Unedited. Plz take it easy on any errors my meds are screwing up my sleep schedule and I was tired when I wrote this.

~

Sophie squeezed her gauntlets tight, giggling with glee as she strapped them back on. Flicking her wrist, the blade shot out. Kissing the metal, she squealed even more.

"I haven't seen her this excited since our team won that Jurow game in Chiranu." Maha chuckled. Alexios nodded, smiling a bit.

"I'm just happy you are both okay. But a note or two would've been nice. Maybe even a text."

"We would've if we could. But Ruy told you where we were, right?"

Alexios's eyes widened, "Uh, no. I might have... forgotten his report at home."

Sophie and Maha stared in disbelief.

"To my credit, his report arrived at the least oppurtune time!"

"So you just left it at home?!" Sophie hissed.

"I had to haul ass to the docks! And I didn't have time to stable my horse or do my grocery shopping-"

"SO YOU JUST LEFT HIS REPORT AT HOME?!"

"Gods above Lia, I was busy!"

"Ugh, I knew you were stupid-"

"Oh I know damn well you aren't starting this right now!"

"And what if I am?!"

"I can't believe I actually missed you!"

Maha stepped between the two snarling siblings, "Okaayyyyy, you two haven't changed that much."

Alexios scoffed, "How did you get mercs anyway?"

Sophie crossed her arms, "Mercs?"

"Yeah, the soldiers in the Spartan get up. Kinda weird costumes to be honest. And where did you get the money to pay for mercenaries?"

"Uh, Alexios?"

"Yeah?"

"Those are Spartans."

Alexios stared at his sister, giggling a bit as if she told a funny joke. But when Maha and Sophie didn't laugh in return, his face dropped.

"You're joking."

"Nope."

"You. You not only found Spartans, but also got them to work for you?"

Sophie shrugged, "Yup."

"Bullshit."

"You wish."

"You mean to tell me that the warriors I have dreamed about since I was a little boy and are regarded as legends among our people- The Spartans. They just helped us take back Egypitnat?"

Sophie nodded, "Well techincally they are modern Vatarians trained with recovered Spartan manifests and techniques, but yeah, pretty much."

Alexios started to go pale, reaching behind him for a chair, "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Sophie and Maha took a step back to avoid any possible spray.

"Why aren't you freaking out about this?!" Alexios barked.

"Oh trust me, you should've seen her when she first saw them. Or when she met Iphi. Or when she-"

"What matters," Sophie shot Maha a glare, "Is that Maha and I have been busy. Super busy."

"Clearly." The three turned to the door frame, where Akil smiled, Nour keeping him steady.

"Oh thank the gods." Sophie breathed, running over and wrapping her arms around him. He laughed as Maha and Alexios joined in.

"You kids have stellar timing, I'll say that. We were about to to..." Akil didn't finish.

"Did they nearly take out the entire branch?" Maha whispered.

Akil's jaw clenched, but he shook his head, "No, but we took really heavy losses. They got damn close." Akil swallowed, closing his eyes, "Chione didn't make it."

The young Assassin flashed in Sophie's mind. Gods, she was younger than Sophie, wasn't she?

"I'm so sorry Akil." Maha whispered was Sophie was at a loss of words.

Nour turned to Sophie, "I'm going to stay in Egypitnat to help recruitment and rebuilding of the Hidden Ones." Sophie knew he wasn't asking.

"Please focus on rebuiliding, we don't need recruits right away." Sophie sighed.

Akil turned to Sophie, "But where have you been?"

Sophie knew it wasn't her fault, it was Kynareth stealing her and Maha right out of the sky, but guilt flooded her. She should've been quicker. Her men needed her. She didn't regret learning what she did, but her guild was on the rocks right now.

Sophie turned to Maha, who swallowed. They both needed to come clean.

"After the council with Arsinoe and we are back at the Hidden One's base we will tell you. It is extremely confidential. Absoutely no one can hear a word." Sophie muttered. Worry clouded their eyes, but they all agreed.

As if on cue, a Medjay came from down the hall.

"They are ready for you."

Alexios and Sophie gave everyone a quick nod before following after the soldier.

~

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a blade. Alexios kept squeezing the handle of his blade, but Amalia caught his glances; he knows she did.

Apprehension was in his eyes.

His sister had been keeping secrets from him. He knew that much. Gods above, he was a Morretti just as much as she was. A Cyevan Assassin just like she was. What gave her the right?

They took the blood bond when they were old enough to make the decision because no matter how much they fight, they agreed to fight back to back—side by side.

So why was she keeping secrets from him?

Alexios fought the anger bubbling up, but it kept snarling up and snapping at him. Where were her priorities? Why wasn't she back sooner? Why didn't she help faster?

He was letting his mind go too far from the truth. He knew it. His sister loved their guild more than anything. Amalia loved their family.

But that didn't mean the secrets she kept didn't scald his pride.

Amalia didn't waste any time pushing open the doors to the great throne room.

It was grand and elaborate, tapestries and banners returned to their rightful place, the land rejoicing in the reign of their Pharoah. Blue, red, white, and yellow worked together to create more than just the ambiance of royalty but also beauty. There was the soft patter of rain outside, but the sun shone through the clouds, the soft drops of water falling from the heavens reflecting the delicate sun beautifully.

Sophie and Alexios fell to their knees before Arsinoe, their heads bowed so they could see their reflections on the polished floors. Floors that they had spilled blood on fighting for her crown back.

"Rise." Arsinoe's voice cut through the packed throne room. The siblings rose slowly, their hands folding behind their back as their feet widened. When counseling with the queen, proper manners were something his mother drilled into them when they were old enough to walk.

Arsinoe's crown had returned to her head, a large bird soaring above a sun disk crested on her forehead wrapped around her elaborate raven updo. A cheetah print cloak draped from her shoulder and covered her left arm, allowing the royal arm cuff to be present on her right. Her dress was a solid red with swirling blue indentations with a white fabric belt.

Arsinoe gripped the arms of her throne, a gentle smile pulling at her cheeks before speaking.

"Before you are the charioters of my people's freedom. These two warriors used their skill, perseverence, and wit to outsmart the wicked evils of the Neverseen from my city of jewels!" The gathered courtiers erupted into cheering and clapping, but the Morrettis remained focused on Arsinoe.

"I am forever in your debt. I struggled to think of a gift worthy of your sacrifice, so I have left the choice up to you. You may each request one favor of me, and on my honor of Queen and Pharoah over my lands, I will see it done." Gasps echoed through the hall, the shock settling in over the crowd. Alexios and Amalia's gaze finally moved from the queen to each other, the shock clear in their pale eyes. But Amalia nodded for him to go first.

He already knew.

"Though our achievements are great, our family is something we hold the dearest to our hearts above anything else you could give us. Our parents taught us the skills and perseverence we used to save your city. But one of my mothers, Maria Morretti, was taken during the vile and abrupt attack on the Conference. I plead that you aid our search for her, and help provide any sort of recovery she may need."

Arsinoe straightened in her throne, assessing his request.

"Lady Maria Morretti is a well known courtesan and the matriarch of the Morretti family. I will see to it that my resources are spent finding your mother, Alexios Morretti."

That was the most official he had ever sounded, but it felt like a million pounds of his shoulders. Alexios stepped back as Amalia stepped forward.

She clearly had no idea what to ask of the queen.

She turned to look at the courtesans lining the halls and pursed her lips.

"I am a simple woman, my dear queen. All I ask for," She gave the queen a gentle but powerful smile, "Is a bottle of wine from your cellars."

Arsinoe's lips slightly curled, confusion racking her face.

"A bottle of wine?"

"That's it. I hear you have the best collection in all of the lands."

The courtesans scoffed and whispered around them, hissing about a favor wasted. Alexios shot her a vicous glare. Could she seriously not think of a better question?

Arsinoe's fingernails tapped rhythmically against the arms of her throne, her eyes cutting through Amalia.

She tutted, leaning back in the chair, "Of course. I recommend the Libua red. It has been aging for almost 20 years and has wonderful hints of pomegranate imported from Inalia."

Amalia bowed, "It sounds exquisite. Thank you my queen, forever may the gods bless your rule."

And with that, the doors opened behind them, and the two siblings walked out. After the doors closed behind them, Alexios stopped even as his sister kept walking.

She glanced over her shoulder, "What?"

"A bottle of wine? Are you serious Amalia?!"

"I couldn't think of anything."

"Nothing at all? Couldn't tell her it's an IOU and call it a day?" Alexios snapped.

Amalia clenched her jaw, glancing around them, "Arsinoe and I have always coluded together in case of situations like this-"

"So you decided not to tell me about any of it? Amalia, we are siblings and are both Assassins-"

"I'm the Mentore, Alexios."

Alexios blinked at her, scoffing.

"I cannot believe you are pulling that Mentore card right now."

"Can you just trust me?"

"I trust you plenty Amalia, can you trust me?"

Amalia's eyes trembled as silence fell over them.

"Of course I trust you, Alexios."

Alexios growled, "Then why don't you act like it?"

Amalia opened her mouth as if to fight back. But there was only silence between the two.

Alexios whisked past her towards the cellars, "Let's just get your bottle of wine and go home. I want to find my mom, damn it."

Amalia could barely keep up with him, especially as they descended the spiraling stairs and into the cold and dank room below. Two Medjay eyed the Morretti siblings as they unlocked the doors, distrust flashing in their eyes. Sophie strode in, following the labels, which thankfully were written in all Vatarian languages, including Inalian. Soon she arrived where the red wine would be.

Arsinoe held the bottle of red wine for Amalia, smiling slightly.

"I didn't actually need the wine, Arsinoe." Amalia laughed slightly, taking the bottle. Alexios slumped a bit. Of course, the wine was some secret code between the two.

The queen shrugged, "I still wanted to give you something as thanks."

Sophie looked at the queen through her lashes, "Information would be thanks enough."

Arsinoe smiled slightly, leading them as they began to walk through the rows of wine and other beverages.

"The siege was succesful. My crown has been fully restored and we have captured any possible Neverseen informants. Gethen has been assumed dead," She shot Amalia a glance, "Even though his body hasn't been recovered. I want to return and finish the talks that were cut off during the Conference, but we have a problem."

Alexios at least knew this much, "Heinrich."

Arsinoe nodded, pressing one of the labels on a keg down, "The bastard killed a lot of my men."

"I bet you he killed more of ours." Alexios snapped. Amalia looked at him, concern dawning on her features. She didn't watch the cannonballs fall from the skies as he did.

Arsinoe nodded slightly, sighing, "He has been captured by my Medjay and is held in high security. But his removal of power would mean a power vacuum in Cariana that we simply can't afford. That place is crawling with criminals as it is, and without a new Govenor, they won't hesitate to scramble for his power."

Alexios and Amalia shared glances. They both had a few people in mind for who could be the next governor.

"He is going to be held for trial in front of the entire Vatarian world leaders, including the Lords and Ladies of his islands. This is the perfect time to continue with the negotiations from before the Conference was attacked, so we will need to contact the Dunmer royal family again. Hopefully this hasn't infringed on our alliance with them."

"Arsinoe, I do have a question." Alexios started.

"Yes?"

"Why didn't Fang Guanyu help with the siege? I would be kinda pissed if I were you knowing your, uh, history together."

Arsinoe took a deep breath, biting the inside of her cheek.

"He decided that his men weren't prepared or trained neough to help me, but I did call him out on his cowardice. But we both decided to secure my throne in another way if things went sour."

"H-How?" Amalia asked.

Arsinoe didn't answer, but Alexios put it together as she glanced towards her stomach.

"Oh my gods, another pregnant woman. There are two of them now." Alexios cursed.

Amalia looked at her stomach, then back to the queen's eyes.

"Technically three, Grizel is pregnant too." She muttered.

"Don't act like you aren't freaking out about this."

"No, I'm losing my mind right now, but I'm too tired to freak out." Amalia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Arsinoe, I'm sorry, but we are in the middle of war. And you thought getting knocked up was a good idea?"

"Watch your mouth Amalia, I'm still a queen." Arsinoe hissed.

The Mentore put her hands up in defeat.

"My point is still valid your majesty. I mean, an heir? Now?"

"Trust me when I say it was a calculated choice. If the siege continued to be unsuccesful then an heir could continue my line in order to resiege the throne in the future. Not to mention the child would have a direct lineage to Chiranu as well."

Amalia and Alexios glanced at each other, still unsure.

"Trust me, I know what I'm doing you two. Though I'm not versed in the blade like you are, I know more about politics then you ever could."

In hopes of diffusing the tense air, Amalia sighed, "Do you have them?"

Arsinoe snapped her fingers, and a Medjay walked forward holding a familiar bundle of papers and a book.

"This is everything my technopath and Guanyu's translator could make out of it. This information is valuable, and must be kept secret. That is the only reason we are returning it to you." Alexios cracked open the Book of Mirthless, reading through the notes scribbled on the pages.

Amalia unrolled the plans of the Neverseen machines, clicking her tongue. The scribbles were hard to discern and complicated. But she seemed to make some sense of them.

"We'll make sure to keep them safe and use their information accordingly."

"Good." Arsinoe tensed as the sound of feet passed the cellar, gossiping courtiers by the sound of it.

"I need to return to my people. I have a lot I'm going to need to rebuild after this." She clenched her jaw slightly, "Please make you exit as discreet as possible, even with those warriors. I'm going to have to do damage control to keep the Cyevan name out of the mouths of the people."

"Secrecy would be best. Thank you, my queen." Alexios and Amalia gave her a short bow before heading back out the cellar with their book, plans, and a swanky new bottle of wine.

Sophie and Alexios were body-slammed with hugs from Lilac and Filomena the minute they set foot in the Cyevan guildhall, Lilac sobbing into her older sister's chest with relief. Filomena cradled her son's head, kissing his hair. Maha stood next to Sophie, closer than before. After what they had been through together, saying they were closer was an understatement.

"Gods above, the reports were so murky, we had no idea what happened until we got your Minyama call and- oh thank the gods. I knew those extra offering I left at the temples worked. I knew it!" Filomena kissed her son's cheek again and again until he was fighting out of it.

Other Assassins came up and hugged and laughed with Amalia, glad their Mentore was back. Sophie hadn't slept in her own bed for far too long.

A whole line was set up for hugs and kisses from Ricin, though, the lizard scampering around the guildhall with his tongue hanging out his mouth.

"You are going to have to tell us everyhting, my loves. Everything!" Filomena said, stroking Lilac's hair as she led them all to the kitchen through the masses of returning Assassins.

Sophie was trying her hardest to think about the fact that not everyone was returning.

A small spread was set up in the kitchen, clearly Filomena's work. It was filled to the brim with all of their favorite treats.

"I think she may have missed us." Sophie smiled as she picked up a chocolate-covered strawberry. Alexios gave her a small laugh but focused on the food.

He has been avoiding her ever since their argument in the hallway of Arsinoe's palace.

Right on time, Alvar and Mansi came skidding into the kitchen. Mansi threw herself onto her best friend, squealing. She then grabbed Alexios and Maha and dragged them into the hug as well.

"Oh gods, how I've missed you three!" Mansi pulled away, shuffling in her pockets to pull out a thick card.