Sonnia waited, humming and playing with some of the dust letting it fall from her hands. After waiting a bit, footsteps approached. A tender woman wearing a small dress walked forward while holding a purple flower in a small clay pot.

  “Sonnia, it's nice to see you again. It seems like you had quite a night. After you escaped no one kept watch over me and I sort of left. I know I’m not sick from the plague.”

  Sonnia jumped to her feet waving to Freeg.

  “Yes, you are welcome for the help. I created a way out for you. I think I deserve a thank you. To be honest, how did you get here? Your frail sick body wasn’t climbing the golems I know that.”

  Freeg nodded her head and leaned against the wall. She looked out of breath and tired. Still she cupped Marm’s pot close to her chest.

  “Underneath all cities of the dominion are the catacombs. They connect to the whole city although it can be hard to navigate. Now let’s go back, you can stay with me.”

  Sonnia energetically shook her head, and started following with light steps.

  “You are okay with that? You seemed scared of me earlier. Kaelith seemed to freak you out a lot.”

  Freeg focused on the path ahead taking slow steps looking down at the ground.

  “It did scare me but I don’t think you are a bad person honestly and neither does Marm. I’ll keep an open mind about you until I have a reason to not trust you. After you left I heard that you caused a big commotion with the guards. Then afterwards a rampaging golem got set loose. This place is falling more apart. It worries me a lot.”

  Free let out another cough but felt something being thrown at her back. Then a purple glow enveloped her, making her feel warm. For a brief moment she felt her health return to her. Freeg held out her hands and looked at herself.

  “It feels like Marm, what is this Sonnia?”

  Grinning to herself as she played with the dust more, almost jumping with joy.

  “It’s a cure to the plague, I found it from the cult of fools. They kept calling me Daisy even though I told them not to. They are weird. The dust apparently freezes the plague. It can’t grow so everyone is safe now. They have a whole barrel of the stuff. I’ve been healing everyone since I came here. I hardly have half of what I started with.”

  Freeg smelt the dust then took a little from her clothes and tasted it. It dissolved on her tongue leaving an earthy taste in her mouth reminding her a little bit of honey.

  “If that’s true then they are despicable for hiding such a thing. While I’m forced to pluck away Marm’s petals until she is naked, they hoard something like this.”

  The two women walked to a hole in the ground kneeling down before lightly falling down.

  “This way, follow me Sonnia.”

  Hopping down after a few moments the passage was tight and dark. The occasional rune gave light. The walls had gaps that held many coffins nailed shut. The smell of something bitter and sour leaked through as they walked. Sonnia turned her watching each crevice as she followed close to Freeg.

  “What is this smell? It’s awful. Its like…formal dead bodies.”

  Letting out a small chuckle as Freeg grabbed Sonnia hand guiding her.

  “I guess you are not wrong, we preserve and care for the dead bodies, it is part of Veythe’s ways. The dead deserve respect at least that’s what she teaches. Since the plague most of the bodies get left to die and isolated before being burned. It’s a shame.”

  Nearly tripping over a crack in the ground Sonnia stumbled forward as Freeg guided her through the catacombs underneath, taking multiple twists and turns. Sonnia felt her head spinning from the fumes and the confusing maze.

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  “Chester said you are rich, how did that happen? I would’ve thought you were poor like the others I spent time with. Based on your looks and…the fact. you play in the catacombs.”

  Freeg sighed a little for a moment she loosened her grip.

  “Well yes I do live in the upper levels. My parents have a alot of money from sponsoring adventurers, giving loans out for equipment and travel. It’s a lucrative business nowadays. But my estate is just me at the moment. They left for vacation a long time ago after I got Marm. But I find ways to keep myself busy.”

  Sonnia strained her eyes trying to look past Freeg as they ventured through. After Freegs words Sonnia went silent nodding her head. The occasional cough echoed from Freeg. Eventually light could be seen from a distance.

  “The exit is there. I told you I know my way around. Perks of being a resident I guess. Whenever a new town is built the catacombs always come first. It's our way of honoring everyone’s sacrifices.”

  Approaching a small ladder Freeg climbed up, followed by Sonnia. Freeg had a spout of blood trailing from her mouth which was quickly wiped away. Noting Sonnia curious face, the woman smiled.

  “Don’t worry it’s normal, you learn to get use to it after a bit. It doesn't hurt, it’s just uncomfortable at times. Soon though I’ll be back to normal once this plague situation is fixed. Until then I refuse any petals for myself.”

  Looking around the plaza, Sonnia saw a few broken buildings and footprints crunched into the roads. With people gathering around looking at the carnage. Few bodies had blankets over them. With guards walking around blocking entrances to broken buildings. Sonnia asked with a semi smile.

  “Was anyone hurt?

  Freeg stopped momentarily turning her head looking at everything. Very lightly frowning

  “I think some guards were killed, and a few people injured. It was scary but thankfully it was quickly put to an end. I would hate to imagine what would happen if it continued further.”

  Seeing the damage and the broken houses Sonnia dawned a small smile. She whispered to herself before uttering a mischievous laugh.

  “As long as it’s only the guards I won’t feel too bad.”

  Before leaving, Sonnia held up her box like a prayer in material form.

  “I want to spread the love some. I have lots of dust to give, I don’t want to have any left. I wanna be the main attraction at the festival whenever it is. Everyone is gonna wanna give me gifts.”

  Sonnia yelled out loudly in the plaza for all to hear. Slowly walking towards a small crowd with a gleeful look.

  “I have a cure for your stupid plague! Come and get it while it lasts~”

  Before she could go any further the captain intercepted her. His arms crossed, he seemed to have bits of rubble all over his uniform. He looked at Sonnia angrily.

  “I don’t know how but I know this mess was your doing. A golem going rampant isn’t something a trained thanomancer under my watch would let happen. I have half a mind to put you under arrest.”

  A few soldiers trailed behind him readying swords anticipating a fight to break out. The captain himself had a whip at his side. With one of his hands glowing white. He stared at the box she held then back to her.

  “Now you say that you have a cure. I’ll have to ask you to hand it over. I’ll judge whether it’s true or not.”

  Sonnia slowly set the box on the ground. Then standing on the tips of her toes she met the captain's gaze with a confident smile. She moved her arm ready to attack with her staff.

  “It’s my cure, I found it. I get the credit, not you. Let me ask something though ‘Captain’ serious. If you were given a baby…not an adult or a child, a baby. Would you toss it over a wall? PLOP. Until it’s silent. I think those people are threats.”

  The captain stood his ground. Her eyes looked tired and remorseful to him. His hands stopped glowing and looked at the box then back at her.

  “Every life is precious. It’s my job to protect everyone from threats. You though. I think you are a threat, not a baby. Once I get proof I’ll have you locked back up.”

  He moved his foot over the box and slid it towards him letting one his men pick it up. Revealing the purple powder inside. One of them picked up the powder and once it touched his hand he glowed purple.

  “It feels good, Captain. I feel it seeping into me like it’s cleaning me.”

  The captain's eyes didn’t leave Sonnia. Both waiting for each other to make a move. Suddenly Freeg took Sonnia’s arms, dragging her away. Sonnia protested as she was taken away by the sickly woman.

  “Freeeggggg let me go. You are embarrassing me. I wasn't gonna hurt him. I just wanted to try and scare himmmm I promise.”

  Freeg used all her strength to pull Sonnia back. Sonnia pulled through Freeg’s grip lightly but hearing a cough behind her Sonnia gave in. She decided to go along with it, still sticking her tongue out at the captain, along with a middle finger. She turned around matching Freegs pace as they walked away turning around and seeing the troops each taking bits of dust in their hands.

  “They have the cure now, Freeg. Why did you let them take it? Now Chester will take credit for it and he’ll get rich from it. It’s pathetic I could've taken all of them down easily.”

  Freeg continued to the stairs.

  “It doesn't matter who gets credit. What matters is that we do what is right and save everyone. Chester hopefully will have that sentiment.”

  Sonnia now stopped in her tracks. The sudden stop made Freeg lose her balance and fell to the ground. Reflexively she quickly wrapped her arms around Garm.

  “Chester had a jar of petals from Marm. A lot of petals like ALOT. If he cared wouldn’t he distribute them? You try hard to see good in people who don’t earn it. What happens when he hoards the dust as well.”

  Wincing in pain, she got up brushing herself off. Sonnia hands glowed red and scent of blood wine filled the air. She touched Freeg, healing her of her injuries from the fall and waited for an answer.

  “Then let the people find out and we can fix things. However we can’t afford to assume the worst out of people these days. Orindor is slowly falling apart.”

  Sonnia stayed silent. Letting the words linger on her mind. For a brief moment Sonnia felt disappointed in herself letting her eyes drop before recovering. Freeg finally lead Sonnia to a two story house. Made of smooth chiseled stones neatly stacked in a clean pattern that was painted a light grey. Sonnia whistled at the sight of it all.

  “Nice place! You are rich after all! Am I allowed inside your majesty?”

  Freeg reached in her pocket and found a key then unlocked the door and smiled lightly.

  “Of course, you are my guest. Consider it a thanks for your hard work. Sorry if it’s a mess I’m hardly home and no one cares for it.”

  Walking inside Sonnia saw the home was practically untouched. The cushions were fluffed and neat. Chairs pushed in, the fireplace clean with no sign of ash. The only visitors this estate had was a layer of dust lacing every surface.

  Walking in, Freeg immediately took off her shoes and wiped her feet. Sonnia walked right in looking at everything. Her steps left prints on the ground from old grime on her feet.

  “Ah oops…sorry Freeg. I’ll clean it up.”

  “No, don't worry Sonnia, I don’t mind. But can I make one request please”

  She stared at Sonnia with a nervous look and her voice grew more quiet.

  “Don’t use your magical weapon in the house. I don’t want my home burned down. My parents would be mad at me. They are usually against company.”

  Sonnia saluted her with a goofy grin.

  “Yes ma’am! I’ll keep Kaelith contained.”

  Ruled by the Eternal Whisper (a soul who is chosen to rule by the Head Elector, based on all the innocent souls they have guided for 300 years).

  This ruler then has three branches, chosen from souls that were deemed trustworthy based on their past experiences, which are documented. (Each of these souls is then allowed to serve for 100 years.)