"Have you ever heard where women dominate men and govern a domain?"

"Look over there! Beyond the seas, you can find them hiding…"

"What are you murmuring about, Lord Gervðas?" one of the ladies has caught my attention, she says.

I am startled when someone calls me an ear-distance, close to my face. The gal is hitting on me as I would probably assume. Thus, I tilt my head turning my attention upon her and closely verify her mates around her. I make a full shift focusing my view on them. Because I was sitting, minding my own business, whilst my mind had been swerved to them, on a bench when the lady called me from behind. The eye contact has been established where the stare is intense. The damsel doesn’t cave in. I lost the standoff in the end.

“Alright… alright… enough of that. I will not be going to do it for myself for too much ado. What is it that you have the audacity to interrupt me?” I reply, diverting the fact that I’ve been defeated to the game I challenged her to.

She giggles with reaction to my response, retorting: “Hehehe… nothing, milord. It was just funny messing around with you.” it makes both of my brows raise and I am utterly perplexed.

“Okay… I require you to answer this, then.” I follow it up, with stern girth on my voice, despite not including the spiteful to my intonation - I presumably they are mocking me.

“Yes, milord?”

“Alright, then… what is the deal that you have disrupted me this prior,” I stop, getting some air inside my lungs “Well of course, what I mean is ‘recently’?” awaiting for the response, where my eyes glue on the lady whose guts surpasses mine.

“It is just entertaining to see how dedicated you are, milord. In all honesty, I have seen many princess-bishops just using people - their donations, per se. Well, in reality, they do not adhere to what they have uttered. I don’t even know how to distinguish them - hypocrites?” as she pries herself to me, as in fact I concur with her sentiment.

“In the name of Lady Wellicia. Yes, of course. I daresay some of those hearsays were actually true. I hear you.” as the ‘the other woman’ taps the shoulder of the lady whom I am speaking with, it is ‘Jyana’.

“Oh, Jyana. What fancies you showing up yourself here? Are you willing to have a prayer with me?” I notice her, Jyana sits beside me at arm-length, respecting my boundaries.

After Jyana answers the question of the lady, she then leaves us and Jyana focuses her attention on me. With the gesture of her, it beckons; uttering: “I guess so. It won’t even hurt to meditate with you for a moment.” she casts a smile upon her face.

“So, what kind of business do you have with me?” I ask Jyana, as the lady is no way near us.

“About Lunascopy, milord…” she pauses “yes, it is true that I only excel at reading the middle moon. Appraising destiny, seeking guidance, and some sort. I am trying my best to acquire those other art - Lunagius and Luna Maior in lieu of just forging myself to only one art, however.” I, too, did my best to be discreet to not express further reaction, as Jyana is serious on improving herself. I think she was very pressured when I was disappointed at that time about our initial meeting. Well, I’m sorry if I made her think that way. I never meant for her to study different Lunascopy other than her intermediary ability.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Good…” just a flat response with no reaction, as I find myself guilty putting Jyana in this kind of awkward circumstance. Or rather, forcing her to do this for my sake.

Then another joins the fray, as I find the voice is too distinct - among the inner circles of the council of Lady Anda, from the distance: “There you are! You made me search for you in every nook and cranny!” as he seems agitated while panting.

“Lord Aisla! What matters do you have with Jyana?” asking, whereas I await his response, and as it looks like Lord Aisla’s been chasing Jyana for a long time. Jeez! Well, it is a good thing since it just breaks the tension for a while.

“I - -... need to… - - vouch… for … something with - - her.” Lord Aisla replies, in a crooked pattern of speech.

“Relax, for a moment…” showing concern to Lord Aisla, “Calm down for a minute, will you?” where the respiration of Lord Aisla has been stabilizing quite significantly.

“Certainly…” Lord Aisla, in an astute and placated manner.

“Once again, what do you have with this damsel right besides me… wearing a short skirt and a corset with the brasserie waiting to trickle down from her chest… who is probably bewitching someone other than us.” reiterating, as I implore to know the answer directly to Lord Aisla.

“Lord,... Lord Gervðas?!?” Jyana defends herself, with slight protests displaying on her face.

“Well, that is true.” Lord Aisla follows it up with my sentiment, as we both laugh.

“Did I fail to illustrate what I am seeing as of now?” confirming, as I turn my attention to Jyana.

She rolls her eyes and scoffs: “You got me there, Lord Gervðas. I ain’t going to argue with that.” whereby she finally admits on the way how she dresses.

“Anyways, did you know that this lady possesses something extravagant which is quite very rare for Kehina to acquire…”

“Meaning?” I raise my right brow, holding my muscles to the direction of Lord Aisla - in front of me.

“Lord Gervðas, what are you somewhat aware that the individual besides you is a one of a kind specimen who holds the ability that can tilt our way in towards this travail of this war. Albeit, it may be miniscule. But who cares… as long as it accentuates the firepower in our arsenal.”

“Yeah…” I confidently utter.

“Sure, it is Lunascopy.” , “Cartomancy.” where at the same time, we say it quite differently - flabbergasted while we are staring at each other.

“You are both right, Lord Aisla and Lord Gervðas. As a matter of fact, I do possess those abilities. However, I don’t have the qualities of what you are expecting of me. I am quite inept - an amateur-caliber.“ as Lord Aisla and I are both quite shocked by the revelations of Jyana.

Still, powers are powers. Anything that we have, any help that we can get, whatever the means; it would be for the cause of defending Kehina and Lady Anda. Certainly, Kehinan forces may par on Inglovian might, partially. Around ¼ or a fourth of what we can withstand and we lack superiority whether ground, naval, and air. And we don’t have magical arts that surround us other than the two healing mages. With Jyana on our side, Kehina’s morale is high to be confident.

“A diamond in the rough.” , “A needle in the haystack.” we both approve of Jyana’s capabilities, coinciding that Lord Aisla and I share the same sentiment by saying distinct features about Jyana, for a second time. Lord Aisla and I then share a high-five to each other.