Kindly edited by @CollinHarrison4

Corleon sat in the chair, allowing his impatience to grow. He disliked Shunneer City and all its people. There were too many igniting the knowing as if he were forced to stare into the sun. He would have to rethink the next rendezvous if there was to be one. The outskirts, where he currently spent his nights, were less annoying; at least the blinding had a single direction. It was disconcerting not to be able to separate single souls when the intent insisted on blending into large fiery blobs.

A soldier poked his head into the room. "He comes, your Eminence."

"Ask Padden to bring the girl," Corleon said, waving the soldier away. He stood and straightened his brown cloak, correcting where its cover broke and exposed his white robe. He moved from behind the small table when he heard a light knock on the door. "Enter."

A man entered, closed the door, and gave a slight bow in greeting. "Your Eminence." Held loosely in his hand was a thin loop of cord, the bottom laced with bright flowers - an odd thing for such a man. Rarer still were the blooms themselves, something more common in the spring than the approaching winter.

"Were you followed, Hillbrand?"

"Nay," Hillbrand shook his head. "They think me on a binge. I am to return before the sun rises."

"You set the signal," Corleon said, gesturing for Hillbrand to continue. The man was earlier than expected - hopefully a good sign.

"Aye, I have words you will relish," Hillbrand said. He looked around. "Though you have promised something as well, did you not?" He paused a moment, then seemed to decide his words were too forceful and added, "your Eminence."

"The little one will join us soon," Corleon said. "What are your words."

Hillbrand smiled and shook his head. "I will see her in all her health, then my words become yours, your Eminence."

Corleon forced himself not to return the smile. It was precisely what he would have done, given the circumstances. He pointed at the flower necklace.

Hillbrand held up the loop. "A gift to ease her mind, your Eminence. A costly thing it was. There is a woman down the way..."

"It is of no matter," Corleon interrupted. He had no desire to hear about flowers and the woman who grew them, nor the easing of a little one's mind. It was Hillbrand's mind for which he cared. If a loop of flowers gave him peace, then so be it. "She has been well treated, as have your sister and her man. They will remain so if your words have value."

Hillbrand smiled. "They will give you the Answer. A place and a time when he is with few." He chuckled. "And you will not have to struggle for it." He paused a moment. "I desire all you have offered, not just my family, your Eminence."

"And the Seven?" Corleon asked.

"I can give you one close to them," Hillbrand said. "They do not meet with one such as me. It would take many winters to earn that trust."

It was still more than Corleon could have hoped. He basked in his wisdom of seeing the disaster that would befall Lord Ogden. He knew the red-haired demon was a fool filled with useless dreams and would never bargain. It was child's play to snatch up collateral against Ogden's men. It was luck that Hillbrand survived, unlike the other two. He could not have dreamed he would have found such a greedy soul, much like his own. The man's intent now glowed with it, unlike their first meeting when the man was less sure. Time had a way of growing desire and confidence. Perhaps living in the woods like an animal gave him a taste of misery. A warm bed, rich in comfort, is a fine trade for cold, wet nights.

"If your words be true," Corleon said, "Ogden's Hold will become yours, and in time, so will a white robe." He pointed at the loop in Hillbrand's hand. "And your family will have all you are willing to give them, flowers the least of it, for your line will inherit." And Corleon will be raised high in the temples, perhaps becoming the arm of Magna'est himself. His strongest desire was to be nearer the throne, like the one he held so long ago.

Hillbrand smiled his pleasure.

"You know where the demon is now?" Corleon asked.

"Nay," Hillbrand shook his head. "He and his army move often. I only know where he has been. They use hunters to travel unseen on well-trodden game trails. For me, it would be a guess at best as to which way. Mayhap you have one with skill who can..."

"It is of no matter," Corleon said, waving away further discussion on the topic. "If you know where he will be, there is no need to know from whence he came." He shrugged. "Best if he is met without an army if it can be done. The end of him is all we desire." The use of 'we' was intentional, an attempt to bring Hillbrand further into the fold. He could see it was not lost on the man.

"Is life in the temple a good one?" Hillbrand asked.

Corleon nodded, though the truth is that it was life opposed by death. Death was nothing, therefore life was far superior. 'Good enough' was a more accurate description that was better held back. He was about to elaborate with a grand, albeit false, narrative when the door opened.

"Unk!" the young girl said. Her messy hair moved from shoulder to shoulder as she struggled to leave Padden's grasp. Corleon nodded to his equally disguised Brother, giving him permission to release her. She ran directly into Hillbrand's arms. Padden smirked and stepped from the room to wait outside as the plan demanded. Best if there were only one, so Hillbrand knew who he owed allegiance.

"Sara," Hillbrand said as he hugged his niece. He dropped to his knee so they might see eye to eye. She was too old to be Chosen but still a winter or two away from womanhood. Corleon saw only waste in her. Obviously well loved, she would have made an excellent daughter.

"You are treated well?" Hillbrand asked. His smile seemed forced as some reservations clouded his intent.

"Aye," Sara replied, her smile real. She looked up at Corleon and lost her smile. "It is hard to be idle in a small place, though we have food enough."

"Soon enough, I will come for you," Hillbrand said, his intent once again solid. "You will tell your mother that I am doing what needs to be done." His smile became honest. "Soon, you will be able to run about as you see fit. Until then, I have made you this." Hillbrand held forth the flowered necklace, which made the young one's eyes sparkle. Corleon remembered when he once cared about pleasing others. Now he saw them only as wasted actions without necessary purpose.

Sara lowered her head and allowed her uncle to drape the necklace around her neck. "They are so pretty," she said, and she carefully lifted the flowery end to see the blooms. "A wonder in this season."

"Beauty for my beauty," Hillbrand said. "You can share them with your mother."

Something was odd about how Hillbrand spoke. Corleon's trust wavered, though he did not want Hillbrand to notice. A ruse of interest was needed. He moved forward and dropped to his knee beside Hillbrand.

"It is a wonder," Corleon said. "May I have a look?" An odd-sounding request to his ears since he could not remember the last time he asked for permission for anything.

Sara smiled at the attention, further proving she would have been an excellent daughter. Such a waste. It reminded him that his daughter would need to see him again soon. Sara held forth the flower end to Corleon. He took it and pretended to examine the beauty when he was actually looking for deceit. There was nothing but petals and a line of thread securing them to braided cords of thin cut leather. It was bare of any markings and held nothing that would signal falsehood.

"It must have been difficult to thread such a thing," Corleon said as he released the necklace and stood.

Hillbrand chuckled. "I wasted half the blooms and a good part of a day."

"A fine gift of beauty for a beauty," Corleon said, then added a faux sigh. "Alas, we must conclude our business."

"Must we, your Eminence?" Hillbrand asked.

"We must," Corleon said, then called for Padden.

"I am coming soon, and all will be well," Hillbrand said, hugging his niece once again. "Be well and mind your mother."

"Aye," Sara said. Hillbrand had to use effort separate from the embrace, handing Sara off to Padden.

"Return her to her mother," Corleon said for Sara's benefit. Best if she knows the destination and does not panic and cry her way back through the streets. He waved Padden away.

"I thank you for her care, your Eminence," Hillbrand said once they were alone again.

"Soon, she and your sister will be in your care," Corleon said. "Now, I will hear what you know."

Hillbrand smiled. "You need not go to him - he comes to you."

"What?"

"He desires weapons. Do you know of bows?"

The word surprised Corleon. It was a bad sign that a commoner would know of such a thing. Many had been ended to keep the creation of bows a secret. "Aye."

"They have some, a handful at most," Hillbrand continued. "Not enough, he says. So he aims to acquire them from a temple, the one near this city."

"It cannot be done."

"Lately, I have seen much that cannot be done, your Eminence," Hillbrand said. "He is certain it can be done and will attempt it on the next dark moon. I know not how, but he and some others, twenty at most, intend to breach the walls. I am part of the diversion to see it done."

"Diversion?"

"Aye, and it was difficult to shift onto that task. It is why I am here before my time," Hillbrand said.

"What are you to do?"

"Burn warehouses by the port," Hillbrand replied.

"They are far from the temple," Corleon said, his eyes narrowing.

"I know not the why. I only know he needs the Brethren to look toward the fire. It is not expected to empty the temple." Hillbrand shrugged, then his eyes brightened. "One close to the Seven directs us here. He, I can give you, but it must be after the fire is lit. All will be known if he is taken prior."

"No fire, no attempt on the temple," Corleon surmised, nodding his head. "This demon trusts too many."

"His greatest flaw, your Eminence," Hillbrand agreed. "If you have others such as me, they will say the same. It is why I have decided to be yours and not his. There is no tomorrow in his army."

"There are none like you," Corleon said in the way of a compliment. "Though the demon's words travel to us time and again, none have made your commitment. Thus, the reward will be yours alone." He scratched the hair on his chin and paced to the edge of the room. "I can see how the demon believes he could enter the temple, yet how could the others with him?"

"They know the limits of your sense, your Eminence. He trains them on it," Hillbrand said. "I know not the use of such knowledge, but to him it is an important skill."

Corleon paced back across the room. Perhaps only the demon will enter the temple, and the others will remain distant with wagons and such. Maybe he has found more treacherous ones like that Rolic. If we were blind to his coming, he and a few Unseen could empty a good portion of the armory. It would serve well to root out other Rolics within the Brethren - a deed that would surely please Magna'est.

"Come, sit," Corleon said, indicating the chairs. "I will hear all that has happened since Ogden's fall."

Gregory sat on his throne, his faithless wife seated next to him. Before them, fifty-some Brethren encircled the room, followed by Magna'est moving to the center. Gregory hated the expression on the man's face. Pleasure was cast forward forcibly in the smile and bright eyes. Something had happened, and it did not bode well for the land.

"Your Highnesses," Magna'est said with only the slightest of tilt of the head.

"Your Eminence," the King returned without any movement of his head.

"It is good to see you again, your Eminence," Margarey said, rising from her throne. She moved submissively toward Magna'est and took his hands in hers. "The Goddess shines in your eyes this day. Has her grace touched you in some way?"

"It has, your Highness," Magna'est returned, this time with a proper bow. Gregory clenched his teeth. He could almost smell the end of his reign. Something was horribly wrong. "Might I request a moment alone with your husband? We must talk of strategy, for the end of our current problem nears."

"Mayhap, I will see to a feast for you and your men," Margarey said, releasing Magna'est's hands.

"It would be most welcome, you Highness." Another bow, this one deeper. Margarey glanced toward her husband, beaming her pride in Magna'est's favor before she walked off like a servant. She was too dense to see her coming demise. The promise would never be given to a woman.

"The end of our problem?" Gregory asked. "I have heard much, and none of it has been good."

"There is one among the Brethren who foresaw more than even I," Magna'est said with an air of superiority. It was irritating. "I had recognized his skill in the past, yet even I was taken aback by its efficiency." He smiled. "It is times like these that remind me of who fills our ranks." He turned toward his flock of white-robes. "We are leaders, men whose minds have seen much and know only success." There was visible agreement in the gathered Brethren. Magna'est turned back, his smile seeming larger.

"Clear the room," Magna'est said, gesturing toward the guards that stood at the door. Gregory nodded toward his staff, and they fled willingly. Too many Brethren made them nervous, as it did Gregory as well.

"You must bring your whole army together at this Goddess' Grove, the field south of Shunneer," Magna'est said. "There, we will put an end to this mischief. You will find those who still gather less inclined to seek war." Magna'est clasped his hands behind him and walked toward the throne. "We must end this with as little life lost as possible. Surrender will be accepted, though the deaths of the remaining leaders will be required. This land must recover, and only they can hinder the healing. The birthings must grow."

"Has this demon accepted terms?" Gregory asked.

"Nay," Magna'est replied with a smirk.

"He is dead then?"

"Nay," Magna'est said. "In five days, that will change." He chuckled. "A leader he is not."

Gregory shifted in his throne, the chair becoming more uncomfortable by the moment. "A leader he may not be, but a fool? Do you mean to trap him?"

"He traps himself," Magna'est replied with glee. "He means to move upon a temple and does so with only a handful."

"Why would he do such a thing?"

"Desperation," Magna'est replied. His hands came forward with palms together, rubbing as if it were cold. "He knows bows are needed, and the temples are the only place to acquire the ones he desires. The demon believes he can enter and leave without us knowing. Mayhap, there was a chance if we did not know, but we do. I will be there myself to see him ended."

"He learned of bows?" Gregory was surprised at the revelation.

"He has had help. An issue that will also be ended." Magna'est shrugged. "Or mayhap, his travels exposed him to the weapon. It matters not. No corner will be left unguarded, and Brethren will be spread out among the woods to sense any approach before it nears. Hundreds of Brothers will fall upon him and his men. His skills will be for naught, for he has no daughter."

"You have someone in his ranks," Gregory surmised. His stomach began to churn as he contemplated trying to find Kelton in five days. It took many times that for the army to locate him the first time.

"Aye. One who has been promised much," Magna'est said. "The Seven may fall as well." He turned and paced back to the center of the room, clasping his hands behind him once again. "The fool trusts too many, and it will be his downfall. The leverage lies with us, as it always has."

"Then this is excellent news," Gregory lied, forcing a smile to his face. He needed Magna'est gone as soon as possible. It will take a day to find Striker, and there was no one else he could trust. "I will do as you say and form up all at the grove. It will be a better victory if there is less blood spilled." He nodded his head. "Aye, a strong show of force will do it."

"And many of the Brethren will be there as well," Magna'est declared. "It will take many winters to remove the demon from the land's minds. Fear has a way of quickening such things." He slowed to a stop. "And it is nearing time for you to join us. Better you take a daughter now than risk some disease or fall attacking at your age. Do you not wish to see younger days again?"

"Aye," Gregory said, nodding his agreement. "I have been thinking the same. My bones have thought so for many winters." Everything was at risk now. Kelton must be warned, for without the Answer, the Brethren go on and on. He wondered if Magna'est could smell his fear.

"It is a simple thing," Magna'est said, gesturing to the many Brethren in the room. "We have all done it many times. There is no need to be hesitant." Magna'est could sense the fear, though he misinterpreted it as always. They all trusted the promise to hold a king in check. Fools.

"I was told something similar when I mounted my first horse," Gregory said, adding a smile. "I fell off the beast after she took a few steps." Magna'est laughed, as did many of the Brethren. Fools, Gregory thought again. He had never fallen off a horse.

Juno watched as Kelton swayed through another set of complicated movements. His blades were moving so fast the tips were invisible. Others had gathered, as they did each morning, to see what Kelton called shared-wind. She could not imagine a line of warriors, each with twin-tails, moving as one. Surely they would cut each other to pieces at such speed.

"It is beautiful," Serenity whispered as she moved silently next to Juno.

"Aye," Juno agreed, her voice soft so as not to disturb Kelton. "He says it is normally done with many side-by-side, a dance of trust."

"Not with I," Serenity said with surprise.

"Nor I," Juno said. "If I were born to it, then mayhap."

"He was not."

"I think him born to all," Juno whispered. She looked at Serenity. "His dreams of you continue, and men flock to his call." Her eyes began to well up. "Mayhap, it is I who am out of place."

"If you were to leave, he would follow," Serenity said. She smiled and turned to Juno. "This is your place, as it is mine. The dreams only serve to grant me a position here, nothing more. Something demands us near him, for he is the fulcrum of what is coming." Her hand moved with a gentleness one would expect from a mother, caressing the side of Juno's face. "You are his heart. A king without a heart is a tyrant. We need you as much as him."

"Stealing the Answer's love?" Audria asked. She had arrived with the same silence as Serenity.

Serenity's hand snapped away from Juno's face, then chuckled at her reaction. "It is not that, it is..."

"I heard," Audria said, her smile growing. Daphne, who was always at her heels, giggled. "She has the right of it," Audria said to Juno.