Moonlight fell across the tiled walls of their guest manor — a lavish place with nothing warm about it. Cold stone elegance. Polished halls that echoed. Rell hated it.

  He stood by the door, arms crossed.

  “Goin’,” he muttered.

  Thessia glanced up from the lounge floor where she was sharpening a curved blade. “Going where?”

  “Lirah.”

  She didn’t argue. She just stood, slung her belt on, and moved to the door beside him.

  But as soon as they opened it — the glint of metal halted them.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Two Dustguard Enforcers stood in the walkway, spears planted.

  “Evening curfew is active. No movement allowed from this ward past sundown.”

  Thessia stepped forward. “We just want to check on a friend. One of the children we returned — Lirah. She’s being held nearby.”

  “Any unauthorized movement is considered a Class-3 infraction. That includes… friend visits.”

  Rell’s body tensed.

  “We check. No fight. Quick. Promise.”

  The guard didn’t move.

  “No.”

  Neyxa appeared behind them, arms folded, hair half-tied.

  “This would be a political nightmare. Let it go for tonight.”

  Rell didn’t like it. Didn’t like the steel in the air. The chill of denied action.

  Morning sun burned soft through the manor windows. Rell was already halfway down the polished corridor.

  Thessia jogged after him. “You can’t just march up the royal tower, Rell.”

  “Can.”

  “No. That’s how wars start.”

  He turned, teeth grit. “Then war.”

  But Neyxa met them at the base stair, scroll in hand.

  “I filed a request last night. The earliest audience with the king? One month.”

  “What?!”

  “I know. I knew this would happen. That’s why I tried. But they’re playing their game. We’re not from here. We don’t get to bend the rules.”

  Rell growled. “She locked up! We help! Now they hide!”

  Neyxa sighed. “Yeah. They do.”

  Thessia slumped against the wall, head shaking. “This whole kingdom’s rigged.”

  And just as the silence settled, a knock hit the window.

  Zeven hung there upside down.

  “Y’all still wanna see Lirah? ‘Cause I know a way that don’t involve scrolls and curtsies.”

  Chapter End.