The sun sat at its peak, beating down on the city of Myosotis, the capital city of the Wysteria Kingdom, signaling the middle of the day. The few clouds dotting the sky did little to shield the people from its intense rays. Farmers on the outer rim dripped with sweat, working busily, while the central district of the city bustled with life. Merchants shouted at passersby trying to get business. Travelers with near empty pockets tried to haggle; the occasional pickpocket attempted to sneak up on these unsuspecting people, only to have guards chase them away. Holy Knights could be seen clunking around in heavy armor patrolling major sections of the city, though most could be found at the Council connecting to Mother’s Temple. Guards and lower level knights patrolled the whole city and guarded the gates of the Council. 

Ignoring shouts from merchants, Zev walked briskly through the crowd,wary of everything and everyone, including the pickpocket who had given up on trying to follow him. He made a note in his mind to remember the face of the pickpocket. Continuously, he scanned his environment, blue eyes darting around sharply. He kept a firm grip on the hilt of his sword, knowing full well that a criminal can jump out at any moment. An outsider like him was a common target. The gates of the Council came into view and he approached the low class knights.

The guards held their spears out to block his path, “State your business.” 

“I wish to speak with the Grand General, Councilman Vulux. I am Zev, Class E Constable of Botanica.” He presented his insignia.

One of the guards caught a glimpse of a black butterfly tattoo on his wrist, poking out from under his glove. He grabbed his arm, pulling it closer. “Would you look at what we have here,” the guard sneered. 

“A rat that likes to play pretend,” the other laughed. 

Zev tugged his arm out of the guard’s grasp and put away his insignia, “If it’s alright with you, I am on a tight schedule. May I enter?” 

The guards smirked and one shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t really know. I think his schedule is full. You’ll have to come back another time. Or never.” They began to laugh boisterously.

“He’s already prepared for my arrival,” he insisted.

A knight passing by noticed the ruckus going on. As her eyes landed on Zev, she strode over to them, “Zev, we have been expecting you. Is there a problem?” She looked narrowly at the guards, her piercing gray eyes burning into them. 

The guards shifted uncomfortably, “Uhm. No ma’am.” 

“Then I see no reason for the delay. Come this way.” She nodded to them before turning swiftly, her armor clanking. 

Zev followed close behind her, but not before being elbowed by the guards. “Thank you for helping me, Em.” 

She heaved a sigh. “At least call me Emilia when we’re on duty. Anyways, where is your captain? You know that you should not come here without him.” 

“He’s not able to attend. There’s been a lot of trouble back home. That’s what this meeting is about.” 

“Why not send someone else?” 

“We’ve received several new recruits recently and my presence has made things… tense, you could say. The recent spike in criminal activity hasn’t made it any easier either. The captain felt it would be best to send me here.” 

Emilia nodded understandingly and the two arrived at the office of Councilman Vulux. She knocked on the door and entered when she heard a grunt. “Class A: Holy Knight Emilia, presenting Class E: Constable Zev of Botanica.” 

Zev stepped forward and bowed, unknowingly resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, “I thank you for meeting with me today, Grand General Vulux.” 

Vulux’s face wrinkled with disgust, “Where’s your captain? I was supposed to be meeting with your captain.” 

Ignoring the councilman’s obvious contempt, he continued unfazed. “He was not able to attend, the situation in Botanica has worsened.” 

Vulux scoffed. “Has it now? Please, refresh my memory.” He leaned back in his chair.

“A thieves’ guild has taken notice of Botanica as a route often used by the Capital. They have invaded and already robbed one of the Capital’s carts. We did not have enough men to stop it. The town is overrun with illegal activity,” he reported.

Vulux leaned forward flashing a smile, “So you’re asking me to send you some of my guards and knights, is that right?” 

“That is correct, sir.” He felt a slight stir in his gut, the unease had begun to bubble.

“So you’re telling me, that you want me to waste my troops on that deplorable little town?” Vulux glared at Zev.

He bit the inside of his cheek to try to hold back any smart comments that could put him in trouble for insubordination. “Sir?” 

His already gruff tone became harsher. “I’m not wasting my troops on nobodies like you. To think that the Council has allowed that state to take criminals like you and turn them into constables is absolutely appalling. For all we know, you’re probably a mole sent by that guild.” 

Struggling to control himself, Zev took a step forward, “Sir, please excuse my interruption, but I have proven my loyalty to the Council and to the Guard of Botanica time and time again. I implore you to rethink your decision.” 

“Implore me? That’s quite a big word. I guess you can teach a dumb dog new tricks,” he laughed. 

Zev’s grip on his sword tightened, holding together what little patience he had left. 

Vulux slammed his fist on his desk and leaned forward, “You’re nothing but scum, a lowlife rat. You’ll never be a true constable proven by those shameful marks you wear on your wrists.” Vulux sprung from his chair, nearly knocking it over, with spit flying as his fury became more apparent. “You’re nothing but a miscreant, all you’ll ever be is a miscreant. It’s so contemptible that you’re even considered a constable that it makes me sick.”  

His voice rose slightly, “Sir, Grand Matremile, Lead Councilman Linus will be passing through town soon. We don’t have enough men to protect him.” 

“What makes you think you have the right to ask for anything?” Vulux shouted as his face turned bright red. 

Just then, a messenger burst through the door shaking, face struck with panic. “Councilman! There’s trouble!” 

“How dare you enter without permission? What could possibly be wrong?” 

He shakily points towards doors that lead to the balcony. “Look outside!” 

Vulux whirled around and threw open the doors and stepped out. He stood motionless, gaze fixed on the sky. Struck with curiosity, Emilia and Zev joined him. Looking to the sky, they saw that it had become a deep red decorated by gray, ominous clouds. Zev stepped to the edge of the balcony and looked out at the town. Down below, the citizens were running around in a panic, with guards and knights trying to maintain order. He squinted at the people and saw several were lying motionless. 

“What’s going on down there…” he muttered. 

The messenger stumbled forward, still clearly shaken, “Several people, citizens and soldiers alike, passed out all of a sudden. All at the same time. And then right after that, the sky started looking like this.” 

Emilia turned to Vulux, “Grand General, what are your orders?” 

Vulux’s eyes remained fixed on the sky, his face pale, “Emilia, gather all available Holy Knights in the Great Hall. Messenger boy, send word to the rest of the Councilman. Keep an eye out for a message from Councilman Linus.” 

Emilia bowed and motioned for Zev to follow her. The messenger was already out the door, running frantically down the hall. They walked at a brisk pace; their footsteps echoed through the endless halls. Emilia passed a knight who lay motionless on the floor without breaking her stride. Zev, however, stopped and knelt next to the unconscious man. He tapped at his face, trying to wake him. Emilia stopped and turned abruptly, stomping her foot on the floor. He jumped up and stood at attention. 

“It would be a waste of time if we tried to wake every person we passed,” she stated. 

“It’s a waste of manpower for me to follow you around. I want to be of good use,” Zev argued. 

Her brow twitched with annoyance. “Did you really think you would be able to wake him up? If it were that easy, would all those people still be unconscious with all this panic going on around them?” 

His fists tightened, “Then what should I do? I want to help, Em.” 

“What would help is you going to the Great Hall and awaiting your orders while I gather the Knights. Do I make myself clear, constable?” She snapped at him.

He shut his eyes and took a deep breath before bowing. He then straightened up and strode past her, “Yes, ma’am.”