Junwata made his way outside of the party back into the hallway.

Mercy rushed to catch up to him.

“Mercy!” Hector jogged behind them. “Wait!”

“Later!” Mercy said, exiting the large hall.

She reached Junwata’s side. “My room. This way.”

They went to the entrance to one of the spiral staircases.

Jon wondered how he was gonna make it up, but he didn’t have to figure it out.

His chair suddenly started to glide up the staircase.

It wasn’t long before they entered the room.

“It is unbecoming of you to let me sneak up on you like that,” Junwata said as he closed the door behind him. ‘You should have had yourself ready, instead of taking your anger out on a-”

As soon as Junwata turned around, Mercy had rushed him. Their hands deflected each other’s attacks until Mercy stuck a hand inside of Junwata’s cloak.

Jon didn't see what she grabbed, but he watched her raise her hand until it was close to Junwata’s neck.

“Why would I need my weapon ready?” Mercy asked, “when I always have yours to count on.”

Junwata gave a slow and hearty laugh. “I apologize. It seems that you are keeping up on your training. Using my own weapon. Clever.”

“What the hell is with these people?” Tallow muttered under her breath so that only Jon could hear. And he wasn’t even sure he was supposed to. “Everyone wants to kill each other…”

“Please,” Mercy said. “I’m sure you had several contingencies.”

“But only one of them needs to be successful… or a failure.”

Mercy pulled her hand away from Junwata’s neck as he replaced whatever it was that Mercy had grabbed.

“Aren’t you gonna lecture me on how much of a failure I am to my clan?” Mercy asked.

“A failure in some ways, and a success in some others.” Junwata shrugged. “But, in any case, my niece.”

Mercy ran up and hugged Junwata. “I missed you.”

“You didn’t miss my exercises,” he said. He hadn’t returned her hug physically, but Jon could feel that Junwata gave back what warmth he could.

Mercy released him and gestured to the others. “This is Tallow. She’s my… friend… and sparring partner.”

“I think she forgets that we’re sparring sometimes,” Tallow replied.

“Of course,” Junwata nodded. “In fact, many of the Vindhazi movements and techniques mimic that of the ninja’s and the clans in general. That probably explains her enthusiasm to train with you.”

Junwata gave Mercy a knowing look. “Also, one fact about my niece is that she despises sparring with the same opponent more than once. She claims that it’s too boring for her and that it’s not a good way to improve her skills, so you should consider it a compliment.”

“Oh, goodie,” Tallow said. “I’m too good of a training partner for a deadly ninja. Now she wants to keep coming back.”

“Stop that, Uncle Jun!” Mercy said, slapping her uncle on the arm while she was flustered.

Uncle Jun? Wow. This was a new side to Mercy Jon was seeing, and it wasn’t the side for

“And that’s Jon,” Mercy said. “He’s a farmer… and my friend. He didn’t start fighting ‘til recently, but he’s really good.”

“Ah, I see.” Junwata walked up to Jon.

Jon didn’t know if he should be scared or welcoming.

Junwata tapped Jon’s leg with his own. He held it there.

“You’re right. His mana flow is off the charts. His body can’t even handle it right now, yet, it’s trying its best to adjust. Does he have a tool?”

“He has a gun,” Mercy said as Jon held up his blunderbuss.

“Huh,” Junwata replied, “what a curious situation.”

He nodded towards Jon. “What made you come on this journey with my niece?”

“I wanted to bring her home,” Jon answered.

Junwata gave a warm chuckle. “Huh. I can hear your sincerity. I have much to-”

.Don’t you want to meet my fiance?” Mercy asked him suddenly.

“I will talk with him later,” Junwata said. “I’m in no rush. And besides, he may not be your fiance for very long.”

“You doubt me?” Mercy asked. Jon suddenly feels the air around him tighten.

“I don’t doubt you,” Junwata shrugged. “I doubt your resolution.”

“What don’t you think I have?” Mercy asked. “I want to win.”

“And what cost would winning bring?” Junwata asked her. “Have you thought about that? What would happen? You have to consider-”

“Considering’s your job,” Mercy replied. “I didn't ask for my dad for that, and I’m done taking responsibility.”

“For his actions, or for yours?”

Mercy became tight-lipped, and she looked down in shame.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her,” Tallow whispered.

Jon didn’t think he knew enough about Mercy to tell her what to do.

“Whatever,” Junwata dismissed everything. “I can lecture you later. Please give me an update on everything that’s gone on.”

“Can I braid your hair while I do so?” Mercy asked.

“...Sure.” Junwata went to the bed and sat down cross-legged on the floor.

Mercy climbed on the bed behind him and began to separate his hair with her fingers.

“Okay. Well, it started when I ended up in this small town pretty far in. I found a really cool piece of tech, and I wanted to find out what it was.”

After a few moments of Jon fondly hearing the recent events from Mercy’s perspective there was knocking on the door.

“I got it-” Mercy had barely gotten to stand up as Junwata had opened the door.

Hector was standing there.

“Oh, Mister… Junwata, sir, I’m here to see-”

“I know you’re here for your fiance,” Junwata responded. “I was on my way.”

“I’m not finished with your hair!” Mercy cried.

She was right. His hair was locked over his entire head except for the puff above his left ear. It all came down like a waterfall ending at his neck.

“I’ll finish the rest myself,” Junwata replied casually. He then bowed to Hector. “I trust we’ll speak before long.”

“Right…” Hector said, not sure what to make of it.

He stepped aside as Junwata left, then came inside the room itself.

“Mercy, what did you do to Amalia?” Hector asked as he closed the door behind him.

In fact, he spoke so calmly, it even scared Jon a little

“I didn’t do anything,” Mercy answered, also calm.

“She was crying after you left,” Hector remarked. “Are you sure-”

“Stop interrogating me!” Mercy took the conversation up to the next level. “She’s the enemy!”

“She’s not-” Hector stopped himself and growled. “Really? We’ve been through this-”

“Not enough!” Mercy straightened her back. “You need to find out whose side you’re on!”

“I’m on… your side…” Hector looked like he was starting to lose whatever little patience he brought with him.

“...Mercy does have a point,” Tallow added, drawing everyone’s attention.

“What do you mean?” Hector asked her. “I thought you were supposed to be the logical one!”

“I am logical,” Tallow said. “Amalia can also fight in the Period of Power, can’t she? There’s a chance that she could challenge Mercy, and that makes her a threat no matter how small. More danger is danger. Which also means…”

Tallow turned to Mercy. “We shouldn’t antagonize her either. You both aren’t doing yourselves a favor.”

“Why would Amalia want to marry me?” Hector asked.

“Because she’s in love with you, you twat!”

Love?

“Love?” Hector looked down to the floor. “No… I mean, she’s like a sister-”

“‘Cause she has red hair?” Tallow asked. “You bastard! She may not even know she’s in love with you. You definitely don’t know! And it’s driving me nuts!”

Tallow threw her hands up in surrender. “You guys need to figure this shit out! I’m getting lots of food and I’m going to bed! I can’t even drink because I’m on a stupid mission!”

She walked to the door just as Mallory had just opened it.

“Tallow! I-”

“Nope!” Tallow left the room, pushing past him.

Mallory came inside. “Is there an argument going on?”

“...I don’t think so…” Hector looked at Mercy.

“Not now, anyway,” Mercy said. “Sorry. I think having my uncle around is stressing me out. Even if he did seem nice this time… he’s not… I’ll try to act better.”

“Oh… okay…” Hector cleared his throat. “If it’s all good, then I think I’m gonna head to bed. We have another day of this stupid ball thing, and one buffer day until the tournament. Let’s try to survive this.”

“Yeah,” Merc said. “I’ll be fine, We’ll be fine. Sorry about Amalia.”

“Sorry about… all of this,” Hector responded. “Thanks… for…”

They looked around embarrassingly.

“You see kids?” Mallory said, “this is how it looks like when you resolve your issues without yelling.”

“Just try not to get in any fights before that day,” Hector said.

“I mean it for myself too!” Hector added when he saw Mercy’s glare hardened. “These people… they… they try to get in your head. They pretend to be your friend, then they stab you in the back...”

“He’s right, you know?” Mallory added. “You gotta be careful.”

“I understand,” she nodded. “I’ll do my best.

“Good, cause I need to go to sleep,” Hector added. “Maybe I should take Jon with me.”

Jon nodded. He was tired.

“Alright,” Mercy said. “Good night, Jon. Good night, Hector.”

She and Hector looked at each other awkwardly.

“Good night… Mercy…” Hector went and grabbed Jon’s chair.

The three boys left Mercy’s room together.

“I’m proud of you, Hector,” Mallory said. “You’re growing. Like a true knight! Or, mercenary, you know?”

They turned into a spiral staircase.

“It doesn’t feel like I have a choice,” Hector said. “It’s like I have to act differently if I want things to be better.”

“Uh, yeah,’ Mallory responded. “I mean, you’re in a relationship.”

Hector lifted Jon’s chair while Mallory summoned a blue platform underneath it. They walked down the staircase with Jon together.

“We’re not in a relationship,” Hector muttered.

“You’re getting married, Hector.” Mallory shook his head. “It’s a type of relationship, and it’s gonna put a stain on the friendship.

“We’re not… Sure.” Hector shook his head, accepted it. “I mean, was this the wrong choice?”

“I dunno,” Mallory said. “Pressure can break things apart, or it could turn coal into diamonds.”

“I meant with the castle,” Hector replied. “With the marriage. I mean, even if this works, would it all make sense?”

“I dunno either.” Mallory shrugged. “But I know that I’ll be there every step of the way if you need me..”

They exited the staircase.

“Thanks, Mallory,” Hector said. “You’re always there when I need it.”

“I have to go away really quickly,” Mallory added, tapping Hector.. “But we’ll talk later.”

“Already?” HEctor asked in disbelief.

“I’ll be back!” Mallory power walked down the hallway.

“...I’ll be here,” Jon said to Hector.

“Yeah, Jon, thanks.” Hector pushed Jon forward in the opposite direction.

“Sorry you’ve been involved in this,” Hector continued as they walked. “I wish that things weren’t so crazy.”

They made another turn.

“I can send you to my sister,” Hector said. “If you want to do more missions.”

“I want to bring Mercy home,” Jon repeated.

“RIght. That’s fair. As soon as this is over, I’ll make sure you see my sister.”

Jon nodded. He wouldn’t mind doing more missions after. Maybe there were others who needed his help.

Hector finally stopped in front of the room.

“Finally,” Hector said. “Now we can sleep.”

Hector pushed the door open and pushed Jon inside.

“I can’t stand have all these stupid…” Hector stopped at seeing Junwata standing inside of the room.

Jon made a short breath. He wasn’t expecting Junwata either.

Jon held his gun tight, but he didn’t arm it yet. Junwata didn’t seem like he was attacking anyone.

“Hector, right?” Junwata asked. “We spoke a little upstairs.”

“Right…” Hector said. One of his hands was still on Jon’s chair. Jon assumed the other was floating over his sword. But then Jon remembered Hector didn’t have a sword.

“You have a weapon hidden in those clothes?” Junwata asked.

“I don’t need one,” Hector replied.

Jin braced himself for heat.

Still, he could feel Hector’s chair hand trembling.

“I just wanted to make sure we are at an understanding here,” Junwata said, “that you are aware of the burden you’ve placed on yourself by making this proposal of yours.”

“If you want politics, talk to my father,” Hector said. “I got nothing to do with that.”

“I’m not talking politics,” Junwata responded. “I’m talking… smaller stuff. Love… future… livelihood-”

“I don’t need another lecture,” Hector responded. “I know the burden-”

“I don’t think you really understand-” Junwata said, cutting Hector off, even though Jon felt like he was getting cut off as well, and he wasn’t even speaking, “the burden of loving someone from the clans. Your life, your entire family, it all becomes part of a whole bigger than yourself. Things you can’t keep control of.”

“Me and Mercy have taken our share of each other’s burdens,” Hector answered. “I think we understand the choice that we made.”

“And what of your children?” Junwata asked. “Their mother will be a very high profile target.”

Children? Jon tried to imagine what blond and red-haired children would look like.

“We don’t have to have children if she doesn’t want to,” Hector said. “It doesn’t matter… because I care more about making her happy than trying to live a normal life.”

“And if you do have children?”

“Then I fear for the man stupid enough to pick a fight with us,” Hector said.

“Hmmm… so you seek freedom by relying on both you and your wife’s power. I’m happy to hear that from such a young man like yourself. I can assume that my daughter feels the same way.”

“...Yeah…”

Jon heard the hesitation in Hector’s voice. Apparently, so did Junwata.

“My niece always had trouble when it came to trusting others. No matter.”

Junwata shrugged.

“I can only wait and see what happens,” he continued. “But know this. This is a very treacherous mountain you are climbing. Beware the fall.”

He walked up closer to them. Hector took a step back, bracing himself, but still holding on to the chair.

Junwata just stared down at Jon.

“You seem to be everywhere of importance,” Junwata responded. “Tell me, are you some great architect of schemes?”

“...I’m Jon,” Jon replied.

“Hm. Maybe my brother would have pushed past a little more, but I can sense your innocence Jon. Especially in the way you didn’t choose to point your barrel at me.”

Hmm… he was right. Jon chose not to aim his barrel.

“Be careful,” Junwata said, “for not every person standing behind a door will be your friend.”

“Some of them will,” Jon said softly.

Junwata chuckled. “Yes. Some of them will…”

With that, he left the room.