Chapter 108: Justice


    Everyone ready? Chance asked.


    Aside from Quinn, they all stood with their hands linked at the edge of the rune circle. A distant explosion rang out, followed by a shockwave that shook the tops of the trees at the edges of the small valley. Quinn stood the closest to the circle, tensed as if she was about to pounce. Everyone nodded.


    Lets get out of here before a bunch of cultivatorse down on our heads, Be said. Make sure Quinn is the first one to step on. Once she activates the portal, the rest of us run after her.


    She started the countdown. When Be hit zero, Quinn took a step forward. Her foot fell on the stone circle and a ripple of energy washed out, lighting the runes covering it. She took another step, fully entering the circle.


    Energy whirred, growing in intensity. With a deep thrum, a st of Essence erupted from the ground and enveloped Quinn in a beam of light. She vanished.


    Now! Be yelled over the roar.


    All of them ran forward, holding onto each other. Chance summoned some of his golden mist, just to give the others a little bit of luck. He was pretty sure they wouldnt need it, but luck never hurt.


    The energy enveloped him, tingling like a thousand little spiders all running over his body, and then the world was consumed by a wall of light. Essence rushed past his ears, and the only things he could still feel were Be and Jades hands. His body felt weightless for a few moments, and he couldnt see anything other than glowing blue energy.


    And then something materialized beneath his feet. The energy faded, and it took the tingling sensation and brilliant light with it. Chance blinked furiously, squinting as a room came into vision around them.


    They were standing in the center of arge, strangely decorated room. A soft, brownish purple rug covered the ground beneath their feet. A dozen chairs were arranged along the sides of the room, and the only exit was a nice but in door at the far end of it. Quinn stood in the room as well, her back facing them.


    Chance released Jade and Bes hands. Jade looked around the room, resting a palm on the hilt of her huge sword.


    Where do we go? And what can we expect here? Jade asked.


    Follow me, but keep your voice down, Quinn replied in a low hiss, sending a nce back at them. Jade reddened and nodded. The three of them crept up behind Quinn as she approached the door, pressing her ear to it for a moment before nodding and taking a step back, opening it.


    Chance had expected the room to be part of a house, but for some reason, it was literally a building entirely on its own. They all stepped out onto a paved stone path in what looked to be a fairly normal city.


    Houses, ranging from one to two stories and made mostly of gray brick, rose all around them in neat rows. There were a few taller buildings scattered throughout the city, their tops poking over the roofs, and Chance could see walls rising in the distance.


    There wasnt anyone on the street directly in front of them, but Chance could hear the distant sounds of chatter from what sounded like a market.


    Quinn quickly made for the cover of a small, nearby alley. The rest of them followed after her. It wound to the side, but it wasnt exactly the best spot to hide. Chance could still see shes of the street from his spot in the shadows. Quinn led them for several minutes, taking turns confidently and with the ease of someone who had traveled the area many times before.


    Okay, Quinn said, finallying to a stop as the alley let them out into a small, run down street. It was blocked in on either end byrge, bulky buildings. Chance could hear the sounds of conversation and nking metal on ceramicing from within it, but there werent any windows to look through.


    Restaurant? Be guessed.


    Quinn waggled a hand, still keeping her voice low. Dining hall. Nobodyes back here. I used to use it to hide before Nimea got her head chopped off.


    So, what are we up against? Chance asked. He paused for a moment. And is there any chance were going to be able to convince them to do the right thing the proper way?


    By proper, do you mean by talking to them? Quinn raised an eyebrow.


    Chance gave her a sheepish grin. I mean, it worked with Jade.


    Theres some things that talking doesnt solve, Jade said, a note of steel in her voice. Evil of this manner cannot be tolerated  assuming Quinn isnt lying.


    Quinns eyes narrowed in anger. What? Im not


    I never said you were, Jade said. But its my duty to ensure that the justice I carry out is actually proper. I am not a sword for hire. If you havent lied, then I will do everything in my power to ensure that we can help. But, if you have, I will need to assess the situation and make sure that Im acting properly.


    Chance and Be exchanged a nce.


    Why does it sound like youre quoting someone? Chance asked.


    Jade reddened and rubbed the back of her neck. Technically, Gibson kind of said it. I just paraphrased a little bit. Was it that obvious?


    A bit stiff, Be said. But Jade is right, Quinn. I dont want to seem doubtful, but Chance is a bit too easy to dupe. No offense, Chance. But you really do try to see the best in everyone.


    Chance grimaced. I dont think I can argue that bit.


    Quinn sighed. She nced out into the street, then hunched back down. Youll have proof when we go to meet some of my friends, but its going to be very difficult to get all of you in. Is anyone good at stealth?


    They all exchanged a nce. Chance scratched his head. I dont know if Id say Im good at stealth per say, but Im pretty damn lucky.


    Theres a big difference between being stealthy and being lucky.


    When I say Im lucky, I mean Im <em>really </em>lucky, Chance said. If were going to take any sort of risk, Im the best one to do it. Why? What are you thinking?


    Quinn pointed down the street and through an alley leading into the more popted road just behind it. One of my friends is in the house over there. She can corroborate my story. Shes not a servant, but shes not much better off.


    Is there anyone else in there? Be asked. If someone spots you walking around, its only a matter of time before the rest of the Brackern sect gets alerted that Nimea didnt return with you and something is wrong.


    There might be, Quinn admitted, chewing her lower lip in worry. Im not sure. There are a few people that can use the Essence of Binding, and they were all part of Nimeas family  the elders of the sect.


    Be scrunched her nose and squinted across the street. All of them? Talk about inbreeding.


    A grin flickered across Quinns face, but she quickly wiped it away. Maybe Chance could just try to enter on his own? Without me. Its not like we never have travelerse through. He could verify things himself that way.


    They fell silent. Somehow, the idea was so simple that it just hadnt struck the rest of them. Chance cleared his throat.


    Im going to pretend we werent going to try toe up with some fancy n when the answer was staring us right in the face. I think that might be the best strategy.


    What about the rest of us, then? Be asked. If Quinn stays hidden, maybe we should


    Jade shook her head. No, its actually better if he goes alone. Itll be less threatening if he pretends to be a lone wanderer from some other sect. Theyll be more concerned with figuring out where hes from than attacking him. As long as he doesnt show any aggression, itll be fine. Besides, from what Ive seen, he can handle himself and well be close.


    Be frowned, a wave of concern passing over her features. She looked back to Quinn. How powerful are the strongest members of the sect? Is it something a group of Knight Rank cultivators could handle?


    Quinn thought for a moment. Im not sure. Ive never seen Naveed  the Sect Head, that is  Ive never seen him fight. Nimea was considered pretty strong amongst the sect, though.


    Okay, Be said. She gave Chance a serious look. You good with this?


    Chance nodded. Yeah. I can handle things, and Ocie can always help me out if things go really south. Youll definitely hear it.


    Be gave him a brief grin and nodded. Okay.


    Quinn turned, nodding for Chance to follow her as she started toward the exit of the alley. Be raised a hand, catching their attention before they could leave.


    Onest thing before the two of you go. What do we do in the inevitable scenario where the two of you get into a fight saving Quinns friend and the entire sectes down on top of us?


    We wont do that, Quinn said. Shes not in any danger. We can just talk.


    I know Chance better than you do, Be said tly. Hes going to try to do something.


    Hey! Chance eximed. I can handle myself. Im not that impulsive.


    Be raised an eyebrow. And if Quinns friend is in any sort of difort or danger?


    Chance cleared his throat. I mean, the logical thing to do would be to help.


    Okay, I see the problem, Quinn admitted, crossing her arms. Fine. We need a n, then. Ill be honest, my n was just to break as many people out as possible and make a run for it.


    Jade leaned against the wall and her brow creased in thought as she tapped her fingers on her thigh. Does everyone here have the Essence of Binding? You said it was just the Sect heads and their family, right? So, if we kill all of them


    Quinns eyes widened. I thought you were the save everyone type?


    Im the deliver justice mercifully but without remorse type, Jade corrected, her eyes shing with anger. And if what youve been saying is correct, then the justice is going to take the form of an execution.