Trustworthy

Zaida exited the tavern. She hoped that when she returned later it would be in the absence of that royal knight. He seemed like something of an ass. Whatever, dwelling on it did nothing for her. She paused in the square and studied the street labels to gather an idea of which way would see her to the knights' campus. She was still intent on reaching the training session, even if she had already missed nearly an hour of it.

The path she sought took her past the tavern, down a smaller lane. As she proceeded, a person emerged from the alleyway behind the inn, only just stopping shy of being Zaida's second collision that day.

It was Isolt! Exactly the woman Zaida wanted to see. She did not look quite as thrilled to see Zaida though. Her complexion was flushed like she had recently exerted herself. She wore an expression of mild surprise; the kind one did when learning that they were not as alone as they had assumed. Zaida noticed a flicker of movement from her hand as it did something with the sheath on her thigh.

The Merridian knight put the curiosity from her mind. "Captain, I was hoping to find you. I need to speak with you on a delicate matter."

"Oh?" She cleared her throat, composing herself. "Certainly. About what?"

"It's best that we discuss it in better seclusion. Here, this looks like a good spot." Zaida pointed to the very alley Isolt had just left. "My, this is rather perfect," she remarked once she saw exactly how secluded the spot was. "Between these buildings and these boxes, you could do just about anything back here and no one would see nor-"

"Did you have something you wanted to say?" Isolt already sounded like her patience was drying up.

"Right, yes." Zaida adopted a more sober look. "I understand this is going to be hard to believe, but know that I am dead serious. Dyna Montague, as well as some of her subordinates in the knights' corps, are demons. They have been living in disguises this entire time."

Isolt looked surprised, but not nearly as much as Zaida would have expected. Instead of looking dumbstruck, she gave a response that would have been suitable for hearing that an underdog had emerged victorious in a casual wrestling match. She must have seen some astounding things if this is not enough to jar her, Zaida thought.

"This is... troubling to hear," Isolt nodded. "Does anyone else know about this? Have you told anyone?"

"Only a couple others in the corps, but I don't think they believe me. Can you help me do something about this? Do you even believe me?"

The royal knight clutched her chin in thought for a moment. "This is a substantial accusation that you're levelling at Captain Montague. Do you have any proof to back it up? How did you even discover this to begin with?"

"I... can't say how. And I don't have any proof. But please trust me on this. I know I'm right."

Isolt appeared to ponder this for a moment. "I don't know that I believe something so unheard of as a demons hiding among humans for so long, but I don't dismiss the word of good soldiers like yourself. I'll help you."

"Yes! Thank you!" Zaida cheered, almost loud enough for them to be heard from their hiding spot. "So what do we do?"

"Nothing yet," Isolt instructed. "Give me some time to confer with my troops. Don't let Dyna nor anyone else know that you're onto them, and don't tell anyone else what you've told me. I'll find you once we have a plan."

Zaida gave a relieved sigh. It felt good to find someone who believed her. "Yes, ma'am."

"Ah, before you go, what was your name?"

"Zaida."

"Markil, come," Isolt commanded. She passed through the tavern without slowing.

The royal knight followed his captain up the stairs into the rental room that she shared with Madwick. The channeler was hunched over a table sprawling with notes they had gathered on Merridian's social web.

"Ah! Our mighty captain ha-sss returned," he rejoiced. He stood and joined the circle being assembled by Isolt's minions as they gathered in the room. The last to arrive pushed the door closed and locked it. Not all of the royal knights were there, but those who were absent would not be returning for some hours yet.

"How are things proceeding?" she asked.

"Sss-wimmingly!" Madwick clapped his hands together. "We've nearly finished pie-ccc-ing together a full picture of the relationship-sss involving Merridian's most crucial figure-sss." His grin could not be seen, but it was plainly heard.

"That's tolerable. Swimmingly would be that we have the public denouncing the church and corps in droves."

"Patien-ccc-e, milady! Our operation here has been smoother than a goblin's brain. Let us not risk that by needlessly rushing ahead."

"Perhaps not so smooth after all." Isolt's words drew quizzical and dreading looks from her underlings. "I just spoke with one of Dyna's knights; she had uncovered Dyna's true identity."

Silence briefly dominated the room, then a royal knight spoke up. "Why did she tell you?"

"Why do you think? To rally aid to weed out Dyna and her treasonous co-conspirators." Isolt's tone was dripping with venom.

"Maybe these peasants in plates aren't as hollow-headed as we took them to be," Markil said, a conceding note in his voice.

"Indeed. On the other hand, perhaps it was a ruse orchestrated by Dyna."

"You think this knight is trying to manipulate you?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Possibly, though she did not strike me as the clever type," Isolt recalled.

"But if Dyna was behind it, wouldn't that mean that she's onto us?" Madwick said with concern.

"It would, which is why we need to be careful about this." Isolt tapped her cheek in thought. "The way I see it, there are two possibilities; either the knight was being honest, and she truly believes Dyna is a danger to the town, or Dyna figured us out, and is attempting to lure us into a trap. In both scenarios, it would be best to play along with the knight. Either we let Dyna think she has us, or this knight turns into one more asset in our campaign."

"Deliciou-sss-ly deviou-sss, milady!" Madwick nearly squealed.

Finally reaching the edge of the knights' campus, Zaida encountered a group of wagons heading in the opposite direction. The small caravan was loaded with provisions and construction materials. From the accompanying commoners and their knight escort, she picked out Tivra and Edie. She jogged over to walk beside them.

"Hello. Where are you two headed?"

"Oi, Zaida," Edie greeted. "One of the farms outside the city is looking to expand. We're going as part of the security detail."

"Got to make sure the builders make it back instead of winding up in a demon's stomach," Tivra added.

"Or a bear's."

"Or on a bandit's knife."

"Or at the bottom of a ravine."

"Or-"

"Alright, alright," Zaida stopped them. "I don't think you're giving them enough credit, but whatever. When will you be returning?"

Tivra pouted contemplatively. "A few days?"

"Maybe a week?" Edie proposed.

"Maybe never..." The two of them put on looks of terror for Zaida.

They newest knight simply rolled her eyes. "Just stay safe and remember that a bear won't appreciate your sense of humour the way I do." She quit following and stood in the street to wave goodbye.

"Don't hog all the hotties, while we're gone!" Edie shouted to her over the increasing distance. "Well, I guess you can have them while we're gone, but be ready to share when we get back!"

Zaida shook her head. Those two are perfect for this horny town.