††† Hall †††

A chilling gust caressed Hall’s face, trying to sneak under his black hood. The last rays of the sun had abandoned the City of Nemeah to darkness, and it got quickly colder on the flat roof where Hall was hiding.

The faint rustling of the dark-clad's young man was the only sound to be heard. People were staying at home or would at least try to avoid the main road in the southern districts of the city. Ever since Siegfried left, enforcers were patrolling more frequently, and the street below Hall was used whenever they had to travel quickly between the Second Sector and The Wilds. It was broad and kept free of obstacles so the enforcers could travel using their powers.

Hall adjusted his weight to relieve the pressure on his chest. The ribs were still tender, although Eurydike really worked wonders with those stranges salves of hers. He feared being out of commission for months after his fight with Siegfried.

Not only had Eurydike healed him, but she even provided him with some priceless gifts. A new set of pitch-black clothes to replace his own, some thin steel wires and an array of knives the likes he had never seen before. Eurydike called them daggers, and they looked more like small swords than knives. It was definitely nothing a smith in the city was allowed to make, which made them a very valuable acquisition. Hall did not have much time to train with them, but for his purpose tonight, he would rather use the thin steel wire anyway.

Torwynd had apparently posted some of his animal scouts in the mountains, and they spotted a lone enforcer heading back towards the city. Chances were high that he was part of the squad that went after Siegfried. Chances were also high that he would fastest, most obvious path back to the Second Sector. Who would ever dare to get in the way of a second-class enforcer, after all?

A dark smile formed in the shadow of Hall’s cowl. His plan was simple, but simple would work best against his adversary. His hand tightened on the clay jar he’d prepared as a distraction when the telltale red glow flashed further down the street. It vanished and flared up again after a few seconds. Wherever that mysterious power came from, it seemed to have limits, and Hall could see that the enforcer was winded as he neared the hastily erected barricade.

The enforcer stopped just close enough, sweat dripping down his face as he took in the pile of crates and barrels.

Hall threw the clay jar and dropped from the roof, aiming for a small balcony beneath. The brittle pot crashed against the wall of the opposite building at the same time as Hall touched the balcony, masking the noise while also drawing the enforcer’s gaze away.

The red-clad man reacted instantly, drawing his sword, but a thin steel wire bit into his throat simultaneously.

“Drop it,” Hall hissed into the enforcer's ear. “One wrong move and you lose your head.”

The threat worked as expected— the sword fell with a clang to the ground. Feeling the wire around his neck, the enforcer held utterly still, which allowed Hall to down him with a single blow to the temple.

Dragging a limp body was hard work, but Hall wouldn’t have to go far. He hauled the unconscious enforcer into a back alley and whistled low. One of his new friends, Tyler, rounded the corner silently.

“You really did it,” Tyler whispered, astonished. “Are you hurt somewhere?”

“Just my ribs from the jump. Take the front?

Together they carried the enforcer to the next entrance of the sewers. Over the past days, “The Resistance”, as they now called themselves, had built several hidden shelters built into the walls underground. Combining their abilities, those people sure could work wonders, Hall mused.

Under the dim light of a torch, the hidden door was all but invisible until Tyler leaned against it with his back. With a low groan, the stone wall swung inwards, leading them into a single, damp room. It was an unnaturally formed cave— the earth was scorched, and the uneven walls were jagged stone, blackened from the explosion that carved them out.

A robust table was the only piece of furniture, and Tyler groaned with the effort of heaving the enforcer upon it. After lighting several candles, Hall bound his prisoner’s legs and wrists together beneath the table, leaving no room for movement.

Hall could see the shift in Tyler’s gaze at this point. The flicker of doubt. “Hey, Tyler,” he said casually. “I really appreciate your help— couldn't have brought him alone. But I can take it from here. Bring his mantle and sword back to Eurydike, please. She might have use for it.”

Tyler’s face scrunched up with indecision.

Hall could see the war fought within. To leave the dirty work to one barely adult was weighing on Tyler’s conscience. But they both knew he didn’t have the stomach for it.

Ultimately Tyler nodded his silent thanks and left the young assassin on his own.

Hall took in the appearance of his captive. He was young and handsome in a roguish way. A man born into a better life. Born to decide the fate of the wretched and unlucky.

If only one enforcer had leaked the truth about the “changelings” to the populace, Hall would now be working with his little brother in the carpentry of their father. But none of them had. They were all guilty.

It took a few slaps to the face until the enforcer woke with a groan. His shoulders jerked with effort, and his eyes widened as he discovered that his arms were restricted. “Unbind me at once, boy,” he spat with a sneer.

Hall watched him with a dispassionate expression.

“Did you not hear me, kid? I command you to—” the enforcer lost his breath as Hall’s fist connected with his gut.

“You were part of a squad that hunted a man named Siegfried. What happened to the rest of you, and where is Siegfried?” Hall asked calmly.

The enforcer eyed him with surprise and disgust written on his face. “You think I would answer to a lowly peasant?” he growled.

Hall’s expression was cold and emotionless as he grabbed under the table where his prisoner’s hands were bound together.

The crack of breaking bones was followed by a miserable shriek.

Hall kept his face calm, but a twisted sense of satisfaction rose beneath the surface as he listened to the enforcer’s wail. To finally sate a smidgen of his desire for revenge was exhilarating.

“What happened, and where is Siegfried,” he asked again. To his disappointment, the enforcer didn’t need further motivation and told Hall everything. Apparently, Siegfried killed one of their strongest second-class enforcers, and another squad member defected with him. The first-class enforcer, Jenna, had finally sent him to get reinforcements and update the Red Brigade on the threat level that Siegfried represented if he was allowed to grow. Fortunately, that message would never reach the Brigade now.

“I told you all I know! Let me go,” the enforcer begged.

But there were many things Hall could learn from this man. The Red Brigade was shrouded in mystery, and no one knew their exact numbers, strategies, or intentions. No one knew why Hall’s family had to die.

But he would find out today.