The town of Claymond was the last town before reaching Mizuna's capital, Thornstone, to the west. The place was known for its masons and builders in all of Mizuna. As a result, Claymond got the nickname of "the great stone city"; it was known that all of its buildings had been carved from stones quarried from the nearby mountains. Its architects designed a city worthy of being mentioned all over the continent, making students from all over Aeton wish to study in their academies.

Of course, they were not the only ones who visited the place, for being a city that crossed the main route of the nation, from merchants to mercenaries and thieves walked its streets every day.

The white stone of the town and its blue banners were stained by the constant movement of such troublesome people.

The Worn Compass was the oldest and busiest tavern, its carved stone preserving the ancient designs of over two hundred years ago. It was cozy and vibrant, so it wasn't difficult. It was full of architects and students from the local academy enjoying a break and hot drinks. So with high-class chatter, it was no wonder that such a tall figure in armor that clanked with every step made his way from the doorway.

The figure got inside, and everyone saw that fighter in plate armor crossing campily through the tavern. Eyes followed him, and voices soon turned their chatter into murmurs.

"Another mercenary," was what many said. The fighter was an ostentatious one; he covered his left arm with a cloak of exotic fur. His etched armor seemed clean and polished, and its details gleamed in precious metals.

Knowing his destination as if someone had given him the exact directions, the fighter reached the end of the tavern, where a pair of members of the Order of the White Flame guarded a door.

The pair of men quickly denied him passage.

In a voice choked by his helmet, the warrior threatened them, "If you don't get out out the way, I'll break down the door even with you in the way."

"If you want to enter, you must leave your weapon," replied firmly that young man in chain mail armor and a tabard with the symbol of the Order. "That was made clear in the letter."

Choking back a chuckle, the warrior complied and removed the sheath of his sword from his waist that was partially hidden beneath his cloak.

"If you think that taking my sword from me brings you safety, go ahead," exclaimed the warrior as he handed his sheathed weapon to the other guard.

The guards let the warrior pass into the next room, where the meeting took place.

In such a fine and elegant room, where every window had curtains and on every wall there was at least one painting, the place lived up to the city's beauty.

At a rectangular table, dressed in a long blue and black tablecloth, sat the representatives of the Order of the White Flame and several Marked Ones.

A member of the Order was in each corner of that room and watched him enter. They were all ready with their hand firmly on their sword.

"The last of you have arrived," indicated the one who had sent for them, Cardinal Vandac. "Welcome."

The warrior replied as he sat down, "I doubt you would welcome me under other circumstances."

One of those seated at the table laughed, drawing the attention of those there.

"You're not the only one who said that. How interesting!" the young man in his twenties exclaimed, with a great smile and lined eyes that made his gaze more penetrating.

''At least it's not a trap, right'' remarked another of those sitting there. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have such a poor garrison of bodyguards..."

Dressed in luxuries and fine clothes, an elegant man with short hair and a thin mustache watched Cardinal Vandac at the other end of the table suspiciously. Then, leaning back in his chair, interlacing his fingers, the man observed the local Chief of the White Flame.

"It is curious that you have come upon us, Cardinal..." insisted that elegant man.

The newcomer took a seat where the other marked ones were, facing that boy with the piercing look and another man in armor who had even said a word.

"We have our ways of contacting you," the Cardinal indicated. "Whenever we wish, we can hit anyone we want."

"It's an exhausting play," the man with the thin mustache and calm voice pointed out, "You must have had a bunch of wizards tracking our resonances for days without a break."

"The act is worth it, Mr. Almond," Cardinal Vandac remarked.

Then, he took from the papers he had on the table the one that indicated the names of each.

"Mage Almond. Wanted in Baeria for crimes against the Count of Svishia."

"Greetings, Cardinal," the wizard said, waving his hand in a bow.

"Tyloh, the Butcher," Vandac named the next on the list. "Wanted for the deaths of Clan Baltash members in Mordia."

A choked, unhinged laugh came from the mouth of that piercing-eyed boy. Then, pretending to straighten his traveling clothes and short brown hair, he observed the Cardinal again.

Tyloh smiled with fake embarrassment. "You'll make me blush, please..."

"Behave yourself at the table, you bastard," the old man next to Vandac exclaimed.

Vandac subtly hushed the man well into his old age, "Regent Revom, please..."

"Yes, please, Regent Revom," replied that boy again, smirking at the man.

"Urian, the headhunter," Vandac named the last warrior to enter. "His list of accusations is high, but he is also viewed in some places with appreciation..."

Urian opened his helmet to get a better look at that man in the eyes. That way, all could see the man's tanned features, jet hair, and black eyes.

"I do the job that others won't, or can't..." folding his arms, he observed the Cardinal with a great smile, "Like what you're going to ask me..."

"I hope you're up to the task," Vandac replied before turning to the last name. "Lastly, Torkell."

Urian eyed the last to be mentioned; the warrior in front of him wore more worn armor, black in color, and wore several furs strapped to his shoulder pads and belt. Indeed this warrior had to be from somewhere in Ianor, the tribal territory that bordered the entire west coast of Aeton.

Torkell made no gesture, nor did he say a single word. He just remained silent.

"Very well, gentlemen," Vandac exclaimed before taking a drink of water to clear his throat. "The situation for which we are requesting this meeting, and I appreciate that you have accepted, is to make you a one-time offer that will expire if it's not be accepted."

"Sounds like something we should accept one way or the other," exclaimed Almond, indifferently leaning back in his chair. "Whom do you wish us to kill?"

Almond was direct to the point, and everyone else expected that. The Order of the White Flame summoned a group of Marked Ones against the city-state of Adhaz; it was clear that there had to be some target to kill.

Revom took the word, "Do you know Ronan of Vilna?"

Almond's brow furrowed, and so did Urian's. Tyloh, for his part, gritted his teeth and scowled sharply.

"I assume you know him," Vandac indicated. "We want you to hunt him and his traveling companions down."

"Do you know where he is?" asked Almond.

"He's heading for Lastrel right now, perhaps planning to take a ship there," replied the Cardinal.

"He must not be hiding properly if they know his location," Almond expressed.

"Where is Lastrel!?" shouted Tyloh, squatting quickly in his seat, causing the guards in the room to go on alert. "I want to kill him, I'll kill him!"

Vandac tried to calm the situation, "I appreciate the enthusiasm. Ronan of Vilna has wreaked numerous havoc on the Order and humanity. The latest of which, an attack on the city of Eastfront where many people perished--"

"To the point, Cardinal Vandac," Urian interrupted, leaning back in his seat as he watched him. "Tell us what we will get in return, and we will do it."

Vandac swallowed saliva, and Urian smiled. He knew that had annoyed him.

The Cardinal sighed, calming his nerves, "Well, mister Urian, you will get the gold that the greed of you all desires."

"Sounds little to me," Urian replied.

"And if I tell you that we plan to grant you indulgence in addition to gaining wealth?"

A silence formed in the room. Then, from Revom to Almond, everyone fell silent. Then, finally, Torkell turned his look to Vandac; even with the helmet, Vandac knew that had caught that warrior's attention.

"An indulgence," Almond expressed curiously. "Does that mean you'll stop hunting us?"

"You might even become martyrs..."

Tyloh laughed, "Me, a martyr and be left to do what I want? I like it, I like it..."

"How can we trust you?" asked Urian, suspicious.

Vandac smiled and slid a scroll across the table that unrolled on its own.

Urian went over to read it, as did Almond and Torkell.

"That paper is signed by me, a Cardinal, and endorsed by the members of the Council. In the eyes of Tisvar and the Order, if you do your job, you will be rewarded."

Almond glared, suspicious but tempted by the offer.

"Very well, I accept." said the wizard.

"Anything to kill Ronan," Tyloh said, chuckling.

Torkell was simple and sententious with his words, "I will."

Everyone's eyes went to Urian, who pondering for a few moments, also agreed.

"I will do it," the warrior exclaimed.

Revom watched the group of marked ones that he would have hunted down without question in other instances. Still, under Vandac's gaze, he had no choice but to accept that edict that even the members of the Order's Council had accepted.