The first sliver of dawn crept in through the slatted wooden shutters, like a horny fox intruding upon the hen fox using tactical tactician tactics.
The still air was thick with the warmth of last nights activities and the faint scent of old wood, leather balm, and something gentler—lavender, maybe, lingering from what Maedyn had applied to her injuries.
Chesed stirred first.
He lay in the classic triangle formation, limbs comforted to form a 3 sided shape with his body- the best way to sleep imaginable. His dark hair was mussed, a shadow of stubble darkening his jaw. One arm was draped protectively over Maedyn's waist, careful not to touch the tightly bandaged gash along her ribs. His fingers twitched- lightly remembering the night before. That connection…
Maedyn was curled toward him, one leg tangled with his beneath the blankets. Her skin was paler than usual where she wasn't bruised, her breath came slow and steady. She hadn't slept this deeply in days, even if injured. It was not as if she could sleep well while on a mission.
Chesed watched her for a while, his eyes tracing the arc of her cheek. She looked softer in sleep.
A small sudden intake of breath stirred the air. Maedyn's eyes opened slowly.
"Morning," Chesed said quietly.
She blinked at him, trying to shift before wincing. "Gods... remind me never to get stabbed in the side again."
His mouth tugged into a wry smile. "I'll put it in the mission protocols next time you go out with me. 'No stabbing Maedyn.'"
Her laugh was soft yet hoarse. After a short bit, she noted, "You stayed."
"You asked me to," he said. A pause. "I wanted to."
She nodded. "Good." Her breath caught. Then she leaned into his touch. The moment held: two warriors who faced death together- and survived.
After a bit, Maedyn seperated from Chesed. "What'll you do now?"
Ceased sighed, "Not much I can do. I'm just at first job." He tensed for a second, "Power is the foundation of everything. I will train."
Maiden outstretched a hand, placing it upon his chest, falling into thought. After a short bit, she noted, "No one can change everything alone."
To that- Chesed flashed a smile, gave the Okay Hand, and exclaimed, "Micheal did!"
"Hah." Maiden gave a short laugh at that, before… "Hehe… hahahahaa, you are silly, Chesed."
Chesed shrugged, "The point stands- though."
Maedyn's fingers lingered at his chest for a moment longer, eyes distant with thought, before she let her hand fall away and shifted to sit up slightly. The grimace that crossed her face was brief but sharp.
"You should go," she murmured, voice low but not cold.
Chesed frowned, puzzled. "Go?"
"To train. To be stronger." She leaned back against the headboard, adjusting the blanket across her lap. "You said it yourself, power's the foundation."
He hesitated, the tension in him unreadable. But after a long moment, he nodded, slowly.
"I'll come back," he said.
Maedyn flashed a grin, "Of course."
Chesed stood, gathering his things quickly and efficiently. As he opened the door, golden morning light poured in, warm and blinding. He paused in the doorway and looked back.
Maedyn gave him a gentle wave goodbye, and he returned it.
He closed her door, giving a wistful smile. He turned, taking steps among the gravel road away from her home. She lived near the civilian district- just closer to the outskirts, since it was cheaper away from everything. It was surprisingly close to his own Soka compound, given that the soka grounds were such an expansive area, they fundamentally had to be away from the city center in order to occupy such a large space.
Chesed released a breath and opened it to reveal a tall figure in dark leathers, the matte black of the Sovereign's shadow guard. The guard's hood was down; sharp features and unwavering dark eyes betrayed no greeting.
"You are Chesed Soka," the guard stated.
Chesed inclined his head. "I am. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Chesed Soka," the guard intoned with a purposeful neutral voice, "Sovereign Nine requests your presence." The guard inclined his head. "At once."
…
To civilians, being summoned by the sovereign might seem a rare honor. But for Sogen's adventurers, it was routine. Every adventurer who returned from a mission, regardless of scale, was required to file their report directly to the sovereign's office. The term "adventurer" was a carefully cultivated euphemism, suggesting freedom and personal choice. In truth, these were soldiers and mercenaries under contract to the nation. They took on quests that advanced Sogen's interests. Border recon, sabotage, monster hunts, artifact recovery, whatever it may be, in exchange for pay, prestige, and official sanction.
Chesed, though seventeen, was no exception. As an adventurer, he was bound to serve Sogen first, clan second. If the sovereign issued a summons, refusal was inconceivable.
He and the guard slipped through silent halls of pale marble, banners of white and silver lining the walls. Mostly white, with silver being an accent. Servants and clerks bowed as they passed- not to Chesed of course, but the shadow guard. At the antechamber, two more shadow guards joined, forming a silent cordon. Their boots made no sound on the polished floor.
A carved door slid open soundlessly, revealing the inner sanctum: Sovereign Nine's audience chamber. All the white-clad advisors gone today, just Nine's shadow guard, and Nine himself, resplendent in white from head to toe, every crease immaculate, eyes shining with uncanny intensity. If one ignored those eyes, he might appear a scholarly, thin, middle‑aged courtier. Instead, those bright irises, brimming with intent, spoke of power unrivaled.
Chesed bowed deeply. "Sovereign Nine."
Nine inclined his head ever so slightly. "Chesed Soka. You have arrived." His voice was calm, but the hush in the chamber felt like the intake of a thousand breaths. Nine turned, addressing a clerk. "Prepare the boundary maps. And shadow guard Team Beta—ready yourself." The guard nearest Chesed stiffened just a bit- preparing."
Nine faced Chesed again. "Your fallen comrades' bodies will be retrieved. You are to accompany the shadow guard to the crash site, and identify the exact location for recovery."
Chesed's stomach twisted. What was this? This didn't make sense. And wasn't he supposed to be banned from taking missions? "My team… I… I understand. But I thought I was-"
Nine raised a hand, stopping him. "Banned from taking missions? You are, but you aren't taking this mission, it's an order. You'll depart as soon as possible. You will not engage in combat. Your role is solely to pinpoint the bodies' location and inform the shadow guard of the events. Is that understood?"
Chesed could only bow. "Yes, Sovereign."
Nine dismissed him with a faint nod, his shadow guard escorting Chesed away.
Once the door sealed, Nine's composure briefly slipped. He turned away, entering a side chamber, approaching an orb. It was no larger than fist, swirling with pale mist. His most secret tool.
Many knew of it- and his frequent use of it. But they did not understand what it did. Nine did not say, and they would not ask.
Most believed Nine ruled by counsel and martial prowess. None knew of the orb, his hidden gift to monitor foreign adventurers crossing Sogen's borders. It was his most important tool for war- and securing his interests. The stronger his influence over an area, the stronger his watch over its borders, specifically the borders. He had calculated what foes Chesed's team could meet, where every potential enemy might be, their goals, so forth. There was no way for there to be a random, unaccounted for second job Rogue. Yet Chesed reported an ambush by exactly such a foe.
Impossible. Unless… Chesed had orchestrated it. Murdered his comrades to fabricate heroism or cover some unknown agenda. Maedyn's survival… perhaps she concealed the truth.
Nine touched the orb's surface, examining the information, yet also going into thought. It was as if the assassin had blinked into existence. There were thousands of enemies- and he has them all tracked. Perhaps not their specific locations, sure, they could move, but it just didn't make sense…
Nine's jaw hardened. That's why he sent the shadow guard to exhume bones, reconstruct the scene, autopsy each wound. And he needed Chesed there not just to lead the shadow guard to the location, but to confirm his own narrative. If the boy lied…
With a thin smile, Nine turned away from the orb, entered his public office once more, and sat.
…
In the outer courtyard, Chesed found himself flanked by four shadow guards: one team leader, an imposing Third Job veteran with runic tattoos curling up his neck—and three silent Second Job operatives, their weapons sheathed but ready. The lead guard stepped forward.
"Chesed Soka. We move out."
Chesed nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He took a glance at the eastern gate of Leyfeyr, the morning bustle carried on: merchants hawking wares, patrolling soldiers, children chasing stray dogs.
He fell into step beside the team leader. "I require time to inform my clan," he said quietly.
The leader's lip curled. "Your orders are immediate. We set off immediately."
Chesed bit back frustration. "At least let me retrieve my equipment."
"You carry nothing." The guard's tone brooked no appeal.
Chesed's heart pounded. He forced a calm nod. "Understood."
Chesed's mind churned. If the sovereign truly suspected him… if these guards carried secret orders to silence him… then this mission was a trap. And yet refusal was impossible.
As they marched out the city gate, Chesed's fingers twitched inside his cloak. Once in sight of a busy main street, he let his hand form the Ok Hand in his pocket. A faint pulse of Soka bloodline energy rippled out, invisible to all but another Soka using Okhen.
He left a hidden message for his clan. His name and mission.
No guard noticed. No courier halted. The message lay hidden, waiting for kin.