The guard, William, and the noble Emily hurried down a path towards the inn Germo asked requested they meet at previously. They walked in silence until the outline of the inn was in view, through the mass of congregating people. As they neared the inn, They looked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter.
"What the hell just happened?" She asked teary eyes.
"You were the one posturing as a noble," Seth chuckled.
"I can't believe that actually worked."
"You had doubts?"
Their loud laughs fizzled into giggles. "Of course," Sera nodded. "If he were more connected, things could have ended very differently. I might have to have even mentioned that you were a Ryall."
Seth frowned slightly, "I wouldn't have enjoyed that." His family's disgrace was widespread throughout the Empire. Admitting that he was Ryall would close more doors than it would open. "But you played your part so well. If I didn't know better, I would say too perfectly," he poked.
"I spent quite a bit of time in the Academy, remember? Surrounded by snot-nosed rich kids who told me I didn't belong. Kids like you," She said with a poke.
Seth's face reddened slightly in embarrassment, "That was ages ago. We were just kids. How long do you plan to hold that over me for?"
"For as long as I can," she grinned. "Besides, it's no secret that I want to become a knight, Seth. A favor like that could come in handy. The entire reason why I agreed to this suicidal quest in the first place."
"I don't see what I can do for you. After all, I can't be a knight anymore?" Seth said with a nervous chuckle.
"I am sorry, Seth," Sera dropped in realization. "Being a knight isn't everything you know?" she consoled. "If you find a team you can trust, and you acquire another element, I'm sure you can still be a knight."
Seth shook his head. "It's fine. I'll figure something out after I rescue my sister." He'd already known in his heart, the path of the knight was far behind him. Trying to find his way back into the military was not a priority, not while he was dying.
"You'd seem so confident before when we last discussed. I'd hate to see you dispirited after four days," a stern, yet powerful voice called out behind them. The voice sent chills down Sera and Seth's collective spine. It was so confident and so close, yet they didn't sense the presence of the man behind it until they heard him.
Seth recognized the voice immediately. It was the senior captain, Mesok. Seth signaled Sera with a simple look, and both of them spun around with a wide, honest grin, followed with a quick bow.
"Senior Knight Mesok. I didn't expect to find you here." Seth said.
"I didn't expect to be here too, Seth. The order came down hours after I departed from your quarters." The knight smiled back. He was garbed in his service armor, decked with plates that bore runes, and behind him were five familiar faces, dressed in amour every child, noble or commoner, grew up dreading. Black plates with gold trimmings, compact feathered helmets with visors, and weapons with a black lustreless gemstone at the hilt.
Sera hands tightened at the sight of them. The Iron knights still haunted her nightmares. Seth could hear her heart pound from where he stood, and from the slight smirk on Mesok's face, he was sure he could too.
"Aren't you going to introduce her, Seth?" Mesok asked with a curled lip, noting Sera's nervousness.
Seth smiled, "Of course. Forgive me, Sir Knight. It must have escaped my mind. This is Sera Linburn. Daughter of August Linburn, the Merchant. She and her team are helping me rescue my sister."
"It's an honor to meet a Senior magic knight of Brightmont," Sera greeted with a practiced bow.
Mesok raised an eyebrow, surprised to see her recover so quickly. A thin smile escaped from his lips, and nodded. "Don't let me keep you. I have something to discuss with Seth. He'll join you soon enough."
Seth's heart pounded in nervous expectation. He hadn't seen the man in near a week. He thought their business concluded the last time they spoke.
"I've come here to offer you a deal," Mesok proudly said.
"A deal?" Seth's lips slightly quivered in excitement. Though he was nervous in the presence of the knight, he had no reason to doubt his good intentions. After all, he gave him the information he needed to save his sister.
"Someone in Alpheus must be looking out for house Ryall." Mesok continued as he gestured to the armor-clad men and women standing behind him, "Because they pulled some strings and now you have command of five Iron Guardsman in training if you want it."
Seth's eyes widened. "Me?" Seth forced his heart to remain in his chest as he starred at the squad of emotionless warriors before him. Each armed with Enchanted Urum weapons. One Irons guardsman was worth at least two mages in their current rank. Their spellwork was refined to the peak, and their skill with their weapon of choice was unnatural. With them, he could easily find and rescue his sister. All he would have to do is reobtain the map from Sera and copy it. Or perhaps try to memorized with the use aid of the system. After all, it did have spellbooks stored.
"System?" he called for the first time that day. "Do you have any information retention or scribing functions?"
"Yes, the system can copy in detail documents and books. The manual you currently practice with is just one of many works stored in the system's archives. You can copy documents or maps by staring at them and requesting the system to copy them."
Seth grinned. It was as he guessed. A plan was forming in his head now. He could see it, but…but…there was a problem? His eyes shifted to the Iron guards then Mesok. What would the support of five Iron Guardsman cost? If his time with the red hornet mages had taught him anything, it was that everything had a price. He remembered Sera's words and recalled the 'Agenda' she spoke of.
"What does the Empire ask in return for her aid?" Seth asked, his voice firm yet wary.
Mesok smirked, "It's only been four days, and you've already become as paranoid as the mages. If I knew this was going to happen, I would have recommended a group of trustworthy mages to you."
Seth didn't smile at his tease, which left him a bit annoyed, but he continued anyways, "The Empire wants nothing from you. In fact, it only seeks to provide you more aid. We have life mages stationed in the city. As soon as the rescue is complete, we want to treat her," Mesok explained. "She must have been injured and mistreated by that awful blood mage. We only want to give her the aid a promising talent like her deserves."
"Treat her?" Seth's eyes narrowed, and he looked to Mesok's calm smiling face. He didn't trust one word he said. They mobilized a team of life mages and Iron guards. They were all from the Emperor's private stock and were reserved solely for his pleasure.
The only time the man had thought of the Ryall house were the days leading up to the judgment of his father. They wanted something from his sister, and looking at the resources they've mobilized for that effort, they weren't simply going to let her go.
"Yes, treat her and every other mage above the on or above the rank of Lesser mage that survives the encounter. We need every strong mage for the war effort, and the blood mage has to be dealt with," Mesok explained, but Seth still wasn't convinced.
He knew better than to trust the words of people, especially if they were more powerful than him. But, he didn't see a way out. It was clear that this was some kind of trap for him and Tessa, but he couldn't very well refuse Mesok. Mesok would obtain his sister with or without him, but the red hornet mages were no different- sparing only a mage to his rescue effort. He stifled a frustrated moan.
"System, what should I do?" he asked the system in frustration.
"Prompt recognized. Reducing host's autonomy, booting up personal guide…" Seth took several steps back as a fresh page of glowing, miasmic text floated in front of him. "Ask for more time to think on it, ask for the inn he stays at and bid Mesok good night," it read.
Seth did as the system instructed and requested Memenok's inn and room address after brief thought. He'd weighed his options and had chosen to rely on the system at that moment. Mesok frowned when he didn't hear an immediate 'Yes,' but he bid the young borderlander good night before departing with his squad.