"I would offer you something to drink but I did not expect a visit this late at night.", Voorhis glanced at the painting from which you just had stepped from. "Especially not that kind of visit."

You shrugged.

"Safe your luxuries, general.", you said and looked around to make sure that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "People talk a lot in these walls."

One of his eyebrows rose.

With his head tilted to the side, he examined you before taking a step closer.

"And what do they say?"

With a glance over your shoulder, you gifted him a smirk and turned to face him in a manner that made clear that you weren't the enemy.

"They say you're as loyal as a puppy could be to the emperor.", you said bluntly and took him by surprise. "But that is what I am looking for. The emperor needs loyalty in these challenging times."

His eyes narrowed. But he couldn't hide the shimmer of interest that lit up inside of them.

"I'm sure if the emperor would require my services he'd call for me."

"He doesn't need them. Or would not ask you. But I think he should overthink his decision."

"So you are here on his request?"

"I'm here on my own request."

Again, he failed to hide the emotions on his face.

He was sceptical.

"What are you planning?", the general asked while his hand slid back to rest on the handle of his sword.

Unimpressed, you eyed his gesture in such an obvious way that it had to make him uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, general, I'm sure we're on the same page here.", you said but couldn't bring you to smile again. "After all, we both want to serve the emperor well. Don't we?"

"I am serving him well already."

"You will be able to do it even better."

"You speak well, but in unnecessary riddles."

Understanding, you nodded, threw a glance over your shoulder to check the door and approached him.

"Let me be clear then.", you said in a lower voice so that not even the bats high up in the beams were able to catch a hint of your words. "I want you to accompany me to the place that the merchant talked about."

A shimmer crossed his eyes.

All at once, the tension in his posture faded.

A smirk appeared on Voorhis' pale face.

"Impressive...", the general mumbled and almost had to chuckle.

Struck by his odd reaction, you frowned and tilted your head.

"Come again?", you asked.

Now he couldn't help but make his amusement audible.

"You are truly as smug as the emperor has said.", he explained. "But he was quicker than you."

Annoyed, you couldn't help but squeeze your eyes shut to let out a sigh.

"He came to warn you.", you said.

"He came to give orders."

"So I won't be able to count on your help then.", without skipping a beat, you turned on your heel and walked towards the painting to take your leave again.

But as you passed him, he moved to block your way.

Your eyes moved up to glance at him from the corner.

Maybe it was unwise to react this way but in that moment you failed to hide the emotions that boiled inside your guts.

"I agree with your plan.", Voorhis said and took you by surprise. "And I will help. I assume this is about a guard that you need?"

Immediately, a satisfied smile conquered your lips.

"You truly dare to break the emperor's order to protect me?", you asked, just to make sure that he was fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions.

With a hum, he nodded.

"It might cost my head to go with you. But if I turn you away now and you go anyways, it will absolutely cost my head. Regardless of what I decide to do."

It confused you to hear him say those words, after all, you were about as replaceable as any other person within the castle walls.

And yet the general made it sound like it would be his end if only a single hair of yours was to be damaged.

You decided to brush it off as an unwise choice of words.

"I must thank you, general Voorhis.", you said and bowed to him out of genuine respect.

"Don't thank me yet.", he opened the hidden door to offer you to go first. "We didn't succeed yet."

Pleased about the elegance with which he managed to sell himself, you hummed in agreement and stepped into the darkness.

A cool winter's breeze stroked through your hair as you pulled the hood of your black cloak deeper into your face.

The horse underneath you was warm, yet a thin layer of frost covered the dark fur.

With a quick glance, you made sure that the general had an eye on you before ordering the animal to move.

A deep breath escaped its nose in white clouds.

The steps of the hooves echoed from the stone pavement like words from naked walls.

With every noise that danced through the air, your ears twitched.

The hairs in the back of your neck stood up straight as you guided the horse away from the safe main road and into a side alley.

Shadows as dark as the colour black itself fell onto you.

Everything was swallowed whole.

It took your eyes a moment to get used to how dark it was.

Even the silver light of the moons and stars failed to reach to this part of town.

Your own breath echoed inside your ears.

With both hands on the reins, you let your eyes wander from one wall to another.

You believed to see slow movements in the shadows.

But maybe that was just your imagination going wild.

The urge to light a flame tingled in the tips of your fingers. The things you would have given to give into it.

Even though you weren't a skilled mage you had always felt safer with these unnatural powers visible to everyone.

But this wasn't the time, nor the place.

"Halt!", a voice suddenly called out.