"Who goes there?," said a sentry, spear and shield raised.

"Kohl, Master of the Mountain Spire and Fatebinder of Tunon. I spoke to Janos near the heart of the storm, and he told me I would find Captain Mattias here."

"And why should I direct you to him, dog of Kyros?"

"Because the longer the Regent stays alive, the longer the people of Stalwart suffer. And I think we can make a deal."

"I'll tell my commander," the sentry said, disappearing into the dust.

Kohl wasn't waiting long.

"I am Mattias, leader of the Unbroken. Fatebinder Kohl is a name I recognize. Why are you here, Stormcaller?"

"To clean up my mess. Should I have let someone else do it?"

"To end the Edict you proclaimed?"

"For the same reason that I gave you a day's warning. Because I have no grievance with the people of Stalwart, and want to protect as many of them as I can from the inevitable march of Kyros. Also, because Straydus Herodin is a fool and a coward and I would very much like to see him executed for the damage he allowed to come to his people to salve his pride."

"You're at fault as much as that fool is."

"I gave him as much time to concede as I could. I didn't think Stalwart, or any of the Tiers, could beat Kyros; I tried to limit the damage."

"Cold comfort."

"Well, I have a better plan now."

"Do you?"

"Kyros will never accept an independent Stalwart. But his Archons can act quite freely. I'm not one. Yet. But I am a 'representative of Kyros', and I might arrange a cut-out. Dictator Mattias, sworn to an agent of Kyros but with leeway to run Stalwart and the Unbroken much as before."

"...It's a better deal than the Chorus or Disfavored have offered us. Would your Archon of War agree to it?"

"He'll want concessions. Return of all prisoners, including those in Sentinel Stand. Return of armor and weapons looted from Disfavored bodies. But his junior officers will be much more problematic than the General."

"...I don't buy it. I don't see the trick, but I can see there is one. You have an angle."

"Know much about Archons? Ashe before he was Graven? I have a legacy to establish. But if you want proof of good faith... Ask."

"...Eliminate the Scarlet Chorus in Trapper's Junction. Then we'll talk."

"Verse, who leads them?"

"Jagged Remedy. A mad dog crossed with a Sage. No regrets here."

"Then we shall be back soon."

Jagged Remedy knows a great deal about anatomy and healing, almost all learned while 'treating' painful wounds that turned deadly in his care. He is also quite willing to teach others to fight more effectively, with no fear of a coup, because the fear of his experimentation is strong enough to keep his gang in line.

He was trying to recruit the local Unbroken. Partly through capturing prisoners and torturing them, to demonstrate the price of refusing to be recruited.

He and his gang are tough, but not tough enough.

"Done," Kohl says simply when he returns about an hour later. "His sword," and he underhands it in a slide across the stone. "If you want it. Some prisoners on the way."

"I don't think we do," one says after touching it, "I can feel his madness in it already. We'll have our medic ready for them."

Mattias returns. "Come sit down, if you'll give me your word not to start a fight in my camp. There are some things we can discuss."

"You have it," Kohl replies without hesitation.

"I heard from Janos you had a plan to penetrate the wind wall, bring justice to the Regent and an end to the Edict. I suspect it involves an artifact of Stalwart."

"We do, and it does. The Steadfast Insignia lets its bearer hold fast in any circumstance. Maybe even this one. I assigned Elia to the Rust Canyons to search for it - I understand it wasn't there and could guess where she turned her eyes, but she's besieged by Disfavored."

"You want me to negotiate a cease-fire?"

"I'm sure the Disfavored want to steal our plan and conquer Sentinel Stand themselves. But if you ask, and potentially take charge of the search yourself... I think they might stand down, for at least a week or three."

"It might be a difficult sell. I understand there is a Disfavored prisoner at Duskwatch; could I convince you to order him released, as part of an initial agreement to ceasefire?"

"I might. Irentis! I need a status report on Duskwatch."

"Sir. To share with these ...people?"

"He offers an autonomous Stalwart under him, myself - or a council of captains - in direct control. And he did break us loose from the Chorus harassment."

"I suppose he may not be a bastard. Captain Agathon has one living prisoner, and reports frequent Disfavored scouting sorties. He expects another major attack within the month; it's been two since the last one."

"What important information does the prisoner have?"

"Probably none, but a very strong personal grudge against Duskwatch's garrison."

"Then I see no strategic reason not to release him as part of a prisoner exchange and cease-fire."

"Then I think I can arrange it. Lantry, prepare a bird for Iron Hearth, please."

"I think it's best you visit the Canyons and the fort in person to convey the deal."

"That seems wise," he agrees. "There is one other matter - the Dauntless."

Irentis scowls. "You would take the greatest symbol of Stalwart from us?"

"My proposal: I find both blade and pin for you, and use them to breach Sentinel Stand. I hold the Stalwart to signify that I am formally ruler of Stalwart; the Insignia I give as the badge of office of my native deputy - Mattias, Janos, yourself, whoever. When I do not have need of it, I loan the Stalwart to the Unbroken as well. Particularly, the last Regent will die on that blade, in the hands of whichever of your captains comes into the fortress to end the Edict with me."

"I recognize it may gall to have an outsider hold the Stalwart, but consider: the stronger my reputation, the more secure my authority to act the Archon and allow you autonomy. To hold the most famous blade in the Tiers is an anchor."

"I don't like it. But I can see the logic. Mattias?"

"Talk to me again after you hear from Elia and Agathon. But I think it's a good offer. If you can deliver."

"Yes sir. I'll check on the effort to find the Dauntless."

Kohl nods, then stands and salutes. "Then next we meet I should have an agreement."

To Graven Ashe, Archon of War and General of the Disfavored:

I see a possibility for incorporating the Blade Grave into Kyros's Empire without further casualties, and with recovery of the prisoners for whom you have expressed concern. As I expect you are aware, the Unbroken fall into two camps: those under the Regent's command inside the storm wall, and all those outside. These two groups are foes, as much as are your Disfavored and the Unbroken, or yours and the Scarlet Chorus. I have proposed common cause with what I might call the 'Citizen Unbroken' against the 'Regnal Unbroken' and particularly the cowardly Regent Straydus Herodin, and they are receptive. I suspect that while a surrender to those they have fought is difficult to achieve, surrender to another servant of Kyros - presumptively myself - is much easier.

Toward that end, I request an immediate ceasefire in the Blade Grave, to last at least two fists and preferably a span. I have also requested, and secured agreement for, a full exchange of prisoners. Amelia is believed under the Regent faction's control, but Callias, who was part of her party, is at Duskwatch and can be released, as could a number of other captured Disfavored.

If this can be agreed, I will take my party, Stone Shield Barikonen included, to recover two important relics of Stalwart, the Dauntless and Steadfast Insignia, which can be used to open the way through the storm and end the Edict with the Regent's life. The details of that can be negotiated later, so long as the ceasefire holds.

I presently make my way to the Rust Canyons, where I understand a siege is taking place with a number of captives on both sides. A prompt reply would make resolving that situation much simpler, but I would not wish to rush you and believe I can reach a satisfactory outcome without one. After that, I intend to proceed to Duskwatch.

Thank you,

Fatebinder Kohl of the Court of Tunon, Stormcaller and Master of the Sunset Spire.

Surprisingly, the reply came almost as quickly as the winds permitted.

Fatebinder Kohl,

I see merit in your proposal. I have directed my lieutenants in the Blade Grave to pause major operations and respect any offered ceasefire for the next two fists, and I authorize the prisoner exchange. If the exchange is complete by the end of those fists, I authorize an extension of the armistice by a full span beyond that time.

I will require some Iron Walkers join your escort for the final assault; Barik's presence is appreciated but not sufficient. Visit Iron Hearth when you are prepared for it.

Fortune favor you,

Graven Ashe, Archon of War

With the General's words in hand, he arrived in the Rust Canyons to hear the Disfavored's leader Teodor yelling crude jibes at Elia, and her hurling her own jibes and javelins back at him.

"Commander Teodor. I have new orders for you."

"Fatebinder? You are not my commanding officer, and this siege is not your business."

"Half true. This is from the General."

"Ah," he said, reading it quickly. "We'll stand down. Jacomus is attempting a pincer, however. I don't have a bird for him."

"Then I will have to find him myself. Fortunately, Commander Elia has advance notice."

"Elia! I have spoken to Mattias and I wish to talk."

"Right, because I'm supposed to trust anyone who walks up and knows who my boss is. Especially when they just left the Disfavored camp."

"Both Graven Ashe and Mattias have agreed to a ceasefire. At least ten days, more if prisoner exchange is concluded fairly. You should have a bird from the captain."

"Huh. Checking."

"Alright, confirmed. Stand back for the gates, you can come in."

"Thank you."

"Are you willing to do the exchange and the ceasefire?"

"If Mattias thinks it's wise, sure. It'll give us more time to search anyway."

"I intend to take charge of that search, but not yet, I need to speak to him again. I believe the best hope for Stalwart is as an autonomous vassal under me or someone like me, with the Edict broken. Also, I and my party are unusually capable and can probably accomplish it with much more speed and safety than yours."

"I'll admit it hasn't been looking great. No promises."

He nods. "More urgently, a pincer attack is planned and is unaware of the order to stand down. I think you should let us out the rear gates to deal with that."

"Sure. This way, no spying off the path," she says, calling several other Unbroken over to escort them. Soon they are out the back gates, smaller and less secure than the front but strong nonetheless.

He and Barik stride forward from the northwest gate, in plain view, before he shouts, in a voice trained to carry, "Jacomus! Stand down! You have a new oath to honor! Tunon's Fatebinder demands it!"

They keep walking, and he repeats it a couple times before he gets a response - a Crescent Runner popping out of the rocks.

The woman gives a Disfavored salute.

"Commander Barik, sir. Who is this, and what are the new orders he's claiming?"

"Graven Ashe protects. This is Fatebinder Kohl, the Stormcaller. He's negotiated a ceasefire with the Unbroken, at least the ones outside Sentinel Stand. We have the missive here; do you read?"

"Graven Ashe protects. Nossir, but we trust your word, and his if you say he's a real Fatebinder. This way to Jacomus."

Jacomus is an Iron Walker, with two others and a dozen Crescent Runners waiting behind him.

"Well, you've spoiled our attack anyway. Let's see that letter."

He produces it. "Prisoner exchange as well. Not the General's daughter, she's probably in the hands of the Regent's faction - we're tacitly allied against them, once we find a way in - but probably all the rest, including the one from her party held at Duskwatch."

"And you'll be finding a way in?"

"Yes. I'm offering them limited autonomy, under myself as Fatebinder and Master of the Spires, ultimately through to Kyros. They want to be with me for the assault, and I've promised that one of theirs can get the killing blow on that coward Straydus, but I expect it to be a joint effort."

"Good luck, I suppose. I doubt they'll let us through the fort, so we should get going to go back to Commander Teodor. Hah, if this actually holds, maybe he'll get to try to actually woo Elia after all."

Kohl laughs. "He actually wants to?"

"You didn't hear this from us. But yes, absolutely. I mean, can't blame him too much - she's tough as nails and still has looks. Like your lady mage, but a dozen years younger and showing off her muscle tone better."

He throws a sidelong glance at Eb with a smile.

She snorts. "I'll take that as a compliment. I think."

"You took no prisoners back here?"

"We ran into a patrol, but they fled off northeast, no captives. You might check on them, so they don't think we're breaching the exchange?"

"We will."

"Then I will see you back at the south camp." He gives a quick salute, and then waves for his crew to get up and march west, on their roundabout route.

The search for the hiding scouts proves fairly easy with Verse in the lead, and they notify them that the way is clear, the Disfavored retreating for the next week at least, and they can go back to Elia. Then they pass back through the fort ("Ambush averted.") and head to Duskwatch.

Informed, they look for the Disfavored force nearby before the garrison itself.

"Commander Osmios. I trust you've received word from the General?"

"I have, Fatebinder. The General says you'll secure the release of Stone Shield Callias?"

"I will, assuming their chain of command holds. If you don't mind, I'll leave Verse and Barik with you for this. She won't cause trouble." He looks at her pointedly to remind her he's not just talking to Osmios.

"That's acceptable. We have enough idle pairs of eyes to keep her from getting away with anything anyway. Good fortune."

He nods, and with a smaller party approaches the fort. "Captain Agathon! I spoke to Captain Mattias and we've negotiated a truce."

"So I heard. And with the Stormcaller, no less."

"I believe in cleaning up my own messes."

"...A good reason. Alright, come in."

"Do they have any prisoners of yours, at the moment?"

"They do not. But I understand you want to hand over the one I have anyway?"

"Yes. Mattias said he had no relevant knowledge, and Ashe really wants him back. I think it will hurt only the Regent's people."

"I hope we can convince them to break away rather than defend him; I knew many of them, and they're mostly good men."

"We'll try. Is Mattias the best one to argue them around?"

"Probably not. He's low-born, and most of those in the Stand have a little noble blood; bastard branches from a grandfather, that sort of thing. I'd pick Janos if he'll trust you."

"Master of Scouts, his job to be untrusting?"

"Exactly. Did he not even admit he was the commander?"

"He didn't. No hard feelings. So, can we take Callias?"

"Yeah, take him. Make sure he knows about the truce first, though. He's an angry bastard. ...Somewhat our fault."

"I've forgiven worse. Can I bring in my other two? A Disfavored Stone Shield who was hit by the Storm, and a Scarlet Fury. Both of them will stay in line."

"Better than one of the besiegers. Sure, bring 'em in. Friendly face might help."

"His face isn't good at friendly - you'll see. But I think it will. Lantry, fetch them?"

In a minute, there they are. "Kohl. He's agitated?"

"Tied to a post for span, I would be too. We need to keep the truce."

Barik nods. "Him included. Understood. Let's see."

"Callias. You look like shit, soldier."

"Look who's talking...," Callias groans, then his eyes widen with recognition. "Wait, I recognize that voice. Barik of Battle's Rest! I should have known you couldn't stay out of Stalwart for long. Graven Ashe protects!"

"Graven Ashe protects!," Barik replies, warmth in his voice. "But I think he'll have an easier time doing it once you're out of here."

"I didn't hear an attack. You sneaking me out in that outfit?"

"No, we have a ceasefire and a prisoner trade. Keep it sheathed, we'll take out our frustrations on the bastards hiding in Sentinel Stand."

"I'm sure you have plenty, Iron Walker. But okay, I won't give this motherless fucks the beatings they deserve. Just get me down."

"Glad to hear it. He's refused the promotion, though. Can't serve in the square with what the Edict did to his pretty armor." He's cutting the bonds as he talks.

"Barikonen, you are the stubbornest fuck in the entire Kyros-cursed legion, you know that?"

"So the officers tell me."

"Let's get you back - Osmios has a medic, and then we can bring you back to Iron Hearth." The man was weak, and they needed to support his shoulders, but he seemed to be recovering - probably Ashe's Aegis.

When they got back to that besieger's camp, Callias sat down with a medic - a specialist profession caring for the Disfavored - and they got him a decent meal. Barik wanted to wait.

"Not to push you, but do you know anything more about Amelia?"

"In Sentinel Stand, which you probably guessed. Was from well before the Edict, never heard anyone else being moved in or out. Heard some complaints she was giving them a hard time, and good for her, but that was - oh, a year and a half ago at least. Probably the last I heard was three or four span before the Edict. She's still alive?"

"So says the General. He hasn't said if she's in pain like you, but he probably wouldn't."

"No," he says, distantly fond, "He wouldn't. How'd you get in that getup, Barik?"

"The Edict of Storms hit. I lived."

"A last-ditch try for the Stand before the storm blocked it off?"

"Of course."

"All volunteers?"

"Of course. The whole shieldwall jumped at the chance."

"Worthy cause, and they all knew it. So quit the melancholy, idiot."

Barik laughed, brief but happy. "You know me too well, you bastard."

Kohl sat a ways away, smiling quietly. Unexpected, but much appreciated. Then he goes and looks for Osmios.

"I think I may leave Barik with you and Callias until he's ready to return to Iron Hearth. I didn't realize they were friends."

"He was seconded to you by the Iron Guard? Should still be fine. If he wants to, but he will; they were in the same phalanx row before Callias was detached into Amelia's personal guard. Damn good soldiers, both of them."

"Never doubted it. Barik's out of his funk; with luck it will stick. I'll go check with him, and then likely my party will be off."

"Good fortune to you both."

"Fatebinder," he says as Kohl approaches, "Are we to be off?"

"Well, we are. But you don't have to be. Callias is clearly better off with you along."

"My duty is to you and the Iron Marshal who assigned me, not to my old shield-brother."

"I can spare you for the time it takes to get Callias recovered and escorted to Iron Hearth. Osmios says it is in line with your overall orders." And it will be good for you, you ball of survivor's guilt.

"Then... yes, I will stay here. It should be well less than the armistice; at worst I will return to your side by its end."

"Good, I need someone gloomy to remind me how bad I don't have it! Thank you, Fatebinder."

"Think nothing of it," he says, and winks when Barik glances away.

And then he and the rest of his people are off again, back to Mattias.

"You made it happen. Quickly, too. I'm impressed."

"I didn't survive the Edict of Execution by being bad at wrangling Archons," he says, so calmly and matter-of-factly that you can almost forget how much of a brag it is.

"I suppose you'd have to be. I'm prepared to accept your offer as proposed. We'll have a dozen men with you at Sentinel Stand, with more ready to follow if the way stays open. If you want a half-dozen Disfavored as well, that's agreeable."

"It is. I'll bring some of their elite. It was suggested to me that Janos might have better luck convincing the - 'Regnal Unbroken', I'm calling them - to stand aside for you to pass sentence. Based on nobility of blood."

"That's plausible. I'll talk with him about it - he's suspicious of you."

"Understandably. No rush. Did you speak to Elia?"

"I did. She's on board, but the man she sent is less so. Gregos is not a calm man. If it comes to blades, please try to take him prisoner."

"Could I take Elia with me?"

He shakes his head.  "She's needed by Sentinel Stand now. No offense, but we don't trust the ceasefire overly much. If the Disfavored break it, early or when there's a break in the storm, we want to be ready."

"Regrettable, but understandable. I'll be sure to have a treaty ready afterward, for more certainty. Is Gregos lettered?"

"He is; I'll get you some written orders for him. Beyond that, Irentis's scouts thought they'd located the Dauntless further northeast along the Oldwalls. We don't have a precise location, and the scouts didn't make it back, with no enemy activity in the area noted - and who knows why Champion Obelos was up that way at all. But it's what we have."

"It is still helpful. Thank you."

So he finds his way through the Rust Canyons to the Oldwalls, and the fairly obvious breach where Gregos is based. It may be for the best that Barik has not yet rejoined them. (Verse hangs toward the back of the group as well.)

"Gregos. We should have words. And I have some from Mattias."

"He has thrown in with you like Elia, then, has he, Stormcaller?"

"He has. An independent Stalwart is a mirage, now; it will be hammered with as many Edicts as needed until it bows or becomes wasteland. But an autonomous Stalwart, sworn to neither army but to one below Kyros nonetheless: that is achievable. He needed little convincing; I think he had already seen the futility."

"And why should I trust his judgment, when it means truce with the army which has besieged us and service to the man who ravaged us."

"I did all I could to soften the blow. Try to convince Straydus that he would be a martyr if he died before it began. And now I'm here to stop the damn thing. I don't need your help. But I want you to stand aside."

He puts his hand on his hilt. "And if I'm not inclined to?"

"Then I will take down every one of you who does not surrender, and cut apart whichever ones I must."

There is now a fan of heavily armored Fatebinder, enormous black Beastwoman, and Scarlet Fury, with two obvious spellcasters behind them. Some of the other Unbroken look intimidated.

"We," loudly declares a Sage standing a dozen feet back behind Gregos, "are staying out of this."

"I expected no less from you coward," Gregos growls, "Unbroken! Charge!"

He has eight with him. Three of them obey.

The fight is quick. One of them takes a bad hit to the temple and is dead instantly, one will never walk right again, and Gregos's shield hand gets a bronze shard in it and may never bend right. But they didn't all die.

"Yield," Kohl says, "and Mattias decides your fate. Refuse, and I pass sentence."

"Motherless dog. ...Fine, I yield."

"Thank you. You three- " pointing to half those who stood back "Give the dead his rites, then escort these two back to Rust Canyons. You two will remain and keep Gregos under guard until Mattias sends a party to collect him. Understood?"

They nod.

"Good. Sir Sage, what's your business here?"

"My name is Hieronymus, and I am looking for certain other relics believed to be in this stretch of Oldwalls. The Stones of Elucidation, which can translate a variety of Oldwalls markings. I am interested in the Steadfast Insignia as well, but for purely historical, not practical, reasons. I think Brother Lantry can take care of chronicling its whereabouts."

"Do you know why the First Regent was here at all? Or how the breach opened?"

"I understand he was looking for the Dauntless when the Disfavored found him with a small army. The Edict landed not long after, so where they clashed and whether this breach was open are difficult to ascertain."

Lantry writes this down. "It's good to see you still alive, Brother Hieronymus. I wasn't sure how many of the... unpolitical... faction would be away from the Citadel when it began to burn."

"Less than I'd like, and there were never that many of us. But thank you."

"We'll look for the Stones for you. Also, if we find access to the Ocean Spire, Lantry is persuading me I should create a research library atop it, like the magic-flush forge on the Sunset Spire."

"That's one way to mollify some Sages. Thank you, on both counts. If you're bound inside, you'll want the Torchkey - it was with our mixed party when the Bane attacked, and is now stuck on that rise past them."

"Thank you as well." They prepare to rip through the mob of Bane blocking the entrance.

The crowd is large, but Eb's Gravelight spells are particularly painful to Bane, and Kills-In-Shadow claims her claws rip through 'smoke-spirits called Bane' better than any weapon, which she proves to be right about. It's a stressful ten minutes of fighting, and Verse and Killsy each go down, but Lantry is quick on the draw to restore them and Kohl draws focus to let them get back up and ready to come back to the melee. By the time Killsy is back up, they're down to the mopping-up, and plow through the rest to the rise with the Torchkey. Then they're ready to enter the Oldwalls themselves.

The mobs of Bane in here, while pretty frequent, are much smaller than the one outside was, so their progress is steady. (Mind The Gap, though. So, so many Gaps.)

Then they find the room with the Steadfast Insignia. On an artificial island surrounded by lowered rings of stone. Inside a bubble of force. At the feet(?) of a Havoc.

"Well. We should get Barik back so we have practice fighting Bane with him."

"I'm going to propose cowardice. Just for the sake of argument. Have we considered, instead of breaking the Edict, fuck this we're not fighting a Havoc?"

"Kills-In-Shadow wants to fight this prey. It is a great predator. It has been many-many-many-more-than-fives since any Beastwoman has fought smoke-spirit Havoc. Will eat earthblood that falls from dead smoke."

"Huh, I'm the voice of moderation, that's weird. -Uh, I suggest we leave and handle something else, then come back and fight a Havoc when we're tougher and have better toys to hit it with."

"Well, that part I think we have to do, see those five receptacles placed around it? I doubt this will open up unless we've collected them. It's how the Oldwalls style of security works - have a lot of physical tokens you have to fight a shit-ton of Bane to acquire."

"We'll explore. First in the southerly direction; fighting this thing won't be easy, and we can't do it yet, so we look for the Spire access."

"Ocean Spire, huh? Damn, that'll be a view. Let's go!"

He smiles. "First, I think this token matches one of those spaces?", brandishing something found in the last room. It does, and on falling into place, it rotates slightly to lock in, and the disc of stone below rises a fifth of the way to the surface. "Well, that's what that does gradually, then. Let's hunt."

And they do. They find more Torchkeys, fight more Bane, cause some platforms that look like splint mail to turn into staircases and make some bridges extend. And they find a familiar-looking antechamber.

"If this is like the Sunset Spire, there's a correct pattern to the lines, required to wake it."

"Yes, and I've been on the lookout for rubbings. Found a couple. Let's see, if this is like the other two one of these walls should have one... There!"

He takes parchment and charcoal, and traces first this then, that done, lays one he already traced the others onto. "Looks just about complete, Kohl. Actually, can I try the crystals?"

"Go ahead. I don't expect it to work, though."

"Neither do I, but- experimentation!"

He does as he said, and tries to cause the lines on the floor to illuminate. The crystals flare with light when he touches them, but it doesn't last, and even when he touches another before it has faded too much, no line appears.

"Well, mostly as expected, but interesting. Here, you take the design."

He touches the same series of crystals Lantry attempted, and the floor glows with a batlike winged-triangle pattern. And then -

They're above. Even this high up, you can faintly smell the salt air. To the south and west are vast expanses of ocean, to the horizon and beyond, and to the east is the great Edict-Storm.

Kohl feels the connection to the Spire; weathered and battered, like a flag that has whipped in the high winds long beyond its planned lifetime. The Ocean Spire has been watching the ocean waves and winds roll in for a very long time, and it is exhausted and strained.

But then he steps forward to the central circle, standing where the Mountain Spire has a statue - and it flows, like a geyser rushing upward from the sea, smashing against vertical rocks with the full force of the tide. The connection feels like a swift-flowing river, but running both ways; strong and unstoppable, the mountain to the sea.

There are whispers, with that connection. Traveling between the tethers of the Spires, conducting heat that would be unbearable if it was entirely in Kohl's body. Wordless whispers of what he's done, what he's chosen - everything that led him here. A sense of how his name is known and spoken of, in the Tiers and in the Northern Empire - and perhaps further east toward Kyros's Court. A powerful feeling.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this. But... I like it."

"On the moments my staff and I are separated, part of its magic goes dormant until I'm once again near. That same dynamic is happening with you and the Spires, isn't it? They've adopted you? They certainly like you enough not to kick you out of bed."

"Is that a problem mages usually have with their staves?"

"Oh, we're very secretive, I couldn't tell you. Better get one of your own and test it, see if it knocks you out of your bed."

"Or borrow yours for a night."

"Oh, but then I might kick you out of bed."

"For which?", he teases, but he drops it from there.

"So, Lantry. Library?"

"Oh, it's an excellent site for it. Shelves along those walls, arch windows letting in light and a view of the surroundings. Preservation wards around the center for the mishaps that come with sigil research, and doubly-protected shelves for things needed for those experiments. And the rooms below can have annex space for more scrolls and bound archives... It could be marvelous, the best mage's library in the Tiers even if the Burning Library becomes livable again."

He smiles. "Alright, draw up some plans. Verse, keep an eye on him, will you? I don't want him falling off the side in his excitement."

"Sure thing, boss. What will you be up to?"

"Checking the old entrance to see if there's anything to be done to open it up from under the storm debris. So the group of us that rely on strength more than speed can shove at things while you're up here."

After a little investigation, Kohl and company return to Ascension Hall. And then a while later, possibly after this happens, they come back - they have a sword to find, and a Havoc to fight.

The first order of business is to poke their heads back out into the storm and go along the Oldwalls until they find the Dauntless. They fight off a party of freelance scavengers who heard rumors the First Regent died near here, and a small group of Scarlet Chorus who had suspiciously-specific instructions for where to go scavenging but had no idea what they were being sent after. The ultimate effect is to direct them to the proper site slightly faster.

There are Bane guarding it, because of course there are. The sword's pretty unmistakable, and also more magic than anything else the Younger Realms ever made (except maybe Sentinel Stand); it's not that surprising that the Bane smelled it and came hunting.

This has two Malices but is substantially smaller than the crowd they fought to get into the Oldwalls in the first place. They go down pretty quickly.

And now Kohl has a very shiny sword, rigging up a edges-only scabbard on his back so that anyone who sees him can recognize the sword even while he doesn't have it drawn.

And he's pretty sure this will help a lot with killing the beast.

They have a plan. They're not expecting the Havoc to fight alone - stories of past Havocs say they're never alone, and when they're roused to anger, other Bane coalesce nearby if there's any magic in the air at all. So they'll be looking inward and outward. Kills-In-Shadow and Verse will be focused on the Havoc, Barik and Kohl on guarding the flanks. Sirin will sing to strengthen their bodies and sharpen their senses, and should be able to keep the Bane off her with an undercurrent in her music. Lantry and Eb will stand between Barik and Kohl, Lantry focused on healing and protecting the Havoc team and Eb on blasting flankers and making everyone's weapons hit harder. If Killsy or Verse start to weaken, they'll cycle out with Barik or Kohl for a spell while Lantry gets them back to fighting shape.

It's a pretty good plan. The enemy is stupid enough that it might even survive contact with them.

It was a good plan. But they failed to anticipate just how many flankers could appear. Holes in the walls that looked like empty Bane-traps start to glow when the Havoc is released, and pour out more Scourges and Malices than they've ever fought at once. Fortunately, in waves, but they still quickly pull Verse back and switch Eb and Sirin to defensive magic as much as possible. (Eb still throws Gravelight on their weapons since this helps them restore their own health from the energy they rip away from the enemy.)

But after an exhausting half-hour melee in which everyone but Lantry goes down at least once (and he pulls a strange trick that leaves him in stasis healing from near-death), it finally dissipates.

The Steadfast Insignia is theirs.

They take some time to rest, but then it's back out into the storm. 

From Conversations with Unbroken Captains:

"You don't have to take my deal. But if you don't, Kyros will be back. I doubt there will be a year passed before a new Edict is delivered. I have the Spires - that gives me the authority of an Archon. It doesn't give me the authority of the Overlord."

"I've read the common legal code of Stalwart, it wouldn't be a problem to preserve it. Penalties less than the Overlord's, but it forbids the right things, except the Oldwalls, and that's close enough. Markets might be a problem, before I'm officially named Archon, but if traders crossing to other Tiers need my approval, that's probably enough, I am a Fatebinder."

"Graven Ashe is a more reasonable man than you'd guess from his legion. He won't budge on getting his daughter back, and he'll bargain to keep Iron Hearth, but he'd rather preserve his soldiers than take control of Stalwart, if we can make it stop being his duty."

"The one thing we know is the Regents will be gone. Obviously you haven't told me exactly how you're running the Unbroken, but is that the same way you'll run the government? If I'm going to be supervising, I'll need an executive or small council to be the layer I speak to, but it's really up to you."

"Both the great relics of Stalwart are yours. Well done. Will they follow you?"

"They'll fight by my side. Afterward... I'm optimistic, but the details were always going to be the sticking point. We'll have formal diplomatic negotiations later, but informally, what are your key demands?"

"Amelia, obviously. And the Edict ended, but that's agreed by all. Keeping Iron Hearth, and receiving their support in the war against the Chorus."

"I doubt they'll have much support to give, beyond perimeter patrols keeping the Chorus from attacking Iron Hearth from the rear."

"That would be sufficient, as long as they aren't helping the enemy. Which I doubt they are interested in."

"They aren't. They'll need trading caravans running past Iron Hearth to resuscitate the country - I assume that's acceptable if they can be inspected?"

"Naturally. Do you have a plan for attacking Sentinel Stand?"

"About twenty of their better soldiers, my team as a spearhead. And some of your Iron Walkers. They estimate there are about forty soldiers inside the stormwall."

"We have a few squads of Iron Walkers who are trained as squads rather than supplements to a phalanx; one of those, six men, should be sufficient."

He nods. "Them and Barik. I've promised the killing blow to one of the Unbroken captains - any problem?"

"None. Having them directly break with the old regime seems wise. Anything else you expect to cause difficulty?"

"No, that's everything. I do need to work out what their political structure will be - the captains are all chosen by their local militias, and they seem to be organized well enough, but I don't know that that will work for a civilian government. They don't seem confident either."

"It's not much different than having village headmen who speak to each other and report to lords - though with fewer lords. You'll be supervising; if it does not work, you will have the leverage to change it."

"True enough. Well, then I'll return to the staging camp. Send along the Walkers when they're ready."

"Fortune favor you, Fatebinder Kohl."