Guinevere stepped out of the alley onto the street and got her bearings. The lane was narrow and empty, though that wasn’t too surprising this late at night. A clock tower glowed high in the distance — it was nearly midnight. Tall, shadowed buildings loomed on either side of them, shadowy sentinels keeping watch in the night — and making Guinevere feel closed-in. Trapped.
No. I won’t be put back in my gilded cage. We’ll accomplish what we need to do here, and leave without incident.
“We’re not too far from the Quarter of Order,” Elliot said, pointing to the left down the lane. “Take a right at the end, and it’s just a few blocks.”
“Right, then,” Alice said, starting off with a cheery gait. “Let’s head on over, shall we?”
There was a sudden sound of rushing footsteps, and Guinevere turned to see a child racing off down an alley away from them — almost as if he’d been among their group until moments before.
“Hold on there!” Elliot shouted, but the child didn’t even glance back. Instead, he vaulted up onto a box and then grasped a ledge, heaving himself up onto a windowsill. Elliot looked indignant. “He took my wallet!”
An instant later, Tobias was running, tossing his coat and sword back to Elliot without a word. Elliot caught them as if this was a normal occurrence for the pair. Tobias raced down the alley, reaching the box the boy had used as a stepping-stone to higher ground just as the boy was finishing climbing up to a high roof and vanishing over the top.
“I’ll cut him off from the other side,” Sheena said. She started to run, but Elliot called for her to stop.
“He’ll get him,” he said, grinning. “Just wait a bit.”
Sure enough, Tobias climbed and leapt from one window ledge to the next and was up over the high roof within seconds.
“How’d he even grab your wallet to begin with?” Alice asked, looking up at Elliot. “You didn’t even notice him?”
“Did you?” Elliot asked, looking annoyed.
Alice giggled. “I hope Tobias succeeds, of course,” she said. “But a part of me will always root for a child getting one over on an adult.”
Guinevere stared at the alley where the child and Tobias had begun their chase, thoughts turning over in her mind. She thought she recognized that cap… and a child that skillful, and brazen enough to steal from a Knight…
It better not be him.
About a minute later, there came the shouts of an angry child from a different alley. Soon Tobias emerged onto the street, carrying the child over one shoulder. It was a boy, about ten years old, with dirty blonde hair and a dirt-smudged face that only brought out his bright blue eyes even more. He was kicking and punching Tobias, squirming to get free, but Tobias didn’t seem at all bothered by it, holding the boy with just one arm, and casually tossing Elliot’s wallet in the air with his other hand. Tobias didn’t seem to be holding the boy very hard — just enough to keep him from getting free. And he didn’t respond to the boy’s pummeling with violence in kind.
“Lemme go, you bully!” shouted the boy, and Guinevere glared. Yes, she knew those eyes, and she knew that voice. And she was not pleased.
“Here you go,” Tobias said, plopping the boy down right in the midst of their group, tossing Elliot his wallet and then planting his hands on the boy’s shoulders so he couldn’t run off. “You’re pretty fast. A heck of a climber, too.”
“Oh sure, butter me up like a biscuit,” the boy said, pulling at Tobias’ hands but unable to pry them from his shoulders. “Lemme go!”
“Teddy,” Guinevere said sharply, planting her hands on her hips. “You promised me you’d stop stealing!”
The boy looked up at her, and immediately a grin spread across his lips, his eyes glittering with adorable mischief. “Wotcher, Guin!” Teddy said, offering a sloppy salute. “Didn’t recognize you at first with the cap and jacket and all. Ooh, that’s a beautiful sword! Can I try it out?”
“Of course not,” Guinevere said. She sighed. “Teddy. Apologize.”
“Stop with the Teddy!” Teddy said, pouting. “It’s Theodore. And don’t go getting’ all bossy with me, Guin! Is that how you greet me when you’ve up and disappeared and the whole city thinks you’ve been kidnapped or worse?”
“Kidnapped?” Guinevere asked, eyebrows raising.
“Teddy!” called a girl’s voice, accompanied by hurried footfalls. A young girl arrived, twelve years old, with messy blonde hair beneath a beaten-up leather cap. “What’ve I told you about thievin’ from Knights what’re faster than — oh. Wotcher, Guin. Love the getup.” She looked Guin’s outfit up and down, nodding approvingly at her cap, dueling jacket, pants, and boots. “Suits you way better than your usual fancy-dos.”
Guinevere sighed, turning her disapproving look onto the new arrival. “Don’t ‘wotcher’ me, Rose,” Guinevere said. “You both promised you’d stop the stealing. You don’t even need to! Father Dietrich and the Chapel provide you with more than enough. You’ve been given jobs!”
“I’m grateful’n all, Guin, honest,” Rose said, rubbing the back of her neck. “And I’m happy to be a hard-workin’ member of society. But Teddy keeps runnin’ off. Someone’s gotta keep an eye on him. And I’m the only one what knows how.” She stood a bit taller and grinned broadly at that.
“I can handle myself, sis!” Teddy whined.
Guinevere let out another sigh. “Are you two doing all right?” she asked.
“Sure,” Rose said with a cheerful nod. “Nothing to complain about ‘cept him.” She smirked at her brother, who was still trying to pry his way free from Tobias, and making zero headway. “And ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. Complaining about little brothers is just another of life’s blessings. I’m grateful for it.”
“Sis!” Teddy whined, glaring at her.
“You ain’t apologized yet,” Rose said, adopting a hands-on-hips posture and disapproving look to mirror Guinevere. “Come on. Do it for Guin.”
Teddy sighed, and with a very grumpy pout, mumbled a half-hearted apology to Elliot.
“Your transgression is already forgiven,” Elliot said, seeming to find the whole exchange more amusing than anything else, now that he had his wallet back.
Teddy rolled his eyes. “Now can I go?” he asked.
“You can let him go, Mister Knight,” Rose said. “I’ll keep him outta trouble.”
Tobias let him go, and Teddy darted over to Rose. But he didn’t run off — he just joined his sister, turning back at the group, fixing them all with his poutiest face. Elliot handed Tobias back his coat and sword.
“Well, now that’s all done and dusted,” Rose said with a grin, “where’ve you been, Guin? And who’re all these folks with you? I figured you’d run away — no one’s kidnapping Guin, that’s for sure. You can take care of yourself. But I figured it’d be just you and Ava.” At that, Ava came padding over to the kids, and Rose greeted her with enthusiastic petting. “Hey there, Ava! Who’s a sweet girl? Come on, Teddy, you say hi, too. She’ll cheer you right up.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Teddy grumbled. But he perked up right away as he started petting Ava.
“I… suppose introductions are in order,” Guinevere said. “This is Rose and Teddy.” (“Theodore!” said Teddy grumpily.) “They’re orphans who used to run the streets, but now are in the care of the Chapel of the Creator’s Grace. I’ve known them for years, and like to think I set them on the straight and narrow — though now I’m wondering if I’m a failure of a positive influence.”
“Aww, come on, Guin, you’ve been great to us!” Rose said, beaming at her. But just like her brother, even her most innocent of smiles carried a noticeable flicker of mischief. “And we have been earning our keep. Leastways I have.” She elbowed Teddy in the ribs, and he glared at her.
Tobias, Alice, Elliot, Ninian, and Sheena all introduced themselves, as well as Flynn, Hector, and Akko, who all wanted to greet the children as well. With numerous animals all offering affection, even Teddy softened up, giggling adorably as Hector smothered him with kisses.
“Gotta be honest,” Rose said after introductions were over, “I didn’t think I’d be seein’ you for a while. Figured you’d run off to Wonderia. Or found Elysia already! Whatcha doin’ in a dingy corner of the city like this one?”
“We didn’t exactly choose it,” Guinevere said. “We just returned from Wonderia. Didn’t know where we’d end up. But we’re about to go to Ars Umbra, seeking help in our quest.”
“Ooh, a quest!” Rose said, her eyes lighting up. “And seeking help from the Knights Aurora’n all, that sounds like a real adventure! Wish I could join you.”
“But they can’t go to Ars Umbra,” Teddy said, pouting at the two Knights. “They don’t let boys inside.”
“Rosalie’s willing to bend the rules now and then, if it’s for a good cause,” Guinevere said. “Though I’m sure I’ll owe her quite the favor after this.”
“Oh, that’s right, you know Cap’n Grants!” Rose said, her eyes lighting up even more. “I’ve always wanted to meet her. D’you think I could come with? Teddy, too?”
“I —” Guinevere started.
“Get down!” Tobias said, turning and drawing his sword. Black steel met a black shape, and a horrifying shriek rent the air. Guinevere dropped to her knees, grabbing Alice and bring her down too as the shadow leapt up and over them. She turned to face the creature, ready to draw her sword…
And her hand froze. A strangled, pathetic gasp escaped her throat.
The shadow-creature was a thing of darkness, a being of the night, and it was no smooth, simple shadow or shape, no. It was a horrifying morass of tentacles and claws, pincers and stingers, bubbling pustules and bladed appendages. It had one shape, then another, shifting from one terror-inducing form to the next. It leapt again, and Sheena stepped in its path, her cerulean katana carving an arc through the creature’s chest. It shrieked, which set Guinevere’s ears ringing, but as it leapt up it didn’t seem hurt at all, bounding off of a wall to attack once more.
Elliot slashed, forcing back the creature, but it was undaunted, darting back into the fray after the briefest of retreats.
“Everyone in close!” Tobias said, guiding especially the children into the midst of them, with him, Sheena, and Elliot forming a defensive ring around them. Each of them slashed and stabbed at the creature, but all they seemed to do was annoy it, deterring it for a moment only to have to face it once more. And where it had begun its vicious attack slow and methodical, it was gaining speed and ferocity, as if emboldened by the resistance it was meeting.
“Guinevere, can you fight?” Sheena asked.
“I —” Guinevere started, and just that one syllable confirming that she could find her voice made all the difference. She nodded resolutely, and stood. “Yes,” she said, and drew her silver sword, its slender blade glittering in the darkness, a new star piercing the night.
The shadow-beast came straight for her, and she sidestepped, thrusting into the center of the creature’s shape-shifting mass — whether it was a chest, or a leg, or a head, was unclear, as it kept shifting its shadowy form. The beast shrieked, and Guinevere ducked under a scything claw-swipe, her heart hammering in her chest at the near escape. Tobias and Sheena slashed at the creature, and it retreated for a moment, leaping high up onto a stone gargoyle on the edge of one of the roofs.
“What is it?” Alice asked, her voice trembling.
“That’s a prowler!” Rose said, sounding surprisingly unafraid. “A nocturne. And where nocturnes prowl, Knights Aurora are never far behind.”
Perhaps. But Guinevere knew how hard-pressed the Knights Aurora could be, with their limited personnel. She’d seen Rosalie, heavy with regret, when she’d failed to prevent a nocturne from claiming innocent lives.
For the moment, at least, this foe was theirs to fight.
“Tobias?” Elliot asked.
“No,” Tobias said, and Guinevere was confused. And then the beast attacked again, and this time a frantic melee ensued. Tobias and Elliot together fought the beast as it slashed, bit, and stung at them, trying to break through their lines, not so easily deterred this time. Three times, Tobias’ blade cut through seemingly physical body parts, only for severed limbs to simply reform, as if they’d never been hurt. “I’ve never fought one before,” Tobias said through the stress and strain of combat. “Never even seen one.”
The two Knights were forced back a step, and then Sheena darted in, her dancing blade slicing all across the nocturne’s shadowy hide. Black pustules popped, fountaining viscous black liquid, and Sheena darted back, avoiding the hissing, steaming fluid. The nocturne shrieked, and rose up on three tall legs, lashing out with powerful limbs that sent Elliot flying, and forced Tobias back another two steps. Defiance flashed in Tobias’ eyes, and he pushed forward, spinning around the beast’s attacks, slipping inside its defenses, and thrusting deep up into the nocturne’s shadowy body. He pulled his sword free and leapt back an instant later, as the creature stabbed itself in an attempt to entrap him.
The nocturne shrieked and leapt away, but only to gain new ground, Guinevere realized. It leapt to one wall, then kicked off of that to another, and another, circling around them with frightening speed.
And when it dove back at their group, it dove straight for Guinevere.
Guinevere’s heart leapt into her throat, but she didn’t freeze up. She stepped aside and slashed, and Tobias’ obsidian blade joined hers, both carving arcing paths through the air, Tobias’ black blade casting a glittering trail of stars in its wake. There was a song in the air, a resonance Tobias had brought forth, a song of defiance and steadfast courage. Guinevere’s heart lightened, and the nocturne was forced back.
But it was still, as far as they could tell, unharmed. And it continued to gain speed and ferocity, further emboldened by the lengthening battle.
“We need cover,” Elliot said.
“Only cover you’ll get ‘round here are folks’ houses,” Rose said. She was being awfully nonchalant — but then, she was confident help was coming. “Don’t think they’ll be lettin’ you in when there’s a monster at your heels.”
“Sis!” Teddy cried out in terror.
“You’ll be all right, Teddy,” Rose said soothingly. “Just hold tight. Watch Guin! Isn’t she a wonder with that sword of hers? I never knew you were up for a real fight, Guin!”
Why does that compliment also sound like an insult?
Guinevere ducked a stinger-ended tail, and sidestepped a slashing claw. She didn’t try to block, and didn’t want to put herself in a position where she had to. She knew now the impact and brutality of real combat, and a monster of this ferocity would hit even harder than Saoirse’s metallic soldiers. She’d only end up hurting herself if she tried to defend straight-on against these attacks.
Elliot was the stalwart defender. Tobias would block and hold fast, too, but it seemed more of necessity, and Guinevere could feel the frustration building in him. He was built towards offense and speed, mobility — but he was stuck in a situation where he couldn’t move all that much. There was nowhere to go, and there were children who needed to be defended, against a beast that wouldn’t give Tobias an inch. Sheena danced around the monster, also not taking it head-on. She’d seemed to have some successes earlier with slicing open the pustules on the nocturne’s body, but those had just regrown, and it seemed none the worse for wear.
“How in the world do we kill it?” Guinevere asked, as another thrust of her blade pierced shadowy flesh, and yet left her with the distinct impression that she hadn’t actually harmed the monster at all.
“Just keep trying,” Tobias said through a clenched jaw, fending off a barrage of slicing claws and scythe-ended limbs with a blisteringly fast sequence of blocks and parries. “Everything dies.”
“And the Knights Aurora kill them every night!” Elliot said, stepping between Tobias and the nocturne to take over defense and give Tobias space to step out around him and slash and hack away at the nocturne, severing limbs and slicing flesh only to see the beast emerge from all that violence no smaller or lesser for it.
“Yes we do,” said a clear, gallant voice that immediately lightened Guinevere’s heart. A burst of light lit up the lane, and the drawing of a sword set forth a bright song of heroism and rescue.
“Knights Aurora!” Rose cried excitedly.
Guinevere looked up to see a familiar poised silhouette atop one of the rooftops, holding a straight-bladed officer’s saber. The silhouette leapt from the roof, diving to earth sword-first. In a blaze of starlight, she rent the night in twain.
The nocturne shrieked, but this cry was different from the ear-splitting shrieks of before. It was quavering, panicked.
The nightmare now knew fear.
Two other Knights leapt down to join their captain, and the trio fought the beast down the lane, away from Guinevere’s group. Rosalie at the lead, her officer’s saber flashing with light, parted the shadow in a way none of the other swords had been able to. Where her sword met the nocturne, its flesh parted, light trailing from the wounds like blood, marking real injuries for the first time.
From the opposite side, a taller Knight with a long katana — nearly as long as she was tall — carved at the nocturne’s back, preventing its retreat away from Rosalie.
And leaping from ledge to ledge, rooftop to rooftop, bounding off the walls, leaping up and over the nocturne, always in motion, the third Knight wielded what appeared to be a lady’s fan. But when she swung it in mischievous arcs, music poured forth from it. Melodies brought forth light into the air, light that formed into symbols, complex runes that each had different magical effects. One rune above the nocturne burst in a shockwave when the beast tried to leap up away from its assailants, forcing it back to earth. Another rune formed under the beast and exploded with fire, scorching the beast’s hide and eliciting more panicked, wounded shrieking.
The fight was a barrage of light and color and beautiful song, and ended in less than a minute. The nocturne gave one final, shrieking gasp, and then collapsed in on itself, shriveling into nothingness, all darkness destroyed by light.
Rosalie saluted with her sword, then flicked it to the side, and sheathed it. All of a sudden, Guinevere was left blinking spots from her eyes as the brightness of day winked away, returning them to the darkness of Ars Moran’s midnight.
“Well, now, what brings you back to Ars Moran so soon?” Rosalie asked, a smile in her voice as she strode to Guinevere. Guinevere still had to blink a while longer before she was able to see Rosalie clearly — pin-straight indigo hair beneath an officer’s cap adorned with her golden Valkyrie pin, and a slender face with kind, gentle eyes.
“I… well… it’s a bit of a tale,” Guinevere said, still astonished by how quickly they’d dealt with a beast that had been completely beyond the skills of Guinevere and her companions. “You… how did you defeat that… that thing? And so easily!”
“ ‘Cause they’re Knights of Aurora, of course!” Rose said, beaming.
“Well, that’s the short answer,” Rosalie said with a chuckle. “There’s a reason we’re the ones who deal with terrors of the night.”
“And she’s not the Captain of the Nocturne Special Investigations Unit for nothing!” said a new voice, spritely and whimsical. Up strode the Knight with a fan, who folded her fan and stuck it into a sheath at her belt specially designed for it. She was quite short — not an inch over five feet — with a shock of bright red hair under an officer’s cap tilted off-center. She had wide green eyes that sparkled with delight and curiosity, and a whimsical half-smile, like she was sharing in some private joke.
“Captain!” said the third Knight, with a low alto voice that was strong, but trembled slightly. She sheathed her incredibly long sword into a long handheld sheath, which she then slung over her back, adjusting her dark ponytail around the sheath’s strap. She snapped a smart salute. “Nocturne eliminated. That makes our seventh of the night.”
“Like she hasn’t been counting, too,” said the fan-wielder, chuckling, giving the taller Knight a teasing glance.
And she was tall. The third Knight of the trio was easily the tallest of the three, though that wasn’t a hard feat, considering even Rosalie, the captain, was the same five-foot-four as Guinevere. But the third Knight was taller even than Tobias, which only further accentuated just how uncommonly short he was for a male Knight. She looked younger than Rosalie, barely over twenty, and there was something in her bearing that suggested she was well-trained and full of potential, but self-conscious of her own quality. She, Rosalie, and the fan-wielding Knight all wore the short jackets, skirts, and high boots of the Knights Aurora Nocturne Special Investigations Unit. Purple was their primary color, with red and black accents, and gold pins denoting rank and accomplishments.
“Thank you, Mio,” Rosalie said with a smile. She gestured to her companions. “These are First Lieutenant Mio Tsukabe,” she indicated the tall Knight with the long sword, “and Second Lieutenant Ilia Rodesca,” she indicated the cheerful redhead. “They’re part of the Nocturne Special Investigations Unit, along with two others, under my command. And they’re dear friends, as well.” She smiled at them, and Ilia beamed, while Mio ducked her gaze, like she was undeserving of such praise.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Guinevere said. “Thank you for saving us.” And then she and her companions introduced themselves. Mio and Ilia clearly weren’t keen on having men around — Mio wouldn’t look at them, shifting uncomfortably, while Ilia stuck up her nose in their general direction. But upon realizing they were in the presence of the Promised Queen, both girls became overawed, and suddenly knelt before her, bowing their heads.
“Oh, please, you really don’t have to do all that,” Guinevere said. “I’m traveling incognito. Or, at least, attempting to,” she added, thinking on the numerous times she’d been recognized despite not being dressed and made-up in the “fancy-dos,” as Rose put it, of her station. “Rosalie, was that the new nocturne you mentioned before? The new type you’d been tracking down?”
“No,” Rosalie said, shaking her head, her expression turning grim. “That one continues to prove particularly elusive. No wonder, though. It’s our first Class Five.”
“Class Five?” Alice asked.
“Nocturnes have number classifications denoting their threat level,” Mio said, swiftly rising to the occasion. “Class Ones are the most benign, and the most common. What we just slew was a Class One. Class Fours are the most dangerous, and particularly rare. We’ve never needed a classification higher than Four before. Until now, that is.”
“ ‘Four before’,” Ilia said, giggling.
“Hold on,” Elliot said, blinking in astonishment. “That was a Class One? The benign kind?”
Mio and Ilia looked away, not deigning to answer him. Rosalie rolled her eyes at them, then answered Elliot, “Even the least dangerous of nocturnes is a serious threat. You did well to hold it off as long as you did, without suffering any injuries.” She looked at Elliot, then Tobias. “Though I suppose that’s no surprise, considering. Knight-Commander Elliot Pherae; and the legend himself, Obsidian. It’s an honor to finally meet you both. You certainly live up to your reputations.”
“Obsidian?” Mio asked in a tiny, awed voice, glancing at Tobias for a moment before looking away.
“You as well, Captain Grants!” Elliot said, snapping a fast, overeager salute. “It’s an honor to see you in action. Thank you, once more, for saving us.”
“Of course, Sheena was the most impressive,” Ilia said, smiling at Sheena. “I’ve seen Sword Dancers fight before, but you surpass even the greatest feats I’ve seen.”
“Thank you,” Sheena said. But there was a subtle tension in her reply, and she didn’t elaborate. Guinevere wouldn’t have realized it before, but now that she knew about Sheena’s situation, she could understand. Being a Sword Dancer was deeply important to her. But right now, it also carried a great deal of pain — for all other Sword Dancers were hunting her brother and considered her an outcast.
“C-Cap’n Grants, ma’am!” cried Rose suddenly, stepping out in front of the others. She snapped a salute to Rosalie, standing with rigid, perfect posture. “It’s an honor to meet you, ma’am. Thank you for saving us, ma’am!”
Rosalie smiled kindly and knelt so that she and Rose could meet each other eye-to-eye. “You don’t need to be so formal with me,” she said. “You must be Rose. And your brother over there — it’s Teddy, isn’t it?”
“Theodore!” Teddy said with his customary pout.
“My apologies, Theodore,” Rosalie said. “Guin’s told me a lot about you two. You’ve been helping Father Dietrich with the Chapel, haven’t you? That’s quite impressive for children your age. You should be very proud of yourselves.”
“Oh, well, I mean, yeah!” Rose said, fumbling for a moment before snapping another salute. “We are proud, ma’am! Or, well, we’re happy to help, I mean. Ma’am!”
Rosalie laughed. “You remind me of Mio on her first few days in the Special Investigations Unit,” she said. Behind her, Mio looked away, blushing bright red. “You’d make quite the Knight Aurora, when you come of age. If you’re interested.”
“Y-you think I could do it?” Rose asked, eyes as wide as saucers. “You think I’ve got what it takes? Ma’am?”
“Time will tell,” Rosalie said. “But if it’s something you’d like to do, start working towards it. Beginning on your goals at a young age makes them all the more achievable.”
“I will!” Rose said.
“Wait, sis!” Teddy said, hurrying up to her and tugging on her sleeve. “You can’t just leave me. What’ll I do without you?”
“You’ll stop thievin’ from Knights what’re faster than you, that’s what,” Rose said, casting a smirk at her brother. “And maybe even stop thievin’ at all, if you know what’s good for you.”
“But I didn’t thieve from a Knight what’s faster’n me,” Teddy said, casting a glare at Tobias. “He’s not the one I stole from.”
“Oh, good point,” Alice said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Elliot, how come you didn’t chase down the thief yourself? Surely you could have caught him just as ably as Tobias.”
“Oh, no, I’m no good at acrobatics,” Elliot said, with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“We all have our unique strengths,” Tobias said. “Don’t sell yourself short. I cover you when you need it; you do the same for me.”
“Well, anyway,” Rose said, turning back to Rosalie. “You don’t seem to mind talkin’ to gents. I could make a brotherly exception if I became a Knight Aurora, couldn’t I?”
“You could,” Rosalie said with a smile, while Mio looked uncomfortable and Ilia stuck her nose up haughtily. “You’ll endure some disdain from others in the Order. But some of us recognize that our Order only being open to women is not the same as saying men are inferior or unimportant in our lives.” Ilia gave a little “hmph” under her breath, but Rosalie pretended not to notice. “If you’re interested,” Rosalie continued, reaching into her inside jacket pocket and pulling out a pamphlet, “this is a good place to start for aspiring Knights Aurora.”
Rose took the pamphlet as if it was a precious artifact, fragile and delicate. She gazed upon its cover, a resplendent painting of the seven Valkyries triumphing over the Nocturne Lords. “I can have this?” she asked in a tiny voice. “I mean, keep it, and all?”
“It’s yours,” Rosalie said with a smile. “Read it carefully. And if you ever have any questions, you can always ask for me at Ars Umbra. I’d be happy to light the way for you.”
“Y-you’d do that for a grubby kid from the gutter?” Rose asked, and suddenly started trying to smooth out her tangled hair and straighten our her beat-up cap.
Rosalie rested a hand on Rose’s shoulder, and the girl stopped, staring at her. “I’d very much like to have another rose in the Order,” Rosalie said. “And you’re not some gutter-child. You’re a beloved daughter of our Creator.” She pointed at Rose’s chest. “It’s your heart that counts, not your appearance. If you have a heart to do good and serve others, to safeguard innocent life and banish the darkness that haunts too many souls, you are more than welcome in the Knights Aurora.”
Rose gulped loudly. Twice she opened her mouth, but no words came out. On the third time, she stammered out, “I’ve been practicin’ real hard on my letters.” She snapped open the pamphlet, full of text, and brandished it as if it were clear and inarguable evidence. “I can read just about anythin’ in Standard Albian. Father Dietrich’s been teachin’ me Elysian, and Miss Charlotte’s been teachin’ me Granchant. I’m a quick study. I’ll read this whole thing and then some, just you watch!”
Rosalie laughed. “I very much look forward to hearing from you again, Rose, and seeing how you progress,” she said. “Now, then.” She looked at Guinevere. “What brings you back to Albia so soon?”
“We need your help,” Guinevere said.
“Ah,” Rosalie said, and nodded as if she’d expected that very answer. “Well, then, we shouldn’t spend any more time out here in the street. Mio, Ilia, can you make sure Rose and Teddy find their way safely back to the Chapel? The nocturnes are out in greater force than normal tonight; we wouldn’t want any harm befalling them. Once you’ve done that, rendezvous with Yuri and Tessa and see how the search for our Class Five is going. Remember — if you find it, do not engage unless it is directly threatening people’s lives. Observe, and learn all you can. I’ll rejoin you as soon as possible.”
“We’re fine on our own!” Teddy declared grumpily, before yelping as his sister clocked him on the head.
“Cap’n Grants said it’s not safe, so we’re goin’ home,” Rose said. “Come on, Teddy. We’ve got chores what need doin’, anyway.”
Ilia and Mio saluted Rosalie and headed off with the kids, and Rosalie turned her attention to Elliot and Tobias. “If we’re heading to Ars Umbra, then things become complicated for the two of you,” she said. “One man in the group I can excuse, but two would be beyond even what I can justify. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine,” Elliot said, flustered. “I, well, I suppose I should take advantage of the moment, and, um.”
“Take a breath,” Tobias said, clapping Elliot on the back. Elliot coughed, then took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “Gather your thoughts.”
“Right,” Elliot said. He took another breath, then continued, more composed than before. “If we’re heading to the Quarter of Order, then while all of you head into Ars Umbra I can visit Ars Lirica and see if Florina and Kent have reported in about the excavation of Saoirse’s palace and the search for evidence of her fate. It hasn’t been long, but perhaps they’ve learned something by now.” Ninian sang something that sounded like a request, and Elliot stared at her in surprise. “You want to come with me? But what lies in Ars Umbra… it could have the answers you’ve been seeking, too.” But Ninian smiled and sang a gentle reply. Elliot nodded. “All right, then.” He looked to Tobias, Guinevere, Sheena, and Alice. “Please find out all you can. We’re trusting you to not leave us out of the loop.”
“As if we would,” Tobias said. “We’ll tell you everything.”
“Of course!” Alice said.
“Well, you’ve got my curiosity piqued,” Rosalie said. “Let’s make for Ars Umbra. It’s a much more… discreet place to discuss things.” She swept her gaze along the darkened lane, then turned and led the way.
Guinevere fell in step beside her. “I… have a question,” she said.
“And I might just have an answer,” Rosalie said, smiling at her. “Come on, Guin. It’s not like you to hesitate.”
Guinevere nodded. “Right. I was wondering… what does ‘Aurora’ mean?”
There was a deep joy and hope in Rosalie’s eyes as she answered with a single word: “Daybreak.”
Guinevere faced forward, taking that in.
The first word of my Song… I didn’t make the connection at the time. And I never knew what it meant.
“Daybreak…”
Why is that the first word of my Song? What purpose does it hold for me? And why…
She was remembering, once more, one of her last conversations with Artorius before he’d been taken to the compound in Wonderia for his protection. When he’d asked her what she would be if she didn’t have to be the Promised Queen. He’d declared that he would be a Knight Jouerve. Guinevere had thought it a ridiculous query at the time, but when pressed, she’d answered with…
“A Knight Aurora.”
Did I know, even then, within my heart of hearts, what my Song was trying to sing? What word was meant to define me?
If we have time, perhaps Rosalie can help me understand more. But first, we need to see to this Undercroft of Ars Umbra, and the clues it holds within. Clues to Elysia. Maybe even the path forward, at last!