CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Late afternoon came to New Sandharbor, and the streets had gone quiet. It was an hour since Enfri's announcement, and news of Shan Alee's surrender spread throughout the districts. Ban didn't know what to expect the people's response to be, but he had a few ugly ideas.

Things were going to get worse before they got better.

Wearing his black full plate, Ban approached the foot of the mooring tower. The large construct rose to a height of two hundred paces. Tethers ran from several points along its length towards the Jade Empire frigate, as did spars to support the vessel's weight once the lift gyros disengaged. Teams of mooringmen affixed counterweights to a system of ropes and pulleys, then used trained oxen or arkathons to hoist them upwards to balance the airship's mass on the tower.

Most of the trip was by carriage while the crew marched behind in formation. This last leg between the road and the base of the tower felt longer than the half-league ride that preceded it.

New Sandharbor's single mooring tower was rated to service up to three airships at a given time, though none larger than the trade ships of the Sky Corps. Among the Jade Armada, only the frigate-weights were small enough to set down using Aleesh facilities. If Ban had his way, the floundering thing would've never have been built. Even better, burn it with the Jade vessels still attached.

I could strike one blow for the right side, he thought. I just wonder how much trying it would cost me.

He, Kimpo, and their crew escorted Ku Ji Min back to her vessel as a full honor guard from the Ruby Knights. The executor hadn't said a word that Ban had heard. She faced forward and walked with what may have been hesitance, though if Ban could read anything through her enshrouding clothing, it was lost on him.

Once again, Ban set his hydromancy on understanding what was happening. Why it was happening. As before, the drain on his ether was heavy. It was frustrating to be left in the dark by his insight, but he wanted to believe that answers being difficult to come by was a good sign. It meant there was more he simply didn't know about to receive his full answer. Furthermore, when he thought about it honestly, he was afraid of what answers the insight might give him.

For now, he could content himself with not knowing. He could have faith that the rest would fall into place given time.

Enfri wouldn't do this without a good reason, he told himself. She has a plan.

He just wished she might've clued him in on what that plan was before she surrendered to the armada. Then again, there may not have been the time. That could also account for that business with Jin.

Ban felt he knew Enfri as well as anyone, and he would never attribute cruelty to her. Especially not towards Jin, which made this entire situation all the more difficult to accept.

Walking alongside the executor, Ban considered how to check if the Enfri giving orders was actually his Enfri. Maybe the real one was tied up in a sack somewhere while some doppler pulled nonsense like this. Even as he thought it, Ban knew it was a slim hope, but he had to tell himself something.

Enfri submitted to the same screenings as everyone else going in and out of the palace. Moon had been with her for nearly all of the last four days. If Enfri was an imposter, it was beyond Ban's understanding how it would've happened.

Reaching the mooring tower, Ban raised a fist to call for the crew to halt. The aviators stood grim-faced at attention while Suuri and Karlo took lead positions in front of them. Ban and Kimpo continued on with the executor.

"I hope you found New Sandharbor to your liking, Executor," Ban said in as polite a tone as he could.

She didn't respond, but Ban supposed she hadn't spoken much Althandi the last time she visited Shan Alee. Ji Min continued forward, seemingly lost in thought.

The executor and her behavior was another oddity in what was already the strangest day on record. She came to New Sandharbor without escort, displaying what Ban thought to be an unwarranted level of trust. Or perhaps just confidence. Her people kept to the frigate that brought her, none of them setting foot on solid ground. She was conducted to a private conference with Enfri, and seemingly the next moment, Ban was a demon thrall.

A thrall by proxy of allegiance, but still on the wrong side of this war. Even if Shan Alee kept out of the fighting, doing nothing benefitted no one but the bad guys. As had been made clear by that sniveling horror-show Garret's terms, Shan Alee would be told to do a great deal more than nothing in the days ahead.

Ji Min stopped in mid-stride just before reaching the steam lift up the mooring tower. Her head perked up, and she rounded on Ban in surprise. "Oh dear, please forgive me. I had not realized you spoke."

"Quite alright, Executor," Ban said. "Mere pleasantries. Nothing more."

She bowed her head. "Yes, but still it was rude of me."

Perhaps it was trying to use hydromancy to figure out Enfri's angle, but some of it seemed to turn towards Ji Min. Ban had the sudden and distinct impression that she didn't want to board her vessel.

"However I can be of service," Ban said. "If you have further business in New Sandharbor, perhaps I could escort you somewhere else."

"My thanks, but no," Ji Min said softly. "I must convey Her Majesty's response to Our Glorious Emperor."

"As you say, Executor."

Nonetheless, Ji Min continued to hesitate in boarding the steam lift. There was a furtiveness to the way she held herself, as if compelled to say something further but unwilling to at the same time.

"The Dragon Empress," Ji Min said, "I imagine her decision took the Arcane Knights by surprise."

Ban endeavored to ignore Kimpo's quiet grunt of agreement. "It was unexpected, I admit."

"Still, war is... not preferable."

"Depends on the war," Ban said.

She looked up from her feet to his face. "What is it you mean by that?"

Ban should've kept his mouth shut, but he was a hand's breadth from not caring. "There are things worth fighting for," he said. "By the same token, there are things worth fighting against."

He refrained from adding that her demon emperor was most assuredly the latter.

Ji Min drew into herself and bowed her head again. "I suspect you are right, Knight-Marshal Bannlyth Karst. It comes to us from Our Glorious Emperor's infallible word that the Althandi are the most wicked power on the Continent. Their imperialism has done great harm to many peoples."

Ban found it difficult to keep a straight face. She wasn't exactly wrong, but he wasn't willing to hear it from this source. "I will be certain to tell that to the goodfolk of Quellath."

"Quellath?"

"Yes. That was the name of the village your armada destroyed four days ago. Three survivors made it to New Sandharbor. Three people out of four hundred. But, I'm certain they will have the wisdom to recognize how it's the Althandi who are to blame."

Kimpo gave Ban a look. Perhaps that had been stepping a little too far out of line.

Ji Min stared at him through her veil. "I am... surprised to hear you express such sentiments, Knight-Marshal Bannlyth Karst. Are you truly so willing to accept the Canticles of Glory as law?"

Ban nearly slapped his forehead. Waves and tides, but didn't the People of Jade have sarcasm in their country? "I will accept what our beloved asks me to accept."

For whatever reason, Ji Min seemed disappointed by that answer. "Your loyalty speaks well of you. Good day, Knight-Marshal Bannlyth Karst. I will withdraw to the council of Our Glorious Emperor. Please, expect a prompt response from the Jade Empire."

"I look forward to it," Ban said, just shy of a growl.

Ji Min stepped onto the steam lift. A nearby mooringman threw a lever, and the lift rose up the tower with the clanking of clockworks. Ban remained where he was, craning his neck until the executor's white veil was hidden from view.

"Are you trying to get us killed?" Kimpo asked.

Ban grimaced. "I bet we could take down a couple dreadnoughts before they shoot us down."

"Shoot me down, you mean. Don't forget, little warrior, when they're aiming their cannons, they aren't aiming for the lunkhead on my back."

Ban pursed his lips as he watched the steam lift reach the Jade airship. "Point taken."

"I think you're putting too much thought into this," Kimpo said. "This is obviously a ruse."

Ban chuckled. "Oh, it is?"

"It's plain as the markings on my face. Enfri is letting the demons think she's been cowed into complying with them. She'll then wheedle her way into becoming a key point of their invasion, a role that will spell the end of this farce when she turns on them."

"Wouldn't that be nice," Ban muttered.

"I don't much appreciate your tone, boy."

Ban sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. Just doesn't feel good being where we are."

Kimpo hummed, and the two of them did an about face to rejoin the crew.

"Suuri, Karlo, back to the palace," Ban said. "No need for the parade ground treatment. Let's just get away from here."

He received salutes and acknowledgements, and the crew was soon making its way back. Ban sent the carriages off on their own. He preferred to walk and have a moment with his Huntress. Behind him, the Jade airship disconnected from the tower and pointed towards the west.

"There's a problem with your theory, love," Ban said.

"Theory," Kimpo scoffed. "Alright, then. What's the problem?"

"It's a bad play on any board. Say we're lined up with the black pieces against the white, but we're really with the white. It doesn't do the actual white pieces any good unless they know our black is white."

Kimpo wrinkled her nose. "Was there something coherent there, or was it all just burbling."

"I haven't burbled in years," Ban protested. "What I'm saying is, unless Althandor knows we're with them, us being with them does no good. They'll make their tactical choices as if we're their enemy, and positioning forces to counter us is as good as removing them from the game entirely. Should that be the plan, it would leave us on the wrong side of the front line when we swap sides. Turning on the Jades would be suicide. Furthermore, Althandor's on the defensive, and that's when a friend on the other side is of the least use."

"Least use," Kimpo said, "but not of no use."

"Why? Plan on sending messages to Jin?"

"It's crossed my mind," Kimpo admitted.

"And what would you tell her? 'Hey, by the by, the Jade Empire's coming. I'm sure you were unaware.'"

Kimpo frowned. "Don't get snippy. And don't act stupid. There's plenty a defending force would want to know about the attackers."

"Yes, well, we're now in the unique position of knowing most everything about both, and I don't like what I've seen. Unless we start attacking the armada right now, it doesn't look good for the Spired City."

"I've had enough pessimism out of you today," Kimpo said, and she punctuated it by giving Ban a shove on the arm. "Tell me what we've gained from this."

"Another seven days of not dying?"

Kimpo smiled. "See? Was that so hard?"

Ban gave her an incredulous look. "I'm not used to you being the uppy one of the two of us."

"The bond brings balance, little warrior."

Ban snorted. "Well, here's hoping you're right."

"And if I'm not?" Kimpo asked. "Merely asking to settle my mind, but say Enfri really has gone off her nut. What will we do then?"

Ban removed his helmet and scratched at his scalp before setting it back in place. "What else can we do? We'll follow her orders."

Kimpo raised an eyebrow. "You must be joking."

"Seems Darian was right," Ban said quietly. "Push comes to shove, I've nowhere else to go."

"Sod off with that rot," Kimpo admonished. "I won't hear my own Ruby give credence to anything that joyboy spouts. You expect me to believe you'd be willing to raise Nikos in a thrall empire?"

"If I must, yes, because he'd have the chance to be raised."

"And your beliefs?" Kimpo pressed.

"I'm a father now. I don't have the luxury of beliefs."

Kimpo sighed. "That's a dangerous way of thinking, love. Deebee knew a man who thought the same way, and because of it, Yora never came home."

"If you have an answer for me..."

"I don't," Kimpo said. "These aren't the sort of things that can be summarized into a handful of platitudes. Everything is dependent on other things. There isn't a single answer that will address every possibility."

Ban looked ahead and kept his eyes on the road.

"However, it's a moot point," Kimpo said. "It may be an important thing to know about yourself, but I know it'll never be tested. You know her as well as I do. She would never serve the old masters. It goes against everything we love about her. You said it yourself. The day our beloved turns her back on the world is the day she's no longer Enfri."

Ban nodded.

Kimpo kept her eyes on him. "Have faith in her, little warrior. If anyone in this world's earned it, it's Enfri."

Ban reached out and held Kimpo by the shoulder. "Whatever happens, I will be her First Knight. Again and forever."

"Because you have faith in her," Kimpo said with satisfaction.

"Because I love her," Ban said. "There's really no difference between the two, is there?"

"There surely isn't."

"Whatever's going on, we can play along. I don't like any part of this, but the best thing we can do for now is be ready to pull our collective arses out of the spellfire when it all goes sideways."

"So, what's our next step?"

"Wait for orders from Our Glorious Emperor," Ban said snidely. "Once that happens, you and I are going to have a long and uncomfortable talk with our beloved."

"Get some answers?"

"Of a sort," Ban said. "This lunacy with the Jade Empire, I can handle. Throws me for a loop, but I can handle it. What I can't handle is how things went with Jin."

Kimpo dropped her eyes. "Ah. Yes, that isn't so easy to explain away. Even if Enfri was putting on a show for the executor's benefit..."

"It was brutal," Ban said, "and that's a word I never thought to put to anything Enfri would do."

"Unless Jin's in on everything," Kimpo suggested.

Ban liked the sound of that, but when would his girls have had the chance to plan it? If so, it'd certainly fooled him and everyone else. "Let's just get the knighthoods ready, love. Whatever comes next, we'll see it done."

oOo

Reyn burst into the House Nolaas estate. Her leg ached, but she couldn't let it slow her down. Too much needed to be seen to, and there wasn't enough time in the world to see it all done.

"Starra," Reyn called into the manor. "Ma trésor, where are you?"

The foyer was larger than the one in Lord Ban's manor. The Nolaas estate grounds were smaller, seeing as Lord Seifer wasn't responsible for training a legion on top of everything else, but the manor itself was bigger to account for a larger family. The decor was predominantly pink and dark blue, and all very tasteful. Lord Seifer's keen eye extended further than just his wardrobe.

"My lady!" Seifer's valet, a mousy man with a balding head and handlebar mustache, came bustling into the foyer in response to Reyn's shouting. "This is outrageous! One cannot simply barge into..."

Reyn held up a palm for silence. "Where is Starra?"

The valet sputtered his indignation.

It took a moment for Reyn to conjure the valet's name. She'd never had much interaction with the Nolaas staff beyond the maids who attended to Starra's rooms. "Master Veldmire, it is of the utmost importance that I speak with my betrothed."

The red in Veldmire's face gradually lessened. "Yes, well, I'm sorry to say that the masters and mistresses are not here, Minister."

"Where have they gone?"

Veldmire tugged on his livery and was clearly not fond of being addressed so curtly. "They have answered summons from the imperial court, Minister. It is my understanding that every noble house has been called to the palace."

Reyn hadn't heard anything of that, but then again, she hadn't exactly made herself available to be informed. She'd left the reception hall almost before the surrender was fully announced. Reyn went right to her chambers and packed up everything she couldn't bear leaving behind. There was no way in the deepest cavern of Hell that Reyn could stomach being under the power of that man again.

So it was with the deepest sense of shame that she started crying right in front of a valet.

Veldmire went pale and about fell over himself in his hurry to apologize. He was so flummoxed, he lost control of his form and reverted to his natural state as a seven-tailed hound. Within moments, Reyn was conducted to the family sitting room where she could await Starra's return and received promises that the maids would bring refreshments in the meantime. Once Veldmire left her alone in the sitting room, Reyn pulled out a handkerchief to dry her eyes as she composed herself.

She sat in a large leather-upholstered armchair and gave polite thanks when an elderly maid with gray skin and red eyes brought tea and fruit preserves on toast. Old Niila was positively venerable at two-hundred and ninety years old; she had apparently served the family since Seifer's grandfather first claimed his title. After Niila withdrew, Reyn looked down at the tea tray and blew out her lips. She didn't have much of an appetite, but then again, something sweet might help pull her out of this depressive mood she felt herself falling into.

"I need my Starra," she whispered to the empty room, perhaps in a vain hope that it might summon her dratted vampire.

It was happening again. Reyn's world crumbled around her, and she saw nothing she could do about it. Garret was back in her life, and if Reyn didn't leave Shan Alee by the next dawn, she would be his again.

She wanted to speak with Enfri and demand an explanation of what the empress expected her to do, but Reyn was afraid. She was afraid that delaying for even a few moments would leave her vulnerable. There was no doubt in her mind that Garret harbored a vendetta against her. She'd taken his eyesight, so he would take more from her in retribution.

Reyn would thank him for the tortures he inflicted.

Leaving the refreshments on the tray to grow cold, Reyn hugged herself and tried not to shiver.

The door into the sitting room cracked open, and Reyn wiped her eyes before looking up. A figure shrouded in white Jade Empire robes and veil slipped into the room. A flintlock rifle was in their hands.

Reyn shot to her feet and lit her amulet. The sigil for a strength self-enchantment flared to life, and she picked up the tea kettle in preparation for hurling it at her attacker.

"Minister, wait!" the figure called, a man's voice. He held out a palm while his other hand held the rifle out and away from him.

Reyn hesitated in mid-throw. She hissed and set the kettle back down as the steaming contents poured out the spout over her hand. Rubbing the mild scald, she peered at the intruder through narrowed eyes. She recognized his voice. "Lord Haldi?"

The veil was pulled from his face. Haldi was a striking Altieri man with dark skin and scarlet hair, assuredly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful men Reyn had ever had the pleasure of knowing. His expression was giving way from panic to relief as he saw Reyn relax. It then became surprise as Reyn practically vaulted across the sitting room to seize him in her arms.

"You are alive?" Reyn sobbed. "I feared I had left you to your death."

A second figure came into the room on Haldi's heels. She'd already removed her veil to reveal her gray skin, black eyes, and white hair. "Yes, Minister. Both of us are alive and well."

"Huunaa." Reyn pulled her in to share in the embrace. Burying her face between them, Reyn could've held them and cried in gratitude until sunset, but she realized this clearly wasn't a mere social call. "What are you doing here? Am I to understand you came as stowaways with the armada?"

"Well..." Haldi began.

"Sort of," Huunaa said. "We didn't exactly hide in a barrel of fish, you see."

Reyn pulled away and ushered them to the sitting room's armchairs. "Do not leave me in suspense. How did you escape?"

Huunaa sat primly in an armchair, her eastern manners returning without delay. She crossed her ankles and had her hands folded in her lap, shoulders back and chest out. Haldi more or less collapsed into his seat with a relieved sigh. Both set their flintlocks to lean against their armchairs.

"That's something of a tale, Minister," Huunaa said. "After we parted ways, we spent the night in a vex field. Haldi here all but ruined an entire crop with how much he pilfered."

"Necessary," Haldi added. "Gorging on so much vex provided the ether I needed to contact Princess Pacifica in Shan Alee."

Reyn nodded. "Pacifica told me she heard from you, and that was what prompted her to come find me with the Rampart. Your sending most definitely saved myself and Duchess Josenthorne."

Haldi smiled and gave a weary salute. "Honored to serve my part, Minister."

Huunaa continued the story. "After, and using what we could decipher from Lord Vash's codex on the local language, we attempted to find a healer."

"Your arm," Reyn said. "You were in terrible shape."

"There was a possibility it would need amputation," Haldi said. "Fortunately, the People of Jade are... well, they are a kind people. Not the sort you imagine when you hear they're ruled by a demon."

"I spent the next month in Master Suk Ji's cellar," Huunaa said. "An excellent surgeon, one who had once received Glory from Ku Jun Seo personally. That made him a renowned figure among the landless, and still, he and his family hid us from the Gray Lotus Society at great personal risk."

"Good men are not hard to find," Haldi said. "You need only give them a chance to show themselves." He accepted a cup of tea Reyn poured for him. "While Huunaa recovered, I would sneak out after nightfall to give sendings when I could. I hope you can forgive how brief they were, because the Gray Lotus was all over the city in the following weeks, and that was while the emperor had his arcanists placing translocational wards over the whole empire."

"Of course," Reyn said. "We understood the danger you were in. I am sorry we could not offer more assistance than promises you had not been forgotten."

"That was enough," Huunaa said, accepting her own cup of tea. "I will admit we often despaired of ever seeing our homes and families again, but then we stumbled upon the most fortunate occurrence."

"Which was?" Reyn asked. She was beyond enthralled. Had their positions been reversed, Reyn doubted she could've lasted a day in the Jade Empire, so she was amazed at how they'd kept hidden for three months.

Haldi chuckled. "It seems Master Suk Ji's reputation was great enough that his name was still known within the palace. We nearly clawed through the floorboards to escape when an imperial carriage rolled up to his practice. Instead of Gray Lotus, it was the Glorious Executor come to deliver a request to the most renowned healers in the city. There was a call for any physician who might offer a cure for necrosis."

Reyn snorted. "The emperor must not enjoy the blindness I gave him."

Huunaa swatted Haldi on the shoulder. "Told you."

"As you say, my lady." He shifted in his chair, discomforted. "As it happens, I may have been a little too paranoid. The spellcraft I placed to protect us was noticed by the executor's witch sight. She forced her way into the cellar, and just when Master Suk Ji thought we'd brought ruin to his household, the executor bowed to us and thanked him for his service."

Reyn furrowed her brow. "The Glorious Executor? We are speaking of Ku Ji Min?"

"A fine lady," Haldi said. "She took us in as her Devoted to hide us right under the demon's nose, because her loyalty to Ku Garret Merovech is unquestioned. In reality, she is at the forefront of the resistance against Garret's regime."

"A sweet girl," Huunaa reaffirmed. "And likely the bravest young woman I've heard of outside of Her Majesty."

"Speaking of," Haldi said, growing more intense, "might I ask what in the floundering Hell the empress is playing at?"

Reyn averted her eyes.

"The Jade Empire is not as unified as it must seem," Huunaa said. "Master Deveaux is widely viewed as a madman by the landless. Many openly whisper that he cannot possibly be a true incarnation of their revered emperor, no matter how harshly the Gray Lotus makes examples of those they suspect of speaking such things. The People of Jade take the divinity of the emperor as self-evident truth, so a foreigner who brazenly proclaims his sovereignty is... well, he's seen as someone making too much of a show of being in control to actually be in control."

"They hate his ugly guts," Haldi said more bluntly. "They pray for the steam men to vacate the throne for them, so imagine our surprise when the armada gets word that Shan Alee isn't going to fight them."

"The executor had a plan," Huunaa said. "She believed it possible to use her position beside the emperor to upset the attack on Sandharbor. She has allies aboard the Hammer of Glory, ones who would sabotage the steam engines once the attack commenced. With the flagship disabled, it was her belief that the Arcane Knights could assault the emperor directly and perhaps overpower Carinae. He no longer has a physical body of his own, not since beginning this cycle of incarnations. If the demon could somehow be trapped within Garret's form, he will die along with his host."

"A mage slayer," Reyn murmured. "A Dekaam spike would prevent the primal magics a demon uses from leaving the host body and possessing someone else." She touched at where she kept several spikes hidden up her sleeve. "Between the Aleesh and the shifters we welcome, there are now many mage slayers in Shan Alee."

"After trapping him, you only need to kill Garret," Haldi said. "He's a fairly strong arcanist again, even stronger when Carinae is holding the reins, but they don't pass bloodsongs in the west like they do here. Garret's no hierarch. A flintlock aimed at his skull would kill both monsters, just like any other pig."

Reyn clenched her fists. "We could have killed him," she whispered. "We could have killed an old master. Instead, we surrendered. Are you saying to me that Her Majesty knew this and chose not to act on it?"

Haldi sighed and slumped in his seat. He nodded.

Huunaa leaned forward. "Ji Min came without escort so she could inform Her Majesty of her plans without fear. We know of the Lord of Bones and what he said before the armada arrived. We've heard of Prince Vintus returning as... as a..."

"A revenant," Reyn murmured.

"Yes. As that. Minister, has Empress Enfri given up hope of preventing the doom?"

"I do not know," Reyn said quietly. "I hope not, but I cannot see what she hopes to achieve by doing nothing."

The door into the sitting room creaked. Reyn and the others startled, and Haldi even grabbed for his rifle. A face appeared in the doorway. With her cheeks stained with tears and her hair in disarray, Starra came slowly inside before shutting the door behind her.

"Ma trésor," Reyn gasped, getting to her feet.

Starra swallowed and wouldn't look up from the floor. "Forgive my eavesdropping. Lord Haldi, Lady Huunaa, I am beyond pleased to see you alive and well. I heard most of the tail end of things."

Reyn went to her without delay. She touched Starra's cheeks and found them damp. "What is it? What is wrong?"

Starra pulled a small piece of paper out from her bodice and handed it over. It was folded neatly in half and had Reyn's name scrawled on it. Starra said nothing as Reyn hurriedly unfolded the note to see what it contained.

It was in Enfri's hand, a single short message.

Do as you will.

"What is this supposed to mean?" Reyn asked. "Starra, what is happening?"

Starra drew in a shaking breath before responding. "For my involvement with the organization known as the Cabal, and in the interests of maintaining cordial relations with the Jade Empire, I am hereby banished from Shan Alee. Effective immediately."

Reyn needed to go over what Starra said twice, and it still didn't make sense. "What?"

"My father was given a choice," Starra said. "Either House Nolaas would face exile alongside me, or I could no longer be a part of House Nolaas."

"Starra..."

"Daddy disowned me," Starra said with a tearful laugh. "Signed the papers Enfri's scribes handed him while Shaan and her husband watched." She sniffled and looked at the floor. "I know he doesn't mean it. I know it hurts him just as much as it does me, but that doesn't stop it from hurting."

Reyn's horror changed swiftly to rage. "Why would Enfri do this to you?" she demanded. "Gods, that pretty, little harlot! I'll take her by the ear and drag her outside for the beating of her life! I'm friendly with Inaz's paramour. He won't dare try and stop me!"

Throughout Reyn's tirade, Starra looked up at the ceiling, wiped her cheeks clean with her fingertips, and took in a deep breath. "Settle, dear one. Do please settle. It pleases me as you can't imagine to hear you'll box an empress' ears on my behalf, but I assure you it isn't necessary."

Reyn crumpled Enfri's asinine note in a fist and shook it under Starra's nose. "Like Hell it is not necessary! I will not stand for this merde!"

Starra went on her back foot and eyed Reyn up and down. "Bloody hell, you're beautiful when you're angry."

Reyn didn't need to add a flush to the blood rushing to her face. She was angry enough to start biting, and it was pissing her off further that Starra wasn't getting angry, too.

"I asked you to settle," Starra said calmly. Far too calm. "Why do you think Enfri is sending me away? To punish me? To show her loyalty to the old masters? Come now, dear one. You're smarter than that."

Reyn didn't want to settle. She wanted to be mad. The world seemed simpler when she was mad. "So you can go to the Merovech's other apprentices?"

Starra tapped the side of her nose with her finger. "Glad to see you can keep a clear head, my love. I'll confess to wishing there were less dreadful ways of going about it, but Enfri is entirely correct. The old masters will be watching her like a hawk throughout the next steps of this war, and having me close by is a flaw in her facade of supposed compliance she can't afford."

Reyn took in a breath and finally felt a sense of calm return. "Thank the essence of all spirits. I nearly let myself think she had gone completely thrall."

"Bloody hell, can you imagine? I've heard some ridiculous notions in my time, but that must be the most insane one I've ever heard. So insane, in fact, the demons will absolutely not fall for it."

Reyn nodded. "They have not survived this long by being fools."

"And you can't fool a fooler," Starra agreed. "So she really has only one choice open to her."

"Which is?"

"Don't fool them," Starra said gaily. "What I mean to say is, Enfri has to join them. For real. Of course, that means the Cabal now has to destroy her and everything she's built, but that was a possibility we planned for from the start."

Reyn narrowed her eyes. "Now you are the one not making any sense."

Starra shrugged. "I'll admit it's rather convoluted. To sell Enfri's deception, she needs the old masters to see her targeted by their enemies. Therefore, I will come after Enfri with everything I have. Hopefully, I'll not actually succeed in killing her, but those are the risks one plays in shadow wars."

Haldi and Huunaa had risen to their feet. "My lady," Haldi said, "am I to understand that Her Majesty really is still in opposition to the old masters?"

"Obviously!" Starra exclaimed. "Haven't I been clear on that?"

"No," Reyn said. "Not at all."

"Oops."

"Gods," Reyn muttered. "You are fortunate I am desperately in love with you, ma trésor." She held up the crumpled note. "Do you have an explanation for this as well?"

Starra shrugged. "A bit cryptic, but I imagine Enfri's trying to say you should do what you feel is best. Stay and assist her, follow another of your schemes, or... come with me."

The note of hopefulness in that last item nearly made Reyn's decision for her. It would mean sacrificing a great deal, would most likely include leaving Pacifica behind, but if the rest of what Starra said was true, there may yet be some hope that all would end as it should.

"Perhaps we've taken enough of your time," Huunaa said. "If it's alright with you, Minister, I would very much like to burn these clothes and go home to my children."

"Indeed," Haldi said. "The executor has thanked us for our service, but it's past time for us to leave it for now. And I'm rather anxious to see my husband again."

Reyn nodded emphatically. "Do not delay your homecoming a moment longer."

Haldi winked as he hefted his rifle. "And afterwards, we may bring these over to Dragon Lord Hugin. Something of a special item among flintlocks, so I think it'll interest him and the Artificer."

"Will you walk through the streets like that?" Reyn asked.

"Waves, no. I still have my dignity." As he and Huunaa walked past Reyn and out of the sitting room, he muttered a quintet of lines in the Aeldenn Tones. Their bodies wavered like a pair of mirages before the two of them vanished. "We should make haste, though. Even with vex, this sort of spell drains ether faster than anything else in my repertoire."

Starra hummed in agreement. "That's why I prefer illusions to invisibility. Good luck, you two. Wonderful to see you back where you belong."

"One thing more worries me," Reyn said once she was positive she and Starra were alone again.

"Only one? Bloody hell, but I wish I had your confidence."

Reyn scrunched up her face. "I am serious. Did Enfri tell you all this about her deception? Did she tell you herself?"

Starra's lips parted, and she hesitated to answer. "Well, not exactly."

"You have made assumptions of her intent."

"Bloody informed assumptions."

"You heard what Huunaa said. If we fought Garret, we might have managed to actually put an end to one of the old masters!"

Starra didn't look like she was paying attention. She busied herself with running her hands up and down the sides of Reyn's body with a lascivious look in her eye.

"Gods, Starra. Innoh tha time t'rendezvous!"

"I know. I know," Starra said in a sing-song. "As to your concerns, I fear you're thinking too small."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I do love it when you beg."

"Starra!"

She pouted at being rebuffed, but then a curious light came into her eyes. Starra was excited. Eager, even. She took great pleasure from what she said next. "Why settle for killing one demon when there's a chance to kill them all?"

"Explain."

"I would, if I had the slightest notion of how she intends to do it. For now, my task is to convince the soulless monsters that our sweet empress is as black-hearted as they are. Not an easy task, but one I daresay is within my ability."

Reyn didn't doubt Starra believed in Enfri's strength of character, but she'd learned the hard way that unquestioned faith was a recipe for disaster and heartache. If there was one thing Reyn knew herself capable of, it was surviving, and she felt her path was clear.

"It has been years since I last saw the Spired City," Reyn said. "I would adore seeing it again with you, ma trésor."

Starra kicked back with her foot to knock the door open. "She's coming!"

Pacifica bustled in with a pile of handbags in her arms. She wore a simple shirt, vest, and trousers with only a little bit of lace at the sleeves and collar. "Took long enough. Adar's waiting outside, so we can teleport whenever you two are ready."

"Wonderful," Starra said, clapping her hands together. "And your brother?"

"Just dropped him back in Ecclesia. He's mostly sure of what Enfri wants him to do, and he's already worked up a few plans of how to do it."

Reyn couldn't get a word in for how baffled she was. "Pacifica?"

The princess went up on her toes to kiss Reyn. When she pulled away, she left Reyn's bags in her arms. It looked like Pacifica had already retrieved Reyn's luggage from her chambers in the palace. "There are six demons," Pacifica said. "That means we need to spread ourselves a little thin if we're to take care of all of them. Sasha is going back home to see to Vega and his Lord's Alliance."

"Is that possible?" Reyn asked.

"Don't underestimate Romovs," Pacifica said with a wink. "I think that's everything on my end, Starra. Where's the last member of our little incursion into Althandor?"

Starra pulled a pocket watch from out of her bodice. Just how many things did she have hidden away in there?

"Oh, I'd say we shouldn't need to wait much longer," Starra said as she checked the time. "He did mention he had one errand to see to first, and dear Saveen is awfully clingy at goodbyes."