Gimma sat down on the pew next to Mira. Amethyst sat on her other side.

“Despite your rather crass reaction yesterday,” Gimma narrowed her eyes at the orc, “I would like you introduce you to an acquaintance of mine. Mira, this is Amethyst. Amethyst, this is the woman I wrote to you about.”

“I know,” She smiled, “We got to know each other a bit last night. I believe I may have surprised her.”

“I did not expect you to know. Neither did he,” She tapped the stone, “We’ve discussed your proposal and want more details.”

“Did you already speak to her?” Gimma glared at the orc, “I thought we agreed to approach the subject together. That’s what the High Priestess wanted.”

“Then, perhaps we should include her in the conversation,” Amethyst pointed to Nara as she walked past.

“Include me in what?” Nara stood behind them.

“I believe this is a conversation best held in your office,” Mira looked between them, “Shall we?”

The group walked through the temple with many eyes following them. Nara opened her office and peeked through her bedroom door to check on the trapped door beneath.

“Tella is at lessons with Irae right now,” Mira nodded, “I have stepped away briefly.”

“Very well,” Gimma sighed, “Mira, what exactly did Amethyst tell you?”

“She met my mother when she was very young. Her mentor worked with my mother to form treaties between Agrowl and the Isle. Under my mother’s watch, they learned some spells and exchanged them for knowledge of their own. She has offered me the same,” Mira nodded, “Along with help in finding Isaan for crimes committed in Agrowl.”

Nara and Gimma looked to the orc. She had left a large gap in the knowledge the three of them shared.

“Amethyst, did you mention anything else?” Gimma raised an eyebrow, “About… how you and your mentor met hers?”

“I neglected to mention that. I did not see it as important,” She shrugged, “Mira asked questions she deemed necessary before this meeting. I figured we would cover more here.”

“Healer Gimma, why is Amethyst here?” Her amber eyes stared directly at the old woman, “She says you personally asked her to meet me.”

The old woman pushed her large, circular glasses up her thin nose, “I healed her around two decades ago on one of her scouting missions in Saceida. They have been searching for you for a long time.”

“They?” Nara and Mira said at the same time.

“The Order of Stone,” Amethyst pulled the collar of her shirt down to reveal a tattoo on her chest above her heart.

As Mira looked at it, she noticed something unnervingly familiar. Mira touched the spot on her neck where her branding used to be. Where Mira’s brand was a wreath of branching vines, Amethyst’s pattern was something she had never seen before. Three lines intersected underneath a large, densely packed, black scale. The fine lines of the ink moved ever so slightly and the swirled with lilac along the scale. It reminded Mira of the stone she wore.

“You allowed yourself to be branded?” Mira looked at her in confusion.

“Any that enter the order are branded for a specific purpose,” She adjusted her collar, “We are not slaves to any living person. We are bound to a common goal. When you enter the order, you are no longer the person you were. You can only leave on death, dismemberment, or vote.”

“Order of Stone?” Nara rubbed her temples, “I haven’t heard of that. What is it?”

“May I speak plainly, High Priestess?” Amethyst asked.

“Of course.”

“There are very few people that know of the order. Those that do are the ones in it, the Vessels, the Guardian Stones, and those training to be in the order. Most others are executed for knowledge about us,” Amethyst shrugged, “I did not kill Gimma because I saw no need. I will not kill you because you are important to my plans.”

Nara’s eyes widened, “I’m sorry?”

“The Order of Stone operates exclusively to the Prophetesses, the Vessels, and the Guardians themselves,” She pointed at Mira, “Those that do not fit that criteria are under me. I am bound by this mark and my oath to the Goddess herself. I cannot go against them unless otherwise ordered.”

Mira tapped her chin, “Is that how you knew who I was?”

“Yes. Encante’s power is difficult to hide,” Amethyst hummed, “Though, you do it well. My mark whispers to me if I am in distance of a Vessel.”

“You call it a mark?”

“Yes. It is not an enthrallment brand but a voluntary mark to state my oath and mark me as trustworthy to those that can command me,” She tapped the spot on her chest, “Those that bare this mark know that anyone that holds it can be trusted and spoken to freely. Those that do not cannot be fully trusted.”

“Even if they are a Vessel?”

“Most Vessels do not hide who they are,” The orc scoffed, “They relish the fame. They announce who they are with crowns and coronations. I chose to serve the stone that appreciates power and protection.”

“Really?” Gimma pushed her glasses up her nose again, “You picked which stone you serve?”

“Each Vessel has one lead Order member. We are named after gemstones,” She pointed to herself, “I chose Amethyst as my new name. Those that still live are Emerald, Opal, Jade, Pearl, Agate, and Lapis. Though not all of them deal directly with Vessels, some only follow heirs for their protection. That should have been my role.”

Amethyst turned to Mira and knelt. She slammed her fist over her heart and grunted.

“I have failed my original purpose while my predecessor, Onyx, lived. Upon hearing of your mother’s capture, she searched until the end of her life. I have kept up her journey sense,” She bowed her head, “I hope you forgive my lateness. I hoped to rescue you and train you myself, as I stated last night.”

“The others, where are they?” Mira ignored the woman’s obvious ask of forgiveness.

“Many are in hiding at the discretion of their Vessel’s orders. Vanora holds the majority of followers after the death of Sapphire,” She looked to Mira with a quizzical gaze, “You do not ask how many you have?”

“I do not care nor have a need for them. Now, do you know where these people are?”

“One of them, Opal, uses her birth name to keep an eye on Zrud,” Amethyst grinned, “You may know her as Skymara Silvervein –one of the Blesséd Three.”

“Wait, those Silverveins?” Nara gasped.

“Yes, along with their sibling, and late brother,” Amethyst nodded, “Emerald goes by their name fully, now. And the late Sapphire was the last of the Blesséd Three. Their parents founded the Order.”

“Why?” Mira asked.

“When the Unclaimed Isle was found, the Vessels fought over who should claim it. They did not know Encante rested there,” She sighed, “But, countless would have died. When they discovered the most powerful stone had laid claim to those wilds, the Vessels knew they could not send armies. They instead chose to send spies, assassins, and ambassadors. Those sent became the Order. The Order helps keep peace between lands by subtly, or not so subtly, influencing decisions made by the Vessels.”

“You have a complete network made to make sure we don’t break out into war?” Gimma laughed, “I wouldn’t have imagined.”

“The balance has been disrupted after Encante’s disappearance. Vanora and Agrowl want to take the Isle to expand their influence. If they can tap into the power of the isle, then they would be able to take over the other continents easily.”

“Power of the isle?” Mira scoffed.

“It has more free magic because it is connected to the old ways,” Encante cooed, “It is why I chose to rest there.”

“Any that have spent time on in the Isle have come back stronger than ever. The three spent nearly 100 years there and are some of the most talented mages in recent history,” Amethyst shrugged, “We don’t know why.”

“Magic is dense,” Mira answered to their surprise before she tapped on the stone, “He speaks.”

“Can he speak with us?” Amethyst grinned, “It has been nearly sixty years since I heard his voice. I know you are not yet strong enough to summon him, but I hope he will be able to speak directly to us.”

“No,” Encante said, “I am still weakened from battle.”

“He used much of his energy in our battle against Isaan.”

“Ah, yes,” She grimaced, “That one.”

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“Is there more to that story?” Mira asked.

“He was in the Order. That is likely how he got the upper hand on Encante,” She hissed, “Vile man. He stole Calosa from Onyx and you from me. What became of her, your mother?”

“Answer my questions first,” Mira commanded.

She saw the orc wince slightly and pat her chest.

“He was known as Ruby and pledged himself to Agrowl. She gifted him enhanced fire talents for his service,” She sneered, “That beast was always hungry for more power.”

“He may have Alcante,” Mira stated plainly.

Amethyst’s eyes widened, “That is not good. It could be the reason he released himself from the Order. The proph—”

“Ehm,” Gimma cleared her throat, “He was also grievously injured from their battle. I do not know where he went. The only one close enough to see what happened was a Travel Knight currently in Hangral.”

“A Travel Knight? This far from a major city?” She raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

“My… alter ego, you could say,” Mira anxiously scratched her arm, “My mast—Isaan commanded me to kill many people. I did so in a disguise.”

“Oh, the wraith?” Amethyst waved her hand dismissively, “I believe you may have tapped into your mother’s memories from the description I read. It sounds similar to her shaman mask.”

“How well do you know her culture?” She asked in surprise, “I did not even know who she was until recently.”

“Those that directly serve Vessels are taught as much as possible about each region, politics, and whatever may be necessary. I believe you were raised in a similar, less kind, type of way,” She sighed, “I have not been to the isle in nearly sixty years. I was very young when I first went. I could not tell you much about it. Onyx’s notes were lost when she was. Should we go, I will document everything for the next in my position.”

Mira tapped her finger’s against Nara’s desk as she pondered her next question carefully. Encante whispered to her. Unknown memories swirled through her mind of a elven woman with black eyes and dark hair training with Calosa. Flashes of scenes danced along her vision as Encante’s memory caught her up to speed. The constantly changing visions made Mira nauseous until they slowed into a final scene.

A young orc, only a few years older than a toddler with dark green skin danced with the small satyr children at a fire to welcome them to the clan. A woman in an eerie similar mask and red hair placed a crown of twigs and leaves on the elf’s head. The mask worn by Calosa had white scales and feathers pointed out over her hair and large, curled horns that framed her head to hold the mask against her.

“Onyx was completely trustworthy. She took multiple arrows to protect your mother. I would trust her if needed. This one, I do not know well enough,” He hummed, “What exactly is her goal, I wonder?”

“What is your goal with all this?” Mira motioned between them, “I do not understand what you want from me.”

“I, and anyone from the Order, want the least amount of bloodshed possible,” She bowed her head subserviently, “Besides that, your goals are my goals.”

“And if I wanted to start a war?”

“Then I will do my best to persuade you otherwise or to end it quickly,” She smirked, “Should you demand the death of millions, then myself and those in the Order will attempt to remove you from power.”

“How do you plan to do that?” Nara laughed, “You haven’t even seen her fight.”

“Those high in the order have one thing in common,” Amethyst grinned, “We are blood mages. All of us. Opal, Emerald, myself, Lapis, and Agate. I was in my mother’s womb as she wore Agrowl. The Blesséd Three’s mother wore Vanora after becoming pregnant from another Vessel. Agate’s predecessor allowed her to kill him to allow her to have the power. One of us you can defeat. All of us? Unlikely. Especially in your weakened state.”

“Would you kill me if I asked you?” Mira’s fingers stopped drumming on the desk.

“I would hesitate,” She paused, “But if there was a just reason, then yes.”

“Good. Gimma, please bring me Val,” Mira looked to the older woman, “I do not know if I trust Amethyst. She will help me do so.”

“The bandit?” Nara scoffed, “How so?”

“Her subtle magic talents allow her to hear if someone is telling the truth,” She pointed to the orc, “And after you answer my questions again, in front of Val, then I will answer anything you ask.”

The youthful smile on Amethyst’s face didn’t match her mature look, “Absolutely. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Do these bandits know who you are?”

“They know I am the wraith, that I killed their most powerful allies, and I would not hesitate to kill them should they cross me,” She shrugged, “Besides that, they know I am angry with them.”

“Why’s that?” Nara asked.

“I asked them to protect the village. Their failure resulted in the death of Pallik, Delpho, Reyla, and everyone else that lived there,” Mira felt her anger boiling to the surface.

Mira felt them all stare at her. She took a deep breath to calm herself and peered at Amethyst.

“Do her eyes always do that when she’s angry?” Amethyst whispered.

“Yes,” Nara nodded, “Usually not as brightly.”

Mira blinked to clear the white from her eyes, “Currently, I am fighting to control the power that turns me into the wraith when I’m… emotional.”

“So, you do need meditation,” The orc laughed, “We will have fun, I’m sure of it.”

“If I allow you to join me,” She held up a finger.

The three waited in a silence that caused Nara to squirm. Mira’s emotionless gaze never left the smiling Amethyst. The High Priestess tried to busy herself by shuffling papers or dusting about the room and ignored the intense staring contest between Mira and Amethyst. A disheveled Val scurried in as her eyes frantically scanned them. Soot, mortar, and sweat covered her and she gave off an unpleasant scent. She gasped and bowed when she saw Nara.

“High Priestess,” She whispered, “Please excuse my poor appearance. I have been working to rebuild one of the farmhouses this morning. I was told there was no time to—”

“Val,” Mira cut her off, “She is aware. I need your specific talents to interrogate this woman.

“Yes… The others do not like her. She gives off an odd vibe,” Val eyed her critically, “What do you need to know?”

“Who are you?” Mira asked.

“My given name was shed nearly fifty years ago. I am known as Amethyst,” She looked directly at Mira, “I am one of the Order of Stone. I serve Guardian Stones and the Vessels that wield them.”

Val nervously danced on her feet, “She speaks the truth.”

“What was your previous name?”

“Aldreanna Cauldronbone,” She lowered her head, “Of Tribe Cauldronbone. Ruling seat in Agrowl for the past one hundred and seven years.”

“Truth,” Val interjected before her next question.

“How did you become a blood mage?”

“My mother, Tralix Cauldronbone, wielded the stone while pregnant with me. That is one of the ways one can become a blood mage,” She nodded to Mira, “As I’m sure you know. I do not know if my abilities have increased from killing other blood mages, though. And I have never slain a prophetess.”

“She speaks truth.”

“Does the mark on your chest mean you are in the order?” Mira pointed to her, “Does it do what you say it does?”

“Yes. The mark may change in color, depending on what Guardian is served. Mine is black, for Encante,” Amethyst pounded a fist on her chest, “It also prevents me from speaking of the Order unless a Vessel or another member is present. It binds us to our goals for the Guardians, their Vessels, the Goddess, and shards of her soul.”

Mira looked back to Val with an empty gaze for her to confirm.

“She speaks truth,” Val hesitated to answer.

“What is your mission?”

“In the Order: to ensure that peace remains. To train, guide, and help Vessels understand their strength,” Amethyst looked directly at Mira, “In my position: to serve Encante and his Vessel in whatever they may need, unless it breaks any other rules I follow.”

They looked to a dumbstruck Val. The woman’s mouth gaped open as if the orc had three heads. Mira snapped her fingers to get the woman’s attention.

“Val, is she lying?”

“N-no,” Val stuttered, “Leader –”

“Unimportant,” She raised a hand to cut her off, “Does anyone else know you are here?”

“Some of the Order have spread out trying to find you for the past few decades. Most efforts are in Vanora or Agrowl, as we believed Isaan would stay where he was comfortable. Opal leads the efforts in Zrud. I have let her know I am in the country and a vague sense of where I was heading based on a letter,” Amethyst hesitated, “Emerald may also know, as they are close with their sister.”

She did not wait for Val to confirm before asking her next question, “Did you have anything to do with the capture of my mother?”

“No,” Amethyst snorted, “And neither did my mentor. We spent the last years of her life searching for her. I did not know you existed until Gimma wrote to me.”

Mira looked over and saw Val nod, “Final question. Would you kill me if I ordered you to?”

“If necessary,” She met Mira’s gaze, “Or I would die trying.”

“She speaks truthfully.”

“Good,” Mira relaxed in her chair, “Now, I will answer any questions you have. Val, I implore you to tell her if I’m speaking the truth.”

“I am unable to do that,” Val whispered.

“What?” They all looked to her.

Mira raised an eyebrow at the thought. The woman never knew if she spoke the truth? That would make her life much easier with the bandits.

“I have never been able to tell if you are speaking truthfully,” Val was taken aback, “In your other form, I can get hints. While you’re you, it is unclear. I thought you knew that?”

“Interesting,” Amethyst grinned, “That will be quite useful.”

“Nevertheless,” Mira rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance, “You may stay. I will be giving orders after this meeting anyway.”

“Thank you, Leader,” Val bowed.

“You already have a small following,” The orc laughed, “What a perfect start!”

“Ask your questions,” Mira waved a hand dismissively.

“What happened to your mother?” Her face fell into a seriousness Mira hadn’t expected.

“When I was born, she sacrificed her body and soul to fuel Encante to keep me safe.”

Everyone in the room gasped but Mira. She looked around at them in confusion.

“What?”

“Calosa’s soul is in the void?” Amethyst lowered her head, “A true shame. A great sacrifice to forgo her soul to empower you.”

The hurt in Mira’s chest started again, only it wasn’t her own, “Encante is still in pain. He has shared some memories with me. Since my birth, I have been his Vessel and he has not left me.”

Val squeaked in the corner, “Is it true?”

Mira looked to her and nodded, “We will discuss that after this meeting.”

“Then I have seen a Guardian Stone’s true ability?” She lowered her head.

“We have scoured the planet since your mother was taken. How was she taken? Where have you been? How were you…” Amethyst paused, “Conceived?”

“Isaan threatened their village. My mother left to keep the peace so her people would not be slaughtered. I do not know where she was, but I was moved multiple times. Any time I mentioned my name, his name, or began to be comfortable –we moved to a new location,” Mira paused, “As for my conception, I do not know. Nor does Encante. There were… many potential fathers. Should I meet my father, I plan to kill him.”

Nara winced, “Why kill him?”

“He gave Isaan the ability to enthrall me,” Mira growled, “Who would impregnate a satyr then sign away their child to a man that has the woman chained?”

“Not one that deserves to live,” Encante’s growl echoed hers.

Amethyst sighed, “My last question: why did you ask if I would kill you?”

“Because, if I am unable to control my power,” Mira thought of the moment she saw Pallik and what it did to her, “And Encante is too weak to stop me, then I may kill everyone around me. I need to know someone is strong enough to stop that –or willing to sacrifice themselves to save others.”

“Mira –” Nara started to say something.

“No, Nara,” She gave a pointed looked to her, “I know it. You know it. Everyone around here knows I am dangerous. If my equal and I nearly destroyed this town, then I need someone to make sure I am ended if I cannot control myself.”

“Then, I am ready to make my vows,” Amethyst nodded, “High Priestess, would you be our witness?”

Nara cautiously nodded. Amethyst motioned for Mira to stand. The orc knelt and looked to her with oddly colored purple eyes.

“In eyes of the Goddess and witness of a High Priestess, I announce my fealty and service to Mira: Daughter of Calosa, Vessel of Encante, and any other names known to her. May this oath bind me to the Vessel as my body is bound to her Guardian. May I serve as reliable council. Let my blade draw blood only in their service. May my body and soul be devoted to their cause forever more,” The orc crossed her arms across her chest and paused.

“Mira, this is where you accept her or not,” Gimma said, “At least, I believe.”

“I, Miradash, Vessel of Encante, accept your fealty,” Mira said and Encante’s words flowed through her and out in her voice, “May our might serve your protection. May our judgements rule fair. May your blade strike only our enemies. May your will serve as my ambassador. May my body and soul serve a cause worth your devotion forever more.”

“That was elegant,” Amethyst smiled, “Thank you, Great Protector.”

“My mother was the Great Protector,” Mira shook her head, “Her and Encante claimed that name. I shall have one of my own, in time.”

“What is my first task?” She stood and looked down to the much shorter human woman she now served.

“Yesterday, you mentioned we would fight today,” She stretched, “I haven’t had proper training in a few months.”

The orc giddy clapped, “This will be fun.”