Neigh— Sais burst into the plaza first. In the center stood a sign carved with Hope Plaza, a once-bustling square now bare as a riverbed in drought. At some unknown hour the clouds had torn apart; a sliver of moon slipped free and spilled pale light across the stones.

Wooden benches lined the space like rib bones, and the lamps were blind and cold; the market’s clamor lay muffled like a tomb under ash.

The place was vast, and Sais with a few hundred only filled a corner; at one edge the city wall loomed like a cliff, its patrols gone like scattered leaves, only streaks of moonlight climbing its face.

Far off, a fish-belly pale crept up the horizon, like dawn fumbling for the latch after a long exile.

Fear tightened in her chest like frost. Sais saw Erig and Sinis racing in; she bolted toward the wall with no clear path, then wrestled her breath steady and set the last line of shields beneath stone.

They who once guarded the wall were now pressed to it, fate’s forked roads closing like jaws.

Neigh—

Neigh—

Clatter—

Thud-thud-thud—

In short order, heavy and light cavalry thundered in, massed behind Erig and Sinis like stormclouds bridled.

Armor hummed like a hive; nearly three thousand stood ranked in the wide plaza, their neat gear and iron breath like a parade in Sia City.

But the cold gleam of their long spears, banded in stark black and white, and the snapping war banners told the truer story—and on the road to the southern line, corpses lay crosswise like felled timber.

Erig took the standard from his flag-bearer, then drove it into the very crown atop Ogathas the Tenth’s statue at the plaza’s heart.

Ogathas was carved with sword in his left and codex in his right; the blade plain save for a single rose of kingship, the sword angled down, the book tilted up, a subtle balance like scales in a breeze. His stone gaze bowed to the tome, lips parted as if invoking law.

It looked like balance, but the codex loomed larger by design—rule by law, rule by men, the sword as shadowed servant.

What would the real man think, seeing a rebel banner flare like a wound above his head?

Hmph. Erig’s stare at the statue was all disdain, cold as iron at dawn.

Mountain Bandits, this isn’t your part. Go do whatever you want. Erig’s words fell like thrown bones, and the bandits howled to the sky, spitting out long-hoarded bile, then scattered into houses like wolves loosed.

Rage burned Oliver’s throat like coal. You bastards, you despicable devils! The whole city lies open and bare; who knows how many you’ll slaughter.

Erig stamped his mount, hooves biting stone. Despicable? Your dog-king is lower still.

Palmer’s eyes were red, grief raw as salt. What grievance do you hold with His Majesty? Can’t you talk without blades? Must you make war? His friends had died like candles snuffed in wind; the citizens faced cruel hands; rage shook him like a storm.

Sinis dug a heel into his stirrup. There’s nothing to talk about. This is war—either he dies or I die. That’s all. With swords drawn this far, do you think he’ll parley?

Sais’s voice was hollow as a bell. Then why didn’t you talk earlier? Talking sooner might have spared us this abyss.

Sinis—don’t waste breath. Only we three brothers know what really happened back then. Erig’s tone was a knife turned inward.

Truth? Hah! What truth can a rebel beast mouth? The guards’ scorn cracked like ice.

Erig shook his head as if he’d seen this ending in a dream. History’s written by the victors. Worry about yourselves. Where’s your Commander? Did she piss herself from fear? If I catch her, she’ll really soak the ground.

The Commander’s right behind you, ready to leap out and take your head. Don’t think numbers make you gods. Step forward one pace, and you’ll die without a grave. Milia’s voice cut clean, gaze sharp as a whetted edge.

Erig swung his long spear; a ribbon of spear-qi tore the air toward them, like a gust knifed with steel. Sais didn’t flinch; her wrist turned and snapped, and she batted it aside, the qi ringing off her Dark Blade and knifing back like a raven-wing.

Sinis ripped a heavy sword from his saddle and smashed the returning wave, iron barking, then shot Erig a look. Erig snorted, frost in his breath. You’re already pinned to the wall, barely able to move. What tricks can you still play?

His mouth was cruel, but caution tugged his reins like a hidden current. Sais and the few hundred left still cast a shadow; most of all, Medith had vanished; he didn’t believe she’d run.

Sinis, just in case—wait till I breathe, then we go together. They’re spent bows now. Keep an eye on that woman and the little girl. No way Medith can pull any new trick. Erig’s whisper was tight as wire.

So the two sides hung in a strange stillness, like two storms staring across flat water.

...

[Manto]

Manto lounged on a high wooden platform thrown together in haste, watching the slow lift of the sun like a gold coin rising from ash. Oh? The sun’s out. Pity—you won’t see today’s light. Don’t worry, the people of Sia City will still see it—though who knows in what manner. Hahaha. His mutter rolled like smoke.

Sergeant Manto! The Mountain Bandits seem to be moving. Do we impose control?

No need. Manto’s hand cut the air. They’ve been bottled too long; let them vent. We’re thin on men; clashing with them does us no good. His voice was brisk, a flag in wind.

Yes!

But strange… where did Skaro and the other Mountain Bandits go? Together they’re near ten thousand… and all night we’ve not seen so much as a ghost. Manto frowned; at that moment a rumble rose from the east like thunder rolling a drum.

Boom—thoom—hoofbeats—hoofbeats—

Huh? He turned toward the sound. A thousand meters away, a hundred snow-white stallions burst into view, their bodies bright as frost, clad in silver Impado armor. White-clad riders sat them like aloof knights cut from winter, roaming to punish evil.

One rider drew every eye. She wore Royal Capital plate; a six-petaled Crimson Rose burned on her breast; a Black Sun cloak streamed behind; crystal guarded her eyes; a creamy pheasant plume trailed from her helm. The whole getup made her look windborn and imperial.

Manto’s fear jumped like a spark to tinder. Medith! Why is Medith here!

Medith’s cavalry ate distance like fire; in a heartbeat they were within five hundred meters, dust braided with light.

Panic snapped his words into shards. Stop them! Stop them! Everyone, move! Damn it—get over there and block her—