Ms. Sceptre hurried Mona and Yig up through the building to the mayor’s office the instant she’d heard what had happened. The interior was dominated by dark, polished browns, decorated with paintings of landscapes and weaponry from previous hunters. As they rushed up the flight of stairs, passing through each busy floor, they saw portraits of past mayors, some so old they were mere sketches drawn from coal stains.

  The Mayor yelled in surprise as his door swung open, a growl in his voice: “Knocking! Have we forgotten such a concept!?”

  “I apologize, sir,” Sceptre replied in a desperate tone that didn’t suit her usual demeanor. “Mona and Yig—”

  The Mayor rolled his eyes. “What else could they possibly be doing on a lazy afternoon?”

  “Father!” Mona pleaded, passing the assistant and walking quickly to the Mayor’s desk.

  “You think you can just walk in here casually, young lady—?”

  “Two men broke into the forest and tried to steal a citizen!”

  The Mayor continued, not quite grasping what had been said. “Don’t change the subject—”

  “Father! They tried to take Spartan, a child!”

  “Wait…” The Mayor shook his head, catching up to the conversation. “There was more than one…?”

  “Two! They wore blue suits.”

  “Yeah,” Yig added, passing Sceptre as well. “They were really rude about it, and they drew swords on us.” He held up the sword they’d retrieved from the intruder.

  The Mayor gave him an ice-cold stare, making Yig step back.

  “Where are they now?” he asked his daughter.

  “They ran. Me and Yig took care of it.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘taken care of’ if we don’t know where they went!”

  Mona looked particularly irritated. “What can I say? We were too busy protecting a child! I thought that was reason enough.”

  The Mayor leaned back, breaking eye contact. “Yes, yes… as you should have. Well done.”

  The tension seemed to have calmed, yet the fear of the unknown lingered. Mona took a seat facing her stepfather, waiting for his next words. Wary, Yig sat beside his friend, ready to back her up no matter which way the conversation went. Only now that the situation had settled did Yig look around the room. It shared the same rich oranges and browns as the rest of the building, but the man was keen to keep his space personal. A large portrait of the Mayor, Mona, and her mother hung on the left wall, surrounded by bookshelves filled with old, probably faded texts. To the left, potted flowers reached two or three feet tall. Above them were more paintings, some depicting foreign scenery, gifts from his wife.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “I hope you understand how little my opinion matters in the situation you created at The Corners Angel. The Beastly Family will have a lot to say on the matter.”

  “Are you sure of that?” Mona replied. “Jordan was the one to break up the fight after all. I doubt he was happy with his brother’s antics. Not to mention the Tottons—I assume they’ll take our side.”

  “Why on earth would they do that? You started a fight on their premises, for heaven’s sake.”

  “They might see it that way, or they’ll see it as it was—us dealing with a rambunctious drunk causing havoc in their tavern.”

  The Mayor sighed, rubbing his wrinkled forehead. “…I suppose all we can do is wait.”

  “When are the families meeting next?”

  “Your birthday celebration—though not for business, of course. I’m praying it won’t turn out to be rather tense.”

  “Okay, then when are you meeting for business?”

  “Four days…”

  “In that case, we shouldn’t have much of a problem. Maybe you should just banish us… we won’t be here anyway.”

  The Mayor chuckled. “We shall see what they make of it.”

  Mona stood from her chair. “And don’t forget to mention the intruders.”

  “Trust me, it won’t be easily forgotten. Perhaps even an emergency meeting is needed.”

  “Come on then!” she said, gesturing to Yig as she walked out.

  Yig made an awkward bow before following her, cautious not to look the Mayor in the eye. He left the blade resting against some drawers, hoping it might be of some use to him.

  The door closed gently with a graceful tap of wood, leaving only the Mayor and his assistant.

  “If only he’d follow us like he follows her,” he remarked.

  “Well, you know how highly he thinks of the Darleth name. How are we surprised he follows the last one left?”

  “Mona Darleth… I forget her last name every now and again. Or perhaps that’s just wishful thinking.”

  “She’s much like her father, whether we like it or not.”

  The Mayor scoffed. “Very true indeed.”

  Yig stood still on the other side of the door, aware he wasn’t meant to hear that.

  “He wasn’t that harsh that time,” Yig remarked. “I wonder if I’m growing on him…” His face quickly shifted in realization. “Or maybe it’s because I’m leaving.”

  Mona chuckled. “Hate to tell you, but I think it’s the latter.”

  The two made their way out the front door, watching the fields at the bottom of the hill and the workers who kept them running.

  “Got anything else to prepare before we leave?”

  “Yep,” Yig nodded. “Don’t worry, you can leave it to me.”

  “Alright. I’ll leave it with you then.”

  Yig raised a thumb, still easily excited by his friend’s trust. He picked up the bag he’d been using to store his various equipment, then ran down the path, bouncing to his next task.

  Mona walked her own way, not quite knowing where she’d end up. As she passed one of the long, stretched wheat fields, the thin, rough blades of grass tickled and itched against her ankles.

  She unsheathed one of her swords, just to get another glimpse of the blade. Her reflection stared back at her, slightly obscured by stains of blood. It wasn’t much, but enough to remind her of the intruders. She’d fought them off—her and Yig. They were strong, both of them. She knew that already. But to actually experience her partner in action together, the clash of steel as they battled side-by-side... She placed it back by her waist.

  They would follow the path her father had paved, the one Darleth intended to be followed. Mona would find him and surpass him, show him she was worth fighting for back all those years ago, when her mother promised the man his baby daughter wouldn’t leave Chestnut. She looked to the sky, hopeful. The gates to paradise were waiting for the two, and they would be the ones to break them open.