Hey there readers. So we know Fiona is considering aligning with Alex, in spite of the fact all of the Senmin leadership (including Manna) seem to support continued attempts are reconciliation with the King...But Henry's poking around dangerous questions  regarding magik. Is it best to consider alternative options to the crown? Maybe we need to meet with Alexander Harrison again to find out....;-)

*Warning, this chapter starts with a bit of exposition. Tried to edit some out, but do think the info is necessary. Be very curious to see what you all think. Does it take too long to get to the scene? Trust me, its worth getting through the background. This meeting with Alex is interesting to say the least;-)

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Fiona

Since her last visit to Auresir Henry had sent no further correspondence. Fiona herself had attempted to reach out after the Council expressed concern at his continued silence. A curt note was returned in response. The message granted her passage to the Capital if she should choose to pass through the gates of Auresir, but expressed the King's regret that he would be unable to continue their meetings in the near future. The seal at the bottom of the letter was the Henry's own, but she knew that he had not penned the note himself. The hand was different, the writing bland, exact, and had none of the King's usual tone. Fiona was not entirely surprised.

It seemed in spite of this year's promising harvest the poverty throughout Erestia could not be easily erased and the people were unwilling willing to part with their earnings to refill the depleted royal coffers. The Crown's representatives were treated with hostility throughout the Empire. 

As for Henry? Some said he was on the verge of madness in the level of paranoia he now exhibited, seeing enemies at every turn, and rumors of his weakness did nothing to align the Empire behind his reign. The Vox Populi's continued successes, though still infrequent, were slowly but surely undermining Henry's rule, and it was said that people were beginning to form enclaves throughout the Empire that whispered a sworn allegiance to Alexander Harrison if they should be called upon to join the resistance.

Though Fiona understood the caution Manna had advised in considering allegiance with a group that furthered their aims through violence, their growing popularity could not be ignored. Fiona imagined that even the Council would soon be forced to see the inevitability that the Vox Populi would continue gaining strength, and recognize Henry's impotence in preventing them gaining the support of the populous. But if she were to even consider expressing her support of the rebellion to the Council outright, Fiona knew she would first need some proof that Alex's group could be more viable in providing the Senmin safety than Henry himself. Fiona new the time had come to seriously consider alternatives to resolution with the Crown.

The day was bright, sun shining overhead, though it did little to warm the crisp winter afternoon. With her letter from the King, Fiona had had no difficulty obtaining passage through the western gates and as she walked through the bustling market center of Auresir she felt almost giddy. She was finally using her position to take action. To act as a true leader, free from the burden of other's fears. In meeting with Alex again, she would have the chance to satisfy her desire to hear the rebel leader before passing judgment against him as the Council was ready to do in their seemingly blind allegiance to Henry.

He was already there when she arrived at their designated meeting spot and she noticed him immediately. A wide brim hat perched on his head, drawn down to hide his face, as he leaned casually against the wall of storefront, munching on an apple from the fruit seller across the way. But there was no question it was he. His swagger gave him away. Alex radiated his signature aura of cocky confidence. If the Guard ever learned to truly look at the man there would be nowhere he could hide, she thought to herself with a slight smirk.

Alex did not look up as she approached, but she was almost certain he had seen her approach. Sure enough, Fiona walked past him and only a few seconds later, she heard the sound of his footsteps following close behind. As she ducked onto a side street she felt his arm link with hers.

"Care for an escort?" he asked. She could see the telltale grin spread across his face from beneath the wide brim of his hat.

Fiona ignored the simultaneous twinge of excitement and annoyance she felt in his presumption to take her arm. Pulling away would only draw more notice to them afterall, and she could not afford that.

"I was beginning to think you would never agree to meet in person again," Alex continued playfully. "Did you miss me?"

"I thought you were trying to avoid notice." Fiona replied, ignoring his question and her own mixed emotions. "Wearing such an ugly hat, I'm surprised the Guard does not arrest you for poor fashion sense. Among the citizens who can still afford to populate the middle districts that must be a crime."

He laughed, "Well I missed you Nita Amoral."

She gave him a sharp glance. Though there was no one in sight, Alex's casual manner unnerved her. Meeting within the city limits was dangerous. He had likely suggested it as a way of proving his strength and cunning, but Fiona had no intention of taking any additional unnecessary risks.

"Please do not speak my name aloud Mr. Harrison," Fiona said curtly. "Some of us are in fact attempting to maintain a low profile."

Alex laughed again, ignoring her chastising tone. "Of course madam. Forgive me. Your desire for caution is understandable, of course. But I assure you, in my presence you are safe enough. I know the city far better than those who are meant to protect it from rogues like myself."

He was brazen as ever. His recent successes only seemed to have exacerbated that fact. Though it was somewhat endearing, Fiona recognized that she would have to determine if there was a competent leader beneath his bravado. It seemed Alex assumed that Fiona's presence was a sign that she had already decided to join him. But though Fiona was indeed leaning more heavily towards supporting Harrison's mounting forces, she could not afford for him to believe that she was overly eager to commit the Senmin to his cause. Not yet.

"Are we going to continue to walk aimlessly, or did you have a place in mind where we might be able to talk freely?" Fiona asked. "I assumed that is why you wished to meet again. Why you have worked so hard to gain my attention." The slight annoyance she injected into her tone seemed to do nothing to deter his mood. He smiled broadly.

"I do indeed know of a spot where we should be free to speak, though I must confess our destination may be less glamorous than Salam Palace. The gentry of Auresir have been rather tense of late. I'm certain you have heard that there is a rash of evil terrorists plaguing our great Empire, determined to make those loyal to the Crown shake in fear. The King is quite concerned one of them might slip past his gates and infiltrate the Capitol."

"I have heard of these fiends," she said unable to resist joining his game. "Quite unseemly business."

"Indeed," he agreed. "And I would hate to see such wonderfully unseemly business come to end with my head on a pike in the middle of the market square."

"Yes," she replied, "I imagine that would be quite unpleasant for you."

"Thus, while I would relish the chance to treat a lovely lady, such as yourself, to a drink or a meal at one of the finer establishments in the area," he continued," I fear that this villain must keep his discussions away from prying eyes and ears."

"I see."

"I do however know a charming little alley that is quite cozy if you would care to join me," he continued.

"I suppose that will have to do," she said in mock disdain. He grinned. 

"Wonderful," Alex said. "Right this way my lady." He gestured broadly to an opening a bit further down their path that she had not noticed before. Fiona couldn't help but to be impressed by the boldness with which Alex managed to travel so close to his enemies. But as they turned down a final bend in their path, she wrinkled her nose as a pungent smell hit her with surprising strength. 

The alleyway seemed, in fact, to be the rear entrance of a tavern, the refuse of which was piled high around them. She was grateful now for the chill in the air. The cold helped to somewhat mask the stench of the rotted meats, and vegetables plied high in oak barrels all around them, not to mention the other human refuse that seemed to cover most of the small space. Fiona felt her heart jump as a particularly loud roar of laughter boomed from within the building. She could see why he'd chosen the location. The danger of being overheard was unlikely to be much of a worry given the tavern's rowdy patrons.

"You certainly do know the most impressive sights of the city," Fiona said, as she attempted to find a place to stand amongst the debris. "How lucky I am to have such a guide."

He laughed. "What this location lacks in ambiance my lady, it certainly makes up for in company. Wouldn't you agree?" he asked with a mischievous grin. "I myself am quite satisfied."

"I will reserve judgment until said company has revealed why exactly he wished to speak with me in the first place." Fiona replied.

He laughed again at her cold demeanor. "I suppose that is fair," he said. "Though I had hoped it was my charm alone had finally been enough to draw you here."

"I'm afraid it was not," Fiona answered, though she did so good-naturedly. "All jesting aside Alex, you must speak quickly. I have been lucky enough to obtain the chance to wander the city of my own free will. I have no intention of giving the King reason to suspect I have come to Auresir with nefarious intent of any kind. There is no question my presence here will be monitored. I must be careful that I am seen by the King's men and reported to have done nothing more than wander the market square. My disappearance from the main roads cannot be prolonged enough to gain notice. She watched as his face became more serious.

"Then I will be brief," he said. "Though I believe you already know why I wished to speak with you. It is the same each time I request your company in my letters, is it not? I want to know if you have given any more consideration to joining the rebellion. When you agreed to meet me I assumed you had finally been convinced to do so."

"You were presumptuous," she answered. "I agreed to come here for the chance to speak more freely than has been possible in our correspondences."

Alex frowned slightly. "Than you have not yet decided to join my cause?"

"No."

"Yet you are willing to speak now though you have refused to for months. Might I ask what has changed?"

Fiona hesitated in her answer. Alex had more than fulfilled his promise to prove the rebellion was still a force to be reckoned with. She found herself fearful that Henry's rule would put her people in danger. The Vox Populi was perhaps the only other viable ally that might look favorably upon the Senmin. All of these things had brought her here. But Fiona could not give Alex any indication that she was leaning towards his cause. She needed him to focus on convincing her. If he believed her had done so already he would be less likely to put forth his best effort towards the task.

"You have now met with the new King multiple times am I correct?" Alex continued before she could respond, his tone hard. Fiona was somewhat taken aback by the question. She wondered how closely he had been following her actions. She realized it was not so surprising that he might know such things. Alex was likely monitoring the King's guests through his network of spies throughout the Capital. Still it was unnerving.

"I have done so at the behest of my people," she answered.

"And you still hesitate to take action against him? Surely you see the danger he poses if you are here with me today."

"Alex," Fiona began, trying to imagine how to best respond to his words. She didn't trust the King, but Henry had done nothing specific she might cite as a cause to rebel. But as she looked for the proper response, he held up a hand to stop her.

"Please," Alex said, "before you speak. I realize that King Henry Bastario must have offered you a tremendous amount of arrogance, deception, and evil in your meetings with him thus far. If that is what you desire in an ally, I promise to match it tenfold should you consent to joining me."

Fiona felt her face grow tight at his sarcasm. The jokes were no longer amusing. His forceful tone bordered on threatening. Cockiness was one thing, but she refused to be disrespected. Their past relationship was not enough to win her support as he seemed to believe. "Stop it," she said.

"I will even forgo my beloved ugly hat," he continued, ignoring her anger and removing the hat from his head before tossing it theatrically to the ground.

"Alex, this is not a joke."

"I'm not joking." he answered. " But you already know that."

"Yes," Fiona agreed. "And that is why I wish to clarify what exactly you hope to gain from my people before I make any decision. Is that not reasonable?"

"We need the aide of all who are willing to stand against the King," Alex answered. "Our movement can only succeed if the people of the Empire will fight along side us. The Senmin are an important part of that. Talk to your Elder Council. Convince your people to join with the Vox Populi as you did in the past. This is a chance for the Senmin to escape the Bastario throne."

"And what assurances will we have that the Vox Populi are worthy of our trust?" Fiona asked. "That your movement offers the Senmin a preferable option to supporting the Crown? Henry is powerful."

"Ha," Alex scoffed. "He grows weaker by the day and you know it."

"He is still King of this Empire," Fiona countered. "Moreover, he claims to support the Senmin. If we were to be found disloyal after Henry has expressly reached out to us..." She shook her head. "You must remember that it was our blood that was spilt not long ago. The Senmin's memory cannot easily be erased. Two men, that was all it took to bring Fredrick's wrath upon my people for their part in the rebellion. The Vox Populi abandoned us then."

"Our people both suffered great losses," he answered.

Fiona felt her face tighten in frustration. "Don't do that," she said.

"What?"

"Don't pretend to be so ignorant of your men's treachery against their Senmin comrades." Did he really believe that the years had erased the Vox Populi's past offenses against her people? That she had forgotten what had caused her to leave him? That her presence meant that all was forgiven?

"Fiona," Alex said gently. "That was so long ago."

"And don't make excuses."

"Damn it, Fee. Those men were punished." She could hear his own frustration rising, but she had little sympathy.

"They should have been expelled from your ranks," she answered. "They should have been executed as traitors. Plath made a mistake in granting them absolution for their crimes. They betrayed their colleagues. Senmin or not, it should have made no difference."

"Those were some of our best men," Alex answered defensively.

"Hardly."

He sighed, trying to tame his frustration. "Perhaps you are right," he said. "But what is past is past."

Fiona nodded, though her body remained tense. She didn't want to fight against him. She wanted the Vox Populi to be the answer to her concern that the King could not be trusted. She wanted to believe that aligning with Alex would bring her people safety and status once he and his men had taken down the monarchy. She hated that being near him stirred in her forgotten emotions. That she was in any way still drawn to his charm. Alex had once meant so much to her and she would have done anything to trust him again.

"I want to support you, Alex, " Fiona admitted finally. "You are correct, I hold no love for our new King. But going against the throne is risky. If I am caught even vaguely expressing sympathy to your cause, all of the Senmin will be presumed guilty of treason. Prove to me now why I should have faith in the Vox Populi's success, in your intentions to deal honestly with my people. Henry has yet to do so. This is your chance."

He stared at her for a moment. Collecting his thoughts. Fiona hoped it was a sign that he was prepared to treat her as he might any other ally he hoped to acquire and take her demands seriously. She would not join him on the basis of their past relationship allowing base instincts to influence such an important decision.

"I believe the Senmin are more influential in the Empire than most realize," Alex answered finally. "Your people control a sizable piece of merchant commerce throughout Erestia. That makes you powerful. Moreover, the Senmin are scattered throughout the Empire, but are all loyal to your central leadership. If your Council could be persuaded to support the rebellion I know the entirety of the Senmin will follow. It would be a huge boost to the numbers of those loyal to the rebellion." 

He paused to stare her in the eye. Trying to cement the sincerity of his words. "I understand the risk is great, but any help the Senmin provide in introducing new leadership to Erestia will be remembered. Your people will gain status and rank within the new regime. I swear on my life the Vox Populi will not abandon the Senmin if they are loyal to our cause. "

Fiona stared back. His words were promising, but she knew how hesitant the Council would be to accept the Vox Populi as a viable ally. The King still held too much power. They did not know Alex as she did. They would see his promises as empty like his predecessor before. She tried to imagine how Avery might be convinced to at least allow Alex present his case before the full assembly. Surely the Council would wish to hear the words of a man who appeared sincere in his desire to form a true friendship with their people. Alex's passion might be enough.

"Fiona," Alex said, reaching for her hand, his thumb stroking it gently. "You have to know I am right. You wouldn't have come otherwise."

Fiona felt an uncomfortable sensation travel through her arm at his touch, a disgust building in the pit of her stomach as he stepped in closer. He had apparently interpreted her silence as hesitation, but did he truly have the audacity to attempt to seduce her into compliance?

"Please don't," she said, her tone hard. He seemed not to have noticed.

"I care for you," he said, stepping in closer. "I always have. I want you by my side."

Fiona pushed the man away as hard as she could. " How dare you!" She seethed. "How dare you presume to control me? What am I to you, Alexander Harrison? Am I some foolish girl you think you can seduce to your will?"

He took a step back towards her again and Fiona slapped him hard across the face, ignoring his look of anger as he put a hand to his cheek.

"Know this," she said. "I am the Nita of the Senmin. You should bow to me. Any relationship we had once, that was of my choosing and it is in the past. You have yet to prove yourself as little more than an insignificant terrorist. A desperate man looking for other's strength to make up for what you do not yourself possess. Your charms do nothing to change that." In her anger Fiona felt all of her sympathies for the rebellion draining from her mind. Perhaps she had been wrong to ever imagine that she could trust him.

Alex scowled at her. "You think you are so high and mighty. You foolishly believe that the King is willing to grant you greatness within his Empire? That these farcical meetings of friendship mean anything? The man is entirely selfish. Henry Bastario will use the Senmin and destroy them when he is through. It is I who should avoid your company."

"Then do not seek my help." Fiona spat back. She pushed him aside in an attempt to leave the cramped alleyway as the sound of shattering glass and a scream of "Hoorah!" nearly drowned out Alex's cry as he called her back.

"Fiona wait!"

She turned back to glare at him. "What now?" she asked.

"Look, I'm sorry. We need your help. I need your help. Things in the Empire are bad, and they are getting worse. Henry is scared. He is taking his fear out on the people."

"That seems to be a problem of your own creation," Fiona answered, unwilling to forgive him so easily for his audacity.

Alex shook his head. "No, " he said. "It proves exactly what kind of leader Henry is. He is a violent, irrational man. He does nothing to quell the people's anger. He merely crushes those who dare speak against him."

"He is defending his throne. One can hardly blame him for that." Fiona knew she did not believe her own words. She knew that Henry was dangerous, but the deadly nature of Henry's ire was only one more reason she had to be careful to keep his wrath away from the Senmin. "I have my people to think about Alex."

Alex shook his head again. "I know that the suffering of the common people is unacceptable to you, be they Senmin or Kanjin. Fiona, think of how much worse it will be if Henry crushes his enemies and finds true security in his place on the throne. He is not a man of justice; he is a tyrant, no different than his father. We have a chance to unseat him now. We must take advantage!"

Fiona found herself annoyed by his attempts to guilt her into allegiance. Since he had first contacted her, it seemed as if Alex had little to offer in the way of understanding the rebellion's true intentions. He focused on avenging wrongs, seeking justice, but he had shared no concrete plan of how he might in fact unseat the Crown, nor any clear idea of what the Senmin might gain if he were to do so.

"What are you end goals, Alex?" Fiona asked suddenly.

His brow knit together, entirely caught off guard by her question. "What do you mean 'end goals'?"

"After you defeat the Bastario Empire. What then?"

"There will be peace Fiona."

She shook her head. " You can not offer me such vagaries if you truly wish for the Senmin's support. When Philip Bastario planned his revolution to acquire the throne did he not say the same thing?" Alex was asking her to betray the Empire. The ramifications of such action could be fatal to her entire people. Her anger stirred again as she thought of his attempt to exploit their long dead love for his own goals. 

"You make vague illusions to the rank the Senmin might gain in their support of the Vox Populi, but I need to hear concrete vows. I need to know what sort of leadership you intend to bring to Erestia, and the Senmin's place within it.

Alex seemed taken aback. "Why would you question me?"

"How could I not? You ask me here to meet, attempting to use guilt and my former affections to gain my allegiance. Such tactics only make me question you further. ' The monarchy is evil,' you say, 'Henry cannot be trusted.' Yet not once have you concretely explained your planned rebellion's ultimate solutions to the Empire's problems. I have understood your caution in revealing your plans up until now. Letters are hardly a secure means of communication. But here we stand face to face, and you still offer nothing but propaganda. Even if I were swayed to support your movement, it will take more than my favor to gain the allegiance of the Senmin. The Council will need to be convinced as well if you hope to garner support from Senmin communities throughout the Erestia. But if I am to persuade our leadership to so much as hear you, I need something more. Did you not imply in your correspondence that you are working with one of the King's inner court?"

"I did."

"And I assume his aide has been the catalyst for your most recent successes. What has he asked of you in return for his help?"

Alex hesitated for a moment before answering. "Nothing," he said.

"Nothing?" Fiona shook her head in disbelief. "Goodbye, Alex."

"No! Fiona, wait. Please." The desperation in his voice was real. She turned back to him.

" In spite of all reason I do care for you," she said. "I want to trust you. But I have responsibilities I cannot overlook. If you lie to me."

"I am not lying."

Fiona gave him a skeptical glance. "So your informant wants nothing in exchange for his services."

"Fee. Dirham has proven himself already."

Fiona felt a cold shock of fear radiate though her body.

"Dirham?" she asked incredulously. "By the God you are more foolish than I could have imagined."

Cecil Dirham, High Chancellor to both Henry and his father had come to court when Grayson still ruled. There were few members of court as iconic of the Bastario rule as Dirham. The policies enacted against the Senmin under his council were abhorrent. How could Alex possibly believe she would support his rebellion if it were Dirham to whom he was forced to pledge allegiance? Leadership under Cecil Dirham could be no better than that of Henry or worse, Fredrick. Moreover, Fiona wondered how Alex could know that he was not already deceived? Already walking into an elaborate trap set by the King himself.

"He hates Henry as much as you or I," Alex protested. " I swear it."

"Really?" Fiona asked, making no attempt to mask her sarcasm. She could feel any hope for an alliance with the Vox Populi slipping away as she listened to his words. "A man whose family has supported the Bastarios since the first of their line first secured the throne and has been a fixture to their regime. A man who, it is said, is singularly responsible for the training and education of our young King?" She could not believe that Alex could be so naïve.

"I too was skeptical, but his commitment to Henry's downfall is very real. How do you think we have successfully managed to intercept allies Henry has attempted to bring to court? That we have succeeded in avoiding the Guard so very perfectly on each raid of the King's storehouses in the Outerlands? How Sheridan of Fren was brought down on his way to the Capitol with a full royal retinue sent for his protection? Dirham himself has provided precise details of the Guard's movement, of Henry's High Councilors' exact schedules, leaving them prone to attack. It is with Dirham's help that we have become a force that has finally gained the attention of the Crown."

"And so you have decided to sell your soul to the man with no question of his objectives. A change in regime alone is not enough Alex. Do you truly think that the success of Cecil Dirham will bring about a new Empire? Or simply the elevation of the Harrison name?"

His eyes narrowed slightly. "That's not fair."

"Isn't it?"

She watched as Alex took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. " Fiona, Dirham is a means to an end. "

"And you believe that you will have any say if he is successful in defeating the King?"

"I have allies of my own," Alex answered. "The High Chancellor will not so easily push us aside after victory has been assured. Perhaps Dirham does believe that he can simply use the Vox Populi to achieve his goals, but I assure you I will not be a tool for another man. This is still my rebellion. "

There was no falter in his tone. No one could fault him with a lack of confidence, Fiona thought to herself.

"And how does the High Chancellor feel about the Senmin?" she asked. Fiona noticed his bravado wavered for just a moment. "Clearly Dirham has approached you," she continued, "but the man has been complicit, if not responsible for, the many policies the Bastario crown has employed against my people throughout their control of the Empire. It is hard for me to believe that he does not hold at least some animosity to my people."

" Surely if you gave your help to his cause he would see your people as an asset."

She shook her head sadly. "You simply don't understand. How could you? Your family was brought low, but in the end, your lineage is of the court. The Senmin were persecuted long before the Bastario's ever gained the throne. For hundreds and hundreds of years Alex. What if Dirham is no better?" He grabbed her wrists with urgency.

"Fiona. There is no time to deal with 'what ifs!' We know what Henry Bastario will do. To both of our people. To the Empire! If you continue to consider the Vox Populi you have seen the danger."

"Keep your hands off me," she said, pulling herself from his grasp. "Henry may have invoked your wrath in battle, but he has yet to directly harm the Senmin. He professes a desire for peace, and whether or not I believe in his purported motives I cannot buy into your hatred so easily. Moreover, my fears of the High Chancellor are not theoretical Alex. Dirham was a chief advisor under Fredrick. Need I remind you what policies were enacted under his reign?"

"That was Fredrick. Dirham has promised."

"He has made no promises with me."

"Then meet with him Fee."

Meet with Dirham. She nearly laughed aloud at how inconceivable the idea sounded in her mind." You are so certain he will wish to speak with the Nita of the Senmin," she scoffed.

"What if he did Fiona? If Dirham professed a desire to meet with you. If he pledged to grant equality to the Senmin of Erestia in exchange for their support? You could speak with him. Make your own judgments."

She stared at him, eyes narrowed, silent.

"Fiona?"

She knew that Dirham would never be willing to make guarantees of allegiance with the Senmin. Moreover, she was still unconvinced that the man was not in league with the King. Alex's assurances aside, the proposition of trusting that Dirham had truly abandoned the Crown was more dangerous than her clandestine meetings with the Vox Populi. She could not afford for the King to believe her disloyal. If Dirham revealed her as a complicit in traitorous acts. If this was a trap...

"If he did, I would consider his offer," Fiona answered finally. It was a lie. She could not imagine anything that might make her take such a risk, but she couldn't bring herself to reject the possibility outright. "But when you speak to Dirham I would ask that you keep your inquiry entirely hypothetical," she added. "You may pose the idea of eliciting support from the Senmin. No more or less than that. Depending on his reaction I will consider whether or not I wish to propose a meeting between us."

Alex nodded. She could see his mouth threatening to spread into his signature grin, but her expression must have deterred him. Staring at him Fiona felt only anger. The Vox Populi had been her only hope for a better future than what Henry might offer. But Dirham...At least the King pretended to offer favor to her people. In spite of Alex's assertions that the rebellion still belonged to him alone, she couldn't trust that he would be able to maintain control as he believed he could. Dirham was too powerful.

"I have to leave," Fiona said, suddenly anxious to get away given his newest revelations. "I've already stayed longer than I should have."

Alex nodded. "Let me escort you to the West Gate."

Fiona stared at him in disbelief, her frustration growing. "By the God Alex, is this all a game to you?" Confidence was one thing, but suggesting they walk the main road together? "If anyone was to recognize you, if they were to see us together and report to Henry! It as if you don't realize the danger. Is that it? Do you not realize what they would do to you if you were caught? If anyone was to learn of our connection? It would take so little to set Henry against us. " She could imagine the guns and pointed blades of the King's army, fixed upon the Senmin. Cainell and Gregorn set ablaze.

"It is as if you don't think at all. You suggest we would walk in the streets side by side? You meet with a man who is likely to offer you to the King on a silver platter. You recklessly pursue your own goals with no thought to the effect on those around you. How can I possibly be asked to risk my people on your say so! You are like a selfish child." She watched his face darken. The hidden smile erased.

"How dare you so question my judgment." He snarled. "Presume to chastise me as you might a child? I know the streets of Auresir better than the men who first laid the cobblestones on the market square. I live and plot against the Crown in the Capital. Do you think that I am entirely careless? That my successes have been pure luck? Or is it my commitment you question? Perhaps you believe that I fight on a whim, and not to avenge the countless wrongs committed by the Bastario family against all the people of Erestia?

"I did not say that." Fiona understood his anger and was instantly remorseful. She had gone too far. She had allowed her fears to get the better of her. The volatility of his anger had always rivaled her own. It had been a mistake to provoke it.

"Why is it you even came here today Fiona?" he fumed, "if you believe me to be so reckless? How many of my friends have I seen fall? How many have I seen suffering? You dare to imply that the stakes are not just as high for me as they are for you? I lead the Vox Populi. I know exactly what Henry would do with me and my allies if we were caught. I have seen the vengeance of the Crown. That is why I fight! I have seen cities burned, women and children butchered and raped, streets red with blood."

"Then understand my desire for caution!" she pleaded.

"Oh I do," he said, eyes narrowing, "but do not think that my offer of alliance will hold forever Fiona. The Senmin are either with us or they are against us. There can be no in between. You will only be able to hide behind your weak excuses for so much longer before you and your Council will be forced to confirm a side in this growing battle, and if you chose the King as your champion, you better hope he truly does have the ability to guard you from danger. Should the Senmin support our cause, I will protect them. If not, I can make no such guarantees. There are casualties in war."

The threat hung in the air, raw and vulgar. Fiona wondered if this was the end of any potential alliance between them. In his eyes she saw in him what she had feared to see all along. With the High Chancellor on his side, Alex had what he needed to succeed in toppling the Crown. He cared for nothing else. Not even the potential ramifications of aligning with one as powerful as Dirham. And if she did comply with his demands...

Fiona said nothing for a moment. She did not want Alex to know that for the first time since their reunion, she felt disquieted in his presence. Filled not with his passion for righteous rebellion, but with fear. She saw in him the base rage of a Kanjin mob determined to unload their frustrations on those who were too weak to fight back. She saw a man who wished to use the Senmin, no different than Plath, no different from Henry.

Alex must have noticed something in her expression. Fiona watched as he forced himself to reign in his anger.

"Fee I'm sorry. I got carried away," he said, his eyes now imploring, no longer terrifying as they had been just a moment before. "I just want so much to bring that bastard to his knees. I will talk to Dirham as I said I would. I do understand your fears, and will respect whatever decision you make. I truly believe that the Senmin can only help our cause and am anxious to gain your alliance, but I will earn your trust. "

"Thank you Alex." She forced a smile, trying to pretend that his quick repentance erased the darkness she had seen in him just a moment before. It had only been a moment but she could not unsee that look in his eyes.

"When will I see you again?" He asked.

"I cannot say," she answered evasively. "I'm certain you've heard that Henry is more unpredictable of late. I cannot guarantee I will soon gain another invitation to the city nor risk returning without a summons from the King. Moreover, I make no promises that my desire for caution will soon change. That I will suddenly choose to side against the Crown." She could see the disappointment in his eyes.

"I understand," he said, " I will still keep my hope that you will soon see that we are fighting for the same cause. For a new Empire."

Fiona stared at Alex for a moment. In spite of everything she knew how much she still wanted to believe in him, but the image of his rage and threatening words would not desist. Perhaps there was no safe alliance her people might make. It seemed war would soon come to the Empire, and danger was unavoidable on either side.

Taking advantage of her momentary stillness, Alex leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "I truly am sorry," he said. Fiona did not resist. Let him believe she belonged to him. That she would soon be swayed by his charms. Perhaps it would stay his hand in taking any direct action against her people even if she was forced to side against the rebellion.

So that didn't go so well...What do you think of Fiona's options? She doesn't trust Henry, but is Alex a better choice? Maybe not with Cecil Dirham holding the reigns of the rebellion in his hands. Then again, we know Henry is no longer oblivious to Cecil's potential involvement with the rebellion...One more chapter before part 3... Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Remember that any and all comments/critique are welcome (and encouraged!). I love to hear what you think and it helps me improve the story! Until next week....