17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vYPTrIGae(Moments later)
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The prison wagon follows through the entrance trail—iron bars rattling, wheels grinding. Inside, Paul sits shirtless, chest wrapped in fresh bandages, head bowed. Blake clings to the bars, trembling, eyes darting at every armored guard.
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The soldiers yank the wagon doors open and shoulder both men out. Paul stumbles, Blake nearly collapses. They’re herded through the towering archway into the Great Halls Prison, swallowed by torchlight and echoing stone.
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Inside the courtroom corridor, priests rush toward Zacharias, breathless.
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Priest:
“Master Zacharias—Cornelius fell asleep on duty! The prisoner… Metro… he’s gone!”
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Another priest wrings his hands.
“Cornelius fled. Benjamin allowed it. The cell was empty when we arrived.”
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For a moment, Zacharias looks like the top of his head might blow off—eyes bulging, nostrils flaring, lips twitching with barely contained fury.
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Then… he exhales.
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Smooths his robes.
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Straightens his posture.
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A slow, confident smile curls at the corner of his mouth.
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Zacharias:
“…Good. Let them scramble. I will win in the end.”
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He pushes past the priests, ignoring their frantic whispers. His boots strike the marble floor with sharpechoing authority.
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He storms down the corridor.
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Blue‑flamed torches flicker along the walls. Purple banners hang from vaulted ceilings, swaying in the draft of his passing. Servants flatten themselves against the walls to avoid him.
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He reaches Benjamin’s office—a tall wooden door carved with ancient scripture.
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Zacharias doesn’t knock.
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He plows through it, slamming it behind him so hard the shelves tremble.
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Benjamin looks up from his writing desk.
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The chamber around him is a scholar’s sanctuary: towering bookshelves, polished navy‑stained wood, tall windows letting in thin beams of daylight.
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Benjamin’s quill pauses mid‑stroke.
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He studies Zacharias with calm, unreadable eyes.
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Benjamin:
“…I assume this is about Metro.”
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Zacharias thrusts a finger toward Benjamin — a gesture far beneath his usual composure.
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Zacharias:
Who is responsible for this breach of this divine order!
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Benjamin’s eyes flick to the pointing finger. He shakes his head slowly, reading the desperation behind the gesture more than the anger.
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Zacharias stomps his sandal against the polished floor, the sound echoing through the chamber.
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Zacharias:
Why didn’t you contain the guard who freed the prisoner!?
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Benjamin sets his quill down, voice steady.
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Benjamin:
The man is one of the best fighters in the city. Do you think I wanted my priests to die?
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfW4gb5l5i
Zacharias freezes. His jaw works, nostrils flaring. He looks inward, searching for the next thread of outrage to pull.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTNdNpQV8j
Zacharias:
This is deeper than the eye can see. Because of the King’s Hand’s insubordination, five murders have been delayed on report. This causes political danger. Metro is connected to all of this somehow — and it seems like I’m the only one doing anything about it. Someone must be punished to maintain order.
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Benjamin exhales through his nose, unimpressed.
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Benjamin:
This case is in your jurisdiction. Yet you brought him to the Great City… and now he’s gone. I’ve got a million things to handle today, yet this is a major conflict. If Hasan finds out prisoners are escaping, all of us will be questioned.
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Benjamin pulls a fresh parchment toward him and begins writing names with a feathered quill. The scratching fills the room.
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Zacharias stands closely, watching him, hands clasped behind his back, nostrils flared, staring down at the parchment like it’s a verdict.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVioJETihN4
Zacharias:
“Five murders recently — by the hands of his friends. Numerous good soldiers slain because his brother leading a bandit gang. They’ve stolen our last lifeline in the Providence. Rats doing their work. And if people think his escape is a sign… or a miracle…”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGbjYrB9Rc
Benjamin pauses mid‑stroke, puzzled. He looks up at Zacharias as if seeing him unravel for the first time.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kJHHwsUPJ
Without a word, Benjamin rolls the parchment, seals it, and ties it to the leg of a waiting falcon. The bird flutters out the tall window into the cold air.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wDw2mAQvN
Benjamin turnshis head up to look at Zacharias.
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Benjamin:
“You’ve lost control of your clergy.”
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The words hit Zacharias like a blow. His eyes flicker — fear, shame, and the desperate need for reassurance.
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Benjamin stands, adjusting his robes.
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Benjamin:
“Ride with me to the North City. We need to speak to The High Council. I’ve sent an emergency request meeting and a warrent. We’ll get the answers we need in due time. We must get to the bottom of this quickly. Come with.”
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Zacharias nods — stiff, performative, trying to reclaim dignity he no longer feels.
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17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtshZz6AyAF
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