The light outside the tent was almost as bright as day, causing Emily to squint into the cold glint issuing from the people around them.

  At a glance, she could tell it was coming from every piece of armor and weapon, almost as if they were blessed with a holy glow.

  The world out here was a very different one from the one inside the tent.

  Out here the men and women were organized into neat rows as they waited for their arrival with patience.

  At the head of the blockade was a familiar face one Emily had not been too happy to meet last time.

  Oressa stood with swaths of fighters around her as she spotted Alex and Emily stepping out of the tent.

  A brow rose but she seemed to keep the distaste off her face long enough to address them.

  “Am I not assume you two will be the culprit of the little uproar.”

  Alex glanced at Emily his eyes bragging her to remain quiet.

  “That we are. I need your guarantee that you will not try to capture me or my men until we can complete this meeting.”

  Oressa’s face twitched.

  “I have already stated as such but if you insist, you have my word as the current acting head.”

  Alex shook his head.

  “Not going to be enough. Your word is not something I’m willing to risk. I’m going to need you to call your superior here so that I can be sure.”

  Emily frowned but kept her mouth shut.

  She supposed if their leader did come they would not be able to count on a promise if she had to obey her senior.

  Oressa's face twisted down at the mouth.

  “You are aware of what you are asking. Correct? I can’t do that it's impossible.”

  Emily glanced at Alex.

  “Yeah, Alex… what are you doing” she hissed quietly.

  Alex’s eye never left Oressa’s face but he out his arm out to show that he knew what he was doing.

  Emily ground her molars and watched the show unfold.

  He was far more adept in the procedures of war but that didn’t mean that she was happy about it.

  Oressa could see Alex would not budge but she still hesitated.

  “Miss, if you can’t make this promise then it is your job to fetch someone who can.”

  With a glance at one of her men, she let out a ragged breath.

  “Fine have it your way, but I cannot promise he will come, even if we are adhering to the old ways.”

  Alex shook his head.

  “All that matters is that you try.”

  Oressa made a hand signal and one of her men scampered off in the direction of the black tents.

  Alex wore a stony expression but his top lip trembled ever so slightly and Emily was certain by now that was a good sign for him.

  Emily shifted her shoulders down slightly. She had a feeling this going better than she had expected but she never dropped her guard, even for a second.

  After the guard left an awkward silence descended over the group as the two parties stared one another down.

  The silence was finally broken when Oressa’s eyes moved over to Emily.

  “It’s good to see you again Emily.”

  Emily snorted.

  “Is it? As I remember you tried to imprison me and then I ended up having to kill my way out. Why in the world would I be happy to see you.”

  A smile appeared on her face, seeming to mask something darker and more sinister.

  “Well, you're the one that got away. My Cardinal has since educated me on the error of my ways, and I’ve forgiven you.”

  Emily snorted.

  “You’ve forgiven me? Well, that’s a relief, but I think we should see other people.”

  Oressa’s face cracked and a flash of disgust peaked through her mask, but she hid it shortly after.

  “When this is over I’m going to ask to be your personal Redeemer, I will show you the right path even if it takes me the rest of my life.”

  Emily’s eye’s were dead to the declaration.

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  “Try that and you life will be short indeed.”

  Oressa didn’t seem all that bothered by the threat but Alex stepped in between them.

  “Alright, how about we all just calm down”

  Emily snorted and crossed her arms at Alex.

  “Wow, when in the history of ever has that worked to calm someone down” she drawled

  Alex shot Emily a look that told her to shut it.

  Oressa didn't look like she was about to back down and Emily was no quitter.

  But luckily for Alex the guard returned at this point. Seeing as Alex was trying to stall for as long as possible he did not look pleased.

  “My lady, the Cardinal has heard your request and will make his way here.”

  Alex pressed his lips together while his hand subtly lower to play with the hilt of his sword.

  “Well it looks like you’ll get your request, though you will regret it, I’m sure,” she said.

  Emily frowned as she saw bodies moving in the distance.

  From the looks of things, a lot of people were on their way here, and they were in no rush. The procession moved toward them causing Oathsworn to part in front of them.

  When the group finally arrived, it was led by an older man. His demeanor was that of a grandfather, with a gentle smile gracing his lips, yet there was a strange light in his eyes that did not fit. It carried an impatience and excitement that bordered on manic. His robes were black, with a gold trim framing his form perfectly. Emily would have put him in his late eighties, but time had not ravaged his body or even dulled his edge.

  Those behind him wore looks of absolute joy and wonder directed at the man. Their eyes only turning for a second to scowl at the two of them before going back to looking at their idol.

  “My child you have called me and I have answered. I adhere to the old ways what is all this commotion.”

  No sooner had he arrived than everyone else in the vicinity had dropped to one knee including Oressa.

  “My guiding shadow. I have called you to confer with the enemy. They have roused the Initiates and we have found two of our own dead on the wall.”

  Now that the entire area of people had lowered themselves it was only Alex, Emily, and the Cardinal that remained standing above the rest.

  The man in question seemed to be born from the shadows themselves. He smiled at Oressa but then a look of sorrow appeared on his face.

  “Make sure their bodies are returned to their beginning with the respect they deserve. As for you two, how may I address you?” he said turning his full attention to them.

  Emily pursed her lips as his gaze felt like a physical weight.

  The fact that this man was so close was causing goosebumps to break out over her arms. Everything in her being was telling her to run. This enemy is far too powerful to contend with right now.

  “You may call me Alexander, my Cardinal,” he said with a level voice.

  The man nodded in turn and his eye narrowed at Emily.

  “And you must be the Godstriken that my Student spoke of,” his fatherly voice bugging Emily.

  “And you’re the crazy head honcho that steals away free will.”

  Suddenly the atmosphere became deadly as hundreds of pairs of eyes turned her way. Each imagining killing her differently.

  Be silent, Woman! Oressa growled from her place on the ground.

  Alex went so far as to slap a hand over her mouth.

  The Cardinal held up a hand to silence Oressa and gauged Emily with a steady look.

  “Hmm, you do not fear, or respect me. I can only assume you don’t know of my reputation. Which I have to admit is refreshing. Young man, you need not worry. I will not take offense, remove your hand.”

  Alex glanced at Emily and removed his hand but his look said it all.

  ‘Don’t fuck this up’ was all she could see in his eyes.

  “Young Godstriken, may I ask your name?”

  She squinted at Alex and then to the Cardinal.

  “Emily…”

  The Cardinal brow furrowed.

  “A most unusual name, one I’m sure I’ve seen somewhere of late…” he muttered to himself. He looked up at Emily as though the answer would come to him but when it didn’t he shook his head.

  “Right, well I will tell you the same thing that I tell all Godstriken. You have committed a crime so heinous that even the gods reject you, but that does not mean they will abandon you. If you are willing to put in the work your burdens can be lifted.”

  Emily pressed her lips together and a wave of reason washed over her.

  She’d been suffering under this title since she got here and she had wondered how she could get rid of it maybe this man could be the answer to her problems.

  Vertigo assaulted Emily’s mind as she realized a skill had snuck in and was trying to influence her. She tried to shack it off but it was too powerful, and without intending to she asked the question that was on the tip of her tongue.

  “How can I get rid of this stain?”

  The Cardinal smiled.

  “Like with anything, you can work at it. Worship and duty could be your weapons.”

  If Alex hadn’t suddenly grasped Emily’s wrist she would have taken an involuntary step towards the man.

  The words bounced through her mind like ricocheting stones. Duty…Worship…? They were to consent that Emily couldn’t even begin to understand and that alone tore her mind free of whatever skill the Cardinal was using.

  Alex was still beside Emily but she could now see that his eyes were bathed in concern. Almost as though he knew that something like this could happen. The rage that ignited in Emily’s chest was enough to burn through the remainder of the skill, but she didn’t let it show. Simply alowing cold reason to rule her right now.

  The Cardinal seemed to see the moment Emily had thrown his skill off and for the first time, his smile wavered.

  Alex saw this too and seemed to step in.

  “Cardinal how are we going to proceed? My men are ready to fight. I request that you release those who wish to leave and anyone who wishes to stay behind, may.”

  The Cardinal’s answer was swift.

  “That cannot happen. We observe the old ways, but you have to know that this is just tha formality. None of you will be leaving here, least of all you two.”

  Alex sighed.

  “I thought as much, but I’d hoped you at least be willing to hear us out.”

  The Cardinal didn’t even blink as he flicked his fingers. All the Oathsworn stood and though puppets suddenly being called to attention.

  “I humored you. Now unless you have something to trade we’ll end this meeting right now-” she said preparing to attack. There was a sudden blaring of a horn off in the distance and Alex's face relaxed.

  “Yes, I offer you a head start. They had arrived.”

  Emily’s eyes narrowed as the Cardinal’s head turned to the horizon. Namely in the direction of their wall, nearest to the city.

  “You dare?!” he shouted.

  Emily couldn’t help herself, letting some of the rage free from her chest.

  “Oh, we dare! The armies of Lorthil are coming so I hope you’re ready, You're going to have a busy night ahead of you,”

  The Cardinal let out a frustrated growl.

  “Oressa, handle these fools. Myself and Red will handle the rest.”

  With a wave of his hand, the shadows around them lunged trying to drag everyone in the vicinity down into them. Emily had been expecting a reaction so she dove at Alex and vaulted them into the air, her vitality beating in her chest. The tendrils of darkness lashed out at them trying to drag them down but Emily maneuvered out of their way.

  At the same time, the Cardinal seemed to rush from the scene with his hoard of people in tow, as the mass of shade slinked towards the battlefield.

  Only Oressa and a few dozen of her men remained to contend with them. Emily landed with Alex in her arms and smiled at the woman.

  “He was in a rush, but this is perfect, it looks like it’s just us now. And we can take out time.”

  Blood points 309