Light poured in through the windows of the common room. Wellynd covered his eyes with his arm.

  Though he was the lightest drinker of the night, his head was still furiously pounding.

  “Remind me to give Bert a smack next time he taunts me into having another round of ale” he croaked.

  There was some rustling on the couch “Shutup. It’s too early for talking” groaned Alara.

  “You two gonna make it?” said a chipper voice from the direction of the doorway.

  With great effort, Wellynd sat up and slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the light. Neera stood in the doorway, dressed in a set of clean white robes, her hair pulled back in a neat bun, a warm smile on her face.

  “How are you okay?” Wellynd said as he attempted to shake off the buzzing in his ears.

  Neera raised one eyebrow “One gets used to looking the part for class after a night of drinking here pretty quickly.” She paused before winking “Oh, and Mom always makes sure I have Clarum leaf.” She tossed two palm sized bundles at Wellynd and Alara. The bundle intended for Alara bounced off the couch and fell to the floor. Alara made no attempt to grab it.

  “Eat up. Don’t you have to meet with Kellog soon?” Neera continued, readjusting several books under her arm, one of which, Wellynd noticed, was the journal with the yellow spine from the night before. “I’ve got to run to a meeting now, but we’ll go over things after okay? I’ll be in the main hall so just come see me after your meeting with Selkis.”

  All Wellynd could do was nod and gesture as he fumbled with the small bundle of leaves.

  Neera shook her head and walked away, calling out “See you soon!” as the outer door of the residence creaked open for a moment before slamming shut.

  Alara rolled over and looked at Wellynd “Wait was Neer here? What’s that…Oh is that Clarum?”

  Wellynd, who had now successfully unravelled the bundle and was chewing the first clump of leaves with a look of disgust just nodded, sticking out his tongue to show off the progress he’d made.

  “Yuck” said Alara “I’m not eating that crap. We give it to drunks who have passed out at the Inn. Just smelling it makes me feel worse than I already do.” She tried to sit up. She immediately gave up and slumped back down.

  “Go. I’ll meet you back in the main hall when you’re finished. How long will your meeting be? Don’t rush it, please.”

  Wellynd swallowed the chewed up leaves. Miraculously, Clarum was somehow bitter, sour, and salty. “Are you sure? Do you know how to get to the main hall?”

  Alara plunged her face into the pillow and waved her hand “I’ll find it. If I can't, I'll make Bert show me.” she said, her words muffled by the down.

  “Fair enough” replied Wellynd through his second mouthful of leaves. The medicine was already taking effect, and he began to feel like he once again sat on firm ground.

  All told, it still took him over half an hour to get ready, as he took some time to clean up in the wash basin that had been set out in the small bathroom off the common room. Wellynd also went up the stairs to see if Bertrand wanted to join him, but he heard no stirring from the room, so he decided to let him sleep and head out on his own.

  By the time he reached the Main Hall, it was mid-morning.

  Wellynd had taken his time weaving his way through the winding paths between the outbuildings of the Observatory, admiring the shadowed stonework in the gloomy morning daylight. He’d walked past several groups of students, but other than the occasional odd look, nobody seemed to pay him any mind.

  The main hall itself was abundant with the rumblings of a starting school day. The grand hall rose up three storeys, and was topped with three glass domes high above a large rectangular chamber, its marble floors dotted with comfortable chairs and tables for study; many of which were occupied with groups of students excitedly, and sometimes worriedly, pouring over texts or rolls of parchment.

  While Wellynd still harboured some envy for the Koshai in training, the stress he had felt at his rejection had dissipated into a manageable ache. He had the man who now stood in the middle of the Hall, staring up at the glass domes above to thank for that. As if sensing his thoughts, Kellog looked down and waved at Wellynd as he walked over.

  “Good Morning Welly” chirped Kellog, a spring evident in his step.

  “I see you got in alright,” replied Wellynd, unable to keep a joyful grin from spreading across his face. Part of him had worried that Kellog wouldn’t show up.

  “Oh yes, no problems there.” He patted Wellynd on the shoulder “I’m surprised you’re up and about.”

  Wellynd held up the remaining clump of Clarum leaves he would chew on over the next few hours, and tore off another piece, tossing it into his mouth.

  “Ah, a popular item even during my days at the Observatory. I think…at least.” He scratched the side of his face and looked as if he was trying to recall a fleeting memory.

  Not wanting to stand awkwardly in the middle of the hall, Wellynd gestured towards the direction of Selkis' offices. “Shall we?”

  “Lead the way.”

  ~

  Wellynd had wondered if there might be some tension between Kellog and Selkis. Selkis was Vertan by birth and Kellog had proven himself to be adamantly opposed to the nation’s actions in recent years. While the eccentric Observer at the academy always seemed to be against the Vertan occupation of Arta, Wellynd had expected to see some sparks fly.

  Apparently, he was mistaken. The near equally obsessive fascination with the power that lay within skald seemed to generate a bond between the two men. After their brief introductions, they skipped all pleasantries and immediately dove into a lively discussion about the mysterious stones from the desert.

  “...and the oddest thing is that even when it is released it seems immutable to all but the crudest of forces…well, we saw the consequences of that in the Umbral Wars…but I’m right on the precipice of it…I’ve just…well…” Selkis looked around mischievously.

  Kellog, who had been examining the books on one of Selkis’s shelves while listening turned around. “I’m curious to see what you’ve found. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time studying aberrations in nature, it’s why I visited Ars Illuve. I’ve all but confirmed that the velunstun’s unique properties always seem to be a factor…though” Kellog’s eyes quickly flicked to Wellynd and then back to Selkis. “...not always the only factor.”

  Selkis' eyes darted back and forth between them “Well, then, Observer Kellog, I must hear about these abnormalities more. Which Observatory did you say you were from again? I’d love to visit. Hm. Then again I’d love to visit the desert, or in light of your recent discovery, even the island, and I have neither the time nor resources! Shame that the war hampers any hope of open travel. I wish the whole thing had never happened. Or at least was done with.”

  Kellog cleared his throat. “Well, I’m no longer an official Observer, I’ve…retired…from formal work. In a way. But I studied at Bend.”

  Selkis’ eyes lit up “Under the auspices of Erdus himself. Very impressive. Yes. Good. Good. Hmm.” Selkis looked about, until his eyes fell on Wellynd, who stood behind Selkis desk, the single skald still in his hand. “Welly my boy, just leave the latest sample on the desk there. Grell should be about somewhere. At least, I think I left it out. Maybe in a sort of red velvet bag. Ah! Yes, there it is. Now…well I shouldn’t…but it’s quite exciting…” he eyed Kellog one more time “Yes there’s no harm in it. Come with me. I’ll show you both something wonderful…yes….well it won’t hurt anyone if I give you a peek…should be fine…”

  Kellog and Wellynd shared a quizzical glance as they followed after Selkis through the door to his circular laboratory. Though the room itself looked similar to when Wellynd had last visited, what sat in the middle was vastly different.

  The brass spire had disappeared, and, in its place stood an even more impressive construct. Over twice the height of Kellog, and as wide as a small ship, whatever Selkis was working on was loosely spherical in shape. It was difficult to see what exactly the construct was, as it was largely obscured by white sheets, the odd patch of brass panel occasionally checkering the veil.

  “What is it?” asked Wellynd, stepping towards the construct and craning his neck up as he drew closer.

  “Why it’s the Brazen Head, dear boy. My crowning achievement”

  “Brazen Head?” Wellynd tilted his head “Why is it called that?”

  Selkis scurried over to his observation nook and began rifling around for something “Oh I came up with that over breakfast this morning. Well…you’ll understand once you see it in full!”

  “Brass for conductivity, of course” said Kellog, as he slowly paced around the massive construct. “Kose-powered. What does it do?”

  Selkis giggled and apparently forgot that he was looking for something, leaving the nook and walking back towards the construct. “Ah quite right. Though kose-powered might be a little hasty depending on your definition. It’s mainly a proof of concept now, though it does have some...rudimentary…functions. I’ve just added the final...well what I think is the final component. Let’s take a closer look.”

  Scurrying over to a lever on the wall, Selkis grabbed it with both hands, and, with considerable effort, pulled it down. The sound of weights dropping and gears turning rumbled from somewhere beneath them. The floor of the innermost circle of the chamber, on which the construct sat, began to descend into the ground. Wellynd hopped back onto the outer floor and watched it sink into the chamber below.

  Another loud click sounded, and Selkis centred the lever. The Brazen Head halted its descent.

  Selkis lept from the outer floor onto the uncovered top of the construct, which was now level with the rest of the chamber. The top was smooth and dome shaped, the polished brass glinting in the light from the ocular window above.

  Kellog swiftly joined Selkis atop the construct, crouching down and rubbing his hand against the smooth brass. He frowned.

  “There are etchings in this brass. They’re barely visible but I can feel them.”

  “Right again, dear Klog? Killog?...Kellog! This took months of excruciating work…but all worth it, I think. Yes? Welly, come see this my boy!”

  Hesitantly, Wellynd hopped onto it. The Brazen Head, whatever it was, must have been remarkably heavy, as even with three of them atop, it made no sign of moving.

  Wellynd, knelt down and felt the brass surface. Kellog was right. He could just make out faint grooves in the otherwise smooth surface with the tips of his fingers.

  “And this, my dear Welly, is where your efforts have gone a long way. The key to it all,” waved Selkis as he walked over to the edge of the construct, fishing through his cloak with his other hand.

  Kellog and Wellynd followed after Selkis. The man crouched down near the edge, and as Wellynd approached, he tried to peer down into the chamber below. He could just discern the trappings of another workshop, some sort of workbench, but it was hard to make anything out in the darkness.

  Selkis flipped up a small, hinged panel right at the cusp of where the side and the domed top of the construct met. In it was a small brass claw. Wellynd quickly realized it was similar to the one that sat atop the spire Selkis had in this room before.

  “Not the most ideal position for the housing, but this was the only place I could put it, you see.” muttered Selkis as he delicately placed a small piece of what Wellynd immediately recognized as skald into the housing.

  “You’ve managed to separate the velunstun into smaller pieces while retaining its properties?” queried Kellog, leaning over and tapping the small rock with his finger.

  “Oh yes, that was accomplished quite early on in the research.”

  “May I ask how?”

  Selkis smiled “All in good time. Just wait, dear Klog, we’ll share notes at some point, I’m sure. Okay, now, let’s hop off.”

  The three hopped back over to the outer ring of the laboratory. Selkis ran back over to his observation nook and continued rifling around until, with a cry of excitement, he reappeared with a vaguely cylindrical brass object, adorned with several valves and switches. Wellynd was surprised when Selkis slipped it onto his arm.

  “Some sort of control mechanism. How does it communicate with the cons…uh Brazen head?” asked Kellog.

  “Unfortunately a problem that is yet to be solved. Yes. I’ve been experimenting with brass wiring, but the engraving process compromises the wire too easily. But this works well enough! It’s very clever. I just need to make contact.”

  Selkis knelt down and stretched across the gap, placing his strange-gauntleted hand atop the Brazen head. He then turned a valve with his other hand before falling backwards in his excitement.

  “Keep your distance!” yelled Selkis, as a great whirring suddenly flooded the chamber.

  Wellynd put his hands over his ears as a high pitched squeal erupted from below. What sounded like hundreds of gears cranked from within the construct, and the exposed surface on the top began to violently vibrate.

  For his part, Kellog looked unsurprised as he crouched and tried to peer down at the side of the strange machine.

  After a few more seconds, the high-pitch squeal subsided and was replaced by a low hum.

  “Now, watch this!” yelled Selkis, as he lightly pressed his finger into another switch.

  At first, nothing appeared to change, until something from below caught Wellynd’s eye. A faint orange glow was just barely visible in the darkness.

  As the seconds passed, the light began to intensify. A rush of heat shot up from down below and Wellynd fell backwards.

  For several more seconds, the heat and glow continued to grow.

  Then, Selkis yelled out something incoherent and fiddled with the gauntlet, and the hum abruptly stopped. The orange glow faded and Wellynd could feel the air begin to cool. The sounds of gears slowly ground to a halt.

  Selkis laughed out. “Wonderful isn’t it?! I should probably do more testing , don’t want to get carried away. Wonderful. Wonderful. You see I really just stumbled upon the final piece.”

  “I’ve never heard anything make those noises before. And that heat and that light, what was all that?” asked Wellynd. There had always been rumours about complex machines being developed in Northern Verta. In fact, the conveyor itself was a miracle when it first appeared, but this felt different.

  Wellynd looked at Kellog, wondering if he had seen anything like this before.

  “It really is incredible. I’d love to discuss this, Brazen Head, further at some point.” said Kellog, who beamed at Selkis, though, Wellynd couldn’t help but notice a furrow on Kellog’s brow as he returned his gaze to the workshop below, as if he was trying to discern some hidden secret in the darkness.

  They found their way back into the other room, and Selkis slumped down into the large chair at the end of his desk, a look of tired ecstasy on his face.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  “That’s my second time testing it.” he started “Wonderful, just wonderful. Not bad, eh Klog? Much more needs to be done but the hardest part is solved. I think.”

  “Mhm. Seems so.” Beamed Kellog, no trace of concern Wellynd had seen in the laboratory on his face. “You’ve given me much to think on. Perhaps we can exchange letters in the future?”

  Selkis pounded the arm of the chair “Most definitely! Just wonderful the way it works, isn’t it?” he paused and looked at his hand, wiggling his fingers. “Where should I send the letters?”

  Kellog scratched his chin “Address them to Kellog and send them to Bend. That’s the easiest way to contact me.”

  Selkis’ eyes glinted “Good enough for me. I’ve heard of some very interesting research out of there recently. Some sort of synthesis between Gwynic and Rellian kose. Very curious. Anyway, you mentioned some discovery at the island earlier? Yes? How’s my dear boy Welly involved? Shame they didn’t let him here, yes? So what did you find?”

  Wellynd, uncomfortable at the mention of his rejection, started “Well, there’s a bunch that happened in the mine. Some anomaly in the cave. Kellog thinks it’s related to the skal..err velunstun. It turns out that I…”

  Kellog held up his hand “If you don’t mind, I can explain a little easier, Welly. Wellynd and some of his friends, two of whom I believe are your students now, were present when the anomaly occurred. I think it has something to do with a deposit of the stone, but I'm not quite sure yet. Wellynd is helping me through the events of that day.”

  Selkis had sat back up in his chair “Anything novel?” he asked.

  Kellog shrugged “Maybe. Not sure yet.”

  The Observer deflated a bit. “Well, we’ll be in contact then. Lots to do. Thanks again my dear boy, this was much needed. We’ll be in contact soon. Did I say that? Yes.” And with that, he stood up and ushered the two of them out of his office.

  As they began to walk down the hall, Wellynd asked “Didn’t we want to tell him ab…” Again, Kellog raised his hand and calmly said “I’m not sure we should share it with him. Let’s leave it there for now.”

  They returned to the Main Hall. There was no sign of Alara or Neera, so they sat down at a small table and waited. Wellynd tried to move the conversation towards what had happened with the Brazen Head, but Kellog seemed distant, lost in thought. Eventually, Wellynd turned the discussion towards food, and, as expected, that seemed to bring Kellog back to the present.

  They waited three quarters of an hour until Alara and Bertrand showed up.

  “Hey.” said Alara, awkwardly waving and sitting down. “Has Neer already come and gone?”

  Wellynd shook his head “Haven’t seen her. What was she doing again this morning?”

  Bertrand, who had been scanning the room, slumped into the chair next to Wellynd. “Meeting with every Observer probably. They all give her extra tutoring. She’ll probably get through the program in two years.” he joked.

  “Sounds like Neer.” said Alara.

  They waited for another half-hour, and still, Neera didn’t show up. Wellynd was a little concerned. Neera wasn’t one to break an appointment.

  The hall had slowly emptied out as more students travelled off to their next classes. Bertrand looked around, while he anxiously toyed with the end of his nose.

  “Class starts in ten minutes. I think I need to go.” he finally sighed.

  “Should we look for her?” asked Alara.

  Bertrand waved his hand “I’m sure she’s just caught up debating some theory or other with an Observer, or she got so carried away she’s sitting in class and completely forgotten. She’s been like that a lot lately.” he smirked “I’ll make sure she feels guilty.”

  Alara stood up and smoothed out her robe. “Well, don’t do that. She’s got a lot on her plate. And yeah, we need to get going. Best we get past the blockade while we have lots of daylight. Tell Neer we say bye and we’ll visit again soon. Maybe we take it easy on the drinking next time?”

  Bertrand gave Alara a hug. “Will do. And, no.” he turned to Wellynd “don’t get lost at sea, fish-lugger. Looks like you might be at least somewhat competent. Why else would this weirdo be following you around?” he laughed, giving Kellog a wave in jest.

  To Wellynd’s surprise, Kellog laughed heartily.

  Wellynd chuckled a fake laugh “Hah. Hah. Don’t flunk out too soon. Mesa might get cold feet and not marry you.”

  Bertrand reddened and lightly punched Wellynd’s arm. “Get out of here. Safe on the seas.”

  --

  A light rain pattered on the cobblestones outside of the Observatory gatehouse.

  The guard had waved Wellynd and Alara through, along with another group of students just ahead of them, without question.

  “Well, it’s certainly easier to leave than to get in.” said Alara, combing her fingers through her hair.

  “Helps when it’s not the middle of the night.” Wellynd replied.

  “Or when you have a friend with extra Grell.” She raised an eyebrow.

  Wellynd chuckled, “Yeah.”

  As they walked towards the main thoroughfare, Wellynd noticed that the city felt different. This was his first time seeing Revenshore in daylight since before the attack and something just seemed off. He couldnt put his finger on it until, as they rounded the corner to get a proper view of New Town, he looked up.

  The flags of Revenshore that once flew from the many houses and civic buildings were gone. Artan colours had not been allowed to fly in years, but the Vertans had never seemed to have a problem with Revenshore’s own local blazonry.

  It was strange seeing the empty flagpoles and fixtures that used to house the proud crimson banners of the port city. Some had been replaced by Vertan bronze and black ornament, the new flags looming over the city’s most notable buildings as they flapped in the day’s budding wind.

  The people of Revenshore were acting differently too. The courtyard at the top of the conveyor was much quieter than it should have been. Townsfolk stood huddled in small circles, their conversations hushed, while a scant few tradesmen worked the conveyor, unloading what few crates and barrels made their way up the machine.

  A lone horse hitched to a small cart brayed in anticipation of its impending task, its cry amplified by the muted melancholy of its surroundings

  “Guess the blockade really put a pause on things around here. The sooner we leave, the better. What’d you say you needed to do again? Pick up some clothes?” said Alara in a hushed voice.

  “Cloth. Linen sheets for Ursa.” Wellynd replied, “Though, if Nelly’s is even open I guess. Look, everything’s closed.”

  Alara followed his gesture as they took their first few steps down the main strip. “Odd. Can’t just be the blockade, then, can it?”

  “I dunno what else it’d be.” Wellynd replied as he watched a baker lock up his shop and hurry off towards the Old Town. “Do you need anything else from Revenshore, Kellog?”

  Kellog was once again examining the Conveyor, lagging behind them by several paces. Alara and Wellynd stopped and watched as the man crouched down and tried to get a better look at the underside, shimmying in between the low pillars that supported it.

  “What are you looking for?” asked Wellynd.

  “That Selkis fellow had me thinking. Where are the folk who are powering this machine?”

  Alara frowned “What do you mean? I thought it just…went” she slid her hand across an invisible surface.

  “No, it’s jant-powered…I never really thought about it though…I guess someone has to push kose into it constantly. Must be exhausting.” said Wellynd.

  “Mhm.” mumbled Kellog, who had made his way fully underneath.

  “My Dad’s probably wondering where we are.” hinted Alara, looking askance at Kellog.

  “Kellog, we’re going to stop at a shop. Meet us at the boat in ten minutes?”

  “Sounds good!” he shouted.

  Alara and Wellynd, turned and continued down the thoroughfare. “Well, I guess let’s go see if Nelly’s is open. Last errand before I’m a free man.”

  “A free man.” Alara repeated, putting on a proud face and looking off towards the horizon for a moment before she broke into a wide grin.

  “What is that supposed to be?” he laughed, nudging her.

  Alara pushed him back.

  “You always get this wayward look when something’s on your mind. Especially when you’re anticipating some big change in our lives. You should have seen the way you were before we took the Observatory Exam.” her smile faded away and they fell silent for several moments.

  “What are you going to do when we get back?” she finally asked.

  Wellynd let the question hang in the air as they turned the corner towards Nelly’s Drapery. He didn’t have a good answer.

  “I don’t know. I guess, for now, whatever Kellog thinks I should do next to further my training,” he eventually said.

  “Seriously? And then what?”

  “I dunno...I guess I haven’t thought that far.”

  “Well maybe you should.”

  “Yeah…maybe. Thinking too far ahead has mostly led to disappointment lately” Wellynd said with an awkward grin.

  “Fair enough.” Alara replied, grinning back.

  They turned another corner and saw the closed door of Nelly’s shop, the windows shuttered. Alara rapped on the door. “Hello?”

  No one answered.

  “Well, sorry Ursa. Weird though. What is going on today?” Wellynd said.

  “You know what it is?” Alara noted as they resumed their walk back towards the docks.

  “What, what is?”

  “Why it feels so odd here” she exclaimed “I mean, besides the closed shops and all the townsfolk huddling up and whispering like weirdos.”

  “What?”

  “There are no guards. Have you seen one Vertan soldier since the Observatory?”

  Wellynd thought back. She was right. You normally couldn’t go anywhere in Revenshore without running into a pair of patrols making somebody’s life difficult.

  A glint of bronze caught Wellynd’s eye just as they rounded the bottom of the thoroughfare and turned towards the docks.

  “Aha! Wrong you are. There are some guards right there.”

  Squinting against the bright sun that reflected off the bay, Wellynd cupped his hand over his brow.

  “A lot of guards, actually,” he added. Then he noticed which dock they were on. One figure, standing on the dock with his head down, wasn’t wearing bronze armour.

  “They have your dad.” Wellynd said, quickening into a run.

  “What?” Alara yelped, chasing after him, the sound of their boots on wood echoing out as the two of them rounded onto the pier.

  As they drew closer, Wellynd counted at least ten soldiers near the ship.

  Two soldiers were aboard The Flea, handing a crate to another pair that stood on the dock. Two more soldiers were actively carrying a crate onto a small wagon that had been pulled up close to the ship.

  A tall, Vertan commander, sporting an all-black set of pauldrons, approached Leofer, taking a pair of manacles from another one of his subordinates.

  Wellynd slowed, and pulled Alara to the side, crouching down behind a pair of barrels that had been left on the dock. He could see that Leofer was already shackled at the ankles.

  The commander fastened the second pair of manacles to Leofer’s hands before looking downward as he fixed his keyring back to his belt.

  Suddenly, Leofer’s head snapped forward, catching the commander square in the nose. Alara tried to move towards him but Wellynd grabbed her.

  “Wait” he whispered.

  The commander doubled over with a grunt, blood seeping between his fingers as he clutched his nose. Leofer spat at his feet as two other soldiers grabbed him by the arms.

  Straightening to his full height, the commander abruptly pivoted and drove his fist into Leofer’s stomach. Leofer absorbed the blow, grimacing from the pain, but remained standing as he stared his foe in the eye.

  Another punch landed harder than the first. Wellynd swore he heard the old sailor’s ribs crack.

  Leofer recoiled, swayed for a few seconds, and then straightened up again, resuming his gaze.

  The third blow, however, broke his resolve. The man doubled over, coughing, as a burst of crimson spattered the dock beneath him.

  The commander said something, but Wellynd couldn’t hear it over the wind. The group of soldiers surrounding Leofer all laughed.

  Alara was now squeezing Wellynd’s arm in anger.

  The commander cracked his neck, his face twisted with disgust before slamming his foot into the side of his captive’s knees.

  Leofer’s legs buckled and, as he was unable to catch himself with his bound hands, his head bounced off the wooden planks. The commander planted his armoured boot on Leofer’s shoulder and rolled him onto his back.

  His head swayed to the side, and Wellynd swore, for the briefest of moments, Leofer’s eyes locked onto Alara.

  She must have thought the same thing. Tearing free from Wellynd’s grip, she stood up and marched toward the closest soldier who had just finished placing a crate onto the wagon.

  Without hesitation, the soldier drew his sword as he blocked the way.

  “Go away.” he growled, “This is Vertan business. Do yourself a favour and turn around.”

  “What are you doing to him? That’s my-”

  “Ride home.” Wellynd interrupted, walking up beside Alara “Why are you arresting the ferryman? ” he nodded toward Leofer.

  “This man was found with serious contraband aboard his vessel. We believe he is connected to the attack on our fleet several months ago. All members of the Resistance are being dealt with. Today. Now, as I said, turn around.”

  “Contraband?” Alara started before an echoing scream rang out. The soldier turned to locate the source of the noise.

  Wellynd felt the blood drain from his face.

  The commander had plunged his sword through Leofer’s manacled hands and into the deck.

  “That’s to keep you still” spat the commander, releasing the hilt and leaving the sword embedded in the deck. He turned towards his soldiers “One more sweep of this trash’s lower deck, and get those crates to the barracks.”

  Two soldiers quickly ran to the helm of the cart and began to pull it back down the pier. They scowled at Wellynd and Alara as they passed.

  The commander crouched down beside Leofer “Who were you carrying this velunstun to? Where are your friends? Think it’s funny to take Vertan lives?” he growled, before grabbing the hilt of the sword and twisting it further into the deck.

  Leofer let out another pained cry.

  Suddenly, Alara jerked forward, grabbed the dagger from the turned soldier’s belt, and jammed it into the space between his greaves. The man keeled over, dropping his sword.

  In a fluid motion, Alara picked it up and started to run towards her father.

  “Leave him alone!” she screamed.

  Another soldier tried to grab her as she bolted past, but Wellynd sprinted forward and kicked at the soldier’s ankles, causing them to fall forward.

  Wellynd tried to step over the soldier he’d just assailed, but she shouted in alarm, grabbing hold of Wellynd’s leg, causing him to come tumbling down in front of her.

  Instinctively, Wellynd kicked. Hard. After his third kick, he felt the soldier’s grip loosen and pushed himself back up onto his feet.

  Dashing forward, he saw that Alara had been subdued by a larger soldier, the sword she acquired harmlessly dropping to the dock as he pinned her arms behind her. Wellynd redirected his momentum towards her, and was just about to try pulling kose when something slammed into his back. He found himself on deck once more as another soldier, seemingly appearing from nowhere, knocked him in the back of the head. Dazed, Wellynd began to slowly push himself up, but a heavy boot slammed into his back and pushed him against the deck. The soldier began to gather Wellynd’s arms behind his back, the sound of metal chains rattling above him.

  Wellynd looked up and realized he was now eye-level with Leofer.

  “Are these some of your friends, sea-rat? She sure puts up a fight, doesn’t she? Maybe she’ll tell us if you don’t...” mocked the commander. “Last chance. Where are these shipments going?” he growled, unsheathing a dagger from his belt and placing the tip to Leofer’s throat.

  Leofer’s bloodshot eyes found Wellynd’s, tears welling up as Alara’s yells echoed in the background “You two take care o’ eachother, Welly. I know ya will.” he whispered, before taking a deep breath of sea air.

  “No…Leofer, just tell them what they want.” started Wellynd.

  With the last of his strength, Leofer lifted his head to look at the commander. “For Arta. For Ars Illuve.” he growled, before spitting a wad of dark crimson at the commander. It fell short and splattered against his greaves.

  The commander’s face hardened.

  “So be it.” With a swift, practiced motion, he flicked the blade upward and through Leofer’s throat.

  Blood spilled outward, spraying the deck and the commander’s greaves in crimson.

  Alara’s scream reached a piercing pitch as she thrashed against the soldier that held her, kicking the air as the soldier lifted her in an attempt to control her movements.

  Leofer’s head slumped, his body convulsing as his hand instinctively reached for his throat, pulling against the blade pierced through it, only causing more blood to spill onto the deck below as the sword cut deeper into his flesh.

  The commander stood and pulled his sword from the dock, wiping it clean with his cloak before sheathing it.

  With a careless shove of his foot, he rolled Leofer’s body into the cold waters of the Elaudri.

  The commander turned towards Alara, pointing his bloody dagger at her as he approached. “And you. You better hope...”

  Suddenly, the boot lifted from Wellynd’s back. A pair of shackles dropped to the deck next to Wellynd’s head.

  Wellynd turned and looked up.

  The commander, face slackened with his mouth still slightly open, calmly sheathed his dagger and turned toward the sea.

  Alara broke free from the soldier behind her, as he too adopted a placid look on his face, arms now relaxed at his sides.

  Alara turned and unleashed a wild thrash of scratches at her assailant before coming to a stop when the man didn’t react.

  His face now held multiple bloody lines from Alara’s assault, one eyelid fluttering as a red gash blossomed across his eyeball.

  Alara stepped back, aghast at the lack of reaction.

  Wellynd stood and looked around.

  All the soldiers on the pier had stopped what they were doing and had turned towards the sea.

  They began a slow, sauntering march towards the edge of the dock.

  One footfall at a time, their armoured boots clacked against the wooden planks of the deck.

  The first to reach the edge of the pier didn’t stop. Their next step found no purchase of wood, and they toppled forward into the water, their armoured body crashing against the surface, a large splash washing against the deck.

  One after another, the soldiers and their commander, walked themselves into the water, until Wellynd and Alara were the only ones left on the pier.

  “What is happening?” asked Wellynd, looking around the harbour.

  Alara had already turned towards where Leofer fell into the sea and laid down to look over the edge, her sobs loud against the now quiet dockside.

  Wellynd walked to the edge of the pier where the majority of the soldiers fell.

  For a moment, he saw only bubbles rising to the surface. After half a minute, the surface stilled.

  Sun pierced through the waters, and in the light of day, he could see a group of unmoving bodies, their heavy armour anchoring them to the bottom of the shallow bay.

  They made no effort to swim, and showed no signal of distress.

  Wellynd turned around, and saw Kellog standing at the base of the dock, his face fixed in calm concentration.

  “We must go.”