The knight smiled at her, "Now Mira, although you are very pretty." He paused looking her up and down, "I also know you're very bright." Mira scoffed, "Worth a try wasn't it?"
"Ah there's that famous nonchalance, though I do wonder if it's just a ploy." He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk.
"See, here's the thing. I could drag you into one of those cells and keep you there until you answer my questions." His gaze was steady, but there was something else behind it—curiosity, maybe even amusement.
"But I don't think that would work very well. You strike me as the type who'd rather break a few fingers than give up information."
Mira shrugged, feigning ease. "Depends on which fingers they are."
The knight laughed, the sound genuine this time. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that." He straightened, stepping back slightly. "Perhaps I should introduce myself? Would that make you feel a little better?" He asked hands clasped behind his back he stood over her like she was a naughty child, his height advantage making her feel small.
"Knight-Commander Vael of the Imperial Inquiry Division." His name rang with significance in the small, dim room. The scribe's quill paused momentarily before resuming its scratching.
"I specialize in... delicate situations that require a certain level of discretion." His fingers tapped against the desk. "And right now, you represent exactly that kind of situation."
Mira's pulse quickened at the name. The Inquiry Division was the empire's intelligence arm—they handled cases too sensitive for the regular military.
"So what exactly am I doing here, Commander Vael?" She kept her voice steady, but her mind was already racing through possibilities.
Vael circled around her she followed him with his eyes, the dagger felt hot cool pressed against her thigh. Though she doubted she could out maneuver him it still offered her some comfort, "You're skill set has captured the eye of a very powerful and rich noble."
Vael's fingers tapped against the desk as he spoke, the sound echoing in the small room. "Someone who needs... particular expertise in retrieving certain artifacts from the old empire's ruins." His gaze never left hers as he continued.
"Your work with Harrow has brought you to their attention. They're interested in offering you a position that would be... mutually beneficial." Mira's fingers curled into fists beneath the table. This wasn't an arrest—it was a recruitment pitch. But from the Inquiry Division? That meant whoever wanted her services had deep pockets and dangerous enemies.
"And what exactly does this noble want from me?" Vael leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms. "The details will come later."
Mira shifted in her chair, she felt the urge to flat out reject his offer but she knew that wasn't an option, "You can help a lot of people Mira." Her eyes snapped up towards Vael what nonsense is he spouting.
"People?" she scoffed. "I don't do charity work." Vael's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I wasn't talking about charity. I was talking about leverage." He leaned forward, resting his palms on the table. "Perhaps we could give the guilds a break?"
The words hit like a blow to the gut. She felt her breath catch. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I think you do." Vael's voice was soft, almost gentle now. "Isn't that why you stay away in hiding? So you don't get caught up. Or what was that boy you raised-".
"Don't you dare-" Mira surged forward, slamming both hands on the table. Her voice was ragged with anger, her nails digging into the wood. Vael didn't flinch. He merely watched her with that infuriatingly calm expression, as if her outburst was exactly what he'd expected.
"See, that reaction tells me everything I need to know." He didn't move from his position, his hands still resting lightly on the table. "You care about them. You want to protect them. And you know the guilds are vulnerable. The empire hasn't forgotten about them, Mira. Not really."
"They're not going to stop until every single one of them is burned to the ground."
Mira's jaw clenched, her breath coming fast and shallow. The words were a poisonous whisper in her ears, the kind of thing that makes you want to scream just to drown it out. She knew he was right. The empire had been watching the guilds like a cat watches a mouse—biding its time before the final pounce. And she was standing here, being offered a way to change that. A way to help them.
Vael watched her carefully, reading every microexpression. "You want to keep them safe, don't you?" His voice was softer now, almost coaxing. "The guilds, the people there. The ones you left behind."
Mira was shaking she was trying her best to reign in her emotions but the mention of Kai was enough to send her over the edge, "Ah! that's his name Kai I wonder if he would appreciate a little-"
She lunged her dagger came undone from her belt but she wasn't fast enough. Vael twisted her harshly knocking the breath out of her, he pinned her on the wooden table her chin scraped against the splinters. His knee pressed into the small of her back as his free hand yanked her arms behind her, locking them in an iron grip.
"Foolish girl," Vael murmured, breath hot against her ear as he leaned close. His grip tightened just enough to make the chains bite into her skin.
"Did you really think you could take me?" The words were calm, almost amused, but there was an edge beneath them—annoyance at being forced to restrain her.
Mira struggled against his hold, her cheek pressed against the rough wood. He pinned his hips into her behind She felt him press his body against hers, his grip firm but not cruel.
"I could have you stripped down and searched in this room if I wanted to," he said softly. "I could have you thrown in that cell and left there until you answered my questions." His knee shifted slightly, pressing harder against her back.
"But I don't think that's necessary, do you?" His words were a near whisper, the heat of his breath stirring the fine hairs near her ear.
Mira's breathing was ragged, her pulse pounding in her throat. She could feel every inch of him against her, the solidity of his body, the unyielding strength in his hands. "No."
"Good. I will make this short lay low and I will call for you soon. Do you think you can follow those easy directions?" His grip loosened slightly, just enough for her to shift her weight, but not enough to free herself.
Mira swallowed hard, tasting the acrid tang of sweat and fear. "Fuck you." she asked, the words rough.
Vael sighed before letting her go, "I'll take that as a yes." He stepped back, giving her space to push herself up from the table.
She remained kneeling on the floor, wrists no longer bound behind her, her dagger gone. She could feel Vael's presence looming behind her as she slowly rose to her feet, her movements stiff from the rough handling.
He reached past her to pull a small set of from the from the scribe's desk, flipping through them with practiced ease. "Try to run and I'll have you hunted down before you reach the city walls," he said handing her a note, "Try to warn anyone, and you'll make things worse for yourself and them."
She didn't meet his eyes she grabbed the note harshly, before storming out she heard his voice following after her "Oh and Mira?" She paused at the door but didn't turn around. "Try not to get yourself killed before our next meeting."
The note in her hand felt heavy with unspoken threats and promises. She shoved it into her coat and stepped into the night, the cool air doing nothing to ease the fire in her chest.
She wasn't sure how long she walked before her legs carried her to the familiar doorstep. She paused outside the old cottage, the flickering lantern above the entrance casting deep shadows across the peeling paint. She trudged inside quickly locking the door behind her pulling out the note she quickly read it's content's. she froze it was Kai's last known whereabouts The note slipped from her fingers, drifting to the floor as she backed away from the small wooden table. The fire in the hearth flickered, casting monstrous shadows against the walls. Her breath came in short gasps as she stared at the single line written in neat, precise handwriting.
"Northern docks. Found him alive, working alongside the Bear Growls guild."
She sank into the chair, her mind whirling. Alive. He was alive. The relief crashed through her with such force it made her head spin. But then the rest of the reality settled in, cold and heavy. The empire was watching him keeping tabs on him for weeks if not longer she had no clue. She felt her chest tighten, all that work she had done to make sure they were hidden went to absolute shit. Mira squeezed her eyes shut, slumping her head into the table. This was exactly what she'd feared—exactly why she'd kept herself away, why she'd made sure Kai never looked for her. If the empire had eyes on him, it wasn't just about him anymore. It was about her too. They knew he mattered to her. They knew he was leverage.
She forced herself to breathe, to think clearly. The Bear Grows Guild was well-connected, but not powerful enough to protect him against the empire. Not for long. If the empire wanted Kai, they'd have him soon enough. And then what? A hostage to force her compliance? She took a deep breath, it didn't matter whatever they wanted she would do.
"Kai, how could you get yourself into this mess." She rose from the chair, her mind already calculating the risks.
If the empire wanted her help, they'd need to keep him alive long enough for her to agree. That meant time—time she could use to find him, get him out, or at least confirm he was still safe. She grabbed her coat, shrugging it on as she mentally reviewed her resources. Old contacts, guild favors, backdoor channels. None of it was perfect, but something had to work.
The night air was cooler now as she stepped outside, the lantern above the door swinging slightly in the breeze. She pulled the hood over her head, stepping into the shadowed streets.
The Bear Growls guild wasn't far if she was fast she could get there in an hour they were a band of mercenaries and treasure hunters she had worked with many of the members before but it had been a while. She made her way through the winding backstreets of the city, the roads gradually growing rougher as she left the merchant districts behind. The Bear Growls guild operated out of an old smuggler's warehouse near the docks, a place that had seen better days but was still standing. The air thickened with salt and rot as she neared the waterfront, the creaking of ships' masts and the distant shouts of dock workers filling the space.
She stopped a block away from the guild's main entrance, scanning the area for anything unusual. It was late, but the docks never truly slept. Drunken sailors stumbled past, and a few shadowy figures exchanged money or goods in the alleys. She gnawed at her bottom lip she couldn't very well waltz in even if she wanted to She slipped into the alleyway beside the guild's main entrance, pressing herself against the rough brick wall as she listened. Through the thin wood of the old warehouse came the sounds of the guild members—rough laughter, the clink of coins, and the scrape of steel being cleaned. She recognized some of the voices, but none of them were Kai's. Her heart sank as she realized he wasn't here. She'd missed him. Or worse, they'd already moved him somewhere else.
The main door suddenly creaked open, spilling yellow lamplight across the alley as two figures stepped outside. One was a grizzled woman with silver braids, the other a tall man with a scar running from his temple to his jaw. She slinked back craning her neck she recognized them, hesitation stopped her calling out to them would they be friends or foe's The two guild members stood outside, speaking in hushed tones. The woman with silver braids leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"Damn kid's got guts, I'll give him that," she said, voice rough with amusement. "Didn't even flinch when they handed him the contract."
The scarred man beside her snorted. "That's 'cause he don't know what he's walking into yet." He shifted the heavy satchel on his shoulder. "Bear Growls ain't exactly the safest guild for a greenhorn like him."
Mira's blood ran cold. They were talking about Kai.
The woman sighed, rubbing her temple. "Yeah, well, he ain't green no more. Kid's got a real talent for not getting killed, even when he should be." She pushed off the doorframe, stretching her back. "You think the others'll take him in permanent?"
The scarred man shrugged. "Depends on how this next job plays out. If he don't get himself killed, maybe." He started walking away from the door, toward the docks. "But I ain't holding my breath."
The woman followed, leaving the door slightly ajar as they disappeared into the night. The alley was suddenly quiet again, save for the distant lapping of waves against the piers and the occasional cry of a gull. Mira inched closer she needed to find out where he was maybe if she just-
"Is that who I think it is?" Mira spun around, her hand instinctively moving to the dagger at her belt. A figure stood at the alley's mouth, half-hidden in the shadows, but the voice was unmistakably familiar. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as she recognized the silhouette. "Rian." The name escaped her lips like a prayer and a curse all at once.
The woman stepped into the dim light, her red hair catching what little glow there was. Her face was lined with years of hard living, but her eyes still held that sharp intensity Mira remembered. She wore the leather armor of the Bear Growls guild, a curved blade at her hip. "Been a long time, Mira."
She stepped closer crossing her arms over her chest, "What the hells got you all the way over here slinking in the night like some rat. That's not your usual style."
Mira swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the fabric of her coat. "I'm looking for someone." The words felt fragile in her mouth. "Kai."
Rian's face flickered with recognition, then settled into a knowing smirk. "Ah." She leaned against the alley wall, arms crossing over her chest. "I shoulda guessed it was something like that. To tell you the truth I was shocked when he showed up without you." She nodded toward the still-open door. "He was here earlier. Just left on a job."
Mira's stomach twisted. "Where?" She needed to know, needed to get to him before—before anything happened.
Rian tilted her head, studying Mira's face in the dim light. "Why? Last he mentioned you he said you weren't-" Rian's words cut off as Mira moved closer, her face inches from the older woman's. "Where is he?"
The words came out low, edged with something dangerous. She didn't have time for old rivalries or half-remembered arguments. Kai was out there, and she needed to find him. Now.
Rian didn't flinch away. She held Mira's gaze, her own expression unreadable. "You still got that fire," she murmured.
Then, with a sigh, she pushed off the wall. "He's heading south, toward the old mining town. Taking a contract to retrieve something from one of the abandoned tunnels." She paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "It's not safe down there, Mira. Some of the older guilds think there's something alive in those caves. Something that eats people who go in alone." She gave a pointed look. "But your boy? He walked in like he wasn't scared of the dark." Her face softened slightly. "We tried to talk about it but he's hell bent on proving himself-said those words himself."
Mira's chest constricted painfully. "It's a misunderstanding, Rian please can you just-"
Rian cut her off with a sharp gesture, her expression hardening again. "Listen to me carefully, Mira. Whatever game you're playing, whatever mess you've got yourself in this time—keep Kai out of it. That kid deserves better than whatever dangerous shit you're involved in." She turned away, toward the guild's entrance. "He's got potential. Real potential. I don't want to see him thrown away because of your mistakes."
Mira's hands clenched into fists at her sides, "Frankly I'm not asking for your permission-"
"Mira, I can't you know the rules." Rian paused, one hand on the doorframe, her back turned. "Bear Growls doesn't do business with people who operate outside the guild. And right now, you're operating outside everything." She glanced back over her shoulder, her face grim. "If you want to help him, join up properly. Play by the rules. Or stay the hell away and let him make his own choices."
Mira stepped forward, her voice tight with frustration. "Those rules won't protect him from what's coming, Rian. You know that as well as I do." The words hung heavy in the air, weighted with unspoken knowledge of the empire's reach, the danger Kai was in. "The empire they know everything if he-"
Rian's shoulders tensed, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. She didn't turn around, but she spoke more quietly. "I know."
The words came out rough, like gravel. "That's why he's down there. It was the only job they'd give him that wouldn't get him killed." She finally faced Mira again, her face unreadable. "But you? You're still the biggest threat to him. To all of us."
Mira's breath caught, the truth of it burning like acid in her throat. "I wouldn't—"
"You already did," Rian cut in, her words sharp. "The second you showed up here, you made him a target. Again."
"What are you talking about-"
"Look around you Mira. The empire has eyes everywhere. You think they don't know you're here? Are you stupid or desperate."
Mira's blood turned to ice in her veins. She glanced around instinctively, as if expecting shadows to come alive and swallow her whole. "How long?" she whispered.
Rian shrugged, but there was no humor in it. "Depends. Could be watching now. Could be waiting for you to do something stupid." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You should have kept away."
Mira clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug crescents into her palms. "I couldn't." The words tore from her throat, raw and honest.
Rian's face softened, just slightly. "Yeah. I figured." She sighed, rubbing her temple. "Damn it, Mira. Go home. Cooperate. If you do then maybe you can keep him safe longer."
Mira bit her lip was Rian right was she no longer able to hid was there really no where left to run. Mira's throat closed, the air thick with unspoken doom. Rian's words carved deeper than any blade could, the truth of them sinking into her chest like a lead weight. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think—just the cold, creeping certainty that the empire's reach was longer than she'd realized.
Rian watched her carefully, her face a mask of weary resignation. "You look like you're about to start screaming or collapse, and honestly, I don't have time for either."
She crossed her arms, leaning back against the doorframe. "So? You gonna do something reckless, or are you actually gonna listen for once in your life?"
Mira shook her head taking one shaky step back behind her, "Rian. T-Take care of him P-Please."
The words came out strangled, choked with everything she couldn't say—the years of distance, the fear of leading danger to him, the terrible guilt that he was in this mess because of her. Rian's face flickered with something unreadable, then she sighed, rubbing her temple.
"I'll try." The words were gruff, but not cruel. "But Mira—" She stopped, shaking her head. "Just go. Do whatever you need to do, but don't make this worse for him."
Mira nodded, stiff and wooden, her body still trembling with the force of everything she was holding back.
Mira raced back to her cottage tears spilling from her eyes she couldn't do anything, her fears all came to life right before her in a matter of a few short weeks. No where to run, no where to hide. No longer truly safe.
******
After that day Mira kept to herself she no longer went to Harrow's or visited Pater, she avoided the markets and stayed away from the guilds that she had once called home. The empire was watching and she could not risk leading them to Kai again. She spent her days locked in the cottage, burning old notes and letters that could tie him to her, erasing every trace of their shared past. The nights were the worst. She paced the floors until exhaustion dragged her to bed, her thoughts consumed by the image of Kai in the mines, alone and unaware of the danger he was walking into.
Days passed in a blur. She forced herself to eat, to stay sharp, but her body felt hollowed out, waiting. She scrawled a letter, then burned it. She walked the city's edges, listening for whispers of Kai's name. She found nothing, no news of his return, no word of his death. That was both a relief and a fresh agony.
On the eighth day, she heard something.
She was sitting in the back of a dingy tavern, nursing a cup of ale that had gone warm long ago. A pair of Bear Growls guild members were seated nearby, speaking in low tones. She strained to listen over the din of the crowd, her fingers digging into the wooden table.
"...heard the kid came out of it," one said, a scarred man with a missing ear. Relief flooded through her like a tidal wave. The other, a woman with cropped gray hair, took a swig from her tankard.
"Yeah, but barely. Lost half his crew to something in the tunnels. Only ones who made it out were the ones who ran soon as they saw it." She shook her head. "Kid fought it himself. Survived by the skin of his teeth."
Mira's stomach twisted. Kai had faced something terrible in those mines, something that had killed half his team. And he had survived. She didn't know whether to be proud or terrified. The scarred man snorted.
"Told you he had potential. Kid's got a death wish, but he doesn't back down. That's worth something."
Mira felt her body sag, her shoulders easing with the first real breath she'd taken in days. He was alive. Kai was alive. The thought settled into her chest like a warm ember, glowing despite everything. He had survived. She wasn't sure if she should feel relieved or horrified—Kai had faced something terrible in those mines, something that had killed half his team, and he had survived. Just barely, by the sound of it. But he had survived.
She reached for her tankard, her fingers unsteady as she lifted it to her lips. The ale was bitter, but she swallowed anyway, needing the burn to ground her. The two guild members continued talking, but Mira hardly heard them.
Shortly after she received a parcel at her door she frowned recognizing the emblem of the empire she scoffed knowing it was from Vael.
Mira tore the seal with her dagger and pulled out the single sheet of paper inside. The script was neat, precise, every letter formed with deliberate control. She recognized it instantly. She scanned the words quickly, her eyes stinging with something raw and hot. The note was short, no wasted words.
"Come to the outpost Friday evening by eleven no sooner or later."
Mira sucked in a breath it was time, she glanced around her yard scoffing, "Guess those bastards know where I live."
She read it again, her fingers tightening around the paper until the edges crumpled. This was it. Whatever game the empire was playing, whatever they wanted from her, this was the opening move. She hadn't expected it so soon, but the timing wasn't a surprise. They knew about Kai. They knew he mattered to her. And now they were calling her out like a hunter signaling prey.
Mira folded the letter slowly, deliberately, the creases precise and sharp. She tucked it inside her jacket, right over her heart. A reminder. A warning. She wasn't sure which.
The next day crawled by. She cleaned her weapons, sharpened her knives until the steel glowed, checked her supplies obsessively. After that she waited.
Once Friday arrived she could barely contain her nerves she walked quickly to the outpost the idea of seeing Vael again lent a sour taste in her mouth. The outpost loomed before her, a squat, reinforced stone structure nestled between the sprawling city and the darkening forest beyond. Lanterns flickered in deep-set windows, casting warm pools of light onto the cobbled courtyard. The wind carried the smell of damp earth and old wood smoke, mingling with the metallic tang of distant city fires. The heavy door creaked as she pulled it open, the hinges well-oiled but reluctant, as if resisting her presence. Inside, the air was thick with the musk of polished wood and aged leather, the faintly bitter odor of ink and parchment hanging in the air.
The main chamber was quiet, save for the soft scratching of a quill against paper and the steady drip of water from somewhere in the walls. A clerk sat hunched at a desk near the entrance, his ink-stained fingers moving methodically as he copied something onto a scroll. He didn't look up as she entered, his gaze fixed on his work, but she knew he was aware of her. The empire's agents were always aware of everything.
She didn't speak as she moved deeper into the room. The space was dimly lit by a single lantern hanging from the ceiling, casting long, wavering shadows across the wooden floor. The scribe finally looked up he glanced over her appearance, "Have a seat."
Mira rolled her eyes, "For such a high ranking knight you would think that man would understand punctuality. Do you want to see the note he sent me?"
The clerk's fingers paused over his inkwell, his gaze flicking up. "Sir Vael is... precise." He gestured to a bench against the far wall. "You'll wait."
Mira sighed, but obeyed. She perched on the edge of the bench, her posture rigid, every muscle taut with tension. The minutes stretched interminably as the clerk returned to his work, the only sound the occasional scratch of his quill.
Then, footsteps. Heavy. Measured. The door behind the clerk opened, and Vael stepped through. Mira felt her stomach tighten as he came into view.
The knight was taller than she remembered, his presence filling the small room like a storm cloud. His armor was immaculate, the steel polished to a mirror finish that reflected the lantern light in sharp, dangerous slivers. His face was stern, the lines around his eyes deeper, but his blue eyes held that same calculating intensity she recalled from their last encounter. He moved with purpose, his boots clicking against the floorboards, each step deliberate and controlled. His hand rested casually on the hilt of his sword, the gesture both casual and threatening at the same time.
"Mira." His voice was low, rich with the authority of command. "You received my message." It wasn't a question.
"Oh, no I'm just here because I really enjoy the ambiance. Truly how does the empire excel at capturing the stench of decay and sorrows. I really need to know-"
Vael's lips twitched, not quite a smile, more like a predator assessing whether his prey was worth the effort. He approached, his presence dominating the space as he stopped just a pace away, forcing her to tilt her head back slightly to meet his gaze.
"You always did have a sharp tongue," he murmured. "I'd wondered if the years had dulled it."
Mira leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "I learned early not to waste it on people who don't listen."
His eyes flickered with something unreadable. Amusement? Approval? She couldn't tell.
"Then I suppose it's fortunate that I do listen, when it suits me." He gazed over her attire, "This won't do." he motioned to a young knight, "Find her something proper to wear."
Mira stiffened, her fingers curling into the fabric of her jacket. "I don't need your handouts, Vael. And I certainly don't need your charity wardrobe." Her tone was sharp, defensive.
Vael's face remained impassive, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of impatience, perhaps. "It's not charity," he said, his words quiet but firm. "It's a matter of protocol. If you insist on being seen with me, you'll do so properly. The empire has standards."
Mira's jaw clenched. She glanced at the younger knight, who was already moving toward a side room, and then back to Vael.
Mira took the garments with a nod, her movements stiff and controlled. She moved toward the side room, her boots quiet against the floorboards. She heard Vael's voice overhead, "Take off those ghastly jewels."
Mira paused, fingers brushing the jagged silver pins that held her hair back, her grip tightening on them for a moment before slowly, deliberately, pulling them free. The locks fell in a mess of dark strands, framing her face as she turned, holding the pins between her teeth.
She stepped back into the main room, her face unreadable. The fresh clothing felt foreign against her skin—soft, well-made, clean. She ran a hand over the fabric of the tunic, resisting the urge to fidget. It was strange, after so many years of wearing rags or practical gear, to be dressed in something that fit this well.
Vael gazed at her his eyes following the way the dress clung to her curves he sighed, "Get her a clock and pin her hair up." Mira frowned, "More fussing?"
"Your hair is distracting," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's a meeting, not a spectacle."
Mira scoffed but allowed the younger knight to help her, though she glared at Vael the entire time. When her hair was pinned back, she stood straighter, smoothing the fabric of her dress with practiced ease. Vael nodded once, as if satisfied.
"Better," he murmured. Then, turning toward the clerk still working at his desk, "Bring the carriage."
The clerk rose swiftly, disappearing through a side door. Mira exhaled through her nose, arms crossing over her chest. "Carriage?"