I meandered through the wide isles of Hammer District Market. It was a busy evening and there was plenty of gossip to be heard. Hammer was home to the realm's best artisans and the goods available here were of the highest quality. I wouldn't normally spend time here, not often having the coin to afford it, but with my recent work for Rorik, I was able to buy a small cone of lavender incense and burn it on the roof of a bakery while I ate a dinner of nut bread and a sausage. It was downright lavish.

As I licked my fingers clean of the sausage grease and bread crumbs, I debated on if I should feel guilty about sneaking out. But this was important work, and I was already hearing good things. The bakery was a low building and the tall walls on either side of it supplied the roof with plenty of shade for me to hide in. Not that anyone ever looked up, the roof was always a safe place if you kept low and moved smoothly. I lazed on the warm tiles with a full belly, listening to the shop patrons below. My only concern for the day was to keep an eye out for an afternoon rain.

"There are more guards out than ever!" A woman below was heated and it caught my ear. "Hearth bless the king but this city is turning to folks in the streets while he's off in Linmead with the damn army."

"Hush, Viddy! There are ears all over. The king will be back and it will be better. I'm sure of it." A lighter voice soothed the first woman.

"Mistress Hibrida that's twice your usual price for a loaf of raisin! My sister lost her work and had to move in. I have extra mouths o feed you know." Nearby a low man's voice whined like a child.

"It can't be helped, Jace, I'm paying almost that much just on my grain now. Gotta pay those ridiculous taxes somehow." The baker.

It went on like this until dusk. Everyone had grumbled, few defended the king, and all were disgusted with the council of regents who had turned very nasty over the last couple of years. I had to agree with them on that point. On top of that now there were soldiers crawling all over adding new tension to the air.

There had been lean winters since the war started but as soon as the last royal visit left, they turned downright deadly. In the course of the war, the king and his two eldest sons came back every two years. That's how Braeton was able to secure an heir, after all. Hearth keep the adorable Rosalie. But every time they left the council took back over. By law, the council was the ruling regency in the king's absence, regardless of the family that was still there to rule.

I spat at the thought of it all and moved to the edge of the roof. I should get back to the castle and update Rorik. The city wasn't ready for the king to come back unless he could come back with something to help the people. I knew he would be the solution to a lot of problems, but the people were going to need something immediate and tangible to convince them. Maybe some of the foreign food shipments, maybe money or even just jobs and a place to sleep. Whatever it would take, we had just over a day to make it happen.

~

I watched the Lake district market wake up from an unoccupied balcony. The pre-dawn breeze wrapped itself around my shoulders as I watched the flickering lights illuminate the market stalls. One by one the lanterns were put out, their flickering fire signaling the arrival of the stall's merchant and signaling the start of the business day. I had never really had the chance to appreciate the city from this height before, and it was invigorating.

"There you are." I looked over my shoulder to see Bricker coming out the door to the balcony from the servant's hall where I'd found this gem of a view.

"Just admiring the view. I guess I like heights, I feel like I could fly away with the birds." I smiled and moved my gaze back down to the market.

We stood in silence for a while. I saw that he eyed the back of my arm where the wound was only now unbandaged, getting some air but not before having a bitter-smelling salve rubbed over it.

"Hey, Bricker."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Lord Girault still wants to go through with his plan?" I asked.

"I don't know," he answered, scratching his jaw. "If you tried to put yourself in his shoes, I suppose you want to know what motivated him in the first place. But then, what motivates a Coin as crooked as Girault to do anything?" He shrugged.

"I suppose." I hummed.

"So, that talk with the captain you went off in private for last night, how did that go? What were you telling him anyway?" Bricker asked casually. I could see the interest in the corner of his eyes though and answered carefully. The private conversation, of course, involved Prince Rorik who I couldn't talk about. I also wasn't about to tell Bricker that I snuck out of the castle. I already had enough of a fight about that last night with the captain and the prince.

"Oh, I was listening around. You know, anyone that wasn't nobility. It's gotten worse, hasn't it? The city. Just trying to plan out every scenario for when his majesty returns." More lies from my traitor's tongue. Another one for the list.

"Ah. And how did it go? Do you think we're ready for him to come back?" Bricker must have still been onto me because that accusing tone crept into his voice. "Is that what I think it is?"

Before either of us could continue Bricker pointed behind me and we both turned our heads North. My heart sank right into my stomach. The procession was here a day early.

"Oh, Shadow no." I breathed.

Just on the hills North of the city, the sun reflected armor like a thousand stars in the waking dawn. The city gates would see it soon too but it could take a while to get news here. If time was on their side maybe Pettypiece could protect the king's return . . .

"That isn't them is it?" Bricker asked, but he had already started away from the balcony.

"No no no no," I mumbled, following suit.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"Find the captain, every moment is crucial. The castle probably won't have the gate runner for at least a quarter bell, make sure the captain knows first."

"Got it." He disappeared through the servants' hall and around a corner.

I had to be the eyes on the scene as soon as I could. My feet barely hit the stone as I flew down two sets of stairs and out a narrow scullery door. A small outer ledge wound around a few floors of the palace, and this floor was one of them. Slipping outside, I took the ledge as quickly as I could without falling towards the back garden. Over the last few days, while I was allowed to roam, I found the decorative 'ledges' made a convenient path of shortcuts all over the grounds. That may have been left out of my reports to Rorik and Pettypiece, but they were coming in handy now. I didn't even have to duck down much to avoid being seen through the windows, the still-dark morning was on my side.

Hurrying towards the very north of the ground, I transferred my weight to a hefty tree branch and scaled down to the grass. There was a very steep, very long stairway that lead to a private expanse of lakeshore outside the castle wall, right on the south side of Lake Unays.

I slipped down silently, quickly descending to the banks below. Some of the stairs were unkempt, this place was probably not used much. They were stone however so I didn't worry too much about them falling out from under me, I just watched for cracks that could catch my boots.

Bells tolled at Northgate as I hit the banks of the lake. So the gate knew, and the castle would know they were awaiting more information. The stairs saved quite a bit of time if the gate had only just now spotted them. Then again her vantage point from the castle roof was much better than it would be even on the city gate tower. The castle was built on a very high cliff overlooking the lake and all the lands around it.

"Shadow guide me." I sent up a small prayer as I fought through some nasty thorn bushes to round the lake. Tiny spikes tore at my skin and hair, and I could only imagine what Orchid was going to say about my clothes. I would have to dip into my small savings to buy something new.

Finally, I broke free of the thorns and the lake reinforcement walls somewhere in Green district. Sweaty and with tiny pricks of blood all over my face and arms, I climbed up a ladder that the dock workers would use for deliveries from the water to the street level. I must have looked rather wild because city folk gave me a wide birth and bewildered stares.

I stopped for just a moment to catch my breath and look around. People were milling towards the Northgate. Likely word had started to spread as we weren't far from the North tower from here. To the left I saw a farmer's cart next to a one-story stable attached to an Inn. I sighed and hefted myself up onto the cart. I hated that people were staring, but I had to get to the gate. My gut was twisted in knots and I couldn't stand to not be Rorik's eyes and ears for this, especially if trouble came of it. A first-hand witness would be too valuable for a mind like Rorik's.

From the cart to the stable, from the stable to the roof, and from the roof to more roof above, I made it to the top levels. Green district was a little higher in elevation than Swamp or Westgate so the roof path had not been kept up as well here due to lack of necessity from the wet season. There were a few frightening moments when I had to jump to diagonal buildings or over small gaps between roofs to continue the path, but still, I was able to make better time than pushing through the crowds below.

Nearing the Northgate a few children had climbed on the roof line as well. I had expected as much, it had been like this every other time something important came in or out of the city. I crouched down as I slowed to look for a good vantage point, hoping I didn't stick out too much over the children chattering excitedly. I found a shady place on a small temple with decorative statues and a pointed roof, there was plenty to hide in there and I could see everything.

I closed my eyes for a moment to collect myself while the procession was still just drawing near. I ran my fingers over Rorik's ring under my tunic, I had developed the habit when I was anxious. I supposed now was as good a time as any to feel that way. I prayed to Shadow, Sage, Blade, even Hearth who was the patron of family and homes and the king's chosen deity of worship. Anyone who would listen. Opening my eyes again I scanned the crowds below.

People who had only gathered to watch along the streets were being pushed back roughly by the newer guards who were more used to handling soldiers than civilians. This just added to the grumbling, but everything was fairly settled for the time being. Too many hollow faces were here and couldn't afford to be pushed around much before they would collapse. Some folk who had obviously been sleeping on the streets huddled into the crowd for warmth in the autumn air. We were nearing the winter months, and many of the people I spotted didn't have nearly enough clothing on for that.

Trumpets sounded and the crowd grew louder. The procession would be through that gate at any moment. Children on the roofs around me chattered with excitement while the adults below watched solemnly with a mix of hope and desperation. The latter of those stabbing ice into my heart. Desperation was the worst-case scenario to meet the king with, considering Girault's plans.

"Huzzah and welcome, His Majesty, King Joasten Dalvnae and the First Royal Leigeon!" I couldn't see the herald, but I certainly heard him and saw the king's flag being raised all around the street as the first few horses entered the gate.

"About time." Someone directly below my position grumbled loudly. Murmurs of agreement went up around the voice who said it.

"Hearth bless His Majesty!" I called down. A few people looked around for who had said it, but a few also took up my cry.

"Where are these men going to sleep? More for the streets!" cried someone from across the way. I scowled and scanned the crowd until I found him. He wasn't from this part of town, was he a house guard from somewhere?"

"More to feed!" shouted someone further down. This was bad, the hungry in the streets began grumbling angrily. Making matters worse the city guards were being more forceful in pushing back the crowds and had taken to smacking hands with the butt of their spears as the civilians were starting to press in, aggravated.

"No," I breathed as I watched the end of a spear strike a child's leg by accident, the soldier otherwise occupied with an angry man at his other side. The boy began to cry. The people around him began yelling.

The hoof beats grew louder and I looked over to see the king himself emerge from the gate, surrounded by his officers. A yell drew my eyes further into the city again as the guards down the street were having a bigger struggle starting. These people were going to riot soon. Something from the roof line above the fighting cluster shone in my eye. Metal.

Narrowing my eyes I left my position to make my way down the street, one hand on the knives hidden at my belt. I would follow the king's route just in front of the procession, I didn't like the mood of the crowd at all. But what could I do? What would Rorik do if he were here? What would Davery do? I wasn't the thinker, I was the knife to command.

I alternated between watching the king's circle and looking for what made that reflection a moment ago. There was an adult figure on the roof other than myself. It was bulky and the shine of metal came from it, but I couldn't quite make out who was there, the sun was on their side. I continued on the path until there were only four houses between me and the figure.

And then my heart stopped.

"Grethan!" I shouted. The figure was cloaked, but I got a clear view of his face as he loaded a crossbow. That was the shine I had seen. I pulled out a knife and threw one at Grethan's hand but I was too far away and he moved too quickly. Now at a run, I was closing the gap but he stood and quickly aimed the weapon. Not at me, but at the King.

"Guards!" I shouted as I ran, calling for the soldiers or the king's guard or even the mongrels if any were near enough to do their damned job. Screams came from the street below and from the High road that was at the roof level a block over. Grethan let out a roar as he raised the loaded crossbow towards his target but this time my knife struck true and bit into his forearm. I could barely hear a commotion below over the rush of blood in my ears, but all I could focus on was Grethan. He quickly loaded another bolt while watching me and beginning to move away. He took aim at the king again as I drew near. Pulling out Davery's knife and another throwing one, I was practically on top of him now. Fury, vengeance, wrathful rage flowed through me. I would die on this roof before I let him harm one more person.

Crashing into him, the bolt fired. I had no idea where it landed but my bigger concern now was the man three times my size wrestling me on a third-story roof.

"Grethan!" I shouted again. Neither of us could get much of a grip, we were both sweaty, the rooftops still damp from the last midlands rain, and his arm was bleeding profusely making any exposed skin slick. As I had crashed into him, we fell down the back slope of the roof, away from the main road and the king. Grethan growled and took a swing at my head. My vision blurred at the impact and I fell away from him. My arms loosened, even as the feeling of sliding down churned in my stomach. I watched the same realization hit Grethan as his eyes rounded wide with panic. I smiled, so be it. Both bodies were already too far gone to avoid falling.

There was a moment of clarity where I knew I was going to hit head first on the ground below. The moments went by so slowly I felt that it was taking several minutes to happen. Grethan grasped at the roof tiles, his hand slick with his own blood working against him.

There was no avoiding it now. With this done I could move on to Shadow's court and possibly see my brother in the after worlds. Just before my eyes closed I saw on the ground what looked like wood. Ha, I hoped it was something sharp for Grethan to land on.

I wondered if Rorik would be able to sort out what had happened. I wondered if the Daggers would remain together after this. I regretted not being able to sneak up on Pettypiece, even once. I wondered if Orchid would be okay.

I heard a loud CRACK, and the blackness took over.