He led the prayer.

“''O, Lord, bless this conflict. Ensure no harm comes to those who uphold your holy word. May the victor grant wisdom to the living.'” Gavilis lunged, his sword seeming to escape his grasp.

Arden was met with a fist to her gullet as she blocked the attack. She fell into a coughing fit but recovered quickly.

She swung in a wide arc and missed purposefully, turning about to sweep his leg with her foot. The confined space however only allowed for her boot to crash into a counter.

Their steel met in a shower of sparks, Gavilis shoving her into the table.

She crashed into the surface and turned, his sword cutting into the wood with ease. He feinted with a step forward, his pommel clashing with her shoulder.

He showed me mercy. Gelehrter concluded, his back to the door to the interrogation room.

For a spell, only the sound of steel was heard. Arden grunted as another fist met her stomach, her visage rising into a scarlet.

Gavilis appeared to wait for her to recover. The instant had been given and Arden stepped past a vertical cut. With a singular slice to his chest, the longsword shattered. The Blessed Star of Sanctuary emblazoned on his chest shone brightly for an instant as his conviction guarded him.

“Ah...good, good...” The Grandmaster of the Justicar smiled. “I have no words to say. It has been some time since I have crossed swords with a Mortem and lived. It was my intention to end the fight quickly, but you prevailed.”

Arden panted heavily, the hilt of Rena's blade shaking in her hands. She feigned confidence and grinned like a clown. “A-Aye...”

“Come, you have a blade to replace and a briefing to attend.” Gavilis shooed them out of the interrogation room and into the darkness.

The two stood in the hallway in silence.

“...Did I win?” Arden asked no one in particular and seemed at a loss.

Gelehrter shook his head and headed off to the lift. She followed suit shortly after, holding the broken weapon in her hand. With a press of a button, the elevator doors opened. They stepped inside and pulled the lever, the lift taking them away.

“You do not talk much.” Arden observed.

“I choose to listen.” Gelehrter said.

Arden made no other attempts to continue as the doors opened again. They strode from the elevator and into brighter halls, the torches seeming to welcome them. Massive metallic doors met them soon afterward and opened as they approached.

The fireplace in the living area cackled with a blaze. In the corner of the room was an unusual mass of flowers which had been placed on various tables carelessly. The familiar portrait of Ernald glowered at them dubiously, his lapis lazuli gaze appearing gentle.

Rena spotted them and rushed to Arden, holding out her hand.

“...He--”

“I know, give it here.” Rena motioned again. She sighed as she surveyed the damage to the blade. The majority of the weapon was useless as the blade had broken near the hilt.

Ovelia stood upright and smiled as she spotted her daughter. “Good to see you well again, dear. Come, I must brief all of you on your mission.”

They took to their respective seats on the couch across from the Sanguine Overlord. She sipped at a mug of coffee, sighing heavily.

“The Council wishes for me to have a Royal Vizier. Though I am loathe to oblige them, I must fill the role. Many candidates sent me letters, gifts, flowers, promises...the list goes on. One however caught my eye. In their letter to me, they briefly mentioned something we all have had quite an interest in for some time: 'I will aid in all mundane matters, as is my want, but I request full privilege of the Grand Library, for I wish to research magic. I am formidable in the art of magic and have some expertise in the studies of Wrath of the Ancients.' Her name is Accalia. I am told she is a Mortem, a snow elf. I don't know if either of those details are correct, but your mission is to escort her to the Citadel safely from the Northern District.” Ovelia explained and as Wrath of the Ancients left her lips, Rena's eyebrow rose.

“What knowledge does she have of Wrath of the Ancients? I thought they were all destroyed, my Overlord.” Rena inquired.

“Most, I believe have been. All of the machines which were destroyed were carefully documented.”

“Mother--”

“I am your Sanguine Overlord as of this moment. Your are my Justicar, though new as you are. You will refer to me by my title or not at all.” Ovelia's words stung Arden deeply, but she recovered quickly.

“My Overlord, I am...aware...of the need for a Royal Vizier. Could it be that they wish to spy on you?” Arden's question was met with silence.

“That has been noted. You will leave from here and head to the Northern town of Burm. Snow elves will greet you and before you go, I would recommend learning some semblance of their formalities. Do not let them think Justicar are fools.” Ovelia nodded to them. “Be swift.”

“Yes, my Overlord.” Rena and Gelehrter stood from their place to leave. Arden however remained seated.

“...My Overlord, if I may.” She addressed her superior and mother at the same time. “I wish to have a blade commissioned. One which will not break.”

“All weapons have a point where they will not function any longer. Such things only exist in myth.” Ovelia stood and barely was able to escape from her daughter's persistence. “Be swift. I have a Council meeting to attend.”

“I wish to have a visit with Ana before we leave.” Arden growled, turning now to Rena.

“Aye, I wish it as well. Arden does not have a weapon and neither do you.” Gelehrter commented.

“I will allow it. Let us be off then!” Rena motioned for them to follow after her. The group exited the Sanguine Overlord's living area and toward the lift. They accompanied her into the gigantic chamber after the elevator released them. Knights, their squires, Council members, mages, a gaggle of individuals were running amok with worry in their eyes or hurry in their legs. Weaving through the crowd and heading down the stone stairs leading out of the Citadel, they headed for Ana's smithy.

“It is a shame we don't have much leave before a new mission.” Gelehrter commented.

“Indeed, but I am glad for it.” Rena replied.

The skies were dotted with sparse clouds. All manner of people were gathered in the market, whether they wished to purchase produce or other oddities. Spits roasted massive animals and spun lazily as the cooks monitored the meat. Various merchants tried in vain to reach customers and everyone had an item to haggle.

Bartering was common as many would trade livestock for vegetables or clothing. Elves often parted with their wines or cloth for dwarven crafts.

Arden halted for an instant.

“What is the matter?” Rena asked.

“Do you believe I am cut out for this?”

“An odd question, but we are in a hurry. I will answer it for you when we see Ana.” The eldest of the three motioned for her to trail behind her. “You and I will duel. Often Justicar duel one another in closed locations to either practice or assert an opinion. Perhaps it is time for a formal lesson.”

“Formal? You usually hand me a book to read.” Gelehrter pouted, crossing his arms.

“Aye, it is because you are hard of hearing no matter what I try to cram in that puny brain of yours.” Rena remarked, heading in the general direction of Ana's smithy. The streets farthest from the markets were filled with children playing and running about. Smoke rose from chimneys high overheard, carriages rolling by. They greeted Rena and her company, taking notice of the Justicar's Blessed Star.

“Hail, Justicar!”

“How are you today, Justicar?” They did not ask for her name. Most would not give their name if asked, as it was taboo to jeopardize their missions.

“I am well. How are you today?” Forms of this reply left Rena as she ventured onward. As she rounded a corner into an alleyway, however, she deactivated the protective spell. Her mail hauberk, covered by a tabard emblazoned by the Blessed Star of Sanctuary, was worn in many areas. Often she mended her pants or clothes when the time arose. She tugged on her belt and tightened it before she emerged from the alley.

“You forgot to remove your Justicar's garb, didn't you?” Gelehrter teased.

“Hush. I am the superior here, not you.” Rena grumbled.

Arden was unimpressed.