"Thank you for agreeing to walk me around," Ava said.

"Of course, Lady Avery," Arnelo nodded as they trekked the white stone streets of The Center, "I am glad that your father allowed you to leave the complex."

"You don't have to call me Lady Avery, you know."

"That is your title and your name. It is the most appropriate."

"You can just call me Avery. I would prefer Ava," she shrugged.

"Ava?"

"The name I used when I ran away. I just feel it fits me more,"

"I am happy to, ma'am," Arnelo frowned a bit, "but I don't want to get in trouble."

"When someone important is around, you may use my title. I don't want to affect your job," Ava looked over with a smile, "but I feel Lady Avery is too formal. I don't want my friends calling me that."

"You would consider me a friend?"

"I don't really have the opportunity to meet people elsewhere. So, we may as well become friends," Ava said, she needed Arnelo on her side. So she wasn't entirely being above board with her friendliness, but a part of her trusted him. She didn't enjoy using people and becoming his friend didn't seem like a bad idea.

"With all due respect, I do not think anyone else will find that viable, ma'am. I am a soldier meant to guard you and you are an unmarried woman. People would talk," Arnelo said as they continued to walk, never facing Ava.

"I understand that. I am not asking you to be unprofessional when anyone is around," Ava conceded and dropped the matter, not wanting to push it, "I'm sorry for getting you in trouble."

"You haven't gotten me in trouble."

"Running away in the gardens. Trying to run away after the carriages were attacked...Well, I suppose I am sorry for trying to run away so often."

"That's alright, ma'am. I'm sorry I've had to stop you every time."

"You're doing your job being the soldier, I'm doing mine being the rebel."

He actually laughed a bit, "Indeed."

They finished the conversation without another word and walked in silence for. She was content with simply walking outside in the fresh air. She tried hard to scrub all thoughts from her mind and eventually, she succeeded. She did that for a bit, basking in the luxury of just being. Not angry or sad, completely blank. Until she almost knocked into someone and then she blinked back into reality. Arnelo was behind her steadying her and she flashed him a smile as a token of her gratitude.

Once she had her solid footing, she looked around and determined what she wanted to do. Her mind was back to running and it was guiding her towards the rectangular building that allegedly held the most knowledge in Baethos. She walked in its direction.

"Where are you going, Lady Ava?" Arnelo said as he followed behind.

"The Vault," she said with a laugh, "don't call me Lady Ava. Don't call me Lady at all but especially not with Ava after it."

"We are not allowed in the Vault without permission from someone."

"I have permission."

'You do?"

"No, but they don't know that," Ava said as she picked up her pace before Arnelo could really devise a plan to stop her.

When she was under the shade of the entrance to the Vault, she smiled as she approached the two Classifier guards that stood watch outside of the doors.

"Please make your way make onto the street," one of them said, looking straight ahead and past her.

"Hello. Good Aftermorning," Ava ignored them with a smile, "My name is Lady Vaith. I believe my father has sent word to allow for my entrance?"

"We haven't received notice," the same guard spoke.

Ava sighed and put her fingers to her temples and nodded a bit, "Alright. That's alright. He gets busy."

"Lady Vaith maybe we should go back-"

"No, Arnelo! I am not going back to bother him about it! You heard him, he wasn't going to be available all sun and I needed to get this done for him now," Ava snapped then looked at the guard she had been speaking to, "is there any way you can let me in so we can both avoid his wrath?"

"Both?"

"I am not going down for this alone," Ava shrugged, "I will tell him I wasn't allowed in and the word of the daughter of a Vaith meant nothing to you."

"Lady Vaith, this is not protocol."

"Neither is my father sending me to retrieve an item from the library but here I am. I was just as shocked at you when he made the request."

The guard she was speaking to looked over at his comrade, trying to get an answer from him but his companion just gave a small shrug. He was expressionless and Ava could tell the more talkative guard was displeased at being put on the spot. He nodded in her direction and allowed her entry into the massive door, standing at fifteen feet tall.

She had been inside The Vault before, several times, but it never ceased to make her feel small. Inside, the white stone theme of The Center was carried throughout. The building was rectangular but hollow in the middle. If one stood at the center of the ground floor and looked up, the dozen floors above could all be seen. Pulley systems at each of the corners of the building with a rising platform carried classifiers and others to each of the levels.

Ava was stuck for a moment. She had been there before but not with the freedom of movement she had right then. It was always with a larger group of people and mostly for tours of The Vault or special ceremonies. She hadn't even expected for her plan of being let in to work, it wasn't even really in her plans to access The Vault when she left the complex that morning. She had no idea what exactly was in there. Everyone always said there were records, books, and history preserved among the shelves but that was too vague.

The records of all the last namers, she knew for a fact, were kept underground. There was a door at the end of the building that led into the lower floors. No one except the classifiers were given permission to enter. The Councilmen were only allowed under strict supervision and with special permissions from the head of the classifiers. She knew that it would not even be worth trying to infiltrate. And if she did, there was nothing of interest there to her. She wanted to find things that had been hidden, swept under the rug, perhaps even something to hold over her father's head.

Her problem was that she didn't know where anything was. So, she decided to do what she did best. Asking questions.

She walked to the pulley system closest to her, on the southwest corner of the building.

"Hello," she smiled at the platform operator, "would you be able to point me to the history section?"

The classifier tilted his head a bit, "I apologize. Most of the levels are about history. Is there a more specific request I can help you with?"

"How about taboo history? My father is looking for books published about the history of rebellion that were taken out of circulation or banned," Ava narrowed down her category.

"We have a few levels with banned books," he nodded and allowed her onto the platform, indicating for her to hold onto the bars for safety, "I will take you to the fourth level. There should be a section of books about rebellion that were taken out of circulation. Should be on the northeast section of the floor."

The platform jolted up and Ava gripped the bar tightly. She wasn't afraid of heights if her many nights in the crow's nest had taught her anything, but this was something she could easily fall off of. Finally, after several calming breaths they made it to the fourth level and Ava was allowed access to the floor. Making quick work of the instructions she was given, she walked to the northeast section of the level and began to skim.

Ava didn't know what she expected. Perhaps a certain book would call out to her and she could spend an hour or so reading. But that seemed to be too overwhelming of a task. There were so many books and so much to get through, that she couldn't just pick one. So, instead, she looked at hundreds of books in the several hours she was there. She would read the title, a small synopsis of what it was about, and maybe even a page or two then put it back.

Instead of reading one book, she absorbed information about several. She was trying to see a pattern, what had been hidden from public view? Most of the books about rebellion were taken out of circulation for obvious reasons. They were viewed as a threat to the regime, books that detailed the history of oppression and called for revolution, rebellion, and radical change. Those are the types of books she expected to see lining the shelves.

But those weren't the only ones.

Books analyzing successes and failures of the regime– those that weren't by nature political, rather just a strategic analysis of what had occurred– were on those shelves. Books analyzing rebellions, their goals, and their downfalls were also among the books she read. Of course, she found authors she recognized and even books she had read before. Frentnocker was amongst the authors that had books on the shelves and the sight of his name brought her back to the Scorned Woman and her long nights in the library.

It reminded her of a time when no one knew who she was on the ship. When the looming threat of Theo finding out wasn't around. When Cooker would sit in the library with her and discuss all of the questions she had. But now, she was a world away– in a cold, sterile building– trying to desperately claw at any information pertaining to her old life, in what was starting to feel like a hopeless attempt at getting back that happiness she felt.

As if Arnelo could sense her turmoil about her place in life, he came to her rescue.

"I thought I might have to spend a lot longer finding you," he smiled as he came to stand next to her, "but you stayed in one place."

Ava looked over from the book that was in her hand and nodded a bit, "A lot to look at over here."

"Are you alright, Lady Ava?" he tilted his head, "you seem dejected. I thought you would be happy now that you were let out."

"I'm elated," she flashed a sad smile, "let's go, shall we?"

She placed the book back where it belonged and led the way out.

—----

The next suns were spent in The Vault. Ava would wake up early and return in time for dinner. She was still in the same section. Even though she wished she had time to get to other parts of The Vault, the rebellion catalog was so large she was forced to spend all her time in one place. She wished she had more direction, more of a concrete goal on what she wanted to find but she was stuck without any of that. The only thing she could think of that could be immediately relevant was revolution. If she could convince her father, it would take cold hard logic and buy-in and she needed history to do so. If she managed to run away, maybe information about past rebellions would be helpful. Although, Theo and Cooker always seemed to be discussing banned books so she was sure they didn't need her for that.

At that moment, she was browsing through a large tome, made up of mostly illustrations and sketches. The thickness of the book was what first caught her eye, and the confusing illustrations on the page were what got her to sit on the floor and dive into its pages. She was hunched over, nose practically buried in the book, and eyes squinted to try and get a good look at the details in front of her. It was plans for a sleek, small, handheld device but she could not understand what its purpose was. The words on the page were not in Common so she had no idea what she was looking at, but it looked intricate, advanced, and complicated.

"I cannot believe you've gotten away with this for four suns in a row," Viv said and Ava looked up. The woman had come into her aisle of books and began to lean on the bookshelf.

"How did you get in here?" Ava frowned.

"Told them I had to come get you," Viv shrugged, "which wasn't a lie. Unlike what you've been doing."

"I am taking advantage of my time here to satiate my curiosity before I'm locked up again in Aubermasse," Ava defended her actions.

"Whatever the reason, playtime is over, princess," Viv nodded her head towards the pulley to take them down to the ground floor, "let's go."

"How did you even know where to find me?"

"Haven't you caught on? I'm always there. Always watching," Viv teased but there wasn't much of a joke there, it was the truth.

"Why are you here to come get me?"

"To bring you to your testimony."

"What? That's not until tomorrow evening."

"The Council moved it up. Some were concerned that you would be given training beforehand and they wanted to shorten the time that you could be influenced to lie."

"They had the right idea four suns too late," Ava laughed a bit as she placed her book back, "fine, I suppose I will go without a fight."

—---

"You were captured by pirates?" Lord Ammyrett asked.

"That is correct. They attacked Aubermasse while I was of out on the town. I fled the city center, thinking I would make it to safety but I just ran into the group of pirates," Ava replied.

"But you were found to be dead," Ammyrett pressed.

"They ripped my dress off me, put it on a dead townsperson, then tossed it off a cliff," Ava falsely recalled.

"Why would they do that when you could have been of more value to them if you were presumed alive," Lord Scout interjected.

"I think the captain of the ship that took me in was also wondering the same thing," Ava tried to make a joke but it fell flat, "the pirates that were the ones to actually kidnap me were not the sharpest. They were not high ranking by any means."

"And you were kept on the ship?"

"I was. The captain once told me that if they were attacked by The Center on their journey across the ocean, I would be their secret negotiation tool," Ava admitted.

"This captain, who was it?" another Lord asked. She didn't recognize him so he must have been Lord Oglebur. He was young and had inherited his father's title just about three cycles before she left home.

"It was Captain Theo of the Scorned Woman," she answered, "and unlike the ones who captured me, she is extremely smart. Really cunning. Calculated. Sadistic."

"Did you interact with this captain often?"

"Yes. She tried to get me to spill Vaith secrets. She was always in the brig, attempting some form of torture, mostly psychological," Ava confirmed.

"Yet you seem fine."

"A lifetime with Maude Vaith makes you a bit impervious to mental distress," Ava said and that time, her joke landed and all of the important figures in the room laughed. She would have felt bad that she was demeaning her mother on a stage but she couldn't find the will to care.

"Did you tell Captain Theo anything?" Lord Ammyrett joined back in.

"Of course I did. I spent a long time in the brig and sometimes the torture became too much. But I was quite a sheltered child and I didn't have much to share anyway. I rarely ever saw the outside of my estate walls."

"She's the recluse," Lord El-Umandi recalled and Ava tried not to shrivel at the moniker, "her testimony tracks."

"It does not add up, though," Lord Scout interjected, "She was so easily returned, with barely a scratch on her. The whole ship of soldiers transporting her back perished yet she stands here before us."

"I am just as surprised as you are," Ava shook her head, "During the fight, I was pulled from the brig of the Scorned Woman by soldiers and put on a lightbringer to get to safety. A cycle into the journey back, they somehow found us. I don't believe it was the crew of the Scorned Woman that attacked but they were definitely pirates."

"Yet you managed to escape?"

"I owe it to Arnelo, the soldier that was in the 17th division of the navy during the fight," Ava looked over towards the door he was standing near, "I was frozen in panic and he was quick on his feet. He secured us a rowboat and we were able to escape thanks to the chaos and the dark."

"Did you witness any of the fighting at The Center?"

"Only a glimpse of it. But I can give you the reason you lost."

Lord Scout turned to his advisor and they whispered to each other before he turned back to her, "How do you know we lost at the island? That information has not been made public yet."

"A glimpse was all I needed to come to that conclusion," Ava smirked a bit, watching his excited face fall at the realization he hadn't found a way to stump her testimony.

"Why did we suffer so many losses at Corinspe, Lady Vaith?" Lord Ammyrett asked.

"Beyond the obvious advantage of having familiar turf to fight in, the pirates had nothing to lose. They are a scary group when provoked and you gave them a common cause to unite over," Ava said and to her surprise, she wasn't immediately dismissed, "I've told my father this when he asked me about what happened at Corinspe but I feel you all should be made privy too: the way you continue to hold power is not through challenging these groups. Like I said, they have nothing to lose and that is a powerful motivator. Policies of attacking the underworld will not win public affection."

There were a few mummers and chuckles around the room but nothing that indicated that she should have stopped.

"You no longer have a monopoly on violence. Handcannons are everywhere. These groups have had dozens of classifications to build their forces and their defenses. If you are not careful, you will also no longer have a monopoly on caring for the population of Baethos," Ava looked around the room. Most eyes were on her aside from Lord Siestal and Scout, who were turned to their advisors talking to them, "some of these groups, like the pirates of the Scorned Woman, give back to the populations they visit. If the government is not the only one that can protect the people, from both violence and lack of resources, then rebellion occurs that much quicker."

"Where would get the money for these resources you propose we give to the people?" Lord Siestal finally joined the conversation.

"Over half of the taxes you collect goes towards the Baethan military. Scale back," Ava returned.

"So, we scale back on our military endeavors, pump people full of benefits, and when the people see we aren't protecting them from dangerous groups, rebellion ensues anyway."

Ava shook her head, "The only people actually scared of traders, or roamers, or pirates are the merchant class and last namers. The majority of others see them as good people, as people with fair rules, as somewhat of their salvation. Those groups bring money and opportunity into town. When these groups are a part of the community, the people are able to supplement the income that lesser houses tax them and pay for the necessities of life."

"You seem to know a lot for being locked up in the brig," Siestal challenged.

"The brig was in the lower decks. I got to know those pirates well," Ava replied, "plus, you would be surprised how many pirates have an interest in underground books. I may have been physically sheltered in my time on the ship but I came back as anything but."

There were no more questions or concerns to be voiced, she was left with a room of people staring at her and her father looking emotionless. She wasn't sure if he was angry with her about straying from what she had been trained to say. If he was, there was no way for her to tell. Since he wasn't outwardly seething, she took her chance to say one last thing.

"I know that you may see me and my ideas as a threat but that is not the case. I am an asset to this Council precisely because of what I have read and heard. The merchant class and other last namers only care about how much gold they can yield from their alliances with you. If more gold means being in your ears about policies that may not lengthen the hold The Council has on Baethos, then that is a risk they are willing to take if it means more gold is lining their pockets when the classifiers come around."

"They need us. We do not need them," Lord Ammyrett spoke.

"They are merchants and the affluent classes. They do not need you. They would survive no matter who was in power. Think now about political self-preservation. And stop paying attention to the needs of the rich over the needs of the many who will work to overthrow you."

"Rebellion is nothing new," El-Umandi said, "if the people want to riot, there is little we can do to stop it. It is a political inevitability and one that we have handled many times."

"Sure. But from what I read, each rebellion that has happened has been closer and closer to achieving its goal. Took you five lengths to put down the last one and the only way you managed that was by massacring thousands. It still has people very upset. You can't get away with much more of that scale of violence."

"Is this some elaborate way for you to push a new agenda?" Lord Siestal turned to her father.

He held up his hands, "Gentlemen if I knew she was going to sit up there and speak about her progressive and dare I say delusional, ministrations, I would not have agreed to allow her to testify."

"It's true. He said all the same things you all are saying right now," Ava backed him up, "if you had given him enough time to tell me what to say, you could have avoided having to listen to my opinions but I was prematurely put up here."

Her father couldn't have been too happy with her going off course, even if he didn't show it. The very least she could do was assure the council of a lie, the testimony wasn't tampered with.

"Do you feel sympathy for the pirates? Is that what inspires your testimony?" Siestal asked.

"I do not have any sympathy for them. I think they are cruel beings. I think that even though it isn't the right approach, the positive aspect of your campaign against them is that hundreds of them are now dead," Ava said, attempting to lace her voice with spite, "but bad people will always be in this world and the ranks of pirates will always be filled. So work on making your people happy rather than go after those that are already unhappy with your rule."

"I think that's enough, gentlemen," her father stood up from his chair, "unless you have any more questions for my daughter, we should let her go before she begins to present more of her ideas."

The room broke into laughter and the tension she had wound up had been broken. As she was escorted out of the room, she turned to watch her father. They locked eyes as she walked out. Yet again, he didn't look upset but she couldn't read him. She rarely ever could.

—---

Ava was sitting in the dining room, alone, like she had been the past suns. She was bored. Viv never ate with her, Arnelo wasn't allowed to sit with her, and the waiter would not utter a word in her direction when he came by with her plates. Her silent request for something to break up the mundaneness was answered when her father entered the room.

"Good Evening, Avery," he said as he walked to the head of the table, "I hope that you do not mind if I join you."

"Please, go ahead," Ava said and motioned to his chair, "how was your sun?"

"You know, I do not think your mother realizes that if she was nicer to you that you would return that kindness," he mused and snapped his fingers at the lingering waiter to get him his food.

"To be fair to her, I don't think any amount of niceties could get me to be pleasant with her," Ava chuckled a bit.

"She does what she thinks is best for you."

"And I do what I know is best for me, which is to not bother with trying to have a positive relationship with her," Ava raised an eyebrow and put a piece of steak in her mouth.

Her father laughed a bit and shook his head as he reached for a roll of bread in between them, "I do not recall you being this talkative and opinionated before your time away."

"I always was opinionated, I just didn't know how to express it. Nor was I allowed to," she shrugged one shoulder.

"You've proven yourself to be quite intelligent in our short time together," he complimented, "it's more than I can say for the remainder of your siblings."

"I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks their brains are made of manure."

"You have also caused me far more headaches than they ever have," he crossed his arms and sat back against his chair, "including after your testimony when the councilmen decided to debate your proposition for hours on end."

"And? Was there a conclusion to the debate?"

"No. And if there were, you would not be made aware of it."

"Because I'm a woman?"

"Because you are not on the Council."

"Were they receptive to what I said?"

He shrugged one shoulder and tilted his head into the shrug, holding one hand out, "A few interested parties."

"Including you?" Ava perked up a bit in her seat. If she could get through to her father then some of the harm being done could be curbed until the revolution succeeded or would be able to help in the case that it failed.

"As I mentioned, it's council business which means that is confidential," her father said, "since you are almost done with your meal, I don't want to keep you longer than needed. So, I will inform you now that I am having a caravan arranged for you to leave tomorrow night back to Aubermasse."

Ava was conflicted. She wanted to go back and see Mallory who was the only real human connection she had in Elox or in her life at the present moment. But she had so much more freedom in the Center. Perhaps she could get Mallory to come to visit her there and could request to stay a bit longer. But before she could put in her demands her father continued.

"I have sent word to Maude that she will let you roam free around the estate. There should be no reason to keep you cooped up if you have supervision," her father said with a nod, "thank you for testifying."

"You don't think I messed it up?" Ava tilted her head.

"I think you added onto what had been rehearsed with you," her father said then paused before nodding, "but you did what I needed you to do."

"Which was?"

"Classified," he stood up and looked over at the waiter standing by the entrance of the kitchens, "I will take my dinner in my study."

He turned to her and gave a slight nod, "Goodnight, Avery."

"Goodnight," she replied, watching him promptly leaving her alone again.

Tomorrow would be her last sun in The Center and she would enjoy it around town.

—--

"Why are you here?" Ava asked with a frown as she opened the door to her room, looking up and down to find that it was not Arnelo that had knocked.

"Aw, princess, we have barely been around each other. Aren't you excited we get to spend the sun together?" Viv smirked.

"I'm not spending the sun with you. Where is Arnelo?"

"Occupied with preparing for the journey back. I've been tasked with watching you on your prance around town."

"As opposed to before, when you weren't watching me?" Ava shot back.

"Let me rephrase" Viv chuckled, "I've been tasked with escorting you around rather than simply keeping an eye out on you."

"Is it actually your job to follow me around or are you just lying because you enjoy fucking with me?"

"I don't want to spend any more time with you than necessary, trust me," Viv held out her arm.

Ava hiked up her skirt and brushed past her with a scoff, "I'm not the awful one out of the two of us. I am actually perfectly agreeable and great to be around."

"Did I injure your feelings, Avery?" Viv kept up with her, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she moved in front of Ava, walking backward at a fast pace.

"No, actually. On second thought, it makes me glad that someone with your lack of morals finds me displeasing. It reflects well on my character," Ava said and quickened her stride to make it harder for Viv to keep up.

The other woman tripped up a bit and Ava snorted as she brushed past her yet again, forcing Viv to have to walk next to her properly.

"You know-"

Ava stopped and turned around, "Shut the fuck up and let me have a peaceful sun! Or I will scream so loud they think I am being murdered and they will kill first, ask questions later."

Viv laughed but she said nothing else, she raised her hands in surrender and Ava was satisfied with the answer she received. She turned around and began walking toward her ride to The Center.

—-—--

Ava was picking a piece of fruit off a plate, sitting on a bench in The Center gardens. It was less of a garden and more of a large grassy area with strict lines of pavement running through it, benches littered on the edges of the paths, and trees methodically placed along the stone. It had been a quiet morning, Viv had yet to speak and Ava was surprised it had lasted that long.

Viv was also eating some fruit– frustratingly enough it was off of Ava's plate.

"Hey, keep your grimy fingers to yourself," Ava smacked her hand.

"I can't ask for one, so I have to resort to stealing," Viv laughed.

"You can't talk! I warned you," Ava put her plate on the bench next to her and took a deep breath.

She started a scream but her mouth was covered before a second could pass.

"Oi! Oi! Shh!" Viv was laughing still but Ava could tell there was a bit of panic, her eyes darted around to make sure no one was watching as Ava continued to scream into her palm.

"I will tell you a secret if you stop screaming," Viv whispered harshly, "and if you let me keep talking."

Ava stopped, raising an eyebrow and looking over at Viv as much as she could with a hand over her mouth holding her in place.

It was slowly released and Ava grabbed her plate with one hand and pushed Viv's thigh with her other, "What is it then?"

"I'm renegotiating. I will tell you the secret after you let me talk to you."

"Fine. If I find the words you are saying off-putting, I will just yell again."

"You're smart," Viv got to the point.

"Thank you?" Ava laughed.

"What you pulled in the testimony yestersun," Viv shook her head, "I mean, kid, you've got it."

"Got what? I'm not following, is this why you wanted to talk?" Ava popped another piece of fruit into her mouth.

"You've got the stuff to be in politics. To run the show," Viv explained.

"I'm a woman," Ava said as she chewed.

"Women have been roaming the halls of The Center since its inception. History just doesn't write about them."

"I think you underestimate how unpopular I am with my family," Ava wiped her mouth with a shrug.

"There is a power vacuum right now within your family. Even if it's not obvious right now, it will be apparent soon. Your two oldest brothers are out of the picture and they were the only viable ones for your father's title."

"You know what they say about third sons," Ava imitated the joke that would often go around the crew.

"Exactly," Viv snapped her fingers, "and full offense to your brother Killian, he's a fucking idiot. And the twins aren't going to be old enough to take his place by the time your father croaks so that leaves you."

"I have about a thousand cousins who could take his title," Ava argued.

"Like he'd leave his legacy to some cousin of yours."

"Like he'd leave his legacy to me," Ava laughed, "if you think he would, you are delusional."

"Maybe so," Viv shrugged, "say he doesn't name you his successor, would it hurt to have his ear?"

"Why would I concern myself with that?" Ava asked but she knew exactly why it would benefit her.

"Because you were bullshitting at your testimony. You do care, you do agree with the pirates. You want to see the system fail" Viv observed.

"You are proving the opposite of your point. If I want to see the system fail, why would I work to reinforce it?"

"You lied to the council and tried to appeal to their political side because you hoped that at least in that way, there would be change. You care about change, even if its done by working within the system. So why not have direct access to the person that could make that dream a reality? Even if he doesn't name you, you would still have power. I can help you get there," Viv said.

"And what does that do for you?" Ava turned her body to face her, "because I doubt doing something for the sake of helping people is your style."

"If you have power then I have power. Or, I would at least have a guaranteed job," Viv shrugged.

"You want to use me for power?"

"Obviously."

"And you can't achieve that on your own? You are already on the in with my father"

"Sure, I can try on my own but it would be faster if I stuck with you. Plus, if I stick with you instead of risking it by siding with your father in all of this, then I have more job security," Viv reached onto Ava's plate for a piece of fruit once again, "you would at least hesitate before chopping my head off at the first sign of trouble. Your father? Not so much."

"But I hate you. There is no guarantee I would think twice about having you killed."

"But you know I'm great at what I do. So, you'll enlist my help with your selfless plans for Baethos and when you see I can help you deliver a promising future for the people, I gain your trust and loyalty," Viv shrugged.

"So, you are offering me a deal," Ava said.

"I am pointing you in the direction of a mutually beneficial agreement," Viv replied.

"No thanks," Ava shrugged and stood up, handing the plate to Viv, "tell me your secret now."

"You didn't even consider it. Didn't even sit on it for a second."

"You're right," Ava laughed as she walked away, Viv chasing after her, "I wasn't trying to give you the impression that I was going to consider it. I was only listening because I was promised a secret in return."

"You don't see my logic to this? Climbing your way to the top will get you what you want," Viv pushed.

"I see your logic. I may even agree with it. I could effect change from the inside but I have no intention of making you an ally even if I wanted to take that route," Ava replied, "secret please."

"You were right. You are incessant."

"I'm aware."

"On the sixth floor of The Vault, the shelves on the southeast corner of the building are rumored to hold the sketches for an airship that Baethan authorities seized from some Dovish creators a while back," Viv divulged her pressing secret.

"An airship? As in a ship that can fly?"

Viv nodded.

"You were in The Vault the other sun, why didn't you confirm that rumor?"

"I have no interest in the blueprints for an airship. The fuck would I do with that?" Viv laughed and shook her head.

"You could sell it?"

"And put my neck on the line for the same amount of gold I've been getting out of watching you for a cycle? I'll pass," Viv explained, "but I saw you reading that tome yestersun and figured that seems like some shit you would be interested in."

Ava didn't dignify the slight jab with a response, she kept moving forward and in the direction of The Vault, pushing the plate of fruit into Viv's chest to keep hold of as they made their way through the streets. She picked up her pace, her curiosity brimming about the new information Viv had given her. She hoped it was true and that there were some secrets to uncover on the sixth floor.

That is where she headed first. The guards at the entrance gave her no hassle to get in, unlike the first time. They had gotten easier to get through each time and finally, she had gotten to a point where they didn't care to argue anymore. She approached the same classifier that had been operating the platform she had been using.

"Good morning. Sixth floor, please," Ava smiled and grabbed hold of the bar.

"My apologies. That is a restricted floor."

"I can't keep going through this with everyone," Ava sighed, "my father gave me express permission to do research for him here."

"I am afraid you need written permission from one of the Marshalls," he shook his head, "I can bring you to the fourth floor if you would like."

She shook her head, "No thank you. I will be on my way."

Ava stepped off the platform and to the center of the ground floor, looking up at the sixth level trying to get a read on any alternate routes. Not even five minutes into her time at The Vault, Viv slid in next to her.

"We have to go. The caravan is ready," Viv whispered.

Ava turned her head over to Viv, "The sixth floor is blocked off."

Viv chuckled, "I know."

Ava's eyes widened and her jaw dropped, "You tricked me, you slimy bastard."

Viv raised her eyebrows then laughed, "Doesn't feel nice to be on the shit end of a deal, does it?"

"Pettiness will get you nowhere," Ava huffed and began to make her way outside.

"But my heart and my soul feel so full right now," Viv followed her, "bothering you would be less fun if you didn't give me a reaction."

"If I didn't give you a reaction, you would act the same," Ava turned to look at her as they emerged from the building.

"You are absolutely right," Viv laughed and led the way to where the caravan awaited them.

—--

"Calm down, princess," Viv laughed.

"Stop calling me that!" Ava yelled and threw her embroidery hoop at Viv's head.

Viv ducked out of the way and the hoop crashed against the carriage wall behind her. She picked up the hoop, "Who would've thought a rich girl would be so bad at home making."

Ava didn't answer, she brought her finger to her lips to get rid of the small bead of blood at the tip of her finger.

"You've been in such a sour mood as of late," Viv said, "what's wrong?"

Ava just shrugged a shoulder. The bitter taste of going home was constantly on her tongue and she was taking it out on everyone around her. Including the poor shopkeeper of the town, they had stopped at for lunch. She couldn't help the tension and the aggression that had entered her body since leaving The Center. Her father had said he had sent a letter to grant her freedom but she wouldn't know for sure. The thought of perhaps having to go back to being locked in a room had her upset and her fuse was short.

"Want me to teach you?" Viv asked as she held up the hoop.

Ava shook her head, looking out of the window and keeping her finger against her lips as if that would ease the slight pain. They had been on the road for too many suns yet still, they were not even halfway through their journey. She had been trying to embroider every sun out of pure spite at that point. It wasn't possible that she could be that bad at something. Then again, she had failed at almost everything she tried when she was on the ship.

Perhaps Ava was as useless as her mother usually made her out to be. She couldn't sew or embroider, sail or navigate, clean or any other duties required of her at any point in her life. All she was good at was reading and that had only brought about knowledge she could do nothing with. She had a knack for relationship building, perhaps even an inclination for politics, but she was nowhere where she could use those skills. So instead, she was floundering in a pit of self-loathing. Fucking embroidery.

"I promise, it's simple," Viv chuckled as she recovered the needle from the floor and flossed the thread through the eye, "see?"

Ava watched as Viv's fingers dexterously pushed the needle through the fabric and soon, a few stitches later, there was a perfect line with no gaps between the thread and nothing accidentally overlapping.

"You keep putting your finger right in harm's way," Viv laughed again, "the point is to poke the fabric, not your fingers."

"I know that's the point," Ava reached forward and took the hoop away, "I said I didn't want your help."

"Fine. Keep poking yourself, see if I give a shit."

"You literally do give a shit. You just tried to help me," Ava challenged.

"Last time that's going to happen, brat," Viv crossed one leg over another.

Ava ignored her and went back to her swirling thoughts. Maybe if she was only good at a few things, she would just have to make sure that whatever she did played to her strengths. She still wanted to leave, she needed to leave. But she needed Viv on her side because Viv was always watching. She was good at politics and that was the language Viv spoke. Maybe the other sun, Viv had a point. Actually, she did have a point about effecting change from the inside. It was already something she had been thinking about. Clearly. If not, she wouldn't have spoken up about it to her father or The Council.

It wouldn't hurt to at least try and make a change. At the very least, if that failed then she would have had Viv on her side. Or get her distracted enough to let Ava forge enough connections to get help with leaving.

That was still her goal. Nothing about her trip to The Center had changed her desire to leave her family. Even if her father hadn't been horrible to her. In fact, he had been more welcoming than Theo had been towards the end of her time with the pirates. Yet, it was all a facade. Underneath the surface was a man capable of hurting millions with little regret. It was all the scarier because he couldn't be read. She needed to leave but had made no progress in the several cycles she had been home. She needed to make her first move. However, that was proving difficult as no one but Mallory, and maybe Arnelo, was on her side.

Viv was a necessary evil. An ally that she had to have.

"When we were first going to The Center, you told me it was more lucrative for you to side with my father than me," Ava said, "but then you offered a deal where you would side with me."

"I did."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You'd be wise not to," Viv replied with a slight smile.

"Why the change?"

"I saw you in action. If we are being honest, I didn't think there was much depth to you until I saw you at your testimony. Then I realized, you may be worth allying with."

"But that can change on a whim."

"I would deny that but I won't do the disservice of lying to you," Viv laughed a bit and Ava couldn't help but crack a smile.

"How are you so alright with being an objectively shitty person?"

"It's an acquired talent. So, you in or not?"

"I may be coming around to it. I'm afraid you've still got work to do to get me to trust your offer," Ava shrugged, making sure to look at her nails and then out the window in an attempt to feign nonchalance.

It caused Viv to laugh but there was nothing else she said. That was the end of their conversation and they didn't have another one that long during the whole journey back to Aubermasse.

—--

She didn't know why she expected a proper arrival– perhaps because her father had gotten her hopes up by telling her he had written to her mother. But, she wasn't given that. Her carriage pulled up to the worker's entrance and when she stepped out, her feet sunk into the mud. Ava stood still for just a minute, taking in a deep breath and preparing herself for what was to come. There had been a calmness at The Center, an odd tranquility had washed over her there. She didn't have an unshakable tension in her shoulders, she wasn't holding her breath awaiting the next insult.

That feeling had quickly returned. She wasn't even inside the building yet she could feel the weight of the stones it was built out of resting on her chest.

"I'll see you around, princess, thanks for letting me ride with you," Viv said as she expertly dodged the mud Ava had sunken further into.

Ava didn't answer, she had no energy to do so. She looked over at Arnelo who was waiting for her to go forward so he could follow. He tilted his head as he watched but said nothing and didn't urge her forward.

"I have mud all over me," Ava said with a defeated sigh.

"I can see that," Arnelo said, "would you like me to carry you, Lady Vaith?"

"No, you have no mud on you," she shook her head.

"If you are worried about making a mess, the servants can clean up after you," Arnelo offered.

Ava unstuck her feet from the mud, stepping onto more solid ground before walking to the edge of the worker's entrance. She bent down and unfastened her shoes, then pulled her tights down. Stepping one clean foot into the threshold and then the other. She stopped someone that was passing by and pointed to the discarded items neatly piled outside.

"Do you think those can be used again?" Ava pointed to the stuff.

The woman looked between her and the pile then nodded, "Ma'am we can wash them for you if you like."

"No. They looked soiled to me. I declare them soiled," Ava said with a smile and a poor attempt at a wink, "find someone to throw these away. Under no circumstance are you to clean them up, find someone who could use that and give it to them."

"No, of course not, ma'am. That isn't something I would ever do," she shook her head, "I'm sorry if I gave you that idea."

"No," Ava shook her head and frowned, "no, I'm sorry. I was trying to be subtle. It didn't work."

The woman laughed a bit, slightly confused, "So you would like me to do what you said not to?"

"Please?" Ava smiled, "my mother would see those and throw them out. I don't want it to go to waste if you think they can be salvaged."

"I will do that. Right away, ma'am."

Ava watched her pick up the shoes and the tights and saunter off as Arnelo crossed the threshold.

"I hate it when people call me ma'am."

"I know," Arnelo said as he escorted her down the hall, "I am going to take you to your room since I haven't gotten instruction to allow you anywhere else in the estate."

Ava had shared her hopes with Arnelo that she would finally be free on the journey back. He had told her he hoped it was true. Ava could tell he didn't believe it would happen and that he was feeling guilty for having to go through with his duties.

"That's alright," Ava said as she put a hand on his arm, "I understand."

"Thank you for understanding, Lady Ava," he looked over at her with a smile.

"I'll take what I can get," Ava laughed, over trying to correct his usage of her name.

They walked to her room in silence and Ava slipped into overthinking. What would be coming her way in the future? Would she stay in the same rut as before? She didn't need to wait long to get her questions answered because her mother was waiting for her inside her room.

"Welcome back, Avery. Your father says it went well," her mother said as Ava walked in.

"It did. I testified and helped him with whatever his goal was," Ava responded as she walked to her couch and sat down.

"Avery! Your shoes! Your tights!" her mother stood up from the couch with a gasp.

"They were all muddy. You're lucky I didn't take off my dress too."

"Well, you should do that now. You are getting the upholstery all dirty," her mother stood up and motioned her over.

Ava stood up and stationed herself with her back to her mom. She felt the fabric loosen around her until she could step out of her dress. She turned around and faced her mom once she had gotten rid of the garment.

"So, you've heard from my father?" Ava asked.

"It was only a matter of time before you brought it up. You could not even wait a full conversation," she sighed, "Yes. I heard from him."

"And you're letting me go out?"

"You may walk around the estate with your own free will," her mother conceded.

Ava smiled wide, "Thank you! Thank you, thank you!"

"Eventually, in some suns, you may also begin to attend court."

"I don't plan on attending court. I just want free reign around the estate and around town."

Her mother held a hand up, "Apologies for my phrasing. You will begin to attend court."

"That wasn't in the request from him. I don't want to."

"You are seventeen. You need to find a suitor. You are four lengths behind. The only way to find a suitor is at court," her mother argued and reached up to brush some hair out of her face but Ava ducked out of the way, "and there was nothing in the letter about you going out into town. I am afraid that will not be possible, Avery"

"I'm not going to court. Especially not if it's to try and find me a suitor," Ava replied, taking a few steps back.

"There is no argument to be had. You will be attending and you will be polite and nice and appealing or you will not leave this room," her mother fixed her with a stern look, "and you only have the freedom to roam the estate. Are those two items clear?"

"Whatever. You can go now."

"You are so unappreciative of what I am trying to do for you," her mother argued, "do you know how difficult it is for me to have to deal with your moods?"

"If you won't go, I will," Ava began to walk, "might as well take advantage of the one freedom I have."

"Don't go far. Or try and run away," her mother said as she followed.

"Even if I tried to, the spies you likely have everywhere will stop me," Ava paused and looked at her mom, "don't follow me."

"Where are you going?"

"To go find Mallory."

"Go elsewhere, Avery, you are poisoning her mind. She's already begun to be so rebellious and you've barely been around her."

"I have free reign now according to you and my father. I will go poison her mind as much as I can," Ava said as she began to retreat from the room.

"Avery Davina Vaith. You get back here right now!"

She was followed out but Ava had nothing clunky stopping her. She was barefoot and with only an underdress slip over her body. She spared one glance back at her mother before taking off in the direction of Mallory's quarters.

—-

"You're home!" Mallory squealed as she opened the door to Ava standing in front of her room and then her eyes widened and she darted her head of out the doorframe and looked around, "are you mad? Get inside!"

Mallory pulled her in and Ava laughed at her.

"I'm fine. I am now allowed around the estate," Ava moved her eyebrows up and down, "I'm moving up in life. How exciting."

Mallory clapped her hands together, "Now there is so much we can do together!"

"Mum made it very clear I wouldn't be allowed out into Aubermasse though," Ava's shoulders dropped a bit, "I don't have a stellar track record but you would think a letter from father would have helped my case."

"A letter from father?" Mallory tilted her head, "Did you get to speak with him?"

"Several times," Ava nodded and walked to Mallory's bed, climbing onto it, "he knows I was a pirate."

"What?" Mallory shook her head, "Was he cross with you? How are you still alive?"

Ava laughed, "I thought that same thing. But he's not. I don't know if he is waiting for the right moment or he truly doesn't care."

"Huh," Mallory said and sat down on one of her couches.

"Exactly."

"I mean, he rarely gets angry but I would assume that would have had him enraged," Mallory shrugged then smiled, "that is good though! Now, you don't have to always be afraid of him finding out."

"Yeah," Ava smiled a bit and nodded.

She had been excited to see Mallory and excited that she finally had a way to begin to work her way out of Aubermasse but that feeling quickly faded. Her sister was elated to see her. She thought they were going to be together for the long haul. The guilt of possibly leaving her was eating Ava up. She couldn't very well leave her sister there alone. It was obvious to see how much she also hated it there.

"You alright?" Mallory could sense something was wrong.

"I am running away," Ava admitted, "I don't when or how but I am doing it. It was never my plan to stay."

Without much hesitation or surprise, Mallory nodded.

"Take me with you?"

"You would want to come with me?"

"I had been hoping you would ask me. There was never a doubt in my mind that you wouldn't attempt to leave again," Mallory stood up and walked over to the bed, "but I didn't want to ask in case you thought it was untrustworthy. I couldn't risk losing your companionship."

"I trust you," Ava assured her with a smile then laughed a bit, "we're running away together."

"With no plan," Mallory tacked on.

"With no plan," Ava repeated, "our first step is to make one."

Mallory held out a finger, "Hold on. My door is thin. Arnelo is out there."

Ava got up from the bed and walked to the door, opening it. Arnelo looked over.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

"Would you mind going to get us some snacks?" Ava smiled, "we are talking about running away and don't want you to hear our plans."

Arnelo laughed, "Of course, Lady Ava."

Arnelo walked away and Ava closed the door just to look over at a wide-mouthed Mallory.

"What?" Ava laughed.

"You just told him what we were doing!"

"Hiding amongst the truth," Ava philosophized, "he just thought I was joking."

"We are going to get arrested and hung," Mallory finally laughed and laid back on the bed, "How do we even start to plan this?"

"Not sure. Last time I did it was spur of the moment."

"So we just have to hope that we are out on the town at the same time as a pirate attack," Mallory said with a huff, "which is hard enough as it is without considering that you can't even leave the estate to be out in the town."

"We need connections. People we can trust to eventually help us run if that is needed," Ava strategized.

"Would probably be better if you were a bit nicer to mum," Mallory said, "then she might let you out more places which would help us form connections."

"You're probably right," Ava sighed, "I just don't want to."

"And I don't want to go socialize with people I do not like. I'm not political and smart like you. But I will do it anyway. So you do your part too," Mallory sat up and looked at Ava.

She frowned a bit, "Mal, you're smart."

"Don't deflect. We were talking about mum," Mallory switched the subject, "you spoke to her already, yes? How'd that go?"

"Not well at all. I was a bit rude," Ava admitted.

Mallory sighed.

"I should probably go try and fix that, right?" Ava asked.

"Probably."

"I will give it a few hours. Arnelo is coming back with snacks," Ava climbed onto the bed.

"Fine. Two hours and then you go apologize," Mallory laughed and Ava made sure she could see the exaggerated pout on her face.
—--

"Mum?" Ava knocked on the door to her room, "I want to talk."

There was no answer.

"Your chambermaid said you were in here! I know you are," she knocked again, "I'm sorry about my attitude earlier. I will go to court. I will behave. I won't run away. I just want to be able to go out."

She looked around making sure no one would stop her from opening the door. Only Arnelo was around and he showed no hesitation at her actions.

"Mother, please," Ava turned the knob and let herself into her mother's main bed-chamber.

Inside, her mother was curled up in the bed with her eyes closed. Ava's shoulder slumped a bit. Her mother was either pretending to sleep or she was actually deep in slumber, but regardless the issue would not be resolved that sun. She let out a deep sigh in case her mom was awake, maybe it would pull at her heartstrings.

But there was no reaction so she cut her losses. Her begging would have to take place another evening.

Perhaps if Ava had shoes on, she would have missed the sound but luckily she had been ankle-deep in the mud a few hours earlier and had yet to replace her footwear. She didn't know if it was a cough or someone banging against something but there was a strong, yet, short emission of noise that had clearly not come from her sleeping mother.

Her allegedly sleeping mother.

Ava's mind began to race through the possibilities of what was going on. And it didn't need to travel very far to land at the most likely scenario. Her mother was in her room in the middle of the evening sleeping instead of in the bathing room getting ready for dinner. More suspicious than that was that her mother didn't answer her. Even if she were tired or half-asleep, she never gave up a chance of getting into an argument with Ava.

All signs pointed to an affair.

Ava took a moment to laugh, pure shock. Her mother hadn't necessarily always been a prude but she assumed the flirting with men at court had always been a political move. Without wasting much time, Ava ran to the bed and dropped to her knees as she peeked under it. There was no one. She stood up and ran to the wardrobe.

"Avery," her mother sat up, "what in the world are you doing?!"

"Where are they?" Ava asked. At the sight of her mother's paling face, she knew her suspicions were confirmed.

"Leave my room or I will revoke your privileges of going out!"

Ava paid no attention, she walked over to the curtains and pulled them back. Sure enough, a man stood with only a shirt on, attempting to cover up as much as he could. Ava turned to face her mother, more laughter escaping her lips.

"Mother! You dirty dog," Ava closed the curtains back up and walked over to the foot of the bed.

"Avery this is not funny!" her mother pulled herself from the bed with a sheet wrapped around her, "please, keep your mouth shut about this."

Ava inhaled through her teeth and tilted her head to one side, a wide grin on her face, "I won't."

"You cannot tell your father," she stepped forward and grabbed hold of one of Ava's hands, "you understand what he will do to me right? You won't tell him?"

"Will I be allowed off the estate?"

Her mother frowned and dropped hold of her hand, "How dare you?"

"Let's not act like I'm the one with a morality problem," Ava shrugged, "so, will I be allowed out of the estate?"

"Yes," she shook her head and rolled her eyes, "yes fine. Whatever you want, Avery."

"Then I can keep a secret," Ava smiled, "you really should be more careful. Have a guard out there or something."

"Your insolence is astounding."

Ava began to walk away, "I'm going out tomorrow in the morning. Just giving the courtesy of notice so you can alert your little spies."

"Leave the room!" her mother finally snapped, her pale face was turning red at the realization that she had been backed into a corner.

"I would be careful how you speak to me from now on," Ava threatened and walked out without staying for the fallout of the statement. She closed the door and let out a shocked scoff before laughing again. She looked over at Arnelo who had been waiting outside, "guess who is going to the loungehouse tomorrow."