The morning sun rose over Dawnsguard and greeted the day. Kazmere Vale peered over his shoulder and listened for armored footsteps following. His black cloak was wrapped around him, his hood covered his face. Sera followed close, also scanning for anyone following them. The arrival of the morning meant the sprawling city would be waking up soon. They needed to get back inside the hideout. They'd left a bloody mess that would cause quite a stir.

He arrived at the cellar door behind the Drunken Hound and pulled open the wooden hatch, allowing Sera to rush in first before closing it. Hopefully, no one saw us. He wanted to check on Elspeth - the innkeeper above - but he knew it would bring more trouble than good. He didn't know if she knew he was hiding below. He didn't want to give her more information to risk her life with.

They entered the common room of his hideout. The fire had gone out while they were gone, leaving black and gray ash behind. He took off his cloak, threw it over to the floor near the old wooden dresser, and plopped down onto the red cloth armchair. Metal sounds came from the cloak while it landed on the ground but that was of no mind to him. His body was running on its last fumes. He'd only gotten an hour of rest before the guards showed up and he needed a full rest.

Sera stood across the room from him, cleaning off one of her daggers with a cloth. "Sleep, Kaz. You look like you're going to pass out any second. I'm going to find some of the people I get information from. Have them spread the word that we are looking for Zavan and Savere. We need to find them soon."

"Good idea. Please be safe. They're gonna be looking at everyone with suspicion after that mess we left." He got up from the armchair and laid down on the mess of pillows and blankets by the fireplace. The area smelled like Sera which made him happy.

She raised her eyebrow and smiled in a mocking way. "You're worrying about me? You're the one who lost his Relic last fight."

He chuckled, raising his right arm to cover his eyes. "You got me there."

She chuckled and pulled her cloak's hood up to hide her face before walking out. He let out a soft groan of pleasure. He sat up, took his boots off, and covered himself with a blanket. He laid back and closed his eyes, dozing off in seconds.

Kazmere's eyelids opened to Sera standing above him, shaking him awake.

"Wake up Kaz, wake up." She kept shaking him.

He sat up, pushing off her hands. "I'm awake, I'm awake. What's happening?" He rubbed his eyes.

She laughed and sat down in the red chair. "You've slept for a whole day. I knew you needed some rest but damn." A fire was crackling. The room was warm and cozy, just the way he liked it. He walked over and grabbed a cup and scooped some water into it from the bucket.

He drained the whole cup in two gulps. "Much needed." He set the cup down and grabbed a honey lemon to eat. "How did the roaming about go? Any luck spreading the word for Savere and Zavan?"

"It went smoothly. Zavan sent a messenger within a few hours, saying he will meet us wherever we choose. Savere replied halfway through yesterday. She sent an old lady to knock on the cellar door to reply. I had to scold her to never come nearby like that since the guards could follow her. Luckily they don't know you're here too. Savere will also meet us wherever. I sent out the message to meet us at Albatross today, in about two hours."

He took a big bite of the honey lemon and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Albatross was located in the Fifth Division. The hideout had been one of the main sanctuaries where they trained fledgling Foundlings. Albatross had been famous among the common people for being a Foundling base. It was one of the first places to get ransacked when the Crimson Guards attacked months ago. He reminisced on all the Foundlings he'd trained there. It was the base where Ansel had learned to become one of them. All the good memories came rushing forward but he stifled them. This was no time to get sentimental. It was surprising that Sera would suggest meeting somewhere so well-known.

"Why Albatross?"

She crossed her arms and the corner of her mouth raised. "I chose there because it was cleared out months ago. I've been scouting the area recently. The Crimson Guards don't patrol there anymore. Almost every hideout but this one-" she gestured around them," -is discovered. Going where they least expect is our best bet."

"Sound reasoning." He walked over to pick his cloak up from the ground and put it on. He checked the cloak pocket to make sure his Relic was safe and found it there, tucked away.

He pulled his hood up and looked back at her. "Ready to go?"

She stood up and pulled her hood up too. "Ready as I'll ever be."

They exited the cellar doors and headed east out, toward the direction of the Fifth Division. The entrance would be blocked by another giant metal gate. They were going to have to find a way to get through without being seen. He started formulating a plan in his mind.

The orange sun blazed down on Kazmere and Sera. The heat of the day made him sweat within minutes of walking. Cobblestone streets were filled with people selling food and furniture. Smells of all different kinds drifted past his nose and he smiled at all the familiar scents. The chatter of people haggling over merchandise could be heard in every direction. His mouth watered while they passed a stall selling hot blueberry pies, straight out of the oven. He looked right and saw Tommen Square - a cobblestone square area with a sculpture of King Vlidian made into a fountain. Kids were jumping in and out of the cool water that spurted out of the king's mouth and filled the basin around it. Flashbacks of his younger days filled him, back before the incident that made him an orphan living off the streets. He couldn't help but think how different his life would've been if things hadn't turned out as they did. I need to focus. Savere or Zavan could be the culprit for giving our hideouts away. This might be my chance to find out what really happened and who's behind it.

A touch on his right shoulder pulled him from his thoughts. He looked in the direction that Sera pointed and saw a group of Crimson Guards. They were shouting at the crowd of common people. A frail old man with a determined look on his face stood next to the group in a pure white robe. He was nearly bald with a small wisp of gray hair. He held himself in a proud manner. His neck skin hung down from his throat in an odd way. He wore a giant gold medallion on his chest - a sun peeking over a crooked mountain, the sigil of Reven. He was announcing something to the crowd. This doesn't look good. The Church of the Divines proclamations backed by the Crimson Guards were rare and always caused a great stir when they happened.

Kazmere motioned for Sera to follow him. They moved along the outskirts of the crowd, far from the swarm of Crimson Guards. But close enough to hear what the Divine priest was going to announce.

The Divine priest cleared his throat, his neck skin jiggling. Silence passed over the crowd while everyone waited.

"My blessed people, we have a tragedy that happened last night," the Divine priest began, his voice raspy and worn. "As you all know, The Orange Blade escaped from the Skyprison. Last night, he and another Foundling killed twenty Crimson Guards, massacring them while most of you good people slept."

People within the crowd broke out in murmurs.

"SILENCE," a booming voice yelled - one of the Crimson Guards standing behind the Divine priest.

All the conversing died out. "Thank you," said the Divine priest, looking at the guard. He turned back toward the crowd.

"Someone must've survived last night then," whispered Sera in his ear. He watched her while she scanned the crowd and their surroundings. I'm glad she's on my side.

"King Vlidian has received this dire news and has decided that it is of the utmost importance to catch The Orange Blade again before he tries to revive the Foundlings. The king believes this is his mission. Ten thousand crimson marks will be given to anyone who reports him or catches him. The Church of the Divines has decided the Foundlings have strayed away from the path of righteousness for too long. They are the enemies of the Divines themselves."

Many different gasps went throughout the crowd and Kazmere himself drew in a quick breath of astonishment. Being called an enemy of the Divines would turn many people against the Foundlings if they weren't already. Many people within Dawnsguard remained skeptical of anything King Vlidian proclaimed but many citizens listened to the Church. This would make it even harder to navigate around Dawnsguard without getting caught. He cursed under his breath in frustration.

He felt Sera tap his arm again. He turned to say something to her but noticed three Crimson Guards strolling toward them, pulling citizen's hoods down while they walked past. The guards didn't notice them yet but were getting closer by the second.

Sera grabbed his sleeve and led him away eastward. "Time to go."

They walked for a while in silence at a quick pace. He became lost in thought. Now the Church was their enemy too. How could everyone in Reven decide to turn their back on him and the Foundlings? He felt an overwhelming sensation of dread. The realization that all the years of building trust and respect with the citizens of Reven had been pointless was heavy on his soul. With the Church of the Divines their declared enemy, it would be near impossible to clear their names. Even if they could prove they'd been framed or hadn't ordered the murder.

He thought about his own beliefs in the Divines. His father had always been a stalwart supporter of the Church of the Divines and made Kazmere go many times in his early childhood. He'd always found it hard to believe what they were preaching. He always felt that many of the rules they enforced were contradictory to the teachings that he would read when attending the Church. It didn't matter what he believed now. Millions of people in Dawnsguard were believers in the Divines and now they would think the Foundlings were truly evil.

Sera yanked him into an alleyway and locked eyes with him. "It's going to be okay Kaz. It's just a minor setback. We still have the chance in front of us. We can get some real answers about who gave away our hideouts. About whether Ansel really did murder the queen or not. Are you still wanting to clear our names and get revenge?"

He smiled. She knew him so well. He always forgot she could read his facial expressions like he was saying his thoughts out loud. He realized no matter what happened, he didn't have the luxury of giving up. It wasn't just his life he'd be giving up. It would also be Sera's and every other Foundling still alive. Resolve hardened inside him.

"You're right. You're always right." He sighed. "I'm lucky to have you. You keep me on track."

Sera grinned and nodded. He wanted to know if she really felt that way but he couldn't read her mind like she could read his. That always bothered him.

They walked back out onto the cobblestone streets and continued eastward toward the gate to the Fifth Division. Leaning buildings lined the main road that ran through the Fourth Division. The street switched back on itself, going upwards until it reached the giant metal gate. The fortification came into view after they rounded a corner and he motioned for them to stop. At least a hundred Crimson Guards blocked the entrance. Wagon upon wagon was lined up to enter the Fifth Division. The line moved at a snail's pace. Many of the merchants and citizens were visibly frustrated, sweat drenching their clothes.

"There's no way we're getting through there," he told Sera. She nodded. They stood off to the side of the street so they weren't in the way of the merchants and citizens.

Sera tapped her index finger against her lips like she did when she was thinking. "We need to find another way up into there."

An idea suddenly dawned on him. He had his blood daggers and his Relic. Vertical obstacles were really no challenge. "Follow me, I have an idea," he said to Sera and grabbed her arm. They ducked off to the left toward the wall that ran along until it met the gate for the Fifth Division. He peered over his shoulder one last time, making sure they weren't being followed.

They reached a cracked weathered wall. He pressed his hand against it, feeling the sandstone beneath his fingers. It was weak enough to allow his daggers to penetrate the wall. They could climb up and into the Fifth Division, as long as no one saw them. He looked up and judged how long it would take them to climb with his blood daggers as footholds. The wall ran up far but not enough to where he wasn't willing to risk it. They must make this meeting.

Sera peered back the way they came. "You should be good to go. We have a short window until someone wonders why we haven't come out of this alley."

Kazmere flared his Viberium powers, feeling the powerful sensation run through his veins. His orange pulsating aura appeared around him. He floated his blood daggers out of his cloak pockets and pushed through his blood so they would insert into the wall running up it vertically. He turned to Sera. "Follow me. Quickly." He jumped up and climbed the daggers. After a brief time, he looked down to see Sera following. After climbing only halfway up, he gazed over the buildings nearby to see all of the Fourth Division below him. The sight was quite beautiful and made him feel pride for his home.

He continued upwards and realized he was coming to the end of the daggers since he was only carrying twelve. Sera was right below him now, leaving many daggers still inserted into the wall below her. He pulled eight of them out of the wall and then reinserted them above his head to finish the rest of the climb.

He climbed the rest of the way up until he reached the top of the wall. He pulled himself up and sat there, catching his breath. His forearms ached from the effort. He peered right, toward the gate to the Fifth Division. No Crimson Guards had noticed them. Sera pulled herself up beside him. He pulled all the blood daggers out of the wall and reinserted them onto the other side, leading down the wall into the Fifth Division. They were halfway there.

She was breathing heavily too. "Stay close, we're almost there." Before he could move, she started climbing down the daggers. He chuckled and followed after her. He had to reinsert more blood daggers from above him so they could finish the climb down. They both hopped to the ground after a short time. He pulled all the daggers to him and inserted them back into their individual pockets inside the lining of his black cloak.

"This way," Sera said, moving off in the direction of Albatross.

They walked out onto the main street and started westward. They were heading toward one of the main waterways that ran through the Fifth Division. The winding canal made its way all the way back down toward the Eighth Division. Many of the Foundling bases were hidden along these canals, built into buildings nearby. The water made for an easy escape route if a hideout ever got found out. Not that it helped when it mattered. His mouth firmed to a hard line.

Each Division in Dawnsguard had a major attribute that defined that Division's residents. The Fifth Division was known for having wealthier citizens. The homes went from tightly packed leaning buildings with tiled roofs to more spaced and elaborate. Giant manors with yards and servants to help upkeep the homes. Ornate pillars and stained glass windows. He'd spent many nights robbing these homes for crimson marks to supply money for the Foundlings' revolution.

He followed Sera into another alleyway. She spoke over her shoulder while she walked. "We need to hurry. It's almost been two hours. Nowadays, having a hood up around these parts is considered strange enough to draw attention." They quickened their pace.

He followed Sera through winding streets and different back alleyways to avoid Crimson Guards patrolling. The air was getting colder by the hour. That always happened. The higher up they went in the Divisions, the colder it got. The orange sun sat low in the sky by the time they reached the entrance to Albatross. Sera peered around one last time to make sure no one was following them before they reached a smooth sandstone wall underneath a small bridge. The sound of rushing water from the canal came from behind him while he watched her run her hands along the outskirts of the wall, scanning for the right stone. After a few short moments, she pressed in one block of the wall. A door-like indention sank into the wall. She pushed on it and the door swung inwards toward a dark entryway. She looked back at him and smiled before walking inside.

Kazmere paused before entering and ran his right hand along the dusty ridge of the secret entrance. Old man Canvor had built the entrance for him. This and many others. Without his help, the Foundlings wouldn't have evaded the watchful eyes of the Crimson Guards for so many years. Was he still alive somewhere? Kazmere hoped that he was. The man had always been kind to him and was one of the first people to help him build the Foundlings. Another friend potentially lost to whoever betrayed them. He still held out hope that it wasn't Ansel, that Sera was right.

He pulled himself from his thoughts, entered, and closed the door before following Sera. The hallway was pitch black. He ran his hand along the wall to his right, hoping he would run into Sera before running face-first into anything.

"Over here," Sera whispered a few feet in front of him. A light suddenly illuminated the surrounding area. She had found a torch. "They might be here already. If you plan to surprise them, stay back and wait till a good moment arrives." She pushed back her hood.

He also pulled down his hood. "Sound like a plan. I'll stay a few steps behind and try and find a good vantage point to watch. I'll make my entrance when a good moment presents itself."

She let out a soft chuckle. "You always knew how to make an entrance." She turned around and walked forward.

He followed a few paces behind. It was years since he'd been to Albatross. When the Foundlings grew in power and scale, his job as the leader shifted. His jobs became more elaborate and time-consuming and less focused on training new members. He'd entrusted that job to Verand, who'd done a fine job for years.

The memory of watching the man be hung with the rest of the Foundlings emerged fresh in his mind. Tears burned his eyes and he clenched his jaw, trying to gain hold of his emotions. That memory would forever be burned into his memory. Rows of his allies hung for all the citizens to see. Fury burned up inside him but he shoved it down with effort. Zavan and Savere might be the first piece to finding out the whole story. I will avenge Verand and all the others. He clenched his jaw until it hurt.

They turned a corner and came to a fork in the hallways. Sera went right down a set of stairs. He went up the stairs to the left which would bring him to a hallway that ran above the room Sera would find herself. This would give him a great vantage point. The layout of the hideout came back to him piece by piece. Sera really thought this through. He was impressed.

The hallway had a wall on the right side that became open to view the room below. A railing ran along the ridge. He crouched down next to where the wall turned to rail, trying to be inconspicuous. He peered downward. The room below him was once a training room. A wide bare room meant to allow space to train with a sword. He'd watched many fledgling members train below in hopes they would become a member within the Foundlings. That was a very different scene compared to what he was watching now. Sera stood by herself with two hooded figures across the room from her.

The hooded figure on the right lowered her hood. Savere stood proud, her white braided hair brought into a ponytail behind her back. She was a middle-aged woman, well into her fortieth year. She was from Galvoria, obvious by her black skin. She wore a black cloak, covering her spiraling black tattoos that marked her Foundling membership. She wore a brown eyepatch on her left eye. Years ago, she had lost an eye saving Ansel from getting hit by a crossbow. The bolt had hit a metal door and a piece had broken off and pierced her left eye. She was one of the original members of the Foundlings. One of the first people that helped Kazmere build them from the ground up. His heart raced with excitement at seeing his old friend but he stopped himself from doing anything.

Study them. One of them could be the one who caused all of this.

Standing a few inches shorter than Sera, the hooded figure on the left also lowered his hood. Zavan had tan Revenian skin, short brown curly hair, and kept his face shaved clean. His boyish face matched that he was still in his twentieth year. He was still a fledgling Foundling. Kazmere remembered when he'd first met Zavan, a small orphan on the street years ago - begging him to let him join the Foundlings. He'd claimed one day he would be able to outmatch Kazmere in a fight. That he would save Dawnsguard from the Crimson Guard and become the leader of the Foundlings after Kazmere. Kazmere loved his enthusiasm and had always encouraged him to become a better man, thief, and fighter all around. It made his heart happy to see him still alive.

One of these two could be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Foundlings, he reminded himself again. Right now, he had to be hard as steel. He could take no chances. One or both of them could be traitors. Maybe neither was. Maybe the traitor was really Ansel. He needed to find out any information before revealing himself.

Sera crossed her arms. "Thank you both for showing up on such short notice. Kaz would be thankful you both still want to help the Foundlings."

"Of course we do. Is it true?" Zavan grinned and stepped forward. "Did he really escape the Skyprison? How is that even possible?"

"He did."

"Has he come to see you already?" asked Savere, her voice oozing forced patience.

Sera turned her head toward Savere. "He has."

"Well, where is he?" Savere asked.

They both seem interested in where I am but I guess that's natural. Not enough to suspect anyone yet.

"I don't know. He comes and goes as he pleases. I have a mission for you both from him though."

"Wait. He's not here with you?" asked Zavan, a frown appearing on his face.

"He can't risk coming out with such a large bounty on his head. You both shouldn't be moving about either but we all have to take risks to stay alive," replied Sera.

"I haven't heard words that ring with truth like that in a while," said Savere. She appeared nervous.

What does she mean by that?

"The mission I've been told to give you is to seek out other Foundlings and report to me their locations. Kazmere plans to reunite everyone before seeking vengeance against King Vlidian," Sera said. Her voice held no hesitation even though she was lying.

Smart move Sera. They'll share that information with our enemies if they're the ones giving out information. There's no need for me to show myself to them yet. Knowing Savere, she won't agree to this mission without some proof I really gave the mission. She had never been good at taking orders from people she felt were below her within the Foundlings.

To his surprise, she accepted it without a second thought.

Savere pulled her hood up. "Understood. When should I report back here with my findings?"

Sera was paying close attention also. She only hesitated a moment, but it was enough to show she knew something was up with Savere too.

"Report back here in one week with all the information you have. If you're lucky, Kazmere will show himself next time."

"I will do my best but please tell him I need to talk to him," Zavan said. His eyes were wide and he looked scared. "I don't think I can stay out of the Crimson Guard's way much longer. I need help."

Sera pulled her hood up. "We will help you Zavan, don't worry. We'll talk soon. Don't send any more messengers to where I'm staying." She stared at Savere.

Savere smiled. "Understood." She turned and walked into the darkness.

Something is up with her. I need to follow her and see where she goes.

After the two other Foundlings left, he walked down to Sera. "Did you notice Savere?"

Sera tapped her index finger against her lip. "Yeah. She took an order from me without arguing. That's not normal for her."

"I'm going to follow her and see what happens. You follow Zavan and do the same. Meet back at the Drunken Hound by morning." He put his hand on her shoulder. "If I don't come back, assume she's the one who gave away our hideouts and I've been caught."

Sera frowned. "It won't come to that Kaz." She brushed her hand against his face with a feathery touch before leaving in the direction Zavan left in.

He clenched his jaw. Could my old friend really have betrayed us? If she did, no mercy will be found from me. It's time to get some answers. One way or another, he would get his revenge.