Knights stormed the arena, both filing in through the tunnels and jumping down from the bleachers. The audience was in a frenzy, some crying and others pleading for Jin's head.

It wasn't long before Jin was surrounded. The archers above had their bows aimed at him, while the knights on ground were rushing towards him. Jin only fought them off for a short while before being gashed in the leg by a spear.

"Stop!" said Charmelene, racing down the stands.

"Charmelene!" said Keos, in pursuit of her.

"What do we do?" said Jesse.

"Just stay here," said Jenn, leaping over the bleachers in pursuit of Keos and Charmelene.

Jin was on his knees, a spearhead deep in his leg. The knights enclosed on him, their spears and swords pointed towards his head.

After leaping over the barricade, Charmelene began pushing her way through the distracted knights. Keos followed, stumbling over the wall and into the hazardous area.

"Stop!" said Charmelene, kneeling down next to Jin.

Jenn stopped at the lower deck, but before she could leap over the barricade, she was taken from behind.

"Get your hands off me!" she said, struggling to free herself.

In the arena, Charmelene and Keos armed themselves: Charmelene with Jin's short sword and Keos with Agrunnus' blade. They pointed them at the knights, almost daring them to come closer.

"Calm yourself," said Jenn's captor. "Calm yourself."

Jenn stopped struggling and looked up at her captor. She recognized the gloved-man as the champion of the archery tournament.

He took her shoulder and turned her towards him. "Listen," he said. "If you go down there, they'll kill you. Do you understand?"

"I have to!" said Jenn. "Those are my friends!"

"It's too late for your friends."

"You're wrong!" Jenn kicked the man in the knee, freeing herself. But as she prepared to make her leap, she felt a sudden blow across the back of her head. She lost consciousness and fell back into the man's arms.

As the man carried Jenn away, Charmelene and Keos were at a standstill with the knights. It didn't last long, however, as one of the archer's fired an arrow, sticking Charmelene straight in the knee. She let out a cry and collapsed to the ground.

"Charmelene!" said Keos. But just as he turned, a knight jabbed a spear into his shoulder. The audience cheered as Keos joined the other two on the ground. The knights drew closer, ready to finish off the ex-soldiers.

"Wait!" Prince Jareck was waving his hands. "With my father's death, I now serve as your new king!"

The knights stopped and the audience grew silent.

"There punishment is mine to deliver!" His eyes circled the audience, as if he were daring someone to challenge him. "For the murder of my father," he continued, "I sentence them to death at the stake!"

The audience roared.

After restraining the ex-soldiers with shackles, the knights led them into a dark tunnel.

When Jenn awoke, she found herself back in her sleeping chamber. Jesse was sitting on the bed beside her, while the gloved-man was reading something at the window.

"She's awake!" said Jesse.

Jenn's head was throbbing. "What happened to Jin—and Keos and Charmelene? Are they okay?"

"They took them," said Jesse. "The prince sentenced them to be burned at the stake."

"We have to do something," said Jenn, rising from the bed—which she instantly regretted.

"Settle yourself," said the man, yet to look up from the letter. "Where did you get this letter?"

"A raven came to my window last night, but I think it was meant for someone else."

He looked up from the letter, "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean?" said Jenn. "You're the one who brought me here."

"No—What you doing here with the Xomenclature?"

Jenn hesitated. This man must've been more than just an ordinary citizen to recognize the Xomenclature.

"We came for the games," said Jenn, instinctively.

"Don't lie. I saw your archery—you're no novice. And those in the arena, they're soldiers. Now tell me, why'd you come here? And do not lie." His yellowish eyes were beaming at her.

"I can't tell you," she said.

"Then I'll assume you're hiding something."

Jenn didn't deny it.

He handed her the letter, but when she went to grab it, she was met with resistance.

"You're friends are going to be burned alive," he said. "These are serious matters, so I certainly hope you understand what you're doing." He released the letter.

"We have to help them," said Jesse.

The man reached in his cloak and pulled out three small pills, the size of gallantberries.

"Here," he said, offering them to Jenn. "Give these to your friends. They're holding them in the dungeon below the manor."

Jenn took them. "What are they for?"

"It'll save your friends from terrible pain."

"Poison?"

He nodded.

Jenn tucked the pills in her pocket. "There has be something we can do! Help us—please. I'm really good with a bow—you saw. We can take out the knights if you just help me."

"Two people and bows against one-hundred knights? I don't think so."

"We can at least try," said Jenn. "Please..."

"Their fate's already been determined." He made his way to the door, but before exiting, he turned to her. "Give them the poison."

"Jenn..." Jesse's eyes were sad and wide. "We can't let this happen. We have to do something—anything."

"I know, Jesse." She collected her bow and quiver from the dresser. "We'll go find them."

Using Jesse's map as a guide, they began making their way to the dungeon. It led them to a narrow staircase that was guarded by a single knight.

"We wish to see the prisoners," said Jenn, with confidence.

"No visitors allowed," said the knight.

"We're not visitors. The prince sent us to tend to their wounds."

"Do you have the prince's seal?"

"The prince couldn't provide one," said Jenn. "No one anticipated the king's sudden death, so he doesn't have one yet."

"No entry without a seal," said the knight.

"Fine," said Jenn. "We'll go back and ask the prince to vouch for us. But he's not in the best mood right now, with the death of his father, so I hope he doesn't take it out on you. Just a bit ago, I saw him sentence a knight to the rack just for knocking over his drink." She turned and started heading in the other direction.

"Hold it."

Jenn stopped and turned.

The knight stepped to the side. "You may enter—but be quick."

"Thank you," said Jenn.

"Good choice," added Jesse, as she passed.

The dungeon was unlike the rest of the manor, which was finely lit and built with bright stone. They followed the darkened pathway, only lit by distantly-placed torches, and passed by several granite statues. It wasn't until they passed the third one when Jenn recognized what they were.

"The Eight Gods of Virtue and Vice," she said.

"Why would they put them down here?" said Jesse. "Aren't all the gods supposed to be afraid of death?"

"If you believe in them," said Jenn.

They passed one barred chamber after another, but each was empty. Just when she was losing hope, she spotted a dark figure at the corner of one of the last chambers. It was Jin.

"Jin!" said Jenn. She could see him look up, but it was too dark to see his eyes.

"Who's that?" he said.

"It's Jenn."

"And Jesse," said Jesse.

"How's your leg?" said Jenn.

"Painful," said Jin, laughing. "They patched us up a bit before locking us in here—did an ass of job though."

"Where's Keos and Charmelene?"

"A little further down. I think they're managing better than me."

Jenn pressed herself against the bars. "We have to get you out," she said. "Jesse and I can take out the knight upstairs. Do you know where the keys are?"

"With the prince. I saw him tossing them around like a goddamn toddler." He laughed softly. "I can't believe I'm being sentenced to die by a spoiled little kid."

"We'll find him," said Jenn. "And we'll come back for you."

"No, there's no need."

"What do you mean? They're going to kill you, Jin—they're gonna burn you all alive."

"Let 'em. It's what I deserve—I just regret getting Charmelene and Keos involved."

"Why'd you do it?"

"What?—skewer the dirty old bastard?"

"Yes."

"It's what he deserved. He should've never touched Charm."

"I know you were upset, but now they're going to kill Charmelene, too."

"I know," said Jin, almost shouting. "I didn't mean to involve them, but I couldn't stand the thought of him touching her. Maybe I should've just cut off his hands."

"Please," said Jenn, "let us help you. We'll be extremely careful. Maybe I'll try to bed with him, then when he's sleeping—"

"No!" said Jin, now at a yell. "I don't want that pubescent laying a goddamn finger on you—do you understand me?"

Almost at a cry, Jenn nodded. She began feeling responsible for the entire incident—for giving in to the king's demands. They could've found another place. It wouldn't have been as ideal, but they'd still all be together.

"Go to Charmelene," said Jin. "It'd make her happy."

Jenn stood at the chamber a little longer before continuing down to the end of the dungeon. When they passed the eighth, and final, statue, they found Charmelene sitting with her legs stretched out. Keos was in the cell across from her, pacing back and forth.

"Jenn!" said Keos.

Jenn noticed that his shoulder was wrapped in cloth. "What happened to you?"

"They stuck me in the shoulder, didn't you see?"

"No," said Jenn.

"They stuck Charmelene with an arrow—it went right through her knee. I doubt she'll walk again."

"Thanks a lot, Keos," said Charmelene. "You do know I'm right here?"

"Sorry..."

"How's your leg?" said Jenn, turning to her.

"It feels like it's on fire," she said, managing to offer a soft laugh. "I guess I should get used to what that feels like."

"Jin doesn't want me to help you escape," said Jenn, "but I have to."

"I know you do," said Charmelene. "You're a good person—one of the most loyal I've ever known—but Jin's right. I wouldn't allow you to risk yourself at our expense. We made a choice—a poor one—and now, we have to pay the costs. But don't let our poor choice cost your life as well. You and Jesse need to live—you two are my only source of hope, so please don't squander it."

"But I can't lose you," said Jenn, crying. "I've already lost everyone—please..."

"The Xomenclature depend on you," said Keos. "They won't walk without you. You have to lead them."

"I can't—not by myself."

"Of course you can," said Keos. "It's what you were born to do. You have Wardrem blood." He smiled at her, but it did little to encourage her.

"A lot of people are depending on you," said Charmelene. "Remember, it's not only the Xomenclature you're fighting for—you're fighting for every ex-soldier, and little kid, and every Jenn and Jesse."

She didn't want to admit it, but at this point, nothing felt like it mattered anymore. It was true, that the council needed to pay for their injustices, but at this moment, her heavy heart outweighed her grudge.

"Take them north," continued Charmelene, "and show everyone what the council has done. The people will side with you—I know it."

Jenn nodded slowly.

"Go!" said Charmelene. "Forget us—just don't forget our friendship."

As difficult as it was, Jenn wiped her tears and left her two friends. Jesse followed. But before exiting the dungeon, Jenn stopped at Jin's cell.

"Thank you," she said, pressing her face against the cold bars. "I didn't appreciate it earlier, but you taught me so much—I could never repay you for that."

Jin let out a short burst of laughter. "You really are clueless, aren't you? You gave me my goddamn life back. It may have only been for a few days, but I'd take those days over a lifetime in the Outskirts. Because of you and your crazy ass, suicidal mission, Jin Fidelatin lived again."

Jenn smiled, but her tears poured harder.

"Now go," said Jin. "Take those damn rejects, and go get my city back."

Jenn nodded, then made her way out of the dungeon.

When they ascended the stairs, Jesse turned to her. "Why didn't you give them the poison?" she said.

Jenn stopped andlooked at her. "Because," she said, "we're going to save them."