It's late. The black market is quite as Zao walks through the empty streets. Vacallo appears from the fog.
Vacallo: *whistle* well this is a sight. The general walking the streets of the black market. Must be an emergency. What can we do for you?
Zao: Where is the red fury?
Vacallo: .... Sorry. Can't help with that one.
Zao: I have a job for him.
Vacallo: .... Really now?
Zao turns his hilt to the man and Hands him the sword.
Zao: Take it and do what you want with it. I must see him.
Vacallo: .... Come in. Just put that away.
Zao sheaths his sword and follows Vacallo through the building to the back. Eyes from all around the room watch him pass. They're back outside where the only light that shows is the light from the center tower and the moonlight behind them.
Vacallo: *whistle* you got a bothersome job, red! ... Make sure your clear on you intentions. He's a bit picky. No assassination jobs, and no kidnappings. Not his thing, you know?
Vacallo leaves. It quiet. Soon Zao sees a sliver of red shimmer in the distance. He was keeping his distance.
Zao:.... Are you him? The one known as red fury?
He doesn't answer.
Zao:.... I need you help. If you are willing to listen, I will pay any price you offer.
Still nothing.
Zao: is it because you know who I am that you won't speak to me? .... I know you've been helping Caya with her medicine, red fury. I am very thankful to you for it. It does hurt to know I could do nothing to aid her condition further.
.... Your pay depends on the job.
Zao: ...??! Right... I need your help destroying the tower.
No.
Zao: please! It's not what you think! I... I simply need you to ruin the highers.
.... What does that mean?
Zao: The first documents you stole for the black market a while ago. It'll be something like that.
.... Listening.
Zao: I want to rid this town of the higher councils existence. I want your help to do so.
.... Curious. What's your reason for this? Don't tell me is for selfish reasons like vengeance.
Zao:.... And if it is? Nothing but rage is flowing through my veins right now. The only thing holding me back is my sanity.
Why?
Zao: I have no need to tell you that. If you can't help me I'll do something about it myself.
He turns to leave.
..... what happened to miss Caya?
Zao stops and looks at the figure in the shadows. There were two now.
Zao: ....??! ...The inn was assaulted by the treasurer's orders on false rumors spread by the other highers. I was just informed of this and almost killed a man than nearly had his way with her. If not for the Guardian there, I wouldn't really be here asking for your help. I would lose all rights as a guard. I know she wouldn't want me to do that. Or this either! But what am I to do?! If I had let my emotions take the better of me I'd lose her as well! I don't want that! I can't have that!! I don't want to lose Caya! Now she's too sick to stay stable any more because she hadn't taken her medicine before the raid. I'm so lost I didn't know what to do, so I came to you! Please, I'll do anything! Just please help me save her. Help me make this town safe for her again.
Zao drops to his both knees and bows his head to the ground in tears.
Zao: please. I need your help. I can't think straight anymore. I've lost my spirit as a man. Please... please. I don't care what you do. How much it takes. Just please. I beg of you. Help me.
The shadows now stand in front of Zao and kneel down on their toes with their arms on their legs.
What should we do? .... There's not enough information.
Zao looks up and sees the two red haired doubles staring back at him. Both had one black colored eye and one white, mirroring each other perfectly as the were aside from their clothes.
Back at the inn, Sicily still waits by Caya's side. Caya wakes up.
Caya: .... What is this?
Sicily: .... Relax. You'll be okay. We're still at the inn, miss Caya. Are you feeling okay?
Caya: I.... Where's Zao?
Sicily: he said he needed to take care of something. I think he just went to cool his head. For now stay still.
Night.
At the tower, Zao roamed the halls and over hears a conversation pertaining to him. It was coming from the treasury. He could hear Arnwall talking to the treasurer.
Treasurer: .... And you know what he told me? He said "she's mine!" can you believe that? That little winch has him rapped around her little finger. Honestly, what could have gotten that man to say such an absurd thing?
Arnwall: I understand, madam.
Treasurer: see? Even you find it ridiculous.
Arnwall: no. I mean I understand why he would say so. And I do believe he would say such things. After all, they have been engaged since before this tower rose. And they have known each other since childhood. I would have thought the entirety of the council would respect this worldwide custom after seeing the official documents that had been presented to all of you at the start, but it seems I am gravely mistaken.
Treasurer: ...e-engaged?
Arnwall: Yes, madam. General Zao has even taken it upon himself to change his surname to Bake instead of having her change to Havenive.
Treasurer:.... Keh! Little bitch. She got ahold of him before me?
She starts chewing on her well kept nails in frustration.
Arnwall: is there a problem, madam?
Treasurer: .... Whatever! I don't even care about that fucking Inn anymore. The little bitch can go die somewhere and save me the trouble.
Arnwall: ...?
Treasurer: so, what will you do? One of your men committed to treason of the guards law.
Arnwall: I had simply came in to ask permission for a public disciplinary, madam. Since it was by your orders that I had to take command. I find it necessary to receive your approval.
Treasurer: ... Fine. Whatever. Permission granted. You're dismissed, commander.
Arnwall: Thank you, madam.
He leaves the room. He sees Zao standing in the hallway by the wall.
Arnwall: (whisper) If you have any ideas about what your going to be doing, count me in. And do it soon. I get the feeling she's the reason for Caya getting sick.
Zao:... (whisper) go to the black market when you have the time. Tell them I sent you.
Arnwall: yes, sir!
They leave.