It was pitch black outside. You could see through the darkness better than most, but it still wasn’t your preferred travel time. However, you also knew that things were falling apart. Caught in a foreign land, there was only one person to rely on. Frustration began to rise in your chest as your bare feet clomped on the cold cobblestone. After all these years, the path to her house was still ingrained into your muscle memory.

The front door still looked the same. Years ago you had shaped a block of stone into the shape of a bull’s skull. Through the nose of the skull, a brass ring mounted it onto the door. Your hand hovered over it in an anxious moment before knocking. As the brass hit the door, it produced a sturdy banging noise, sure to alert Sindel.

A few moments passed before the door finally swung open. In its door frame stood a tall, elven woman. She looked tired, you noted. It wasn’t the kind of tiredness that came with waking someone in the middle of the night. It was the same level of tiredness you felt from constantly running and worrying. Something in your heart broke for her, even as she brought a blade level to your throat.

“Uhh hey there Sin. Long time no see huh?” She glared at you, taking in all of your details. Although her body hadn’t softened at all, her expression did just a tad.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice came through in a low growl.

“I-” Your voice got caught in your throat as you noticed the signs of tears forming in the corner of her eyes. “I need your help.” Sindel sighed before lowering her weapon.

“Fine. But I swear to whatever deity above that if you try anything, I will strike you down where you stand.”

You shook your head and went inside without another word. She let you inside first and her gaze could have burned a hole in the back of your head. Sindel gestured for you to sit down in the living area. You obliged without hesitation. With a mind of their own, your hands idly fidgeted in your lap.

“Tell me exactly what you’re doing here Dahlia.”

“Look, I’m sorry for-”

“No, that’s not what I asked. What. Do. You. Want?”

“I need help stealing something.”

“No, no, no. Absolutely not. I am not getting roped into another one of your schemes.”

“I know after what happened last-”

“You do not get to talk about what happened last time. I gave you so many chances and yet here we are. And now what? You hoped that decades later you could just come back and swindle me again?”

Your heart felt heavier with each passing moment. All the memories flooded back into your head. You knew she was right, whether or not you wanted to accept it. Yet, you knew you still had to try.

“So much has changed though. It has been over a decade since then.”

“Yes and? We live for centuries. Relatively speaking, that’s nothing. Not to mention, I swore I would never forgive you.”

“Just, you know I wouldn’t come to you if it wasn’t my only option for something this important.” The hardest part of this was knowing you believed what you were saying. You loved Sindel at one point. You also knew that you ruined everything you built with her. And yet, here you were. Sitting in her home, pleading for her help one more time. Sometimes, you weren’t sure how you made it so long without her.

“Fine, spit it out. What are you planning?”

You tried your best to get her up to speed quickly. After your departure, you joined your home kingdom’s court as the royal spymaster. Years of service had exposed you to a lot of corruption, danger and an overall sense of dread that you wanted a chance to fix. The previous night, some intel made its way to you that could change things for the better for once. You wanted out of the game, but not without one last bit of good that you were willing to die for if it required it.

After catching Sindel up to speed, her energy visibly changed. You could feel her hesitation and maybe she just felt bad for you. Or maybe she started to believe in you again. A scary feeling began to well up in your chest, knowing there was a possibility you’d have her support again. It almost felt like regret.

“Alright,” she finally broke the silence that had followed your ramblings, “Why do you need me then? Don’t you have a kingdom’s resources behind you?”

“Well, that’s the thing. I don’t. What I am here to steal will ultimately bring down the sovereign rule back home. I can’t trust anyone in the court now.”

“Wait. You want to bring down the kingdom? I thought you were trying to do good for once?”

“You don’t get it. I’ve spent years now learning all the secrets and turns out, the royalty isn’t as honorable as they’re made out to be. People are suffering under their rule. I might be their only hope for toppling the monarchy and bringing about a better age for those who survive.”

“But what could you possibly steal that would achieve such a task?”

“Years ago, someone held enough power and knowledge to rally the citizens. However, before they could take the fight to the castle, they organized a negotiation of sorts. As you can guess, it was in bad faith and lead to the capture and subsequent sealing away of said person. I know where the royalty stashed them, but the technique to break the seal is a special magic only your own kingdom is privy to. Thus, I am asking for your help.”

You watched as Sindel leaned back, finally letting the tension in her shoulders relax. She brought a hand to her face and rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingers. A deep sigh followed as she started to go deep into thought.

“Is there-” Sindel raised a finger at you and you stopped talking without a second thought. The silence was preferable to you pushing your luck again. You waited patiently as your thoughts and hopes raced around in your mind. Was she contemplating if you were genuine? Or was she just hearing you out for old times sake?

“I have two conditions.”

“Anything. Name your price.”

“Share everything you know. Don’t leave a single detail out of anything. I need to know everything you know and I want whatever proof or intel you have to back it up. I do not trust you, but I will help if you can back up your claims.”

“Deal. What’s the second condition?”

“If I catch even the hint of deceit from you, it’s over. I’m not only out but I will make sure your name is lost to time. Nobody will remember you.”

You could feel yourself gulp at the sheer scale of her threat. If anyone could accomplish something along those lines, you knew it was Sindel. Her gaze caught yours. She was almost staring through you as much as into your very soul.

“Do we have a deal?” You nodded your head, “Say it for me. Or have you suddenly forgotten how to speak?”

“Yes, we-we have a deal.” You felt yourself involuntarily stutter. She could be scary when she wanted to be. It was something you once loved about her, but being on the receiving end wasn’t as fun.

“Alright, then it seems like we’ve got some work to do. Isn’t that right Dahl?”

You hadn’t been called that in what felt like forever. Some part of you rejoiced in the old days, but the way she made you panic hadn’t quite washed away yet. It was a start, however, and that was all you needed.

“Yes, then let’s get started Sin. We don't have much time.”