It’s a disheartening thing, to watch the strong collapse.

  It’s nature at work; the weak seek the strong. Like Kierra says, predators are terrifying, but there is nothing like knowing the wolf is working for you. We praise the saints and the heroes they inspire because the monsters are real and we desperately hope they can shield us from them. Oh, some bleeding heart might cry for the hero themselves, but most of us cry for selfish reasons; we cry for ourselves who have to face the darkness.

  The part of me that remembers being weak cringes at the sight of the fiery instructor. She isn’t broken, it would take far more than refugees and rebels to do that, but she is beaten down. She is tired and exasperated. Everything about her screams it: her drooping shoulders, the darkness under her eyes, her tone. She doesn’t want to be here. She doesn’t want to be anywhere but her bed, I imagine.

  Keeping that in mind, I put aside all of the contempt I have for the idiot brigade standing behind her, smugging at me. I can’t even fathom what ridiculous fantasies of the future are going through their minds.

  “What can I do for my favorite instructor?”

  “Am I? Your favorite?”

  My brows nearly climb off my face. If that had been just a bit whinier…well. But no. I shove down my lustful thoughts. “If I don’t count my wife, but that hardly seems fair.”

  Alyssa rubs her brow. “I’m going to accept that. And I’m going to try to be glad for it, because right now, I’m calling on all that supposed affection. Lou, what the hell is happening and how do I make it stop?”

  I unconsciously soften my tone. “This is…a secret guild stash. For reparations for their actions, for the sake of the city, and for everyone’s safety, I’m confiscating it.”

  She rubs her brows. “I’m not going to ask why the guilds have, what are those? Weapons? No, don’t care. You’re not killing anyone? Burning down homes and snatching maidens?”

  She makes me sound like a fantastical monster. “No one has been hurt and I don’t plan to change that. I just want to go home.”

  “You won’t come back?”

  “Nope.”

  Her relief is almost offensive. “Thank the ancestors for mercies big and small. Can you get going soon? Those assholes asked me to see you out of the Sanctuary with bloodshed.”

  “Are they paying you?”

  “Of course they’re paying me! You think anyone is dealing with you for free? And I get a bonus if this is settled peacefully so…” She makes a shooing motion.

  “Yeah, yeah. We’re going.”

  “I could kiss you.”

  “That’s just mean.”

  “I know. Take some of my misery.”

  “What in the Abyss are you doing?!” Angry Son shouts, shattering the brittle joy of our mutual teasing. “She’s robbing us right in front of you. You’re supposed to be arresting her.”

  Alyssa turns to him with a look that should be reserved unpleasant things that skitter on too many legs. “She claims this stuff belongs to the guilds. You say it’s yours. Someone’s lying.”

  “We’re holding it on behalf of the guild.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “So. It’s. Not. Yours. Is. It?”

  “We’re contractually obligated to ensure no one takes it!”

  “Go right ahead,” she sneers. “But let me make something clear. The Hall was willing to negotiate for peace on your behalf on the assumption that you were innocents. We are not hired muscle. We didn’t sign any Peaks damned contracts.”

  “But she’s breaking the law right in front of you!”

  “Last time I checked, the Sanctuary is an independent entity from the Hall, so she’s not breaking any of our laws.”

  “The king’s law!”

  “Oh, yeah. You should take that up with the governing nobles. We’re not actually in charge of the city, you know.”

  “Lord Teppin fled the city.”

  “No problem. The crown stripped him of his status and appointed a new governing family.”

  “Who?”

  The way his face collapses as she gestures toward me is priceless. “Behold, Countess Lou, first of her name.”

  “Please, there’s no need for formalities. I am a noble for the people and am always happy to address my people’s concerns.” I take pride in the snort of amusement that draws out of the instructor.

  The angry man does not appreciate my humor nearly as much. Or at all. “But…but…that’s unfair!”

  “Oh? And robbing the guilds who have just suffered an unspeakable tragedy is fair? Cheating the tribes is fair? Saints shining tits, is the breaking and breeding animals fair? I bet you they don’t think so. World isn’t fair. Suck it up and deal with it like the rest of us.”

  The old man who’d been letting his presumed son take point in venting their anger steps forward once again. He fixes Alyssa with a look that would be more appropriate for a grandfather facing a misbehaving child, which is wrong in so many ways.

  “I understood why the Hall didn’t get involved with the city; the hunters have always insisted on independence, and it was their mess. However, the Sanctuary and the Hall have been allies for a long time. We have pacts, spoken and written. We are friends and family. What is the point of you? The point of all your magic and the rivers of crowns you spend every year? Why bother if you refuse to use that magic and might when it’s needed? What’s the point of you?”

  “What’s the point of you?” she mocks childishly. “Are you an idiot? Obviously, the point of power is to use it however I damn well please!”

  He backpedals as she stomps toward him, but she easily outpaces him, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and hauling him to his toes. Angry Son and the other men step forward but a burst of flame sends them scuttling backward.

  Glowing green eyes bore into the man. “I shed blood, sweat, and tears for my power. I sacrificed years of my life and people that I love. What gives you the right to tell me how to use my power? Who are you to demand I risk my life for you? What have you done for anyone, you slimy, manipulative little shit?! Have you fed the hungry? Nursed the sick? Sheltered the homeless?”

  She doesn’t give him the chance to answer before shoving him to the ground. Angry Son is at his side in moments, helping him to his feet and putting the old man behind him. “You can forget about ever buying from us again! Or using the Sanctuary for your training!”

  “Oh no. We have to find another source for ponies and a few open fields. A trial for only the greatest heroes among us.”

  “Excuse me.”

  Alyssa turns to Shake, who flashes her a friendly smile, an impressive feat amid the tension. “They do not speak for the tribes. If you wish to cooperate with us, you can negotiate with the tribes individually.”

  “We’ll vote against it!” Angry Son snarls.

  “Have you already forgotten that you have broken trust? Our fates are no longer tied. Your vote means nothing.”

  Alyssa laughs cruelly at the man’s stricken expression. “So, just to sum it up, you tried to rob people for a quick payday and instead you, what? Lost business? A lot of it? Hey, do you feel stupid? You look stupid. Dumbasses. Remember this moment when your grandsons are wondering why they’re shoveling shit out of someone else’s stables.”

  She leaves them that cheery image and an uncomfortable silence as she stomps away. The men of the Ranch watch her retreating back with disbelief and dread; it takes me walking the carriage past to shock them out of their reverie.

  “…monster.” Angry Son spits to the side as I turn to him. “This is the city you want? What you killed for?”

  “A city where idiots get what’s coming to them and I get to do what I want? Sounds good to me.”

  “We don’t accept this. People won’t accept this. You’ll rule a ruin, a trash heap. That’s all you deserve.”

  “Want to leave? Be my guest. I hear the north is lovely this time of year.”

  I wave as I urge the horses forward. Though he does make a good point. Plenty of people used to different norms are going to balk at my reforms. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a mass exodus from the city. And good riddance to them! I can’t imagine what a city without idiots looks like. Can I make a law banning stupidity? No, there really won’t be anyone left.

  Maybe…mandatory learning? Can I force people to learn how to make smarter decisions instead of useless etiquette?

  Imagine, a city full of Earls, but without worrying near-worship of me. Droves and droves of competent, polite people.

  What a beautiful dream.