After Jongho had regrouped with Mingi in a secluded corner of the splendid hallways, the two thieves confidently set out to make their way home. As before, they were lucky to dodge the automatons that patrolled the Chasm successfully. Before the first orange rays from the sun hit the earth, Jongho was already back in Mingi's hideout.

He shared half of the loot Yeosang had collected with the tall man, and then they just tiredly lounged at the table and waited for the curfew to end. Mingi made tea.

"So, spill the news. Could you find out anything about the whole prince story?" Jongho was curled up in his chair as if it was his own home. His body had long since accustomed to the weird positions he folded it into while he worked. Like this, he was comfortable and could play with the gears on his leg.

Mingi had rid himself of his coat and vest, too. His rumpled green shirt added to the deep shadows underneath his eyes. Yet, his voice was wide awake. He busied his hands with the tea in his form of mediative tasks as he blubbered everything he knew like a never-ending stream of water.

"I have such interesting news. I found out that the prince appears to have a quite tense relationship with his father. Who can blame him? Apparently, the rumours about Seonghwa's pursuit in better living conditions and changes to both cities are true. He often talks about building bridges and getting rid of the automatons. In his mind, it's not only Asora but Asorazey."

With his lips pursed into a thin line, Jongho gave an approving nod. He acknowledged the attempt more now that he knew Yeosang. Asora hosted a few people who cared.

Mingi poked the mugs to test if the clearly boiling tea was still hot. He burnt his fingertip and sucked on it with a protesting yelp.

"As the person who divided the kingdom in the first place, his father, of course, disapproves of that. But it seems as if things are going on in the shadows. Seonghwa holds his ground, and many servants and ministers are behind him. The Undying's reign might actually come to an end." With a glint in his eyes, Mingi brought their mugs over. Bits of hot tea sloshed over the edge. Mingi didn't mind.

"Do they fight a lot?" Jongho warmed his gloved hands on his tea. Greedily, his skin sucked up any comfort the beverage had to offer.

Mingi shrugged. His hair fell shaggily into his eyes from not being tended to in a long time. Crumbs and dirt that came from climbing the wall were stuck in between the strands.

"I can't say; I haven't seen them together. They probably do, though. Since Seonghwa is his only son and the crown prince, I'm sure the king has a hard time restricting him. By the sound of it, both of them try to outsmart the other. Seonghwa is on the shorter end of the stick, though. The king's much older and wiser than him."

So if they rooted for Seonghwa, Zey's people might yield advantage from his success. However, the risk of him getting silenced was comparably more likely. Jongho didn't want to imagine all the schemes and ploys that took place behind the palace walls. The royals' true intentions were just as split as Asora and Zey, and everybody pursued an endless struggle for temporary victory.

The gears still turned in Jongho's head. He also knew something that Mingi had yet to learn.

"He's not the only son. Yeosang told me that he's Seonghwa's brother," he disclosed with a low and secretive voice. Nobody could eavesdrop on them out here, but since Yeosang had been sensible on the matter, Jongho wouldn't scream it into the void, either.

Surprise washed over Mingi's expression. His fingers mindlessly circled over the rim of his mug.

"He did? Now that's odd. I saw and heard of Seonghwa only in the main building. Even outside, I don't think anyone ever mentioned a second prince. Do you think he might be the favoured one?"

Jongho frowned at the theory. Yeosang had his princely manners, yes, but he was far from anybody who considered taking the throne. That sounded more like Seonghwa.

"I think he hides. Or gets hidden."

The pieces added up. Yeosang homed outside of the main building and away from the sight of his father. Seonghwa visited him a lot nearby the library that they both frequented and that gave Yeosang an outlet to escape. He ate in his room. He was cold. He had no curtains or many other personal items for that matter.

Yeosang got shunned. They pretended as if he didn't exist. By the looks of it, they refused to register him rather than forming an ultimate weapon.

"Two sons? His ability to get kids can't be that bad, then! Do you think they might have different mothers? It's said that Seonghwa's mother fell ill after giving birth to him. She was too weak to bear another son." Mingi squinted his eyes as his fingers tirelessly tapped against the wooden tabletop. Jongho expected to see steam rise from his head soon if he continued like this.

"If it's another woman outside of marriage it would be unbecoming for their terms, yes. That might be the reason to keep him out of the public eye so that they wouldn't make a judgement."

At once, Jongho pitied Yeosang. He was trapped in a cage that might be more beautiful than Zey, but the distrust and danger were all the same. He couldn't go anywhere, either.

His interest in Zey and as an author finally added up. To flee the solitude of his own life, even befriending a criminal sounded good to him.

Jongho changed his opinion on the man. He deserved more credit.

"How outrageous. What do you think would happen if we told Asora's people that he is trapped inside? Do you think they might start a civil war?" Mingi leaned back in his chair with his mug cradled in his hands. After a while of letting it cool, Jongho drank his, too.

"They might. But we won't do that. It would throw him in danger just like if I told the automatons that you cross the canyon sometimes."

Mingi barked a throaty laugh. Gleeful, he looked Jongho up and down, and mirth shone in his dark eyes.

"Reconsider that, please. I help you a lot, and we became chuckaboos in that time!"

Jongho rose a critical brow at him.

"Did we? I didn't catch that."

With another chuckle, Mingi reached into his pocket to check his watch. As he let it slip back into place, he yawned loudly and stretched his long arms over his head.

"Aright, time to go to bed. We should hang sometime outside of risking our lives. You can meet my family if you'd like."

Jongho gave a non-committal hum as he stood up and got his bag. He put his askew clothing back into place. Before he left, he gave a mocking salute in Mingi's direction. The man tiredly giggled at him before he escorted him out.

-

Jongho promised Mingi to meet up as soon as possible. The experience of having someone around who considered Jongho their friend was an entirely new concept to him, but he didn't dislike it. He even looked forward to spending time with Mingi for once without nearly falling to his certain death. Even his grappling hook gadget would profit off their friendship.

Full of optimistic outlooks, Jongho travelled Zey to hunt down some merchants he could bother with his bounty. The vase-loving man from last time was pleasantly surprised to see Jongho again. They talked some more, and Jongho got invited to bring his items more often for good prices. He would make use of that opportunity.

A few hours later, Jongho found himself in front of the medicine premise he frequented. The owner had known him for many years and could be considered a 'chuckaboo' as much as Mingi. Albeit Jongho never had any ties with the kind lady apart from the medicines he bought from her, he considered her a stable part of his life. He had even promised her to swing by sometimes after his father recovered.

Jongho entered the familiar store and was hit by the thick smell of different herbs. They clogged the air like a cloud of smoke - if much healthier - and tended to get Jongho drowsy; hence he never stayed for long. He still smiled a little private grin underneath his mask when he stepped up to the counter.

The old woman immediately recognised him. Her eyes crinkled above her mask that was made of a worn but pretty flower cloth. His arrival here meant trouble, but she showed delight in aiding his struggles anyway.

"Oh, hi, Jongho! How have you been? Is your father alright?"

As one of the few acquaintances, she knew about his dad's condition, of course. According to Jongho's mother, she had also helped her a lot when she was pregnant with both Yunho and Jongho. She cared maybe a bit too much about their wellbeing. Yet, Jongho didn't condemn her for being involved either.

"We had a mishap with the medicines, so I need some more."

With a swift nod, she twirled around to search the many little drawers behind her for the right item. The labels aided her way while Jongho rested against the wooden counter and watched her. Once she presented the little bag of white powder, a satisfied hum passed between her and Jongho. He chuckled.

"Here you go. Maybe you should put your skills to good use and build some safety measures for it. My husband always has some scrap to offer." Compared to other people around, her voice carried genuine welfare. Jongho took her up on the offer from time to time.

"I still have some at home, but I'll come back if the need for more arises. Thank you for helping." Jongho set a bag with coins that he had already counted beforehand on the counter in front of her. Sometimes, he sneaked in another coin or two and left hurriedly before she could call him out on it. In return, she weighed the medicine generously for him. Sharing their precious wares out of goodwill was rare in Zey, but Jongho made exceptions for her. Without her help, his father wouldn't have made it anywhere as long.

"Of course. Youjin swung by earlier, by the way. Said some gentlemen from the docks searched for you. Maybe you should ask him about it next time."

Jongho nodded. He appreciated how tightly connected the web of people was in Zey. It was easy to gain access to exactly the people needed, and anybody could transmit messages.

"I'll see what that menace wants now. See you next time, then." With a thankful bow, Jongho left. She yelled at him to take care before he slipped out the door.

The air outside seemed less stuffy, if far more dangerous than inside the store. Jongho grabbed onto the nearest windowsill and scaled the house with powerful movements of his legs. Whirring, his gadgets pushed him further than his own muscles would have been able to.

Once he was back on the roofs of Zey and the wind tickled underneath his clothes, Jongho felt as free as it could get. No people bothered him up here, no shady figure shouldered past him in an alley, and the view over Asora and the ocean were breathtaking.

Jongho didn't like these surroundings because he wanted to look down on Zey. Rather, he found that if Zey's inhabitants rose their heads and blinked against the sun for once, every one of them would gain more energy.

After half an hour of jumping over roofs and poles, Jongho arrived home. His father was in bed and propped up against a pillow when Jongho came in. At his doting smile, Jongho grinned broadly, too.

"Hey, dad. I brought your medicine."

"Bless your soul, kid. Sit down; I want to tell you a story. About how the Undying became king."

Jongho humoured him as he set his bag down and cooked some tea. He was happy as long as his father contently rambled away.