CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Jin told Grimdar not to waste time setting down at any of the Arcane Knight facilities near the outer walls, but to head directly for the palace. In the wake of the Lord of Bones projecting his unfettered voice over the entire city, the usual defenses preventing the approach of unauthorized dragons were disorganized. Jin and Grimdar saw no obstacles greater than a few desperate commands to halt and declare themselves before they stood in the carriage yard in front of the palace.

Once she had her feet on the ground, Jin paused long enough to help Gillwyn and Cana disembark before they untethered Scorpion from the harness. No one, village girls or assassin, dared approach within biting distance of Ura, and Jin had to wonder what Grimdar proposed to do with the scale lion in New Sandharbor.

"What was that thing?" Gillwyn asked as Scorpion finally got loose of the harness. "That voice? It was... It was like it was coming from inside me."

"I felt it, too," Cana said with a shudder.

"I believe that was the Lord of Bones," Jin said, "the god of death."

"The same god there's shrines and temples to all over the kingdom?" Gillwyn asked, incredulous. "The one whose priests do funerals? The god with the biggest following in Althandor was the one saying we'll all die unless we obey his... his chosen... or whatever? Did your pa piss him off or something?"

"I perhaps should have mentioned sooner," Jin said. "The Lord of Bones was revealed as a demon three months ago. His dogma was declared outlaw."

"A god can be a demon?" Gillwyn asked. "Pa taught us the old masters are supposed to be like... immortal and insanely powerful arcanists. Not blustering gods!"

"I do not know how it came to be," Jin said while she patted Scorpion down and looked for sores from being in the harness. "I am certain Brother Joshuan will have theories."

"That's your blood runner friend?" Cana asked.

Jin hesitated but decided calling him that was close enough to the truth that it made no difference. "Yes. I suggest the two of you stay close to me for the time being. If there is to be a battle here, I will make certain you are somewhere safe before I join the fighting."

Cana held on to Gillwyn's arm. Neither appeared to like being taken so suddenly from their place of safety just to be thrown into the middle of a war. In the end, they both nodded and promised they'd keep Jin in their line of sight.

While Grimdar worked out just what he was going to do with Ura, Jin and the girls led Scorpion towards the stables. The boys looking after the horses were wide-eyed and jumpy as rabbits, and Jin had to coax them out from beneath straw piles before they took Scorpion into their care. Heading then towards the palace's main entrance, Jin saw that few of the staff were any better off.

Maids wept in corners and hid their faces. Armsmen brandished their weapons at anything that appeared but didn't dare do more than stand in place with their knees knocking. Fear had become a palpable force within the palace. Jin could only imagine that it was even worse within the city. If the Jade Empire had been within striking distance already, they could've taken New Sandharbor without anyone mounting more than a token resistance.

And Jin couldn't blame them. She'd felt as if the Lord of Bones' voice was close to ripping her apart. She was unable to think, unable to move. All she could do was hold her head in her hands and gnash her teeth.

How can I fight something as powerful as a god? she asked herself. How does one kill Death?

Jin walked into the palace foyer without anyone raising a challenge against her. She stood before the staircase rising to the second story, waiting for anyone to show their face to her so she could demand some answers. She should have probably sought a steward, but all she could think of was getting to Enfri's side. She had no idea where in the palace Enfri would be during a crisis like this, or even if Enfri was in the palace at all. Jin would be just as happy to see Ban or Reyn. She'd even take Krayson if he appeared.

What did appear was unexpected and the last man Jin wanted to see.

"Oh," Lord Darian said quietly. "I was warned you were back in Shan Alee."

Jin spun her head a quarter turn to the left. She felt her eyes darken, and her hand went instinctively to her sword. "Teranor," Jin snarled.

Darian had stopped short when he saw her. He wore his archaic red uniform, the garb of a Nadian knight before his grandfather's rebellion. A cadre of hardened men and women walked with him, and they all eyed Jin as if she were a scale lion twice the size of Ura. Hands openly caressed the grips of weapons, and every face among them wore a scowl.

"Where are you off to?" Jin asked. "Have you received word of a helpless baby duke in Gaulatia you feel needs to die?"

Darian curled his lip. "I'd wager one of us has put infants to the sword. What possessed Her Majesty to allow a pit viper like you back into her city? Was one betrayal not enough for her that she invites another?"

"None of that is your concern, exile," Jin said coldly.

"You made it my concern when you tried to use me as your scapegoat. Don't let whatever madness led these fools to welcome you back come to delude you, Highness. There are still those who know exactly what you are."

"And what is that?" Jin challenged.

"A royal assassin," Darian spat as if it were an insult. "A black hound. You are an Algara, and even after experiencing the presence of a demon, I know of nothing in this world worse than filth like you."

Jin shifted her feet to face him openly. "Then end me, if you can. Or, should I lie in a cradle and fall asleep before you muster the courage to try?"

Darian flexed his fingers. "If I fought you in earnest, you would not enjoy the result."

"I imagine so. The blood of a pig stinks." She looked at each of his retainers in turn. "As do the rats it consorts with."

The middle-aged woman on Darian's right pulled her sword halfway out of its sheathe. The only thing that prevented Jin from drawing her own and setting to work was Darian holding out his arm to restrain his guard dog.

Darian let out a slow breath before turning from Jin. "I don't have the time to mete out the justice you have coming. I've been given a task by Her Majesty, and I know how to show gratitude to my friends."

"You are no friend of hers," Jin growled.

He gave a short, mocking laugh. "What was it I said to you that time? I would be exonerated, and you would be the criminal? Funny, I thought it all hypothetical at the time. I didn't yet realize it would prove prophetic. It's enough that you know only one of us has ever given the empress cause to hate them. I've never tried to harm her, I've never undermined her, and I've certainly not taken her to bed while hiding my treason." He smirked. "No, when I take her to bed, it will be when I'm utterly devoted to her reign."

Jin pulled steel.

"Darian!"

Reyn descended the stairs. She wore her usual trousers, sleeveless shirt, and vest. Her spectacles balanced on the end of her nose, and she carried a scribe's writing pallet. As she came closer to the foot of the stairs, eyes flickering between Darian and Jin, a sigil began glowing on the faint lines of her scrimshaw amulet.

"What is the meaning of this?" Reyn demanded.

Jin returned her sword to its scabbard and straightened her back. "The Teranor was just leaving."

Darian's manner changed abruptly. He looked rather like a cat who'd been caught with his paw in the canary cage. "Ah, apologies, dove. I..."

"I have asked you repeatedly not to call me that," Reyn snapped. "I will not hear it from your mouth again. Am I understood?"

He swallowed. "As you say, Minister." He shuffled his foot. "How much did you hear?"

"The fact you ask me that means you said something I ought have you flogged over. Lucky for you, I heard nothing. All I witnessed was two grown adults, who should know better, looking as if they were about to make mistakes neither would be forgiven."

She gave Jin a sharp look, and Jin abashedly averted her eyes.

Reyn sighed. "Darian, if I am not mistaken, Her Majesty passed on a request. I suggest you see it done. Also, there are royal assassins in the palace, so you would be wise to leave before awkward questions are asked. As for you, Your Highness, you arrived at the perfect time. I need you to come with me."

"Yes'm," Jin muttered.

Reyn paused in front of Darian and spoke in a gentler tone. Her amulet darkened. "Please, Darian, do try to remember that your presence is both appreciated and asked for. However, you must understand that this empire is a vassal state to House Algara."

"Oh, it's understood," Darian said while shooting a heated glance towards Jin. "Just make certain your empress follows through on her promises."

Reyn knit her brow together. "What are you talking about? What promises?"

He made a gesture like buttoning his lips. While Reyn scoffed and gave him a disgruntled look, he motioned for his mercenary rats to follow him out of the palace. As he left, Gillwyn and Cana huddled closer to Jin.

"Eww," Cana murmured. "Who was that?"

Gillwyn gave Jin a wary look. "I didn't peg you as the type to pick fights. What he do that's so awful?"

Jin frowned, still following Darian's exit with an angry look. "He's rude."

"Winds. I'll be sure to behave, then." Gillwyn looked over at Reyn, and her voice became awed. "And who's she? She's so... Is that the Dragon Empress? She must be!"

Cana squeaked, and the two girls dipped into hasty curtsies.

"Gods," Reyn exclaimed, rounding on Jin's charges. "Innoh tha snottin'..." She cleared her throat and removed her spectacles. "Pardon. Your Highness, who is this you have with you?"

Jin gestured to them in turn. "Gillwyn Forester and Cana Miller, both of Moorhaven. Goodwomen, this is Lady Reyn Nolaas, First Minister of Shan Alee."

"Starra and I are not yet wed, Highness," Reyn said.

"Soon enough that I should get used to saying it," Jin replied.

"First Minister?" Gillwyn gasped. "Winds, you're the selkie?"

Reyn gave Jin a flat look.

"It was relevant," Jin said, only a touch defensive. "Gillwyn is a were."

"Yes, I know she is aware," Reyn said curtly. "She just now said so."

"Not aware, a were."

"You lost me."

"Reyn, no one on the Continent dislikes puns as you do, so please come off it."

She looked displeased with herself. "Gods. You will have to forgive me, Highness. As you can imagine, we are all out of sorts here at the moment." She inclined her head to Gillwyn. "I am always pleased to welcome shifters to Shan Alee. I hope you will find the empire welcoming, despite the current circumstances."

Gillwyn's cheeks were flushed, and she couldn't bring herself to look at Reyn directly. She mumbled a response, and Cana was no better off. It only occurred to Jin then to consider the effect Reyn had on people. With her intoxicating accent, good looks, and selkie's Voice, it was no wonder the village girls were blushing like maidens on their wedding night.

"If you will follow me, Highness?" Reyn asked, and she started off towards the north side of the palace.

Jin followed while motioning for Gillwyn and Cana to tag along. "The Gladiator and I made as much haste as possible. What happened here?"

Reyn exhaled heavily. "We had a breach of security. Our second today."

"Of what kind?"

"A skindancer made an attempt on the Storyteller's life this morning, not long after she and the empress returned from the city."

Gillwyn and Cana gasped and walked closer to Jin's back.

Jin's heart felt as if it did a flip. "Winds, is Deebee alright?"

"She was unharmed," Reyn said. "We have Narhta Inaz to thank for that. He saw through the creature's disguise and killed the intruders. We are looking for the remains of the Pearl aviators the skindancer and its kits accomplice murdered."

"Saw through its disguise?" Gillwyn asked in disbelief. "Winds, how? I couldn't tell when one took my own sister!"

Reyn gave Gillwyn a startled look. "I did not realize. I am deeply sorry."

"You couldn't have known, but I'd like to know the answer."

"Yes," Jin agreed. "Has Inaz said?"

"Not to me, but that is not the worst of what has happened." Reyn looked like she was preparing to give awful news. "Less than an hour ago, the First Knight was briefing the Dragon Lords and Prince Gain of the incoming armada."

"Gain is here? My uncle?"

Reyn came to a stop. She appeared as if she wanted to throw up. Closing her eyes, Reyn took a breath to brace herself before continuing. "Not only him. As I am told, immediately after the Lord of Bones spoke... your other uncle arrived."

"Vintus," Jin whispered. "That's... That is not possible."

"I assure you, Highness, it is very much the truth. Vintus Algara somehow made his way into the palace without anyone seeing him. He demanded Lord Ban accept the terms the Jade Empire will bring us, and then he teleported away." She swallowed. "There is more. He is... physically... different. Lord Ban said he has the appearance of a corpse. His hair has gone white and his eyes gone utterly black. Vintus is no longer human, and he claims to be the blessed saint of his god."

"Souls are no longer guided Beyond," Jin murmured. "The Lord of Bones forsakes his divine duties, and he's returned his servant to life."

"I fear it is worse than that," Reyn said, almost timidly, as if she couldn't believe what she was saying. "Everyone I spoke to who saw him, they all say the same. He is not alive."

Jin gripped her sword as a chill ran down her spine. She took Reyn's meaning all too well. For as long as there had been magic, arcanists theorized of a particular discipline of spellcraft. Without credible dissent, the magocracy believed it to be impossible, prevented by a god of death's mere existence. Even had it been feasible, this hideous magic would be taboo to a magnitude greater than any other forbidden practice. Flesh forging, domination, and unsanctioned blood magic were nothing compared to such depravity as the artificial manipulation of death. Of unlife.

"Necromancy," Jin said in horror. "Vintus is..."

"If we are truly living in a horror story," Reyn said, "I would dare call Prince Vintus a revenant."

Gillwyn and Cana exchanged a fearful look. Jin could only imagine how this all sounded from their perspective. Stories of such creatures were prevalent in folklore and printsheet serial dramas. A revenant was a fairy tale, an evil boogeyman conjured by the darkest imaginations. It was a monster of terror, a corpse clinging to a hollow semblance of life for the sole purpose of finding its revenge. Undead, inhuman, and seemingly no longer a myth.

Reyn continued walking, and Jin followed. "Our assumption is these incidents are direct attacks on Her Majesty. Severing her bond, killing her adoptive mother, and then using the man who killed her father to deliver this ultimatum is their method of breaking her."

"Enfri cannot be broken so easily," Jin said.

"As you say, but demons will be cruel. Her Majesty is calling on every hand we have available. Even Darian. She has even kept Elise Alinwé at her side since this morning's attempted assassination."

Jin frowned. "Elise?"

"I understand your hesitation," Reyn said, "and I share it. However, Lady Elise has power comparable to a hierarch's, as well as a vested interest in protecting Her Majesty. As it stands, I do not believe we have the luxury of being choosy with the aid we accept."

"And what of me?" Jin asked. "How can I help? Against something like this... I will do whatever I can."

They reached their apparent destination and stopped outside the heavy doors. Jin had only seen it one time previous, but she recognized the palace's metavatarium. She could think of few reasons Reyn would want her help here. In truth, she could think of just one.

Jin's heart raced. Only when Cana came to her and took her arm did Jin realize she'd been trembling.

"What is it?" Cana asked in a whisper.

Jin kept her eyes on the door. Her throat and lips had gone dry. "Reyn?" she asked weakly. "Is..."

Reyn looked genuinely grieved to ask Jin here on such short notice. "I am sorry, Your Highness. This is unfair of me to ask."

Jin took three slow and even breaths. For the whole of those breaths, she allowed her fear to have her. She gave it complete dominion over her heart and let it rip through her careful facade of stoicism. But only for three breaths. As she drew in the fourth, it could have her no longer. Her trembling came to an end, and the mask of a royal assassin fell into place. Jin put a hand over Cana's hold on her arm before taking another step to pull away. She looked to Reyn and gave a nod.

"Your Highness, this was wrong of me. If..."

"I am ready," Jin interrupted.

Reyn held her gaze for a long moment. "There are times I envy you, Highness," she whispered.

A sound like thunder reverberated through the stone double doors. Reyn startled and visibly composed herself. Jin kept her eyes fixed on the doors and remained still.

Stone grinding against stone, the doors opened. On the other side, Onyx and Amethyst Knights, black and violet dragons in their human forms, and a score of House Yora armsmen stood along either side of the room at parade ground attention. As the arriving party passed through the metavatarium's checkpoint, the palace guards saluted.

Jin didn't dare to take another breath. She held it tightly within her and felt as if her heart stopped beating in the same moment. Reyn dipped into the deepest curtsy she could manage, and the village girls followed her example immediately. Jin stood motionless.

"Father," Jin said.

He came right up to her. His beast-like eyes didn't blink as they held to her face. King Cathis didn't say a word. He looked as if he couldn't, even if he had one to give.

Jin's father appeared to have aged a year for every month since she last saw him. His hair had been starting to see signs of gray, but now it was three-quarters from claiming him completely. It had even found a foothold in his trimmed and orderly goatee. The rest of him seemed better off. Her father was a fit and athletic man, and that much hadn't changed. His was a face that could turn swiftly between severity and kindliness. He had the deepest frowns and the warmest smiles. Except for now, with a dumbfounded look of surprise as if he hadn't believed until this moment that he might truly find Jin here.

He reached for Jin's face, and she flinched. Her reaction caused him to hesitate, but only for a moment more. His fingers to her cheek, Cathis took another step closer.

Jin clamped her eyes shut. She couldn't face him. No matter how ready she claimed to be, she would never be prepared. Before Jin ever betrayed Enfri, Jin betrayed him. She left her home and her family, only to abandon everyone she left him for. Jin had yet to take in another breath.

"I need to tell you" Cathis said, his voice so soft that Jin almost couldn't hear. "It took so much longer than it should have for me to learn. Were I wiser, were I a better man, I would have seen the truth of you far sooner. Never have I known another like you, my daughter. Never have I known someone as devoted to always do what they believe is right, no matter how great the cost to themselves." His touch on her cheek pressed in, cupping her face in his hand. "Your selflessness is your greatest strength, Jin. And your greatest weakness."

"As you say," Jin said, and it came out more coldly than she intended.

A hand touched her shoulder, and Jin opened her eyes to see her mother standing there. Queen Maebh wore her blue knight's uniform, golden epaulets on her shoulders, and her black hair pulled away form her face by a headband. She'd hardly aged a day since their last meeting. Mature and still as beautiful as in her youth

Maebh took her from Cathis and held her tightly by the shoulders. "I thought I'd never see you again."

Jin forced herself to look her mother in the eye. "You had no reason to think you would."

Maebh blinked and looked stung.

Three others stood behind the king and queen. Tallest of them was Prince Dashar, whose black studded leather was battered and dust-stained. A cowl, worn as a mask and made from the head of a black wolf, covered the upper half of his face. He stood at ease, his expression unreadable. Silent, and some would say unnerving.

On his left was Duke Tarlus. He was younger than Jin, the same age as Enfri at nineteen. His aquiline nose and gaunt face lent him a dour visage, and the black patch over his right eye made him look almost fearsome. He was lean of build, and he also wore black studded leather that left his arms bare. It was just rather more clean than Dashar's.

And finally was the youngest active royal assassin. Duchess Josenthorne Algara was eighteen and Tarlus' younger sister. Her leathers didn't just bare her arms but her abdomen as well. Her face was a little rounder than her brother's, her mouth a little wider, and her canine teeth were prominent almost to the point of being fangs. Josy once had the thickest mane of hair in the royal family, but she'd since cut it short. Her hair was different since her brief stint with Shan Alee's legion, and she now wore it shaved along the sides of her head in an undercut.

Without excusing herself, Jin stepped away from her parents to go to her cousins. She was greeted with claps to the back and shoulder. Tarlus chuckled, Josy cheered, and Dashar satisfied himself with a simple grunt as he tousled Jin's hair.

Reyn cleared her throat. "My sincerest apologies, Your Grace. I do not wish to interrupt, however..."

Cathis tore his attention from Jin to face Reyn. "Minister, of course. We came with purpose, and I would like to see it done. If you would be so kind?"

Reyn curtsied once again. And once again, the village girls followed her example. Jin noticed how Tarlus' good eye followed Cana.

"Wrong tree, Cousin," she whispered to him.

Tarlus glanced at Jin before wilting slightly with disappointment. "Understood."

As Reyn led Cathis and Maebh away from the metavatarium, Jin and her cousins lingered another moment. She met the empty eyes of Dashar's cowl. "And you are... you?"

There was no spoken response or change in his expression.

"I am glad to hear it," Jin said.

Dashar smiled and inclined his head to her. He then gestured with his arm for Jin to lead the way.

As a guide, Jin would be next to useless, so she hurried to keep Reyn and her parents in sight. Once again, she had to gesture for the village girls to stay with her.

"Do you really want us to stick close?" Cana asked with furtive glances towards Dashar.

Josy stared at the girls unashamedly, and Dashar was observing them closely in his peripheral vision. Tarlus seemed to be doing his utmost to avoid looking at them at all as he hid his blush.

"I have taken responsibility for the two of you," Jin said gently. "Until I tell you otherwise, remain close to me under any circumstance."

Both seemed relieved to hear it.

Josy quickened her pace to walk next to Jin. "It's been a while, eh?"

"It has," Jin said. "I am pleased to see you are well. Starra informed me of what you went through in the west."

"Never mind that," Josy said dismissively, then a slight flush came to her cheeks. "Bits of it, I've been wanting to get your opinion on, but I'm more worried about you. What happened between my leaving Sandharbor and you running off like you did?"

Tarlus nudged her with his elbow. "Sister..."

Josy grimaced. "I mean, if you're willing to say, that is."

It was certainly Jin's imagination, but she thought she saw the ears on Dashar's cowl perk up.

"Another time, perhaps," Jin said quietly.

"Alright, fair enough. I won't push." Josy sidled closer and spoke softly into Jin's ear. "What about the other thing?"

"The other thing?"

Josy blushed. "Yeah, you know? The other thing?"

"I've no idea what you refer..."

"The oren thing," Josy mouthed while shielding her lips from the others' sight with a hand.

Jin wished she wouldn't have mentioned oren. With all the urgency, it'd been pushed out of her mind. Now, the five vials in her pouch would likely be at the forefront of her thoughts until she had the chance to drink one.

Would that be so terrible? Jin wondered. Josy, Tarlus and Dashar wouldn't think anything of it if I took a dose in front of them. I've done so hundreds of times, and the girls wouldn't understand what I'm doing.

There was no reason for Jin to hold off on taking the oren any further. And yet, when her hand went to retrieve a vial, she found herself unwilling. It almost felt as if something physically restrained her hand from doing as she asked.

Nerves, Jin decided. Her emotions were too confused and out of sorts after reuniting with her father, however brief their exchange had been. Once Jin could speak with him and Mother at length, she could feel secure in taking the oren. Until then, she would endure the need, as she had been.

To answer Josy's question, Jin lifted the flap of her pouch so Josy could see into it. "I am well seen to," she said.

Josy furrowed her brow as she looked at the vials up until Jin refastened the pouch. Once the oren was out of sight again, Josy sighed and looked relieved.

"Alright, then. Guess I was worried over nothing. Looks like you had things sorted, but you might've mentioned before you sent me off. I went and convinced myself you didn't have any."

"That would be suicidal," Jin said.

"Yeah," Josy said, her tone curiously distant. "Yeah, it would be."

Jin looked straight ahead, making it clear that she considered the matter closed. Ahead, Reyn led Cathis and Maebh towards the foyer and the grand staircase up to the second story. The more frazzled of the palace staff and guards had been taken away, so at least the Highest King would be presented with a semblance of order.

Before Josy could either press or stay silent, a loud shriek erupted from just outside the main palace entrance. Jin heard it clearly and recognized the source.

She and Dashar pulled steel before the scream ended, and they both ran at a sprint through the doors to the carriage yard. Josy and Tarlus were right behind them, and Jin might've clarified for the village girls that she didn't mean for them to follow her towards potential danger.

What Jin saw made her blood run cold. The cry had come from Enfri. She was in a sturdy cotton dress, forest green and unadorned, and she stood with her back to a small Aleesh girl while shielding her with her body. Not even a full pace from them, Ura crouched low with her jaws open.

A spell echo pulsed from Dashar, and he made as if to dash forward to the rescue. Jin grabbed his arm to stop him, because she noticed one detail she might've missed if not for Grimdar's insights into zoology.

Ura's tail was raised in the air, and it swayed gently from side to side. Wary, but unaggressive.

In the same moment Jin held Dashar back, Enfri relaxed. Then, in what might've been the most heart-stopping moment of Jin's life, Enfri stepped up to Ura and let the scale lion thump her head against Enfri's hip. The little Aleesh girl, who Jin now recognized as Vinri Weaver, let out a delighted squeal.

"Winds take me," Enfri murmured. She dared to reach out her hand and pat Ura on the neck. "I should've guessed I'd hear about something like this sooner or later."

Ura snaked her neck around Enfri to stare at Vinri, then bumped against her backside, too. All the while, the scale lion crooned guttural clicks and warbles that sounded distinctly... friendly.

"The strangest thing," Grimdar said. He stood a few paces off in his human form, scratching his bald head in befuddlement. "She was oddly calm since landing, but I still believed it would be best to sedate her with magic. Then, once you showed up, I couldn't restrain her anymore. It was like..."

"Like she just saw cubs from her pride?" Enfri asked.

Grimdar nodded. "Well, yes, actually. But how..."

"Thank Deebee," Enfri said. She scratched Ura under the chin to the scale lion's utter enjoyment. "I never considered if any of the prides she put her spells on last year might still be out there in the Expanse. Winds, she has such pretty eyes."

Jin watched it all with a slack jaw. Dashar was speechless— somehow more so than usual. Josy and Tarlus caught up to them at about the time Vinri hugged Ura around the leg and received licks to her face in return. Ura closed her eyes, completely at peace.

That is, until Jin's scent reached her nostrils. Ura gave a short bark and interposed herself between Jin and the... cubs. Her posture became decidedly more aggressive.

Enfri squawked and ran to Jin, which caused Ura no small amount of distress.

"Easy now," Enfri said soothingly. She reached Jin's side and gave her an apologetic look. "Glad to see you back so soon," she said in a rush. "This'll be weird, but go with it."

Enfri bent over and bumped her head against Jin's hip.

The effect on Ura was immediate. She reared up and looked as aghast as a reptilian face could convey. Her pupils dilated until they took up almost the whole of her eyes.

Enfri repeated the hip bumping.

Ura padded forward, nostrils snuffling, and she jerked and bobbed her head as if trying to view Jin from every angle at once.

"See?" Enfri asked. "Friend. Jin friend. Oh, my apologies, Your Highness, but I think you're upsetting her, too." She then repeated the gesture for Dashar, and for both Josy and Tarlus. It was probably the strangest way to be introduced to the Dragon Empress imaginable, but Enfri also did the same for Gillwyn and Cana.

Ura seemed overwhelmed by it all, rather like a human oldwife who just witnessed her only grandchild loving on a pride of scale lions.

"I knew it," Josy whispered. She goggled at Ura as a woman entranced. "I knew they could be tamed."

Grimdar cleared his throat. "With respect, Duchess, it bears mentioning that Ura is as far from tame as an animal can be. This is an anomaly brought on by spellcraft, it seems."

Enfri wiped at her brow as she turned towards the royal assassins. "Well, that could've gone more poorly than it did. I guess that's one way to get reacquainted."

Dashar nodded to her but kept his attention on Ura's inspection of him. Enfri and Josy exchanged warm greetings before Josy sidled closer to her new fixation. Finally, Enfri curtsied to Tarlus.

"We never properly met, have we?"

"Or at all," Tarlus said, bowing at the waist.

"No, we have, but I was a gosling at the time." Enfri winced. "I'm so terribly sorry about your eye. There might be something the Citrine Knights can do for you while you're in Shan Alee."

Tarlus abruptly turned red and averted his gaze. "No, it's... It's alright. Uncle's surgeons have said nothing short of blood magic can restore it."

"Are you certain?" Enfri pressed, and Jin recognized that look. She was about to enter into full swing as a sky woman. "I could take a look myself."

Tarlus turned redder and covered his eye patch with a hand. "No, but thank you, Your Majesty. Really."

Jin had almost forgotten this about her cousin. It was something else they shared in common. Jin and Tarlus were both absolute rubbish when confronted by pretty girls.

"What are you doing outside?" Jin asked to distract Enfri.

"Looking for Vinri," Enfri said. "Odjualla's beside herself. Sometime during... well, I'm sure you know... Vinri scampered off, and I only just found her on the grounds. Had to coax her off the stable roof, not that I blame her."

"The roof?" Tarlus asked.

"She's a very good climber." Enfri crouched down and got Vinri's attention away from Ura. "Your mama's looking for you near my rooms. Would you go to her? She's very worried and wants to know you're safe."

Vinri nodded, gave Ura a regretful look as if sorry to leave her, then promptly turned herself into a cat. As a tiny calico kitten, Vinri scurried back into the palace.

"Winds and storms," Gillwyn gasped, staring after her. "The princess wasn't lying."

Face beaming, Cana hugged Gillwyn's arm closer.

Dashar was discomforted as Ura sniffed at his cowl before giving his chin a tentative lick. He reached out and gave Ura an awkward pat on the neck before Josy shoved her way closer to get her turn at scale lion affection.

"Where are your bodyguards?" Jin demanded of Enfri.

Enfri had the decency to look embarrassed. "It all happened so fast. I think I might've ditched them while we searched the grounds."

"My heart, your empire is facing an invasion, and they've already gotten their creatures close to you twice today. This is the worst time imaginable to go about without protection."

"I know," Enfri said guiltily, "but Vinri was missing, and I couldn't exactly wait around for them to catch up."

The duchess was throughly engrossed with Ura's quills when Jin became aware of others coming out of the palace. She turned to see her mother and father standing ten paces back with Reyn. Jin's parents had their hands on their sword pommels and watched in amazement as Ura knocked Josy onto her back and started play fighting. Josy laughed like a lunatic as Ura dragged her by the leg across the yard.

Jin swatted Enfri on the shoulder with the back of her hand.

"Eh? What is it?" She followed Jin's line of sight and went pale. "Oh."

Cathis approached, though his eyes followed Josy's antics with Ura. "I expected to find much strangeness," he said, "but I see I wasn't half as prepared as I thought I was."

"Did I hallucinate that darling, little girl turning into a cat?" Maebh asked.

"No, I am fairly certain that did happen," Cathis said. He forced himself to look away from Josy making the initial attempts to climb on Ura's back. After a steadying inhale, he spoke to Jin. "I suppose disturbances like this must be common, but we should continue on to meet with the Dragon Empress."

Reyn winced, Enfri blushed and stood with her hands folded in front of her, and Jin considered taking out some willow bark to help with the headache she felt coming.

She'd always imagined what it would be like, introducing her mother and father to the woman she loved. As a young princess in the Spired City, it had gone much differently whenever she dreamed up every possible scenario she could think of. Jin imagined it was someone they approved of or even chose for her, or a ruffer girl they'd rather see hanged than a part of the house. Many different ways, but Jin couldn't remember a single instance where she imagined this fateful meeting opening with them seeing Jin's paramour head-butt her on the backside.

"Father," Jin said, "Mother, allow me to introduce Her Imperial Majesty, Enfri the Yora First Summit, Lady of Opals, Dragon Empress of Shan Alee."

"And Provisional Governor of the Miracle Expanse," Reyn added hurriedly.

Cathis' face went stonier with every title Jin listed. Enfri had his full and undivided attention now. Maebh let go of Cathis' arm and removed her hand from her sword handle.

Enfri curtsied and didn't rise. "Your Grace, welcome to Shan Alee."

Cathis' eyes flickered from Enfri to Jin before settling back on the empress. "I had hoped for better circumstances," he said, "however, it is an honor to be welcomed here."

Enfri extended her hand, palm up in a gesture of subservience.

Cathis swallowed. He didn't place his palm on top of hers. He didn't accept her subservience. Instead, he clasped her hand as an equal, then enfolded her hand with both of his. He then shocked everyone present as he dropped to one knee before her, and Enfri might've been more surprised than anyone.

"I beg your forgiveness," Cathis said, bowing his head over her hand. "For the crimes against you, against your family, and against your people, I sincerely apologize. Althandor has inflicted atrocities upon the Aleesh since this era began, and I vow to commit them no longer."

Enfri's mouth worked but seemed unable to form words. She looked to Jin, then to Reyn, before bending down while looking completely out of sorts. "Winds and storms, Your Grace. You mustn't!"

"I believe I must," he said.

Enfri grabbed his arms and tried to get him to stand. "No, what will everyone think if they see you like this? It's not proper!"

They whipped their heads to the side. Several dozen paces away, Ura bucked Josy off of her while loosing a series of scolding hisses.

"Winds take me. She's off her nut," Enfri murmured.

Cathis furrowed his brow at her as he was pulled upright. "That is an Althandi accent."

"I should hope so," Enfri said, blushing and smoothing her skirt. "Born and raised just half a league over that way. I'd never gone further than a league or two up until a year ago."

Cathis brushed dust from his knee. "Up until the contract I ordered on your life."

"Well, yes" Enfri murmured. "But if I'm being completely honest, Your Grace, that contract turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me."

Reyn gave Enfri a subtle signal by twirling a finger.

Enfri gave her a small nod before meeting Cathis' eye. "But, we should continue this inside, Your Grace. There's a lot to go through, and first thing should be how to deal with the armada."

Cathis agreed and offered Enfri his arm. She took it after a moment's hesitation, and the two sovereigns continued their conversation into the palace. Jin hung back, not wanting to intrude on Enfri's most crucial diplomatic mission since becoming empress. She watched Tarlus and Dashar follow them inside, and also Josy once it was clear Ura wasn't going to stand for being ridden. Grimdar led the scale lion away, hopefully to somewhere she wouldn't cause anymore fuss, and Jin was left in the carriage yard with Gillwyn and Cana.

And also, the queen.

Jin didn't look at her as she spoke. "Is there something further, Mother?"

"Why so cold, Jinny?" Maebh demanded.

Jin winced at that most hated of nicknames. "Did you expect warmth after I was marked for death by my own house?"

"Vintus was behind that," Maebh said vehemently. "Not your father, and certainly not me. If I'd learned of Vintus sending killers after you, I'd have torn him to shreds."

Gillwyn and Cana backed away.

Jin slowly turned her head to look her mother in the eye. "Why does everyone assume I speak of the trash who came for me in Ecclesia?"

Maebh went on her back foot. "The Crescent Legion, then?"

Jin face forward. "I hope you can understand, Mother. I believed myself ready to speak to you again. It seems I was wrong."

"Don't you dare pretend we abandoned you," Maebh said. "You left us."

"I did," Jin said. "Whatever else may come of it, I am glad I did. You see, Mother, I was told recently by the wisest woman I know, it is not wrong to leave the people who hurt you behind."

"Your Aleesh girl?" Maebh asked snidely.

"No, because I eventually left her, as well. The only difference, I came back to Enfri." She gave her mother a cold look out of the corner of her eye. "I would suggest you learn from her. The Dragon Empress possesses more honor than I ever saw in the Palace of Towers."

Jin started walking towards the palace doors and indicated for Gillwyn and Cana to come along. They halted when Jin heard a sound behind her, the scrape of a blade leaving its scabbard. Jin looked over her shoulder and frowned. Maebh had assumed first stance.

"Sounds to me," the queen said, "you've let a few successes go to your head. I think it's my duty as your mother to knock some sense back into your blustering skull."

Jin turned back around and gestured for the girls to give her room. "What do you hope to prove?"

"That you still have a lot to learn." She changed to second stance, blade held to the side and pointing behind her for a swift upward slash. "Feel free to use any spellcraft you wish."

Jin rolled her neck and felt it pop. Her blade left its scabbard, and she assumed third stance, feet balanced and sword held forward in the dominant hand. "As you say, Mother."