After the meal, Jurao and Braelin went to the cottage so the King could deliver Ayelma’s new divine swords.

“Well, good evening,” Beneford greeted as Braelin led the way inside. He sat at the table, the outer casing of his prosthetic open as Owren helped him oil the joints within.

“Is Aya in?” Braelin asked.

“She’s upstairs,” Eweylona replied. She was using a small loom to string beads into a pattern on the couch before the hearth, Ebener reading a book on the other end of the furnishing.

“Aya!” Owren called up.

Ayelma burst out from one of the doors upstairs, leaning over the railing as she replied, “What? Oh! Jurao’s back!”

“We had wondered where you were,” Eweylona chuckled.

“Feyl asked me to go with him to the Temple of Soken, our God of Blacksmithing,” Jurao replied, “You were correct about his status as Beloved.”

Ewylona chuckled, “I thought so - his aura was very metallic for a valet.”

Ayelma jumped the last two steps to the floor, skipping over to ask, “Feyl is Beloved of the God of Blacksmithing? Why?”

“He’s the smithing spirit,” Braelin chuckled, “He’s decided to stop hiding it.”

Ayelma gasped, then grinned, “Malson will hate that!”

“He will,” Jurao asked, frowning.

“She means he’ll be mad he didn’t figure it out himself,” Braelin chuckled.

“Ah,” Jurao nodded, then held out the swords, “Soken made these for you - he said Yaugua thought it was unfair only Meir’ril had a divine gift.”

Ayelma gasped again, accepting the swords reverently and holding them out. Like the pair Feyl had made before, they were in the style of Western Frost Elven blades - but upon closer inspection, Jurao realized they were constructed of the metallic-looking bones of a magical creature. Magical creature bones were, naturally, of the consistency of bone - but many had the appearance of metal, some with more metallic qualities than others. Some rarer creatures even had bones of glass or other materials.

“Elven gods are often of that mind,” Eweylona agreed, purring from her seat, “Yaugua is the God of Warriors and Hunters - and Udhai’s twin, as it would happen.”

Ayelma gave the swords a few slow test swings - then closed her eyes and channeled magic down the blades. Spikes of ice surrounded both blades, much faster than the previous attempts Jurao had seen from her.

“They generate magicka!” Ayelma declared with an excited giggle, “I don’t have to borrow from anyone else!”

Eweylona set her beadwork aside to look at the blades more closely for herself. She chuckled, “What a wonderful gift to match your brother’s arcanum. I imagine they hold the enchantment better than the other set, as well,” she looked up, “I’m sure Feyl’s work is as good as everyone says, but compared to a god…”

“He would not be offended,” Jurao said.

“I still need to thank him for those!” Ayelma said, “These are amazing, but I really didn’t notice it’s easier to channel until Mom mentioned it.”

“Really?” Eweylona’s brows rose, “Most non-enchanters struggle with fae metal - even other mages.”

Jurao hummed, “Soken mentioned that Eah’mehn blessed Feyl’s dagger.”

“Oh, well, that would explain it,” the former queen nodded, “A blade blessed by Eah’mehn likely gave him an affinity for it.”

“My aunt has always said he’s best with fae metal,” Jurao agreed.

“I think Feyl may have more thanks coming his way than he would prefer,” Braelin chuckled.

Jurao considered that, “He said he does not intend to make any announcements, but word will likely spread quickly, yes… especially as I believe he intends to spend some days working in the smithy…”

“Is he quitting as your valet?” Braelin asked.

“Not yet,” Jurao replied, “But in the future when he’s found a replacement.”

“I imagine he wishes to see if he wants to do so, as well,” Eweylona said, admiring the swirling and floral design of one of the hilts of her daughter’s swords.

“Yes, that could be the case,” Jurao agreed.

“Oh, Jurao’s back,” Meir’ril - appearing at the upstairs banister - said.

“He brought me divine swords!” Ayelma said, holding up the one still in her hand, “From Yaugua! And Soken!”

“What?” her twin brother asked, coming down the stairs at a more sedate pace than she had.

“Yaugua didn’t think it was fair that only you had a divine artefact,” Aya replied, sticking out her tongue at him.

“It’s not like I asked for one,” Meir’ril replied, rolling his eyes. He looked over the blades curiously, smiling, “Oh, snowrise flowers, your favorite.”

“I know, right?” Ayelma grinned, admiring the hilt as well.

“Though it is a bit early as a gift,” Eweylona grinned, “Have you both found all the gifts you intend to give?”

“I have!” Ayelma declared proudly, puffing out her chest.

“I think so?” Meir’ril said, looking to be going over a mental list.

Eweylona chuckled, “And you, Braelin?”

“Mostly,” Braelin smiled, “Have you and Dad found everything?”

“Mostly,” Ebener mimicked with a chuckle.

“I think we may drown in alcohol,” Beneford said, smiling as he closed up his arm casement.

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“Good,” Owren snorted, “Could use it, after the past decade.”

Beneford hesitated, then wrapped his arm around his partner’s waist to pull him close and kiss his temple, “Thank you for the help.”

Ayelma cheered, causing Eweylona and Meir’ril to laugh. Ebener chuckled, turning his attention back to his book.

“Stop that, brat!” Owren huffed - but leaned his weight into Beneford for a moment before pulling away.

“That was all I had for the night,” Jurao said, glad the pair seemed to be becoming more comfortable with public affection.

“Thank you for bringing them!” Ayelma said - and asked, “You don’t like hugs, right?”

Jurao considered, “I would not mind occasionally if you wished to give me one.”

Ayelma grinned, handing her swords to her mother before doing so.

“You are welcome, though I only delivered them,” Jurao said - hesitantly patting her head.

Ayelma laughed, pulling away, “I know, but I still appreciate you doing that.”

“Good night, Jurao,” Eweylona said, giving her daughter a hug of her own as she handed the swords back, “And Braelin.”

They wished everyone a good night before heading to Jurao’s suite for the night. Feyl joined them as usual - and Minaz invited herself.

“It wasn’t personal,” Feyl sighed, petting Snip as the wastehound laid her head in his lap as usual.

“I get that I just,” Minaz huffed, sitting on the other end of the couch, “Why didn’t you tell me? I was apparently the only one that didn’t know!”

“It’s not like I told the other Department Heads,” Feyl rolled eyes.

“I know,” Minaz said, “But it didn’t exactly feel great to find out from everyone else instead of my friend.”

Jurao felt a bit awkward sitting across from them on the other couch, but as they were in his suite, he was uncertain where else to go.

Braelin gave him a look that seemed to reflect a similar feeling.

“I did try to tell you,” Feyl sighed again, “But you didn’t seem to want to hear it.”

Minaz opened her mouth - then closed it, frowning as she considered that. She carded a hand into her hair, then sighed and collapsed back, “I… can be kind of bullheaded…”

“It’s why you can be so patient with Vajur,” Feyl snorted.

Minaz rolled her eyes - her gaze falling to Braelin. She said, “He does have reasons for why he mistrusts humans - not just being spymaster.”

“No?” Braelin asked, blinking in surprise.

“His mom was betrayed by humans, and it got her killed,” Minaz said, sitting up, “His cessaes drilled into his head growing up that it made all humans untrustworthy. He knows it’s not true, and he’s working on it, it’s just hard for him sometimes.”

“I can understand that,” Braelin nodded.

“Anyway,” Minaz sighed, “Feyl, sorry - it’s not like you have to tell me everything about you just because we’re friends.”

“Well, I know why you’re upset,” Feyl sighed as well, “But thank you.”

“Anyway,” Minaz said, setting up a third Ascension place, “How are things with Kloy?”

“We haven’t been courting a month yet,” Feyl snorted.

“That’s fair,” Minaz chuckled, “Did you know Gnori thinks it’s weird because he thought you were more noncommittal?”

Feyl snorted again, “Not the difference in ages?”

“Gavven thought so,” Minaz replied, “But no, when I talked to him later, he said it was just that he thought you were ‘flappy’ - Gavven translated that to mean noncommittal.”

“Flappy,” Feyl said incredulously, “No, I’ll trust Gavven’s interpretation.”

“Like a bird,” Braelin suggested, “I can see how that could mean noncommittal.”

“And colorful and showy,” Minaz teased.

Feyl flicked some hair over his shoulder, “True.”

Tension eased, Jurao enjoyed playing Ascension with his friends until it was time to go to bed. The next morning, he set off to find a burrowing spider tree. While he had considered going with the cavalry before, he decided instead to go on foot. He could use the extended exercise, and a few days of camping outside would likely yield better results.

As he had shared his plans with Minaz, Jurao found he would have a companion on his quest.

“Minaz thought you’ll find what you’re looking for better with a scout,” Apaje said, adjusting cer bow as they walked the path to the Field Walls together.

“I appreciate the assistance,” Jurao agreed - Apaje had grown up as a rural hunter, so would certainly spot the signs of a burrowing spider tree long before the King would.

Apaje snorted, smiling, “If you hadn’t heard, I was actually moved to the Royal Guard. I’m one of Braelin’s guards, specifically.”

“I had not noticed you,” Jurao questioned.

“I stay in the watchtower over the gardens most of the day,” the archer explained, “Minaz asked for me because she thought I’d have the easiest time that way.”

“Ah, I see,” Jurao nodded, “Thank you for your hard work.”

“Of course, your highness,” ce replied - with a hint of warm irony from their long acquaintance.

Though older, with a scar crossing the bridge of cer nose, Apaje looked otherwise much as they had when they were new officers together. A traditional demon with sky blue skin and thick white swirling markings, white hair in a braid down cer back. Cer purple eyes were already scanning their environment, tail with its missing spade - lost to a mishap with a trap when ce was an adolescent - was slightly tense, showing cer focus.

“The two of you suit each other,” ce said after some time.

“I agree,” Jurao smiled.

Apaje nodded and cleared cer throat before adding, “Though some parts of the gardens are… also very affectionate with him.”

“Yes,” Jurao agreed.

“So you’re aware of… the vines?” Apaje asked.

“Yes,” the King repeated, “It was witnessing them that caused me to realize my occasional sexual attraction for Braelin.”

Apaje laughed in surprise, “Yes, that sounds like you.”

They fell into a comfortable routine as they sought out their quarry - both experienced with camping, with less fear of attack due to Jurao’s Dominion. Apaje caught Jurao up on cer siblings - all adult tradespeople in the city now. Apaje had undertaken the arduous journey to Caslavven from cer small village after cer parents, also hunters, had fallen to a surprise tusk-faced hound attack. Ce had an uncle that worked as a farmer in the city and knew archers were in demand by the army, so had seen it as a safer career to provide for cer siblings.

The uncle had begrudgingly taken them all in, though mostly as he knew Apaje would be able to supply funds through cer army job. Cer skills had been so high that ce had been granted an officership immediately, and so moved cer siblings to a cottage on the castle grounds instead of imposing on cer reluctant uncle. Before ce met cer gamaes, Depae, ce had struggled with leaving the children in the care of others - but after, it had been easier for cer to go on the extended missions required by spy work.

Depae, like Jaevve had expressed with Malson, was glad her partner would be home more frequently with the change in career.

It took them a few days to find a burrowing spider tree - mostly thanks to Apaje’s sharp eyes. Its luring bush stood in a clear area, partially churned earth around the base of it cutting through the tall purple grass of the fields that hid it from a distance.

“Hello,” Jurao called out, from outside its likely radius of roots.

Apaje stood further behind him, fingers twitching to hold cer bow - though ce knew logically Jurao was not in danger, it was difficult to ignore a usual threat.

“Perhaps you cannot understand me,” Jurao went on, “But my partner would be sad if I did not attempt to speak to you instead of forcing you to come back with me against your will.

“I am the Demon King Jurao,” he went on, unsure if the wild plant knew speech as well as the domesticated garden plants did. Still, he persisted, “My partner is a gardener - and Beloved of Iescula. A gardener is a person who takes care of plants - if you come back with me, he would be very happy to care for you as well. You would not need to hunt for prey, and would not be required to give up your fruit, either.”

Jurao tried to consciously transmit his intent into his words - Dominion, as Ergirri had explained to him, worked when one visualized what they wanted to happen. He hoped the same might apply to this situation.

After a few minutes of silence, the ground around the spider tree started to shift - tremors and cracking sounds occurring as it pulled its great roots out of the ground. It splayed its twisted limbs outward, standing a foot taller than Jurao once fully unearthed - until it crouched in the middle, more resembling the arachnid of its namesake.

“Is it… coming with us, then?” Apaje asked.

Jurao nodded, stepping forward and experimentally patting the bush on top of its main stalk of roots. As Braelin had said, blue, shelf-like mushrooms grew along its roots - standing out starkly against the dark red roots.

The spider tree shivered, leaning away from his touch - but only for a moment before leaning back into it.

“It will come,” Jurao reaffirmed aloud, feeling quite pleased with his gift.

Since they were not looking for anything on the return trip, they made better time back than it had taken them to find the spider tree - they arrived the day of the birthday feast, though Jurao had hoped for the day before.

The Field Gate guards were understandably alarmed at the appearance of a burrowing spider tree, but as the King said it was permitted, could do little else but wave them on.

Jurao supposed their timing was actually rather opportune, as his partner met them at the entrance to the castle.