Joan shivered and inched as close to the fire as she could. It was nice to be clean, but she really missed having Korgron around to magic up and then heat the bath. Chase could at least make the bath, but she was a little too impatient to get a fire ready and then wait for it to heat up. So instead she was now very, very cold and her teeth were lightly chattering. Having servants who got it ready for her would have been nice too.

She wondered if maybe she was a little spoiled.

On the upside, while hanging around Qakog she didn’t need to talk that much while she warmed up.

“Once the snow stopped falling, I had no choice but to carry Lady Bauteut to safety,” Qakog said proudly. “For which I was given the title of ‘Runner of the Flakes’.”

Joan gave a light snort. Oh, she didn’t doubt he had that title now, but she could all but imagine Bauteut yelling at him to put her down as he insisted on carrying her.

“Since then the pass has been cleared of snow and once again travelers pass through it often! After that, we headed back into the swamp to aid Lord Searle in his hunt for the Serpent of the Ivy. It was a long and treacherous search, the eight of us were often at each other’s throats--”

“Eight?” Joan asked.

“Ah, right,” Qakog said. “There were other demons as well, but they were…”

“Not approving of humans being there?” Joan asked.

“Indeed,” Qakog said with a light snort. “Fools. Humans are fine, strong allies!”

Joan couldn’t help but snicker at that. It wasn’t the stance he’d taken on them in her past lives. In fact, it was likely not the stance he’d taken on them in THIS life before he met her. But she couldn’t help but comment on it. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be trying to be the bride to one, right?”

“Indeed! I would never have taken one as my bride-to-be,” Qakog said without missing a beat. “You’ll find I have drastically improved since last we met! I have even acquired the title of Viper of Leaves, as you said I would.”

“Told you,” Joan said. “That must have been exciting. I’ve been getting stronger, you know. I’ve figured out how more of my magic stuff works as well.”

“I have been training in the use of magical equipment as well,” Qakog said. “In fact, Lady Korgron has enchanted my cloak! It may not be pierced by even the harshest elements or spells! Lady Myrin has also been aiding Bauteut, her skill with the bow has improved dramatically.”

Joan couldn’t help but smile at him none the less. Slowly, she reached out a hand and put it over his. It was warm. He was warm. She finally sighed and moved over, pushing against his side and resting her head on his shoulder.

“L-Lady Joan?” Qakog asked. To her surprise, he sounded flustered and actually nervous.

“I’m cold and you’re not,” Joan said softly. “Also… I kind of missed you. I missed this. I missed both of you. No, I missed everyone. I know you’re all doing important things and I’d likely make things worse if I was there… but I still wish I could be.”

Qakog was silent for a few moments before, very slowly, he lifted an arm and put it around her. “We miss you too. All of us. Even the Chosen. But…”

“But things are crazy right now,” Joan said. “Even the Chosen aren’t very welcomed up there, or the healers. I’m neither, so me being there wouldn’t help much and would just make things more tense. Trust me, I know. I wouldn’t accept it otherwise. Doesn’t mean I have to like it even if it is the smart choice. I probably hate it more BECAUSE it’s the smart choice. I keep training and practicing and hoping that there will be more times for me to do things. I think I might have a restless spirit. As exhausting as it was taking care of… well…”

“Saving the world?” Qakog asked.

“Yeah,” Joan said. “I rested. Now I wanna go do it again. I know I don’t need to, but I want to. I don’t know how to tell you this, but I don’t think I’m going to make a good bride for you in the future even if you DO ever manage to defeat me.”

“It just means I will make conquering you my mo--”

“You do not want to finish that sentence,” Joan said.

“I… suspect you are correct,” Qakog said. “It sounded better in my head.”

“Don’t worry,” Joan said. “I do that all the time. I wonder if I’ll ever want to just… relax.”

“Did you before?” Qakog asked.

“Never had the chance,” Joan said. “Sounds… boring. I would have liked to have a break now and again, though. But I don’t think I’d have wanted to rest forever. It’s too much fun to do all this. And resting usually means playing politics and I am terrible at those. I mean, the prince hates me. I’m surprised he hasn’t come down to yell at me since we got back.”

“The prince?” Qakog asked.

“Prince Garbert,” Joan said. “I figured after I got back here he’d be yelling at me. At least glaring.”

Qakog was silent for a few moments before speaking up. “Nobody told you? He left a few days ago.”

Joan blinked a few times. “He… did? But… he left?”

“We heard he’d been here, but he was long gone when we arrived,” Qakog said. “I thought you knew.”

“Haven’t had a chance to really get debriefed,” Joan said sheepishly. “I think Chase is probably doing that now. Or sleeping. Its been a few days. Oh! Wanna hear what I’ve been up to?”

“Yes!” Qakog said with all the eagerness of an excited puppy, his enthusiasm making her grin grow wider.

“Okay, so, it started when Ifrit and Francis were riding towards Dusklam Keep,” Joan began.

------

“Feeling better?” Joan asked, grinning up at Bauteut.

“Mostly,” Bauteut said. “Breakfast was a little greasier than I would have liked right now, but I’m managing to keep it down.”

“Korgron didn’t surprise teleport you this time, did she?” Joan asked.

“Thank heavens, no,” Bauteut said before giving a shudder. “In fact, she was almost polite about it. Sent us here in one go.”

Joan cringed and just reached out to give her a very light pat on the back. “I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t… the worst thing I’ve ever been through,” Bauteut said with a light shudder. “I’d still rather not go so far ever again.”

“For what it’s worth, I doubt we will for a while,” Joan said sheepishly. “Oh, but getting back to Hearth is going to be miserable for you.”

Bauteut just took a slow, exhausted breath. “I’ll… make do.”

“Think you’re good to help me destroy a cult and reveal its darkest secret?” Joan asked.

Bauteut just glared at her. “No, but I don’t think that is something I’ve ever been ready for. Are you sure about this?”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Yeah, I just need to go get something from Ifrit,” Joan said. “It’s not really that bad, though. Chase will deal with most the things we have to deal with.”

“Most?” Bauteut asked.

“I think,” Joan said. “I mean, I don’t remember everything they had, but I don’t think any of it was ‘Oh gosh we can’t deal with this’. It was mostly ‘Oh, this is annoying’ kind of things.”

Bauteut just sighed and then glanced to Qakog. “Your bride.”

“HEY!” Joan snapped. “If anything, he’s my bride. And you might be too, so there. Korgron said so.”

Bauteut just gave another exhausted sigh.

“I missed you guys,” Joan said softly.

“We missed you too, Joan,” Bauteut said before reaching out and giving her a little hug. “I did want to ask you something. Chase’s… friend.”

“Breeze?” Joan asked.

“Yes,” Bauteut said softly. “What is she?”

“I have no idea,” Joan said. “Other than she’s using magic of some kind, I can’t tell. Did you… well…”

“No,” Bauteut said. “But she was… watching me this morning. I think her arm was… the wrong way.”

Joan stared at her for a moment before giving a shrug. “No idea.”

“Right,” Bauteut said. “Want us to come with you to talk with Ifrit?”

“No,” Joan said. “She’ll probably yell at me and I might deserve it. Just try and recover a bit, okay? We’ll leave soon.”

Joan hopped to her feet and then, slowly, made her way up the stairs and towards the rooms again. She hadn’t seen Ifrit all morning, though Francis had come down to get himself and her breakfast. She wondered if the djinn had been hiding in her room the entire time they’d been gone or if it was just because she was back.

She lightly knocked on the door. “Ifrit? It’s me, Joan.”

For a few moments there was silence. Then the door began to open.

Joan froze when she saw Ifrit. The girl was in a rather nice brown dress, a necklace around her throat. It looked like she was trying to do something with her hair and, Joan couldn’t be entirely sure, but she thought the girl was wearing makeup. “Uhhhh… what’s… going on?”

“Nothing,” Ifrit said. “You’re here to uh…”

“Yeah,” Joan said. “Is Francis here? Can we uhhh… talk?”

“He’s not,” Ifrit said before motioning her inside.

Once Joan was inside, the door closed behind her. “So, remember that scroll you had with the symbol of Scorpion’s Venom? Can I have that?”

“Of course,” Ifrit said, but she didn’t move from standing against the door.

“Are you okay?” Joan asked.

“… This is the end, isn’t it?” Ifrit asked.

“The end?” Joan asked.

“After this, they won’t be after me anymore, will they?” Ifrit asked.

“Likely not,” Joan said, though the djinn didn’t sound at all happy about this. “Are you okay?”

“You’ve done this before, right?” Ifrit asked. “But by then I’m not around.”

“Yes,” Joan said softly.

“Is Francis going to stay?” Ifrit asked.

“What?” Joan asked.

“Francis,” Ifrit said. “Once Scorpion’s Venom is dealt with, is he going to stay? Can you know?”

Joan just stared at her for a few moments before she felt her anger rising slightly. “Ifrit. You’re not BEHIND Scorpion’s Venom, are you?”

“What?” Ifrit asked.

“Are you behind them? This isn’t something to get Francis to ‘protect’ you, is it?”

Ifrit just looked at her as if she was insane. “What? No! Of course not! Why would I do THAT? Do people do that? How?”

“I mean, not a lot,” Joan said sheepishly. “Odd it happened at least twice, though. Not with Francis. But ummm, yes. He… I don’t see why he’d leave.”

“He’s only ever been with me during the danger,” Ifrit said softly. “When I’m in danger. He wants to protect me, but… if I don’t…”

Joan stared at her for a moment and worked very, very hard to resist the urge to laugh. It wasn’t fair. But it all made sense now. The hair, the dress, the jewelry. Heck, she’d felt like that before. Not exactly like that, but like once things were over, would she be any use? Would he go look for someone else to protect? Was he only with her because she needed him and once she didn’t, would he find out he didn’t like her? “So you’re scared that he’s going to get bored and leave?”

“W-what? No! Of course not!” Ifrit said quickly, her cheeks going red. “I just… I’ve… spent so long running, I… I worry… he won’t…”

“I don’t know,” Joan said softly. “I mean, you’ve been running from them for… how long? Once the danger is gone, maybe he’ll… move on. Do you want to keep going with him?”

Ifrit gave a small nod. “I’m not really a… well…”

“You threw a torch at a shade,” Joan said with a shrug. “You’re not helpless. Admittedly, I don’t know if you can fight. Or what you can do. I don’t really know what Francis can do either, though. Aside from fighting a bit. Just a little bit.”

“Is this really going to be the end?” Ifrit asked. “I’ve always been running. Ever since I was… since my mother died. I’ve been on the run. There was always someone who seemed to want me.” She leaned back against the door and gave a sigh, almost collapsing against it. “Francis was the first one who didn’t… want me for being a djinn. Just wanted me to be safe. Wanted me for… me…”

Joan wanted to say something, but stopped. She didn’t actually have an answer for this. “I… don’t know. Scorpion’s Venom is going to be dealt with. If… you’re lucky, nobody will ever come after you again.”

“But someone else might, right?” Ifrit asked, her eyes lowered. “Is it weird that… a part of me is happy? Knowing I’ll likely never truly be safe? Because… I know he won’t leave?”

Joan just shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s… I mean… he… he always missed you when you were gone. I can’t say how things will turn out or what you’ll do. How you’ll do it. Can you like… wish to be human or something?”

Ifrit shook her head. “If I could, I would have long ago. It would have taken my life as well. The only thing I can do is… try. Sorry. I don’t mean to… bother you. I know this is silly. You’ve done so much for us and even if you did threaten me, I know you meant well. You’re trying to help me, despite everything else.”

“It’s what I have to do,” Joan said with a shrug.

“I see why Francis admires the Hero so,” Ifrit said with a light chuckle. “I wonder how things would have turned out, if I had gone to him instead of being found by Francis.”

“Ehhhhh,” Joan said with a shrug. “I was… he was… kind of busy. It was a thing. I don’t know how it would have turned out.”

“No, I imagine it wouldn’t have been that simple, would it?” Ifrit asked before glancing towards the window. “Can… I make one small request?” She then walked to her bags, rummaging through them.

“Yes?” Joan asked.

“One more day,” Ifrit asked before turning and holding the scroll out to her. “Can I have one more day with Francis before we… end this?”

Joan took the scroll, but didn’t unfurl it. “Only on one condition.”

“Yes?”

“End this only means the danger,” Joan said. “None of that ‘I want one final day before I die’ nonsense. You live this time, Ifrit.”

“Why do you sound so… angry?” Ifrit asked softly.

“Because I know this,” Joan said, slapping the scroll into her hand. “I’ve been there. Done the whole ‘I know I won’t make it, but that’s okay’ nonsense. But you know what? I wanted everyone to have their happy endings and they ONLY had those if I was with them. So if YOU want to have a happy ending for Francis? Then you need to be there. I’ll give you one more day before we do this. But that isn’t going to be yours or Francis’ final day. Got it? That’s the deal.”

Ifrit gave a small smile before nodding. “Very well. No wishes. Just… just one day to rest before we finish this. Promise.”

“Then sure,” Joan said before turning towards the door. “And hey, you know what? Seasrest is a pretty nice city. I’d love to show Bauteut and Qakog around a bit. We can all go, it’ll be fun. Francis and Qakog can regale each other with their tales of past heroics. Oh they are going to get along far too well.”

Ifrit gave a light snort, but didn’t say a word. She didn’t need to, because the look she was giving spoke volumes.

“Yes, I know,” Joan said, rolling her eyes. “I like talking about my past heroics too. You’re pretty judgy for someone who’s life I’ve saved at least three times.”

“My apologies, oh great Hero,” Ifrit said with a warm smile. “If… you see Francis on your way out, please let him know I’ll be ready soon? But don’t tell him why. I want to surprise him.”

“Of course,” Joan said. Once she was outside the room, though, she paused and ran a hand through her own hair. Maybe she should see if Bauteut could do something with hers. It might be nice to actually… look nice for them.

She felt more red flooding her cheeks. They weren’t doing anything special to make themselves look good, but she still thought they looked cute. Did they feel the same about her even when she didn’t try? Oh there was a whole army of thoughts related to that she quickly shoved aside and instead decided to focus on letting them know they were going to have one more day to relax before impending death and battle.

Bauteut’s stomach would thank them.