The land leading up to the single gate into Wellgarth was a flat, featureless plain where even the grass seemed to have a hard time growing. The gate itself down into the city was set on a relatively narrow spit of land, the waves from the northern side audible from where they landed ship on the southern side. "Hey," Nikado said slowly, pointing ahead of him. "I think there's something out there."
"Out where?" Alex glanced ahead, frowning as he saw nothing amiss among the occasional scrawny tree and dried-up grass. "There isn't anything out there."
"No, over that way." Nikado hopped off the ship, one hand on his sword as he moved up the shoreline, finally pausing by a bundle of cloth. Then he waved at the pair. "It's a body."
"A body?" Ameko frowned, jumping down from the ship. "What's a body doing out here?"
Alex pointed across the shoreline. Little planks of wood and shreds of cloth were visible where they had washed ashore. "Looks like there was a shipwreck out in the ocean. I wonder if it was that Zahan ship."
"Hey, he's still alive!" Nikado called, waving them over as he turned the man over, checking on his breathing.
"Is he hurt?" Ameko asked, following Alex up past the sand line, crossing her arms as she looked at the unconscious man. He was younger than them, still in his teens, and quite pretty, a boy with long lavendar hair and tanned skin from working on the ocean.
"Yeah," Nikado said, pointing at a wound on his shoulder, crusted over with sand and infection. "Looks like he met some monsters."
"Poor kid," Ameko said as Alex examined him, turning him back over and frowning at a similar wound on his back.
"He's in pretty terrible shape," Alex stated. "We need to get him someplace where we can clean these wounds. Let's take him to Wellgarth."
Nikado nodded, pulling the younger man onto his back and straightening up. Ameko took the key from around his neck, and the trio moved up toward the gate they had spotted earlier, a single gold-lined door, presumably leading down into Wellgarth. It was rather bizarre looking if you didn't know to expect it, she reflected.
"Hail!" came a sudden voice, and Nikado jerked up in surprise, glancing around. Some distance away was a man on a horse, one that seemed familiar.
"Kiel!" Nikado recalled, waving a hand. "What brings you out here?"
"I'm always here and there, everywhere," the treasure hunter laughed, dismounting as he got close. "You're looking well."
"Is this someone you know?" Alex asked Nikado.
The long-haired man turned to Alex with a bow. "Kiel Brand, treasure hunter and jack of all trades. You name it, I can blow your mind with how well I can do it. You are?"
"Alex of Cannock, and significantly more humble."
Kiel laughed at that, turning to Ameko. Taking one of her hands in his, he bowed over it. "And may I ask who the lovely lady is?"
"Ameko of Moonbrook. And I don't take well to flattery," she answered coolly.
"I heard what happened at Moonbrook. You have my sympathies," Kiel told her, straightening back up. "So what are you lot doing out on this godforsaken piece of land?"
"We're going to Wellgarth," Nikado explained, gesturing to the man on his back. "He needs help."
"You're going to Wellgarth?" Kiel looked them over. "Would you mind if I joined you? I've always been curious as to what kind of jobs one might drum up in Wellgarth. And the treasure," he added with a grin.
"Suit yourself," Alex said with a shrug. "You have the key, Ameko?"
She held it up before approaching the door. Kiel let out a whistle. "You must have been luckier than a devil himself to get ahold of that."
"A dog gave it to us," Nikado explained seriously.
"A dog?"
"Fia named him Loki."
Kiel shook his head in amazement at the prince's manner. With a soft click, the door came open, and Alex pulled it up with a grunt, opening the way down. From the entrance, they could make out a dim light below, but little else, the afternoon sun in their eyes. "I'll go first," Ameko stated, stepping down. "You next, Nikado."
"I'll bring up the rear," Kiel stated. "I imagine most of you won't want to stare at a horse's butt."
"You're going to bring her down here?" Ameko asked with a frown.
"I can't very well leave her up here to be killed, can I?"
"Point taken." Nikado eased his way down after her, careful not to lose his burden. Alex went afterwards, shutting the door behind him, and as an afterthought, locking it. By the time they had gotten a few feet down the tunnel, a group of people were already crowding at the end, watching them warily.
"Hello," Nikado called in a friendly tone, raising a hand. "We're travellers and we've got a wounded with us. Is there an inn here?"
"Who are you?" one of them demanded, pointing a sword at the man. "How did you get in here?"
Nikado blinked at the sword. "We got in through the gate," Ameko said, pointing. "We have the Gold Key. I am Ameko, princess of Moonbrook, and these are my companions, Prince Alex of Cannock and Prince Nikado of Lorasia. Is this how you treat guests?"
"I'm here too," Kiel offered, raising a hand.
The group seemed to exchange glances among them. "We could throw them out," one offered.
"They're already in," the first speaker said with a shake of his head. "If they're not here to cause trouble, then what's it matter? There's still an inn."
"Plus, they have a horse," another added, eyeing the black mare. "That'll be a pain to get out of here."
"We're not here to cause trouble in the least," Alex stated. "We're only looking for a place to rest and treat this boy's wounds."
The group looked at each other again, and then began to disperse, leaving only the original speaker. "You can follow me," he stated. "I have the inn."
"Thank you," Nikado said sincerely as he followed, shifting the boy's weight on his back. "I take it you don't get visitors often?"
"We don't get visitors ever. The gate has been sealed by the monster's own curse, though in ways that's been a blessing."
"How have you survived underground?" Kiel asked, looking around curiously. "It's not like you can grow crops under here."
"Some underground animals. We also raise some livestock, what we can get to eat the fungus. Mushrooms are a staple here. We still have some reserves left, but they are growing thin."
"You can get out now," Nikado said brightly. "You could look for food or start growing crops again. I'm glad we came here."
"It's not as simple as that. I'm sure most people don't feel the same way you do, prince. These are dangerous times. People would rather be safe than comfortable."
"Well, I can understand that, but why not live aboveground?"
"Wellgarth is surrounded by hives of dangerous monsters," the man explained, "moreso than other parts of the world. Here." He opened a door set in the wall, letting them enter. "This is my inn."
Kiel gestured to his horse. "Do you have a stable or someplace I can let her rest for a while?"
"Bring her out over this way. We're not exactly accustomed to hosting animals down here, but we can make do. Can she take the dark?"
"She can take a lot," Kiel said with a shrug. "Can dish out a lot too, so be careful with her."
The man nodded, letting Kiel lead the horse. Once the mare was comfortably stabled and set ut, the man returned with Kiel following, gesturing for them to follow. "I only have a few rooms. Someone will have to share. "
"We can share," Nikado offered, "Alex and I. Do you want your own room, Ameko?"
She considered seriously, then shook her head. "Let the wounded boy rest in my room. I wouldn't want to shove him in there with both of you."
"He can share my room," Kiel offered. "No sense in making a lady share a room with a man. Assuming that is a man, anyway. He's quite pretty for a man."
The innkeeper nodded, letting them in their rooms and giving them the keys before collecting their fee for the night. Having done that, he vanished back out into the main room without another word. "Friendly chap," Kiel observed. "So what's wrong with your friend?"
"Monsters, of course," Alex stated as Nikado carried the injured boy into a room, the other three following.
"Poor kid," Kiel agreed as Nikado set the man down on the bed, letting Alex take a look at him. "We'll have to scrape off these scabs and clean the wounds, first," Alex stated.
"I can give you a hand with that," Nikado offered.
"As can I," Kiel added, giving them a wink. "I did say I was a jack of all trades, after all."
Alex nodded. "You two do that, then, and Ameko and I will seal the wounds behind you. Aside from the wounds and his general battered state, he mostly just seems worn out. But not from drowning," he added.
"Not from drowning? You don't think he washed up in a shipwreck?"
"Not that far above the sand line, no." Alex stood behind Nikado, touching the boy's wound as it began to bleed anew. "Plus, he's dry and there's no water in his lungs. He's been ashore for some time. Looks like he hasn't been eating well, too."
Kiel worked dilligently, making sure to leave enough room for Ameko to work behind him. "So what exactly brings you to Wellgarth? You didn't find the boy all the way out there."
"We're looking for the five crests of the elemental Rubiss," Nikado explained. "We need them in order to summon the elemental and gain her help to defeat Hargon."
"So you're still on about that? Good show," Kiel stated. "As it happens, I've heard of those crests. But you won't find one here, I don't think."
Ameko nodded. "I tried the Echo Flute earlier, but I didn't hear anything. Still, we wouldn't know until we tried."
"It just so happens," Kiel continued, "that I know the location of one of those crests."
"You do? Where is it?" Nikado asked eagerly, then wincing as he cut his fingertip on his knife.
Kiel laughed. "Perhaps we should wait until you're done there, prince. I wouldn't want you hurting yourself."
Nikado scowled, but contented himself to wait until his half of the boy's wounds were done, letting Alex do the rest. "So where is it?"
"I can tell you," Kiel said. "Actually, I can do more than that. I can deliver it right to you. But there's a price."
"A price? What, then?"
Ameko scowled at him. "We're trying to save the world, isn't that enough?"
"I have to make a living, pretty lady," he said with a shake of his head. "I understand you're protecting tomorrow, but I still need to eat today."
She glowered at him for a moment more, then snorted, finishing her half of the healing. "What price, then."
"Two parts. First, a sum of twenty-four thousand gold."
"Twenty-four thousand?!" Ameko demanded of him. "And that's not even enough?"
"I hate to make a lady mad," he replied, "but my price is firm. The second part is passage to Tuhn. You have a ship, right? The pathway to Tuhn is best navigated by ship, otherwise the journey takes a lot longer. And I think you have a reason to go to Tuhn, anyway," he added.
"A reason?"
Kiel pointed to the sword. "I know a bit about ancient treasures. I happen to know for a fact that the matching helmet to that sword is near Tuhn. "
"The helm of Loto?" Alex asked. "Why there? It's far from Tantagel."
"Which I imagine is why it ended up there. Tuhn is generally pretty inaccessible. The mountains and rivers all wind up and down everywhere, almost like a maze in the natural terrain. The man who brought it to the village stated he was waiting for someone with the seal of Loto to take it, but...." He shrugged. "Monsters aren't as picky about that."
"What if we're not heading back there right away?" Alex asked.
"I don't mind. I can meet you somewhere or come along. I do pretty well at earning my keep," he said with a smile.
"We'll do it," Nikado agreed. "When do you want to be paid?"
"You can wait til we're on the way to Tuhn. I'm not in a great hurry to carry around the extra cash right away," he replied, offering a hand to shake on the deal. Nikado did so, and Kiel grinned. "Pleasure doing business with you. Stay as long as you need; I've got a few things I need to look into."
"Nikado," Ameko asked with a frown, "why did you agree to such an outrageous price?"
"We can swing it, right?" Nikado asked.
"Not right now," Alex said, "but with a roundabout trip, possibly. We'll have to take on a lot of monsters. Why did you agree to it?"
"I'm pretty sure he's not asking because he just likes money," Nikado said with a frown. "He had a specific amount and was pretty adamant on it. Besides," he added, "I owe him one. If not for him I might still be stuck in Lorasia."
Ameko frowned again, but turned back to the man on the bed, putting a hand to his forehead. "I'll trust your judgement on it, I guess. Ah," she added as the boy stirred with a groan. "Hey. How do you feel?"
He opened his eyes, and they were as pretty as the rest of him, a soft, sea-green color framed by long eyelashes. "Who...who are you?" he rasped out, looking at her. "Where am I?"
"Bring him some water. You're in Wellgarth," Ameko explained. "Do you remember getting here?"
"I...I don't remember anything. I can't remember," he groaned, putting a hand to his head.
"Nothing at all?" Alex asked.
"Jun," he said at last. "I remember my name is Jun. But I don't remember anything else."
"Well, rest for now," Ameko told him. "I'll have some food brought and you can rest."
Nikado nodded. "I'll keep an eye on him and get him fed. Why don't you two look around and see if we can find out anything? There's still two other crests we have to locate, and we don't even know which one Kiel knows about."
Alex looked at Ameko, then nodded, rising. "Come look for us if you need help."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Ameko asked. "He might talk the poor boy's ears off."
"Some cheery conversation will do him some good, especially if he's been alone out in the wilderness for some time. I admit I am curious about this city," Alex stated. "Plus, we can always see if there's some goods here that might be useful."
"What all do you know about Wellgarth?" she asked.
"It's one of the swallowed cities. But unlike Murkbythe, the people overthrew the monsters that tried to enslave them, then used their own defense of being under the ground against them. Wellgarth is a city of warriors. Did you notice? All of them that met us at the gate were carrying swords."
"Nice swords, as well. Not that we can afford them when we're lining the pockets of that cocky, arrogant twerp," Ameko grumbled. "The nerve of him. I don't see what Nikado sees in him."
"Nikado seems to see a lot in a lot of people."
"Yes. He does." She walked in silence for a long moment, then asked abruptly, "So how serious is he about you?"
"Wha-- What brought that question on?"
"Well, I'm just curious. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I suppose."
Alex considered for a moment, the pair walking in silence, taking in the tall hallways between 'buildings'. "He's quite serious, I think. I don't really understand it myself."
"And you're serious about him, aren't you?"
"I...." Alex let out a sigh. "I don't know. I don't know what I'm supposed to think or feel."
"Are you just not attracted to guys?" she asked him.
"Well, no, he's very attractive--That isn't the point," Alex cut himself off.
Ameko grinned at that, then her smile faded. "You know, Alex...if you decided not to, you know, with him...you could always try asking me out on a date."
He blinked in complete surprise at her. "Are you suggesting that we become a pair?"
"Well, to be honest...I like both of you. I respect you as an intellectual equal, possibly a superior," she admitted after a moment. "And Nikado just makes me happy by being around him. Do you think that's strange?"
"No more than the rest of this situation," he replied, and she smiled at that. "So where do you think we should begin to look for information on the crests or anything else we might need?"
"I vote we start with that Kiel," Ameko said firmly. "I think he's looking for something down here. I'd like to find out what it is."
"Hm. You think he's suspicious?"
"No, I mostly think he's obnoxious and greedy," Ameko answered with a wave of her hand. "So if he's up to something I want to know what it is, mostly so I can stop it and piss him off."
Alex shook his head. "Remind me to never get on your bad side, Ameko."
"You already have before," she pointed out, "repeatedly. Anyway, let's try over there." She pointed down a hallway that led to a large open area. The area, they noticed as they entered, seemed to be a town square of sorts, with multiple branches going off in every direction. "Was that him over there?" Alex asked, pointing toward his left.
"It's as good a direction as any," she said with a shrug, following the prince down into the 'alleyway' of sorts. The occasional door lined the packed dirt hallways, rock visible overhead and under their feet. How exactly had this place come about, she wondered to herself. What exactly was involved in swallowing a town, and what made it practically impervious once swallowed? Shaking her head, she looked around but could see no sign of the long haired treasure hunter. "Doesn't appear to be down that way."
Alex pointed, and ahead of them they could see a figure, though not the one they were looking for. While the young man was rather nondescript in his appearance, dressed in plain, roughly woven brown clothing like most of the townsfolk, he was skulking about in the alleyways as if trying to be unseen. Clutching something in his hand, he moved around a trash can set out in the street, and Ameko shook her head as he managed to trip over it, spilling its contents with a clatter.
"Who's there?" came a shout from nearby, a man with a sword coming out from a recess in the alleyway. With a jump, the man ran off, still clutching whatever was in his hand.
"What was that about?" Alex wondered to himself. "That seems a little odd."
"Indeed, it does," Ameko agreed, turning toward the recess in the wall and moving that way. "Let's find out what might be so interesting over there."
The man with the sword sighed as he began picking up the garbage, muttering to himself. "Oh, let me help you with that," Ameko said in a warm tone, kneeling in front of him and helping pick up a few pieces.
He looked up at her, and she felt a small sense of satisfaction at the touch of color that pinked his cheeks. It was always nice for a woman to know that her looks were appreciated. "Are you...Who are you?"
"Just a traveller," she told him with a winning smile. "I saw someone over here and thought I'd see what it was when I heard that clatter. You weren't hurt when he knocked the can over, were you?"
"Oh, not at all. It was probably just Hanata again," the man said with a sigh. "Don't worry about it. The kid hasn't got the guts to come up to the door and ask to be let inside."
"Hanata?" Alex asked, seemingly satisfied that the guard was friendly enough.
"He's the younger brother of the guy we've got in here," the guard explained, then frowned. "Wait, if you're travellers, how did you get in here?"
"We came with a key to help your town," Ameko took over the conversation smoothly, giving him another smile. When the man turned down to pick up more trash, she shot Alex a look that clearly said to keep out of the conversation. She didn't need another man turning off the potential for information. "So what have you got a guy in here for? Is this a prison of some sort?" she guessed.
"Got it in one, ma'am. This is our jail. Never been used up til recently; after all, the doors were made of iron before the swallowing of Wellgarth, so you get in there, you're not getting out."
"He must have done something really terrible to be locked up in there, possibly permanently," Ameko said, gazing toward the door.
"Oh, he did," the guard said, putting the trash can back in its place. "He murdered someone."
"A murder?" Ameko let her eyes grow wide, putting a hand to her mouth. "How terrible, what happened?"
"I don't really know myself," the guard said. "Just that he confessed to it. Didn't show an ounce of remorse, either."
"How terrible," the princess agreed with a shake of her head. "It must be terrible to have something like that happen in such a small town, relatively speaking. Was he a friend of yours?"
"No, he was one of the priests. A good sort, very studious. Would have made a great priest. Who knows, maybe even the head priest one day."
"How sad. I'll pray for his soul," Ameko offered to the guard, laying a hand on his with a soft, gentle touch. His cheeks reddened again, and she allowed herself a slight smile of triumph. "Why would anyone want to kill a nice person like that?"
"I don't know. If you ask me, the guy's a monster that found its way down here," the prison guard stated, folding his arms. "It just ain't right, you know? Going off and killing someone like that. I mean, what did he ever do to anyone?"
"So if he's so terrible, I wonder why this Hanata wants to see him?" she mused, seemingly to herself, hoping the guard would continue to pick up on the invitation for conversation.
"Well, if you ask me, it's a matter of blood. No matter how terrible someone is, if they're related to you, they're someone you gotta still watch out for. This guy was Hanata's older brother, and not just regular siblings, but identical twins. I'm sure there's a close bond there. You wouldn't know to look at the pair of them though, Hanata's a sweet kid who would never hurt a fly. And Fiducius was always sort of cool, but was nice, we thought. Til he did this."
The pair exchanged glances, and then Ameko decided to release the man from her attention. "Well, here's hoping that something awful like this never happens again. Say, do you think I could come by again?"
"What? Absolutely," the man said swiftly. "I work eight hour shifts. There's a clock in the town square we use to keep track of time if you can't tell what time it is. Um, when do you think--"
She leaned over, lips almost brushing his cheek, and then she gave him a little pat on the cheek instead. "I'll see you later."
Alex watched her leave, then followed, the guard still in a bit of a daze. "What kind of spell was that?" he asked her.
"The spell of a pretty lady, Alex," she said with a grin. "It's one any woman can use. Would you like to find out how it works?"
Alex shook his head, silently thinking she was bewitching enough without actually trying. "Where do you want to go from here?"
"I'd like to find that Hanata boy and speak to him about what happened, but I'm not sure where to start looking. Did you have a place in mind, Alex?"
He put a hand to the sword at his side, the sword of Loto, and considered. The sword was bewitching in its own way, obviously beautifully made, but worn down by time and disuse. Even with its defects, Alex couldn't help but feel entranced by the sword and its history, and had been surprised when Nikado had told him to hold onto it. It gave him a thrill to hold it in his hands, to look at the same blade that had been wielded by the legendary hero he was descended from, but at the same time he recognized that it was not the most powerful weapon out there, was not the best it had been. "Actually, I want to see the blacksmith here."
"A blacksmith? Underground?"
"Someone has to be making all these swords around here," Alex stated, "and they're all of exceptional quality. I'd like to see if he could repair this sword, as well."
"He'd have to be a magic blacksmith," Ameko observed with a frown. "And a good one at that. Do you think the one here is?"
"It won't hurt to take a look and ask. Since Nikado gave the sword to me, I have a duty to try and see it restored."
"Since he gave it to you?" Ameko shook her head. "Alex, what makes you think you have less right to it than he does? Honestly, I should have an equal right to it, but I've no interest in a heavy sword like that."
He was silent for a moment, walking next to her. "You know, we listen to him more than we used to. Even though you tease him an awful lot, you still listen to and respect his opinion."
"Well, that's only natural. The three of us are partners in this, after all. Even an idiot has occasional bursts of genius," she added with a shake of her head.
"You say that, but I think you really trust his intuition. As do I. We both know he has some quality in him that makes us both listen to his words, his ideas, and often we follow them. We all follow in Loto's footsteps, but I think he does more than us. That's why I think it's only natural to let him have the weapon and armor of Loto."
Ameko looked at him, and sighed. "That may be the case, but I think you still sell yourself short. Anyway, let's go find this blacksmith. Shall we ask someone?"
The town itself was bigger than expected, so they ended up asking one of the townsfolk, who directed them to the right place. Alex briefly admired the tone of the bell over the door as it opened before he stepped inside, Ameko following. "Hello?"
The man behind the counter looked up, then grunted. "Got nothing for outsiders."
"That's okay, we're not here to buy anything," Alex said, drawing the sword. "I'd like to know how skillful you are."
The man's eyes lit up at the sight of the sword, and that in itself relayed some of his skill; a true weaponsmith would recognize the priceless value of the sword. "With that bundle of rust?"
"Yes. I need to know if you can restore it."
The man frowned, then gestured for Alex to set it down on the counter so he could examine it closely. First he ran his eyes over it, and then his fingers, taking in the carvings on the blade carefully. Then he picked it up, testing the weight and balance of the sword. "Well, I'll be damned. I don't know where you got it, but...You do realize what this is you're holding, right?"
"Let's pretend I don't. What do you think it is?"
"What do I think it is? It's nothing less than the goddamned sword of Loto, boy," the blacksmith snorted. "Only a legendary blacksmith could have produced this for the legendary hero. Even if I had my doubts, you see this mark here?" He gestured to a few runic etchings around the bottom of the hilt, circling the base. "This is the mark of the legendary blacksmith, the man whose name has been lost to time. The other pieces of Loto's equipment will have the same markings."
Ameko looked at the markings more closely as Alex turned to the blacksmith. "Do you think you can repair it?"
The man considered, hefting it in his hand again, then shook his head. He offered it back respectfully, holding the hilt out for Alex. "I'd be afraid to try, in all honesty, and being afraid means it's not meant for me to try. You need a magic blacksmith for that, and my magic skills just aren't up to snuff for a job like this. It needs the hand of a real master to try."
"But we've seen your swords, they're almost like works of art," Ameko pointed out.
"Even so, you need a blacksmith with legendary skills to work on a legendary sword. The best in the world, and though I'll admit that I'm good, I'm not that good. Sorry," he added with a shrug. "I hate to disappoint, but on the other hand I don't want to be known as the man who ruined Loto's sword."
"I appreciate your honesty," Alex said, sliding the sword back into its sheath.
"Hey, I take my craft seriously. To maim such a beautiful sword would be like a sin." The man nodded. "If you need anything else, though, come by. I thank you for letting me look at a work of art like that."
Jun seemed to be in better spirits when they returned, Nikado reported, the prince having been chatting with him since they had left until he had fallen asleep recently. "Still doesn't remember anything, though."
"Chances are, he's from Zahan," Alex said, resting against the wall as he folded his arms. "From the fishing boat. Seems like it has sunk, after all. I doubt he was tossed from the boat. And he matches the description of a man Domani was telling me about."
"So the ship is lost, do you think?" Nikado shook his head in pity. "What are all those poor women in Zahan going to think?"
"Nothing, if no one gets ahold of them to tell them," Alex said with a shrug. "Are you going to be the bearer of bad news?"
"Well, I guess not, but...Eventually he'll have to go home, and they'll find out."
"If he doesn't recover his memory, that won't be possible," Alex said with a shake of his head. "I can't imagine that he'd wander to Zahan on his own or even leave this town if he doesn't remember that place."
"But you can restore his memory, can't you?" Nikado pressed. "You know spells to do it."
Alex paused, then frowned, shaking his head again. "It's not that simple. I wouldn't want to risk it. Using a spell like that could erase his memory forever, or render him unable to remember things, which would be a disaster. No, it's better that he recover on his own, naturally. Did Kiel come back here?"
"Briefly. He said he had some business but wanted to check on his 'roommate'. He said he had a job of some sort. I wonder what he managed to find down here," Nikado wondered. "It's not like they seem very friendly to outsiders."
"Well, he does claim to be a jack of all trades," Ameko pointed out. "I suppose we can't leave here until he finishes his business."
"Are you in a hurry to leave?"
"No. Actually," and Ameko relayed the story that they had heard from the guard, involving the murder of a priest and the younger brother attempting to get into the jail.
Nikado frowned at the story. "That's pretty terrible that someone would murder a priest. I wonder what on earth happened."
"I'm not so sure that it's as cut and dried as that," Alex said with a frown. "There's something telling me this doesn't add up. I think we should look into this further."
"Okay. What do you want to do?"
"Talk to the head priest in the church and see what we can find out about this murdered priest. And check on whoever handles the dead," he added. "Probably the priests as well. I want to see what they can tell me about the body, where and how it was found. And then there's this Hanata. Obviously, he doesn't believe that his brother is a cold-blooded killer, or he wouldn't keep trying to get in to see him. Either he doesn't think that his brother's a killer, or he thinks it might have been justified."
Nikado nodded. "And after that?"
" After that, we should go and speak to the accused man himself," Alex concluded. "The guard mentioned his name was Fiducius. I'd like to see what he has to say about his innocence or lack thereof. The guard did say he confessed."
"What makes you so sure there's something behind this?" Ameko asked.
"What makes me so sure? That boy, I guess. And the guard stating that it seemed out of line with what he knew of Fiducius's personality. Other than that...just my intuition, I guess."
Nikado nodded. "Then let's find out what's happening. We'll start with the church in the morning."
The church, despite being swallowed along with the rest of the town, was quite lovely, some of the stained glass windows still in place. "Oh!" the priest behind the table greeted them as they entered. "You must be the outsiders I've heard so much about. How can our humble church serve you?"
"Are you the head priest?" Ameko asked with a frown. The man in front of them seemed a little young for that."
"Me? Oh, no. I'm just one of the assistants to the head priest. He's sleeping right now. I guess it would be nighttime aboveground," the man mused. "Well, maybe not. It's hard to tell down here, I guess. Did you want to see the head priest?"
"It'd be appreciated. Also, whoever handles the dead," Alex instructed him. "Who would that be?"
"Um...It'd be Kudo, I guess," the man said with a frown. "Why do you want to talk to him? And the head priest?"
"We want to ask about the priest that was murdered," Nikado explained.
"And offer our condolences to the parties involved," Ameko added hastily. "At least such a thing won't be happening again, right?"
"Right...I'm not sure that's really necessary, Kudo keeps himself busy and there's probably nothing he could tell you," the assistant priest said, fidgeting in place a little. "He'd probably get mad if he got interrupted."
"I'll make sure he won't get mad at you," Ameko reassured. "I just want to help pray for that poor murdered companion of yours. It really is a shame. Was he a friend of yours? If so, I'll pray for you as well."
"We didn't really know each other that well," he mumbled. "Ah, wait, please don't go back there! You'll get me in trouble. Really, I must insist--"
"No questions, I promise," Ameko said with a smile at him. "Come on, Alex. Are you coming or not?"
The man was looking up at the stained glass window behind the table, the beautiful shape lighting the room in color. Nikado gave his arm a tug, and the man followed slowly, letting himself be led. "Now to find this Kudo guy," Ameko muttered. "We may have to come back for the head priest. If the assistant's out there, he's probably asleep."
"Poor guy seemed kind of jumpy," Nikado said in sympathy. "We shouldn't take too long. If the layout of this church is how they usually are, we'll probably find this guy in the basement."
"Alex, are you all right?" Ameko questioned, seeing the man's frown.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about things." Alex followed as Nikado pushed open a door.
Inside, they could see a man in a chair, the legs kicked back as he rested his feet on a desk, seemingly taking a nap. "Hello?" Nikado called softly.
The man let out a squawk of surprise at the voice, tipping back in the chair and crashing to the floor. "Holy hell, you guys! Give a guy a bit more warning," he said crossly, rubbing at his head.
"I'm sorry," Nikado apologized. "Are you Kudo?"
The man blinked. "Yeah, that's me. Who wants to know?"
"I'm Nikado, prince of Lorasia. And these are--"
"The princess of Moonbrook and prince of Cannock," Kudo finished, waving a hand. "Word gets around fast in these parts. You really royalty, all three of you?"
"It's not as spectacular as it sounds. We were wondering what you could tell us about the priest that was murdered."
The body handler's face turned serious at that. "You mean Cal. What do you want to know about him? He was a bit whiny and obnoxious, but good enough at what he did, I suppose. Didn't deserve to be beaten to death like he was. I don't think many people in the world can be that obnoxious."
"When did it happen?" Alex asked. "Where was the body found, was Fiducius with it?"
"Ah, you've heard that much? The body was found in the church, actually. Fiducius wasn't on the scene, though he was moving in the direction of the church."
"He was moving back?" Ameko questioned with a frown.
"Yeah. Returning to the scene of the crime and all that, I guess."
Alex frowned to himself, folding his arms. "Had Cal and Fiducius ever met?" he asked Kudo.
"Well, given the size of the town I imagine they must have run into each other at some point, but they weren't really acquainted, no. Why do you ask? I mean, he did confess and all."
"So we've heard." Alex looked up as he heard footsteps, then glanced to Ameko.
She gave him a slight nod before turning back to Kudo, pouring on the charm. "I'm just so sorry such a thing had to happen. I wanted to come down here and tell you that myself."
"Ah!" the assistant said as he opened the door, frowning at them. "I'm sorry, Kudo, I told them not to interrupt you. Come on, you three, leave him alone."
"It's no big deal, really," Kudo said with a frown. "They weren't bothering anything."
"That's okay, we'll let you work now," Ameko told him. "Let's go, boys; I want to try the local cuisine. Let's head back to the inn, and then we can look around town some more. Did you see that clock in town square?" she chattered as she led the two princes away.
Nikado gave her a look once they were outside. "You're acting odd."
"I'm not the one acting odd," she said with a shake of her head. "So next we need to find this Hanata guy, right?"
Alex nodded. "And maybe we can take him to see his brother in the jail," Nikado added. "I feel sorry for him."
The trio proceeded to circle the town, Ameko chattering to her two companions, for all the world a group of travellers just touring the town. They saw he fungus farm, the various houses, the underground lake, and Alex was starting to wonder if the boy had vanished into thin air. They were circling around a set of back alleys, investigating some houses, when a voice from an unlit tunnel spoke up. "You three are those travellers, right?"
"Who's there?" Alex asked calmly, putting a hand to his sword, and they could hear the shuffling noise of someone moving away.
"We're not going to hurt you, I promise," Nikado called cheerfully. "Won't you come out?"
There was a long pause, as if someone was working up their nerve, and then a young man stepped out. "You're Hanata, aren't you?" she asked, recognizing the slender, dark-haired man from before.
He managed a slight nod. "I... I know this is rude and may put a burden on you, but please. I need you to save my brother."
Alex furrowed his brow in confusion. "We can't get him out of jail. We don't have the iron key."
Hanata reached into his shirt, pulling out something and holding it out to them. It was a heavy, iron key, and Alex could guess immediately at the nature of it. "How did you get ahold of that?" Ameko asked, frowning at it.
"My brother stole it from the monsters," he stated, continuing to hold it out. "Please, get him out of there and let him get out of this city. It's not fair that he be locked up for something he didn't do."
"So you think he didn't do it?"
"I know he didn't. I was with him when it happened. He left me and went back to the place where Cal was, and...." The man's shoulders slumped. "I don't know what's going through his head. I just know he didn't do it."
Nikado put a hand on the man's shoulder. "Tell you what, how about you come with us so we can talk to your brother? That way we can find out what really happened. I think he'll talk to you. You two seem very close."
Hanata nodded quietly. "We are. He's always trying to protect me."
Nikado turned to his companions. "You were right. This guy didn't do it. There's something else to this."
"What makes you so sure? Just from that?" Ameko frowned at him.
Nikado nodded, then smiled. "Pretty much. I have a good sense of people, you know. I don't think this Fiducius would be able to decieve his brother like that."
"I--I'll come with you," Hanata said. "I, I really want to see him again. Please take me with you."
The jail guard was still there when he returned, blinking as he saw Hanata. "Oh, Hanata," he greeted with a raised hand. "You're looking well."
The young man looked like he almost might run off then and there, but Nikado put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, also preventing him from fleeing. "Would it be all right if we saw the prisoner?" he asked.
"Well, I don't know...."
"Oh, come on, darling," Ameko said, going up to him and giving him a pleading look. "You promised, remember? Doesn't it mean anything to you?"
"I, well," the guard quickly relented, opening the door. "It's not like you can do anything, anyway. No one can get him out of there."
The inside of the jail was dark, almost impossible to see in. Alex lit the torch on the wall, which had gone out, and noticed someone stir in the last cell on the right. Walking over, he could make out the form of Hanata's identical twin, and they were indeed alike in appearance, though Fiducius was a little taller and lankier, not as petite as his brother. The man was dirty, covered in filth from the cell and his own unwashed clothes, but he made no notice of it, sitting in the corner with his eyes closed, expression calm and patient. This wasn't a man despairing over never getting out, Alex quickly realized.
"Big brother!" Hanata ran over to the cell door, giving it a futile shake. "Big brother, wake up. We've come here to rescue you."
The man stirred, opening his dark red eyes which were in contrast to Hanata's soft brown. He frowned as he saw his younger twin. "Hanata? What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here."
"We've come to rescue you," Hanata said, pulling out the key from his shirt. "I know you didn't do it. These people are going to help you get away."
"Put that away, Hanata," Fiducius said coolly, folding his arms. "You couldn't get me out the door. They'd notice."
"Then if I stayed in here, you could get out, I could slip away later--"
Fiducius shook his head, and Hanata's expression fell. "Stop talking nonsense, Hanata. You're not breaking me out of jail. I'm not having you get in trouble because of me."
"But you didn't do it!"
"Yes, I did," Fiducius said, closing his eyes with an indifferent expression. "I murdered him in cold blood because I felt like it. It's only fitting that I be here."
"Stop lying!" Hanata demanded. "I know it's not true! You're not like that, big brother!"
"Obviously I am, otherwise I wouldn't have done it," Fiducius stated. "Is that all you came to say?"
Hanata looked at him for a moment, then abruptly turned and ran back the way they had come, pushing his way out the door and escaping into the dark hallways. Nikado frowned at the jailed man. "You didn't have to do that."
"It's for his own good," Fiducius said, leaning back against the wall. "What did you come here for?"
"I think you've just hurt him very deeply," Nikado said quietly.
"I'd rather have him hurt than dead. What did you come here for?"
"We know you're lying," Alex stated. "You didn't murder that priest, did you?"
"I confessed to it. Are you saying that wasn't the truth?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Who are you trying to protect?" Alex frowned. "It's not your brother, is it?"
Fiducius was up on his feet before Alex could react, the prisoner grabbing him by the shirt and yanking him close. "Do not ever suggest that Hanata is a murderer," he growled, tone full of cold rage. "Nothing could be farther from the truth."
"Then tell me the truth, because you haven't done it so far," Alex replied. "Who killed Cal?"
Fiducius let out a long sigh, finally releasing Alex. "I don't know," he said at last. "But it wasn't Hanata."
"What makes you say that? What happened?" Ameko asked him.
Fiducius paced around the cell a few steps, finally looking at them again. "I found him near the body, covered in Cal's blood. But he wasn't hurt himself. He was unconscious from shock and still doesn't remember even being at the church that night. I took him home, switched our clothes, went back, and confessed. And if you tell anyone this, I'll just say you're lying. The evidence points to me, understand?"
"Do you really think that makes him happy to be protected in such a manner?" Nikado asked softly. "He misses you. He spends all his time trying to get in here to you."
"I don't want him to go through the pain and fear of being accused, even if it's not true," Fiducius said in a matching tone. "Hanata is a gentle boy. He doesn't deserve that sort of suffering."
"Then the solution is to help us find the real killer. You think they'll leave your brother alone if he was there? They might kill him."
"They won't. Nobody's looking into this any further except you lot, and to be honest, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop. Hanata doesn't remember anything that happened. It's better that way."
"Why Cal?" Alex pressed. "Why was your brother with him?"
Fiducius sighed, sitting back down and leaning an arm on his knee. "I suspect it has to do with something that came into our possession. Several weeks back, a trader gave me something he asked me to protect."
"A trader?" Nikado echoed.
Alex frowned. "What was that 'something'?"
Fiducius sighed, then shrugged. "Not like you lot can get to it with me behind here." He pulled something out of his shirt, a small, oddly shaped key on a length of twine. "It's a dam key for Tuhn, if my understanding is correct."
"Oh, good," came another voice from behind them. "That's what I was looking for."
Nikado jumped as he spotted the man behind him. "Kiel! Don't do that, you about scared the spit out of me!"
"Look all you like," Fiducius said with a frown, looking up at the new face. "I was asked to protect it. I owe that trader. I won't give it up to you or anyone else."
"I need it," Kiel stated. "I have to have it to return to Tuhn."
"Is that what you were looking for?" Ameko asked him.
He ignored her, keeping eye contact with the other man, their unusually colored eyes locked on each other. "I said no," Fiducius spoke.
"What do you owe that trader? Whatever it is, I'll pay you better."
"I don't owe him money, you moron," Fiducius stated, folding his arms. "My brother went up topside to save a kid that had washed up on the shore. The trader saved him from a monster. The monster made off with the guy, but my brother was saved. He asked me to make sure this key didn't return to Tuhn before he left on his flying horse."
"Teslian!" Nikado exclaimed. "You're talking about Teslian. I know him. He was here?"
Fiducius nodded. Kiel frowned at the name. "I know of him. We've crossed paths a few times. Why would he tell you to protect the key?"
"That's the story," Fiducius said, "and that's what I plan to do. It's not up for debate. Now, if the lot of you are done, leave me be to serve my sentence."
Nikado let out a sigh, but Kiel didn't seem easily dissuaded. "What do you want? I'll fight whatever is threatning your brother. I'll prove your innocence. Just name what you want me to do. I have to have that key."
"So you can return to Tuhn?"
Kiel paused, then nodded. "That's the last place in the world it needs to go," Fiducius said. "I'm not letting it off my person, and you can't reach it while in here."
"Please," Kiel begged, gripping the bars. "I have to have it back at all costs. I have to get into the Moon Tower."
"There's a monster sealed up there," Fiducius told him. "Leave him be."
"You don't understand!" the treasure hunter shouted. "My parents are up in that tower. I can't get in without that key. Please, just name your price. I'll offer you anything and everything I have."
Fiducius's face softened, but he shook his head silently. "Damn it!" Kiel shouted, turning and leaving the jail.
"Kiel!" Nikado shouted, going after him.
Ameko and Alex looked at each other, both silently working over the turn of affairs. "Let's go for now," Alex said at last in a quiet tone. "We have to think about what our next move will be." Ameko nodded slightly, and the pair exited, Ameko pausing to flirt briefly with the guard to keep him on good terms with her.
They found Hanata back where they had first encountered him, the younger twin curled up in the dark crevice. "What am I supposed to do?" he whispered as they got close. "I can't save him by myself."
"You're an idiot," Ameko told him, "and a weakling."
"I know that," Hanata replied bitterly. "He's always protected me. Even now he's doing it, isn't he? I don't want... I don't want my brother to suffer because of me."
Ameko reached over, and firmly thwapped him upside the head. "If you don't like your situation, do something about it," she told him firmly. "You can't just sit by and expect the entire world to do something for you. Walk on your own feet." She turned to Alex, tossing her head. "Let's go back, Jun might have woken up by now. He'll be worried if we aren't there."
Nikado had gone off after Kiel, finding the man down an alleyway, the treasure hunter standing and looking at nothing, shoulders hunched. "Kiel," Nikado spoke to him, "was that the thing you needed in Wellgarth."
"Yes," he said at last. "Damn it, Teslian. Why did you do that to me? Didn't you know I'd need it?"
"Kiel," Nikado said, "will you let us help you? Let me try and get it for you."
"What are you going to do, slip through the bars and beat him til he coughs it up?" the treasure hunter snorted.
"No. I'm just going to do what I can. You helped me, Kiel. You called it an investment in my future success. I want to repay that investment."
"The price might be a little steep. I don't need help."
"Everyone needs help, Kiel. I want to help you. I don't want your parents to be locked up in that tower with a monster."
"Forget I said anything," he muttered, turning away. "I'm going to go let Kaitt stretch her legs for a while. Being underground all this time will be making her antsy. Don't follow me."
Nikado frowned as he watched the man go, and wondered how exactly they were supposed to tie everything together.
Jun had been recovering well once the infection was cleared out of his wounds, but still hadn't managed to recover any of his memories. Alex quickly noted that he seemed a little intimidated by Ameko, and Nikado's friendly nature seemed to make him uncomfortable, so after a while, he had sent the two away to go get food above ground, thinking it might be better for Jun's recovery. Alex's silent presence seemed to let him relax, and after a while he began speaking himself. "Sir Alex?"
"Yes?" the man replied, letting the water boil to make sure there was nothing dangerous in it.
"Do you think I won't recover my memory ever?"
"That depends on you. If you want to, you will."
"I want to, but wanting isn't enough. Nothing's been working. What should I do, where should I go?"
Alex looked over at the man, and felt a bit of pity for the younger fisherman, and surprised himself with what he said next. "If I were you, I'd try Zahan."
"Zahan? Where's that?"
"It's a small fishing island on a village, it's not very far from here."
"Oh." Jun considered. "I don't think there are any boats here, but I'll try. Thank you very much, Sir Alex."
"You can call me Alex," the prince said, pouring the man a cup of tea. "Now drink up and relax. This will help you sleep and recover."
"Thank you."
Alex was having breakfast with Jun the next morning, Ameko and Nikado joining them. Kiel still hadn't reappeared from his ride the other night, and Nikado seemed to be a bit worried about it. "Leave him be," Alex told him. "He needs to think about his situation."
The sound of shouting outside got their attention, Ameko frowning as she stood up. "Hey, innkeeper. What's all the ruckus at this time of morning?" she called to him.
"It's Fiducius," the innkeeper said, already strapping on his sword. "He's running around town saying that we've got the wrong sibling and that he's going to kill again."
The three royals looked at each other. "Oh, dear," Alex sighed. "I think Hanata is doing something a bit rash."
"Hanata? Do you think he let his brother out after all?" Ameko wondered, standing up.
"No," Nikado disagreed. "That probably is Hanata, trying to force them to release his brother by claiming to be him. We'd better hurry before something bad happens."
"Oh gods. That fool," Ameko groaned. "Well, at least he's an active fool instead of an inactive one."
"That's all well and good until his active foolery gets him killed," Alex said, following Nikado out of the inn.
Ahead of them they could hear yelling, and torches being pointed in the direction of where Hanata presumably was. "There," Ameko pointed, as a dark figure moved across one of the buildings that had a roof, clinging to the ceiling as he kept out of the range of the sword easily, landing on another roof.
"Come and get me, before I pick my next target!" they could hear the man's voice. "Tick tock, tick tock! Who will it be next? Can you catch me?"
Nikado let out a low whistle. "He can move and he's got a sense of style."
"This is not the time to be impressed!" Alex took off at a run, the other two following, trying to get through the thin crowds in the narrow streets, watching as Hanata moved from building to building with the ease of a catburgular. As they watched, he lost his grip on a stalagtite, and Ameko let out a gasp as he fell toward the street. Recovering in midair, he snatched on to the side of a building, hanging there for a moment before he pulled himself up.
The time he spent dangling was enough to allow someone else to open the hatch on the roof, charging at him. As they got close, they could hear his cry, and then he tumbled backwards, falling off the edge of the building. "Shit!" Ameko exclaimed, throwing out a hand in a burst of wind, and it buffered him up long enough to allow him to land at a slower speed, but nonetheless they could hear the crunch of bone as he landed. Hanata cried out in pain, but still attempted to get to his feet even as blood ran down his shoulder.
"Freeze right there, Fiducius," the innkeeper stated, pointing his sword out at the injured man. "Your reign of terror ends today."
"Stop!" came a cry, and then Fiducius jumped in front of the sword, putting his arms protectively around his brother. "Don't hurt him any further. Are you fools blind? This isn't me, it's Hanata!"
"Hanata!" the injured man said, pushing him away. "I told you not to get involved. Get out of here!"
"What are you talking about? You're Hanata!"
The townsfolk looked at each other, confused, and even Alex had to admit he was having a difficult time telling the difference between the two. "Charming set of brothers, aren't they?" Kiel murmured to Nikado as he popped up beside the other man, tucking his hands in his pockets. "I knew that would get Fiducius out of that cell."
Nikado gave him a look. "Please tell me you didn't suggest this to Hanata."
"Not at all, I think your lovely lady got him thinking about the idea. All I did was liberate him of a certain useful thing," Kiel said, tossing Nikado the iron key. "That man's not the only great thief, you know."
"Let's throw them both in jail," someone suggested as the twins continued to argue over which was which. "That'll save us the trouble."
"Are you crazy, Hanata hasn't done anything! He's injured, he needs help!" Fiducius demanded. "Isn't one of you willing to help him!? He never did a word of harm to any of you, and now look what you've done."
"I'll help him," Alex spoke up. "I can heal his injuries. I'll do it in exchange for the truth from both of you."
Fiducius's eyes widened, and then he glared at Alex before giving up, looking to the ground in resignation. "Please help him," he said softly. "I'm not the one that murdered Cal. I don't know who did."
A murmur of surprise went up from the crowd, and Alex stepped over to Hanata, straightening out his broken ankle. "That was a foolish thing to do."
Hanata offered him a slight grin. "It worked, didn't it?"
The innkeeper kept his sword pointed at Fiducius. "It's a little late to tell us your confession is a lie, Fiducius. How do we know you're telling the truth now?"
"I can prove it," Alex stated from behind the man, holding his hands on Hanata's ankle.
"How can you prove it? He was the only one close to the scene and he was covered in Cal's blood. How can you possibly prove he didn't do it?"
"Answer me a question," Alex stated. "Your bodies, where do you bury the dead?"
"We have a cave connected to this one that we use as a graveyard. Why?"
"And your trash?"
"Another cave. We make piles of compost. Where are you going with this?" the innkeeper asked.
"Just one other question," Alex said. "Your fresh air that you breathe in, where do you get that? Fungus don't produce fresh air."
There was a pause from the crowd. "From small ventilation holes around town," the innkeeper stated. "So what's your point?"
"Then we've established that there are openings to the surface besides the sealed gold door," Alex said, putting his hands on Hanata's stabbed shoulder next. "Therefore, we have established that the murderer is not necessarily still here."
Another murmur went up at that. "That's impossible," the innkeeper said. "There are no large gaps aside from the door, and that was sealed until you came. You saw it. Everyone knows there's no other openings around the entire town."
Alex looked around, and noted to himself that most of the town seemed to be there, including the people he needed. All the players are assembled, he noted to himself with some amusement. He'd read books about detectives solving mysterious deaths, but didn't think he'd actually be involved in one. "There is one, and it's right in plain sight."
"Where, then?"
Alex smiled. "If we're underground, how does light come through the stained glass window in the church?"
A collective gasp went up from the crowd as they looked at each other, and even Nikado and Ameko looked surprised. It had been such a simple thing that it had gone overlooked, a comfort that people had just taken for granted. "So there might be a hole," the innkeeper acknowledged reluctantly. "It doesn't mean it's large enough for someone to get through, or that anyone can. The murderer is here."
"Kudo," Alex called out, looking in the direction of the body handler.
He jumped in surprise. "Sir?"
"How did you tell me Cal was killed?"
"He was beaten to death, sir," Kudo said with a frown, clearly wondering where this was going.
"Do you normally beat someone to death with a sword, Kudo?"
"No. That'd just be silly, and plus, the edge would still leave marks."
"You have an excellent blacksmith in town," Alex addressed to the innkeeper. "Does anyone here carry a weapon besides a blade?"
Another murmur went up from the crowd. "Anyone can make a club out of a table leg," the innkeeper said with a frown.
"Any tables missing a leg? Were there any found in the trash?" Alex pressed. "If so, where is it hiding? Kudo. What size were the marks left by the weapon?"
"The size?" Kudo frowned, then spread his hands a several inches apart. "Pretty big, I'd say. There were bruises bigger than my hand."
"What would you say carries a weapon that size?"
"A...monster, sir."
Now the murmur became a cry of outrage. "That's impossible," the innkeeper stated. "We have a barrier. No monster can enter our city."
"Who keeps the barrier up and running?" Alex addressed to the man.
"The head priest, of course. Where are you going with this now?"
"And when he's asleep?"
"The assistant priest, of course."
"Mr. Assistant Priest," Alex spoke, looking over to the man. "Can you explain to me why you were so nervous when my companion said he wanted to ask questions?"
"I don't need to explain myself to the likes of you," the assistant priest snapped after a moment.
"I think you do," the innkeeper stated. "Answer the question."
"Because it's not something that needs to be dragged out into the open again," the assistant priest snapped. "Cal had a family. Can't you give them some closure?"
"When did the attack take place?" Alex addressed the innkeeper.
"At night," he answered, suspicion and realization starting to enter his face.
"Who's in charge of the barrier at night?"
"The assistant priest." The innkeeper looked over at him.
"Where were you when this was taking place in your own church?" Alex addressed him.
"I went to the bathroom, okay? I'm not proud of it, but that's what happened. Why can't you leave this alone?" he demanded.
"Fiducius," Alex addressed the older twin next, "please tell me what you saw on that night."
"Don't make me do this," Fiducius said in a low tone. "Let me go back to jail."
"This bell can't be unrung, Fiducius. Answer the question truthfully."
"Fiducius?" the innkeeper spoke up. "Give us the truth."
The older twin let out a sigh, hanging his head. "Hanata had gone to speak with Cal about getting something placed in a safebox in the church. He was going to take it to him that day, but I hid it from him. I guess Hanata went to apologize. I went after him when he didn't come back and found them both there. Hanata was unconscious and covered in blood, and Cal was dead. I didn't see anyone else. I took Hanata home and changed into his clothes and turned myself in."
Hanata reached over, squeezing his brother's hand. "Stupid," he murmured. "Did you really have so little faith in me?"
"I have every faith in you. I just didn't want you to go through the pain of being mistrusted like that. I'm your older brother, Hanata," he said, placing a hand on the other man's forehead. "I have to protect you."
"Stupid," Hanata repeated. "I don't always want to be protected by you. Sometimes I want to be the one protecting you, you know. Why didn't you ask me for help? We're twins. Am I the kind of person you can't rely on?"
"I'm sorry," Fiducius murmured, pulling Hanata into a hug. "I'm so sorry I caused you all this suffering."
"Does this answer your questions to your satisfaction?" Alex addressed the innkeeper.
He folded his arms in thought for a long while. "Arrest the assistant priest," he said at last. "If nothing else, he is guilty of letting the barrier lapse and allowing a monster to murder Cal. It's negligent."
"Wait!" the assistant priest cried out as strong arms grabbed him. "You don't mean to say you think I killed him, do you?!"
"A monster killed Cal," Alex stated. "The evidence points to that. Whatever else anyone wants to conclude is up to a thorough investigation."
"No! You can't do this!" the assistant priest wailed.
"Put him in the last cell on the right," the innkeeper instructed. "The curse should be gone from it, so you won't have to worry about staying in there forever. I thank you," he addressed to Alex. "The truth is always more valuable than a lie. I hope you'll keep that in mind, Fiducius."
The man gazed at the innkeeper seriously, but didn't respond, keeping his arms around Hanata. "That was amazing, Alex," Nikado said as he joined the man, the rest of the crowd dispersing. "How did you figure all of that out?"
He shrugged. "I just put the facts together. It's the one thing I'm good at, remember?"
Nikado smiled, putting a hand on the other man's head. "You're great at that, and good at a lot more."
"Looks like you owe him some thanks," Kiel addressed to Fiducius, putting his hands on his hips. "He saved your brother's life."
"Yes, he did. I'm in your debt," Fiducius said with a nod. "And I don't even know your name."
"Alex of Cannock. This is Nikado of Lorasia and Ameko of Moonbrook."
"And I'm Kiel Brand," the treasure hunter added. "Don't forget me! Who was it that busted you out of jail and let you know what was going on, hm?"
Fiducius managed a slight smile. "I expect you want payment for that."
"I just need the dam key," Kiel said seriously. "I don't want anything else from you. I'd be in your debt if you gave it to me. If it was your brother in that tower, I know how you'd feel."
Fiducius sighed, taking it out and looking at it. Without warning, Hanata snatched it from his hand, tossing it to Kiel. "Just make sure that monster doesn't get out," he instructed firmly. "It's really dangerous."
"What monster is it? Do you know?" Ameko asked.
Fiducius shook his head. "Teslian said it was a powerful demon, but didn't go into any detail beyond that. Are you going there?"
"Eventually. We have other things to do." Nikado hefted the iron key before putting it on the string around his neck. "Now that we have all three keys, I want to make sure all the cursed doors are open. I want to save the people that may be trapped behind them."
"Then I wish you luck with that," Fiducius said seriously. "Have a safe journey."
"So where are we going next?" Kiel asked, tucking his hands behind his head.
Ameko gave him a look. "Who said we were inviting you along?"
"You've got the key and the ship," Kiel pointed out. "And I've got the seal you want. You should be glad, you know. I've sailed on a ship before, I can teach you all sorts of things, or just wait on you hand and foot if you please."
Ameko put a hand to her face before turning to the two princes. "Please tell me he's not coming along."
"Sorry," Nikado said with a grin. "I did shake on it."
She sighed, throwing her hands in the air as she turned to leave. "I don't think I can take any more men in my life."
"Hey!" Jun came running up to them, panting for breath as he rested his hands on his knees. "What happened? Why was everyone running around?"
"Don't worry about it, it's over now," Alex reassured him. "We're going to leave now, Jun. I wish you well."
"You're leaving? On a ship?"
"Yes, why?" Nikado asked.
"Please take me with you!" Jun begged Alex. "I don't know what help I could be, but if you're going to Zahan...."
Alex looked over at the other two. "Well, the Traveller's Gate is just across the sandbar from Zahan," Nikado pointed out.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have one more on board," Alex mused.
Ameko put her hands on her hips, glaring at the two princes. "I said no more men!"
"So, can we come with you too?" Fiducius spoke up, then laughed as Ameko turned to give him a withering glare. "I'm kidding. Have a safe journey."
Hanata nodded, letting his brother help him to his feet. "We have things we need to do here. Don't worry about us. We'll have to get used to having access to the outside world again."
Nikado nodded. "Let's get the ship loaded and prepare to sail, then. I hope your horse doesn't get seasick."
"She's great on boats, won't make a noise," Kiel promised. "You'll never notice her."
"We're taking the horse, too?!"
"Hey, lovely lady," Kiel said with a smile, taking Ameko's hand. She quickly snatched it back. "At least Kaitt is a lady as well!"
