I followed Alistair around the grounds as he attempted to recruit a team to back us up. He was obviously personable and popular. People were willing to listen to him and were happy to talk. Once he got to the pitch, though, where we would all go on an adventure together to defeat the Shades, every single one of them backed down.

  I tried not to think of them all as cowards, I did. How successful I was varied from person to person. Some folk didn't want to risk being away from the palace in case of another attack. They wanted to be close by so they could defend their families, which was understandable.

  There was this one guy who was absolutely huge, towered over even Alistair, and had bulging muscles from working long days in the forge. I thought for sure he would come with us. Nope. He said he needed to stay at the palace repairing arms and armor for the defenders. Again, understandable, but extremely disappointing. I would have paid good money to see him break apart a Shade with one good swing of a war hammer. Alas, it wasn't in the cards.

  Of course, some of the people we asked were cowards. No excuses offered, just a flash of fear in their eyes and a hurried refusal.

  I felt my stomach drop as each person declined our offer. I couldn’t blame them for their fear, but it left us with very few options. I turned to Alistair, hoping he had some kind of suggestion.

  "We have to keep trying," he said, determination in his voice. "There have to be people out there who will help us. We just have to find them."

  I nodded, feeling grateful for his easy optimism. I didn't share the sentiment, but I didn't know any of them well. We continued to approach people, trying to convince them to join our cause, but it was no use. They were all either too afraid or too occupied elsewhere.

  As the day wore on, I grew more and more anxious. Thalia had gone to speak with Amara, and I had no idea how it was going. We needed her support, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't going to work out. Especially since we were no closer to building a crew.

  "Okay," Alistair said as the sun set. "I didn't want to have to use this, because I don't particularly like her, but I do have one more option."

  "Her?" I echoed.

  "Oh yes, her. She's the best there is in her field...she just takes a little getting used to is all." He shrugged. "You'll see what I mean."

  We were still in the palace grounds, but far from the main building, past the stables and near the outer wall. Alistair took a moment to scan our surroundings before he whistled a short tune I didn't recognize. For a moment nothing happened, and I was about to ask him if he was feeling alright.

  Then a figure appeared from the shadows. A woman, tall and lean with striking features. It was hard to tell her age from where we stood, but she was slight for her height. She wore a dark cloak and carried a pair of daggers strapped to her belt. The cloak made it difficult to see her face, but I could tell she was striking from the look in her amber eyes and the barest hint of an outline of her facial features.

  She said nothing, her gaze darting between the two of us.

  Alistair greeted her with a nod. "Isadora."

  "Alistair," she said, her voice surprisingly sweet despite her severe demeanor.

  I could see Alistair visibly stiffen. "We need your help."

  Isadora looked at us with sharp eyes, taking her cloak off. Her hair was fire red, and it fell down her shoulders as she did so. "What makes you think I would help you?"

  "This isn't about helping me," Alistair said defensively. "It's about keeping everyone you know safe. Lord Silverblade..."

  I waved at her politely, unsure of what else to do.

  She grimaced at my gesture, as if the gesture was a horrible mistake.

  "I've seen him fight and survive things most people would never even dare face," he said. "But despite his considerable skill, he's only one person. Everyone else who can fight is busy defending the palace, escorting our people to safety, or off guarding the rest of the kingdom. There are only three of us looking for answers right now, Isadora. With your help, with your people, if I may be so bold, we would be formidable."

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  She cocked her head, regarding us coolly. "I wouldn't help you for all the gold in the world, Alistair," she said, the disdain clear in her voice.

  "I know that well," he replied. "And that's why I'm not the one asking for your help. It's him, Tristan Silverblade, and the people he wants to protect."

  She considered that for a moment, then shrugged. "I don't know. I care little for this kingdom, Alistair."

  Stepping past Alistair, I decided it was time to speak up. "What about the people you do care about?" I said. "There must be someone living in the palace you're worried for."

  "I know what's happening in the palace," she said after a moment. "I may be willing to help, but I need to know what's in it for me."

  I felt a surge of hope. It seemed like we might finally have a breakthrough. "What do you want?" I asked.

  Isadora's lips twisted into a small smile. "I'm a mercenary, Lord Silverblade. I don't work for free."

  I nodded, unsurprised. "Name your price."

  She leaned in, her amber eyes glittering in the fading light. "I want access to the palace vaults. There are rumors of treasure hidden there, and I want my share."

  "How would you do that?" Alistair said. To my surprise, he sounded genuinely curious.

  "I have my people," Isadora said. "I expect you want me to utilize them in your endeavor, too."

  I hesitated, feeling uneasy. The palace vaults were heavily guarded, and if Isadora and her men were found, that could spell disaster for us. If we were named as coconspirators after the war was over, we would be executed.

  Alistair looked at me. It was obvious he expected me to make the decision on my own.

  "We can't promise you access to the vault," I said. "But we can promise you a percentage of whatever treasure we do find. And if you and your people are able to help us defeat the Shades and protect the palace, we will do everything in our power to reward you appropriately."

  Isadora narrowed her eyes. "A percentage isn't enough," she said. "Help me crack the vault and then offer me and my people safe passage out of here once this is over and I will consider helping you."

  I swallowed. It was a very risky move betraying the king and the court. I was now part of the council. "No," I said. "But I can offer you something better."

  "What?" she asked suspiciously.

  "Land," I said, surprised at the word coming out of my mouth.

  "Land?" Isadora repeated, her eyebrow raised in surprise. "What kind of land?"

  "I'm on the council. If you help us, I can promise you a plot of land in a safe, neutral area. You and your people can live there, in peace and prosperity, for as long as you want."

  Isadora remained silent for a moment, her eyes studying me intently. "And you can guarantee this?" she finally asked.

  "I can," I said confidently. "I'm a man of my word."

  She seemed to ponder this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright," she said. "I'm in. But know this, Lord Silverblade, if you break your promise, there will be consequences."

  "I understand," I said solemnly.

  "Good." Isadora turned to Alistair. "I'll gather my troops."

  Alistair grinned. "Thanks, Isadora. You won't regret this."

  She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. That's what you said last time."

  Alistar didn't answer her. "We should get back to Thalia. See how she's doing with Amara. It's late."

  We said our goodbyes and headed back toward the castle. As we did, I noticed that Alistair was uncharacteristically quiet.

  "She seems..." I was going to say nice, but that wasn't the right word. "Competent."

  Great. Nailed that.

  Alistair smiled. "She's more than competent," he said. "She's one of the best damn mercenaries and fighters I've ever met. Unfortunately, she's also wildly unforgiving. I learned that lesson the hard way."

  "Lover's tiff?" I asked casually.

  He shook his head, his smile widening. "No," he said. "Not at all. I have a wife, milord. I haven't seen her in... years now, but I have one, and while I can't be there with her to see our children grow up, I wouldn't do anything to betray her. Even if she never found out. I will not repay her years of sacrifice, raising our children alone, with disloyalty."

  I stared at him. That wasn't the kind of thing you heard every day, particularly from men like Alistair.

  "I know she would never know," he said. "But I would know and that's enough."

  I nodded. I guessed that made sense. I'd never been married so I didn't have much of an opinion. "So why does she seem to hate you so much?"

  "Because," he said after a moment. "I'm the reason she's stuck here."