CHAPTER 25 - Beats of War

Even amongst those that opposed Halcyon and her allies, there were few who would not grudgingly admit that the great capital city of Legacy stood above her peers. Built in a valley where five enormous rivers met, Legacy was a city of water, an architectural marvel dedicated to showing Halcyon's dominance over the land itself. Dozens of elegant bridges crafted from steel and stone spanned the great stretches of water between the different parts of the city, each built upon the islands that dotted the rivers. Canals crisscrossed the city, filled with small boats and ferry craft.

Legacy had once borne the name 'Clandice Run', a miserable little burg built upon the only dry patch of land for miles around. During the First Halcyon Crusade, the war that would lead to Halcyon's birth, the citizens of Clandice Run had not only willingly joined the growing nation but bravely stood against Halcyon's enemies. Legend told of a grand battle, a desperate struggle against a vastly superior force that had attempted to flank the Lord's army. As a reward for their stalwart loyalty and bravery, the Lord granted Clandice Run a new name and destiny, declaring it the site of what would become Halcyon's capital city.

The usually bustling streets were quiet, most of the citizens driven indoors by the rain pouring down from the impenetrable ceiling of dark grey clouds above. Swirling banks of fog drifted over the canals, and weaving around spires and chimneys like ghostly fingers. Even the massive fish market on the largest island, Paradise Landing, was quieter than usual, with most of the stall owners taking the rare opportunity to relax, reading newspapers and smoking. The market was one of Legacy's most famous sites, and served as the economic engine for most of the city's citizens.

Sat upon the central island, was the grand cathedral of the Lord, Destiny Gate. The cathedral was vast, built in the shape of a pair of overlapping four point stars, from white polished marble. Ribbons of crimson jasper curled around the towers and pathways like multicoloured vines, tracing a path the Lord herself had laid out when the cathedral was being built. Dozens of enormous spires reached high into the sky, covered in multicoloured stained glass windows that gleamed brightly even in the rainy gloom.

Set at the heart of the vast cathedral, was the grand hall, the site of the Imperial Throne, upon which the Lord had sat for well over two hundred years. A chorus of more than four hundred quiristers kept up a never-ending song, its mournful notes echoing through the entire Cathedral. For more than one hundred years the song had never been allowed to end, and at regular intervals fresh singers would replace those unable to continue, seamlessly taking their places in the melody. At the Southern end of the hall sat the Lord's Throne, carved from a single piece of crimson catalyst crystal. Upon it, her rich umber skin now strangely pale, yet still intact, sat the Lord. Hundreds of thin braids fell around her face, her expression peaceful, as if she were merely in a deep sleep.

Footsteps echoed loudly through the grand hall as three individuals made their way down the centre aisle, between the row of elegantly carved mahogany pews.

The leader of the trio was a narrow woman, her red hair bound in a tight bun. Her almond-shaped blue eyes shone in the light of hundreds of sacred candles. Draped over her shoulders were robes sewn from fluttering swatches of delicate fabric, each a subtly different shade of red. Every movement made her a shifting sea of crimson.

Aarin Dellward was by far the youngest High Cardinal in Halcyon's history, having climbed through the ranks with brutal efficiency. Her rise to power within the Order had culminated in her replacing her own father as High Cardinal, and afterwards sentencing him to death for heresy. Despite her ruthless reputation, there were very few who opposed her. In fact, most agents believed that the Order was more powerful under Dellwards rule than it had been in over a century.

A pair of Seraphim, dressed in their simple grey uniforms, strode silently along behind the High Cardinal, gliding through the clouds of incense and candle smoke like sharks, silent and graceful. Though their wide brimmed hats prevented anyone from seeing their eyes, all those caught in the Seraphim's gaze could feel it, the chill that came from being observed by a predator.

Most that visited Destiny Gate for the first time, were struck by the sheer size and majesty of the place. It was not unheard of for pilgrims to faint at the sight of the Lord in her own seat of power. Even for Cardinal Dellward, who had been born and raised within these very walls, the cathedral never lost its palpable sense of utter dominance.

Stopping at the foot of the throne, Cardinal Dellward dropped down to one knee, bowing her head. She began to mumble under her breath, her words almost frantically fast and unintelligible to those around. What she spoke of, no one knew. Those few stupid enough to have previously tried to overhear her words had always been swiftly, and brutally, executed.

It wasn't until an Order clerk approached, stopping a respectful distance away, that Cardinal Dellward got back to her feet.

“What is it?" She asked, glancing over her shoulder, the icy edge in her voice stealing the warmth from the clerk's blood.

“Your holiness, please forgive my intrusion-"

“Get to it."

The clerk nodded quickly. “Yes ma'am. There is a visitor here to see you, Lord Marshal Taunton."

“The Lord Marshal?" Cardinal Dellward paused, folding her arms inside her robes. “And unannounced…"

“Yes ma'am."

Cardinal Dellward turned and marched past the Clerk, her robes billowing out behind her. “Convey him to my office, I'll meet with him there."

“As you command."

Without delay, Cardinal Dellward swept out of the grand hall and along the stone pathway towards the southernmost side of Destiny's Gate. Her robes were a scarlet stormfront around her as she marched through the halls, every footstep echoing across the polished stones. All, from clerks to agents, paused to bow and mumble in greeting as she passed.

Climbing a set of marble stairs, Cardinal Dellward entered a long hall lined with crimson carpet. As she strode down the hall, Cardinal Dellward glanced first to her left. Visible through a set of thick yellow windows was the vast library of the Order, tens of thousands of tomes carefully stacked and organised upon solid wood shelves.

Cardinal Dellward loved books and the pursuit of knowledge. It warmed her heart to see dozens of agents and scholars filling the space, reading and quietly conversing. In the years before her tenure as High Cardinal, the prevailing wisdom of the Order had been that the canon was the only source of knowledge the Order required, and that other books were tainted by the inherent unholiness of the author. Of all her reforms, Cardinal Dellward was most proud of her efforts to undo that damage, to empower the Order with knowledge, and to purge the ignorant and willfully stupid.

Cardinal Dellward's love of books was such that she had placed her office directly beside the library, that had once been her father's personal palace.

Arriving at the end of the hall, Cardinal Dellward opened an elegantly carved oak door and stepped into her reception room.

“My lord." Cardinal Dellward's receptionist leapt to her feet and bowed.

“The Lord Marshall will be arriving shortly," the cardinal announced. “Show him in as soon as he arrives."

“W-with respect, my lord, I have been informed that the Marshall will be arriving via the secondary adit."

“The adits? Why?"

“I was not told, my lord."

Cardinal Dellward paused for a moment, a flicker of curiosity dancing across her face. The adits were a network of secret passages that ran through Destiny Gate, and even connected to dozens of escape tunnels that reached into Legacy and beyond.

“Very well. I am not to be disturbed for any reason."

“Yes, your holiness."

With her escorts in tow, Cardinal Dellward stepped inside her office.

Unlike her father and his predecessors, Cardinal Dellward's office did not display any of the opulence that went hand in hand with her position. Her desk, while an impressive size, was made of simple varnished wood, as was her chair and all the other furniture in the room. An ostentatious painting of the Lord, her holy sword drawn and held high as it had been at the battle of Canter Valley, took up most of one of the walls. Aside from a large window that looked over the central courtyard, the other walls were almost entirely covered in bookshelves.

Cardinal Dellward sat down behind her desk as her escorts took their positions, one at the door, the other at the window. Moments later, with a quiet click, one of the bookshelves shifted and swung open, revealing a secret entrance.

From the passage emerged a man in a dark blue military uniform. Cardinal Dellward's eyes widened as she noted that, behind the man, was a pelt.

It was a chiropine, a rarity on the human side of the gate. A long pair of wings were folded up along the chiropine's arms. Upon her head were a pair of almost comically huge ears, and her eyes, much larger than a humans', squinted in the bright light of Cardinal Dellward's office.

“What is this?" Cardinal Dellward demanded, surging up from her desk. “Lord Marshal, explain yourself!"

Taking a moment to straighten his uniform, Lord Marshal James Taunton met Cardinal Dellward's glare with practiced stoicism. His face was framed by an impressive pair of mutton chops, with a proud handlebar mustache curled around his lips. His greying hair was neatly slicked back and his dark brown eyes were piercing. Though he did not appear to be a particularly threatening man, there was a sense of intelligence and nobility about his every move, his every glance.

“High Cardinal, may I introduce Ten'Yala Natasi Ha of nest How'Ten." Marshal Taunton's voice had an authoritative timber, the sort of voice that could silence a room with a mere word. “Natasi, this is High Cardinal Aarin Whilheminia Dellward, the twenty third Voice of the Lord."

“Your holiness." Natasi bowed low, closing her eyes and placing a hand on her chest.

Cardinal Dellward's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing as her gaze swept over the pelt. It was bad enough that such a creature was even within the walls of Destiny Gate, but she still bore the trappings of her blasphemous religion. She wore a long loincloth, decorated with multicoloured patterns in the shapes of mountains, decorated with carved wooden beads. Around her chest was a thin poncho of intricately woven strands of blue and green, though its colour had been stained somewhat by splotches of blood, much of it the pelt's own judging by the array of hastily bound wounds all over her body.

Ignoring the Cardinal's indignation, the marshal gestured at the pelt beside him. “Natasi here has journeyed through the gate and escaped Graize to furnish us with some information that I suspect you will be most interested in hearing."

Cardinal Dellward, who had been preparing to let loose a torrent of reproach at both the pelt and the Marshal, paused, her anger at the blasphemy of a pelt drawing breath within Destiny Gate assuaged by curiosity.

“What information?" Cardinal Dellward demanded, lowering herself back into her seat.

Natasi gulped, her ears twitching as the Seraphim placed their hands on their weapons as she stepped forwards.

'God, there is none greater than you, please grant me strength to do your will.' Natasi silently prayed as she fought to control her fear. She had to resist the urge to reach for the small wooden pendant that hung from a thin metal choker around her throat. 'All I need is your light, for God is great…'

Natasi spoke slowly, her tongue unused to speaking the human language. “Please forgive intrusion to this holy place. I not mean any disrespect to you, or the Lord-"

“Your groveling is unnecessary." Cardinal Dellward interrupted, holding up a hand. “Your information, out with it."

“Y-yes you holiness. I was bidden by my patriarch to secret myself through the gate, and make my way here. Graize has been moving on the Shiyan-" She paused for a moment as Cardinal Dellward's scowl deepened. “Please forgive, I-I mean Plane Secundus."

“War with Graize is all but a certainty at this point, what of it?"

“Your holiness, they are arming the other Sh-pelt tribes! And now that they are armed, the tribes are attacking my people. Fifteen days ago, they destroyed my home, How'Ten nest!"

Shifting, Natasi extended one of her wings, showing a pair of holes in the thin skin stretched across her extremely long finger bones. “Few escaped, the rest were slaughtered. It isn't just How'Ten, nine other nests were attacked!"

“Your war against the other tribes is none of our business. Your own patriarchs made that perfectly clear."

“They have more powerful weapons now!"

“A pity."

Natasi blinked in shock. “A… A pity?! Ten nests attacked, hundreds butchered, thousands displaced… We-we are your allies!"

“Not in this matter, according to the terms of our treaty."

“W-well… Now, both the tribes and Graize are preparing to attack your fortresses on our plane! They are amassing an army, thousands strong!"

“An army armed with sticks and rocks."

“And now rifles and runes!" Natasi's voice was very nearly a desperate squeak.

As Natasi spoke, Cardinal Dellward didn't meet her gaze, but rather kept looking at Marshall Taunton.

“You believe all of this?" She asked, tapping her desk with her finger.

Natasi leaned forwards, “Your holiness, please, I beg you, listen to me! We are your allies, we-"

A single glance from Cardinal Dellward silenced Natasi's protest.

Frowning a little at Cardinal Dellward's disrespect for Natasi, Mashal Taunton puffed out his chest a little. “Our spies have said nothing about attacks on the chiropine allies. However we do know that Graize has been making preparations for war for some time, and moving against our allies on the other side of the gate and arming the slave tribes would be an effective maneuver.

“So you believe the pelt?"

“I see no reason not to."

“And what do they want us to do?"

With a nod from Marshal Taunton, Natasi bowed her head again, calming her voice. “With all due respect, your holiness, we know that you have stockpiled weapons in your fortresses on our side of the gate. If you-"

“Your side of the gate?"

Again Natasi cleared her throat. “Apologies, again holiness, but your fortresses on Plane Secondus, they have weapons. Arm us, your allies, and we could-"

“You want us to give you rifles?" Cardinal Dellward scoffed, glancing back at Marshal Taunton “It would seem this pelt has gone quite mad."

Again Natasi stiffened, her eyes narrowed as her long fingers twitched. “We are your allies… we have served Halcyon loyally, and now we need to defend ourselves! What more do we need to do?"

“Be silent."

“But-"

“Your ambassador has informed us that all is well. I see no reason to assume otherwise."

“Ambassador Ten'Tjen Flay Ra has betrayed you!" Natasi barked, stepping forward and slamming her hands on Cardinal Dellward's desk.

The two Seraphim immediately drew their weapons and started to move, but with single gesture from Cardinal Dellward, they stopped in their tracks.

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“We sided with Halcyon against the tribes! We helped you hunt down and exterminate the Shiyan Kings, we helped you break the canine and vulpine rebellions, and we assisted in your dealings with the equines! We've sold thousands of slaves to you for… scraps, for basically nothing, to prove our loyalty and commitment!"

Natasi took a shuddering breath, trying to ignore the feeling of the Seraphim glaring at her. “We have never broken faith! You promised us safety on Plane Secondus. And now we… we…" Natasi swallowed hard, “we… we demand Halcyon honour its side of the bargain!"

For a moment all in the room were frozen, the only sound, the quiet ticking of a clock upon the wall.

“You demand it, do you?"

Natasi felt a rush of terror as Arrin slowly got to her feet. She could feel the High Cardinal's gaze burrowing into her. Despite her instinct to turn and run, she stood her ground. She'd known the moment that she stepped through the gate, her mission was likely to lead to her death, and she was prepared for that.

Natasi's whole body shivered as she squeezed her eyes shut to pray. 'God is great, I am with Them and They are with me. God is great, I am with Them and They are with me…'

“You're a brave pelt, you know that?" Cardinal Dellward said at last, her voice calm, even friendly, as she began walking around her desk.

Natasi's eyes flew open, was she actually going to live?

“What was your name again?" Cardinal Dellward asked, drawing up in front of Natasi.

“Ten'Yala Natasi Ha of nest How'Ten, your holiness, b-but please call me Natasi."

“You may breathe, Natasi."

Despite herself, Natasi let out a shuddering gasp of relief. “Th-thank you."

“I'd always been told that our Chiropine allies were cowardly fools. If you are representative of your race, then it would seem I was misled." Folding her hands behind her back, Cardinal Dellward walked over to the window and looked out over the courtyard. “We've been aware that Ambassador Flay Ra has been passing information to Graize for several years now. I was curious to see if you would mention that…"

Cardinal Dellward glanced over her shoulder. “I believed that he was acting on behalf of your leadership, are you saying that was mistaken?"

“I… I do not think you were mistaken, your holiness. B-but I do not think that you have all the facts. We have no reason to betray Halcyon, the Ambassador betrayed both our peoples."

“He earned his fate. I had him executed two seasons ago."

“Y-you did?"

“Indeed. It was a quiet affair, but painful, a well earned punishment" Cardinal Dellward glanced over at one of her book shelves. Natasi followed her gaze and shivered a little as she noted a Chiropine skull sitting upon the top of the shelf, amongst a small collection of other pelt skulls.

“Our only regret is that we did not do it ourselves, your holiness."

“Good answer." Cardinal Dellward turned back to face Natasi. “I shall consider your request. If you speak true, we will provide your people the weapons to defend yourselves."

“A-and Graize?"

“We are ready for them. You may return to Plane Secondus and tell your leaders that I highly recommend they choose their next ambassador more carefully."

“Yes, your holiness."

“Also, inform them that we are going to need to take another twenty thousand slaves from the other tribes. We need your scouts to provide our hunting parties with village and encampment locations."

“A-as you wish holiness… but if Graize intends to close off the gate…"

“Our military strategy is our own. Follow my commands and you will be given the weapons you need to exact vengeance for the destruction of your home. As the Lord herself said, 'be there no cause greater than vengeance for a hearth besmirched, no greater call for blood than the invasion of one's home'. So long as our allies keep faith with us, by the Lord's own wisdom shall we too keep faith with them."

Natasi weighed Cardinal Dellward's words for a moment, before bowing low again. “Thank you, your holiness."

“Escort her back to the city." Cardinal Dellward commanded one of her seraphim. “See to it that she is comfortable, and ensure her wounds are taken care of by one of our better healers."

“As you command." The Seraphim nodded, before gesturing for Natasi to follow him.

Natasi bowed, first to Cardinal Dellward, then to Marshal Taunton, before following the Seraphim back towards the secret passage. Just before she left, she turned back. “Your holiness… was this… a test?"

“It was," Cardinal Dellward nodded. “You passed it well, ambassador Natasi."

“A-Ambassador?

“You object?"

“I… no, of course not." Her eyes filled with pride, Natasi bowed again. “Thank you, your holiness."

“So, you do believe her then." Marshal Taunton remarked, crossing his arms.

“It would certainly seem so." Cardinal Delward dropped back into her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Ally or not, I still cannot believe that you thought it appropriate to bring a pelt inside Destiny Gate."

“And I suppose you would prefer I had asked you to come down to the defence ministry?" Marshal Taunton waved his hand dismissively. “Come on Aarin, you and I both know this was the only way to make this clear."

“Be careful, James, you may not hold the canon in much regard, but I am the high cardinal." She gestured around her office. “Do you know what would happen if anyone found out she had been here? Her head would be off within the hour, and mine not long after. For the Lord's sake, we didn't even use pelts when building this place!"

The Marshal sighed as he dropped down into one of the chairs across from the Cardinal. “Well, be that as it may, I'm glad you like her."

“I don't like her, she's a pelt. I do think she might make a useful tool."

“You're not fooling anyone, you like her. You wouldn't have made her ambassador otherwise. Good choice by the way."

“We shall see."

“I'll see to it that General Downes is informed about the situation on Plane Secondus-" Major Taunton said, taking a moment to withdraw a cigar from his breast pocket. “-and that we will be arming our Chiropine allies."

Cardinal Dellward didn't say anything, instead leaning forward on her desk and folding her fingers in front of her face.

“Are you certain that this is a good idea?"

“If we don't do it, the other tribes are almost certainly going to wipe them out."

“Do we need the Chiropine any longer?"

Marshall Taunton frowned. “Don't do that Aarin."

“Do what?"

“Pretend you are heartless. We made a deal, and I don't believe for a moment you would break it."

“War changes things."

“Only a fool casts aside an ally on the eve of war. Besides, it's not like we are going to give them enough weapons to leave us unable to defend our positions."

“And if they turn on us?"

“Will it really be that different from the way things are now?"

For a few moments a heavy silence filled the room.

“Is the militia ready for this war?" She asked at last.

“We're recruiting and training as fast as we can." The marshal nodded, lighting his cigar with a spark rune. “I have several generals in mind, and we're building defences along the borders with our enemies on this side of the Vein."

“Good."

“And you?" Marshal Taunton raised an eyebrow. “Is the Order ready for what's coming?"

“The Order is always prepared." The cardinal leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “The one I am most concerned about is that buffoon sitting in Warletonwood Hall. He still seems to think that this problem can be solved with talk."

“The prime minister is a politician, they think everything can be solved with talk," Marshal Taunton observed, sparing a glance at one of the paintings on the wall. Amongst the paintings of the Lord and scenes of holy battle, was the rotund face of the Prime Minister of Halcyon, Wilfrid Jackson.

“Do you intend to inform the Prime Minister about these revelations regarding Plane Secondus?" Taunton asked, turning back to the Cardinal.

“I see little reason to. More likely than not, the fact we are aware of their moves will somehow get back to Graize and we will lose the element of surprise."

Cardinal Dellward's teeth ground against each other as she glared straight ahead. “Dammed civilian leaders… He should be more concerned about defending the Lord's chosen people than his own re-election."

“I suppose that's what happens when you have to answer to an authority other than violence."

“Would you care to explain that sentiment?" Cardinal Dellward asked, her frigid tone matching the glare she directed toward the Marshall.

“No," Marshall Taunton answered, getting up from his chair and straightening his uniform. “But I would caution you against forgetting the same wisdom as your predecessor, and his predecessor before him."

“And what wisdom would that be, Lord Marshall?"

“There is no army in the world, no strength in this world or the next, that can prevent one from being defeated by their own ambition." Tipping his hat, Marshall Taunton bowed. “Just a thought. In the meantime, your Holiness, I take my leave. I look forward to our next meeting."

Cardinal Dellward watched silently as the Marshall stepped out of her office. For a long time she was silent, staring down at her own folded fingers. Even her Seraphim bodyguard had no idea what she was thinking, not that he would say it aloud.

“Assemble the other Cardinals." Dellward commanded, getting to her feet. “And prepare the Senate Sanctum."

“Yes, your holiness."

“And send a message to Prime Minister Jackson. Inform him that there is some information he should be made aware of."

***

“Wh-what is this place?" Azee asked, her face turning red and her eyes widening.

The front of the building before her was decorated with elegantly carved pelt bodies in dramatic, almost erotic, poses. Two human guards stood outside, a pair of heavyset twins with long braids running down their backs and each wearing a pistol and sword at their hip. The word “Solstice" was engraved in gold upon an elegantly carved wooden sign decorated with suns and moons.

“Come on." Eloise urged, pulling on Azee's arm. “You're going to love this place."

“Eh… well…" Azee reluctantly followed along behind Eloise as she stepped up to the guards.

“Do you have an appointment?" One of the guards asked, his voice thick with a northern accent.

Eloise responded with a single word. “Shiyan."

The two guards looked at one another, before stepping aside. With one more hesitant glance at the guards, Azee followed behind her.

What struck Azee first was the powerful fragrances of incense and perfumed water, a sweet miasma that made her feel lighter on her feet. The space was dark, lit only by a few flickering oil lanterns, with wisps of incense drifting through the air. Long chains of metal trinkets tinkled softly amongst shifting curtains of patterned silk.

But what truly drew Azee's attention, were the people that filled the space. Humans and pelts, both male and female, milled around and lounged on large cushions, their bodies covered only by scant clothing.

“I-is this a pleasure house?" She asked, her voice little more than a squeak.

“Better." Eloise replied with a smile, handing her jacket to a softly smiling feline who approached them from behind a curtain. “This is Solstice, a spa for your kind."

“Is that… Eloise?" A voice called out from a nearby couch, hidden behind a number of silk curtains.

The curtains were pulled away to reveal two women, a human and a canine, and a chiropine male in sensual repose. The chiropine was strong and muscular, his arms and chest well toned beneath a layer of short, silky black fur. The fur on his belly and thighs was dappled grey, with the occasional grey spot drifting free and marking his body like the light of a firefly in the darkness. Not a single scar marked his immaculate coat, and his light brown eyes were bright and full of life. He made no effort to cover himself as he leaned forward.

“By God's immaculate nethers, it is Eloise!" Turning to his two companions he nodded. “Apologies my sweet ones, I'll be right back. Keep those hands of yours warm."

Swiftly clambering to his feet, the chiropine padded over to Eloise, his muzzle splitting into a wide smile.

“I was beginning to doubt you would ever be back through my door. It has been far too long."

“Hello Shinra," Eloise replied, smiling warmly. “Good to see you again." As Shinra leaned in for a hug, Eloise stepped back and chuckled, gesturing at his groin. “You mind covering that up first?"

“Hmmm?" Looking down at himself, Shinra laughed aloud. “Ah yes, I'm afraid you interrupted me during some rather, ah, sensitive negotiations. Speaking of-" he gestured at the two women, “- may I introduce our most honoured guest from the Order, Captain Artemisia Feltch, and my friend, Fleece."

“Charmed, I'm sure." Eloise bowed her head, taking a moment to appreciate the view as she did.

Picking up a nearby towel, Shinra wrapped it around his waist, before hugging Eloise and kissing her on the cheek.

Detaching from Eloise, Shinra turned to Azee and smiled. “And who is this?"

Azee's ears pressed flat against her head and she snarled, baring her teeth as she stepped back a few paces.

“What's gotten into you?" Eloise demanded.

“The other slaves told me all about the chiropine, how they betrayed the rest of our people." Azee barked, her hackles raised and the fur on her back bristling as she stepped back. “They're the reason we're slaves!"

Shinra raised an eyebrow at Azee. “ I had nothing to do with those actions, dishonourable as they may have been."

“That… that doesn't matter!"

“Doesn't it?" Shinra gestured around him. “Do you see any slaves here?"

Taking a moment to glance about, Azee was surprised to note that very few of the various pelts who had gathered around to see what the commotion was, were collared. The few collars she did see were loose, and lacked any kind of rune.

“They're still slaves though… and that's your people's fault!" She snapped, though her tone faltered.

Shinra glanced at Eloise for a moment, before stepping closer to Azee.

“You've suffered a lot, haven't you, poor thing."

Azee was taken aback, bristling at being called a thing, but surprised by the gentle kindness in Shinra's voice. “I… well…"

Shinra smiled sadly and extended his hand. “I know what my people did to yours was wrong. This place is meant to serve as some small way of repayment. If you wish to leave, you are of course free to do so."

Shinra gestured towards the door. “However, as this is a place of relaxation, I will have to ask you to wait outside while I entertain my old friend. You needn't worry of course, my men are rather friendly once you get to know them."

“I… well…"

“But please, why don't you stay for a cup of tea first? A friend of Eloise's is a friend of mine, and I would be very pleased to have you as my guest."

Whether it was Shinra's calm smile, or her surprise at his reaction to her accusations Azee found it difficult to maintain her indignation. Perhaps it was his charming smile, or the gentleness in his voice… but either way she found herself trusting his words.

“Alright." Azee nodded, slowly reaching out her hand and taking Shinra's.

“I am glad." With another smile, Shinra leaned forward and kissed the top of Azee's hand. “Now, my lady, I have an important question for you."

Nervously Azee nodded. “Y-yes?"

“What kind of tea do you prefer?"

***

Luke took a deep breath, his hands gripping the arms of his chair tightly. He was sat in the back room of Elmer's shop, his shirt unbuttoned, and Elmer gently prodding his chest.

Workbenches lined the perimeter of the room, bearing a wide variety of tools for shaping and polishing catalyst crystal. Above the benches, the walls were covered in notes and diagrams bearing a huge array of equations and runic symbols.

“What did you say the name of the woman who did this was?" Elmer asked, using a small metal calliper to measure the crystal embedded in Luke's chest.

“Eloise. I don't know her last name, I don't even know if she has one." Luke replied. “There were always rumours that she was some sort of witch."

“Mmmm…" Elmer used his finger to trace one of the almost invisible lines branching out from the crystal. “This is extremely precise and complex work, and almost certainly illegal. You should go to the Order."

“I can't do that. If this goes any further, Azee will end up being culled. I will not allow that to happen, not under any circumstances."

Elemer raised an eyebrow at Luke's statement as he continued his work.

“You know, Lint and Waylon seem to be quite happy."

“Oh really?"

“Mhmm. So long as they keep their hands to themselves when a customer is in the store, I don't give a damn. They pay their taxes and behave themselves out in public, so there is nothing for the Order to object to."

“I am glad for them."

Setting aside the calliper, Elmer looked up at Luke. “Master Windhill… I feel as if you aren't telling me the whole story about this rune.

“I told you what was important."

“Sir… every detail may make a difference. If I attempt to disenchant it and I don't have the inverse geometry right, the rebound will literally burn you alive from the inside."

“I know what you are suggesting." Luke's voice carried a dangerous edge. “But I've told you all I can."

“I can't help you unless I know exactly what this rune is supposed to do."

“This rune…" Luke's grip on his chair tightened, until with a heavy sigh he turned to Ellmer. “Somehow, Azee was able to break free of the collar you made."

“Impossible," Elmer shook his head. “That was one of the finest runes I've ever crafted. I made certain it had enough reserve power to last four pelt lifetimes."

“And yet here I am!" Luke snapped. “So either I am lying, or your collar failed!"

“I… Well…. Well there must be some unknown factor here! What were you doing to the poor girl to give her so much stress that she was able to overpower a serenity rune!"

“I…" Luke hesitated, a rush of shame running up his spine. “I… I did something that I shouldn't have, something I regret."

Elmer watched Luke closely, but his instincts told him that Luke would not share any further details.

“Either way, she broke free, and was so frightened that she struck me with a pan. After that, she ran to the witch, who in turn implanted this rune on me."

“Why?"

“She wants Azee for herself, as some sort of test subject. I think she suspects that Azee has some kind of power to resist runes."

“Hmmm, is that right?" Ellmer muttered, stroking his chin.

“I've seen the way she looks at Azee, like a naturalist staring at an interesting bug in a jar." Luke's eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened, his fingernails carving furrows into the arm of his chair.

“She may have fooled Azee, but she can't fool me. The witch is a vile creature who sees Azee as nothing more than an 'intriguing specimen'."

“So she marked you with this rune to control you?"

“This rune is meant to bind me and my will to Azee."

“Explain, please."

“If she gives me a command, I am bound to follow it or perish. If she dies, I die with her. It… gives her the power to sense my mood, to tell if I am lying or telling the truth."

Ellmer whistled through her teeth, leaning back in his wheelchair. “That… that's a hell of a rune."

“Yes… but it's strange."

“Hmmm?"

“The connection is only supposed to go one way… but somehow it would seem that I… I can sense when Azee is in danger. Several times over our journey, Azee has been placed in great danger… and each time I have felt… something, like a flash of instinct."

“Fascinating… Simply fascinating."

“So… how long will it take to remove?"

Ellmer sighed and shook his head, “I cannot remove it."

“What do you mean?!" Luke leapt up from his chair, sending a tray of metal implements clattering to the floor. “If it's an issue of money I can pay! Get this bloody mark off of me, no matter the cost!"

“I'm sorry, Master Windhill… but these runes are far beyond even me."

“But you just uncovered a new rune! You… you made Azee's collar! You are the greatest rune smith in Burleigh county! How can you not know?"

“These runes are extremely powerful and intricately intertwined. It would take several seasons for me to just identify what each factor does, let along how to untangle them." Ellmer sighed and shook his head. “Trying to undo this rune would be like trying to remove your veins without killing you."

“So what am I supposed to do?"

“Fight it."

“A brilliant suggestion," Luke growled, buttoning up his shirt.

“What I mean is, you have to be subtle." Ellmer reached out and tapped Luke's chest. “This crystal is serving as a power source for the whole array of runes, binding them together and regulating them. Activating a rune like this all at once would almost certainly kill the igniter, so this… witch, found a workaround. But this power source is not infinite."

“So… what do you suggest."

“Fight back in small ways, resist. Malicious compliance, you know, the way-"

“The way what!?" Luke demanded.

Ellmer pushed his glasses up his nose and cleared his throat. “Well, and forgive me Master Windhill, the way a slave would resist their own control rune."

A truly unpleasant feeling slithered through Luke's body. For a moment a very real sense of panic shook his mind, a feeling of being utterly trapped and powerless. Powerful nausea struck him, and for a moment he was certain he was going to be sick.

'Lord… I am her slave…'

“You'll have to be subtle, but eventually you should be able to exhaust the crystal powering the rune."

Forcefully swallowing his fear and discomfort, Luke got to his feet and pulled on his jacket. “I will take your advice."

“And I will keep working on a method of reversing the rune."

“I appreciate it."

“Where should I contact you?"

“I'm going to be heading for the Johnsburg plantation for now. After that, I am not certain. If I have access to a telegraph I will inform you of where I am."

“Very well Luke. I assure you, I will give this problem a great deal of my focus."

Luke nodded, picking up his hat and placing it on his head. “Appreciated my friend. Now, I need to get to the bank. I'll make certain that the cheque is delivered to you by tomorrow."

“Very good, thank you Master Windhill. A pleasure to see you as always."

“Indeed. And the runes I purchased?"

“Packaged and ready for you, Lint will see to it that you get them."

“Well then," Luke tipped his hat, “Until I see you again, Lord be with you."

“And with you, Master Windhill."

As Luke stepped out of the backroom, Ellmer leaned back in his wheelchair. The moment he heard the ring of the front door opening and closing, he called out.

“Waylon!"

A second later the door to the workshop opened and Waylon stuck his head inside. “Sir?"

“Contact our 'friends' around Bluehalk."

Waylon paused for a moment before nodding. “Understood. What… should I tell them?"

“Tell them… tell them that a very interesting set of resources will be coming their way, resources they may wish to take advantage of."

END OF CHAPTER 25