If there was any fighting, though, it was short and pathetic. Magus strode through the front door of the extravagant mansion minutes later, satisfied the location was secure. He moved with a purpose amid the chaos. Men and women were scattered and crying. Tables were overturned. Soldiers ripped aside curtains and kicked open doors. The Imperator recognized the marks of wealth upon them and, more troublesome, relics of the slain gods. Here a small feather, there a butterfly ring. What he did not find, however, was the man he sought.

“Where are you, Vagrant?” he muttered.

No sign of the man in the skull mask. No dark hoods, no finely crafted swords, and no silver crown. It was entirely possible one of the unmasked people was him currently not wearing his disguise, but Magus found that doubtful. His informant had made it clear the Vagrant was meant to make an appearance, and at this exact hour. Hard for him to do that while wearing the foppish clothing adorning the wealthy men his soldiers currently slapped in irons.

“We’re sweeping the upper floor, but so far found only servants,” his Signifer said, finding him in one of the large dens. Magus ignored him, and instead crouched before a woman sobbing on her knees. Her hands were bound behind her back with rope instead of manacles. Paint ran down her face from her crying.

“You there,” he said. “Did the Vagrant make his appearance?”

The woman stared at him dumbly.

“The Vagrant!” he shouted. “Was he here?”

“N-no, of course not,” she said. “He’s not here, I swear, we never saw him.”

Damn it all. She could be telling the truth, or she could be lying to protect Vallessau’s newfound savior. Had his informant botched the time? It burned, knowing he was so close to capturing the Vagrant, and yet had failed. A familiar laugh only further soured his mood.

“Such a fine night, Imperator, yet you scowl like a bird shat on your dinner plate.”

Magus turned to glare. Soma was one of the few paragons remaining after the island’s gods were successfully slain, for paragons rarely stuck around any one place for long. There were always other nations to conquer, gods to kill, and rebellions to put down. Thanet was supposed to have been pacified, her people ready to open their hearts to the Uplifted Church. Of those chosen to stay, Soma was the worst of the lot, no doubt due to being tightly wrapped around Sinshei’s finger.

“There is always room for improvement,” he said lamely, having no real desire to argue with the blue-armored Paragon of Spears.

“Give it time.” Soma’s face was fully hidden behind his helmet, but Magus was absolutely certain he grinned from ear to ear. “You’ll succeed eventually in capturing the Vagrant. Surely it is worth celebrating what minor victory you achieved tonight?”