spell Classification: Light - Turns a section of any material into a one-sided window allowing vision through walls etc.*