“Oh, dear dear,” Iris sighed. “Quite the commotion you two have caused.” Pinching the bridge of her nose, she shook her head in feigned exasperation and disappointment. “Have you heard the stories going around the street tely? An Ogre appeared in the middle of the street. People are worried and displeased.”

  “Why would they be worried and displeased?” Erin retorted with a question while sitting comfortably on a rge, wide couch. It was one of the things she always looked forward to whenever she had an appointment with Iris. The service and treatment would always be impeccable and splendid, although the same couldn’t be said for the character of the hostess herself.

  “The city prides itself on its security and defence. Having a common monster appear within the city walls may set a precedent for more worrisome matters in the future. Not to mention, people have paid taxes, albeit begrudgingly so. They do so because they are promised safety within the walls. If that promise is not kept, do you think they would still be paying taxes?”

  “Don’t thugs, adventurers, and just people fight each other all the time in taverns?”

  “A simple brawl and scuffle between individuals is a common occurrence. The appearance of an Ogre, however, is not something anyone will ever imagine happening. People are asking. People want answers. The kingdom has none to give.”

  “Is that why you summoned the two of us?”

  “Oh, don’t say it like that. I didn’t summon you. I merely invited you for a discussion.”

  “Stop pying coy and just tell us why we’re here.”

  Iris chuckled. “As gracious as ever.”

  “I agree with her, Iris,” said Aedan. “Enough with the pleasantries. Just tell us why we are here.”

  Iris’ smile turned wry. “This is not verified information, but it is likely true.”

  “What is?”

  “William Marsh has issued an arrest warrant for you, Aedan, and also your Augur companion, Amyra.”

  If Aedan was surprised, he did not let it show. Instead, he adjusted his posture and leaned forward. “Is this because of yesterday? The Ogre, isn’t it?”

  Iris nodded. “Understandably, you were seen. Of course, no one stepped forward with a statement when questioned. More trouble than it’s worth. However, Marsh gave out a reward for anyone who was willing to step forward to identify the individuals who were at the scene.”

  “Do they know our names?”

  “As far as I’m aware, they do not know your names, but I’m afraid it doesn’t matter. Marsh has people all over the city, much like me. He only needs to know your appearance. Right now, the soldiers are coming to arrest you as we speak.”

  Erin rose from her chair abruptly. “Then why are we sitting here and doing nothing?”

  “What is your proposal, my dear Erin? Run from the authorities?”

  “Anything else is better than just sitting around. Shouldn’t this be something you should be telling us over an urgent letter? What is your game here, Iris?”

  Iris sighed. “Aedan, my dear, do you mind expining to her for me? As you know, I’m not good at simplifying my words.”

  “Calm down, Erin,” Aedan said, seemingly without a care in the world. “Panicking won’t do us any good.”

  “I’m not panicking. I’m reacting appropriately as someone who has just been unfairly indicted. No, I’m not even the one being indicted here. That person is you. You should be throwing a fit here, not me.”

  “You are overreacting. We talked about this yesterday, don’t you remember? We all agreed that this is something that we should be ready for. We knew this was coming.”

  “I am ready, which is why I have no intention of just accepting my fate. Hell, why am I talking as if I’m one going to be arrested here?”

  “Erin, calm down!” Aedan raised his voice. He rose from his seat. He approached Erin and took her into his arms by her shoulders. “Calm down… This isn’t like you. You’re erratic. You’re fearful. What happened to you?”

  “...I don’t want to lose you, Aedan, any of you. This isn’t something as simple as getting abducted by… monsters or other evil entities. This is the kingdom. If you are apprehended… I won’t know how to save you or get you out without getting branded as an enemy of the nation. I can’t even get back Lilian and Nivia from the Fae Embassy. I—I… I’m afraid, Aedan. I’m very afraid. I do not know what to do.”

  “And that’s fine, Erin. You don’t need to know everything. And I know what to do.”

  Erin smiled wryly, pushing away from Aedan’s embrace. “Of course you do. You always know what to do. So, what’s your pn?”

  “I’m going to surrender.”

  Iris burst out ughing.

  Erin stared at Aedan with an incredulous expression. “This is no time to be joking, Aedan.”

  “I’m not. I’m going to surrender.”

  “Have you gone mad?”

  “I bedded you, given who you are, or were. Don’t you think it is too te to be asking that? And you have no problem with me bedding others. Questioning my sanity now, or any of the others, is a bit ditory, won’t you say?”

  “...Fine. We go with your pn. Not like I have a better idea anyway,” Erin grumbled. “So, how does your pn work?”

  “We can’t fight him in the light. But in the shadows, I have a few ways to deal with him.”

  “Care to eborate further?”

  “In the light, he wields the authority of a noble and the influence of the crowned prince. But in the shadows, he will not be a noble, and he will not be a friend of the crowned prince. He will be vulnerable. He will not be expecting my compliance. He will surely come to meet me in person, the supposed one who has been foiling his pns.”

  “Then, what about me and the others? What do we do?”

  “Do what we have been doing. If my prediction is correct, you will have an even better opportunity in sneaking into his estate since he will be absent from his mansion and we will know his whereabouts.”

  “What a stupid pn?” Erin sighed. “Let’s do this.”

  ****

  No sooner had Aedana and Erin left the fine establishment, they were immediately surrounded by soldiers. They seemingly came out of nowhere, but the two knew the soldiers had been hiding behind covers. They had been lying in wait. They made their move the moment they stepped far enough away from the building.

  The soldiers wielded spears instead of their standard swords. They were prepared. This arrest was thoroughly premeditated. They trained their spears on the two once they had encircled them.

  “Halt right there!” shouted the one who appeared to be the captain of this small group. “By the orders of His Royal Highness, you two are under arrest for the destruction of kingdom property, the endangerment of the city’s folks, and the disturbance of the city’s peace. Submit, and you will be granted leniency in your trial.”

  “Us two?” Erin questioned.

  “I demand to see the warrant,” Aedan said.

  “You don’t get to demand anything, criminal!” the captain snarled in response.

  “But they do, dear captain.”

  “Who’s there!?” the captain shouted.

  Immediately, all the soldiers turned their attentions to the unknown voice. Their faces were hardened, prepared for a violent confrontation. However, their expressions softened when they saw an Umbrum with a stunning figure in a ravishing dress.

  “Oh, Jules, is that you?” Iris giggled.

  “I-Iris?” the captain stammered. “W-why are you here?”

  “Why am I here? This is my establishment. Well, one of many fine establishments in this great city. Also, it’s Lady Iris to you, Jules.”

  “S-silence!” he baulked. “I’m the captain now!”

  “Captain of the city guards, mind you. Well, one of the captains. Tell me, how many captains are there already?”

  “I will not have my honour mocked while you—”

  “You talk about honour so easily, but you refuse to show it.”

  “What gibberish are you spouting now?”

  “You have the obligation to show the warrant to the ones you’re arresting. Otherwise, who’s to say that you’re not just another soldier abusing their authority for their own sick pleasure and benefit? So, are you going to show it or do you perhaps even have it?”

  “I will not have my honour and integrity questioned—”

  “What’s the use of honour and integrity if it can’t be questioned or challenged? Now now. You’re acting awfully simir to a street thug. Or are you perhaps one?”

  “Enough!” the captain roared. “You want to see the warrant? Fine! Here it is!” From the pocket of his chest, Jules took and rolled out a parchment.

  “Hmm. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Now, what did the warrant say?” Smiling deviously, Iris leaned approached the captain and peered closely at the warrant. “Oh? This warrant is for a single individual, and the individual in question looks a lot like our friend here.”

  “Of course it does. Do you think I’m arresting anyone that crosses me?”

  “Is that not the case? I mean, you are arresting the dy, too.”

  “She’s an accomplice! She’s obviously friends with the boy. Of course she’ll be arrested, too!”

  “Then, are you going to arrest me, too?”

  “Wh-why would I do that?”

  “I’m the boy’s friend, too. By your logic, you should also arrest me. In fact, there are dozens more individuals you should be arresting right now, because they are all friends with the boy.”

  “Enough with your ridicule. She’s being arrested because she’s an accomplice!”

  “Says who? Where’s the proof? The warrant clearly states the arrest is only for one person. It says nothing about accomplices.”

  “You damn Umbrum…”

  “Watch your words now, Jules. You may be a captain now, but you are not above the w. The dy goes free.”

  The captain gred at Iris. His hands were hovering close to his sword. “...The woman comes with me and that’s final.”

  “You will release her at once,” commanded another unknown voice.

  “Who is it now!?” the captain hissed as he turned towards the voice. His hostility and malicious intent were all immediately expelled from him, defting like a rubber pouch. “Y-you’re the Apostle of Ruva…”

  “Yes, I am,” said Azae. “I heard everything. You have every right to arrest the man, but the dy goes free. You have no authority to apprehend her.”

  Gritting his teeth, Jules growled inwardly. “What does it matter to you? Are you their friend?”

  “Does it matter if I am? Is it required for one to be a friend of the falsely accused in order to call out an act of injustice?”

  “What act of injustice is there?”

  “The warrant is for the man, and the man alone. It spoke nothing of an accomplice or an accessory. Yet, here you are, trying to arrest the dy, too. Expin yourself, captain?”

  “She’s an accomplice,” the captain answered in a guttural tone.

  “You have no proof. As an Apostle of Ruva, I will not stand idly by while a sword of the kingdom abuses his power on a damsel.”

  Erin, who had been silent all this while, arched an eyebrow. She doubted anyone would look at her and thought she was a damsel. She wasn’t even hiding her seven tails at the moment.

  Jules could feel shame creeping up to his face. He could feel the heat of embarrassment scorching his veins and conscience. If it were anyone else, he would have threatened to arrest them. However, the person in front of him was Azae, the Grand Apostle of Ruva, and the Scarlet Bde. She was not someone he could trifle with. Swallowing his pride, he could only let the dy go. He said nothing, but merely signalled for his men to release with a gesture.

  Before the captain left, he shot a look at Erin and promptly disappeared into the busy street with Aedan in their captivity.

  “Can’t say I feel terrible to see him being arrested,” Azae muttered. “Still, I would like to know why and how things are the way they are?”

  “...Long story?” Erin said.

  “I have time, and you will make time.”

  Erin sighed. “I suppose I can make some.”