The Unforgiven

Lance groggily rolled over in bed, his arm reaching out to cuddle Amber. When his hand connected with the bed sheets instead of a warm body he woke with a start. Sitting up, he looked around the darkened room. In the kitchen he could just make out the flicker of a candle. Frowning, he climbed out of bed.

Amber was leaning on the kitchen bench, head in her hands. It was obvious she had been crying, and Lance instinctively put his arms around her in a warm embrace. Realising Lance was there Amber sniffed and slowly lifted her head up.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I wish the nightmares would stop."

"It's ok. You're doing well." Lance whispered back. "It's not every night now. We'll get there."

Amber ran her hands along his arms as she rose to full height. "I hope so. It's just…." She sniffed again. "I don't want this to affect us, you know?"

"It won't." Lance replied warmly.

Amber frowned and rubbed her eyes. "You should get some sleep. Zhanna wanted to see you at the crack of dawn, and that's only a couple of hours away."

"Come on then, we could both use some rest."

Amber reached up and gently caressed Lance's face. "You go on ahead. I won't be sleeping."

Lance gave her a peck on the forehead and nodded. "Ok, but don't stay here all night." As he went back to the bed he could hear Amber's elbows hit the kitchen bench again.

When Lance woke up and got ready, he found Amber asleep on the floor from sheer exhaustion. It hadn't been a warm night and with only her gown to cover her, she was cold to the touch. Gently lifting her up, Lance carried her to the bed and covered her over before leaving. At least she'd be warm when she woke up.

While it was cold inside it was borderline freezing out, but it didn't stop Corvinus from being abuzz from activity. It had been six months since Kairos' assault, and much of the important reconstruction was complete, though there were still large parts of the city that were in ruin, and it would take years to make them habitable again.

Lance walked briskly to the temple, partly because he was late, and partly because he wanted to keep his body temperature up. Zhanna had been extremely cryptic with her request, providing no explanation other than "It's important, be here at dawn". Considering she had saved the lives of both Amber and Lyra, he had no issue with hearing her out.

The temple dominated the skyline, its dome easily being twice the height of the buildings around it. In fact the only buildings that were taller were the Governor's palace and the Collegia Arcanus, which stood even taller than the palace. Lance had to wonder if Nishaven had done that on purpose to keep an eye on the Governor and remind him of who wielded the real power in this city.

Walking through the massive arch into the temple proper always gave Lance a few chills. He'd led a less than perfect life, and part of him always expected some bolt of holy lightning to smite his wicked soul. It was all in his head, but having seen what Zhanna and others could do, he didn't discount anything anymore.

Zhanna had her back to him and was tending to the candles near the altar. As she leaned over to light some of the lower candles Lance realised exactly why temple attendance had shot up since she'd arrived here. He smiled wickedly at that thought.

"You're late Lance." Zhanna stated without looking up. "I did say dawn."

"Apologies Zhanna." Lance replied as he walked up to the altar. "Amber had another nightmare."

Zhanna looked at him with an expression of pure sadness on her face. "The poor woman. I wish my healing extended to the mind, but unfortunately that's in the hands of a power much higher than I."

"We're getting there." Lance said, trying to hide his sadness. "At least it's only most nights now, not all."

Zhanna nodded as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's good to hear."

"What did you want to see me about?" Lance asked.

"Yes, of course." She replied. "It wouldn't do for me to have dragged you out here then not tell you what I wanted. Have you heard of the Order of the Sanguine?"

Lance furrowed his brow. "No, what is it?"

"A cult. An insidious cult that worships the blood. They believe that through exsanguination lies purity of soul and freedom from pain and suffering."

"That sounds pretty far-fetched." Lance replied. "So they bleed themselves to purify the soul?"

Zhanna nodded. "It seems these days people are looking for salvation more than ever, and willing to do anything to attain it."

"But we're winning the war. Since Kairos' death there hasn't been a single serious Shadow incursion, and no leader has been able to bring the factions together like he did. We're safer than we've ever been."

"Maybe in the highly populated areas this is true, but the outlying settlements are still under attack on a weekly basis. It's there that this Order is taking hold. They're preying on the weak to bolster their ranks."

Lance frowned. "But why? Is it about money? Is there some 'messiah' getting rich of these poor people?"

Zhanna shrugged. "I don't know, and that's what I want you to find out. From what I've been told, the township of Underwood has a very strong contingent of these cultists. I want you to head over there and see what you can find out."

"Underwood? That's four days away!" Lance exclaimed.

"I know, but I don't trust anyone else with this. I know you'll get the answers." Zhanna replied.

"But Amber... she can't leave her duties for that long." Lance frowned. "The Palace Guard would fall apart without her." It wasn't an exaggeration. After Kairos most of the Guard were dead, and they'd been hurriedly replenished with conscripts. Barely one in ten was over sixteen. "And I'm worried about her if I'm not there at night."

"I know Lance, but you've going to have to do this alone." Zhanna said. "I'll make sure someone will be with her at night."

Lance smirked. "I know Amber, she'll never stand for being mollycoddled. But if you could have someone nearby but out of sight, I'd most appreciate it."

"My people are not spies like yours." Zhanna stated. "Maybe if that's what you want you should look within your own organisation."

Lance pondered for a moment. "Ok, I've got just the person."

"I can't believe you didn't think of me straight away!" Lyra exclaimed, slapping Lance on the arm.

"Ow! I'm sorry!" Lance shouted. "Stop hitting me!"

She whacked him again. "Only when you realise you should ALWAYS come to me first." Lyra grinned. "Honestly, asking Zhanna's people to remain unseen. Pah."

"Well, I take that to mean you'll help me out?"

Lyra nodded. "Of course I will. Trust me, Amber won't even know I'm there." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now you'd better go and show her a good time before you leave."

Lance smiled. "I know just the place."

It had been a good night, Amber and Lance had dined at the finest seafood restaurant still standing in Corvinus, and then taken the long way home, just savouring the gentle moonlight. The night sky was clear and the city was serene. It just felt nice. Lance grimaced when he realised just how long he was going to be away.

"I'll be ok you know." Amber said. "I can tell you're worried."

"I just want to be there." Lance replied. "Don't want to feel like I'm abandoning you."

"You're not. You've got a job to do too." Amber smirked. "And don't worry, I'll ignore Lyra."

"What? How did you know?!" Lance exclaimed.

"Oh come on, of course you're going to have someone there." Amber replied, wrapping her arm around his waist. "But I do appreciate the concern. As long as she's not going to be peering through the windows at night."

"I'll tell her to leave the climbing hooks at home then." Lance grinned, and was promptly smacked on the shoulder in response.

He grabbed Amber and embraced her tight. He was going to miss this.

Four days of hard riding later and the township of Underwood finally came into sight. Unlike Corvinus, Windspire, or Ravendark there were no guard towers, no defensive walls. These people only had themselves and their meagre city guard to stop the Shadow. Suddenly Lance had a new understanding as to why people might turn to other things for salvation.

Sighing deeply, Lance spurred his horse into the township. Time to get this over with.