“Look at them go. I’ve never seen the Bastion Knights out in such force.” Sister Haze said with a glance at Amon.

Amon and the kids alongside some of the sisters were outside watching the knights as they made their way through Blackstreet in uniform seemingly on a mission. Amon was in a good mood having a good idea of what that mission was.

It’s only been a day, but Sir Orabas must have gotten what he wanted from his captive. A host of knights left the city earlier, so he must have decided to strike at House Owlkings Manor as well.

“Wow! I’ve never seen them this close before,” Caim said in awe.

“What’s so impressive about them? They don’t different from everybody else.” Amy said impatiently.

Amy had wanted to go to the toy room to start training and fighting immediately. She didn’t seem to understand why all the kids and sisters wanted to see the knights up close when they had the chance.

“The Bastion Knights are considered some of the best warriors in the Weyer Kingdom, Amy. I think that’s more than reason enough to find them impressive.” Amon chided.

Though he never joined their ranks, Amon worked alongside them many times and was always impressed by their strength and discipline. They didn’t have many blessed in their ranks as most nobles with blessings chose to remain with their house, and the lowborn with blessings found that serving a noble house was more lucrative and comfortable than a life as a Bastion Knight. For that reason, the Bastion Knights made up for their lack of blessed with a rigorous training course that culled the physically and mentally weak, leaving only the most dogged and strongest. By the end of their training course, the recruits came out fine warriors and knew how to work well together because they often worked in units of five or more.

“Really!” Amy said, now with some awe of her own. “Does that mean that I should be one if I want to fight them!”

Caim and Amon shared a look and both held back laughter. Though there were a few females among their ranks, Amon couldn’t imagine Amy had the discipline for it, though she was dogged. “No, I don’t think you should join the Bastion Knights, Amy, and you don’t need to be one if you want to get into more fights.”

You’ll have as many fights as you want, staying with me.

“How will I fight them then?” She asked with innocent confusion.

Sister Haze chose that moment to interject. “Bastion Knights are the defenders of the Weyer Kingdom and its citizens, so you’d have to threaten one or the other if you want to fight them. But you don’t want to do anything to harm this Kingdom or its citizens do you, Amy?”

Amon admired Sister Haze’s attempts to reign in Amy, but he believed that the only way to bring someone like her to heel was with an iron fist.

Amy seemed to be thinking intently about what she was just told “I don’t think so.” She said unsure.

Amon coughed trying but failing to hide his laugh. Caim didn’t seem to share his amusement, he was watching Amy as one watched a wild beast.

Sister Haze sighed and ruffled Amy’s hair. “You know what. I’ll talk with the other sisters and convince them to let you share Amon and Caim’s room.”

“Really!”

“Sister Haze!”

While Amy was excited Caim seemed scared of the prospect. Amon was more annoyed that Sister Haze decided something like that on her own. Sister Haze hadn’t brought it up since Amy told her about it, so he assumed she had brushed off Amy’s request, and he would have preferred it that way.

“Thank you for informing us ahead of time, Sister Haze,” Amon said irritated.

“You three kids spend most of your time together anyway, I don’t see how this changes anything.”

Well, Caim and Amy don’t seem to have any feelings for the opposite sex… yet, but I don’t think Caim will be falling for Amy, and unless something changes I don’t see Amy taking any interest in boys or girls for that matter.

Amon placed a comforting hand on the despondent Caim’s shoulder, and a firm hand on the excited Amy’s shoulder. “Caim, Amy you two go on ahead to the toy room. I may not be able to join you today.”

“Again?” Amy pouted. “You haven’t been joining us for days.”

“Please come with us, Amon.” Caim pleaded.

It seemed Caim couldn’t handle Amy on his own anymore. Amon felt sorry for him, but it would be beneficial for both of them to train without him around to guide their every move.

“Go on kids. I need Amon’s help with something.” Sister Haze said dismissing them.

Sister Haze was the one who provided Amon a reason to leave the orphanage, telling the other sisters that he was helping her when she went out. Caim and Amy frowned in disappointment, but they left with the other kids and sisters who were going back inside now that the knights passed had left their line of sight.

Only Amon and Sister Haze remained as they approached the orphanage's gate. “Are the Bastion Knights out here because of Solas?” Sister Haze asked.

Amon nodded. “I think so. I told you that they took a prisoner yesterday, they must have gotten all the information they needed to move on him.”

Sister Haze opened the gate. “I’m impressed. I didn’t think things would play out as you said they would. If Solas and the people involved in the drug trade are being taken care of, then why do you want to go out?”

They stepped outside, and Sister Haze closed the gate. Sister Minerva was close by and would lock the gate from the inside. Amon grabbed Sister Haze’s hand and they began walking.

“There are still some things I need to do, and besides, it gives me an excuse to spend some time alone with you, Sister Haze.” He flattered.

She snorted, but Amon thought she was pleased by the flattery by the way her lips curled up as she tried not to grin. “Don’t think you can sweet-talk your way out of telling me what you’re planning. I’m responsible for your well-being. If you’re going to do something dangerous I’ll have to stop you.”

“Nothing dangerous I promise. I’m just going to meet with Jace again.” Amon wasn’t lying though he omitted that he was also meeting Ariadne.

She studied Amon for a moment with narrowed eyes, but she conceded. “Seems like you’re not lying. When can I expect you back?”

“I won’t take long. I’ll join you again in the Freemarket.”

Sister Haze chuckled and tightened her grip on Amon’s hand. “You say that, yet you haven’t made it on time once. I won’t hold my breath this time either.”

Amon flinched. He thought she’d forgiven him since she never got angry or upset. “I’m not expecting any delays today, Sister Haze.”

She looked down at him with doubt and amusement in her violent eyes and didn’t respond. When they made it out of Blackstreet and arrived at the Craftsman District. Sister Haze let go of his hand and ruffled his hair.

“Be careful. With the Bastion Knights out in droves, there may be some trouble in the streets.”

“I will. You be careful as well, Sister Haze.” Amon said as he put his hood on.

Sister Haze chuckled and flicked his cheek. “You’re too young to be worrying about me. I’ll see you later, kid.”

They went their separate ways. Amon to the Anvil and Hammer, and Sister Haze to the Freemarket. It didn’t take long for him to reach the Anvil and Hammer as citizens were retreating home, and beggars hid in the deepest part of the alleys. It seemed they were preparing themselves for the possibility of trouble. Amon had to hide in an alley as well because at the Anvil and Hammer he spotted a familiar knight talking to Jace. They exchanged a few words then Jace went inside his shop. The knight said something else to Jace before he went inside then he took his leave as well. Amon looked down as the knight turned around, then looked back up after a few heartbeats, and was relieved to see the knight gone. He made his way to the shop and tried opening the door, but it was locked.

“Jace.” Amon hissed as he knocked. “Jace.”

The door opened and Amon was greeted by a surprised Jace, wineskin in hand. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised by you just showing up here out of the blue at this point, but I can’t help it. Come in.”

Amon did so, and Jace closed and locked the door as soon as he entered. Jace then turned around and threw the wineskin at Amon. “Sir Orabas and his unit got a confession that Solas is the mastermind behind the drug trade from the man they captured yesterday,” Jace said grinning. “Drink up you’ve earned it.”

Amon was glad to hear that, but he didn’t feel like drinking. “Still ten remember.” He threw the wineskin back at Jace. “Is that what that knight told you earlier?”

Jace caught the wineskin and drank. “It’s hard to accept that you’re ten years old at times if I’m being honest, and yes, Sir Chase was informing me of what they learned yesterday, and to tell me to hide inside for the day.” Jace chuckled deliriously “It’ll be over soon, they’re raiding the places where Solas is caching the drugs, and Sir Orabas is leading a force to House Owlkings Manor.”

“That’s good. Soon, Mefleiad will no longer be plagued by drugs.”

At least not as much. There will undoubtedly still be drugs circulating, and the addicts may grow desperate and do something dangerous.

“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Even with Solas no longer supplying drugs, there will still be some in the streets.” Jace said voicing Amons thoughts. “But don’t let that take away from the good you did.” He added

“We did.” Amon grinned. “I don’t think my plan could have worked without you.”

Jace nodded, then took a swig of wine. “I suppose so. Anyway, other than getting a report from me, did you come here for something else?”

Amon hated the way Jace said that, like he was just using him, but Amon couldn’t deny that’s what he’d been doing. “I wanted to thank you for working with me, and for letting me use your house yesterday.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Jace exclaimed. “Sir Chase told me that when he and a Sir Damien were investigating Alm’s Tears yesterday and they were swindled by a boy. He ran up to them when they were about to visit someone they wanted to question.” He regarded Amon with a suspicious stare. “I don’t think that their incident and you showing up yesterday with someone you were obviously hiding from me is unrelated.”

Shit, that’s why that knight seemed familiar.

“You’re right, it’s not unrelated, but the person I’m hiding isn’t working for Solas,” Amon answered honestly. “I also wanted to ask you if I could use the house for a while longer to hide that person.”

Jace groaned. “Please don’t tell me anymore. I don’t want to know anything that may land me in more trouble. As for the house, you’re free to use it. I told you, I won’t be needing it.”

That’s a relief. The fewer people know about Aridane and her purpose here the better.

“You have my thanks again, Jace,” Amon said gratefully.

Jace smiled and took a swig of wine. They stood in the middle of the shop in companionable silence for a moment before Amon decided it was time to leave, but not before a bit of small talk.

“What are you planning to do from now on?”

Jace gestured at the shop. “Master Rickert left the Anvil and Hammer to me, so I’ll be staying in the city working here.”

“About Rickert. I-”

Before Amon could speak Jace interrupted him. “Don’t apologize, Amon. What you did to Master Rickert… I’m still coming to terms with it, but if you didn’t do it I would have sooner or later. He was no longer the man he once was.” He smiled sadly. “At the very least, I was able to speak with Master Rickert as he once was one last time.”

Amon wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so he just nodded and made for that door, but came to a stop when Jace held up his hand. “Before you leave, I want to give you something.”

“A gift?” Amon said, surprised.

Jace grabbed a small pouch from his belt. “More like your split.” He said tossing Amon the pouch.

Judging by the clinking coming from the pouch, it was filled with coins, and when Amon caught it he discovered it was a considerable amount at that.

My split he said. Was he paid by Sir Orabas?

“Sir Orabas gave me a coin pouch he took from one of the men who came to kill me,” Said Jace, answering Amon's unspoken question. “I think it’s only fair you get your share from it too.”

I suppose I’ll hand this over to Sister Haze or share it with Caim and Amy.

“It seems that this Sir Orabas is quite generous. Thank you, Jace.”Amon said as he left. “Can I trust that you won’t be telling the Bastion Knights about me?”

Jace laughed. “I don’t think they’d believe me if I told them about you anyway. Rest assured, I won’t talk.”