Estellise hadn't noticed the rain stopped for the first time since they arrived at the port town. She thought she heard "Dein Nomos" in Sodia's whispered breath, but she just couldn't understand why. She must have heard wrong. Didn't Sodia say she didn't have enough information to know? Why was she suddenly so sure?

Oh, she lied. I knew she wasn't telling me everything. Estellise felt disappointed and frowned at Sodia who didn't notice. Her eyes had locked onto Ragou. He smiled, waiting for them to follow at his gestured welcome, but Sodia hesitated, holding Estellise back. Noticing this, he stepped towards them instead.

"Magistrate!" Teagle stepped forward, brushing past Sodia. "I've brought the—"

"Wait," Yuri grabbed the back of Teagle's shirt, pulling him back. The guards flanking Ragou grabbed their swords and grunted a warning. Teagle shrugged him off.

"But!" Then he noticed the serious expression on the guards' faces, their teeth bared, their eyes narrowed.

"Hang on," Yuri growled.

The two guards from the gate joined them, their weapons already drawn. Their warning was clear enough.

Estellise didn't understand. They were not threat to Ragou. She checked for his response and saw him push up his glasses, pretending not to notice a thing. "I must say I'm quite surprised to see you out and about after… shall we say recent events. What are you doing out here in this misty weather?"

"I was told the danger was in Zaphias. I thought it was best to leave."

Sodia watched Ragou, but said nothing.

"Hm, well, it's certainly not safe for you to be out in this cold. Why don't you come in? I'll give you shelter until the weather clears. You can go home then."

"But… I really can't go back to Zaphias."

"Don't worry, Princess," Ragou said with a smile only Estellise trusted. Sodia tensed. "I won't force you to."

Thankful, Estellise started walking, but he held up a hand. "The dogs behind you, though, I'm afraid must stay outside."

Estellise turned and Teagle, Yuri, Karol, and Repede were about to follow. They all stopped, but Teagle's eyes widened in near panic.

"Sir!" he hollered. "Please!" The guards advanced, bracing in front of Ragou. He paused. "But Pauly..."

"Stay back!" One of the guards warned.

"Aww, come on. We're with her," Karol said.

Estellise asked Ragou, "Why can't they come with me? They are my friends." Sodia shook her head.

"How can they be, Your Highness?" Ragou asked. "They're not nobility."

Yuri scowled. "Heh, she really is that special," he said. A soft smile returned as he played with the strings in his hand from which his sword hung. "Don't worry, magistrate," the tone of Yuri's voice sounded pleasant enough, but Estellise couldn't ignore a strange look in his eyes, "If you're not ready to see us now, you might be more willing to talk later."

Karol glanced up at Yuri. "Yuri…? What do you mean by that?" That comment had made Karol sound as nervous as Estellise felt. Ragou, however, seemed unfazed.

"Not likely. Need I remind you that I have guards for a reason." Ragou turned to Estellise. "See, Your Highness? I get hostility such as that. I just never know who is going to come around or why." He addressed the guards with a flimsy wave. "The women can come in, but don't let in the ru—the others." And he sauntered back up the walk. Estellise followed the magistrate with Sodia right behind her. The distrust Sodia had for the magistrate was palpable to the point that Estellise could tell just how closely behind her she walked. Flanking them were the two guards and the knight's unease made them feel more like iron bars than protection. What's worse, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Teagle's heart break.

The mansion felt nothing like the rest of Capua Nor. Candles and light blastia lit up nearly every corner, highlighting the banners and runners that hung on every wall and table. From the outside, it certainly hadn't looked like so much light was on, but the velvet curtains might have been the cause of that. Ragou ordered a meal prepared and offered sitting by the fireplace while they waited. Sodia never said a word. She watched Ragou like a sentinel, hardly daring to blink for losing sight of him.

Estellise couldn't tear Teagle's face from her mind. The way his face fell, the way tears streamed down his face. Did turning in the Rhybgaro horn to pay his taxes mean so much to him? And who was Pauly? She supposed it was true that Ragou wouldn't know who to trust, but it seemed it really was impossible for people to come see him.

And why?

Eventually, Ragou noticed her frowning at the placemat in front of her. He set down his glass. "Princess? You seem a little preoccupied. Are you all right?"

"Actually, do you mind if I ask about something?"

"Of course you may certainly ask."

"Why did you turn Teagle away?"

Sodia straightened, her eyes widened as she turned immediately to see Ragou's reaction. He remained calm. "I'm sure I have no idea what you mean." Sodia scoffed and leaned forward in her chair.

"Do you really think we buy your story about not being able to trust anyone? We saw what happened outside just now. Teagle was just a man trying to pay his taxes. Why can't anyone see you?"

"I'm not aware of anyone trying to pay taxes," Ragou said. "If that's what they told you, they were lying. The man in black has been trying to break into my house. Why should I trust anyone he had with him?"

Is that true? Estellise wondered. What business did Yuri want with him? She felt even less settled about Yuri's warning to come see him. He couldn't be after Ragou, could he? What could Ragou have done to the Lower Quarter fountain? "But there's a story going around that no one can see you without a Rhybgaro horn. If they can't pay their taxes, they have to bring you the horn as payment."

"Oh that's nonsense. There are no repercussions for not paying your taxes," Ragou waved his hand, waving away the rumors. "Some people are just too poor to pay, but there is plenty from everyone else."

"The people seem to believe that." Estellise said, "It's why Teagle got hurt yesterday. If it's not true, why do they believe it?"

"I have no idea, but it certain didn't come from me. Rhybgaros are dangerous," he said. "I have no reason to send people out to get it." Even as he spoke, a light flickered in his eyes and he smiled just before taking another sip of his drink.

Sodia scoffed. "So you're suggesting it's the guards making up these stories about the Rhybgaro?" she asked dryly. Clearly, she didn't believe him, but Estellise wasn't so sure. The guards looked like guildsmen. They did seem more likely to make up stories like that than Ragou would be, right?

"Where's the need for such hostility?" He asked slowly. "Allow me to look into the matter. If there truly is such a rumor, I will take care of it immediately. Protecting my town is my first priority."

"If that's true, why would the people of Capua Nor feel so abandoned?"

"Of course they've been abandoned. The knights have abandoned them," Ragou said. "There's only so much I can do to help."

Sodia scowled. "Based on citizen testimony, you're attacking ships whenever they leave port. Can you explain that?"

"I am simply protecting the port from the mermen at sea. There are so many that the ships can't move without running into hordes of them. They would sink the ships without my help. If the people are misinterpreting that, well, I'm not sure what to say."

"Have you sent for help?" Sodia said. "I would think that you would've tried to—"

"You don't think I've tried," Ragou said solemnly, "but what is anyone to do when no one seems to know what's going on? I have yet to find anyone who can even explain why the storm is here. It is not for lack of trying, I assure you."

"The storm has been ongoing since we got here." Estellise asked.

"It's been raining here for months. I don't know what they expect me to do. It would seem a permanent dark cloud hangs over our port."

"If you've asked the knights for help, why would I have not heard anything about this until I got here?" Sodia asked.

He stood up and pointed at her. "As I said, the knights are not too keen on helping the people when the council members speak."

"Flynn would've," she said. "If he caught wind anything was happening—"

"What would he have done?" Ragou said.

"Whatever it took."

"And yet, he passed through with Captain Cumore, and as far as I know, that Scifo boy has never said a word to anyone about what's going on here." Ragou sat back in his seat. "And he came through here..." he held up two fingers, "twice."

"Actually, yes, he has." Sodia said, matching his smile with her own. "Flynn mentioned it to Captain Schwann." Ragou stiffened and his grip tightened on the glass. He quit smiling but only for a moment. "Isn't that why you hired Zagi? Flynn was beginning to get in the way of things, especially when you found out he was looking for Master Ioder."

"Why would I have objections to his finding His Highness?"

"He would know that you killed him."

"That I killed High Highness? That's preposterous. That rogue Scifo killed him, we all know that."

Estellise felt a sting of offended grief. "Flynn is innocent. I know they say he's guilty, but he would never hurt Ioder. I know this for a fact."

"I must have been misinformed, then." His voice suggested he didn't really care. His nonchalant attitude towards the truth struck her as inappropriate. She also found it a little odd the way he spoke as if he heard second-hand rumors. Was he not there when Flynn shared his story to the whole council? Sodia didn't seem to believe him either. Her frown deepened.

"Don't you want to know who really did it?" Estellise asked.

"Look at the facts; it's quite clear who had something to do with it."

"Someone who can walk freely in the castle and have plenty of gald to hire an assassin," Sodia said. "Except you didn't have to worry about that anymore. His testimony got overshadowed by Master Ioder's death, when he got framed. The empire would ensure Flynn was punished for it, cleaning up your mess nicely. And now, there's a new target."

"A new target? What are you talking about?" His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Oh, so it was the assassin who told you there's a new target? That hardly makes sense." Estellise's heartbeat quickened. What was she saying? She really did believe Ragou had Dein Nomos!

Ragou inhaled, deeply focused on Sodia's face. "I don't know if it's a good idea to make such accusations about members of the council."

"Why not? You have no reason to hurt us, right?" Sodia finally smiled. "But just in case, I told Captain Schwann that I'm coming to talk to you. He expects Lady Estellise to be at the inn. When she's not there, he'll know to find us here because she has a reputation for not listening to us. If you attack us, my captain can enter on an emergency prerogative. I'll make sure he can hear us."

"Captain Schwann? Is that supposed to be a threat?"

"Only if you try to hurt us."

If Sodia hoped this would faze him, she was disappointed. Ragou laughed and sat relaxed in his chair. "Ah yes, Captain Schwann," Ragou said. "Let's talk about that man. First Captain of the Imperial Knights. Hero of the Great War. A man as esteemed as him was sent to look for Master Ioder, and yet it was a whelp from the Lower Quarter that found him. I'd say that sounds a little suspicious, don't you? Why would he know to check Caer Bocram for a dead body? Who would think His Highness would be there?"

"Someone did, though," Sodia said. "That's why the search party was found there, too." Estellise's eyes widened. I knew Sodia knew more than she was letting on! "They disappeared before Flynn even left Zaphias, so I don't believe he killed them at all. Even if he did fight them, how would he win against so many people?"

"How should I know? I wasn't there. You could ask Fly—oh, never mind." Ragou smiled, drawing even more venom from Sodia's glare. Her gloves gathered the runner as her fingers curled.

"I also heard that you're investigating what happened at Caer Bocram."

Estellise gasped. "Is that true?"

"Yes, of course. I hired someone to look around and report back to me. I'm sure he'll be just as objective as whoever Alexei sends."

"We saw a man leave port earlier today in a red coat. Was he the one you hired?" Estellise asked. She wasn't sure he'd be objective at all.

Ragou seemed taken aback. "If you've seen someone leave, why do you believe I prevent ships from leaving port? That sounds contrary to your complaint."

"Oh, I would have let him go, too," Estellise said. "He looked dangerous."

"Only to his enemies, I'm sure," Ragou said.

"So you are working with him," Sodia said.

"I hired his men to protect me and my home. I'm afraid Capua Nor isn't safe. You bring up a lot of what you think is evidence implicating me of something, but I assure you, I have nothing to fear from your questions. I can answer them all."

"What about the blastia someone saw you bring into your house?"

Ragou laughed. "A blastia? What kind? You make it sound like—"

"Shortly afterward, the weather turned to this and it strangely fluctuates."

"You're blaming me for that...? And where am I keeping this blastia that can control the weather?"

"Not in the dining room, but maybe some other part of the house?"

"I can't believe you think something like that exists."

Estellise thought she saw something flash by the doorway to the hall, but when she looked, no one was there. The vase on a small table reflected a splash of purple on one side. Curious, she watched it. The purple hadn't been there when they first arrived.

"You are letting your people suffer." Sodia continued. "How can you deny that?"

"I am only one person. I can only do so much to help them. But now there's you. You are a knight. What will you do to help?"

"I…" Sodia paused, caught by surprise. "Well, I told my captain what I've learned. I intend to find out what's going on and see that it's fixed before I leave."

"Your Highness?" Ragou said.

"Huh?" Estellise turned back to him.

"Is everything all right? What were you looking at?"

"Um, nothing." But she glanced back at the vase. The purple shade was gone.

"Hm." Ragou watched her carefully for a moment and then let it go. "At any rate, it's about time a knight's attention is focused on this port." Even as he said that, Estellise had a hard time reading his reaction. He didn't seem pleased with the way his eyes darted to the side.

"So if it's not the blastia, is it the mermen who are causing the storms?" Estellise asked.

"Who knows?" Ragou said and he looked back to Sodia. "You say you'll see to the problem before you leave, but I must express my doubts. Every knight who has passed through Capua Nor has had their hands full with other affairs. They're not likely to help with this. Even you," he pointed at Sodia. "Despite your claims, you have other orders. Protecting the princess, I assume, takes precedence over helping this port. Why are you not trying to take her back to Zaphias, especially if you think I'm the danger here?"

Sodia blushed, turning away.

Because of me... Estellise thought. Because I insisted on coming here. Still, she wondered about this. Sodia believed Ragou had Dein Nomos, but there were so many things that didn't quite make sense. For one thing, Ragou didn't seem capable of killing Ioder. What would've been his motive? Though, if he had hired the man in the red coat to kill Ioder, she could easily see opportunity.

"It's not for lack of trying," Estellise admitted. "I'm afraid I've insisted on coming to see you, and I think she just didn't want to scare me."

"I suppose you can't fault a knight for doing her job." He smiled at Sodia. "Even if she's wrong about the threat. So long as you're both here, though, you know she's safe. Maybe now is a good time to look into things." He stood. "If you will please excuse me. I'm going to check on dinner. It should be ready by now." He left, but Sodia didn't move. Estellise didn't know what to say.

The knights should always help with any kind of trouble. Why would they ignore Capua Nor's plight? She glanced at Sodia who stared at her glass of water. The knights always did their duty. Did Sodia not just tell her a couple of days ago that she had tried to help Halure? Didn't she say that knights were standing guard, protecting the city from the monsters until the barrier recovered? This was the first time she heard of knights turning their backs on their own citizens, and she was surprised to see Sodia acquiesce to the accusations.

"I'm... I'm confused."

"I'm sure he's up to something. I don't know how he's controlling the weather, but it's a little weird that the rain completely stopped when he came out to see us."

"Th-that's right. It did." Estellise said. "And it let up a little when that man in the red coat left the port. You said Flynn brought this up before..."

"That's what Captain Schwann said this morning," Sodia replied.

"So Alexei should know about this if Schwann does..."

"Of course he does. Captain Schwann said he was supposed to investigate here on his way to looking for Master Ioder." Sodia said. "I'm assuming since finding him took higher priority, Schwann was just supposed to report back what he found."

"They're still imperial citizens. Why not do something now?"

"Heh," Sodia's smile carried hints of sarcasm. "Imperial citizens are supposed to be protected by the empire for sure, but they're often caught in the middle of the political struggle. It's all about who holds the power. In Heliord, the knights hold power. In Capua Nor, the Council does. Both sides are still fighting over Zaphias. Who cares about the other cities when Zaphias is where the power is?"

So that is why the Council didn't help Ragou either, Estellise thought. "Hence, why Halure had to hire guildsmen…"

"Right."

Well, that was something Estellise would change as empress. Halure would never have to worry about monsters again. "I suppose there's a lot to think about as the leader of the empire, isn't there?"

"Yes, well," Sodia's smile turned genuine, "that's why you would have the Council and the knights. Everyone will advise and support you. Or, at least they should. If not, as empress, you would have the power to have them killed."

"That's… kind of extreme, isn't it?"

"I suppose so. But if they defect against you, it's either kill them or be seen as too weak to rule. Then you'd be left with chaos, if not dead."