What is the value of one's life?

...........................................................................................................................................................

"Lin-Lin?"

Madanrine had lead Maximilian and Lin-Lin to the purple salon, passing before numerous guards, crossing path with several nobles coming and going, and of course, a lot of maids and servants doing their work where it was needed, be it cleaning armours, taking the dust off the tapestries or similar other duties.

Arrived at their destination, Mandarine stepped in first to announced them. Inside the salon was Arima, standing next to a beautiful older woman looking a lot like the Princess and wearing a tiara, patiently waiting for them to enter.

"Your Highness, Sir Maximilian Baltazard Van Nilmerus and Lady Lin-Lin have arrived." politely said the catgirl, bowing to the Queen as she was speaking.

"Thank you, Mandarine."

Gazing at the duo from head to toes, the Queen examined them in an instant.

"So...you're the man I have heard so much about. My daughter told me how you helped her in that dungeon, as Arima's mother, I sincerely thank you and welcome you here. I am Alexandria, Queen of Griffinia, and am pleased to meet you, Sir Nilmerus." said the Queen as she gracefully curtsied, soon imitated by Princess Arima and Mandarine.

Responding by a respectful bow, imitated by Lin-Lin, Maximilian let a pleased smile appeared on his face.

"When Princess Arima promised me I would be welcomed as an honoured guest, I did not think it would be by the Queen herself. It is an honour and truly a pleasure to meet you, your Majesty."

Looking at the Princess, Maximilian bowed once again.

"And it is a pleasure to see you again, Princess."

Arima smiled at Maximilian.

"I'm happy to see you too, Maximilian."

The Queen sent a dark look at her daughter.

"Young lady! This is not the proper way to address our guest."

"But, Mother, Maximilian asked me to call him like that." said the princess, defending herself.

"It's true, your Majesty. You're welcome to address me the same way if you want."

The idea seemed unthinkable for the Queen.

"This would be far too familiar, Sir Nilmerus! A Queen has to respect a certain distance with others, especially men others than the King." quickly explained Alexandria.

"Is that so? Forget it then, I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble."

"No harm is done, Sir Nilmerus...although I don't see why my daughter shouldn't be allowed to call you by your first name if you asked her to do it yourself..." conceded the Queen.

"Thank you, Mother...Maximilian, where is Lin-Lin? Mandarine announced her, but you came in with this Lady..."

Maximilian chuckled has he stepped on the side to let Lin-Lin advance. She bowed to the Princess and the Queen as she began to talk.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, your Highness. I heard you were worried about me, thank you for that."

A silence fell on the room for a bit.

"I'm sorry but...have we met before?" politely asked Arima.

"Lin-Lin, take the ring off."

"Are you sure, Maximilian?"

"We're in a short comity, and only with people I think we can trust..."

"You honour us, Sir Maximilian." said the Queen.

"...It's honest, your Majesty. I trust Princess Arima, and she trust you, it's more than enough for me. Do it, Lin-Lin."

Lin-Lin nodded and took off her gauntlet before taking off her ring of masquerade, quickly retrieving her normal form as the three ladies in the room gasped loudly.

"Lin...Lin?" asked the Princess, clearly not believing what she was seeing.

"It's me, Princess. I just...grew up a bit." explained the beautiful panda girl.

"Grew up a bit? You are almost twice as tall as when we left...what happened to you?!"

Arima was quickly turning around Lin-Lin, observing the new form of the former slave.

"You look so fine! You're so tall and pretty. And this armour on you, is it yours? And the spear, is it also?..."

"Arima, you're being rude..." scolded the Queen. "...although I'm quite curious myself, who is this Lin-Lin my daughter is so interested about?"

"Don't you remember, your Majesty? You personally chose a young pandagirl for your daughter before she went on her quest."

The Queen frowned a bit, searching her memory.

"I do remember a slave beastkin child...but certainly not a young Lady like the one I see before me today."

"If I may, your Majesty..." politely asked Lin-Lin, waiting for a sign from the Queen to continue. "...under the care of Maximilian, I learned a lot and became stronger. It also seems like his influence had some...how to describe it...'interesting' effect on my appearance. But I can assure you the differences in my form did not alter the gratitude I have for you and your Daughter."

While she was talking, she had stepped a bit closer to the Queen who was calmly listening, a kind smile on her face.

"I have been a slave from as long as I can remember, but thanks to you and Princess Arima, I have been able to meet Maximilian who freed me and..."

The Queen quickly made a gesture asking her to stop, what she did in a second.

"He freed you? You mean you aren't a slave anymore?"

A sad smile appeared on Lin-Lin's face.

"I still have the mark on my shoulder, but my heart and mind are free, yes."

The Queen nodded, clearly in accord with what was the pandagirl saying.

"If your heart and spirit are free already, I do believe this thing on your body will quickly be disposed of."

It was Maximilian's turn to smile.

"I understand by your words you're not very fond of slavery?"

"You understood right. You won't see any slaves under my command or working in the castle."

"And still the nobles use them without a hint of shame..."

Alexandria sighed.

"Indeed. It is my biggest defeat as a Queen. I have work for years to make slavery a thing of the past, but none can do..."

This bothered Maximilian a bit.

"But...aren't you the Queen? How can your wish not be granted?"

"I am one of the highest authority in this country, yes, but there are others, I'm afraid, not sharing my ideas."

"The King?" questioned Maximilian.

"No, my husband has...not any real thoughts on the idea...thought, to be honest with you, I don't think a lot of ideas have been his owns these past few months..."

"Forgive my straightforwardness but...is something wrong with the King?"

The Queen kept silent for a bit, thinking.

"I...would prefer to keep this conversation for another time if you allow me, Sir Nilmerus." kindly asked the Queen, although it was clear that she wasn't making a proposition but an imperious statement of what was going to be.

*This woman has a strong spirit...I'm charmed.* said DragnÏr.

*Me too, when I think about a Queen, this is the kind of person I think about...although, something is clearly bothering her about the King.*

*I'm dead, not stupid, I clearly understood that. But there are other matters more important right now.*

*Indeed.*

"I'm sorry if I asked something too personal, your Majesty. We will continue this conversation another time, if you're willing to of course."

"Thank you for your comprehension, Sir Nilmerus. Anyway, as you may be already aware, some of my Daugther's companions have wrongly been accused of treason."

"I heard so. What is your feeling about that?" questioned Maximilian.

"I think they are innocent, of course. Be it my Daughter's Guardians or the soldiers in their group, I trust them. For the Cardinal to make those accusations is incomprehensible...or maybe too simple to understand."

"This Cardinal, is it the same man commanding the Inquisition?"

"You know him?"

"Not personally, no. I have been tricked by one of his Inquisitor but...let's say it has been dealt with already."

The Queen opened her eyes wide as she heard that.

"You don't mean...the demon who attacked the Inquisition..."

Keeping a peaceful state and a kind smile on his face, Maximilian nodded.

"It was me, indeed...although I can assure you I ain't no demon. They had the really bad idea to take Lin-Lin and were torturing her, so I went and saved her. I'll admit some inquisitors, guards and paladins died by my hand, but only those who attacked me, I swear."

Slightly pulling Arima to keep her near her, almost a bit behind her actually, the Queen was dubious.

"The official report says the demon and the succubus with him killed almost everyone, including the young trainees and priests...how do you justify that?"

It was Maximilian's turn to frown.

"I did no such thing. I may have allowed my wrath to guide my actions against those in my way, but no children died by my hand, nor did healers."

"But the report said..."

"Your Majesty...do you really trust what this Cardinal have to say?" questioned Maximilian, already knowing the answer.

"...No, no I don't. This man hides behind his position and uses it to do as he pleases. He will accuse of heresy anyone standing in his way, like he did with my Daughter's Guardians,...with my Son."

"Oh...so that's why your son has been having all this problem? Because some Clerk became obsess with power and has started to accuse of heresy everyone he doesn't like? How in hell does he manage to stay in this position of power if he goes on acting like that?"

"Because he is smart, that's why. Accusations aren't all, you need proof. And proof, he always manages to find some, be it witnesses swearing under the look of the church, forbidden artefacts found in personal belongings of the culprits. He always wins in the end...I'm sorry."

The Queen had stopped talking for a second, taking at tissue to slightly patted her eyes who had become slightly teary.

"You don't have to apologise, your Highness. Facing the accusation of your close ones is something terrible, I'm impressed by how calm you managed to remain in this situation. But don't worry, I am here and I promised Arima I would help if I could."

A big smile appeared on Arima's face as she heard that.

"You see, Mother?! I told you Maximilian would help us."

The Queen smiled at her daughter before looking once again at Maximilian.

"My Daughter trust you...and you haven't tried anything against me even though you are armed and we aren't... I also think you can be trusted."

Maximilian slightly bowed to the Queen once again.

"Your words honour me, your Highness...now if we have to speak openly to each other, I think it is only fair I show you your trust is well placed. Let's begin with the fact I know very well you're far from being without any defence..."

The Queen tensed, so slightly anyone without very well trained eyes wouldn't have been unable to see it.

"I'm sorry to say I have yet to understand what you mean, Sir Nilmerus..."

Calmly, Maximilian pointed at several places in the salon, counting out loud.

"One, two, three, four, five, six...and with Mandarine, this will make seven fighting auras I sense...even if they do a good job hiding it."

The Queen and Mandarine opened their eyes wide while Lin-Lin and Arima were looking around, not really knowing what this was all about.

"There are other peoples in here, Maximilian? I don't see anyone...nor do I sense anyone."

"Beleive me, Lin-Lin, they're here. You don't feel them because they are damn good at what they do. Why don't you call them out, your Majesty?"

The Queen, who had quickly retrieve her composure, did her best to maintain the illusion.

"I...I think you must imagining things, Sir Nilmerus, I can assure you t..."

Raising a hand, Maximilian made her stop.

"You wanna bet I make them all come out in the next ten second?" said the man with a smile.

He put a hand on the pommel of his sword, gripping it like he was gonna pull it out and let a tiny bit of fighting aura out, a drop for him but a murderous aura for the ones around.

In a simple second, vividly coloured shadows moved in the room, surrounding the duo and protecting the Queen and the Princess at the same time.

"Found you..." said Maximilian with a cunning smile.

...........................................................................................................................................................

"Block this corridor and don't let anyone pass before I'm back with someone, Captain."

"Yes, Lady Kitsu!"

Out of the prison, Kitsu had closed the door and warned a troop of soldiers patrolling nearby. As the personal maid of the Queen, she was obeyed by low ranked soldiers and Captains, all knowing the trust their Queen put in the fox lady. She had ordered the guards to not let pass anyone, a precaution needed so no evidence would be taken away.

Walking as fast as possible without alerting the ones around her, she was hurrying back to the purple salon to inform the Queen and the Princess. She had to be discreet, the package in her arms was clearly not a thing to be seen if she didn't want to create a commotion.

* I must hurry before someone entered the cell. If they see what was written on the walls...*

Near the corpses, inscribed in the stones with a blade, a message had been written:

Those who oppress the beasts will soon see their head roll and their heart eaten. No army will protect you, nor will the crown on your head, our ears are long, our claws are sharp and our bestial mouths are thirsty for your blood.

Fear the unholy blood!

...........................................................................................................................................................

Does the value of a man depend on how he is born?

...........................................................................................................................................................

"You are...a wonderfully coloured bunch." honestly said Maximilian as he observed the ones around him.

All wearing a light armour enhanced with chainmail parts, six peoples had come out of the shadow in a speed showing how well-trained they were. The seven, counting Mandarine, were positioned like this: two protecting the Queen and Princess with their bodies and large shield, each having their own. The shields were almond shaped with a cutting blade for edges and were so large they had to be composed of two parts meant to be carried in each hand, two parts currently fused together to form a literal wall protecting the royal family representants. The five others were directly threatening the duo, two archers positioned on both side of the queen and princess, aiming at the duo, a spearman threatening Lin-Lin and, threatening Maximilian, a dual sword wielder and Mandarine equipped with long metallic claws.

Maximilian comment was because of their appearances. All were catkin, five girls and two boys of Mandarine's age and, like the two boys were apparently twins, the five girls were certainly quintupled. The two boys, as well as the five girls, looked exactly the same, if only for a small detail, the colour of their hair, tails and ears!

If Mandarine was a vivid orange, the two boys, the archers, were respectively yellow and indigo. The four girls, apart from Mandarine, had equally unusual colour on them. The spear wielder's colour was red, the two shield wielder were respectively green and violet and finally, the dual sword user was blue.

"Let go of your sword, Sir, there will not be a second asking..." calmly asked Mandarine, the look in all her look-alike clearly showing they were not joking.

*Level twenty-five, all of them, not bad...* comment Maximilian.

*Lin-Lin is stronger, though...*

*Yes, but there are seven of them, and probably used to fight as one, so...*

*Yeah, a fight wouldn't end well for her.* conceded the dragon.

Losing the grip on his sword and calming his aura, Maximilian chuckled.

"I had no intention to attack in the first place. You should have shown yourself when I asked the first time, it would have been less awkward."

"Put your sword down, Sir." continued Mandarine, keeping her calm but authoritarian tone.

"I'm afraid this is something I'm not willing to do, Mandarine. My sword will stay at my side. I suggest you all lower your weapons or we may have a problem."

The coloured bunch assured their position, ready to attack, when the door opened, letting a worried Kitsu entered. The worry on her face was soon replaced by surprise as she saw the scene before her eyes.

"What's happening here?"

Her eyes quickly looked everywhere, stopping on Maximilian. The maid bowed politely as she closed the door behind her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Nilmerus."

"Lady Kitsu, he..." started Mandarine but was stopped midsentence by Kitsu.

"Rainbow guard, lower your weapons and stop threatening our Queen's guest." said the fox lady on a posed tone.

"But..." tried to say Mandarine.

Kitsu looked at the group of catkin, slightly opening her eyes as she did so.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" asked the foxy lady with a little smile that literally sent shivers down the spine of the beastkins. In a second, they were all positioned behind the queen and princess, standing to attention with their weapon at their sides.

"Yes! Captain Kitsu!"

"Very well."

The queen sighed as she saw the situation getting calm again.

"Sir Nilmerus, let me introduce Kitsu, my personal maid, closest friend, and leader of the rainbow guard, my personal bodyguards."

Once again, Kitsu bowed as she came next to the queen, a little smile on her face.

"Her Majesty is far too kind, I am but a humble servant of the crown."

*Oh...this one is level fifty...* thought Maximilian.

*Hero's level...this maid is far more powerful than she look.*

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Kitsu." politely said Maximilian.

Princess Arima, looking with interest at the seven catkins behind her and her mother, was the next one to talk.

"Mandarine? Are they your brothers and sisters?"

Mandarina, quickly checking by a look with Kitsu she was allowed to talk, stepped further, smiling to Arima.

"Indeed, Princess."

"But...why didn't I know about them? I would have been happy to know your family."

"We are the rainbow guard, Princess, this is our vow. And you already saw some of us, you just don't remember..."

In an instant, the seven of them were dressed in maids and butlers clothes, their armours hidden under it.

"We have always been there, in the shadow or right there, but not noticeable."

The princess looked at her mother, not understanding. Seeing that, the queen smiled at her and turned to face the seven catkins.

"Could you introduce yourself to my Daughter? After all, it is probable you will one day be her bodyguards."

"Certainly, your Majesty." said Mandarine as she retrieved her place in the rank.

Like a rainbow, they were positioned by colour, from left to right: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

First, the red-haired girl stepped forward, bowing politely at the princess before talking.

"I am Cerise, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn to shed my blood to protect your Mother, Queen Alexandria, and will be happy to do it for you too one day."

She stepped back and Mandarine stepped forward.

"I am Mandarine, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn to help your Mother, the Queen, even in time of peace, by looking after her family in the castle. I am happy to be able to be by your side, vow or not, Princess, and will be happy to look after your loved ones when time comes."

Next one was the first boy, the yellow one. As expected by his boyish look, his voice was a bit deeper than the catgirls.

"I am Citron, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn to never let the Queen down, may I be ill or sour, no matter the hardship I face, the Queen always comes first, may it be your Mother today or you tomorrow."

Then came the green girl, one of the two shield user.

"I am Menthe, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn to be a wall protecting your Mother's front from any attack and a potion bringer to be sure she never have to fear enemy's poison. I have offered my knowledge of potions and antidotes to your Mother and will be happy to do the same to you one day, Princess."

Next was the blue haired girl, the dual sword at the back of her waist.

"I am Myrtille, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn none would approach your mother without her consent. I am ready to make sword slash rain on those foolish enough to try to approach your Mother and will be glad to maintain the ones not worthy of your proximity away too. "

After her, it was the turn of the second boy, indigo coloured.

"I am Raisin, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn to never let your Mother be attacked by surprise, be it in the cold of the night or the warmth of the day, by a stranger or a close relative. I will, hopefully, be able to watch over you too one day, Princess."

And finally came the other shield handling girl, the violet one.

"I am Framboise, and as part of the rainbow guard I have sworn to protect your Mother's back, be it by being the last rampart staying behind as she is taken in safety or a drop of poison for her to not be caught alive in case the kingdom shall fall. I would be honoured to serve you one day like I have always served your Mother, Princess."

All seven of them put a knee on the ground, bowing slightly to the Queen and Princess, and talked as one.

"We, the rainbow guard, have sworn that our lives belong to her Majesty, and will continue until she considers our duty done."

Their presentation over, the seven of them stood up and waited.

A silence fell in the room for a minute...before a coughing sound broke it. All eyes turned to Maximilian, the one responsible for the sound.

"That was a very interesting presentation but...don't you mind if we continue our conversation, your Majesty? I would like to discuss on how you're going to deal with the situation concerning your son and your Daughter's guardians and soldiers..."

Kitsu let a worry look pass on her face as she heard the guardians being mentioned.

"If I may propose something, your Majesty. Why don't we let your Daughter talk a bit with the member of the rainbow guard? This would allow them to know each other a bit more..."

"Is something wrong, Kitsu?"

Surprising the fox lady, it was the princess who asked that.

"I'm happy to meet Mandarine's family, but I want to hear what we are going to do about Arca, Alariel and the others too."

Maintaining a pokerface as much as she could, Kitsu smiled at her.

"Of course, Princess, it's just that..."

"Something happened to the guardians."

Maximilian had interrupted the maid, realising something was clearly wrong with the way she was acting.

"And if you want the Princess to not hear or see, it means this could be bad."

The expression on the maid's face showed Maximilian was right and that she disapproved his frank talk.

"I...only thought it would be better for us to discuss it without..."

"Without what? What happened to Arca and Alariel, Kitsu?" asked Arima as she got closer, worried.

Kitsu looked at the queen, silently asking what she had to do.

*We're not making progress here...* stated DragnÏr.

*I agree...*

"Kitsu, the Princess has already put her life in her guardian's hands, if something happened to them, she has the right to know. Even if this is hard, it is better for her to learn it now by you than later by others..." said Maximilian.

The queen nodded and Kitsu sighed as she put the package in her hands on the table. Unfolding it, she revealed the green-skinned arm she had found in the prison earlier.

"Your group...I found some of them dead with the guards and gatekeeper in the prison."

Princess Arima put a hand on her mouth, as did the queen. Mandarine was clearly affected too but stayed in the rank next to her sisters and brothers.

"Arca and Alariel...are they...?" painfully asked Arima, tears appearing in her eyes.

The maid shook her head from right to left.

"I didn't find their bodies, Princess. There was a hole in the wall, made by a magic explosion, I think. They could have escaped that way."

Tears dropped from Arima's eyes as she was held by her mother.

"Did you manage to see who was dead, Kitsu?" asked the queen.

"Apart from the soldiers and gatekeeper, some soldiers who were imprisoned with the guardians...I'm afraid Paron has passed away."

Arima was crying now, unable to hold her tears back anymore.

Not wanting to waste a second, Maximilian came near the severed arm, studying it. At the same time, Framboise came near the body part, sniffing it a bit.

"It's been at least a day..." said the catkin.

"How do you know?" asked Maximilian.

"I'm a beastkin, and used to poison and death, Sir Nilmerus. I can understand a human have trouble with this, but us beastkin can smell rotten flesh earlier than you do. I say it's ben at least a day, but the smell indicates it hasn't been much longer either, or it would be perceptible for you too." explained the bodyguard.

Maximilian nodded to thank the girl and looked at the severed arm again.

"...It was cut...where is the prison?"

"I can show you the way if my Queen allows it." said Kitsu as she looked at the queen.

"What are you planning to do, Sir Nilmerus?"

"I don't know yet. I think seeing the place may give me an idea but, right now, I still don't know what I'm going to see."

"I'll let you go as you need in my castle, Sir Nilmerus, please discover the truth behind all this."

Maximilian took the severed arm and put it in the Havenbag.

"Maximilian..." called Arima as he was following Kitsu out of the room with Lin-Lin who had put her ring back on.

"Yes, Princess?"

"Find them, please. Save them and discover who did this to them, and when you do...make them regret it!"

Arima's words were filled with as much hope as sorrow for her guardians and, at the same time, filled with hatred for whoever had hurt them.

"You don't need to say it twice, Princess."

...........................................................................................................................................................

Does the value of a man depend on his race?

...........................................................................................................................................................

"Captain? Why aren't you blocking the access?"

Kitsu was surprised to see the path open for anyone to pass as they arrived.

"I'm sorry, Lady Kitsu, but the King..."

The captain was interrupted by the sounds of several peoples coming back from the prison were making.

A dozen paladins and two mages of the inquisition were escorting the Cardinal, looking very satisfied, and the King himself, a look of pure anger on his face.

"I want the Capital to be searched! Every level!" ordered the king to one of the soldiers following him.

"What if they have fled already, my King?" asked another soldier, some leader commanding the group following the King.

"I took the liberty to ordered the mages to create a magic barrier around the capital, nobody will be able to teleport out of the city." said the cardinal.

"Good idea, I want the Queen and Princesses protected at each moment! Double the guard and be sure nobody strange steps inside the castle!" the king was continuing his angry flow of orders.

*This man, the King, doesn't he look strange to you?* asked Dragnïr.

*He looks ready to explode, but if the scene is that horrible in there, I can understand.*

*No, I mean, the guy himself seems...not really there.* continued DragnÏr.

*I...I don't really know, DragnÏr. I know it should be obvious to me, but something is missing in my examination and I don't really know what it is.*

*It's ideas you lack, Maximilian. Once again, this kind of things should be obvious to you from what I saw in your memory, but it's locked because of me. Maximilian?*

*Yes.*

*This can't go on, find a secured place and get rid of my soul.*

His friend's words surprised Maximilian.

*Why now? Something happened?*

The group passed next to the trio, not paying attention to them, too occupied following the king's orders. Once they had passed, Maximilian heard DragnÏr sighed.

*What just happened is that the King is clearly not himself and you're not even getting the idea to do something about it!*

*What should I do?* asked Maximilian.

*SOMETHING!!! DON'T JUST LET THINGS HAPPEN WITHOUT DOING A THING!* roared his draconic friend in his mind, forcing Maximilian to put a hand on his temple as he hissed.

*Too loud, DragnÏr...but I get it. Let me go see the prison and we will see about that right after, okay?*

*...* Dragnïr didn't answer but Maximilian knew he had perfectly heard him.

"Is something wrong, Maximilian?" asked Lin-Lin, worried by his pained expression.

"Just a slight headache, Lin-Lin, nothing important. Kitsu, show us the way please."

"Follow me."

...........................................................................................................................................................

"Oh goddess..." said Lin-Lin as she put her hand on her mouth.

Maximilian sniffed a bit, the smell more powerful here then it was on the arm alone.

"It's true that the smell is there if you pay attention...is it that strong to you two?"

the two beastkins nodded.

"You really have a better nose than us...I'll try to be quick."

Maximilian quickly read the message on the wall before walking into the room, careful to not step on any body parts.

"The guardians and the rest of Arima's group were here, is that right?"

"Indeed. Arca and Alariel were in separated cells from the others, Alariel was in the last one, specially made for mages."

"Anti-magic?"

Kitsu nodded.

"It's impossible for a mage to use any spell while he is in this kind of cell...so? Do you know what we should do?"

"Hmm..."

Maximilian went back before the message on the wall and read it once again out loud.

"...tell me, Kitsu, Lin-Lin, as beastkins, what do you think of this message?"

"...this isn't right." said Lin-Lin.

"Indeed. If it really was beastkins who would have written this, they certainly wouldn't have called themselves 'unholy blood', we beastkins are proud of our blood, that's a common trait among almost all of us...I can't say for sure about elfs, dwarfs and orcs, but I think it is the same."

"Is that so? What you mean is that message has probably not been written by a non-human at all, is that it?" asked Maximilian.

"That is certainly the case. What I think is that this jailbreak isn't what it appears to be." stated Kitsu.

"I think so too...we need to find the rest of the group as soon as possible."

"How? they're gone and could be anywhere now."

"Didn't you heard the fat man looking like a priest earlier? The mages have blocked all teleportation out of the city. The only place they could have gone is the crystal at the lower level." state Maximilian.

"The fat man...you mean the Cardinal?" asked Kitsu.

Maximilian stopped in his track as he heard Kitsu.

"That man...was the Cardinal?"

"The religious man talking to the King? That's him, yes."

Maximilian stayed silent, breathing in deeply.

*And I didn't even think about it...*

*Irritating, isn't it?* taunted Dragnïr. *Imagine seeing this many times without being able to talk to you and you can guess how I've felt until now.*

*Alright Dragnïr, I've had enough of this situation...are you ready to try now?*

*As ready as I was to die before, but you should find a quite place so you won't be bothered.* suggested the dragon.

*I'm thinking about it...I could go to Harold's house?*

*Out of the city. You would break the magic protection as you go out and that would certainly not be discreet.*

*And that's a problem because...?*

*At this time, who do you think would be blamed for something unusual happening?*

*Arima's group, or the non-human in general?*

*That's what I think too. Another thing is that if you try to go through it with Lin-Lin, she might be hurt as you pass the barrier.*

*What about the castle? I could ask the Queen fo a room...*

*There could be spies going around the place. I know Lin-Lin is there but she's alone, what would happen if you were attacked when you're vulnerable?*

*True, Lin-Lin could be hurt as she try to protect me...what about the golden amazon?*

*The inn...It could work, it's isolated just a bit, not too shady nor too pompous, we shouldn't be bothered for a while if we ask for it.*

*That's decided then!*

"Kitsu, me and Lin-Lin must go for a while."

This surprised the fox lady.

"Already? I thought you were gonna stay a bit...Weren't you coming to help the Princess? She will be sad to see you go so soon."

Maximilian smiled at the maid.

"Do not worry, I'm not going for long, but there is something I must do to be able to truly help Arima. Please tell her I'll be back soon, maybe tomorrow already, as soon as I've found the others. Lin-Lin..."

Maximilian extended his hand to Lin-Lin, waiting for her to grab it. She politely bowed to the fox lady before grabbing Maximilian's hand.

Maximilian took a look at Paron's body on the ground, slightly nodding with respect, then they disappeared.

.........................................................................................................................................................

Some would say the value of a man is decided by what he accomplish.

.........................................................................................................................................................

Once back at the inn, Maximilian and Lin-Lin saluted the innkeeper and is wife as they passed next to them. While they were there, Maximilian asked to not be bothered for the rest of the day beccause they were not planning to go out of their room for a while. Once assured the couple had understood, they went upstairs.

"Maximilian? What are you doing exactly?"

Lin-Lin was looking at Maximilian as he was actively taking things out of the Havenbag. Health potions and mana potions first, potions he gave to Lin-Lin.

"Lin-Lin, there is something I must tell you before I can ask you what I have to ask..."

He then explained her the story with DragnÏr's soul in his head, how it was blocking his mind and what he needed to do. While he was explaining, Maximilian was actively drawing runes around the bed.

"So now I'm going to try to save him by putting as much energy in his heart in one go as I can. The problem is that this will certainly leave me defenceless for a while. What I want you to do is to look after me while I can't do it on my own. Could you do that for me?"

Lin-Lin had listened to him quietly and hadn't talk yet. She kept silent for a moment still, then simply nodded.

"Of course I will! But...why asking me, Maximilian? There certainly are people far more powerful than me at the castle who could do that for you, no?"

Hearing the panda lady's answer made Maximilian smile.

"There are, indeed. But there is no one on this land I trust more than you. It's because you're here with me that I can peacefully concentrate on what I have to do without worrying about being stabbed in the back..."

Coming near her, he affectionately patted the girl's head.

"You, and no one else would do."

You could have sworn the panda girl's fur had turned red because of how much she was blushing.

"I...I'm honoured...what do you want me to do?"

"Watch over me, make sure no one enters this room before I awake. I placed runes on the ground that won't allow the magic wave to be felt out of this room, so normally this should be okay, but who knows... I blocked the window with ice, no one will come through there, and the door is locked, so all should be going smoothly."

"But...isn't what you're going to do dangerous? What should I do if...if something was to happen?"

Maximilian pointed at the potions.

"If you need them, the potions are yours to use. Don't worry about me, I won't die with this, I'll only be unconscious for a while."

Lin-Lin looked unsure but nodded nonetheless.

"I believe you...just...be careful, okay?"

"I will, I promise."

That being said, Maximilian sat on the bed, searching the Havenbag for what Dragnïr had asked of him.

"Got it!" said the man as he took out the bloody dragon's heart, four times the size of a human's.

*It's strange to see it before my eyes...well, your eyes.* said Dragnïr.

*Indeed. It's still warm even after all this time.*

*That's because of the Havenbag, remember?*

*I know, but it's strange nonetheless...Dragnïr?*

*Yes?*

*What if it doesn't work? What if I fail and you...*

*Then I'll simply die like I would have before.*

*Aren't you scared even just a bit?*

*Scared?...not really, after you've lived long enough, you realise death is only another path everyone has to take sooner or later. I'm not scared...but I still have hopes.*

*What kind of hopes?*

*The kind leading me on a new adventure...let's not talk about that. If you have a last question, I suggest you ask it now...just in case.*

Maximilian thought for a bit. There was a lot of things he wanted to ask Dragnïr, so many things a soul as old as him could have told him. But, at the end, what came to his mind was...

*Why the hat collection?*

At first, when he heard nothing but silence coming from Dragnïr, Maximilian thought he might have vexed him, as if his last question was so stupid it was insulting.

Then came a chuckle, quickly becoming a good laugh.

*Why the hat collection? Because I thought it suited me, of course! Sometimes the simplest reason is also the right one.*

Maximilian chuckled too as he started to concentrated his energy.

*Thank you Dragnïr, for everything.*

*You're more than welcome, my friend.*

Around him, Maximilian's aura started to shine a bit. Lin-Lin, observing the scene, stayed silent.

*So much energy...I've never felt something like that....* thought the panda lady.

From his entire body, the aura started to concentrate on Maximilian upper body, then on the way going from his head to the heart between his hands. It was as if his arms and head had become pure gold, his aura solidifying around him.

*Ready?* thought Maximilian as he readied himself.

*As much as I can be!* answered his draconic friend.

And Maximilian let loose. In an instant, nearly all of his mana passed from him to the heart, Dragnïr's soul using the flow of energy to extract itself from his friend's body.

Lin-Lin opened her eyes wide as she saw the shadow of a dragon running along her master's head, arms, hands, to finally entering the piece of flesh that started to shine. The heart shined for a few second, so brightly it was impossible to see what was happening to it.

It lasted a few seconds, then Maximilian fell on the bed, unconscious, with a golden egg as big as was the heart in his hands.

"Maximilian!"

Lin-Lin ran to him, shaking him a bit. Seeing no reaction, she put her head on his chest, listening. She sighed in relief as she heard the regular beat of her master's heart.

*Thank you goddess...he is alive.*

In his fall, Maximilian's hair had become a bit messy. Lin-Lin chuckled a bit as she saw that, then slowly used her hand to comb them back a bit.

*it's strange to see him like that...so vulnerable...*

As she thought that, Maximilian's words came back to her, 'You, and no one else would do'.

With her hand, she slightly caressed her master's cheek, smiling as she looked at him sleep.

"I know I'll never be good enough to be yours...me, a former slave...but..."

She looked around as if fearing someone would see what she was going to do. Assured the two of them were alone, she continued.

"Just this once, even if it's just this once...allow me to steal this from you..."

And as she closed her eyes to burn the feeling in her memory, she put her lips on Maximilian's, taking from him what was her first real kiss.

...........................................................................................................................................................

Others think the value of a man is about what he leaves behind.

.

.

.

That was Paron's way of thinking, of doing things. As he was sitting with his men in the cell, thinking about his life in general.

He was young when he became a soldier, and not that older when he had to go on his first mission out of the capital. It was there that he saw for the first time the horror of a true battle, holding the hand of a comrade taking his last breath, not caring about the pain and fighting, always more, always further, and survive.

Goblins, he would always remember. His first mission had been against goblins. Not the 'kind' ones, only seen as outcasts, but the black ones, corrupted by the chaos and black magic, more beast than the beast themselves. The soldiers of Griffinia had to fight one against three that day, or was it a night?

*Day or night? This old head of mine tends to forget the details...*

The boy who had to go on the mission came back as a man that day, a scared man, a living man.

Years had pass, one after the other, bringing their share of joy and pain, of mission succeeded and failed.

Paron still remembered the day he had been promoted sergeant for his exemplary service, how proud he was to see his work recognised. And the years went by, still bringing their share of pain, of joy, of comrades dying, retiring, finding a wife or a husband, starting a family.

*Familly...why is it only know I'm asking myself why I didn't take the time to start one?*

Paron had known the warmth of a woman more than once, the lower level ladies of the night more than happy to use their talents to help a tired soldier to relieve a bit of stress, but never had he found the right one, with whom he would have created life, a life so tiny and vulnerable he would have no choice but to protect it against the world, then to whom he would have taught how to act, how to fight, how to live.

But still, the time had passed, and with it came and went comrades, friends, missions. Then, one day, he had been introduced to something new.

So young and yet so strong, the pretty face of a girl already used to fight, far too much then it should have been for any lady. An half-human, half-orc, to whom he had to teach the way of doing things as a soldier.

*Kiddo...that's how I used to call her then, Kiddo...*

This short time was fun, but it didn't last long, the half-orc soon becoming stronger than he could handle, and soon becoming his superior, as the law of Griffinia's army required.

Yes, she had come and go at an alarming speed, from new recruit, she had quickly become a captain, his captain.

*Arca...so strong and yet so fragile...*

Even though the semi-orc was stronger than him, he always had a soft spot for her. Not as a woman, she was too young for him, and him too old, but he loved the lady like he would have loved a daughter, a member of his group...his family.

Year after year under her command, new recruits took the places of the older ones, but he stayed, refusing to die or to retired. The army was everything he had, and the group was his family.

That was why being locked behind bars wasn't scaring him, as long as they were all together, the group would survive this.

"Paron, Sir?"

Paron was surprised to be called, not by one of his soldiers but the soldiers supposed to replace the guardians for the night.

"Soldier? Don't tell me you two have come to mock us who are locked here?"

The two soldiers looked at each other before shaking their heads from left to right.

"Not at all, Sir! You may not know us but...we owe you the life of our fathers."

The two explained themselves, how the two were the sons of Paron's old comrades, two of those who had taken the time to start a family. They explained how without Paron, none of their fathers would have been able to come back from one of those deadly missions, and how thanks to him, they had ben able to know their fathers.

The gratitude of the two was almost bringing tears to the old sergeant's eyes.

"I thank you both. You risk a chastisement to make this old soldier feel better, I'm glad to see those two made fine boys." said Paron with a smile.

"This is only the begining, Sir. We're here to tell you you're not alone."

The rest of the group was paying attention now, as were the two guardians.

"The old soldiers know of your situation, you all. All those your group helped get back to their family, fathers, mothers and grown-up children are willing to help. that's why we two worked hard to be placed as the jail keepers."

"I'm afraid to ask but...what are you on about, you two?" asked Paron.

"We're here to set you free, Sir, all of you!"

A whisper of incomprehension mixed with hope ran along the group separated in the different cells.

"Why would you help us, Soldier? This will mark you two as traitors..." stated Arca, not really knowing what to feel about this free help coming from nowhere.

The two looked at each other before using the two key they had to start opening the cells doors.

"We were in the throne room when you were judged, Lady Arca, we know perfectly well the Queen and King aren't responsible for your imprisonment, the Cardinal is. We swore allegiance the the crown, not the church."

"Still...are you willing to throw away your career like that?"

"Better than throwing away our honour!" said the two as one.

"We believe in the crown. A day will soon come when the Cardinal will finally be taken care of, and when this day comes, we will be able to face the Queen and King with all of you, as comrades."

One of the two unlocked the commune cell where Paron and his part of the group were locked, while the other opened Arca's cell before hitting his chest as a salute.

"We are all soldier of their Majesties, human or not."

Arca came before the soldier and put a hand on his shoulder, nodding.

"Thank you."

Just as the soldier nodded with a smiled, his eyes opened wide as a whistling echoed in the jail and a bolt pierced his neck.

He gargled a bit and fell in Arca's arms, quickly losing his blood.

"NO!!!" shouted Arca as she tried to stop the blood, but wasn't able to..

"Bullseye! And one traitor is down! Only a couples left..."

Looking up, Arca threw a murderous stare at ratman as the Inquisitor in training threw the crossbow back to his owner.

"I knew it was a good idea to rush here after I was sent out of the interrogation room. I knew that this beast arriving in town would lead to trouble from you all..."

With ratman, four guards of the Inquisition and two paladins had come, the two towering figures at the rat's sides, one of them throwing the dead body of the gate keeper he had pierce with his sword on the side.

*Paladins...and I don't even have my sword!* thought Arca.

Her attention was taken away by a gurgling sound coming from the soldier in her arms. Looking at him, she saw the man handing her a magic wand with a trembling hand.

"E...elf..." painfully said the soldier.

Arca took the wand.

"A magic wand...for Alariel?"

The soldier slightly nodded and used his last force to hit his chest one last time before he passed away.

Throwing the cell's key and the wand to the nearest soldier, Arca stood up and took the dead soldier's sword, facing Ratman's group blocking the exit.

"Set Alariel free, now!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The soldier ran to set her friend free as she faced the group, closing her eyes for a second. She started to breathe loudly as Ratman was taunting her.

"And what are you going to do, semi-orc? We have Paladins with us and more than enough weapon to take care of you all!"

Ratman shut up us he saw Arca starting to grow taller and larger, her murderous stare directed at him.

"This...THIS IS NOTHING BUT A BEAST!!! KILL IT!!!"

Arca roared as she dashed at the group. The two paladins blocked the path with their shield, sure of themselves, they were nearly chuckling. But, as the semi-orc slammed into them and projected them back, they weren't so sure of themselves anymore.

The two paladins crushed a guard each, killing them as they were thrown back.

Not losing time, Arca used the surprise among the two other guards to literally tore them apart, killing them all without receiving too many damages.

*And now the rat...*

"Arca, I'm free, let's escape!" shouted Alariel from behind her.

Turning to answer her, Arca saw her friend equipped with the wand facing the back wall of the jail as she was preparing her spell.

"GO!! I'LL MAKE SURE THEY C...!!!"

Before she had time to react, she heard and felt the slash. How could have she been so careless? Of course, this simple hit couldn't stop the paladins, not both. One was still down, but the other one had stood up and, in a single slash, had cut the semi- orc's arm at her shoulder level, missing her head only by chance.

Arca screamed in pain as she fell to her knees, quickly retrieving her normal size as her hand came to try and stop the flow of blood coming fro her serious injury.

Ratman laughed loudly as he came out from where he had hide when he had seen her changing.

"KEKEKEKEKE, Yes! What a marvellous sight! A dying beast on her knees, traitors going to be executed...WHAT A PLEASING SIGHT!!!"

His last words were shouted as he kicked down Arca, stepping on her injury with a pleased smile on his face.

"And you, beast, will only be the first of your group to die. I'll make sure no one remember your freaking name!!!"

Once again, he stepped on the injury, Arca screaming in agony as she futilely tried to escape, but the several days in jail and serious injury had made her to weak.

Ratman took his sword and lift it up.

"AND NOW, RECEIVE THE BLADE OF JUDGEMENT, BEAST!!!"

The sword went down...but was blocked at the last moment.

"Don't touch my Captain, Rat!" said Paron as he used the sword Arca had dropped down to parry Ratman's attack, making the rat step back. Lifting up the sword, Paron shouted.

"FOR GRIFFINIA!!! FOR THE CROWN AND GRIFFINIA!!!"

While two soldiers lifted Arca up and helped her get to the back of the room, four other soldiers, the oldest ones of the group with Paron plus the other jail guardian, dashed against the paladin, making him fall.

Using their strength to pushed the armoured tall man on the ground, the four soldiers gave time to the other two and Arca to get near the rest of the group.

"Paron...everyone..." feebly said Arca.

"DON'T WAYT FOR US!!!GO!!!" shouted the sergeant, echoed in his choice by the other fours using all the strength they could mastered to keep the paladin down.

"YOU WON'T GO ANYWHERE!!!" shrieked the rat, only to receive a punch from Paron, a punch who would certainly have killed the rat if the old man have had his armoured gauntlets on. Here, it only broke two teeth.

"This one I wanted to give you for a long time!" said the soldier as he charged once again at the rat, not leaving him a second of rest.

Using a powerful push of magic, Alariel managed to create an opening in the wall.

"Lady Alariel, we can't go out that way, it's far too high!" said one of the escaping soldiers.

"I know, soldier. I'm going to teleport us all."

"As all? But, we're too many!"

"Not anymore, and they know it." said Alariel as she pointed at the fighting soldiers.

"Sir Paron is...?"

"He is giving us the time we need, don't waste this chance!"

"Paron..." weakly said Arca, looking up to see the old soldier fight.

"DO YOU HEAR ME, ARCA!?" shouted Paron as he received a cut on his chest but counter-attacked with a kick in the rat's chest, pushing him back.

"...Paron..."

The second paladin was standing up, shaking his head a bit, while the other one was still being pushed down by the four others. They soon realised they wouldn't be able to hold on much longer and ran to pick up the weapons dropped by the guards, positioning themselves to fight two against one versus the paladins, even if they were well aware they didn't stand a chance.

"DO YOU STILL REMEMBER THE DAY WE MET?! I DO!"

Ordered by Alariel, all the escaping soldiers started to hold each other.

"THAT DAY, YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD NO FAMILLY, NO BLOOD TO FIGHT FOR, THAT'S WHY YOU COULD BE STRONG! BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD CARE IF YOU DIED! BECAUSE YOU COULD DASH AT DANGER WITHOUT ANYONE CARING FOR YOU!"

The paladins were quickly winning against the four soldiers, using their full armoured body and long swords to decimate them.

"THIS IS MY LAST ORDER AS YOUR FORMER SUPERIOR, KIDDO, LOOK AROUND YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

The last soldier fighting the paladin dead, they stopped Paron as he was about to finished Ratman, his face bloody and all beaten up.

His arms caught on both side by the armoured gauntlets of the paladins, Paron was still holding his sword, not letting go. Even when the grip on his arm broke it, his sword was still in his hand.

The old soldier breathed in as Alariel was starting to cast the teleportation spell.

"WE ARE A FAMILLY!!!"

And the guardians escaped with the remaining soldiers, a mere dozen of what used to be Arima's group.

Ratman stood up and tried to wipe away te blood on his face, failing miserably. He came near Paron, now unable to fight nor hurt him.

"Finally, you won't be a problem anymore..."

Ratman received a spit right between the eyes. Paron chuckling.

"Sorry, I thought this would embellish you a bit..."

Ratman shouted in rage as he tried to take the sword from Paron. But, even with his broken arm, even after the days famished in jail, the old soldier still held on the sword strongly enough, forbidding the rat from taking it.

"Look at you, rat, you can wear a different armour, use different weapons, it doesn't change a thing in the end. You were and are still a rat."

"And you..."

Ratman used his sword to pierce Paron's chest, the blade getting covered by the brave man's blood.

"...are a pathetic man, wasting your life for a non-human, serving a weak crown. Rest assured that they will soon join you in hell!"

Shadowed by his upcoming death, Paron's eyes still looked straight in Ratman's.

"I die happy...I leave...hope...behind."

Paron fell down as Ratman pulled out his sword, the paladins letting go of the body.

"You two! His holiness was clear, don't leave a trace of the Inquisition here, I have a message to write..."

...........................................................................................................................................................

"AAARG!!!"

Arca bit the piece of wood given to her, Alariel using fire to burn her injury.

"I know it hurts, Arca, but I must do this or the blood won't stop!"

After a while, too tired or knocked out by the pain, Arca fell unconscious on the bed.

Around her, the escaped soldiers were looking at the injured guardian, helping Alariel by holding down the strong semi-orc.

"How is she, Lady Alariel?" asked one of the women soldier of the group.

"She's feeble, but she should survive...for now at least. Thank you for your help."

Alariel's last sentence was for a tall and strong woman with golden hair currently bringing a wet clothes to put on Arca's forehead, her injury had given her a slight fever.

"Don't mention it. When honey told me some of his old friends from the army needed help, I couldn't refuse. Imagine my surprise when you, some friends of Kitsu, were the ones in need. Thanks to the old soldiers, we've been able to lead you here without anyone following us. I'm sorry I cannot give you a bigger room, but at least you'll be safe here, hidden for as long as needed. We are just under the kitchen, the place is warm and no one will hear you."

A man's voice called after her.

"Sweetheart? Can you come with Litel and K'yrch for a while?"

The woman sighed with a smile.

"It seems like my dear husband needs my opinion on someone. Stay here, rest, I'll bring you something to eat and drink later."

The tall woman went up and closed the door leading upstairs behind her.

The room stayed silent for a while, the soldiers too tired to really say anything.

All wanted to say something about their lost comrades, about the ones left behind to save them, about Paron, but no one really knew what to say.

Then, without anyone really knowing who had started it, a song began to be sung among them. It wasn't sung perfectly, nor was it grand music, but it was what they all were used to hear Paron sing when they lost a fellow soldier of the group, a member of their family.

Brave soldier, serving under the crown

on battlefields and on the wall.

Always you stay, the night, the day,

true to your words, on the right way.

Your duty is done, you fought for your King,

you may close your eyes, peace it will bring.

Now you may rest, there's no more quest

that right you have won, for the crown.