Chapter 50 -  Bad Company

We took a carriage back to the manor just before dusk. The streets were quieter than before and the ride was peaceful. I expected to arrive back to little fanfare, and have a quiet night, but as soon as the carriage pulled into the employee entrance I felt my heart drop.

There were three carriages sitting in the loading area, one extremely fancy, black carriage, a plain carriage in the same colors, and an animal transport wagon that was rocking wildly.

As our ride pulled to a stop Kass slid out, and stared at the interlopers, confused. “I didn’t see anything about a visit on the schedule, who’s this?” she muttered.

“My family," I pouted, as I sunk deeper into my seat. “I’m sure they sent a messenger directly to Lanivia before coming, they wouldn’t bother informing the ‘little people’. They probably even started the trip before hearing back… it would never occur to them that someone would reject their visit.”

“Those are from your family’s dungeon?” Kass screeched, pointing towards the three carriages and attracting the attention of everyone nearby. I just nodded meekly from my seat.

“You’re not going to hide from them, are you? I thought you left them of your own volition.” Kass said, sticking her head back into the carriage. “Are you ashamed of that?”

“Of course not,” I sulked. “It doesn’t mean I want to run into any of my sisters, or their minions, without time to prepare.”

“You’re not worried about your mother?” Kass asked as she pulled herself inside and sat next to me.

“No. If she wanted to show up here it would have to be arranged with the city months in advance. If someone as strong as her showed up unannounced it could be seen as an act of war. You know that,” I said.

“So you just have to deal with one of your sisters, right?” Kass asked, as she threw an arm around my shoulder.

“Yes…” I grumbled. We sat there for a moment, in silence. “You only brought up my mom to make my sister seem less horrible, didn’t you?” I grumbled.

“Did it work?”

“A little. I still don’t want to see any of those bitches, but at least it’s here, and not back in the abyss,” I said quietly. “I wonder which one is here?”

“Feel like finding out yet?” Kass asked softly.

“No, but we can’t sit here forever,” I said with a sigh. “Let’s go see who showed up.”

I popped open the door, and stepped out with a lot more confidence than I actually felt, then waited until Kass slid up next to me before stepping inside. The hallways were empty, but I could hear voices echoing out from the atrium. Not the regular drone of people going about their jobs, but the echo of a single conversation.

When we stepped onto the balcony overlooking the central atrium, I finally got a look at our ‘guests’. It was a relatively small group, but all recognizable members of the Arachne Depths. I didn’t know all their names, my sisters rarely liked to share their toys, but I did know Seraphine the drow beastmaster and Maria the lizard-kin blademaster. They were subbosses after all. At the front of the group was an Arachne, with an ostentatious priestly outfit draped over her full eight legged form. “Narhas,” I muttered under my breath. Even my sister seemed to be discussing something with Lanivia, she turned and waved when Kass and I entered.

“Little sister, so good to see you again,” she said brightly, “Still running around in your inferior, humanoid form. How like you.”

I saw Lanivia’s eyes flash behind my sister’s back, but the lich didn’t move or say anything.

“Narhas. How is your congregation? Still pushing your fake religion so you can maintain your position among mother’s favorites? Aren’t you tired of kissing her ass?” I asked in return as I slowly descended the stairs. I could see my sister’s sycophant followers shift uncomfortably behind her at that.

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Out of all my sisters that could have shown up today, Narhas was one of the best. She was a healer which faked divine magic in order to draw in followers to work on her floor of the depths. She was normally quite confident when leading an army, but in private she always feared losing my mother’s favor.

She was also the only one I’d defeated in one-on-one combat during a challenge.

“I see your tongue has loosened since you left home,” she spat.

“ENOUGH,” Lanivia said. Even though she spoke quietly, the power in her voice echoed through my mind. It was enough to cause everyone to take a step back, and focus on her. “Our ‘guests’ here came to issue a challenge. An exhibition match before we face each other in a true dungeon duel match.”

“They want to do what?” I asked as my eyes darted towards my sister. “You mean they want to do a delve prior to the actual match?”

“Of course. My companions and I have already registered as a professional level team, just for this event,” Narhas said proudly.

“And I’m sure that you did that entirely on your own, without borrowing mother's influence,” I replied.

“I was just contemplating whether I should accept the challenge or not,” Lanivia cut in. “What do you think?”

I glanced at the lich’s completely blank face, in surprise. It kind of sounded like she was asking for my opinion. Kass grabbed my hand, and nodded slightly, encouraging me.

“Fine,” I said finally. “I look forward to it.”

“Wonderful! I look forward to it,” Narhas said brightly as she shuffled forward. As soon as she was close enough she leaned down close to my ear, “I look forward to embarrassing you.”

“I hope you put up a better fight than last time,” I spat back. “I won’t be fighting alone this time.” As I squeezed Kass’s hand George stepped up next to me, looked up at my sister and let out a low, reverberating growl. I couldn’t believe he could make such a noise, it sounded like it came from a much bigger creature, and echoed around the chamber.

Narhas staggered back as soon as she saw him. “I see you still have the sacrifice you stole from me, and you haven’t taught it any manners,” she said. “Don’t worry, we brought something special for him too.”

“Since we’ve accepted the match, we just need to set a time. Shall we say, ten in the morning, three days from now?” Lanivia asked. Even though she appeared to be standing there, appearing passive, I could see the sparks in her eyes. “Please show yourselves out.”

Narhas looked over at her, slightly surprised. “I would like a few more minutes with my sister…” she said, through a fake smile.

I could feel Lanivia’s gaze fall on me, just for a moment, so I shook my head slightly.

“LEAVE!” her voice echoed again. Power swirled around the group from the Arachne Depths, built for a few seconds, then detonated. They were gone.

“I hate these stupid power plays. I don’t blame you for wanting to leave your mother’s influence,” Laniva said, sagging down and abandoning her blank stare. “That woman is insufferable.”

“What did you do to them?” Kass asked in awe.

“They couldn’t take a hint, so I sent them outside. They won’t be allowed back in until the match,” Lanivia explained.

“Why did you accept the match?” I asked. “Or more precisely, why did you allow me to accept it?”

“Because that woman may be a leader of the unwashed masses, she’s no strategist, or adventurer. She’s over confident, and when it comes down to a one-on-one match, you’ll mop the floor with her,” Lanivia said, waving her hand dismissively and turning towards her sanctum. “It’ll do wonders for your confidence.”

“Thanks, I think,” I said to her rapidly retreating back.

“Don’t mention it,” came the tired reply.

“I… honestly don’t get her sometimes,” I mumbled to Kass.

“No one really does. She’s older than almost every other Lich in existence, yet while they’ve all retreated into their sanctums to only study magic, she both interacts with the outside world, and shows concern for her employees. She’s just special I guess,” Kass said with a shrug. “Are you really sure you want to do this?”

I stood there for a moment, and reached down with my left hand to pet George, who was still at my side. “Yes. I need to start separating myself from that world, and prove that Narhas, and the rest of my bloodline, have no power over me anymore.”

I squeezed her hand lightly, then gave her a smile. “My family is here now, not down there.”

Kass’s eyes watered, and she swept down and pulled me into a tight hug. “Well said.”