Iris was breathing heavily and felt stitches from her wild run. She kept her back pressed firmly to the side of the building, making sure the shadows concealed her well. Screams and shouts were coming from around the corner, followed by heavy footsteps and clanging of armour. Taking advantage of blazing chaos, she managed to sneak away from prying eyes.

Iris waited until the guards moved away and cautiously proceeded farther towards the back premises. The larger communal facilities were replaced by small living quarters, and she crept into the safety of dark and narrow alleyways. This part of the estate resembled a complicated maze, but Iris, born and raised here, knew it like the back of her hand – her feet chose the right path even before she could think of where to go.

After what seemed like an eternity, Iris finally reached a characteristic red door. A sign hung over the entrance, depicting the sun on the red background - the holy symbol of the Church. She bit her lower lip, and her trembling hand stopped just a breath from the handle. Was it foolish coming here? she thought. Her eyes were drawn to the blazing symbol, which all of a sudden seemed menacing. The commotion behind her was getting louder. Iris quickly put her ear to the door listening for any sounds from the inside. When there were none, she pushed the door.

It opened without a sound, and Iris slipped into the hall. A single candle was lit here, filling the place with eerie shadows. Some of the rooms were wide open - the inhabitants must have rushed outside when they heard the bells and all the racket. A sigh of relief escaped her mouth.

She quickly went over to Milo's room and closed the door behind her, hoping he'll come soon. She needed an escape plan, and she couldn't do it alone. The wild thoughts were swirling inside her mind. The Inquisition is all over the place now, no doubt guarding the estate's gates. But Milo is a Church's apprentice, so they probably wouldn't pay much attention to him. He could smuggle me out somehow.

The sound of opening main doors shook her pondering. She plastered herself to the wall at the room's entrance and silently prayed to the Lord Sun that it was Milo. The door opened, and the man entered. When Iris saw the fair hair and a well-known silhouette, a relieved sigh escaped her mouth. He turned around with a start, his eyes wide in shock.

'Iris!'

'Milo!' she stepped forward and closed him in a tight hug. She felt tears were finally spilling from her eyes. She was so relieved to see him. All the tension suddenly left her body. He was her safe place. If they were together, there was nothing they couldn't face. 'I was so scared,' she whispered, crying into his chest. He was gently patting her back and stroking her head. 'We have to go. The Inquisition is all over the place. They can't find me!'

'Hey, easy!' he said and gently pushed her back a bit to look at her face. 'What are you talking about?'

'We don't have time for this,' she was babbling fervently. 'We have to leave now. You can take a cart and pretend you are going in some errand for Church, and I will hide in there.'

'Why would you hide, Iris?' he asked dumbfounded, his face still confused.

He hadn't heard then. Iris took a deep calming breath and looked him in the eyes. 'I'm the Mage, Milo! Cody was in danger, and I had to use magic to save him. Everyone saw me. Inquisition is already here. I must disappear and fast!'

Milo was looking at her, his mouth half-open, disbelief painted all over his face. 'W-what are you talking about, Iris?' he asked again, unable to process it all.

'Milo, please! I don't have much time...' she insisted.

But the grip on her shoulders suddenly got harsher, his fingers painfully digging into her skin. 'You? A Mage? Why haven't you told me?'

'I... I've never told anyone!'

'So, you lied to me! Have you ever planned to tell me?' his voice was shaking.

'Yes! But I didn't know how!' she said, tears left long wet smears on her cheeks. 'It doesn't matter. It doesn't change anything. I'm still me! I still love you!'

Milo scoffed. His face contorted while he tried to control his emotions. 'How can you even say that with a straight face?! You wanted to marry me because you thought this way, you'd be safe from the Church, didn't you?'

'No! I love you! I always loved you! If I could get rid of magic, I would do that gladly! You have to believe me!' she begged, her body trembling.

'I don't know who you are anymore,' he said coldly and shoved her onto the bed. Before she realised what happened, he left the room, closing the doors. She heard a soft click of the lock.

'No!' she shrieked in despair and jumped to the door. But it was already locked. She was tugging on a handle but to no avail. 'Milo, please!' she shouted, banging at the door with her fist. 'Don't do this to me, please!'

She fell to her knees, sobbing. She knew where Milo went - to fetch the Inquisition. She saw it clearly in his eyes: disbelief, fear, betrayal, disgust. She couldn't breathe. Every breath felt like it was burning through her whole body. Her heart was racing impossibly fast. It's all over, just like that. My entire life, all my careful existence so far – or lost in a few seconds, she thought in despair.

It took her a while to overcome the sobbing ravishing through her body. Then the heavy footsteps and angry voices filled the hall. Her panicked mind screamed at her to get up and run, but her body felt limp, like it belonged to someone else. She watched helplessly as the door opened abruptly, and two bulky men in heavy armours walked in, looking at her with hostility.

'Get up, you spellcasting filth!' barked one of them, grabbing her arm and pulling her roughly to her feet.

'You're coming with us. Don't you dare to pull any tricks, or I'll knock you out cold,' said the other one, while clasping Iris' wrists in heavy shackles. The cold metal bit painfully into her skin, and a shiver ran down her spine.

The Inquisitors pushed her into the hall and towards the door. She caught the sight of Milo. He was standing at the entrance, looking at her with evident contempt.

'Milo, please,' she tried one last time, but he only clenched his teeth and turned his head away. She swallowed her tears as the knights shoved her to the street.

The early morning was thick with smoke and the smell of burning. Iris didn't see any glow, so people probably already managed to extinguish the fire. But even though the Lord Sun was barely visible in the eastern sky, the courtyard was busy with activity. It seemed the alarm bells woke everyone up. Wherever she walked, the people stopped to stare at her. It wasn't every day that Inquisition captured a Mage, not anymore. Most of them were eradicated already.

Iris tripped, but one of the knights kept his armoured hand closed painfully on her shoulder, so he kept her upright. It hit her how unnecessary this whole show of power was. She was just a small and fragile woman, but they still put shackles on her, and two Inquisitors were escorting her as if she could blow up the whole town with a snap of her fingers. The truth was, she wouldn't even know how to use magic to get herself out of that locked room. The angry shout broke her train of thoughts.

'Filthy Mage! Take her away before she curses us all!'

Iris looked toward the familiar voice, flabbergasted. It was the old Erik. He was an animal's physician, who often helped with master Dawnson's horses, so she knew him well. He was the kindest and gentlest person she's ever met. He always gave sweets to Cody and asked him to stay out of trouble. Now, he looked like a completely different person. His face was flushed red, his eyes burning with fanatical fury, saliva gushed out of his mouth while he spat his hateful words. Before she knew it, a small stone flashed in his hand, and he threw it at her. She cowered, hunching up and felt a sharp pain in her shoulder.

Inquisitors weren't bothered by the aggressive mob. They kept pushing her forward to the gate. The closer they got, the more people gathered. It seemed that everyone wanted to see the Mage. Iris' eyes were stinging with all the smoke still hanging in the air after the fire, but she kept looking around, searching for a friendly face. She found none. All those people knew her since she was a child. They all worked together for master Dawson. And yet, all she saw was those loathing and hostile stares. Iris felt a piercing pain in her chest. How was that even possible? How could they all change so quickly? Gave up on her without a second thought?

When they reached the gate, her eyes found her mother in the crowd. She was deathly pale, her face smeared with soot and tears. She looked as if she gained ten years overnight. She held Cody tightly in her arms, covering his eyes with her hand. Iris sobbed, feeling her heart was breaking while watching her desperate face. She mouthed, 'I'm sorry,' but the Inquisitors pushed her out of the estate. 

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