"Well, what are they saying?" Dustin inquired of Michelle when the Forbacheans' chattering grew louder and more agitated.

"They order us to dismount and remove our weapons from our persons. Slowly."

Dustin sighed and smoothly dismounted Consequence before unsheathing his sword, carefully placing it on the ground, and stepping a few feet back from it. A quick glance back, and he saw Jude discard his bow and arrows, and Kyle, a sword he likely didn't know how to use anyway. Michelle laid down a dagger she'd been carrying, along with a sling and a pouch of stones.

The Forbacheans barked out more unintelligible commands, which Michelle translated to be an order to stand closer together. Dustin sucked in a deep breath as he took up a spot next to Jude. Once they'd complied, the dark-skinned warriors began to tighten their circle around the travelers.

Dustin's heart surged in activity when the man who seemed to be in charge came within arms' reach, crossbow still aimed at his chest. The man slowly lowered the weapon while reaching for Dustin's face covering, soon ripping it clean off in one move. His dark face morphed into an expression of confusion and disgust as he beheld Dustin's features. Then he glanced over at his comrade who approached Jude.

They exposed Jude's face as well, and immediately, the two Forbacheans fell into excited conversation Dustin couldn't make out. All he could pick up was the word "Innutuk" coming up over and over again. He grimaced at Jude, who appeared equally concerned.

Dustin craned his neck to look at Michelle on the opposite end of the line. "I could do well with some translation over here!"

Michelle leaned over and rattled off a few words in Forbachean at the two men who had unmasked Dustin and Jude. She promptly received a reply, which she looked rather displeased with.

"They believe you are Innutukians." she said, almost as an aside before switching back to Forbachean for the two men.

Dustin traded frowns with Jude. "How are we Innutukians?" he muttered, "Especially you."

Jude gave a wry smile. "I have too much of an Alcontean chin; you're right."

"And if you were Innutukian, you would grow out your beard."

"Precisely. With their familiarity with Innutu—"

"Your highness!" Michelle's voice cut through, snatching Dustin's attention that way. Both she and Kyle had uncovered their faces since he'd last looked, and her outlook appeared hopeful. "We sort things out; I tell them everything."

"So...we can go our way?" Dustin asked.

"I agree on your behalf to meet the leader of their rebel cell."

"How kind of you to consult with me." Dustin said in a sarcastic tone, "But I consent. They are aware you also are a member of the rebellion, correct?"

"Of course. I tell them that before I even reveal your royalty."

Kyle laughed. "I like your priorities."

Michelle shrugged with an expression as if she were holding back an amused smile. "If you all are ready, we follow them to their stronghold."

"Very well." Dustin said, "I see little rebellion we can accomplish standing here."

The Forbacheans began to position themselves in an orderly line, which Dustin and his companions fell into. Then began the trudge into the thick of the forest, where no discernible trail at all existed. Rough twigs and the leaves of ferns constantly scraped Dustin's legs as he tread behind their guides, Consequence calmly walking alongside him without complaint. Unforgiving as the terrain was, the young prince greatly anticipated meeting the rebel leader and hopefully assisting him in taking some large strides against the Empire.

****

The zig-zagging path threading through the Forbachean forest finally took Dustin's party and their rebel guides to another town. This settlement fascinated the prince due to the geography surrounding it. Namely, a crescent-shaped lake encircled most of the town and limited access to it. Funny enough, even the narrow strip of land coming right up to the high southwest wall provided no entryway; the only gateway in sight lay at the end of a retractible bridge on the southeast.

Having a warrior's mind, Dustin could only draw one conclusion—a town like this one would be a nightmare to invade. If the rebels had made a stronghold for themselves here, they had picked their location wisely.

As he set foot on the retractable bridge leading to the narrow gate, Dustin glanced up to see a row of archers perched atop the southeastern wall, clearly keeping a faithful watch over the town's single entry point. He offered them a salute in good humor, which a few returned in the same amused spirit.

The layout of the town once inside the walls was hardly different than the glorified graveyard Dustin and his companions had previously entered. But nonetheless, its atmosphere maintained a refreshing vitality. Dark-skinned natives carrying out business and enjoying recreation alike lined the streets, drawing a smile to Dustin's face.

By and by, the rebel escorts guided Dustin and his party into a humble building on the northeast end of the town. Leaving their horses and camels under the care of a few rebels who remained outside, they made entry and passed through a corridor lined with innumerable weapons fixed to both walls. Next, they made a right and ended up in a large, echoey chamber where a Forbachean man of commanding stature stood with his back to the door and several seated men attentively listening to his words.

Upon hearing their footsteps, the man turned to face the newcomers, and Dustin found himself impressed with one glance. In every way, he looked the part of a warrior, tall, rippling with muscle, and sporting an impressive bushy beard. An eyepatch over his right eye told a story with no words. His remaining eye darted over the newcomers with an expression that conveyed curiosity and skepticism rolled into one.

"Who might these be?" the man asked the rebel who had been leading Dustin and the others, his voice deep and deliberate.

The rebel rattled off something in Forbachean, which frustrated Dustin, but then Michelle stepped forward with another reassuring smile.

"He asks for me to handle the introductions." she said, then turning to the muscular man clearly in charge, "I am Michelle of the house of Yorran, and member of one of the western rebel cells. These are Prince Dustin Rickland of Monterayne, Jude Holt of Monterayne, and Kyle Korynn of the wildlands. We come, seeking to assist you in overthrowing the Empire."

He appeared to weigh her words carefully before offering a bow to Dustin. "Welcome, your highness. If I had been expecting royalty, I would have prepared—"

"I have not come in any official capacity." Dustin interrupted, "Formalities are not required."

"Very well, then. Well, I am Ken-Malé, house of Chen. Recently appointed leader of the united insurgent forces of Forbache."

Michelle's eyes widened. "Unification is successful?"

The corners of Ken-Malé's mouth twitched into a phantom smile. "After much debate and a few compromises, yes. We stand as one against the Empire."

Dustin chuckled. "See, the last time Michelle was here, your situation was quite dire. We had been hoping to assist in pulling off some strong offensive against the Empire, perhaps gain you a stronghold to turn the tide of the conflict. But it appears you already have one."

"Even so, we are not without our struggles. Staying concealed and keeping our families fed are two goals at odds with one another."

"Ah, I can imagine so." Dustin glanced at Michelle, then back at Ken-Malé. "I do have a few questions for you, if you wouldn't mind—"

"Anything you want to know, your highness." Ken-Malé replied vigorously.

"Well...what drew us here was a report of a terrible massacre in your capital. Beyond that, we know nothing, and clearly, much has happened since then."

Ken-Malé's intact eye darkened, and he shook his head with a sigh. "The old Overseer had uncovered an ancient relic of the Alcontean religion and stored it in the capital's vault until he could consult with a priest and discover its purpose. He learned it was an artifact imbued with great power, said to channel the divine energy of the Alcontean god of war."

"And peace." Jude blurted out before smiling apologetically, "My apologies; I am half-Alcontean myself. I don't believe in these deities, but am aware of the religion."

"I see. So, when the Overseer learned of the great power housed in the artifact, he resolved to have it taken out of Innutuk's reach. After all, the priest he consulted claimed that a worthy wielder of the object could level forests using a mere fraction of its power. Therefore, the Overseer called on me to take it away."

"Why did the Overseer want such power out of the Empire's grasp?" Dustin asked, "Is it not an Overseer's job to further imperial interests in the region?"

"Yes, but he attempted to use his position to shield the people, not oppress them. At any rate, the Empire sent in a new overseer, a cruel man in a burgundy cloak and skilled in sorcery. He discovered that the Overseer before him had been plotting with me, and we fled. Even so, he caught us, and he murdered his predecessor before my eyes. I was forced to watch my brother die while the sorcerer's cursed cloak held me down."

"I...I am so sorry to hear that." Dustin said, green eyes suddenly stinging from being open so wide. "My condolences."

"Thank you. I take it as further motivation to drive the devils back where they came from. Ever since then, I've taken protecting the artifact as my utmost priority. My brother died to keep it out of Innutuk's hands, and far be it from me to render his sacrifice in vain."

Michelle cleared her throat. "In that case, where is the artifact now?"

"In this stronghold." Ken-Malé said simply, "We've come far too close to having it taken on several occasions recently, so I decided we would be better off fortifying ourselves to protect it better. We have withstood two attempts thus far to breach these walls. After the second, we swept back down for a counterattack and wiped the entire force out. And I have no doubt we will continue to do so."

"Well, should they decide to return, we shall assist you in driving them off yet again." Dustin said confidently. "In the meantime, I should like to see this artifact of yours."

Ken-Malé eyed Dustin skeptically for a moment, then after a brief exchange in Forbachean with Michelle, he nodded. "Very well. I'll show you what will soon be the rebellion's secret weapon against the Empire."

"You intend to use it?"

"Indeed. I'm studying the Alcontean scriptures in order to make myself worthy of such power."

Dustin frowned. "Sorcery killed your brother, and yet you would engage in it?"

"Dire circumstances call for drastic action, your highness. Now, would you like to see the artifact, or not?"

"I would." Dustin said after swallowing and regaining his composure.

"Then follow me."

As Ken-Malé had ordered, so they did. Dustin, Michelle, Jude, and Kyle followed the rebel leader even further into the depths of the building, along with a pair of armed insurgents for good measure. Needless to say, with so much blood having been spilt over the object, Dustin tingled with anticipation at what it could possibly look like.