Brick tongued loosened as it often did when it was heavily libated in the presence of company. He found himself pouring out to Seth.

"It's not the same between us anymore, nothing is. It's like I'm boiling beneath the surface, ready to burst out. I find fault with nearly everything that comes out of her mouth," Brick swallowed another swig. "She's always whining about how unfair everything is. She has no idea what it's really like to fight for every inch you get. When I finally called her out, I knew it'd been coming for a month now."

"You told me that you guys were perfect, getting along," Seth raised a bow. He'd barely touched his goblet of wine. "Was everything you told me that night a lie?"

Brick set his bottle down."Not entirely. The parts about me being angry with Ellie is all true. The mission changed me."

"As it did I."

Brick paused, waiting for him to speak further, but he never did. It was obvious from a simple look at him. Seth had changed too. The Seth he knew barely kept secrets, especially those that burdened him. Brick supposed he was not the same either. He drank more now and barely slept.

"I thought the runes would give me a clean slate. A chance to reset," Brick leaned back into a fine leather chair. They sat in of his favorite private booths at the Golden Rattlesnake, one of the many underground courtier services in the City. Candles burned instead of Orb light, Satins draped around them, and the air was thick with incense.

One and a half months in the upper Ring, and Brick had already turned the city over on its belly and bled it for every bit of nightside attraction it had. For a city so religious, it certainly had dark appetites.

"Everything disappoints after a while, Seth. This city, Bloodwine, the runes we gave our lives for...even Sera."

"And Ellie," Seth said, taking a long sip from his goblet. "No one thing is perfect, Brick. Even the gods disappoint." Seth looked stared deep into his cup. " But, I've learned to take the bad with the good. Everything might be shitty now, but things are generally less troublesome than they were. At least we're not bunking on cots."

Brick was almost certain he misheard Seth. Everything but one phrase escaped his ear. "Never thought I'd hear you defend them," he scoffed. "Not after what they did to you."

Seth folded both arms, "Who is them? As far as I know, his holiness, Uvu, fucked me over. I count one."

Brick's eyes grew wide for a moment as he caught himself. He was doing it again. He swiped his cup and brought it to his lips. "I suppose you're right. The gods really bogged things up," he breathed with a heavy sigh. "It is certainly easier to blame someone... closer."

A heartbeat later, A scantily dressed lady bearing another cask of wine and a bowl of grapes strolled over. She set down the platter, leaning more to Seth than himself, and whispered, "is there anything else you'd require?"

"Nothing that you can provide, honey," Brick said, drawing her attention. He passed her a gold coin, which she promptly slipped into her dress.

"If not me, then perhaps your friend or another girl," she said in her sickly sweet voice and trialed her hand on Seth's shoulders. He seemed to come alive under her touch, and a small smile tugged at the edge of Brick's lips. Her expensive oils and perfumes hung in the air. He was tempted to take her up on her offer, but he was light on coin after leaving the Seno estate, and he'd never seen her before. He couldn't tell if she was any good.

"We're fine."

She frowned a little as she swayed away, and Seth tried to hide his displeasure under the new stoic facade he'd adopted, but there was a longing in his eyes Brick recognized.

Brick's face broadened into a lopsided grin. "The Middle Ring girls are better and cheaper. With a gold coin, we could feast properly. I know it's been quite some time."

"What!...No." Seth coughed. "I have been terribly busy, as you've been also. It's not exactly the first thing on my mind."

"Of course, of course," Brick nodded slowly in understanding, the smile never leaving his lips. "Duties and such, but since I'm offering, and I have you for the night, what say we take a little stroll down to the Middle ring."

Brick wagged his brows, and Seth gave in with a begrudging nod. Brick clapped him on the back in a roaring laugh, and like a tempest, he swept Seth out of the Rattlesnake before he had a chance to reconsider.

Brick slowed down when they came to the main gates. The city guards patrolled them. They were draped in scale runic armor with large central plates to hold the Runescriving and Brick knew first hand that each man was proficient in at least three weapons. They cared very little whether you were a Lord, Arch knight, or Priest. You obeyed their orders and answered their questions or they stuffed you into the brig and left to deal with the Imperial guards. Only the finest knights ever made city guards, at least those that were stationed in the upper ring.

"Evening gentlemen," Brick tipped an imaginary hat to the 7 or so men on duty. The Gates towered over them, wrought from a shimmering metal--Orachulum or something just as fancy-- not that he could tell the difference.

"Is that you, Brick?" he heard a hoarse voice call from behind two stockier men at the back of the gate, and his face turned white. The two largest guards standing at the gate made way for him despite the man being several heads shorter and several decades older. His head was balding, dark rings hovered around his black, unforgiving eyes, and he carried himself with the poise of a man 50 years younger.

"The boys told me but I didn't quite believe it. I was so sure the Borderlands would take you. The soft boy you were."

"Captain Grundy," Brick breathed. He knew he'd run into the old bastard eventually, but he certainly hoped he had more time. "It's good to see you."

The Old man snorted. "Wish I could say the same for you. You caused more trouble than any scraper I've had the displeasure of chasing, and now that you're back in the city, you think I can't touch you?" His voice sounded like glass on dry wood.

"With all due respect, captain, all that is in the past," Brick said, forcing back some timber into his voice. Grundy was the nightmare monster that Lower Ring runts dreamt of at night. Grundy was meaner than any vampire, but he was fair. You could steal, kill, and fight all you want as long as it doesn't affect Middle or Upper Ring interests. When you crossed that line, you dealt with Grundy, and Grundy took no prisoners.

Grundy's inky eyes fixed on him, and he spoke in his croaky voice. "You think just because you've been to the front, you're some hero?" You're a thief, and you'll always be one, and on that day you mess up in my city, I'll be there to chew you out, and take your head."

Brick's body shivered despite himself. One word from his childhood bogeyman was enough to put him on edge.

"With the utmost respect captain, We are knights of Brightmont," Seth said, stepping forward. "Brick and every knight in my year earned our spots and Divine runes. We've earned our place, and some measure of respect."

Grundy's wrinkly brow peaked as if he'd heard something humorous. "Seth Ryall, is it? You speak of honor and respect like we don't know what you are? A cutthroat who's pissed off half of the merchant families from here to Montoro. The gods did well by making you a half knight."

Seth looked like he'd taken a kick to the gut, and glared at the man. His jaw worked so loud Brick could hear it. Grundy folded his arm as if he waiting, and the other 7 guards behind him didn't look the least bit worried.

Brick had only heard rumors of Grundy's advancement or Runes, but it was as if no one knew how powerful he really was. He'd been a knight for longer than most could remember. Arch or Grand knight, they would die if they challenged him.

"We'll be on our way, Captain. We have a full night ahead of us," Brick said, resting his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Do you?" Grundy looked back at him.

"The Upper Ring is amazing but there are certain things you can only find down below, you know?"

"No, No, I do not," Grundy fixed him with a withering stare. "Let them through." The two largest men stood at opposite ends of the gate, flared their earth reinforcement runes, and pulled hard on two levers thick as their midsection. With a long scrape and a climbing clang, the iron teeth of the gates ripped from the stone floors and disappeared into the walls above them.

"Be back before midnight or you're sleeping below," Grundy grunted at them as they passed the gates.

--

The Middle Ring was like another city. The gold and opulence that gave Brightmont its name seemed to stop at the Gates. Marble towers were replaced with terraced two-story stone buildings with chimneys wafting with smoke. Orb light lamplight was replaced by fire lamps, and the people wore cotton and khakis instead of silk. Again, they stood out from the crowd, strangers in places that felt closer to their homes than the gilded apartments they lived at in the city above.

Brick navigated the crowd with unnatural ease, winking at people, taking the handing of certain lots, and embracing strange women.

"I thought you said you grew up in the Lower Ring?" Seth asked.

"I did, but I came up city whenever I could. Snuck in with traveling merchants and mercenaries, but most of the people I know, I just met them this past month. Fine clothes, a bit of gold, and a broad smile can make you anybody's friend."

Brick had always had a natural charm with people. Even at the camp, he knew everybody-- well, everybody except the nobles. They never quite seemed able to get along.

Brick stepped into an ally and followed a series of winding passages and stairs until he came to an Inn. Its walls were wood, instead of stone, the entire structure leaned to the side, and the sign was barely hanging on by a rusted chain. It read: The Winding Fox.

"Are you sure this is the place?"

"Of course!' Brick declared, "don't you trust me?"

Seth did not respond, and Brick shoved in the door to the establishment anyways. The inn stilled as they walked in. Brick had his chin held high like he owned the place, and the guest's eyes followed him, glaring murder. Seth followed with an apologetic look.

To his surprise, the inside was nothing like the outside. Waitresses, courtesans, and their guests sat on hand-crafted wood furniture, an extensive bar stood behind the two attending barkeeps who wiped down tables as they approached.

"Jon! It's good to see you. It's been a while."

"You were here last week," Jon said. "It hasn't been that long." He was the older of the two barkeeps. His eyes were sharp, his head bald, and he had a well-oiled, thick mustache.

"Last time you were in you pissed off everybody and ran off with one of my girls. I'd be lying If I said it was great to see you."

Brick chortled, and Seth watched awkwardly. "Jon, Jon. That is what I love about you. Always to the point and direct. I only took Angie because she said she was miserable here. I did the girl a favor, and as I remember, you were well compensated."

Jon grunted and said, "Don't make what you did right, though."

"That I do not argue, but I promise for this night alone, I won't be staying on the ground floor." He flashed a piece of gold and rolled it over to Jon. Jon managed to disappear the piece without quite never stopping polishing his glass. He raised his glass to the orb light, and he saw no blemishes. His eyes touched Seth for a moment before he gestured to a dark-skinned woman sitting in a flowing purple dress with silt that rode up high onto her thigh. A feathery fan swept low, suddenly blocking Seth's view, and he looked up to see the woman staring at him, with a vicious smile. Brick whistled and Seth felt a sudden surge of heat overcome him.

"Maya's new and she'll show you, gentlemen, up," Jon said. "The girls will join you shortly, along with everything else."

Maya eased up from her seat in the corner with slow, articulate movements, her fan casually resting on her shoulder, and came to the stop at the bottom of a winding stair case with a rail as dark as night.

"Come on, boys," she inclined with a finger.

Maya led them through to the second floor of the Inn, which was even more luxurious than the first, and left each man at the door to a suite.

"Remember to pace yourself," Brick yelled over as he walked into his room and Seth rolled his eyes.

His room was dark, with a large bed at the center of it, an ottoman bolted to the floor, and several low burning lamps in the corner. Magic was not abundant here.

Seth sat at the edge of the bed for all five minutes before he considered leaving. Brick had been right, and he'd gone too long without sex, but should his first choice be a random woman he'd never met?

Worst still, what if he woke up from his dream and went scribbling again, in a random room in the Middle Ring. The mystery of his ripped clothes and sleep scrawling had yet to be solved, and what of this new blood spell? How did that work? What were the limits, triggers?

One scandalous night of fun might just undo one month of hard work. It was entirely too early to be making mistakes.

"It's a stupid risk, and I should know better," Seth said out loud to himself. Perhaps if it was loud enough, he'd convinced himself it was really about being safe. He was mid-wording his apology to Brick when the door swung open and Maya walked in.

One look at her, and he reconsidered. He had plenty of time before midnight. If he was quick enough, he could make it back to his quarters before midnight, with plenty of time to sleep, meditate, and spar the next morning.

"Going somewhere?" she asked. Her voice was syrupy thick and scintillating. Each syllable filled his mind with such dirty, dirty thoughts.

"I was expecting one of the other girls?" Seth said, trying to wrestle back some control.

"Am I not enough?" she gestured to her low-cut dress and took slow steps forward. The tips of her fingers played on the folds of his robes, right where the scars on his chest sat, and he drew back.

"Jon didn't tell me Magic knights were so choosy," she said with a pout.

She reached out again, but Seth pulled further away. Something about her struck him as odd.

She was too perfect, too interested, and it set off all the warning bells in his head. Her body, her voice, the dress; they felt unreal. Seth felt his blood roil and blood mana shoot through him. And for the first time in his life, he was struck by hunger so deep, his knees nearly buckled. His pupils shrunk, and he could feel his mouth water. "I think I should head home," Seth grunted, grabbing the side of his head. "I've had a bit too much to drink."

Seth waded for the door, but Maya stood in front of him, her eyes narrowed, lips curled seductively. She seemed perfectly in control. "I bet you're just dying to rip into me, aren't you?"

Seth's head was pounding, and he grunted, "Move!"

She obliged, a smile still on her face. Seth jerked the door open and ripped it off its hinges, and she smiled at him as he trudged out, "I'll be seeing you around."

Seth stumbled out of his room and slammed hard into the wall. He'd tried to stop, but everything screamed at him. Each second seemed to drag on for five and an indescribable pang of hunger scrambled every sense. Brick bolted out of his room a second later, half-naked with his runes flaring, but Seth was too numb to answer any of the questions he threw. He tried to muscle ahead instead and slipped on the first step down. He tumbled down the stairwell, and everything faded to black.

--

"What the hell did your girls do!" Brick yelled at Jon, bristling. The runes under his shirt flickered with a dangerous light.

"Nothing, I swear it. Maya barely touched him! What do I have to gain by screwing over a potential customer?"

Brick's eyes still fixed on Jon. He did not believe the man for a second. After delivering Seth back to the healing room the Tower, he'd rushed back down here, and he was ready to burn the place down for answers.

"I respect what you have her Jon. You're an honest man trying to make a name for yourself in this rotten city, but I'll burn you down if you don't give me answers. A word to Grundy, and he'll shut this place down."

Jon's gulped.

"Did anybody come in after us, or ask about either of us?" It could be one of the old enemies Grundy mentioned. Like Brick, Seth had a bloodier past than most. It wouldn't surprise him if it was an old Rival in town to settle a score.

"About a dozen people came in after you went upstairs, but I swear it to you, none of them had anything to do with this. They never even left the ground floor. Everyone was out of there faster than you could blink after he came down the stairs."

Jon place was deserted now and he gabbled like a man desperate, but Brick had seen better liars.

"Give me the girl's address. If you can't help me, I'd like a word with her instead."

"Maya?" Jon's face turned dark, and Brick's hand came down on the polished bar.

"Who else could I possibly be talking about!." Brick was at his wit's end with Jon. He'd brought his friend down to the Middle Ring for fun, in hopes to reconnect, and someone had tried to hurt him, under his nose, under his protection.

It sparked a heat in him that threatened to pour out and devour Jon, and the rest of his business, but Brick took a hold of it as he always did. He pulled back the anger and flashed him a smile instead. It came out ugly.

"I won't harm her, or you Jon. I am many things, but I am not a monster. Give me her address. I need to ask her some questions."

"I'm... not sure I can do that, Brick," Jon said. "I promised my girls I would protect them, and this is not the first time a rich noble strut down here after closing time demanding I give them up."

Brick let the comment about being a noble slide. He was nothing like those greedy bastards who had everything handed to them but still wanted more. What did they know of...struggle.

"It's her or you, Jon," Brick said. "Somebody has to answer to the General when he demands why one of his knights was hurt. Would you rather it be you, or the girl that might have poisoned one of the three famous heroes of Blackfire?"

Jon's fingers were slow and nervous as he scratched down the address on a piece of parchment that lied around. He looked away as he slid the address forward.

"Lower Ring?"

"She has family there."

"I'll be back Jon if you had anything to do with this," Brick pushed off the table and stepped over two burly men.

They were supposed to be Jon's security, but they'd barely slowed him down. He swiped a stray bottle of wine on a table by the window and tucked it in his coat as he stepped out. It was going to be a long night, and he needed all the help he could get.

A chill swept through the dull passage he stood in. His coat had protected him from most of it, but it cut him deep enough he thought about settling for the night. He was sure he'd regret going back to the Lower Ring, but he had to get to the bottom of it.

A carriage took him up to the wall. It was just as high as the Upper Ring's, but with runescrived trebuchets and catapults instead of Magic Cannons. The guards let him through after one look.

One step in, and he could smell it. Woodfire smoke, roasting meat, baking bread, cold sweat, and a mix of other unpleasant smells. Only a modest pinch of it had drifted up to his nose, and he nearly gagged. He'd missed the smell the least.