Brant sat on a bar stool back in Baird's living room and sighed. Updates, disclosures, and introductions had been exchanged between the two teams, but once that task had been completed, the lighthearted banter resumed. Lively conversation swirled around Brant, remarks exchanged between the reunited friends, filled with buzzwords and references to past events that he neither understood, nor was cued in on. Any effort to include himself, Ace, or even Chariya in the conversation appeared to have been tossed aside entirely in favor of familial cliquishness.

He abruptly stood up and cleared his throat. "Well, I'm thankful for what help I've received from you all, but come tomorrow morning, I think it's high time I go my own way."

Hannah's head jerked up from her game of thumb wrestling with Baird. "Why do ya say dat?"

"Well, simply put, I have two objectives. I need to find the remaining artifacts and destroy them, while also evading my former comrades' detection. Neither of those goals require any of your assistance."

Chariya narrowed her eyes at the imposing man. "Since when did I ever say you could go?"

Brant met the Kemarian's gaze. "Your wishes are irrelevant at this point, princess. Believe me when I say, I wouldn't hesitate to kill every one of your men to clear a path for myself." He paused for a second as he cast a glance Hannah's way. "Except her."

"And why do you draw that distinction?" the princess challenged.

"She's too innocent. It'd be an unspeakable injustice on my part to strike anyone down who has a heart so pure."

Keira cleared her throat. "Well, the way I look at it, they hate us, and they hate you, so it only makes sense that you'd join us."

Brant's eyes snapped to her face. "Join who, exactly?"

"Us. Our insurgence."

Brant shook his head. "I have no intention of rebelling against my home. The corruption of the gods reflects nothing on the integrity of the Empire itself."

Wendy snorted. "Integrity and Alconte are about as bloody close as east and west! I feel defiled, even putting them in the same sentence!"

"That's your opinion, Danlashian." Brant retorted, his enunciation precise.

"I get where you're comin' from an' all," Hannah began slowly, "but I really do reckon we can both help each other out a ton."

"And by that, you mean what, exactly?"

"Well, think of it! It's in our best interest to keep those artifacts outta Alconte's hands, too. Dat's just the thang you're fixin' to do. And as for hidin' from them, we can help ya out with that, too!"

Brant closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths. "You have a point there, but it's only luxury on my part to have your backup. Luxury that comes with the extra baggage of being expected to fight against my own people. You can't expect me to do that."

Keira leaned forward in her seat. "Well, you know what? I do expect you to do that. Because think of all the lives you've taken from us! All the empty homes and broken families, you owe it to them to make it up by helping us!"

"By doing what? Killing an equal number of my own countrymen? Emptying their homes of husbands and fathers? You are the troublemakers causing this conflict, not the other way around. Your casualties are nothing but the natural consequences of your unwarranted actions."

Chariya leapt to her feet and marched over to Brant. She balled her fists and glared up at him. "You make it sound as if we are nothing but cold-blooded killers, intent only on causing misery. But you are mistaken! We intend only to right that which has been made wrong!"

"That's quite a vague rationalization of your violence. Satisfying to the simple-minded, but severely lacking to those of a more civil nature."

"Do you want more specifics? I will give them to you!" Chariya shouted, "Kemaria is dying! The beauty she once possessed is leaving, and all because of the dilution of her culture! Our entire society depends on strong family bonds, and sure enough, what does Alconte do first upon conquering? Redistribution! Now we have shattered families, more foreigners than ever, and a concerning lack of piety, and all because of the Empire's cruel system. That is why we rebel, you brute!"

Brant flinched at her insult, but bit back an equally bitter reply. He stood for a second in silent thought before nodding. "I'd never thought about it from that angle."

"Clearly, you never thought about it to begin with."

Brant ignored her. "In that case, I'll accept whatever aide you can spare me. But you still can't expect me to join your cause in the snap of a finger."

"Of course!" Hannah exclaimed, hurrying to speak ahead of Chariya, "It's a tough decision to make. But I'm sure you'll make the right one."

He met her eyes and nodded. "Thank you."

Aaron straightened up on the couch. "So, you're looking for artifacts, huh?" He turned to his sister. "Jedrek was a treasure hunter. Did he ever mention anything about these artifacts?"

Keira squinted and paused for a second. "He did tell me about this...olive branch, I think it was?"

Brant perked up. "The Evergreen Olive Branch?"

"Yeah, I think that was it! He heard from 'reliable sources', as he put it, that it was stowed away in some secluded stronghold in Forbache. But that's the only one he ever talked about."

Brant nodded vigorously. "After the Reformation Wars, Forbache raided one of the Empire's treasuries and seized the Olive Branch, Dove's artifact. The existence of this stronghold is known, but none of our spies have managed even yet to uncover its exact location." He scratched his chin. "You're sure you don't have coordinates?"

Keira bit her lip. "I might...? Maybe he texted them to me, I don't remember. Bear in mind, this was like five years ago, so it's not gonna be instantaneous."

"Of course." Brant replied.

An anxious silence lingered in the room as Keira scrolled through her phone. Aaron eyed her closely, putting an arm around her when a certain section caused her to sniffle. At long last, she found the text she'd been looking for. With a victorious grin, she showed the screen to Brant, who eyed the numbers and nodded.

"Let me see that." Ace said, snatching the phone from Keira's hand without warning.

She glared and grasped the object. "Hey, what're you doing?"

Ace moved it out of her reach again. "If this is where I think it is...I'm vaguely familiar with the area."

Keira narrowed her eyes. "Sure you are! What a lucky—"

"I'm from Forbache, okay? You could've figured it out by looking at me."

"You said you were from Commercia."

Ace rolled his eyes. "Use your head, girl! I started in Forbache and moved to Commercia."

"Oh, that would make sense."

"Of course it does. It's true." Ace replied, turning the phone so Keira could see the map he'd pulled up. "See, that's the coordinates. Underground fortress. Miles of open field all around, dotted with lookout towers." He glanced at Brant. "I think some of your spies did find the place. Problem was, the place found them, too."

Brant sighed. "You may be right. I guess I know where I'm going next."

Keira frowned as she scrolled over a detailed view of the landscape. "No way you're making it through there! Look!"

Brant took the phone from her hand and glanced over the view. "Remember, I can withstand a lot more than the average man."

Ace snorted. "Dude. A headshot's a headshot. This isn't a place you just traipse up to and expect to have a peaceful hike."

"What're you suggesting, then?" Keira asked.

"Not suggesting anything. I'm going." Ace replied.

Brant frowned. "You're kidding, right? You'd die."

"Give me a break. I infiltrated a Danlashian military base last night, for goodness' sake. I think I've got this under my belt."

Brant's eyes widened. He paused for a second before finally answering. "Well, even so, I insist on tagging along. The search for artifacts is my quest, and I intend to see it through to the end."

Ace shook his head. "I work alone."

"Oh yeah? Well guess what? This is my quest, not yours, so if you're gonna be like that, there's no need for you to tag along."

Aaron rose to his feet, stepped between the two, and laid a hand on each man's shoulder. He looked back and forth between them and grinned. "There's no need for disunity, guys. Ace, you've got the stealth this mission so desperately needs, and Brant, you've got...brute strength...and I'm assuming other qualities I'm not aware of."

"I fail to see your point." Brant said with narrowed eyes.

"Teamwork! It's about compromise. And by the way, you're gonna need transportation, which I'd be glad to give you, provided that you get along and work together." Aaron paused. "If not, you can always walk."

Ace crossed his arms. "It's my way or no way."

Brant sighed. "I need your help." he said, nearly flinching as he met Ace's eyes and exposed his vulnerability, "Believe me, once we get there, we're gonna see exactly why we needed one another. Remember, it's in your best interests to keep these artifacts away from the Empire, because once created, a god is not easily defeated."

"Alright, fine." Ace replied, "I'll go. I'll pull my weight. But just know, if it comes down to it, I'm watching my back, and nobody else's."

Brant nodded. "Any complaint on my part is petty at this point."

The two men shook hands, drawing a wider grin to Aaron's face.

********************

Upstairs in the bedroom an hour later, Baird stood on his knees on the mattress, straddling Abigail's legs and massaging her knotty back. Moonlight shone in through the open curtains and cast a soft light on her bare skin.

Finally, Abigail broke the serene silence. "You know, I haven't seen you so happy in a long while."

Baird chuckled. "Really? Well, I guess I'm just really glad to see them."

"You're telling me." she replied with a giggle, "So, are you gonna help them?"

"Help them what?"

"Help them...whatever they need you for."

Baird shook his head. "I don't think so. I've already given them what help I can. But anything beyond—"

"Baird, listen to me." Abigail said, turning over and sitting up, "They desperately need a shot of happiness, and an extra hand on deck. They love you as much as you love them, and I think it could really help their morale to have you around."

"That's all well and good," Baird replied slowly, "but you need me here, Abby."

Abigail laughed. "We already had this discussion. You're a man given to sacrificing yourself. You'd gladly give up happiness, sleep, everything, for others. But I already told you, Baird, I think it's my turn to sacrifice something. I think it's my turn to give you up for a while."

"Do you really want that?"

"No, but your friends need that. Don't worry about me." Abigail said, leaning forward and kissing her husband's lips. "You'll come back home to a wife who's even prouder of you than she was before."

Baird smiled. "I still can't believe how blessed I am to have you."

"I could say the same thing." the redhead replied, returning the grin. "Just one rule, though."

"What's that?"

Abigail smiled mischievously. "Don't die. That wasn't part of the agreement."

"Yes ma'am." Baird answered with a laugh.

"Don't ma'am me."

Baird chuckled. "I guess I'll start small, maybe see if Chariya needs an interpreter for her appeal to the Senate tomorrow."

"That sounds like a plan to me."

"Alright, then." he said as he flipped her over onto her stomach again. "Let's untie these knots so you can sleep."

********************

A/N: *holds up hands defensively* Okay, I realize this is Thursday night, not Friday morning. But I'm about 50% sure my dad wants to take me to learn some driving in the morning, and if so, I don't wanna miss an update. Besides, if you've made it this far, I'm sure you either don't mind, or more likely, are excited now to get it early. 😆

Anyway, if you enjoyed that chapter, please remember to vote and comment. I always appreciate it.

So, I'm not sure if I've asked in this particular book or not, so excuse me if this is redundant, but who're you finding to be your favorite character so far? Least favorite? (And if you have any details as to why, I'd really love to hear it! 😁)

(Umm, for me, I don't think I have a good answer. They're all so near and dear to my heart, that's like asking somebody who their favorite child is. If they can easily say, there's something wrong. But that said, I have to say I'm agreeing with a lot of you so far that Ace is really awesome, and Baird and Keira both have interesting struggles themselves that intrigue even me.)

Finally, our random question: How many cars does your family own, and what models?

(Limiting it to immediate family, we have one, a Scion XB. I suppose you could call us the boxcar children. 😝)

Well, that'll be it for me tonight! Hope you enjoyed this early update, and I'll see you Saturday morning as usual. Until next time, farewell.