Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Ajutoare

Jade is a Guard.

Stepping off a ship, she wonders if she’ll return to her home as a Guard. The job she has to do is harder than anything she’s done before. But there’s a silver lining, somewhere up there at Zenyth.

“I am so glad to be done with that,” Guilia sighs, hobbling around. Grabbing Jade, she steadies herself and catches her breath. “That was hell on earth.”

“Don’t exaggerate,” Jade responds, “You’re acting like Zade.”

“Well, he was right!”

“Who was?” Mothe asks, stepping on dry land. He is a lean man, a guard from Arcadia, and he’s come here because one of his friends is a Mage. Jade doesn’t blame him, after all, she did the same thing herself.

“My Mage friend,” Jade tells him.

“More than friend,” Guilia whispers to Mothe, although the sound is perfectly audible. “She tries to hide it, but we know the truth.”

Mothe nods wisely. “I totally understand. Your secret is safe with me, Jay.”

“There is no secret,” Jade says, gritting her teeth.

“Of course not,” Mothe winks. “No secret at all.”

“Y’all are so childish,” Jade tells them. “You’re both in your twenties. Act like it.”

“You’re a yungen compared to us,” Mothe replies. “You don’t know how mature I should be.”

“Alright, everyone, listen up!” The Captain of the new Army, the Ajutoare, tells them. “I have talked with the dockmaster. We will have to lodge in different places. After we talk with the Parliament, we might be able to all stay in the same place, but it’s better for us all to drop all our stuff somewhere and return. There are many inns in the Market. We will journey there, and we can decide where we’ll stay.”

A chorus of Aye, sirs runs through the Ajutoare, who salute and begin to march behind the Captain. Yue recognizes the way to the Market, and decides she wouldn’t need help reaching there. She was here just recently with Zade.

“Where is Zade staying?” Guilia asks.

“Somewhere there,” Jade points to Zenyth. “I’m not sure where, but he’s in there.”

Guilia’s mouth drops. “I thought that was just a monolith.”

“Nope, it’s mage central.”

“Did you go inside?”

“No. I wasn’t allowed to, as I was not a Mage. I think they’ll let me in, though, once they realize I need to speak with those in charge.”

“Don’t forget why we’re here,” Mothe says. “To fight the Horde.”

“Is that really why you’re here?”

Mothe sighs. “Of course Why else would I be here?”

“When was the last time you saw your friend?” Guilia asks.

“A few years ago,” He replies. “I assume he’s an expert mage by now?”

“In two years!” A man says, apparently eavesdropping. “Good luck with that! The only Mage I ever knew took ten years to be considered an experienced mage, and he was one of the best.”

“And who invited you?” Guilia asks, frowning. The man shrugs.

“Just putting things into perspective,” He says.

As he moves away, Jade turns to Mothe.

“He is right, though. I don’t think two years will be enough.”

“We’ll see,” Mothe shrugs.

“Has he never sent you any message?” Jade asks.

“Actually, yes, but I’m tired of receiving those one way calls,” He says. “I can’t tell him anything!”

“What are you talking about?” Guilia wonders.

Jade tells her about the messages Zade sent her, and Guilia frowns.

“Why didn’t you tell me about that?”

“It just never felt like the right time,” Jade responds. “We always had something on our minds—the Horde, Demien and Chrome, this trip—it just felt wrong to talk about it.”

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“So there was a battle here recently?” Guilia says.

“Well,” Mothe says, his eyes widening. “I think that’s pretty obvious!”

Looking at the Market, Jade gasps. While most of the Market looks the same, some houses are destroyed, burned down almost. There’s a black pillar standing in the middle of the market with names on it. The streets are littered with what looks like dried blood and the whole market just feels wrong.

“What the hell were they fighting here?” Mothe asks.

“It doesn’t look that bad,” Guilia says.

“They have mages here,” Jade reminds her. “They’d have fixed everything quickly, if it wasn’t so bad.”

“The Mages did such a great job,” Mithe gushes. “I can’t even see all the blood and intestines.”

“Intestines?”

“There’s a heart over there,” He points. “Must’ve been a big man, or animal, I guess. Imagine fighting something big like that.” Unsheathing his sword, Mothe holds it in front of him.

“And you did that, why?” Guilia asks.

“You never know who’s ready to attack,” Mothe warns. “They’re always watching.”

“Who’s they?”

“Exactly,” Mothe growls. “Keep your eyes out.”

They have arrived at the center of the market. Many citizens are staring at them, murmuring about the strange army in the heart of their city. Some are terrified, screaming that a second battle is starting. Others only wonder curiously what we are here for.

“I want each of you to find an inn,” Captain Kanad says. “There you will get a room for yourself. You can share it with someone else. Spread a message of peace. We do not want to worry Magefell, especially when their situation is as delicate as it is now. Meet back here in an hour without armor. That way, we stress the citizens less. Thank you.”

“Where should we go?” Mothe asks.

“I know a place,” Jade smiles. “If it’s still standing.”

— — —

It is still standing.

Opening the door to her sizable and well-furnished room in the Ember On The Waters, she thinks of the last time she was here, bringing Zaden to become a mage-in-training.

Mistress Anan remembered her from last time, and wanted to give her the same room she’d stayed in last time, but Chrome was with her, and her old room was too small.

Mothe was next-door to them, but wasn’t sharing it with anyone, at least, not as far as she knew, and she pointed that out to him.

“Why are you staying in a double room if you’re staying alone.”

“You never know who I’m bringing late at night,” the man grins.

“Gods bless those poor souls,” Chrome rolls her eyes.

“Gods bless them,” Mothe replies. “They’ll have to work hard to keep up with me.”

“You better not make any noise while we’re trying to sleep,” Jade warns.

“I’m sure you two will be making just as much noise in the night.”

Jade throws a pillow at him, and he ducks into his room, laughing all the way.

“Asshole,” Guilia groans.

“Lovable asshole,” Jade says.

“Still an asshole,” Guilia collapses on her bed. “Reminds me of Demien a bit.”

“Demien was meaner,” Jade replies. “Intentionally, of course. Mothe, at least, shows that he likes us.”

“I miss them all,” Guilia tells her. “Torr, Chrome, Demien. I didn’t know I’d miss them more now that I’ve left Arcadia, but I do.”

“Me too,” Jade admits. “I want to see them again so bad, but only Torr…”

“Not Chrome and Demien.”

A knock comes at their door. Outside, Robin smiles and frowns at Jade, something she’s never seen and now wishes she never sees again.

“Forgetting about me, sister?”

“Actually, yes,” Jade says. “I don’t think we have space in our room anymore.”

“That’s fine, I’ll stay with Mo,” Robin grins evilly, knocking on Mothe’s door.

“Mo?” Guilia wonders. “No one calls him Mo!”

Mothe screams as he opens the door.

“No, not you! Get out right now!”

Robin and Mothe had a love-hate relationship—that is, Robin loved Mothe and Mothe hated her.

“Stand aside, brother. Let me enter. We will share these premises.”

“No way,” Mothe blocks the door. “You will not get in.”

Groaning, Robin pushes Mothe, who flops to the ground. Entering the room, Robin stretches.

“This is nice. Just me and you, Mo.”

“Don’t call me that,” The man stands up, scowling. “You’re not staying here.”

“That’s your opinion, and I take it into consideration, but I refuse.”

“This is my room!”

“Our room,” Robin corrects. “Of course, if you want to leave.”

Mothe turns a pleading look to Jade and Guilia, who are doing their best not to laugh, and failing miserably.

“Thanks so much, girls,” Mothe growls at them, in a whispering voice.

“It’s hard to take you seriously when you let Robin throw you around like that,” Guilia says, wiping tears from her eyes.

“She’s not throwing me around,” Mothe replied indignantly, brushing himself off. “I’m letting her throw me around. So, I’m throwing her around first.”

“I believe you,” Jade raises her hands innocently. “Of course, I’m not sure she does. She’s standing behind you, and she isn’t happy.”

Mothe jumped backwards and looked behind him to find nothing.

“I hate you, Jay,” He groans. “I’ll tell Zade all you’re doing, and he won’t date you after that.”

“I don’t want to date him,” Jade mutters.

“We need to get settled,” Robin says from behind Mothe, pulling him. “Come on, brother.”

Mothe turns one last pleading look at them before the door closes.

“Poor guy,” Guilia laughs. “He’ll suffer under her.”

“Definitely,” Jade says. “So, should we head down to the Market?”

“We have time to rest,” Guilia replies. “I need a nap.”

“So do I.”

— — —

“Welcome to Magefell,” Captain Kanad tells them. “It’ll be fun here, but we’re not here for fun. We need to get word to the parliament as quickly as possible. For that, we need someone to send a message to the High Mages. One or more of you must go to tell them what is happening. Once you tell the High Mages, we should get a Parliamentary session. We shall tell them what is happening, and I assume they’ll give us better lodgings until the inevitable battle.

“I need volunteers to go to Zenyth. I need someone, preferably with connections, who can reach Zenyth without any problems with guards. Does anyone feel they can do this job?”

Jade raises her hand immediately. She wants to get to Zenyth as quickly as possible, and the way in seems to be getting the message of the Horde inside. Mothe sees her and decides not to raise his own hand. None of the others do, thankfully.

“Jade, step forward,” Captain Kanad tells her.

Doing so, Jade realizes how short Captain Kanad is. He stands at least a head shorter than her, and Zade is a head taller than her.

“You know what to tell them,” the Captain tells her.

“Yes, sir. I will tell them the Horde is coming and we are here to help.”

“Exactly. Now, I know you want to see your friend, so I’m giving you twenty-four hours to talk to the High Mage and return to me. Is that good?”

Jade tries to conceal her excitement. “Yes, sir. It’s perfect, sir. I’ll be back with news.”

“Good. Now, go,” He says, grabbing her shoulders. “I don’t want to say we’re counting on you, but…”

“You're counting on me.”

“Yes.”