Iris was waiting for Reed not alone. At first, he thought Meredith had come to see him off, but then he noticed a third horse ready for the road. For a while Reed looked at them both in confusion, then at the horses. Only after the reality of the situation sank in he grew angry. He could not even understand who he was truly angry with, Meredith, who had decided she must go with him, or himself, because he had failed to foresee it. A heavy sigh escaped his lips and Reed looked at Meredith in a way he never had before. She only raised her chin proudly, arching an eyebrow. She was waiting for a tirade.

  "Iris?" Reed called out without taking his eyes off Meredith. "Leave us for a moment. We need to speak in private."

  Iris left silently, casting a strange look at them both, but she said nothing.

  "You serious?" His face took on a pained expression.

  "Yes," Meredith replied curtly. "Hector, I’m not going to sit here and wait for something to happen."

  "And so you’re going to the place where something’ll surely happen to you?"

  "Or maybe it won't. You don't know."

  "And how did you explain your eagerness to get into the castle to Maró?"

  "I wasn't the one who explained," she nodded in the direction Iris had gone. "I don't know what she told him, but he agreed."

  Hearing this simple but vague answer, Reed was stunned. Had she really still not understood how dangerous it was to trust Maró and those around him?

  "You’re not going." Reed’s his verdict did not sound as steely as it should have.

  "Because you decided so?" She raised her voice and jerked him sharply by the arm, forcing him to turn.

  "Yes, I don't want you to. Don't you understand why?"

  "I understand, but it's no longer up to you to decide. I am a part of all this, just like you are."

  "Unfortunately," he replied sarcastically.

  Meredith gave him an insolent smile, same as his sometimes. Reed twitched his cheek in annoyance, expecting the argument to continue, but Meredith chose a different way. She simply turned and left, and after a while she returned with Iris so he could no longer say anything. He picked up his belongings in silence, huffing with frustration at his own helplessness, and nodded to Iris, letting her know he was ready to go.

  Reed stopped being angry with Meredith much faster than he had intended, but anger was replaced by fear. Someone could find out about them and use it as a weapon. Reed did not fear for himself when he wove intrigues in the castle, but he feared for Meredith. Looking at her sitting gracefully on the bay horse, he realized the constant dread she had endured for the past year. This realization brought shame and pain.

  Meredith warmed up during the journey too, casting fleeting glances at Reed from time to time. Soon enough, he calmed down and smiled foolishly whenever he caught her eye. He felt like a very young boy but he could not judge himself for it.

  Towards evening the next day, Arne met them by the main gates of the castle. The prince had not changed at all and Reed realized with disappointment that it was time to navigate the mire of court life again. He barely suppressed a sigh of frustration while looking at Arne, who gave him a practiced smile.

  "Your Highness," Reed said as he dismounted and bowed, placing his palm on his chest as usual.

  Arne nodded, allowing him to straighten up. Meredith stood beside Reed and watched the scene in confusion. She was about to bow herself but Reed stopped her. ‘Women do not bow to men,’ he mouthed. A shiver ran through his body when she exhaled loudly, catching her breath.

  Meredith curtsied and Iris followed suit. Reed unexpectedly noticed that Iris had caught Arne's interest. The prince did not take his eyes off her for a while and then suddenly asked which of them was the healer.

  "It’s me, Your Highness," Iris said with a soft smile as she stepped forward. Arne smiled back but it was not that standard meaningless smile. He was truly smiling at her. "Forgive my sister and me. It’s our first time in the King's castle and there was no one to teach us the rules."

  "And what about your companion?" Arne cast a fleeting glance at Reed.

  "Our paths crossed in the city as we got a bit lost," Iris blushed as she told this naive lie and Arne's smile grew even wider. He certainly knew that Reed, Meredith, and Iris were connected by much more than a shared path to the castle.

  "I see," Arne waved a hand graciously, allowing the lie to pass. "What should I call you?"

  "Iris, and this is Meredith, my younger sister." When Iris nodded toward Meredith, the latter scowled and looked at the prince with obvious apprehension.

  Arne nodded and headed toward the castle, gesturing for everyone to follow. Iris exhaled almost inaudibly while Meredith stayed so close to Reed that few onlookers would actually believe the story that they were meeting for the first time.

  "Everyone must think we don't know each other," Reed said quietly, walking alongside Meredith.

  "Because we met on the road?"

  He only gave a short nod. The horses were taken, they entered the main hall empty-handed and then turned toward the Hall of Repose.

  "His Majesty usually welcomes guests here," Arne explained briefly, pointing to a massive door. "I hope you will see it for yourselves soon. For now, I will ask Reed to escort you to your workplace and show you everything there."

  Arne gave Reed a meaningful look and the latter bowed again, silently accepting the task.

  "Come see me later," the prince said before departing. Reed could finally exhale in relief.

  "How do you not get lost here?" Iris winced slightly. Her eyes darted around and she even slumped as if the high stone walls were physically pressing down on her.

  "Everyone gets lost at first," Reed explained.

  Meredith remained silent the whole way. If Reed had known her less, he would have thought she was angry. In fact, she was simply afraid. Apparently, she needed much more courage for this castle than she had anticipated. Now Meredith was masking her vulnerability in the only way she knew how.

  Pushing open the door to Rene’s workshop, Reed let Iris and Meredith through first. Only when they were in a relatively safe space Meredith relaxed.

  "This place is depressing," she said quietly.

  "You'll get used to it. Have you been in many castles?"

  She only shook her head. Iris patted Meredith on the shoulder. After all, neither of them had ever seen castles or princes.

  "Why on earth would the prince himself meet us at the entrance?" Meredith suddenly looked at Reed, as if trying to see if the answer to her question was written on his face.

  At first, he was taken aback, and then he just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

  "I don't know. Apparently to size up the new arrivals himself."

  "He could have sent someone less burdened with titles and importance for that."

  "He’s got a personal interest," Reed managed to dodge the question. "Before you, Rene was in charge of everything here. She poisoned Arne's lover. And me as well, for that matter. Now, apparently, Arne needs to vet those who will have access to the medicine in the castle. To form his own opinion, I suppose."

  Reed was surprised by how skillfully he had woven a lie out of the truth. Even Meredith didn't notice any flaws in his words or detect any deceit in his eyes. This brought both relief and pain, for he didn't want to lie to her. This lie was for Iris. Reed didn't know how loyal she was to Maró or how truthful her own words were.

  "I have to go. He’s waiting. The rooms are nearby, I’ll show you the way later."

  Meredith smiled weakly. She looked as if Reed were leaving her to be torn apart by Haderat, but she couldn't stop him. Now each of them had to play their part and bear their own burden. Iris only nodded and turned toward the shelves of vials and pouches. Reed quickly turned and left, but the whole way he saw only Meredith before him, thinking about how much this trip had cost her.

  ***

  Near midnight, Reed went to the cellars. Iris followed closely while Meredith walked confidently beside him, not looking around. Her usual defenses had left her, and now she finally looked like the person Reed knew.

  The cellar evoked unpleasant feelings, as if these walls remembered what happened there but remained silent. Reed thought of how he had made his latest move in that deadly game and then, dropping crimson droplets on the floor, nearly looked into the Mother’s eyes. Small bloodstains still remained on the floor in the South Wing, which no one had cleaned up for some reason. On the other hand, why bother? The place was not inhabited anyway, so there was no need to fear of spooking impressionable ladies and delicate, mannered gentlemen.

  "Now we report to Merit," Reed said, descending lower. The secret door was getting closer, and with every step, he wanted to go there less and less.

  "Is that the slender one who summoned us today?" Iris drew level and looked into Reed's face.

  "Yes. Do whatever you want, just not what he wants. Tell him that everything is under control, but emphasize that you know what you are doing. In general, come up with a compelling story and stick to it. When you speak to him, don’t beat around the bush. Think in advance about what you say and what questions he might ask."

  He stopped in the middle of the stairs, examining the door. He cast a fleeting glance at Iris, who immediately nodded, agreeing with the instructions. Reed exhaled and grimaced with displeasure.

  "I’ve never been there. I'm not sure I even want to."

  Iris pursed her lips, found the key, and went down to the door first. While the lock creaked under the strain, Meredith's fingers awkwardly grasped Reed's palm. She stroked his wrist with her thumb, and when he looked up, she smiled. That was all they could afford. In the next moment, Iris slipped inside and Reed followed, not hiding his displeasure.

  "Are you sure you want to go there?" he asked in a hushed whisper, turning to Meredith.

  "No, but I'm going with you."

  A slight nod was the only answer, and soon he saw a few more steps leading deep into the cellar room. It was damp, and stagnant drops fell from the ceiling. Mold spread across the corners of the floor and walls in white blotches. There was a suffocating smell of blood, unwashed bodies, and something completely unfamiliar. No smell he had encountered in his entire life was like this, tart, sharp, and heavy. Breathing became harder, as if this stench were burning Reed’s nose and lungs, and he constantly wanted to cover his face with his hand or stop breathing at all.

  Iris lit candles on the table. As more light filled the room, Reed’s heart sank. Meredith stifled a gasp behind him and he reached out to find her hand. Her palm was damp and cool, her fingers trembling. He didn't have the strength to turn around. If he had seen her face at that moment, he wouldn't have known what to do.

  A large table cluttered with papers, strange tools, vials, and small deep bowls sat in the middle of the room. To the left stood a wide wardrobe filled with pouches and jars similar to those in Rene’s office. Against the opposite wall stood a small metal bed that was falling apart, with chains lying nearby. Blood was already drying on the floor next to it and dirty sheets were scattered around. Iris walked ahead, so she was the first to see the room's darkest secret. There was a small corridor around the corner and one look inside made Reed regret it instantly.

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  Apparently, this had once been a wine cellar or a workshop, but times had changed and so had the requirements. Hastily constructed partitions formed cramped cells with messy, bent bars. Some of the cells were empty while a rustling could be heard in others. Iris turned around sharply and looked at Reed and Meredith.

  "I won't go in there," she whispered, placing a hand over her mouth. "I can't. Reed, you..."

  "I'll go," Reed grunted, heading toward the cells. He examined each one. As long as they were empty, it wasn't so revolting. He wished they were all empty, but things rarely went as planned.

  His lips pressed tight and he exhaled heavily through his nose when he saw an elderly man in another makeshift cell. The man had no hands. The stumps looked healed and there was no blood nearby. The dirty rags hanging on his thin body only remotely resembled clothes. But was it any wonder? The King and his council hardly cared about the prisoners' comfort. They were here for Arden's benefit. They were here to die and there was no need to look good before dying.

  "Ah, ar`ras saane." His lips moved on their own. Reed couldn't hold back the words and didn't even think about the fact that he was speaking in his native language. He also couldn't look away from the emaciated man, who looked more like a walking corpse. One part of his mind wanted to turn away while the other forced him to look.

  "Reed?" Meredith called in a trembling voice. The numbness suddenly broke and Reed turned around. She was standing nearby and he hadn't noticed her approach. Looking at Meredith, he realized his face must have looked exactly like hers.

  "Everything’s fine."

  The man on the floor stirred. He was alive. His elderly eyes locked onto Reed and then darted to Meredith. Reed heard a harsh, angry wheeze. It was too difficult to endure that gaze so he forced himself to move on. Further along were women, teenagers and two men. There were no children, which was a relief.

  When those people looked at him, he felt dirty. Their eyes were full of pleading, anger, and fear. A wave of guilt for crimes that weren’t his and Reed wanted to leave so those kreyghars’ pain would stop tormenting him. As if he didn't have enough of his own sins. Reed’s cheek twitched and he turned around.

  "Let’s go. The plan’s the same," he snapped, returning to Iris. "Do as we agreed."

  "Fine." Iris sat down on a chair and covered her face with her hands.

  Tension hung between them and Reed felt it in every fiber of his being. He didn't know what to say or how to react to what Rene had hidden from him for so long. The screams he had heard many times behind that cursed door carried far more meaning than Reed could have imagined. Seeing this in person was nothing like merely imagining it and now he wanted to forget everything. He wanted to be somewhere far away or wake up one morning far from Emeron and pretend that everything happening was just a dream. But it was not a dream and Reed had to deal with it.

  Meredith was silent and fumbled awkwardly with the edge of her sleeve. She didn't look at Reed or Iris. Her eyes glazed over and her lips moved slightly as she whispered inaudibly. Perhaps she was cursing it all or perhaps she was suffering. Only she could say for sure. Reed stepped toward her carefully and touched her shoulder. Meredith jerked. Her vacant eyes swept over him as if she wanted to make sure it was Reed who had touched her. He raised his hands in a pacifying gesture but could not say a thing.

  Iris still covered her face with her hands and remained silent while breathing heavily.

  "We have to work," Reed forced out. He wanted to walk to the table but his body refused to move as if made of stone. Reed wanted to say that he felt the same fear as Meredith and Iris but suddenly he stopped feeling anything at all. Thoughts of the mages locked in cages did not stir his heart. His soul went numb and Reed didn't know how to shake off this bone-chilling numbness. It was as if a part of him had died. Reed had seen much and survived much but this was the last thing he could endure before something in his soul broke. He was no longer the Reed he had been before entering this room. Weakness washed over him and he once again regretted that he hadn't died back then near the Hall of Repose.

  "Father was right to hide this," Iris said. "I thought I could look at this calmly, but..."

  "What did you say?" Meredith jerked sharply and shot Iris a murderous look.

  "You found out anyway. He had his reasons for not telling you. Besides, how could one even explain... this?"

  "Wait, you knew?"

  "Of course I knew."

  "And what, you didn’t think to tell us?"

  "What would be the point? He already told you anyway." Iris glanced at Reed.

  "Pin it all on him now! What reasons could Maró have to keep this secret?" Meredith was beginning to fume.

  "It's not..." Iris began, but Meredith cut her off mid-sentence with an angry snort.

  "It is exactly what it looks like. He doesn't want these people's freedom. He wants those who will do the dirty work. And he doesn't give a damn about you or me. Leave alone Reed."

  "Dita," Reed interrupted softly, hoping to quell her rage. Meredith was flushed, her cheeks burning with an unhealthy fever, and tears welled in her eyes.

  "Are you going to defend her?" she let out a cold laugh.

  "No, but now is not the time or the place."

  "Really? And when exactly will the time and place be? I kept wondering why he didn't tell us about this. I didn't even believe you at first. But he always said only what was convenient. If anyone had found out about these people, no one would have sat around waiting for years. We waited for Reed to kill Salvat so it would be easier for him to seize the throne. It’s not in his interest to speak about these people because then the Order won't be able to mindlessly crush the castle on Maró’s orders. Am I not right? He doesn't even care about us, Iris."

  "I know," she answered gloomily.

  "And will you keep running after him like a dog on a leash?"

  "What else am I supposed to do?" Iris began to lose her temper, though she looked at Meredith with apprehension. "He is my father, and I do what I must. You can't save everyone."

  "Oh, really? How many mages has Maró saved since the Order appeared?"

  Iris did not answer and this only spurred Meredith on.

  "I was the last one, remember? That was almost six years ago."

  "Do you think it's easy to keep the Order in line and rescue every unfortunate soul at the same time?"

  "And using your head is easy?" Meredith struck a vial sitting on the table. Shards scattered across the floor and Reed could not take his eyes off them. "All three of us could be executed, do you understand? Fine, you don't care about Reed or me, but what about yourself? Do you want to suck up to your father so much that you're ready to go to the gallows? And for what? So that I'll have to patch up your split lips again?"

  Reed's eyes widened when he heard this question. Meredith's intensity provoked both admiration and dread at the same time when she was like this.

  Iris covered her mouth with her palm, tears running down her cheeks.

  "He wants power, right?"

  Iris was silent and Meredith laughed triumphantly. There was something frightening and cruel in that laughter. Only a desperate or mad person could laugh like that.

  "Cat got your tongue? Then I'm right. He gathered an army of fools and gave us false hope. He will lead us to our deaths so we can spill our blood to buy him a throne. No one is going to save the mages!"

  "Meredith," Reed said more sternly, "don't."

  "Don't?" she turned sharply and her hair lashed across her face. "Weren't you the one saying this all along? I'm sorry it took me so long to finally realize you were right. This whole business with the Order is a farce. I needed to come here and see it for myself."

  "She isn't to blame," Reed nodded toward Iris. "Iris warned me about Maró after the Tournament."

  "Oh, she warned you! Give her a medal then! One this big," Meredith gestured the size of the medal Iris deserved. "What else did she do? Maybe she told us about all this in advance or explained why she came here? And she isn't to blame? Am I to blame then? What did we do to deserve this?" her finger pointed to the cages. "Is anyone of us at fault for being born this way? I didn't want this curse and I didn't choose it. I could have been here too but I just got lucky. Hector, I got lucky! And Maró is taking advantage of that."

  Meredith was breathing heavily and Reed did not know what to do. He had not seen her like this in a long time. It would have been better if she had never come to the castle at all. Choosing his words, Reed did not even notice that Meredith had called him by his real name.

  "None of you are to blame," he said slowly. "This is just the way things are. Some are lucky and some are not but it's certainly not your fault that they are there and you are here."

  "We all know perfectly well who is to blame," Meredith was trembling either from tears or from rage. "I have seen much and I know about the hunt firsthand. You were there then, Hector, and you saw it too. Why? Why us? Because Arden said so? Is he allowed to sell elves into slavery, hunt people and keep them in the cellar like cattle only to bury them in the garden? Why is he still alive and Alaira has not punished him along with Maró?"

  "Even if the gods have abandoned us, it does not mean everything will stay this way. We are here to stop this, Dita. Everything will be fine." Reed took a cautious step toward her and reached out. Meredith clung to him like a last hope.

  "It feels like we're the only ones who want to stop this."

  "Not only you," Iris sobbed loudly. "I knew what was happening here but what could I do?"

  Meredith broke from Reed's arms, stepped toward Iris and slapped her hard across the face. Leaning her hands on the table, she leaned over and hissed, "You could have told us! Wanting isn't enough. What good are your intentions if you didn't even try? If it turns out you are hiding anything else like this, I will strangle you and Maró will not help you. You are on your own now."

  Iris burst into tears, covering her face with her hands, while Meredith turned sharply and rushed away. Reed did not stop her. She needed time to come to her senses. He cast a silent look at Iris and did not know what to say. Trying to protect her, he felt as if he had betrayed Meredith because she was right. Iris really could have said everything in advance but she did not bear full responsibility for everything that was happening.

  "Reed, I..." she began but Reed cut her off with a short gesture.

  "Go rest. I'll handle things here myself."

  "I can help," stifling her sobs, she began to shuffle papers on the table frantically.

  Reed grabbed her hand, stopping her.

  "Don't. I'll handle it myself."

  "But..."

  "I don't want your help. Go." He turned away, making it clear he no longer wanted to talk.

  For a while, a heavy silence hung in the room. Finally, Iris stopped crying.

  "I'm sorry, Reed. You would understand me if you were in my shoes. He is my father and I had good intentions."

  "You would understand me and her if you were in our shoes," Reed countered. He was surprised himself at how tired his voice sounded. "We’re not playing games here. Innocent people are dying while Maró plays the cunning revolutionary. And if you had told me this the same day you warned me, maybe I could have helped someone. Now we all have to live with this. I hope Maró was worth it and you have finally decided whose side you are on."

  Iris left in silence and Reed was finally alone and could breathe a sigh of relief. Iris had not denied that Maró desired the throne and Arne had previously hinted as much. Now the entire situation looked even worse than before.

  On the parchment-covered table he found strange blueprints with scrawled notes and various junk and several notebooks filled with expensive ink. Opening the newest one Reed hoped to find fresh information but he grew gloomier with every page. After reading halfway through he stood up and a sudden weakness washed over him. He covered his face with his hands and leaned against the wall. Eventually he found the strength to move again and turned back toward the cells. Someone was talking. Reed didn't even know why but he returned to them and stopped near the old man.

  "Two-faced," the man mumbled almost inaudibly.

  "What?"

  "You bear two names," he explained. "One shouldn't trust a man with two identities."

  "That might be true if the real identity didn't bring death. Don't you know that yourself?"

  The old man grunted. "If I had another identity maybe I wouldn't be stuck in here. I heard your argument. Where is Rene?"

  "Executed for treason."

  "And that changes nothing. We're just pawns for some, aren't we?"

  "Everyone is a pawn in someone else's hands." Reed sat near the cell and leaned his shoulder against the bars. "Dita was furious that everything here was kept from us. It's hard for her to process this. She survived the hunt."

  "Few are lucky enough to survive the hunt." The old man grew sad and moved closer. He reeked of blood and filth but Reed didn't care. "How did she survive?"

  "Someone saved her." He lied even now. A bitter smile flickered across his face.

  "Then she's lucky indeed. And the other one?"

  "The daughter of the man who sent me here. I thought I was serving a noble cause but it turns out I was just helping yet another bastard. It won't be for long though. He'll get nothing but the gallows or a sword depending on his luck. Tell me, old man, what was Rene doing here?"

  "If you've found her things you already know," he answered gloomily. "That bitch wrote everything down."

  "She tried to take your magic?"

  "So you did read it," the old man chuckled. "Yes, she tried. Lately she didn't note anything because she was nervous. Yet she succeeded."

  "What?" Reed grabbed the bars and strained to see the old man's face to check if he was joking.

  "She managed to take our magic away," he repeated. "Not permanently, of course. Rene gave us various elixirs. She dissected the bodies of the living and the dead, removed their organs. She branded us with steel and flame. Initially, she failed so they kept us shackled and blindfolded. Many perished during her experiments. Then she discovered something else and now we are powerless. We still perish just the same but it works, if only temporarily."

  The realization struck like a bolt of lightning. That was why Maró wanted Salvat dead. He feared the advisor would find a way to strip people of their magic. It would have dismantled the Order and turned all their efforts futile. The fact that he had concealed this now seemed even more suspicious.

  "I’m gonna need help," Reed said to the old man.

  "Why should I trust you?"

  "Because I know exactly what life in chains is like," Reed said, brushing back his hair to reveal his ears. The old man pursed his lips and looked away.

  "Cursed, are you?"

  "Cursed," Reed agreed. "I’m here to end Arden."

  "You're going to kill Arden?" a young girl interjected. Her face was hidden by matted blond hair but Reed saw the fire in her eyes. There were far more witnesses to the conversation than Reed had realized.

  "Yes," Reed said calmly.

  "There’s nothing we can do," a male voice replied. "They took our gift and severed our hands. We can’t even offer you advice."

  "It's true, elf," the girl said. "Axel is telling the truth. Rene did everything to fulfill Salvat's orders. In the beginning, there were many of us and sometimes new arrivals joined. Then she began experimenting with new formulas. Now, only seven of us remain and none of us have hands."

  "You can weave spells without hands. I know someone who can."

  "What’s the point?" a man in a distant cell called out. "We aren’t getting out of here anyway."

  "Unless he kills Arden," the girl said, staring at Reed without blinking.

  "Iris won’t feed you that swill," Reed said quickly, his voice rising slightly. "Tell her when things get back to normal."

  "If what you say is true, elf, then I will help you myself," Axel said.

  "Thank you." Reed rested his head tiredly against the cold metal bars. He didn’t want to go anywhere. He wished he could fix everything right then but it was too dangerous. Reed didn’t like kreyghars, but he couldn’t stay indifferent to this.

  "How were you caught?" he asked Axel.

  "What do you care?"

  "Just curious," Reed shrugged. He wasn't, really. He was only talking to drown out his own thoughts.

  "I was sold out. I was a merchant, and back then, a mage was worth his weight in gold. My friend betrayed me. I’ve been here for years, though I don’t know exactly how many. I was caught just as the Church began claiming the number of mages was dwindling."

  "It’s good that you already know you can only truly trust yourself," Reed muttered.

  Axel chuckled grimly.

  "And how did you end up in chains?"

  "I was born in them."

  "And how did you escape?" the girl with the burning eyes asked.

  "By pure luck. I had to kill my father," Reed told the truth and didn't know why. Maybe because telling the truth to broken souls like himself was not that difficult. "But don't pity him. He deserved it."

  Reed stood up and walked away without saying goodbye. He wanted to shake off the burden of this place and forget the faces of these kreyghars and their haunting eyes. But Reed knew he would return anyway.

  "I'll come back later. I must go now," he said quietly but he was sure the kreyghars heard him.