“My name's Cleb by the way.” The strange man said as he led them through the streets. “I just recently joined up. They thought I would be a good recruiter.”

  “Oh, we are just talking about it now.” Tormund said, giving the man a flat look. “I’m Tormund and this is Jesse.”

  The man scrunched his face up in confusion for a moment before continuing to lead them. They moved through the busy streets. Each one had a distinctly different smell with various street vendors selling candied fruits or cooked meats or different baked goods. The city was more alive than Jesse had even imagined a place to be, and starkly different from the sterile facilities he had spent his life in.

  Finally they entered a smaller side street and approached a large stone building. There was a gate located in front of it and a plaque with writing, that again, Jesse couldn’t read. He really needed to get a translation of it for Golem to analyze.

  “Where are we?” Jesse asked.

  “This is Lord Valrith’s manor. He is a noble type in the city.” Cleb said to them, unlocking and opening the gate. “He also happens to be a sort of leader of our group of friends.”

  They entered the gate and into a large carefully manicured garden. There were so many bright colors, in shades Jesse hadn’t even known possible. Was this what his world had lost? Bus own world's beauty was pale in comparison. They continued up to the large double door under a stone balcony. Cleb simply opened the door and let them in, following behind and shutting the door. Jesse noticed that he put his hand to the sword at his waist when they were inside. So they aren’t as trusting as they seemed.

  “Go up those stairs and into the first room on your left.” Cleb instructed them. They dutifully followed his directions, walking up the large marble staircase in the entryway and up to the second floor. They pushed open the door. Jesse half expected to find a dungeon or a trap but inside was a library. Large tables sat in the center of a huge room surrounded by shelves filled completely with books.

  “I will get the others. Do not leave this room.” Cleb instructed, shutting the door behind him. Jesse could faintly hear a lock click on the door. Definitely trying to appear more trusting than they are.

  Jesse scanned the books in the shelves but of course couldn’t read any of them. Tormund walked through the shelves. “This is amazing!” He said looking at the various books. “This library rivals that of the palace! Or so Ive heard.” Tormund smiled. It was good to see him smile. Something seemed off though.

  “Did you know this noble? From your time with the resistance here?” Jesse asked.

  Tormund looked over a book with a cog and crystal cover. The same sigil from the ruins. Maybe it was about that civilization? He looked up at Jesse. “No I hadn’t met him.” He hesitated. “Maybe he joined after I did.

  Jesse didn’t like the sound of that. “Tormund…” he started but heard the keys click in the door. Cleb came in with a well dressed man. His clothes were neatly tailored and had decorative buttons made of gold. He had a white beard and mustache and smiled at them in a friendly manner. He was flanked on the side by an old woman with similarly white hair and a hunched over gait.

  “Hello!” The man bellowed in a loud but friendly voice. “As you might have guessed, I am Lord Valrith. This is Lady Valrith. We are pleased to make your acquaintance!” The lady gave a polite bow but didn’t smile at them. Cleb glanced between them nervously.

  “I’m Tormund.” The arcanescant said simply, giving a low bow.

  “I’m Jesse Weston.” He said, putting out a hand to shake with the lord. The man looked at it inquisitive and then finally shook it. The lady didn’t do the same, only staring at the proffered hand.

  “What brings you to our home today? Our man said you wanted to meet with the resistance? Well you have done so.” The man said. His smile wavered a little bit as he said it.

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  “Yes. I’m looking for my daughter.” Jesse said.

  The woman’s eyebrows shot up. She whispered something to her husband and his eyebrows also shot up. “Rebecca?” He asked.

  “Yes, she was heading this direction. She wanted to break me out of the prison they’ve been taking the other… travellers.” He said, not knowing what to call his group. “Only problem was, I was never in that prison.”

  “Yes she came here asking for assistance, which we freely gave. She succeeded too. The prisoners were freed.” The man said.

  “Oh, great! Where is she now?” Jesse asked, desperation tinging his voice. His heart raced. Finally he had caught up to her.

  “She didn’t return from the prison.” The woman finally spoke up. As she said it ice flooded Jesse’s veins and his stomach dropped.

  “No.” He whispered. “She can’t be.”

  “We don’t know what happened to her but we believe she is being kept there alive. Our informants close to the Archon say he meets with her regularly.” The noblewoman continued.

  Jesse felt a wave of relief shoot through him. This slingshot of emotions was difficult to keep up with. “We have to rescue her.”

  The woman pursed her lips and said nothing.

  “We will.” Her husband said. She shot him a look but continued to stay silent, frowning. “Oh don’t give me that look. She risked it all to save those people and nearly doubled our number. I think it’s safe to say we owe her.”

  “I don’t know if it’s worth the risk. Have you seen the city? It’s all on high alert and the prison will be doubly so.” She said.

  “I’ll go with you.” Cleb said. “She confronted the Archon to let them people escape. She spared me and my friend when she could’ve easily killed us.” The man’s laid back attitude was replaced with resolve.

  “That’s my daughter. I need help. I don’t have the strength to get in there by myself.” Jesse said.

  “Well you wouldn’t be alone either way.” Tormund said. He put his hand on Jesse’s shoulder. “We will get her out.”

  “Yes. Dear this young woman has helped the resistance greatly.” The man said to his wife. “It would not do well for us to forget her contributions.” If we repay acts of bravery with abandonment then are we showing ourselves as a better option over the Archon, or just a different one?”

  “Fine.” The woman said. “I’ll gather some men. A small group will work better but more than what you have.”

  “I’ll go with her. They will find my capabilities useful.” Lord Valrith said.

  “What if the Archon sees you and recognizes?” She asked him.

  “I shall wear a disguise. Besides, I have never personally spoken to the Archon. Only you here have had that… honor.” He said in response. He spoke the last word as if it tasted poorly.

  “Very well.” The Noblewoman and de facto resistance leader said. “We have another issue to address. Tormund Fal, apprentice to the court arcanescent Thalrek Varyn, have you come to infiltrate our group?”

  It took Jesse’s mind a moment to process what she had said. Tormund worked for the Archon? That can’t be right. He slowly turned to look at his friend who looked at the floor.

  “Tormund? You don’t work for the Archon do you?” Jesse asked. His voice was steady, belying the turmoil he felt inside.

  Tormund paused for a moment longer before answering. “No. I can explain!” He shot out, raising his hands up. “I used to work for the Archon. I was a court apprentice. That’s all true. I was for the old king too! When the Archon took over, Thalrek and I helped him secure power. I ran away though! After I saw what he was doing to all the arcanescent. I’m not working for him any longer! You have to believe me Jesse.”

  “You expect us to believe that?” The woman asked. “The archon wouldn’t let you go. We both know he would have hunted you down.”

  “I don’t know why he didn’t send anyone.” Tormund said defiantly. “I just know that I couldn’t work for someone that wanted to exterminate my people.”

  “We simply cannot take your word for it.” The woman said.

  Jesse thought for a moment before speaking up. “I trust Tormund. We will need him for this. He has kept me from getting captured a dozen times over. How about he stays here in the manor until we execute the plan. Then you know he isn’t reporting anything to the Archon. He can come with us and assist in getting my daughter. That should prove his loyalty.”

  “Very well. That is acceptable. He will be kept under close guard until his loyalties can be determined.” The woman said. “I suggest the two of you rest up. We will start the planning in the morning.” She added. She turned and walked from the room. The nobleman gave them a smile and followed her.

  “Whew I didn’t know if they would agree. I’m glad they did though.” Cleb said. “I’ll show you to the rooms.”

  A few minutes later Jesse and Aegis settled into richly decorated and furnished rooms. He lay in the extremely comfortable bed. He hoped he wasn’t wrong about Tormund but a betrayal from him wouldn’t make any sense. He clearly fought and killed the soldiers chasing them. Jesse doubted the Archon would waste multiple necrescent like that, given what he heard about how they were made. He soon drifted to sleep, mind still going over plans for how to save his daughter.