"Stop clutching my hand."

"Only when you stop complaining about every damn thing, girl."

Nora blew a sigh and glared at the old woman holding onto her forearm for dear life. Bela had been grumpy, to say the least; she didn't want to sneak into the house of her son as if she were some lowly intruder, yet she begrudgingly agreed to it after Nora clarified their choices were limited. Now she gracefully walked across the polished tiles, fixing her much-despised mask now and then.

The girl forced a smile on her face as they walked past the nonchalant guard. "If there was nothing to be complaining about I would be silent, wouldn't I?"

"Please try that," Bela muttered, scanning the crowd of shimmering clothes as they stepped into the palace's hall. "Where is my son?"

"We'll know when we get the signal."

The hall was beautiful, adorned with silver and blue garlands that scaled the walls and windows. The music was light, drifting in the air like a distant song. Something was missing, and some nobles' scrunched up faces betrayed that it was apparent to them, too. Nora tried to keep her eyes to the crowd, yet she couldn't help but frown. Ela was not in the room. Otherwise, the three intruder instruments would be raging along with the band.

Among all the glamour, Nora and Bela looked out of place. Their clothes were pitiful, rags that those aristocrats probably washed their legs with. It made them stand out, like a rip in an elegant painting, a shattered gem in the crown jewels. The swirling people glanced at them with a slight twitch of their brows or a dismissive sigh, yet there wasn't much they could do. Once a year, for the grand finale of Seyal's favorite season, some peasants were allowed in the ball; first come first serve.

Nora carefully led Bela away from the center. The sides were almost empty and the buffet untouched; there was enough food for an old woman to concern herself with. "Stay here," she said, warning seeping into her tone. "Don't try anything, please."

"This is a ball," Bela huffed, staring the palace she hadn't seen in years — maybe decades — with awe she failed to conceal. "Can I not dance?"

"No. When you hear the false note, go find your beloved spawn."

And with that the spy spun around, carefully approaching the simple white doors Ailyn had pointed at. Nobody seemed to notice as she cracked one pannel open and slipped behind it. Who would suspect a tatterdemalion like herself? The aristocrats had probably already forgotten about the excited peasant swimming in new water, the servant that wanted to experience the ball for even a moment before being towed back to the kitchen. How they would regret being so thoughtless.

The corridor leading to the ball was the remnant of ashes left behind by a brilliant fire. It was clear that nobody expected guests to wander past the main hall. The candles burned dim, infusing Nora's skin with a ghastly shine. No amount of food had passed through her mouth over the past two days; anxiety carefully guarded her lips. Arden had not left her mind for a fraction of a second, and the detriment of his presence in her head was clear in her weakly flapping limps and her sickly paleness. Salo had warned her. Eat, he had insisted. He would want you to eat. But even the suggestion that Arden could already be buried in the place of the Kingfisher muffled any last hint of appetite not wiped by the disgusting smell of rotten peas.

Now, she was starting to regret her attempt at a hunger strike. She could already feel an invisible weight pull her muscles down, and all she had done so far was walk up a few steps and smile at a few guards.

With a sigh, she adjusted her mask and resumed her discreet step. There was no time to rethink decisions already made. Arden deserved her thoughts and prayers, but failing the mission because of a possibly dead man would be slightly tragicomic.

The doors she was approaching suddenly swung open. A short woman with auburn hair stormed into the corridor, her servant uniform unironed under the large bag she was clutching against her chest.

Nora paused, a hint of familiarity pinching her senses. The girl looked terrible; her green eyes were framed by black halos, her cheeks were almost hollow. Yet even disheveled and exhausted, she managed to pluck a chord in the spy's brain.

The girl only took a few more hasty steps before she noticed Nora and froze. Her mouth moved in a pantomime and her throat made bizarre notes that probably intended to be words. She was right to be stunned; no guest was supposed to leave the hall. Yet her presence in the corridor was unjustified, too. Why would a servant leave at such an important moment in her career?

Finally, the servant cleared her throat. "You are not supposed to be here," she said, more quietly than she probably anticipated.

Yet Nora was too caught up with the girl's face to care about being spotted. The large eyes, the stammering, high-pitched voice — she knew her.

She didn't have time to think about it. Her hand mechanically raised to her face and pulled off the purple mask hiding her features. "Excuse me, do I— have we met before?" she asked, her brows furrowed in a storm of confusion.

The servant's eyes instantly went wide. She didn't seem to have such a hard time recognizing Nora. Yet her gape wasn't that of fear or anger. Her yawning lips slowly curved into a bewildered smile as she stumbled forward, clutching Nora's sleeve. "Nora? Nora Smairde?"

Not her alias. Not Nora Lemmer. The girl spoke her real name. Besides, her accent was not Seyali.

Nora huffed a quick laugh before rubbing her forehead. The smile attacking her face was too wide to contain. "I can't believe it," she whispered, this time in her mother tongue. "What is a Flouornan spy doing here?"

The girl — Maya, she revealed in a quick mutter — opened a door to their left and urged Nora inside the narrow study. Her hands were trembling, and Nora shared the excitement; it was the first time in weeks she had met someone from the Flouornan Intelligence.

Maya leaned against the wall, her eyes still bright with astonishment. "My aunt works at an inn just outside Daesan," she explained. "A servant got coincidentally sick and, since the royal cooks regularly buy her fresh goods, she offered me up."

"But why?"

The girl offered a sour smile. "Elara Sillich. Sigesar wanted me to get her to join us."

Sigesar. Nora had never felt so happy to hear the cruel general's name before.

"She kept our note. She wore our colors. We even sent Alzira to convince her."

Nora's brows shot up. She couldn't contain the laugh bubbling in her throat. "They hate Alzira. I'm surprised she's even still alive."

"Well," Maya offered with a shrug, "they needed her for once. She told Elara to think about it, but the girl never isolated herself. She kept guards all around her."

"What does that mean?"

Another shrug. "It's not my business anymore. I've been called back."

Nora stayed silent. Ela always had a way out, then, she was simply never allowed to take it. Or she didn't want to, a vicious voice whispered in her ear, yet the spy quickly shut it out. She refused to believe they came all this way for nothing. For all her grumpiness, Ela was a valuable asset. She had chosen them before. What could have possibly changed within such a short period of time?

She wasn't sure what Alzira would be able to do to convince the stubborn girl. Being an Ascended had never worked in her favor; poor Alzira was usually in the labs or in the testing fields. Flouorn had trusted her with such a huge burden, and it didn't look as if she would return triumphant.

"What about you?"  Maya asked. "What are you doing here?"

Nora's mood had plummeted significantly, but she still managed a weak smile. "Same reason. I'm here for Ela."

A snicker left Maya's lips as she pushed herself off the wall. "Good luck. The girl's a nightmare." Her eyes narrowed as she carefully regarded Nora. "Do you want to return with me? To Flouorn?"

Nora's smile slowly withered. The suggestion that the general hadn't sent her to hell already should have satisfied her, yet as her mind wandered to her responsibilities, the things she had promised, her face darkened. "I've gotten myself into... a mess. One that Flouorn is definitely not willing to solve for me."

"Think about it." Maya beamed at her as she readjusted the sack with her belongings. "I'll stay in the Petrei settlement for a while. Come visit if you change your mind."

At least she still had an ally if all else failed. If Arden never returned, if Ela was really as indecisive as Maya made it seem. Despite the sting in her chest as she thought about abandoning her team, Nora knew her self too well; survival came above all else. No amount of acceptance from the Resistance or friendship from Salo or warmth from Ailyn would ever change that.

And what about Arden? Arden was a different case. But for all the moments they had shared, Arden was just like her; he would shove her in a pit of fire if it meant he got to live. She knew that very well.

She desperately hoped it would never come to this.

At last, Nora nodded and stared down at her hands. The soft click of the door's closing soon reached her ears. She could always leave, run after Maya and return where she belonged.

Slowly, she straightened her spine with any hint of purpose left in her.

The mission comes first.

༺──────────────༻

Nora didn't know how many doors she opened before she found what she was looking for — who she was looking for. She had lost count of the 'where is the restroom's and the apologies to anyone who happened to inhabit the dim rooms of the palace when she barged in.

Iona had prepared her for battle. She had given her knives, guns, the sharpest and fastest weapons in her possession, and Nora had gladly taken them. Wandering around a palace without permission wasn't something she thought would be easy. The lack of guards and the lack of life in the hallways was both releaving and alarming.

She had roamed far into the palace, further than she had initially calculated. The music was but a memory weakly floating in the air, and its delicate echo barely caressed Nora's ears. She lazily pulled the handles of doors left and right, but most were locked. What is the point? she asked herself, her morale rapidly decreasing with each step she took. If Ela wanted to go with them, if she truly wished to escape, why would she lock herself up in some distant room of the palace?

The thought that she might have already joined the ball crossed Nora's mind, yet it only took her one careful listen at the music to eliminate the possibility. The signals they had designated were vague, indeed, but a terribly off-tune catena would be heard from miles away.

On the two hundred and forty-eighth room, the door was unlocked.

For the two hundred and forthy-eighth time, Nora's pulse started picking up. Despite her boredom, she forced herself to stay on alert with every push of a handle. This time, her vigilance paid off.

Elara Sillich had lost weight. Her arms were thinner and her face slightly hollow; the dull clothes looked baggy on her slouched body. Yet despite the grayness that had become of her existence, her golden eyes were firey, filled with determination Nora couldn't guess the source of.

Nora huffed a laugh, kicking the door behind her closed. "You look terrible."

"Yeah, Nora?" she retorted, looking up from the book resting in her palms. "Tell me something I don't know."

"You're quite in demand."

Ela's gaze fell back on the yellowed pages. "I'm not amused. Try again."

Her tone was flat, her lips puckered and her brows tensed. She didn't seem surprised nor happy to leave this hell hole — just awfully disinterested in the situation. Nora was aware of her act; she wasn't someone who wanted to be swept away from the clutches of an evil overlord, and it showed.

At least she hoped that was what showed.

Crossing her hands, Nora took a few slow steps towards the girl. "I'm getting you out of here. Pack up."

Ela folded the corner of the page she was reading and set the book on the desk she was resting against. Her eyes were clouded, distant. "I'm ready to go."

A sour taste made its way in Nora's mouth. She wasn't sure if it was a bad feeling or just displeasure at the brat's ungratefulness. Something was off, regardless. Maya had made a point about guards constantly flanking Ela, yet she was completely isolated. Why? Why on such a dangerous night, when anyone had access to the building?

The spy narrowed her eyes. "Wear a cloak," she said, staring right into Ela's wandering eyes. "You might be spotted."

"There's no need. All the guards are watching the entrances."

"How would you know that?"

For the first time since the spy broke into her room, Ela looked up at Nora. Then she understood why she had been avoiding her gaze. Her eyes were full of hatred, bitterness that even seeped into her tone. "I've learned many things since I came here, Nora."

A chill licked her spine as they exited into the long hallway. She contemplated leaving, asking for the others' opinion, but if Ela had truly vicious intentions they would be dead before they saw sunrise. Nora stuffed her hand in her coat's pocket, her fingertips brushing the barel of the tiny revolver. This stands no chance against a dual bender, she noted grimly, yet it was one of the only two defense options she had.

They walked in silence for what felt like an eternity. This was not going as planned, and Nora was starting to get worried. Ela was supposed to be stunned, too shocked to even speak. Nora would lead her to where Ailyn had said the second kitchens were, the ones that the staff didn't use in balls and gatherings. They would climb out of the window and return to the schooner and, once Ailyn and Bela  had returned, the would depart for Norstrat, where they would hopefully meet up with the rest.

Now things didn't seem to be going according to the mission. Ela took long strides across the carpeted floor, not seeming to even care she was being rescued. Nora contemplated asking her whether she knew where she was going, but she figured more sarcasm wouldn't help her case.

Ela had always been serious when faced with danger, but never cynical. It seemed as if she was expecting them to come for her.

The thoughts got more and more persistent, to the point that the spy was overwhelmed by doubts and crawling fear. She swung forward, grabbing Ela's shoulder. The girl twisted around, her scowl void of any surprise. Her apathy send tingles of electricity to Nora's clenched fists. 

"What's wrong with you?" she hissed, trying to decode the girl's expression. Her examination proved fruitless. "Why are you acting like this? Are you not happy?"

Ela barked a bitter laugh. "I'm so ecstatic to have to chose between my blood and you, trust me."

"If you don't want us to help you," she retorted as calmly as her set jaw would allow, "don't waste our time."

It seemed as if Ela tried to reply, to snap back like she always did. She stopped herself before the words left her mouth, and Nora was almost shocked. The girl had shown remarkable impulsion in the past; it was the very reason that had landed her in this situation in the first place. Nora felt slightly bad for her. What had happened to the girl? To her firey spirit? To the power that saved their lives?

At last, she sighed. Her gaze was somber when it met Nora's narrowed eyes. "I've been waiting for you. But after all those days in waiting, I thought you'd never come."

"Is that what you are angry about? That we couldn't infiltrate the Seyali palace in less than a week?"

Ela's features bore a slight contortion as she pulled Nora's forearm, urging her forward. That wasn't it. Still, fully aware that Nora had only tried to bait something out of her, she muttered, "I guess so."

Even though some of Nora's doubts had been mitigated by their interaction, she was far from convinced. Now close to the girl, she could feel warmth radiating from her skin. The slight quiver of her hand as it slipped away from Nora's arm confirmed what she had initially refused to believe. She wasn't shaking out of fear or excitement; she was nervous. Arrogant, vain Ela Sillich was anxious, and for no good reason.

Perhaps there was a reason, after all. Nora was simply too blinded by her eagerness to get this over with to see what it was.

The door leading back to the main hall finally came into view as the music escalated in a roaring crescendo. Bela should have met up with Kage by now, and the fact that the celebration was only getting wilder meant it went better than anticipated. Nora felt shallow relief in her chest, barely enough to bring any form of tranquility to her raging heart. One debt paid. One loose end cut. A day ago it would have been enough. Now all that she could feel was the awful sense in her gut.

Nora approached the second door to the left of the main entrance and creaked it open. The smell of grain and fresh vegetables attacked her nose. This was it. She glanced behind her shoulder. "Come here, brat."

Ela stood on the opposite side of the corridor, staring inside a dark downwards stairwell. Her fingers were curled into fists, the fiery red aura now visible from where Nora stood. The spy frowned, taking a few cautious steps towards the frozen girl. "Hello? Are you deaf, too?"

The dual bender looked up. Her brows were furrowed and her eyes were wide with more sincerety than Nora had ever witnessed in them. She looked almost apologetic. If not for her set jaw, Nora would almost believe this wasn't her choice.

"This isn't personal, Nora," Ela said, her voice wavering as she seized the spy's shoulders and slung her down the staircase.

***

Alright, I'm kind of nervous to see how this will turn out! I've been sitting on this ending forever  and it seems pretty darn good in my mind, but I hope it's as great on paper.

(Also sorry for my sloppy writing but I've been reading too many badly written fanfics lately, let's hope I'll recover)

I don't want to jinx anything but since these are the last 12 days I've scheduled updates for Wednesday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The pretty much last chapter is the second last one, since the last update is the fortieth chapter and it will be backstory on what happened with Kage and his mother at the ball. Now let's hope I keep this program, we all know how I am with commitment things :')

Thank you so much for reading ♥ If you enjoyed this chapter please consider voting and commenting on things you liked/disliked so I can improve!