Once they had dismissed the children to the supervision of their best sitters, the twelve elders joined to continue the dark topic at the Pit.

"Faebrin yuh should've came to Geia or me instead of sayin' it in front of the children," Dean said, eyes furious.

"I know. I'm sorry, but it bothered me, and it couldn't wait until after the meeting," he said.

"Dean, we have to do something," Mageia said.

"What do you suggest we do, huh? Rescue them?" he said, giving her the crazy look she hated.

"Yes," she said, hands clenched at her sides. "Children are supposed to live and enjoy life. Not be dehumanized and die in front of reckless fools who enjoy the sight of blood. I know how that feels, remember?"

"Geia..." Dean said shifting feet and giving an irritated sigh.

"I agree with Geia," Jaice said loud and quick. "We have rescued children before."

"Yes, but not from the Taefo," Dean said. "We managed to rescue three children- three from there long ago," he said, jabbing three fingers in the air. "Esa, Gavin, and Jayta, may she rest in peace."

"And we still cannot thank you both enough," Gavin said, rubbing his twin sister's back who shared a similar sunken face due to their faces mashing in the womb.

"Rescuing someone from the Taefo – let alone a group is risky," Dean said.

"But it's possible," Mageia said, ignoring him.

Dean approached her and grabbed her by the arms and peered into her face. "Geia. Remember the countless times tryin' to rescue children from there? They all failed. They all ended up being recaptured and facin' the slice either way."

"But we were children then. We are nearly grown," she said, breaking free from him to look at the teens. "We have trained our entire lives to scout orphanages, slave holds, temples, and infirmaries, learning and studying how to maneuver with stealth. For gods' sakes we've picked too many crowds to keep count. Why not scope the Taefo with the daytime we have left and just see if it's even possible to do a rescue?"

"The Taefo has expanded since our last attempt," Dean said.

"It has expanded, but I cannot say so for the security and the staff," Faebrin said.

"How many children did you see?" Mageia said.

"At least three little ones bounded by chains," he said.

"Did yuh hear how many children they already have inside," Dean said in pure annoyance.

"No, but I can find out," he said

"No. I don't want yuh going back there," Dean said.

"But the patrollers are familiar with me. They think I'm some Strange with family within," he said.

"He's right, Dean. Faebrin's been keeping an eye on the place, so he'd know what to look for," Mageia said.

"I promise to be careful," Faebrin said.

Dean flexed his jaw side to side and placed his hands on his waist. "We should vote," he said.

Mageia sucked her teeth, hating the need to vote.

Am I not the Chief? She wanted to say.

"Hands raised for those who think this rescue is a good idea," Dean said.

Seven of the ten before them raised their hands, receiving a scold from the boy. He did not need to ask the opposing question.

"Fine, but let's plan some of it now," Dean said glaring at Mageia who gave him a guilty but appreciative smile.

~*~*~

The evening sun hung like a golden flame in the sky by the time they finished planning. Everyone dispersed to do their given task, mind and heart set on doing what was right. Rescuing children was always the priority of the Lost Ones, especially when the Law permitted executions of children. Some unease settled in her gut realizing how odd the Priesthood and the Crown decided to defy the Laws.

Did the High Priest really have a dream from the gods?

She packed the valuables needed to do a fair trade with a good friend and prepared to leave. She headed westward back into the Old Forest to an abandoned well. A heart-wrenching screech within the treetops brought her to slam into a tree trunk. She pressed her back against it, eyes scanning above for the dark predator.

Cravers. The bloody bat-like creatures the size of three men could pick up a person like a pillow and fly them away to their nest for dinner. They were dangerous as a murderer and sneaky and swift like a thief. Unable to see the mystical creature that had found its way from the Dauntless, she quickly ran the rest of the way to the well. She climbed in and continued into the underground of Midlaan.

Under Ardania were old tunnels and sewers forgotten by officials but known by anyone who wished to get around without raising suspicion. Mageia went her normal route, waving buzzing flies from her face, and scrunching her nose at scurrying rats and the putrid stench. Humming her father's favorite song, she found her exit and ascended the ladder she had installed months ago. She ignored whatever wet substance was draining onto the iron grate and peeked to make sure no one was around before climbing out.

This grate sat in a lone alley with crates that had been purposely stacked around it to ensure no one would notice. She fixed her hood and crossed into an adjoined alley behind Grinner Street. Known for its many rows of fooderies and handmade accessory shops, their upper levels were homes to the owners. An owner burst out the backdoor of his shop, engulfing her with the delicious aroma of cooking seafood. She bent her hood lower, but the chef cared less about her presence and dumped a pale of fish grind into his trash bin.

Mageia slowed her pace, waiting for the man to return inside before slipping into the backdoor of a bakery shop. For a minute she sucked in the marvelous smells of pastries, breads, jams, and chocolates causing her mouth to water and a smile to sweep across her face. The bell above the door rang, but she didn't have to wait to be acknowledged.

She passed the steamy hot kitchen and went to one of three rows of tables, placing her bag down. Her hungry eyes eyed the multiple trays of food still steaming hot from the ovens. Quickly, she washed her hands in the water pump's basin and plucked one into her mouth. She moaned with delight as the sweet cream oozed down her throat.

"You could've greeted first, Mageia," a young cheery voice said exiting the kitchen door.

"Forgive me, little Zane," she grinned at the boy with his long black hair tied back, and his apron greased and stained with work.

"I'm not a little boy anymore," he said, crossing his puffed-out chest. "Papa said I'm a man now."

"Oh? I must've missed the new law stating how ten-year-old's are adults now."

The boy made a silly face at her as a bellowing laugh erupted about the room.

"Look who we have here," the owner said, turning to lock the door leading into the dining area.

"Hala Ser Trekon," she said with a slight bow.

"Don't be chivalrous, come and give me a hug," he said, and she did, unable to stop from sniffing his buttery scent.

"You've been at it again," Trekon said, waving an accusing chubby finger in her face.

"What're you talking about?"

"The Purple Thief was at the Dais. I was petrified," he said mocking a proper woman he must've overheard. His son laughed aloud, promising to sound exactly like his father's in the future.

"It was hectic, but necessary, Trek," she said plopping into a chair and eyeing a row of buttered biscuits.

"And dangerous. You do know you needn't steal when you have me to assist," he said plopping into his red armchair big enough to hold his massive form.

"You have a family to care for. I don't want you caring for another," she said.

The baker and former knight of the Royal Guard gave a frown. "Zane. Go and watch the front."

"Yes papa," he said, shoulders drooping. Once the door shut behind the boy, Trekon leaned forward on the chair's arms.

"When my daughter and that lug of a husband she has needs me, I pitch in, do I not?"

"Yes, Trek..."

"And when this handsome lad grows into a fine young man and have his own family, I will continue to pitch in, will I not?"

"You would."

"And when a good man made me promise to take care of his family if anything happened to him, was I supposed to say no?"

Mageia felt the side of her neck wanting to rub the lumpy birthmark and restrained herself. She remembered sitting on her father's lap and feeling his own mark at the back of his neck. It lied beneath his collar, drenched of sweat from wearing his knight's armor for so many hours. The image of his smiling face still weaved into her thoughts from time to time. Even his hazel eyes that popped off his skin, dark as the chocolates he'd bring home from the palace would resonate from the bloom. She was six when he was assassinated and didn't know him as much as she did her fierce mother.

Even after his death, she remembered how her mom continued to hide her from the world, fearful that one day she'd be taken and executed for her purple eyes. Sadly, that did not last long.

"No," she said. "I hate that I don't know anything about him except that he was a knight."

"Not just a knight, my girl. He was Ser Leon Holt, Commander of the King's Army," he said in admiration. "He fled Gorana during the Gold Madness up north with many others. Found refuge here and somehow pleased King Thadd and worked his way up the ranks in just a few years. Gods' know, he outshines the pathetic one we have now. The man was not much of a talker so do not ask me how he done it. Our friendship only grew over stuffing our bellies in the kitchens."

"If you two were so close, why did he not tell you his real name or my mom's real name?"

Trekon's smile demised and he shrugged. "Everyone has their secrets. You know that better than anyone else."

"My mom never told me their real names," she said. "To this day, I don't know why or what to do about it."

"Obey your parents especially if they forbid you to ever speak their truth."

"But it's so weird and I feel lost sometimes..." she said trailing off.

"Look Mageia. Whatever Leon and Vale were up to, no doubt it had something to do with your eyes." He held up a hand to silence her. "I only want to do what's right and care for you and your family. I don't want to know anything. The less I know the safer we are under this roof."

"Trekon, you are good man."

"A good man whose about to lend a favor. You know, you're only supposed to pass by any time after nightfall."

"I know Trekon. I really need your help."

"I knew it," he smirked.

"I brought something to trade for your assistance," she smiled cheek to cheek.

"Jewelry?"

Mageia grinned and bopped her head. "Only the finest timepieces and bracelets for your lovely wife, Lisa, to sell."

"Gods' help me, she's going to be up all night going through it all," he said eyeing the sack she revealed and placed on the table. "What is it do you want?"

"We heard the priests are sacrificing children tonight."

"Damn, you heard," he grumbled. "Please tell me you're not thinking about-,"

"A rescue? Of course. They do not deserve to die. They should receive free medical treatment. Instead of forcing parents to pay seven peeks for every visit to the physician and ten peeks for medicine refills, and lower costs for surgeries, then it could prevent people from becoming Strange. We wouldn't have so many slaves and don't forget the poorest of us all working in the Runes, mining for emeralds they would never get to wear in their entire lifetime. Trekon. I need to do this. They do not need to stand on the Dais like some performance."

"Mageia. You cannot save them all," he said, voice heavy with sorrow.

"What if it was Zane?"

"Don't do that, Geia," he said averting his eyes to his wedding ring.

"I'm sorry, but it's true. You can be Fair one day and Strange the next all because of a stupid prophecy, cruel laws, and the Crown filling their pockets with peeks they surely do not need."

"You sound like your father," Trekon said.

"Then help me. Help them."

The man's wide chest expanded and deflated as he pondered the danger he could put his family in. Mageia hated doing this to him, but what she needed him to do was simple and no one would bat an eye about it.

"Gods help us all. What do you need me to do?"

Mageia's hand trembled around her cup of juice. She was anxious with a teaspoon of doubt threatening to sprout. Who knew the day would end with such a risky mission? The streets would be extra crowded with people and guards beginning their parties early. As she waited for Trekon to return from doing one part of the task she asked of him, she peeked out the bakery's front window curtain to watch a world she had dreamt to be a part of.

Already, the streets were decorated in bright colors and the kingdom's national shades of greens for its abundance of emerald gemstones. Smoke from fooderies puffed high into the sky hoping to lure old and new customers to their doors throughout the night.

The Annual Fair Ceremony always came around the end of spring and lasted two days, starting midnight and ending on the third midnight. Usually, they'd sacrifice six Strange from all crosses of life on the first midnight at the Dais. On the second midnight of the New Moon were the holiest of sacrifices done on the Alter of Hamino's Temple, an outdoor arena for hundreds to gather.

It was custom and partly superstitious to the Fair to commit no offenses on the Sacred Day. Crime, deception, and even disrespect to anyone both Fair and Strange was said to bring a curse upon a person and their entire family. The King himself would pardon people of their debts, petty crimes, and free slaves who'd been working more than twenty or thirty years. The Sacred Day was supposedly a day of kindness in hopes of pleasing the gods until the main sacrifice.

On the Atonement Day, the third day until midnight, no sacrifices were to be made to allow the gods to ponder their prayers and atone them for past crimes and offenses. Sometimes depending on the Crown, the Council, and the Priesthood it could extend until the end of the week. Then when the Horn of Triumph was sounded and smoke in the colors of the realm's precious hearts: emerald, gold, ruby, sapphire, crystal, and silver would arise from the temple's Great Tower then the Ceremony was proclaimed over.

"You should get from that window, Mageia, or you'd be spotted," Lisa said savaging through her new pile of valuables.

Mageia reclosed the curtain and came to sit at the woman's table. For the safety of their guest, they had closed the shop and its windows to Mageia's disapproval. Trekon's family were always so courteous, which she prayed for the gods to bless them abundantly.

"Do you sell well?"

"I do," she said with a wink. Her cheeks were extra perky and blushed from her overall excitement. Lisa had told Mageia once about a past dream of owning her own jewelry shop. Of course, it'd be her own handmade accessories, but thanks to royal taxes and constant needs to visit Checkings her dreams never blossomed into reality.

"I clean them all, refurbish the designs, polish them, and even add trinkets here and there to avoid owners from recognizing their jewelry," she said with a squeal. "I bounce from arena to arena to avoid the same crowds. But overall, I make enough to start a side savings."

"Very good, Lisa."

"I must say. You are a brave girl to do rescues," she said. "I've heard of a few people just like you in Strana who save the unfortunate."

"It's odd how we've never clashed."

"That is so because their territories lie beyond the borders and in the Runes."

Mageia shivered. "You mean the Gravelands?"

"Now, now. Those people living beyond the borders deserve some recognition," she said. "Have you even considered moving your family to Bravelaan?"

"I've thought of it," she said. "It'd be tricky. Most of them have no mark on their necks and they're above the age to have Checking clearance. They would be taken from me and who knows what their fate would be."

"Either way. Think about it. Your family is growing, and the mountains cannot hide them for too long."

A knocking sequence pounded from the door. Trekon was back. Lisa went and opened the door for him. He came in with a smug on his face.

"What's wrong?" she said gut twisting. The day was passing by and the last thing she needed was a setback. "Did you do what I asked?"

"I did, but that fool Junet kept asking questions. I told him I needed the two planks for something I was building. He kept blabbering on about why I would purchase those particular wood slabs and why I couldn't tell him what I was building."

"It's none of his business," Lisa puffed.

"Exactly. I told him I would be back by nightfall to pick them up, so leave them in the usual place in the back alley so no one would steal 'em. My wagon's been borrowed. And gods did he blab on about how I'm never prepared when I pass by for wood. Damn bastard needs to be thankful for the fucking peeks I gave him for the damn fuckin' wood."

"Trekon, now breath sweetheart, you are beginning to curse," Lisa said batting her long eyelashes at him as she returned to her task.

"Sorry, my love," he grunted.

"Did you buy the other stuff on the list and clear the grate?"

"I did. Everything looks the same way it did when you rescued that girl from that abusing slaver in Hiilaan last year. The only thing I worry about are the crowds of people already filling the streets of Midlaan."

"We are trained to walk amongst the shadows," she grinned receiving his bellowing laugh in return. "Thank you, Trek."

He wrapped Mageia in a hug and squeezed her tight. "Just be careful, my girl."

"I will."

A satisfying, warm feeling grew in her gut, erasing the threatening doubt as she made her way home. Once she and the elders regathered to plan their rescue everything should play out well. Ardania was like an old man stuck in his old ways and traditions, never willing to change. If Trekon said things appeared the same from last year, she had no doubt anyone would decide to change it around this holiday. She expected the Taefo to have expanded within the past couple years, but there was one section of the building they always tend to forget.

And it was that section that would be their entry and exit.

She reentered her home by one of their secret entrances and was greeted by children who had wandered too far from the barrier. They said their apologies and promised to never go pass the barrier again and followed her back home. Lisa's advice invaded her thoughts and decided to bring it up to Dean later.

"Geia about time you're back," Dean said.

Instantly, she was met with worried faces of the elders standing in a group around the Pit.

Her gut churned. "What's wrong?" she said searching the fury on Dean's face.

"We have a problem," he said stepping aside to reveal Faebrin.

The boy looked petrified as if he just found out the world was coming to an end within the next hour.

"What is it, Faebrin?"

"They are breaking tradition and claim it's been accepted by the gods."

"What're they breaking?"

Faebrin shifted feet, shoulders tensed. "They've decided to give two children per god."

His words struck her hard as she did the math. "Twelve children!"