“My lady, a message has arrived.”

“From who?”

“Sarvalen.”

“What could he want with me…” She took the letter and began reading. As she did, shock began to reveal itself on her face. In a fluid motion, she put down the letter and rested her head in her hands.

“My lady?”

“It’s… We’re betrayed. No doubt, my masters are tying up loose ends. Send a return message. Tell them to disperse. Be short, but make it clear we’ve been left out to dry. Afterwards, collect the essentials, and make good your own escape.”

“And you my lady?”

“I’ll be okay. Thank you for your service, I hereby consider your debt repaid.”

Suddenly, the doors burst open and a servant came rushing in.

“My lady! There are many armed soldiers approaching the mansion!”

“They’re here. Aeris, bring yourself and the other servants to safety, Farsilden… Leave now.” She paused for a moment. “Before you go… Will you be able to make it out with Ferran?”

“She will bleed to death. This escape will be nothing like the one during the mission. I am sorry my lady, but there is nothing I can do for her.”

Elistin nodded solemnly. “Erase her memories… And get yourself out of here… Good luck.”

“To you as well.”

She returned to her chair and poured herself a cup of tea. The blend tasted unusually sweet. Downstairs, the main doors were knocked down, and the sound of rushing boots drew closer. Another roar, and the door to her chamber was knocked down and soldiers, armed with swords rushed in and levelled their blades at her in perfect unison. Soon their leader appeared in the doorway.

“Lady Raveilin! This is a surprise. Would you care to sit down for some tea?”

“Lady Elistin… By order of Lord Ferresyin, at the pleasure of the emperor, I am here to place you under arrest.”

“It seems the alpha wolves sent the pack bitch to do their dirty work? To think that my sister would stoop to such a level.”

“Quiet! We know you have employed assassins to destabilize the empire with the assassination of Lord Radwind!”

“I did? If I wanted the late Lord Radwind dead, I assure you, that If I even had any assassins, they would have done it in a much less conspicuous manner. Committing a murder in front of a whole party, with a brutish weapon like a crossbow?”

“It makes no difference! Your possessions are hereby claimed by the throne, along with your titles, your land and your servants.”

“I see…”

“Ma’am, we’ve secured a young girl in the basement!”

“Good, bring her out, at least someone will hang after this.”

“Already done ma’am!”

“It is a shame… Little sister… That you have chosen to do this.” Elistin sighed.

“Quiet…Tirina. Listen to me. Surrender, and I can still use our late father’s titles to see you free.”

“So that our mother dearest can use me as a bargaining chip? Marry me off to some household? You found your place little sister. Happiness, a man your age and mind. One that loved you, gave you healthy children. The scars on my body are many, some you can see, others you will never know. And I will never, go back. You have children… Two. Lovely, adorable and obedient… My former husband, made certain… That I will have none. Tell that to mother.”

“Tirina…”

“Leave Avaline… Go… Unless you wish your children to grow up without a mother.”

“What do you mean… Answer me Tirina!”

“Stay, and find out.”

“… E-Everyone! Go! Get out now!!!”

---

He stood among the trees, looking at the house he had spent so many years working in. He thought of the effort, the time and the back-breaking labor to get the place up and running. It had prospered under a wise and gentle hand. The guards left the house, among them, a woman quite alike his mistress. He looked at the small box in his hand, and turned the small, delicate golden handle on its side. He then turned around, and began walking, as the house behind him crumbled in flames.

From under his jacket, he revealed a pigeon, and before he let it fly, he attached a message to its leg.

He then disappeared into the forest.

---

“Shit… Ouch…” His consciousness returning, he found himself in a world of pain. Tightly bound to a bed, his arms and legs firmly secured. He looked around, as his eyes accustomed to see the light of day once more.

“Welcome back… We weren’t sure we’d ever see you wake up again…” A familiar female voice spoke to him from the edge of his bed.

“Please… Carys. Don’t cry, I can’t stand that.”

“Who say’s I’m crying?” The voice close by sobbed.

“I’m fine… Just need to heal up is all… Has anything happened while I was out? Where are we?”

“You’re safe… We were rescued by Elly’s brother… Elly is… Missing. Along with Ferran and Sarvalen. The house has burnt to the ground.”

“That kind of joke isn’t even funny.”

“It’s no joke. It’s true… I’m pleased to see you have survived Rein.”

“Sarvalen… I could recognize your voice in a crowd.”

“I bet you could. For now, you need to rest. That wound of yours will take a good while to heal. I’ve sent for a specialist I know. He should be here within a few days. If you can survive that long, he can fix you without too many complications. Probably.” He nodded to Rein, then turned to Carys with a much graver expression.

“I need you to find Indas and Tilia… I need you to go home and gather up any information you can find. Search the site for evidence. But be -very- careful, and don’t stay too long. I need to get you outside of notice until this whole commotion dies down.”

“Understood… Make sure Rein survives… Or I will kill you.”

“Fair enough. Get going.”

___

Ma’am. We’ve transferred the documents and the girl… Is there anything else you need?”

“Keep the girl alive. Soon as we get back, she’s to be interrogated, and then hanged.”

“Understood!”

The woman nodded and turned to step into the waiting carriage, closing the door behind her.

“Is it done?” The man in the carriage wasted no time asking her the obvious question.

“Yes, my lord… My sister has been successfully dealt with…”

“A regrettable resolution no doubt, seeing as she is not here with you in chains. I believe this display of loyalty to me and my cause, deserves to be rewarded.”

“! You’ll release my children to me!?” The woman’s eyes lit up with joy, but as soon as the words had escaped her, the hope was dashed by a blunt dismissal.

“No. I will let you have the girl, your first-born will stay with me as, my underling. Do not worry, I will treat him fairly… And he will grow to be a valuable servant. And he, will remember the price of failure.”

“Yes, my lord… I am at your disposal…”

“Also… Should, by some mysterious ways, your sister or any witnesses turn out to be not dead… I am afraid your children will have their bloodline severed. Recover your sister’s body, and see to it that no loose ends remain… Or indeed your lineage will be a loose end too.”