Part 5: The Church's Coin
The guild square was louder than usual that morning.
Merchants argued over caravan rights. A bard in mismatched boots sang about some mythical beast with ten dicks. Children ran between soldiers who weren't laughing.
Yuji arrived just after dawn. Not with his cloak drawn tight, not hiding.
He came with Siora at his side.
Sylvia was on overwatch, crouched on the rooftop of the adjacent stable, bow unslung.
Sacha leaned against a post with her arms folded, dressed like she was daring someone to flinch.
Amelia sat in the shadow of a nearby pillar, sipping a cup of black liquid that hadn't existed moments ago.
And in the center of the plaza, posted fresh and high—a new bounty sheet.
Slick parchment. Gold trim.
Bounty Class: Divine Adjunct
Target: Siora Il'Vanyel
Designation: Half-blood heretic. Fugitive from Clerical Justice.
Status: Active. Authorized for lethal collection.
Yuji stared at it.
The ink was still drying.
The crowd murmured. Some read the posting and looked away fast. A few looked at Siora—then at him.
Siora's hand trembled once. Only once.
Yuji stepped forward.
He didn't tear the poster down.
He drew his dagger and pinned it to the board with steel, punching the blade through wood so hard the board cracked.
Then he turned to face the square.
"If anyone has questions about her status," he said clearly, "you come to me."
No one moved.
He glanced to the side. A junior guild officer was approaching, face pale and puffed with forced authority.
"You can't just—"
Yuji walked toward him, slowly.
The officer reached for the parchment.
Yuji didn't say a word.
He slammed his shortsword through the man's desk, cutting through ledger, wood, and metal in one clean motion.
The sound silenced the square.
The officer froze.
Yuji leaned close and said, low enough only he could hear:
"She's under my protection. Try posting that again, and I'll pin the next sheet to your face."
The officer didn't respond. He couldn't.
Yuji turned and walked back to the group.
Siora's eyes were unreadable. Her lips parted. "You didn't have to—"
"Yes," he said. "I did."
Amelia smirked. "How heroic. I think I'm blushing."
Sylvia didn't speak. But she stepped closer to Siora.
Sacha nodded once. "Now it's official. You're with us."
The bounty flapped once in the wind, still impaled.
No one dared touch it again.