It was a mildly raucous night, the square occasionally echoed with the sound of overeager revellers. Fritz did his best to stay focused, but found his mind wandering when he should have been watching for trouble. He yawned.

It had already been six days since the siege was broken, the dregs and deserters of the now leaderless gangs had either gone into hiding, met a bitter end or had left the desperate district entirely. As such, the danger of these flooded streets had eased considerably, as had the flooding itself. Buildings were slowly being restored, the gutters were cleaner than they'd been in a century, and the crime and chaos had receded as the waters had.

That was to say, they used to be neck deep in poverty and violence, now they were merely chest deep. Though it wasn't the triumphant shift Fritz desired, it was a good start and the best he could do, considering his limited wealth and power.

The Headquarters itself was at the heart of these changes. It stood more solidly than ever before, its foundations reinforced and its tiled roof no longer leaking, all the holes fixed and the gaps sealed. Fritz wanted to believe that he was to thank for all the good done, however, the Count's writ and the workmen had really done more to improve the conditions than the edge of his dagger had.

Though there was something to be said about the Scarlet Shade's reputation keeping away the rough gangs and the worst predators, Bloody Bert and the Scarlet Storm's names were whispered just as often with respect, reverence and the abiding fear underneath. It would be that way when people were ruled by the point of a blade. One not sheathed in the guise of law and the splendour of the nobility.

Fritz shook his head, 'The Observations' had taken a strong root in his mind and it was spreading to his heart, as was evidenced by his Journeyman mastery of the Technique. He had only been mildly surprised by what he had found when he fell into his Sanctum to check what, if any, changes had been wrought by the tremor he felt during the last defence of the refuge.

---------

---

The Observations (Journeyman)

Whittle away, scatter survive, poor prevail, covertly thrive.

This Technique grants lesser benefits to stealth, tracking, running, attrition and debilitating effects and Abilities.

Awareness is more effective at discovering secrets, finding vulnerabilities, noticing ambushes and perceiving Authority.

You, and the traps and ambushes you set are harder to detect.

Abilities gained and Evolved are more likely to be influenced with these effects.

---

You read, practised and understood the Techniques in "The Observations and Impressions of an Officer Contending in an Asymmetrical Conflict: The Training Method and Guide to Effective Strategic Engagement and Skirmishing by Theodore Flynte."

You have participated and led a number of engagements against superior forces in defence of home and humanity.

---

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He pondered, again, about the changes. There was the obvious improvement, his minor benefits had grown to lesser ones, which Adam confirmed to be a substantial increase in the effect. A doubling, really, from fifteen per cent to thirty. What that actually meant for the more esoteric aspects of the Technique wasn't clear, but his tutor just told him that more is better, and to leave the complex calculations to the scholars.

There were also the new lines added, a boon to stealth for not just him but his traps and ambushes, and an increase to the scope of his Awareness.

It was a lot, yet it still felt like little. He was just better at what he was already doing, or so his Spire Sheet claimed. He wondered just how much was magic, and how much was simply his own skill and experience.

He should've asked Adam. Though maybe he'd just tell him to talk to a scholar again. While his tutor was knowledgeable, he didn't care much for the why of things, just the what. Practical, tactical, pragmatic, but ultimately only concerned with the necessities of Climbing and how to survive and thrive in those perilous places.

While Fritz had been frustrated by this, Adam had sternly rebuked him. He reminded Fritz that there was little true knowledge, and the scholars and philosophers argued endlessly on what the truth was. Even in Gnosisaes, where the greatest minds often gathered in a form of scholarly pilgrimage, there was nothing like a consensus.

Adam preferred what was useful to what was needlessly detailed, or at least, he stated as much.

A shiver went down Fritz's back, pulling him from his wandering thoughts. It wasn't a cold sensation, but rather a warm thrill; it felt as though a string had been plucked, far away. He didn't know what it meant, but he had a few guesses. With a smile spreading on his face, he waited, watching the square.

Nearly half an hour later, a shadow strode into Fritz's vision. He didn't need his instincts or Awareness to recognise Sid. Though he did wonder why she was walking barefoot. He watched her for a moment longer as she stopped in place and stared around the Refuge. There was something like surprise, or even joy, on her wearied features.

Fritz slid from his high vantage point and silently slunk up behind her, keeping to the deeper shadows.

"Who dares trespass upon the territory of the Scarlet Shade?" Fritz intoned like a vengeful ghost.

Sid nearly jumped out of her skin, though she hid it well enough and Fritz immediately regretted his choice to play a joke on her.

He hadn't intended to scare her as much as he had. He lit the mana lantern on his belt. A dull glow illuminated where he stood, and she swiftly spun to glare at him.

"You prick!" She hissed. "I could just strangle you."

"Just like old times," Fritz said nostalgically. "However, if you did so, the Refuge would come to my aid. I'm like a Lord to them now."

"Is that so?" Sid asked.

Now that Fritz was closer, he could see her more clearly. She had been crying and her sword was missing. Something bad must have happened in the Mer Spire.

"Are you alright?"

Sid nodded, though her eyes were watery.

"I'm fine. It's just... It's just..."

"It's Just?"

"It's just, I didn't expect you to still be here," Sid stated. She looked away and up at the tall tenements, still fighting back her obvious emotion. "I thought the siege would still be on, but there's no sign of those gangs. I didn't think I'd come back to so much... good."

She choked out a laugh and smiled brightly, her eyes danced with tears, and motes of joy, gratitude and hope sparked around her head like a halo, breaking the mantle of dread that had been surrounding her. There was also a line of colour he couldn't name, faint and fluid. It stretched between them, pulsing like the beating of a heart.

Though Fritz knew he couldn't touch the thread with his hand, he felt that he could strum it with a caress of his Dusksong. He didn't. For some reason, the thought turned his stomach.

Fritz hid his errant musing and smiled back. He tried to make it charming, though it probably came off as self-satisfied. "What can I say? I'm a hero."

Strangely enough, that only made Sid laugh louder.

"You smug bastard," she said, closing in on him. She took his hands in hers and gazed up into his eyes. "But I suppose that's true."

She leaned in close and whispered into his ear. "I have something for you."

"Oh?"

"Just here," She said, reaching under her armour, then below her shirt. The movement revealed a pale path of soft skin, an indecent amount of it.

Sid smiled, it had a mischievous, bold bent. She pecked him on the cheek as he leaned close and drew out a thin, round object of metal.

It was a Treasure, that much he was certain of. His greed warred with his other desires as he stared at the engraved disc of silver. Though he wanted to inspect it further, his blood was up and he couldn't concentrate on anything but her. He slid the shining Treasure in his pocket and focused on the more beautiful one before him.

He leant in and they shared a kiss, one he'd yearned for. She wrapped her arms around him, and his slid around her. They stood in the square, in the rain, together at the centre of the world. It could have been a moment, it could have been a minute. But it was over all too soon.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"I take it you won't want to swap off tonight?" A voice from a shadow asked.

Sid startled in Fritz's arms and stepped away quickly. He was loath to let her go, but he sighed and turned to the intruder.

"Very astute, Toby," Fritz allowed, smiling pointedly. "You may run home and enjoy a night abed."

"Could have told me earlier and saved me the walk. And I'm also the Shade when in these parts, remember," Toby grumbled, flapping the end of a scarlet scarf.

"Shade?" Sid asked.

"Yeah, we're both the Scarlet Shade, or were," Toby said. "Not much need of that now that the Scarlet Storm is back."

Sid ran her fingers over the frayed edge of her own, ragged red scarf. "Yeah, they're back alright."

"Climb looks like it went rough, get to the top?" Toby asked.

Sid nodded.

The conversation came to a halt and the three of them stood there for some moments.

"I'm gonna go," Toby finally said.

"Farewell, Shade," Fritz said, waving one hand.

"Alright," Sid said.

Toby nodded and began to turn when Sid spoke again.

"And, uh, thank you, Toby, for helpin' the Refuge. If you're ever in trouble, you're welcome here."

He nodded slowly.

"Jane, too," Sid said.

Toby's lips slid into a sly smile. "Alright."

Then he left, darting into a shadow with that annoyingly fearsome Ability.

"Show off," Fritz said.

Sid chuckled, and now that they were alone again, took his hand in hers. He glanced to her, smiled and said, "Shall we tour the Refuge? I can show you all the improvements that have been made and the good works that have been started."

"Yeah, sounds good. Any place to get some soap and a shower?" Sid asked.

"There were some stalls restored only this week," Fritz said, releasing her hand. "Just this way."

He gestured for her to take his arm, but she shook her head and nudged him with her shoulder.

"Lead the way," Sid said.

Fritz did, and as they passed by the buildings, he pointed out any additions or repairs made since she'd been gone. She had only been away for something like fourteen days, maybe more, and yet, it felt thrice that.

"And that's where Ame and Naomi will have their laboratory," Fritz said, motioning to a large, low construction that still had many repairs to be made and some alterations to be put into place. "It's not much now, but in a month's time it will be a bubbling hive of alchemical excellence."

Sid nodded. "It'll be good to have them here in the Refuge."

"It will be," Fritz agreed. "And that's not all. I've caught a couple of Tallie's 'girls' wandering around."

"You better not be trying to poach those girls," Sid warned, frowning deeply. "Tallie has only been good to us and them. It would be doin' her a bad turn."

Fritz shook his head. "No, nothing of the sort. I merely watched them."

"Course you did," Sid observed, her voice taking on an irritated tone. "Pretty were they? Any catch the Lord's eye?"

"They were," he admitted, smiling. "Though my heart has been captured, completely, by another, and I trust it over my eyes."

He slipped his hand around hers and squeezed gently. She scoffed, but returned the slight pressure.

"They weren't here to find new employment," Fritz continued.

"They weren't? How do you know that?"

"I'm a Scout, remember," Fritz said. "And as such, I know when other people are also scouting."

"Uh-huh. What were they looking for then?"

"They were searching for a place that would be suitable for a tavern," Fritz said.

Sid nodded.

"I suspect that Tallie might want to move her establishment into the Refuge's borders," Fritz theorised.

A line of worry creased Sid's brow.

Fritz frowned. "I thought you'd be pleased to hear such news, speculation though it may be."

"I am pleased, or would be. Tallie is great. A wonderful woman and a powerful ally. But I know 'the boss' wouldn't like her coming here. They don't get along. It could also look bad. Like I'm gathering strength to mutiny."

Fritz considered, nodded, then sighed. Inwardly, he lamented that nothing could ever be simple.

Sid's face also bore the unmistakable weariness that came with dealing with the outer world.

They reached the shower stalls in silence. Fritz walked to the closed box that contained the publicly available soap that his coin had generously provided. It was kept locked most of the time, save mornings when anyone could take a bar if they needed one. This didn't prevent those with a thief's disposition from stealing more, but it was cheap, scentless soap anyway and there wasn't a short supply, so there was little harm done.

Fritz picked the lock, then cursed as he found that it had already been unlocked and the box had been completely emptied. Seemingly, some urchin had raided it. He smiled wanly at Sid, who smiled tiredly.

"Don't worry, I've got some in my pack," she said. "Keep watch for me, okay?"

"You can depend on me to protect your virtue and honour," Fritz stated.

"Uh-huh, how very gallant of you," Sid replied, walking into an open stall, then closing it.

These shower stalls were unlike the ones in Fritz's yard in that they were simpler, no pipes or nozzles, just the simple rope that pulled the roof open and closed to let in water as needed.

Still, Sid didn't complain. She was tough.

In less than six minutes, Sid was clean, out of her soaked armour and wearing fresher clothes. She met him with a smile and a yawn.

"Walk me home?"

Fritz nodded. Hand in hand, they made their way to the headquarters.

On the outside, little had changed about the tall tenement. The walls were the same grey and many, if not most, of the windows were boarded.

"Who's that?" Sid asked, pulling her hand away and pointing at a man standing by the entrance.

"I think that's Tim, one of the militia," Fritz explained.

"Militia?" Sid asked teasingly. "Sounds like someone's been reading 'The Observations'."

"Ha, I don't think you, of all people, should be making such accusations," Fritz said.

"True as the rain," Sid agreed. "Even though I'm only a Novice, it's been bloody useful getting this place organised."

"I have to agree. Though I'm hesitant to admit my mastery has outpaced yours," Fritz boasted.

"Really? Journeyman? How?"

"There was a battle. The Refuge and I fought back together. I can only think that something about the struggle enlightened me," Fritz said.

"You know that's not how Techniques are meant to be learnt," Sid said. "You're meant to master them through practice and study. In calm and safe places, not in a bloody brawl."

Fritz shrugged. "Again, should you be saying that? Didn't you discover one by accident? Syl's Soaring something?"

"Sid's Soaring Sharpshooting. And I didn't discover it, I created it. Says so in my Spire sheet," Sid boasted.

"Ah, I forgot you were some kind of bow prodigy. But where did I get Syl from then?" Fritz mused.

Sid shuffled her shoulders uncomfortably. Fritz glanced at her face and saw some embarrassment there. He quirked an eyebrow.

"I'll tell you later," Sid whispered.

Fritz let the subject lie. Sometimes he could be wise.

They strode up to the headquarters. Tim hailed them as they entered the lantern light.

"Who goes there?"

"The Shade and your true leader," Fritz announced.

"Sid's back?" He asked warily.

"That's right. Tim wasn't it?" Sid asked gruffly.

"That's right. Welcome back, boss," Tim said eagerly. "There's been lots of work done, just wait until you see-"

"That's enough, militiaman," Fritz interrupted. "Your boss is weary from his Climb, make way if you would."

Tim nodded, seemingly hearing the warning in Fritz's tone and moved from the doorway.

They passed through and started climbing the stairs.

"Less leaks, none over the stairs," Sid immediately noticed. "There's new wood here, too."

Fritz nodded.

They continued their ascent as Sid marvelled at the changes. It had been a rotting, creaking mess when she had left and now it was approaching the standard of a decent dwelling in one of the other, more wealthy, districts.

Sid had gone silent by the time they had reached her room. They stood before a door, a new one hung on bright hinges and set with a clean brass handle. She looked at Fritz apprehensively and he tilted his head in a soft nod. She reached out and clasped the hand and pulled it down. It rattled in place. Locked.

Fritz feigned forgetfulness, then patted his pockets down before drawing out a thick key. He handed it to her and she took it and placed it in the keyhole. With a clack, the lock disengaged. The door opened smoothly, without the telltale squeak of rust or creak of swollen wood, revealing the room beyond.

Sid's hand went to her mouth and she blinked rapidly. Fritz put a hand on her back and guided her inside, closing the door behind them.

They stepped from hard floorboards onto a clean rug. Sid took in the room slowly, looking this way and that at the walls, roof and floor. It was comfortably decorated, containing simple, solid furniture. There was a chest of drawers, a cabinet, an empty bookcase and a small table with some chairs. Shelves adorned the walls and the window that looked down into the square was newly shuttered with slats of sturdy wood.

"It's dry," she said, a slight waver to her voice.

"It is," Fritz agreed.

"There's a bed," she continued.

Fritz nodded. "There is."

"A real bed, with a frame and mattress," Sid said.

"And sheets and blankets," Fritz said, gesturing broadly. "That feather pillow is made of sirensilk. You'll have to forgive the stitching, I did it myself."

Sid nodded numbly. "I forgive you."

Though she didn't wail or sob, tears poured down her cheeks.

"This is nice," she said hoarsely. "But it's too much."

"It's yours. And before you attempt to reject this kindness, know that it wasn't just me who wanted you to have this. The Refuge wants this for you. They won't accept you living in squalor any longer."

"But-"

"But nothing. Though this is more than you'd ask for, this is less than you deserve," Fritz stated. "Accept a bit of comfort. You've done so much for them already."

Sid nodded, dropped her pack and weapons, then embraced Fritz. She buried her head in his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank you."

"It wasn't just me."

"No. For staying, for keeping your promise... For everything."

They stood there for almost a minute as Sid collected herself. When she stepped away, she pulled off her cloak and hung it on a hook where the water dripped into a bucket below it. She delighted in that simple act.

Sid turned and beamed at Fritz, then yawned. It was contagious and he was forced to imitate her.

She sat on her bed, marvelled at the softness, then held out a hand. "Join me...in the bed."

"Of course." He took her hand.

Soon they were beneath the sheets, but their fatigue claimed them before they could do more than hold eachother. Sid fell asleep in his arms and Fritz followed.

He woke when dawn approached, and regretfully remembered that he had training. He slid gracefully away from Sid. She stirred.

"Where are you going?" Sid murmured.

"I have practice and study," Fritz lamented. "My tutor will take it out of my hide if I'm late again."

"Stay, for just a little longer," she asked.

Fritz hesitated. He knew he had to take every advantage to get stronger, and that every moment should be spent in that pursuit. But when he looked down at Sid, he remembered that this time was just as precious. And, with the world as it was, moments, minutes or nights like this might never come again. Sid or himself could end up dead and drowned.

While it was foolish to shirk his training, he found it more foolish to waste this warmth.

Fritz nodded and cradled Sid closer. She sighed.

"Sylvia's soaring sharpshooting," she whispered.

"What?"

"The Technique. It's Sylvia's, not Sid's."

"I see," Fritz lied.

"It's my true name. From before I was Sid. When I was a young girl."

"Oh."

"When we're alone. You can call me Sylvia."

Fritz kissed her bare shoulder.

"Sweet dreams, Sylvia."

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