Lord Archibald was doing his best to keep the smile from his face as he finished signing the last of the paperwork from the solicitor Basil Burnaby, which would release Aggie’s inherited funds to him in trust until she could be found again.

If his daughter were caught, the Kings needn’t know where the money went. Not until the whole thing was settled.

-And settling matters was Archie’s next goal.

He needed to clear his daughter’s name, and he would do whatever was necessary.

He intended to start interviewing the former crew of Captain James Murphy, he also needed to gain witnesses from Sean O’Farrell’s house. He would have to send discreet persons under his payroll to gain these testimonies, but he would see it done.

Something about his daughters death, and then discovering she was alive, awakened a fierce paternal instinct in Archie that he had never known. It also helped matters that he had sold off most of his merchant vessels for her dowry, and while he was far from a pauper, he had more time on his hands.

The trick would be to ensure none of the nobility caught on to what he was up to, but he was willing to hedge a few bets that they had their arms full with the new war, not to mention, tracking down his daughter.

Archie turned his face to the carriage window, away from Burnaby. He did not want the man to see his grin and grow suspicious.

He had innocently offered the man a carriage ride back to the Southern Kingdom with him once he heard the news of what his daughter stood to inherit, though he knew the solicitor had more than likely put two-and-two together.

It still puzzled him that Aggie’s attacker would name her Servicer in his will, but decided that mystery would have to be solved at a later time. Perhaps interviewing the Captain’s former crew would shed light on the situation.

Archie continued to watch the scenery pass by him, enjoying the silence with Farrah’s carriage somewhere behind him.

The doctor’s had been baffled at her condition- a mysterious damage to her reproduction system that meant she had swiftly passed her child bearing years at 42 years had struck her down. Grimly, and with some measure of guilt, Archie did feel it was an appropriate consequence to her rejection of their daughter in a time of need. While Archie knew Aggie had some involvement in the development, he wasn’t certain how she could have done such a thing.

With a small sigh, he sent a silent prayer to the Gods. He wished that she would continue to evade her pursuers until he could find her first, and give her legal counsel.

“Mr. Burnaby, thank you again for your compliance in this matter.” Archie turned to the solicitor with a masked expression, and was met with a graceful bow of his head silvery head in response.

“Yes my Lord, it is my pleasure. It is most likely best this way.”

“I do have another request of you if you would not mind.” Archie clasped his hands casually in front of him and crossed an ankle over his knee, leaning back into the soft velvet of the carriage.

“How might I be of service?” Burnaby asked casting an appraising eye over the man.

“I was wondering if you happened to know any solicitors who might fight a case in the courts on my daughter’s behalf, I am afraid that while I have gained expertise in trades, my knowledge pertaining to the nuances of law is somewhat lacking.”

The shock was abundantly apparent on the Basil’s face.

“You wish to have your daughter defended?”

“I do. I believe that when the Kings get their hands on her, she will need proper representation.”

Burnaby’s mouth fell agape.

“I-I will see whom I can find my Lord.”

Archie smiled brightly at the man, ignoring the less than enthusiastic response.

“Thank you Burnaby, I have been greatly impressed with your efficient handling of the unorthodox situation thus far.” Archie dimmed his smile but gave another shallow nod of thanks to the man whom straightened his shoulders at the compliment, and whom gave a shallow bow in response.

Archie turned back to the carriage window then, and settled in for the long carriage ride home, ambitious for the first time in life for a cause other than business.

***

Aggie finished the last of her packing, and drew the string of the pack Arlen had procured for her tight. They were going to head back into the mountains with the Minkies to strategize the best plan to infiltrate the Island of Servicers, and somehow free Arlen’s mother and siblings.

Aggie left the dark chamber she and Arlen had shared since their return from her funeral a week and a half prior, and cast an unemotional glance over its sparse furnishings.

There was nothing to become attached to in the room-, nothing that could hold a distinct memory in her head, and somehow, that made a pang of sadness echo in her stomach.

Would she ever have a home again?

… Or would she always be running? Always fleeing from one place to the next?

With a small frown, Aggie shook her head.

The horrible truth of it, was that she knew she wasn’t capable of putting down any kind of roots. There was still too much rotten in her for that to happen…

Staring down at her right hand, she studied the calluses on her palms from wielding the bow staff for hours of the day. Her fingers were still as long and pale as they had always been, and yet, underneath the seemingly innocuous flesh, she knew that her blood was filled with chaos.

She sometimes felt such an overwhelming need to scream at all of the buzz in her head and heart, that she’d look around at everyone around her, and wonder how they could not see the swarming energy around her.

Controlling the urge to not let loose what was inside her took everything she had.

The endless screaming and rampaging she constantly wanted to expel…

She had the undesirable urge to make the world outside of her being to match the riots of emotions and thoughts inside of her.

Aggie blinked and dropped her hand to her side.

The only voice that had wedged a small piece of calm in the calamity had been Arlen’s. It wasn’t nearly enough to overcome all of the conflict she heard and felt inside, but it was the small bit of reprieve she needed to keep making it through each day.

And that terrified her.

If she were to be separated from him again, would she go insane?

Fully insane, would she start killing people and then land herself on the executioner’s block?

The anxiety began to rise in her chest, and so Aggie slammed the door behind herself with a grunt, and stomped down the alleyway.

Arlen had left to speak with Ned about something, and she was now itching to get moving again.

*

Ned stared at Arlen with a thoughtful expression.

“So… that’s why you refused to donate your blood to me. Makes sense.” The Dwarf stroked his beard. His hair was particularly wild that day, with its wiry ends standing straight up as though the heat of his forge had blasted him that morning.

“I remember you saying one piece you were working on was an identifying gem. One that could determine species.”

“Yes, it was in Moe Efo’s journal. He was creating it, I imagine, so that the Thief of Souls could reserve his magic, or so that Moe wouldn’t have to make as many summoning stones. It was one of his creations early on, before he became secretive about his work.”

“So how does it work exactly?” Arlen asked slowly, his heart was pounding, and it was murder trying to keep his voice under control.

“Well, it has to be a diamond for the best results. Quartz will do in a pinch, but it isn’t always as easy to understand, and as you know, diamond is awful to work with, but basically, if you are a pure blooded Dwarf, it will turn black- like good rich soil should be.” Arlen nodded, forcing himself to be patient with Ned’s longer than necessary explanations.

“If you are Fey, it will turn purple- them fancy fucks, you know how it is. Pure human is green, and pure Servicer is red.”

“There isn’t any mix of the colors for mix-breeds?” Arlen could feel his palms sweating.

“Not yet. I mean I can, that would be very interesting, especially if I am able to attach a visual that will break down percentages of the colors in the gem- like Moe had originally planned, but that could take me years especially with the various beasts. Not to mention I’m pretty focused on the breakdown on the Thief of Souls bonded gem.”

Arlen nodded slowly, trying to mask his disappointment.

“If you’d like, you can try holding the rough gem I have managed to get working to at least determine whether or not you are pure blooded.”

“It can determine that already?” Arlen’s stomach dropped. Was he ready to know even that much of the truth?

“Yeup! Catch!”

“Godsdammit Ned.” Was all Arlen had time to think before the Dwarf had hurled the gem out of his pocket into Arlen’s hands, clearly not caring about the emotional turmoil this was causing his guest.

There was also the finite chance that he knew exactly what it was doing, and figured that ripping out the arrow was better than pulling it out slowly.

As soon as Arlen caught the gem-, which was slightly smaller than the size of his palm, he closed his eyes, bracing himself.

After a steadying breath, he turned his palm up, and opened his warm brown eyes to see…

The diamond hadn’t changed color.

“Ned?” To Arlen, his voice sounded weak.

“Ah… well. You know…” Ned awkwardly scratched his head at a loss for words.

“So… it’s true. I’m… I’m not a full-blooded Servicer.”

“I’d like to tell you that it is a rough make and is wrong, but even though it can only sense certain blood types, it still isn’t wrong. Sorry.”

Arlen stared at the diamond that would have been worth an entire castle and then some, and wished with all his might that it might turn bright red.

“Why is it…” Arlen cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Why is it that I can still be bonded and I can still be connected to Aggie.” He wondered aloud trying to blink back the tears in his eyes.

“No one knows what happens when Servicers breed. Unlike human magicks, it might just get a bit watered down but not erased. It could also mean that maybe it doesn’t matter whom Servicer’s mix with, you will always be a Servicer.” Ned pointed out somberly, all of his normal levity gone from before.

Arlen tried to swallow past the hard lump in his throat.

Ned’s strong calloused hand gripped his shoulder.

“It doesn’t change who you are Arlen.”

“It does to me.”

Suddenly Arlen couldn’t hold back, he burst into tears.

He felt every insecurity and niggling doubt he had felt when growing up burst forward in confirmation.

He was not a full Servicer, and he was most likely the son of a monster.

A monster whom hurt and scarred the person whom meant the most to him.

There was no one else on the entire continent that was a mix-breed Servicer.

He was alone.

Slowly lowering himself to the ground, Arlen continued to sob as Ned wrapped him in a full embrace, not saying a word, but offering his support in wordless solace.

Meanwhile, with her back pressed against the wall outside beside the doorway, Aggie clasped her hand against her mouth while she fought against the tears in her eyes.

She had been right.

He was The Captain’s son.

Aggie did everything she could to silence any scream that may have wanted to escape, and let a silent body wrenching sob double her over. Tears poured from her eyes, and she felt her mind go blank.

Was this the moment?

Was she going to start killing any random being near her?

Was nothing going to stay untouched from the evil in the world?

As the chaos rage and pain grew louder and louder in Aggie, she suddenly heard him.

Arlen.

Not her Servicer.

Arlen.

The man whom had been enslaved for his entire life, finding out that he had been meant to be slaughtered since before his birth. He had just discovered that he would be the reason his mother and siblings were to be slaughtered if the Ruling Family learned the truth.

She heard his soft shuddering breath as he wept, and suddenly, there was a different pain inside of her.

The person who meant the most to her was in pain.

Without thinking, Aggie immediately straightened, and walked into Ned’s workshop.

The Dwarf was crouched on the floor embracing Arlen, but when he saw her and her tear stained face, gave her a short nod of understanding.

He released Arlen, and as the Servicer remained on the ground unaware of her presence, she fell onto her knees on the dirt ground, bruising her knees in the process, and wrapped her arms around him from behind him.

Arlen immediately tensed at her touch, but as she tightened her embraced around his shoulders, and pulled him into her chest, he allowed himself to relax against her.

They sat embracing and crying together.

He because his life was forever changed, and she not because he was the son of a monster, but because being the son of the monster hurt him even more.

***

Aggie and Arlen were seated at their favorite tavern in the Dwarvin city that had situated itself against the wall of flowerbeds on the outskirts of the city. It was one of the few taverns that separated tables, and therefore didn’t force the company of strangers upon one another.

The 2 shared their drinks in silence, but both sat close enough that if one of them were to lean a head over, they would easily be atop the other.

Their pale somber faces seemed to ward off the rest of the curious Dwarves for once that usually insisted upon asking a slew of questions were either ignored, or deflected with drinking.

It wasn’t the day for such inquiries, and the 2 were too numb to even make proper conversation, when Reggie suddenly burst through the back door of the tavern, and scrambled over to their table, a manic look in his eyes.

“Aggie! They took-” He gasped for a breath before continuing. “They took Lady Maude!”

Aggie barely paused in her downing of the wine in her goblet as she attempted to listen to Reggie.

“Who?” She asked dully.

“The North Prince’s fiancé! Prince Raphael of the South took her, saying she was his hostage unless you turned yourself in to him.”

Aggie slowly lowered the goblet onto the table, and turned a passive expression to Arlen.

“Is… Is that little shit already acting up?” She asked tiredly, as though discussing a child throwing a tantrum.

“It would seem he didn’t take your threat seriously.” Arlen replied, his tone equally unenthused.

“Is the Prince left handed or right handed?” Aggie took another draught from her goblet of wine.

“I’d go for the tongue Mistress.” Arlen added taking his own drink from his tankard.

“I like your style Arlen. His hand will be after the tongue though.”

Reggie looked back and forth at the pair incredulously.

“You 2 can’t always get away with maiming people!” He exclaimed wishing he could help the violent jaded woman before him.

“You’re right Reggie. In the future I hope to do much, much worse to them.” Aggie’s dark expression chilled Reggie to the bones, and he took a careful step back at seeing it. He glanced to Arlen, hoping to see the usual apologetic reassuring look on the Servicer’s face, except his expression was just as cold.

Tork, Birgitte, and the Minkies filed out the exit of the tavern towards the trio lead by the Minkies Queen.

“Reggie told you the news?” She asked calmly as she stood in front of the Lady.

“He did.”

“Will you spend your life cutting off parts of him?”

“It could be a fulfilling hobby.”

The Queen remained standing, but she remained completely still as Aggie and Arlen continued drinking.

“Do not let your vengeance over the man ruin your own life. He doesn’t deserve it.” The Queen’s concerned tone made Aggie raise her eyes, but when they locked gazes, for once she didn’t challenge it. Aggie gave a weak but honest grin, and somehow this made the Queen both less, and more worried.

“He doesn’t, but sometimes children like to test the rules. I think after one or two tries he will get the message.”

The Queen let out a slow breath before nodding.

“It may be so. However, we need to inform our people of the war and the details surrounding this precarious situation. Will you go retrieve Lady Maude on your own, or will you join us?”

Aggie was on her feet in an instance.

“You aren’t going to help get her back?!”

The Queen looked, for once, openly disappointed and resigned.

“Aggie, I truly wish I could. My people need to know what has come to pass, and to start preparing to stop an harm befalling the entire continent. Do you understand?” She asked softly.

Aggie stared hard at the Queen, ready to hate her for her lack of compassion, but then, a sudden realization settled in her heart. She didn’t wanted it to, but it crept in before she could let her rage shake it from her.

The Queen had to choose between the death and harm of hundreds or thousands, and one if she didn’t move fast enough. She felt the burden of both, but had to make the horrible choice of abandoning one in need.

Aggie felt herself swallow with great difficulty.

The only reason the Queen had sought to rescue herself, was because Aggie was meant to do more good in the world.

On shaking legs, Aggie stood.

“I understand. I will try to free her on my own.”

The relief on the Queens’ face at Aggie’s lack of anger was abundantly apparent, and all too quickly, Aggie understood the weight of leadership the woman was constantly faced with, and respected her for it all the more.

“Do you have any advice for me?” Aggie asked, a watery smile crossing her face as they acknowledged this as farewell.

“Do your research. Find out about Servicers and Magee fighters that might be guarding Lady Maude, study your enemy, and don’t let impulse lead you at all times. While instinct is important, being smart helps.”

Aggie laughed. Her smile both startling and beautiful, and making both Arlen and Reggie blink in awe for a brief moment before casting their gazes aside.

The Queen seemed to notice this effect, as she smiled lovingly at the Lady, and slowly reached out and stroked her pale face.

“You grow more strikingly beautiful everyday. Just make sure your intelligence and common sense matches it.”

“That is a tall order my Queen.” Aggie managed dryly, attempting to dissipate the embarrassment she was feeling.

“I was addressing Arlen.” The Queen’s flat tone didn’t cloak her words, making Arlen spray out the ale he had just sipped, and shouts of laughter to erupt around her. After a moment of allowing everyone to regain their composure, the Queen carried on without batting an eye.

“So you will set out to rescue Lady Maude?”

“I will.” Aggie managed as she managed to ignore the Queen’s rarely shown humor.

“Would you happen to have any information on the ones who have taken her?”

“I can tell you that at most, 2 Servicers guard her, though most have been returned to the Island due to the recall I mentioned to you earlier this week. I imagine it has something to do with Arlen’s deviation.” The Queen explained casting a cautious eye to Arlen whom looked more haggard than usual.

“The Magee are never to be discounted, I cannot speak for their numbers in this endeavor.” The Queen murmured solemnly, her eyes flitting over to Arlen whom was still in the process of wiping his chin from his sprayed ale.

“Make all decisions with caution in mind. I know that it is not something that comes naturally to you Beatha, but please listen to Arlen. He will help you in waiting patiently.”

Aggie wasn’t sure why the tears came, but they did all the same.

Their relationship had always been tainted by deceit, the Queen’s loyalty to her people, and to an unseen balance. Aggie had never felt truly close to her, and yet…

She had been as much a friend as any Aggie had ever had.

Save only for Ines.

“Thank you. For doing the best you could.” Aggie managed to say, her cheeks burning at the show of humility with an audience. Despite the wording sounding condescending, Aggie had meant it to ease an assumed guilt. She didn’t know if the Queen truly felt guilty for all that had happened to her, but Aggie wondered…

If she herself were Queen, and someone she were trying to protect had been exposed to horrors despite her best efforts…

She would feel endless guilt.

The look on the Minkies woman face, made Aggie realize her guess had been accurate. The Queen had not treated what happened to Aggie lightly, but couldn’t let the weight of the folly disrupt her ability to lead.

In the end, Aggie hoped she would see the Minkies woman’s face again one day.

As it was, the 2 embraced warmly, and Aggie even continued hugging each Minkies person in attendance as she went.

It was time for her and Arlen to set out without the powerful Minkies by their sides.