Tenya pushed past Stochastís, who was entering just as Tenya finished a few choice words about Amethyst not thinking things through.

"Oh my. Well, she seems... flustered." Stochastís said, looking after Tenya.

"Yes. The thing is, I didn't have a chance to go over the most important bit of information, and she wasn't happy I made the choices without consulting anyone." Amethyst let her head dip low as she sat against the balcony. She had listened to Tenya say all sorts of things, and she felt maybe they weren't too far off the mark.

"Seems you are more frustrated with her reaction than what you did." Stochastís sat against the railing beside Amethyst. "You two have an odd dynamic."

"I don't really know how to handle it. She gets so angry so quickly and won't listen to reason."

"I see, so this happens often?"

"Yes... It's been consistent." Amethyst was twisting the tip of her tail. "I understand why she is angry. Losing your child is unimaginable, and having to search for your other child...?" Amethyst remained quiet.

Stochastís rubbed his chin as he pondered the scenario. "It seems there are some options for you." Stochastís paused.

Amethyst waited for him to continue. As the seconds grew she looked to him to see a face of compassion. "What are my options?"

"The first is to understand that your actions are going to garner an expected result."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," He said, crossing his arms. "So long as the situation remains the same, so too will the results of your experiment." Amethyst had a confused look on her face. "Let me explain it another way. If you continue on the same course, you will arrive at the same destination."

Amethyst nodded. "So... If I continue to help Tenya, she will continue to act this way?"

"Close: if you expect Tenya to change, you are going to be disappointed."

"So I shouldn't try to change her?"

"Correct, you can't change someone. They will be who they will be and that is all they will be, until they make the effort to change."

Amethyst nodded, she was thinking about every fight and every argument. How petty they seemed when looking back. But she had a track record of being nice too. Even steeped in barbs as they might have been, they were still kind acts. Maybe she couldn't change her, but she could still be there anyway to encourage the good. "What's another option?"

"Well, you could stop making her problems your own?"

"No." Amethyst had no hesitation, "She saved my life, and moreover if I don't help her who will? She would be scared and lost with no one to talk to or lean on in her greatest time of need and I--" She stopped abruptly, her reaction caught her off guard. Stochastís looked at her with a knowing look.

"You are in love. Maybe there is only one option then."

Amethyst looked down. She hadn't considered that she was in love. She liked her, sure, but love? It was probably just liking a master who wasn't cruel... But she wasn't her master right? Maybe she did love her.

"You could try to set boundaries with her."

"Boundaries?"

"Rules of engagement, things she can and can't do or say. It's important for a healthy dynamic that you both respect who the other is. If that is not possible, then you should sever the relationship."

"You seem to have a lot of practice with this."

"Between my family and friends, I should think so." Stochastís seemed to become sad for a moment. "A close friend told me that boundaries were important."

"Thank you, Stochastís." Amethyst said standing up, "Enough moping for today, I have to tell everyone the plan."

§

"I can understand better Tenya's unhappiness." Stochastís said with a worried look.

"This could be a trap." Busara said, looking towards Hofu.

It wasn't easy for Amethyst to keep up with all the conflicting voices, she found it tough enough to translate for one person, going back and forth with so many languages was quite the challenge.

"He sounds similar to a man I knew years ago." Hofu said "But he was killed with my aunt."

"We can't go without a game plan." Busara stood shakily. "We need weapons or to not go at all."

"It's a hope to help find out more information about Uongo. If we can meet enemies, we may come closer to restoring Hofu to his rightful place." Stochastís said.

"Restore what?" Tenya challenged, "Kid is a murderer in the eyes of the law, there is nothing to restore."

"For now." Stochastís raised his pointer finger. "If we *can* find the truth, whatever it may be, then we can overturn the ruling."

"Working with my uncle's enemies may send the wrong message, right? What if he had nothing to do with it?" Hofu seemed hopeful.

"I would say we should take the safe road which is, unfortunately, to assume Uongo did kill your father and seeks your demise as the proper heir." Stochastís placed his hand on Hofu's shoulder.

"What if he is framed as I was? If I just go talk with him, maybe--"

"Sorry, my friend, I cannot see that as a good idea."

"I could go back to my father?" Agápi offered. "Get his opinion?"

"He denied you once, it's unlikely he will help now." Stochastís said with a frown. "Let us take our advantage as we can. We can do the meeting, but Amethyst won't go alone with Hofu."

"I told them we would be alone and they agreed to do the same."

"Don't be stupid!" Tenya exclaimed. "You are not naïve enough to think for an instant they would be alone."

"No, I am not, and if you would let me finish a single sentence before interrupting, you may know that." Amethyst snapped as Tenya crossed her arms and kept silent. "So long as they can't see anyone, we can wait to retaliate if there is an ambush."

"That is very strategic thinking," Stochastís commended. "A plan fit for Athena."

"Who?" Amethyst had never heard of such a name.

"Not important. Now, I have tools we can use, but not many." Stochastís clapped. Once again servants appeared at the table, laying out a bound leather pack. As they unfurled it, an assortment of daggers, swords, and a single spear had been rolled within. "Pick what you are most familiar with."

Nuru raised her hands and backed away, she had no interest in weapons. "I will help heal if necessary."

Busara reached for the spear, while Tenya took a sword. Hofu and Amethyst went for the daggers, and Stochastís claimed the remaining sword.

"I can't acquire much more on such short notice."

"It is enough for everyone. Wa Chini does not use a weapon." Amethyst said as she studied the dagger.

"Before we go, we should rest up well." Stochastís looked closely at his sword, a frown grew as he made a few practice swings. Amethyst watched his display, he looked rather familiar with the tool.

§

The chill air was a welcome contrast to the day's heat for the first part of the night. While Amethyst and her comrades lay waiting in the theater square, the cool night-- which had been such a blessing-- started to turn to a cold torment of the mildest kind.

Amethyst stood at the base of the amphitheater, shivering slightly in the desert night. Hofu stood at the top looking down. Amethyst frequently turned back to look at him. The others were in somewhat strategic locations that Stochastís had chosen prior to the fight.

Amethyst didn't know what time it was exactly. They had posted themselves about an hour prior, just in case there was movement or the lizard man grew impatient. To her surprise it seemed he was late, though a lonely night in the dark with no company helped the time to drag. She felt like many hours had passed and yet the moon in its fullness hadn't moved as much as she would have hoped.

The silence was broken as the sniffling figure of Lizardman made his way out of a dark alley. Amethyst knew he wouldn't be careless enough to be alone, though she couldn't see any movement nor hear noise. She hoped that he had come unaccompanied, but that would have brought a level of its own issues.

"That's the boy?" Lizardman asked, his nasally voice seemed even worse than before and he made a sniffling sound after every couple of words. He wore the same outfit as he had earlier, his eyes shifted around rapidly.

"That's him." Amethyst murmured.

"And you--" sniff "--came alone?" Lizardman snorted deeply before spitting.

Amethyst remained quiet, She considered lying as much as the truth. But in the time she waited for the lizardman, she determined remaining quiet would be the best response for both parties, even if the other meant harm.

Lizardman waited a moment before sniffling deeply. "Tell him to come closer."

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Amethyst looked over to Hofu, then back to Lizardman. "First, the enemies of Uongo."

"After I confirm it's Hofu."

Amethyst thought, then called for Hofu to come down a few steps and pull down his hood. This was also a signal Stochastís had set up to say "Be ready for a fight."

Hofu went about halfway down the amphitheater stairs before stopping and removing his hood, Lizardman squinted for a moment then shouted, "It is Hofu!"

Doors around the square burst open, men poured out as Amethyst and Hofu started to run up the blocks of stone to the top level of the amphitheater to the upper level of the street. As they did so, Busara, Wa Chini, and Stochastís, made their way down, with Tenya remaining at the top to conserve energy as Stochastís had advised.

Hofu had paused to wait for Amethyst and she hurried to him. They were only about half way up when Lizardman pounced onto Hofu, hauling him up from the waist and tugging him towards the alley he appeared from.

Wa Chini, Busara, and Stochastís engaged with the men helping Lizardman. Nuru and Agápi were hidden with the servants of Stochastís away from the square, though they could all see the battle from there.

"Lord Hofu!" sniff. "Stop fighting me!"

"Wafi?!" Hofu exclaimed, "Everyone, we are on the same side! Stop fighting!"

Amethyst echoed the call and the fighting stopped.

§

No one was seriously injured as Nuru and Agápi arrived with the servants, but Nuru started tending to both sides regardless.

"See?" She said, "There was no need to fight. Diplomacy will always win out."

"We were lucky." Busara said.

"Let's not fight amongst ourselves." Amethyst was gentle as she put her hands on Nuru and Busara. She turned back to Hofu and the lizardman named Wafi. "You trust him?"

Hofu looked up to answer, but was interrupted by Wafi. "Of course I do, he is my lady's nephew!"

"I think she was asking me," Hofu laughed.

"Then she should specify." Sniff. "No one knows who is talking to who unless it is specified." Sniff.

"I think by context-- never mind." Hofu continued to laugh. "Yes, I trust him. As he said, my aunt, Ponáei, is his master. A more loyal man you couldn't meet."

"Why have we never met?" Stochastís inquired.

Wafi shrugged and went back to talking with Hofu excitedly. Stochastís watched, then turned towards Amethyst. Tenya remained at the top of the amphitheater while the others mingled amongst themselves at the bottom.

Tenya was looking down at them, then sat, her sword to her side and her head in her hands. She hadn't engaged in the battle and seemed disappointed. Amethyst had looked her way several times after the conclusion of the fight while Hofu and Wafi spoke. As Amethyst looked up at her then, the smile she wore Amethyst knew wouldn't be seen by Tenya, but that didn't matter.

The night was mostly silent, aside from the chatting between the two parties who were enemies only minutes earlier. There was a soft breeze passing through the corridors of the city. Amethyst looked up at the stars shimmering above, they were like fairies dancing about as streaks shot through the heavens.

She was startled by Wa Chini's paw on her shoulder. His ears were back and he was sniffing about. "Serpents!"

Amethyst heard a grunt as she looked to the top of the amphitheater. Tenya was already airborne as she slammed into the stepping blocks and rolled to the bottom. She was moaning as she lay on the ground grasping her chest. Amethyst rushed to her as she gasped for air and clutched at her chest. She tried to calm Tenya and pull her to her feet at the same time.

The Serpent Guard slithered their way down the blocks as Wafi's men engaged them. "We--" Sniff "-- gotta go!" Wafi shouted.

Wa Chini started pulling Amethyst and Tenya up, and Nuru started healing her as they made their flight away from the battle. Amethyst heard screaming and begging from behind her. She glanced back to see the Serpent Guard advancing through the broken defense. They didn't pursue. Instead, they made their way towards Stochastís's home. The servants were nowhere to be seen as Amethyst retreated with Wa Chini, Tenya, and Nuru. Busara, Hofu, Wafi, and Agápi were ahead some way, waiting just long enough for rest to follow.

Tenya had partially regained her breath and was crying as they trekked through the maze of streets. Wafi stopped at a bookshop, opening the door with a small key. Tenya fell to the floor behind a desk, hyperventilating. "Shh, it's okay Tenya, slow and deep."

Tenya made a wheezing and whining sound as Nuru started working on healing her again. "I ca-- I ca--ahh-n't bre--ee-th" Tenya wheezed.

"You are breathing, just slow down. In..." Amethyst said, prompting a deep breath. Tenya shakily drew one in. "Then out..." As Amethyst let out her breath Tenya followed suit before a light coughing fit took her. After a few guided breaths, Tenya was slowly, but consistently, breathing. She wasn't crying anymore, but she was sniffling more than Wafi. Her face was puffy and her face was streaked with bits of mud made by dust and tears.

Nuru had moved to work with Busara, who had twisted his ankle just before entering the shop. They rested quietly in the shop for nearly an hour. Serpent Guard passed by the windows, peeking in and trying the door on multiple occasions.

"Well, there goes my immunity. I hope the servants are alright." Stochastís said as he sat slowly beside Amethyst.

"You are kind to think of your servants now." Amethyst looked down at Tenya who had fallen asleep in her lap. Amethyst was playing with a small section of Tenya's hair. "My masters wouldn't have hoped the same for me."

"You have lived a hard life haven't you?"

"It's had more downs than ups, but I am alive and I am happy now. I think that matters most."

"I think that is a wise way to look at it." Stochastís looked at the floor, then back to Amethyst. "I've been blessed with a rather fair life. I was not expecting this when I left Neopolis."

"I don't know who would be expecting this." Amethyst had a smile as she continued to look at Tenya. Her sleeping face was at peace. Her lips were parted slightly so that just the hint of her teeth showed. Her face was still covered in hardened dust where her tears had fallen. "You held yourself well."

"Well..." Stochastís shifted uncomfortably, "Every man must serve as a Hoplite or in the Navy as state defense, minimum. That's if they don't choose a career path like Calvary or Archer or some other first.

"Mandatory service? That must have been hard."

"Yes, it was. Grueling, but informative." Stochastís was playing with his hands, pinching and poking at the tips of his fingers. "My brother went career hoping to follow after dad who fought in the war against Eastern Ashara."

"Were they upset you weren't more of a warrior?"

"Oh gods no! My father tried like hell to talk my brother out of it. And mother was... Well she... Anyway the point is that my family would have preferred if we all stayed out. Even with father's status, it would have shamed us if we didn't serve."

"Status?"

"My father is Íroas, Hero of Melydæsos." Stochastís bore a smile and his eyes lit up the darkness the shop pressed upon them. "He held back the tide of the East Asharan Sultan as his hordes assaulted Melydæsos and its territories."

"Your father seems like an accomplished man." Amethyst's smile had grown slightly. She wished her father were a hero like Stochastís's. The thoughts quickly left her as Tenya coughed herself awake.

"Shh, you are okay." Amethyst spoke in her native language as to not startle Tenya any more with kind words.

Tenya sat up and groaned a little. "Shouldn't have let me sleep so long." She stretched slowly.

"Nuru says you will be sore, but are in no danger."

"Well, that's good at least." Tenya had a frustrated look on her face.

Amethyst wanted to touch her hand, but held her own tail and twisted it back and forth.

"It's probably about time to go." Stochastís said standing with a smile. He held his hand down for the girls. Both accepted and he pulled them up. Amethyst was surprised how easily Stochastís managed it. He was much stronger than he appeared.

§

There were still a few hours before the sun would rise. The cool of the night had deepened further in the time they were hidden in the book shop. Amethyst and Tenya were walking with the rest of the group following Wafi to Ponáei's home.

"I guess I don't understand." Tenya said.

"It is odd, but she apparently died several years ago-- well, faked it."

"I got that, and her name was... Poni?"

"Ponáei."

"So, Ponáei was the wife of Uongo... And she... faked her death."

"I guess so."

"Why?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. If you want to ask, I'm sure it's a sensitive topic, but she may tell you."

"Okay. And Wafi the lizardman is..."

"Sick, that's why he is sniffling. And yes, is also apparently the servant to Ponáei."

"Ugh!" Tenya threw her head back. "This place is so confusing!"

"I think the *situation* is confusing."

Tenya rolled her head to glare at Amethyst, then cocked her head in curiosity.

"What?" Amethyst asked hesitantly.

"Look at that rug store." Tenya pointed, a small smile on her face.

Amethyst looked over to see a rug store with its lights all lit and the door open. Inside, customers were looking around and talking.

"It's like... three in the morning." Tenya chuckled.

"An all night rug store?"

"Who needs to buy a rug at three in the morning? It's a front."

"A front?" Amethyst looked confused.

"Yeah, a place pretending to be a legitimate shop, but actually sells illegal or black market things."

"Oh." Amethyst found the situation's humor and laughed. "Maybe they just want to shop in peace away from the crowds."

Tenya glared at Amethyst with a smile. "Must be fuckin' nice."

"What?"

"To have the ability to just run a rug shop so successful that you can leave it open all night."

Amethyst's smile widened. "They must have so much excess money."

"Or they're struggling and it's the only way to keep going."

"That's dark." Amethyst thought about the possibilities. "I like to think they are selling drugs or something else illegal."

"Oh that's way more likely." Tenya had, what seemed to Amethyst, a genuine smile. "Weapons? Nope, you can buy those anywhere. It's not people either, considering." Tenya put her hand on her chin. "Drugs? I mean pretty bold, literally putting a beacon up."

"Assassins?"

"Assassins!" Tenya laughed deeply. "That's got to be it!" Her laugh turned into another coughing fit.

Amethyst patted her back gently. "You know what would be wild?"

Tenya cleared her throat, taking deep breaths between giggles. She looked at Amethyst, "Huh?"

"If it's just a rug shop."

"Of all the things it could be, I agree just a rug shop open at three in the morning is weird." Tenya chucked a little before looking forward. Amethyst left her hand on Tenya's back as they traveled.

§

The estate of Ponáei was significantly larger than that of Stochastís. There were even guards at the gates. Wafi gave them a nod and the doors opened. The guards seemed excited to see Hofu, and he acted the same-- as if they knew each other.

"Those men worked for my father and myself. Such a small world." Hofu said to the group at large. Tenya scoffed a little as Amethyst translated.

The home was mostly bare of any luxuries. Cots and chairs filled most of the rooms, and men and women were moving all around as Wafi took them through the house. "Welcome to--" Sniff "--The New Sun."

Amethyst took in the people watching her. Some were humans, but most had odd features. Some had feathers sprouting from their heads and arms, others had scales randomly growing about them. There were people who looked more like animals, but only some of their limbs. One man looked human down one half of his body and had thick fur along the other half.

"Everyone here is suffering from Magic Poisoning." Stochastís said to Amethyst. "They likely only have a few years left to live."

"That's horrible!" Amethyst responded.

"Theory is that they have magic, but no way to use it. It builds up and mutates them to death."

"I thought mages would use that as a way to advance themselves."

"Fools maybe." Stochastís spat. "It's only a theory, and anyone who does that is evil and doesn't deserve forgiveness." Stochastís seemed quite passionate about it.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes..." He took a deep breath. "My father fought like hell to stop mages who tried just that."

"Oh." Amethyst didn't know what else to say. Wafi had led them to a small parlor room which had a bench and table. Everyone found a spot as comfortable as they could and waited.

Wafi returned a little later with a beautiful woman. Her dark completion looked similar to Busara. She was tall, holding herself regally. Her hair was braided and piled up high, so she seemed even taller than she was.

She wore a silken dress that was a deep royal purple, her hair was a mix of reds and blues giving a purple illusion. Her makeup was placed so that each feature was highlighted, but was done in a bold and masterful way. Though each individual part of makeup reminded Amethyst of a jester or clown, it all came together to be bold and daring, like a statement against the wealth she held-- or perhaps used to hold.

After a long look, Amethyst realized that it wasn't makeup, but scales which glimmered along her flesh like that of a snake.

"Auntie!" Hofu exclaimed.

Ponáei didn't move her head, but her eyes shot over to Hofu, studying him. Her glare softened and her face relaxed. As she walked over to Hofu, her robes fluttered behind. "Hofu, my nephew!" They embraced briefly. "I hoped it was true." She looked him up and down while he did the same in return.

"I didn't kill anyone, I promise." Hofu said. He had tears welling in his eyes as he looked up at her.

"Oh I know. You are too sweet a soul to kill another in cold blood." She looked him in the eyes as she slowly said the next part. "Your uncle had been seeking to kill your father for years." Her image hardened again.

"That is why you left then?"

"No." Her answer was abrupt. "I left for another reason."

"But you didn't know, right?" Hofu looked pleadingly. "Tell me you just didn't know."

Ponáei turned around to walk out the door. She paused and looked back. "I am not a good person, but I will help you reclaim your title and home, Hofu. You are a good boy and Uongo deserves to be punished."

"Why would you stay with him knowing what he wanted? How could you leave without warning us?"

"My priorities were different then. Things changed, and now I have a new role."

"I don't understand. Family would never do that... You should be ashamed!"

Ponáei looked at him, a small smile grew. "You are completely right." She returned to Hofu. "Let me ask you one thing." Ponáei looked to Agápi, then back to Hofu. "How far would you go for the one you love?"