I leave Maldor’s laboratory with a furrowed brow, thoughts crawling like his spiders. His magic still lingers in my mind, what he did to that creature... I don't fully grasp it, but I know I want no part of being on the other end of such a spell.

  And Two expects me to kill him?

  Perhaps a blade in the back would do it, his body is still human, isn't it...?

  But his spiders follow him where ever he goes, their many eyes always watching... the moment I try anything, they'd surely tear me apart.

  Two... that bastard. What does he expect me to do?

  The fort is quiet at this time of night, my boots echoing against the stone as I near Two's room. Just as I turn a corner, a brigand emerges from the gloom, short and hooded.

  I straighten, making myself larger as the brigand approaches.

  But then the figure stops, tugging her hood back.

  Luna. Wearing a new set of attire, dirtier and far less expensive.

  Before I can speak, she seizes my arm and drags me down a side passage, into a narrow gap between crumbled stone buttresses. Face darkened, her intense gaze boring into me.

  "What happened?" she hisses.

  I tell her. Of Maldor's task, the dead limbs he had me deface. And of the magic he showed me.

  She listens without a word. But her face twists more with each detail, the disgust plain for me to see. When I finish, she leans against the wall and shuts her eyes.

  "He tried to have me do the same," she murmurs. "At first, he claimed he just needed aid in engraving some runes, but that bastard can't fool me. I saw the disgusting state of his laboratory..."

  She opens her eyes again. They’re filled with a cold, quiet rage.

  "That filthy maggot-eater had the nerve to ask me to help him in that blasphemy... I should have killed him right there."

  She pauses and then lets her eyes meet mine, before speaking in a soft, hesitant voice. "You needn't have taken my place. I could have killed him and then we could have fled."

  I shake my head. "Impossible. Killing Maldor, Two, and a fortress full of brigands? We'd never survive it."

  She falls silent, lips pressed tight, and for a long moment her eyes drift away from mine. When she finally speaks, her voice is softer, carrying a weight I’ve not heard from her before. “It’s my fault,” she says solemnly, “for drawing Maldor’s gaze… for forcing my way into your band.” Her gaze returns to me, a faint shimmer in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Seven. You should never have been faced with this. You should not have to bear that vile man's darkness for me.”

  Her words catch me off guard, leaving me momentarily adrift, unsure how to answer such a heartfelt apology, especially one from her.

  She is right, though...

  A faint ember of resentment stirs despite myself. If not for her, perhaps Two would never have set this burden on me. Lost in that thought, I don’t notice at first that she’s studying my face, gauging my reaction in the quiet. When I finally meet her gaze, she turns away, breaking the moment.

  "Even so," she says, voice harder now, "you should avoid him and his craft if you can. The kind of magic he works... it's a stain upon the soul. Once you’ve dipped your hands in it, there’s no washing them clean."

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  I glance at her, and her golden eyes lock with mine, unwavering, it's difficult not to get lost in them. "Luna... I’ve been meaning to ask... are you a sorceress? How do you know all this? About magic? About demons? Is it part of your role as a Covenanter?"

  She draws in a slow breath, gaze slipping to the ground. "In part," she says at last. "The Covenant teaches us to recognize forbidden magic, to sense demonic corruption. It's not what you would have learned from Lucien, and nothing close to what Maldor practices."

  I take a step closer. "Can you teach me what you do know? Anything."

  She lifts her head and gives a rueful smile. "I can’t. I’m but a novice myself... I’ve read scrolls, performed a few rites... I could perhaps teach you how to ward a door or trace a circle... but not how to fight the likes of Vael."

  I let my head fall back and let out a low sigh, more than a little disappointed.

  "Seven, I understand your desire for strength. But Maldor..... there are lines that should not be crossed. Even in the name of survival. Do not be tempted."

  Are there...?

  I'm not so sure. As long as I live in the end...

  I need more time to think.

  Glancing back at Luna, I speak. "Two, my... brother, has asked me to kill him. The apprenticeship is a ruse to get close and hopefully get him to lower his guard."

  Luna frowns. "Your brother wants him dead...? Hmm... well, the realm would be better rid of that wretch, no doubt... but to apprentice under him to do it? It may take longer than you think."

  She goes quiet, then says firmly, "Don’t do it."

  "What choice do I have? I can’t beat Two. No one can."

  She steps closer, voice low. "We'll run. Yurik’s planning an ambush on a merchant caravan soon, not far from Ravencroft. Once he's ready to leave, William and Hamza will slip the two of us among them. Then, the first chance we get, we'll break away from his band and make for Ravencroft."

  I nod, slowly. The plan holds merit. If we can reach Edwin and rally his men, we might bring an end to these brigands for good. But beneath that hope, I recall Two’s words

  Kill Maldor, or I'll kill you.

  Luna seems to take my silence for assent. “Good,” she says, her tone more resolved now. “Yurik will return in a few days, we’ll leave with his band. Hold out until then.”

  She glances around, then lowers her voice. “I’ll be hiding in the dungeons. The recruits we were inducted with have already spread that I’m a woman. I stole a change of clothes to disguise myself-” she adds, motioning to the roughspun tunic and shapeless cloak. “But I’ll not sleep among them.”

  Her eyes linger on mine. “If you need anything... I'll be there. Ren too.”

  I nod and she slips off into the dark.

  Escape, huh? Maybe... but then I'll be left with Two and Vael coming for my head...

  I take my time returning, thoughts churning. When I reach Two’s quarters, I raise my hand to knock, but before I touch the door, his voice calls from within.

  "Enter."

  I push it open. He’s seated by the hearth, a goblet in hand, legs stretched before him. He doesn’t look at me when he speaks.

  "How did you fare? Sorcerer's apprentice."

  I scowl. “You're trying to get me killed.”

  He chuckles, turning to me. “Do you think so?”

  I step forward, jaw tight. “You truly expect me to kill him? His spiders trail him like shadows. The moment I raise a blade, they’ll tear me apart.”

  Two smiles faintly. “They do not follow him when he sleeps.”

  He sets the goblet down. “In time, he’ll trust you. Enough to let you stay within the laboratory overnight. He has a spare bed, I've seen it. When that moment comes... slit his throat. Clean and quiet, then flee before his spiders are the wiser.”

  I shake my head. “You do it. If he needs to die so badly, handle it yourself.”

  He rises slowly, steps toward me, placing both hands on my shoulders. His eyes meet mine, hard as granite.

  “No. My hands must remain clean." He looks down on me with a smile. "Do this for me, Brother, and I shall help you with your demon."

  He'll... help me with Vael....?

  "I’ll show you how to seize true strength. Enough that, should you choose, you could fell the beast yourself." He continues, leaning in slightly. "But if you refuse me, make no mistake.... I will kill you. Do not doubt me brother. Maldor must die."

  I hesitate, unsure.

  Aid in killing Vael....?

  This is all I was hoping for, when I came to him.

  And he's offering even more, a promise of power... to slay Vael with my own hands...? It sounds almost too good to be true.

  But then again... how long would it take to gain Maldor's trust? Could I do it before winter ends?

  Could I kill him even if I had it?

  Two sees the war in my eyes and loosens his grip. "Think carefully, Seven." he says, quiet but firm. We look to each other for a moment longer and then Two turns his back, apparently done with the conversation.

  I close the door behind me with a soft finality, standing alone in the corridor, silent and still.

  My mind slowly sifts through the possibilities…

  Two paths before me...

  Flee with Luna...

  Or stay and complete Two's task...

  I'll have to choose... and soon.